remembering mastery.
October 4, 2011 | Filed Under Inspiring, Listen, Read this, Spotlight, What My World Sounds Like | 2 Comments
i’ve been listening to a lot of jazz. it’s taken over my life, and i couldn’t be happier about it. it started with the ipod shuffle to a robert glasper song. made me realize i needed a live show in my life. this was a tuesday night. the first venue i looked up was the jazz standard. how about the robert glasper trio is playing there the following thursday to sunday?
floored.
now i’m experiencing an amazing domino effect. look at robert glasper’s twitter feed, find an interview of his bandmate, trumpeter ambrose akinmusire. fall in love with akin musire’s music. on a youtube search for akinmusire’s “ruby”, i find about a trio called pascal’s triangle, led by pianist pascal le boeuf. looking at pascal’s work, i discover he’s a twin (being a twin, i have a special affinity for them. 
). he has two albums with his brother, remy, and they’re both pretty cool. the composition is really interesting and emotive. they’re incredibly talented in their arrangements and playing, especially to only be in their early twenties.
the le boeuf brothers’ first album was house without a door and the video above is the title track. the one below is “wetaskiwin”.
absolutely. friggin. insane. not just these songs, but the album in its entirety.
join the think tank!
September 25, 2011 | Filed Under Consider this, Great ideas, Inspiring, Plain cool, Spotlight | Leave a Comment
The BMW Guggenheim Lab, currently featured in New York City, ends in three weeks. It’s been here since August 3rd, so I’m a little bothered it’s taken me so long to get over there. But…better late than never, right?
What is it? In a word, awesome. In a few, The BMW Guggenheim Lab is a mobile laboratory traveling to nine major cities worldwide over six years. Led by international, interdisciplinary teams of emerging talents in the areas of urbanism, architecture, art, design, science, technology, education, and sustainability, the Lab addresses issues of contemporary urban life through programs and public discourse. Its goal is the exploration of new ideas, experimentation, and ultimately the creation of forward-thinking solutions for city life.
It’s a pretty awesome idea and all the events they feature are free, prohibiting no socioeconomic group from attendance. Fun and free is always fantastic. It ends on October 16th, so head over while you can, before it travels to Berlin and Mumbai. In 2013, there will be an exhibition at the Guggenheim before completing two more 3-city cycles.
where is your character?
July 22, 2011 | Filed Under Challenge, Consider this, Listen, Spotlight, What My World Sounds Like | Leave a Comment
My music sharing friend, Rodrick, told me about Mara Hruby a while back. I downloaded the album, put it on my iPod and went about my business. Recently, I’ve been giving her EP, From Her Eyes a lot of play. She’s got a pretty voice and does well handling men’s songs. Looking forward to more Mara.
This Van Hunt cover, “Character”, asks a very important question we should all reflect on. Enjoy!
Mara Hruby – “Character”
Where is your character, the one that keeps you going?
Who are you when heavy weather is blowing?
Where is your character, the one who keeps you going?
SPOTLIGHT: “Forks Over Knives”
May 19, 2011 | Filed Under Consider this, Inspiring, Learn something, Moment of Truth, Pay attention, Spotlight, Watch this | 3 Comments
Once upon a time, I was a health zealot. Whether or not you asked, I’d gladly and immediately inform you of the contents of your food and any health risks they posed. My intention wasn’t to be a zealot; it was to be helpful. I was open and ready for that information and assumed everyone else was, too.
I was wrong.
Over time, I’ve ebbed and flowed with health. It’s prominence rises and falls. Over the course of the last year or so, it’s fallen. I’ve had beef (I thought it was veal), I’ve had pork (I knew it was pork), and I’ve consumed lots and lots of sugar. As of late, however, my attention to health has been on the rise.
It’s not even necessarily what’s present in my diet, so much as what’s been missing: easily digestible, nutrient rich plant-based foods.
Preventative health, mostly based around diet, used to be such a large focus in my life, and over time has dwindled away. But I miss it. I believe in it. I want it back.
That said, last week, I decided to detox by eating raw foods for two weeks. At first, I was super nervous, even tentative about lasting the entire time. By the time the first day arrived, I was mentally prepared and fully committed. On the second day, I realized it was my one year anniversary of moving to New York (sentimental, I know) and decided to, on day three, treat myself to a dinner at the raw restaurant near my house.
Best decision ever. I’m so about to eat lots of raw foods. Not just for the next two weeks, but period. I’m interested in optimal health.
I saw the Forks Over Knives trailer posted above and thought you’d be interested in knowing that optimal health is at the end of your fork.
If health and food politics are of interest to you, you may also like:
Spotlight: Lupe Fiasco
March 20, 2011 | Filed Under Listen, Spotlight, Watch this, What My World Sounds Like | Leave a Comment
It’s highly likely you’ve heard of Lupe Fiasco, so it might seem odd that I’m spotlighting him after he released his third album, five years after his debut. Watching this interview on the Tavis Smiley show reminded me of how much I like him and why. What’s remarkable about the release of his latest album, LASERS
Lupe Fiasco – “Beautiful Lasers (2 ways)”
Spotlight: Harry O’Brien
March 4, 2010 | Filed Under Inspiring, Spotlight, Website | 1 Comment
Australian footballer Harry O’Brien is not normal. He proudly subscribes to “no one normal has ever made history.” The more I interact with him, the more I’m inclined to agree that 1) he will make history 2) because he’s not normal. So maybe he’s right.
Harry’s perspective is cloaked in so much wisdom that his age of twenty-three intrigues and pleasantly surprises. With the visibility his profession allows, he’s able to touch many lives. He knows it and understands that to whom much is given, much is required. His “live for hope” motto isn’t a catchy phrase he uses on Twitter or on his site, Harry’s World, he lives it, finishing conversations and emails with it.
What My World Sounds Like: Bilal Salaam
February 24, 2010 | Filed Under Listen, Pay attention, Spotlight, What My World Sounds Like | Leave a Comment
I just took the time to listen to Bilal Salaam. It was a good idea.
Here’s “Razor Tongue” off of his Langue De Rasoir (animated by TMelchishua), reminding us to be careful of the words we choose to use with others. The idea can be extended to how we talk to ourselves. Our words can create, build, destroy, hurt, and heal. Let’s be mindful.
SPOTLIGHT: Nneka
January 10, 2010 | Filed Under Listen, Pay attention, Spotlight, Watch this, What My World Sounds Like | 1 Comment
I could barely contain myself as songstress Nneka (pronounced neck-ah) introduced this live performance of “Heartbeat” at the World Cafe in Philadelphia. The authenticity of her musicianship and the sincerity of its messages are immediately evident. Confrontational and political, yet humane, Nneka’s music forces you to feel. Perhaps she embodies Bob Marley’s message of being able to cure hate and anger with music. Perhaps…
Spotlight: Laura Izibor
July 3, 2009 | Filed Under Spotlight, What My World Sounds Like | 2 Comments
Ireland’s Laura Izibor sings, writes, and plays the piano. She’s funky, fly, and fresh. I just took note of her last night as she opened for Maxwell with just her piano and another musician, who did triple-duty as the pianist, percussionist and background vocalist. Laura earned my interest and my $20 in exchange for her CD. If you can get a chance to check her out live, do so.
Here are a few videos of her performances:
“Don’t Stay”
“From My Heart to Yours”
“Mmm…”
Premonition??
August 26, 2008 | Filed Under Inspiring, Spotlight | Leave a Comment
Here’s one for basketball and Obama fans. Familiar with Vince Carter’s famous 2000 Olympic dunk on 7′2″ French center Frédéric Weis? According to Wikipedia, “Carter stole the ball, sprinted, took off – legs spread in midair, and hit Weis’s head as he bent over to avoid the collision, before slamming the ball.” The US took home the gold. Will Obama?
The illustration was drawn by Ron Ackins.
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