Now is the time America. A forward-thinking presidential candidate is ready to steer this country into a brighter, more focused future. From pledges to end our reliance on Middle East oil in the next 10 years to guarantees of investments in education and promises of healthcare reform, Barack Obama stated his case for a new America on Thursday at the Democratic National Convention. While accepting his party’s nomination, Obama delivered a stirring speech that outlined the need for individual responsibility, a break from outmoded political ideals and a transformation of this nation’s broken foreign policy agendas.
Articulate, Brilliant and Inspiring — America, Meet Your Brand New Funky President
Simply stated, Obama has the ability to change America’s imprint on the 21st Century. Here him out:
“The times are too serious. The stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain. The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together, and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a red America or a blue America. They have served the United States of America.”
Friggin’ brilliant. This isn’t lip-service folks. This guy speaks with the conviction of a true believer. Obama believes in the fundamental promise of this country. He believes that the practices of the past don’t apply to the present, and that if we want to prepare for the future, we need a create a new understanding today. This understanding must be forged from a sense of commonality — a shared belief that we Americans are more similar than we are different.
The identities that divide us into fringe groups — from gays, to immigrants to anti-war activists — these divisive identities do not serve our collective interests. We can achieve more together than we can apart. And the time is right for someone to bring to the table “the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort.”
The logic just kept on pouring out. This brand new funky president is as articulate as he is passionate. Listen to this stuff:
“Now I know there are those that dismiss such beliefs as happy talk. They claim that our insistence on something larger, something firmer and more honest in our public life is just a Trojan Horse for higher taxes and the abandonment of traditional values. And that’s to be expected. Because if you don’t have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare voters. If you don’t have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone who people should run from.”
“You make a big election about small things.”
“And you know what? It’s worked before. Because it feeds into the cynicism we all have about government. When Washington doesn’t work, all its promises seem empty. If your hopes have been dashed again and again, then it’s best to stop hoping and settle for what you already know.”
“I get it. I realize that I’m not the most likeliest of candidates for this office. I don’t fit the typical pedigree, and I haven’t spent my career in the halls of Washington.”
“But I stand before you tonight because all across America, something is stirring. What the naysayers don’t understand is that this election has never been about me. It’s about you. It’s about you.”
“For 18 long months, you have stood up one by one and said enough with the politics of the past. You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics, with the same old players and expect a different result. You have shown what history teaches us. That in defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn’t come from Washington. The change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it. Because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership — a new politics for a new time.”
“America, this is one of those moments.”
Wow. Simply unbelievable. Never in my life have I felt such a genuine emotional connection to someone running for political office. I can’t believe it. I really can’t. This guy was bringing me to tears man. The inspirational force behind his words rests in the fact that you can believe — I mean really believe — that this man can back his words up with actions.
I thought it was a brilliant speech. Pat Buchanan and Bill Kristol did too. I’m proud to be an American tonight, and I’ll be even prouder when Barack Obama becomes the next President of the United States. With his speech on Thursday, Obama ensured that this big election will not be about small things. The stage is now set for this election to be one of the most historic turning points in the history of this country.
The Oslo Soul Experience is a monthly soul club held in the cozy basement pub of John Dee. The OSE is loaded with upbeat soul music and other funky licks. If you visit the Oslo Soul Experience website, you can view scans of 45s and listen to fast-loading soulful music tracks with a funky twist (check out “Cut You Loose” by Ricky Allen in the sounds section).
Visit the Radio section to download long sets of soulful jams interspersed with bits of Norwegian intros. You’ll enjoy upbeat sets that add substance to any occasion — from party soundtracks to long drives to kicking back at home. The OSE serves up a wide interpretation of soul, so if you want to sample different soulful flavors, download these radio show mp3s and discover which taste of soul you find the sweetest.
The O’Jays are a pioneering Philly soul act that was formed back in 1958. The group burst on to the top of the charts in the early 1970s with hits like “Backstabbers,” “Love Train,” and “For The Love Of Money.” If you wanna experience the band’s signature funky, soulful grooves in person, grab your O’Jays tickets now for the upcoming March 22nd concert at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI.
The show starts at 8, and tickets are still available. The price for these OJays Tickets ranges from $137 to $198
Yep, the Brand New Heavies still got it. Delicious Vinyl’s most celebrated funk act has been dropping soulful, funky jams for nearly two decades now. After a hiatus of sorts, the Heavies came out with a new album in 2006. With singer N’Dea Davenport back in the mix, the band went on a whirlwind tour to promote their latest offering - Get Used To It. Read the rest…
This site was put together to teach people about the depth and range of all things funky. In the following excerpts from the BBC documentary series Soul Deep: The History of Black Popular Music, you’ll learn about the origins of funk and how it ties into various other strains of music.
Soul Deep: The History of Black Popular Music was a six-part BBC music documentary series produced in 2005.
Here’s the episode breakdown:
1. The Birth Of Soul
2. The Gospel Highway
3. The Sound Of Young America
4. Southern Soul
5. Ain’t It Funky
6. From Ghetto to Fabulous
Now sit back and enjoy Episode 5 - Ain’t It Funky.
Listen to James Brown, George Clinton, The Temptations and others explain how passionate, honest and raw funky music revolutionized an entire decade. This one-hour installment of Soul Deep is broken into eight, easily consumable YouTube clips.
On Monday, DJ Blueprint put up a guest mix from DJ Smoove on his blog This Is Tomorrow. Anyone who likes funky breaks will enjoy the skilled mixing abilities and funky music selections that DJ Smoove put on display in this solid 35 minute mix.
We’ve really been enjoying this Cosmo Baker mix over the last few days. Cosmo Baker’s Feeling Good mix features a bunch of classic, mood-changing tracks. Here’s a look at the track list: Read the rest…
When you hear funky music that makes you happy, all you want to is capture it, keep it and save for a future good time. The right groove. A head-bobbin’ beat. These things can change your outlook on life within seconds. Seriously, you could be all glum and down and then boom — what the hell was that break I just heard?
We’ve all been there.
After the fixation of a sampled break gets into your head, it can cause some serious damage. You start digging through your own music memory crates trying to find a tune that’ll give context to the loop in your dome. Once you identify where the break comes from, a full-on investigation is launched to find out the origins of the original track.
Tracking down oft-sampled funky breaks is fun stuff. You get to take a chaotic musical trip through pop, hip hop, dance music, and of course, seriously funky music. It’s always fulfilling when you can track down the migrations of a break and experience the full richness of the original context. It’s like books and movies — the OG track is always better.
Listen to this funktastic, soulful jazzy journey. About three-and-a-half seconds in, you’ll hear a 20-second break that’ll start the mental digging process off immediately. You’ll be reaching for tracks you can’t even remember to put a mental tag on the break that’s blaring in your internal speakers.
If you want a complete answer to the question - what the hell was that break I just heard? - scroll down on the link above and read the full Funky16Corners post on Ashley’s Roachclip - the Soul Searchers’ frequently sampled track. Funky16Corners is as good as it gets, and this post was certainly a treat.
So check out the track and be sure to read Larry’s take on this classic funky break.
The 3rd Annual Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival is taking place on March 15th and 16th at Dolphins Stadium in Miami. The Festival combines funky, jazzy and soulful music with amazing food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Here’s the lineup of artists:
Saturday, March 15th
Wyclef Jean
Chaka Khan
George Benson
Mike Phillips
Sunday, March 16th
O’Jays
Nancy Wilson
Kem
Chrisette Michele
Anthony David
For more information about the event, visit the Jazz in the Gardens official website. Tickets are on sale now. You can secure prime reserve tickets that will put you in th front of the stage, reserve seating tickets that will place you in rows 28 through 42 or general admission tickets that feature unreserved seating beyond row 42.
Ticket prices for prime reserve seating are $50 for one day or $75 for two days. Reserve tickets are available for $40 (one day) or $60 (two days). The price for general admission tickets is $25 (one day) or $40 (two days). Tickets will also be avialbe at the event, but a $5 surcharge will apply.
When it comes to breakin’ things down on the dance floor, some people are naturally funky. Other people need some help. If you’re dance moves could use a little guidance, here’s a free dance lesson from the Godfather of Soul himself…
They didn’t call him the Hardest Working Man in Show Business for nothing. Now get out there and practice your robot. The next time you’re at the club or at a party, you can break out your new moves and have a funky good time.
Thanks Mood Mosaic for pointing out this sick video clip.
