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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: sy smith

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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Top Ten Songs of 2008 You’ve Probably Never Heard

15 Monday Dec 2008

Posted by Vivrant Thang in Best Of Lists

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

angela johnson, brittany bosco, eric lau, esperanza spalding, hil st soul, roots picnic, santogold, serena leah, sy smith, taiwah, top songs of 2008, tortured soul, zaki ibrahim

It’s that time of the year! Everybody and their play cousin is counting down the best of 2008 – including yours truly. Last year, I counted down my Top 10 songs and concerts of the year. Those are still coming your way so stay tuned.

However, since this site’s mission is to shine the spotlight on underrated artists that you’ll likely never hear on your local fm radio station I decided to kick things off with a list of songs I’ve been grooving to throughout the year that you may have never heard before.

You’ll notice that on this particular list, the ladies are running this mutha. A lot of the  male artists I recently discovered didn’t release new music this year. Or I was on the late bandwagon and don’t have their music in constant rotation (looking at you Kameron Corvet, Darien, Heston, Cornielle, and Colby Odonis – to name a few).

Here is my hard-wrought, hard-fought Top 10 in no particular order. Get into these artists.

ericlau1

1. Eric Lau f/ Serena, “Time Will Tell”

I believe it was my good friend Soul UK who introduced me to London-based producer Eric Lau. I have mentioned by love for producers like J Dilla, Nicolay and 9th Wonder before so  I was all too happy to take a listen to Eric Lau’s beats. It was love at first listen, especially since it led me to the discovery of female UK soul artists like Rahel, Taiwah and Serena Leah who appears on this track. This was one of the songs that stayed on repeat from Lau’s New Territories. Time will tell indeed what’s in store for this producer and the artists whose voices flow so effortlessly over these head nodding beats.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/14/510642/06%20-%20time%20will%20tell.mp3

santogold

2. Santogold, “You’ll Find A Way”

Actually, Santogold is probably no stranger to most of you. You’ve likely heard her music, maybe just not this song if you didn’t buy her album or see her in concert. I was fairly unfamiliar with Santi until I saw her perform at the Roots Pre-Picnic Jam session back in June. It’s definitely a departure from the type of music I typically like but there’s something about this song. It energizes me, makes me want to rock out. No, I really do start headbanging every time I listen to it.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/14/510642/Santogold%20-%20youfindaway.mp3

zaki

3. Zaki Ibrahim, “Connected”

I discovered this Toronto-based artist by accident while digging through the crates for something else. Sometimes the best things happen accidentally. It was hard to pick my favorite off of this EP but this particular song about feeling so connected to her man that she wants to breathe him in so she can see what he’s made of really got under my skin. It made me want to be bunned up posthaste. Very Sade-esque.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/14/510642/07%20Money%20%28King%20Britt%20Mix%29.mp3

torturedsoul

 

4. Tortured Soul, “Home To You”

Months later, I am still reminiscing about my first Tortured Soul Experience. As much as I consider myself to be a soulful house fan, I am very ‘shamed to say I wasn’t up on them before the show. Let’s just say after seeing them live just once, they have a fan for life. After seeing the live performance of  Home To You , from their EP, In Transit, it stayed in constant rotation. A second full-length effort cannot come quick enough.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/14/510642/Tortured%20Soul%20-%20Home%20To%20You.mp3

sysmith

5. Sy Smith, Fly Away With Me

After seeing DC native Sy Smith perform live for the first time earlier this year (notice a trend here?), and being thorough entertained and impressed by her stage show, I was checking hard for her albums. I started out with her latest, Conflict. Don’t tell anyone but Viv made a playlist for a “friend” earlier this year and this track was on it. “Lose yourself in my love without trying.” Sy said it better than I could ever say it – and sounded MUCH better than I would have!

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/14/510642/02-sy_smith-fly_away_with_me.mp3

spectrum

6. Brittany Bosco, “8 Trak”

Yet another discovery I owe to Soul UK. I am looking forward to what 2009 has in store for Brittanybecause if this EP was any indication, the future is indeed bright. The title of this track was what intrigued me at first. From the moment, I pressed play, I fell in love with the old soul feel to it, which is of course very apropos. I picture her opening for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings or Raphael Saadiq with a song like this. And of course Viv loves the sentiment 😉

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/14/510642/03%208-Trak%201.mp3

tawiah-1-1-1-11

7. Taiwah, “Watch Out”

You already know how I feel about Taiwah. If you didn’t listen to me the first time, I’m really going to need you to get on that. This is the first song on the EP and the opening chords drew me in immediately. Hauntingly beautiful. And I have so been here. This song takes me back there but it isn’t an entirely unpleasant visit.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/14/510642/01%20Watch%20Out.mp3

esperanza2

8. Esperanza Spalding “I Know You Know”

I admit to being late to the party once again in discovering this jazz phenom. But that’s why I make it my business to attend as many live shows as I can. Once I saw her at the Roots Picnic that miserably hot June day singing and handling that bass like it wasn’t twice her size, I knew I had to learn more. I don’t talk much about my love for jazz here but Esperanza’s album makes me want to make that a priority in 2009. Although she didn’t perform this song at the picnic, it was one I kept coming back to.  I know you know that you should put her on your playlist whether you’re a jazz lover or not. It’s simply good music.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/14/510642/02%20-I%20Know%20You%20Know%20-Esperanza.mp3

angelaj

9. Angela Johnson f/Julie Dexter “How Sweet Life Is”

I put this song on when I need to be reminded that regardless of what I’m going through, how sweet life is. I’m alive and have all my limbs and mental faculties (most days). Julie Dexter’s melodic voice immediately pulls me into a serious groove. I start to rocking and want to jump up and testify! If I could actually carry a tune, I would want to sing this in church. How grateful indeed. I am so glad that Angela Johnson “presented” us with this one. Take notes, you’ll see this album again.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/14/510642/12-angela_johnson-how_sweet_life_is_%28feat._julie_dexter%29_%28www.mp3pages.net%29.mp3

hil

10. Hil St Soul, The Sweetest Days

I have been all about the UK Soul this year haven’t I? I have been a Hil fan since her debut album. I was so excited to see her perform at the Capital Jazz Festival last year. I was on pins and needles waiting for her latest release and she did not disappoint. She is on my short list of truly underrated female artists.  I can totally related to that yearning for “yester-me, yester-you, yesterday” as she sang, “In the words of Stevie, what happened to the world we knew?” This song also reminded me of how I felt the first time I heard Jilly from Philly’s “Do You Remember?”

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/14/510642/03-hil_st._soul-sweetest_days.mp3

Your turn, my dear readers. Let me know some of your favorite tracks of the year that you’re sure nobody but you has on constant rotation.

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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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