"Spring" is Here

(Note: There may be an obvious absence of r's in this post because MC Fatty Fat Ass spilled delicious treats on the keyboard and now the r and z are stuck, sorry.)

The arbitrary calendar says that spring is here, and though those of us in Chicago know better, understand that spring is some illusory season that never really comes, there's no reason to not welcome the spring fashions.

As I've done for many springs now, I have decided on a theme upon which my entire wardrobe will be based. This year, my theme will be (wait for it) ... Bright Assed Global Animal Farm. Yes, it sounds awful, like some loud ass hodge podge of fur and skin; however, do not be mislead by this simple description of what may be my best summer yet; I will be fabulous. In honor of my chosen summer theme, I present some pieces that must be copped. Please do resist the urge to bite, for biting is neither grown nor sexy.



It is not enough to simply hint at the animal influence. No, there must be actual animals hanging from one's ears. We all know I'll one day be that older woman draped in zebra print. Better to embrace it now.



Snakes on a chain. *snicker*



Nothing like a big ole piece of fake turquoise to liven things up.



♪"Monkeys [no] and tigers [yes], loop the loop."♪
Crouching tiger, hidden dragon.



Stacks and stacks of Ma(a)sai bracelets are good for the soul.




Love this shoe. It looks a bit overwhelming here, but I've seen it in person and trust me, it is divine. The leather is as soft as those nice guys who finish last, and the shoe is so well constructed, I could probably wear it exclusively all summer.



I anticipate this shoe will fill all my "neutralize this look" needs.




Another from my current favorite shoe designer.



This post would not be complete without a wedge. We all know that I love a wedge. This one, in electric blue and suede, is enough to fulfill both my shoes wants--comfort and ridiculousness.



Cute and comfy mini-wedges from Due Farina's diffusion line. Just bright enough to pair with even brighter colors.



As you can see, I haven't exactly made it to actual clothing yet, but I'm getting there. And really, once you've got you accessories and shoes picked out, everything else is a piece of cake.

RIP Static Major

I'm really late on this and am really sorry that I am, but atrack's been experiencing some emotional difficulties that prevent her from posting. Needless to say, this was surprising and just plain sad. I guess we'll never get another album from one of my top five male groups of all time, Playa; but I do thank you, Static, for the years of bangers you've provided. There were many who didn't know your illness. Sucks to be them.

Jokes aside, this is quite sad. My heart (the part that's actually worth a damn) goes out to his family, Black, and Smoke.

Select Bangers
"Can I Take You Home" - Jamie Foxx
When I heard this, I just knew someone from Playa was involved. The song has Playa written all over it. Static should've kept this one for himself and the boys, but oh well.


"Happy Birthday" - Playa
The boys in rare form.


"Your Dress" - Playa
Those harmonies, y'all, and those delightfully inappropriate lyrics.


"Top of the World" - Playa
From one of the best R&B albums of the 90s.

Yum

This is the greatest thing I've ever tasted. Seriously, I teared up when I tried it. I simply thought this was because of the delicious flavor, but once I had my friend Rachel taste, I realized the reason was a bit fatter and more disturbing; this is essentially butter in ice cream form. So, if you love butter, could eat sticks of it (like I sometimes do), get thee to your local Haagen Daz supplier.

Honorable Mentions

Caramelized Pear and Toasted Pecan

Green Tea

My Favorite Bobbys

It's February, which means we should be especially appreciative of black folks. Of my favorite Bobbys, I'm appreciative all year round. They bring me joy © Anita. However, some of you need to be put on. Consider this a gift, from me to you, wrapped in red, black, and green paper.




Bobby "Blue" Bland, born Robert Calvin Bland is the greatest blues/soul singer that people don't know. It's a shame too cuz the man is in his seventies and tours about as much as The Roots, which show he loves his fans. There isn't really a cute story that explains how he came into my life; I just pretty much grew up listening to him. My country-ass family (meant as a compliment) played him all the time. At every BBQ, family reunion, holiday, any occasion where music was warranted, Bobby backed us up. Years ago, he was a guest at the African Celebration of the Arts, the big festival in Washington Park, and I went. I was clearly the youngest person there, but the Bobby love was priceless.

Stormy Monday - The guitar solo makes you wanna slap somebody



Members Only - Standard Christmas music in my house


Little Boy Blue - Bobby broke this shit all the way down
DivShare File - 08 Little Boy Blue.m4a






I love Bobby Womack. He's made some of the best songs ever. He has that growl. His voice is rough but smooth. He knows that a "woman's gotta have it." There is no need for anyone to be deprived of his greatness. Partake, people.











Woman's Gotta Have It - It's true, she does


Across 110th Street - That's just too bad
DivShare File - 01 Across 110th Street.m4a

I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much






Last, my biggest celebrity crush ever. I have loved Bobby Brown since fifth grade. I would argue down any chick who dared put Christopher Williams or Al B. Sure on his level. Bobby had more swagger than all of them, and he made one of the greatest R&B albums of all time. For his marriage to that woman, I forgive him. Hell, I'm with her on the whole King of R&B thing, and I dare you to say anything about it (punk).

All Day All Night - One of his more slept on jams
DivShare File - 09 All Day All Night.m4a

Don't Be Cruel - Still not played


Roni

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis -The Soundtrack of My Childhood - Parte Deux

So, let us continue our look at my favorite producers of all time. I've already sung the praises of their work with Alex, but what about his partner in crime, Cherrelle? She was featured on some super memorable duets with him. "Innocent" and "Never Knew Love Like This" were both featured in the first Jimmy and Terry post, but there was also "Saturday Love," a song I've spent so many evenings and weekends singing in my room I can't even tell you. This song also became my and Monica's signature karaoke song during the JFY years. We'd switch roles every performance; first I was Alex, then Cherrelle, and so on.

This tiny little thing had a big voice, orange hair, and hella bangers. Her first album, Fragile (fruh-GIL-lay [just kidding]) featured the title track (a jam) and "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On" (which should not have ever been remade). High Priority, the second album, contained the classic "Saturday Love" and "You Look Good To Me." Affair, which is super out of print, had "Everything I Miss at Home." All very perfunctorily listed, I know, but the point is, she had hits and I'm not sure everyone knows that. If you don't, get schooled.

Just like Alex, Cherrelle is still doing her thing, so do support. If she happens to come to the Star Plaza, make that move. Old school concerts are always the best.

Hits
"Fragile"


"I Didn't Mean To Turn You On"
The Video


"Saturday Love"


"You Look Good To Me"


"Everything I Miss at Home"

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis -The Soundtrack of My Childhood

I've always loved them. I just didn't know, til recently, just how much.

See, I have this weird way of remembering things. The only truly important happenings in my life are always accompanied by music. If there is no song attached to you, I will not remember you, despite the amount or intensity of time we've spent together. I remember absolutely nothing before the age of six. I can't tell you anything about the schools I went to, or about the majority of people I went to school with. People stop me on the street and I have to struggle to figure out if I've ever laid eyes on them.

On the other weird hand, there are people I've met for a split second but because there was a certain song playing they will forever be embedded in my mind. Likewise, there are ridiculously minuscule moments that have no bearing on truly major developments in my life or personality, but I recall them with absolute fondness because there was music playing.

Case in point:

A long time ago, back when there were still Woolworth's stores downtown, my mommy and I went downtown to shop. I vividly remember eating a BBQ chicken dinner (baked not fried) at the counter and haggling with some forty-ish white women over my change (a difference of 11 cents). Further, I remember going downstairs to browse the irregular underwear. Did anything particularly amazing happen that day? No. But what was important was the fact that Alexander O'Neal (in all his conked and cuddly glory) was wailing away in my headphones. (I had the fly Walkman, one of those joints that automatically flipped the tape to the other side --BALLIN'!!!!) By the way, "All True Man" was playing.

The summer before senior year (or maybe the summer after senior year, who knows), I had this boyfriend, this "manor" boy (and I had sworn that I would never date a manor boy, but there it was). Everyday, he came over with his little sister who would go outside and play with my little brother; and we would make out like crazy on various surfaces of the house. I cannot and will not ever recall his name, or his face, how he sounded or what he was like. For an entire summer, I risked catching mononucleosis from this guy and wouldn't recognize him if he tripped over me. Conversely, I can tell you everything you'd ever want to know about some guy who I never ever had physical contact with simply because he always had a copy of Do You Want More?!!!??! playing in his Walkman. Strange, I know.

So, yes. I have quite the musical memory and very little else. What does this have to do with Jimmy and Terry? Everything. My childhood is filled with memories that they are directly responsible for. Other than the many Alex O'Neal memories, there are ones coupled with the S.O.S. band, Cherrelle, Janet Jackson, and random others. These are the songs I recall dancing around in my room to. (There are tapes, but they will never see the light of day.)

Last week, I decided to download Alex's first album since I had the vinyl but no CD. I had kinda played Hearsay to death and needed some "new" material. Dude! I had forgotten how excellent and ubiquitous this album was. Immediately I was transported back to the times I'd sit clutching my small silver radio in my mother's room, watching the neighborhood kids play outside and shit while she took a nap. I wasn't allowed outside to play so I was always in some room or another listening to WBMX and jamming. Bittersweet memories I guess, but my isolation made me who I am today, a cantankerous hermit with very little patience for people and GREAT TASTE IN MUSIC! Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were responsible for those hits and remembering those days next to my mom's window, I was moved to research just how much of my early life they had colored. Turns out they were almost single handedly responsible for my life from 8 through 13, so I thought I'd pay my respects here, in the blogoverse, my own special way of saying Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, you are appreciated.

Today, I bring you the greatest hits of Alexander O'Neal, a man with whom I will always be in love. His peanut buttery vocals and sharkskin suits will forever be tied to my awkward and lonely adolescence. He should've been bigger, but life is life. Either way, thank you, Alex.

(1985)

"What's Missing"


"Innocent"


"A Broken Heart Can Mend"


(1987)

"What Can I Say (To Make You Love Me)"


"Never Knew Love Like This" (With the fabulous Cherrelle)


"Criticize"
http://www.divshare.com/download/3617704-e37

"Sunshine"
http://www.divshare.com/download/3617780-b63

(1991)

"All True Man"

Raheem "dervaughn" DeVaughn

Yeah, okay so I haven't blogged since whenever. So what? Get off mine.

Anyway, I have inspiration today. I finally got around to getting Raheem's new album (Love Behind the Melody for the slow and google-less) and cutesy witty shit aside, this is it. It's my album pick for 2008. Can't nuthin' top this. (Double negatives are needed to express my pleasure.)

Now never mind that I have this ... thing, for him. (I'm carefully avoiding being nasty here.) That falsetto is no punk but barring my perversions, this shit knocks. Fellas? You will have no problems with ladies, not no mo'. Ladies? Turn this shit on and go for delf (as Meth would say). It's that good.

I've completely lost my need to ramble and do written flips and shit. This is all I got. Buy the damn album. Eleven tracks deep and not one dud, not a one. Me? I bought it on iTunes and I'm getting a "real" copy.

A few teasers for the people.





**************************************************************************************

In other news, I've hella papers to grade for grade entry and CPS is treating me like I gave her mama a pearl necklace on film. I live to serve. So what's new?