soul good!

If you are ever in the Toronto area when this party is going on and you like old school r'n'b and soul and house, then you NEED to attend this party. The music was EXCELLENT. Great job Max and Scratch. Y'all had me dancing all night into the morning when I left at 4 am! There was no real 'downtime', you know that time when the dj is playing a song that sucks so you use that opportunity to go to the bar and the bathroom. Nope. There was never a moment like that last night. Even when my feet started to hurt and I wanted to sit down, I couldn't because I didn't want to miss a song. The vibe and the energy of the crowd was Beautiful. Not one fight, it was all love last night. Why? Because everyone who was there was genuinely interested in having a good time enjoying the music. No concerns about who's watching who's man or who stepped on who's kicks. No one cared that it was overwhelmingly hot inside the club which was proven by the fact that the wall were sweating, the pipes in the ceiling were dripping with condensation and everyone (including myself) looked like they just emerged from the shower. Something I usually hate, but the music was just soul good none of that mattered.

Phew...

So yes, as you can guess from the flurry of words above, I went out last night to the Soul Kitchen party. This is supposedly a monthly event (though it only seems to occur when Ian remembers) that showcases r&b classics, b-sides, classic house, and in ian's words 'It's old soul, new soul, revival and neo-soul - anything from made with Soul. Topped off with a final half hour of slow jams'. To give you an idea, they played the Jill Scott "He Loves Me'" house remix, New Edition, Lionel Richie, Dwele "Find a Way", Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson "Butterflies", Aaron Hall, Myron, Janet Jackson "Escapade", Ellis Hall III "Last Resort" and even played new JDilla (I think it was an Amp Fiddler joint).

All of the above (music + crowd) combined with the fact that I was a little bit tipsy and a little bit lifted to make a superb night!

all falls down...

Perdita's crash brought tears to my eyes.


She tried to maintain her composure...


But it all came tumbling down...


I give her the utmost respect for the way that she handled it. The way that she kept her composure despite the fact that I know she must have been boiling inside. She was graceful and thoughtful enough to extend her thanks to her supporters and family and friends; and even maintained her composure long enough to do interviews. Put me in that position and you better believe I would not want to speak to ANYONE until I calmed down.

Read more here and here.

guilty confession....

I woke up this morning with the intention of cleaning my room.
But just minutes into cleaning...my computer called me.
It seems to do that every once in a while. Just whisper my name a volume that somehow no one else seems to hear.

It began with an, "i'll just do a quick email check".
Four hours later, I'm still online.

But the point of this post is...

As I was cleaning, I began to sift through the layers of papers and books on the couch in my room. I came across a bag from HMV with two cds that I bought possibly 3 or 4 weeks ago. The Roots: Tipping Point and Angie Stone: Stone Love.
Both unopened, receipt still neatly folded in the bag. I completely forgot that I bought these. And here I've been moaning and groaning for music for the last two weeks.

But then, maybe that's a sign. I'll be thoroughly disappointed if these cd's suck.

..so much things to say.....

Damn Lauryn! You're missed and people like me need more music from you. ((need is the operative word there)).

In case you haven't realized, the title of this post is a reference to Ms. Hill. The content of the song has nothing to do with what I have to say...just the idea that I've had a lot on my mind and therefore have a lot to release. Let me provide forewarning, this post will be extremely tangential (is that a word??). So let's get started...

Kanye West & Usher.
I'm broke after that damn concert. $117 dollars later and I left the concert wondering why they didn't give Kanye a bigger budget? Why Usher had to make it so blatantly obvious with his pyrotechnics and monstrous stage that he was the headliner and not Kanye? And why that silly little girl in front of me had the nerve to turn around during Kanye's little tribute to Rick James and say...Who's Rick James? Sorry Kanye, but your performance did not impress me, I expected more. I was happy to see Consequence, but I should have gone to the John Legend show instead.

Moms.
I love you. You and I are closer than many mothers and daughters today. I know you mean well. But sometimes I feel like you are choking me. I need you to let me breathe. Let me make my mistakes. Let me learn from my mistakes. Like I said, I know you mean well...but I truly need to flourish on my own for just a bit. I'll come back though, I promise.

Work.
I have so many decisions to make. Lately, I can admit that I've been hiding from them all. I need to get organized. But I think I said before that I'm not ready for the real world and I truly wasn't even lying. I wish I could get away for a year, shyt even 3-4 months. My friend just got back from a month in Europe..I'd even just settle for that. I feel like I jumped into work too quickly when I just finished school. I need to step back and really think things through. But I feel like I can't because I've committed to both of my jobs. I can't explain why I feel guilty on the days that I silently consider quitting. Ultimately, I know that my welfare and my happiness is what is of the utmost importance. But the piscean in me, as always, first considers them instead of me.

I'm not even sure anymore if I like what I do. Or whether it's that I like what I'm doing but just don't like where I'm doing it or who I'm working for.

Ladies.
I love y'all too. But I look at our friendships each day and realize that we've each grown in different directions. I feel that while each of you is moving North and North East and North North East and East; I continue to move West. Yet, I sometimes find myself trying to redirect to atleast try to continue in your direction, but I can't. I sometimes feel that I'm the only one noticing it, but I sense that each of you feels it too. I've said time and time again, I don't need to speak to someone everyday to maintain a friendship. If we are truly friends, we'll find a way to maintain common ground.

I hope.

Lastly...

Big Black Lincoln.
Despite the ridiculously long line up stretching around the corner (Why the hell was the guest list line longer than the ticket holder line?!?!? That's a sign that money was lost last night...but I guess it's all about the love...right?). The show last night was hot! I think that many people left with a heightened anticipation for an album simply based on the beats and the energy.

I personally am not a fan of the unpolished raspy singing a la Dudley Perkins. Sauks is kind of similar to Dudley in that respect except I can hear the undertones of an okay voice. I just think he needs some more vocal training to sound better live because I've been loving the finished tracks that I've heard with him singing.

I was vex that T.R.A.C.K.S. didn't do T.R.A.C.K.S Lament last night. But I realize that this was a Big Black Lincoln showcase and not an IRS show case.


rotating....Lauryn Hill: Unplugged
anticipating....Big Black Lincoln

places to go, people to see...

Even though the weather this summer has been essentially shitty. Toronto continues to bring the hotness with a continuous thread of dope shows. Here are just a few upcoming events (think of it as must see tv.). REMG should pay me for all of this free advertising!!

REMG presents...

John Legend

John Legend graces Fez Batik for this intimate Toronto performance on Monday August 9, 2004. Fresh from his set with Kanye, opening for Usher at The ACC, John will be performing a rare unplugged show (just him and his keyboard) Capacity is limited, so please arrive early to avoid missing this musical prodigy in action.

JOHN LEGEND
Monday August 9, 2004
Fez Batik (129 Peter Street)
Tickets are $10.00 at the door
No Advanced Tickets will be Sold
Capacity is Limited, Please arrive early to avoid disappointment
19+, Doors @ 9:00pm

Jill Scott

Tuesday August 10, 2004
The Guvernment (132 Queens Quay East)
Advance Tickets: $40.75
Tickets in stores on Friday July 9, 2004
Outlets: Ticketmaster, Play de Record, Rotate This, Vice,
Shanti Baba, Ed's Record World & The Pit Records
Licensed 19+ Doors @ 8:00pm

Big Black Lincoln:


Ivana Santilli


IVANA SANTILLI
Thursday August 26, 2004
The Mod Club Theatre (722 College Street)
Tickets are $19.50 in advance and are available at
Ticketmaster, Play de Record, Rotate This,
Shanti Baba, Ed's Record World, Daily Operation & The Pit Records
****Tickets on Sale Friday July 30****
Must be 19 Years of Age & Older to Attend, Doors @ 8:00pm

Brand Nubian


With special guest Brother Ali
Wednesday August 25, 2004
Tonic Nightclub (117 Peter Street)
Tickets are $15.00 in advance and are available at
Ticketmaster, Play de Record, Rotate This, Daily Operation
Shanti Baba, Ed's Record World & The Pit Records
****Tickets on sale Friday July 30, 2004 ****
19+ Licensed, Doors @ 8:00pm