Browngirl Speaks

it’s hard to write lately b/c life is kicking my butt. i haven’t done anything to life, but that probably has no bearings on when and what life chooses to bring upon me. anyway, i’m trying to keep up with my reading. not so successful there. i’m a friggin’ pedestrian again. this is quite pissy. i’m submerging myself in fabulous tunes. eureeka! my saving grace. as usual, music is my sanity. i recently discovered and artist, well two actually, that i have apparently slept on. on first listen, i felt ashamed and guilty. i felt like i had betrayed music. i felt like i had been sleeping under a rock! how? why did i not ever listen to georgia anne muldrow?!?!?! she is phe.nom.i.nal! right now, she and muhsinah are my audio crack and in heavy rotation on my last.fm. i almost didn’t share this information because i almost want to keep them both to myself. but i digress, i will share with those not already in the know. for those who did, shame on you for not telling me…

“Twice” - Little Dragon
Swedish electronica band

this is what’s hot…

so, i’m checking for what’s up on the today show and see raheem devaughn’s going to be on.  cool!  especially since i just saw him open for jill scott last friday.  i’ll pause for jealous gasps…. okay.  just as i turn on the show, they’re talking about some surprise mystery band that’s reuniting.  well, who bursts through the huge sheet of paper?  new.kids.on.the.block!  i’m like whaaaaat?!?!  are you kidding me?!?!?  they are not the freshest bunch on the block anymore ot ell the truth.  i couldn’t get over how old they look.  i just don’t know about this one….

Rent it, get the soundtrack because both are so very awesome.  It’s a modern take on the musical.  Please do not let "musical" frighten you.  It’s so simple and lovely and INDIE (which equals totally bad ass).

Oh yeah, and who just won an Academy Award for best original song? Go check out "Falling Slowly".

Some People Have Real Problems is another awesome body of work from one of my fave singers.  She has such a soulful voice that’s reminiscent of mary j blige, another fave.  it’s not the actual vocals that are similar but the sincerity and conviction in the singing that are akin.  for those unfamiliar with sia, she’s an australian chic most notable for her collaborations with zero7, think "destiny" and "distractions" from simple things.  the mr. and i had our first dance at our wedding to "somersault".  so, i absolutely love "lentil" and "day too soon" on the new album.

 i got to see amel larrieux at the gibson guitar lounge friday night and it was so very awesome.  aaand i actually got to meet her!  this was after she dropped some groove theory ("tell me") and some past and current highlights from her solo work ("infinite possibilities", "gills and tails", "earn my affection") no less.  a small group of us met at the venue.  once it was over, there was a meet and greet for those with vip tix.  well, erin and i decided to take a chance, they could only tell us no.  sure enough, the woman "guarding" the door upstairs was like, "can i help you?  it’s vip only".  erin and i stood there like, "ummm".  then a kind brotha returned just in time to say "they can come in, i’m feeling nice".  i think he was running the meet and greet.  thanx bruhman! 

now, i don’t get all emo over celebs, but amel’s music is very important to me.  so after i got to tell her she is a goddess and thank her for blessing us with her gift and a pic, i stood in the doorway and let a tear drop from each eye, then i was cool.  except that my girl’s fiance saw me and started calling me "mush puppy".  i got you bro. moses!

needless to say i’m still stupid excited…

so, i’m finally ready to speak my mind on miss scott’s latest effort…

The samples that were on Scott’s Myspace page left me with an initial prediction that this would be her most commercial success to date.  I mean, with songs titled "Hate on Me" and "Crown Royal on Ice", what was I to think? Once again, Jill proves that you mustn’t judge a book by it’s cover.  This album says that there are many layers to her and many left yet to be explored.  I did, unfortunately, have to listen to this album twice before I could finally say, "Yeah, I’m feelin’ this".  What is it about listening to music in your car that gives it perspective?  Nonetheless, I now can say those words.  The cons to this volume: lyrical content is sometimes not the same caliber as in previous work such as the oversimplified "Wanna Be Loved" .  Also, slighted production in songs like "Whenever You’re Around" where seemingly desolate lyrics are set to a far too danceable track.  As for the pros, this is Jill keeping things outside the box and challenging my ever evolving taste in music.  The array of vocal stylings is as always on point.  There are definite standouts, such as the aforementioned "Crown Royal" with it’s hypnotic vocals and deliciously raunchy lyrics.  There are probably more "makes me wanna dance" tracks on this CD than any of her others.  Overall, this is yet another CD I will be wearing a second hole into when it’s all said and done. 

I’m gonna take it back to the "Star Search" rating system and give it 3.75 stars.  For me, it’s not the masterpiece I usually get from her, but Jill Scott is a consummate force of nature.