Tag Archives: good soul music

Old School Friday: Ike’s Rap Lives On

15 Friday Aug 2008

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by vivrant thang on old school fridays

This week we’re featuring songs with a political/social-political themes.

Plenty of ways I could have gone with this. Immediately I thought of spotlighting James Brown and his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, specifically how he used his music to heal America after Dr. King’s assassination.

However, I just felt the need to keep celebrating the music of Issac Hayes.  I’ve also been listening to a lot of old school hip hop this week, getting hyped for The Legends of Hip Hop concert tomorrow night.  As we know, Ike was rapping before we even knew what we even knew what it was.  Seems fitting.

I consulted Kevin Nottingham’s list of songs that sampled his music and here’s what I came up with. Not all old school but they sure did pay tribute to the classics.

“Hood Took Me Under”, Compton’s Most Wanted (samples “Walk On By”)

Got another gang story to tell.
Peep, about how a black nigga was born in hell.
And right then and there it’s no hope
cause a nigga can’t escape the gangs and the dope.
Damn! And when its black on black, that makes it shitty.
Can’t survive in the Compton city.

“Me Against The World,” Tupac  (samples “Walk On By”)
Had to have some ‘Pac on the list. Should also mention “Souljah’s Story” from his debut album 2Pacalypse. It samples “No Name Bar” from the Shaft album.

When will I finally get to rest? Through this suppression
they punish the people that’s askin questions
And those that possess, steal from the ones without possesions
The message I stress: to make it stop study your lessons
Don’t settle for less – even the genius asks-es questions
Be grateful for blessings
Don’t ever change, keep your essence
The power is in the people and politics we address
Always do your best, don’t let the pressure make you panic
And when you get stranded
And things don’t go the way you planned it
Dreamin of riches, in a position of makin a difference
Politicians and hypocrites, they don’t wanna listen

“I Can’t Go To Sleep”, Wu-Tang Clan f/ Isaac Hayes. He appears in video. (samples “Walk On By”)

I can’t go to sleep, I can’t shut my eyes
They shot the father of his moms, killed him seven times
They shot Malcolm in the chest front of his little seeds
Jesse watched, as they shot King on the balcony
They spat at Marcus, Garvey cause he tried to spark us
with the knowledge of ourselves, and our forefathers
Ohh Jacqueline you heard the rifle shots cracklin
Her husband head in her hair, you tried to put it back in
AMERICA’S WATCHIN, BLOOD STAINED INK BLOTCHES
MEDGAR TOOK ONE TO THE SKULL FOR INTERGRATING COLLEGE
WHAT’S THE SCIENCE? SOMEBODY? THIS IS TRICK KNOWLEDGE
THEY TRY TO KEEP US ENSLAVED AND STILL SCRAPE FOR DOLLARS

Right on.

Electronic Village | Mrs Grapevine | Quick | Cassandra | Danielle | Lisa C | Chocl8t | Kreative Talk | MarvalusOne | Regina | LaShonda | AJ | Sharon | Invisible Woman | Believer 1964 | Dee |SJP | sHaE-sHae | Thembi

My Favorite Things: UK Soul Artists

06 Wednesday Aug 2008

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by vivrant thang on uk soul and my favorite things

As we know, not all good soul music comes from artists here in the States. 

The success of artists like Corrine Bailey Rae,  Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse have certainly put the UK on the map in recent years. Duffy and Adele are getting there as well. However, there are so many other artists across the water who have been making music for years and haven’t gotten the same recognition.

Omar, Incognito, Brand New Heavies are just a few of the British artists that have been in constant rotation on my ‘pod for years now. If not on yours as well, shame on you! 🙂 While grooving with Omar recently and reminiscing on the last time I saw him in concert,  I started on a little journey to discover just what other flava the UK could put in my ear.

As with all of my “favorite things” list, this one is not comprehensive by any means. Please hip me to any others I should be checking out in the comments. Also be sure to visit the UK Soul site which definitely helped me discover a lot of the artists featured here.

Beverly Knight “The Queen of UK Soul”
official | myspace

Hil St. Soul
myspace

I had the pleasure of seeing Hil in concert last summer and she is amazing live – even better than the album if that’s possible.

Shaun Escoffery
official | myspace

Terri Walker
official | myspace

Geoffrey Williams
myspace

Carleen Anderson
official | myspace

Natalie Williams
official | myspace

Ola Onabule
official | myspace

Bryn Christopher
official | myspace

Alice Russell
official | myspace

Don-E
official | myspace

Aaron James Cashell
official | myspace

Vivienne Woo
 myspace

Adelaide McKenzie
official | myspace

Steph Newton
 myspace

Rasiyah
myspace

Bembe Segue
 myspace

Eska
myspace

Rahel
official | myspace

Sarina Leah
myspace

Lemar
official | myspace

Nate James
official | myspace

Taiwah
myspace

Alyson Joyce
myspace |

Kyra Simone
official | myspace

Get into these artists! You won’t be disappointed.

Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun)

03 Thursday Jul 2008

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by vivrant thang on feeding the music jones

I’m still alive and kicking folks. Time has just not been on my side. I am still working out how to get myself on a regular posting schedule this summer especially since my stats are actually on the upswing. I attribute that to this and my debut here though. Gotta produce content to keep people coming through. It’s not going to be easy with my schedule in the months ahead – business and pleasure. As I always say, you make time for what’s important to you. The show will go on.

This past weekend, I enjoyed two great shows which I plan to review in the coming days – or as soon as I can get the video uploaded. Saturday night, I braved the brutal temperatures again to see Rahsaan Patterson, Kindred, and a local smooth jazz band called Phaze II at an outdoor venue in DC. I always enjoy Kindred. Ya’ll know how I feel about that Philly soul. I’ve seen Rahsaan several times, but this may be the first time I remember really enjoying the show. His voice is always amazing, but his whole disposition has changed. It didn’t seem as if he felt like he was doing us a favor by performing. He thanked us profusely for coming out, even cracked a few jokey jokes. It was just an all-around good time.

Sunday, was the Raheem Devaughn and Chrisette Michele show. Oh, Dwele was there too. You already know how I feel about “CM” as I like to call her. That girl can do no wrong in my book. I was very impressed by “Radio Raheem’s” set. I’ll do a full review at another time, but that dude didn’t want to get off the stage – and I didn’t want him to. I’ve mentioned before that even after several listens, I wasn’t in love with his second album. However, he has me wanting to give it another chance. Now that’s when you know an artist has put on a hell of a show.

This weekend, in the midst of a flurry of planned activities, I hope to get up to Philly to see Boyz II Men perform for free – followed by some fireworks. Can’t get any better than that.

I’m also excited about seeing my favorite band ever, Earth Wind & Fire, in a couple of weeks. I was hesitant because it’s on a Wednesday night, but I can’t miss them. They just make you feel good.

Actually, with all the things I got rattling around my brain, I need to be lying on a beach somewhere or at least underneath a professional masseuse’s capable hands. However, I have to sacrifice for the love of the music. I’ll be purchasing a new laptop this weekend – with a CD drive that actually works. So I’ll be able to load some new music onto the ‘pod. Music therapy, here I come!

Want to know a few of the albums at the top of my wish list? Barely scratches the surface yet I’m already salivating.

Share with me what’s on your wish list. If you have any of these albums, let me know whether they should remain at the top of my list.

This will likely be my one and only post this week as my holiday begins at about 2pm. Days like this, I love my j.o.

Enjoy people!

Better With Time

20 Tuesday May 2008

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by vivrant thang on all about me

It’s getting better with time
Getting better baby so much better baby
Getting better with time
Just like an old fine wine
So much better baby
Like an old soul record baby

– Boney James f/Bilal

Today, I’m celebrating my 31st birthday.

Last year around this time I was in Miami preparing for a day at the spa followed by a night of partying in South Beach. Leading up to the big day, I remember feeling a slight sense of panic at leaving my twenties behind. It was very slight though. Most of my friends are well over thirty and assure me that my thirties will be the best time of my life.

I’m only one year in and I can already reflect back on my twenties and say that I have certainly gotten better with time. I spent much of the decade trapped inside a fat suit that was prevented me from being as fly and fabulous as I am now…although I did a helluva job at pretending. I spent a large chunk of that period stuck in a job that was comfortable and safe but after a while, no longer challenged me or allowed me to showcase all of my professional talents. I allowed myself to be in a series of relationships with issue-laden commitment-phobes and fools that probably weren’t good for much more than what dangled between their legs. I now realize a lot of the time I lived in fear…fear of success, fear of being who the hell I am and demanding that everybody in my world accept that girl. Truth be told, I was still figuring out who that girl is. The picture is getting clearer everyday.

I don’t know what the rest of the year or the next five holds. I have a vision of what I would like to see happen but I know that ultimately I’m not completely in control. A girlfriend and former co-worker sent me a note today to say that her forty-something year old brother died of a heart attack in his sleep a few weeks ago. You just don’t know when your number will come up. She’s handling it as best she can because she has faith in God and his reasoning, although it must be hard.

That level of faith really inspires me and puts some things in perspective. As cliche as it is, I am going to continue to embrace what is present in my life and not focus on what’s lacking or what I’ve lost. I’ve been given another year. I’m able to pay my mortgage with weekly paychecks from my new job. I’m able to treat myself to the things that make me happy like concerts, new music, and vacations. I have a very close relationship with my mother and a few true lifetime friends. Doors are opening that will allow me to continue to pursue what I’ve been put here to do.

Most importantly, at 31, I’ve learned from the mistakes of my twenties. I am always cognizant of the fact that my time here can be up at any moment. I don’t want to look back when I’m old and gray (if I’m so fortunate) and realize I wasted my life stuck on repeat. Scared to step into my destiny. Dealing with the same fuckery in my relationships. Stagnant in my career.

So far, so good. Just like a fine wine, I’m just getting better with time.

What age or period of time in your life did you start coming into your own? If you’re not there yet, are you on your way?