2010 is shaping up to be the year of good Negro music. By now, the entire world knows that Sade released her latest album “Soldier of Love” last week. An album that was 10 years in the making & well worth the wait!

Interestingly enough, even the hip-hop world has been feeling Sade’s comeback. Rakim recently told “NY Mag:”

“I grew up on soul music, but when my pops introduced me to Sade just before Diamond Life hit, it was a revelation. That voice and her style just took out even the hardest hood at the knees. ‘Smooth Operator’ may have been a smash for everyone worldwide, but that was my track, and you can catch me referencing what she was trying to get across from Paid in Full up to my new album. Being in the biz for about the same amount of time, I respect and try to emulate how she floats above the industry … one of the few that can do things on her own terms, knowing her fans will watch out for her. To this day, she’s one of the artists I can listen to with 100 percent admiration. I can’t wait to get my hands on this album and congratulate her for continuing to build her already iconic place in the world.”

You gotta love that coming from one of the best hip-hop MCs ever.

As I had anticipated, I immediately fell in love with the entire album.  And frankly, as far as I’m concerned, Sade just cannot do any wrong. I’d drink this woman’s dirty bath water. I’m that deep in.

“Soldier of Love” follows the musical pattern of the rest of Sade’s releases, so if you’re looking for something wild & unexpected, it’s not here. What you do get is a 10 tracks that take you on an emotional ride of love, loss, triumph & of course sexiness.

The runaway hit is obviously the very strong & sultry “Soldier of Love” but backing that up are “Skin” a very modern smooth reflection of what Sade offers best, “The Moon and the Sky” an intensely sing drama with a sleek Spanish vibe & “The Safest Place’,” which is where you find warmth & love through melody.

If it takes another 10 years to get another album from one of my favorite song birds, I’m OK with that because “Soldier of Love” will get me through that “Long Hard Road.”

On more musical goodness, we also have José James’ 2nd full LP “Blackmagic.” Because I already knew José was the business, I was not tripping when I fell in love with this album upon 1st play.

“Blackmagic” represents the type of music that we need to hear more of on the radio’ it needs to be championed! It’s fresh, to the point, hypnotic & captivatingly sexy. The tempos float between jazz, beat laden R&B & some of that silky stuff your momma used to tell you about.

“New York Times” jazz critic Ben Ratcliff recently opined about José & “Blackmagic:”

“José James is a young American jazz singer who’s gotten most of his reputation making moody, post-D’Angelo R&B in Europe. He has traces of Gil Scott-Heron and Joe Williams in his voice; he can swing hard, murmur, sing ballads and chant cosmic chants. He still hasn’t made the serious jazz record my ear can imagine, but perhaps “Blackmagic” is fresher than that anyway.”

I wish I could pick a favorite from 14 tracks but it would be very difficult to do. Each track builds upon the next until you reach a totally lush eargasm. Fella’s if you need something to make your night to go swell with your boo, pop this album on, hit repeat & the rest will be history. Especially once “Love Conversation” & “No Tellin’” play! I’m so serious!

The last LP that I must mention is Robert Glasper’s 2009 “Double Booked” album. I’m late on this one yes I know, but better late than never. I’ve been a fan of Glasper’s since his last album “In My Element” so I’m not sure how this latest joint went below my radar.

Glasper explains the concept of “Double Booked” as:

“Most people, if they have different bands, they do separate albums,” says Glasper. “But I felt I’d be making more of a statement if I put it all on one joint.” The result, in essence, is a snapshot of Glasper’s life. “This is what I’m dealing with,” he continues. “It’s not like I play jazz but I also play hip-hop now and then. I’m in it, for real, both sides of the spectrum. That’s my life. A lot of people go in stages they might focus on trio for a long time, then they change or whatever. My thing is both, all the time.”

With that said, I now know that “Double Booked” is a must have for the jazz piano enthusiast. This album goes from trio style to soulful experimental jam session while inserting interesting hip-hop elements all in the stroke of a few keys.

The runaway jam on the album is “All Matter” which features a VERY unique emotional vocal performance by soul star Bilal, on jazzier side of things, I’m in love with “Yes I’m Country (And that’s O.K.)” & “Butterfly” prove to be gems than can be played over & over. As a matter of fact, I played the entire album on repeat last Friday & it helped me get through my work day.

Robert Glasper just can’t do any wrong. And no, I would not drink his dirty bath water.

One a single note:
Si*se, one of my favorite Latin bands is making a comeback March 12th with their release “Gold.” In the meantime, they have given a sample of the goodness to come with their single release “This Love.” Totally fucking hot!

Erykah Budu last week released her 1st single (I’m not counting “Jump In The Air” because it sucked) “Window Seat” & I’m not able to get enough of it. It’s classic Badu & it totally has me feenin’. March 30th (New Amerykah pt.2: Return of the Ankh’s release date) cannot get here soon enough for me.

Julie Dexter recently dropped “Transitions,” a new single produced by Zo! This is one of them songs that makes you move, snap your fingers & head bop no matter where you’re listening. There is no word of an album on the horizon but I hope that there is and is along the lines of “Transitions” because this shit is HOT!

Just for shits & giggles, I decided to see what a few random Google auto searches would yield by simply typing in “black people…” I guess a lot of people are Googling such topics like illustrated below. Is it BS, racism, coincidental or just crazy?

And for the record, I don’t act like an animal, smell like cocoa butter or sour milk, nor do I love watermelon. In fact, I hate watermelon but I LOVE some good fried chicken.

The last week, has been heavy since the news of the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti. The images alone haunted my dreams fro days. The concern over what would happen to my brothers & sisters in the Diaspora in the wake of chaos, destruction & panic broke my heart, as I’m sure is the case with most people who watch and wait for the slightest bit of good news.

The only thing that I knew to do immediately was donate cash for this cause & that was easy. I sent a text message to 501501 with the word Yele. Later, Suite Suzy went online & made a larger donation to the same organization.

Yes, these are small donations but every dollar adds up quickly. So I encourage you to act with a cash donations ASAP.

Here are a few links:

• American Red Cross
• Americares
• CARE
• Direct Relief International
• Doctors Without Borders
• Food for Poor
• Heart to Heart International
• International Rehabilitation Forum
• International Rescue Committee
• Oxfam
• Partners in Health
• Save the Children
• UNICEF
• World Food Programme
• Yele Haiti

As I stated on Twitter earlier this week: “I hate to be the bearer of bad news but prayers don’t deliver food, aid, medicines or missing loved ones. Cash will make all of the above happen. I’m just saying.

On a similar but somewhat related note, I’d like to address Pat Robert’s most ignorant statement to date. In case, you missed it, that fool said… What, you can see for yourself in the video below followed by two on point rebuttals.

I’d like to say Pat Robertson; you have officially been checked bitch!

One a final note, I spotted this very witty note from the devil to Pat Robertson written by Lily Coyle, of Minneapolis on NPR’s website today.

“Dear Pat Robertson,

I know that you know that all press is good press, so I appreciate the shout-out. And you make God look like a big mean bully who kicks people when they are down, so I’m all over that action.

But when you say that Haiti has made a pact with me, it is totally humiliating. I may be evil incarnate, but I’m no welcher. The way you put it, making a deal with me leaves folks desperate and impoverished.

Sure, in the afterlife, but when I strike bargains with people, they first get something here on earth — glamour, beauty, talent, wealth, fame, glory, a golden fiddle. Those Haitians have nothing, and I mean nothing. And that was before the earthquake. Haven’t you seen “Crossroads”? Or “Damn Yankees”?

If I had a thing going with Haiti, there’d be lots of banks, skyscrapers, SUVs, exclusive night clubs, Botox — that kind of thing. An 80 percent poverty rate is so not my style. Nothing against it – I’m just saying: Not how I roll.

You’re doing great work, Pat, and I don’t want to clip your wings — just, come on, you’re making me look bad. And not the good kind of bad. Keep blaming God. That’s working. But leave me out of it, please. Or we may need to renegotiate your own contract.

Best, Satan”

Photo Above:?
Photographer: Unknown
Decedents: 2010 Haiti earthquake victims

Last month after having a phenomenal brunch @ Melba’s in Harlem with phenomenal friends, I ventured to 125th to stock up natural black soap (my secret ingredient).

During my stroll, I got a delicious cherry ice, did some great people watching & stumbled upon the Studio Museum.

Before actually getting to the museum, I spotted a huge Negrofied US flag. Yes Negrofied! It was red, black & green. The colors of Black liberation! At first, I was like wow; they have balls. I then said, well, we are in Harlem.

Once I got to where the flag was hanging, I noticed that I was in front of a museum; the Studio Museum.

In front of the museum was a store with lots of little items that made me curious; like the mug pictured above. After I ventured in, I was surprised & almost ashamed to learn that the museum has been in existence since 1968.

The funny thing is, I’ve passed this spot 3 times in the last year & never noticed it. Like walked right past it. I guess you can call it tunnel vision. So funny how national jewels, Black jewels easily go unnoticed.

Unfortunately, I did not have time to explore the museum but I did buy this must have mug. On my next NYC trip, visiting Studio Museum will be high on my priority list.

Have you visited the Studio Museum? What are your thoughts on its content and or history?

Museum History:
The Studio Museum in Harlem is an American contemporary art museum in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, New York. It was founded in 1968 as the first such museum in the U.S. devoted in the art of African-Americans, specializing in 19th and 20th century work as well work of artists of African descent. It is located on 125th Street, between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. and Lenox Avenue. The scope of the Studio Museum includes exhibitions, Artists-in-Residence program, education and public programming, a permanent collection, and archival and research facilities.

Since opening in a rented loft at Fifth Avenue and 125th Street in 1968, the Studio Museum has earned recognition for its catalytic role in promoting the works of artists of African descent. The Museum’s Artists-in-Residence program has supported over ninety graduates who have gone on to highly regarded careers. A wide variety of education and public programs have brought the African-American experience alive for the public by means of lectures, dialogues, panel discussions and performances, as well as interpretive programs, both on- and off-site, for students and teachers. The exhibitions program has also expanded the scope of art historical literature through the production of scholarly catalogues, brochures and pamphlets. (Source: Wikipedia)

BTW, have a look at my latest NYC photo journal here.

I’ve been slipping on my music recommendations, so it’s now time to right that wrong!!!

Lately, I’ve been listening to a variety of tunes, ranging from house music to ghetto/misogynistic rap with a little R&B thrown in for good measure.

So cutting to the chase, this is what’s up musically.

Hot House:
Osunlade – “Offering” & “Paradigm” albums, which I actually ordered from half.com because they are not available on iTunes or elsewhere online. Both of these CD’s are a MUST HAVE. You hear me? A MUST HAVE for any real house head!

Cuts like “Midnight Ceremony (Osunlade’s Black Messiah Mix)”, “Black Man”, & “Cantos A Ochun Et Oya” are pure ass movers & head boppers!

BTW, I also downloaded Osunlade’s most recent compilation release “Mix the Vibe: King Street Goes Yoruba” & it is pure hotness! Available on iTunes or eMusic

Get in where you fit in & pick these joints up!

Random Rap:
OMG! Don’t hate me, but I just got a few rap tracks from back in the day. Thanks to listening to “Back Spin” on XM Satellite Radio, I have been grooving to “1st of Tha Month” & “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. And please don’t trip on me jamming to “Just Don’t Bite It” by N.W.A. I feel so dirty listening to this mess but I’m loving it.

When I told Suite Suzy of my latest rap acquisitions, she was like, is you crazy???

Cool Jazz:
I was doing some random web surfing the other day looking for an album that I never found & now can’t remember but I stumbled upon this 30 year old hot as hell 2 cut album titled “Black Renaissance” by Harry Whitaker. The songs “Black Renaissance” & “Magic Ritual” last a total of 40 minutes & they leave you wanting more of the alternating afro poly-rhythmic vocals, horns, bass & clever keys. It’s hard to believe the music is almost as old as me but sounds like contemporary compositions. If you are brave enough to click the link, you will find a really interesting back story to this album & how it was almost lost forever.

I love it when I accidentally find great music.

R&B: The good kind, you know the kind they don’t play on the radio.
A friend of mine emailed me recently. No wait, she actually Facebooked me & was like you gotta check out my girl ChinahBlac! So, like the music junky that I am, I hit ChinahBlac’s Myspace page & was immediately blew out by her style & vocal talent. I mean BLEW OUT!

So I copped her album & it is on heavy rotation. I just can’t get enough of her songs “Woe”, “Touch Me With Your Handz,” & “Get Away.”

Most Recently, I found out that I actually heard ChinahBlac perform last year when she was in Detroit singing back-up for Jill Scott. My girl Vivrant Thang from the “Songs In The Key of Life” blog helped to jog my memory with a video she posted on YouTube. Check it out so you can see what I’m talkin’ bout’.

On a final R&B note, I am so digging on Brittany Bosco’s album “City of Nowhere!” Thanks to the “Truth Seekers Radio” podcast, I’m up on my new boo in my head! The album’s title cut “City of Nowhere” is sexy with an edgy grit, that makes me hit repeat many times. I just checked my play count & I’ve listened to it 46 times since I downloaded it a little over a month ago. Repeat Repeat Repeat Repeat Repeat Repeat Repeat Repeat Repeat Repeat one more time Repeat…

The funny thing about all of my recent music discoveries is that they are not new, just new to me, with the exception of ChinahBlac whose album just dropped recently. This tells me, that the radio & other mainstream outlets are not the best or only place to find good music. I’m just saying.

I guess this will count as my official “Black Music Month” post. GO me!

Since I have your ear, do you have any new/obscure/old/whatever music recommendations? Talk to me!

I photographed Goldie Locks recently at the Detroit Electronic Music Festival but I officially introduced myself when we ran into each other at DJ, Minx’s Powerhouse party later that evening.

Goldie Locks came to Detroit from Chicago just for the DEMF, talk about a dedicated house head.

She has a great spirit about her & homegirl can dance her ass off! And yes, those are her nails!

During the brief time that we talked, I did not ask her about her nails but wanted to. I personally how it is when you have a look that stands out from the rest how tiring questions can be. However, during an email conversation, I went against my initial instinct & took the opportunity to go there.

Tafari – Hey boo!!! Happy you enjoyed the great times & photos!!! Everyone that has seen your photo inquired about your nails like none stop. I chose not to bother you because I’m sure you get that all the time. But would you mind sharing the story behind the your gorgeous nails? How long have you had them etc. Tel me all your business. LOL!!!

Goldie Locks – Alright here goes…..

I have had my nails for 20 years. They were only 6in long when I decided to go to Nail School, and get licensed to do nails here in 1989. I needed to be able to do my own nails as I knew how expensive it would be to pay someone else for such a length. I loved nail art and “bling”, and having a degree in art, I chose to express my talent in that media. I found my self on “Geraldo” in 1993, in Nails, and Nailpro magazines several times and here in the local paper twice. I owned a nail salon for 18 years before economy took its toll and I had to close the doors a few years ago.

I continue to cut my nails , when I feel like it. They have been 14in long at one point and are only 10in long at the present time. Because my nails do not curl into my palms, I am able to do just about everything except for bowling, volleyball, and other sports. I actually love the attention they afford me, but people usually don’t even see the nails ( think I’m holding something) and think that I have an exotic look before they notice the nails.

No they don’t hurt and they never have. I am not going to keep anything on my body that gives me discomfort. I always say “You take your shoes off when they hurt, don’t you”. Yes, I cook, and cook well. Yes, I do dishes, clean house, dress myself, I can retwist my own dreadlocs, feed myself, I have a job (post office 23 years, midnights), I drive ( license plate says “MS NAILS”), and I , of course, love to dance my ass off. I am single, no children, strictly by choice, not because of my nails. Most people like them.

I DO NOT answer ANY personal questions, as I feel that is way out of place and just a little too invasive. So if someone asks you THAT dumb question, simply tell them I do not entertain extreme personal questions. Yes, I realize that I have something to inquire about and that I do expect silly question but I don’t have answer them just because they were asked. I hope this clears a few things up for you, Tafari.

I honestly think that you are one of the coolest people that I met.
Luv you baby!!!!
————————————————
Back to me: I’m happy that I let go & asked. I love hearing life stories & what makes people who they are. Now only If I could find that mutha fucka with the {s w a s t i k a} tattooed on his back!

I really need to hear that story!

I love the commercial so much because:

Back in June, I stopped in my friend Zana’s store “Spectacles” downtown Detroit. One this particular day, I noticed some Black Liberation patches in her display cabinet, which got me excited so I purchased 3 just because.

I had no idea what I was going to do with them, I just know I wanted them. In the meantime, I just had them on my desk & looked at them all the time & they always made me smile because I think they are so cool.

On a related note but not really, a few weeks ago, I finally got my 6 Barack Obama buttons that I ordered from his website. Just like the patches, I had no idea what I was going to do with all these buttons but I wanted them because they are cool. And just like with the patches, I poured the buttons onto my desk for the meantime.

One night while catching up on some online reading, I looked at my desk, then decided to pull out my camera & took the photo below (titled “Negroes for Obama”).

I really liked how the photo came out & tossed it up on Flickr & that was that.

Well, 2 weeks ago, Malcolm Quartey aka “Kwadwo Kwarte” one of my Flickr friends (from our brief photo commenting, I get the sense that this young brother is really cool & he has quite an interesting life and background), from Belgium responded to the image and we had the following dialogue:

Kwadwo “Hahaha, “Negroes for Obama”, funny. I really love those colors, the alternative rasta/black pride-colors… I can’t get these here in Belgium, but I wish I could…”

Bygbaby “Are they off limits or just not available?”

Kwadwo “Not available. I would not even know where to start searching for them. People here have no clue to black history. I mean, I don’t even think they realise black people in America are decendants from slaves. The black people here in Blegium are all African immigrants, or their children (like me). Some of them/us really know our history, and black history in general, such as that of the Afro-Americans, but that’s a minority. Now that I think about it, the only people I’ve ever seen wearing these colors were other Rastas, but real Rastas are also extremely rare here. I’ve only seen other genuine Rastas on sporadic occasions… Sad, isn’t it?”

Bygbaby “Well my friend, I have three patches & can gift you one with no problem. Send me a message with your address & I will post it.”

Kwadwo “Wow, thanks! I’d say “no thanks”, out of politeness, but I just can’t refuse this ; )) I’l send you a message right now.??Blessed Love and Peace my brother!”

After a few more exchanges, the patch was making its way across the pond & I actually was really excited to send it. The excitement came from reaching out to another brother in the Diaspora half a world away, and it was cool to see someone as excited about the meaningful & colorful threads as I was. How could I not act !?!

Well Kwadwo got the patch last week he sent me this photos with him wearing it.

Although this cultural exchange was quite small in scale, it was big in heart I think for the both of us & I will never forget it.

Oh by the way, I stopped back into Specatcles yesterday & got another patch just in case.

Sometimes being fabulous is just not enough & when that is the case, feathers always help. Don’t ask how I know.  I’m just saying…

I posted this image on Flickr about a week ago & really did not expect much feedback because I thought it was blah but you never know how others will interpret the vision.

Some of the comments asked if I was giving viewers the hand or was I shying from the camera all in a playful context.

One comment from a Flickr Friends made me think though:

“man, i love our creator!! ??

those of us with brown skin have those wonderfully color-coordinated lines in our hands. is so becoming. ??

as a kid growing up in nebraska, i was ashamed of my color line. it reminded me that i was not a white kid. most of my classmates were white, i was usually the only brown face in the room. it took many, many years for me to accept my color and to be proud of how the creator made me. seeing your hand photo makes me feel warm, welcome, and reminds me of how wonderful it is to have brown skin.”

Stephanie aKa Nandeni 2008

Negroes come in many shades, eye color, hair texture etc making us pretty diverse within our own but I know some of us have problems with our given features, some even ashamed of what makes them them.

As a kid, I used to feel ashamed to be so yellow (I have gotten darker as I got older). I felt that way because my baby brother used to tell me that I was white, & that I smelled like throw up like them white people. My little sister would often join in on his taunting but then she had her own issues being the darkest in the house & often thought that she was not pretty. My brother has a caramel complexion so I guess he thought he was perfect???

Years ago when my little sister Sade came to live with us, I know that she had some culture shock being in a house filled with light skinned[ed] Negroes & questions if we were white & why she was different, why was her hair different from Olivia’s & why did we smell like marsh mellows (I made that one up playing on stereotypes). We dealt & with her Black girl issues & let her know that she is beautiful with what she has & in life differences occur (I hope we are doing a good job navigating these issues in my house).

With all this said, have you had to or are you currently dealing with your own Black boy/girl blues? Were you not good enough for whatever rewson because of self-doubt or because of what others said.  Feel free to throw out any cultural/cross cultural experiences within the Diaspora.