The Smoove Grooves Series

This post has been in draft for three years, now. At the time, I’d published the first Smoove Grooves volume, and that was my first attempt at trying something new, more upbeat. Since then I ‘ve mixed an additional three Smoove Groove mixes and I am pretty pleased with the results of these mixes.

I usually create sultry, sensual mixes; this time I created an uptempo mix, with Smoove Grooves that will have your head noddin’ and body-rockin’. You can get your SeXXXy dance on with this mix too–hint, hint, lol! 🙂 The Music Minded Manic post details the sultry, sensual and SeXXXy Love theme, where you’ll get a better picture of what I’m talking about…

One more thing; many of my mix posts include my photos or video footage of the featured artists from a performance I attended; none here, so I just added a few of the artists’ videos via YouTube.

Enjoy!

Smoove Grooves – Vol. I
1. Breaking It Down – Petalpusher f/Ledisi
2. Children of the Sun – Positive Flow f/Heidi Vogel
3. Stillness Meets Me – Projections
4. Koko +Lee Roe – Mark de Clive-Lowe
5. Heaven Pt. 2 – Mark de Clive-Lowe
6. Youth [Intro] – Soul: ID
7. Stay With Me – (Grooveman Spot Remix) Platinum Pied Pipers
8. Breaking It Down – Liquid Spirits f/Raffaela
9. One the One – Roy Hargrove f/Renee Neufville
10. Perfect Sky – Reel People
11. Beauty & Sin – Soul:ID
12. Sex, Love, and Philosophy – Soul:ID
13. Know Your Name – Dwele
14. Get Ta Steppin – Hi-Tek w/Mos Def & Vinia Mojica
15. Earth Wind and Fire – Val Watson
16. Jimmy Down – Dwele
17. Searchin’ (Vibey Ayers Mix) – Steve Wallace
18. Feel That Music – Slakah the Beatchild

Liquid Spirits – Higher Ground
A few years ago I found this video just browsing and fell in love!

Courtesy of Pure Jazz

Heidi Vogel
Discovered Heidi from my Sista, Tracy who shared some really good music with me a few years ago. I love Children of the Sun where Heidi’s voice is featured on the second track of this mix!

Courtesy of Isabella Magalona

Roy Hargrove and Renee Neufville – On the One
I love this live version better than the studio’s

Courtesy of Renee Nuefville

Soul:ID – Love of My Life
I’m sorry this group broke up. This entire album is fantastic!

Courtesy of uduinc

Steve Wallace Sings La Donna E Mobile
I’m impressed by Steve’s talent on this piece! Pleasantly surprised to have found it.

Courtesy of Steve Wallace

Mark de Clive-Lowe
Gotta love this man! So damned talented!

Courtesy of Mark de Clive-Lowe

Oh wait, I found one of my videos!
Ledisi’s voice is featured on Breaking It Down, the first track. Her name is not listed on the original track and when I heard it, I knew it was her. Had to google it to make sure I saw her name associated with this song, which I’ve loved ever since I first heard it!
Ledisi performs Higher Than This at her CD Release Party, for Turn Me Loose

Smoove Grooves – Vol. II
1. Sound of the City Band – Sumthing 2 Ride 2
2. Marcus D -Titania
3. Mark De Clive-Lowe – Heaven
4. Miguel Migs f/Lisa Shaw – Give Me Something
5. JSoul f/Deborah Bond – High
6. Music Soulchild – Stop Playing
7. Soulive f/Ekene Nwokiye- Arruga de Agua
8. Jimpster – Closer
9. Foreign Exchange – Body
10. Lovebirds- You Give Me
11. Mark De Clive Lowe – Day by Day
12. A Forrest Mighty Black – Fresh in my Mind

Smoove Grooves – Vol. III
1. Jarrod Lawson – Music and It’s Magically Ways
2. Kool & Clean – Without You
3. Bebel Gilberto – Aganju
4. Leon King – Lizard Lude
5. Root Soul f/Leon King – Dream Come True
6. Slakah The Beatchild – Some Beats
7. Hill St. Soul – Feel Good Factor
8. Mark DeClive-Lowe f/Nia Andrews – Hooligan
9. Gotan Project – Last Tango In Paris
10. Down To The Bone – London Life
11. Liquid Spirits – Higher Ground
12. Mark DeClive-Lowe
13. Rasiyah – U Better Run
14. Praful – Sonar

Vol. IV. Butta Beats
1. Najai Soul – Just Relax
2. Negghead – Build It Up
3. Jazmine Sullivan – Music
4. Electric Wire Hustle – Thank You Steve
5. Janet Jackson – No Sleep
6. Mellowtune – Potatohead People
7. Tall Black Guy – Sweet Europe
8. Jamie Hawkins – Lost My Mind
9. Amp Fiddler – Dream in (Radio Version)
10. Slakah the Beatchild f/Devine Brown – Get Down Right
11. Atjazz f/Sarah Jane Morris – Fantasy
12. D’Influence f/T Money – Midnight Feel da Funk Remix
13. George Michael – Too Funky
14. Butts Fat Vibes – Slakah The Beatchild
15. Angela Johnson – All I Need
16. Foreign Exchange – Nic’s Groove

What is Love? / What Love Is.

I’m Back! With the definition of
L O V E… I think ☺

Mixcloud is where my mixes reside, and a new supporter has been in communication lately, leaving comments filled with thoughts, opinions, and appreciation of my song selections, and the support has sparked a fire in me!

As artists often create music and lock it up in a vault for whatever reason; I too have unpublished mixes I’ve been holding on to for years…  I’ve been enjoying them for my own entertainment, perhaps thinking they needed rearranging, commentary, drops? Who knows?

Well, I decided it was time for me to release them– pretty much as is…

I’ve posted five mixes about love, in addition to a new but old, Funky Fresh Covers IV: The Upbeats and a brand new House Music mix A Taste of Suga’s House.

Below are the latest published mixes and the playlists that tell the story of LOVE–Whether my mixes are “Addictive Love” or “It’s Complicated“, they damned sure channel that “SeXXXy Love” vibe!

Many of the tracks incorporate situations where love is in limbo, however, are all akin to grooves I love within these associated themes.  Love has as many negative connotations as positives. No matter the situation, this is some Grown and SeXXXy shit!

Now, let’s break it down, shall we?

Addictive Love
The artists that produced these songs included in the Addictive Love mix, are depicting a strong desire to never leave the relationship, or get it back on track after mistreatment, etc., hence why I selected these songs and themed mix titles.

1. Ty Causey So Addicted
2. Dennis Taylor Feeling Good
3. Frank McComb Never Letting Go
4. Conya Doss What I’d Do for You
5. Janita I Can’t Get Enough of You
6. Kem Without You
7. Laurnea Can’t Let Go
8. Ann Nesby I Can’t Get Over You
9. Incognito Can’t Get You Out of My Head
10. Liquid Spirits f/Melodee No One
11. Darien Brockington Can We Fall in Love Again
12. Janelle Monae Can’t Live Without Your Love
13. Rosie Gaines I Can’t Get You Off My Mind
14. Ty Causey Without You
15. Mary J. Blige Can’t Get You Off My Mind

What is Love?
We think we do, but really don’t know What Love Is, do we? These songs and their artists offer perspectives and experiences on love’s definition. In there lies a story…

1. Vivian Green What Is Love
2. Lalah Hathaway This Could Be Love
3. N’Dambi Can This Be Love
4. Marilyn Scott f/Frank McComb You Don’t Know Love
5. Anthony Hamilton I Know What Love Is All About
6. Robert Glasper Let’s Fall in Love
7. Ivana Kotov Should I Call It Love
8. Zo! f/Yahzarah If This is Love
9. Eric Roberson What Is Love Made Of
10. Donna Gardia & M-Swift Love Is
11. Jon Bibbs Found Love
12. Nahjai Soul Easy to Love
13. The Floacist This Love
14. Zo! f/Chantae Cann All Is Well With Love

What Love Is: The Matrimony
What Love Is, is man’s and woman’s initial attraction, the newness of each other’s company, learning one another and all of that, eventually transcends into to a commitment–with marriage lurking around the corner 😍 This mix entails a great love story!

1 Interlude (Faith) Faith Evans
2 Got to Find a Way Frank McComb
3 Maybe Kelli Sae
4 All Because of You Conya Doss
5 Every Little Thing Chaka Kahn
6 Love Thang Rena Scott
7 I’m in Love Kem
8 Everything I Do Beyonce f/Bilal
9 You Are My Joy Faith
10 No One Else Amel Larrieux
11 I Believe in Love Leon Ware
12 SoulMate Iman Williams f/AB
13 Best Friend Tweet f/Bilal
14 So Grateful Jeff Bradshaw f/Coco
15 The Matrimony Rhonda Thomas f/Alex Lattimore
16 We are One Ledisi f/Rahsaan Patterson

SeXXXy Love: Sweet and Happy
And after all of that, SeXXXy Love Vol. Sweet & Happy is an up-tempo, yet sweet, SeXXXy, and happy love mix that makes me smile inside and out. Some of the tracks have that SeXXXy component to it, although not so rated semi “X” as a few of my other mixes. This story is more about the happy and sweet element of love.

Tamia Leave It Smokin
Jill Scott f/Anthony Hamilton So In Love
Will Downing f/Roy Ayers Lovers Melody
Renee Neuville Watching Me
Deborah Bond You Are The One
Kelli Sae Found Somebody Like You
Inner Shade Tell Me Something
Stevie Wonder My Love is on Fire
Terri Walker Forever and a Day
Zo! Holding You, Loving You
Rahsaan Patterson You Make Life So Good
Gil Small (RIP) Heaven
Teena Marie f/Howard Hewitt Lover’s Lane
Faith Evans Love Song

Cupid’s Hunt – The 10th Anniversary Celebration Special

Welcome to the 10th Anniversary for the Cupid’s Hunt Podcast Collaboration! Over a year later😑

I’m so elated and excited to present to you my contribution mix, the 12th volume of my SeXXXy Love series, exclusively for the CHPC Valentine’s Day offering. I was on time with my mix, but super late with the post. There’s no right or wrong time for love music so I hope you enjoy whenever you listen…

It was a real treat for me to create this mix!

Playlist

B. R. Burns – Freak

I happened to look in a space around the house where I keep CDs and an unexpected find stumbled into my hands. A cd I’d purchased over 15 years ago by BR Burns, a Spoken word artist, introduced by Michael Baisden set the SeXXXy with his piece, Freak!

I was in the Divas and a Don book club at work. Members of the group included one male to the rest females, hence the name. And, long before Wendy Williams’ club from her radio show on KISS FM in NYC. We attended one of Michael Baisden’s book signings at the Barnes and Noble in the Bronx, Coop City store, and B.R. Burns accompanied him. How appropriate was it for me to find his cd to kickoff SeXXXy Love XII?!

Raheem DeVaughn – Temperature’s Rising

Marsha Ambrosius (Floetry) Anticipation (Intro)

I’ve used their songs on a few of my mixes–Raheem DeVaughn and Marsha Ambrosius–can always be counted on to bring the SeXXXy I’m looking for to include in my mixes! #thatisall

Eric Nolan Grant (The O’Jays)- Cologne

I had the opportunity to meet 1/3 of the legendary O’Jays, Eric Nolan Grant on the 2016 Capital Jazz SuperCruise! I purchased his CD on the ship and found this gem, Cologne that fits perfectly with the SeXXXy Love concept. Cologne is my favorite track off of the Mood Swing album.

Chante Moore – Love the Woman

Chante Moore’s Love the Woman album I’ve had since it was released and ONUTSS hosted a listening party for the album. I decided to take a listen (damned shame it took me so long). Once again, I found a diamond!

Just a Few Cats – Dance With Me

Just a Few Cats’ Dance With Me I wanted to use a long time ago but never found the right placement. This was right on time! I had the pleasure of sitting in on a live performance while in Birmingham, Alabama, (my birthplace and where they hail), and met one of the band members from their website prior to the show. Just a Few Cats is also the band Ruben Studdard was a member of before he became an American Idol!

Carol Riddick f/Will Downing – The Way You Say My Name

Carol Riddick is a musical force to be reckoned with and if you don’t know her, you need to get busy and catch up! Look at that photo, Carol is SANGIN! She’s amazing!  Will Downing, the consummate Chocolate Swooner has also graced a few of my mixes. Here, he joins Carol, who is also an assistant vocalist at many of his live shows. The Way You Say My Name is a SeXXXy duet that further escalates the mood for lust!

Avery Sunshine – Sweet Afternoon

Avery Sunshine’s Sweet Afternoon is also a fun time for lovemaking! I’d been saving this song for a future mix and yes, it made it!

Gerald Levert – Good Morning

Gerald Levert was artistic, to put it mildly, yet blunt with his SeXXXy, and I love it! He was so cunning, his soulful self! Those lyrics probably went straight over your head if you’re weren’t paying close attention to them during his heyday. Here’s your chance to revisit Gerald’s SeXXXy!

Nicki Richards – In Bed (Interlude)

As I’ve shared before, I scour my music library to find songs that fit into my style of SeXXXy and In Bed was a hit! I also learned that Nicki Richards sang with popular artists like Whitney Houston, Madonna, and Michael Jackson, to name just a few.

Esnavi – How Beautiful Is He

Dewayne Alston of Soul City Radio afforded me a wonderful opportunity to interview Esnavi for Razors Edge Magazine and she was a delight! Esnavi has the vocal chops you definitely need to keep your ears in tuned to –watch and listen out for her!

Komplex – Erotic Spoken Word Artist

This dude right here, had the ladies on the edge of their seats with just a bit of word artistry to advertise the late show! This piece is a smidge of what was to come later on that night with Ingrid B. and her lineup spoken word artists.

Gerald Levert – Wear It Out

Need I say more???

Lenora Jaye – Do You Wanna

Prophet Jones – Can I Take You Home

My extensive music library brought me to LeNora Jaye and Prophet Jones’ album and landed me on their songs to round out my SeXXXy theme!

Brandon Williams f/Joi Tiffany – You Make Love Real

 

I love supporting independent soul artists and Brandon Williams is a drummer/producer who has comprised a slew of accomplished artists like Alex Isley, Robert Glasper, Nicholas Payton, Frank McComb, Jesse Boykins III, Geno Young, Pharoahe Monch, Don Blackman, Li’l John Roberts, Matt Cusson, Choklate (first ONUTSS featured artist), Casey Benjamin, Moonchild to complete his album, XII.  You Make Love Real is one of my favorites and fit right into this SeXXy theme!

Terrance Martin – Ecstasy

Terrace’s Ecstacy I found by chance on youtube and fell in love with it! After researching him further, I discovered he is a singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor who has also worked with prominent artists in the music industry, including Kendrick Lama, Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder, Charlie Wilson, and Raphael Saadiq among others.  Another talent to keep your eyes and ears on.

A Taste of Suga’s House: New Beginnings

Welcome to Suga’s House!
It’s been a long time in the making! This is my first long-awaited attempt to mix house music!

It only took me forever; I’m satisfied and proud! Looking forward to the next follow-up!

These are a few of my favorite tracks that really soothe my soul and make my body rock!
DJ Hiro [Unrealeased Chanten Dub & Joe’s Unreleased Rough] – Koet Moun Yo
Blue Six – Sweeter Love
Shaun Escoffery (Dj Spinna & Ticklah Remix) – Days Like This
Elements of Life f/Lisa Fischer and Cindy Mizelle (Roots Mix)- Into My Life
Miguel Migs (Alix Alverez) – Mesmerized
James Biscuit (Kenny Dope Main Mix Final 2) – Vibe
Byron Stingily (Reel Soul Main Vocal Mix) – Walk Away
Frankie Feliciano [Ricanstruction Mix] – The Real Thing

Enjoy!

Women Making HerStory Now!

In honor of Women’s HerStory Month/International Women’s Day I thought it would be appropriate for me to take a moment to reflect on the women I admire, respect, honor and whose inspiration has touched me in more ways than many.

 Women ROCK and I’ve always said that we can run this world; what do you think?

 

Women’s HerStory in the Making!

I am ecstatic for the opportunity to celebrate the women in my life, my circle and those far and near including those I have yet to meet face to face.  From an array of disciplines including, but not limited to: music, graphic arts, education, singers, writers, designers, photographers, technology, activists, advocates, entrepreneurs, and fitness trainers these women have made a great impact on me and in many ways my life. Most of them may not even be aware of my high regard for them.

I know many of you personally and some of the tribulations you have endured with significant-other relationships, family, the loss of loved ones, and health issues; yet you continue to push forward.  Life-threatening illnesses have ravaged your body, mind, and spirit, leaving you emotionally drained. Yet you are still here, as God has kept you fighting to show your strength to others.  You are sweet, bold, charming, outspoken, kind, even brazen at times; you’ve overcome adversity yet many of you maintain living with it and keep a smile on your face, constantly encouraging others without a second thought.

By the same token, YOU are experiencing wonderful and fulfilling moments of merit and prosperity, where you display incredible energy that spreads like wildfire!!  I have been observing you excel from one level to the next, making great strides in your community and personally. You exhibit your wealth of knowledge and demonstrate positivity to those in which you come in contact.  I admire your intelligence and learn from your experiences more than you know. You have worked really hard at what you do; your talents have been observed by people in the right places that propelled you to higher heights, nationally and internationally!!

It takes a tenacious, persistent woman to prepare her mind and body to decide now is the time to change your unhealthy eating habits and exercise for better health and a longer lifespan. You did that and huney, you look good!! I’m so proud of you!

You deserve recognition, support and most of all love—right now because you are doing the DAMNED thing—making HerStory NOW!

Hopefully, you will take a moment, a minute, an hour, a day or whatever it takes to do something extraordinary for yourself, sometime real soon.  Give yourself the flowers you have truly earned  (whatever those flowers may be!).  I am telling you, you truly deserve them for all you do and have done for others, forsaking yourself, instead of putting YOU first.

Gurl, just

Cheers Ladies!!!

  This tribute is for you, my Sistas!!

The Honorees Are:

Abby Dobson

Adriane Ferguson

Adrienne Powers – My sister

Ajsha Pullin

Alecia Gillard

Alicia Hammond

Alethea Hardin

Alice TurboFleur

Alison Crockett

Alison Murry

Allecia Frye

Amma Whatt

Andrea Greene

Angel Monique

Angela Johnson

Anita Bryant

Anja

Annita Utra Shivdyal

Ann Marie Collymore

Annmarie Reynolds

Anshia Tull

Antoinette Jeanine

Antonia Jenae’

Ayesha Payne

Barbara McCarthy

Calandra Branch

Candy Davis

Caprice Starbrite Toddman

Carmen Berry

Carmen Farnum

Carmen Rodgers

Carole Eady

Carol Riddick

Cecilia Nolasco

Chante Ramsey

Choklate Moore

Chris Sidifall

Clementine Jackson

Colleen Rubino

Collette Blakeney

Cynthia Cruz

CynDiva Harcum

Danielle Davis – My sister

Danielle Hatchett

Daphne Lipford – My sister

Darlene Whittaker

Darnelle Gillisslee

Deborah Bond

Deborah Heffernan Hinds

Deone Murph Holder

Deeyjay Renay

Dereth Howell

Detrel Howell-Sapp

Dianne BestEver Nelson

Dianne Mommaship Washington

Doreen Massiah

Dyneka L. Lewis

Elsa Lathan

Emily Scott

Esnavi

Eulelia Pinky Johnson

Fiona Bloom

Frances Jaye

Francine Small

Gail DJflame Hall

Georgia Powers

Green Tea

Harron Evoria

Iman Bianca Williams

Iola Anyan

Iris Brown

Ivana Kotov

Jacqueline Nesbitt

Janice Palmer

Janita Maria

Jarmelle Anderson – My sister

JazzyBlue Visions

Jennifer Ravis

Joann Gomez

Jodine Dorsey

Johnnie Savage-Waugh

Jolene Kay White Bethune

June Faulk

June Felix

Karen Bernod

Karen Smith

Kai Lane

Kateria Niambi

Kathy Powers – My sister

Kathy Watkins

Kathy Wilkins

Katie Piper

Kaylan Nelson

KeJuan Stroud

Kelli Sae

Kendra Ross

Kerri Simmons

Kierra Benefield

KiKi Kawkins

Kim Hernandez

Kim Namaste Berry

Kimberly Hines

Kimberly-Howell-Johnson

Kimberly Nichole

Kitchen Rebel

Kym Scott

Lady Vee Ongpauco

La’Kiesha Underwood

Lalah Hathaway

LaShawn Jacobs

Latisha Banks

Laura Garris

LaVerne Francis

LaVonne Thompson

Ledisi

Leslie McNair-Wilder

Linda Simmons

Linda Taylor Pryor

Lisa Bryant

Lisa Stanton

Liv Warfield

Lorenda Robinson

Lori Leff

Lorraine Bailey

Louella Byers

Luznerida Rosado

Lydia Berry-Pearson

Macheka Williams-Roach

Marie Rush

Marilyn Douglas

Marlena Latif

Marlo Bracey

Mary Brown

Mary Frye

Mary Pryor

Maya Azucena

Maysa Leak

Mercy Harris

Michelle Gillenwater

Michelle Harrlem Holmes

Michelle Jenkins

Michelle R. Smith

Mika Deharlem

Mildred Fallen

Millie Barbot

Minister Rasha Patterson

Monet Cherise

Monique Thomas

MsElle Emme Esse

Natalie McGregory

Nay Marie

N’Dambi

Nikki Norwood

Nina Morena

NORC Program Directors (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) are challenged in numerous ways; 100% caregivers, advocates, and nurturers to New York City’s vibrant and frail Senior Citizens!!  Ladies, you are doing phenomenal work!

Norma Brown

Norma Hendricks

Pam Beck

Pamela Kellum

Pamela Henry

Pamela Nichols

Pamela Stevenson

Patience Morton

Patricia Knowles Ford

Paula Ralph-Birkett

Pepper Thomas

Perquida Williams

Phyllis Johnson

RaRe Valverdi

Raquel Carter

Regine Ridore

Renee Michele Barton-Rose

Renee Sheffey

Robyn Frye

Rosalie Astacio

Rose Ordonez Jenkins

Ruscelle Williams

Ruth Cordero

Sandra Kizum

Sandra Faye Tucker

Sania’ Jones

Sarah J. Hill

Sarah Jones

Sarah Huny Young

Selina Donaldson

Shani Elliot

Sharon Quinn

Shereen Lewis

Shiane Lee

Silawn Lewis

Stacey Sheffey

Stephanie Renee

Stephanie Thomas Gonzalez- My sister

Stevie Robinson

Sunshine Brown

Sy Smith

Tahesha Paige

Tonya L. Brown

Tonya Johnson

Tara Powers – My sister

Theresa Thomas

Tiffany Taylor

TJ Scruggs

Tonya Dillard-Johnson

Tonya L. Brown

Tra’ Love Peace

Tracey Hodges

Tracy Freeman

Tracy Laramore

Tracy Lymus

Tracy Lynn Deis

Tricia Angus

Trina Broussard

Valerie Smith

Vanessa El

Vanessa Hill

Vee Lisa C Walker

Victoria Warren

Vivian Sessoms

Wanda Bennett

Wandetta Benton

YahZarah

Zoila Noella

My mother, Ernestine Blutcher Thomas Webb, my sister Sophia Thomas, and my grandmother Arrie Lee Cox Blutcher are at rest but are included in this tribute because of their words of encouragement, wisdom, and everlasting love.  There is an empty place in my life for all of them as I miss their faces, hugs, and kisses, but most of all their voices, because no matter how near or far, they were just a mere phone call away…

I’m sure that there are more women who have touched my life in one way or another and if I have not mentioned her here, I can only attribute it to my mind, and not my heart…Just knowing you has given me insight and courage to excel to aspire to be every woman I so desire to be.

Heal The World Vol. I

Greetings once again, my Music Minded Maniacs!

I’ve been away from the keyboard for a long minute and I’m happy to be back!!

Here to introduce a new theme of mixes to come your way is Heal the World! I’ve been working on Vol. I for quite some time and am now ready to share it with the universe.

You probably know by now that my mixes are based on themes. The social ills that have been going on for years prior to the current state have recently intensified right before our eyes. Homelessness, police brutality, racism, suicide, loneliness, poverty, depression, street life, death, war, politics, and sexual preference, consists of most of the world’s trials, troubles, and tribulations.

The tracks I selected to represent these issues tell heartbreaking stories simultaneously with a funky beat, yet slightly uplifting. I ask you to join me for another thought-provoking ride on this mix as you listen to these poignant lyrics that may have an effect on yours or a loved one’s life.

As always, I share photos and video footage I shot at various concerts with a few artists whose music made the mix. I discuss briefly a few stand-out tracks (for me) below.

1. Intro The Sound – Mary Mary
2. Free Again – Ledisi
3. Leaving This Planet Mark – DeClive Lowe f/Sharlene Hector
4. Fallen – Carmen Rodgers
5. Crazy World –  N’dambi
6. Soldier – Raheem DeVaughn
7. No One Wins A War – Raheem DeVaughn
8. If I Could – Carl Thomas
9. My Peoples – DJ Jazzy Jeff
10. The News- Anthony Hamilton
11. Soldier –  Eryka Badu
12. Brotha Man- Kem
13. Can We Change We World – Maysa
14. Black Sheep – B. Slade

Mary Mary opens this mix with the Intro The Sound. I thought it was incredibly appropriate for what many of us look forward to each day—sound, as in music in addition to the subject matters previously mentioned:

The Definition of Sound
Vibrations that travel through the air
Or another media
And can be heard when they reach another person’s ear
That’s not the only Definition of Sound
There’s a sound in one’s voice that lets you know just what they feel, There’s a sound of Pain, a sound of Joy, a sound of strength, a sound of Love, a sound of Desperation, and a sound of victory
Listen to the Sound

Only true Led Heads know Ledisi’s humble beginnings and her song, Free Again as it is a cut from her first release, Soul Singer (I love this album)! How many can identify with relating to “Free Again”?

Mark De Clive-Lowe, one of my favorite producers, remixers, beatmakers, musicians, and an all-around music man, has introduced me to artists I may have otherwise taken longer to become familiar with or may not have known at all. When I heard his album Leaving This Planet, I fell in love with Sharlene Hector’s voice on the title track; it made me think about what “leaving this planet” really meant to the composer and for me as a listener. Indeed Sharlene took me on a trip with the grittiness and raw vocals she put down on this song. Between her and Ledisi, they actually do make you want to “fly away” and “leave this planet” even if it’s just for a little while to treat yourself to some well-deserved relaxation with the situations at hand and those personal.

Maysa, Kem, Carmen Rodgers and N’dambi all basically and briefly talk about homelessness and the goodness of God and prayer in their songs. They invite you to look at the situation from another perspective; suppose it were you and the tables turned… All in all God and Love are the ways these artists let you know in their lyrics that “it” is going to be alright!

Ledisi and Me after the BAM show

Caught Maysa at Macys NYC when her sophomore album, All My Life was released. (Thanks for the photo, Randy Wilson).

Me and N’dambi at her listening party for Pink Elephant at Universal Music Group (thank you for the opportunity and photo Randy Thomas)

B. Slade and me at his Joe’s Pub performance (thank you for the opportunity Shani!)

Raheem DeVaughn, what can I say? This young man knows how to pen a good song as well as sing the hell out of it (whether it’s Sexxxy or socially conscious)! Maybe you think it’s overkill that I included his music three times? The content of the lyrics is relevant in all three tracks as Soldier Story speaks to the fear of death in war from a mother and son’s view because this is a way for him support his college education. The unnecessary killing in a war will put you in the mind frame of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On.  Ok, I gotta say this, there’s a part in this song where Raheem is counting pushups; now why does this sound so damned Sexxxy in a song like this?  Oh well… Nobody Wins a War reminds me of the “We Are the World” concept, where various artists contributed their voices on this song such as Jill Scott, Ledisi, Anthony Hamilton, Chrisette Michele, and Algebra among others. DJ Jazzy Jeff’s track My Peoples, Raheem sings on and the song really hits home as our people are a resilient people when the chorus comes in and says:

My peoples stay strong as an ox
My peoples will never fail
My peoples will always remain
Remain with a story to tell

Mary Mary at J & R Music World (Tina)

Mary Mary at J & R Music World (Erica)

My first Ledisi experience at SOB’s, NYC 2004

Ledisi in Madison Sq. Park, NYC

Ledisi at BAM/Metro Tech, Brooklyn

Maysa at BBKing’s NYC

Carl Thomas at the J & R Music Festival

Raheem DeVaughn at the J & R Music Festival

Raheem DeVaughn at The South Street Seaport NYC, with the beloved 98.7 KISS FM

N’Dambi at SOB’s NYC

Nu Soul Saturday, Brooklyn

The Hostess of Nu Soul Saturday, Jodine Dorce

Carmen Rodgers with Nu Soul Saturday

A duet with Nicholas Ryan Gant

Angela Johnson joins Carmen on stage

Mark DeClive Lowe at Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem NYC joined Miguel Atwood Furguson for an evening of strings–The 20th anniversay jazz festival f/Charlie Parker strings (Mark played piano, in the blue shirt)

Ledisi plays SOB’s for Darryl Hill (RIP) of The BAAS Group

Mark De Clive Lowe (on piano)plays with Miguel Atwood Ferguson at Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem for the 20th Anniversary Jazz Festival, celebrating Charlie Parker, Bird with Strings

N’dambi performs at SOB’s NYC

Raheem DeVaughn plays the J & R Music World Music Concert Series

Maysa performs at BB Kings NYC

B. Slade performs at Joe’s Pub NYC