My love of music runs so deep that it feeds my spirit. Listening to everything from classical, jazz, r&b, hip hop, country, pop and more adds to my eclectic taste of the arts. Music is also an art form that I like to express my own creativity. From writing poems to writing songs, gives me an outlet to express my thoughts, emotions, dreams, and passions. Though relatively new to recording music that I write or sing, I hope to continue to share with you..

Music by or featuring ME!

 

Music Reviews


Nickel & Dimed – 14KT

I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels this project should be labeled with the following:

Out the gate, 14KT comes hard-hitting, raw and edgy with ‘Five To Ten’ not only in beat but in verse. Musically, as well as lyrically, you feel as though he has gotten a lot off his chest. Heck, after listening even I felt a sense of relief like some serious energy has been released. And I know many a producer, musician, artist can relate to the content that he spits about being, as the project is entitled, ‘nickel & dimed’. Since not as often displayed as when laying it down on projects with his Athletic Mic League crew, it’s exciting to hear him bring his lyrical talent to this project.

If you didn’t already know, 14KT has a flair for impeccably flippin’ the heck out of a 90s jam. He’s the King of it and rightly so, as you can hear on ‘Right So’.

Let the headnods continue into ‘Imonit!’. If you’ve followed 14KT’s music, you may have heard this one before but this is one of those joints you hear and fall in love with it all over again. This was probably one of the first beats of his I ever heard and was really glad it made this project as it is so fitting.

The words “experimental” or “ambient” may come to mind as the album eases into the sounds of ‘Streamin’ and ‘Rosey Posey’, however, 14KT continues to show us the depth and multi-dimensional aspects of his creativity. Known for some serious slammin beats, there is an additional musicality, mood stimulating sounds, and various elements of how he creates and mixes that are simply amazing, of which you continue to hear in the songs, ‘Your Future’ and ‘Tri-City (Pep Rally)’.

Definitely representing Michigan music…A2…the “D”…at its finest, though with ‘West Coast Errol Flynnin’, I couldn’t help but get a picture of Dr. Dre, west-coast scenic views, folks flossin’, rollin’ on gold-spinnin’ 22s and some serious head banging..lol.

And as you continue to play, let me just say, ‘Go There’….yeah, he really did! First of all, let’s just note the date, February 2, 2012. To watch the birth of, as many producers affectionately call a track or project, their baby is amazing. And if you have not had the pleasure of a 14KhopThursday, I say FB, tweet, email him to bring it back, because with that cut as a result, we need that on the regular! Even that day it was a trip, like really? Old McDonald? But in true fashion..only 14KT, right! If you were not there to see, check it out!

By the time you get to ‘Packin Heat (Acap Outta Acap)’, you have to do a serious pause. Did he just pack 3 different sounds/tempos (a slow acappella into a uptempo club beat into a midtempo rhythmic beat) all in one song, seamlessly??!!

The track, ‘Toris’ is reminiscent of his “A Friendly Game Of KT” release (December 2011), which is also a beautiful project that you would want to have.

Given the opportunity to ‘test drive’ some of the tracks from this release over the last month, ‘Lincoln Lux’ definitely sets the tone as a smooth and classy-styled track. You simply can’t put 14KT in a box by labeling his music as only “hip hop”, “r&b”, “urban”, or “underground”.

‘Crystal Figurines’ & ‘Slo Swerve’ are two tracks that pack that ‘dopeness’ that artists love (as 14KT eloquently puts it) so much that they’d grab it and you hear them rappin’ over it. So, it’s so perfect that he already has artists that he loves and respects (as so do many of us) blessing them with their own lyrics. ‘Crown (ft. Black Milk & Med)’ and ‘Slo Swerve (ft. Jamall Bufford & JMSN)’ couldn’t have been better choices to lay down their lyrical finesse on this project, along with features by Ozay Moore, Blu, Kokane, and Ab. (NOTE: to all other lyricists and artists..don’t even try it. No remaking, doing your own version, posting or selling. Cop it..ahem, BUY it, listen and learn…no #nickel&diming)

Overall, “Nickel & Dimed” is a phenomenal body of work that demonstrates 14KT’s in a league of his own…”a beautiful gift from the beautifully gifted”.

So make sure to get it via Itunes or on cd and vinyl.

The Reworks – +FE Music

The Foreign Exchange does it again. The latest release, “The ReWorks” is a body of work I must say is remarkable. It’s always so refreshing to hear instrumentation, production..simply music that speaks to your soul. Though I like when a project immediately grabs you from the first song, be it the beat or a beautiful melody or intro, but “So What If It Is” begins with this subtle display of melody blended chords into this uptempo that lures you in and then all of a sudden you find yourself dancing. Well, at least I did.

I’ll admit “The Last Fall (+FE Experience Remix)” did it for me, continuing with an uptempo beat and a musical mix peppered with a sample that took me back to my childhood. I have to admit that by the 4th or 5th listen, I took a break to pull up and bang Jane Child’s video while dancing in my living room. Ok, but I digress.

From “Flight of the Blackbyrd (4Hero Remix)” to “Say It (Nicolay Remix)”, the production and bass lines of these remixes is artistry at its finest. I even had to wonder was a brass section brought in to record for “All The Kisses (Ahmed Sirour Remix)”.

The first disc of “remixes” while still remaining true to the beauty of the more jazz and neo-soul sounds of the originals, manage to create completely different songs making the title of this body of work as “reworks” completely apropos. As with the enhanced drums on “The Foreign Exchange feat. YahZarah- If She Breaks Your Heart (The Randy Watson Experience Remix)”, I found it refreshing the way each producer embellishes and completely recreates a different sound set aside from the already amazing original songs.

As much as disc one has a prominent more mid to up-tempo sound, the second disc flowed into a smooth, softer and more mellow vibe. Talk about a smooooth slow cut, “Love Songs” is exemplary of exactly what the song details. Whatever happened to the great love songs? Well, here it is. Phonte, Focus… & Sy got this so on point!! This new track had me feeling like bringing back the era of the slow jam tapes. Old School, Smooth Grooves, Body + Soul collection, here’s one to add to the ages.

I’m always impressed by the creativity of Zo! and Nicolay, who bring a richness and depth to anything they release. Between the two of them, they probably play almost every instrument known to man. However, disc 2 is also highlighted by guest producers Pure P, Tall Black Guy and Sheldon Williams, who equally bring unique styles to the project.

From the head nod grooviness of “Zo! feat. Eric Roberson, Darien Brockington & Phonte- This Could Be The Night (Tall Black Guy Remix)” to what I affectionately call the ‘love-you-down-version’ of “Phonte- Ball and Chain (Sheldon Williams Remix)”, FE gets a serious thumbs up on this project.

As on previous releases by FE, this one also seems to pay homage to and is reminiscent of simply “good ole music”. Their work is like the fine wine of music. Fun and invigorating, but sophisticated and alluring.

And Nicolay & Phonte, I repeat..Grammy 2014.

Girl On Fire – Alicia Keys

 
I must say that the new release, “Girl On Fire” by Alicia Keys is one of the most refreshing releases this year. As soon as I put it on, I fell in love. As a person who grew up classically trained on the piano, listening to the intro “De Novo Adagio” which means “from the beginning”, “starting afresh”, my ears feel like they’ve wakened to a new day. My mind explored visuals of sunlight peaking through the trees, running with the breeze on a beach, floating on water…the beauty of her instrumentation blends and continues into the song “Brand New Me”.

The theme of this project emphasizes growth and a transformation into a new being. It exhibits a confidence that is uplifting. “When It’s All Over” expresses a spiritual aspect with lyrics “all the time we have is borrowed” & “when it’s all over, at least I got to love y’all”. She kicks off the song “New Day” with emphatic drums making this easily an anthem to awaken listeners. I have to give a thumbs up to “Girl On Fire” (Inferno Version) featuring Nicki Minaj. Minaj’s voice and lyrics were a perfect fit for this version of the song.

As someone who loves Maxwell and his voice, to have him featured on “Fire We Make” was a much welcomed delight. The song has as much appeal as his version of “This Woman’s Work”. This sensual groove definitely lit my fire.  The feel of the project certainly has a soulfulness that speaks to the heart with “Tears Always Win” & “That’s When I Knew”. I love the variety of sound she adds (even her style of voice) with “Not Even the King” and “Limitedless”, making this not a typical r&b style album. By the time I got to “One Thing”, I realize that I’ve like pretty much every song on this release making this truly a complete project.

It’s rare these days that I can play a project from start to finish and enjoy every song. To be honest, I listened to this project at least 5 or 6 times the day it dropped. I truly enjoyed not just the music, but Keys speaks to many things that especially as women, we’ve experienced and feel deeply. I highly recommend people pick up this project. “Girl On Fire” has a pure beauty to it as well as inspirational messages of love, renewal, and an awakening of spirit.
Check out “Girl On Fire” Online Stream
Purchase “Girl On Fire”

Libretto: Of King Legend – The Black Opera

The Black Opera’s “Libretto: Of King Legend” has a depth of music & message that even in my numerous times listening, I’m still grasping.  Out the gate, ‘Grand Endtrance’ truly grabbed me with an EPIC sound. What “Roots”, “Gladiator”, and “The Lord Of the Rings” are to movies this album is to music. I had the priviledge of hearing ‘Balcony’ before the actual release and not only does this song highlight great production, the message is so point.  Seeing I work with youth and am continually discussing the messages promoted and depicted in mass music & media, it’s impact & what’s fed to black boys/men & as well as girls & women, this song brought to mind the prison industrial complex and the constant eye on our communities & how people & companies profit of ‘us’.

The album continues its bigness of sound with ‘Black Lair’ & ‘Torture’ that you can’t help but turn the volume up. (No, I’m not apologizing to my neighbors as I play this for the at least 20th time this Friday morning.) Even the Enterlude ‘We Are One’ goes so hard, I was wishing the song was longer. The album flows in such a manner that they manage to accentuate it with diverse songs like the African drum style of ‘King Ransom’.  In various songs, I enjoyed the spoken word subtle messages as in Queen of Hearts featuring Mayer Hawthorne. I love the appearance of female artists & emcees, Lalibella and Boog Brown. ‘Temptation’s & ‘Shadows’ definitely highlight  the vocals of these two talented women. This project speaks to larger issues of society, affairs of the heart, the attack on our communities, cultural consciousness and so much more, including the challenges of life in ‘Peace and War’ which features Rasheeda Ali & 14KT.

Like its 2 predecessors Entermission and Overture, Libretto is also multidimensional and provokes its listeners not simply to listen to its dope tracks, but to think and assess the meaning of many of the lyrics and subject matter.  The Black Opera challenges listeners to open our minds. However, even if you aren’t a philosopher or seeking to embrace an awareness that is expressed in the music, you can enjoy some serious ‘bangers’.  It also displays the impeccable art of the emcee with off-the-chain lyrical wordplay and multiple meanings. The fact that this project has an amazing production, a diversity of types of sound, spoken word, a depth of messages, and some of my favorite artists laying vocals and instrumentation it truly has me falling in love with the art form all over again. I’d have to say that this album is one of the greatest of this year.
Check out “Libretto: Of King Legend” Online Stream
Purchase “Libretto: Of King Legend”