Remembering Rhythm and Blues

Friday, June 26, 2009
Remembering Michael Jackson 1958 - 2009

This. isn't. happening. Please tell me that this is all a dream and Michael is somewhere in his hyperbaric oxygen chamber giggling with Bubbles. Someone please slap the hell outta my back and remove this annoying lump in my throat. A lump that comes then goes then reappears at this very thought - Michael is dead. *shivering* Naw, this just can't be. Not Michael Jackson, born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana? This thought just doesn't compute. Sadly, no matter how much my brain wants to throw this thought away like yesterday's used Kleenex - Michael Joseph Jackson, the seventh child of the Jackson family and THE undisputed KING OF POP is DEAD! :sigh: Michael's music has been a constant throughout my entire life and never ever EVER in my wildest dreams did I believe I would see a moment like this. so. damn. soon.

I was born in 1979. Six months after my birth and one day before my dad's birthday, Michael Jackson released his fifth studio album, Off the Wall. My family, like most families around the globe, has had a special connection to his music. Not many artists could transcend generations, but Michael was special. With his brothers, Michael gave my parents songs to groove to like "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", "Mama's Pearl", "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Dancing Machine" ~~watch me get down, watch me get down~~. My parents would share stories about the times they would gather around the television to watch The Jackson 5 and ironically when my siblings and I became older, we did the exact same thing each time one of Michael's videos would premiere on network television.

The first Michael Jackson song I fell in love with was "Rock With You", which is directly attributed to my father playing that song over and over. This song turned my young world inside out and it was from here that I grew to have such an appreciation for the creativity and innovation Michael brought to music. Moving through the years, my ears have had the pleasure of falling in love with a multitude of songs from Michael, all of them as uniquely different than the last. From "Ben" to "Butterflies", my iPod is chock-full of musical memories that take me away to another place in time. Far away from the pundits making their rounds on TV with their talks of Michael's 'dark side'. Far away from the pained faces and countless tributes. Oh no, the tragic news of Michael's death doesn't live within the hallowed walls of my iPod. See, in here, Michael Jackson is alive, singing, and still doing all his famous dance moves. Yessir, Michael Jackson will definitely live on - forever.

"If you enter this world knowing you are loved and leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with."
-Michael J. Jackson

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Michael Jackson

posted by Soulfull @ 6/26/2009 , , links to this post

Monday, June 15, 2009
Remembering R&B Joins Twitter

Hello readers! It's mid-month and if you don't know by now.... June is Black Music Month! In honor of this beautiful month, Remembering Rhythm & Blues has established a presence on Twitter and we're tweeting some great R&B music from the past to the present, along with some interesting features. Here are SOME of the features we have lined up:

'Follow the Sample' - Each day during the month of June, we will feature one original song and all the known artists that have sampled the original song -#musicsamples
'Today In R&B History' - Ever wonder what happened way back when on today's date? Well, we scour the 'net for those buried treasures so you don't have to!
Not Quite A #1 Hit - You might know all of the hits, but what about that gem of a song that only peaked at #86?
Topping The Charts Thursday - Each Thursday, we're counting down the top #1 hits of a particular year using the the following hashtag - #topthurs
SexySaturday - It's time to unwind and relax to some classic and current slow jams... can you handle it? #sexysaturday
Did They SANG It? (Fiyah or Failure?™): Everyone with a video camera thinks they can sing, but can they really 'sang'? Look for us to tweet videos of these questionable singers and YOU get to be the judge!

That's just a small sampling of the R&B goodness we got going on, so do be sure to follow us and tell a 'tweeple', um, we mean a friend. =)

Labels: Arts, Happy Birthday, Music, On the Web, Online Communities, Rhythm and blues, Social Networking, Twitter

posted by Soulfull @ 6/15/2009 , , links to this post

Saturday, May 23, 2009
Reminiscing On My First Maxwell Concert

So long I've searched for you
So long but now it's true
-Reunion, from Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite

I remember that summer day in 2001 like it was yesterday. It was a warm, sunny afternoon in Washington, DC. I was three months pregnant and trying my best to maintain my growing belly in three inch wedge sandals. As I took every step towards Constitution Hall with my boyfriend, I just knew I was going to fall over, but I. just. didn't. care. Shoot, I was with my man, I was looking cute, and we were going to see one of my favorite singers of all time, MAXWELL! My man knew how much I loved Maxwell and he liked his music too, but I… I was a totally obsessed and all my friends could attest to my passion for Maxwell. I had his pictures all over my desk at work, a screensaver of him on all my computers, and I played his music all damn day long... Come to think of it, when the concert day finally arrived, I think my coworkers were happier than me as they'd finally have a whole day without listening to me and my talks of Maxwell.~~Whatever haters!~~

I'm always here
I'm in yo ear, yeah
Love’s stereo so don't you fear
Don't fear…
Cause it’s our reunion…

When the day of the concert arrived, the first thing I had to do was capture the moment with one of those street photographers that seem to be at almost every concert. Man, I was excited! As we made our way towards our seats, I started getting really nervous. My boyfriend didn't mention that we would be sitting left of the stage, IN THE FRONT ROW?! OH MY GOODNESS! *faint* Was I really about to see Maxwell and at such a close range?! I felt my growing baby kicking inside of me, signaling me to chill out. My hormones went in straight overdrive, yet I managed to relax a bit as Res came onstage to perform songs from her 2001 album, How I Do. My girl did a great job of warming the crowd and keeping all the men entertained, but I was about to pass out from all the anticipation... Where was my Max!? Moments later, and not a pre-term delivery needed, alas the man of the hour was making his way onstage…

No girl can ever compare
To you my dear
Girl it's our reunion.

Watching him move across the stage was definitely a photogenic moment and at that instant, I wish I had a camera. DUH!? He looked so surreal in his white pants and fitted shirt and throughout the night, he rocked me back and forth to songs like Sumthin, Sumthin’, Welcome, Whenever Wherever Whatever, and one of my all time favorites - Suitelady (The Proposal Jam). As soon as that sexy sweet song started to play, I turned to look at my boyfriend wondering if he was going to top off this already wonderful night with a proposal for his ‘suite lady’. Hmmmm. Instead, he squeezed my hand, leaned in, and gave me a long, loving kiss. :sigh: If I wasn't feeling so damn nauseous, I would've jumped up and shaked-a-tail-feather right there in the aisles with all the other sistas. Still, all was right in the world that night and I had such a wonderful, beautiful, sexy, soulful time and naturally, later that night, so did my man! *wink* The days following that concert, I kissed and cuddled my man, thanking him over and over again for giving his ‘baby momma’ the best gift ever - the self-confidence and understanding that no matter how much I love Maxwell, I would forever be w/as his girl!

Since last we loved
No-one's come near....

Two years later, my then boyfriend became my husband. We married in 2003 and of course, Maxwell songs were in heavy rotation at the reception! O, and ya'll remember that little kicking bun in the oven? Well, he’s now an active seven year old with a little brother, who’s four. Lately, hubby and I don't get out that much anymore to attend concerts, but believe you me -- when Maxwell rolled back into DC for last years concert - I was right there once again, enjoying a reunion that was long overdue and grooving to old and new songs, such as Pretty Wings, Bad Habits, and Help Somebody from his upcoming album BLACK, which is set to be the first album in Maxwell's BLACKsummersnight trilogy.

We’re back together, hey
We’re back together, yeah
It’s our reunion…

Dearest Maxwell,
Happy Birthday bruh!! Many thanks to you for the sweet, sweet memories! Your music continues to be such an inspiration to me when I’m writing or driving or sleeping or getting dressed or just cleaning the frickin’ house. Hell, you were the reason I started this blog! The beautiful spirit that you so easily convey through your music gives me the motivation I need to continue towards my own dreams. I’m anxiously waiting to hear more tracks from your new album and enjoying your every tweet on twitter ~~because I have them ALL coming to my cell thanks to SMS, what bliss!~~. May God continue to bless you and keep you in His care.

Peace & Blessings...

Updated 5/23/09 8:52PM: I should've mentioned this earlier but in 2007, a different and older version of this story originally appeared in a fan appreciation book that was created just for Maxwell for his birthday. Also, if you watch this video, right at the 2:27 mark, you will see my lovely photo ~~and I can't stop freaking screaming about it because I'm such a goober for not seeing this video earlier-ugh!~~.... At any rate, Maxwell mentioned on his twitter that he would be ever so grateful if folks would donate to www.Haiti.org. Additionally, if you're just as excited as I am about the arrival of Maxwell's new CD, then you have to join Maxwell Fan Forum for all the latest info! :)

The Very Best of Maxwell

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Maxwell BLACKsummersnight soul music

posted by Soulfull @ 5/23/2009 , , links to this post

Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Jumping Back Up and Walking Down Piety Street with John Scofield

Recently, I wrote over here how I was going through a little touch of the blues and in need of another dose of liberation. Luckily enough, I got a copy of John Scofield's latest contribution to music, Piety Street (2008).

John Scofield (born December 26, 1951 in Dayton, Ohio)[1] is an American jazz guitarist and composer, who has played and collaborated with Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Charles Mingus, Joey Defrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Pat Martino, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Billy Cobham, Medeski Martin & Wood, George Duke, Jaco Pastorius, John Mayer [4], and many other important artists. At ease in the bebop idiom, Scofield is also well versed in jazz fusion, funk, blues, soul, and other forms of modern American music.

Long-loved spirituals, such as His Eye Is On The Sparrow, Walk With Me, and I'll Fly Away never sounded this... different. His bluesy, yet funky soul spin on these beloved classics just makes you want to through your spirit into the rinse cycle and wash away all the negativity of the world. Shoot, after the long day I've had today, it was quite a delightful treat to take a walk down Piety Street. I'll surely be back a'round for more.