Mood: Reflective
Muzak: The Brother AJ Never In My Life CD Song "You're In My System."
It took me a
WHOLE NOTHA year to write my next
journal entry & it’s a year to the day of my last one. I wish it was under
the same circumstances because I had dropped my 1st solo CD in that
prior year’s entry. This time, I have already dropped my 2nd solo CD
in June of this current year, making me clearly behind the times. The least I can
do is slip in through the backdoor & BREAK
IT DOWN!!!
My 2nd
solo CD is called “Never In My Life.”
I chose that title because I thought it was fitting of “Who Wudda Ever Thunk I’d Be Releasing My Own Original Muzak @ This Six
Decade Point In My Life???” I don’t think I truly did, so I think it’s the
perfect match.
On my 1st
project it was a full on one-man show as I was on my Prince vybe of doing
everything myself. I wrote the lyrics, composed the music, played the
instruments, recorded the songs, mixxxed them, & released it. If you’ve
never had an experience like that it is clearly cathartic as it allows you to
go deeply inside yourself to purge all those inner demons. I mean, if you have
any, LMAO!!!
This 2nd
time around I was much more collaborative as I have songs that were co-written
lyrically & musically by others along with me as well as bringing in a few
people to perform with me. That was a kewl interesting vybe compared to the 1st
tyme around as you have to figure out how to share that creative space &
still achieve your overall goals in a way you feel still represents you.
Track #1 AJ’s Kiss is an instrumental groove that my
old co-worker Jimmy Wilson fleshed out & I supersized it into a cohesive
jam. It was strictly an instrumental originally called 1st Kiss, but
then I had an epiphany & decided to re-name it after self & add vocal
chants by Tasha & Regine aka Da
Flippettes. It was a great call as it adds another layer of intrigue to Da
Mixxx.
Track #2 I Want 2 Show U is an AJ & Dr. KBJ collaboration
that we’ve done in various formats. It was duet, a female lead, & finally a
male lead song where I think the resonance of my deep voice truly brings an
edge & energy to it allowing it to sparkle & shine. In addition to Dr. KBJ’s
background vocals I again had Da
Flippettes add some vocal shine. They even added a couple of different
things that weren’t originally in the track that I loved.
Track #3 You’re In My System is a AJ & Dr. KBJ collabo Show Stopper.
It’s an uptempo burner that comes out the gate just a gunning with this lethal
opening descending tom fill. It’s a four verse song that alternates the lyrics
between male & female but with both singing the chorus. Dr. KBJ handles the
females lead vocal since she wrote them words & digs into them with gusto. Lyrically
it just seeps into your psyche & the chorus lifts you up as you join in the
sing along. With a hint of that Eastern Indian musical refrain we all know from
childhood it starts from a place of familiarity. Da Flippettes make another guest appearance to help thicken out the
chorus for an almost stereo flanger FX unit type vybe.
Track #4 Let UR Guard Down has me back on my one man grind as I
deliver a mid-tempo ballad of yearning love. The instrumentation has that
forward momentum that keeps you leaning in to follow along. The sounds I used
especially the string lines are sublime. I also like the way my vocals sit in
the mixxx as my voice is crystal clear allowing you to hear each & every
lyric. The pleading & yearning in my voice should help you feel the urgency
of my love.
Track #5 Never In My Life is what I believe is the best song
in the entire The Brother AJ catalog. Jimmy Wilson makes another appearance as
his keyboard textures were integral to the song. Dr. KBJ’s lyrics fit the song
as though they were meant to be there, however they were not a part of the
original session. I found them & added them in later. My vocal delivery on
this song (which I worked just a little
bit on) hopefully draws you into the story as this man is clearly in love.
Dr. KBJ & Da Flippettes provide background vocals & we hit a homerun
delivering what fits into a smooth jazz or R&B bucket with ease. Yes I LOVE this track!!! ITZ AMAZING!!!
Track #6 Online Love is an old song I’ve had for years
that I attribute to a young lady from Baton Rouge, LA who taught me the
internet when I 1st got my online wings. She was beginning to work
in a music studio, so we were mutually beneficial to each other as I taught her
how to work how way around that arena. It was an excellent transfer of
knowledge. I then proceeded to weave this tale around our extended story from a macro view to make a cohesive music track featuring all those wonderful sound elements from the
original AOL library. Back when I 1st did it…, it was amazing. Now
with sampling & DAW programs it’s like old hat, but back then I was
sweating bullets to make it happen. It’s a perfect marriage of music,
technology, a great story, with great execution.
Track #7 I Wanna Be UR Fantasy is a deep low end funk jam that
takes me back 2 my P-Funk days. The bass is soopa heavy, the drums syncopated,
& a tambourine adds sizzle during the breakdowns. Itz all about that low
end tryin' to make that head knock. I think this has a sultry slow burning feel to it as the
story unfolds for a sensual encounter. I break up the vocals with a spoken word
cadence in the middle of the song & then a blistering echo-tinged rap in the end. A surprise was finding out through one of my artist resources I believe from Spotify that this tune hit 10 all time plays in the middle of this month. Somebody feels what I was cookin' up on this joint & can appreciate the funk thusly.
Track #8 QX5 Funk is my obligatory instrumental jam. By following the previous track you're already in that uptempo space so it's not a full on shock to the system. It’s also not as frantic & hectic as the last instrumental jam on my 1st
project, but it delivers that same synth work soundscape allowing you space where you can lose
yourself inside of it. I try to give you just enuff ear candy to find something
inside that groove that you can latch on to as you take the journey with me. It has those soaring string, some brass hits, the deep low end bottom, & a synth lead line that you'll hum to yourself. Oh AJ don't forget that classic Rhodes sound underneath stitching it all together. Nice way to close it out.
Overall I am
very happy with this project as it is that perfect bridge. My 1st
project let me go within myself to truly express me to the world & this 2nd
project allowed me to bring a few friends onboard to share that same ride with me.
So stay tuned in 2022 when I drop my 3rd project. I am currently in
the studio cooking that sucka up & I’m thinking a 1st quarter
release would be just about right 2 send it out into the universe. No telling
where my mind is at & what direction I’m going to go in. But you already
know one thing Fo’ Shee-Zayyy…, HELLA
YEAH ITZ GONNA BE FONKY!!!
You Can Find This Project On All Your Fave Digital Platforms As Well As Hear Preview Of The CD By Clicking This Link!!! Peace, Love, & Blessings Unto You All!!!
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thebrotheraj/never-in-my-life [distrokid.com]
The Bro J!!!
