Gratitude

I promised myself that when I put this blog spot together that music would be my mainstay but not my all. It's the morning after Thanksgiving 2008 and I think I may have slept for about four hours -- half an hour longer than usual. So much on my mind -- so very much. Thanksgiving is a time when someone like me who prefers to avoid the telephone, can send a wad of text messages to friends and family to wish them the best. I received a phone call that shocked me beyond belief -- a call from an old friend whose music I loved and friendship I cherished. You know how life distances you from people you care about unexpectedly? Well the circumstances that reconnected us were unfortunate, but I was grateful to speak with him again and I will keep in contact this time around!

[I find it surprising that the family upstairs slept later than usual and their three small children aren't running marathons over my head (just yet).]

It's bright and early and if I were a shopper, I would be out in the madness going on at the local mall. But, I'm an oddity to women -- so I've been told. I hate shopping. I cringe when I think of going to department stores. I run in and run the hell on back out. Target used to be one of my favorite spots because it was an in-house dream...clothes, food and MUSIC. Now their prices are so beyond belief and the pickings are slimmer than slim. So, I'm shopping more online than ever before.

Hanging with my family is always an experience. I watched my mother huff and puff, while exclaiming that she was thoroughly exhausted but absolutely refusing to turn the reins over to anyone else. My sister is a comedian without a title. She's what you'd call "nice/nasty" -- she's got this outter packaging that she tries her best to make appear as though she's shatterproof, but she's cookie dough. Mushy and sweet! And my niece is a piece of work. I'll leave it at that!

I'm so blessed to have my family to turn to. We've all suffered through some serious health challenges this year, but we're still holding on. God kept us.

My son decided late in the day to hang out with his other relatives on the paternal side of his bloodline. I felt some sort of way but didn't want to hold him back or drop the guilt-trip on his shoulders. I was more concerned than usual because the terror threat in NY is up for all forms of mass transit. We are living in a wicked time, if you didn't know. So he trekked up to the North Bronx and then down to Harlem and who knows where he ended up with his father.

With my son being gone, I had some time to really feel 'all alone in this big space and not much to do with myself' in a great way. An overtly blatant reminder that he will be going off to college in a couple of months (if he stops procrastinating) and then it will be just me. I've got to start establishing firmer ties in my community so that I'll have even more to occupy my time. I need something to prevent me from going stir crazy.

I'm excited about tonight because I've treated myself and my mom to The Whispers and O'Jays concert. I can't say that I remember being in a situation to do something like this in quite some time. I also have not seen Eddie Levert live since the passing of Gerald and Sean. I hope he doesn't bring me to tears but I am so looking forward to rocking out with them tonight.

The Rugrats upstairs are awake -- guess I'll pop my earphones in close my eyes for a while.

Peace, blessings and cherish your family while you can!

The O'Jays: Flashback

The Whispers - Walter & Scottie (The Mustache Men)

Still thankful..but sleep deprived - on the musical haunt

Thankful for life and the love of family & friends -- sending thankful love to you all!

My Soul Ascension

Inspiration to revitalize often comes from unexpected sources. There has been too much music floating through my personal airwaves for me to pass on exposing others to. Here I am digging deep and wanting to share more of my inner soulful collection. This volume brings to you a little old, a lot new:

Midnite - D-Influence
Mt. Airy Groove - Pieces Of A Dream
I Reminisce - Ayah
If It Wasn't For You - Day 26
Candlelight - Jody Watley
Your Eyes - Lamone
That Was Then - Lalah Hathaway
Take Me Home - Sara Devine
Open Book - Dain Harris
Pull Up To The Bumper - Grace Jones
Freak Like Me - Adina Howard
Best Friend - V
Fly - Lina
Ascension - Maxwell
Rise - Martin Luther
Rising Up (Instrumental) - The Roots

Enjoy!

Here's the download link
My Soul Ascencion

Hits & Misses: New Spotlight Series featuring V

Some time ago I heard a lot of fuss about an artist named V and had finally taken a chance to check him out for myself. Most people know that my taste in music differs from the masses and that I'm a hard sell. So in my mind I had already put off checking him out and had little hope of being the least bit interested in his sound; besides I was anxiously awaiting the release of Rahsaan Patterson's Wines & Spirits (smile). We are living in a time where the filtered music that is played in the mainstream channels generally has no distinct sound. Every artist sounds the same and leaves you feeling unenthusiastic. So although I was getting heads-up about V from people who I turst, their ears are not mine and our taste in music has often clashed.

I believe in giving credit where it's due and I must thank 4 Da Soul for the sale that led to them liquidating their stock of good music. I placed my order one day and waited intently for the arrival of the hype music. Finally, the cd arrived and I smiled at the title, The Revelation Is Now Televised, as well as at the photo of V lounging in what seemed to be a pensive state of mind on the cover. I had a feeling that I was about to be impressed by this guy whose snippets of music I'd heard during an interview on HoneySoul.com. Once I popped the cd in, there was no doubt that I had slept on a musical gem so sweet that even Rahsaan would have to take a back seat for a minute.

The Revelation Is Now Televised was released in 2006 but it wasn't until sometime in 2007 that this treasured piece of musical property was claimed by me and has yet to leave my sight. I travel with V in my truck, he accompanies me while I am at work and when I happen to travel by train his music lives in my iRiver. This album opens with V's soulful singing eminating from so deep within that you envision the journey he's taken to arrive at this point. If I were asked to do a comparison of V's sound to an artist with a bit more familiarity, I would have to name none other than the legendary Marvin Gaye. His voice compliments the music on each song, with lyrics and melodies so sincere that it leaves little doubt that V is personally caressing your ears with his sensual vocals.

V is no stranger to the soul stage and his credits are impressive. He can always be found singing along with Jill Scott and has worked with such notables as Jazzy Jeff, Musiq (Soulchild) and Justin Timberlake, to name only a few. Check out his MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/vsign) for video clips of a few performances with Lady Jill and information about how you, too can own a copy of The Revelation Is Now Televised.

In a short span of time, I have become a champion for V's music and was elated to speak with him a few days ago to my utter delight. He assured me that he is in the studio now working on the next masterpiece and the release date is slated for early 2009. With all honesty, I am a little disappointed that more people aren't standing up to raise the flag for this brother's music. I have not heard of him being nominated for any independent soul music awards or seen more features and interviews about this talented gentleman, but I truly believe that all of that will be a thing of the past.

This is a bonafide slept-on hit!

Check out this video: V does Marvin!