Letters to a Young Sister: DeFINE Your Destiny by Hill Harper

Tags

African American, Books, Women

Hill Harper, Letters to a Young Sister

In the follow-up to his award winning national bestseller, Letters to a Young Brother, actor and star of CSI: NY Hill Harper shares his powerful wisdom for young women everywhere, drawing on the courageous advice of the female role models who transformed his life.

Letters to a Young Sister unfolds as a series of letters written by older brother Hill to a universal Young Sistah. She’s up against the same challenges as every young woman: from relating to her parents and dealing with peer pressure, to juggling schoolwork and crushes and keeping faith in the face of heartache. In his straight-talking style, Hill helps his young sister build self-confidence, self-reliance, self-respect, and encourages her on her journeys towards becoming a strong and successful woman. The book also includes contributions from admirable women like Angela Basset, Ciara, Michelle Obama, Tatyana Ali, Nikki Giovanni, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrikck, Eve, Malinda Williams, Kim Porter, and more.

Source: Amazon.com and Review

Cassandra Wilson -|- Loverly [Review]

Tags

African American, Blue Note Records, Cassandra Wilson, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Jazz Vocalists

Cassandra Wilson, Loverly

Cassandra Wilson -|- Loverly [Blue Note, 2008] Review

The enormity of vocalist Cassandra Wilson songbook has grown considerably since her debut on Blue Note Records. Now, as the summer arrives she blesses us with another stunning recording titled “Loverly.” As jazz enthusiast, we know the competition is steep within the ranks of jazz vocalist. Nonetheless, Cassandra continues to out rival her peers as one of the premier female vocalists in jazz.

Great songs, style and strong vocal presence are the foundation of what has always captivated me about Ms. Wilson as a vocalist. With her new album, she still amazes even the doubters and haters as she croons poetically within the context of fluent organic nuances and visionary interpretations on these compelling classic songs.

Corey Wilkes | Drop It!

Tags

African American, Jazz, Nu-Voices, Trumpet

Corey Wilkes, Drop It!

Corey Wilkes | Drop It! [Nu-Jazz/Review]

After listening to the tonal phrasings of Chicagoan, trumpeter and Delmar recording artist Corey Wilkes, latest release “Drop It.” I began to envelope and appreciate the pleasantries of his compositions and the assorted shapes, colors and textures that he eloquently executes with ease. In the mean time, snippets of the blues appear on a few compositions here and there as they employee the complexities of the inner city soundscape.

The opening track “Trumpet Player,” originated from a poem written by renowned author Langston Hughes. With a stroke of excellence, he paints a canvas of a hip and subdued unknown trumpet player. On this piece, Wilkes summoned the lyrical musings of spoken word artist Miyanda Wilson to underscore this magical moment. Lyrically, the words by Hughes gracefully articulate the plight of the black experience in America.

Have You Heard? [Music]

Tags

African American, Instrumentalist, Jazz, Music, Piano, Saxophone, Vocals

Greetings everyone, we’re back with a slightly different idea for today. We want to know, have you heard these recordings by the following recording artists listed below. Now, about 50% of the time the artist posted will be from older albums. However, there will also be new titles posted with these at least once a week.

Please, if you will your input is appreciated. Tell us what you’re listening too on your iPod, disc player etc in the comments section, thanks in advance.

Stefon Harris & Blackout – Evolution

Stefon Harris, Evolution

Ron Blake – Shayari

Ron Blake, Shayari

Kendra Ross – New Voice

Kendra Ross, New Voice

Joe Sample – Old Places, Old Faces

Joe Samples, Old Places, Old Faces