Random Thoughts

I should be in bed, typical. I have so much to take care of but there are not enough hours in any day. I am charged over what I experienced in this past weekend. I added a new post to my project, The Musiq Spotlight Blog: SoulUK.

I put this blog together in hopes of it being a resource for independent musicians and for people looking for opportunities to network with the movers and shakers who make things happen behind-the-scene in our INDIE SOUL world. There are talented, skilled and enterprising individuals and companies listed in The Musiq Spotlight Blog.

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This past weekend in New York, the annual Indie Soul Mixer took place up in Harlem. This is year number four and the gathering has grown to such a level that the organizers, Dexter Myers and Mike Ashley know that the venue which has hosted the Mixer for its years of existence, Billie's Black can no longer hold the crowd. People were wall-to-wall, even more so this year than any other year I can recall...this is year #3 for me.

The evening opened with some enlightening commentary from Marko Noble of RhythmandSoulRadio.com, Kevin Harewood of EDclectic Entertainment, Terry Bello of the International Soul Music Summit and Drake Phifer of Urban Organic Entertainment.

This event has literally become 'the' networking event for any independent soul artist who is either in the New York area or able to come to New York to exchange cds, pass out business cards, rock the mic and show people what you're working with and to gain some knowledge from a few pioneers who graciously gather to mix and mingle. There were way too many artists in the house for me to remember, but those I recall: Nikki Wade, Rogier, Teisha Marie, Kev.O, Terrence Darnell, Lenora Jay, Kenny Wesley, Mika, Abby Dobson, Kendra Ross, LaSonya Gunther, Steve Wallace, Tomas Doncker, Veronica Dawkins, Green Tea, Jeff Hendricks, Mahasin, Anthony Dixon, Tom Paul, Drea, Jimmy Salvameni, Paul Rivers Bailey, Kimberly Nichole, Ashanti, Johnny Kemp and others whose names I didn't catch or hadn't been told. There were some who blessed the mic and made you really open a wide eye and take note, there were others who got on the mic and should have opted to stay in the audience to spectate -- there were a few who went well over their allotted one song and there were even more who didn't step to the mic.

Here are a few pictures

Mike Ashley & Dexter Myers


Marko Noble


Terry Bello & Mike Ashley


Kevin Harewood

~ ~ ~ Thrilled ~ ~ ~

Sometimes you reflect on where you are in life and you wish for more. Sometimes you think back on the path you've taken and become overwhelmed. This year is off to a great start for my side~gig, ONUTSS. We've got some really exciting events coming up and other ventures in the works -- I wanted to share the following with whomever is out in the blogosphere (Fiona turned me on to that word :) and might be reading my words:



Ashanti Munir and Paula Ralph-Birkett are two very special ladies. We have the distinct honor of announcing that they will be our featured performers for our Women's History Month celebration. What better way than to celebrate the strength of a woman than with two beautiful feminine gems who have fabulous voices?!

Listen to these ladies sing:

Ashanti Munir sings the National Anthem

Paula Ralph-Birkett


Please save the date and plan to join us for an evening of good music, good vibes and a guarantee of great memories!



It is no secret to anyone who loves music that Luther Vandross was a gift sent to us from God. He's one who we still find great difficulty in knowing that nearly four years have passed since he left us, in the physical sense. For our utter enjoyment, we have a treasure chest of music that Luther created for us all to enjoy with the point of a finger.

It is with all the pride that we can muster that we announce that ONUTSS is honoring the memory of Luther Vandross on April 20, 2009 at NY's legendary Blue Note. It's important to point out that Luther would have celebrated his 58th birthday on that same day. We truly believe that this tribute in song will be blessed by Luther's spirit -- which will be with us in the building that evening.

We will be featuring an unbelievable ensemble of male vocalists: GORDON CHAMBERS, KENNY WESLEY, V and MIKE HAMMOND, along with a backing band of incredible musicians -- headed by our Music Director/Guitarist (Kelvyn Bell), Funktified Drummer (Daru Jones) and Bodacious Bassman (Kim Davis), with more to come. Our hostess for the evening will be the vivacious, Lorenda Robinson of Brown Baby Girl fame. These musicians have worked with the best of the best -- from Najee, Kashif, Sybil, Talib Kweli, ?Love of the Roots and so many more noteworthy talents -- it's just ridiculous!

There will be two shows (8pm and 10:30pm) and reservations are STRONGLY recommended. For more information and singer bios please visit The Blue Note's website.