R.I.P Teena Marie……xx

Thank you for the music….xOxOx

Music: Sam & Ruby……….

Sam & Ruby Live- "Heaven's My Home" from sammy b on Vimeo.

If Ruby Amanfu and Sam Brooker aka Sam & Ruby’s sweet, folksy music was a colour - it would most definitely be yellow! Honey-sweet, sunshine music [that would melt –the hardest heart] –this duo is rocking a melodious sexy mix of: country, soul and a certain something -that’s all-their-own. Ruby’s pretty, post Dolly Parton, -nouveau-Nashville voice –is beautifully redolent on ‘The Suitcase Song’ and ‘The Here And Now’ –and their ‘Heaven’s My Home’ featured in the film, ‘The Secret Life of Bees’. For more information about Sam & Ruby, their upcoming tour or to download their latest album please visit: http://www.myspace.com/samandruby

Fashion et al Hearts Michelle Williams…..

I know that some of my mates will see lovely Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child fame here and think I've lost my ‘high-fashion’ mind …….believing sista Michelle -belongs to the, ‘shiny-polyester-acrylic-over-the-top-weave-on-drag-queen-I-wear-stage-make-up-on-the-streets’ club! Well folks -look again! Take another look at the above photos-s-s-s of the newly scrubbed-up, pared-down uber fashionable Ms Williams’ doing her style thing... You’ll find the make-up light, light, light and natural; the hair –weave less [or shorter and more fashion forward] –and the shiny ‘black gal’ dresses –made from silks, jerseys etc .... …Bravo Ms Williams you have evolved and Fashion et al loves yaaa-ya-ya for it! And for those of you still needing further proof -that a fashion evolution is taking place in our Michelle’s life …–she was spotted at both the Ashish and the Bora Aksu Spring/Summer 2010 Collections looking fabulous [during London Fashion Week]….go Michelle….….xx

Fashion et al Hearts Jade Ewen............

I love Jade Ewen [Sugababes ] -she has evolved! I also love her story [she is one of life’s modest over comers –google her when you have time]. She is beautiful, somewhat of a glamour girl –and like a lot of black ‘popstars’, -has a propensity towards the ‘shiny-stretchy-look-I’m-a-black-gal-on-the-stage-with-my-own-shop-bought-weave-on’ thing…–but when she is good -she’s very good! If you chart her rise in photos –you’ll notice that our Jade has evolved from North-West London beauty pageant gal to on-trend fashionista….and Fashion et al loves her for it.......go Jade…x

America's talking about Erykah Badu's new video

I’m bored by the ominous crazy racket crossing the pond with regards to Erykah Badu's new music video… Is it controversial? Nope! All sista Badu’s doing is [what they called in Ghana] –‘exhibiting’… She has not lost her mind-d-d… Nope; Erykah’s a grown black woman who wants to be free…and I know just how she feels....I'm getting over a head cold [I still feel rough! If I was a dog -they would have me put down! It started last Sunday after a lovely trip to The British Museum with King Alexander] -and I would love to take it all off and lay on ground -feeling free, free, free....But I know the errm good people of ‘The Bar’ would complain or have me sectioned! Why aren’t people trying to understand what Ms Badu’s trying to convey [eeerrm sorry I better watch it again to find out what she's fighting for -….this time..hehehe.] -But all they want to discuss is the fact that Ms Badu’s BUTT naked at the very end off this video....! By the way I think she looks fabulous ...she's 39..!

Fashion et al is talking about: Kae Sun

Kae Sun - Black Candles, from the album ‘Lion On A Leash’




I’m loving ‘ every tune, every word and every strumming note on Kae Sun’s album ‘Lion On A Leash’ …His music’s all about the ‘conscious’ word –and sounds sort of like k'naan. And with the world full to bursting with jagger-jagger, aggressive, slack lyrics, –his folksy soulfulness music [with elements of Hip-Hop, indie and reggae] is a ‘breath-of-fresh-air’. He is my ‘Next Big Thing’. Check out Toronto based singer/songwriter/poet, - Kwaku Darko-Mensah aka Kae Sun at: http://www.kaesunmusic.com/ –and download his album at: http://www.itunes.com/kaesun  -and http://www.urbnet.com/kaesun

Fashion: Diddy & Natalia Vodianova –A fine Romance

Diddy and Natalia Vodianova get all ‘Audrey-Tautou-in-Chanel-No-5-advert’ -in the February 2010 Issue of American Vogue….Shoot by uber photographer, Annie Leibovitz –Diddy talks about this latest album called "Last Train to Paris". The pictures are stunning….….x

Music: Leila Adu

There is something about musician Leila Adu. Beautiful and talented, -Adu was born in London, -raised in New Zealand and is of European and Ghanaian decent. And her music [an eclectic mix of jazz; cryptic soul, sweet pain and contained yearnings] -is beautifully haunting [just check out 'Answerphone']. Adu's sounds how -I image a child of, PJ Harvey and Billie Holiday to sound, -pretty but dark. Her voice has such purpose and commands your ear in a way that –hasn’t happened to me in quiet some time......Listening to ‘For A Man’ I could be listening to some ‘Negro Spiritualist’ song –on some plantation somewhere; -quiet magically really, -the way her voice can transport you like that! Leila Adu is a soulful, cosmic butterfly who has appeared with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and produced two acclaimed albums (’Dig A Hole’ & ‘Cherry Pie’), which led to national tours in Australia, Indonesia, U.K. and Russia. She is now based in Rome… ....and begins touring this February [please see tour dates below].‘Dark Joan’, Adu’s third album as a solo artist is out now. For more information about Leila Adu, the tour or to download her latest album please visit her at: www.leilaadu.com and
www.myspace.com/leilaadu

Upcoming Shows
16 Feb 2010 20:00
Franco Ferguson - IMPROVISED MUSIC @ FANFULLA 101 Roma, Roma

21 Feb 2010 19:30
Scuola Populare di Musica Ivan Illich Bologna, Bologna

17 Mar 2010 20:00
Fanfulla 101 Roma, Roma

3 Apr 2010 12:00
the Hello Goodbye Show RESONANCE 104.4FM www.resonancefm.com, London and South East

3 Apr 2010 20:00
The Vortex London, London and South East

8 Apr 2010 20:00
The Christchurch Jazz & Blues Festival Christchurch, Canterbury

15 May 2010 20:00
Echo Curio Los Angeles, California

Fashion et al Hearts Connie Mitchell

As I sit here at my laptop –eating my grilled chicken [I only do protein now] and type away, I’m sooo in awe of Australian rock'n'roller Connie Mitchell of the band -'Sneaky Sound Systems'. Its not easy being a big gal in a world where [it would appear] that only skinny gals win! I’m ashamed to put this out there but I have turned down a couple of offers –that would have seen my blog given huge exposure –but because it would involve me being shot, –I declined.

I wish to goodness that I had that 'thing' that Beth Ditto, Anita Blay [thecockandbullkid], actress -Gabourey Sidibe, Connie Mitchell et al -all have but I don’t [please note, I’m now doing something about it because I haven’t always being this size –no sirree]......And so, images of Goddess Connie enjoying her curves [unashamedly] -have to be applauded and celebrated [plus its only her, Anita Blay and Beth Ditto who can honestly claim to be ‘Goddess Stylistas’-representing for all the uber stylish plus size beauties out there].

Just feat your eyes on Connie in all her eclectic, flashy, bold accessories, one off dresses, crazy tights and colourful sunglasses in the winter –fabulousness. There are days when I can’t quite tear myself away from my latest black second-hand stretchy Ghost dress –and to see Connie in bold prints, horizontal stripes [across her ample bust], voluminous crazy dresses and skyscraper heels –just warms the cockles of my heart. I salute you Connie – ‘rock-on-with-your-bad-self’....xx

Zoë Kravitz Rocks...

It’s only just dawned on me that the edgy gal in Vera Wang's Glam Princess Perfume ad -is the one and only, -Zoë Kravitz [she’s been fronting the brand since December 2009]. I love her! A true rock’n’roll princess [Zoë is the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet] -Zoe is one of my favorite style icons, -and I was listening to her music on myspace –just the other day! It’s such a shame that her music is soo underrated –because Zoë and her band Elevator Fight are fabulous. Just check out their –‘Broken Glass’ and ‘Eye of the Pyramid’ tracks, –these tracks are sooo ‘rock-sexy’…....Kudos Zoë....xx www.myspace.com/elevatorfight

Words of Wisdom: Soulja Boy

"At 18 years, having grown up in the Mississippi Delta, I never thought my life would take me to where I am now...........All I thought I loved was music. I would die for that motherf*ckin music. But, once I got a record deal and all these people around me trying to tell me who to be, what to do and how to do it, I realized that I wasn't making music any more for the love. I got into this weird place where I began making music for the money...I thought money was gonna bring me happiness. And that is the farthest thing from the truth. Money f*cks you up...I know I might sound crazy, because a lot of you who are reading are probably like, I wish I had this ni**a's money. But, the truth is that money got me twisted. All I want to do is go back to making music for the love of it." Soulja Boy (Credit: Global Grind)

My soo called Life: Bow Wow is, 'bored with life' and in a 'dark place.'

"Man I be gettn bored wit life................I wish I neva did and seen err thang so soon. I have nuffn to look forward 2. I'm down more than I am happy...in a dark place! goodbye." (Bow Wow's Twitter -Tuesday July 7)

"This is my last album because for me, there's no more that needs to be done on the music side, I've done everything," Bow explained. "And the scary thing is I'm 22 years-old and I'm young. I'm still a baby, so it's kinda like on the music side, I've been doing it since five. That's 17 years of non-stop music, music, music. There's nothing more to accomplish that I haven't seen yet...I feel like now it's time to endure a new challenge...Close the chapter on the Bow Wow legacy...As far as albums, I'm good. Seven albums at 22, that's crazy." Bow Wow (Credit: Real Talk NY)

Its amazing to think that at the 'rip old age of 22' -Bow Wow is bored with his life and feels that he has seen it and done it all etc etc, -but the truth is that this young man has been kicking about in the music industry since he was 5 -and I'm not surprised he is tired!!! Too much $%£@, too little $£%&* -and way too fast &%%$ -has left this talented artist [and many other stars especially those who started out young -like Lindsey Lohan, Britney Spears and off cause the late great Michael Jackson] spiralling out of control. This off cause will not garner much sympathy from [some] desperate wannabes -who believe that money, success -and lots of attention is what makes the 'soul' happy etc.... Anyway I'm sure you all have your own opinions on what Bow Wow had to say, - I just wish him love, peace and maybe some time out and -errrm maybe some charity work etc?? I find that when times get dark -those of us who channel 'this faze' by helping others, -come out much better!!!

* Bow Wow, -recently parted company with Columbia Records and is looking for another label....

Fashion et al Hearts Kelis

Where do I start with sister Kelis? Her milkshake, her hair, her super-bad-arse-ness, 'big pimping-ness' -is often imitated but never perfected. Hot -and soon to be yummy mummy -this firecracker is one of a kind. I love how she is... teddy boy one minute, an 80's go-go dancer the next, then a hot showgirl -and just when you think you have her style/look box-ed in, -she comes with something different. Hot and, outside-of-the-box -Kelis is fierce. And even though she doesn't always get it right [who does?] -she always looks like she having %^%$£ fun -good for you -Kelis......................xx

Music: Bat for Lashes – Daniel

Hauntingly beautiful -I loves this song and I am .........dedicating this to you; yes you, -the lovely lady who's about to embark on a Shanghai adventure. Love yer babes. Be fabulous, live fabulous -do fabulous............xx. P.s you better stock up on yer hair products B4U Go hons....hehehe

P.s I bet you find yourself -playing this over 'n' over again......xx

R.I.P Michael Jackson (1958 -2009)

It must be very difficult to 'BE' -when the whole world thinks you are one thing -but you are really another. It must be difficult to truly express yourself -when your image is, -constructed, owned by others [and worth Billions] -and you are not happy. It must have been difficult -to have the whole world loving you -when you can not love or connect with yourself. Thus, the excess and the loathing. The hate of your own black skin -and then , the adoration. What a crazy, crazy world you inhabited. A world where your every wish/whim is acted upon and obeyed and -thus you became a sort of God -and no man should be or can be -God [and you knew this, -because deep down you are a simple 'child of God']. And thus, the self hate and the fear. Then the plastic surgery, and more plastic surgery and more adoration, -and things got [sort of] twisted -and you started to believe the hype [and it would seem -the paler you got, -the more success you had, -removing the fear -that you may one day become like -your father]. And the more success you had -the less real your life became -causing you to become a sort of 'Peter Pan' [one of the many childhood hero's you escaped through -when you was made to work harder and give more of yourself at an age when many children are still playing], -a sort of sexless, boy/man. But instead of people telling you the truth like, 'Michael you cannot be best friends with a monkey, Michael your feet are way off the ground or Michael you have had enough surgery' -they left you to spiral out of control -turning you into some sort of 'freak show'. And we all know -'your people' enjoyed watching you become a 'freak show'; -eating all the money -but Michael,what did you care? You just wanted a childhood [because even though you were and still are loved by billions -this was never enough. Because, no matter your success Michael, -your childhood was never too far from you). I can not believe it, but like Lady Diana -I didn't know I loved you -until now, -and now, I am sort of stunned but not surprised that you have gone. Too much ***, too much fantasy, too much***, the denial, the pain, a life lived at a pace that would have killed many -sooner. A life lived on stage, -in the full unrelenting glare of the world. Did all those ugly words touch you? Did all those negative eyes, and tongues [talking rubbish about you] penetrate your soul -or were you surrounded by people who were praying and loving you? Did you have 'conscious' people cancelling, all those arrows of hate coming your way [daily]-or did the love of your fans, their goodwill and all your charity work and goodness -block the negative? What a crazy life you have lived Michael -or maybe it was normal for you. But is it possible for any one to have lived your life and not -been touched/effected or damaged by it's crazy, craziness? How can a life of excess, of having-it-all [materially] -and the pills you had to take at the end -to make you function -like your old self, -not effect the sanest of people? No, I now believe that you lived it the best way you could Michael, -God rest your soul. Michael I am sad you have 'passed over' but thankful that -your MUSIC will live on forever. I pray for your children and your family -may they live in peace and in the TRUTH -and may you, Michael -finally, be at peace -Amen. Thank you for the music...............x

Music: "Birthday Sex" by Jeremih is soO Hot!!!

Birthday Sex


A fan of the eclectic and the quirky -I usually find the R&B of 'now' sooo boring -but "Birthday Sex" by Jeremih is so...... $%*&@?Passion$£$&&@Passion%$£$$$£$. It's my birthday on 29th June -I wonder????..........................xx

My kind of people - Tawiah.........

Listening to Tawiah performing the soulful, 'With Every Step' (above), -live via YouTube, -gives me goose bumps. What a voice? An alumna of the infamous, 'Brit School Preforming Academy' -a breeding ground for talent (it counts Kate Nash, Amy Winehouse and Adele as past pupils). Tawiah (of Ghanaian heritage) has been singing for ever, -she sung back up for Corinne Bailey Rae and The Guillemots -but things really exploded when Tawiah caught the attention of producer Mark Ronson (she ended up touring with him as part of his live band act). Tawiah's voice is a dream. Poetics, smooth, nu-rave, soultastic and relevant -Tawiah is about to blow up. What can I say .....it's a London thing.........................xx www.myspace.com/tawiah