Check out this great interview from Jodine of Jodine’s Corner with Yahzarah before her recent performance at The Loft in Atlanta.

While I was out last evening this song just happened to come on and I happened to mention what a great job The Foreign Exchange had done in covering it. A friend of mine mentioned that they didn’t know it was a cover. What a testament to the artistry of The Foreign Exchange camp and to the power of a well written song. When you listen to The Foreign Exchange cover if you didn’t know, you would have no way of knowing that this song was recorded in 1991.

On the other hand if you forsake a great melody and go for having a little too much auto-tune and superfluous 808 snare rolls in your music, 20 years from now it might make it a little difficult for someone to cover your material without the listener being constantly reminded of those dreadful production choices. Enjoy!

Zo! getting a good laugh onstage!

Last week I had the great opportunity of hanging backstage with The Foreign Exchange crew for Zo!’s SunStorm CD Release Spectacular.  Now many of you may be wondering what this talented bunch are really like before they hit the stage. Well, we decided to get a little up close and personal with Nicolay, Phonte, Sy Smith, Yahzarah, Darien Brockington and of course the man of the night, Zo! to bring you some funny moments and their great show in the ATL!!! Check out the video and pics!!!

Zo!’s SunStorm CD-Release Spectacular – Atlanta – Part 1 from Grown Folks Music on Vimeo.

Zo!’s SunStorm CD-Release Spectacular – Atlanta – Part 2 from Grown Folks Music on Vimeo.

YahZarah – Cry Over You feat. Phonte | Official Music Video from The Foreign Exchange on Vimeo.

Hola my GFM fam!!! I just want to take this time to give you a peek at our listening party with Yahzarah at Mood’s Music last Friday. Once again, it was a great turn out with our partners the Music Addikts and Harmony In Life. Check out Yahzarah’s beautiful and soulful performance along with special guests, The Remnants and female artist, Salakida. Also, check out Yahzarah‘s new album,”The Ballad of Purple Saint James” Hope you enjoy!! :)

You know in this day and age where I’ve become increasingly jaded about videos etc., this comes as a welcome breath of fresh air. Great video and concept for a great song and it really catches that 80′s essence that I feel everytime I hear this song. Please remember “No rods, no curlers” on this one…

P.S. So how do we get this on BET? This video is great and the fact that it may not be on there and that they aren’t on shows like 106 and Park etc., shows me how full of ish Viacom and the BET staff are. If this was ’88 you best believe they would be on the couch with Donnie Simpson.

I usually don’t take up valuable album review space with my own personal declarative statements, but in this instance I believe that it’s important for two reasons: context and (hopefully) a call to action.

First, this may be one of the easiest reviews that I’ve had to do(more on the reasons why, later). Secondly, I may represent(or I used to)a vast majority of lover’s of great music in this country who are still(I was until about a year ago)stuck on channel zero(more on that in the conclusion). Finally, this album has made me realize(along with so many other epiphanies over this past year)that it’s time to stop talking and really do something so that what we know as mainstream music now, can become a bad memory.

Why was this review so easy to write? Well, for starters, great music gives you a lot to work with because it affects your emotions, your senses and you psyche all at the same time. The Ballad of Purple St. James Yahzarah’s fourth solo album kicks of the set with “Strike Up The Band” (you know a band? people playing instruments and singing together) from the opening notes I knew that this would be a trip that I would want to take not only from point A to B, but I would want to check out all the points in between. I did. I’m glad I did.

“Why Dontcha Call Me No More” which I reviewed here, calls me to action everytime I hear it. What action do you say? No, I’m not atoning for any past heartbreak transgressions that I may have been a part of…no it’s a lot more simpler than that. This song in all its 80′s new wave glory causes me to do the “Carlton Dance” everytime I hear it, in tribute and in love. No, I will spare you the You Tube webcam video of me doing it, but you should try it out sometime.

What I appreciate about The Ballad of Purple St. James is that it’s not just a narrow view of what music is. The album encompasses all that has come before and is presented in a manner that should give us a glimpse of what the present and future of music should be if we are really listening.

When I say that there is not a slow moment on the recording, I could not be more sincere. Wonderful collaborations with Phonte and Darien tastefully supplement and not supplant Yahzarah’s musical statement here. Production wise, this is music point blank, period. Interesting and appealing chord progressions, textures and rhythmic variance, this is what music should be about. It very evident to this reviewer that the production team assembled adheres to the age old adage: Respect The Music. When artists, writers, arrangers, engineers and producers respect the music it makes my job very, very easy.

This is usually the part where I start highlighting standout tracks…two things they’re all highlights and secondly you need to purchase this album straight up to see that I’m not selling you snake oil. However,(you know there’s always a however). “Have A Heart” what can I say? In all its Isleyesque (circa The Heat Is On) glory…I mean it has everything in there: the burning lead guitar breaks, the synth lines, the quieter moments in the verse as a contrast and the out vamp which is as hard hitting and fiery as it gets. If this track does not make you at the very least nod your head there must be a hole in your soul somewhere.

In conclusion here’s my personal challenge and call to action to every and anyone who might read this review. First and foremost buy The Ballad of Purple St. James right now. When you don’t support great music, yet spend a significant amount of your day complaining about the sad state of music, your argument ceases to have any validity in my book. By and large the major record labels and major media outlets have proven that by and large they ain’t about shit, oops let me correct that(I usually don’t work blue, so pardon me) actually they are about it, selling straight bull.

This is the third release from The Foreign Exchange Camp that I have the same reaction from, it’s not a coincidence, when people get together and are committed to making and releasing great music, this is what happens. But let’s be clear, this level of musicianship, takes long hours of practice, being on the road gigging and talent. As fans and consumers of music we have the power to change the focus to outfits like The Foreign Exchange, but the first thing we have to do is to change the channel and tune into greatness and tune out mediocrity.

The Ballad of Purple St. James out today!

More musical goodness from Yahzarah and the FE Fam. Don’t forget The Ballad of Purple St. James out on May 4th. ATL Fam mark your calendars: Fri May 21, 2010 at 8:00 PM The Masquerade, Atlanta GA. The Foreign Exchange with Yahzarah, Darien Brockington, Zo! and live band. GFM will be in the building.

For a free sampler of The Ballad of Purple Saint James go here.

Please support this great music!