Thanks again to Walter Beasley for letting me come through the Birchmere. Many thanks to his band as well (Lil John Roberts, Wayne, Web, Glen Douglas) — they’re all an inspiration, for real. There’s so much value in building a song…every time I play with them I get reminded of that crucial fact. Anywho, I could rant all day, but I’ll get to the fun stuff.
(By the way, thanks to all the emails, texts, facebook messages, and calls yesterday. I had two young dudes tell me I was an inspiration. That kinda blew me away. Am I even allowed call anybody young? I still look like I’m 16. Well I hope one day I live up to the “inspiration” title…reminded me people are always watching. And that I still have plenty of work to do. Oh, and thanks to my fam for coming out! We were rolling deep, lol.)
Dang, rambling again…some short video of the show is yonder. This was the encore.
I didn’t jump on the Dilla bandwagon until after his unfortunate passing…I will admit. But since then I’ve been listening to everything of his that I can put my hands on. He truly was a masterful producer and he created a whole other way of approaching beatmaking. He had a great musical perspective. He was like a jazz musician…finding space and experimenting in ‘weird’ time signatures and offbeats. Beyond production, he’s influenced the way I approach improvisation. Truly a legend. RIP
This video is from a forthcoming DVD (and hopefully CD) where some of Dilla’s classics are mixed with live orchestration. It’s called “A Suite for Ma Dukes.” Below is the homie Dwele, with orchestra in tow, performing the Dilla-produced “Angel.” This joint is beautiful. Cool article about the suite is yonder
What up folks. Trying out this blogging app on my blackberry. My apologies if its incoherent, anythings spelled wrong, yada yada. Just seeing if this thing works
Despite the 902 inches of snow the DC area is experiencing, lifes been productive. Songwriting seems helped by long periods of indoor’ness mixed with shoveling.
Other news? Sades new album is dope thus far. Haven’t listened to it all, but I like what I hear.
Note to Sade (or de as I call her in private), valentines day is coming up and I’ve yet to hear from you. I’m starting to wonder if our love has gone to the hinterland…
Last thing…Michelle Obama is cool by me. Watching her interviewed on cnn. Larry king tries to get her to say something bad about Sarah Palin, and she refuses to say ill about someone she’s had limited interaction with….
No worries, I will. I’m amazed by the ineptitude of a woman who was a choked pretzel away from becoming president.
Tis all. Hope ya’ll are doing well, especially those also battling snow. Oh and congrats to the saints. Great game
Due to the impending storm the show with Walter Beasley at the Birchmere on February 6th has been RESCHEDULED for Sat. Feb 20th. Refunds are available if you can’t make the new date. All tickets for the 6th will be honored on the 20th. If you’d like to come to the show on the 20th tickets are available here via ticketmaster for just under $40.
Everybody be safe in the wonderful weather. While I’m writing, I might as well say: Ndelible has some really exciting things coming up in the next few months. Details to come.
Lastly, I found this video of one of my favorite singers, Sade. Her new album is coming out w/in the next week, methinks. The video is a little promo about her creative process. I really enjoyed watching it…can definitely relate to what she says in the later part of the video. She talks about how uncomfortable she is in public (but conversely how comfortable she is when presenting herself musically). Dope.
Oh, and she’s gorgeous. To steal a line from James Baldwin, she looks like she’s wearing sunshine. I’m sure I messed that quote up…Anywho I’m rambling. Ya’ll be safe now, ya hear?!
Posted 1 month, 1 week ago at 12:46 am. Add a comment
First video in a series. From Ndelible’s show at Towson. I’m playing my electric sax/ electronic wind instrument (EWI). I’m still not sure what to call that thing.
Posted 1 month, 1 week ago at 2:13 pm. Add a comment
I know this site’s supposed to be for my own music, but I’m gonna take some liberty and start writing reviews for my favorite albums. This snow day also means that I can’t go anywhere…
My most recent musical addiction is due to Mrs. Corinne Bailey Rae. Her new album, The Sea, is dope (for lack of a better word). Much has been made about the effect her husband’s unfortunate passing had on the making of this album…but I think this is an album for all seasons. It has a little bit of everything — from more up tempo joints like “The Blackest Lily” to more contemplative gems like “Are You Here?”
I’ve been a fan of Corinne’s since her debut effort. She’s definitely gone in a different direction on this release. Her sound is haunting…unconventional. She plays around with different time signatures (most effectively in the intro to the rockish “Closer”), while going against the grain most pop music is stuck in.
And I’m glad she has…in an era where most female R&B singers can’t hold a lick, and rely more on their cleavage than their voice for attention, I can’t say how enamored I am with her. See…you don’t have to act like a ho to get attention.
I wish her all the best with this release. NPR’s review is below. It includes a few audio samples.
As snow rains down in Bmore (can snow rain down?), and all my plans for the day get cancelled, I’ve decided to do a quick write-up. Stream of conscious thoughts in 3, 2, 1….
Ndelible had a great show at Towson University the other day. I love that band. We really are a fam
The great Walter Beasley has been kind enough to invite me to play with him at the Birchmere again. Playing with Walt is always a pleasure. He’s a great teacher (to any aspiring saxophonists out there, he does lessons online via Skype). The show is February 6th. Tickets are available via ticketmaster for just under $40. Hope to see some of ya’ll there.
Snow has lost every bit of allure it used to have.
This may be my favorite UMBC semester. Most of my classes are electives this time around. Really looking forward to Jazz History, Civil Rights, Intro to Newswriting, and Art of the Essay. Oh…and Physical Fitness
I continue to be impressed by our President. I don’t agree with him in everything, but I appreciate the way he runs his administration…the fairness he seems to bring to the table. This morning I’ve been watching his meeting with Republican lawmakers in Bmore yesterday. The video is below. There was a little bit of partisan bickering, but the majority of it was substantive debate. It can seem boring at times, but this is how politics needs to be run. I’m tired of 30 second commercial snippets (on both sides).
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Posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago at 1:01 pm. Add a comment
In the aftermath of the Haiti tragedy, I speak for myself when I say it’s been easy to lose hope. To think — a country that was already in political shambles has been shackled by one of the greatest natural disasters of our time. 200,000 dead. I can’t even fathom it.
In my ignorance, I find it hard to find solace with God on this…I’ve yet to hear anyone give a rationale for why He would allow such tragedy. That said, the conclusion I’ve come to is that this moment gives us a chance to live out our creed…to donate money, clothes, food, and time.
In this spirit, I wanted to share a video Ndelible has done. Ron B on drums put it together. All proceeds from the track playing (Hope) will go to disaster relief in Haiti. You can buy the track here. In addition, a portion of the proceeds of our first album Time and Chance will go to help as well. You can buy the album here.
As we all try to cope with this horrible event, let us be ever cognizant that tragedy happens on a daily basis…it’s just not in the same form or as widely reported. The poverty, abuse of power, and wanton neglect is something that has occurred in Haiti (and countless other places) for a minute now. It is our responsibility, as people who through no act of our own have been blessed with decently comfortable lifestyles, to do something…to put ourselves in the shoes of those suffering…to identify with their struggle. And ultimately, to identify with their rejuvenation.
Hope will fuel it all. I may not know why God allows such things to happen, but I know what I can practically do to help.
Posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago at 4:51 pm. 2 comments
So earlier today I read an article on my favorite politician, Sarah Palin. She really is a bastion for all things intelligent. And she’s so…gosh darn American! I’m sure she bleeds red, white, and blue. Anybody that bleeds otherwise is a terrorist.
Anywho, the AP/WashPost article was interesting, if scary. Its main point? Sarah Palin thought she was doing God’s will by running in the 2008 election. Hmm…
How do you even try to reason with someone who says all their decisions come straight from Above? They easily label anyone who questions them as being anti-God, pro-Satan, and hell-worthy. It doesn’t make any sense to me. No matter how much I may disagree with Republican (or Democratic) proposals, I try to look at each suggestion with a grain of salt…realizing that I’m a fallible human that can be informed by others. There’s nothing wrong with hearing other people challenge your views. But if you think you’re on a mission from God, there’s not really any room for debate. We have the same problem with folks of the Pat Robertson ilk, who claims that Haiti deserved the earthquake because they “signed a pact with the devil.” Who made you the God authority? And more importantly: How can everybody claim to be God’s ambassador but have differing views? There’s gotta be a better way to have political dialogue…
About to get into another writing session for the album, but before I do I wanted to add my .02 on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid saying Obama was an ideal presidential candidate b/c of his light skin tone. He’s been heavily chastised for his remark, especially by Mr. Brilliance himself, Michael Steele.
I’m really trying to understand what the fuss is about. Reid was stupid for using that vernacular, but his assumptions about skin tone perception are quite right…if sad. This is a discussion held in all communities behind closed doors (and a mentality forged in our subconscious)…light skin is viewed as being better, as more comfortable…”safer.” I forget which university did this study, but they found that when provided w/ same credentialed candidates folks would always vote for the lighter skin alternative.
Of course this mentality is stupid. But we can’t help what we’ve been socialized to believe. People should be judged by their individual attributes and not racist perceptions of “good,” but we all know this country (world for that matter) often forgets its higher precepts in practical living.
So yes, Senator Reid’s comments were tactless…but they reflect a degree of truth. Humans are lazy folk who generally classify people by outdated perceptions of value. No, he shouldn’t resign…but yes, we should have that deeper discussion on race (the mythical one that folks are always talking about…)
And as far as the word “negro” is concerned…I’ve given up trying to understand if it’s offensive or not. There’s a sorta bad connotation w/ it, most of the time at least. There seem to be exceptions: “negro please”, united negro college fund, this year’s census etc. Half the time I don’t know what to refer to myself as. For now, I’d appreciate if folks would call me “future husband of Gabrielle Union or Oprah” (it worked for Mr. Chappelle). I can dream. Sugar mamas would be a dope means of funding this album…
at the Birchmere. We played one of my favorite tunes, Grover Washington's Mr. Magic. I know it's hard to see, but that's me playing first. Walt comes in at the end and we do a little jam.
My newest album, The People's Gathering, is available on iTunes, amazon.com, and cdbaby. You can also always pick up a copy from me directly. Check out some of the reviews it's gotten from Kirk Whalum, among others, below...
"Hey Joe, Just listening to down by the riverside, sweet! Love this approach. You sound great dude! Love your melodic approach. Very relaxed. Soulful."
--Kirk Whalum
"Sounding good, Joseph..! Keep it up, bro!"
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Marcus Miller
"Whatever your music taste, this project (The People's Gathering) has it all!! 'Down By The Riverside' will have you captivated from beginning to end. Joseph has a 'Cutting Edge' sound that has never been heard...GREAT BUY!!"
--Gene Butler
Great!
