The Tropicana Xcursion 04.15.22

Date: Friday April 15^th, 2022
Music: Soulive “Tuesday Night’s Squad” CD Next
Mood: Energized & Optimistic

As I sit here on the boardwalk on vacation in Atlantic City, it is amazing. Normally I would be home in East Orange, Essex County simply working from home. That in itself is a form of isolation that I’ve come to enjoy. 

Although I am quite the social & people person; the solace one gets in spending time with oneself to truly know one’s self is carthodically amazing. However the disconnection from society & the isolation itself DOES NOT allow one to expand interconnected thoughts.

Being outside this morning on a beautiful Friday morning as the sun warms my body & the crush of people who pass by me is amazing. I see their faces, I watch the pace of their steps, I hear their conversations (even though I have my headphones on) I notice their wardrobe as they check me out checking them out. We have a connected non-verbal exchange in this co-joined journey.

This is what I love, this is why I love life, & I love people so much. It’s in this exchange of NRG & passion that we share that our lives exist. We are social creatures. The pandemic has forced us to LQQK deeply into our own individual lives to truly see just how much we truly need each other. Not just to live, but to laugh, love, survive, & thrive. It’s been a long time since I felt this connected to my fellow human beings in quite a long time. We PO-SI-TIVE-LY need each other.

We arrived in Atlantic City Monday afternoon to spend a chillaxin’ week at The Tropicana Resort. Monday – Wednesday it was a sparse, low-key crowd as everyone was settling in. For many this is a Spring break week so quite a few have time off. Monday after posting up in the room for a bit we hit A Damn Good Bar for an early dinner just to breathe again. We were greeted by a fave waitress Ms. Merta who is all high energy to help you kick the week off right.

Tuesday we did lunch at Tony Luk’s just to have some hot subs to hold us down because we WERE NOT really starving. Later that night I even hit Pizata for that flatbread styled pizza to be dinner. Wednesday morning I stepped off the property to hit Dunkin’ Donuts for breakfast. Lunch was @ Broadway Burger Bar where 1nce again a fave waitress Ms. Lynn was holding court. She is such a pleasure & could definitely work in Club AJ as she has her business model down to a science. We even had a sexxxy new mixxxed drink called Purple Paradise that was to die for (the included pic). Mmmmmm!!!

Thursday being extremely lazy it was pizza at 2PM as we were working our way to a comedy show 8PM later that night. Thursday is the day you could feel that shift in the building. Monday – Wednesday was kewl as we all seemed to stay within self as we flexed on like a Level 3. Thursday as more people arrived & The Trop filled out you could feel the NRG level begin to LIFT UP. As you walked through the casino, the crowds began to swell, more people were in the casino, & they filled the seats at damn near all the slot machines. It Was Bananas As Level 7 Was In Full FX!!!

The day before on the boardwalk had us all spread out as though we were still practicing Covid-19 protocols, then on Thursday that distance quickly shrunk as more boots were on the ground than all the other three days combined.

Finally breaking free of being confined it was literally 95% people were mask free vs those 5% who were still masked up. Quite frankly we wanted to break free to escape this endless movie loop we’ve been locked inside of. What better place to do so in than in Atlantic City, because remember, “What Happens In Atlantic City Stays In Atlantic City!!!”

I had promised the comedians in The Quarter atrium that one night we’d attend the show. We settled on Thursday 8PM to be that night. Only 4 people in the crowd wore masks & 2 of them took them off 1nce inside to have their drinks. They had four comedians perform on this night & #1 the show’s opening act from Cuba was also the MC, the timekeeper, & the man working the lights. I expected him to be the star of the show but he came in as my #2 on this night.

The #2 on the bill, Gary G, was the star of the night as he was HILARIOUS!!! His jokes, his mannerisms, his LQQK, & his physical comedy was on point. He had us in stiches up in that bad boy. Comedian #3 was a big man who had some serious life challenges but he was the least funniest of the group. He had some good jokes, but he WAS NOT as good as his peers.

The 4^th comedian was the headliner, he was the oldest guy in the bunch & had done work with radio star Howard Stern. He was #3 on my funny meter but he had some classic moments as he was on his D.L. Hughley use the crowd to your advantage by singling certain people out. He tagged 2 guys sitting next to each other as being gay (they weren't), he killed a 72 year old woman who was loud & obnoxious (she was), he slayed the couple in front of me on swallowing (she said she had no shame doing so)…, & then he got to me. AWWWHHHH ISH..., LQQKOUT!!!

He was like, “Holy Cow I Love This Dude…, But My God He Is  Dark. Thank God You’re Smiling Or I Would Never See You. Wesley Snipes Would Be Jealous Cause He Ain’t Got Nothing On You. I Mean Like Got Damn My Man Is So Dark He DOES NOT Even Have A Shadow!!!”

That last one took me out cause it was funny AF as I thought this would be my opportunity to Will Smith his azz. But unlike this soft generation we’re raising I can take a joke..., I understand I am at a comedy show sitting in the 2^nd row, (smart enuff not to sit in the front row), but I’m still fair game in that room.

We had a few drinks, we left a tip for the comics in the tip bucket, & we copped 2 ACJokes.com tee-shirts to help support their cause. We rolled out the Kiss-Kiss nightclub & headed to the Market Place for late night sandwiches to bring back to the room for dinner. That was a great call because we DID NOT want something heavy, so it hit the spot to allow us a mellow nights Zzzlp.

Now back to Friday on the boardwalk as I sat there soaking up the sun I was reading Sting’s book “Broken Music” his memoir. A passage in this book triggered my writing genes so I pulled my pad out of my forever present bookbag & began to jot down these thoughts so I could turn them into a journal entry later tonight.

I had been on the boardwalk for a few hours & Karoline came out to find me. We decided to hoof down the boardwalk heading towards The Hard Rock Café, but stopped 1nce we got to Johnny Rockets for 2 chili dogs, a burger & fries. We had so much stuff we took a ride back on that little push-push cart thingy so we could enjoy our lunch back in the room quicker than just walking back.

We had a dinner date for the Italian spot Carmine’s because we know how big those family style dishes are. We strategically planned it that way so we could bring half that meal back home for lunch upon our return trip. They DID NOT disappoint as usu-ALJ!!!

The place was packed, the casino is bustling, & if you never knew there was a pandemic, you would think things are back to normal, or that nothing had ever happened. This was a great chance to sneak away, shed some fears, & just kick back to chillax & enjoy one’s self. Don’t be afraid to let go & live just a little. Especially if you’re all vaxxed & boosted up…, just in case. Shhhh!!!

The Brother AJ 

Re-Visit My 2nd CD Never In My Life Released 07.14.21

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 1^st solo CD in that prior year’s entry. This time, I have already dropped my 2^nd 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 2^nd 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 1^st 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 2^nd 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st project let me go within myself to truly express me to the world & this 2^nd 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 3^rd project. I am currently in the studio cooking that sucka up & I’m thinking a 1^st 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!!!

My COVID-19 Triple Play

 

Mood: Cautiously Optimistic
Music: Earth, Wind, & Fire Keep Your Head To The Sky

I feel as though I’ve had the COVID-19 TRIPLE PLAY. I’ve had three significant experiences during this pandemic each presenting their own unique challenges.

The 1^st experience was my in-laws who live in Charlotte, NC passed away in July of 2020. My 86 year old mother-in-law passed away July 1^st & then 17 days later my 90 year old father-in-law passed away on July 18^th. I flew my wife down when her mother went on life support & she made it down in time to spend three days with her mom before she passed away. I then drove the rest of the family down so we could attend the funeral, cause we didn’t want to fly during this time.

Upon returning home we had to go into the 14 day quarantine protocol. Just as we were coming out of that was when my father-in-law passed away. On top of failing health I believe he passed away from a broken heart as he COULD NOT fathom being without his bride of 66 years & mother to his twelve children by his side.

Nine of the twelve children live in North Carolina, the other three live in NJ. The hard decision was made for the Jersey family to attend his funeral via Zoom as my father-in-law was a military vet who fought in the Korean War & DID NOT want any pomp & circumstance just a simple closed-casket military styled funeral.

The 2^nd experience had my daughter after pushing her wedding date back several times deciding the weekend before Labor Day 2020 was the day. We went up to Mountain Creek in Vernon (the old Action Park) & had the COVID-19 wedding experience. The resort staff was awesome as they had this thing all figured out. It was an outdoor wedding on top of the mountain on the most perfect day imaginable.

We had VIP access to the lift; we had our own private space on top of the mountain with spectacular views where NJ, NY, & PA come together for the ceremony. After the ceremony we returned back down below to the reception in a huge outdoor tent behind the resort.

This MAY NOT have been the ideal wedding my daughter envisioned, but the pandemic forced some hard decisions. It’s already difficult to put together a wedding guest list & now with pandemic capacity restrictions the ticket to this event was like winning the Powerball Lottery. On a side note, as the father of the bride I was slightly happy as that meant the costs were significantly less than a traditional wedding, so I floated them extra Las Vegas honeymoon money!!! PHEWWW!!!

The 3^rd experience was this year March 24^th, 2021 my daughter gave birth to my 2^nd grandchild. As human beings we go crazy over events like this. However with the pandemic still not fully under control, I was trying to wait for my vaccination on March 31^st before making plans to see her. My stubborn, head-strong, (feeling some type of way) daughter was not having it & brought my granddaughter Naomi to the house Monday March 29^th to meet her Pop-Pop face-to-face!!!

We had to mask up, sanitize the hands, & open our hearts up to this newest bundle of joy in our lives. These three events happening during this COVID-19 pandemic gave me three take-a-ways of how you continue to live life in spite of difficult challenges you face.

#1 My in-laws DID NOT pass away from COVID-19 so we take comfort in knowing they lived a fruitful & blessed life, so why can’t we do the same during this time?

#2 None of the seven people in my continual orbit have contracted COVID-19 since it started March of 2020 so we must be doing something right as we practice all the safety protocols of mask wearing, hygiene, & social distancing even as we’ve continued to work & socialize under restrictions.

#3 The most important thing this pandemic makes you realize is what is truly important in your life. That is those who you love, those who love you, gainful employment, the ability to sustain yourself against all odds, being healthy, & trying to maintain your sanity in spite of what seems like a world gone KRAZY!!!

Warm weather is arriving, the vaccine is here, as are solutions for eradicating the most disruptive thing we’ve seen in our lifetime. In the meantime stay focused on what you can control & don’t be afraid to safely step outside to live just a little bit more each & every day, YOU ARE SO WORTH IT!!!  

If Only America Would Allow All Of Us "A Promised Land"!!!

 

Music: Reverend Barry & The Funk
CD: A Thousand Lives We've Lived
Song: LoveShine
Mood: Hopeful In Spite Of Economic, Political, Racial, & Pandemic Stress

I recently completed reading President Barack Obama's latest book "A Promised Land" & I found it fascinating. I posted this review on my Good Reads page & decided I would like to share it here too.

Whether you cared for his politics or not, there is no disputing that former President Barack Obama is a highly intelligent & motivated man. When you frame his presidency with the weight of expectation of being the first Black American to ascend to the highest office of the land it's almost to outrageous to conceive it.

Add in the fact that he had members of the opposing party who made it their singular mission to disrupt or derail anything that he tried to accomplish during a time when the country was on the precipice of economic collapse made the challenges insurmountable.

To hear President Barack explain in his own words his thought process, his decision making, & the people he surrounded himself with as he navigated one of the quickest rises from an unknown Illinois Senator to the President of the United States is revolutionary.

You DO NOT have to like the man, but you do have to respect his journey and what he accomplished in the face of blatant disrespect amidst global turmoil for the highest ideals of American democracy.

He's an oratory gift as the words leap of the pages placing you squarely in the room with him. It's a long 700 page read, so you must get comfortable & commit yourself to absorbing quite a lot. It ends with a proverbial bang, so you must hang on all the way through.

I've gained a new found respect for this man, his family, those who supported him, his enemies (American & foreign), & the grace/class/skill he utilized to navigate these murky waters. He will go down in history as a first, but he needs to also go down in history as a intelligent man who beat the odds under incredible duress.

The Bro J!!!

My Vaccination Experience @ NJIT Newark 03.31.21

Music: Herbie Hancock

Song: A Tribute To Someone
CD: My Point Of View

I Had The "Privilege/Mis-Fortune" Of Getting My 1st Vaccination Yesterday.

 

In my heart of hearts I wanted the Johnson & Johnson one & done…, but when you see 500,000 people have succumbed to the pandemic I took the first available slot which happened to be the Pfizer two shots.

 

I say “PRIVILEGED” because I am grateful to be in a position to get the shot as many others didn’t have the chance.  My safety coordinator put me on the PSE&G list last week & they actually called me Monday to add me to the RW Johnson schedule. However the original list I signed up for on my own with NJ Health came through first for yesterday’s appointment.

 

I say “MISFORTUNE” because unbeknownst to me I was scheduled to get my shot at the state’s brand new largest vaccination facility.  I didn’t know this prior to my arrival because I had an appointment at 1:45PM figuring I would walk in, get my shot, & walk out. Being proactive I arrived at 1:20PM thinking they might take me earlier if they were ahead of schedule.

 

As I rolled down Central Ave, Newark I was surprised to see my normal roads blocked off due to a heavy police presence. I was like, “What Is Going on Here???” I’m thinking there was an accident or something???  HA-HA-HA…, I WISH!!!  Since I know the area well I maneuvered on back roads & found a parking spot as I headed to the building. When  I came up to the top of the hill, this was the first time I saw the crowd.

 

That line snaked back & forth like you were waiting to get on ride at Six Flags Great Adventures. I had a conversation with two co-workers awhile back in Springfield saying I would NEVER stand on some long line to get the vaccination. I would wait until it became readily available where you could walk right in & get it like you do the flu shot. Well…, the birth of my granddaughter last week changed that mantra as I want to protect myself for her, so I got on line & waited it out.

 

Although waiting on line was the bad part, once I got inside the building (almost two hours later) things moved rapidly. This is a FEMA site where the National Guard has jurisdiction. I checked in at Table 23 where they verified me, then I was sent to Booth 7 for my vaccination where they verified me once again.

 

Sidebar: YES I HATE ALL THINGS MEDICAL…, INCLUDING SHOTS!!!

 

However all those attentive young faces of these wonderful National Guard soldiers made the experience dare I say…, PLEASUREABLE!!!  They were all so frigging nice, excited, helpful, & just amazing to interact with. There is hope America, we can do this if we simply come together for the greater good of ALL mankind.

 

P.S. Think About Getting Your Vaccination To Protect Yourself, Those You Love, & Your Co-Workers!!!

 

The Brother AJ

 

 

 

Introducing The Brother AJ Breakdown Of The Tracks On The EP "7"!!!

Mood: Introspective, Optimistic, Xcited!!!
Music: Judith Hill "Angel In The Dark" Back In Time CD

3 Weeks Ago I Asked Myself On My 60^th Birthday What Took Me So Long 2 Drop A CD Project I Shudda Dropped 20-30 Years Ago???  I Like 2 Say Maybe Bcuz I Was Playing In Cover Bands & We NEVER Took The Tyme 2 Work On Original Material Since We Knew Folks Needed 2 & Wanted 2 Hear The Songs They Know & Love!!! 

However On The Real…, Maybe Deep Down On The Inside…, The Real Reason I DID NOT Release My Own Project Was Bcuz I Didn’t Feel It Was Good Enuff, I Couldn’t Sing Well Enuff, Or The Production Wouldn’t Be Up 2 Snuff???  Not 2 Mention As Ms. Erykah Badu Stated “I Am An Artist & I’m Sensitive About My Ish!!!” Most Of Us Artistic Types Have That Inner Insecurity We Feel When We Release Our Work Out Into The Cold, Cruel, Cynical World Which DOES NOT Alwayz Appreciate All The Blood, Sweat, Heart, Soul, Sacrifice, Heartache, & Tears U Poured Into UR Effort?!?

However In Spite Of All Those Things Over The Years I NEVER Stopped Working On Honing My Own Original Music.  This Project Clearly Shows Me On My Prince Ish As Every Single Song Was Written, Composed, Arranged, Performed, Produced, & Engineered By Me (very much like he would do)!!!  The Lone Xception Is Track 1 Detailed Below!!!

Track 1 "The King Iz Here” Was Written Waaaaayyyy Back When!!!  That’s My Son’s Voice When He Was Like 7 Years Old!!!  He’s In His 30’s Now!!!  I Alwayz Told Him He Was DESTINED 2 Be A Musician Cause I Got Him Involved In Da Game Early & He Took It 2 A Whole ‘Notha Level.

 I Sampled My Voice, I Sampled His Voice, & I Flew Them Strategically In & Out The Groove As Needed!!!  I Wanted This Song 2 Project How He Was A King..., Bcuz He Came From A King (ME)..., & We’re Heir 2 The Throne From A Long Line O’ Kings!!!  That’s Why I Have Those Soaring Horn Lines Playing That REGAL REFRAIN!!!  

There Iz A Simple Rumbling Bass Line, A Snare Drum & Handclap That Fade In & Out With XTRA Heavy Reverb On Them 2 Create More Space In The Mixxx Letting It Breathe!!!  The Drum Groove Iz Actually A Sample Of Me Playing A Swing Beat On My Old Yamaha Kit (i have a Gretsch kit now) Live.  I Recorded Myself Playing, Chopped It Up In Da Mixxx, & I JUST LOVED THAT GROOVE!!!

Track 2 “I’m Lonely (All That I Need)” Is The Newest Song In The Collection & W/O Trying 2 Be A Biased…, It May Be My Fave Song On The Project 4 All The Things It Took 4 Me 2 Put It 2getha!!!  It Tells The Story Of A Man In Love Who Simply CANNOT Get His Lady 2 Open Up & Change Her Ways As He Wants 2 Revolutionize Her Life!!!  He Tried, He Failed, He's Lonely..., So He’s Gonna Cut His Losses & It’s On 2 The Da Next 1!!! 

The Bassline Is The Glue That Holds It 2getha Whilst The Strings Soar Across The Chorus.  My Signature Synth Stabs Create FWD Motion As It Rides On Top Of The Drum Track.  Don’t Zzzlp On The Slinky Rhodes Piano That I Sprinkle In Here & There 4 Melodic FX!!!  Not 2 Mention As Someone Who Truly DOES NOT Consider Himself A Vocalist…, I Like The Way My Voice Sounds On This Track!!!  Tell Luther Vandross 2 LQQKOUT Cause I’m Coming 4 Him!!!  YEAH RIGHT!!!  ROFLMAO!!!

Track 3 “The Melancholy Way” Iz A Trippy Beatle-esque Type Song That DOES NOT Follow The Traditional R&B Funk Genre.  It Slips & Slides Along With A Loopy Kind Of Groove As It Tells A Story Of Unwavering Love!!!  I Tried 2 Figure Out What Gives It That Ethereal FX???  I Think It’s The Fact That The Strings Play Consistently Through The Whole Track As A Sound That Creeps Into Your Ear Drum W/O U Really Paying Attention 2 It!!!  Then When That 2^nd Kick Drum Comes Thumping Along In The Chorus U Feel It Deeper In UR Chest As It Helps Center UR Point O’ Groove.

The More I Listen 2 The Wordz & Get Lost In The Message I Realized I Wrote This Song About My Own Marriage.  I Had 2 Replay The Events In My Mind As Subconsciously I Slid In & Out Of That Space 2 Detail The Journey.  & 2 Think She Said I Never Wrote A Song About Her???  & Quite A Kewl Tune 1 Might I Add Too?!?  LOL!!!

Track 4 “Mystery Lady” Iz A Deep Song Of Infidelity Told Over A Hypnotic Groove, A Throbbing Base Line, & A Syncopated Drum Beat!!!  When I Say Deep…, I Mean DEEP As In LOW END!!!  The Bass Drums & The Bassline Itself Are Damn Near Sub-Sonic 2 Make Sure U Know UR Being Submerged Into A Taboo Space!!!

By Using A Marimba As A Leading Musical Tone It Moves The Sound Into A Place We’re Not Used 2 Normally Hearing It In.  I Think That Gives Another Slick Appeal 2 It!!! The Lyrics Are Spoken During The Verses & Sung During The Chorus ala Ms. Me’Shell N’degeocello.  All I Can Say About This From A Real World Place Is…, A-Hem…, “She Knows Who (SHE)…, Or Should I Say…, (THEY) Know Who They Are???” HMMMMM?!?  A True Gentleman Kisses…, But NEVER EVER Tells!!!  ROFLMAO!!!

Track 5 “Long Distance Lover” Iz That Classic Tale About Tryin’ 2 Love Someone Deeply & Completely From Afar!!!  This Was A Tale Woven 2 Me By A Neighbor Who Used 2 Live Across The Street.  I Weaved Her Story Into Tangible Lyrics & Wrapped The Music Around It With Some TLC!!!

It Has That Late 80’s Early 90’s Drum Machine BOOM-BAP 2 It Complete With Heavy Handed Hand Claps & Those Agogo Bells 2 Give It That Herky Jerky Motion!!!  This Was Probably The Very 1^st Tyme I Truly Tried 2 Sing A Song As A Lead Singer So Give Me 7% Credit 4 Stepping Out Front!!!  LOL!!! 

My Pride & Joy On This Track Iz The Out Of Phase Honky Tonk Piano Solo I Play In The Bridge That Makes Me Smile Everytime I Hear It!!!  Yeah I’m DEFINITELY Un-Conventional!!!  The 2^nd Additional Performer On My Project Is Dr. KBJ Doing The Woman’s Voice U Hear In The Breakdown & At The Very End!!!  THATZ IT!!!

Track 6 “We Have That Kind O’ Love” Iz Like Prince’s Purple Rain Movie As Itz The Closest Thing U Get To An Autobiographical Account Of The Bro J!!!  I Laid The Music Down & Then The Words Flowed Down 2 Me Like Manna Flowing Down From Heaven As They Got More Cohesive By The Minute!!!  By The Time I LQQKED Up…, Like The Notorious BIG Said, “I Gotta Story 2 Tell!!!”

I CANNOT Confirm Nor Deny Their Actual Factual Accountability…, But If’n U Know Me…, U Can Connect The Dots!!!  This Track Iz Quite Bizzy With A Harpsichord Sound, Some Percussive Synth Patches, & Xspecially When I Get 2 The Double Call-N-Refrain Chorus Near The End!!!   In Hindsight A Better Mixxx Would Smooth Things Out Just A Lil’ Bit…, But I’m Kewl With The Finished Product!!!

Track 7 “Mo’ Flowww” Iz A SCORCHING Instrumental Track!!!  As A Musician 1^st & A Lyricist 2^nd…, The MUZAK Iz Alwayz Important 2 Me!!!  Wordz Are Added 4 That Necessary FX!!!  I’ve Alwayz Said My Dream Gig Would Be As The Drummer In An Instrumental Fusion Jazz Band!!!  I Know The General Public Needs Them Lyrics…, But There’s A Lil’ Sumthin’ Sumthin’ 2 Be Said 4 A HELLACIOUS GROOVE!!! 

Stay With Me On This Song ‘Til The End As You Hear The Various Instruments Trade Off On Some Syncopated Riffs!!!  The Bass Line Keeps The Bottom 2getha & Those Quirky Electronic Sounds I Love Spit In & Out Delivering Just Enuff ‘Tricity 2 Keep U Plugged In!!!

Between My Xtended Intros, Unformulatic Song Structure, & Out The Box Production Techniques I Will NEVER Be A Mainstream Type Artist…, UR Just Gonna Have 2 Take The Adventure With Me & Join Me If U Dare!!!

I Feel At This Point In My Life These 7 Songs Represent Me As A Solo Artist In A Way That Truly Speaks From My Inner Core!!!  I’m Working On My Next Batch Of Songs 2 Get Ready.  I May Share Some Space With Other Collaborators I’ve Worked With As Muzak Has Alwayz Had That Ability 2 Connect Folks Of Differing Abilities & Styles Across A Medium Where We Can All Bring Our Authentic Selves 2 Da Mixxx!!!

Please “WEAR THIS PROJECT OUT” Peep The Included Links 2 Check It Out On The Platform Of UR Choice!!!  Then Stay Tuned As My Next Selection Will Arrive No Later Than Mid 2021!!!  I’m NJoying This Chance 2 Go Deeper Down The Rabbit Hole Into The Sub-Conscious O’ My Mind As I Re-Discover My Own Voice Of Just WHO I BE!?!  GAWD HELP US ALL!!!  LMAO!!!

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The Brother AJ

7 Shotz That Shut Sportz Down!!!

 

I Am Going On Record 2 Say YES…, I AM A HARDCORE SPORTS GUY!!!  I Love My N.Y. Giants, N.Y. Yankees, BK Nets, & NJ Devils With A PASSION!!!  (Okay maybe not so passionate about the Devils)…, But You Get The Picture!!!  LOL!!!  However What Is Going On With Athletes In Sports Right Now Is A Lil’ Sumthin’ Sumthin’ I NEVER Thought I Would See???  Athletes Have SHUT SPORTS DOWN!!!

When The Milwaukee Bucks Went Rogue & Decided To Boycott Their 08.26.20 NBA Playoff Game In The Bubble In Light Of The Ruthless Shooting…, 7 Shots In The Back Of Jacob Blake As He Tried 2 Leave Police & Get Into His Vehicle In Kenosha, Wisconsin Sent Ripples Through The NBA.

I Can’t Even See 1 Or 2 Shots…, But 7 Shots In The Back Of An “UNARMED” Black Man Surrounded By 3 Cops With Young Children In The Vehicle He Was Trying To Enter???  Help Me See/Paint A Different Picture???  Because Even At My Most Rationale Self…, I CANNOT Un-See What The Video Shows!!!

When The Milwaukee Bucks Decided Not To Play…, The Houston Rockets & Oklahoma Thunder Followed Suit, As Well As The L.A. Lakers & The Portland Trailblazers!!!  There Were Also WNBA Games Scheduled To Be Played & They Cancelled ALL Their Wednesday Games!!!  Not Surprising Because These Women Have Been Activist Pioneers Their Whole Careers As They’ve Fought For Women’s Rights All Along!!!

In Baseball The Milwaukee Brewers Were Slated 2 Play The Cincinnati Reds In Wisconsin No Less…, So They DID NOT Play Their Game!!!  Men’s & Women’s Soccer Cancelled Their Games 2 Show Their Support!!!  The Detroit Lions Cancelled Practice 2 Voice Their Concerns & Then Hockey “OF ALL THE SPORTS” Displayed In Uber Big Letters An “END RACISM” Message On The Big Screen At The Start Of 1 Of Their Games!!!  I Said, HOCKEY NO LESS!!!  SAY WHUT???!!!

As If I COULD NOT Be Even More Blown Away…, The Soft Spoken Half Black/Half Japanese 2X’s Grand Slam Champion Ms. Naomi Osaka SHUT TENNIS DOWN By Refusing 2 Play Her Semi-Final Match (literally 2 matches away from winning the championship) In Response 2 What She Was Witnessing!!!

Do URself A Favor & Google Golfer Cameron Champ!!!  What Did Young Cameron Do???  He Wore Mis-Matched Shoes In A Tournament…, A Black Shoe & A White Shoe!!!  1 Shoe Had “Breonna Taylor’s” Name Written On It & The 2^nd Shoe Had “Black Lives Matter” Written On It!!!  You May Ask URself Why???  But After You Do A Lil’ Research On My Man…, You Will FULLY UNDERSTAND WHY!!!

This Is HUGE Because Tennis & Golf Are INDIVIDUAL Sports…, Not A TEAM Sport!!!  They Both Could Suffer Similar Repercussions Like Colin Kaepernick After He Put Himself Out There On An Island By Himself…, As The Powers That Be Could Martyr Them & Make Their Solo Journeys XTREMELY DIFFICULT!!!  4tunately The Governing Bodies DID NOT As They Respected Their Position & Postponed The Tennis Matches & Allowed Cameron 2 Play On With No Consequences!!!  So I Applaud Both Of Them 7X’s!!!

This Is Not New 4 Athletes…, This Is Just New 4 Athletes In This High Profile Age Of Social Media.  Michael Jordan Laid Low & Kept Quiet Not 2 Stir Controversy As He Built His Empire To Billionaire Status W/O Really Trying To Be That Athlete Who Rocked The “CONTROVERSY” Boat!!! 

2day’s Athletes Seem 2 Have A “2 Whom Much Iz Given Much Iz Required” Woke Mindset As They Step Out Front & Center 2 Speak Outwardly & Openly About These Issues Feelings & Sponsors Be Damned!!!

It Started With The NBA/WNBA Wearing “Black Lives Matter” Shirts, Messages On The Court, & Freely Xpressing Their Thoughts On Social & Press Media Led By The Strongest Voice In The Room LeBron James!!!  Walk Back In Tyme With Me!!!

When Legendary Black Boxer Jack “Galveston Giant” Johnson Thumbed His Nose Up To Racial Oppression By Forcing His Shot To Fight The White Boxing Champion Of The World (as of course boxing was segregated way back then) Beause We COULD NOT Even Think About Having A Black Man Beating A White Man’s Azz In Front Of Predominately White Crowd!?!

When Jack Johnson Triumphed He Ushered In A New Wave Of Black Pride As He Became The 1^st African-American Heavyweight Champion Of The World!!!  People Think His 1910 Fight Against Jim Jefferies Was That Fight, But It WAS NOT!!! 

That Fight Several Years Later Was Just That Quintessential “Black vs White” Racially Charged Dynamic That Drew The Most Attention As Jefferies Came Out Of Retirement Hailed As The Great White Hope (SORRY ROCKY) 2 Put Johnson Back In His Rightful Place!!! 

How Did That Work Out???  IT DIDN’T!!!  After 15 Rounds Of Brutal Punishment, Jefferies Corner Threw In The Towel As They DID NOT Want 2 See Their Boy Get KNOCKED OUT As Jack Johnson Was Much Too Much 4 The Faded Ex-Champ!!!

When Black American Track & Field Star Jesse Owens Defeated Adolph Hitler’s Aryan Athletes At The 1936 Berlin Olympics Capturing 4 Gold Medals It Was “A SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD!!!” 

How Dare This Black Upstart From America Perform (many folks DID NOT want Jesse to go in opposition to Hitler’s reign) In A Communist Country, Under A Brutal Dictator, Under Incredible World Duress???  Yet Jesse Overcame & Prevailed Sending Shock Waves World-Wide!!! 

Then Jackie Robinson Broke The Color Barrier In Baseball Becoming The 1^st Black Player To Play In The Segregated White Professional Baseball League.  I Now View This Slightly Differently After Reading Robin DiAngelo’s Book “White Fragility.” 

She Comments, “It WAS NOT So Much That Mr. Robinson, Although The Great Athlete That He Was Broke The Color Barrier, As Much As It Was That The Good Ole White Guard Running The Game FINALLY Allowed A Black Man Into This Arena.  Because If Jackie Had Ran Out On The Field Under The Old Rules…, His Black Azz Would’ve Been Dragged Off The Field, Arrested, & Thrown Into Jail Regardless Of How Skilled He Was!!!”  I’m Paraphrasing Here!!!  Shhhh!!! 

If We Re-Frame The Narrative That Way…, Then NE Of The Xceptional Black Athletes Who Were SOOPA-STARS In The Negro Leagues Could’ve Been “THE FIRST!!!”  But Taking Nothing Away & Giving All Kudos 2 Jackie Robinson Cause He Endured The Wrath Of Hatred Placed Upon Him (being spit on, cursed, racially discriminated against, & treated as a second class citizen) That The Next Wave Of Black Players DID NOT Have 2 Endure In The Same Manner.

The Human Rights Protest Of The 1968 Olympics Was Another Flash Point For Black American Athletes.  Track & Field Stars Tommie Smith & John Carlos Upon Winning Their Medals, Stood On The Podium As The National Anthem Played…, Bowed Their Heads & Raised Black Gloved Fists Into The Air!!!  They Were VILIFIED 4 Their Actions As A “Racial Protest!!!”  Just Think About The Turbulent Times Of The 1960’s That These Athletes Were Trying 2 Navigate?!?

Without Question & Hands Down My Favorite Protesting Athlete Is Muhammad “The Greatest” Ali (formerly known as) Cassius Clay Before His Conversion To Islam.  Upon Working His Way Up 2 Win The Heavyweight Title In 1964…, He Gave It All Up As It Was Stripped From Him In 1966 After Refusing 2 Enter The Military Draft Citing Himself As A “Conscientious Objector!!!” 

He Lost 4 Years Of His Prime As He Fought The Government Finally Getting His Conviction Overturned In 1971 Where He Promptly Returned 2 Boxing!!!  It Took 3 Years, 2 Hellacious Battles Against Joe Frazier, & Finally In 1974 Beating Behemoth George Foreman For Ali 2 FINALLY Regain His Heavy Weight Title!!! 

If Athletes Want 2 Model Any Civic-Minded Activist Type Athlete…, It Is Truly MUHAMMAD ALI!!!  Having Spent Tyme In The Nation Of Islam Under Elijah’s Muhammad’s Teachings & Befriending Malcolm X…, Muhammad Ali Was An Intelligent, Articulate, Thoughtful Athlete Who Could Verbally Go Toe-To-Toe With Anybody!!!  Go 2 Youtube & Search Any Muhammad Ali TV Appearance & Listen 2 How He Frames His Thoughts Xspecially With Regards 2 Race, The Vietnam War, The Nation Of Islam, & Of Course His Boxing Prowess!!! 

Ali Was TRULY Ahead Of His Tyme & WOULD NOT Take ISH From NOBODY!!!  He Was Called “The Greatest”…, Imagine How Much More GREATER He Would’ve Been Had He Fought During Those 4 Lost Years From 25 – 29 In His Prime!!!  OMG!!!

Speaking Of Islam, Let’s Not 4get The NBA’s Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf formerly Known as Chris Jackson Who Refused To Stand For The National Anthem As He Called The US Flag A Sign Of Oppression.  As A Denver Nuggets He Was Suspended By The League For Refusing 2 Stand In 1996, Then They Worked Out A Compromise Where He Would Remain On The Court During The Anthem With His Head Down, Eyes Closed, As He Recited A Muslim Prayer Instead. He Too Was VILIFIED Mostly Because Islam To America Was This Deep, Dark, Dirty, Unknown Entity!!!

So As You Can See Athletes Protesting IZ NOT New, It’s An Opportunity 2 Use Their Platform 2 Bring Awareness 2 Issues 2 Help Impact Change!!!  Good, Bad, Or Indifferent, Those Who Are Quick 2 Rail Against These Athletes 4get That Our Own Constitution Of These United States Gives Them The Right To “PEACEFULLY PROTEST” Whether You Like It Or Not!!!

Just Because They DO NOT Protest The Way “YOU” Would Want Them 2 Makes It No Less Relevant!!!  Part Of Being American Is To Voice Your Opinion When You Disapprove Of That Which You Feel Has Come Against You UNJUSTLY!!!

1 Of My Co-Workers Insist They Hate When Artist/Athletes Interject Politics Or Issues Of The Day Into Their Platforms.  I Said, I Disagree Because Some Of The World’s Greatest Art Comes From A Place Of Revolution As Artist Dig Deep Within Themselves 2 Speak About/Portray The Times In Which They Live!!!

In My Humble Opinion An Artist That DOES NOT Bring That Emotional Content/Connection 2 Their Work Is Simply Going Thru The Motions!!!  We Are A Reflection Of Our Environment & That Which We Taste/Touch/Hear/See/Feel!!! 

There Was A Time When HIP-HOP Was Literally The Black CNN As Those Artist Spoke On Record What They Saw Happening In The Streets Before It Became Common Knowledge 2 Mainstream Media.  When Mayberry USA FINALLY Caught Up 2 The Message They Went From Being Appalled By The Message 2 SHOCKED By The Truth Images They Saw Visually Confirmed On Display 4 All The World 2 See!!!

My Fave Muzikal Artist Prince Has Also Delivered Social Commentary (not just mega-hits)  In Subtle Jams With REAL WORLD Messages Such As “Ronnie Talk 2 Russia (cold war theme), Sign O’ The Times (drug addiction, gang violence, black America), America (unity in the USA), Colonized Mind (power structure, politics), 1999 (party before world destruction), Uptown (multi-racial, gendered, safe world), Baltimore (response 2 Freddy Gray’s death with a benefit concert in B-More behind this), Cinnamon Girl (a tale of a Muslim girl in a racist post 9/11 world), Dear Mr. Man (addressing white privilege), New Power Generation (new world order) , We March (60’s civil rights type theme), The Word (religious overtones on love), & New World (similar New Power Generation new world order).”

For Those Who Are Disgusted, Say They Will Now Boycott, Turn The Games Off, Stop Watching, & Give Up UR Beloved Season Tickets Because Of What These Athletes Are Doing, That Is Your God-Given Right To Feel That Way!!! 

However If You CANNOT LQQK Deep Within Your Own Heart & Find Compassion As Black America Is Crying Out 4 Assistance In Solving America’s Systemic Oppression, Police Brutality, Economic Oppression, Healthcare Inequality, Housing Disparity, & Blatant Racism Against Her Black Citizens, That These Athletes Are Trying 2 Bring Light 2..., Then You Are Simply PART OF THE PROBLEM!!!

My Black People Know This All 2 Well & We’ve Gone Thru This Time & Time Again!!!  However Since The Death Of George Floyd There Has Been A Shift In The Universe & The Door Has Opened Up Just A Crack!!!  I Am Proud As “WE” The Citizens Get Involved & Our Athletes (BLACK & WHITE) Have Stepped Up Their Games Too!!!

White America Should Take A Chance & Read Ms. Robin DiAngelo’s Book “White Fragility.”  DO NOT View It As An Indictment On White Privilege, White Supremacy, Or Black People vs. White People!!!  Read It For The Peeling Back The Layers Of How We Got 2 Where We Are 2day, Recognize Those Things In Your Own Self, & Then Ask Yourself What Can I Do 2 Help Effect Change Going FWD???

She Delivers Her Message The Way A Teacher Would In A Classroom Setting Where You Arrive In The Fall & Graduate That Following Summer.  You HAVE NOT Fully Mastered The Subject, But Now You’ve Been Given Insight, Tools, & Techniques That You Can Take With You As You Pursue Higher Learning On A Difficult, Delicate, Yet Demanding Subject. 

This Country Has Been Operating Under This Model For 400 Years…, So This IZ NOT An Overnight Solution.  Black American Has Only Been Free Since 1865…, Yet We’ve Never Truly Been Free As The Head Start White America Has Had Since 1619 Has Kept Us Lagging Behind The 8 Ball Ever Since.  Generational Wealth Is Real & Like Compound Interest…, You Can NEVER Make It Back Up!!!

DO NOT Get It Twisted…, The Election Of President Barack Obama Was An Anomaly…, Not The Norm!!!  That Is Why There Is Such A Buzz Around Vice President Pick Kamala Harris!!!  Not The 1^st Woman VP Pick…, But The 1^st Black Woman VP Pick On A True Major Ticket!!!  Like Barack Obama It Simply Points 2 Hope & The Possibility Of What America Can Produce When We Really Try 2 Live Up 2 Her Ideals!!!

But Until Every American Citizen Is Able 2 Fully Realize & Be Treated By The Constitution Fairly…, None Of Us Are Really Truly Ever Free?!?  Watching The Democratic National Convention Last Week & The Republican National Convention This Week…, I SWEAR There Are 2 Different America’s They Are Talking About???

What Happened 2 Us???  We’ve Lost The Art & The Ability To Respectfully Disagree?!?  & Then When We Used 2 Disagree…, We’d 2 Come 2getha 2 Work Out A Compromise (where you give a lil’, I give a lil’) & Then We Shake Hands 2 Live By The Rules Of The Compromise!!! 

When Did America Lose Her Moral Compass & Disintegrate Into This Reality TV Show We’ve Become 2day???  MY GAWD!!!  As A Black Man In America…, In The Immortal Wordz Of LeBron “L-Breezy” James, “I AM TERRIFIED FOR MY CHILDREN…, MY FAMILY…, & MY OWN BLACK LIFE!!!”  WOW!!!

The Bro J!!!