house of jaz
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GET SOME:: Biscuits and Gravy
June 21.11
I wanted to take the time today to shout out a blog that’s been out for a little while and steadily has me coming back for more servings of that good ‘ol comfort food (for thought). Before I go any further, yes; that is in fact a blue biscuit… smothered in gravy. RELAX, the contents of the imagery have nothing to do with oddly colored Southern cuisine. [Hot] Biscuits & Gravy is a blog about life, the observed social norms of twenty-somethings, and pretty much anything that the author, Bengemin Grehe, sees fit to discuss.
Don’t expect the typical “ten ways to…”, “he’s just not that into you”, over generalized relationship commentary. He expresses a very logical, at times unconventional, yet thoroughly thought out perspective. Word on the street is that he also has great taste in music as well.
He normally cooks up a main dish or topic on Mondays, and then offers side orders (Q&A portions) later on in the week. I encourage you to check Mr. Grehe’s page for some refreshing insight. For a taste test, check out this week’s main dish. Tell him Jazzo sent you.
MUSICAL[MOOD]:: Ebahim: In My Heart, I am Zebrahim (Sessions with Hazel)
June 20.11
- Zero
- Zoning
- Zoology
- Zenith
- Zizzle
- Zilch
- Pakistan ft. Aaron Hardin
- Beautifullest Thing
- Smelly Cat
It’s a rainy almost summer day here in the DMV, and it has me in a very chill mellow mood (word to Bob Marley). I stumbled upon the featured project on my favorite musical crack site, This Is Real Music, and instantly recognized the name from one of my previous posts, Double-Dose of Dope:: Mara Hruby x Ebrahim ft. Aaron Hardin. In My Heart, I am Zebrahim (Sessions with Hazel), is a nice compilation of interpretations (vocal doodles, if you will) of the Brown Sugar soul singer, D’Angelo (it would be lovely to hear a new project from him!) and Dilla’s production of The Pharcyde’s Runnin. I love the way he builds each song, slowly progressing from beatboxing to the introduction of each instrument. It’s nice to get audible “peak” at what goes into composing a song. iDig.
As you should know by now, I am also a sucker for a nice, clever, and clean cover design. Kudos to Corbin Portillo for designing this.
Sneak[Peak]:: Jill Scott: The Light Of The Sun
June 15.11
Yesterday, I stumbled upon the full tracklist of Jill Scott’s upcoming release, The Light Of The Sun. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Jilly, but I will say that I’ve been listening to it nonstop. I am absolutely loving the whole vibe of this new project. The overall composition of this album seems to be a cipher between studio time and her stream of consciousness in producing each song. The instrumentation, her vocalizing, and the potency and vulnerability of her lyrics put you in a trance. Each word seems to be deliberate and perfectly placed. I have a few favorites, but this is indeed the first album in a long time that I haven’t had a desire to skip. I’m looking forward to the release and writing to these tracks.
If you’d like to listen, click here.
DC HAPS:: Wednesday Night Verses ft. Lyndre Ransom
June 14.11
Please refer to this video to understand exactly WHY you need to be at Verses tomorrow!
MUSICAL[MOOD]:: Common: The Light
June 13.11
Happy Monday!! This weekend, I had the opportunity to reflect on a lot in my life. I’ve been finalizing some details for my upcoming set at Wednesday Night Verses (June 29), got to spend time celebrating the accomplishments of extended family, learned some great artistic insight from an artist at Eastern Market, and I got to FINALLY start working on my vision board (which is long overdue). I started reflecting on the things that I really want. As the vision board comes together, I’ve decided to meditate only on the things that I would like to come into fruition. This morning, this song popped up. Who wouldn’t want a love sampled over Bobby Caldwell?! Enjoy your day. Pay something positive forward. *Besos*
One day, I’ll have a really awesome high quality camera that will capture these moments, but I couldn’t let another Wednesday Night Verses go by without you all seeing one of the MANY reasons why I go and help out faithfully. Lucky for me, the sound quality is just fine (thank you, iPhone). Washington D.C. has so many talented artistic and musical individuals, but there are a select few who move me almost instantly. Lyndre is one of them. If you like what you hear, make sure you come to her feature at Bohemian Caverns on June 15th!!
June 9.11
MUSICAL[MOOD]:: Tom Chase: OTKL (Ode To Kendrick Lamar—The Heart Pt. 3)
June 7.11
I was given this track over the Twitternets yesterday, and it’s been in rotation ever since. St. Joe Louis’s Tom Chase takes to one of The Roots’ tracks from the How I Got Over album and makes it his own (much like he did with Jay Electronica’s Exhibit C). I appreciate so much about this. It’s raw, sincere, and honest (just how I like my music and art). Take a moment to check out this track and other posts featuring the members of St. Joe Louis. If you dig, download the track here.
Save the Date:: 06.29.11 DC Haps: Wednesday Night Verses feat. Jazz the Poet (That’s Me!)
June 6.11
It’s been a year since my last big poetry feature and I’m really excited about this one. Last year, a dear friend gave me an opportunity to share my voice. She allowed me, a relatively unknown poet to have a platform to share and express my words and my heart and it felt good. I’ve grown a lot since then; I’ve tuned into who I am as a creative and am continuing to cultivate my crafts.
This year, I’m proud to say that I’ve written a few more pieces (I’ve also developed their sound), and I’ve done the occasional live painting. All of this will be on display on June 29, 2011 at my Wednesday night “get-right”. Check the flyer for deets. Hope you can make it.
**FINGERS CROSSED** I’m hoping to have prints of the featured paintings for sale. I will keep you posted.
*Besos*
