Music Addikts

Congratulations are in order for singer/songwriter/producer/composer, Muhsinah on her recent Grammy nomination for her vocal contribution on The Foreign Exchange’s “Daykeeper”.  Muhsinah is not only an underground talent, but a bit of a genius who is making her mark with an eccentric jazz-infused R&B.  She hails from Washington D.C., graduated from Howard University and currently resides is Brooklyn, New York.  The classically trained pianist began playing at the age of 11, but did not begin singing until she was 19 or 20.  Her style influences range from classical, to psychedelic, to jazz to world music; and all can be found throughout her seven-album resume.  Specifically she cites Alice Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald and J Dilla to be among her major musical influences.

Also dubbed, The Golden Girl, Muhsinah creates music from a core of big drums, big bass, and Indian samples.  While the instrumentals have a life of their own committing to no specific formula, her complex yet cohesive vocals are rich, well-seasoned and gracefully weave themselves throughout each track sounding like stringed instruments.  If you’re not careful, you can easily get caught in her sound-web, unaware that the music also has a message.

While taking the musical road less traveled, she has managed to be noticed and sought after by artists such as the Foreign Exchange, Little Brother and Common.  Phonte (of Little Brother and Foreign Exchange), heard her track “Construction” from her album, The Oscillations: Sine and decided to give her a call personally for a collaboration. Her latest album, The Oscillations: Triangle was released earlier this year.

Although the world has yet to recognize Muhsinah in the mainstream arena, her vocal finesse and futuristic composition has allowed her to run parallel to those who take the beaten path. For more on Muhsinah, please visit her site and Twitter page.

Check out her video for “Construction”:

Discography:

The Oscillations EP (CD/MP3)- Self Release 2005
day.break (MP3 Only) – Rxlngr 2007
pre.lude (CD/MP3) – (Japanese Release) Circulations 2008
day.break 2.0 (CD Only) – Rxlngr 2008
The Oscillations: Sine (MP3 Only) – Rxlngr 2008
The Oscillations: Triangle (MP3 Only) – Rxlngr 2008
The Oscillations 2XLP (CD/MP3) – Rxlngr 2009

*C Notes is a contributing guest writer covering events in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.

1. Over 40 live and studio albums recorded
2. Three year old piano prodigy
3. Singer, dancer, actress, activist = One woman entertainment phenomena
4. Inspiration to diverse range of artists

And the list goes on and on….

These are the accomplishments of singer Eunice Kathleen Waymon, better known by her stage name Nina Simone (1933 – 1993). Well know in jazz circles, Nina Simone’s music has been the source of inspiration for artists across genres.

After a quick flip through my iPod, I was surprise to see a handful of classics produced by this legendary artist. Often referred to as the “High Priestess of Soul”, Nina Simone had a notorious reputation as a mysterious and volatile performer. She shot at neighbor’s children. Exiled herself from the U.S. and supported violent protests during the Civil Rights movement.

As artists often are, perhaps Nina was just misunderstood, a feeling that I’m sure many can relate to.  On this Hump Day, we remember Ms. Nina Simone.

I’m just an ADDIKT, please “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.”

The Original (1964):

Common’s 2007  Sample “Misunderstood” from Finding Forever

4daLove

Vh1 calls John Mayer’s new album a “handbook for the heartbroken”. After a quick listen, this ADDIKT agrees. The hum of Mayer’s guitar on the first track, “Heartbreak Warfare”, lets you know that this album is definitely a reflection of the personal ups and downs Mayer has gone through. Even if you’re not a card carrying member of the Lonely Hearts Club, a true ADDIKT will appreciate “Battle Studies.”

Some call Mayer a faux-folk artist trying to play real musician. I tend to disagree. This guy has some serious street cred.  He plays a mean guitar and has collaborated on some hot songs with the who’s who of R&B and hip-hop including Alicia Keys, Common, Kanye West and Jay-Z. Hell!  The man performed at Michael Jackson’s funeral! You don’t get more official then that.

From the block to the bandstands, Mayer has proven his ability to make good music with anyone, evidenced by his collaboration with country music’s sweetheart Taylor Swift on “Half of My Heart.”

Two of my favorite cuts from the new album are “Assassin” and “Edge of Desire.” Classic John voice. Classic Mayer sound. Good feelings.

Due to technical difficulties with the Vh1 media player, I wasn’t able to listen to the entire album. That’s what I get for jacking free wireless from my neighbor. No matter, I was already sold. I’ve been a John Mayer fan since he released Continuum in ‘06.

I got my copy. Click here to get a listen to Mayer’s new album and you can decide for yourself if he lives up to the hype.

Track listing:

01            Heartbreak Warfare

02            All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye

03            Half Of My Heart (With Taylor Swift)

04            Who Says

05            Perfectly Lonely

06            Assassin

07            Crossroads

08            War Of My Life

09            Edge Of Desire

10            Do You Know Me

11            Friends, Lovers Or Nothing

4daLove

Think back to an experience you had that was so powerful, it felt as if your soul was separated from your body and rising to a higher place. Imagine that “it” feeling again, right now and you will begin to understand how it felt being at the Maxwell concert tonight in Atlanta.

I just got home and it’s going on 2am. I am soooo high off the feeling that I am staying up to write this so you my fellow ADDIKTS can get your fix before the day begins. So, grab your coffee, shut your office door and keep reading.

I knew I was going to experience something special when I arrived at Phillips Arena. People were everywhere, wearing everything and just having a good time. Never a venue to play with, Phillips Arena started the show at exactly 7:30.

1st on deck – Chrisette Michele. She may have been an opening act, but she gave us a show of her own. If you didn’t know, I hope you have an “Epiphany” soon and get with it, because this girl can sang. She stuck to most of her new stuff including, “Blame it on me,” “All In What you Do,” and “Fragile.” Will definitely hit up the iTunes store and “complete my album” to get the rest of her latest. You might want to do the same.

2nd on deck -Common. I could not imagine a more perfect co-opening act for this show. With only a microphone and a DJ, Common got the hundreds in Phillips Arena on their feet. The highlight of his performance, hands down – the ode to hip hop covering great classics like “So Fresh, So Clean” (Outkast), “Bonita Applebum” (Tribe Called Quest), and “Luchini” (CampLo).

From the east to the west coast, down south to NY, from the 80s to the 90s, Common took us back to the past and forward to the future, with a lot of great vocal back-up from soul singer Bilal. We’ve missed you Bilal! And we can’t forget about the freestyle Common spit just for the A, referencing our favorite drama divas, the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Underground Atlanta and Marietta St. Plus, a shout out to OBAMA!

Common was exactly the warm-up needed to get ready for the one and only Maxwell. As soon as Maxwell’s opening beat started and the sensory special effects went into action, I caught the feeling. The “it” feeling – euphoria, transcendence, ascension. Whatever you want to call it. Tonight, Maxwell took me there. He kicked it off with ‘Dance with Me’ and ’Sumthin’ Sumthin’ both from his ‘96 album, Urban Hang Suite, the classic that introduced us to this legend in the making.  Maxwell kept it going for a solid two hours. He did some of most of the tracks from his new album, BLACKSummers’Night, including “Stop the World”, “Help Somebody,” “Cold,” “Fistful of Tears,” “Bad Habits,” and of course, “Pretty Wings.”

And let’s not forget the classics we all love, “Fortunate”, “A Woman’s Worth,” and “Til the Cops Come Knockin’.”

All live band – check!
Energy that was contagious – check!
Overwhelming appreciation and gratitude for the fans – check!
Worth every single penny spent on a ticket – check!

Maxwell went above and beyond in his performance. It was not a show. It was an EXPERIENCE. You can’t ask for more than that.

Chrisette, Common and Maxwell proved tonight that if you don’t do it 4dalove, than it’s not worth doing. I hope you enjoyed this Maxwell experience with us. If not, stay tuned…our next fix is never far away.

PS – If you were at the show or wish you could have been, please drop a line a line and let us know. We would love to hear from you.

4daLove