MEETING My Favorite Band

Do you have a favorite artist? The group/person that you hear and you run out and try to buy (or download) every thing they have released?

Photo Source

I have one. I originally blogged about them two years ago. They are a Timba Latin band and I have been a fan every since I found out they were behind one of my favorite songs. By the time they were rumored to be working on a second album they were being hailed as the hottest/best band to come out of Cuba. They had their first US tour last year but my city was unfortunately not on their itinerary. Cuban bands must have visas to come to the US and sometimes they are not approved so traveling to another city to see them may or may not work out.

I was very happy to see my city on their itinerary this go around.

The sound was great and I have not been star struck before but standing 3 feet from the people who make the music I adore is....priceless! One of my fellow salsa performers is as much of a fan as I am and we booth literally swooned when the band leader (and lead singer) walked on stage. Each member of the band is a brilliant musician in their right and we enjoyed that show from opening note to closing encore.

They had a few special guests (Cuban Conga players and Rumba Dancers) they were flat out absolutely fabu! Even the band members had looks of approval. The night was epic! My inner Salsera is fulfilled for a while.



My only regret on the concert is that the lead singer is also a brilliant trumpeter and I was highly disappointed that he did not play his trumpet during the concert. AT ALL! There was no trumpet stand on stage! That is the equivalent of seeing Prince sing at a concert and him never picking up a guitar. Still a great show but severely lacking the icing on the cake.

No literally, the man is hailed as the best trumpeter coming out of Cuba...and that is not easily done with the music programs there. Check out a solo from a previous performance:




What did make me giddy is actually meeting the man himself...in person! He is very gracious and speaks not one word of English. Damn, my Spanish must get better. We surprised him by asking him to sign our folding fans. Folding fans? Yes, those hand fans that are often seen with dancers fanning themselves? I have a few from Cuba and we have beautiful wooden ones that are now autographed by Alexander! (Yes, I stopped by the store and bought a sharpie) In hindsight we should have included the entire band but I was so star struck I forgot. He smiled as I think no one has ever asked him to do that. Maybe he will remember us next time when we ask for the rest of the band to add their signatures.

Such a fantastic night! The only time I have attended a dance night, danced for 2 songs and been totally fulfilled. I must do that again.

   

Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

Be Inspired - Heavy D

Twitter will give you news first. It may not always be accurate or have many details but you will stay up to date on a lot of things if you are on Twitter.

Yesterday Twitter lit up with the news of Heavy D's death. I have always been a fan of Heavy D, going back to when it was Heavy D and the Boyz. Back in the 90s every good party had a few Heavy D hits mixed in the playlist. I remember dancing in the car as I drove to and from college and the parties that were sure to make you tired and late for work the next day. Not only was his music great but the videos always featured great dancers and Heavy could move!!!

I usually do not post tributes to entertainers but with Heavy D it is different. Death is surrounding me this month and it brings me back to my reflection. People had an outpouring for Heavy D that was different than others. The reoccurring theme about him is he was always positive. He always wanted to be the best at what he did. As I jammed in my car on the way home during the tributes I realized every song was uplifting, every song made you want to move and not one disrespected women or himself. Not only did he have that approach as a rapper but also as an actor. Going after acting with the same gusto as he did with music.

That is a unique legacy within itself. As I reflect on that and how difficult it is to successfully execute such a positive light in today's society I remember his last Tweet....

"Be Inspired"


I leave you with some great music from the Overweight Lover. I know it will make you dance and smile. I enjoyed all of his music, even the latest album, so I would be remiss to tell you these are my favorites. They are just a sampling of my favorite Heavy D songs, as that list is HUGE!



From the first Album Living Large, 1987
Mr. Big Stuff





From the second Album Big Tyme, 1989
We Got Our Own Thang





From the third Album Peaceful Journey, 1991
Now That We've Found Love





From the fourth Album Blue Funk, 1993
Blue Funk





From the eighth Album Vibes, 2008
Long Distance Girlfriend





Rest in peace Heav, you did a remarkable job here on earth with the gifts you were given.

Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

Diggin' Raul Midon

I wrote this about a year ago and I am not really sure why I never took it out of draft mode. I still love this song. Enjoy the music while I try to figure out how I want to approach my next post. Although the majority of the music I post lately is of the Latin variety I do still enjoy other genres. Don't worry there are more Latin artists in my drafts :-)


On a lazy Sunday morning I was watching one of the high numbered video channels and they were featuring artists from around the world. I love artists who may not be topping the charts but still have the passion for their craft. It is something that comes across in their music, a certain something you see as they perform.

Raul Midon's video played while I was doing some work on my laptop and it caught me enough to make me stop working and watch the video. His passion in that video is something I very rarely see anymore. He will be added to my Quiet Storm playlist. Hopefully, you will be curious enough to see for yourself and maybe download a few songs for your playlist?

Of course I had to include the video that captivated me. His explanation of the song in the beginning...well, see for yourself ;-)






Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

Diggin' Havana D' Primera

While I continue to learn about the roots of Salsa and study the many styles of the dance I am coming across wonderful bands and great music.

I love live music and I love Salsa because the bands are actually bands. Many of them averaging 12 or more musicians (many of whom play more than one instrument) and there is nothing like the sound of a live band, especially ones that put it down like these bands.

The dancer in me has fallen in love with Alexander Abreu y Havana d'Primera. The first time I heard this song on the dance floor I was hooked:




It satisfied the Salsa craving by giving me a great beat as well as fed the jazz and live band junkie in me. This Cuban orquestra consists of 14 members and the lead singer/trumpeter puts down some smooth sounds with his voice as well as his trumpet. They have performed for the past few years consistently around Europe and South America.

Anyone who can lay it down like this live, is worth the price of admission in my world. I haven't heard a person play a trumpet like this in a long time:




This song is on the same album as the one mentioned above and it is my absolute favorite timba/salsa song. The first time I played the CD in my car and this song played...well, I was a Havana D'Primera fan for LIFE! It is the smoothest, jazziest, piece of timba that have ever graced my ears. I am saving this song to dance with someone who deserves it. Enough teasing you, enjoy it for yourself:




I really like their mellow stuff but they can also make you move. Notice the crowd dancing? LOVE IT!!!




I can not wait to see them live. It is rumored they are coming out with a new album that will drop in a few months. What do you think? Do they make you move?



Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

Diggin' Calle Real

Dancing in the Salsa scene has introduced me to a variety of music and people. I have learned so much about Salsa, Timba, Guaguancó and dancing on 1, 2 and Cuban style that my head spins sometimes.

Ironically I have only scraped the tip of the iceburg in studying Afro-Cuban and Cuban music. It amazes me where music has roots and what types of music gives birth to something different. My latest introduction is ironically a Swedish band (yes, I said Swedish) that is in my Salsa rotation constantly. They go by the name Calle Real (Cal-lay Ray-al) and technically they are a Timba band.


My Salsa performance group is currently performing to a remixed version of this song:




This band is BAD baby! They have breakdowns that would normally be found in R&B music and the lead singer's voice has a great tone. My performance group Director loves this group, so much in fact that our next routine is also to one of their songs.

I am adding them to the list of bands I want to see in person. The clips on the web are really good. Funny how few bands today can perform live. Looking forward to seeing them rock it like this in person:



Now that you are a little familiar with Calle Real, if you heard this band was coming to your city. Would you buy a ticket and go? Would you let the rhythm make you move and have a great night or would you pass on this maybe once in a lifetime opportunity and stay home doing the same things you have always done? Would you jam in the crowd even if you could not understand the words?

Come on blog fam, give me some feedback!

P.S. - Their music can be downloaded from their web site, Amazon or iTunes. Expand your music database and your playlists.



Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

My Drug, My High, My Habit

Listening to my sister-friend Lovebabz's blog talk radio show, I came across this song and was immediately taken in by the beat and first two lines:

She say that I'm a habit
And every time she sees me she's gotta have it

I was caught. Hook, line and sinker.

I can identify so much that I have consciously tried to put space between me and my habit. There is a definite 'it' factor to some men. Yes, he is handsome but he has issues and drama and still there is something about him that draws you in. It's the 'it' factor. If I could put my descriptive words to paper and write a book to fully explain the why and hows about it....baby, I could retire on the sales alone!

That 'it' factor keeps you going back for more when there is only less. It keeps you thinking about him when you may have not crossed his mind at all. It keeps you enchanted with someone and possibly wasting your time.

Our attraction is like a smoldering flame.

It is impossible to hide and everyone sees it, picks up on it and make comments about it. We can be on opposite sides of the room and someone will ask me if that is my dude or are they getting me in trouble 'cause dude been staring all night. Around him I feel this indescribable attraction, almost a magnetic pull that feels natural, comfortable and stagnant. I can physically feel him in the room without looking at him, feel him walk by me without looking up. Two Scorpios feed a physical desire that is unmatched by many.

Even with the positive it does not seem to grow.

I am typically not like this with people. When I decide it is time for a person to leave my life I can write you off like nothing. I am legendary for it. With him an apology holds weight. With him a miss you is golden. With him...it is so different. For the life of me I can not explain why.

He is my drug, my habit, my high and it keeps me yearning for more. I am still learning to let him go and trying to move on.

Throwing in the towel..I surrender. I am declaring here on The Storm that I will no longer feed my habit.

He is a drug and I will try my best to stop getting high...





You can download this song or the complete album here. Enjoy!



Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

Celebrating Marley's Birthday

I usually do not post on the weekend but today is the birthday of a man who is referred to as the King of Reggae and I must agree. Even if you do not like reggae or anything remotely related to reggae you know the name Bob Marley.

I do not remember my introduction to Marley, I have listened to him for as long as I can remember. Before I knew his name I remember the t-shirts everyone wore of the man with the free flowing locks.

No better way to celebrate an artist than to appreciate their work. I present to you some of my favorite Marley songs. Feel free to bounce along as appropriate :-)


My favorite Marley song:

Everything Is Gonna Be Alright


My next favorite Marley song:
No Woman, No Cry (live)


Jammin


Redemption Song


Is This Love


Buffalo Soldier

I could go and on with the Marley songs that I love that are in my reggae rotation. Hope you enjoyed the trip down 'Marley Lane'...



Until Next Time,
Peace & Blessings...

New Music from Sade...Soldier of Love

After a decade the band (who toured as Sweetback during the singer's hiatis) and the lady who provided the namesake have reunited. Many thought it was a rumor for a long time but the first single has its official release and I admit I kind of liked it immediately. It reminds me of Prince in his days of Purple.Rain with hard drum beats and a catchy melody.

Her voice seems to be different. A little deeper and a little less smooth. Kind of hard to tell but I wonder if age has changed it? Either way...here is the much anticipated new single from Sade.




Peace & Blessings...

Diggin' Raheem DeVaughn's new CD...It's FREE!

How many artists give their stuff away for free? Really, think about it. In the famous words of Katt Williams "Go ahead...I'll wait!" LOL!

I first mentioned Mr. DeVaughn in my Love List post here. He is one of the artists in my constant Neo-Soul rotation. (Remember when it was simply referred to as R&B?)

Mr. Raheem DeVaughn is one of my favorite artists and he is giving away his new CD for FREE via download. At first I was a little skeptical but after signing up on his new web site you will receive a link that absolutely lets you download his new CD The Art of Noise absolutely free. The 19 free tracks are even accompanied with the cover art.

I must admit a couple of cuts on the album are not my cup of tea, but there are tunes true to Raheem's style that have me hitting the repeat button. A few notables include his remake of Al B. Sure's Night and Day which would be extreme if he would stop talking in the end (still love you Raheem :). There are a few slow cuts Insomnia and Lay Awhile that made my slow jam list and a few bob your head neo-soul cuts that are well worth listening to.

With the price tag of free it is one of the best deals out right now. What do you have to loose?

Download it here.


Peace & Blessings...

Diggin' Leela James

Deciding to date myself and get out and enjoy things has been the greatest decision I could have made. I have joined several email lists that send out happenings in my area. Most of them are a little "young" for me, but some are a total delight and great surprise.

Ms. Leela James came to town to play a small venue and the tickets were around $20. I decided that it was beyond what I could squeeze in the budget so image my delight when I received an email with a 2 for 1 coupon for her concert the day of the show! $10 to see Ms. James and $8 for parking meant a great show for less than $20. I grabbed my co-worker/girlfriend and off to the show we went!

I first heard of Ms. James on the B-sides of a popular radio show years ago and I thought she was more popular until we went to a favorite hang out spot after the concert and people were like "who?" Sometimes I want to scream at people "there are more stations than the one you keep your radio on, try Internet radio or Pandora!" (wooosaw!!)

Back to what I was saying...

Heston opened for her and I must admit I was distracted by his gorgeous percussionist. So much so that I asked the very nice lady next to me to take a picture and send it to me (enjoy the photo to the right). But the highlight was definitely Ms. James.

She came out to Rick James' Give it to me Baby and her full brass section made it sound better than the original. Rockin' her 3 inch boots and fantabulous (fantastic and fabulous) fro she worked that stage for over an hour. Considering I was standing in the front row, I laughed, danced and sang with Ms. James the entire time. She takes control of that stage and works it like no one else.

Here is a short clip of the Rick James cover:




We cracked up when she said she doesn't like boogie people in her audience, and started picking people out telling them to wipe that frown off their face 'cause she could see them. Why you think she squintin'? LOL!

If you ever get the chance to check her out, I would highly recommend you do so. Hopefully, you can get an intimate venue like I did. That was the best concert I have been to in a long time. Nothing like hearing my anthem "My Joy" in person. I tried to capture it on my phone, but I'm sure I got more of the off-key audience than of her. But when she picked people out the audience to join her on stage to "have a party" and step, it was the funniest thing I've seen in a minute.

She performed a lot from her new album of covers of classic R&B hits, but she does them like no one else. Ms. James works a stage like I haven't seen since the younger days of Patti LaBelle.

She enjoys what she does and my how it shows. And for my hair people out there, I have a new hair idol. When I grow up I'm going to have a fro that big :)



Not sure how much of this you can make out (the ladies behind me were singing LOUD), but this lady ROCKS on stage. My apologies...I forgot I flipped my phone to get her background singers so my video turns sideways. Will flip it when I figure out how. LOL!





Peace & Blessings...

Did you say "Heavy D?"

Yep, I said Heavy D. The Overweight Lover has lost a few pounds and is back in the house :) He has new music and a new flava that I am kind of diggin'. The new album is called Vibes and was released independently late last year. You can get it (and preview the tracks) from Amazon and iTunes.

The new stuff is different, reggae instead of rap/hip-hop but it works for me. It is marketed as Heavy D going back to his Jamaican roots. Reggae, Rap or Hip-Hop I am not going to lie, there is very little music Heavy D put out that I did not like.



Here is the first single Long Distance Girlfriend. What do you think?

Me'Shell...the experience continues

"You want me to go see who?" I asked.

"Me'Shell. Me'Shell Ndegéocello." He looked at me like I had lost my mind for asking him to pronounce her name again.

"You should come with me, just look at her name on this ticket," He said as he quickly pulled two tickets from his wallet.

"Anyone whose name can use up an entire ticket like this deserves a couple of hours of your time."


That was 12 years ago.


It was my introduction to the neo-soul, funk, jazz infusion, bass guitar playing, openly bi-sexual woman who rocked the 14th Street Playhouse and my idea of live music.

I was not ready then for the Me'Shell experience and being one of the few heterosexual couples in the joint. But, she converted me to a fan for life and I always have her music in my CD player or on my jump drive at work.

She doesn't seem to tour often, similar to Prince with his hit and run style tour dates, so after 12 years I had the chance to see Me'Shell again live at Apache. None of my friends wanted to go, not wanting to miss her again I flew solo. After all, it might be another three years before she returns.

I got there early and claimed my spot on the floor mere feet from the stage and enjoyed every minute of the 1 1/2 hour set. Being on time had it's advantages since there were only two people separating me from the musical genius and I could hear her whisper to the musicians when she pulled away from the mic.

A little disappointing that she only did new songs, but they got into a groove that included seeing her play the hell out a bass guitar. I really missed some of the older stuff, but she opened the set by saying she was "40 years old now and her music is changing." Very few people seemed to mind the new sound.

It was a great night.


Check out one of my favorite songs from her old music.