November 24, 2011 - Posted by Jheanelle - Comments Off
Browsing through my emails, looking to see what concert I would be excited to go to in the Holiday season. I saw the words “Idle Warship” and my attention. I continued my research and apparently they have a record deal and a new album, on December 22,2009, I wrote about this very group because I love their music. As stated before, I like fresh, I like new, and this was definitely it. Whoa! Someone is missing, where is Graph Nobel? I have two theories, first she simply left to pursue her career without a group, her credentials are impressive, she has what it takes. Second, with big record companies comes changes, record executives might come to conclusion that she is not needed, pretty sad if that’s the case. Either way, I want to know where she is and what she is doing, no Twitter,no Facebook? I’m intrigued. She gave the group that raw, sultry, edgy lyrics that Res or Talib leave off.She rapped with melodic harmonies with the help of Res. I miss her. Let’s start a petition. However let us focus on the music at hand, we will both be listening to this album titled “Habits of the Heart” for the first time(queues Pandora). “Rat Race” and “System Addict” featuring underground favourite Jean Grae and Jay Knocka(researching), are the début singles off the album, “Rat Race” hasn’t grown on me yet but “System Addict” is very catchy, I like it .Talib asked all his fans to make a video singing the song and submit them, the video shows all the winners; neat.
Peep it here
Just like “Party Robots” I will not force feed my ears, I will listen when I am cleaning and I am bound to find at least 4 songs that will be on repeat. I am missing my girl Graph but let us see if the magic is still there. Happy Listening, what do you think?
April 27, 2011 - Posted by Jheanelle - 12 Comments
I must say the caliber of mixtapes nowadays are high quality, I like fresh, I like new, but there’s nothing more satisfying that seeing an artist emerge from the background of main stream music. Artists like Robin Thicke, Nicole Scherzinger and Bobby Valentino are examples of those that have attempted to enter the music business either through a different genre or a group. Although I am not a fan of the whole T.U.G camp where Immature and B2K got started, there were many names promised to make it big and majority of them did, except one that didn’t quite get the chance to shine: Jhene Aiko. She is not a stranger to special features and with quite a few singles under her belt, never quite got the noise it should, even with her single No L.O.V.E.
She is at it again , Jhene brings sailing soul(s) to the world , it has catch quite a buzz in the underground scene .There are special appearances on this mixtape, such as Gucci Mane and newcomer Miguel on “Hoe” , another is is Drake on a track called “July” it is quite a lovely song BUT the title track labeled “sailing not selling” correctly titled “sail your soul” features none other than the great Kanye West. His verse in this song actually contradicts what she is singing about, which is exploring the world and going beyond your known boundaries and the consequences which will losing out on what life is really about. Kanye chimes in and raps about selling his soul to the devil and enjoying the fruits of his bargain (that should debunk the devil worshipping/Illuminati rumours). Despite Kanye’s rant, the harshness in his voice contrast Jhene’s smooth vocals. My other favourite track on the album is “Higher” where she compares her feeling of being in love to being on drugs preferably ganja, one line sings “love is the drug that gets me high”, the vocal arrangements sounds like it should belong to a Wiz Khalifa chorus. This song brings you to a certain paradise the snares and guitars are reminiscent of a Hawaiian music, her comparisons to making a joint to her inner most feelings. Well, now that I have laid out my favourites it’s your turn to listen this mixtape and pick yours.
Jhene Aiko's Mixtape
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Higher
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
November 20, 2010 - Posted by Jheanelle - 1 Comment
Been reading bits and pieces on various blogs and I have seen interviews and statements that Groove Theory has plans to reunite and give us something that has been missing in music for quite a while now : FUNK!.
Groove Theory consists of Amel Larrieux and Bryce Wilson, and for those of you that completely clueless or too young to know who they are, that is why I am here, to edutain you. In every post, I tend to fluff my own feathers of knowing good music ; today, not any different, for I know a great song/ lyrics or beat when I hear one.
Amel Larrieux was introduced to me by BET, when she came out with her first solo single ” Get Up” from her debut album Infinite Possibilities and was just fascinated by how different she looked! I started to dig deeper and read about her type of music, which had no specific genre, but was labeled as “Alternative”. I explored this type of music and this lead me to Goapele, Grenique, Jamiroquai,Lucy Pearl,Billy Lawrence and Zhane among others. When I love a song, I love it for life and this song called “Tell Me” by Groove Theory had me bopping my head immediately, in this song Bryce Wilson only provided some background vocals. I fell in love with the Lyric Coloratura Soprano vocal range of Amel, it is pure and heavenly.
Time went on, when I was listening other genres of music and my friend told me to listen this song called “For Real”, and I recognized that voice instantly! Amel has a new record out, amen. “Bravebird” not only gave me something to listen to clear my mind, but her Sadesque soothing vocals can take you a peaceful place.
I really don’t know much about Bryce Wilson, but you have seen him before, he almost looks like Tyson Beckford the model, and according to Wikipedia he co-wrote Toni Braxton’s “You’re Making Me High”, matter of fact, I think he is in the video, I’m sure of it. In any case, they are back together working and we can expect an album very soon. Super Excited! I will leave with some the tracks that I have been speaking about, please let me know what you think and Amel if you are reading this , you touched one little girls heart in Jamaica.
The name Buju Banton might be strike a wrong chord with some folks belonging to a particular, but to others he is a very talented, articulate and conscious individual. Just search for this name and you will see headlines of both music and shameful proportions.
Mark Myrie is dear to me and my homeland Jamaica, he was one of the first artist to speak to me on the phone when I was younger, not to mention I had a personalized autographed picture of him(somewhere), let’s just say he is one of the reasons I stand for good and wholesome living. I remember when my mother bought the LP for “Til Shiloh” one of his most memorable albums, Saturday mornings I would stare on the words on the booklet for hours as she would play every song while she cleans the house.Needless to say I know every song off that album and are now mp3s in my Zune.
I will not discuss the details of his reason why he is in jail,I personally think they are false and goes against everything that he represents as a member of the Rastafarian Community, let us focus on supporting him in his time of need. I have faith in justice and it will prevail.
This Rasta has Soul
Write to Buju here Mark Anthony Myre, 1387202 , CEN-4C3-UN03-04-002 Pinellas County Jail
14400 49th Street
North Clearwater, Florida 33762-2877
* This post is dedicated to Pauline Ranglin, my mother, the biggest Buju fan in the world, the only one ordained to still call him Gargamel in public*
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
December 22, 2009 - Posted by Jheanelle - 6 Comments
Idle Warship? Ever heard of them? If not then let me enlighten you, if you have heard, then you understand why I had to write about them. Ever wondered what Trance music and Hip Hop would sounds like? This is not a test…put together an underground female MC vocalist, an indie artist and a concious rapper, viola! Idle Warship! Consists of Graph Nobel, Res and Talib Kweli.
Look out World its Idle Warship
This is what music is all about folks, fusing ideas, genres and just having a great time. I discovered them while getting my dosage on a very popular African American blog site, my love grew deeper as I sampled various songs they had. They also have a mixtape called “Party Robot” I quickly downloaded it( it was free)and it was like I was Alice in Wonderland, I heard a smorgasbord of sounds and messages, they are quite catchy too.
A good album can be listened from start to finish, and you definitely can do this with the album but I have a couple favourite songs.
“ Steady” fuses the dance, trance, pop and hip hop together sampling “Sunglasses at Night” by Corey Hart, at the end of the song you learn that you should never try to fit at the risk of your very soul and who you are.
” Party Robots” a party song that again combines hip hop with trance music, this is sick! I cant explain anymore just listen…
“Go Brooklyn“ highlights the birthplace of Hip Hop and gives you a brief history lesson without boring you.
“Black Snake Moan” is a seductive song, touches of R&B , Jazz & Hip Hop.
“Metro“ – a catchy feel good pop song about meeting that special someone while riding on public transportation.
Are you intrigued yet?
I can go on and on about this mixtape, but the only way you are going to hear what I hear is to download the album yourself…
Oh did I mention they do Dancehall music? YES! they do.. they have another song floating in cyberspace called “Pull It out” with Dappa Flex gives a Jamaican Dancehall vibe, and boy they kill that Riddim, wish it got released at home(Jamaica), but c’est la vie.
One day I will have to power to release great music into the airwaves. One day.
Without further delay Mick Boogie Presents Idle Warship’s Party Robot…Do enjoy
October 30, 2009 - Posted by Jheanelle - Comments Off
My ears have never failed me, and while I was in Jamaica impregnating myself with local television; a countdown started and snipppets played and there was this one smooth song that played among the excitement titled “Unfair(Officer)” by Reggae Artist Wasp. I have found myself to be connected in some way to reggae artists that I respect and my two degrees of separation is another dear friend of mine Terro 3000. My friend Terro did a collaboration with Wasp a few years back called “Murdera” . But on to the meat of the matter, this song “Unfair (Officer) speaks about the law shutting down the parties that are so prevalent in Jamaica, and for most Jamaicans, it is the way of life.
Wasp then further explains in the song that it is better to have music play in the ghetto than listening to gun shots at night, he also pleads to the patrons of the dance to leave the guns at home and get along with other, even if its just for one night. I can explain until I am blue in the face but when you listen , listen well although the melodic background vocals of K’Alee might capture you, really think about what he has to say. This song deserves awards and accolades for great producing, engineering and songwriting.Despite claims by former business partner Dmoney….
WASP A BUSS DI PLACE!
One of the qualities that I love most about myself is that I am open minded…and one of my most loved thing in this world is Music. There is one genre not many know about, at least those in Anglophone countries; Zouk and Zouk Love (the slower counterpart) it all started for me with BET J’s Soul of Africa, when I began to appreciate the melodic sounds of the motherland. My search began, and I came across artist such as Fela Kuti, Monique Seka, Angelique Kudjoe, and my dear friend Luna Angel introduced me to Zap Mama. Although these artists are of different genres, I want you to direct your attention to Kaysha, a great African musician/entrepreneur with a heart of soul and passion. I have had the pleasure of tweeting him on Twitter.com, and he is pretty down to earth and never ignores his fan or followers. Sexy is his catch phrase and his beats and rhythms, his fusion of Hip Hop, African Tribal Music, Kizomba (another African genre),R&B and Pop are astounding. I first heard him on “Je Sais Qui Elle” sung one of his Sushiraw artist Soumia, as a featured artist and my interest elevated.I value good music and don’t often praise the artist for their talents, but the producer, they make it come together, and with Kaysha expect nothing but quality and head rocking bobbing. I did some researching and LEGAL downloading of this producers work and they became the sound track of my morning. When you hear his songs, they well sneak up on you, next thing you know you are singing in French.
Track such as “On Dit Quoi?”, “Be With You” and “Glorious Beautiful”are my favourite songs with him as an producer, artist, and featured artist. I have to tell you that “On est Ensemble” also one my favourite is what I called Kilimanjaro Cop Theme, listen and you will see why. As I once told him, he has talent in his whole body than most artist wish they had in their pinky toe, and the music I hear nowadays; I think it’s now just the fingernail. I encourage, you my readers to widen your horizons and learn to appreciate other types of music, not only the ones that play on the radio.You don’t have to speak French to comprehend Zouk or Zouk Love, feel his music and watch the videos . By the way, some of his songs are in English .
I have had the pleasure to have conversation with this next talented beauty on twitter.She is straight Jamaican and full of lyrics that will leave your mouth open in shock. At first when I saw her, thought that she was going to sing, but when the music starts going, I highly doubt that you can believe that those sounds are coming from her mouth. Following her career, Lexie Lee has been doing a lot of travelling especially in Europe where she is well known in Germany and Austria. Jamaica got introduced by her via Bouti Killa, and for a brief moment I really thought she was is daughter, they look like kin, and her title and song “Warlords Dawta” seems to seal the deal for me. There is a picture of both of them standing beside each other , and you would be convinced too. I first got into her music from myspace and have been going to that site everyday like a feind. try visiting her website www.lexielee.com , and prepare your mind to be blown away avante garde-ness and feisty- ness. Fresh talent.Presenting the many faces of Lexie…check out her myspace http://www.myspace.com/lexielee. Favourite Songs: Pull it Up, Crying , Keep it Duttyah,Warlords Daughtah , Get Criminal & Bye Bye Bye.
I am a big fan of Katt Williams, I was watching “It Pimpin’ Pimpin” the intro to the main menu starts and a beat catches my attention, I have been told I am like a deer in headlights when a good beat comes on. I think thats because every good beat that comes out my first reaction is, “Timbaland did it”,but never mind that, the instrumentals really start playing and the rapper says his piece, trying to figure out who it is i went for the feel, figured it was a Ludacris and Shawnna type song, and for the longest time I had it finalized that it was them. My curiousity went on a rampage and went to reliable Google. BAM! It was a rapper named Klutch the Gameshifta and XL the song is called “Blow”, my first place to look for music is myspace and youtube, then I was simply blown away! XL which is the acronym for Xplicit Lyric is a beautiful woman from Detriot, Michigan, with a mouth that can damage any microphone, signed with KattpackRecords.I wasnt just blown away by looks but by talent and Katt Williams made a great business decsion. Well I am done talking listen to her music here http://www.myspace.com/xplicitlyric and fellows for your viewing pleasure! Don’t hate Ladies… Congratulate! I Like Her
Track such as “On Dit Quoi?”, “Be With You” and “Glorious Beautiful”are my favourite songs with him as an producer, artist, and featured artist. I have to tell you that “
