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It seems like I just got back from New York City, and I'm already heading out of town once again. This time to sunny California. However, this trip is mostly business...some pleasure. This should be quite the adventure though. My coworkers and I will be driving along the coast from San Diego to San Francisco, making stops along the way, and sleeping in different hotels each night. Although the trip is a lot of fun, it's also a lot of work, and I'll be exhausted by the end of next week. Thankfully, I get to relax and unwind an extra few days in San Fran with my cousin Miki.
I went on this exact same trip last year, but it's going to be completely different this time. I'm on a totally different level. I was a mess last year, and I let a lot of outside noise affect my journey. Not this time! I'm going to enjoy California and take in all the beauty. What a perfect opportunity for self-reflection!
Ok...enough of that jib jab. Let's get to some music. I'm in a fabulous mood, and I figured I should throw on some disco house for you folks. This'll definitely get my adventure started right! I'm ready!
Kano - I'm Ready
As you may already know, I was in quite a huffy and puffy mood yesterday. Thankfully, my good pal Kim urged me to go out for some retail therapy during our lunch break. And I don't know how this always happens, but it never fails: I discovered my new favorite track blasting while I'm browsing through Forever 21.
I heard this catchy jam and it immediately changed my mood. Isn't it outrageous how a song can do that to you? I mean, what an uplifting message: "Hey, I'm in love. My fingers keep on clicking to the beating of my heart. Hey, I can't stop my feet. Ebony and ivory and dancing in the street... My heart is beating like a jungle drum."
I had a stack of apparel I was planning on trying on, so I ran over to the fitting rooms once I heard that initial riff, and I had my own dance party in that 3x4-foot room. Too bad it ended like a minute later. Such a short track, which is probably the reason why I've had it on repeat all morning, and I've already heard it about 20 times. Wow.
Emiliana Torrini - Jungle Drum
That's what I feel like doing right now. I want to grab the nearest object and chuck it against the wall. Sometimes you just want to unleash the fury and cause some minor (occasionally major) destruction. Although I try to remain positive at all times, I AM human, and the things that other people do and say affect me. That being said, I am extremely peeved right now, and I've found the perfect track to reflect during this brief turbulence in my life. And in case you're wondering what's got me all huffy and puffy, it's the negativity of others. Its their lack of appreciation and abundance of inconsideration. I don't have the time or the room in my life to entertain the haters. If you think you're one of them, please excuse yourself from La Vida Jasmina. Thank you!
Now back to the track...
When I was younger, it was Lil' Jon that I would turn to when I got this destructive feeling running through me, but that nonsense just doesn't cut it anymore. So now I have this track by Digitalism. It is an overly aggressive electronic track that takes you up and down and back again. While I listen, I imagine the damage I can do. I obviously never act on it, but sometimes envisioning the wrath makes me feel better almost immediately.
My favorite part is at the 4:10 mark, when silence hits for a brief moment, and then the aggression continues at a remarkable speed. By that time in the track, I'm already feeling great, and I've forgotten why I was angry in the first place. The song comes to a close, and I let karma handle the rest.
Digitalism - TVTV
So it's been a week since my return from New York City, and I've had the past seven days to collect my thoughts and reflect on my experience at Body & Soul.
I fully encourage any and all house-music enthusiasts to attend a Body & Soul event, if you haven't already. François K, Joe Claussell and Danny Krivit put on this amazing show and spin a phenomenal house soundtrack for the evening.
First, I'd like to say the crowd is the most diverse group of people I have ever seen in this type of environment. I don't know if it's a New York thing and Chicago just doesn't throw parties like this. Whatever the case may be, it was so refreshing to be present in a place where everyone feels like they belong. Everyone is welcome.
And that's what this event is all about. Body & Soul's message is one of love and freedom. Everyone was there for the same reason: to enjoy the music. It wasn't the typical club-rat scene I'm used to with meat heads in muscle tees picking up bustdowns left and right. If that is indeed what you're looking for, Body & Soul is NOT the place to be.
There is no room for superficiality. No room for hate. This is no place for shadiness, hostility or dishonesty. It is a place where people go to be themselves and truly feel the music and its profound message. And yes, the music has a message. And there's no way to really explain it without actually experiencing it yourself. So I dug up a track I felt would fit right into a Body & Soul vibe. Enjoy!
Axwell & Bob Sinclar - What A Wonderful World (Feat. Ron Carroll)
This blog has been live and kickin' for the past two months, and I cannot believe I haven't posted anything about Electric Six yet. This just occurred to me in the shower last night as I was jamming to a mix CD I burned. I heard the "Future Is In The Future" riff, and it hit me like a slap in the face: I have yet to blog about my FAVORITE band!
So here it is...
Let me tell you something about Electric Six. You probably won't like them the first time you hear them. As a matter of fact, you might think their music is silly and inappropriate. But that's the way they work. Just wait a minute, an hour, a day, whatever, and go back and listen to a few more of their tracks. Electric Six will grow on you. Not only will they grow on you, but they will reel you in slowly until you realize you're hooked! I kid you not.
I had the pleasure of watching them perform live at the Double Door in Chicago in October 2007 with my pal, Justin, who at the moment is one of the few friends I have who is as into Electric Six as I am (but that will all change now that I am introducing you folks to the brilliance of E6). To be completely honest, this was absolutely hands-down my favorite live show I have ever witnessed. The venue is small, stuffy, smelly, etc., and none of that mattered once Electric Six took the stage. These guys are fun and active up there. Lead singer Dick Valentine even stepped down into the crowd and sang right there with us. It was amazing. Their performance of "Future Is In The Future" was definitely their best. The lengthy instrumental solo gave Dick Valentine the opportunity to just talk to the crowd and talk about life, introduce the band members and spread his message about living in the moment. That moment will forever live in my brain as a perfect memory.
My cousin/roommate heard "Future Is In The Future" for the first time a few days ago. She is absolutely not into this kind of music. She's into soul, jazz, deep house, reggae...real chill stuff. But as soon as she finished listening to this track, she immediately asked me about it. "Who is this? Where are they from? Do you have anymore of their stuff?" She likes this particular track because of its story-telling element. Dick Valentine doesn't just sing a catchy phrase and call it a day; his vocals get you hooked as he tells you his story. Sometimes E6's songs are hard to interpret, but I usually just make up my own story. I can relate to all their songs somehow; I create a story in my head based on Valentine's narrative. And that's what makes them so great. Electric Six tells a story, your story.
I also posted a live version of "When I Get To The Green Building" so you can get a little taste of their live performance. Absolutely enthralling, fascinating, riveting, enchanting, gripping, enlightening and so much more.
Electric Six - Future Is In The Future
Electric Six - When I Get To The Green Building [Live in Brooklyn]
