As I sat in my living room thinking about the past few months of this year, I just couldn’t help but to grow a little sad. “What has happen to my life”, I thought to myself. It was a warm spring evening; I had poured me a glass of wine and open the sliding screen door to let some fresh air into the living room. A warm breeze with a slight chill gently hit my face. The breeze filled my living room and gave me a relaxing vibe feeling. “I love spring evenings”, I thought as I went to go get my candle lighter. I had lit several of my favorite scented candles, which were apple cinnamon and vanilla; the room began to smell like apple pie and vanilla ice cream. The mood was set; all I needed was a little background music to help me think about some current events that took place in my life. I went and pull out my cd case, and I found this CD with no writing on it, but it did have a sad face on it and the number 3. “Perfect”, I thought. “This fits my mood perfectly”. When I put the CD in the CD player and sat in my chair and took a sip of the wine, I listened to the first song which brought tears to my eyes.
The song faded into the background of the living room. Tears began to fall out of my eyes as I realized how I allowed a man to come into my life and rip my heart out. I took another sip of my wine and set the glass down on the side table beside the chair. I sat up in the chair and drop my head. I was tired, tired of all the lying, him treating me as if I was nothing and all of the lonely nights as he left me to deal with the issues of my life on my own. I was just tired of putting in 100 + and all I was getting was 20. I was tired of sacrificing for him but when I want him to do the same it was an issue. I had put my life on pause to get him back on his feet. I’ve been used, my bank account was low, my spirit was drained and I just couldn’t give anymore. Now he’s gone and I’m alone. . . Another breeze blew through the living room making the candles flicker light in the living room. I just sat in the moment and smile to myself as I listen to the next song.
As the second song filled my room with its last note, I just couldn’t help but think, “Would I truly be alright?” I looked at my wine glass and glanced all around my living. I had paused and admired a piece of art that I had brought at an art gallery. The painting was of a small child gazing down a river’s path. The child was alone in the painting so I had assumed that he was lost and couldn’t find his way home, but somehow it seemed as though the child knew that if he follows the river’s path, he will eventually make it home because the child’s facial expression was at peace as the river flowed in the direction of the sun. As I reached for my wine glass, I just thought of how much I am just like the lost boy in the painting. I have been up and down since my recent break up. I had turned into “that” guy desperate for love, wanting and needing it. I had lost myself in him trying desperately to please his every need, pushing my needs aside hoping he won’t leave me. When and where did I make this wrong turn? . . . “God something has got to change”, I thought. I just sat, closed my eyes and had a long overdue talk with God. Tears flow as my conversation went on for an hour. . . I had opened my eyes and just spoke through the tears. “I may have to be alone for a while, but if that is what I have to do to get back to me, then that is exactly what I will do. Another breeze blew into my living room as if God himself was pleased. I sat back in my chair and picked up my glass of wine and listened to last song on the CD with an expression of peace on my face like the little boy in the painting.
These days it seems that the music that is out today seems to be losing its meaning. Mainstream music has become nothing but hot beats and catchy phrases to go a long with it. My friend and I were talking about this and he gave me a link to Al Sharpton talking about how music should be up-lifting and that....well I let you view the link lol. But I digress...
Without further ado, I would like to present...
Jaspects...A group that has something to say to an up-lifting beat.
I first heard of Jaspects while I was in college and felled in love with them when I first heard "My First Love feat. Janelle Monae" (I'm sure most of you have heard of her) Unlike Ms. Janelle Monae very few people have ever heard of the group Jaspects. This group has successfully blended Jazz music with that of R&B, and Hip-hop. The vibe of this group is addicting. I find myself relaxing to their infectious beat (The music that is playing in the background is Fallin' by Jaspects from there new Album "The Polkadotted Stripe" which came out in April of this year. Another song that I happen to love from "The Polkadotted Stripe" album has to be "Find My Way to Love feat. Chantae Cann" (I love her voice on this track) which makes me feel some type of way.
Here is some background information I found that I think you may find interesting.
"Born during the hip-hop movement, Jaspects integrates their youthful skill to progress music and build a bridge between musical genres. Formally trained alumni of Morehouse College’s music department, Jaspects’ goal is to produce an exhaustive musical experience that involves TRUE freedom of expression via musical and lyrical creativity.
Jaspects’ latest album The Polkadotted Stripe embodies Jaspects’ thesis as it interrogates the idea of musical, social, and political freedom. The concept of the group’s fourth effort procures from the world of fashion. Delving deep into research, Jaspects learned that the fashion truth bastardizing the marriage of polka dots and stripes is man-made. Therefore, Jaspects’ The Polkadotted Stripe inquires: “What is truth?” Upon much discussion and studying, Jaspects recognized that in most instances reality is well, relative. With that in mind, The Polkadotted Stripe defined is someone or something that debunks the notion of social standards.
Jaspects works to rescue the concept of musicianship while breaking down the structural constraints of hip-hop. The band promotes the idea that the culture of hip-hop can support an entity that focuses on musical depth without ostracizing the mainstream fan of the genre. Jaspects uses music as a change agent in ways pioneers such as Public Enemy, Erykah Badu, and Marvin Gaye have. The message conveyed by Jaspects remains consistent, "make your music mean something to the world at-large."
The collective operates out of Atlanta and consists of T. Brown (Memphis, TN), Jon-Christopher Sowells (Dallas), drummer Henry “HC3” Conerway, III (Detroit), Dwayne “Spacey” Dugger (Queens, NY), Stagolee (Aniston, AL), and King James (Stamford, CT). In addition to PDS, Jaspects has released three other independent albums: In ‘House’ Sessions (2005), Broadcasting the Definition (2006), and Double Consciousness (2007).
Individually, Jaspects’ works have appeared in the 2005 major motion picture “Hustle & Flow,” on Chamillionaire’s platinum albums “Chamillitary” and “Sound of Revenge,” on Carlos Santana’s “All That I Am,” and with platinum recording artists David Banner, Wyclef Jean, Big Boi (“Kryptonite”), and Mary J. Blige (“Just Fine”). Collectively, Jaspects has shared bills with: Dwele, Bilal, Mike Phillips, Herbie Hancock, Eric Roberson, Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, and rap phoneme Drake. Jaspects has also collaborated with Grammy-nominated artists Janelle Monae, PJ Morton and Anthony David, in addition to Kedar Entertainment act Algebra, and Good Music’s Fonzworth Bentley."
Source: http://www.myspace.com/jaspects
Now before you go, I just have one more thing to show you ;0)
I remember, when I was listening to Jaguar Wright's "Self Love" (The song playing on the right side of my blog) and I wrote this poem called "Self Love". I'm so glad that I found it. I read it again and it made me smile. So I hope you enjoy this poem and the song.
"This is entitled Self Love"
My body is my temple, So I'm a keep this simple. Looking myself in the mirror, What do I see?
The key word here is "I", "I" don't care what you see. "I" am me. Flaws and all, "I" love myself.
I have an AdDICKtion to myself, I can careless about your money, What job your working, How good you look, Or How many dudes you had fucked.
I refused to be another notch on your belt, So you can tighten up your pants when your done, Leaving me confused, Your empty emotions covering my body.
Loving Myself, In Love with Myself, Either you or Myself? I choose Myself. Alone with Myself. I'm happy with Myself....
Self Love.
An educated brutha, Too smart for your games, Move on to the next brutha, I've stop playing games, when I was a child.
I'm a grown ass man, just loving his self.
Living my life, I'm happy, Just being myself.
Self Love...
Part 2 of my story "Eventually Everything Comes to the light" will be coming soon....
A young brother working on his craft. In this blog you will see everything from stories, poems to random stuff. I think its important that every one just keeps writing what ever it may be, just keep writing we all got a story to tell. So why not let people hear your story. Plus you will hear some of my favorite music.