Monday Madness...

"What's going on, what's going on..."  Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

And another Monday has come to pass.  I know the quote is pretty much straight forward, I just thought that I would go simple today.  I was out catching up and tearing down Tim Hortons last night with a dear friend and we had a BALL.  So this segment of Monday Madness is dedicated to her.  Baci RiRi! (sorry, my italian is rusty...oh wait, I don't speak italian...)

So without further adieu, here is Monday Madness–last weeks news that made me cringe, cuss or shake my head.

1) He's free, lord help me:  Alright, I know that when you heard R.Kelly was free you were not surprised and you also knew that I would have something to say.  Well, I sure do!  First of all, I am not saying I was there holding the video camera, but I will be the first to admit that I saw a piece of the disgusting video.  A word to the wise, if you are planning to make your debut in blue moviemaking, don't do it at your house.  Especially after you have had MTV, BET or whatever in your house shooting a special, careening through every part of your house with their video cameras.  Yes y'all, after I saw the special on MTV, BET or wherever, which showed the alleged room he had his little tryst in - plant by plant, lawn chair by lawn chair (it's an indoor rainforest!!!), I really just shook my head.  And honestly, wasn't his marriage to a 15 year old Aaliyah enough insight for us?  I read that when the verdict came in, he was thanking Jesus.  Honey, Jesus was busy doing something of importance and figured to shut you the hell up, he would set you free.  Perhaps there are other things in store for Robert, who knows.  But I know it will not consist of me spending money, supporting anything he does or anything remotely involving him for that matter.  I am spent.  If you want to read more about the whole fiasco, you can do so here.

2) Newsweek and Lil Wayne - WHY?!:  Now this I found entertaining as all hell.  I could not understand why Lil Wayne was being interviewed by Newsweek, but I guess with all his success with the crap...sorry–the tracks he has been releasing from Tha Carter III, it would have happened sooner than later.  However, when I read the article–my my, that was a trip!  I have no idea if he was heavy on the syrup or just didn't care (perhaps both), but with a Q&A session like this you have to laugh:

One of the rumors that went around last week was that you checked into rehab.

"Yeah, I heard that."

What does that make you think?

"It don't"

(Newsweek)

PRECIOUS!!  Oh to be a fly on the wall at that interview, or better yet to be the interviewer!! You can read the rest of it here if you want a good chuckle.

3) The Dap Kings: I know this is a bit old, but I forgot to put my two cents in.  I LOVE this picture.  I have no idea why so many naysayers actually had a problem with it.  Perhaps, like me, they just wanted to put in their two cents.  Look, the man got the job done, he set out to do what he did and did it in an unprecedented manner.  Not to mention, behind ever great man there is a great woman and to me, this picture says it all.  It says, "Baby, that's how we do–now let's get 'em!"  

Congrats to Obama, since I have not said it as of yet.  And now the battle begins...

4) To Hell In A Handbasket:  This is old too, but again, here is my insight.  The man that brought us Nsync and Backstreet Boys, Lou Pearlman,  has landed his tail in jail for running one of the longest Ponzi schemes in American History.  Apparently having top hits and selling millions of records was not enough for his ass.  Don't ask me what a Ponzi scheme is, I have no idea but I will look it up and oh look, here you go (don't always trust wiki, but hey..).  But a scheme is a scheme to me!  He was sentenced to 25 years in jail for money laundering, conspiracy and making false statements during a bankruptcy proceeding.  Wow Lou, after all that money those two bands made for you, you still had to go and involve innocent people to buy into your schemes.  The dude managed to swindle $300 million worth of funds - MADNESS!  And this is not the first time that he has found himself in trouble, not a surprise huh?  Both of the bands he created previously sued him, that says a lot if you ask me.  I guess 25 years is a comfy long time to ponder about what you have done.  Bye, Bye Bye...

There wasn't really anything else that tickled me, so that is it for the day.

Flashback of the day:  This song was my JAM when I was younger, I am in a disco soul mood, so jam with me and Miss Ward!

See y'all soon...

Tha Connoisseur 

For The Love Of Reggae...

"Gimmie little time, help me clear up my mind..."  UB40 - Red Red Wine

Well as everyone knows I am back in the Tdot doing the damn thing.  I started work on Wednesday and all is a go, however I am still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I have to slow down and go according to the Toronto flow again.  I will get to it, but most likely by the time I am ready to head back to NYC–and that is JUST fine with me.  :)

So today is album of the week day, the day I look forward to.  Well, I wasn't sure on what to go with today honestly.  But I saw a clip on TV that inspired me, made me reminisce a bit and took me back to a really good place.  I know some of you will think this reggae band is quite syrupy, yet some will agree with me when I say that they are one of the most underrated bands I know.  The album of the week is:

UB40 is one of my favorites for many sentimental reasons.  It was one of the first concerts that I attended at a pretty young age.  My older cousin was the chaperone and we–my brothers, sister and I, accompanied her to one of the best concerts in my life.  And the reasoning is not because it was my "first" concert, the reason is because it was an all around phenomenal show.  The echoing voice of Ali Campbell on the lead, vibrated off of the walls and into my soul.  And the band?  The sound of the brass and percussion, right down to the tambourine–together in unison, meshing throughout the hall...watching all the spectators eat it all up, sway in the groove and continue to be entranced by the music.  UB40 turned the hall into a dancehall and I will never forget that experience or show.  It was all done in accordance to the music that was being provided live by a lil' old multicultural reggae/ska/dub influenced band from Birmingham, England.  

UB40 came to prominence in North America with the release of Labour Of Love.  Their remake of Neil Diamond's song "Red Red Wine" can be found on the song listing at any karaoke bar or on the do not play list at your friend's wedding (depending on what type of wedding you go to of course.)  Either way, the song has been stuck with a sore of a moniker– the cheesy song hardly anyone wants to hear (I don't care, I still love it.)  Nonetheless, Labour Of Love is one of my favorite albums and I must say honestly speaking, the only one that I own from the reggae band.  I know a lot of their singles, but don't know any of their other albums–except this one.  UB40's cover of all of the listed songs are amazing, jovial and cool.  The album's opener "Cherry Oh Baby" is a fun, no fuss tune that you can't help but chant and chill to, "Sweet Sensation" has a deep mellow flow and the synthesizer and brass heavy "She Caught The Train" all add to make the album what it is.  It is one of the albums that I listen to from beginning to end, thoroughly and enjoy every minute of it.

Last I read, there was trouble in the land of UB40 and a couple of the members were not happy at all causing them to leave.  The voice of the band, lead singer Ali Campbell and keyboardist Michael Virtue both took leave after some managing disagreements.  It was said that the lead was being replaced by Ali Campbell's brother Duncan.  Wow,  I wonder how he will take that since they are not exactly in sibling bliss.  If you would like to read more about their plans to continue on without the two major players, you can do so here.  They did release their last album with the original line up called Twentyfourseven recently.  I am not exactly sure what it is about and how it is, but if you are a fan check it out.  I was sad to hear that the original line up was being disrupted, but what can we do?  Give thanks to Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders for bringing this band and their music to the forefront.  If you would like to find out more on UB40, you can check out their website here.

Flashback of the day:  I decided to go with my favorite track on the album.  I love, love, LOVE this track.

Have a great weekend...

Tha Connoisseur