So Many Ways.

I love when I listen to an album I haven’t in a while, and its such a great body of work!

Tonight’s album is brought to you by Avant’s Director. It was released on January 1, 2006, Also that’s very bold to drop on New Years day but its one way to start it. Not that I remember but I was 20 when this album dropped, and its funny to listen as an 38 yr old Auntie. I definitely can relate a whole lot more to the lyrics now. Life baby. Although in the majority of the songs, he’s telling a shorty to leave their man. I’m surprised Avant didn’t get his ass kicked with these songs, however I’m sure he can fight. But at this point, all male R&B singers should.

But this is/was your reminder to go now, and listen to Avant, Director album.

Jonez.

UK things.

I went to see Mahalia last night, and what a fun show! I missed her the last time she was in Chicago, because I waited til the last minute to purchase tickets, and they sold out on my ass. Granted I waited the last minute for these tickets, cuz I don’t learn my lessons, but I didn’t love the venue. House of Blues Chicago, is one of my least favorite venues in Chicago, even though it really is centrally located and has incredible sound, the view points aren’t my favorite. This time I was early enough to literally walk all three floors, and inquire about ‘upgrades’ which is stool seating for 100$. I settled on the second floor spacing right in front of the bar, and it wasn’t a bad view. The only down was this baldheaded mojo that was sitting in the stool, that was apparently drunk and/or high that couldn’t sit still. If I wasn’t concerned with getting escorted out, I would’ve hit him in the damn head. bastard.

See what I was dealing with?!

Also After leaving the venue, I got sick. So there’s that.

Jonez.

to feel love/d

It’s such a treat when I find new (to me) music! But now track two has started playing and I know this song, just didn’t know who sang it OR it was on an album. I KNOW I have to do better. However did you know Luke James dropped ‘to feel love/d’ in January of 2020? AND was nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Album? Well slap me silly cuz I had no clue! Granted 2020 was a year. Sidenote; It does suck for all the artist who dropped new music, because they were not able to market, promote or tour. Back to Wolf, as the title suggest, on first listen, this album makes you want to be loved, and appreciate what you have if you are loved. I actually don’t know If I can say I’m a fan of Luke James, musically, maybe a casual fan? Although he can sing beautifully. I AM a fan of his acting though, so there’s that.

So when you have a chance, please listen to this body of work, tell me your favorite song. Mine is Lambo, and Blow.

Jonez.

All Roads Lead To

London. Or maybe I’m just making all the signs point to England. Ive been listening to Olivia Deane lately, and now of course, I’d like to see her on tour. Which she’s currently on … in England. At this point in Life, I really need to be an music executive, but with none of the responsibility. I just want to always be guaranteed of concert tickets, doesn’t even have to be VIP, as long as I can get in the building. Is Olivia Deane on your radar? She def should be.

Currently my favorite song is I could be a florist, but Ladies Room is the song Ive been listening to the most as of recent. Both tracks are off the album, Messy.

Tristan J.

Sleepin’

I’ll agree its weird how I listen to albums, because I’ll find ‘the’ song I most love on the full body of work, and only listen to that song which is silly. I know how important a full body of work is, but here I am backtracking and listening to a full album. NOBODY has to tell me how dope Leon Thomas is, I already know but babes, his album Genesis, is an absolute delight. Genius! A Unskipable (is this a word?) album. Definitely an R&B album, with sounds that make you feel your in love, well for the duration of the song.

What an incredible talent! I can wait to see him on tour baby!

Tristan Jonez.

Also, I’m going to sit with the body of work, and I’ll let you know my top three songs but right now, Mrs.Variety is number two, Sunken Place will always be my favorite song off this project.

Electric Dusk

I promise I had no expectations but I wanted to love this album. And I’m a bit upset that I don’t love it. Electric Dusk, by Leon Thomas.

Crash & Burn is my absolute favorite track off the album. Breaking Point is my second favorite. The slow intentional rhythmic drawl makes your heart feel like it is literally breaking. Truly its a song that makes you want to cry, but instead you close your eyes, and remember what it feels like to feel that type of love. Blue Hundreds is growing on me, but Its the beats, the live band feeling makes me want to get lost in the vibe. Is that bagpipes? I could see Treasure in the Hills being played on MTV unplugged. It has really good bones, and I really do love the lyrics. I can tolerate Slow down, but it reminds me of something from Frank Ocean, but I could be wrong.

I’m not sure if the artist was experimenting with sounds, but if that was the case we want artist to try new things, and find inspiration in other sounds, etc. But however maybe I don’t at the same time. I want to have the music (R&B) that you have given to us on a consistent bases, but I don’t want to pigeon hold you in a genre that you’d like to expand from. I know, I can’t have it both ways. I do think it is a solid album, especially if you are a fan. I’ll watch out for a tour announcement, sometimes you have to hear a song live to really determine if you hate it.

Jonez.

PS I still love him as an artist, and will support the music he puts out.

According to Shelley

“Let me touch your soul, just like I touch your skin” Exposure.

I know our according to … usually is us breaking down the lyrics to our (My) favorite songs, and I started writing this with the intention of doing that here. But … I don’t think it’s needed. One of my absolute favorite songs on the reintroduction of DRAM, now known as Shelley. Have you listened to the album yet? If not, I’ll give y’all a few days, then sometime in the next week we can discuss our favorite songs. But today! (!!!!!) Go and listen to Exposure.

You’re Welcomed.

Jonez.

#Afterhours

I took a few days off of social media, so I’ve been listening to music instead. Filling my head with all types of genres, and instruments. Just like you, I love that music can take us to places we’ve never been but have been, it can remind us of people and things. I just love it! Well I’m back to listening to Mack Wilds.

Although no one has asked me to I rearrange his track listings for his album “Afterhours” just because the current listing doesn’t have a flow to it. As a fan, I did him a favor, and put my stank on it. Rest Assure, he’d love it.

So here’s the new track listing.

Crash
Explore
Stingy
Stolen Gold
Bonnie & Clyde
Senses
Obsession
Go Crazy
Choose
Vibes
#Couldthisbelove

Also I’ve opted to remove the Intro, Its not needed.

Tristan Jonez.

According to Wale.

“She gonna find her solace, in knowing a nigga is damaged. She gonna take my heart, cuz a nigga took her for granted.”

Solace n. Comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness.

Now Wale, I can’t speak for all Women, but being with a damaged man, makes EVERYTHING that much fucking harder, especially anything surrounding emotions. I’m sure if we knew PRIOR to catching feelings for this man, that he was damaged, we would exit stage right immediately. Black men hardly want to identify the triggers that caused damage, barely want to explore how to correct those triggers so he isn’t ‘bleeding’ on the next, or acknowledge that he is damaged at all! IF and when, a man gives us his heart after he’s been damaged, its a struggle, it stays a struggle because he stays on guard, just waiting for the moment we screw up then he can retreat back to his shell.

Vulnerability adj. susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.

Falling in Love requires vulnerability. You are literally placing your heart in the hands of someone who can hurt you, but you are placing faith and confidence that they won’t. You can’t be in love and have one foot in, nah. Love requires both feet, and all body parts including your brain. You have to be more than okay handing over the most sacred part of yourself over to someone. I’m sure not Love can work otherwise, damaged or not.

Tristan Jonez.

Song Lyrics from Break my heart (My Fault) Ft. Lil Durk

Back To Me

One of the very best women empowerment albums is Fantasia’s Back to me. I can’t exactly remember what was going on in her life, as I am not a stalker, but every single song she comes with fire. Telling woman they can do anything they put their mind to, telling woman not to accept whatever a man chooses to give you but to raise your standards, and leave them right where they stand if need be.

I almost said, this album was dedicated to woman who were just getting back on their feet, but nah, thats just limiting. This album is for those who are ready to change their circumstances, those who need to hear that extra boost of motivation and confidence, that they can do it all!

Tristan Jonez.

FYI: Favorite song, Man of the House, Even Angels and Who’s been lovin’ you, however the WHOLE album is my favorite!

Chief Don’t Run.

So who’s responsibility was it to tell me all about Jidenna? Cuz y’all dropped the ball miserably. Why wasn’t I told about how amazing as an artist this man is? Or at the very minimum, why didn’t anyone tell me about his album? Shame on you guys for trying to keep this talent away from me! For the past week I’ve been obsessed with his music! Between Jidenna and Wale, I have my music palette filled. It’s weird because when I think I am done with listening to The Chief, I’m right back to bumping it.

So … because I am a Johnny come late with everything, especially music, I am out of luck in securing tickets for his tour. Yup! I will not be seeing Jidenna perform anything live! I am so heartbroken as I KNOW his album would be the truth. I’ve never seen him perform any of his songs, or even seen any videos from him but I know he would just give his all to us, the fans. Especially since he came to Molly’s (perceived) rescue on Insecure… I know, I know, that’s not real life, but hey! Do you guys have any favorite songs from this album? It took me forever to narrow it down to just three, but the whole album is FIRE!

Top Three: Chief don’t run, Bambi, The Let Out… Honorable mention Little Bit More, Helicopters / Beware, Some Kind of Way and Trampoline

Tristan Jonez