Here I Stand - Usher

I’ve known about Usher Raymond since 1998. That was back when he was singing about wanting to leave the woman that he was with so that he could begin a new relationship with somebody else - or rather, the girl who played match maker for the young couple. Naturally, I thought that that was a nice song, so I decided to go out & buy the album.

Home - Spearhead

I remember turning the TV on sometime in 1994 and seeing some guy with dreadlocks being interviewed on a now-defunct Australian music show called “Video Smash Hits.” Don’t ask me what he discussed though, because while I still remember this guy being featured on the show, I unfortunately tuned in while they were wrapping things up. However, after the interview was done, I was treated to one of his video clips…..I think it was for some song of his called “People in the Middle.” I was instantly hooked.

Sam Sparro (Self titled)

Sam Falson was born in Sydney Australia & spent a lot of his time trekking between the States & the United Kingdom in his younger days. His nickname comes from an Aussie radio icon, called Sammy Sparrow (don’t think I’ve ever heard of him). While he is a relative new comer at the time of writing, he’s been singing from a very early age. One of his first fans was none other than the legendary Chaka Khan, who once remarked, “that white boy can sing!”

Dirty Mind - Prince

Ah! The third Prince album. As we all know, it was this album that finally made him break out on his own as an artist. Before this LP was released, he was only ever slyly hinting towards anything sexual, but when “Dirty Mind” came out, he was no longer holding back. He was gonna speak his mind while walking around in nothing less than a trenchcoat, black bikni underpants, a scarf and a pair of knee-high boots.

BOO! - Was (Not Was)

It’s been a heck of a long time between drinks for those two wacky fellas who commanded us to “Walk the Dinosaur” all the way back in 1988. Some say it’s been twenty years, others claim fifteen. Wikipedia says their last album was released in 1990, so I guess that means it’s really been eighteen years since they last released an album….which would be a lot closer to twenty anyway.

Fallen Is Babylon - Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers

This album was the eighth one for Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers. It was originally released on Elektra Records in 1997, but unfortunately seemed to be another one of those records that fell on the general public’s deaf ears. Seems like there weren’t any singles lifted from the album either, as I don’t seem to recall ever hearing any of the songs on the radio, nor do I recall ever seeing any videos on TV.

Kaya - Bob Marley and the Wailers

Originally released on March 23, 1978, the thirteenth studio album by Bob Marley & The Wailers was named after their all time favourite substance: marijuana. Yes, it is true, “Kaya” is in fact a Jamaican code word for Ganja, “that sticky icky, icky,” cannabis, da bomb, the reefer, the shit, the herb….and ecetera. The album is of course looked upon by reggae & all round music lovers, as not only a classic album in general, but also as a classic weed smoking disc, largely due to its mostly very laid back, calm & easy overall vibe.

Chaka Khan live in Concert, Saturday June 14th 2008.

I arrived at the Enmore Theatre at around twenty to eight. Soon as I was ushered to my seat, Marcia Hines hit the stage. Now, I must say, I wasn’t exactly looking too forward to seeing this woman, cuz let’s face it, I’m far from a Marcia Hines fan. As a live performer, she wasn’t too bad. She busted a few “sexy” dance moves, talked about her days at the “discotheque” where a short guy would approach her & she would tower over him in her platform heels. Next thing you know, she’s launching into an enegergetic rendition of “Shake your groove thing” by Peaches & Herb.

The Phantom of the Opera at the Lyric Theatre.

Yes folks, you heard it right….or should that be, “you read it right?” You get the idea, I most certainly checked this show out. That may seem highly unlikely, being that I usually focus on the funk/soul and generally ‘urban’ side of things when it comes to music.

Emancipation (Disc III) - Prince

The third and final disc of Prince’s “Emancipation” album was, just like its initial installment, musically quite an adventurous disc, covering such genres as funk, rock, and even a little bit of techno and hip hop. Personally this was the one that I found myself going back to back when the sprawling trilogy of discs was first released. Nowadays I can’t really say which disc I like the best, although I do have my own personal favourite songs…not to mention the songs I don’t really care for anymore. Anyhow, this is what I think of each & every track on Disc III: