Carmen Rodgers, Bilal & N'dambi

Hello my GFM friends!!!

It’s your girl WestStyle Chronicles back from a great session at the 1st Hit Listening Lounge.  With the wine flowing and an anxious excitement in the air, everyone was ready to see indie soul artists  N’dambi and Bilal.  In this sit down gathering, both artists got a chance to speak on their musical influences, current inspirations and future projects. Here are a few pics from that awesome event. A huge shout out to the Music Addikts, Harmony In Life, Mood Music, Jodine’s Corner, DJ Phaze, and JB for bringing yet another successful event.

Don’t date yourself, but it’s likely this was the soundtrack for your high school, middle school or even college years. Either way, the 80′s were a fun loving, horrible fashion, good time having era. If you enjoyed his 80′s MTV flashback mix, add this to your collection for a dash of 80′s soul. Big ups to DJ Phaze for blessing us with another great mix. Hit the break for the playlist and enjoy!

GFM I Love the 80′s Soul & RnB by GrownFolksMusic

Breezin’ George Benson
I Wanna Thank You Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly
Crusin’ Smokey Robinson
All This Love DeBarge
Cherish Kool & the Gang
Part-Time Lover Stevie Wonder
Let’s Go Crazy Prince
I’ll Tumble 4 Ya Culture Club
Say Say Say Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
Caribbean Queen Billy Ocean
Cool It Now New Edition
Rhythm of the Night Debarge
Fresh Kool & the Gang
How Will I Know Whitney Houston
Janet Jackson – When I Think Of You
Head To Toe Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam
Mercedes Boy Pebbles
Nasty Girl Vanity 6
Jungle Love The Time

The 90′s were a great time musically and the reggae/dancehall scene had it’s share of hits during that time. This one will take you back to those carefree high school/college years and all the foolery that went with them. So, without further adieu, hit the arrow to download and hit the jump for the tracklist.

GFM Dancehall 90s Mix by GrownFolksMusic

Tracklist
Little Sound Boy – Johnny Osbourne
Just Reality – Shabba Ranks
Handle The Ride – Tanya Stevens
Give Them The Ride – Sizzla
Telephone Love – JC LODGE
Broader Than Broadway – Barrington Levy
Here I Come (Broader than Broadway) – Barrington Levy
Too Experienced – Barrington Levy
Only Man – Buju Banton
Hardcore Lover – Lady Saw & TOK
Jacket – Mr. Vegas
Me Cant Sleep – Red Rat
Badman Story – Buccaneer
Ganga Lee – Louie Culture
World Gone Mad -Beenie Man
Hands In The Air – TOK
Love how the girl dem flex – Buju Banton
Action – TERROR FABOLOUS
A Man Twice My Age – Buju Banton
Hard Chico
Shout It Out – Mr. Vegas
Hands Up – Mr. Vegas
Bookshelf – Beenie Man
Jack it Up- Mr Vegas
Deport Them – Sean Paul
Rider 99 Remix -Buju Banton
Batty Rider – Buju Banton
You a Lead – Unknown
Big Up – Shaggy And Rayvon
Money To Burn – Tanto Metro and Devonte
Like Glue – Sean Paul
Ease Off – Lady G
Traffic Blocking – General Degree
Heads High – Mr. Vegas
Brain Food – Ghost
Pure War – Beenie Man
Dr. Fish – Richie Stephens
Peppersee – Riddim version
Coca Cola Shape – Nardo Ranks
Sim Simma – Beenie Man
Nike air – Mr. Vegas

DJ Phaze is everywhere, if you don’t believe me, keep up with him and all of his various ventures here. But, we’re glad he took time to transport us back to the 80′s when Billy was an Idol, Adam was an Ant and Rick was more than a Roll. We’re talking when the M in MTV meant music!!!

GFM MTV 80s Mix by GrownFolksMusic

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham
Maneater – Hall &Oates
Karma Chameleon – Culture Club
Rock Me Amadeus (English) – Falco
Africa – Toto
Faith – George Michael
99 Luftballons – Nena
TRUE – Spandau Ballet
Shout – Tears for Fears
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me – Culture Club
Human – Human League
Self Control – Laura Branigan
Down Under – Men At Work
Need You Tonight – INXS
The Way It Is – Bruce Hornsby
Everybody Wants To Rule The World – Tears For Fears
I Can Dream About You – Dan Hartman
West End Girls – Pet Shop Boys
Never Gonna Give You Up -Rick Astley
Let’s Dance – David Bowie
Let The Music Play – Shannon
Holiday – Madonna
Time – Culture Club
Say Say Say – Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
Every Breath You Take – Police
Like a Virgin – Madonna
Sussudio – Phil Collins
Miss Me Blind – Culture Club
Heaven Is A Place On Earth – Belinda Carlisle
Only In My Dreams – Debbie Gibson
Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
Owner Of A Lonely Heart - Yes
Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics

If 90′s hip hop is your era, then “The Smoking Section” is your cure for the Monday blues. If you haven’t been exposed to what the hype of the 90′s was all about, here’s an introduction.

Download and enjoy! If you love what you’ve been hearing, drop by and show him some love!

Playlist
Players Anthem – Notorious B.I.G.
Sound Bwoy Bureill – SMIF N WESSON
Last Dayz – Onyx
Trife Life – Mobb Deep
I Got Cha Opin – Black Moon
Mic Checka – Das EFX
Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka – Heltah Skeltah & OGC
Renee (Rmx) – Lost Boyz
Wrekonize – Smif n Wesson
Throw Ya Gunz – Onyx
Drink Away The Pain (Situations) – (With Q-Tip) Mobb Deep
Mad Izm – Channel Live and KRS One
Check The Rhime – A Tribe Called Quest
Breakadawn – De La Soul
Flavor Of The Month – Black Sheep
Soliloquy of Chaos – Gang Starr
Code of the streets – Gang Starr
Funky Child – Lords of the Underground
Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta Fuck Wit – Wu-Tang Clan
La Schmoove (feat. Phife) – Fu-Schnickens
Crossover – EPMD
The Choice is Your’s – BLACK SHEEP
Scenario (Remix) -A Tribe Called Quest

Smoking Section by GrownFolksMusic

Source: www.mjblige.com

Everybody loves Mary!! So without further adieu, DJ Phaze presents MJB Madness! (Hit the jump for the tracklist).

GFM Presents: MJB Madness by GrownFolksMusic

Intro Talk – Mary J. Blige (feat. Tony Dofat)
Love No Limit – Mary J. Blige
Beautiful Remix -Mary J. Blige (Feat. Mos Def & Talib Kweli)
I Love You- Mary J. Blige (Feat. Smif-N-Wesson)
About you -Mary J Blige featuring will.i.am
Love Is All We Need – Mary J. Blige f. Nas
Family Affair – Mary J Blige
Work That – Mary J. Blige
Baggage – Mary J Blige
Reminisce- Mary J Blige
All I Need (P Diddy remix) – METH & MARY
Real Love (orig) – Mary J Blige
Real Love (remix)- Mary J Blige
Enough Cryin – Mary J Blige (featuring Brook)
No More Drama – Mary J Blige
You Bring Me Joy – Mary J. Blige
You Know – Mary J Blige
MVP djlimic remix- Mary J Blige
Gonna Breakthrough – Mary J Blige
Deep Inside Remix – Mary J. Blige (Feat. Mobb Deep)
Never Too Much – Mary J Blige
Till The Morning – Mary J. Blige
Can’t Hide From Luv – Mary J Blige

DJ Phaze is back with a little mix to ease you into your holiday weekend. This one has some surprises for you. So hit play, download and enjoy. Check the playlist after the jump. Have a great weekend!

Good n Grown Mix 2.0 by GrownFolksMusic

Glenn Lewis – Back For More
Stay With Me (By The Sea) (Ft. John Legend) – Al Green
All In My Head – Avery*Sunshine
Bonita Applebum – (Produced by Supreme) Raheem DeVaughn (368 Music Group)
Everything is Everything (Remix) – Anthony David
Dont stop f/ backbone – Sleepy Brown
What’s Not To Love – Dwele
Angel - Groove Theory
Feel the Music – Guru
All Around The World – Lisa Stansfield
Me ft.Erik Rico – Ty
Never Stop – Brand New Heavies
It’s For You – Shanice
Share That Beat Of Love – C&C Music Factory
On Our Own – Bobby Brown
I Like The Way (The Kissing Game) – Hi-Five
I Can’t Wait – Nu Shooz
Round and Round – Tevin Campbell
Groove Me – Guy
I’ll Do 4 U – Father MC
The Rain – Oran “JUICE” Jones

DJ Phaze rocks Moods Music ATL for the Res Meet 'N Greet

Fresh off wrecking shop in the ATL, DJ Phaze presents you with his latest installment, the “Get Grown” mix. It’s a perfect way to start your week and ease your mind from the madness that can be all too encompassing. Truly for the Grown ‘N Sexy. Check the tracklist, download and enjoy.

Touch Me Wit Ur Handz (Featuring Chinah Blac) – DJ Jazzy Jeff
DREAM GIRL – R KELLY
Oooh This Love Is So – Al B. Sure
Tell Me – Groove Theory
E.M.B.R.A.C.E. – Soul Society
Virtual Insanity (Peace of Mind Mix) – Jamiroquai
4evermore feat. Algebra & Phonte – Anthony David
Dream Flight (feat. Rahsaan Patterson) – Angela Johnson
Music makes me feel so good – Sleepy Brown
I Don’t Care – Raheem Devaughn
Strawberries In Vinegar – Silhouette Brown
Enjoy It Now – Tortured Soul
Your Face – Tamara Wellons
Golden (The 24 Karat mix) – Jill Scott
Your Colors – John Beltran

Get Grown Mix by GrownFolksMusic

This weeks mix from DJ Phaze takes a trip down 85 south to the “dirty dirty” to give some well deserved props to the pioneers of southern hip hop. If it wasn’t for the Dungeon Family, I’m not sure the south would have the voice or respect that they’ve come to enjoy today.

From the core production team of Organized Noize (and their many credits: EnVogue, TLC, Ludacris etc.), to the multi-generational spin offs: Outkast, Goodie Mob, Big Rube, Joi, Sleepy Brown, Society of Soul, TI, Backbone, Cool Breeze, Witchdoctor, Mr. DJ, Killer Mike (aka Mike Bigga) Bubba Sparxxx and others, they’re responsible for over $20 million dollars in sales.

Vibe magazine had a great piece earlier this year chronicling the history of the family along with their various trials and tribulations. For the latest exclusives and all things DF related, you can check out Maurice Garland, SFTA or keep up with them on twitter. For those who know, this quote pretty much sums up how we feel:

“There’s no other crew like the Dungeon Family.” – T-Boz (TLC)

Warning: *Explicit Language*

Click the arrow on the right to download or cop it here.

GFM Presents The Dungeon Family Tribute Mix by GrownFolksMusic

Check the track listing after the jump and let us know what you think!

Dungeon Family Mix

“Intro”
“Get You Right” – Backbone
Presenting Dungeon Family – Dungeon Family
“Lock N Load (Feat. Witchdoctor)” – The Lumberjacks
“Ugly” – Bubba Sparxxx
“Thought Process” – Goodie Mob
“Ms. Jackson” – Outkast
“Infected” – Bubba Sparxxx
“A.D.I.D.A.S.” – Killer Mike (ft. Big Boi)
“Crooked Booty” – Dungeon Family
“ATLiens” – OutKast
“Heat It Up” – Bubba Sparxxx
“Smooth Sailin’” -Young Roscoe
“Boogie Man (Ft. Andre 3000)” – Big Gipp
“Down Flat ft. T.I.P.” – Parental Advisory
“Represent” – Bubba Sparxxx
“Rap Is Dead “ – Killer Mike
“What Iz Rap?” – Dungeon Family
“God I Wanna Live (Feat. Witchdoctor)” – Goodie Mob
“Puttin’ On 2 Nite” – The Lumberjacks
“Let Loose The Lingo” – Parental Advisory
“I Can’t Wait (Feat. Outkast)” – Sleepy Brown
“Knowing” – Big Boi
“Peaches f/ Sleepy Brown & Scar” – Outkast
“Rosa Parks” – Outkast
“Where Are My Panties?”- Andre 3000
“Prototype” – Andre 3000
“Inside Your Love” – Sleepy Brown
“Lick “- Joi
“All Over Your Body Ft. Eightball” – Big Gipp
“Claremont Lounge (Feat. Killer Mike And Coool Breeez)” – Bubba Sparxxx
“123 Goodie” – Goodie Mob
“That Loud” – Backbone & Wayniac
“Cell Therapy” – Goodie Mob
“So Fresh, So Clean” – Outkast
“Re-Akshon Remix” – Killer Mike (ft. T.I., Bun B Of U.G.K. & Bone Crusher)
“Fighting” – Goodie Mob

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This is a celebration of the music of the Quincy Jones we know and love. Special shout out to Craig G. for blessing us with some heat and insight over top of a Quincy classic. DJ Phaze is on the mix and we hope you enjoy. You can download the mix by pressing the arrow button on the right side of the player.

The reason why we are doing this is because we hold the music of Quincy Jones in such a high regard. For more info on the upcoming project and a listing of the artists that will be featured go here. Also, after the jump take a listen to a clip of the updated version of “Secret Garden”. Some secrets you should keep to yourself.

We Want The Dude Back Vol. 1 by GrownFolksMusic

1. “Intro”
2. “GFM for Q” – Craig G
3. “Give Me The Night” – George Benson
4. “Rock With You” – Michael Jackson
5. “Yah Mo Be There” – Michael McDonald ft. James Ingram
6. “I’ll Be Good To You” – Quincy Jones ft. Ray Charles
7. “Body Heat” – Quincy Jones ft. Leon Ware, Bruce Fisher
8. “One Hundred Ways” – James Ingram
9. “Human Nature” – Michael Jackson
10. “If I Ever Lose This Heaven” – Quincy Jones
11. “Samba De Una Nota So” – Quincy Jones & His Orchestra
12. “The Streetbeater” – Quincy Jones (Sanford and Son Theme)
13. “Ease On Down The Road #1” – Quincy Jones (The Wiz)
14. “Stuff Like That” – Quincy Jones
15. “Stomp” – The Brothers Johnson
16. “Off The Wall” – Michael Jackson
17. “Funk Outta My Face – Brothers Johnson
18. “Liberian Girl” – Michael Jackson
19. “Baby, Come To Me” – Patti Austin ft. James Ingram
20. “Tomorrow” – Tevin Campbell
21. “Summer In The City” – Quincy Jones
22. “Soul Bossa Nova” – Quincy Jones & His Orchestra
23. “Killer Joe” – Quincy Jones & His Orchestra
24. “Ai No Corrida” – Quincy Jones & His Orchestra
25. “Miss Celie’s Blues” – Quincy Jones
26. “The Secret Garden” – Barry White, James Ingram, El DeBarge, Al B. Sure
27. “The Lady in My Life” – Michael Jackson
28. “Moody’s Mood For Love” – Quincy Jones ft. Brian McKinght
29. “Reunion/Finale” – Quincy Jones (Colour Purple)
30. Outro

Find more videos like this on Grown Folks Music

Oy!

Vey! Disclaimer: Q did not have anything to do with this production, but I can already imagine what “Strawberry Letter 23″ is going to sound like by this clip.

Mr. Quincy Jones
3800 Barham Blvd., Ste. 503,
Los Angeles, CA 90068, United States

March 17, 2010

Mr. Jones,

This letter could not come from a place of more love and admiration. For as long as I can remember your music has provided part (a major part) of the soundtrack of my life. As a toddler I learned how to discern the different instruments of a song by listening to “The Streetbeater” every Friday night. As a preschooler I was enamored and intrigued with the sound and look of those great records for A&M. Honestly, I really believe before I could read, I could recognize the A&M logo and Quincy Jones. Then came elementary school and middle school with “Off The Wall”, “The Dude” and “Thriller”. “We Are The World” found me moving into full-fledged teenagedom and by the time “Bad” was released I thought I was ready to face the world after high school. “Back On The Block” I thought I was grown. “Q’s Jook Joint” I really thought I was grown. At some point I got wise and realized that everyday I’m still growing, always something new.

At some point I made the decision (or someone made the decision for me)to pick up an instrument. Along that journey I discovered more of your work than I could have ever found left to my own resources. Dots began to connect for me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. The same Quincy Jones of my youth worked with these titans of music that I now study in academia? Film Scores? Nadia Boulanger? Really? How? Then I realized something through your example: It’s just music. The combination of Bb,D, and F gives you the same result no matter what genre of music you play. Mr. Jones you are the living embodiment of that concept for me because you have created all kinds of music, because you understand that at the end of the day, it’s just music. That’s a sign of a master of his craft.

You represent for me one of the greatest generations of musicians that this world has ever known. The fact that you have participated in the music industry at the highest level for sixty years is not lost on us mere mortals. Which is why as of late I have been given pause, and this is truly the impetus for this letter.

This is not a nostalgia piece. I believe in always pushing the music forward, it’s very easy to go back and do what you’ve done because there is a certain amount of security there. Where my head and heart reside is in a place where I see some incongruencies and inconsistencies. If we wanted to take the math analogy a little further: If Quincy Jones=Music(which he does) then why are some of the variables in the equation not equal to music thus it would follow that the product…this has nothing to do with style, genre or otherwise. This has to do with artists being great enough to be in your presence and on your recording. In other words, I have no idea what the process was for choosing who appeared on “We Are The World 25″ or the new Q:Soul Bossa Nostra but some of the players just should not have made the cut. Why? Because quite frankly mentioning some of the names and Quincy Jones in the same sentence does not even sound grammatically correct.

Mr. Jones your name has come to represent a lot of things for a lot of people. First and foremost your name represents the platinum standard in music. Not the platinum standard because of sales(although you’ve sold lots of them) platinum in the sense that your music has always represented a level of musical greatness, not just popularity. Your recordings have introduced us to some of the greatest performers and writers of any generation. We always knew with a Quincy Jones recording there would be something, someone that would be heading very soon to the next level. The alumni from your recordings are the music industry in my mind. But maybe herein somewhere lies the problem. Industry.

No, I’m not one of these the “Industry is evil” acolytes. I’ve seen enough evil in my life in many quarters to realize the music industry has not cornered the market on evil. I also realize that sometimes when you’re the guest of honor(as in this tribute album)you don’t get to prepare the menu(I’ve been a victim of that myself). But one thing is for certain Mr. Jones, you are a hero to me and millions around the world. People can be very protective of their heroes and when something or someone infringes upon the very fiber of what that hero represents there’s bound to be an outcry. Seriously, some of these acts are musical kyrptonite, Superman.

In closing I would like to provide this quote which since the first time I ever heard it I can not tell you how many times I’ve repeated it. A wise man once said: “If you put a piano and a stack of money in the same room, they won’t talk to each other, because one has nothing to do with the other.” I believe you know whom that very sage advice came from. Whatever room you’re in Mr. Jones it may be too crowded with industry people. I’d like to fill your room full of the love, admiration and respect that your legacy deserves. That comes from us folks who are a little off the beaten path: music people.

Sincerely,

An Entire Generation

Update: If you would like to sign our petition to “Bring the Dude Back” you can do so by going here.