For the last 10 years, Kindred The Family Soul has been making heartfelt, soulful music. Their music touches the core, speaking frankly, openly, and honestly about life, love, and relationships. Often compared to Ashford & Simpson, Kindred The Family Soul write songs that get down to the heart of the matter in an accessible way. Their most recent album, Love Has No Recession, continues in this vein. But aside from their signature love songs, Love Has No Recession, has some poignant tunes about the social and political ills of the day. Overall, it’s a solid album which conceptually, musically, lyrically, and vocally makes it timeless. Check out one of the singles from the album, “Sticking With You,” which is a sweet confession of true love and devotion.
Category Archives: Love
Day 86: Gone Too Soon (from Prevail)
Gone Too Soon
Battling,
Fighting with the world everyday,
Trying to stand firm on ground that changes like DC metro area weather,
Not knowing when it’s safe to be you, or when it’s best to retreat:
It’s safer on the inside—sometimes.
The golden era ended quicker than you could comprehend.
And you were thrust upon the audacity of disgust and hatred
From people you thought were your friends,
People you thought were your family,
People who said they loved you but you just can’t seem to trust.
You’ve walked a line that many people claim they can handle but couldn’t, even if humanity depended on it.
It’s a line that you don’t want to walk.
It’s a line that often runs faster than the speed of sound and light, with a soundtrack that repeats daily.
And you’re tired of hearing it.
Living in a world where people get high off of ridicule and bullying,
One is left numb,
Not wanting to deal.
The help you need never arrives when you need it.
It always comes too late.
You push and push,
And push and push.
And you keep pushing,
But the force always seems to kill your spirit.
It was at first a temporary thing,
But the period of death began to outlast the periods of rebirth.
There’s a lot that you can and have dealt with,
But it’s the pain and its lasting effects
That cut you down to nubs,
The hurt practically defying man’s comprehension of depth.
If you could only find relief,
A sweet release from it all…
If only…
If…
The inner light quickly fades.
Time halts,
And you succumb to a place
Where your spirit will forever reign.
You’ll be safe from harm and healed
From a lifetime of pain.
If only it didn’t have to come to this.
If only…
If…
You’d still be here.
If only…
If…
You could’ve been saved.
© 2012 BuddahDesmond
Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politicsis available at iUniverse, Amazon (Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle), Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million (Paperback | Hardcover), and other retailers.
Day 83: Can’t Make You Try
You can’t even give a little bit.
You won’t even try.
You fail to do anything that you think is going to challenge your ego.
You’re afraid of compromise for fear of losing yourself.
God forbid you should ever have to change.
But compromise is the key to keeping the scales in relationships balanced.
You can’t be the tyrannical controller and think you won’t get checked,
or think that I’m just supposed to go along with it.
You shouldn’t have to brand yourself differently to make our relationship work.
We have to accept each other as we are;
Else, our problems are much larger than we both can see.
I’m willing to make it work,
But if you aren’t—there’s nothing I can do to make you save our union.
It’s better to be selfish when you’re alone.
And we both know we can do better than that.
So if by now you haven’t changed your mind,
then consider these parting words:
Can’t deny I won’t be sad,
but I’ll get over it;
and you will too.
I’ll just wish you well
And I sincerely hope and pray that you find whatever you’ve been looking for
Cause it obviously isn’t with me.
Day 81: Inspirational Quotes (from Writers)
Day 78: Donna Summer – Tribute To A Bad Girl
In May of 2012, the world lost one of its most gifted, innovative, and influential queens of music—Donna Summer. Summer was a singer, songwriter, producer, artist, and actress who became the Queen of Disco, but made music that transcended genres and categorization. She, along with her longtime producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, crafted a sound that highlighted some of Disco’s best musical moments—along with incorporating technology and musical instrumentation that fueled innovations within Pop, Rock, New Wave, R& B/Soul, Dance, House, Techno, and Electronica. You’ll not only hear this on songs like “I Feel Love,” “Our Love,” “Sunset People,” “My Baby Understands,” and “Can’t Get To Sleep Tonight,” but you’ll also hear the influences on Madonna, Kylie, and Beyoncé to name a few. Had it not been for the strides and achievements made by Summer, music wouldn’t be the same and many of today’s biggest divas might be irrelevant.
Summer was a Boston native, one of seven children, who grew up singing in the church. She knew, after giving a performance in church one day, that she was blessed with an amazing gift and that it would bring lots of notoriety. As the world would come to know, Summer’s voice was a force of nature. She could growl with fervor, sensually coo, and wail like a first class diva. Her colorful multi-octave voice was a soulful instrument that could make you feel any and every emotion. Summer could move within the various registers of her voice with great ease and control. She knew how to sell a song. She knew when to exercise vocal restraint and just when to let loose. And to top it off, Summer could sing any genre of music.
By the time Summer was in her early twenties, she had several successful runs in a series of musicals in Europe such as Hair, Show Boat, and God Spell. Summer released her first two singles, a German version of “Aquarius” from Hair and a cover of The Jaynetts’ “Sally Goes ‘Round the Roses” in 1968 and 1971 respectively. Her debut album, Lady of the Night, was released on the Groovy Records label in 1974. The title track and “The Hostage” were released as singles to great success in several European countries. This was just the beginning for Summer though. Summer would set the music industry, dance floor, and world ablaze with the first single from her sophomore effort. This song was her seductive 17-minute opus “Love to Love You Baby” (1975). Using her acting chops, she imagined herself as a character (à la Marilyn Monroe) in a state of ecstasy. Summer’s orgasmic performance cemented her stardom. “Love to Love You Baby,” was a No. 2 hit and would mark the beginning of a very successful period for Summer. She would score a total 20 top 40 pop hits, of these 14 were top 10 hits—with four going to No. 1.
Summer’s albums were often thematic. On her Four Seasons of Love (1976) album, Summer sang of a love affair using the seasons of the year as her metaphors. Her album I Remember Yesterday (1977) was an ode to music of yesteryear. The album featured jazz from the late 30s/early 40s, R&B/Soul and Doo Wop of the 50s, Motown of the 60s, and Funk of the 70s, and Pop/Dance of the day and beyond (with the early electronica leanings of “I Feel Love”). And her Once Upon A Time (1977) album, lauded as being one of her best (double) albums, is a fairytale–a Cinderella love story set to Disco and early electronica.
We tend to frown upon double albums today. This sentiment is mostly because very few artists have been able to maintain the audience’s interest beyond the close of the first of the two albums. Summer wasn’t one of those artists. In fact, several of Summer’s crowning achievements have been double albums. Aside from Once Upon a Time, other double albums included 1978’s Live & More and 1979’s Bad Girls. With Bad Girls, Summer, Moroder, and Bellotte looked beyond the confines of Disco. They incorporated electronic instrumentation and elements of rock, soul, country, and pop to push the musical envelope. Bad Girls(then) proved to be her most versatile effort to date. The album went on to sell over four millions copies worldwide, and spawning two Billboard No. 1 pop hits (“Bad Girls” and “Hot Stuff”), one No. 2 hit (“Dim All The Lights”) and one top 40 hit (“Walk Away”) in the US. Her record label decided to release a greatest hits compilation the same year, On The Radio: Greatest Hits Vol. I & II (another double album). On The Radio was another smash, going double platinum in the US and spawning the No. 1 hit duet with Barbra Streisand “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” and the No. 5 hit “On The Radio.”
As Donna Summer went into the 80s, she distanced herself from Disco and began exploring different musical territory with solid success. 1980’s The Wanderer had more of a New Wave/Rock appeal, while 1982’s Donna Summer(produced by Quincy Jones) showcased even more of Summer’s versatility with its Rock, R&B/Soul, Gospel, and Jazz leanings. 1983 saw Summer return to her pop/dance roots with She Works Hard For The Money. The empowering title track went on to be one of Summer’s biggest hits, peaking at No. 3 on the pop charts. Summer would release three more albums before she had another top 10 hit single, “This Time I Know It’s For Real,” from Another Place And Time (1989). The 90s saw the release of two studio albums—1991’s Mistaken Identity and 1996’s I’m A Rainbow (an album she recorded in 1981 that Geffen shelved), one holiday album—1994’s Christmas Spirit, and one live album—Live & More Encore (1999). 17 years after the release of her last official studio album Mistaken Identity, Summer released the triumphant Crayons (2008). Crayons spawned three No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Over the course of her 40+ year career, Summer earned a total of 22 No. 1 singles on the Disco and Dance Club Play Charts. She was the first solo artist to score three consecutive No. 1 (platinum) double albums and the first female artist to have four consecutive No. 1 singles in the span of one year. Summer was also the first female artist to have a single and album reach No. 1 simultaneously and the first female artist two have two singles in the Billboard Top 3 at the same time (both were feats she accomplished twice). She received a total of five Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, and was the first black artist to be nominated for an MTV Music Video award. Though she’s been nominated several times, she has yet to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is a bit disappointing considering the many contributions she’s made to music (especially when you see the list of artists who were inducted before her). Jon Landau, chairman of the nominating committee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, said it was regrettable that she was never inducted (New York Times). UPDATE 12/14/12: Donna Summer will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 (2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees).
As influential as Donna Summer was, it still doesn’t seem like she’s received her just due (even after death). The coverage she received in Black press has been paltry at best. This is yet another disappointment because Donna Summer was one of our Queens of music and entertainment. Being one of the few Black artists to crossover without major support from the Black community, it shouldn’t be a question about identity. For some, it may be a matter of their ability or inability to identify with Summer. She was not your typical Black diva and did not limit herself to only singing R&B music. However, she could sing R&B and any other genre of music soulfully and masterfully. Summer knew who and what she was and never forgot where she came from.
Summer faced many obstacles (depression, addiction, and the trials and tribulations of the music industry machine to name a few), but she overcame them. She counted on her faith, stayed true to herself, and never took her gifts for granted. Summer brought so many people together with her music—people of different backgrounds, cultures, races, religions, class, and sexual orientation. She left an indelible mark on history, the music industry, and so many of her fans lives. And this is why Summer should be celebrated. She was an iconic, legendary entertainer. And let’s not forget—she was also the original Bad Girl!
Day 75: Flash in the Pan
Flash in the Pan
You came in—
A nice guy,
Cute and intelligent,
Constantly sweet-talkin’.
But it turned out to be doublespeak.
You had my attention instantly;
Thought I was fallin’ for you.
You turned me on in all the right places,
But then everything flipped.
The potential was lost,
Gave way to bullshit and childish games,
And I lost interest just as instantly.
Too bad.
But I guess the signs were there
It wouldn’t last.
You came in and just as quickly went out—
Like a flash!
© 2012 BuddahDesmond
I’ll Be Appearing at OutWrite 2012 in DC 8/3/12 & 8/4/12
As part of OutWrite, I’ll also be featured along with Rashid Darden, Monica A. Hand, and Red Summer in head / heart / soul, which will celebrate the works of Black LGBT poets. head / heart / soul will take place August 4th at 6:30pm. RSVP for the poetry reading by visiting the event’s Facebook page. I can’t wait!
Aside from the poetry reading, I’ll have a table set up in the exhibition area on both days. So stop on by!
If you live in or will be visiting the DC Metro Area in early August, please come out and support OutWrite. It’s gearing up to be an unforgettable event!
~ BuddahDesmond
Day 74: For Amy (My Tribute to Amy Winehouse)
An artist that many didn’t know or understand completely well.
Timeless voice,
A style and sound that was every bit throwback as it was contemporary.
Her music spoke with a raw, brutal honesty seldom seen in mainstream (as of late).
The draw, the connection was instant.
The impact indelible —
And an aura that was intriguing and intense.
Didn’t think they made singers like this anymore —
But they still do.
But you’re gone now.
Another talented soul gone before the world knew or appreciated just how talented you
Family, friends, and fans watched the meteoric rise,
And the seemingly meteoric descent.
We watched as the media reported
And blasted your issues every chance they got —
Dragging you down further and further into the muck.
Yours was an experience many did not and may never comprehend.
You were taken for granted,
disrespected.
While the coverage may come with the territory because of the industry,
The lack of compassion was inexcusable.
We took you for granted,
You’re being celebrated for your artistry,
For ushering in the retro-soul era,
For using music as a canvas you painted openly and frankly with your life.
You didn’t allow your art to be subjected to the machine or the man.
You did it authentically.
It’s sad that you’ve gone on.
It’s a shame the world won’t get the opportunity to see just how truly gifted you were
To lay to rest the rhetoric that the magic was gone.
It never left.
And you knew that.
Your true supporters knew that.
And we were holding our breath —
Just to see how you’d blow our minds the next time.
But the Creator had different plans.
In your passing, there’s a void that will never be filled.
But your light will always shine
In the hearts, minds, and souls of those who loved, appreciated, respected, and were
We are thankful we had you for the time we did.
Let us rejoice in the extraordinary iconoclast that was/is AmyWinehouse!
Day 71: Nothin’ But Love for Whitney Houston
Day 69: Angela Bofill
Supreme. Heavenly. Soulful. Passionate. Angelic. Gifted. Beautiful. Those are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of Angela Bofill. An extremely talented singer, songwriter, and musician, Bofill was one of the best vocalists to enter the music scene in the late 1970s. Combining Latin rhythms with Jazz, R&B/Soul, Dance, and Pop, she created a hypnotic sound and style that set her apart from her peers and has rarely, if ever, been rivaled.
From her first release Angie (1978) to her most recent release, Live From Manila(2006), it’s evident that Bofill gives her all with each and every performance. Though technically gifted vocally, Bofill’s emotion always rings true, especially on poignant, heartfelt ballads like “I Try,” “I’m On Your Side,” “Gotta Make It Up To You,” “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter,” “Tonight I Give In,” “Time To Say Goodbye” and “Still In Love” (which was beautifully remade by Vanessa Williams on her 1991 album The Comfort Zone). Like any versatile performer, Bofill can get down with the best on percussion driven, mid- and up-tempo grooves like “Too Tough,” “Something About You,” “Angel Of The Night,” “Love You Too Much,” and “Is This A Dream.”
Bofill has faced some challenges in recent years, suffering two massive strokes in 2006 and 2007—which left her unable to speak, sing, or walk—and fighting depression. After years of speech and physical therapy, Bofill is speaking, walking, and playing music again. In 2010, Bofill began telling the story of her life and career with The Angela Bofill Experience. This critically acclaimed tour has featured vocalists Maysa, Phil Perry, Melba Moore, Jeanie Tracy, Grammy winning flautist Dave Valentin, and Bofill’s original band. It’s provided an excellent way for Angela Bofill to reconnect with her fans (and make new ones).
One thing Bofill hasn’t done publicly yet is sing. But we hope and pray that as her health continues to improve that we will be blessed to hear that beautiful voice again. But if not, we are quite happy with the catalog of music she’s recorded. Given the circumstances, Bofill has remained steadfast, faithful, and strong. She’s a fighter. And a legend.
Bofill was recently featured in season 6 of TVOne’s “Unsung” series.