Tag Archives: Music

My Screening Pass Life: Baby Driver

Posted in Movies, Music, Uncategorized by

Baby Driver… in theaters June 28th

 

I was blessed with Baby Driver screening passes in the beginning of June. For once I am not going to discuss the movie… I am fascinated by the soundtrack.  I have never experienced a movie the made me want to see it again just to listen to the music in it.  There were at least 30 songs in this movie and all of them epic.  This movie had me musically captivated from the opening scene when Baby played Bellbottoms by Jon Spencer Blues Explosion on his iPod. I was orgasmically intrigued when the Incredible Bongo Band Bongo Rock album was part of product placement. This movie was setting up a name-that-tune/found-the-record nostalgic overload in my brain. As I sat in the dark theater attempting to write down every song I heard clearly know it was an impossible task yet that never deterred me.  Baby Driver is a brilliant movie, action packed, and full of redemption yet the music.. My goodness the music!!!

Memorable Music:  Deborah by T Rex, Easy by The Commodores, Neat Neat Neat by The Damned, Brighton Rock by Queen, etc. 

 

Did you prefer the movie, the soundtrack, or both? Let us know in the comments.

 

Odunde! Happy New Year 2017

Posted in Events by

We are days away from one of my favorite New Year celebrations. Odunde is the observance of the Yoruba new year and is celebrated ever year on the second Sunday of June. Started by Mrs. Lois Fernandez in 1975, Odunde is the largest African celebration on the east coast.  I have been an attendee since I was a little girl and a vendor as a teenager.

 

The event starts of with a procession to the Schuylkill River to offer fruit and gifts to the goddess Oshun.

 

 

Every year offers participants exposure to international, national and new local brands, face painters, DJs, food vendors, etc. The marketplace and festivities span 12 city blocks starting at 23rd and South Street.

 

 

One of my cherished experiences each year is bumping into people I have not seen in forever and spending time with my girl/attendee P. Battle. We have met up for the last five years to shop, joke and enjoy the festivities. Last year she introduced me to awesome t-shirt vendor, Innovative Design USA.

 

 

Though Odunde is marketed as a one day marketplace there are events throughout the week.  They hold story telling, African Business Roundtable, Potter Class. On Saturday June 7, 2014, Odunde attempted to set the world’s largest Zumba class with the Guinness Book of World Records.

 

 

This Saturday Odunde is sponsoring a free yoga class from 10 – 11 am at Marian Anderson Recreation Center (740 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146). All you are required to do is register and enjoy the fun.

For more information on this week’s events go to www.odundefestival.org

 

Tell us about your favorite Odunde experience and if you will be in attendance this Sunday? Let us know in the comments.

In Loving Memory

Posted in Gospel, Motivation, Music by

Vinyl on Spin: 🎼 In Loving Memory circa 1969

In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory

I dove into my father’s crates last night and pulled out a gem… In Loving Memory by Motown Records.

 

This album is a tribute to Mrs. Loucye G. Wakefield, Motown vice-president and sister of Berry Gordy. This album is the ultimate compilation of Motown’s top artists and a choir singing inspirational gospel songs. Every song exudes so much love from Harvey Fuqua “What Do You Choose” to Stevie Wonder “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”…. One of my favorite gospel choirs Voices of Tabernacle performs on this album.

 

This quote from the liner notes sums it up…

“This tribute to Loucye comes with the sincere hope that this album will find its way to a permanent pave among treasured collector’s albums… that it will serve as a laying memorial to Mrs. Wakefield” – Mr. Al Dunmore/Mrs. Regina O’Neal

 

Motivation, Inspiration & Creativity🎙,

J. Monroe 

Larry Young’s Fuel

Posted in Art, Jazz, Music by

Vinyl on Spin: 🎼 Larry Young’s Fuel circa 1975

I only had nine years with my father yet those years created an insatiable love for music within me. We listened to a lot of jazz & funk.

Larry Young’s Fuel

Larry Young’s Fuel

Fuel is a combination of both jazz and funk which heavily utilizes a synthesizer and percussion. My favorite song is H + J = B (Hustle + Jam = Bread).

 

I am not sure how my father got his hands on this promotional copy yet I’m happy he did!

 

Passion Driven Journey Minded,

J. Monroe