::RECAP:: A Musical Emergency With Tank

I tend to come to every event with an open mind, ready for whatever musical journey is in store. Saturday night was more than a journey it was an adventure. Matter of fact there are plenty of "A" words that can be used to describe how I was feeling during this nite...Astonished, Amused, Awesome...and when Tank took the stage the Atmosphere totally changed. Lets get into it.


ASTONISHED



I had no idea that Taurus Soul was on the bill for tonight and I had never heard of him before this event...what a wonderful surprise his performance turned out to be! From the moment he stepped on stage he proved to the somewhat skeptical crowd that he was indeed a powerhouse vocalist. Can you say flabbergasted? That was me...simply astonished by his talent, he came out and set the bar high for the show. He performed a couple of songs from his debut album, I'm Yours, that received a rack of Grammy preliminary nominations. But what really won the crowd over was his performance of R. Kelly's "When A Woman Loves". He hit the notes and his timing was perfection. Stay on the look out for an exclusive interview with Taurus Soul very soon on TheSoulcialista.com.


AMUSED




Next up was Nia Foxx. I was thoroughly amused, and I say this in a good way. Nia knows how to use 15 minutes! As she took the stage about 10 dancers took the stage with her...yea ummm hummm...dancers. When she was introduced the host said she was from Hollywood...you could tell! The theatrics tickled me because to this point I havent seen many openers take the stage as if it was their show, NIA DID and I give her big props for that. Home girl even had a costume change in her performance...DIVA! AND she had a rapper...she WERKED her 15 minutes of fame. It also helps that she could carry a tune. For me she didnt meet the vocal bar that Taurus Soul had set. Though I think she needs a little more work on her microphone control, seriously Id say with some constructive guidance she could have an outstanding show within a year.




AMAZED




Ive heard nothing but great things in regards to Jay Haden but Ive never seen his show. Our correspondent Shani Elliott even sat down with him for an interview (read it HERE) so Im familiar with his work. But I was amazed at his performance. With just the sultry siren, Alison Carney, as a back up singer and the soulful strings of Zach Culter on guitar Jay Hayden transported the audience from Cramton Auditorium to a place similar to Shagri-la. We were in heaven. He proved that with minimal production you can have a massive performance. He crooned songs from his current album Love Counseling including "Guestimation" (I LOVE THIS SONG!), "No Where", and "Heaven Sent". He also covered "I Can't Tell You Why" by the Eagles...stunning. It is clear why this classy young man is #1 on the Underground Charts in Japan and has made it to the Billboard 100. I am looking forward to any items he has coming up in the future. If you hear he is going to be in your area, I would strongly advise your attendance.



ATMOSPHERE



I thought there may be a real emergency when Tank took the stage...his presence changed the ENTIRE atmosphere of the night. The audience stayed in their seats to take in the previous acts but when Tank surfaced the crowd not only got out of their seats they rushed the stage...cameras flashing, camera phones taping, women panting...it was a sight.

Tank gave an awesome performance. He engaged the crowd and sounded really good. I seem surprised right? It has nothing to do with Tank and everything to do with my disappointment with several "big" artists that have truck loads of glitz and glamor and not an ounce of talent once on stage. He sang "Maybe I Deserve", "Celebration", "Emergency" and "Sex Music". Enjoyed and promptly went home and had a date with iTunes as I bought some items of Tank's that I was missing.

Next time he is in town...Im there.



This was a great show. I was entertained and it didnt stop there. I got a chance to catch up with Alison Carney and V. Rich back stage. Be on the look out because in 2011 BOTH are dropping new music...and just may be making their way back to Baltimore for Gypsy Soul.

Thank you to my good friends over at Fly Candy DC for allowing us to give tickets to this show away to our Soulcialistas and Soulcializers through facebook and twitter.

Make sure you become our friend by clicking HERE and follow us on twitter @soulcialize!

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::RECAP: The Sound Check Series with The Floacist

If you didn't get a change to come out to Clutch Restaurant and Lounge, you missed an absolute treat! Check out the pix below....

Sistah of Soul with my CD

The day before Gypsy Soul and Soulcial Grind PR had a media meet and greet with The Floacist. At the end of the interview, I had a chance to speak with one on one after the interviews. My random question to her was: "Why did you do the chop?" Her response was "It was weighing me down, now that I'm free of my hair, positive energy can flow, things just flow now."

Speaking of flowing.....The Floacist provides flows with positivity throughout her album The Floacist Presents Floetic Soul, in songs such as "Breathe", "Getting up can be full of hesitation, it takes determination to forfeit the distractions these attractions are the target of your soul, asking you to stay when you know you have to go.....hear the truth....... just breathe." In the song "Breathe" she talks about moving forward in life and not allowing the stresses of the world to get you down but pushing forward to meet your goals and letting the small things go so you can grow as an individual. POWERFUL!

Her current single with Musiq Soulchild "Forever" is slow groove showing a deeper look in to love, having your mate's back through everything. "Whatever you want baby you know you got it...." I'm sure those are the words everyone wants to hear from their S.O. (significant other) every now and again.

The Floacist also features other artists such as Raheem DeVaughn on "Keep it Going", and Lalah Hathaway on "Come Over" -the ultimate baby making jam!

If you don't have this album---Let's just say, you need to head out to get it ASAP! This would be the perfect album to cuddle up next to the boo and chillax while its cold out. :)

If you want to check out The Floacist live....she will be at Edens Lounge on November 16th for Organic Soul.

For more info on The Floacist visit www.thefloacist.com

Well, thats all for now---you know where to reach me and I'll be in touch...

www.twitter.com/Sistahofsoul

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::BEHIND THE SCENES:: Yahzarah Video Shoot-Cry Over You ft. Phonte

I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The Gods were smiling, birds were chirping, and Ms. Purple St. James brought the fabulousness to DC to shoot her new music video "Cry Over You" ft. Phonte.

Picking up where "Why Doncha Call Me No More" left off; resident Foreign Exchange director Matt Koza and crew spearheaded the production "Cry Over You" which illustrates Yahzarah-- getting over the dude, getting fly, then partying with her friends and family. For Koza this marks his first effort simultaneously filming and directing. Graduating from Drexel University, Koza is the go to guy for the Foreign Exchange, and has worked with Little Brother, members of The Justice League and is slated to work with Gypsy Soul favorite Hezekiah.

As a native of Washington D.C, Yahzarah handpicked her favorite spots around town: U street, Bens Chili Bowl, and 4NXC Boutique. The final scene of the video took place at a backyard BBQ where Yahzarah invited her friends and family to partake in the excitement. The scene also included DMV indie artists--- Deborah Bond, Carolyn Malachi, Kia Bennett, and Alisa Carney, who acted as a principle in the video.

Phonte and Nicolay also made a guest appearance. Nicolay was laying low while the ‘king of the grill’ aka Phonte was serving up the best barbeque chicken my mouth has ever encountered. Phonte closes out the track with his trademark brilliance and pinch of humor “Never seen, Never heard before/Never embraced a face like hers before/She said she aint got a man/and aint got kids/but she got a situation like jersey shore.”

"Cry Over You" is a prime example of the spacey electro-soul induced through out The Ballad Of Purple St. James. Producers Nicolay, Phonte , and The Foreign Exchange crew continuously push musical boundaries because of their proclivity for the funkier side of R&B, electro, soul and hip-hop.

Being at the video shoot, and watching Yahzarah interact with her friends and familiy, reminded me of one simple fact: Despite how big her star, she is always going to have that homegirl quality about her. That’s when an artist truly cements their place in my heart.

What I appreciate about artists like Yahzarah, besides her larger than life talent and presence, is the fact that she is so appreciative of her fans. Her humble spirit reminds me of why I will always support independent music and we can't wait to see the final product!

You can catch Yahzarah with Darien Brockington at The Loft in ATL on September 17^th and at SOB’s in NYC on October 14^th.

Check her out here: www.whoisyahzarah.com and www.theforeighnexchangemusic.com

AND If you don’t Have The Ballad of Purple St. James….what are you doing with your life?

-FIRST LOVE

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::SOULCIAL SERVICE:: The Community Mural

It was 103 degrees on July 24th but even heat cant stop people with a goal!


The Alternative Learning Center, a middle school & Gwynn Oak United Methodist Church in Baltimore hosted a community event to paint a mural and build a community garden in a vacant lot behind the church.

The good folks at Civic Grind brought the event to our attention and several ladies from Gypsy Soul answered the call for volunteers to help with this incredible project. Onsite volunteers consisted of Civic Grind, Gypsy Soul, Heal A Woman to Heal A Nation. LovElution, Ameri Corps, and others from the neighborhood.

We all got down and dirty with paint & plants! New friendships were formed and coalitions created...

Several icees, ice cold water, and great company kept the heat off of our minds as we created something beautiful.

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::RECAP:: NO STAGE

On July 15th, Archie The Messenger & Lyrical The Lyricist may not have had a stage but they sure as heck had all of our attention. Something special had to be in the air to create an impromptu Morgan State all class reunion, causing alums to come from out of town JUST to be apart of the special night.

Gypsy & Vic from Up & Up (Morgan Alum)

Gypsy & Truth from Up & Up (Morgan Alum)

The sun beaming, sticky air, cars began to roll in and the venue filled up fast with an audience eager to get the right spot. 5 Seasons was sweltering, nonetheless, excited patrons selected seats in the unique cipher created to give everyone a great point of view of the production at hand.

The show began and the hotness of the room became exacerbated by the intensity of Archie and Lyrical. Perms got sweated out, clothes became soaked...the room stayed packed. Make shift fans moved back and forth, napkins fronted as handkerchiefs...the room stayed packed. An uncomfortable situation cant stop true art and the show went on as the two poets performed as if their life depended on it, with passion, skill and a tremendous show of endurance. The captivated audience was a true testimony to their ability to touch and transform those that hear their message.

Surrounded by family, friends and fans history was spoken.

Archie & Lyrical with Gypsy and Kellei_Lovely

VIDEO IS COMING (courtesy of Up and Up)!!!

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Baltimore Loves Badu ::Listening Party::

Through the act of marketing genius, an amazing amount of guts, and the 24 hour gateway medium of the Internet, the last couple of days have been a Badu bonanza centered around her new video for "Window Seat" and the release of her album
New Amerykah Part 2: Return of the Ankh.

Yesterday Baltimore was ablaze with Badu fever at Clutch when Gypsy Soul and Unrelated Family along with DJ Bobby Rox presented The Sound Check Series, a listening party to let fans hear the new album and to deliberately exacerbate their appetite for the long awaited Return of the Ankh!

With a mixture of older hits and the anticipated new tracks DJ Bobby Rox RAWKED Clutch and the fans that came to relax, listen and win.


DJ Bobby Rox of www.rocktheflow.com


During the The Sound Check Series cds and a limited edition, framed, and autographed Erykah Badu poster was given away to lucky winners that for the love of good music came out in the rain to have a good time and support a great artists.




Framed, autographed, limited edition poster


cd winner

cd winner


Fans took pictures and took home posters to commemorate the return of something wonderful, the New Amerykah Part 2: The Return of the Ankh.

Now if only Erykah came to Baltimore in 2010 to do a live show.... :)

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