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SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE

~ Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE

Tag Archives: deborah bond

New Flava In My Ear: This Is What I Want

12 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by Vivrant Thang in New Flava In My Ear

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

deborah bond, lil so and so productions, ne'a posey, suite 301, this is what I want

nea_posey

I think the first time I heard Ne’a Posey sangggg was Inauguration Weekend 2008. Listen to a clip as she tore the house down like she was auditioning to perform for Obama himself!

I’ve been not so patiently waiting for her to drop an album ever since and the day has finally come! Not that I haven’t enjoyed her in other roles like “Head Drank Mixtress in Charge” or Hostess with the Mostess. But I have been more than ready  for  Ne’a to kick some new flava in my ear.

Her debut EP, This Is What I Want, Vol 1, was just released on the Suite 301 label and it is a stone cold groove of soulful tracks that were just what the doctor ordered to get me through the “It’s 3PM And I Am RET To Go” doldrums at work. I didn’t care who was listening as I pumped up my favorite track, “Spin Me,” and got a serious chair dance on. “State of the World” is another fave, with sassy songstress, Debórah Bond holding it down on background vocals.

I look forward to seeing what else Ne’a has in store. A volume 2 perhaps? I hope so. The game needs her. I’m also checking for future releases from the Suite 301 label. It’s about time to put Maryland on the map! We got talent.

Download Ne’a Posey’s This Is What I Want, Vol 1 for FREE.

Connect with Ne’a Posey on Facebook.

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Been So Long

21 Tuesday Jul 2009

Posted by Vivrant Thang in Feeding The Music Jones

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

anthony hamilton, capital jazz fest, chrisette michele, conya doss, deborah bond, earth wind and fire, en vogue, essence music festival, fertile ground, india arie, john legend, lalah hathaway, laura izibor, ledisi, little dragon, maxwell, maya azucena, melanie fiona, michael jackson, michael jackson tributes, musiq, pete belasco, rahsaan patterson, solange knowles, sy smith, will downing, yazarah

I won’t bother with a ton of excuses for my absence.

I haven’t been working twenty-five hours a day. I haven’t been traveling 8 days a week. I wasn’t battling the swine flu or even the avian flu.

I simply didn’t feel like writing here. I’m still not sure why I suddenly lost interest in something I love. The few times I was asked, I didn’t have an answer. I still don’t. Hopefully, my time on the therapist’s couch every other Monday will bring about some answers to that – and some other pressing questions.

If you were following me on Twitter, you would know that I haven’t been spending the summer curled up in a fetal position. Perhaps I just needed an extended period of writing in 140 characters or less. Writing some of these posts took a lot out of me, regardless of how simple it may have looked!

Let’s play catch up, shall we?

During my hiatus:

I celebrated my birthday by taking a spa vacation to Arizona. Another thing crossed off my “bucket list.” I stayed at a resort with a glorious view of the most awe-inspiring rock formations. I had spa treatments every single day I was there.  I spent my actual birthday with strangers at a Japanese steakhouse and had a wonderful time. I laid by the pool, read and listened to music. I had drinks on the patio at night and enjoyed the sounds of absolute silence.

I attended the Capital Jazz Fest the first weekend in June. The lineup was one of the best ever. I was blessed to see Will Downing’s return to the stage. Never looked or sounded better. If you still don’t believe in a higher power after hearing his story and seeing him perform, I feel sorry for you. NOTHING like seeing Lalah Hathaway and Rahsaan Patterson on the same stage. I have had a serious jones for Pete Belasco for years and was beyond excited to finally see him perform. What can you say about En Vogue? They straight transported me back to the 90s and made me long for a girl group today worthy of the brain power it takes to retain the words to their songs and learn the dance steps. You can see their entire set here. I somehow managed to lose an SD card out there so unfortunately most of the videos I captured are lost.

I braved a rainstorm to see my favorite band ever, Earth Wind and Fire perform for only the second time in my young life. I don’t regret it for a moment. Nothing but death was going to keep me from it. I had multiple eargasms when Phillip Bailey sang “Reasons.” He could have had his way with me that night.

Ledisi turned me out and then turned me loose in June. I can’t wait for her new album, Turn Me Loose, on August 18th. If you haven’t seen the cover, hustle on over and take a look. A true work of art if I must say so – best album cover I’ve seen in a minute. Even those that have never heard her name will be intrigued and want to know what’s inside.

If you don’t have Laura Izibor’s album, what in the blue hell are you waiting for? She came back to DC and performed at the historic Kennedy Center and then later that night had her DC album release party and performance. Even with a slightly toned down performance because of the venue I would assume, she (and her killer band) still rocked it. She is indeed the truth. Don’t sleep when she comes to a city near you.

Black Music Month continued on in the right direction with the Anthony Hamilton, Chrisette Michele and Musiq lineup. I’ve always liked Musiq’s performance when I’ve seen him but this time I loved it! Unlike some of the other attendees, I appreciated his effort to try to entertain a bit more and not just stand rather stoically and sing. The fact that he was rocking with an all-girl band was the icing on the cake. Anthony Hamilton got a fan for life in me. He had a broken leg and still managed to turn that mutha out! Lesser performers would have canceled the tour. But he made it work. We won’t talk about about he has stepped up his sex appeal to the nth degree. Looking very nice and sounding even better.

Four days later, Michael Jackson died.

I’ve yet to stop tearing up when I hear his music or see his videos. I feel like I’m mourning a member of my family and it’s going to take a while. I still can’t stand seeing that 1958-2009. I can’t take it!

I think I’m stuck somewhere between bargaining and depression in the five stages of grief. Over the next week, I had to be around people who “got it.” I actually un-friended people who were too dense to get it through their thick fucking heads that the focus needed to be on the contributions this man made to the world – as a humanitarian and as a musical genius and not on what the pain –  mental and physical ultimately did to him. If you truly love music, you have to appreciate MJ for the impact he made on so many genres, so many real artists. I disconnected from several people that didn’t seem to get that. Apparently, I had nothing in common with those folks. We can’t agree to disagree. There is no valid opposing point of view there. Yes, it was that serious.

I know a lot of people are over it and have moved on to the next big story – although the man will STILL not be in the ground by the time I press publish on this post, which is an epic tragedy. However, I must point you in the direction of a few phenomenally done tributes that said all I could not say here. These folks cried the same tears I cried. Keep these in your archives and teach your kids about real music.

Michael Jackson: The Five Stages of Grief

Remembering Michael Jackson (an amazing roundup of audio/visual tribute links)

DJ Stylus Remembers MJ with His DC Family (Best tribute party I attended because it was done from the heart by two musical geniuses in the making – and not just a thrown together list of songs that would get booties on the floor. Full free download available.)

My Hero Ain’t Molest Them Bitch Ass Kids- Phonte’s Teary Eyed Tribute to the King

I already know you were glued to SoulBounce’s non-stop coverage. If you weren’t, I’m not sure you should be reading this blog.

I already expected a helluva tribute to MJ at The Soul Sista Summit (featuring Yazarah, Conya Doss, Maya Azucena, and Sy Smith) after hearing Sy on the radio the day before talking about how she had auditioned to go on the tour with him. If you haven’t already seen it, you should definitely listen to her share her story about the audition followed by a cover of one of my favorite Jackson 5 songs, “Show You The Way To Go.”

What I wasn’t ready for was Yazarah to completely reimagine “Billie Jean.”

I was so grateful I was at this show instead of witnessing the BET debaucle live. THIS was a tribute and the perfect send-off for the Essence Music Festival.

Aside from the special brand of hot fuckery I had to deal with in the final hours before the trip, I had a fantastic time at the shows. Music lovers were already salivating over the lineup so I don’t have to recount that here. I thought I would do a special post but that didn’t happen. I tweeted live the entire weekend, including the painful Maxwell performance, his coming out party of sorts on the eve of the release of BlackSummers Night. Apparently, no one cared that it didn’t go off without a hitch. The album is selling like crack in New Jack City.

I have yet to finish uploading all my video. I still have most of Zap Mama’s set to get up. If you’re subscribed to my channel though, you’ve already seen sets from Lalah Hathaway, Eric Benet, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Brand New Heavies, Kindred, Robin Thicke, Maxwell, and Neyo to name a few.

Anita Baker is back as if she never left. She opened her set with “Been So Long” instrumental, which is the inspiration for this post title. That woman hasn’t lost a step. I was so disappointed that people were asleep during her set. I know the hour was late but she didn’t deserve that. She entertains with her voice. Hell, I’m fascinated watching her move across the stage. She doesn’t need to do much more for me. She’s currently touring. I’m thinking of seeing her in Atlantic City over Labor Day weekend.

I must mention Solange, who really impressed me with a high energy, very cool set. I have to give her album a serious listen and stop letting the horrific memory of the black voodoo her sister spread over the Superdome during her performance keep me away from what appears to be decent music.

Melanie Fiona. I know you’ve heard this name and if you haven’t, you need to catch up. She was a shining star at the festival and I am checking hard for her. She has real talent – singing and performing. She gave us a good preview of the album, which I’ve already listened to and given my stamp of approval. Check her entire set out live here and support real music.

That weekend after returning from Essence, I got my Fertile Ground fix and got a preview of what we can expect from the new Deborah Bond album coming in October (prayerfully).  I sincerely hope she can tour because there are few that can bring her brand of energy to the stage. She’s just fascinating to watch…and listen to!

This past weekend…yes, there’s more….I attended the John Legend and India.Arie tour. I promise to come back and give that show it’s own post with video because when I say that is going in my top five list of concerts I’ve attended this year, I’m making a statement for someone that hits five a month. Killer performances by both artists. Catch this tour if it comes to a city within driving distance. Hell, take a road trip!

I ended the weekend with  Little Dragon from Sweden who breathed pure fiyah all over that stage. Almost everyone I personally mentioned it to was like “who?” Well, the packed house definitely knew who they were and the energy was amazing. I know have a girl crush on the lead singer, Yukimi. SHE.GETS.DOWN. Until I can school you here, get on over to YouTube and get into this.

That’s been my summer musically in a nutshell. This is probably the longest post I’ve ever written so maybe by the time you finish reading this, I’ll have written again.

I’ll update my concert calendar so you can keep up with my other adventures. Of course, again, there’s always Twitter!

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Underrated Soul Singer Spotlight: Debórah Bond

21 Tuesday Apr 2009

Posted by Vivrant Thang in Feeding The Music Jones, Underrated Artist Spotlights

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

deborah bond

deborah21

I vividly remember the first time I saw DC-based songstress Debórah Bond perform live. It was back around 2004 and I was just starting to sporadically attend live shows. I was at a spot called Takoma Station and she performed several songs from her debut album, Day After. I was so enraptured by her performance that I immediately copped her album after the show, something I rarely did back then, and got her to sign it. As we chatted and I shared how much I enjoyed the show, I noticed her warm and genuine energy as she wrote a simple note thanking me for supporting the music.

Now, some five years later,  in anticipation of the release of her second album (of original material), I truly have a platform where I can tell the hundreds of people that stop through here daily to support the music of this underrated female soul singer.

The Connecticut native  cites her early musical influences as The Eurythmics, Janet and Michael Jackson (no Tito?), and Loose Ends. She studied the vocal stylings of Anita Baker, Sade and and Chaka Khan and their spirits are very much present in her live performances. 

With her band, Third Logic, she released DayAfter in 2003.  AfterDay followed three years later, which was an album mixed by DJ Stylus and featuring a cast of uber talented producers. From what I can hear, this is a must own. I should have copped it when I saw it at Moods Music.

Deborah has shared the stage with acclaimed artists such as Julie Dexter, Dwele, Mint Condition, Rahsaan Patterson, Ledisi and Omar. In other words, artists that wouldn’t allow no mess on their stage so you know she is the truth!

Still don’t believe me? Check out some video of some live performances.

Recently, here in DC, she warmed up the crowd before Omar took the stage (review coming this week). Check out her cover of Soul II Soul’s“Keep On Movin.'”

Here are two songs from her album DayAfter.

“Love’s Been Waiting”

Recently released official video for her hit song, “See You in My Dreams.” You may have seen this one on BETJ.

 Find out more about Debórah and her upcoming project at her official website. Meanwhile, support her past projects and those of other underrated artists that appear on this site and those right over there —-> on the blogroll.

photo credit: Debórah on Facebook.

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My Favorite Things: Underrated Female Soul Singers

25 Tuesday Mar 2008

Posted by Vivrant Thang in Underrated Artist Spotlights

≈ 39 Comments

Tags

algebra blessett, brown baby girl, carol riddick, choklate, conya doss, d'nell, deborah bond, female neo soul artists, goapele, hil st soul, jaguar wright, joi, joy denalane, ledisi, leela james, lina, liv warfield, lizz fields, lizz wright, marie tweek, n'dambi, sharon jones and the dap kings, stephanie mckay, sy smith, teedra moses, trina broussard, underrated artists, underrated female soul singers, vivian green, yazarah

ndambi.jpg

 

Once again, this is not the post I planned for today.  However, this is probably a good way to round out Women’s History Month. Normally, I would give ya’ll some rudimentary collage of pictures and some videos. I just don’t have it in me today.

I am coming down with a case of the nasties and I can tell it’s going to be a bad one if I don’t nip it in the bud. I don’t even know if getting that ‘Tussin down in it is going to work. Ya’ll pray that it does. A sista is on the move. I got a date with Sy Smith tomorrow night and will be up in NYC this weekend enjoying Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The show has got to go on.

I came up with the idea for this post while riding home today, berating myself for the fleeting thought I had last week that it would be “nice” if I got sick again like I did a couple of years ago when I lost 12lbs in three days.  I couldn’t hold anythingon my stomach, not even water. Folks, be very careful what you let enter your mind.  Lizz Fields’ excellent album, By Day, By Nightwas caressing my ears and I got to thinking about how I wish I could hear more of the soul sistas (and brothers) with true talent on the radio instead of the bs they play fifty eleven times a day.

I don’t have the energy for that rant.

Anyhow, here’s a list of female soul singers that I enjoy. Not an exhaustive list BY ANY MEANS. It’s just what I captured from the ‘pod and my Myspace friends list. I didn’t even go through my cd’s. We would have been here all night!

  • Alison Carney
    myspace
  • Algebra Blessett
    myspace | ‘Behind the Groove’ interview
  • Angela Johnson
    myspace
  • Ashley Phillips
    website | myspace
  • Brown Baby Girl (female member)
    website | myspace
  • Carol Riddick
    website | myspace | interview on Honeysoul
  • Choklate
    website | myspace | interview on Honeysoul
  • Conya Doss
    website | myspace | interview on Honeysoul
  • Deborah Bond
    website | myspace
  • D’Nell (female member)
    website | myspace
  • Goapele
    website | myspace | interview with Honeysoul | “Closer” post
  • Hil St Soul (new album hit stores 4/29!!!)
    myspace
  • Jaguar Wright
    website | myspace
  • Jean Baylor
    website | myspace
  • Joy Denalane
    website | myspace | interview on Honeysoul
  • Joi
    website | myspace | interview on Honeysoul
  • Ledisi
    website | myspace |interview on Soul Bounce | “Take Time” post
  • Leela James
    website | myspace
  • Leigh Jones
    website | myspace
  • Lina
    website | myspace
  • Lizz Fields
    website | myspace
  • Lizz Wright
    website | myspace
  • Liv Warfield
    website | myspace
  • Marie Tweek
    myspace
  • N’Dambi (the beautiful inspiration for my profile pic)
    website | myspace
  • Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
    website | myspace | concert review
  • Stephanie McKay
    website | myspace
  • Sy Smith
    website | myspace | interview on honeysoul
  • Teedra Moses
    website | myspace | concert review | “Cut Buddy” or “Celibacy Blues” post
  • Trina Broussard
    website | myspace
  • Wayna
    website | myspace
  • Vivian Green
    website | myspace | “Affected” post 
  • Yazarah 
    myspace | concert review

If you haven’t already, get into these artists. Purchase their albums. Support real music.

Again, this is not the list. It’s my list and it’s not exhaustive, by any means. Please feel free to add your favorite underrated female soul singers in the comments. I am always looking for new inspiration. Look out for more posts using songs from artists like these.

If you want to gain a deeper appreciation for these and other non-mainstream artists, check are some of the sites on my blogroll. They help me stay “woke.”

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Let’s Rock : From Erro to Prince, I Gets Around!

07 Monday Jan 2008

Posted by Vivrant Thang in Feeding The Music Jones, Let's Rock: Concert Reviews

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

curt chambers, deborah bond, eric roberson, franklin bridge, prince tribute, raheem devaughn

by vivrant thang on feeding the music jones and let’s rock

As you can see from my concert calendar, the year has been off to a great start musically.

New Years Day Butta and I took our clown act on the road to rock with Eric Roberson up in Philly at one of my favorite venues, World Cafe Live. It was a seated show, which was a little different flavor for us. However, we rolled with it.

There was an opening act, but I’m not even going to waste my cyberbreath on that mess.  I’ll let you see it and weep.

I’ve already told you how Erro gets down. I was able to capture video of him performing some of his older music:

Couldn’t Hear Me Over The Music

Only For You

Curt is sick on that guitar, I tell you.

Part of what makes an Erro show so enjoyable is the fact that he must have been an actor in a former life. He’s not just a talented singer. He’s a true performer, an entertainer who truly connects with his audience. Basically, you can count on him to cut a fool at some point in the show. Check out his advice to the single brothers on how to “close the deal,” a bit a he usually does preceding what he calls, the “sexy part of the show.”

Although Erro was great and all, the highlight of the whole trip was seeing Jill Scott hanging out in the crowd after the show like she’s not the hottest selling ticket out there right now. She was rolling so low key that Butta didn’t immediately recognize her until she flashed that sunny Colgate smile. I would stan for her too but shiiit, like I told you she’s a hot ticket and until I get a sponsor, I’m not gonna be able to do it.

jilly_chillin.jpg

There are other pics under the link, courtesy of Butta, but I love this one. Check out ole boy in the background. He got love all in his eyes for Jill. I feel ya, homie!

Anyhow, Erro and Curt came down the road a few days later for the rescheduled Tribute to Prince’s Sign O The Times and Parade.

princetribute.jpg

I was excited about this show and it did not disappoint, despite what some buffoons may say. I captured just about every performance over at the spot. Here are a few of the highlights.

The lovely Navasha Daya of Fertile Ground almost started a “Housequake” at the club!

Memo to Curt Chambers of Franklin Bridge : If I got knocked up after the show because of your orgasmic performance of “U Got The Look“, you better have five on the Similac!

Now, any Raheem Devaughn stans might to click the little x in the top right corner because I got a major bone to pick with him. You know I got love for Rah. I mean “Woman” rated pretty high on my Top 10 list. I had even forgiven him for his previous Patti Labelle-ish antics. However, he has put our love affair in SERIOUS jeopardy by not knowing the words to my favorite Prince song ever, “Adore. “

Let me give you a minute because I know you’re just as upset about this as I am.

There’s more.

He also didn’t know the words to “Kiss.”

Blasphemy.

Not to mention, how you gonna show up and do a tribute to an icon like His Purple Royalness and not know the words to two of his most famous songs? Even if he was a last minute addition, everyone should know the words to these two songs, particularly if you’re going to be performing them.

That’s all I can say about this one because I’m spent just reliving the whole thing. Here’s the video evidence of this travesty. If Prince should happen to grace a Grammy party with his presence and run into Raheem, I hope he bitch slaps him.

Adore

Kiss

Next up on the concert scene: Reports from Martin Luther’s acoustic set, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and Teedra Moses.

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