Grover Washington Jr. - Make Me A Memory (Sad Samba)

This is a beautiful live video. "Winelight" was one of my first purchases when I first started listening to Jazz. The other was George Howard's "Asphalt Gardens." Both artist passed away at an early age. Nevertheless, I love that smooth 80s Jazz music. It brings back such pleasant memories. Enjoy.

Monday evening memories: Najee's Theme

I'm sitting at home this evening listening to some CDs from the 80s and 90s. As I am typing, I'm listening to Jazz saxophonist, Najee. I used to play this CD as new and hip music when I was a DJ at my college station, WHCJ - Savannah State University (90-94). Back then, guys would come up to me and ask for me to make a tape - you know - cassette tape. It was the 90s. Anyway, back then, I could put together a very romantic mix of Contemporary Jazz. Today, it offers me some comfort to listen to it. It's as if I am conjuring some memories from that time in my life. It's all good - all good feelings and memories of my youthful days in the late 80s. Anyway, play it Najee!

Run DMC, Jam Master Jay, Kool Moe Dee, and Special K on Friday

"I am one of the chosen few, so when you need that lift to get you through... all you have to do  is say Special K and help is on the way."  ~ Special K of the Treacherous Three

Happy Friday everyone.  I hope that all of my family and friends here in the states had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I know I did.  My wife cooked plenty of good food.  Now, I'm relaxing and jamming to some old school Hip-Hop from my generations era -- the 1980s.  It was back when I wish I had a "fresh" pair of Cazals to go with my burgundy, suede pumas, and matching burgundy and grey wind breaker.  Haa haa!  Don't laugh.  Back then, it was just good clean fun -- NATURAL FUN!  Have a great weekend.  ~Peace

I remember...

when Washington, DC was called "Chocolate City."

I remember when you didn't see many White, Asian, or Black Americans wearing dreads or locks.

I remember when you only saw body piercings in National Geographic magazine.

I remember when mostly people in jail, bikers, and military personnel wore tattoos.

I remember when children would go outside to play.

I remember when you had to go to a video arcade to play video games.

I remember when kids would settle their disputes without guns.

I remember when young people would have parties at their home and no one would get killed.

I remember when classroom teachers could spank you.

I remember when parents did not let their kids hear them curse.

I remember when my mother would take me and my brothers to a drive-in movie with a bucket of chicken and a 2 liter bottle of grape soda.

I remember when my mother would buy food and tennis shoes/sneakers for us at the grocery store (*singing* Jeepers...Jeepers where'd you get those sneakers).

Finally, I remember when the thought of having an African American president was a skit on Saturday Night Live.


Tell us, what do you remember?

Love is Here: Music Meme

I came across a great meme on Geoffrey Philip’s blog. Geoffrey asked selected bloggers to name five songs that they would have in their iPod If they were stranded on a desert island. Now, I’ll admit that this is a very difficult selection process; however, I was able to come up with some old favorites that I can listen to over and over again.

First on my list of songs is, Oh happy Day by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. This is a song that I’ve loved since I was a child. It’s a song that expresses joy and perpetual gratitude to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for washing our sins away -- Oh Happy Day!

Second on my list is the song, Love is Here, a beautiful 70s Soul ballad sung by a group out of Philadelphia called, The Futures. This was also my wedding song. There were only a few people at my wedding who knew the song because the song is over 30 years old. Also, over half of the people attending my wedding were from Africa and the Caribbean. Some of them know American Soul music very well, but Love is Here is a rare gem.

Third on my list is one of my favorite songs of all time, Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding. It’s just a feel good song that I love to sing. My favorite part of the song is the whistling at the end. Yeah, that's everyone's favorite part.

Fourth on my list is by the 70s group, War. The song is called, City, Country, City. It’s an instrumental and a classic in my book. I love the way it starts off with slow, crooning harmonica and tapping bongos.

The Last song on my list is a hip hop classic called, Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force. It just takes me back to when I was a teenager and a self proclaimed B-Boy in the 1980s. Man, I was funky fresh! I had moves that you wouldn’t believe. Now, I can barely turn around too fast without spraining something.

Honorable Mentions:

Any song from Marvin Gayes classic album, What’s Going On and some Brenda Fassie.

Anyway, this concludes my list of songs I would carry with me on a desert island. Now, I just need to purchase an iPod. I know. I’m so behind the times.

Memorial Day: Remembering Teddy

This post is in honor of Memorial Day. This is a list of a few good men from my days in the Navy (1985-1988) stationed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). We were part of the ships first crew when it was commissioned in October of 1986. This is what I remember about those men:

TR underway

Plankowner…arriving

Msg to James Wormick and his brother from Chicago, IL: James, I can’t remember your brother’s name, but I do remember that you all treated me like I was your brother. I remember your brother’s wife too, but not her name. I hope all is well with the both of you. The moment I remember the most is the time we both danced to Eric B and Rakim’s song, Eric B is President. You remember the lyrics:

“…I'm scheming like I'm dreaming on a couch wit my feet up

You scream I'm

lazy, you must be crazy

Thought I was a donut, you tried to glaze me”

I miss you man! Peace~

Msg to Reginald Davis of Reading, PA: Reg, you are the only brother I am in touch with from the Roosevelt. You were as wild as they come back then, but you’ve come a long way. You're a family man now, but you gave new meaning to the word, “AWOL” back then. Plus, remember the time you almost got me arrested in Newport News? Reg, you was a something else man! Over the years, your family became my family and I love all of you. God bless you and your family. Peace~

Msg to David Glover of Gary, IN: You were our age, but you were a big brother to Reggie and me. You was a big happy dude with a big ol’ smile. Hey, remember the time we all rented an apartment in Little Creek, Virginia? Yeah, we had some good times...didn't we. I hope you’re well. Peace~

Msg to Glen Bosarge of Biloxi, MS
You were one of the coolest little guys I’ve ever met. *smile* The chief called you “the little ugly man,” but you were not at all. You had a beautiful and wonderful spirit despite all the guys picking on you. You were my friend. You told me that Mississippi was a beautiful place despite it’s ugly past. Peace~

Msg to Kevin Crampton of Alabama: Crampton, you would crack up laughing every time I started rapping/singing “La Di Da Di" by Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh. I don’t know if you remember, but you once told me that I would be a great man one day. You told me that I would probably be a senator or some other important person. Well, I have no political plans or aspirations, but time will tell. Thanks for the love and peace~

Msg to Brian Tillman of Detroit, MI: You and your other boys from Detroit didn’t like me very much. You all said I thought I was too cool. I liked you though. You were funny and the fellas used to call you "baby talk" because of your lisp. By the way, I am still the coolest. *smile*

Msg to Marlon Sherrod of Birmingham, AL:
You were the coolest brother I’ve ever seen outside of television! You were the sharpest dresser and a complete ladies man. You also introduced me to the music of Anita Baker and Jazz saxophonist, George Howard. Are you still sharp? Thanks and Peace~  

Msg to Saxon from the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, NY:

I don’t remember your first name, but we would hang out every now and then. You told me that I was the first black guy you've ever hung out with. Remember the time our ship pulled in to Nassau and we went over the hill when they told us not to? We had a good time that day until this guy on the Island tried to sell you oregano for marijuana. He didn’t know that your mother is Italian. I hope all is well. Peace~

Msg to Louis Urso of Brooklyn, NY:

Louis, remember the time we went to the Maze (Featuring Frankie Beverly) show at the Norfolk Scope back in 1986? The show also featured the groups, Ready for the World and The Whispers. I got up to dance when Maze came to the stage. I looked back and you were just standing there smiling with your arms folded saying, “I love these f*cking guys! I can't wait to tell my brother!” You were one cool Italian dude. *smile*

Also:

• Patrick Hall of Louisiana/Oakland, California.
• James Wormick of Chicago, IL
• Darryl Wigfall of New York/South Carolina
• Randolph Lee of South Carolina/Miami, Florida
• Hershel West of Kansas

Honorable Mentions~

Msg to Carlos Correa and Selwyn from the Bronx, USA:

You were my Puerto Rican and Jamaican boys from the Bronx. We were all in Boot Camp together down in Orlando, Fl. in 1985. We were the Division ll/Blue Knights. Carlos, you always told me that you would take me home to meet your parents. You said that your mom cooked the best rice and beans in the Bronx. I’ve always felt you were a better friend to me than I was to you. Selwyn, you were just one funny brother. You kept us laughing and you were a good friend. Oh yeah, you had pointy ears. I love you guys. Peace~
There were many other guys I didn’t mention and others whose names I can't remember. Hey, it was over 20 years ago! Nevertheless, I hope that they are all well and that they are leading productive and rewarding lives. God bless them all. Have a great Memorial Day weekend and God bless the young men and women who are still in Iraq. Also, God bless the people of Iraq. Peace in the Middle East~

Update from Glen Bosarge via email (6/07/2007):

Hi Stephen,

 I found you on the Internet, and was extremely impressed with your writing talent. I have not forgotten my friends , but I was surprised you wrote about me. I remember you as a very easy going guy with a great personality, from what I read you have only matured with age... 

Plankowner…departing

Thinking About The 80's

“Back in the days when I was young…I’m not a kid anymore but some days I sit and wish I was a kid again.” ~Ahmad
I’m going to take you back to 1985 when I was in the twelfth grade. A senior! I was one of the coolest brothers in high school. Yes, I was cool. You should've seen me! I was sportin’ my favorite burgundy Lee jeans with all white, shell top Adidas. You know I had to have my striped burgundy and grey fat shoelaces and steel taps on my heels so that you could hear me coming down the hallway. If I was outside I had on my burgundy and grey pull over windbreaker and cap with the words, “Stevie B” written in gold across the front. As I said before, I was cool. *smile* My best friends were Roby Rob, “Kiterio” Jay-rapping-Al, and AJ (aka Boot). My music was R&B, DC Go-Go music and the beginnings of Hip-Hop on a national level. In DC we were listening to Go-Go legends like Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers, Experience Unlimited (EU), Trouble Funk, Rare Essence, Pump Blenders, Shady Groove, Ayre Raid and the list goes on.

I was sent to North Carolina by the time I reached high school and folks in the Carolinas were following the New York music scene. Eventually, so was I. We were jamming to Afrika Bambaataa & The Zulu Nation, U.T.F.O and taped cassettes of Kool DJ Red Alert on WBLS. I remember the first time that I heard “The Show” with Slick Rick and Doug E Fresh. I can’t describe how I felt when I heard it for the first time. It was amazing!

I can’t forget R&B! I was seriously on some New Edition. However, some of my favorite R&B artists were from the UK. I actually didn’t know that there were black people in the UK until I saw them on television (Solid Gold) speaking with a British accent. I was like WOW!! I’m thinking of groups like 5 Star , Musical Youth, and Loose Ends (Hanging on Strings, Contemplating)…“I’m not your play thing.” Yes, those were the days! Well, I’m going to stop here. I just wanted to share with you all and reminisce about a time that is gone forever, but remembered. Peace~

Hip Hop Quote Of The Week

Artist: Slick Rick
Album: The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick (1988)
Song: Hey Young World

"Love mean happiness... that once was strong, but due to society... even that’s turned wrong
Times have changed... and it’s cool to look bummy and be a dumb dummy and disrespect your mummy. Have you forgotten... who put you on this earth?
Who brought you up right... and who loved you since your birth? Reward is a brainwashed kid goin wild young little girls already have a child..."

I'm So Glad...

Good morning-

It's Friday!!! What more can you say about that if you are the Monday-Friday 9 to 5er like I am. I'm living for the weekend like the O'Jays. I love the weekend especially this time of year. I want to describe a typical weekend in the life of Stephen. Friday night is always up in the air. I may do just about anything from going out to Happy Hour or going out on a date. There are those Fridays when I don't feel like anything and I just stay in and watch a movie. I get a fresh start Saturday morning with a nice little workout and a trip to Salvation Army store on H St. I may head over to Eastern Market if I'm in the mood for a nice crowd. You can find some really great stuff there. Friday night and Saturday night are both freestyle unless I've made plans. Daytime is for reading, relaxation and hanging out. The next thing you know it is Sunday and the weekend is coming to an end. Sunday is whatever I feel like. It may be a day of recovery from the night before or an attempt to redeem myself with a religious service. Every now and then I'll head out to a nice brunch with friends or family. At any rate, in the words of Debbie Deb weekends were made for fun! Ya'll don't know anything about Debbie Deb unless you were in High School in the 80's. You'd have to be at least 30 something. Ok, I'm out. Have a great weekend. Peace~