Saturday, April 11, 2015

It's Been A While

So,

It is hard to believe that exactly ten years ago last month, a 22 year-old young man made the rather naïve decision to forgo his budding career in Child and Family Services (following in his mother’s footsteps) after a year in a half to pursue a more artistic tangent that ultimately saw him relocating to the Los Angeles area to further his studies in music.
In reflecting on what has transpired since March of 2005, back then, I would have never envisioned that I would be in the position that I am in today---for good, or for what I might consider the “not so good.” However, even the “not so good” should be all counted as JOY. For example, in the sport of cycling, as one works to pursue racing category upgrades, so that he or she can continue to pursue the personal goals that may require upgrading, the process can be often daunting, discouraging, dangerous, demanding, or any other adjective one might use to describe physical and emotional stress. But the key to it all is to not try to rush through it, but to enjoy the process. I have my cycling coach to thank for putting that perspective in my mind. The same perspective is true about life. Learning to enjoy one’s own growth process in life.
As this life of mine continues as a running narrative, where the chapters are still be written, in reflecting on the last ten years of life, I cannot really declare that I “know” anything. As I continue to frame more pieces of paper to hang on the wall, I am constantly shown how little I actually know, and maybe that’s my fascination with education, GOD only knows, but the only thing that I can offer are a set of conclusions I have made (some new, some old) that---for me---are more relevant today than ever:

1. Put GOD first in EVERYTHING that one does: I find that when I am at a point where I have no idea which direction to go, it is best to stop and pray for guidance. Prayer changes things. Once one works to refocus on HIM, doors open, bad ones close, and blessings abound. Just ask HIM to order your steps. 

2. I was “naïve” to think in the past couple of years or so, that my pursuit of music was naïve or that it was a mistake: It was not a mistake at all. It was a mistake to stop. Music is a spiritual gift given by HIM, and it is meant as a creative means to glorify HIS magnificence. It is meant to be shared, whether through performance, teaching others how to perform, et cetera. All of it is for the greater glory of GOD. It is a spiritual gift meant to be respected, cherished, and nurtured. Hence, why I have decided to press forward with my advancements in the arena in addition to the athletic pursuits. 

3. GIVE, GIVE, GIVE: This does not just pertain to financial giving, but another form of giving that seems to have more of an impact; the giving of one’s time and attention to others. Listening, mentoring, encouraging… BEING THERE for someone. Being a friend. A concept that seems so foreign nowadays that it might even be awkward for some... Almost as if it takes courage to reach out and help another… Giving never was the exception in the olden days, but the norm, which should have never changed… 

4. Life is not “too short” and all we have is time: I believe that because so many of us think that life is “too short,” way too much time and emphasis is spent on getting to that next step rather than enjoying the present and admiring and appreciating where we have been, the past (the process). I look back and thank GOD for all that HE has allowed me to accomplish in such a little stretch of time, and I look forward to many, many more years of personal growth and maturity, success, all in HIS name. So, when I tell people my age, and they say, “you’re still young,” maybe they are correct… Forever young…

I could go on much longer, but these are a few biggies that I thought I would share to mark this occasion.

Have a great week...


Sunday, January 18, 2015

#SlamminSunday

Hello Everyone!

It's been a while, but I am now at the point where I would rather post something when I feel it might actually be of interest instead of committing myself to daily posts with wavering amounts of substance.

Anyhow, in light of current events, my graduate school's planned international business trip scheduled for Europe this Summer has been changed to East Asia.  During class last week, the topic of Japan came up and I was excited about possibly going there and other parts of East Asia than Europe anyway, due to having traveled to Europe before already.  Somehow, I starting sharing with my classmates before class started about music that I have been listening to from artists from the country (like Yellow Magic Orchestra, etc.), which led to the question of the week:  "How'd you get into that?"

Well, answering the question highlights the preference I have for buying tangible copies of records, CDs, etc. Only through jacket sleeves, and linear notes on the inside of album booklets am I able to learn interesting and insightful information about the artist as well as study the personnel that performed in the production of the recorded work.  Doing this, one would be surprised at who has played on who's record. One will find that the musical circle is surprisingly very small.  So, I shared the story of how I became fascinated with the song that was covered by Michael Jackson and session keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, entitled, "Behind The Mask."  The writing credit cited an artist that I had not realized I had heard of before until I remembered having the song "Firecracker" by the Yellow Magic Orchestra in my collection.  The composer is Ryuichi Sakamoto, a prolific artist that compelled me to dive head-first into exploration of the Japanese music scene...  And so just when I thought I heard and explored it all, a new fascination arose.

So, I leave you with another prolific Japanese artist that has been recording and performing for as long as Sakamoto, Tomoyasu Hotei.  Known around the world for his anthemic masterpiece, "Battle Wihout Honor or Humanity," featured in Quentin Tarantino's film, "Kill Bill, Vol. I."

Have a great week!

Sunday, January 4, 2015

#SoulfulSunday

Happy New Year, everyone!

It is a new year with new inspiration.  Today I wanted to share an artist that was introduced to me by a bass-playing friend of mine when I recently chatted with him about various Neo-Soul artists that I like and do not like.  The conversation initially started by me asking his opinion on the new album by D'Angelo, then after naming a few artists that I like, he recommended that I check out a gentleman by the name of Robert Glasper.  A gifted jazz pianist who has formed a band that incorporates elements of Jazz, Soul, and Hip-Hop into their sound, the song shared today is a cover of a song by Nirvana, a mid-90s Seattle alternative rock band of which I am also a fan.  I appreciate the new jazzy-mellow iteration of the tune. The two albums, "Black Radio" and "Black Radio 2" by this lineup are highly recommended.  Rest-assured, I will also be looking into his more traditional jazz work, as well.  Have a great day!


Tuesday, December 23, 2014

#TakeMeBackTuesday

Hello Friends!

So, today I was in the mood to share Dionne Farris and her unique blend of Funk, Rock, and Soul.  I remember her from her days working as part of "Arrested Development" in the 1990s.  Her solo debut album, "Wild Seed - Wild Flower," is excellent with all kinds of gems that would make great stand-alone singles.  I remember playing along on bass to "I Know" and loving the music video, as well. Anyway, here's a great tune from the album that I often come back to from time to time for loud groove...  Enjoy and Merry Christmas Eve - Eve!


Monday, December 22, 2014

#MotivationMonday

Good Monday, everyone!

It's time to suit up and start another week.  But, this week is obviously like no other, as this Thursday we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (at least in my home).  The fellowship and family that comes along with this holiday supersedes anything that would serve to chip away at the significance of the time: bills, school or work-related stressors, anxiety about the future, you name it...

I think I have wasted a good portion of my day-to-day life worried about what has or has not come to pass, and it is now time for that to stop, as I bring in the new year.  The new year brings in new challenges, new joys and new pains, and that will not change, but the approach to them will...

If there is anything that I have learned about this year is that the joys and pains almost seem cyclical, as I have not had to endure so much discouragement since 2006, when I was fresh out of music school and realizing that the school had failed to prepare me for the business side of the music industry.  But, as I am now older and wiser, I can position myself for a slow and methodical re-attack.

So, as I bring in the new year and the tenth anniversary of my relocating to California, the commitment to my musical pursuits have been renewed, and willingness to leave California is also back on the table (once I am finished with my second Master's degree that is in progress).  The reality is that I would have faired just as well continuing with private lessons on my own than my particular selection of school, but that is now in the past.  So, I ask all who read this to please pray for the author and for this new year. Prayer changes things and a whole lot of (divine) change is needed today.  Enjoy and be safe...    

Sunday, December 21, 2014

#SoulfulSunday

Happy Sunday, everyone!

So, I figured it would be a good way to end the week by ending it with some soul as well as finishing off a thread I have been on the last two days.  Here is another hit duet number by Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle that I mentioned in the post from Friday. From the looks of the video, it was shot in England, a country that I have a soft spot in my heart for, for various reasons.  Something I probably would have not realized, watching this as a young one on BET's "Video Soul."

Enjoy the day, it is great!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

#SoulfulSaturday

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Such an appropriate selection for today...

The earliest memory I have of this song was always running out of breath in my little lungs every time the chorus of the song started.  Another duet that was a hit for Tabu Records artists Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle, "Saturday Love" was featured on Cherrelle's second album, "High Priority," and I am so glad that the catalog of these two artists, along with the S.O.S. Band and Brainstorm are now available again as reissues.  For the longest time, I have had to order vinyl and used import CDs from Europe and Japan just to hear some of the songs that were not fortunate enough to be released as a single and receive radio attention.  This, of course, was pre-Napster and pre-iTunes, and when Napster came along, at least it did allow me the opportunity to listen to records that were no longer available in the states, thanks to its peer-to-peer file-sharing platform. Fast-forward to today, collectors, gurus, musicians and patrons of actual music have spawned a niche market for record companies, the "Old-School" market. Without actually knowing the numbers, I hope it has proven a profitable venture to them.  If it has, it will encourage them to re-release other gems that haven't tasted the treatment of being released in digital download or CD format for the future generations of listeners to enjoy and be inspired by...  This is my hope... Enjoy and be safe!