Echoes of Harlem, was recorded by Cootie Williams and featured in Duke Ellington’s Orchestra.  If you listen to this cut from Williams you may be able to recognize his signature “growl” with the plunger muted trumpet. In imagery, you can almost close your eyes and envision the sophisticated sway of a woman’s walk as her heels seductively call out the “echoes of Harlem” along the city streets.

Chaka Khan performing in Atlanta

If you missed the legendary Ms. Chaka Khan in concert with Najee at Cobb Energy Performing Arts center, then you missed a rare treat.

Najee opened the evening in a unique way by playing directly to the middle of the audience. His first selection was “The Night I Fell in Love”. “Sweet Summer Nights” included an amazing drum solo. The audience was also treated to an instrumental version of Anita Baker’s classic “Sweet Love”, which featured a sensational guitar battle, and Stevie Wonder’s “Knocks Me Off My Feet”. Other selections included “Sound for Sore Ears” and “We Gone Ride”, in which guitarist Chuck Johnson provided the vocals that Eric Benet normally provides for the track. Najee also played the selection “Noah’s Ark”, which was written for his son and was specifically dedicated to Trayvon Martin during the concert. Najee is multi-talented, and it was great to hear him also play the flute and the baritone saxophone.

Then Ms. Chaka Khan took the stage, and she immediately got rid of her jacket. Ms. Khan looked amazing! She has lost a significant amount of weight, and showed off her hard work by rocking a fitted black cat suit. The set opened with the opening vocals for “I Feel for You”, chanting “Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan…..”. The first full selection was “I’m a Woman (I’m a Backbone). Then she transitioned into the party starter “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me?”. The tune “Your Smile” came next. The classic “Sweet Thing” lulled listeners into a groove that would automatically take you back to the first time you heard it. (more…)

As part of our focus on Jazz this month on GFM, I want to take as many opportunities as I can to post seminal recordings and artists, with a bit of context. This recording by Louis Armstrong showcases his incredibly virtuosity as a musician.

In 1928 “West End Blues” was popular music and the reason that I emphasize that is because often when we listen to older recordings it is without the realization that they gave off the same feeling to someone else as we feel when we hear our favorite jam in our contemporary space. Louis Armstrong is the tributary from which all modern recording artists flow from and “West End Blues” was a major part of creating that phenomenon.

So… somehow, somewhere, some way (thanks new Facebook timeline) we were supposed to have a special one day (ahem) AOM (check yesterday’s date for the explanation). April is Jazz Appreciation Month and we are looking to not just focus on one particular artist for the month (although an emphasis will be on the extensive catalog of Duke Ellington) but the art form as well as discuss some of the debate behind the term Jazz in and of itself. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused and now back to our regularly scheduled AOM :)

Jazz Mixtape Tracklist
Esperanza Spalding – Vague Suspicions
Robert Glasper Experiment – Consequence Of Jealously (feat. Meshell Ndegeocello)
Fertile Ground – (Untitled)
Jose James & Jef Neve – Autumn In New York
Chieko Kinbara – The Angels Song
Jazzione – Lovely Piano
Carla Alexandar – È Assim
Azymuth – Amazon Adventure [Jazzanova Remix]
Shur-I-Kan – Bedtime stories
Lars Bartkuhn & His Passion Dance Orchestra – Treasure Everywhere
Mondo Grosso – Vibe P.M. [Jazzy Mixed Roots]
Earthsong – Batu
Catalyst – New Found Truths

Listen on DJ 1deful Site
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Soulful House Mixtape Tracklist

Maysa – Happy Feelings
Tamara Wellons – Euphoria (Jonny Montana Mix)
Nick Doe Featuring Louise Golbey – He Loves Me (Main Vocal)
Osunlade – Cantos A Ochun Et Oya (Juan Valentine Re edit)
Khanya Balani & Mikki Afflick feat. Nkulli Dube – Casual People (60 Hertz Project Mix)
Zhane – Crush (Shelter Vocal)
Jaidene Veda – Lyzel In E Flat (Jazzanova VS Jill Scott)
Ciappy DJ & Davide Murri feat. Fabrizio Scarafile – Winds Of Victoria (Spiritual Blessings Remix)
Professor Feat. Charactor & Oskido – Imoto (Vega Durban Main Mix)

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Listen and Download on Soundcloud

Peace and Blessings

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GFM fam wanted to put you on to a great mix that came to us by way of one of our family members and followers Priceyall. The mix has been receiving some well-deserved love and it is Priceyall is offering it as a free download, so make sure to hit that download button to add it to your collection. Also, make sure to checkout the tracklisting after the jump.

High Cotton by Priceyall (more…)

Great new music from France based duo Backpack Jax( Cuban American Mauika and Iraqi Frenchman Boogie Monsta) who are described as: “Al Green & Lauryn Hill’s lovechild, Backpack Jax are an international Hip Hop group based in France. Children of political refugees, Boogie Monsta (Iraqi Frenchman) and Mauikai (Cuban American), are 80′s babies from opposite sides of the planet, born & bred on Golden Era Hip Hop, who cite music legends Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis and Nina Simone as their greatest influences.”

I know that you’ll agree when you press play that this music is good and grown!

Remember the Future (Preview) by BackpackJax

In recognition of April as “Jazz Appreciation Month” JAM I want to dedicate our ongoing series “Get Grown” to America’s Classical Music this month. Today we have this great performance from 1989 that features The Saxophone Workshop – Michael Brecker(Tenor) Ernie Watts(Alto), Bill Evans(Soprano) and Stanley Turrentine(Tenor). There is nothing like the sound of a saxophone section that can produce this type of blend and the solo work here is sublime. Enjoy!