Recording Yourself

If you are ever in front of an audience for any reason whether you are performing music, theater, dance or public speaking, it is important to record yourself to see what you are doing right and what can be improved on.  Athletes do this all the time with their trainers.  They go over footage of the game to see where they can improve or get an edge on an opponent.

Here is a great article that talks about the importance of recording yourself:

The Power of Recording Yourself

Article on Duke Ellington Synthesizing Sound

Duke Ellington was one of the best sound designers ever.  He knew how to create different colors of sound using the basic setup of the big band.  Here's a great article that describes his process and shows a musical example.

Article on Duke Ellington Synthesizing Sound

Hip Hop and Calypso Connections

Hip hop and calypso have more in common than people would think.  Both of them focus heavily on lyrical content, especially hip hop from the earlier days.  Old school hip hop was very political and many MCs would criticize the government and society for their inability to alleviate the issues in the inner cities.  Calypso did the same thing.  Many calypsonians would talk about the governments in the Caribbean and folks in society and deride them on the same issues. 

Here is an article I wrote with video links to some of the music that will give a context for these similarities.

Hip Hop and Calypso

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

Happy Birthday to my gorgeous, amazing, multi-talented, and super-fantastic wife!

'Bout to go play with my group The WES Group for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Gonna spread positive vibes across the whole downtown. Take a lunch break and check us out...Jefferson Memorial 1:15pm

Take the bow of the sacred scriptures, place on it the arrow of devotion. Then draw the bowstring of meditation and aim at the target, the Lord of Love - Upanishads

Back from a great trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil...thanks to Monica, Vinny, Amanda and Renata for all your hardwork and fellowship. Also thanks to all the other panelists for the insightful, informative and inspiring presentations. Hip hop is changing lives in Brazil.

On my way to Brazil to give a talk on Hip Hop and the Diaspora at the Teachers College in Sao Paulo. Music is a global conversation

Happy Easter!!!

Here in beautiful Savannah GA about to give a talk on Hip Hop and the Diaspora. Shout out to Mr. Carter and Lady Grace for putting this together.

Four years ago I walked up the stairs to a fabulously designed lounge in SLU and met the love of my life. Two years later “I put a ring on it.” Now we are two years in sweetheart and I “love your more today than yesterday.” In the words of the song I wrote for you “It seems like yesterday when you gave me a glance, now our souls are embraced in the cosmic dance.” Happy Anniversary sweetie, I love you.

Message to all the fellas: if you are 35 and over go to the doctor and get your checkup. Start taking an aspirin once a day and exercise 3 times a week. If you have dependents get term life insurance you can afford. START saving for your retirement and STOP working so hard. START enjoying life with friends and family. When it’s all said and done you won’t be saying “I wish I had spent more time at the office.”

Great show last night Paige, Kris, Sam, Lampkin, Angelo, Akua, Baye and all who helped put it together! I had a great time....Liner Notes!

thought + word + action = manifestation

The oak sleeps in the acorn The bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul, a waking angel stirs DREAMS ARE THE SEEDLINGS OF REALITY -N. Hill

Happy Love Day to One and All!!!

Thanks Whitney for your magnificent voice and for wonderful memories growing up with your music

Most High think through me, feel through me, speak through me, act through me, love through me, breathe through me - Sai Baba

Happy New Year and many blessings for 2012!