Category Archives: Feeding The Music Jones

All That Jazz: In Celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month

06 Monday Apr 2009

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I don’t talk about my love for jazz enough on this blog so I figure jazz appreciation month is the perfect time to do so. 

I have to admit that my knowledge is lacking. Mama Vivrant Thang was never really into jazz so it wasn’t played much around the house.  She did love Kenny G though and I remember his being one of my first live performances. I also “inherited” several of his albums during my last crate digging mission.

The number of jazz albums in my collection is unusually slim. Seems strange for someone who has attended the Capital Jazz Fest (rain or shine) for five years running; for someone whose favorite Saturday night date place is an intimate spot known for its strong drinks and impromptu jazz jam sessions; and for someone who had a lead role in a college production about Charlie “Bird” Parker.

Time for my collection to reflect it.

Question is – where to start?

Jazz is like a tree which has sprouted many, many branches since the beginning of the 20th century. If I was to include the music of some of those branches like smooth jazz, acid jazz, latin jazz, or nu-jazz, I could say that my collection is indeed more reflective of my love for the genre

However, what I’m talking about is the absence of the music of the forefathers and foremothers – the artists whose music shaped and defined the genre and gave birth to the many fusions that are more popular today.

I need more Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Dizzie Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Cab Calloway, Charlie Parker, Bessie Smith, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Taylor, Billie Holiday (large black and white poster of her on my wall. Sin not to own any of her albums.)

I plan to attend a few events this month at the Smithsonian where I hope to connect with some jazz lovers and expand my knowledge. I have a few essential pieces like Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue (as Q-Tip says, “It’s like the Bible – you just have one in your house), Ken Burns Jazz : The Story of American Music collection, and a couple of coffee table books on the subject.

Pitiful.

Jazz lovers, help me out. What do you consider the essential albums any jazz lover should have in their collection? Agree or Disagree with this list or the picks on the All About Jazz Forum’s Guide to Building Your Jazz Library?

Thought I’d share just a few of the songs that have been on repeat for me this month. I’ve been having some stressful days at work lately and jazz has always had a soothing effect on me.

Coltrane, Naima Live in 1965

Miles Davis, So What Live in 1959

Nina Simone, I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl

For those that are just getting into jazz or perhaps only have a couple of tracks here and there on your playlists, share those as well in the comments.

Music Therapy at Moods Music

24 Tuesday Mar 2009

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I told ya’ll long ago that I will travel up and down the East Coast on a whim for a show. Someone left  this comment on my latest column over at Urban Thought Collective,

” What a life to be able to go to tons of shows and be around people that are making music from the heart. Blessed.”

Indeed.

This past weekend, I had to take time and get away and made my way down to Atlanta for the weekend in part to see Julie Dexter and Heston in concert at Sugar Hill inside the Underground. Yet another venue that puts DC’s options to shame. Get. it. together. I’ll be reviewing the show once I get the videos up. Check back for that later this week. It was a hell of a show and I can’t wait to share it with you.

A highlight of my trip was a visit to Moods Music in Little Five Points. As we drove up, I immediately fell in love with this eclectic, artsy fartsy section of the A. Lots of creative energy there. I could totally see myself spending many a day there chatting folks up that look different than me…because you know in the South they speak. And digging deep in the crates which is what I did at Moods.

I almost had a musical orgasm when I walked in and saw shelves filled with joints from the likes of Eric Roberson, Coultrain, Alice Russell, Amp Fiddler, Bugz in the Attic, Carol Riddick, Marie Tweek, Deborah Bond, J*Davey, Yazarah, Davina, Stephanie McKay, Vikter Duplaix, Eric Lau, Sa-Ra, Sam Sparro, Omar, DJ Spinna, Russell Taylor, and Martin Luther to name a few.

To see Brittany Bosco’s uniquely packaged EP staring back at me was like a dream.

I could have spent all day browsing through entire sections devoted to rare finds in classic soul, reggae, world music, afrobeat, and real hip hop. I couldn’t even get through the stacks and stacks of compilations and “mixtapes”  of all the music I mention here and link to on other sites.

Nothing could make the experience any sweeter than Foreign Exchange’s “Take Off the Blues” and “All or Nothing” over the speakers.

I enjoyed great conversation with music aficionados, particularly the owner, Darryl “D-Nice” Harris. I majorly co-signed when he was introducing virgin ears to Eric Roberson. Later I asked whether he follows The Life of An Independent Artist, Erro’s blog. Of course he does and saw my video that was featured there. Thrilled was my middle name.

I left there with much lighter pockets but with a much bigger smile than when I came in. I pledged a long while ago not to buy any more physical CDs until I had a place to store them all. I couldn’t help it if I wanted to.

ledisi_feelingorange

I was most excited abut adding Ledisi’s second rare and hard to find release album to my collection. Ironically, this was my least expensive purchase. After listening to this collection of standards and original tracks, I would have paid twice that.

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I’ve been trying to get my hands on this release every since I first discovered Natalie a couple of years ago. I’ve listened to a few songs so far and it’s definitely a must-have. I’ll feature her here soon with a couple of tracks from the album. I also need to get my hands on her debut, Yours Truly.

vikterduplaix_intaffairs

This was a great find. I only have Vikter’s latest album so I’m excited to get my hands on his earlier works.

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This one was at Moods but I knew I’d be able to get it at the show. Before his set was over, I was hunting down the CD man. I was pressed. Soultracks got it right on this one.

Do you have any spots like Moods where you are? What were your last CD purchases?

The New Newer Newest Workout Plan: My Exercise Playlists

16 Monday Mar 2009

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Guess where I was at 5:40am this morning?

Not tucked away underneath my pillow-top mattress on this dreary Monday morning as most sane people were.

I was dragging myself to the gym to get my quality time in on the elliptical. Summer is rapidly approaching and my body is not ready. I’m a chronic overeater with absolutely no control over what I put in my mouth so these are the breaks.

So I’m back in the gym, again, first thing in the morning, burning the calories off before I start putting them in.

As you know, I couldn’t do it without the music. I’ve had a few people over on Twitter ask me for my workout playlists. I find that’s a very individual thing. You have to listen to the music that gets you motivated. The song that makes you want to push on for that extra five minutes.

For example, Bobby Valentino’s “Slow Down” may seem like a random song to include. However, it reminds me of a warm summer night when I was on the dance floor in the arms of the most finest, tall chocolate man ever. I was about 20lbs less than I am now and killing them in a wrap dress and strappy heels. All was right in my world. I want to be back there, figuratively. Well literally too, but that’s another post.

So although I’m sharing my playlist here, it’s important for you to find the songs that move you…and the exercise for you as well. I plan to mix it up with some zumba, yoga, bellydancing and jazzercise. I also walk 2-4 miles around a scenic lake as well on the warm days. Do what fits you.

So I’ll share my playlists with you periodically. I have a whole list and need to swap them out every couple of weeks or I’ll get bored. Feel free to share those songs that make you stronger in the comments.

35 Minute Workout Playlist

  • Remy Ma – Conceited
  • MIA– Sunshowers
  • Kelis – Milkshake
  • Kanye West– Stronger
  • Gwen Stefani – Holla Back Girl
  • Beyonce – Ring the Alarm
  • Black Eyed Peas – My Humps
  • John Legend – Green Light
  • Fugees – Ready or Not

45 Minute Workout Playlist

  • Beyonce – Naughty Girl
  • Koffee Brown – Afterparty
  • Busta Rhymes – Touch It
  • Mary J. Blige – Dance for Me
  • Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough
  • Biggie – Machine Gun Funk
  • Michael Jackson – Workin Day and Night
  • LL Cool J – Jingling Baby
  • Missy Elliot– Work It
  • Mary J. Blige f/Eve – Not Today

60 Minute Workout Playlist

  • Keyshia Cole – Let It Go
  • MIA– Paper Planes
  • Rihanna – Pon de Replay
  • Santigold – You’ll Find a Way
  • Sean Paul – Temperature
  • Remy Ma – Conceited (remix)
  • Black Eyed Peas – Let’s Get It Started
  • Sean Paul – Gimme the Light
  • Outkast – BOB
  • Missy Elliot – Hot Boyz
  • Kirk Franklin – This is It! (Declaration)
  • The Roots – Don’t Say Nuthin
  • TI – Swagga Like Us
  • Q-tip – Vivrant Thing (remix)
  • Buju Banton – Driver A
  • Bobby Valentino – Slow Down

Old School Friday: Child Stars

13 Friday Mar 2009

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I decided to do a little spin on this week’s theme, which is child stars. Again, I’ll be featuring female artists for Women’s History Month.

My picks weren’t child stars although they should have been. My first pick, in particular, sent more chills up my spine with her sent-from-heaven voice at 11 than she does now at 22. Not surprising when you were singing with Stevie Wonder at age 13.

Watch Jazmine Sullivan singing “Home” in her elementary school production of The Wiz followed by her appearance on Showtime at The Apollo where completely destroyed me with “Accept What God Allows.”

Finally, for some reason, Babygirl has been on my mind this week…and in my iPod. Check out a clip of Aaliyah performing on Star Search.

Be sure to visit the other OSF participants picks for the week.

Enjoy your weekend!

Something To Behold: Foreign Exchange In Concert

10 Tuesday Mar 2009

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It should go without saying that this is going down as one of the top live performances I attended this year. Ain’t nothing changed.

Correction.

Something did change with this stop through DC for Phonte and Nicolay. At last, we had all of the artists that blessed Leave It All Behind on stage. DC showed it’s appreciation with a sold out venue.

Darien Brockington, who I last feasted eyes on when he performed with Little Brother here in DC back in 2007, rejoined the tour to lend his smooth and soulful vocals (and dashing good looks – but we’re focusing on the music here!)

While it was all peaches and cream seeing DBrock perform with Foreign Exchange, I made sure to badger him after the show as to when we will see another full length effort from him.

Sir, it’s been more than a minute.

1,577, 846, give or take a few, to be exact.

He said he was in the studio working on it. I’ve heard that before! So he shall continue to get the side eye of death until we get something more concrete – like a single perhaps.

Anyway we kissed and made up and and cheesed it up for a nice photo.

me_dbrock

Couldn’t forget about Phontigallo aka Cat Daddy. He was in rare form as usual and looking quite suave and debonair in his Harlem Nights attire.

me_phonte

Enough preliminaries.

Check out a few videos from the show. You know, after listening to this album for the fifty eleventh time that morning and then seeing this show, I think I will go ape-shit, literally, on the next person who dares to bump their gums and say any of the following:

“There’s too much sangin!”

“Phonte needs to rap more!”

“This album ain’t like Connected!”

Evolve people. Seriously. I simply don’t understand anyone who doesn’t get this album. You’re a stranger to me.

As always, I got the entire show for you over at my You Tube channel. I’ll post different songs from the last review. They performed all of my favorites (and yours I’m sure). So head over to the channel and check them out. Subscribe while you’re there. More goodies coming!

All Or Nothing

Darien Brockington shining on Come Around

Something To Behold

Covering the Rude Boys Written All Over Your Face

Enjoy responsibly and support whatever they come out with collectively and individually.