2010 was a particularly trying year for me. Initially i requested a do-over, but i think it's best to put it behind me and look forward to 2011. Listing all that went wrong, or all that i did or didn't do would be way too painful and so i won't attempt it, except to say that my purse was stolen with ALL my stuff and i gained 5 pounds. There were high points however, i became 'owner' of my first car ever, i continued to meet mortgage payments and other monthly obligations, work was relatively busy, i only quarreled with JPS once, renewed old friendships, attended some great sessions, spent US Thanksgiving shopping liming with great friends, my BFF tied the knot (around some unsuspecting dude's neck...lol), spent christmas and new years eve with family and great friends.
But best of all in 2010 was my return to music. I have always been a music fan; initially i consumed only what was fed to me on radio, and in Jamaica that consisted mainly of pop, hip hop and r&b but i would religiously listen to american top 40 every Friday night which broadened my tastes considerably and led me to a lot of music that didn't receive much air play here- songs like Because i Love You (Stevie B) or Children of the Night (Richard Marx) or Hold On (Wilson Phillips) and yes i loved New Kids on the Block!! During my university years i proudly declared that i was a lover of Caribbean music. The soundtrack of my life was filled with only Reggae, Dancehall, Calypso and Soca. Later on i was to declare that i loved Black music, and thus again included hip hop, rap and r&b in my life, but the fascination that i had for music in my teens wasn't really there and i really didn't pay much attention, if it wasn't on the radio, i really didn't know it. Yes, i looked forward to, and attended the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival yearly for the wonderful live performances (yeah not you, Miss Ross), but i still was only partly there.
That disaffection came to a screeching halt on May 29, 2010. What happened you ask? Well on that night I saw Jill Scott in concert (for the 2nd time) and Maxwell (1st time ever, but there will be more i am sure)!
Wow!!
Blown Away!
Having seen Ms. Scott once before, i knew she was great live and she did not disappoint, she was fantastic, but i was not prepared for Maxwell. I seriously have no words. I couldn't (still can't) get enough of this beautiful man with the beautiful voice. His music soothes my soul...I am not even afraid of traffic in Kingston anymore, i look forward to road trips and flights (i should try that England trip now hmmm)..NOTHING bothers me as long as my max jams playlist is on!! I have fourteen videos on my Iphone, One is Eric Benet's Sometimes i Cry. Do. I. Love. Maxwell? UNAPOLOGETICALLY SO!!
I listened to EVERYTHING he sung, i wanted (needed) to find more people who sung like him and my search led me to soulbounce.com and there i found wonderful people to listen to including the badass Janelle Monae. What makes her badass you ask? Well she "tips on alligators and little rattlesna-kers" while dancing on her tightrope!!
<<== birthday gift from by bestie!!
Now in addition to artistes like Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu, Jazmine Sullivan and John Legend, I now listen to Eric Benet, Chrisette Michele, Musiq Soulchild, India Arie, Janelle Monae, Lalah Hathaway, Eric Roberson, Cee-Lo Green and yes, Kanye West and many more!
I found my way back to music and i don't think i'll ever leave. Thank you Max!!
Viva la 2011!
