::RECAP:: Audible Oddessy

So my Gypsy Soul colleague and I walked into Edens Lounge and were greated with a slew of young professional women. "What the heck is going on? I thought this was the Audible Oddessy event?"

After asking around, it appears that we were in the mix of an additional event that was taking place prior to Audible Oddessy with Emannuel Withers-Lewis, "Manny". The event was the Women of Power networking Happy Hour hosted by Women 2 Woman 4 Women. We met some extremely accomplished young women and of course networked before the main event.

> Press Play >>>>

Manny takes the stage and starts with the song "Welcome" inviting the audience to unwind and take a musical journey with him. I, of course scan the audience to get the reaction of the crowd and as expected, they are ready---some, more than ready for the journey.

As the crowd continues to vibe to this "New Age Motown" artist as he delivers soulistic sounds to our souls, Manny transitions into "Pretty Girl". I must admit, when I heard the title, I thought WALE. After hearing Manny perform this cut, I was grooooovin!!!!! This IS an original version and I dig this! Watch his performance:

You like right? Thought you would----

>>No He Didn't????....Yes---He REALLY DID!!!!!>>>

So I had no idea that I was about to be in Eden's groovin this hard. I mean, I also stood up and started my two step. LOL! No---seriously. Not only did Manny take me back with the Temptations' "Just My Imagination" but he went and mixed it up with the Delfonics' " La La La Means I Love You" featuring Kane Mayfield. Like I said---old school flavor with a new school spin. LOVED IT! The rendition of this song was crazy and Kane reminded me of the old Ghostface Killah (Cherchez LaGhost). Just the vibe from this song put me in a feel good mood reminding me of the past. Whew! Took me back....

Then....Manny brought out the guns with his rendition of the Isley Brother's "Between the Sheets". He seriously wasn't even playing fair with this song. This is personally a classic and I absolutely love the Isley Brothers. Manny was a little creative with this one as well and collaborated with Ron G, another underground rapper on the local scene out of Baltimore. Two words for this groove--- Mellow Smooth and the song was like that!

Not only does Manny know how to bring the vocals but he knows how to entertain his crowd.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the show as did my hanging buddy from Gypsy Soul. Gypsy Soul looks forward to following this artist and watching the development of his career. I can't wait to see what's next for Manny.

By the way, check out a few of Manny's Songs below.

Until next time----

SistahofSoul

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::UP CLOSE & PERSONAL:: Jesse Boykins III...The Prototype

In August 2008 Gypsy Soul was one of the first to present Jesse Boykins III to Baltimore! We were and still are in love with this dynamic singer who has studied with wonderful artists like Bilal and most recently The Foreign Exchange.

Recently out contributor Shani Elliott was able to catch up with him while he was in DC. Check out her interview and some of his performance. ENJOY!

photos by Daria Johnson & Timothy Christmas









Jesse performing at Warm Wednesdays
organized by Gypsy Soul

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::RECAP:: Art & Soul

9.5.10 marked the first Art & Soul featuring the work of
Daria Johnson & Edith Williams.

Over 10 pieces of photography capturing the moments of Gypsy Soul history was presented.

The sounds of Calvin Richardson mixed with other musical souldiers underscored the pieces as tasty treats by Kute Kakes By Von filled the bellies our the guest.








Amber Mimz seduced the audience into an urban romance made music. With just some keys and a mic she ended the night with soul!

Check out her cover of a great song "Beautiful Ones" by Prince





"4 Head Kiss"

Thank you to EVERYONE who continues to support Gypsy Soul and independent artistry of all kinds!

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::RECAP:: EAR CANDY In Review

The 2nd Year of Ear Candy is coming to a close and we suspect that you missed a couple so we are going to give her some videos we've found on the net...we are excited that people would post this!

Take a look and listen to what YOU may have missed in the past two years~
*Most of the video quality is kinda ify BUT close your eyes and listen to the music :)

Melanie Fiona




Hal Linton





Russel Taylor




W. Ellington Felton




PJ Morton




Darien






PJ Morton, Lil Mo, Y'anna Crawley & Phil Bryant




David James

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::RECAP:: Ear Candy with Jazzy & Green Tea

Teavolve, on Aliceanna Street is a great venue to get a little "Ear Candy" and my all time favorite spot to relax and chill in Baltimore. As for my music selection for the evening, I chose to listen to the sounds of Jazzy and Green Tea (good for the mind, soul and body) to top it off. Just FYI the anniversary Ear Candy is September 21st...dont just read about it-be about it! http://anniversaryearcandy.eventbrite.com/

Jazzy

Native of Los Angeles "City of Angels", Jazzy has managed to develop her own flavor and style in the music game, similar to music trend setters Kanye West and Melanie Fiona from whom Jazzy has had the pleasure of touring and working with. You may remember Jazzy as a background vocalist for Melanie Fiona on the Glow in the Dark Tour with Kanye West.

Realize, this star couldn't remain in the shadows for long, as this this writer/songstress is stepping out making her voice known with hits like "Be with you", "If", and "Make Up" which she discusses making up with her man and making her sweat off her make-up. WOW! Definitely a great MAKE UP huh? She had the crowd moving on this one during her performance and I was for sure in the background partying. Keep your eye out for Jazzy; I expect to see her blow up in the near future especially with her collaborations and support team ranging from Jaime Foxx, Busta Rhymes, Kelly Rowland, and Latoya Luckett just to name a few. Jazzy's inspiration comes from her reviewing the music scene and developing something even hotter based on what's already out there. Her musical influence is one of my favorites as well, Ms. Anita Baker.

If you want to learn more about Jazzy, check her out on http://www.iamjazz.com/ where you can also download her album "Beauty and the Beat". Also, follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/ohjazzy.

Green Tea

Now, after a dose of Jazzy I was ready to party even though my intentions of coming to Teavolve was to chill out but Green Tea put me back on my original focus. This Neo-Soul Eclectic Sistah had me blown away as this was my first encounter with her soulful sounds. This South East DC native has a sound like.....honestly, I can't even put my finger on it. She had me grooving like I would groove to Erykah Badu, Jill Scott or an old school jam by the Staple Singers. Not to put her in a box, but she's on my "feel good, groove with me" music list.

Check out some of her performance captured by Bobby Marvin of Huevoices.com:





I was taken back with the cut "Superman" which had me lost in the lyrics and background music which was an acoustic version of "Prototype" by Outkast, whom Green Tea is inspired by. "They're original, and their style and flow is something I'm inspired by."-Green Tea

To paraphrase the song "Superman", "Instead of searching for love, I focused on me and when I stopped searching, he found me. I think I'm in love with Superman." Get the album, Beautiful Weirdo and listen to it because I can't even begin to explain the feeling behind the song, all of her songs performed at Ear Candy for that fact. Accompanied by an acoustic guitarist (Zack Cutler) and background vocalist (Kenny Wesley), Green Tea was absolutely amazing! She is an artist that provides her audience a feeling of empowerment, self love and ultimately the encouragement of growth in the likeness of someone who is as unique and positive herself. Green Tea describes her music as "Life's Soundtrack" and the inspiration for her music comes from family and friends. With five albums, home girl has it going on and I would highly recommend you add her to your IPod playlist.

Green Tea has been in the game for years and I don't expect this underground artist to go anywhere. In fact, I hope to hear more from her. If you would like to hear more from this artist, check her out on http://www.greenteasoul.com/ or follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/greenteasoul.

I'll holla until the next edition of Ear Candy but until then, don't catch and earache with all that candy you listening to!


Follow me/Tweet me @Sistahofsoul

Photos provided by Edith Williams of Diamond Digital Portraits and Lenee Fotography

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::UP CLOSE & PERSONAL:: Baltimore, DC, & Mike Philly

Mike Phillips has revised the definition of Cool Jazz. This weekend he rocked with bands in DC and Baltimore where he did more than play the sax...he rapped!

Lets start from the beginning...

Mike Phillips has just released his newest album MP3 and has been doing some great promotion for the album traveling city to city invigorating the live music scene everywhere he lands. This past week Gypsy Soul was able to catch up to Mike Phillips while he was at Liv in DC with District 51 and in Baltimore when Gypsy Soul had the honor of presenting him at an event called Organic Soul.

In DC Mike Phillips or Mike Philly as he calls himself on occasion played a couple of songs from his new album MP3 including "Party With Mike Phillips"

Check out some video of his performance!




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After the show I got a chance to sit down with him for a quick chat:

Gypsy: I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. Lets get into it. Natalie "The Floacist" is on the album, what made you select her to work with you?

Mike Phillips: She is very sensitive. She needs to feel, embody, and understand the music in order to build and craft something perfect. It took her 10 min to do what she needed to do.

Gypsy: 10 minutes?

Mike Phillips: 10 minutes. Its a sensual track. She has the voice you know and the content you need.

Gypsy: Who would you like to play with in the future?

Mike Phillips: Im proud to say that Ive played with Mike, Prince, and Stevie. Not many can say they played with all three. If I could play with anybody I would choose Sting or Herbie Hancock.

Gypsy: Sting would be great! Shoot The Police would be great! Where will you be next? Friday - Saturday I will be in NYC, Wednesday and Thursday in Philly and Sunday in Omaha.

Gypsy: I look foward to seeing you in Baltimore in a couple of days. Thanks for sitting down with me!

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Mike Phillips came to Baltimore and was presented by Gypsy Soul at Organic Soul at Edens Lounge. There was a spirit of Hip Hop in the air and it possessed this jazz man to mic check! He also showed the crowd what REAL autotune....on beat on purpose...is suppose to be! Check it out:




He ended his set with some hot sax on a platter! The crowd LOVED him! Mike Phillips album MPS is the most downloaded Jazz album on itunes...lets keep it that way at least until 2011!


Special thanks to Universal Records, Hidden Beach Records & Organic Soul

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::RECAP:: YOU KNOW WHAT LOVE IS: J DILLA 5th ANNUAL TRIBUTE @BLACK CAT

“James Yancey, a.k.a J Dilla is your favorite rapper's favorite rapper AND producer” ~Kayenecha Daugherty

The DMV came together in DC for a great cause to raise funds in honor of J Dilla’s foundation, The Yancey Fund. Also to raise awareness for Lupus, which took J Dilla’s life in 2006.

The event included top acts in the DMV: Alison Carney, Wes Felton, E major, Diamond District, and Maimouna Yousef-- to name a few. Backed by house band Jon Laine & The Players, the artists took the opportunity to share their stories about J Dilla, and his influence on their musical careers.

Keeping with our personal mission to bring the music to the masses-check out Alison Carney performing ‘Kiss Me On My Neck’ by Erykah Badu Prod. By J Dilla.

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There was TONS of action at this event! Not only were we celebrating the life of a musical pioneer, we were casting the spotlight on immigration reform, with a special discussion led by Hip Hop activist Reverend Lennox Yearwood, president of the Hip Hop Caucus --located in Washington D.C. The Hip Hop Caucus is a nonprofit organization that engages youth in politics and community centered projects.

Gypsy Soul had the honor of meeting Rev. Yearwood backstage, and we spoke briefly about his work with the Hip Hop Caucus, and his work with P. Diddy for the 2004 ‘Vote or Die’ campaign. He also facilitated a 2008 voter registration campaign with T.I and Keyshia Cole.

Rev. Yearwood is no stranger to controversy. He is an open critic of U.S involvement overseas. Having served in the military as an officer in the Air Force, he states: “Serving in the military has definitely propelled my interest in politics and government, and I can't stress the urgency for our community to become more involved in the issues.” He openly protests these issues and even describes a time where he was confronted by the law as a result.

As a native of Louisiana, and being heavily involved in the Hurricane Katrina effort, I expressed my eagerness for his involvement with the catastrophe that is the BP Oil Spill...*but* I digress. Yearwood is an avid lover of hip-hop culture and sincerely understands the influence of mainstream media on today's youth. His hope is to provide a guiding voice for a younger generation.

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“I consider myself an American-African.”~Kenny Allen

After spending nearly 5 years overseas in Ethiopia, singer-songwriter and producer Kenny Allen better known as K'Alyn made his way home to Washington D.C to celebrate the life of J Dilla. With such a humble presence, it's no wonder why many consider K'Alyn to be somewhat of a musical ambassador between America and Ethiopia. He created his own niche by following his destiny and formed a production company- East African Recording Company based in Ethiopia. He continues to be inspired by different cultures and shares his experiences in his album The 251. Gypsy Soul caught up with him backstage:

What inspired your move to Ethiopia?

I was invited to go there for about 6 months to perform, and when I got there it seemed like a very conducive environment for creativity and peace of mind, that was the catch phrase of the whole experience.

I found that people respected what I was doing, which isn't always the case in your own home town. When you walk down the street everyone tells you 'you're great, music is great' then when it comes to shows, it's hard to get people unified to continue supporting. I went there and started a record company. Im also working on an arts and culture center there. It’s a place where you can grow and find yourself.

Could you describe your sound and some of your influences

A singer songwriter whose grown up on classic soul, Rock, but having this experience has opened me up to African pop.

What do you have coming up?

I have a record that I did while in Ethiopia called The 251, which is the Ethiopian international code, and it's basically a story about my experience there. It’s the story of journey in Ethiopia. I'm currently here in DC recording some songs. I'm going to Germany and I'm recording a bunch of sessions in different parts of the world, sort of like a puzzle. My aim is to make world music, from an African American perspective and to bridge the gap.

Here's K'Alyn performing at the Dilla Tribute.

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At the end of the night, Talib Kweli took the stage. Though I'm sure that his appearance was the main draw for this event…it hurts my soul to say that his performance was slightly disappointing. Kweli was gracious and obviously excited to perform, but he had difficulty remembering lyrics and was visibly worn out from being on tour. He still gave the crowd lots of energy and shared stories of his recording sessions with Dilla and Slum Village.

Here is Kweli performing ‘History’ from Mos Def’s Album The Estatic

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