Summer Ballad

Aside from the heat and humidity, I typically enjoy summer. The longer days. The grilling. And the overall relaxed nature exuding from everyone. It's a good time! Going to work still sucks though, but that's the case anytime of the year. But my ride to work becomes more enjoyable as I try to sing along when Corrine Bailey Rae's Closer comes on! Loving this track! Not for what she's saying because I can barely understand her mumblings, but the music! Oh the music makes up for it! It's a funky melody that incites movement, but it's so soothing and smooth that a gentle head bob will do. It totally reminds me of being at a cookout everyone has eaten, some of the guests left hours ago and only the truly ignant ones are left. The sun has gone down, the porch lights are on. Everyone eventually starts gathering around the card table, with players talking their ish and laughing when someone turns up the radio...




Niiiiiiiiiiiice! You can't help but groove to this ya'll! Or sway as you head over to get another hot dog under the aluminum foil. Definitely a summer time hit in my opinion! What songs do you have on your 2010 Summer soundtrack?

See You In Seven

stay so fresh and oh so mf'in clean

if you know me, you know i'm an outkast stan till i die. they the best by far.  over a million sold to this day.  i have a special love for big boi, being the hometown homie that he is.  while everybody fawned over the love below (as they should), i bumped speakerboxx with equal frequency.

so you know i'm so a-cited about the release of sir lucious left foot: the son of chico dusty.  it drops july 6th and i can't wait to get it.  so far ev-er-re-thang i've heard from the upcoming album is like ragu, it's in there, he's giving you some of the best of him!

like his new joint general patton.  smellin' sweeter than a plate of yams with extra syrup.  shouts out to the victory bowling lanes making a cameo, a place where i failed to make many a strike.



for more info on big boi go here.

100 Yard Dash

Some my favorite music genre lies somewhere between Earth Wind and Fire and the Delfonics. Thanks to Mamma and Pappa Amaretto I love, enjoy and appreciate most music that was weeeeell before my time. When music was played by musicians and not computers. When singers could actually sang...and they looked like regular imperfect people-fat, ugly, wore their wigs crooked. I think those are the good ole days. I like the songs from the 60s and 70s because their songs were subtle. I'm not saying that folks weren't trying to get all up in each other's pants, but men at least took women to dinner first. They were all mad about having to buy a little $8 drink!

Take Slave's Watching You.

Do you notice that this song song is about stalking? I remember being in the car with my dad driving and we are both grooving when I realized this man is stalking this chick. But it was so clever and almost sweet. R. Kelly could never pull this off! Instead I get to hear how R. Kelly talking Invented Sex. Really Mister Kelly? Ugh!

Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong decade. I'm an eighties baby with a sixties baby's soul. I think that's why I am totally feeling this song. Raphael is channeling some good stuff with this!

Did you notice that he's singing about his attraction to this woman? He's not trying to "Superman" her or have her lick his Lollipop...well maybe he is. But I like the fact that he wants to sing her a little song first!

See You In Seven

I <3 MJ

A couple of weeks ago, I started writing letters to my friends titled “When We First Met…” The purpose of these letters is to document the moment that I realized their existence. After loosing one of THE GREATEST Entertainer of our times, I thought it was only fitting that this morning I share my letter to Michael Jackson. Here goes…

Dear Michael,

When I first realized you existed was the day my parents got satellite TV. I was hiding on the side of the refrigerator, peeking around the corner to see the TV and there you were dancing in the subway station. I was 6 and in love!!! I don’t know if you remember but this video, it was like 15 minutes long. Who’s bad Wisley? (chuckle) “You doing wrong!!”

Michael Jackson - New Music - More Music Videos

From that day Mikey, I was so curious about you. I started going through my parents’ record collection to find this classic. This one might have been a couple years before my time but this is MY FAVORITE MJ album! “I can’t help it even if I wanted to… I wouldn’t help it if I could.” NO question. I have no problem taking this to an abandoned island. I begged my dad to play this over and over. I was singing live you life off the wall before I even knew what that meant… “Life is short, live it off the wall!!”

Dad said, we have that other song you like too baby girl. That was the Thriller record.  I was like “WOW! This man is AWESOME!” Every song is GREAT! And you are the cutest man I have ever seen in a white suit. (chuckle)

At the time I wasn’t a fan of  P.Y.T, Beat It was my jam and I still hadn’t seen Thriller yet. But I remember when I did. I was by my best friend’s, her grandmother was napping and she said let’s watch this tape my brother left. It was Thriller! I covered my eyes for the majority of the video. We played it like 4 times. Dang that was a good and scary at the same time! But back to P.Y.T… this one has a special place in my heart because it was the song that my uncle danced with me at my cousin’s birthday party. I still remember that because my cousin was older than me and I was the youngest one there, no one to play with. I will never forget you Michael.

For the prep rally in 96, I revived Beat It, choreographed a dance and all for the school the day before the track meet.

Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough and Rock with You, had me convinced I meant to be a 70s baby. In fact, my default dance move is an adaptation of the moves in these videos to this day. I still rock like you! (chuckle) I have cried to that note, Roooooooccck with you… Mike

Michael Jackson - New Music - More Music Videos

I spent countless lunch breaks trying to perfect the patented anti-gravity lean from Smooth Criminal’s music video. 

 I spent countless lunch breaks trying to perfect the patented anti-gravity lean from Smooth Criminal’s music video. Shook my body down to the ground. :)

Then the summer before high school I choreographed, what I called at the time, a spiritual dance to Keep the Faith. You couldn’t tell me Remember the time was not the ish!!! Used Dangerous for countless rounds of name that tone on the telephone. (chuckle) Oh man Michael, my first boyfriend sang me “You Are Not Alone”! That was truly an amazing collaboration with R. Kelly.

Urgh! I could go on forever with memories of each and every one of your songs. But there is one thing that is true… I will never ever forget the effect you had on my life. The effect your music will have on my children’s life. I don’t have to defend your music MJ! I don’t need to blame it on the alcohol but I will blame it on the boogie. (chuckle)

But don't worry, I remembered what you said... we can change the world!

Michael Jackson - New Music - More Music Videos

No one delivers a message like you Mike! I am almost stop being a girlfriend when she tried to say you weren't all that. Are you serious? People who are not feeling this lost, have not taken a moment to listen to his music again. All I have to say is "Can you feel it?"

Much luv until next week... peace :)

P.S. Hope you got my message I left you at Apollo. I couldn't ask for a better place to be stranded without an umbrella than with a group of your fans sining at the top of our lungs while a little boy danced your moves to all of your tunes. I know you will live forever.

Middle School Musical

Waaaaaay back in 2004, my cousin and I were cruising back to DC from New Jersey when the radio DJ announce that they were going to play the old school jam of the day. Now normally when it comes to the Old School portion of a disc jockey's mix mastering I would turn the station. No disrespect to the true hippity hop fans out there, but I ain't never trying to hear the good Rev Run, before he got saved, singing about shoes! So please imagine my shock and shagrin when we heard Snoop Doggy Dog's Gin and Juice.







Saaaay Whaaaat? Remember that ya'll?! When did a song that was part of my childhood soundtrack become old school?! I mean I remember being in my room with headphones plugged into my radio so my parents couldn't hear me listening to some dude from some place called Long Beach California singing about smoking and drinking! How dare that DJ call this song that introduced surban America to the wonderfulness that became gansta rap!



Old school? Yeah right! But now that we have the Death of Autotunes and the likes of Lil Wayne helping to raise and maintain the South once again I long for that music from the middle. Now anyone who knows me knows that my true muscial love lie back in the day with the grown folks music, like the Stylisitics, the Delfonics, Ojays and of course the elements. But when I want to act my age and not like my parents I need that early to mid ninties music!



I need Biggie and Junior Mafia!


Before Puffy (or whatever he's calling himself these days) fell in love with suits that shone!

I need Nas before his beef with J when he was still Illmatic!

Lauryn pre craziness (check Rum's post from January 30th)





She can either be with the Fugees or doing her solo thang!


And what ever happened to Total? SWV?

And I'm not gonna lie, Brandy was like one of my favorites before her hairline started to scare me!

The Lost Boys with the Lex, Coupe, Bemmas and the Benz!

Tupac!





Do I need to say more?

Oh how I could go on and on about how great the music was back then. Not quite old school. But much better than most of the stuff that's out today! I am a girl from the middle school! Where we wore flannel shirts, white tank tops with baggy jeans, where were started get classy and buying Louis Bags. Oh, I missed the middle school, there the music was juuuust right!

See You In Seven

Nathan Lee - Amazing Beatboxing Flute

On the road guys..

Much luv, until next week... peace :)

On the Ocean, K'Jon

Man, 

The moment I been waiting on 

And my soul is over flowing 

With anxieties and expectations 

I'm full of desires 

I just want it so bad 

You know 

And it just seem so real 

It's right there 

I just want reach out and touch it 

Before it all disappears 

Sometimes 

It feels like 

Everything 

Is passin' me by 

Every now and then 

It feels like (feels like) 

My ship has gone and sailed away 

But I 

I gonna be strong (gotta be strong) 

Gotta hold on 

It won't be too long 

Now the tide is coming near 

I see the waves flowing 

Out there on the ocean 

I know my ship is coming in 

Just pass the horizon 

And right where the sky ends 

Cause out there on the ocean 

Know my ship is coming in 

But don't leave me hanging 

I've been waiting to long 

But this moment 

My ship has finally come 

I would travel to the seven seas 

(I would even go) 

I would even go wherever the wind blows me 

(I'll do anything) 

I'll do anything to find my destiny 

It's like fightin' with gravity 

And it's bringin' me down 

If this world was really round then tell me how 

It's just a moment for you to come around 

Now the tide is coming near 

I see the waves flowing 

Out there on the ocean 

I know my ship is coming in (coming in baby) 

Just pass the horizon 

And right where the sky ends 

Cause out there on the ocean 

Know my ship is coming in 

But don't leave me hanging 

I've been waiting to long 

But this moment 

My ship has finally come 

Finally you come (around) 

Around, around 

I said finally baby 

Finally you come (around) 

Around, around 

Finally you come around, come around baby 

Finally you 

Finally you come 

Said finally you come around (around) 

Now the tide is coming near (now the tide is coming in) 

I see the waves flowing 

Out there on the ocean 

I know my ship is coming in (and I know my ship is coming in baby) 

Just pass the horizon 

(And where) And right where the sky ends 

Cause out there on the ocean 

I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, is coming in 

Been waiting to long 

But this moment 

My ship has finally come 

Finally you come (around) 

Around, around [till fade]

Much Luv until next week... peace :)

A Song That Never Ends!

So currently I have a song stuck in my head. And while I am able to function, I feel like I might suffer from Turrets Syndrome. These lyrics just pop in and dominate my thoughts or just come oozing out of my mouth when I least expect it. And of course, the songs that get stuck in my head aren’t the hymns that Grandmomma use to hummed as she whipped the family up some biscuits. Nope. The songs that get stuck in my head are the ones that are hot in da streets…ones that no respectable, working, saved, sanctified, I love the Lord person should be singing…let alone knowing, but I, somehow some way keep coming up with funky *beep* *beep* like every single day. Ugh! Ya'll see what I mean? Should I really be thinking about Snoop’s Gin and Juice while trying to write this post?

But in my lifetime, these inappropriate songs have popped in my head at inappropriate times to include the following sit-chew-ations:

Planning meeting with Boss Person: So Amaretto we are really getting ready to drive the business. We want you to play an instrumental role in communicating this mission to the field. What are your thoughts? And my mind goes…Fill another cup up, feeling on your butt what…Blame it on the a a a a a alcohol...

Friend Just Lost their Job: Amaretto, I just got fired for stealing money from the cash register. You know Mookie ain’t making his child support payments. And I just bought a Gucci Bandana. Why should I do? How am I going to pay the rent, and all my money’s spent? And I think…The world is filled with pimps and hoes, we’ll just talk about those I know…

Just a Little Talk with Jesus: Lawd, you’ve been so good to us. Saved us from the punishment of sin. You woke us up this morning. You started us on our way. We even woke up in our right minds. Let the church say Amen. And what do I say? Lollipop. Lollipop. He’s so sweet, I wanna lick the rapper…

And now thanks to Slumdog Millionaire using M.I.A.’s Paper Planes on the soundtrack… All I wanna to do is *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang* And take your money! Like all the time ya'll!





Not to be stank…but I hope this gets stuck in ya’ll heads too! I blame hip-hop, with it's catchy little hooks and beats. Just perfect enough for a $1.99 ringtone that I ain't even trying to spend my money on. But it is catchy, and it would be kind of cute on my phone...$1.99 isn't that much. All I wanna do is…

See You in Seven

Did 808 & Heartbreak…break your heart?

Ahh, I have been letting this album simmer for a minute and I like it! But I can’t say the same for others that I shared it with…here is a little bit from one of my convos.

“I hate it, I absolutely hate it…I played it 3 to 4 times and I can’t stand it…too much auto-tone.” says confused ears.

Those were fighting words for KW #1 fan, my sis…"You need to revisit Graduation homie, the breadcrumbs are there!" (chuckle)

“But I expected you two to like it…” injects confused ears.

“Why? Because our ears are blessed with filtering out junk?!? This album is the most genuine and honest album KW has ever dropped! He opens up to us in a new way and spills his guts on this one.”

This album is what I, just me now, call true growth! “It’s amazing - so amazing - so amazing!” (chuckle) KW has challenged the box they put him in artistically. I LOVE that he is pushing his fans’ expectations. Nope it is not what we expected nor is it an all-time classic album but it is pretty good. I can’t help but wonder what my friends at 5 and a possible think...what say you?

Here is one of my favorite tracks…Street Lights.

Much luv until next week…peace :)

What's That You Listening To? (Part1)

"Good Morning…"

For those of you who know Courvoisier well, you know I don’t get lovey-dovey much but when I DO…I do so deeply. We are talking tears and all! So before I get started with the point of my post this morning, I want to give you a little background. I never FULLY understood the idea of being a FAN-attics until this man...Mr. JOHN LEGEND.

John you are truly talented. Not talented like you have one or two tracks but talented like I feel you brotha. You seem real and truthful, sometimes even funny. You make a sista want to curl up next to her man and say “I understand that even though you do some things that seem heartless, it doesn’t mean you don’t have feelings.” Now I don’t know if that is a ploy to get me to forgive or just apart of his game but John reminds me that MEN are human.

I could go on and on about how he was an English major at UPenn and how his lyrics move me, etc...but I won't. (chuckle) Read/listen for yourself.

Case 1 - ORDINARY PEOPLE from Get Lifted

“We're just ordinary people,

We don't know which way to go,

Cuz we're ordinary people.”

Are we not ordinary people? No one has love figure out, forget all these manuals and self help books out there. Love is a trial and error baby. (Tear number 1)

Case 2 – COMING HOME from Once Again

This song shook me to the core because although this song is about the return of a child from war (which I, in no shape or fashion can relate to) How do you not feel the love? Watch for yourself. (Tears number 2 & 3)

Case 3 – And lastly, This Time from Evolver
The lyrics speak for themselves. (Tear number 4)

"This time I want it all,

This time I want it all,

Showing you all the cards,

Giving you all my heart,

This time I'll take the chance,

This time I'll be your man,

I can be all you need,

This time its all of me.

Last time I wasn’t sure,

This time I will give you more,

I’m more mature,

Ill show you,

Last time I didn’t know,

I messed up let her let you go,

I need you, don’t say no."

Ahhh...makes me want to play all of his albums all over again, all day and I will. Did I mention how much I love John Legend's music? (chuckle)

Much luv until next week...peace :)

Courvoisier

2008 VMAs

Last night while I was preparing for my first five-day-work week in two weeks, I watched MTV’s VMAs. And this morning, I was hoping that those of you who did watch the show could help me answer a few questions that came to mind as I watched. And for those who didn’t, hopefully my questions will amuse you.

1) Is 2008 the year of Rihanna?

2) I know he told us who he was but WHO is Russell Brand again?

3) Why did Britney Spears win three VMAs?

4) Did anybody else think that Lil’ Wayne needed to pull his pants up during his performance?

5) If Aaron McGruder decided to make Boondocks the movie, couldn’t Young Weezy play Riley?

6) Wasn’t the little two-step that Lil Wayne and T-Pain did to Get Money cute?

7) Where did all the good hip-hop videos disappear to this year?

8) Why did Katy Perry think peeling a sequin banana appliqué on her leotard while singing Like a Virgin was sexy?

9) Speaking of leotards, is that the new performing costume right after leggings?

10) TI, can I REALLY have whatever I like?

11) Christina Aguilera’s performance was classic, no?

12) Did anyone else do a double take, when Young Weezy was singing Sweet Home Alabama with Kid Rock?

13) Can we stop hatin’ on Kanye when it comes to bringing the drama?

14) And, lastly was missing the season premiere of Entourage worth watching the VMAs?

You tell me…Happy Monday!

Peace :)

Out of Office

Happy Monday to you all! I will be out of the office until next Monday due to a hectic schedule and lack of good post for the day. I hope this tune gets you moving in your seat.

Ahhh... the good 'ole days...






Tumultuously Yours,
Dark & Stormy

In Treatment

So I’ve been feeling kind of blah lately. I know, what the hell does “blah” mean? Rum Punch and I have been trying to define it for the past few weeks to no avail. It’s like being bored, annoyed and anxious all rolled up into one. Sometimes you shed tears while sitting up in your room, yet you are still able to laugh at jokes, and even be the life of the party. If you’ve ever felt this way then you understand, and if not, sorry that’s the best I can describe it.

So anyway, this feeling of blahness became more intense yesterday. And sadly this intensity was ignited by the actions of a male. *Sigh* I know, I’m suppose to be this unique and strong single female and yet I have a starring role in a typical story written centuries ago. Boy meets girl, girl likes hanging out with boy, boy wants more, girl says no-maybe later, boy goes crazy and wants to throw rocks at her. And as common as this story can be it doesn’t make it any less sad, nor does it not cause a girl to question some things in her life. Like, am I a good person? Was I too much of this… too little of that? Was I that annoying heffa I said I never would be? Is Pepsi really better than Coke? And down the rabbit hole girl falls.

And so, girl recognizing that she’s losing some of her sanity over foolishness, knows that it’s time for a little therapy. During these epiphanies, some of us head straight for the refrigerator. Yummmm. Ice cream, cookies, cakes and pies…oh my! Or maybe getting a steak medium-well and a baked potato loaded with cheese and bacon! Food is truly the most dangerous form of therapy, but ain’t nothing like be fat and happy saying fcuk that diet while sitting on the couch, watching Good Times. And then there’s retail therapy! Hi-ho, Hi-ho it’s off to the store (or the online store) we go! Something about getting a cute outfit (or several) can really put things into perspective and remind us that this is why, this is why, this is why we hot. And honestly I subscribe to both forms of treatment on occasion, but last night I needed some good ole music to make it better.

I went to my CD collection (yes, it’s still 1998 in my world) and got my girls Jill and Mary (the My Life album, not those other ones) out. Sometimes Erykah is in rotation, but I wasn’t feeling quite “Green Eyes" bad, seriously folks, use that song with extreme caution. And for some reason I threw Sade into the mix. The Best of Sade to be exact, from “Cherish the Day” to “No Ordinary Love” I was singing and feeling fine. Then got to The Sweetest Taboo. What the hell ya’ll?! Do you know that song? It is the TRUTH! With the rain in the background and this woman is sangin’ and the band is playing like God’s standing in the corner saying if you want live you better do the darn thing! Please imagine me with my headphones on (for my roomie’s comfort-because I was blasting the stereo) hands in the air singing “You give me the, sweetest taboo. That’s why I’m, in love with you…” But then there was a lyric I ain’t never noticed before in which Sade says:

“I’d do anything for you. I’d stand out in the rain.”

Say what girl? Stop the music! Stand out in the rain? You got an umbrella right? Maybe a rain bonnet? Because get your hair wet? For a man? Puhlease! Has she lost her mind?

Maybe.

I guess that’s what sweet taboo will do to a girl. Or just simply loving someone passionately can cause a girl to happily go to the land of crazy. I don’t know. I have yet to find someone who is stand out in the rain, wet hair, I’m about to look like a microphone head worthy. But knowing that people can feel that way about somebody and not just blah all the time makes me feel better. Hopeful. And a little more sane.

See You in Seven

songs of my life

there once was this boondocks comic strip (old school style in the paper, way before the tv show) where Huey and Riley (i think) are sitting outside and imagining what they would say about that moment if Huey was the subject of an a&e biography episode. pure hilarity...i wish i could find it online but no luck. (Picture at right: Courtesy of Sony)

anyway i really loved that day's strip. that's how I kinda think about my life in my head as it's happening like if this were behind the music or an E! true hollywood story on mint julep...what would the voice-over being saying about this particular momen in my life? more importantly what background music would they play? for i love music from neo-soul (don't all educated black folks), to marching bands to pop stars to gospel artists. If it resonates with me, I will bump that shit no matter how wack people think t-pain is or if you never heard of jazzmine sullivan. I love it and I don't care what others think about it.

As I look back over my life (and i think things over, i can truly say that I been blessed...) Lol see. but yea as I rewind my behind the music episode in my head I can think of a couple key songs that would mark some pivotal moments....

#5 - My First Love, Keep the Faith, Faith Evans

He was tall dark and handsome, the popular guy to her shy quiet girl yet her crush on him was undeniable. she had been working up the nerve to say something to him beyond hello and goodbye for a while. and then she got her opportunity to take a leap of faith. one day after school, he asked her for a ride home and she said yes. as they rode that short 15 minute ride to his house she got an idea. she skipped ahead on the mixed cd she'd made of her favorite tunes to track number 5. maybe he'd get the message without her having to even say a word...

# 1-13 - The Whole Damn Album, Voodoo, D'Angelo

mint julep stood on the train platform anxiously awaiting the westbound marta train. Having finished what at the time she thought was a grueling day at her little part time job. If only she knew the 12 to 14 hour days she would be putting in some 6 or 7 years later. yet and still she was ready to get back to campus so she could pop in the new d'angelo cd burning a whole in her pocket. she'd already ripped the plastic wrapper away, popped open the case and devoured the liner notes. an instant classic....

#6 - Faith, This is Me, Kierra KiKi Sheard

It was her first bar exam but it would undoubtedly not be her last. yet to mint julep this was the day that she had prepared for and she had to step up. the morning's session went suprisingly well and despite the warnings from previous bar takers about not leaving the testing site, she trekked across the parking lot to sit in her car for a few precious moments. not to cram another morsel into her brain. but to relish in the fact that it would all be over soon. on a whim she decided to drive over to the chic-fil-a down the road for a chicken sandwich and some waffle fries. little did she know that her supposedly reliable volvo had other plans. after she whisked through the drive thru and was heading back to the convention center disaster struck. her car began to sputter on the brink of breakdown death. mint julep's heart began to raise, her palms turned sweaty and she wondered aloud, oh God, please let me make it back. all over some damn fries...

those are just a few of the songs of my life, and damn you blogger for not allowing me to share the actual audio clips. but alas these album covers will have to do. what are the songs of your life?

Saying it Loud, I'm a BLACK and I'm Proud!

For the entire month of December my beliefs have been challenged. At the office potluck and during my strolls in the mall my sensibilities have been assaulted forcing me to reach and pull out my BLACK card. A card carrying member since I learned to reason, I am proud to be a Black Lady Against Christmas Knits. I believe wool should never be used to weave Christmas sweaters. Being a BLACK gives me the authority to let folks know they are wrong! Oh these weapons of fashion destruction...who da hell thinks Christmas sweaters are nice?

If you got, gave or are currently wearing anything that looks like these you are contributing to the naughty things of Christmas.

You should also know that this naughty category includes fruitcakes, the terms Xmas and Holiday Tree and the other general removal of Christ from Christmas...

Excuse me while I segue into a brief sermonette: But whether you believe in him or not, JESUS is the REASON for this SEASON.

Remember that while you partake in the nice things about Christmas today. Be it time spent with family. Or with friends who've adopted and loved you like family. The gifts given and gotten. That big 'ole spread on the dinner table. Or however you choose to celebrate. And I think most of ya'll would agree that one of the nicest things about Christmas is the music!

Give me my Handel's The Messiah, O Holy Night, What Child is This or even Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer and I start to feel more in the Christmas spirit. And I am so sorry Elliot, Joe and newbee Chris, but the truth is that Donny sang, one of my favorites best! Only Mr. Hathaway has gotten my 79 year old grandma-who believes that feet should only move for walking, running and doing the work of the Lawd-to dance against her religion!


Enjoy This Christmas Ya'll!


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

See You in the New Year