Far Away From Here With Kindred The Family Soul
We is a beautiful thing when you've got the sounds of Kindred The Family Soul to listen to, but what I really like best about these two is the realness that they bring to their music. Shoot, don't let their smooth voices fool you, marriage IS hard work. Like tonight, I was having a damn good evening. I wasn't trying to start any trouble with anyone. You know, just minding my business laughing at the foolishness which is the VMAs, (I'll rant about that crappy show later on my other blog.) but it's never a dull moment in this family and as usual people ALWAYS got something to say... I'm SO not happy with folks who want to bring stress to my marriage in the name of their own self-interests. It really pisses me off. I wonder if Kindred has any songs that can convey what I'm feeling? Yeah, they should make a song called Meddling. LOL! But at any rate, what I'm trying to say is this - my husband and I need a vacation FAR AWAY from the foolishness that exists on both sides of our family tree. Yet, as the Bible says, What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. -Matthew 19:6
So I'm not gonna let folks mess with what is rightfully meant to be. As the lyrics go from Stars...
So many times,
You could have walked away
But I didn't have to say a word
To convince you to stay
Cause you know it and I know this thing is real
So we continue to learn
And our love grows deeper still
Yup, we're definitely In This Life Together!
Stars
Far Away
We Are One
Kindred The Family Soul marriage issues
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/31/2006 , 
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Time For A Slow Jam From Midnight Star
On some days, there's a reminiscent mood that is automatically created when the sun begins to fall and the sky turns a rusty orange. Yet, that mellow feeling of longing didn't hit me until... Well, let me start at the beginning...It started off normal; a nice breakfast of turkey bacon and eggs, then my husband and I went to (try to) play tennis while the boys ran around the court. (Boy, was that tiresome!) As hot as it was today, it didn't take long before we were all back in the house eating ice cream and popsicles. As a sat there turning my spoon around in my bowl of cookies & cream (my favorite), the craziest thing happened - I started craving salsa and chips. (WTF?) So, I made my dash to the nearest grocery store for my favorite salsa (the Safeway brand to be exact) and came all the way back home just in time to catch one of my favorite movies on the boob tube, Soul Food! I know, I know, what the hell does all of this have to do with music or Midnight Star? Well, I'm getting to that. See, there's this part in Soul Food where Kenny is trying to seduce Maxine. He hits that needle against that record, starts twisting and grooving to one of my favorite songs, none other than Midnight Star's most memorable song, Slow Jam. (See, I told you I was gonna get to it!) Unfortunately, the original version of this song doesn't appear on the movie soundtrack, instead it's a remake by Monica & Usher. But after that scene, I found myself muting the TV, heading over to the computer, and watching these videos below. Damn, I miss the 80s.
Midnight Star 80s
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/26/2006 , ,
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Hurricane Katrina Brought Me To Michael Jackson
I'm tired. I'm still feeling upset, sad, and disgusted with what I wrote here and here, and I just started thinking about these lyrics:Tired of the schemes
The lies are disgusting
So what does it mean (damn it)
Kicking me down
I got to get up
As jacked as it sounds
The whole system sucks (damn it)
(janet)
Been in the shadow
Came into the light
You tell me I’m wrong
Then you better prove you’re right
You’re sellin’ out souls but
I care about mine
I’ve got to get stronger
And I won’t give up the fight
I'm pissed off about everything that goes on in this crazy world and I'm feeling like a just wanna SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I find it so necessary to share this next video, which is one of my favorite songs. Hurricane Katrina inspired me to remember, The Man in the Mirror. This song really makes you stop and remember the power of one voice and what could be if we all came together. I just wish I could make the Bush Administration (along with Congress) listen to this song over and over and over and over again for an ENTIRE month. Maybe then this country could begin to experience some REAL change!!!!
Michael Jackson Hurricane Katrina
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/23/2006 , ,
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Something In The Way Stephanie Mills Sings
I Feel Good All Over when I hear the voice of Stephanie Mills although I doubt she was talking about the love of the Lord with her song (Or was she?), Something In The Way (You Make Me Feel), which I've been singing around the house all morning since I wrote this. Another one of my favorites, Never Knew Love Like This Before, won her a grammy in 1980 and here's something else you may not know about this queen:Stephanie Mills began her career appearing in her first play at the age of 9. Two years later, Mills won Amateur Night at the world-famous Apollo Theater where she won over a record six times.
In 1975, Mills' career took a rise when she first played Dorothy in an African-American adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz called The Wiz on Broadway. Filled with a more urban style of music and scenery, The Wiz made Mills a star particularly because of her stellar performance of the song, Home. It would become her signature tune for years, and would be covered later by Diana Ross for the big-screen adaptation three years later and by Whitney Houston for her dramatic musical performance debut on TV in the early-1980s.
So Stand Back and respect the power of this R&B legend!
Stephanie Mills R&B legend
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/19/2006 , ,
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Chante Moore's Talking About Love
Okay that was a good cry, now let's move to another memory....I know hate is a strong word, but I hated Chante Moore. I couldn't stand her overly demure attitude or her all-I-want-to-do-is-please-my-man songs. Back in the day, she had me thinking, what woman really acts like this? I just wanted to gag when I heard songs like Precious and Because You're Mine. Years later in HS, it also didn't help that my man had the biggest crush on her, but then I married this same man and became his wife. (Insert wedding bells here.) I've soon learned that loving a brotha wasn't going to be Easy. I've had to deal with the mood swings, the "I-had-a-bad-day" days, the "I'm-horny-and-you're-not" nights, and everything else in between. (Oh yeah and let's not forget his mistress, the motorcycle) Now I know what Chante means when she sings lyrics like this:
Thought men were all the same
But I never gave up hope
And now my life has changed
Listen to me girls
One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch girl
When Chante sang about having A Man, I understood her and I felt for my sistas who were dealing with the boys. And if these very same ladies would take their focus off all the 'dogs' and listen to some of what Chante has to say, (try these songs for instance: Bitter (although all that usage of 'nigga' in this song was annoying and unnecessary after a while) and Go Ahead With All That) they just might get over all the past hurt/pain and find a satisfying love on their own terms. Oh yeah, try this song when you want to kick your female swagga into overdrive... :-)
It's Alright
Chante's Got A Man
Old School Lovin'
Chante Moore love and marriage
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/18/2006 , ,
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The Truth As Aaron Hall Sees It
Like I said here, my horoscope has confirmed that I am in a salty mood (You know those things can be on point at times, right?) and if the salt is meant for the tears I wanna cry so bad, then it's really time for some Aaron Hall. The Truth is this - his 1993 hit, I Miss You, gets me going every single time. From my previous posts about crying, (read this, this, and this for more info) I don't shy away from exposing my emotions. In fact, I feel so refreshed and liberated by them. Listening to this man dive deep into the essence of a man's joy & pain, love & lust, fills my own essence with some interesting thoughts. Granted Mr. Hall rose to fame through Guy (I'll definitely be talking about them soon!), he gave me some great memories to ponder and cry over today.Aaron Hall the 90s
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/18/2006 , ,
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Cleaning Out My Bags With Erykah Badu
Sometimes I get into a little funk and I need some funky assistance from Ms. Erykah Badu. Sista girl has seen me through many ill moods and has lifted me up in the process. I've had some real Drama in the past, but nothing prepared me for her hit song in 2000, Bag Lady:Dragging all them bags like that
I guess nobody ever told you
All you must hold on to
Is you, is you, is you
At the time when I heard this joint, I was 21 years old, semi-single (long story), and living in my own place in Silver Spring. There was nothing you couldn't tell me. By all accounts, I was living the life - good job, brand new car, just living fancy free. Yet, deep inside I still felt inadequate. I still felt as though something was missing. I was still carrying around a few bags (okay, maybe a lot) and it was really starting to show...
Bag #1: Co-dependence - Even though I was living alone, I still wanted to have everyone up in my spot. For whatever reason, I just didn't like to be alone, yet before I moved out of my parents condo, all I wanted was to be alone. Go figure.
Bag #2: People Pleaser - This is so self-explanatory. I just didn't know how to say no to folks. Being a middle child, I've often felt like I'm being pulled into one too many directions, never taking anytime out for me.
Bag #3: Broken Heart - This bag was the heaviest of them all. There's no way I could write all the reasons for this bag, but let's just say this bag is why I am who I am today.
Erkyah woke me up that year and she made me think about my life in a whole new way. It's just beautiful when a song can do that to you...
Erykah Badu bag lady
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/16/2006 , ,
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Sending You Forget Me Nots From Patrice Rushen
So in my musical history book, I have Patrice Rushen down as the woman who created two songs that make me look back on my childhood and smile. Those two songs were Remind Me and Forget Me Nots, but Patrice's has made history in other ways...She is one of the only women to have served as musical director for the Emmy Awards, and the only woman to have served as musical director for the People's Choice Awards.
Her voice places me right back to lazy days spinning records in my parents house, especially her song, Settle For My Love, which Musiq remade into a pretty good intermission on his first album. But wait, how can I forget those gorgeous braids that had a young girl like me begging my mommy to make my hair like Patrice. I can say, listening to her voice is like taking a time machine back to the good ole days.
Patrice Rushen classic R&B
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/13/2006 , ,
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Ready or Not, It's After 7
I have a strange love affair with one of my favorite groups, After 7. Their music came at a time when I believe the year was 1989, I was nine years old, and totally in "love" with this little boy named... Well let's leave his name out of this. He was the cutest shade of caramel, short, and so bossy. I remember every time we played together, he had to call the shots. Any how, the boy and I met through our parents because my mom and his mom were really good friends and neighbors. So one night, his mom needed to work late and naturally, my mom thought it would be cool to allow him to spend the night. Bad move. In the Heat Of The Moment, while my sisters slept in the same room, he and I stayed up half the night flirting with one another. Being an aggressive young girl (or as my mom would say, fassy may) I'd kiss him and he'd fumble around looking (unsuccessfully) for my 'pleasure palace'. I woke up the next day smiling about our little secret, yet wondering if anyone heard or saw any of last nights' adventures. Looking back on it, I don't know WHAT my mom was thinking. She thought by having my other sisters in there, we'd keep away from one another. HA! Afterwards, guess what was on my mind... When can I have more Nights Like This?After 7 R&B young love
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/11/2006 , ,
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Back In Love With L.T.D
I have never been so much
in love
before
what a difference
a true love made in my life
so nice so right
lovin you gave me something new
that i've never felt
never dreamed of...
For those who don't know the history of L.T.D, here's the info:
L.T.D. was a R&B, disco and funk band that had a string of Top 20 hits in the 1970s.
L.T.D. (which stood for Love, Togetherness and Devotion) was formed in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1968 by keyboardist Jimmie "J.D." Davis and bassist Abraham "Onion" Miller, both former backing musicians for soul duo Sam and Dave. Upon relocating to New York City, Davis and Miller recruited guitarist Johnny McGhee, horn player Carle Vickers, saxophonists Arthur "Lorenzo" Carnegie and Toby Wynn, and trombonist Jake Riley, Jr. Vocalist/drummer Jeffrey Osborne also signed on before the group settled in Los Angeles, where Osborne's brother, keyboardist Billy Osborne, joined the lineup as well. L.T.D. signed with the A&M label to issue their 1974 debut Love, Togetherness and Devotion. On their third LP, 1976's Love to the World, the group scored their first Top 20 pop hit, "Love Ballad." The follow-up, 1977's Something to Love, included the Top Five smash "(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again," and four years later L.T.D. returned to the Top 40 once again with "Shine On." However, Osborne then exited to pursue a solo career, and despite the additions of vocalists Leslie Wilson and Andre Ray, the band's commercial fortunes dimmed. In the wake of 1981's Love Magic, L.T.D. disbanded, but during the early '90s McGhee reformed the group, with 1999's Marry You featuring vocalists Greg Henneghan, Nakeisha Turner and Ronnie Henson, bassist Terry Gamble, keyboardist Ryan Cooper, drummer Jay Nichols and percussionist Mamadi Nyasuma.
Gosh, I love this group! I found a classic L.T.D video on youtube so I hope it makes someone smile, today! :-)
LTD soul
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/02/2006 , ,
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A Poem For Mary J. Blige
Mary, Mary, Mary - what can I possibly say about this queen? How about a poem for dear Mary...Let me Reminisce for a bit
About a chick
Who only wanted to Be Happy.
She jumped on the scene
Declaring her need
For Real Love.
Taking us through her Life
With pride,
Mary looked Deep Inside
And moved us through some Rainy Dayz
Fighting all the way,
She went on to wash away the pain
With No More Drama
And with a solid Testimony
She continued to tell her story.
Thank You Lord for The Breakthrough!
My girl Mary has continued to prove
That she can still move you,
Like No One Else.
So,
All That I Can Say,
Mary has proven today
That you can't keep
A Good Woman Down!
(c) 2006. All Rights Reserved.
Mary J. Blige R&B
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/02/2006 , ,
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When Love Calls, Atlantic Starr Answers
I can thank my older sister for my love of Atlantic Starr. Everyday back in the 80s, Dat Gurl was running around the house singing their songs... Would you just shut up, is what I would say to her, but eventually I got to thinkin, what was the big deal with this group? I 'borrowed' her tape (okay, I hid it from her - LOL!) and I took a listen to a few of their tracks of their 1987 album, All In The Name Of Love, and found exactly what all the magic was about - the steamy chemistry between the two lead singers, I believe they were Barbara Weathers and Wayne Lewis, who gave us such hits as Secret Lover, Always, and If Your Heart Isn't In It. Don't get me wrong though, Ms. Barbara took me on a ride with some of her lead songs like Circles and Touch A Four Leaf Clover and when I find I'm feeling a bit low and depressed, I can get back in the groove with lyrics like this:I dedicate myself, I’m gonna be the very best
And my shadow forever silver will remain
And the world will always remember my name
I highly recommend their song, Silver Shadow, when you need to recharge your batteries....
Atlantic Starr secret lovers
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posted by Soulfull @ 8/02/2006 , ,
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