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Dear Mr. Paul Johnson,
I just want to share with you the tremendous effect you have had on me and my musical taste buds. I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting you last night after your set at Chicago's Lumen night club. I was anxious all day leading up to that point. See, this is what you need to know...
I heard the name "Paul Johnson" while on vacation in Paris in April 2000. I had just gotten into techno and house music, and my friends and I decided to check out some discos. I heard the hypnotic and funky "Get Get Down" and needed to know where this music came from. In true Jasmina fashion, I asked the DJ, who informed me it was a track by this American DJ/producer Paul Johnson. So you know I went home and started researching this man and discovered a world of groovy house music. And I need to thank you for that.
Fast forward just over nine years, and here we are today. My good friend, Joshua, informed me of this appearance you were going to make at a local hot spot, and I knew I had to be there. You don't know this yet from the brief conversation we had last night, but over the last few months, I've been making some enormous strides towards my dream(s). The first part was creating this blog. The second part is to make a name for myself as a Chicago-based music writer. And next I want to learn how to DJ, but that will come in due time. Anyhow, I only know what I have read and heard about you, but I want to go straight to the source. And last night, I had the opportunity.
As soon as I heard you spin "You Brought The Sunshine" by Elements of Life, I almost lost it on the dance floor. All my thoughts and expectations came to life, and I just absorbed the grooves. Your set made me think of one song in particular, and I wanted to ask if you had this track with you. But I wasn't sure what the proper etiquette is for this type of situation. The last thing I wanted to do was offend you. So rather than walk up to you like I would anyone else and demand to hear a song, I approached you and smiled. And under the insightful counsel of my wise owl cousin, Alexa, I politely asked if it was offensive to request a song. And you gave me a friendly wink and said, "Nah...can't do that baby." For a brief moment, I felt so small. But you gave me another smile, and I said "I love what you're doing" before I walked back to my table. Minutes later, you threw on some wicked tracks that kept me on the dance floor the remainder of the evening. And you later told me this was your intention because I had the nerve to request a song. Ha! Your words exactly: "I'll show her. I'll keep her on the dance floor all night." And that you did. Funny how you knew exactly what to play, without me even asking.
I look forward to more enlightening conversations with you, Paul. I'm glad I was able to speak with you after your set and talk music and proper listener etiquette. You made my day!
Yours,
Jasmina
Paul Johnson - The Price Is Right
Paul Johnson/Jennifer Lopez - Get Right (Dancefloor Dub)
Paul Johnson - She Got Me On
I started out this blog because I wanted to share my house-music finds with you. And well, Jazzy's Joynt has sort of warped into anything and everything as far as musical genres are concerned. I realized it's been a while since I posted a true house track. So here it goes...
When I think of house music and how it should make one feel, this song is probably right there at the top of my list. It's funky. It's soulful. It makes me wanna shake my hips. And lastly, it puts a smile on my face. It makes me think happy thoughts about love and life.
And listening to these lyrics, I yearn to feel the emotions she's expressing: "Every time you're near, my heart just skips a beat. I'm falling more in love with you. To be in love with you is everything... Every time you're near, you sweep me off my feet. I'm falling more in love with you..."
I know, I'm cheesy. Deal with it. I'm having a good day.
Masters At Work feat. India - To Be In Love (MAW Video Mix)
In an effort to keep this blog as meaningful and relevant for myself and for the readers, I never post anything unless I'm truly inspired. If I hear or see something that affects me and I feel the need to share, I do. But for the past few days, I've been sitting here racking my brain trying to figure out what to post. My brain has been passing major gas, and it's been quite aggravating...until now...
So I had my iTunes on shuffle all morning. The tracks played, all upligting jams that are getting me psyched for the weekend. Then this remix of Seal's "Amazing" came on, and I immediately stopped doing what I was preoccupying myself with and signed on to the Joynt.
If you keep up with my Facebook, you know very well that I've had a pretty nice relationship with Lady Luck as of late. I've been spreading my optimism and positivity amongst my closest friends, hoping some of this luck would rub off on them as well. And when I heard this song start playing, Seal took all that positive energy and turned it into a beautiful song. Once that track finished, I had to listen to one of my other favorite Seal remixes, "The Right Life." What a jam! And another groovy track to get you in the Friday spirits.
If you don't believe me, check out these lyrics: "Caught up in my life, Waiting to be set free, Waiting to find my answer. Come if it feels right, Now is the time to breathe, No need to find forgiveness... Just when you thought you were lonely, They put you under the right spell. Wake up tomorrow, you're gonna be livin' the right life..."
It's Friday people. And the sun is out (at least in Chicago it is). I am so ready to find out what else Lady Luck has in store for me. There's one thing that I learned (or re-learned) this week: Karma is real, and when she finds you, there is no better feeling. But she will only come when you least expect it. If you chase her, she will run. So be patient, grasshopper.
Much love...
Seal - Amazing (Thin White Duke Edit)
Seal - The Right Life (Eddie Amador's USA Club Radio Edit)
I love Cedric Gervais. And I love this song. Enough said.
Nah, actually... I think I'll go on. You wanna mess with me, boys? It's everything or nothing. Jazzy don't play that halfway nonsense. Feel me? Just figured I'd share that quick thought, while it was on my mind.
Ok, I'm done now...
Cedric Gervais feat. Second Sun - Halfway Love
The U.S government makes me ill. I was having a conversation with some pals the other day, and the points they made have been haunting me ever since. I'm not going to bore you with all my anti-American propaganda and what not. What I will share, though, is this awesome remix of the Gorillaz track "Kids With Guns."
Why must the government and mainstream media always give us something to fear? I don't buy it. I never will. Fear isn't real, it's manufactured. Remember that.
Interpret this one however you want, but I think you know where I'm going with this one, friends...
Gorillaz - Kids With Guns (Hot Chip Remix)
