The Soulcialista: Sonic Superhero

The musical stage has been in need of some serious saving. From lyrics that make no sense and messages that promote harm and hurt in the community to performers who cant ummm PERFORM and have no LIVE vocal abilities. The intimate, live music scene has fallen and been trying to get up.

The revival of the modern Chitlin Circuit formed by entities such as Gypsy Soul, On The Verge, Muddy Waters, Briclyn Entertainment, Nu-Soul, Neo Soul Café, MN8, Shine On Me & more has transformed talented artists into present day superheroes doing their part to rescue the stage from musical wackness.

Ms. Purple St. James aka Yahzarah came to save the day this Tuesday at R&B Live in DC. Those who have been lucky enough to have their musical pallet cleansed by the dope shows that have been generously provided by Purple feel refreshed, reinvigorated, and enamored by music all over again!

Tuesday was no different; the show began with Yahzarah atop a table singing “Baby Love” over Prince’s “Lets Go Crazy”. From the table to the stage with three beautiful back ground singers and a rockin band she performed “Legends” a song from her upcoming album The Ballad Of Ms. Purple St. James. She performed "I Came I Saw I Conquered" but the next two truly memorable moments came at the last two songs “Fast Lane” and “Starship”.

With “Fast Lane” the audience was taken for a super sexy, high speed musical journey that included clapping, gawking, and standing ovations. Ms. Purple WORKED the stage and her body doing movements that are so indescribable it left people with their mouths open, women standing in the audience shouting “You better get it!” By the end I think everyone was either breathing hard or out of breath from just watching the incredible performance…hell yeah!

The last song of the night was “Star Ship” another offering from the upcoming album. After the intense, almost orgasmic performance with “Fast Lane” she slowed it down giving R&B Live something to not only relax the heart but relate to the heart. Though more slow paced, the song displayed Yahzarah’s vocal discipline, giving a range of notes that weren’t just sung but felt. At the end of the song she gave up the mic and as she walked off the stage and into the crowd she continued to sing, the audience clapping in time to the beat. Reminiscent of being in a sanctuary, that moment as she came into the crowd it felt as if everyone was on one accord, a peaceful atmosphere had taken over.

Ms. Purple St. James had restored balance to the universe and immediately after the show the room was quiet as the audience reflected on the musical intervention that had just taken place in their lives.

The intense range of emotions that Yahzarah invoked is what GOOD music is supposed to be about. Fire, anticipation, love, triumph, peace, confidence, excitement, community, connections…the list goes on and on and our emotions were given a total work out.

If your live musical experiences are in a rut and are in need of a soul revival my suggestion is that you seek out a musical super hero, preferably, Yahzarah aka Ms. Purple St. James to come to your salvation.