tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51908295370839668932024-03-13T03:04:09.501-07:00OL SKOOL BLACK FLIX<strong>Honoring all actors who brought us everything from Blacula to Cabin in the Sky to Purple Rain to The Thing With Two Heads -- and everything in between!</strong>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-2756273660715846082024-01-15T21:29:00.000-08:002024-01-15T21:29:03.088-08:00Do Black Actors Owe Each Other an Alliance?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/3o6gDYf0hgbCCxSDrW/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="500" height="188" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/3o6gDYf0hgbCCxSDrW/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />Look at popular 70s flicks featuring Black actors. Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams. Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier. Even Pam Grier and the late Sig Haig (yes, he was Armenian but still a person of color) worked on numerous films together spanning two decades.<p></p><p>But that was then. Now, we have this little thing called social media that allows us to share (and sometimes, overshare) our feelings and thoughts. Now, when a public figure has a camera on them to record every word, body gesture, and surrounding events, it takes PR to another level. And it either backfires or creates a new discussion for social media fans.</p><p>Recently, the black gossip universe got an earful from veteran actor Taraji P. Henson about her treatment on <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/oprah-winfrey-color-purple-cast-163204090.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall" target="_blank">The Color Purple (2023)</a> set. According to her, everything from catering to pay to transportation was below par for the entire cast until Oprah Winfrey (or possibly, other powers-that-be) made it right. With an all-star cast, this sounds really absurd but from looking at the business aspect, it may not be so far-fetched.</p><p><b>It's About the Bottom Line</b></p><p>When Taraji's career catapulted from sitcom guest spots like Half and Half to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) in less than a decade, we were happy...for a minute. While she received an Academy nod for Best Supporting Actress, the disappointment came when it was revealed that her pay was barely a fraction of what lead actor Brad Pitt received.</p><p>At the time, the community mostly knew her as "Yvette" from Baby Boy and some forgettable supporting roles in a few urban flicks. However, the crossover certainly paid off, as Henson would later star in a few prime-time shows, including the Fox network's Empire. While this seems like it would translate into long-term notoriety for a Black actor, like everything else, we have to work harder in order to be considered equal to non-Black actors. And let's not forget gender bias.</p><p><b>We Can't Help Who We Know But...</b></p><p>While I don't think an actor's work should be judged by their personal life, this is also an industry where reputation is everything. It's also who we admit to knowing...and standing up for. Late last year, a message board topic titled "<a href="https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/the-problem-with-taraji-p-henson.5488463/" target="_blank">The Problem with Taraji</a>" detailed all of the men she worked with. This list includes disgraced former manager Vincent Cirroncione (he also managed Halle Berry before he was convicted of sexual assault by former clients) and Jussie Smollett.</p><p>Now, we have fellow actors Vivica A. Fox and Academy Award (c) Mo'Nique chiming in about their experiences. While the latter appears to show full support for any POC actor who may be the underdog, Ms. Fox claimed it never applied to her. So what's her secret outside of those Lifetime movies? Possibly producer credits along with acting in the occasional urban flick and those car "insurance" commercials with Ice-T.</p><p>Off the top of my head, I can't think of any recent Matt and Ben-type collaborations in the Black acting community. There was once a time when Ice Cube and Mike Epps starred in a few flicks outside of the Friday franchise. While not as memorable (but less buffoonish) esteemed actors Alfre Woodard and Sanaa Lathan have starred in several successful projects over the years.</p><p>My question is during a time when money is funnier than ever, should POC actors be obligated to share long-term success secrets? While Ms. Henson has a hair care line sold exclusively at most Target stores and has a net worth of $12 million, should she change more than her management team? An exit plan because she may have overshared how unfair the entertainment business can be? </p><p><br /></p>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-52571498988531210212023-07-16T10:56:00.002-07:002023-07-16T10:56:24.215-07:00Will "Cinnamon" Give Blaxploitation Lovers the Fix We Need?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="373" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VZURYBlvdFc" width="487" youtube-src-id="VZURYBlvdFc"></iframe></div><br />During my last blog hibernation, I met a film buff and we're doing the damn thing. Problem is, he loves science fiction, thrillers, and anything violent. While I don't have a vast blaxploitation DVD collection, he was entertained by <i>JD's Revenge</i> and <i>Willie Dynamite</i>. Lightweight think pieces like <i>Five on the Black Hand Side</i> and <i>Snowy Day in Oakland</i> are like taking Nyquil in the afternoon for him.<p></p><p>So, in celebration of Dad's Day, we go to see The Blackening. While still getting over the reserved seating concept in addition to matinee prices being in the two digits, we find a relatively comfortable spot. And...it wasn't bad...but not that great either.</p><p>It kinda reminded me of if in Living Color were updated and made it to the silver screen but toned down to say what we're thinking...and then some. Problem with this formula is that it can be mediocre but brilliant with the right comedic timing. Some may disagree with me but I'd suggest this list for your <a href="https://movieweb.com/black-horror-movies-if-you-loved-the-blackening/" target="_blank">horror flick bingeing</a> pleasure.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kennethjwilliamsjr/2023/06/27/cinnamon-a-prominent-black-led-film-embracing-the-legacy-of-blaxploitation/?sh=a5fa76741332" target="_blank">Cinnamon</a>, Pam Grier has again resurged in her role as that bad ass woman that gonna make everything alright. Looking awesome for her years, she, along with Hailey Kilgore (Jukebox from Raising Kanan) star is this Tubi original movie about a young woman trying to make her way in the world.</p><p>Damon Wayans also star's as the titular character's shady boss, along with a host of newcomers. Released June 23, I'm surprised this film hasn't received more attention with it's mix of drama, comedy, and action. My assumption is that many still think of Tubi as "that channel" for hood flicks with bad acting and almost storyline.</p><p>It looks like today is a new day...and at the moment, you're getting quality entertainment at no charge outside of an internet connection. As budgeting has become a greater concern than ever, I know I'll be checking back more often.</p><p>Well folks, I know it's been a couple of minutes and I'm still getting my mental engine lubed up. If you're blessed to see a new day, make it the best you can! LATER</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-24421734923080279222023-03-15T17:29:00.001-07:002023-03-15T17:29:12.522-07:00Happy 80th Birthday to Sly Stone<p>Before Thundercat, Rick James, and even Prince...Sly Stone was that musical genius to bridge black, white, and women and men into a single funk odyssey. His songs explored racial unity and other social matters of the day to an unforgettable beat. In fact, Sly set the template for modern recording acts like The Internet and many others.</p><p>For those of you who watch those Ed Sullivan reruns in hopes of catching this iconic performance, YouTube comes through. If you're familiar with the episode that featured The Doors, censorship (as in "high" or "higher" in reference to drugs) may be the reason why this segment is so hard to come by. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="370" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1kzyRM0Sjl8" width="564" youtube-src-id="1kzyRM0Sjl8"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This performance on the Mike Douglas Show is also worth a watch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="358" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/am04NZL8pA4" width="489" youtube-src-id="am04NZL8pA4"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-22319105942229694132023-02-24T12:39:00.000-08:002023-02-24T12:39:03.204-08:00Things You May Not Have Realized About Good Times<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="366" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6GY--TStTX4" width="485" youtube-src-id="6GY--TStTX4"></iframe></div><br />For years, there's been an online debate about the cast and storylines of this iconic sitcom from the 70s. Where did Carl go (or better, what was his purpose)? What did that kitchen door lead to? Were Willona and James more than friends? Many of us probably will never know the truth behind the scenes or why creator Norman Lear made these interesting choices.<p></p><p>You're probably like me where in the past few years you've probably had time to binge in front of the set and ponder a few things. I did when I was on bed rest a few years ago. While it seems like a <a href="https://tvone.tv/94983/good-times-remake-is-coming-to-netflix/" target="_blank">Good Times series remake</a> is out of the question for now, we can have a little fun with these facts about the popular show.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>The J.J. Evans character was loaded with charm and talent, making him a somewhat unlikely match for a bevy of beauties during its run from 1974 to 1979. Have you ever noticed that women who were overly affectionate are still working actors today? Yup, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Debbie Allen, Debbie Morgan, Tina Andrews, and the late Rosalind Cash had success in front of and/or behind the camera.</b></li></ul><p></p><p>But what about the others? Let's see what they're up to.</p><p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0051884/" target="_blank">Beverleigh Banfield</a> who played the original T. C. (Bookman's assistant), is still active in the business. After taking guest starring roles in the 80s and 90s, her last acting credit was as a voiceover artist in the cartoon Static Shock. Since the 2010s, she's parlayed her talents as a producer and director. She's alive and well at 69 years young.</p><p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0441423/" target="_blank">Rosanne Katon</a> was in an early episode where her snob parents wanted their teen daughter to date someone who wasn't from the PJs. From the mid-70s through the 80s, Katon starred in a number of guest roles and was also known for being one of the first Black Playmates. She quietly retired from acting by the early 90s to focus on family and humanitarian efforts.</p><p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0114494/" target="_blank">Renee Brown</a> didn't play a love interest but a painting student of J.J.'s who quietly forced him to eat a big piece of humble pie during a local art competition. After starring in a number of 70s sitcoms and light crime dramas like James at 16, Brown retired from acting in the early 80s to focus on family.</p><p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0845814/" target="_blank">Ta Tanisha</a> played one of J.J.'s early girlfriends that didn't exactly have his back yet he was so whipped. Anyway, her career goes back to 1969 when she guest-starred on an episode of Mod Squad and remained pretty busy from the 70s to the 80s with sporadic appearances. She also made an uncredited appearance on Alex Martin's (daughter of Whoopi Golberg) reality show in the 00s.</p><p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0235230/" target="_blank">Rolanda Douglas</a> is one of the few actresses who played different roles on the sitcom. First, it was the snobbish girlfriend who was ready to go and cared less about a burned Penny Gordon. Then she was the second T. C. who actually did make a move on the lean, chocolate, loving machine after undergoing a makeover. Her acting credits range from 1976 to 1987.</p><p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0843044/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1" target="_blank">Brenda Sykes</a> was J.J.'s chain-smoking date who proved an important lesson about the dangers of tobacco products. Besides an extensive list of acting credits for the small and silver screen, she's also known as the former wife of musician and poet Gil Scott Heron. This 1978 role was also her last, according to IMDB.</p><p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0369521/" target="_blank">Fay Hauser </a>played the married woman who wanted to have her cake and eat it at J.J.'s expense (or his developing ulcer). At 74 years young, she's still booked and busy with recent credits including Glee and Shameless. Hauser also has recent producer and director credits to round out her long list of roles that go back to 1978.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>While it's nice to see the majority of these actresses are healthy and well, here are some other things that may have been overlooked.</b></li></ul><div>Dap Sugar Willie (above), who played Lootin Lenny, got his start on the comedy circuit. Like Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor, he sold albums of his performances and this was also a promotional tool that landed him roles in a number of 1970s sitcoms. Sadly, he died in 1994 at the age of 55.</div><p></p><p>Penny (played by Miss Jackson, of course) is actually named Millicent, which is a clever but odd name choice for a Black child of the 70s.</p><p>If you think Bernadette Stanis (Thelma) has disappeared from the silver screen, you're mistaken. Since the show's end in 1979, she's made numerous appearances on sitcoms, done voiceovers, and also attended the prestigious Julliard to upgrade her thespian skills. Her last credit was on TV One's Family Business series which stars Ernie Hudson.</p><p>Well, it's good to be back y'all and I hope you can stop by every few weeks where we deliver something different.</p>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-87314745138405990922023-01-30T13:48:00.002-08:002023-01-30T13:48:43.563-08:00To the Faux Marketers Out There<p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">***1. Get a new career so you can finally get out of your mom's basement.***</span></b></p><p>2. While we undergo another makeover, comments not related to the blog topic will be deleted and you won't get paid whatever fake commission you're earning.</p><p>3. In the meantime, we're looking into some new ideas for the blog but if anything, we are not dead...just hibernating.</p><p>Oh yeah, Happy New Year, and back to the drawing board. Peace and blessings</p><p><br /></p><div style="padding-bottom: calc(76.67% + 44px); position: relative;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://gfycat.com/ifr/BlissfulPeriodicEuropeanpolecat" style="left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0;" width="100%"></iframe></div><p> <a href="https://gfycat.com/blissfulperiodiceuropeanpolecat">via Gfycat</a></p><p></p>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-76570654650356187642018-06-01T04:00:00.000-07:002018-06-01T04:00:21.408-07:00Thank God It's Funny - Irvin C Watson<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Lately, I've been watching old Ed Sullivan reruns on the digital broadcasting channel and there are many Black comedians who were either underrated or seemed to disappear from the planet by the time us Gen X's were old enough to understand. I've also discovered other old programs that show an entire host of funny chocolate folks, like Mr. Watson but here's a couple of videos you might like.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> This is a new feature I chose to add because 1) Life's too short to not get in a good laugh at least once a week, and 2) I would like to shine a brief light on those comedians that may not be household names today.</b></span></i></div>
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jprQDHL-eOI?start=40" width="560"></iframe> <iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rg1Hc4QnNls?start=1080" width="560"></iframe></div>
J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-13015359557697922742018-02-15T15:32:00.001-08:002018-02-15T15:32:04.798-08:00For Die Hard Prince Fans Out There...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXL5dBJfsE7-TacIBQ9hjhuEV_y2xNY2hNAyUc8Yn3Xg0ecLYeSePB5cscBkill9z2AEtzrs0L1bJ9JzucwaPevCbbPcSkZFfYHm5vwPjzYNPAX0gssYI9wEowRFDl290p-f1JDFIa2A/s1600/symbol.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXL5dBJfsE7-TacIBQ9hjhuEV_y2xNY2hNAyUc8Yn3Xg0ecLYeSePB5cscBkill9z2AEtzrs0L1bJ9JzucwaPevCbbPcSkZFfYHm5vwPjzYNPAX0gssYI9wEowRFDl290p-f1JDFIa2A/s1600/symbol.jpe" /></a></div>
Been away longer than I planned but thought I'd return with good news. My favorite mag, Wax Poetics, is currently taking orders for the posthumous tribute edition. <a href="https://store.waxpoetics.com/products/wax-poetics-issue-67-prince-edition" target="_blank">Issue 67</a>, according to the email I received last night, will be free of ads with full color pages throughout, available as a hard or soft cover copy.<br />
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For those not familiar with Wax Poetics (WP) magazine, it's pretty much the Lexus of all periodicals that represent hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and all the subgenres. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wax-Poetics-50-Prince-Issue/dp/0979811066/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472578974&sr=8-1&keywords=the+prince+issue" target="_blank">Issue 50</a>, which was originally released back in 2013, featured the music legend and featured extended interviews with those who were once close to him musically. This also was for pre-sale and though re-released in May 2016, is the best-selling edition in the magazine's history.<br />
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As for the collector's value, most WP issues bring in a nice return, as most give intimate details and/or exclusive interviews with recording artists of past and present. I was able to sell my David Bowie/ATCQ issue for almost three times what I paid for it. Remember back in the day when you went over someone's house and they had the latest issues of Ebony or Jet spread across the coffee table? If you've got little ones (or kids at heart) that like to scribble on things, you might want to keep these hidden at all costs.<br />
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<br />J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-76022773624594529092018-01-23T23:43:00.003-08:002018-01-23T23:43:43.778-08:00My One and Only Hugh Masekela Sighting<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy New Year folks, I'm restructuring here and realize I still owe you an old-school countdown. I didn't want my first post to be an obit but this is a true story I can't get out of my head. As you may know, jazz trumpeter and anti-Apartheid activist <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/23/obituaries/hugh-masekela-dies.html">Hugh Masekela</a> died at the age of 78. At this time, there is no direct cause but, like many musicians who have left us in recent, I'm happy for his contributions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, I didn't realize some years ago how grateful I should've been to be in his presence or to celebrate what was a historic moment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back in the early 90s, I was a big super-brat woman/baby who really didn't know if she was coming or going. One day, I woke up and decided that I was going to attend Job Corp in Downtown L.A. because it was free. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was not one of my best moments but on top of free job training, medical care and food (I didn't live there), I could go to events for free. Not long before dropping the program for good (I also worked a full-time job near LAX), I got an invite to see a newly-freed Nelson Mandela at the L.A.Coliseum. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Didn't have to work that evening but me and about a half-dozen folks packed into some car and got pretty good seats. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once again, very fortunate to have not experienced the nosebleed section. Looking back, the concert was long. Very long. And back then, on top of drinking and partying, I ingested a lot of caffeine (and this was a couple of decades before energy drinks were a way of life) so I can remember being near tears because I had to coordinate how to get back home without risking my life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But in-between, I had a hoot explaining to my reformed gangbanger buddies why Paul Simon, Sting, and many others with pink toes were there to celebrate the South African hero. However, amusement turned into anxiety when Mr. Masekela went into a set that lasted more than an hour long. Sting and James Taylor's sets were less than 15 minutes and other notables (whom I don't remember) were restricted to maybe one song. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since then I have not seen so much love and unity for mankind displayed on a single stage. Gangsta rap was beginning to cross into the mainstream and the riots were less than two years away. My generation has few leaders, as many seem to care more about commerce instead of a solution to make things better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The irony is that while gangsta rap is supposed to be about being a badass, I've yet to see any of its representatives take a real stand against a minor injustice...<i>just abuse or battery against a woman</i>. Anyway, I still have a thing about Soul Train reruns and ran across this rare episode with Mr. Masekela and fellow trumpeter Herb Alpert.</span><br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mYBw1q-tvbU" width="560"></iframe>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-10180947190942141772017-11-30T08:30:00.000-08:002017-11-30T08:30:21.217-08:00A Throwback and Belated Birthday Wishes (Letter H)Had he lived, Jimi Hendrix would have turned 75 on Monday. They say genius never dies and his skills are incomparable today...no matter what new music trend or artist tries to take a bite. One has to wonder what would've become of him had he survived that fateful night. Touring with the Stones? A collabo with Prince (no doubt they're somewhere jamming). Anyway, the only way to celebrate this unique life is to share his gifts with those who may have missed out. Here's one of my favorites.<br />
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Last month, we lost <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/keith-wilder-singer-of-funk-group-heatwave-dead-at-65-w510631" target="_blank">Keith Wilder</a> of Heatwave, who is best known for singing lead on their popular wedding song "Always and Forever". Him and brother Johnny (who died back in 2006), not only shared lead but wrote many hits with bandmate Rod Temperton. While some may associate them with the disco era, other songs had an R&B flavor to them. Check it out.
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pj4WTlN5NUg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-79052788773585260332017-11-29T10:00:00.000-08:002017-11-29T10:00:03.492-08:00Wayback Wednesday Letter GIf you can ever get your hands on this album here, consider yourself one lucky sonofagun.<br />
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The reason why I say this is because this the album, alone, that would make her the Queen of Soul. I never bought that "Empress" title and realize that another notable may not be in the best of health as I type. That understood, I will never change my mind on how awesome this album is...the vocals, arrangements, everything. So while there are many tracks to fall in love with (and I'm not a fan, btw), I'm going with the title track though I don't know where this performance took place.</div>
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My other choice is also not 100% personal. Though I love Sly and the Family Stone, my knowledge of Larry Graham was limited until he opened for Prince back in 1997. Let's just say I couldn't wait for the main attraction. People ask me to this day if he sang his 1980 hit 'One in a Million' and I say no, it was like a Sly Stone concert with no Sly and a loud guitar.<br />
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However, there was this one song I couldn't get out of my head growing up. Never knew who sang it and it was one of the few my mom hated (because she pretty much had a record store...we lived down the street from a VIP Records, btw). So anyway, decades pass and one of the few times Soul Train was in reruns, I discovered some new ish (because hip-hop was dying, rock-rap wasn't far behind and neo-soul was starting to sound alike). Anyway, I have a new respect for this man and hope they do an Unsung episode for his musical contributions.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WqXbIXfmH3g" width="560"></iframe>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-35361087512752259542017-11-16T08:30:00.000-08:002017-11-16T08:30:05.237-08:00Final Throwback Thurs. E-F (as in Funk)Ever since file sharing, indie stations, and other mediums for new and undiscovered jams have become the norm, I realized there have got to be damn near 100 covers of "Light My Fire". From the Doors to Stevie Wonder. My favorite is by the late Erma Franklin, sister to Aretha and a soul singer in her own right. This gem was released in 1969 and you Gen-X's may remember this as a sample in the early 90s hit <a href="https://youtu.be/wiXW5L_sQuk">"Untouchables"</a> by Above the Law.
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I don't know about you but I'm ready for funk to come back. I know some of the newer artists can be funky or may take elements of funk and mix it with rap, rock, or smooth R&B. The closest I've heard to a nasty bassline is Thundercat but then again, his music is more of a gumbo thing that mixes in some of everything with a spacey vibe. Well, it was a hard choice but fortunately Mr. George Clinton had the forethought to create two groups (and collect two paychecks) so we can hear from Parliament later.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JOKn33-q4Ao" width="560"></iframe>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-9076181755768729372017-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:002017-11-15T19:31:39.865-08:00WayBack Wednesday Holiday Jam Letter EI think EWF owns this one but I probably roll this into tomorrow. Anyway, during one of my insomnia attacks, I discovered these Christmas songs in my music feed. Not the worst and it sounds like one of the original lineups. Can you believe people talk about Christmas just minutes after (and sometimes before) Halloween has ended?
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This other jam was not one of their bigger hits but whoever made this vid deserves major props. They dug up a serious montage of old and recent photos. I forgot there were a couple of women in the lineup<br />
at one time.<br />
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There's too much good stuff from which to choose right here, so I decided to go with a compilation. If you haven't seen their Unsung episode, I recommend it highly. A portion of their humble beginnings was also featured in the highly-praised 2017 movie <i>Detroit</i>. Here is an <a href="https://youtu.be/eGL1Ty3BeQU" target="_blank">interview</a> that aired before the passing of founder Ron Banks.<br />
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Secondly, this track by the incomparable David Ruffin is pretty damn funky. Most people (Gen-X and younger) remember Mr. Ruffin from the Temptations biopic but I remember seeing him perform this song on a <a href="https://youtu.be/cU1DHFFke_Y" target="_blank">Soul Train rerun</a> a few years ago. It's pretty memorable.
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Yeah, sorry so slow. Decided to go for a second degree and now I'm paying the price. Still haven't decided the future but I thought I'd throw in some ol school jams while thinking this through. As for the second video above, I wanted to get a live performance since few people remember what the <a href="https://youtu.be/xJFcIvZ_X50" target="_blank">Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose looked like</a>. Though only the lead singer slightly resembles someone from the lineup, I can tell this performance is from the 1980s. So if you know anything about this group, give me a shout out!J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-89679876493498873392017-11-02T08:30:00.000-07:002017-11-02T08:30:15.917-07:00The Final Thursday Throw - Letter BYeah, decided to do it right and combine the two so it should cover up to the letter Z by 12/31. Math isn't my thing but I'll work it out. Anyway, here's a couple of names we ain't heard from in a minute. This jam takes me back to grade school.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_CJJAEwcA3U" width="560"></iframe>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-72880890393317836262017-11-01T06:14:00.000-07:002017-11-01T06:14:00.194-07:00The Final WayBack Artists Letter AI'm slowing this situation way down in the coming year. Kind of tired of posting obits and some blaxploitation flicks are so bad that I end up going to sleep midway. Same applies to modern straight-to-DVD movies (though I had a couple of nice finds recently). I wouldn't say I'm burnt out but distracted big time. Plus I have other projects in need of completion.<br />
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So, what I'm doing in digging up the rare jams and I may stick in some audio from my personal collection. Today and tomorrow, for the remainder of the year, I'm going down the alphabetical list. Some songs you may remember in its original form and other probably sampled to pieces.<br />
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Anyway, I'm looking forward to this so stay tuned!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EgG8jJAI8u4" width="560"></iframe>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-18583045344885311592017-10-24T18:59:00.001-07:002017-10-24T18:59:16.615-07:00Goodnight BensonVeteran actor and star of the 1970s hit comedy series <i>Benson</i>, Robert Guillaume dies at 89. After co-starring in a number of films, he rose to commercial success playing the butler to a fictional governor Benson DuBois in the popular sitcom Soap. The video below was one of his last televised interviews where he described why he almost didn't accept the iconic role.
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ukgb-30QDxs" width="560"></iframe>J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-60150364759444281842017-10-12T23:10:00.001-07:002017-10-12T23:10:22.362-07:00Schoolhouse Rock Writer and Singer Dies At 85Jazz drummer and singer Grady Tate got his start with Quincy Jones band back in the 1960's. He later recorded the somber ballad <i>Suicide is Painless</i> for the M*A*S*H* movie.<br />
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Shortly afterwards, Tate and the late Ray Charles would be the most recognizable voices behind the funky Saturday morning cartoons for Gen Xers. Eventually, this would lead the popular jazzman to a second career in education. Read more about Mr. Tate's life <a href="https://www.soultracks.com/story-grady-tate-dies" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-91835592961637456002017-10-12T07:00:00.000-07:002017-10-12T07:00:22.136-07:00Is Thug Life the New Blaxploitation?<br />
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Think about it. Hot looking females not only strapped but make target every time. A dope soundtrack. Everyone speaks in urban slang. Violence. Maybe hard narcotics. At the film's climax, someone either died or is badly hurt, either physically or emotionally.<br />
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Is this a bad thing or worse, unoriginal? Not necessarily, as one of my favorites, <i>Power</i>, has at least three of the above named factors. Additionally, the cable drama is more popular with viewers than Fox Network's <i>Empire</i>, especially in the last couple of years. While I won't use this post to tear down Cookie and 'em, one thing I will state is the emotionally complex scenarios used in <i>Power</i> make it more meaty than most shows that use a similar formula of a brother who used slangin' to come up.<br />
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What about when we make TV shows, big-budget movie and now...stage plays where you have the elements but the story line is "simple"? Maybe even predictable...can it still be as fun as watching <i>Blacula</i> or even <i>New Jack City</i>. Well, a new play, <a href="http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/18493/new_blaxploitation_rap_musical_brings_thugs_and_their_women_to_the_fox#.Wd7Vd0uGPrc" target="_blank"><i>THUGS and the Women Who Love Them</i>,</a> is getting mixed reactions at best. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Courtesy of Deadline Detroit.</span><br />
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Based on a 2004 fictional series by Wahida Clark, the play was adapted by producer Melvin Childs and has made short stops in major cities in the past few months. Casting includes mostly C/D-List entertainers like Ray J, Lyfe Jennings, and reality show superstars (meaning they get continuous work to act a fool on TV). The only notable on here is Jamal Woolard, who played the title role of Biggie Small in 2007's <i>Notorious</i>.<br />
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Some people see the original blaxploitation movement as a way to crawl before walking, as only a handful of actors were offered legitimate (nice, articulate character) roles before. I once had a debate with a former co-worker about why these types of films should never exist. While my sentiment was that people needed to get work (and I was only about 20 at the time), she came back much harder. THIS IS HOW PEOPLE FROM OTHER CULTURES SEE US.<br />
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My head was spinning because at that time, no one knew who Rodney King was, L.A. had only one riot, and while <strike>Pill</strike> Bill Cosby was using his popular sitcom to gradually lecture the viewers about what was right about the world of upper-class blackness, I knew my place in the world. That was a utopia in my mind where everyone got along and no one saw stereotypes - just good and bad people.<br />
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Who would think more than 25 years later that hip-hop (no matter how watered down these days) cannot be used in a different format to tell a story of the streets? They may not get my money but I feel that people have a right to express themselves by telling their truth. However, I will be happy when there are more Rainbow Johnsons on my TV screen than Cookie Lyon types.J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-56047665547767938112017-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:002017-10-12T05:00:17.775-07:00Throwback Thursday...Something Different<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Qu8uKHgpYQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Earth, Wind and Fire has been one of my favorites since I was little and I ran across this video a couple of years ago. If you miss the old lineup, I think you'll like this short even though <i>I Can't Let Go</i> wasn't one of their huge hits. I also want to wish belated birthday wishes to my fellow Libra, former sax player and percussionist Andrew Woolfolk, who was with them into the early 1990s. <br />
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I know I've been slacking on this but beginning next week, I'm combining the two (Wayback Wednesday and Throwback Thursday) for the remainder of the year. It will be an A-Z of old school music acts and I'm looking forward to putting this together. Truth, its the least I can do since I've slowed down mentally and physically....but I will keep you updated! CYAJ.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-27763030522609942782017-10-06T17:31:00.000-07:002017-10-06T17:31:35.135-07:00Actor/Comedian Ralphie May DiesNo, he wasn't the typical Hollywood actor discussed on this blog but a unique presence he was. If you love straight-to-DVD movies or the comedy shows from the 90's to present, chances are this dude cracked you up at some point.<br />
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While May had the potential to be a household name, there were some obstacles that prevented this from happening. During one short career slump, May appeared on <a href="https://youtu.be/RJ5p4urdmOI" target="_blank">Celebrity Fit Club</a>, where he appeared to be handling his morbid obesity. My favorite is the mailman from the early-2000s flick, For Da Love of Money starring Pierre (B.A.P.S.)
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe28T9URi0TQzyDD9nKUyux_cuJs-5xVAFLSREv8S386iVRrF1tM60dbKSeGtXFiRE33Y5JMker68z9pC-iLGn-MQG_67bmgUYH1wIqfC8CHvFK4tPcRJE2iFl_mNEzKact5PhUAIy660/s1600/09-30-bernie-casey-group-show-calif-african-american-museum-caam-dscn1380-103-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe28T9URi0TQzyDD9nKUyux_cuJs-5xVAFLSREv8S386iVRrF1tM60dbKSeGtXFiRE33Y5JMker68z9pC-iLGn-MQG_67bmgUYH1wIqfC8CHvFK4tPcRJE2iFl_mNEzKact5PhUAIy660/s640/09-30-bernie-casey-group-show-calif-african-american-museum-caam-dscn1380-103-300x225.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you for sharing your talents with the world, Mr. Casey.</td></tr>
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J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-65025855873381632802017-09-20T15:00:00.000-07:002017-09-20T15:00:24.912-07:00Black Hooker Movie Review<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jJZsDTvYtZc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
It's about time huh? This was one of the first "gems" I got to see and On Bounce TV's Sugar streaming service ( did I mention there's a lot to choose from now). Anyway, this is another flick from the blaxploitation film era with dual titles, the alternate being Street Sisters. I don't understand the latter since only one hooker is the focus.
This 1974 indie flick is set in a mostly rural town (on yeah, there are no big names attached to this one) where a young lady who grew up on a farm gives birth to a biracial child. Instead of going with someone light skin and wavy hair, they did the Alan Willis (from the Jeffersons TV series) only they used some one who looked more like one of the Beach Boys.
The woman's religious parents are forced to raise the bar while she breezed in every so often pushing some vintage whip, dragging on a cigarette. While the boy loves his family, he would rather hang out with Mom father than work on the farm. Since no farm means no place to stay, the young man ventures out into the city. Along with his grandparents, he leaves behind someone special.
With a few twists and turns, this isn't a complete waste of 90 minutes. However, if you plan to make this a couch surfing session, I'd recommend something of substance like Five on the Black Hand Side or The Landlord.
J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190829537083966893.post-25052505443443076192017-09-20T05:34:00.000-07:002017-09-20T05:34:10.443-07:00Former Leader of Black Heat Dies<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8FiK-TJaJAM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Their music has been sampled by Biggie, Mc Lyte and was once featured in an episode of Scandal. However, Black Heat was one of those rare entities in funk that was mostly overlooked by the history books. On September 16, leader <a href="https://www.soultracks.com/story-king-raymond-green-dies">King Raymond Green</a> passed away from causes currently unknown. Courtesy of Soul Tracks.
Though Black Heat would go on to have a strong following in DC's Go-Go music scene, Green would go on to have a successful career in music on his own terms. After the group broke up in the late 1970's, he would study Audio Engineering at Drexel University, where he received a bachelor's degree in 1981.
Green was also a member of The Original Clovers and CEO of his own Powerhouse Productions. His songwriting and audio engineering skills were in great demand with recording legends like Carlos Santana,Harvey Fuqua,and the late Chuck Brown.J.Swindellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13176689098033070881noreply@blogger.com0