Certifiable Music For Your Soul #1

I revealed recently that I have put my pen down as an official reviewer of new music cds. What I have come to realize is that my words are solely my opinion, and as selective as I am about music -- it's best for me to support the music that moves me. Having said that -- and knowing that I definitely need to get back on the ball to making this blog come to life -- I'm going to begin with the first post in a long series of Certifiable Music For Your Soul! Although it truly refers to the music that moves 'my' soul -- I want to let you in on my secret audible pleasures. I don't know how often I'll post in this category because music that grooves me doesn't come in any specific frequency. Sit tight and ride with me. As always, I appreciate you taking the time to read my thoughts.

CERTIFIABLE MUSIC FOR YOUR SOUL #1

(1)
Calvin Richardson: Facts of Life: The Soul of Bobby Womack

Calvin really did his thing on this project
Check out the video for "A Woman's Gotta Have It"



(2)
J. Moss - Just James


JMoss is on Twitter and from the tweets that are being posted, besides me -- people are really feeling this new album. Already, there are a couple of cuts on this album that really stand out for me -- but nothing has moved me like "Anointing" has in quite some time.

For a preview of the new album...visit InsideJMoss.com

(3)
V: It Is Finished! The Paradox: Vol I


Although I am his Publicist, I am and have been a 'fan' first of his music. That is what brought us together. This album has evoked for those who've listened to it, many different feelings. For me, it is a complete album from start to finish.

This album is now available for purchase on Amazon and iTunes.
No library for a music lover of today's indie soul is complete without it!


Rounding out this edition are songs sprinkled here and there:

Eric Roberson & Lalah Hathaway: Dealing
Eric Roberson: Newness


Ledisi: Turn Me Loose
Say No
Goin' thru Changes


Remember to: support INDIE SOUL music makers by purchasing the music you enjoy. Not sure who's doing what?

Well, here's a gift for you from Vikter Duplaix ~ Electric Love (free download)

Until we meet again...
I wish peace & musical blessings upon you!

Feels Real Good!

 

After a wonderful weekend up in Springfield, Massachusetts at the Organix Soul showcase (get there, if you haven't experienced it) -- I touched down in New York with my favorite fellas. My love runs deep and the talent is real!

(to the left = Bradd Marquis http://www.myspace.com/braddmarquis)
(to the right = V http://www.myspace.com/vsign)

PINCH ME!!!!

Your legacy

What will your legacy be when your time here on Earth has run out? Have you given any thought to what remnants of you people will hold onto? It's funny, this topic came to mind as I spoke with a few people I know in reference to someone we know who has passed on.

What was really crazy is that when we discussed this particular individual, we all had this instantaneous look come across our faces that distinctly said, "Yeah, oh well!" with little regard. I listened to their stories about this person before chiming in to share the eventful introduction I'd had. The impression left behind of this person was to the far corner of favorable. The bottom line is that we were all in agreement that none of us would be making any serious effort to attend the homegoing service for this individual.

Let me explain, my memory of this person involves me being referred to as 'one of those bitches!' I was so caught off guard that it took a minute for me to realize that the vile words spilling out of that person's mouth was a very weak attempt at humor and were directed at me. As I write this, I am trying to be careful so as not to indicate when the person passed, what the individual's sex was or where I might know the person from because people have a tendency to read between the lines and make ill-fated assumptions. I'm not here to throw dirt on someone who can no longer defend him or herself. I am merely here to enlighten you of the lasting impression you have the ability to implant in the mind of others.

Are you boisterous, obnoxious, brazen, one who people move away from instead of draw to? (Qualities of the departed)

My family and closest friends can co-sign as I share characteristics of my own personality, good and bad. I'm loveable yet moody, perhaps the scales of my inner Libra are sometimes off-kilter *shrugging* -- I am thoughtful and considerate yet withdrawn and often a loner. God is the head of my life, yet I often pray for patience because I bore of people and circumstances very easily when the interest is depleted. I can be brutally honest and overly sensitive! *shrugging yet again*

The most important thing I want everyone to know about me is that I love my son very much -- and I couldn't make it through this life without my music.

Blessings

So I'm marinating on some things...

Time for some of my randomness to come full circle and be placed on front street! Taking the focus from the norm of my music posts. Before I begin, I am a Baptist -- I love no one deeper than I love God. I'm not always as faithful a servant to God's word as I should be. The human in me falters on a daily basis. I don't throw stones at those whose beliefs are far to the left of my own. If you believe that there is a higher calling on our lives than is way more than we can control, we can be cool.

So I'm sailing on a high right now. My very intelligent son, who skipped a grade early in his elementary years recently completed high school and was acknowledged in church today. He received a scholarship and was crowned the 2009 King of the Second Baptist Church Scholarship Committee based on the funds that were raised in his honor. His counterpart, The Queen is also a 16-year old scholar! So, our future leaders have been set on a path to greatness and I can speak for me -- I expect no shortcomings from this one here!

On another note -- I was a bit agitated around 4:30 this morning. My neighbors, who really do not know the meaning of hospitality and courtesy for those living beneath them returned home from an apparent family outing. I had to hear them walk up the stairs, put the children to bed, flush the toilet a few times -- and then the ultimate atrocity -- the creaking and squeaking of the bed! I didn't have the energy to get out of bed for my iPod -- which I typically keep near me because their three small children rise routinely at 7:30 EVERY morning! So, at this point I'm wide awake and watching the clock (just wrong, right?! >) Ten minutes passed and there was silence. Okay, some quiet and I started to drift back into slumber and before you know it the bed post was hitting the wall. Enrique had gone IN!

Now, my mind is wandering. What were they doing in the context of the silent moments? Who was doing whom? (Oh Lord, was I 'not' in church -- seeking salvation a few short hours ago?!) Then I got annoyed -- but, honestly I was annoyed because Alex was getting hers and I wasn't! Look here! God knows my heart better than I'm sure I do. HE knows that I'm tired of being by my lonesome and that I long for companionship. I've already cracked the seal of living as I move into my fourth decade.

I thank my Pastor for praying for the single women in the congregation today -- those of us who don't want to repeat the cycles that our mothers, aunties, grandmothers endured. Hell, my mother's praying for both, me and my sister in that regard.

Just some things I was tripping over today.

Pray for me ya'll :)

Can't Keep It To Myself!!

So many of my online buddies are creating some mixes that will take you back ~ make you look ahead ~ keep you rocking ~ make your head nod or just put you in a zone so totally unexpected! I can't keep this good music news to myself and wanted to share it with "you" ~ my special circle.

Here goes:

DJ 1derful - The Deep Kafe Volume 2 (http://www.dj1derful.com/)
- his page is loaded with goodies -

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Raheem DeVaughn – The Art of Noise (Mixtape) (http://dj1derful.com/?p=569)

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Sound Nexx Mixes (never go wrong with this brother's musical blessings)
This is what DJ Sound Nexx has to say about living: Life without music is not really living...
Rear Viewing Soul Mixx (http://usershare.net/jr3gj9b6z4q3)
Soulful Addiction Mixx (http://usershare.net/5w8zl1wvzs9c)

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DJ Smoove of Chocolate Grooves has Volume 4 of his Nu-Soul Mix series available for your download pleasure
(http://djsmoove1967.podomatic.com/)

On this volume, listen to: Eric Roberson; Rashad (columbus, ohio); Daru & Reggie B. ; Chinahblac; Anthony David; L' Renee; Floetry; AFTA-1 (what up Dino!); The Fugees; dj Jazzy Jeff; Erykah Badu (Nat's gurl!); dj Mitsu ft. Dwele; Erik Rico; The Roots ft. Jill Scott; Foreign Exchange (x2); Slakah The Beatchild; Zo! & Tigallo (who da heck???)...

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The following are two mixes from DJ Speed (http://theoriginaldjspeed.podomatic.com/) - I got so stuck on Summa Madnezz because it took me back to the days when I loved RAP music -- Melle Mel's "rooooooar!"

Summa Madnezz - DJ Speed
(http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HPF3JZ8J)

SummerTime -- Fresh Prince
Rock Creek Park - The Blackbyrds
Eric B for President - Eric B & Rakim
Step Off - Grandmaster Melle Mel
Summer Madness - Kool & The Gang
It's Yours - T La Rock
Jazzy Sensation - Jazzy 5
Jazz Instrumental (2 minutes.. )
Live @ the BBQ - Main Source
I Need A Beat - LL Cool J
Summertime - Janis Joplin
Before I let Go - Frankie Beverly & Maze
So What ur Saying - EPMD
Afta Party - Koffee Brown (me7ek mix)
One Thing - Amerie ft MC Lyte (me7ek mix)
One More Chance - The Jackson 5 ft Black Rob (Me7ek mix)
The Bridge - MC Shan
The Bridge is Over - BDP

Soulogy 1.0 - DJ Speed
(http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OOU4WPX1)

Staple Singers – “Stone Soul Picnic”
Erykah Badu – “Didn’t U Know”
Earth Wind & Fire feat. Raphael Saddiq – “Show Me the Way”
Isley Brothers feat Mos Def – “Groove With U” (Me7ek Blend)
Choklate – “To Whom It May Concern”
Foster Sylvers – “Misdemeanor”
SWV – “You’re the One” (Me7ek Mix)
Jill Scott – “Raheem Interlude”
Raheem DeVaughn – “Woman” (Me7ek Dumb Mix)
Commodores – “Just to Be Close to You”
Van Hunt – “Your Love”
Brighter Side of Darkness – “Love Jones”
True Love – “Love Rap Ballad”
Macy Gray ft Marsha Ambrosius – “Still Hurts”
Choklate – “Suns Out”
Erik Rico – “Lets Lay Together”
Green Tea – “Life Of a SuperStar” (Interlude)
Jamie Foxx ft T.Pain – “Blame It On” (Me7ek Mix)
Green Tea – “Who Would’ve Thought”
The Escorts – “I’ll Be Sweeter Tommorrow”
Queen Latifah – “Just Another Day” (Me7ek Mix)
Tesha Marie – “Open”
Brownstone – “Grapevine”
Shannon Sanders – “In My Mind”
Lisa Shaw – “Grown Apart (Me7ek 122bpm Mix)
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EJ Flavors - OSW Mixes
(Old School Wednesday)

Consistently on Wednesdays, you can look forward to heading over to this spot (http://ejflavors.com/) and catching a blend of music that includes jams that you may not have heard since the days you cut class as a senior in high school! (Oooo did I say that?! I wasn't talking about 'me' - I meant 'you' - pooching my lips out!!! :)

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Fave's Friday FaveCast
(http://www.fridayfavecast.com)

Like clockwork, this brother is definitely grinding!! Included in his podcast is a little comedic humor, tips on wellness and ultimately some of the best music you can only hear in the way that Fave puts it together. Check him out -- oh, check out this specific episode and then catch yourself up. It features the sounds of someone near and dear to me: http://www.fridayfavecast.com/wp/?p=490
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The Sunday Soundtrack (Vibes and Scribes)
Mellow funk - jazzing it up!
(http://www.vibesnscribes.com/)

The perfect blend for a Sunday afternoon as you look ahead to what a new week holds for you!
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My bed calls but I'd be remiss not to round out this edition with notice of one of my favorite sister groovologist's -- MiissHoneySoul! You must keep her site locked and loaded at all times because she works on the sneak attack and will post up some hotness -- or turn you on to a DJ, a mix, an opportunity to win front seats at a show coming to your town.

Keep this bookmarked with two extra special **'s : http://www.honeysoul.com/wp/
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For more info or to keep up with any of the dj's listed above:

DJ 1derful (http://www.dj1derful.com/)
DJ Sound Nexx (http://soundnexx.blogspot.com/)
DJ Smoove of Chocolate Grooves (http://djsmoove1967.podomatic.com/)
The Original DJ Speed (http://theoriginaldjspeed.podomatic.com/)
EJ Flavors (http://ejflavors.com/)
Fave's Friday FaveCast (http://www.fridayfavecast.com)
Vibes and Scribes/The Sunday Soundtrack (http://www.vibesnscribes.com)
HoneySoul (http://www.honeysoul.com/wp/)