Hope everything has been well in your worlds. I’m trying something a little differently this time around by dropping a mixtape, devoted to warming you up for the rest of the holiday and the upcoming new year. This series is entitled “Lover’s Winter” and it’s strictly for the lovers out there. So, open your ears and immerse into total ecstasy.
Merry Christmas! Vol. 2 is coming up next…all old school music heads need to get onto this one and the ones that will follow! Good listening.
Tracklisting:
1. “Velas” – Quincy Jones
2. “Take All The Time You Need” – Roy Ayers Ubiquity
3. “All I Need Is You” – Switch
4. “Firefly” – The Temptations
5. “I’d Rather Be With You” – Terry Callier
6. “Wishful Thinking” – Patrice Rushen
7. “Can You Feel What I’m Saying?” – Minnie Riperton
8. “Turnin’ Me On” – Teena Marie
9. “Don’t Turn Around” – Black Ivory
10. “Cry Of A Dreamer” – The Sylvers
11. “‘Tis Your Kind Of Music” – Graham Central Station
12. “I Really Love You” – Roy Ayers Ubiquity
13. “Come My Way” – Rene & Angela
14. “Pay Back Is A Dog” – The Stylistics
15. “I Wish It Would Rain” – Mayer Hawthorne
16. “In The Rain” – The Dramatics
17. “Moist” – Janet Jackson
18. “You Move Me” – Cassandra Wilson
*Mixtape produced, curated, and mixed by Brandon Ousley*
(Source) There has been a sense of disbelief and shock in the atmosphere since the evening of February 11, 2012. The news of the unfortunate passing of Whitney Houston was one to remember because it was so sudden. Her angelic spirit, anointed and earthshattering voice, and undeniable love to others proved to be enduring qualities to her life. In between the glamour and praise, there were the demons and trials that caused her eventful decline, as her reign as one of pop’s greatest voices nearly came to a close. In the 1980s and 1990s, she conquered and broke down barriers that were never crossed in the entertainment industry. From record-breaking singles and albums to top-grossing films, Whitney singlehandedly dominated the industry in her own right and influenced generations of new female talents to come. Her later years were filled with much turmoil and wounded hope as the vibrant and brilliant voice became shattered and the tabloids intensified with negativity. But, she tried to be resilient and strike it out on top again by staging a comeback. In the end, it proved to be way too overbearing for her to handle, even though her spirit remained intact.
(Source) I was one of those devoted individuals who was utterly shocked when hearing about Whitney’s passing on Saturday, Feburary 11, 2012. First of all, it was a weird weekend for me, as college assignments and daily personal chores had become stressing and overbearing. Secondly, the hype of the upcoming 54th Grammy Awards seemed to be so huge, with alot of talk about top-billing artists such as Adele, Kanye West, and The Foo Fighters sweeping honors during the ceremony. Friday night before her passing, I recall reading an article about Whitney at a pre-Grammys event, reporting her actions and presence. The photographs that were featured in the article displayed a different view of a woman who was embarking on a second transformation in life, after an entire decade of personal and professional struggles. Wearing disheveled all-black attire, sweaty and on the verge of being exhausted, Houston possessed a weary and confused spirit. What was even more alarming was the sliting of her wrist, which endlessly spurred out blood. I began to wonder if she had relapsed into the destructive lifestyle that brought her life and career to a halt or if she had too much of a festive time at the event.
I had spent that entire night thinking about Whitney’s life and family. The photographs that I viewed were permanently ingrained into my conciousness as it was unlike any other thing I ever experienced about Whitney Houston. It was only the next night that I had saw a plethora of statuses on my Facebook wall declaring that she had passed. Being a hardcore music collector and enthusiast, I was stunned because it seemed that Houston’s rich musical output reflected the times and moments that not only introduced us into Houston’s life, but gave us an insight into how we should live our lives. Her music spoke to us on many levels.
Even though she struggled with substance abuse, I always had this idea that Whitney was going to be one of those icons that would never depart from us so soon. Like another major icon, Michael Jackson, who died three years earlier too soon, her passing is a testimony to the ills of fame and the price of excess. But we must never forget her joy on Earth and the undeniable legacy that she left.
BrandoSoul 