In the words of the great Rakim… It’s been a long time. I shouldn’t have left
you…
It’s been a little more than
seven months since I last wrote an article. I’d say that’s quite enough of a
hiatus. It’s time to dust off this site and blow some new life into this idea.
I think the exploration of music and its impact on our lives and the important aspect
of the ability we have to transform our lives personally, and our existence
collectively, is something that is worthy of continuing. I hope you agree.
There have been many musical happenings,
since the last article, however before we get into that, we have some “homework”
to get into.
First up: April Chase – In the Midst of
Sirens & Still Breathing.
I first found out about April
Chase when I was looking into website templates on wix.com. Their website was in
the “Examples” section. The site was nice, but what really grabbed me was the
sound of the band. They have a very fresh and immediate sound. I went to iTunes
to download their music, and I was very pleased! This small independent band
from San Jose, CA has a very refreshing sound. Reminiscent of early No Doubt,
this band rocks and jams enough for you to want to jump around – whether in
your own bedroom or a crowded club. Most of the songs are about love and
relationships and, although most are on the hurting side of love, the deliveries
of all of these offerings carry an uplifting vibration. The sweet juxtaposition
of Carina Valdes’ vocals and the raw rocking of the band is a perfect pairing.
This is especially so when the sound is toned down on a few of the tracks,
where we’re treated to a close listen to Carina’s delicate vocals and the band’s
intricate playing. Both of these EPs give a good snap shot of relationships in
general… the good and the bad. The key is, each listen always leaves you
wanting more… and this is just like love and relationships… as great or
dreadful as they can be, we always want more.
Standouts: Turn It Down, Paper Mache, Too Short to Ride, All You Need to Say, Time
Won’t Tell, Ones & Twos.
Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She
Lovely.
Ok, there’s not much I can say
about this song that hasn’t been said already. I listened to this song after
the birth of my daughter and I had an even deeper appreciation for this masterpiece.
At least once a month everyone should listen to this song. There is a little
girl, big girl, woman, wife, girlfriend, mother in everybody’s life that they
can place in their mind’s eye when listening to this. However even beyond that…
this song is a praising of the female, period. Listen to it. What would life be
without the feminine aspect of life? Or, more to the point look at what life is
because of the feminine energy that
we experience in life. This song is a celebration of that. So any time you’re
looking to appreciate that part of your life, this classic is a great place to
start.
Earth, Wind & Fire – You.
This is one of the classic group’s
best songs. Also, this is one of the unsung masterpieces of the group. From the
soft piano beginning, the song paints a portrait of love and a loving
relationship. However, beyond that, this song is an account of what happens
when a person finds himself in love (or herself). The need of love is deep and
essential, like the sun (“you brighten up my day”) and it swells as it proceeds…
just as the sound of the song. By the middle and end, the horns are in full
effect and it’s no longer the small quiet intimate song it started out as. Now,
it’s alive with sound and melody and as catchy as any of their other classics.
And then, on another level, this is an
exploration of what happens when one is on a spiritual quest and reaches the
enlightenment of understanding how we are connected with the creator (no matter
the given title). This is a song of devotion and dedication. On the surface it
is written as one between two people, however “you lighten up my way… brighten
up my day… change my point of view… now I look at life the way you do…”
suggests a connection with something larger and more significant than a
physical, personal relationship. This song is a realization of love and its
effects, at the deepest levels.
Robert Glasper Experiment – Black Radio.
This is a wonderful album. This
has all of the different elements of black radio (as referenced by the title).
This is the best of black radio… or what black radio should be. Robert Glasper
Experiment is a jazz group, led by Robert Glasper (of course), so the base of
the music is jazz. That being said, the feel of each track changes and evolves
to reflect different aspects of black music. Afro Blue, one of the first songs, finds Erykah Badu in top form.
This is a beautiful, cool, late night R&B quiet storm track that is
exemplary of what we should be hearing on the late night magic/kiss 107s around
the nation. This is sweet and sensual, without being overly sexual. The same
goes for the next song, featuring the vocal talents of the under appreciated
Lalah Hathaway. Hathaway gives a heartfelt rendition of Sade’s Cherish the Day. Now, this song is a new
standard of the American songbook, from the 20th century and Hathaway’s
treatment of it is a testament to this fact. She delicately dips into the song
like a warm bath and delivers a version that is hers, while still being homage
to the queen of quiet storm. The album then subtly moves from the soft sounds
of R&B to thought provoking Hip-Hop. Always Shine, which features the vocals of
Bilal and the verses of Lupe Fiasco, we explore the state of black music’s
mission to remind its listeners of their greatness. All too often this challenge is shied away
from, not taken seriously, or simply ignored. Fiasco steps up to the plate, to
swing for a home run. Each of the verses is a vivid look of the motivation
behind the choices that go into making the music that ultimately serves to
program our children. We can either
choose to program them to understand themselves as Stars in the Universe or as
consumer/post-slaves in a world that belongs to everyone else. This song deserves several listens. This is
what hip-hop should strive for… this is what should be on the radio. This is
how the whole album flows… this is a straight listen; no need for track
skipping. There is R&B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Dance Rhythms and even a rock song
re-envisioned (Smells Like Teen Spirit)…
everything that we need to reshape Black radio into something more culturally
useful.
Stand outs: (well… the whole
album… but here’s the tops of the tops and the featured artists) Afro Blue (Erykah Badu), Cherish the Day (Lalah Hathaway), Always Shine (Blilal & Lupe Fiasco),
Gonna Be Alright (Ledisi), Ah Yeah (Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette
Michele) and Black Radio (Mos Def).
Chuck Brown – We Got This
This was one of the last albums
by the Go-Go legend, and I was listening to it recently. It’s a fun listen,
which center’s around a live performance which is energetic and very smile-provoking. The first five songs
are new studio songs, perfectly fit for any dance club. Beyond that, however,
this is fell-good music which is perfectly suited for raising your vibration.
Laughter and dance are some of the healthiest activities one can participate
in, so this is healthy music. By that standard, the healthiest of them all is
the song Love, featuring Jill Scott.
The sound is classic Go-Go, and Scott’s presence on the track brings a vibrancy
that is positively infective. This is a
perfect jump start for the rest of the set, where Brown and his band rips though
old classics, whether his or not. This set is pure fun. You’ll find yourself
bopping your head, shaking and twisting your waste and hips… and then your feet
will get into the action. This is one of those albums that could very well be
the antidote to a bad day, if you would just put it on. That’s really one of
the primary roles of music in our life, and, as Chuck and Jill remind us, “That’s
how it is; that’s how it’s supposed to be.”
Stand outs: All For You, Love, We the People, I’m Your Man, Moody’s Mood for Love,
Harlem Nocturne, Chuck Baby.
Take a listen to these songs and
albums, and next time we’ll get into a smaller selection.
Until next time, keep listening
to the music all around you and explore the music that serves to uplift your
life. Thanks for reading and come back for more!
Up next: SADE.
