Take A Look Tuesdays--More Funny Pics

I just had to do another installment of "Funny Pics." I keep running across these sites and I can't help myself. Take a look.

Burial Picnicking

"My car was stolen"

Dress up for Walmart

Used Tombstone Anyone?

Is that real?Talk about hands-free

All images courtesy of weirdpictureachive.com

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Ketch A Vibe with Julie Dexter, Singer/Songwriter

photo courtesy of charlotte.creativeloafing.com

Welcome back to Musical Monday. Today’s focus will be the talented, still unknown Julie Dexter. Born in Birmingham, England, Julie is a classically trained, do-it-all musician; she sings, writes, arranges, and produces, widely referred to as a musical prodigy.

Dexter’s music is a fusion of jazz, bossa nova, funk, reggae, soul, and drum and bass, which has given her the opportunity to collaborate with some of the world’s most creative, ground-breaking producers and musicians on various jazz, soul, reggae, and acid jazz albums. She has also graced the stage with coming of age, cutting edge artists such as Ledisi, Eric Roberson, Jaguar Wright, Raheem DeVaughn, and more. Currently Julie has three albums, Peace of Mind (2000) and Dexterity (2002), which were both released on Ketch A Vibe Records (her own independent label) and successful underground hits. Her third album, Conscious, was released in 2005. Along with her collaborations and album releases, Dexter has also received countless international awards and honors. Some include, serving as one of Great Britain’s official ambassadors of music, and being listed in The Rough Guide to Jazz as a distinguished member of the Jazz community.

As more and more people are exposed to Julie Dexter’s music, her worldwide fan base is expanding. Given her musical palette, along with her voice and songwriting talents, her music has and will continue to cross musical borders. So I’m asking you to take a few moments to enjoy the playlist of songs I’ve put together and stop by her site.

www.juliedexter.com

Julie Dexter

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An Ear for Jazz--John Coltrane

photo courtesy of antville.org

Once again, it's Old School Saturday. Jazz is today's focus.

How many of you out there have an ear for jazz? I didn’t until about 12 years ago. In 1997, the movie Love Jones hit theaters, one of my all time favorite movies. That was my first time every hearing "In A Sentimental Mood" and I fell in love. Various scenes featured jazz songs, and some of the dialogue in the movie was about jazz artists. For some reason, I was inspired to learn more, so from then on I’ve been listening and reading about jazz and various artists. Through my research, I’ve become a fan of John “Trane” Coltrane, one of the greatest, most influential jazz artist to date.

In September 1926, John was born in North Carolina surrounded by music. His father was a musician who played several instruments, influencing his son to play as well. Early on, Coltrane studied the clarinet and the E-flat horn. He continued studying music and playing instruments, eventually switching his focus to the alto saxophone after becoming familiar with the likes of Johnny Hodges and Lester Young. Moving to Philadelphia in 1943, John continued studying music at the Ornstein School of Music and Granoff Studios. In 1945, during WWII, Coltrane was called to military service in Hawaii, where he performed with the Navy jazz band; returning to civilian life a year later, he began playing the tenor saxophone with the Eddie “CleanHead” Vinson Band. He also joined the Dizzie Gillespie band and performed with Jimmy Heath. Some would say that this was the height of his experimentation. Miles Davis was another indescribable great that Coltrane performed with, which would lead to his own musical revolution. John was quoted as saying “Miles’ music gave me plenty of freedom.” During this time, he was known for “the sheets of sound,” a method of playing multiple notes at once, otherwise known as the three-on-one chord approach.

In 1960, no longer a sideman, Coltrane created The John Coltrane Quartet. The group consisted of pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Elvin Jones, later adding Pharoah Sanders and Eric Dolphy. The creation of the most innovative and expressive music in jazz history would follow, including some of his most notable albums, “Giant Steps,” “My Favorite Things,” “Impressions,” and his outstanding work “A Love Supreme.” After recording many more albums, including live performances, Coltrane passed away in 1967 from liver disease. His death was a great loss to the world of music and its continuing evolution, although his music still lives on. Many feature films and tv shows have used the distinguished sounds that he produced.

There is so much more to learn about John “Trane” Coltrane, the legacy he left behind, the myriad of albums and recordings, awards and honors, information about the foundation and scholarship in his name…. Please take some time to read about the legend that we were once blessed with.

check out the links and enjoy the playlist I've put together for your listening pleasure.

www.johncoltrane.com
John Coltrane's wiki page

John Coltrane

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A Simple Plan Movie Review (1998)

photo courtesy of mybroadwayvideo.info

Hello all, welcome to another Film Friday.

Have you ever created the perfect plan for something, but in order for a smooth execution it depended on all parties involved? Suppose you and two friends or family members are taking a nice, wintry stroll through the woods, minding your own business, when suddenly, you stumble upon a downed, snow-covered, abandoned single-engine plane. What would be your first reaction? Would you walk passed the plane, not thinking twice about it? Or, would you and your accomplices take a few moments to investigate? Who knows, there could still be people inside, even children; help may be needed.

Ok, lets say you and your buddies decide to investigate, look around, to see what you'll find. You shovel your way through with your hands and feet in order to release the wedged door. Opening the door invited a flock of screaming crows to come flying out, scaring the daylights out of you, and forcing all of you to the ground for cover. After the crow flock, one of you climb in to snoop, only to find the decaying body of the pilot, which lets you know that the plane has been there for quite awhile. The heart-pumping shock of finding the body is intensified by the discovery of a bag full of money.

Only you, your two friends, the dead pilot, and the crows know about the money. What’s the plan? Will you keep the money and split it amongst yourselves, taking the secret to your grave? Why not, it’s obvious no one has noticed the plane or what’s in it. Do you alert the authorities to the plane and the money, in hopes to get a reward? Just what will you do?

This is the question that will be answered in the 1998 film, A Simple Plan, starring Bill Paxton (as Hank), Bridget Fonda (Hank’s wife), Billy Bob Thornton (as Hank’s mentally limited brother Jacob), and Brent Briscoe (as Lou, a friend). Set during a brisk winter in Minnesota, the three friends come up with a plan that needs strict cohesion in order to work, but that doesn’t seem to happen. Gluttony, deception, paranoia and suspicion cause a strain on the friends, which could make any simple plan complicated; the plan takes on a life of its own. Imagine, the enormity of a secret such as this; covering your tracks and staying below “the radar” is key.

This movie, in my opinion is sure to entertain. There is not a dull moment as the plot intensifies with every scene, causing you to wonder what will happen next. Being a huge Thornton fan, I would argue that he did a wonderful job. As always, he became his character, making you believe that Jacob was a real person; this is not to take anything away from the performances of the other actors. Add this movie to your Netflix queue or get out your blockbuster card and rent it.

GRADE: B

Check out the trailer (IE users click here)

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Tell me Something Good Thursdays

Hello all. Today I want to refer back to my last "Tell me Something..." post; Optimism was the topic.

Ok, I'm in my car this morning and the "ABS" light comes on, which has never happened before. It flicked on and off a few times and I immediately thought, "something's going on." After parking my car, I had a few minutes to spare, so I pulled out my owner's manual (does anyone else read their manual?) to see if I could find anything pertaining to my issue. The flickering light basically means that the automatic braking system should be checked. Now, anytime I have a car issue, I get the "blues" because I know it will require a "crap-load" of $$, usually a great amount.

Not having a confirmed diagnosis weighed on my mind all morning, as well as thinking about the amount of $$ that I may have to spend to get the problem fixed. I finally made it to the automotive shop next door to my job. I explained the issue and inquired about what could be done and what kind of cost I would be facing. The guy told me his thoughts and the cost range, which was anywhere from $200-$1000s, depending on what the actual problem is.

Of course, hearing those amounts made my morning perfect. From then on, I have been in an awesome mood (sarcasm people)! This afternoon my friend called me, just to chit-chat and she could tell something was bothering me. I told her what the deal was and she immediately turned on the optimistic charm. Helping me, actually, trying to help me look on the bright side of things seemed to be her mission. It did help somewhat, but knowing that I may have to spend a considerable amount of $$ (at least to me it's a considerable amount) ruffles my feathers. I want to thank her for trying to help me. We all need friends like her.

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Word of the Day--"pleonasm"

Today's W.O.D. is PLEONASM

Parts of Speech:
noun

Definition:
1. the use of more words than necessary to denote mere sense: redundancy

Example:
I ate a tuna fish sandwich. (I was pretty sure tuna was a type of fish.)

or

With every purchase you will receive a free gift. (A "gift" is free, I thought?)

Feel free to use this word in a sentence in the comment area or offer your own W.O.D. to be featured next Wednesday.

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Take A Look Tuesdays--Funny Pics

Hello all, "Take A Look Tuesdays" is dedicated to art, if you haven't noticed already. Past Tuesday entries have included interviews with photographer, Sedrick Miles, India's visual artist/illustrator, Archan Nair, and visual artist, Dekal. I've also shared the work of Emory Douglas (black panther) and his contribution to the movement of "The People" and paid homage to the art of music.

Today, I want to share a few funny images with you, courtesy of weirdomatic.com and dribbleglass.com.

Statue

24 Hours

My Ex
Get a load of these billboards

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A Different Look at Rhode Island, Interview with Theo Martins

For those of you who do not know me, I am a true music lover. Boastfully speaking, I think I know talent when I hear it; some may agree or disagree. Feel free to post your comments at the end of this entry.

Moving right along, I met this young man who goes by the name of Theo on Twitter. He is a native of Rhode Island, who is a well-known DJ and an emerging Emcee. I thought I would go to his site and listen to a couple of tracks, thinking to myself, “everyone wants to be a rapper.” After reading his bio and listening to his album, “The Birth,” little did I know that I would be blown away from, (1), the production of his tracks, (2), the lyrical content and his versatile wordplay and (3), the swagger and confidence he possesses.

Some of his influences include multi-talented artists such as Black Thought, Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, Hi-Tek, and Daft Punk to name a few, along with life and the experiences that come along with living. With that said, Theo’s diversity in style, rhymes, and harmonies, combined with his passion for the art of music, puts him in a class by himself in the realm of emerging artists.

After stumbling upon Theo and his music, I decided to change it up a little and contact him for an interview. All of my interviews thus far have been with R&B artists, so this will be the first Emcee I’ve interviewed. So, take a moment and learn a little more about the artist behind the art, that I so enjoyed.


1. Theo, I want to thank you for interview. How’s life treating these days?

Life is great, God is great, I'm doing alright.


2. So, I started following you on Twitter and figured I’d check out your website. I see from reading your bio that you are from Rhode Island, Providence to be exact. Tell me a little bit about where you grew up, your school experience and how your interest in music emerged.

Was born on the south side of Providence. Moved over towards the north end to this complex named 'Arbor Glen'. Loved that place, still do actually. Music has always been a driving passion of mine, I started DJ-ing at 14, [I've] always been singing around the house. Things just cultivated within time, it has been a blessing.


3. First and foremost, you are a DJ, right? Who or what was the inspiration behind your desire to spin the “wheels of steel”? Tell me a little about your first DJ gig. Were you nervous? Have you taken part in any competitions?

Yes, I am a DJ. Honestly, the majority of what I have learned as far as production, flow, style, etc have all been from DJ-ing. I'd just sit and listen to the instrumentals and acapellas over and over, because I was so fascinated with how they came about that. Premier, Premier, Premier: he is thee man as a major part of my motivation and inspiration, when I was like 15 I used to go by the name 'Young Preemo' because I wanted to be him so bad. I was nervous when I first started, but I grew my confidence and such. I used to do competitions and stuff. I was very interested in battling, but I'm more of a party rocker than a battler.


4. I listened to your album, The Birth. You have some sick tracks on there!! From beginning to end, it’s a headbanger. When did you decide to bridge the gap between DJ-ing and Emcee-ing? Had you always had wordplay flair? Do you write your own material? Do you ghostwriter for others?

Wow, thank you I appreciate that. I decided in 2007 to actually pursue it. I've always sang and rapped, but I was ready in 07. I wasn't ready anytime before then. So from there I just progressed, that's really it. Yes, I write everything, all of my material is created by me. I do ghostwrite, that's never a problem.


5. With your background as a DJ, you know how detrimental a talented producer is. The Birth was filled with vicious beats and experimental harmonies, which was laced by none other. Who are some of the producers you have worked with on your album(s)? Who is/are your favorite producer(s)?

I kept the majority of my production all within a certain scale to give the producers some room to breathe. I worked with Young E, Profit, Kris Fame, Austin White & Judah. I have a lot of favorites: Premier, Kenna, Pete Rock, Neptunes, Kanye West, Danger Mouse, etc...


6. Theo, your versatile wordplay and how your voice rides the track reminds me of one of my all time favorites, Jigga, Jay-Z. Who are some of your favorite lyricists? If you had to choose a lyricist(s) that your style is similar to, who would it be and why? What other genres interest/influence you?

Thank you. Well I'm definitely a Jay-Z fan, but I also like Andre 3000, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Q-Tip. I truly enjoy anything; sounds cliché, but its honest. I grew up listening to a lot of music, and as a kid the majority of it wasn't hip-hop, so it helped me to become more open minded with music in general. Truly, I like anything, I'm all ears.

7. “Theo til Infinity,” “Sweetest Language,” and “iDream” are just a few of my favorite tracks from The Birth. What are 3 of your favorites and why?

Well they change frequently but as of now:
“Theo til Infinity”: That record is like my entrance and my exit. From where I am coming from and where I am going. “Hi”: I really like my flow on that song. It’s a feel good record. “Sweetest Language”: It’s my ode to good music and it sounds great.


8. You said in your bio, “With the new generations of emerging artists looking uncertain, there are few blessed with substance and talent. Among those in prominent view, is Theo.” Tell me, what unique characteristics set you apart from those emerging artists you spoke about and why should folks pay attention to Theo; give Theo the “time of day.”

Well I make good music and strive for progression within my endeavors. I Emcee, DJ, produce, and sing; I mean, I can make your record and break your record. I'm a musician, plain and simple.


9. So, what’s in the crystal ball for you? Are you working on any big projects?

I am working with some pretty important people, which I am blessed to be among. 2009 is looking great for me and I'm just going with the flow. Things are looking up.


10. As far as your music career, where do you see it going in the next 5 years?

In 5 years, I will be at the forefront of art. Art in the form of expression with music, fashion, film. I'll be alright.


11. Your dream team collabo would be with whom?

Sunny Ade & John Lennon would be quite dope.


Show Theo some love and visit his links:
www.imjusttheo.com
www.imeem.com/imjusttheo
www.myspace.com/imjusttheo

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Ode to “The Prince of Motown”

photo courtesy of hippiefriends.com

Marvin Pentz Gay Jr., better known as Marvin Gaye, is by far one of my all-time favorite crooners (for this reason I’m going to keep this post light because I could literally go on and on about him). I know I’m not alone, as the musical icon has inspired many of today’s artists. If you listen closely, ever now and then, you may hear a sample from one of his songs or a reference to him and/or his lyrics.

With his chill-inducing voice of a three-octave range and his emotionally passionate songwriting (he was also an instrumentalist), Marvin was responsible for at least 21 Top Ten Singles in the U.S. and Europe and 9 Top Ten Albums, deserving his given nickname, "The Prince of Motown." Beginning in the 60s, he released such memorable singles as “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “What’s Going On,” “Let’s Get It On,” and “Sexual Healing” just to name a few. Now I can’t mention the singles without mentioning a few of Marvin’s albums, which are CLASSICS and “MUST-HAVES” for any music collector; I Want You, Let’s Get It On, and What’s Going On are albums that belong in your collection, if not, you’re committing a crime! By the way, What’s Going On is one of his best-known works to date. In comparison to other albums, he broke away from his earlier Motown work in terms of using a funk/jazz-influenced sound and his personal lyrical content. Adding in my 2¢, What’s Going On is one of THE BEST and MOST IMPORTANT soul albums, as well as concept albums ever made!

I urge you all to learn more about Marvin Gaye, his music, life, legacy, tributes, and achievements. Click here to get started. I’ve also put together a playlist of Marvin’s songs along with the artists that sampled them, including Jay-Z, ("American Dreamin," which is one of the hottest sampled tracks on his album American Gangster) Mos Def ("Modern Marvel" from the album New Danger), and Kanye West ("Spaceship" from the album The College Drop Out). As I mentioned in the beginning of the post, Marvin continues to influence today’s artists, so you may hear a sample or two of Gaye’s hits.

Enjoy!!

Marvin Gaye

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Something Is Killing Tate Movie Review(2008)

all photos courtesy of the movie's myspace page

Hello all, it’s Film Fridays. I’d like to introduce you to the indie film, “Something Is Killing Tate” by filmmakers Leon Lozano (writer, executive producer, director) and Jessica L. Funches (producer).

This is a fairly new film, which made its debut into the film festival circuit in February 2008. Winning several awards (11 already), including the Best Director Award at the Urbanworld Film Festival, the Audience Choice Award at the Hollywood Black Film Festival, and the Oscar Micheaux and Audience Favorite Awards at the LA Pan African Film Festival, this movie was a festival hit!!

Ok, a little pinch of what “Something Is Killing Tate” entails. A 25-year-old African-American man, Tate Bradley, (played by Jocko Sims) has closeted demons that haunt him, causing him to attempt suicide. Luckily, Tate survives the ordeal, but he insists on hiding from the world, attempting to isolate himself in his apartment. One by one, the villains that helped taint his life show up to check on him. With each visit, layers of Tate’s dismay are revealed; we learn what roles his family, friends, and enemies played in his attempt to kill himself, forcing him to come to grips with the hauntings of his past.

I thought this was a great film. It portrayed issues that many in our society face, but try to keep swept under the rug. In my opinion, the dialogue was very realistic, and the characters are people we’ve all met, know of, or heard of. This movie prompts you to think about the dark secrets that your friends, family members or colleagues may be suppressing, bringing about empathy for others who have been in the same situation. “Something Is Killing Tate,” reminds us that we all have something in common, The Human Experience.


Resource Link:
Something Is Killing Tate Myspace Page

GRADE: B

Check out the sneak peek trailer below (IE users click here)

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Tell me Something Good Thursdays--Optimism

“Optimist: Person who travels on nothing from nowhere to happiness”

--Mark Twain

At a time like this, the economy is shot to pieces, the greedy are even greedier, the rich are staying rich and the poor are becoming even poorer, OPTIMISM is severely needed, and it’s good for your health.

I came across an interesting article that proves just that. Some of you probably figured that being a pessimist is harmful to your health. Well, you figured right. Optimists live healthier, longer lives when compared to pessimists, according to researchers at University of Pittsburgh. Since 1994, 100,000 women, ages 50 and over were followed as a part of the Women’s Health Initiative study; the rates of death and chronic health conditions were the focus among the participants.

Optimists were found to have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes and they were less likely to smoke. In comparison to pessimists, optimists were also 14% less likely to die from any cause and 30% less likely to die from heart disease (this was found after eight years of follow up during the study).

Another interesting tidbit of information from the article was the results captured from a group they formed within the study named, “cynically hostile.” This was a group of women who had a general mistrust for people. From telephone interviews, such statements as “I’ve often had to take orders from those who didn’t know as much as me” or “It’s safest to trust nobody” were often agreed with. Dr. Hilary Tindle headed the sub-study and found that “cynically hostile” women were 23% more likely to die of cancer. Presenting her results to the American Psychosomatic Society, Dr. Tindle wanted to make it clear that the study did not prove negative attitudes warrant negative health conditions, although the findings appear to be linked; she urged for more research regarding designing therapies and people’s attitudes.

Just a little food for thought! Please, don’t let these tough times get you down; easier said than done, but stay OPTIMISTIC, it’s good for your health!

Resourse Link:
www.reuters.com

I thought about this songs as I was writing this post. It's perfect for the occasion. Enjoy!

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Wednesday Stimulation--Brain Teasers

Here's your dosage of mental stimulation.

Riddle #1
Submitted by: cnmne

Each group of definitions describes three words that are spelled the same, except for one letter (each group describes a different set of words). Example: king, ring, wing. The length of the words in each group is provided.

1) more recently & to make a garden wet & to provide a supply of food (5 letters)
2) a jar for water or oil & infatuation & a hard surface layer (5 letters)
3) to lend & a fish-eating diving bird & a cut of meat from between the hip and lower ribs (4 letters)
4) sudden outburst & type of metamorphic rock & to glide on the ice (5 letters)

Click here for answer

Let me know how you do. If you'd like to submit a riddle, let me know.

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Meet New Delhi's Own Archan Nair--Artist and Illustrator

Everyone, meet Archan a.k.a. archanN. He is a self-made artist and entrepreneur from India. I found his work on the blog of one of my fellow twitter-ers. His imagination and how he visually delivers it to his audience amazed me. Archan’s work is filled with blissful colors, energetic abstractions, passionate emotion, and intensity; his work engulfs your attention, pulling you into a different world. Make sure you take a few moments to read our interview and Archan’s links.

1. Archan, thanks for responding to my email and agreeing to do this interview. How are things there in New Delhi?

Thank you for taking your time and appreciating my art Virgo27! Delhi is rocking, it’s stressed, but going pretty cool at the moment. I’m in my small studio enjoying life.

2. So tell me a little bit about Archan. Where did you grow up? When and how did you know you wanted to become an artist?

My name is Archan Nair, aka archanN in the digital and virtual web. I’m a 26 year old Artist, Designer and Illustrator based in New Delhi, India. My vision and passion has been to create highly intricate work inspired by various phases or moments of life, and the rest so to speak can be seen in his works.

Well, I come from an entirely different industry, which is Fashion. As a family business I was running an apparel manufacturing and export industry since I was 18 years. I always had the creative stint in my since childhood days, but I guess I never discovered it properly. In 2006 I started with digital art, by remixing a friends wallpaper, and since that day each moment has been really a new step for me in exploring and creating.

3. Your work is unbelievable! You use vibrant color combinations, which caught my eye, in addition to your illustrations. It’s hard to believe you’re self-taught. What mediums do you use to create your pieces? Can various computer applications be included in that too?

I create all my works digitally; hence it is mostly done in Adobe Photoshop. Thank you Virgo27!

"The most amazing achievement is the love, appreciation, critique and support I receive from all around the world, especially from my friends and family."

4. You use an interesting eclectic mix of reality and fantasy, at least in my opinion. In your own words how would you describe your artwork? Also, when did you create your first piece?

If you speak of a style, I really don’t have a style at the moment, just trying to discover myself more. Anything or everything can inspire me, whether it is the surroundings, or maybe noticing something while driving. Mostly I’m inspired by emotions and feelings, or moments in my life or someone close I have seen which leaves an impact for me to think about. I did my first piece in July 2006.

5. I’m in love with all of your work, but I have a few favorites, The Joy Ballad: Dream Collaborative collection, Amrapali, and Joy Rising, to name a few. The all encompass that eclectic mix I mentioned. What are 3 of your favorites and why?

By the time this interview is being done, my favorites are The Peacock Dance, The Joy Ballad and Do Feelings have Taste. Oh this is difficult, I love all!!! The Peacock Dance is strongly influenced by Indian culture, and I tried to give it a modern take. The Joy Ballad is about dreams we all have when we are young. It’s special because I do portray my thoughts, which I’m sure are similar to others. Do Feelings have Taste is an intense work which was inspired by a moment of my life.

6. Do you have any other interests beside art?

I am a foodie! I love dining out, watching movies or the Discovery channel when I’m not creating. I’m a really lazy guy haha!

7. Through my fact checking, you have had such clients as PepsiCo, GQ, Conde Nast, Tiger Beer and have be featured by artists such as Kanye West. I see you have also been featured in publications such as Vanity Fair, Flair, and Advanced Photoshop. What are some of your other creative achievements?

The most amazing achievement is the love, appreciation, critique and support I receive from all around the world, especially from my friends and family.

8. You are the co-founder and creative head at Cropped Circle, an art agency. How and when did Cropped Circle come about? What do you offer your clients?

It came at the right time, when I really never worked on a commercial project before and I realized that art and design is my passion. So my closest friend and I thought of commencing a new venture, which is a creative design agency now known as Cropped Circles; we started it in 2007. Our services include branding and identity, illustrations, communication, art direction and progressive solution.

9. Any big plans or projects brewing for 2009?

I normally don’t plan much, as I think the twists and turns of the road can lead us anywhere. But yes, looking forward to more exciting projects, more creativity and fun!

"Anything or everything can inspire me, whether it is the surroundings, or maybe noticing something while driving. Mostly I’m inspired by emotions and feelings, or moments in my life."

10. Do you ever plan to show your work here in the states? In the Washington, DC area?

As I said, the road is quite uncertain, if a great opportunity arises, why not!

11. If you could give up and coming artists 3 points of advice, what would they be?

Be original, Explore, and Be passionate!

Additional Archan Links
www.archann.net
www.behance.net/archanN

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Ledisi--A True Underground Gem

photo courtesy of jazz.jvc.com

I don’t want you guys to think that I am solely partial to female singers, but I have to share another amazingly gifted female artist with you today; Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter, Ms. Ledisi Young, aka Ledisi, meaning “to bring forth” or “to come here” in Yoruba.

Known for her silky-satin, jazzy vocals, Ledisi was born in Louisiana and grew up in a musical family. She started performing with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra at the age of 8. Later moving to Oakland, California, she was nominated for a Shellie award in 1990 for her performance in a production of The Wiz. Ledisi also studied piano and opera for five years at the University of California Berkeley, in their program for young musicians.

During the 90’s, Ledisi formed a group called Anibade with other musicians, playing a mixture of soul and jazz. Although the group recorded a demo, “Take Time,” which received a great deal of local airplay and won acclaim in the Bay Area, the group tried unsuccessfully to get signed to a major label. As a result of that, LeSun Records was born, the label formed by Ledisi and another band member Sundra Manning. By 2000, Ledisi released Soulsinger: The Revival, her first album, independently on her label. Two notable singles of this album were “Soulsinger” and “Get Outta of my Kitchen.” Celebrating the success of the album release and the formation of the independent label, Ledisi and her group Anibade went on tour. More accomplishments would follow with the release of her sophomore album, Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue, in 2002. In addition, she won “Outstanding Jazz Album” for her sophomore album at the California Music Awards and she recorded commercials for the Sci-fi Channel.

Following the signing of a major record deal with Verve Forecast in 2007, Ledisi, in 2008 released two albums, Lost & Found (third album) and It’s Christmas (fourth album). Lost & Found’s first single, “It’s Alright” (one of my favorite songs) charted #45 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart, while the single, “In The Morning” debuted at #49 on the charts. Other unreleased singles from Lost & Found also charted on Billboard. Along with her charting success, she has accumulated several awards and nominations.

Personally, I can’t say enough about Ledisi. She is definitely one of my favorite underground singer/songwriters by far. When I first heard her voice, I got chills; I said to myself, “damn this chick can sing!” At that time, I didn’t really know who she was, but I noted her name after the DJ mentioned it. Of course, I made it my mission to do a little research. From that point on, I’ve been a fan. I’ve purchased 3 of her 4 albums, and they stay in my cd player. Actually, Lost & Found is my favorite of the three I own, not to say that I dislike the others. Regardless of the album you choose to listen to, her voice demands your undivided attention, her lyrics touch your soul, and her band’s melodies make you wish they were in front of you playing live. In my opinion, Ledisi is a true underground/indie gem that deserves great recognition. Please enjoy the playlist I’ve put together for your listening pleasure, then log onto iTunes or bestbuy.com or wherever you go to buy music and purchase her album(s). Mark my words, they will be CLASSICS!

Resource Links:
Ledisi's Website
Ledisi's Myspace Page
Ledisi's Wiki Page

Ledisi

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Judith Jamison Continuing the Alvin Ailey Legacy

photo courtesy of today.brown.edu

In weeks past, for “Old School Saturday,” I have focused on a few of my favorite musical artists, such as Erykah Badu and Jay-Z. Not that I’m straying away too much, but this Saturday’s post will focus on a related subject, choreography. Judith Jamison to be exact.

Judith is an American dancer and choreographer, born in Philadelphia, PA in 1943. She is best known for her work with the infamous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Having an early interest in the arts, Judith began studying dance at the age of 10. In 1961, she graduated from Germantown High School, and at the age of 15 she attended Fisk University and the Philadelphia Dance Academy. In 1964, Ms. Jamison made her New York debut with the American Ballet Theatre, dancing in Agnes de Mille’s ballet entitled “The Four Marys.” In 1965 and 15 years thereafter, Judith joined and danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, to great acclaim might I add. She had many enduring roles, but her most notable was “Cry” (1971) which was created for her specifically by Mr. Ailey because of her extraordinary talent. Other roles include, “The Prodigal Prince” (1967), “Maskela” (1969), and “Pas de Duke” (1977), performed with Mikhail Baryshnikov. In 1980, Ms. Jamison left the Ailey Theatre to star in a Broadway musical entitled “Sophisticated Ladies,” which was based on Duke Ellington’s music. In addition to that, she performed with ballet companies all over the world and formed her own company, The Jamison Project.

Being one of the most highly regarded choreographers, she has created many works for various companies and has accumulated numerous achievements. Some of her most mentionable honors include receiving the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts, and an honorary doctorate from Howard University. Judith also won a prime time Emmy Award, became a honorary member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and last but not least, she was appointed and still is the Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey Theatre (in 1989), at the request of her beloved mentor Mr. Ailey, who personally chose her before his untimely death.

This is just a small inkling of what Ms. Jamison has accomplished. I could write for days about her attainments, recent and past, but I’ll let you discover more on your own. Please take some time to check out the links provided and take a moment to view the videos below. Judith Jamison is a living legend.

Click here for Ms. Judith Jamison Images

Love Histories-Choreographed by Ms. Judith Jamison



Mr. Alvin Ailey

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Transsiberian Movie Review (2008)

photo courtesy of First Look Studios

Remember those old mystery-train movies, especially the Alfred Hitchcock ones? Well, Transsiberian is a handsomely remodeled variation of that cherished genre, staring Woody Harrelson (Roy), Emily Mortimer (Jessie) and Ben Kingsley (Grinko), along with Eduardo Noriega (Carlos) and Kate Mora (Abby). Updating and manipulating the familiar tropes: erotic intrigue, conspiracy and deceit, and inauspicious glaring foreigners, director and screenwriters Brad Anderson (The Machinist) and Will Conroy created an extremely mysterious and stimulating melodrama that will have you on the edge of your seat.

After two weeks of Christian fellowship work, married couple Roy and Jessie opted for the picturesque route home via the Transsiberian railroad; Roy had a childhood fascination with toy trains, which is partly why Jessie agreed. Now before I get into the review any further, here’s a little background information on the Trans Siberian railway: it is one of the most famous train routes in the world, spanning 9297 km or 5776 miles in length from beginning to end and it travels all the way from Beijing to Moscow across the infamous Siberian landscape. Ok, back to the review. Imagine stepping aboard a rickety train (which is where most of the movie is set) in the midst of human clutter, sullen peasants and rowdy drunks, sleeping in cars in which travelers are packed like sardines, not to mention toilets that do not flush, an overtly hostile crew, dealing with drug-sniffing dogs and policeman at every stop; talk about ill omens. That would be enough to deter some people from jumping on the train but not Roy, a charismatic, sociable young man and Jessie, an amateur photographer and “bad girl” turned good after meeting her now husband. Roy met her when she hit rock bottom from drug and alcohol abuse and continuously supported her throughout her recovery. Just like any couple, they have their ups and downs; Jessie still clings to a cigarette habit that Roy hates and she’s not ready to start a family, while Roy longs for children; you will see throughout the movie that for all of Jessie’s surface primness, underneath she a reckless adventurer.

About those ill omens I mentioned, the fulfillment of the bad premonitions arrives in the form of a seductively handsome Spanish traveler named Carlos and his young, 20-something American girlfriend, Abby, who take up occupancy in Roy and Jessie’s stateroom. Shrouded in question marks, the couple is a suspiciously odd pair of international nomads claiming to be returning from a stint teaching English in Japan; two questions arise, what have they been doing on the road for the past two years and why was Carlos such a twit about knapsack of Russian dolls he was carrying around? As the couples befriend each other and share confidences, they all get drunk with the other passengers, except the abstinent Jessie. In his drunken taunts, Carlos does not miss a chance to insinuate his sexual interest to the rattled Jessie; all the while she pretends not to notice. Eventually, a much needed station stop comes up, allowing for a little “girl bonding”; Jessie pairs off with Abby, revealing her checkered past as a wild young woman who more than likely would have taken up with someone such as Carlos.

When the train heads out again through the snowy Siberian forest, Roy is not on board, pure panic sets in. The remaining threesome gets off at the next stop to await Roy’s promised arrival on the next day’s train, while the movie teases you into the notion that something dreadful has happened to him. In the absence of her husband, Carlos presses his advances, trying to bring out the “old” Jessie, but soon things go too far and she confronts him, an incident best left unspoken. While she clings to the secret, it is made worse when she finds herself her cabin with the Russian officer Grinko. With time on their hands, Carlos works his magic and coaxes Jessie into taking a bus trip to the countryside to hike in the forest, visit an old crumbling church relic, and take photographs, leaving Abby behind at the hotel. Needless to say, the rest of the drama hinges on horrific events that take place during this side trip. Not only that, the second half of the movie involves a murder, torturous interrogations, queasy decisions, and hand-to-hand combat.

Talk about suspense!!! This movie is truly a tantalizing mystery. Action-packed, with intensified paranoia, from the beginning to the end, you will not be disappointed. The acting was great, but in a subtle way. Emily Mortimer (Jessie) has the only fully developed character and she runs with it in a flavorful performance as a reformed “bad girl” with a massive opportunity to backslide. Although Harrelson’s character is seen as a simple country boy, his role complements that of Emily’s, but in my opinion, if his character were more developed, the movie would have been even more compelling and complex. We only see Ben Kingsley (Grinko), the duplicitous narcotics detective, a few times in the beginning of the movie, but we later get a full dose of him; brandishing an ambiguous smile and a threatening Russian accent. Carlos and Abby did a great job too. Outside of the acting, the imagery and landscape shots were awesome. If you get some free time, add “watch Transsiberian” to your “to do” list.

GRADE B+

Take a look at the movie trailer below. (IE users click here)

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Are We Too Impersonal These Days???

Hello all. I came across an interesting website while I was searching for positive news to share with all of my readers. The website is called Passionate America, the blog post was entitled, “Making New Friends, 10 Passionate Ways to Connect with Friends Offline.”

Giving our fast-paced lives these days, along with living in our own virtual worlds, many of us fail to interact with each other face to face. Most of the time we are texting, emailing, “skyping,” “IM-ing” or talking via web cams. It’s almost as if we need to be taught how to interact with another human being again. The post I found does just that. It offers 10 tips for those of you who have a fairly blank social schedule.

Check it out, and let me know what you think. Do you have some tips that were not mentioned that you want to share?

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Word of the Day--"spume"

Today's W.O.D. is SPUME

Parts of Speech:
noun

Definition:
1. frothy matter on liquids: foam, scum

Example:
To reduce the spume, the bartender tilted the beer mug.

Feel free to use this word in a sentence in the comment area or offer your own W.O.D. to be featured next Wednesday.

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Sedrick Miles--Transforming and Bringing Images to Life

Being an avid photography junkie and self-proclaiming myself as an amateur photographer, I had to contact Sedrick Miles when I stumbled upon his work on behance.net. I was completely drawn in. Some of his images are so personal and intimate. Not too long ago, I was able to interview Sedrick Miles and gain insight into who he is and what photography means to him. Enjoy.


1. Hello, Sed. How's everything?

Thanks for taking the time to allow me to interview. I'm doing well. Thanks for the opportunity. I'm honored.

2. So tell me a little about yourself, how old you are, where you are from/grew up, where you reside now.

I'm 31. I was born in a village in SC called Bennettsville. I grew up between there and Anchorage, AK. After graduating from high school in SC I studied and worked in Atlanta, New York, DC, Philly, and I currently live in North Carolina.

3. Sed, do you have an artistic/photographic background? How did you first become interested in photography? Are you interested in any other art forms? Painting, illustration, deejay-ing…?

Like a lot of kids, I loved to draw growing up and I loved comics and drawing comic book characters. Art was always one of my favorite classes. I was editor of my high school paper when our advisor gave me his Canon Ae-1 for an assignment and I've been hooked ever since. It felt wonderful to finally find a way to express myself creatively.

4. As I stated in our initial email exchange, "That Hump-But| Her | Fly" and "Shoebox Diaries" were among my favorites; I could reference many more. What was the inspiration behind those images? You mentioned music influenced you in your email, but what are some of your other inspirations/influences?

"That Hump..." was inspired by the Erykah Badu song. I was out of town managing a leadership development training when I had to leave early to travel back to Philly. My wife had been in the hospital for a serious illness and had taken a bad turn. I saw the butterfly beneath the curb as I was getting in the car to take the long ride back to her. So I got a photo of it before I left. That song is also one of my wife’s favorites. It motivated her through her healing process.

There is so much music that influences my work. My favorite music is from the soul and gives insight into life when you hear it. I try to make my photography have the same effect when viewed. Even more than music, I am influenced by relationships. Many of my most popular photos are portraits of great friends and family members who have shared.

5. I gotta ask, how did it feel to capture images of our President, Barack Obama, during the campaign trail? Thinking back to that moment, what kinds of emotions were you feeling? What were some of the thoughts that were running through your mind?

I know that we will never forget that day. I went to a rally in Philly a few months before, but there was over 30K people. We could barely see the stage. For the Raleigh rally we got lucky and found a decent spot. Everyone was taking pictures and very excited about supporting him. But one thing that surprised me was how many people were talking amongst each other through his speech. I also got upset when adults in front of me wouldn't let some young children (a little boy and his sister) get closer to the gate. They even said, "they should have gotten here earlier". That showed me that after the hype is over, Obama's support of a new social contract will really require all of us to expect better of each other. Especially the way we treat children. I am excited about the potential for communities to grow stronger with the help of Obama's unique ability to inspire the masses.

"What the camera does for me is like what the trumpet or drums does for a musician. It gives me a way to express myself, and to grow in expression as I grow my skills."

6. That leads to my next question. You seem to shoot varied subjects, but most seem to be of humans. How do you seek out your subjects? Do you prepare and plan your photographs or is there a type of spontaneity within your work?

Actually, there is a little bit of all of that. I find it very difficult to photograph people or subjects that I don’t like or want to get to know better. I hope that I can be successful with this approach because it feels so satisfying that every photo is a growing experience. I am usually inspired by relationships and how people interact with one another. I think that we all have stories to tell, so when someone wants to tell their story to me, I pay attention and allow them to connect with the camera. I would like to get better at both imagining and setting up shots as well as spontaneous photos. I look forward to photographing more strangers, collecting more stories...

7. It seems that a lot of your images are in black and white, which personally I love. Is there a reason for this?

No, I enjoy both black and white and color photography. I began using black and white film with my first camera, so I developed an eye for textures and shapes. I am still learning the skills to take great color photos.

8. What type of equipment do you use? Software?

Right now I am using a weathered Canon 30D, but looking to upgrade soon. I like the basic 50 mm lens for a lot of my work. It forces you to learn technique. I also have a new lens that I am thoroughly enjoying, A Tamron 17-55. They are both great pieces of glass. I use Photoshop CS for editing.

9. You said you were in the midst of a career change and will become a full time photographer. What type of photography do you like best and what type of photographer do you want to become?

I enjoy the journalistic aspect of photography, that and portraits. In the future I plan to spend half of my time traveling and documenting the lives of people in different communities around the globe, and spend the other half photographing my favorite musicians, and continuing to do portrait work.

10. A quote by the late, great Gordon Parks resides on your website; "The subject matter is so much more important than the photographer." What does that quote mean to you? What is your photography philosophy?

Photography as an art and a science is very personal to me. Like a lot of people, I rely heavily on images as my way of processing the world around me, the emotions and all. What the camera does for me is like what the trumpet or drums does for a musician. It gives me a way to express myself, and to grow in expression as I grow my skills. I believe strongly in the quote, which is why I attempt to focus on subject matter that is often forgotten or deprecated by mainstream media.

"I am usually inspired by relationships and how people interact with one another."

11. 2009 is here, what kinds of plans do you have for your career? Do you have any projects in the works?

Currently I am working on a portrait project called Visual Wealth. I am creating an encyclopedia of faces in order to illustrate the spectrum of features shared between people around the globe. But I need support and votes in order to win. Your readers can visit www.tinyurl.com/sedsdream to learn more and vote for the project.

12. What other interesting tidbits would you like to share about Sedrick Miles?

Well, I'm excited about collaborations in the next few years and I am also working on a project within my creative boutique to help non-profit community groups with affordable identity consultation services. And when I have the time I continue to do media literacy workshops and leadership development trainings. If groups are looking to collaborate they can email me at click@sedrickmiles.com.

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