Fling Chune FRIDAY - Rain

Welp, the weekend is back one mo' gain and I couldn't be happier to see it!  This week has been one of the most intense at work so the down time is definitely appreciated.

This chune reflects one of my fave genres: instrumental.  What I love about original instrumentals is that you can make up your own words, based on what the song is saying to you.  Or, you can just skip lyrics altogether and bask in the raw essence of the music in and of itself. Flamenco guitar lends itself especially well to imaginative listening because of it's intense, yet organic nature.  This isn't classical guitar but the style is more nouveau flamenco--think, smooth jazz to classic jazz, or dancehall to reggae (proper).

This piece comes from the fantastical guitarist, Jesse Cook.  His catalog of projects is expansive and displays both versatility and skill in his craft.  I honestly believe that among his many albums, I could literally play "eemie-meenie-miney-moe" to pick one and be absolutely elated with ear candy.  This chune could be considered one of his signature pieces, stylistically: mellow, yet intense; contemplative, but still soothing.  You know what?  Just listen for yourself!

Fling Chune [and dance!] FRIDAY: Azonto

Hey, Hey, Heyyy--it's Fridaaaay! Incidentally, the Friday before a holiday week (and some well-deserved time off).  Welp, this week got off to a harrowing start with ridiculous car trouble. I was convinced that the enemy had my number. But it's ending on a much better note since I heard a word that God is with me through the fire, and He's bringing me out as gold!  I just can't wait to see my SHINE!

So, since I'm in such a celebratory mood, I say we bust a move! Enter the hottest dance craze to sweep the continent--Africa, that is.  Who knows how to do the azonto??  It's kinda like the "Dougie" from Ghana, with it's own theme song and errythang.  I just got turned on to it last week and I am officially HYPE!  Tryna learn it even though I don't exactly have a lineup of West African parties to go to. LOL  But I'm determined to find some way to do the azonto in public with others who know it... wish me luck! :oP

In the meantime, enjoy!
pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY - 11:11

Yes, yes, y'aaaallll--it's Friday once again! *doing the holy happy dance*  It's been an interesting week... the beginning of Lent and the beginning of my 'blogging career'(?).  Before you roll your eyes and say "Here we go with another Linty Lenten post!", just hear me out!  I don't observe it, per se, but lately, I've been turned on to the Biblical significance of 40-day time frames. So while all of that is swirling around in my head, a friend texts me about dedicating this Lent to prayer.  I took it as confirmation from God... More to come on Lent, prayer and 40 days later.

So one of my blog posts got picked up by none other than SALTY Magazine... Excuse me while I go pass out!  This is such an awesome opportunity and I praise God for it! *sigh*  You've probably read it already, but my piece on Molting is in the Desires issue as a guest contribution. Y'all go check it--the whole issue is bangin'!

Now, on to some BIG CHUNE!  #applause  I gotta praise the Lord for some Pandora because I have it to thank for this week's selection.  One of my fave stations is nouveau flamenco guitar--kinda like what smooth jazz is to classic jazz--because, well, it's just freakin' awesome!  The fierce intensity of this musical genre goes above and beyond lyrics; it's as if words float into my head with the unique tone of each guitar string. 

This week's chune is a monster composition with the simple title "11:11".  The guitar hero duo Rodrigo y Gabriela transport you to another realm with a unique tempo that initially catches you off-guard, then drops you into a pool of auditory bliss. Your ears will thank you for this!

be blessed,

pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Chipolopolo

Happy Friday to one and all!!  This week kicked off on a stressful note; and then there was yet another Valentine's day as a single woman... but it's all good. I'm just glad that the weekend is here!

Also this week, history was made by the southern African nation of Zambia as their football [soccer] team won the African Cup of Nations for the first time--ever.  I've only 'met' one person from Zambia, and that was through a social networking site, but I was happy for him and his country in clinching this win on Monday.  Honestly, I'm not big on the sport, except when an African team is kicking the crap outta those balls--or hosting a major event, as South Africa did in 2010.  But the fervor that soccer hooligans fans show for their teams, around the world, is nothing short of amazing!

So this week's chune is dedicated to Zambia's football team--aka Chipolopolo--in the form of a song by the same name.  According to my friend from "Zed" (as Zambia is affectionately known by its people), Chipolopolo means "bullet".  So that's your random African fact for the day!  Oh, and holla to Imade iN Truth for putting me on to this track, which happens to be by Christian artist, Pompi.

Enjoy!
pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Feel Good

Happy Friday and all that jazz!! I'm SO tired... but glad I made it through the day and the week.  Didn't sleep well last night and had to get up early this morning to make a dish for a co-worker's baby shower today. Needless to say, I feel like crap! Oh, and did I mention that it's been raining for the last two days?? :o/

Anyway, today's chune is a much-needed pick-me-up from the Motherland. South African pop singer Lira could best be compared to [early] Jill Scott, maybe a little of Amerie, and just a dash of Angelique Kidjo.  I actually never heard of her before last year when she and Hugh Masekela--trumpeter extraordinaire and compatriot--visited the Virgin Islands for a concert. In addition to her mellow soul flava, let me just say that Lira is a fierce fashionista! For example, she rocked the World Cup 2010 concert stage with a white-hot ensemble in which the underside of the train was a salute to the South African flag. HAWT!! Wish I could find a shot that gave a clearer view of the train.

And now, for the music! LOL  Here's Lira with Feel Good:

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Ya Rayah

Happy Friday [night]! I'm sorry that I ran late today but that was for 2 reasons. First, I was in an all-day conference and there was no free wi-fi at the location (I know, right?!). But more significant was that I really couldn't think of a chune to fling today...nothing really came to my spirit as something worth sharing with you. Until now...

Let me just warn you up front: what I have to say will most likely be considered "anti-American", so you may feel the need to stop reading or even discontinue following my blog.  And the truth is, I'm really OK with that.

Like I said earlier, I wasn't feeling any particular song this week. Nothing especially profound caught my attention until Mu'ammar Al-Qadhafi was killed yesterday.  I am not a supporter of him or his regime in any way, shape or form, yet I found nothing to rejoice about when I found out that he was dead.  I extend the same feelings regarding the deaths of Saddam Hussein, Osama bin-Laden (and if ya wanna get fancy, Anwar al-Awlaki).  As far as America--and most of the Western world--is concerned, these men represented pure, unadulterated evil.  Yes, I agree that they did awful things both to their own people and to Americans, but who on God's earth made America the interplanetary police?? Aren't there enough domestic injustices to deal with instead of getting involved in others' affairs?? But since we insist on enforcing peace and democracy around the world, where was the U.S. military when the Rwandan genocide went down in 1994? Nowhere to be found...but they were live and direct in Iraq in '90 and Bosnia a few years after that. I won't go any further down that road but I will say this: some horrendous atrocities have been committed under the good 'ol "stars and stripes", and this country has much to atone for.  If there is a God and He is just--and I believe that both are true--America will be judged like every other kingdom, dynasty and empire before it.

On that note, tonight's chune is a nod to Middle Eastern music.  Rai is a genre that hails from Algeria, which, to my knowledge, has not been involved in any political or terroristic upheaval as of late.  Ya Rayah is a popular rai folk song and this version is performed by Rachid Taha.

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Waka Waka

I know, I know--deh chune flingin' late today! My sincere apologies for the delay... it's been quite a day (and quite a week). But I hope that all of you had a great Friday!

Today's chune is a nod towards some travel plans that I hope to make a reality in the near future. This week I started making steps towards the possibility of going [back] to the Motherland next year... SOUTH AFRICA, here I come!! :o) So to celebrate my hopes of getting another stamp in my passport, here's the "anthem" of the most recent World Cup (hosted for the first time in Africa): Waka Waka!

getting over the slump

I don't like working out. There, I said it for the record! Perspiration is not one of my favorite pastimes and unlike most other people who are gym junkies, I just don't get that rush that they say you're supposed to get from exercise. I've started a whole buncha home workout/DVD programs--Slim in 6, Masala Bhangra Workout, Sweating in the Spirit--but they're all just catching dust. It's not that they weren't fun but I can't say whether or not they 'worked' because I just didn't stay consistent with them... I got lazy, slacked off, then did absolutely nothing.

And then there was Zumba...

Disclaimer: This is not a paid endorsement. I am receiving no compensation from Zumba fitness or anyone else. Everything that follows is purely my opinion.

image credit: http://www.queenbeessd.com

I started doing Zumba last summer as part of a workplace fitness challenge. It was a live class that started out with just my co-workers and then exploded into something much bigger. For me, it was the exercise intervention that I had been needing! Its an aerobic workout based on movements and music from around the world, but focuses on Latin/Spanish flava. Being the world music lover that I am, Zumba had me at the first couple of songs... and then there is the dance component. I've never been a dancer, per se, but I know that I've got natural rhythm so learning bellydancing, salsa, merengue, cumbia, bhangra, calypso/soca and reggaeton moves has been a welcome challenge for me. My instructor is Latina and has a classical dance background, so she really takes the techniques to another level [Did I mention that she's freakin' awesome?!]

Surprising to even me, I stayed faithful to Zumba for several months, without interruption. I was having a blast twice a week while getting the exercise that my body so badly needed. I didn't loose much weight in pounds, but the inches, which mattered more to me, were melting off. By the 6-month mark, my clothes were fitting noticeably better and I had a revived confidence in my physical appearance. And then came this past summer...

My "workout woe-is-me" attitude eventually slithered back into my life and I became a bum. First it was down to once a week, then once every other week, and then none at all. By the time my instructor took a week off to go to the Zumba convention, I unconsciously called it quits. That was in July... didn't go back to class until today. Of course, by now, my clothes got more 'snug' and I could see the difference in my body composition. Fat > almost everything else. But it's amazing to think about how much time I let pass without doing anything physical (except a friendly game of kickball that kicked my butt because I was so outta shape).

Speaking of "butts", I've taken the first step to getting mine back into Zumbalicious shape! I'm too young to let my health suffer on account of sheer laziness. Besides--this shouldn't make a difference, but it's pure vanity on my part; just so ya know--now that I'm back in touch with a certain someone, I have this sudden, strange motivation to look hot. *sigh* Just pray for me on that one, please! But the good part is that I hope to use whatever motivation I need to to get up outta this slump and achieve the results I want. My goal is to look trimmer by/before Christmas... and then proceed to pig out on everything under the sun! LOL

Be blessed (and let me know if you're a Zumbaholic, too!)
pVI

Fling Chune FRIDAY: Balancê

Happy Friday, errybody!  I'm sorry that you haven't heard much from me this week, but I'm gonna make up for it with this Friday's chune: a world music feature. :o)  I'm even posting it early, so no repeats of last week.

So the chune I'm flingin' today, Balancê by Sara Tavares, comes from another set of islands: Cape Verde, off Africa's western coast.  It's a former Portuguese colony so that's the language of the song, although it may actually be in Criolo (creole of Portuguese and African language(s)).

Either way, I first discovered Sara in 2006 and her album of the same title is highly recommended! It's rather mellow and I think only one song is in English, but can be enjoyed regardless of understanding the lyrics. If I could describe her "vibe", it would be this: think Bob Marley and Enya having a lovechild and raising her in West Africa.

So with no further ado, please help yourselves to some Balancê [gotta luv the shout out to Bob Marley at 1:42!]

Fling Chune FRIDAAAAAY: Gata Brasileira

I first heard this song in my Zumba class and had an instant world music-flavored amorous experience! It's called Gata Brasileira which loosely translates to "Brazilian chick" in Portuguese. Though I've scoured iTunes and other web music stores for about a year, I have yet to get my hands on this joint! *le sigh*

So far, I've seen two names credited as the artist--Dr. Cevada and Axé Bahia--but I'm inclined to go with the former for 2 reasons:

1. There's one vocalist, and one rapper, but no group or even backup vocals that would indicate a multi-member ensemble
2. It turns out that Axé is also a genre of Afro-Brazilian music, most likely the one that applies to this song

Apparently this Dr. Cevada person was a one-hit-wonder because I can't find any Wikipedia page legit sources on him--no album title, no other tracks, no photo... NADA! If you know who this artist is or where I can purchase this joint, PLEASE hook a sista up! 

Well, Dr. Cevada if you're real and you happen to read this, just know that I think your song is thebomb.com!!

Have a blessed weekend, errybody!

Fling Chune Friday: Un Gaou a Oran

I've been flingin' this chune right here since circa ~2006. It was around that time that I had developed an insatiable appetite for world music and internet radio was my smorgasbord. Shout out to the station One World on Live365.com for introducing me to a plethora of international genres--including rai.

Rai is a folk music credited to Algeria, but enjoyed throughout the Maghreb (collective name for North African countries comprised of mostly Arab ethnic groups). Like almost any other genre of music under the sun, rai has evolved to become more upbeat and relative to youth. Think Jamaican reggae--> dancehall/ragga; Trinidadian calypso--> soca; 90s R&B/rap fusion-->hip hop.

Sorry for the musicology lesson--I told you guys I'm a culture freak--back to today's chune!  Un Gaou a Oran formally belongs under the category of rai but is actually better classified within an off-shoot genre, like those listed above. Not sure what this hybridized genre is officially called but the track appears on a compilation album called Rai-n-b Fever.  From the time I heard this song on One World, I was hypnotized... and then I saw the video. *scream* LUV'D IT!!  I especially appreciated that it reflected the background cultures of the artists--Mohamed Lamine, 113 and Magic System--who collaborated to make the song Black (African) and Middle Eastern/Arab, both united by French colonialism.

OK, OK, I'm off my soapbox. For your listening pleasure, this right here is Un Gaou a Oran!! Have a blessed weekend everybody!