LOVE LIES BLEEDING

Dear friend, when I left, I knew I would return. I trusted time to heal this bloody gash in our friendship. So I stayed away and I counted the clouds. I counted the planks in the fence, waiting for the opportunity to get back to you.

Now I am come. A moment too late. There was a time I told you, or you told me that we should be friends forever. I concurred or you did. The details are blurred with misuse. So I am come, and you? You left a long time ago. The room of our friendship has grown impersonal since you’ve been gone.

Today I severed the tendons of this dear friendship when it dawned on me that its arm was too badly scarred to flex as it was originally intended. Call it a mercy kill. I would have been amenable to massaging the offending limb back to health but the pain would have been unbearable for the both of us.

For this I am sorry. I did not keep my word as I am only human. I had meant to keep your friendship in a jar next to my favorite things. My bad that my careless hand swiped across the table and shattered your jar. For all it’s worth, you meant the world to me.

A Tale for the Time Being

A friend asked me to make a playlist of 7 songs I like and after much soul-searching, this is it...Naddy Cupcakes Music Playlist #19

Listen to the playlist on Gooveshark:

 http://grooveshark.com/playlist/Naddy+Cupcakes+number+19/102160059

1. Change – Gloomy 30’s

Change is an upbeat Korean track that featured as a soundtrack to a historical Korean drama, Chuno/Slave Hunters. Classified as Pop rock, the track has chunky bits of opera, electronic voices, hard rock and Hip hop so masterfully arranged into this epic sound only for your listening pleasure. Imagine yourself slaying dragons, scaling skyscrapers, shooting through the skies, you name it and Change will take you there. These guys, little-known outside South Korea (Information about the band is scanty at best and only in the Korean language) surely deserve a medal. 

2. Caesar – 4^th Avenue Jones

 

Among American Hip hop circles, the now defunct 4^th Avenue Jones was an anomaly. The musically gifted band incorporated a spectrum of musical elements in their tracks such as hip hop, neo soul, alternative rock, funk and gospel to come up with a truly unique sound never heard of before. Caesar, from their album Stereo: The Evolution of HipRockSoul is actually constructed ‘live’ from the ground up—piece by piece as you listen to the track, with a creamy fuzz of conscious lyrics guaranteed to win over even the staunchest of detractors. Who said hip hop is dead? 

3. Immigrant Workforce – Bedouin Soundclash 

Grouped under reggae rock and alternative rock, Bedouin Soundclash is anything but. This multiracial Canadian band blends punk, pop, rock, ska and reggae into a potpourri of mesmerizing hair raising sound. When Vocalist/Guitarist Jay Malinowski croons in his signature husky sweet and sour voice reminiscent of the legendary Bob Marley, reality blurs into a euphoric dreamlike state. The bass-heavy track selection, Immigrant Workforce is a heartfelt dedication that goes out to the invisible minions all over the world—unsung heroes building concrete jungles and positively contributing to society. 

4. Jailor –Asa 

Asa (real name Bukola Elemide) is a Nigerian singing sensation born and bred who fuses elements of jazz, afro- soul, reggae and pop into a symphony of organic sound.  Singing in English and her native Yoruba language, Asa’s melodious voice is enchanting and such a joy to listen to. Jailer is off her self-titled 2007 debut album that torpedoed the now 32 year old to stardom.

 

 5. Breath In – Frou Frou 

This track is a favourite of mine, born out of musical marriage of sorts between Guy Sigworth, Producer/Arranger Extraordinaire (who’s worked with greats such as Madonna and Björk) and…[Drumroll…]none other than IMOGEN HEAP. This British singer-song writer/composer is without a doubt one of my best musicians still  living. A multi-instrumentalist, Imogen’s musical style hovers between indie, alternative, electronica, trip hop, folk and dream pop to mention a few. Her silky ‘yodely’ voice cascades masterfully in Breath In to birth a beautiful melodious sound that worms it's way into your mind.

6. Worry Walks Beside Me – Michael Kiwanuka 

His deep sultry voice invokes the spirit of the musical greats he has been compared to—Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Van Morrison, The Temptations, name them. While the 27 year old British singer-song writer has yet to make some serious notches on the musical mileage, his debut album Home Again has received rave reviews from all and sundry, and so far, he has not yet disappointed. 

 7. Obokuri-Eeumi – Ikue Asazaki 

Ikue Asazaki is a famous 78 year old Japanese traditional folk singer. Her track Obokuri-Eeumi which literally means “Obtain our bearings” was used as a soundtrack in the Japanese anime, Samurai Champloo. This slow haunting earth-song speaks of depth of feeling that transcends language and strikes the listener where it hurts the most—the soul, purging them of painful memories. At least that is how I felt.

And with that concludes this playlist sourced from the mainstream to the obscure. Happy listening!