Oh Sheila...

"Let me love you till the morning comes..."
-Ready For The World
With the legendary Tito Puente as an uncle and Pete Michael Escovedo III for a father, I think Sheila E. had no choice but to be a beast on the drums! Many think of her as just another "Prince protégé", but Sheila E. had also played with George Duke, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Ross by the time she was in her early twenties. She met Prince in the early 80's and their collaborations would prove to be classic and timeless, but this lovely lady could also stand on her own. "The Glamorous Life" is in heavy rotation this week, but "Love Bizarre" is another one of my favorites.


Sheila E.: The Glamorous Life

It's rumored that Ready For The World made this track for Miss Sheila E.



Dear Sheila E.,
You are a bad, BAD B****!!!

Love Always,

Dead Presidents

"I'm out for presidents to represent me..."
-Jay-Z

With too many of life's situations out of my control, I get a firm grip on my record player and ipod these days. It's the one thing it seems as if I can control. Personally, it's not too much going on with me lately. Today marks exactly 2 months since I lost my father. While the grieving process continues, I'm throwing myself into my work and concetrating on my family. For some reason, I've been wearing this Jay-Z record out lately. Afterall, "I want money like Cosby. Who wouldn't?"

Happy Friday!

Men Love Mary: A Tribute To My Life

SoulBounce Presents Men Love Mary: A Tribute To My Life

It's hard to believe that it 15 years ago that Mary J. Blige released her sophmore album and bonafide classic My Life. Damn, I'm getting old! In honor of that epic record, SoulBounce is proud to present to you with "Men Love Mary: A Tribute To My Life". The digital EP features a fresh, male perspective on some of the best songs featured on Mary's My Life Album. It's also hosted by one of Bad Boy's legendary "Hitmen," Chucky Thompson, who was a key producer on the My Life album. Artists such as Eric Roberson, Jesse Boykins III, Slakah the Beatchild, Nino Moschella, Bradd Marquis, TL Cross, Darien, D Maurice, Fave and Siik give BEAUTIFUL renditions of Mary classics that I'm sure will make her very proud. Mary is and will always be the Queen of Hip-Hop and Soul to me! She reigns supreme! After listening to this EP, I'm left wanting more and asking myself why this wasn't done sooner. It's cool though...atleast it's here now!

You can download the EP here or at SoulBounce


TL Cross: You Gotta Believe

Lil' Girl

-Shafiq Husayn

Shafiq Husayn has been producing for the hip hop community for a little over 20 years now. One part of the hip-hop supergroup Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Shafiq Husayn recently released his first solo album entitled, Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka. "A-FREE-KA" is a Kemetic term from ancient Egypt meaning "spirit". Being in A-free-Ka means no limitations or boundaries. The title of the album suits its sound perfectly! It's pure genius my friends! Working with artists such as Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Jurassic 5, and learning how to cut from none other than Afrika Bambaataa himself, Shafiq Husayn is an artist you definitely should give a listen to if you haven't already!

Here is the official music video for Shafiq Husayn's single "Lil' Girl" featuring cameos from Erykah Badu, Wood Harris, and Talib Kweli among others. The track features vocals from artist Fatima. People please don't sleep!!

Black.Girls.Rock!

-Res
The talented, creative, and always original RES has recently put out a free 10-track album entitled, Black.Girls.Rock! You can download the album and DigiBook via her website. Also check her out on Idle Warship’s Party Robot : a free tape mixed by DJ extraordinaire Mick Boogie. For Res fans like myself, it's been a long time coming!



Res' Website

Ananda Nahu

Sarah Vaughn © Ananda Nahu

While doing the Weekly Art Round-Up for M.I.S.S. some time back, I ran across the amazing artwork of Miss Ananda Nahu. Ananda Nahu is a Brazilian artist who has earned her spot as one of the most original voices in the explosive street art scene of Brazil. Her pieces are vibrant, full of color, and often portray female music legends with a twist of Brazilian vibes. In 2006, she and partner Izolag created Firme & Forte Records which accompany musicians’ visual arts needs. I don't know what's better: Her style and taste in music or her brilliant pieces! I do know that we are very fortunate to have female artists in the graffiti scene who bring such beauty and inspiration to the world.

Sarah Vaughn © Ananda Nahu


Billie Holiday & Mister Downbeat © Ananda Nahu


Nina Simone © Ananda Nahu


Ananda doing her thing! Photo credit: Izolag

Ananda Nahu's Flickr Page
Ananda Nahu's Fotolong Page

J. Birly

The Ins x Miles Bonny

The super talented producer team The Ins (Twit One & friends) has teamed up with Miles Bonny from Kansas City for a 3 track 12 inch vinyl single that I must add to my collection!!!

J.Birly is a cover of the Jerry Butler classic "Just Because I Really Love You". Alongside Curtis Mayfield, Jerry Butler was the original lead singer of the Impressions. J. Dilla also sampled this Jerry Butler classic for the "U-Luv" beat on the "Donuts" album. The track features the production of Twit One & The Ins along with Miles Bonny on vocals & trumpet.

The 12 inch vinyl also includes Lumberjack Soul aka "The Miles Bonny Theme Song" as well as the track Breakfast that features the Germany based hip-hop/soul artist Fleur Earth on the second verse. Pure Dopeness!

For more info, visit Melting Pot Music

The Truth

-Handsome Boy Modeling School
Situations in these last few months have taught me a lot about life and the people in it. While it's certainly nice to have people who genuinely care about your well-being, the truth is that you shouldn't count on it. I can't control the actions of others and I've learned more about the kind of person I don't want to be than the kind of person that I do want to be by watching others. All I can do at the end of the day is show people the same kinda love and respect that I would want in return. If I don't always get it back, then that's cool too. It's life.

As far as this blog is concerned, the truth is that I don't really know where I'm going with it. I know it started out of my personal LOVE Affair with music. I wanted to document and share with the world my first love. I hear music in everything. I always have and I always will. I appreciate all kinds and types of music and I want my blog to reflect that. The blogosphere seems different since I've been away. I've felt a lot of negative energy lately, but I never want to promote or give attention to that. It is what it is though. I've never been one to knock anyone's hustle. I personally think it's room enough in the world for us all to be exactly who we are. My "taste" may not be for everybody, but this is my personal journey. And while you don't have to ride with me, I damn sure hope you do!

The Truth

Wax Poetics No. 38

The Curtis Mayfield/Spike Lee-Ralph Bakshi Issue

Wax Poetics has once agan outdone themselves!!! I am overly excited for the new December/January unofficial Film/Hustler Issue featuring Curtis Mayfield & Spike Lee. Done in typical Wax Poetics fashion, a split cover–with Curtis on front both times and the back shared by two classic films: Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing (Radio Raheem in full effect) and Ralph Bakshi’s Coonskin. In this issue, Wax Poetics takes a look at Mayfield’s epic soundtrack recording Super Fly as well as talking to both groundbreaking film-makers. Last but certainly not least, Wax Poetics unveils the Robert Beck aka Iceberg Slim story by longtime contributer Mark McCord. Iceberg Slim is the ultimate hustler and author of my all time favorite book Mama Black Widow. If you haven't read it, you must!!!

I think I'm in love with this issue already! I go so hard for Wax Poetics!

Wax Poetics