Tag Archives: jazz

Old School Friday: All That Jazz

21 Friday Nov 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones, Soundtrack of My Life

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This picture captures just how I like to listen to my jazz.

Other than mentioning how I attend the Capital Jazz Fest every year, I don’t talk much about my love for jazz in this space. I have the feeling if I did, I’d lose a lot of readers.  Hey, you’ll have to deal with it today though.

There is only one song that immediately comes to mind when I think of jazz music. There is one song I can put on that I know will somehow take me through whatever emotions I may be experiencing at that moment. It’s a complex, beautiful piece by two of THE best to ever do it.

You may be familiar with this song from the movie Love Jones, which is where I first heard and fell in love with it.

Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, “In A Sentimental Mood”, 1962

*drops mic and walks off the stage*

Okay, I’m back for an encore.

If you call yourself a true lover of jazz, Miles Davis Kind Of Blue is essential for your collection. Not owning this album would be like having the cornflakes without the milk. I just don’t get you.

Here’s a live performance  from 1959 of “So What” from that epic album, which also happens to be the best selling jazz record of all time. Trane joins him for the performance.  I couldn’t take my eyes (or ears!) off of it. I think you’ll agree.

Enjoy your weekend and be sure to check out the other old school friday participants for some more smooth jazz to get you through your day.

 

 

When My Ipod Gets Bored

08 Friday Aug 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on free music and great podcasts 

NOTE: NO OLD SCHOOL FRIDAY FOR ME TODAY. BE BACK NEXT WEEK!

Even with 80G of music in the palm of my hand at any given time, I still manage to get bored by Pink Panther (aka the ‘pod) on occasion. When I actually practice some restraint and don’t go spending the gas money digging in the crates at a few of my favorite spots, I hit up some of my favorite music-loving folks who work hard to share the love by creating podcasts and mixes that showcase what they are digging at the time.

I’ve been meaning to do this post for a while and I think it’s especially relevant while we are in the midst of voting for the Black Weblog Awards. Ya’ll don’t seem to be that good at clicking on links 🙂 If there was ever a post to do so, it’s this one. Trust me on this.

Be sure to share some of your favorite podcasts in the comments.

Todd Kelly: Flowink.com  (Known to many as the “Kaing of R&B Podcasting” (rhythm & blues, vintage soul, hip-hop, jazz, house, world wide soul)

EJ Flavors (I call him the “Master Teacher.” One of the very first podcasts I subscribed to. Since I’m a 90s music junkie, I particularly love his New Jack Swing mixes. They got me through many a morning commute to a job that I hated with every fiber of my being.)

Friday Favecast (a glimpse of urban lifestyle with music, fitness tips and social commentary with a comical flavor)

Soul Sanctuary: Where The Spirit Dwells ( a plethora of mixes from various DJs available for download, including Soul Sanctuary Radio hosted by The Vibe Mistress Stephanie Renee)

Gordon Gartell Radio (Phonte of Little Brother’s podcast; pure tomfoolery and hot music)

RIBS (Rhythms In Black Satin)  (T Grundy always takes a sista to school with some classic soul. I wasn’t even a twinke in my Daddy’s eye when a lot of the music he features was released. So I learn a lot.)

DJ Stylus: (aka “The Vibe Conductor” and the name fits; lots of international flava in your ear here which sets him apart from a lot of other podcasts out there. Check out his Project Vibe mixes, a station you should be listening to)

DJ Diva (Do the ladies run this mutha – hellll yea! You know I got love for the female DJ. I love her artist spotlights which have featured music from Al Green, Luther, Prince, Aretha Franklin, and The O’Jays)

The Infinite Ink: Soulrific (the best in Nu Soul, R&B, conscious Hip Hop and Jazz)

My Love For Music (smooth jazz, world fusion, new age, ambient, downtempo music)

Deeper Soul (for those lovers of soulful house music)

Also check out Soul Bounce’s mixtape roundups.

 In addtion to the podcasts, on occasion someone will drop a gem in my inbox for me to groove to. This week DJ Cuzzin B  who you may remember from that hot True School Corporation party I raved about earlier in the year hit me up with his Soul For Sale mixtape which features tracks from as Jazmin Sullivan, Raphael Saadiq, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Teedra Moses, and Strange Fruit Project f/Erykah Badu, 9th Wonder and Q-Tip f/D’Angelo. Yup, it’s as hot as it sounds. Download here.

Summer is winding down which means that soon my attention will be split between The Green Nation and my musical adventures. Won’t be enough hours in the day. I’m taking the summer out with a bang though. This weekend, I’m excited to get a get a first look at Jazmin Sullivan and Raphael Saadiq who are putting out two of the most highly anticipated albums of the year. I’ve been watching clips of Jazmin today on You Tube and I. CAN’T. WAIT. You know I’ll do all I can to bring it to you here.

J*Davey and Jill Scott videos coming to you next week so stay tuned!

Forever, For Always, For Lalah

22 Tuesday Apr 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on lalah hathaway

I really need to be cloned.

Vivrant II would have been at this networking event. Vivrant III would have been home writing my Jill Scott concert review (tomorrow, I promise!). Vivrant I overrode both of them and made her way to a live taping of a new show coming to BETJ called Inside The Round. The featured artist was Lalah Hathaway – daughter of Donny Hathaway – for the few who may not be familiar with her music. Since I only own one greatest hits album, I can’t say I’m a true blue Lalah fan. That may soon change.

After stuffing my face with some tasty Jamaican jerk chicken, coco bread, pineapple soda, and some of the freshest fruit I’ve ever had, I made my way over the the intimate, candlelit set along with some other music-loving ladies I had just met. They took seats in the very front. I’m a more behind-the-scenes type of chick (no, really) so I was a bit uncomfortable being in the front. Michael Gipson of SoulTracks (a site you should be checking out) gave me that gentle push I needed.

Accompanied by a pianist, Lalah took the “stage” and sang three songs: “Something,” “Forever, For Always, For Love,” and “Summertime.” She kept encouraging us to give her more energy, wanting us to sing along and dance. She didn’t get it. I think we were all so mesmerized by her presence and the pure, natural beauty of her voice that all we could go was smile, snap our fingers, and groove. Even in it’s brevity, it was far more than a show. It was an experience. When some artists perform, you can almost see their musical influences sitting on their shoulders talking ’bout “you betta sannnnggg girl!”  

I must say I was slightly disappointed because I expected a live performance of some of the tracks from her upcoming June release, Self Portrait. After hearing it playing in the background since I arrived, I was hungry to hear  the songs instead of just listening. Lalah fans, you are in for a treat with by this one. Every track I listened to, I felt. She says she’s in love with it…and I am too.

Great event and I was blessed to have been a part of it. I’m not an industry type or a professional music writer. I’m just a woman who has a passion for this thing we call soul music. I “scribble” some words about that love a few times a week.  Who knew it would start opening doors in unexpected places? Love what you do…and do what you love people.

I do – and Lalah damn sure does!

Here’s one of my favorite Lalah tracks, “Baby Don’t Cry.”