James Baldwin

I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.
James A. Baldwin

MAXWELL: EMBRYA

 

I remember when I first this album back in 98, unlike many people who were put on to Maxwell in 1996 with Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, I was late to the party! I was a a lot younger back then though. Back in 98 the song that attracted to his second studio album Embrya was "Luxury: Cococure". To this day this is still one off my favorite songs of all time! I consider it to be one of the smoothest songs of all time! So, 8 years later in 2006 is when I truly fell in love with this album, it was constantly on repeat in my headphones. From beginning to end this album is a trip to another world. Out of all of his albums, this one is Maxwell's most experimental piece. "Gestation: Mythos" and "Everwanting: To Want You To Want" are blended in together, is a baby maker, it sets a mood that is sensuality defined. "I'm You: You Are Me And We Are You (Pt. Me & You)", is an interesting blend of English and with some some Spanish in the beginning, its a silky smooth song, with a mid tempo feel.

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT

Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby

  

I first discovered Terence Trent D'arby back in the fall of 2007. When I first heard his voice I was taken a back because his voice is one of the strongest voices I have ever heard in my life. The voice made me start searching for more of his work and that's when I discovered his debut album, Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'arby. Every time I listen to this album a feeling of euphoria comes over me. It truly captures every emotion that a person can feel, especially as a young adult male. This album was released in 1987 and sold a million copies within its first 3 days of release.  The album begins with the thought provoking "If You All Get to Heaven", which to me is a strong cut, it displays a world view from a young man who was well traveled, with lyrics like:

Old men's cigars puff up the wars

To protect their fuck-ups again
Young men must die!
To keep the old ones alive
And to prove they're studs once again

The second and third songs, "If You Let Me Stay" and "Wishing Well"  were both released as singles, the latter was a number single in various countries.  The next song is a letter from father to son, "I'll Never Turn My Back on You (Father's Words)". The lyrics to this song sound and feel like a heartfelt letter that expresses even thought the relationship between father and son can sometimes be difficult, the connection between father and son is strong, even if the two aren't necessarily blood. "Dance Little Sister", is an inspirational song with energy seeping out of its pours, its the kind of song that will make a person refuse to sit down. "Seven More Days" and "Let's Go Forward", slow the pace down, these two songs paint a beautiful perspective of the things are person will go through to keep pushing the love that two people created further along. "Rain" picks up the pace a little, and "Sign Your Name" slows the pace down and allows for introspective and retrospective look at love. "As Yet Untitled" is very emotional song, it takes the album into another direction.When I listen to this acapella piece I think of the struggle that goes along with being a black man and strength that must be displayed even in times of vulnerability."Who's Lovin' You", one of the best love songs of all time written by the master Smoky Robinson, the version on this album ranks at the top as being one of best renditions of this song ever recorded in my opinion. 

It's been 23 years since he was on the scene and he has since changed his name to Sananda Maitreya. He has not released an album in the USA in over a decade and he now resides and releases music in Italy and over the internet.