tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61138595649970770122024-03-13T06:24:39.679-04:00SYNCH LADIES ON THE MOVEA Tour Of The Cultural ArtsSynchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comBlogger396125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-81817294022035488432013-08-29T16:09:00.000-04:002013-08-29T16:09:12.159-04:00MUSIC: AfroPunk Weekend in Brooklyn<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Skins @ Afropunk</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past weekend at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn marked the sixth year, long awaited, 2-day <a href="http://afropunkfest.com/"><b>Afropunk Festival</b></a> (August 24th and 25th) and for the first time we (Synch Ladies, Chante and Caprice) were thoroughly delighted and in awe to be in attendance for one of the most culturally diverse festivals in NYC! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The festival featured brilliant artists from all corners of the rock music genre; garnering a huge community of rocksters from the non-conforming youth to the mature. This would be a looooooooong read if we named every single artists on the bill, so we'll give you a snippet of who rocked the stage: </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Skins</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (this super polished band of young adults set off the festival with an enormous BANG), <i>Living Colour </i>(how could you NOT have this iconic rock band grace the stage? HUH??), <i>Saul Williams</i>, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Questlove</i>, </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unlocking The Truth</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DJ Hernandez,</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wicked Wisdom,</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> led by </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jada Pinkett Smith</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (yes, there was a Will Smith sighting) and </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a plethora of performers who unleashed a hurtin' from the early afternoon into the wee hours of the night</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Oh and NO, there is no way it stops at JUST the music!! There was much to do and see, such as the ART WALL canvas featuring works by <i>Ronald Wimberly</i>; rock climbing by the <i>Brooklyn Boulders</i>; delicious grub from a vast array of food vendors (shouting out <i>Phin & Phebes</i>!!) and The SpinThrift Market to "feed your shopping fix" from customized t-shirts to jewelry and everything in between!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the mist of all the weekend excitement, we chatted briefly about the festival and the legacy of rock music (take a listen <a href="http://www.spreaker.com/page#%21/user/chante/black_rock_roll" style="font-weight: bold;">here</a>) in all its splendor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no doubt that we will be back next year and hopefully, SR's Caprice will get a chance to rock the stage with the best of them! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next year AfroPunk and keep ROCK ALIVE!!!</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Synchronized Rhythm</span></i></b>Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-87132012042380215552013-06-29T20:40:00.000-04:002013-06-29T20:40:28.658-04:00FOOD: Tea By Tiffany's Green Meditation <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmDpSjTSOeI/Uc98GO_Kz4I/AAAAAAAABJo/bVJzc8RRJVM/s1576/greenteagranolatbt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmDpSjTSOeI/Uc98GO_Kz4I/AAAAAAAABJo/bVJzc8RRJVM/s320/greenteagranolatbt.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Tea Chocolate Granola - courtesy of Tea By Tiffany<br />
Photo Credit: Chante/VySyn Photography </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tea and mediation go hand and hand - that's what I along with a few other guests learned at last night's green tea meditation event hosted by <a href="http://teabytiffany.com/"><b><i>Tea By Tiffany</i></b></a> at <a href="http://www.asaliyoga.com/"><b><i>Asali Yoga</i></b></a> in Harlem. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The evening was filled with learning, sharing, embracing a renewed way of thinking and tea tasting, of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After returning from the recent annual tea industry event in Las Vegas, Tiffany treated us to four teas from Korea and Japan that she brought back from the conference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Let me know you</i>...this tea is indescribable. It is pure, high-quality tea from the farms of the shaded, unshaded and mountain sides of lands far away that when sipped you feel as if you are being transported to those parts unknown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Incredible!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Aside from the tea leaf offerings, we indulged our senses to sweet green-inspired treats, like the one above, as well as our spirits to the inspirational words of meditation speakers, Alan Watts and Jiddu Krishnamurti.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a long, long week at the office, this was the perfect way to kick off my weekend with great tasting tea and a lesson in meditation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tiffany will continue to host these themed events more frequently so I encourage you to join her mailing list for updates and if you are interested in a private tea tasting contact her <a href="http://teabytiffany.com/pages/services">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What's in Your Cuppa?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Chante</i></span><br />
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-12800908967640660952013-06-20T16:19:00.000-04:002013-06-20T16:19:30.385-04:00FOOD: A Cuppa at PressTea <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last month, a new cafe opened in Greenwich Village namely <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/press-tea-new-york"><strong><em>Press Tea</em></strong></a> to much fanfare. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Since the opening, I've stopped by a few times and I have to admit the fuss is warranted. This place brings coffee and tea lovers alike to try an innovative approach to tea preparation and freshly brewed special blends - very imPRESSive! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The wooden motif, warm lighting and cozy seating offers an ideal place to catch up with friends, sip a special brew in your creative mode or get away from reality with a good book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ironically, each time that I've stopped by ended up being the worst rainy days of spring and Press Tea was that oasis in those stormy moments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Chante</em> </span><br />
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-32507300000240753812013-06-02T22:35:00.000-04:002013-06-02T22:41:58.240-04:00MUSIC: Open Mic @ Sam Ash <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wxawKK-3t0/Uav9-sDpXxI/AAAAAAAABIg/8PEEbiYyYDE/s1600/DSC_0169-proc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wxawKK-3t0/Uav9-sDpXxI/AAAAAAAABIg/8PEEbiYyYDE/s320/DSC_0169-proc.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This past week, <a href="http://samashmusic.com/"><b><i>Sam Ash Music Store</i></b></a> kicked off it's weekly Wednesday's Open Mic night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The event featured various musicians and vocalists including <a href="http://www.lesjuly.com/">Les July</a> (who also starred as the MC), <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/capricestarbrite">Caprice Starbrite</a>, <a href="http://ntirzah.bandcamp.com/">N'tirzah Al Rephaim</a>, Kizmit (band), <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/thecynz">The Cynz </a>(band) and others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was a great opportunity to be exposed to different genres of rock and soul while strolling down memory lane on the oldies of music's heyday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This music series is set to be something grand where a jam session with random musicians who do not know each other can occur at any given moment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Chante</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-12582264633893340402013-05-10T22:12:00.000-04:002013-05-10T22:12:13.499-04:00ART: Little Teapot<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmD-kmmc-nA/UY2lQvKQXDI/AAAAAAAABIE/zPoth8ZC4B0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RmD-kmmc-nA/UY2lQvKQXDI/AAAAAAAABIE/zPoth8ZC4B0/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography</td></tr>
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I'm beyond giddy with the clay tea set that Lindsay of <a href="http://www.littlebearpots.com/"><b>Little Bearpots</b></a> custom made for me.<br />
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After meeting her at the <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2013/03/launchpads-monthly-built-in-brooklyn.html"><i>LaunchPad event</i> </a>a couple of months ago, I became an instant fan of her craftsmanship. She creates so many exotic pieces that I simply had to ask her to make a teapot for me and it was not a challenge for her at all.<br />
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While I gave her creative freedom, we did collaborate on the types of glazes and surfaces that would work for this piece since I was looking for something subtle yet classic. And I was looking for yunomi-style cups for my tea sessions.<br />
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It turned out wonderfully!! My first steeping was with a Rooibos tea blend...<i>but of course</i>!<br />
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I'm so looking forward to steeping many more leaves in this pot<br />
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Chante<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9BG5DLjpCc/UY2lnEr-6II/AAAAAAAABIM/wFtrlbMDcYc/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9BG5DLjpCc/UY2lnEr-6II/AAAAAAAABIM/wFtrlbMDcYc/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The brew is ready!</i><br />Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography</td></tr>
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<br />Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-29696085483202028842013-05-06T21:04:00.001-04:002013-05-06T21:04:40.859-04:00FOOD: A Gourmet Pantry Curated for the Soul<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JSK_4nOKZyQ/UYhP4GBk8lI/AAAAAAAABHM/_qfJMQHY5-I/s1600/JRGourmetPantry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JSK_4nOKZyQ/UYhP4GBk8lI/AAAAAAAABHM/_qfJMQHY5-I/s320/JRGourmetPantry.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography</td></tr>
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Tonight, I stopped by <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/riley-land-a-gourmet-pantry-new-york"><b><i>Joseph Riley Land's Gourmet Pantry</i></b></a> pop-up shop that recently opened late last week and is conveniently located in a cozy spot at the renowned <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/astor-row-cafe-new-york">Astor Row Cafe</a>.<br />
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The pantry is made up of carefully selected items that you would find in chef extraordinare Joe's kitchen. He stands by everything that his shop sells 100%. The Gourmet Pantry represents so many regions as far as Argentina and as close as New Jersey.
This shop is all Joe - an eclectic blend of tastes that suits all of your kitchen needs from balsamic vinaigrette, wide array of artisanal sweets, red peppers, butters, grits and so much more. And this is only the beginning!<br />
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You can hear it straight from the man himself via his <a href="http://kitchensofa.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/gourmet-pantry-to-open-in-harlem/"><b>blog</b></a>.<br />
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He is my go-to person for anything foodie related - he got me hooked on Moravian cookies (all of them!) just last year and I'm now trying to figure out the many ways to eat La Salamandra's dulce de leche instead of simply dipping a spoon in the rich tasting sinful treat.<br />
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I'm in awe by Joe's tenacity to see his vision become a reality and am looking forward to seeing his brand at local markets across the city as well as the shop's special events coming in the near future.
In the meantime, join me and hop on the MTA then stroll your way to Joe Riley's Gourmet Pantry.
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<i>Congratulations, Joe!!</i><br />
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<i>-Chante</i>Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-54020656331299747352013-05-05T19:53:00.005-04:002013-05-05T19:53:50.931-04:00ART: We The People - Rico Washington and Shino Yanagawa<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vtij5tNmVNQ/UYbpwmrC6kI/AAAAAAAABG8/bVeomkEnaNk/s1600/wetheppl_arts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vtij5tNmVNQ/UYbpwmrC6kI/AAAAAAAABG8/bVeomkEnaNk/s320/wetheppl_arts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rico and Shino at the opening reception<br />
Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/We-The-People-The-Citizens-of-Nycha-in-Pictures-Words/145443688832424">We The People</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yesterday, I stopped by the <a href="http://www.cnr.edu/Arts/GordonA.ParksGalleryandCulturalArtsCenter">Gordon A Parks Gallery & Cultural Arts Center</a> in the South Bronx is see the <a href="http://www.debunkthemyth.org/"><i><b>"We The People"</b></i></a> collaborative arts project by Rico Washington (journalist) and Shino Yanagawa (photographer). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This incredible exhibit showcased the faces and words of residents that live in buildings regulated by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Those that live in these buildings are often not heard from unless an election is near (to be brutally honest). This exhibit is an eye opener to those who have not lived in or know anyone who has lived in a NYCHA housing complex. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We The People</i> features interviews and photographs of such notable former NYCHA residents as Hip-Hop artist/ actor Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), author/ filmmaker/ cultural critic Nelson George, lauded photographer Jamel Shabazz, Young Lords co-founder/ original Last Poets member/ Emmy award-winning news reporter Felipe Luciano, venerable jazz musician/ recording artist Olu Dara, author/ Emmy award-winning filmmaker Dennis Watlington, Hip-Hop artist/ music industry CEO Buckshot, Hip-Hop icon Afrika Bambaataa, and many more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I found enlightening was the work about <a href="http://www.apollotheater.org/2011-apollo-artists/301-felipe-luciano">Felipe Luciano</a>. The revealing nature of this interview that Washington led and the visual capture by Yanagawa was captivating as Luciano delved into the cultural racism that existing as a youth living in public housing - a legacy of not-too-distant past, I might add. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Inspired by the documentarian works of Jacob Riis, Gordon Parks, and Ruiko Yoshida, Washington and Yanagawa brazenly explored the concept of second-class citizenship as applied to blacks and Latinos residing in New York City's Housing Authority sites. Both former residents of housing projects, Washington and Yanagawa aimed to lift the ubiquitous cloak of darkness cast onto the citys housing projects through candid interviews and photo shoots facilitated over the course of 12 months in various housing projects throughout New York City's five boroughs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The exhibition has closed but I have hopes that it will re-open soon in order to continue to spread the gift of this exhibition's message as well as to "debunk the myth" of those living in public housing.</span>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Chante</span>
</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-28402167573775561762013-05-05T19:10:00.002-04:002013-05-05T19:10:14.212-04:00ART: Gutai at the Guggenheim<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tqNIDwGfwaA/UYbgBE-0FQI/AAAAAAAABGc/snvLM1HlGus/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tqNIDwGfwaA/UYbgBE-0FQI/AAAAAAAABGc/snvLM1HlGus/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"Gutai art does not alter matter. Gutai art imparts life to matter."</b></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>-Gutai Manifesto</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yesterday, I checked out the <a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/exhibitions/on-view/gutai-splendid-playground"><b><i>Gutai: Splendid Playground</i></b></a> at the Guggenheim on the exhibition's closing weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was my first time visiting the Guggenheim (if you have not been, you need to go once in your lifetime). The venue is it's own immaculate work of art, I must admit! <i>Ok..back to the art</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Gutai: Splendid Playground </i>presents the creative spectrum of Japan’s most influential avant-garde collective of the postwar era. Founded by the visionary artist Yoshihara Jirō in 1954, the Gutai group was legendary in its own time. Its young members explored new art forms combining performance, painting, and interactive environments, and realized an “international common ground” of experimental art through the worldwide reach of their exhibition and publication activities. Against the backdrop of wartime totalitarianism, Gutai forged an ethics of creative freedom, breaking through myriad boundaries to create some of the most exuberant works and events in the history of Japanese and international avant-garde art. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Immediately, when I walked into the museum, visitors were bombarded with </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yoshihara’s Please Draw Freely, a collective drawing on a freestanding signboard re-conceived for the Guggenheim’s rotunda and created by visitors, invites adults and children to collaborate, think, and imagine for themselves. And, w</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hen you look up as you are propelled to do at the Guggenheim, you see a recreation of Motonaga Sadamasa’s magisterial work (Water) that lingers above consisting of polyethylene tubes of varying widths filled with brightly-colored water between the rotunda levels, making giant brushstrokes out of catenaries in the open air that catch the sunlight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>How cool is that!?</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I made my way up the rotunda's ramp, you feel like you are transcending levels of your own art consciousness and constantly questioning the definition of visual art - what is art? who decides that? how is art created? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That was my take away from this journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The presentation of these works and the works themselves rendered me speechless. The works that resonated with me were Shiraga Kazuo's Wild Boar Hunting (both the work and his creative process), Tanaka Atsuko's Electric Dress and Shimamoto Shozo's animated film (distorted with vinegar and paint to create another art form).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stunning!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You have got to see this exhibit for yourselves! The showing at the <a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/">Guggenheim</a> is through Thursday, May 8th! Also b</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">e sure to view the video about the exhibit, </span><a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/gutai" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>here</i></b></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Chante</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_plyM_9P8Xs/UYblfQOsiDI/AAAAAAAABGs/laU1-48PdKE/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_plyM_9P8Xs/UYblfQOsiDI/AAAAAAAABGs/laU1-48PdKE/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-62192204989940885442013-03-31T21:31:00.000-04:002013-03-31T21:31:52.578-04:00LaunchPad's Monthly Built-in-Brooklyn Craft Fair<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnqfJ6sDB-c/UVjecmXlMrI/AAAAAAAABGA/0wvxWQk_tFU/s1600/Jenowade.MeCR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnqfJ6sDB-c/UVjecmXlMrI/AAAAAAAABGA/0wvxWQk_tFU/s320/Jenowade.MeCR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and, designer, Jenowade<br />Photo Credit: Pamela Landvreugd</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last month, I stopped by Brooklyn's <a href="http://www.brooklynlaunchpad.org/"><i><b>Launchpad</b></i></a> for their monthly crafts vendor shoppe featuring the finest in artistry, nosh and vintage gear.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />I was fortunate to meet artists and entrepreneurs: <b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JenowadeDesignsPortfolio">Jenowade</a> </i></b>(designs inspirational and creative jewelry - see the 'Namaste' silver necklace below), Lindsey Schneider of <a href="http://www.littlebearpots.com/"><b><i>Little Bear Pots</i></b></a> (picked up a new tea cup - definitely want to purchase her tea sets), Christiana Greene of <i><b><a href="http://www.bum-cake.com/">Bum Cake</a> vintage vendor</b></i> (copped a 1940's silver and black opal piece - my first vintage jewel) and the ladies of <a href="http://www.sheaonu.com/"><i><b>Shea On U</b></i></a> for their smooth body butter that smelled too good not to eat (yes I tried..ha!).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dc1d_ZL8Sa4/UVjeltSFFBI/AAAAAAAABGI/TO0oUuF4iR8/s1600/Namaste.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dc1d_ZL8Sa4/UVjeltSFFBI/AAAAAAAABGI/TO0oUuF4iR8/s320/Namaste.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Namaste Jewelry by Jenowade Designs<br />Photo Credit: Chante/VySyn Photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Visit Launchpad’s <a href="http://www.brooklynlaunchpad.org/">website</a> for the next date of their monthly crafts offering and join their mailing list to be the first to know the latest cultural events that are happening at this amazing Franklin Avenue venue! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chante
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-44006662589942316322013-03-31T21:00:00.000-04:002013-03-31T21:00:48.167-04:00SIDE TOURING: The Tea Culture Movement<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCPEydVS9Ew/UVjZld_a-YI/AAAAAAAABFo/a_1ocdJ8WYM/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCPEydVS9Ew/UVjZld_a-YI/AAAAAAAABFo/a_1ocdJ8WYM/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"A man without tea in him is incapable of understanding truth and beauty." -Okakura Kakuzo</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently, courtesy of <a href="http://www.sidetour.com/"><b><i>Side Tour</i></b></a>, I had an opportunity to experience a tasting of Tieguanyin (oolong tea) with artist and co-owner of <b><i><a href="http://www.themandarinstearoom.com/">Mandarin's Tea House</a>,</i></b> Timothy Hsu for two hours - with every passing minute the taste become incredibly more potent! The experience was amazing and I highly recommend a visit to the tea house for a cup of tea with your cultural lesson.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />The tea culture is so expansive and inclusive with tea novices, aficionados and snobs intertwined at socials, and the ranges of teas that are steeped into existence continually redefine the question of "<i>how many teas are out there?</i>”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />There is a tea movement gaining momentum whether out of people seeking a healing alternative rather than continue with tradition medicines that fail us or choosing a healthier way of life by way of drinking natural beverages that taste good (and are good for our bodies) instead of indulging in bad drinks that are loaded with processed sugars, fructose, etcera. Or simply have the utmost respect for the leaf - whether it be part of a spiritual or cultural regime. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whatever the reason - more people are drinking tea and that is great thing!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntiSC-5UPxk/UVjZ4TrQA4I/AAAAAAAABFw/5TjqOe_pYJ0/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntiSC-5UPxk/UVjZ4TrQA4I/AAAAAAAABFw/5TjqOe_pYJ0/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spices and Tease at the Chelsea Market [NYC]<br />Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The tea world is still fresh to me and I'm enjoying every millisecond. My introduction to loose leaf tea was about two years ago. And my very first tea house experience was at the <a href="http://radiancetea.com/"><i><b>Radiance Tea House</b></i></a> this past January. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What will be my next tea experience? I can see more tea tastings in my near future (the April 11th <b><i><a href="http://teabytiffany.tumblr.com/post/45726404539/afterwork-chocolate-tea-join-tiffany-friends">Tea By Tiffany’s Chocolate & Tea Tasting</a> </i></b>comes to mind!). Or perhaps being a part of a Japanese tea ceremony. Who knows!? But whatever the experience I'm grateful to broaden my cultural palate.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjOGAS-u54s/UVjaKCGVU4I/AAAAAAAABF4/o0VtV-tmRAw/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjOGAS-u54s/UVjaKCGVU4I/AAAAAAAABF4/o0VtV-tmRAw/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visit to the Sullivan Street Tea & Spice in the West Village [NYC]<br />Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>SideNote:</b></i> If you want to know more about the medicinal benefits of tea or are curious about the various Asian teas, be sure to read "Healthy Teas" by Tammy Safi. It was so helpful to me! Learning is fundamental but while I experiment on my own I tilt my hat to tea specialists that have inspired & enlightened me - Tiffany (Twitter: @teabytiffany), Mario (Twitter: @mariotravels) and Nicole (Twitter: @teaformeplease).
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br />What's In Your Cup?
<br />Chante
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-75493307309078518122013-02-24T15:54:00.003-05:002013-02-24T15:54:44.467-05:00PSA: Harlem's Reaction to the Harlem Shake....STOP!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
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"That's Not the Harlem Shake"</i> is the sentiment expressed by those interviewed on the streets of harlem in this latest video about the dance phenomena. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How soon do people forget that the Harlem shake originated years ago and does not resemble this current dance craze that we are witnessing (over and over and over...<i>please stop</i>...and over again...<i>stop</i>). </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The original Harlem shake had a breakthrough style of its own so when people broke into the shake it was indescribable and hypnotically rhythmic. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The version that people are cloning nowadays is downright laughable - a complete joke - as well as disrespectful to the original version. I wouldn't be so offended if the originator of this mockery copy used an ounce of God-given creativity and simply called it something else like the zombie shizzle (lol).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>America...stop the madness and cease the debauchery!</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Chante</i></span><br />
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-50334425925561140362013-02-24T15:30:00.000-05:002013-02-24T15:30:27.719-05:00EAR CANDIES: BamaLoveSoul Mixes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMXkz565Ptg/USp3vIQXY9I/AAAAAAAABE4/fKfvVrgTIwo/s1600/DillaDonuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMXkz565Ptg/USp3vIQXY9I/AAAAAAAABE4/fKfvVrgTIwo/s320/DillaDonuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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February has been one of those months where I needed a few more hours in each day to just..breathe!<br />
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Well the month is not over just yet and with days to go before March madness arrives (I hope that this not what's truly to come) the folks at <a href="http://bamalovesoul.bandcamp.com/music"><b><i>Bama Love Soul </i></b></a>blessed mine ears with a few of their classic mixes at one site!<br />
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From J Dilla to Robert Glasper to Jill Scott to A Tribe Called Quest to Common, the purveyors of music covered all bases with these mixes.<br />
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Grab your plate and dig in at <a href="http://bamalovesoul.bandcamp.com/music">http://bamalovesoul.bandcamp.com/music</a><br />
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<i>-Chante</i>Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-58033632657196577662013-02-03T00:30:00.001-05:002013-02-03T00:30:21.021-05:00KIM COLES "..But Wait There's More" One Woman Show - NYC DEBUT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z77A50_OLF4/UQ3zam7bQgI/AAAAAAAABEM/MVTkyED8cok/s1600/kimcolesshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z77A50_OLF4/UQ3zam7bQgI/AAAAAAAABEM/MVTkyED8cok/s1600/kimcolesshow.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This past Friday, Brooklyn (and NYC for that matter) stood up for stand up comedienne/actress, <a href="http://www.therealkimcoles.com/"><i><b>Kim Coles</b></i></a>, on the New York City opening night of her one-woman show "<i>....But Wait There's More</i>". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The show chronicled the life of the actress and funny lady from cradle to the walking example of inspiration that we saw before us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was my first time, and certainly not my last time, seeing her perform and I was truly in awe at how hilariously witty this woman was. Her zaniness is natural and all-Kim. She is so much more than her characters that she played during her stint on "In Living Color", "Frazier" and her role as Sinclair on the still highly revered show "Living Single". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This one-woman show dazzles, brings you into her inner circle and to that place where she & many find themselves in at one point of one's life - sheer loneliness & despair. And most importantly, her show serves to leave you inspired regardless of where you are in your life's journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In "....But Wait There's More", she takes her highs & lows to create a memorable and refreshing gem and something I know that I needed to witness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Brava to Kim for revealing so much of her personal life to bring us the first phase of her life with many more years go!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Chante</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>SIDENOTE: Unless I'm the event photographer at a show, I'm totally against capturing artists on stage behind the lens - you often miss something b/c you are too busy worrying about your settings, lighting etc. BUT I made an exception for Ms Kim! At the end of her performance, she surprised us and returned onstage for an encore. </i></span><br />
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-17761408223672534912013-01-21T18:21:00.001-05:002013-01-21T18:21:21.078-05:00[VIDEO] MAYA AZUCENA - "Dance Revolution"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><a href="http://www.mayaazucena.com/">Maya Azucena's</a></b></i> recently released "Dance Revolution" song/video marks a one-month countdown until the One Billion Rising Movement Day - a global day of action to end violence against women and girls.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Dance Revolution" is an original song by Maya Azucena, produced by <a href="http://djspinna.com/">DJ Spinna</a> and the music video directed by <a href="http://www.raemaxwell.com/">Rae Maxwell </a>(RMI). And <a href="http://onebillionrising.org/">One Billion Rising</a> is a worldwide campaign, initiated by playwright and human rights activist Eve Ensler (author of Vagina Monologues & Founder of V-Day), to mobilize one billion women and girls by February 14th, 2013, to participate in a worldwide stand to stop Domestic Violence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Dance Revolution" shows that when paths of creative beings and activists for change - something powerful will definitely happen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>SIDE NOTE: For more information about One Billion Rising events happening in your area or to coordinate your own, please visit the official <a href="http://onebillionrising.org/">website</a> for more information.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Chante</i></span><br />
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-45006054457033711232013-01-21T18:00:00.000-05:002013-01-21T18:27:54.849-05:00[VIDEO] Dawn Richard "86"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-7lctWKqHA/UP3HSoWC_cI/AAAAAAAABCI/0GJ109m2pqw/s1600/dawnrichard86.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-7lctWKqHA/UP3HSoWC_cI/AAAAAAAABCI/0GJ109m2pqw/s320/dawnrichard86.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's not about year or homage to a decade, this song is about being on the cusp of a moment to take back your heart - in the name of love. That's what the song "86" and, recently released, the video by <i><b><a href="http://dawnrichardblog.com/">Dawn Richard</a></b></i> is all about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since she released the single last year, I wondered how the visuals for this angelic yet empowering song would look like. Dawn continues to astound me with her creative vision in her lyrics and in her videos. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've said before and will continue to say it...depth is everything and superficial is well..nothing! If you don't have me replaying your music or constantly watching your videos to "get" what the deeper meaning is then you've lost a potential fan. Plain and simple. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dawn is truly a gift and she shares it with the rest of us. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Without further adieu here's "86"...can you figure out what each character, movement, lyric etc. means?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SideNote: Cop her debut cd "GoldenHeart" worldwide! for more info about where to purchase visit her official <a href="http://dawnrichardblog.com/">website</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Chante</i></span><br />
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-82360915566330312013-01-21T17:42:00.002-05:002013-01-21T17:42:27.062-05:00TRIBUTE TO AALIYAH: "One In A Million" AHMED SIROUR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRlGK5W-RmE/UP3DWeCCrUI/AAAAAAAABBc/hWv4SwybO34/s1600/Aaliyah-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRlGK5W-RmE/UP3DWeCCrUI/AAAAAAAABBc/hWv4SwybO34/s320/Aaliyah-02.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In remembrance of <b><i>Aaliyah</i></b>, who left us all way too soon, <a href="http://ahmedisthemusic.bandcamp.com/"><b>Ahmed Sirour </b></a> (musician) created a brillant remix last year of one of my favorite joints - "One In A Million". While many have created remixes of her work, very few have succeeded at capturing her beauty inside-and-out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Press - Play</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Chante</span></i><br />
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-62466502034086093122013-01-01T20:26:00.004-05:002013-01-01T20:26:51.645-05:002012 RetroSpective: Looking Back to Look Forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Happy New Year!!</i></b> Yesterday, as everyone was in a rush to move on from 2012 and embrace 2013, I couldn't let 2012 pass by without recognizing what a great year it was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even with acknowledging the tremendous losses (such as legendary icons as <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/02/forever-alwayswhitney-houston.html">Whitney Houston</a> and <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/05/legends-rip-donna-summer.html">Donna Summer</a>), the tragedies of the shootings in our communities as in Sandy Hook, the devastation from natural disasters, the politics as usual childish games in DC that impact the lives of my family/neighbors who still remain underemployed or job and the fiscal crisis that continues into the 2013 new year (<i>I could go on</i>), I also witnessed the beautifulness of humanity from my window (especially during the aftermath of <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/11/post-hurricane-sandy.html">Superstorm Sandy</a>) and, connected with so many people and places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>The Music</b></i><i><b>...its rhythm, lo's and highs move me, change me and take me to a better place.</b></i> Ledisi and Eric Benet showed us live and in color a "<a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/06/love-sermon-ledisi-eric-benet-in.html">LOVE SERMON</a>", Lili Roquelin showed you her love of the "<a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/12/ear-candy-lili-roquelin-beautiful-sun.html">BEAUTIFUL SUN</a>", Kameron Corvet shouted "<a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/02/kameron-corvet-music-evolution.html">F_CK LOVE</a>", ArinMaya urged you to "<a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/12/ear-candy-arinmaya-be-you-be-beautiful.html">BE YOU - BE BEAUTIFUL</a>", Peter Hadar serenaded you to "<a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/02/ear-candy-take-it-off-for-peter-hadar.html">TAKE OFF YOUR VICTORIA</a>", Jesse Boykins III defined why he is the "<a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/12/ear-candy-winter-soulstice-peter.html">ZULU GURU</a>", Szjerdene revealed her "<a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/04/ear-candy-szjerdene-patchwork-ep.html">PATCHWORK</a>" EP, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Navasha Daya sang into your heart about being "</span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/12/ear-candy-winter-soulstice-peter.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">REBIRTHED ABOVE GROUND</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">", Dawn Richard unsheathed her "</span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/12/ear-candy-winter-soulstice-peter.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Armor On</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">", Choklate showed us how to be "</span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/10/ear-candy-choklate-fly.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">FLY</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">", LaSonya Gunter blessed us with "</span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/10/ear-candy-la-sonya-gunter-love-music.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">LOVE & MUSIC</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">", Jose James teased us for two nights in <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/02/harlem-nights-with-jose-james.html">Harlem</a> and with his "</span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/10/ear-candy-jose-james-its-all-over-your.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's All Over Your Body</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">" EP. And in 2012, the masses were introduced to the (not-so) new voices of the </span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/05/video-indie-soul-mixer-2012-recap.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">independent music movement</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/12/i-was-introduced-to-daley-bka-gareth.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Daley</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/11/ear-candy-ginette-claudette-girl-on-fire.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ginette Claudette</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/09/performance-caprice-starbrite-nama.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Caprice StarBRITE</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/09/video-jennah-bell-slow-dancing-in.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jennah Bell</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/05/ear-candy-name-istess.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tess</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Santos</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/03/candice-anitras-big-tree-listening.html">Candice Anitra</a> and <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/01/ear-candy-alert-lianne-la-havas-forget.html">Lianne La Havas</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist: Dawn Richard</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>The Culture....its the embodiment of a community breathing life into a nation.</i></b> The tasting of the eateries of Brooklyn at the ultimate foodie event hosted by <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/04/brooklyn-tastes-damn-good.html">Brooklyn Exposed</a>, Spike Lee welcomed folks to Brooklyn (once again) in his fictional film "<a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/08/film-review-spike-lee-red-hook-summer.html">Red Hook Summer</a>" and he strolled us down memory lane with his epic Michael Jackson documentary "<a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/11/film-spike-lee-micheal-jackson-bad25.html">BAD25</a>", Martina and Frank showcased abstract art right here in Brooklyn via their amazing art shows at <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/10/trick-or-treat-haunted-artistry-mf.html">MF Gallery</a>, Harlem hosted the first annual <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/07/arts-in-harlem-2012-harlem-arts.html">Harlem Arts Festival</a> at Marcus Garvey Park with art located in every crevice of the park, Pachi Tamer introducing the world to his photography series <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/10/projects-we-love-pachi-tamer-one-dollar.html">"One Dollar Dreams"</a> that give a voice to those without, the living Hip Hop legend Ice T birthed the documentary "<a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/09/film-art-of-rap.html">The Art of Rap</a>", musical senses were indulged with the remake of the <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/03/theatre-porgy-bess-2012.html">Porgy & Bess</a> opera, Harlem s</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">aw the doors shutter at the </span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/07/harlems-hue-man-bookstore-closing.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">HueMan Bookstore</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">; a historic literary resource, Brooklyn witnessed the </span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/05/great-googa-mooga-golden-ticket.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Great Googa Mooga</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, Nhojj embraced you into his life with his documentary "</span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/05/video-nhojj-music-word-documentary.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Music & the Word</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">", Broadway witnessed the 2012 remake of the "</span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/04/synch-ladies-theater-review-streetcar.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Streetcar Named Desire</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">" on Broadway, Amanda Seales gave her definition of a </span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/03/play-amanda-seales-is-not-diva.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">DIVA</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> in her one-woman play, folks </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">reminisced on the music and history of </span><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/03/film-marley-bob-marley-story.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bob Marley</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> in the self-titled documentary, exciting folk connected at the <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/02/sw12-meet-afropolitans.html">Meet the Afropolitans</a> plenary of the Social Media Week annual event.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Meet the Afropolitans" Social Media Week Event [2012]<br />Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>The Travel...its the passport to another place to explore the culture, music, language and pulse of the people of that region. </i></b>The duo of <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/12/travel-etiquette-web-series.html">Street Etiquette</a> does it quite well with its new web travel series "Travel Etiquette". Mario Nicholas took us to places less traveled through his "<a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/02/on-go-with-mario-web-series.html">Mario on The Go</a>" web series. And I also trekked the streets of NYC and beyond in my own special way with travel escapades in my hometown via my <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/08/summer-in-nyc.html">post on summer</a> sights/sounds and the "How Did I End Up Here?" blog series throughout the year (the last trip ended at the <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-did-i-end-up-here-brooklyn-botanic.html">Brooklyn Botanic Gardens</a>). Also, I traveled Me to the <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/07/wine-in-hamptons.html">Hamptons</a> for the first time for wine, shopping and a bit of exploration of the scenic destination. Lastly, I took a two week journey half way across the world to <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/09/travel-to-hawaiian-paradise_23.html">Hawaii</a>. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kona Island in Hawaii [2012]<br />Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2012 gave me so much life! The one lesson that I carry into the new year is to live in each moment and be appreciative of what that moment represents - personal growth, indulging of the senses or seeing/hearing something new.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What will you bring from the 2012 year that once was into the 2013 year that has yet to become?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In Peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Chante</i></span><br />
<br />Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-75661336416054622822012-12-31T14:19:00.001-05:002012-12-31T14:19:12.878-05:00"TRAVEL ETIQUETTE" Web Series
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d1I_K5Si5Lw/UOHj85yG7eI/AAAAAAAABAE/rDGE27cKn6o/s1600/SE_TravelEtiquette.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d1I_K5Si5Lw/UOHj85yG7eI/AAAAAAAABAE/rDGE27cKn6o/s320/SE_TravelEtiquette.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Street Etiquette</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Travis Gumbs</strong> and <strong>Joshua Kissi</strong> of the <a href="http://streetetiquette.com/"><strong><em>Street Etiquette</em></strong></a> duo have always fascinated me with their panache to set fashion trends or simply be comfortable in the skin that they are in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Founded in 2008, Street Etiquette is a style blog that approaches personal style from an urban perspective. With sartorial influences stretching over many areas and eras of fashion. Joshua and Travis, combine to publish a truly unique vision of fashionable menswear. Among other accolades, Street Etiquette has been featured in magazines such as GQ and Complex, ranked Best Men’s Style Blog by the Guardian UK, and named among “40 Bloggers Who Really Count” by the London Times. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With their latest creation, the “</span><a href="http://streetetiquette.com/2012/11/26/travel-etiquette-luanda-angola/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Travel Etiquette</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">” web series, these cultural bloggers recognize that clothing is a cultural movement. “Our travel etiquette series was started on the notion of ‘How do you live in your clothing/style?’ rather than the clothing itself” explains Joshua. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The SE team’s first stop on this journey was Luanda, Angola in Africa. On their website they shared so many stories and amazing visuals that transported you to the places that they visited - the markets, clubs, schools - that put you in the midst of the people of Angola. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It has actually inspired me to add this destination to my travel itinerary! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Visit their website - get comfy and check the pictorials and videos. Be sure to subscribe to their site for future updates on this series. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>-Chante </em></span><br />
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-89542634060590188152012-12-31T11:54:00.001-05:002012-12-31T11:54:11.106-05:00EAR CANDY: ArinMaya "BE YOU - BE BEAUTIFUL"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><a href="http://www.arinmaya.com/"><em>ArinMaya</em></a></strong> has been blessing fans with musical treats this month via her latest collaboration <a href="http://arinmaya.bandcamp.com/"><strong>"ArinMaya Remixed"</strong></a> with GAIAearthpeace, Probe Rok, John Robinson and ID 4 Windz of Scienz of Life. As we approach a new year ahead, be sure to head nod into 2013 to the track '<em>Be You - Beautiful'</em>!<br />
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Available for download on Bandcamp!<br />
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Happy New Year!<br />
<em>-Chante</em>Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-84794548742067097762012-12-30T21:47:00.001-05:002012-12-30T21:47:59.743-05:00Ear Candy: WINTER SOULSTICE - Peter Hadar|Jesse Boykins|Jesse Fischer|Navasha Daya|Skye|Dawn Richard<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Winter has made her official debut and is not backing down.</i></b> She came in with a roar and I ran inside to the safety of my quilt along with a hot cup of rooibos tea to keep the warmth close to my skin. That week was also the same week when I was terribly ill - so what ails a tortured soul? <b>Music.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For me, the sounds that pulsated from my speakers soothed me ten times better than any western medicine can ever do. I focused my healing on the words being sung not the pain that made me weary.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">PETER HADAR - TRACK: "TAKE OFF VICTORIA"</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A playlist without <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/02/ear-candy-take-it-off-for-peter-hadar.html"><i><b>Peter Hadar</b></i></a> is not complete. Period. Earlier this year, he released his <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/02/ear-candy-take-it-off-for-peter-hadar.html"><b>"Take Off Victoria"</b></a> project with much fanfare and its the go-to CD during times when I'm in a not-so-good mood. Peter's overall sound from the endless ballads to the dance tracks inspires you to chorus, swoon, sway and twist your waist - solo or with a dance partner (your choice). </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">JESSE BOYKINS III - TRACK: “PRIMAL CHANCE (FEAT. MARA HRUBY)”</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://jbiiimusic.com/"><b><i>Jesse Boykins</i></b></a> latest release "<b>Zulu Guru</b>" is another amazing chapter of the growing love movement – a phrase that he personifies yet shares with his fellow comrades in music. The imagery of his lyrics is seamless as a dream that you wish that would not end. This track introduced me to the voice that is Mara Hruby – her presence added so much breadth to this powerful, inspiring song….(“let’s take this time to paint our design”).
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">JESSE FISCHER – TRACK: “KEEP THE FAITH” </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/12/ear-candy-jesse-fischer-soul-cycle.html"><b><i>Jesse Fischer’s</i></b></a> “<b>Retro Future</b>” CD is so dynamic! Check my recent <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/12/ear-candy-jesse-fischer-soul-cycle.html"><b>review</b></a>. When this track started, a surge of warmth came over me with every chord, clash of the percussion, impenetrable sax solo and, the rise and fall of the band in unison. </span><br />
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NAVASHA DAYA – TRACK: “SWEET KISS” </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://navashadaya.com/"><b><i>Navasha Daya</i></b></a>, formerly of Fertile Ground, has that voice that cuts through the most crowded space. She recently released her “<b>Rebirthed Above Ground</b>” EP that speaks, screams, shouts jazz rhythms, soul-funkiness, rock folk storytelling and vocal acrobatics. This track was a perfect following. If you have not already, please download a copy of her EP on <a href="http://navashadaya.bandcamp.com/"><b>Bandcamp</b></a>.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SKYE –TRACK: “FEATHERLIGHT” </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.skyeedwards.com/"><b><i>Skye Edwards</i></b></a>, lead vocalist of Morcheeba, recently released her CD “Back to Now” with leading track “<b>Featherlight</b>”. Her current project gives us her uncanny vocals and harmonies reminincst of the Morcheeba magic yet it embodies Skye’s style as a solo artist. You can download the 13-track CD on ITunes.
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">DAWN RICHARD -- TRACK: "BLACK LIPSTICK"</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/03/ear-candy-dawn-richard-armor-on.html">Dawn Richard</a></i></b> released her EP <a href="http://synchrhythm.blogspot.com/2012/03/ear-candy-dawn-richard-armor-on.html"><b>"Armor On"</b></a> earlier this year and been tantalizing her fans since then with visual stimulating videos and numerous singles that make you love her music even more. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This track from her EP has always intrigued me and its a song that is sensuous</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> yet subtle in delivery. Be sure to stay tuned for more music fro Dawn in 2013 - i</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">n mid January 2013, she will release her first debut CD "GoldenHeart". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>SIDE NOTE:</i></b> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>By this time in the playlist, that I admittedly replayed a bit, I'm on my second cup of tea and ready to brave the cold Brooklyn winds for some fruits, veggies, ginger root to continue the healing process. As I wrapped up to head out, I feel the harsh winds bearing down on me - I almost convince myself to retreat inside but I press "play" and march forward.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Music That Moves Me...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Chante</span><br />
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-90054231461619331272012-12-30T19:55:00.000-05:002012-12-30T19:55:08.073-05:00EAR CANDY: Lili Roquelin “BEAUTIFUL SUN”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><a href="http://www.liliroquelin.com/">Lili Roquelin</a></b></i> culminated the ending of 2012 with the release of her latest creative creation <b><i>“Beautiful Sun”</i></b> which is truly remarkable to say the least!
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />“Beautiful Sun” marks Lili’s third release since her debut EP in 2008. What I love most about Lili’s style is her passionate story telling augmented by her innovative musicianship. For her latest project, she performed all of the vocals, piano arrangements and composed the intricate melodies with fellow musicians to get that distinct sound. The video below showcases Lili’s creative process for each song.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Lili begins “Beautiful Sun” with a track about forgiveness in “Like a Feather” the absolutely most hardest thing to do is to forgive yourself and others. With each chord, she walks you through each weighed step towards the freedom that it brings. “I had written a poem some time before I started working on the album. The poem was about forgiving, how you can free yourself up by simply forgiving someone or something, or even yourself, instead of holding grudges for years”, Lili reveals, “you'll feel just as light as a feather and you're doing it for yourself too. When I started to hear in my head the music that would go with the story it was this light, uplifting almost-ballad like little song. The result is exactly what I wanted for the song, probably the most pop song I've ever written.”
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />On the title track “Beautiful Sun”, is a love tribute to Lili’s love for the sun. Each pause, verse, keystroke is part of this tapestry that she weaves for listeners. If you close your eyes, this song can transport you to the moment when the sun hits your face – preferably in the midst of a spring morning not the current winter season.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />After a few listens of this CD, I have to admit that my favorite track is “Thank You”. I’m a proponent of showing gratitude to others or taking a moment to acknowledge how far I’ve come. Lili has done just that in this song. She describes this song as “a very important message to me, it has been my therapy, and gave a whole new meaning to Life in my eyes. The lyrics speak for themselves. It has an emotional progression, and during the composition and the mixing/mastering it was very important to me that we keep the internal dynamics of it.” Well done.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />The track that I thought it was ingenious was “Don't Wait”, which she recorded both in English (track 6) and in French (track 9). This jazz/blues track is a plea to be vulnerable and use your inner voice to speak from your heart. This song is so freeing! In comparing both versions of this track, Lili notes that, “the vocal arrangements ended up being completely different, it's interesting how a different language can change the tones of the harmonies”.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Lili also shows her other sides of music expression with the aggressive guitar-licks and empowering track “Try to Remember”; rock-edge, love track “The Only One”; as well as the haunting, mystery track “Bliss of My Soul”.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />With the track “Oh Brother”, she collaborated with Sam Scozzari (who co-wrote "Come and Hear Your Story" on her sophomore release 'Will You Hate The Rest of The World or Will You Renew Your Life'), to tell the story of a sister singing to her brother who went to war with the thought of her not seeing him again. I found the arrangements on this soothing as it accompanied the emotional lyrics, Lili recounts “when I started to compose around the song I totally saw landscapes like Antarctica, so I researched and found synths and samples that had been done from real sounds of icicles and wind. I think it does well to the atmosphere.”
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />To sum it up, the beautifulness of “Beautiful Sun” is the cure for the soul!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Chante</i></span>Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-7444935587083711832012-12-26T14:32:00.001-05:002012-12-27T06:53:40.955-05:00SR EVENT: Caprice StarBRITE CD Release Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Kicking off an exciting new year, rock-soul artist, </span><a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/capricestarbrite"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Caprice StarBRITE</em></strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> is debuting her eclectic fusion of rock, funk and blues in her debut cd “NO GIMMICKS NO TRICKS” with a cd release party backed by her band, ‘3 Shades of Chocolate,’ at the acclaimed Harlem venue, New Amsterdam Musical Association, on Friday, January 4, 2013 from 7-11pm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Caprice StarBRITE is no stranger to the stage or to <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/capricestarbrite"><strong>NAMA</strong></a> - she recently performed there for the first time with her band. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Caprice grew up in a musical household influenced by the likes of Michael Jackson, Teena Marie, Earth Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, Cheryl Lynn, Phyllis Hyman, Marlena Shaw, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, George Clinton, and Mavis Staples. Her musical journey began at the age of nine as a member of the glee club then paved the way to her next phase as a dancer including being a member of the Kushinda Dance Company. Since she is a vocalist at heart, her path weaved her back to her first love with her doing local performances at various venues such as at the Gateway Theater and Chelsea Common Bar & Restaurant as well as providing her vocal prowess to a bevy of artists, such as Dexter Myers, ZoZo Afrobeat, Rhythm Republik, MiKA, Coby Koehl, just to name a few. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fast forwarding to the last quarter of 2012, she has teamed up with executive producer, guitarist & composer, JEROME SCORPIOCHILD of Cave Lab Studios, to put the final touches on her solo debut CD entitled, 'NO GIMMICKS, NO TRICKS.' This debut showcases her riveting sound of soulful rock without auto tune or other studio tricks, hence the name of the release. With edgy tracks such as the domestic violence survivor resilience anthem, “NO MORE;” the infectious rock infused track of strength in “EVERYTHING AINT” right down to the smooth soulful track of letting go your woes in “YESTERDAY,” this rockstress has put her heart on the line without apology! ‘NO GIMMICKS, NO TRICKS’ is an organic blend of her influences, her persona, her soul and her experiences combined for a fantastic musical voyage that will never be forgotten. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The cd release party will be climactic as it officially introduces Caprice and her tenacious band, 3 Shades of Chocolate (with Jerome Scorpiochild on guitar, Warren Cox on bass and Samuel Jennings on drums) to the masses. In addition to the rock vibes, independent artist, <a href="http://ntirzah.bandcamp.com/"><strong><em>N’Tirzah Al Rephaim</em></strong></a>, will also treat music lovers to a soulful performance and local entrepreneurs, <a href="http://www.anniemaescheesecakes.com/"><strong><em>Annie Mae’s Cheesecakes & Moore</em></strong></a> and, <a href="http://teabytiffany.com/"><strong><em>Tea By Tiffany</em></strong></a> will provide holistic yet sinful indulgences throughout the evening. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<em>-Chante</em></div>
</span>Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-30023806288168657532012-12-09T21:25:00.001-05:002012-12-09T21:25:27.718-05:00EAR CANDY: Jesse Fischer & Soul Cycle "RETRO FUTURE"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><a href="http://jessefischer.com/">Jesse Fischer & Soul Cycle</a></i></b>'s latest project<b><i> "Retro Future"</i></b> has become part of my daily peaceful journey in the mornings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To classify this project as jazz fusion is the closest way to describe the sounds, rhythms and style that Jesse and his band brings forth. Jesse tapped on the talents of <a href="http://christurner.bandcamp.com/">Chris Turner</a> (on “Electric Ladyland” - love Chris' vocals on every I've heard him do) and <a href="http://www.racheleckroth.com/">Rachel Eckroth</a> (on “Aquarius” - this track made me a bit curious about Rachel...nice remake!) as well built upon the euphoric sound that Soul Cycle has created over the years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The band consists of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesse Fischer (rhodes,
moog, organ, additional keyboards, tambourine), Brian Hogans (alto sax, flute),
Jean Caze (trumpet), Corey King (trombone), David Linaburg (guitar), Solomon
Dorsey (bass), Gabriel Wallace (drums), Shawn Banks (percussion) and David
Cutler (handclaps)</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The incredible futuristic music pulsating into my ears every morning on my way to the office is just as invigorating as a strong cup of joe or spiced chai. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take a listen to one of my favorite tracks from this project - simply amazing!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>SIDENOTE: Check out this awesome article on <a href="http://revivalist.okayplayer.com/2012/10/16/revivalist-presents-jesse-fischer-soul-cycles-retro-future/">Revivalist</a> (which is a site that I follow for my jazz music pleasures) - here Jesse does a track by track breakdown of what inspired each song and the creation process.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Chante</i></span><br />
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-3737901418193250082012-12-01T21:15:00.006-05:002012-12-01T21:17:35.074-05:00EAR CANDY: DALEY "Alone Together" EP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wGhQddydYE/ULq374tqjdI/AAAAAAAAA50/_FXbAwMOZa0/s1600/Daley-500x331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_wGhQddydYE/ULq374tqjdI/AAAAAAAAA50/_FXbAwMOZa0/s320/Daley-500x331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was introduced to <b><i><a href="http://daley.tv/">Daley (bka Gareth Daley)</a> </i></b>from his video on VH1 which is the title track from his latest project “Alone Together” EP.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Daley is a British singer and songwriter from Manchester. Over the years, he’s built his reputation as a passionate, experimental vocalist as well as an equally gifted, creative writer. He released his first mixtape back in 2010 entitled <i>Those Who Wait</i> giving fans a taste of what is to come from his recent EP.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />This year, he released his first EP “Alone Together” - filled with something for everyone to stir their soul with. On the title track, he and <i><b><a href="http://www.marshaambrosiusmusic.com/">Marsha Ambrosius</a></b></i> vocal-play with their respective love interests – a perfect duet match much like Peaches & Herb or Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />The next track “Blame the World” is a confrontation with a scorned past love – Daley hits every note with this homage to the classic soul era. The track that follows this is “Game Over” which is very playful as he serenades his love and his heart invested into the beautifulness that has blossomed (love this!). Daley then follows with “Remember Me” as he croons to a past love about what could have been with a funky bass line and backed by fellow UK artist <i><b><a href="http://www.jessiejofficial.com/">Jessie J</a>’s </b></i>power vocals.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />The last track is “Those Who Wait” which is my favorite because he is telling his story and how he carved his place in music with the ups/downs that came along with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Let me say this…Daley should not be compared to another artist – no artist should be for that matter. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He’s so refreshing. He’s different, edgy with depth in what he offers in his music. To compare him would be downright unfair. He deserves your full unbiased attention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take a listen to the EP and connect with Daley (<a href="https://twitter.com/DALEYmusic">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/daleyofficial">Facebook</a>). </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is so much more in store from Daley….stay tuned!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Chante
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<br />Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6113859564997077012.post-56801271696337060672012-11-23T13:47:00.003-05:002012-11-23T13:47:29.525-05:00Film: SPIKE LEE "Micheal Jackson - BAD25"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohLTk7hL4CI/UK_CyEpft0I/AAAAAAAAA5M/VwLEXiUNdaE/s1600/BAD-25-michael-jackson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohLTk7hL4CI/UK_CyEpft0I/AAAAAAAAA5M/VwLEXiUNdaE/s320/BAD-25-michael-jackson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last night, Spike Lee's documentary <strong>"Bad 25"</strong> celebrates the legacy of Micheal Jackson's "BAD" album as well as reveals behind-the-scenes tidbits that went into the creation of this masterpiece.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Below is the documentary as seen on the network. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Spike Lee tweeted that the full (two hour) version will be released on DVD in February 2013.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Chante</span><br />
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Synchronized Rhythmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413419388310632446noreply@blogger.com