So…

How’s things? Missing the music? I am.

I’ve been keeping an eye on current events and they bring to mind a number of titles that would seem applicable to the scenes that are being witnessed. No doubt a lot has happened since the last broadcast including a change in the cast of characters we’ve come to be used to seeing and dealing with on our world stages. It ain’t all good but it ain’t all hopeless so as Larry Graham would say “Don’t let ’em change your mind…”.

There’s so much to be commented on but let’s just leave with Marvin Gay’s “What’s going on?”. One can still feel it’s relevance today. No?

Marvin Gaye in 1973 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Stay you… I’ll be around.

-DJ

© 2017, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

By the time most of you have read this, the music will have stopped.

So I’d like to make an attempt to thank A Tribe Called Quest, Al Green, Alicia Myers, Ana Caram, Andre Castano, Angela Johnson, Aurra, Bab Rolando 808, Bali Lounge, Barbara Tucker, Barrington Levy, Barry White, Bassmental, Bassnectar, Bear Who, Beenie Man, Billy Cobham, B.B. King, Black Science Orchestra, Black Uhuru, Blue Asia, Bob Marley, Bobby Womack, Booker T & The M.G.’s, Bootsy, Boozoo Bajou, Brass Construction, Brother Jack McDuff, Buju Banton, Byron Stingily, C Scott, Cameo, CeCe Peniston, Change, Charles Moui, Charles Webster, Chris Jasper, Chucky Sly, Cindy Mizelle, Circulation, Club Artists United, Coffee Kids, Crystal Waters, Daddy Funk 45, Darien Bailey, David Bowie, Deep Brothers, Deep Wide, Deniece Williams, Disko Knights, Dissidenten, DJ Andre Harris, DJ Aphreme, DJ Fudge, DJ Language, DJ Mbuso Sboniso Dlada, DJ Nermin, DJ Spen, DJ Spettro, DJ Spinna, Dobet Gnahore, DunnEASY, E-Man, Earth, East River Rituals, Ed the Red, Eddie Kendricks, Edit Van Halen, Elements of Life, Entertainment, Ernest Raglin, Erro, Erykah Badu, Esther Philips, Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Fernanda Abrue, Fila Brazillia, First Class, Florian, Foremost Poets, Fred Everything, Funk, Funkadelic, Galaxy People, Ganeesh, Geoffrey Gordon, George Clinton & The P-Funk All Stars, George Duke, Goapele, Grace Jones, Graham Central Station, Groove Theory, Guy, Hardstone, Herbie Hancock, House Music, Housin’ Funk Parliament, Howard Johnson, Husky Matt Meler, Hustle & Flow, Ike “Black Liquid” Ngwaba, India, IndySoul, Innervision, Intik, Ital Foods, J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science, J.C. Lodge, Jacob London, Jamal, James Brown, Jay Tripwire, Jazz, Jazzanova, Jill Scott, Jimpster, Jimmy Hendrix, John “Julius” Knight, Johnny Hammond, Jon Cutler, Joyce Sims, Julius Papp, Jungle Brothers, Kan Sano, Keith Hudson, Keith Sweat, Keith Thompson, Ken ECB, Kenny Dope, Kerri Chandler, Kiko Navarro, Kim English, King Kooba, Kink, Kool & The Gang, Kurtis Blow, La Veda Simpson, Ladybug Mecca, Lawnchair Generals, Lee, Lil Louis, Lisa Fischer, Littlemen, Loose Ends, Louie Vega, Lovelea, Lucky Dube, LuRob, Mad Scientist, Magik Johnson, Mandrill, Marcus Miller, Mark Farina, Marlon D, Marques Wyatt, Martin Venetjoki, Marvin Gaye, Masters at Work, Mati, Michael Henderson, Miguel Migs, Monsieur Dodo, Mood Swing, Moon Rock, Moss, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Mtume, Music, Nathan Adams, No Assembly Required, Non-Stop Mixes, Norman Conners, Nuyorican Soul, Omega, One Way, Only Freak, Oscar P, Ovasoul 7, Paul Johnson, Peter Tosh, Platinum Pied Pipers, Prince Dubb I, Quant, Ralph Falcon, Ramsey Lewis, Rayko, Recloose, Red X, Reggae, Rene & Angela, Rhonda Smith, Richard Samuels, Rick James, Rob Mirage, Robin Duhe, Roland Clark, Ron E. Jones, Rose Royce, Roy Ayers, Roy Davis Jr., S.O.S. Band, Sabrina Johnson, Sagat, Santana, Scuba, Shalamar, Sharon Redd, Shirley Marshall, Side Effect, Sister Sledge, Skyy, Slave, Slope, Sly & The Family Stone, Smokey Robinson, Soul-Ty, Souldynamic, Steel Pulse, Steve Miggedy Maestro, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Stolen Identity, Strafe, Subercabana, Sumo, Sweetback, T. J. Rhemi, Terence Trent D’Arby, The Brothers Johnson, The Bucketheads, The Crusaders, The Dells, The Demetrios Project, The Family Stand, The G.A.P. Band, The Isleys, The Jimmy Castor Bunch, The Moments, The Muthafunkaz, The O’Jays, The Ohio Players, The Pocket Dwellers, The System, The Temptations, The Stylistics, Third World, Thor, Tom Browne, Tom Tom Club, Tony Toni Tone, Treologic, Unforscene, Unlimited Touch, Urban Soul, Ursula Rucker, Vibezelect, Victor Wooten, Viola, Vision, Waldemar Bastos, War, Wayman Tisdale, Weather Report, Wind & Fire, Wish feat. Fonda Rae, Wyclef Jean, Yam Who, Yarbrough & Peoples, Zapp, Ziggy Marley…this isn’t even most of them…there are so many many more.

I know I left someone out… it always happens… know that I thank you too!

There are years of articles and posts within this site. Feel free to check them out. Some topical and some not.

I want to thank all of the artists who took the time out of their busy lives to respond to my attempts to reach out to them. I want to thank in particular Joyce Sims and Chris Jasper for allowing me the opportunity of playing their new releases when they came out. I’m proud that we’ve even had the opportunity to create artwork for their projects too!

I want to thank Shawn, one of the best ears in the business, for helping me track down some of the best music I’ve ever heard. I want to thank Wardell for opening up his world of music to me and then spending time putting together sets so I can share that world with you. Not everyone can hear what you feel. I want to thank Daizee her enthusiasm for the sound. It helped when I needed it most.

I certainly want to thank the thousands of humans across this planet spending tens of thousands of hours checking out the music and the mixes I was able to create with the help of these many artists. I want to thank whomever that is wearing the Official WBPM NetRADIO shirt over in Japan. I’m still amazed that there’ve been times when people of opposing factions, religions and groups were listening to the same music at the same time while others in their groups were blowing each other up. Go figure.

I’ve always felt that if we do not support our musicians then we are willfully allowing ourselves to die a silent death.

Please continue to support those who are in support of you and your sounds.

I will always do the same.

Thanks to all of you who’ve supported what I was trying to do.

So there ya have it… 11 years and some odd months of non-stop music streaming from WBPM NetRADIO. What’s next? Ohhhh… I gots plans. We ain’t finished yet!

Peace,

“DJ Whatshisname?”

Kinda dramatic huh? LOL!!

© 2015, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

Internet radio music lovers, if you could control the “Wayback Machine”, who’s music would you bring back?

Minnie? Luther? James? Vesta? Who?

I got to thinking about that as I was hunting down new music for upcoming sets. I started thinking back to what got me listening to certain artists even at the young age that I did.

Did the lyrics make sense? Did I really understand what they were talking about on those songs? I’ll admit it, many times..No!!!

More often than not, the beat snatched me by the ‘fro and shook me loose only when done. It seems sometimes that today after years of using my ears, more often than not something seems missing. I’m sure part of that feeling is fueled by a sense of nostalgia. I do miss the tight arrangements of a full blown Cameo or Ohio Players.

I definitely miss the wordsmithing that went on in a number of George Duke‘s cuts. I miss the urgency of Max Roach’s “Right Now”, Eric B & Rakim, Odetta, Grand Master Flash & The Furious 5, The KayGees, Jackie Wilson, Charlie Mingus (shoot, “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” still stops me in my tracks…). Curtis Mayfield‘s writing is some of the best ever heard. Marley, Coletrane and Miles all too good to be true but were.

Blakey, Blige & Berry too. Let me stop because I could go on and on. I think you get the drift.

Even some of the so called “mechanical” beats of the 1980s pops into my thoughts from time to time. Now, that is never to say that today’s musical landscape is barren and nothing more than a wasteland. Far from it. I hear some good stuff out there and try as often as one can to get my grubby fingers on those tracks. Still, there are times when I scan the airwaves just to see what corporate minds are trying to dump into ours and I hear nothing.

Used to be you got it off the air because that was where it was. Now, after all of the mergers and buyouts involving local stations this past decade or so, things have become, well, bland. I remember a time when I looked forward to road trips down south from New York because it meant that I would get to hear what everyone down the East Coast was getting to hear.

I also learned over time that what plays in Georgia may not necessarily make it “up North”. So, there’s a lot of music Northerners missed out on too.

Recent past drives “up North” found me lugging stacks of DVDs to listen to in the car.

I remember learning how in the past, stations were concerned about listener “satisfaction”. It would seem that now you get what you get. Less variety and more B.S. They know if they play something enough times – literally beat a song into your brain – they can influence your tastes. They do that instead of presenting something for your consumption and letting you decide if you like it or not.

As a result fewer people have a clue what their musical heritage really is. If people know more about the recording careers of an Aretha or a Johnnie Taylor, I believe there would even be the possibility of less strife between people. If you have NetFlix, check out some of the music documentaries streamed there. There’s quite a few. I recently checked out one about Muscle Shoals. Very interesting. shed light on a lot of things I suspected.

So I’m wondering today. If you had control of a Wayback Machine’s joy sticks, what would you do with them. Would variety play a factor? I know what I would do.

P.S.: We have another dedication coming this week at noon. Those in the know who it is dedicated to and why. Again this week’s cut is dedicated to those who’ve managed to get you thoroughly ticked off. Made you wanna holla not so nice things at the top of your lungs. Scream at the fool in the left lane tying up traffic or cutting people off or tapping on their brakes for no reason or driving with their lips loving a cell phone. It’s short and too the point. But it gets the message across. This Friday 12 Noon. Remember tender eardums may need to turn it down or wait until 12:10! This cut may not be suitable for all environments!

© 2014, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

Frankie Knuckles Way (Photo credit: Like A Final Boss)

Wow.. its been an entire decade streaming music via the internet…amazing…

First off I would like to pass along my deepest condolences to the Family, Friends and Fans of Mr. Francis Nicholls

Known to the most of us as Frankie Knuckles one of the originators of a music that permeates what we hear to this day. His accomplishments are legend and he is respected throughout the music industry working with some of the brightest stars in the Galaxy of music. (See the video the real story of house music here.)

I would be remiss to also celebrate the life and times of Ms. Joyce Beachum.

Most of you don’t know her like you are familiar with Mr. Knuckles but to those who do, she’s right up there with those you know as one of the most positive caring humans to have ever walked this planet. So, much respect sister. I miss you.

All this comes wrapped up in the realization that WBPM NetRADIO is celebrating a decade of streaming music to the planet. It started with me getting tired of lugging a stack of CDs to work and ended up as this. Along the way I have been in contact with some amazing people and have been encouraged by people like Joyce while inspired by the likes of Frankie (Knuckles and Crocker to name a few).

I want to thank all of the indie artists who decided to allow me the honor of presenting their music. I want to thank those like Joyce Sims, Mic Murphy (The System) and Chris Jasper for especially reaching out to me and allowing me the opportunity to pass the goodness to you.

Imagine the shock of realizing that the stream set up to allow me to listen to what I wanted to hear at work was being listened to by someone somewhere else! Dag, now I have to do it “right”! Or, the day I received an email stating that the station was Voted the Best in R&B & Jazz about a year after it went live and also topping the Garage Music genre @ Live365.com last year! The nerves that frayed when a live show went dead because my feed to the internet temporarily failed..that was fugly. The joy when someone in Japan brought an official WBPM NetRADIO T-Shirt or seeing that there were people on the planet listening in places where I didn’t even realize they had internent access! Like island out in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

We talked about Jazz and Funk and Hip Hop and of course House and some of its “sonic temples“. We talked about R&B and the stars of Soul. We talked about how its all connected and gave examples.

Here you saw responses to world events from NY to Arizona the other side of the world. Even here in the “Sunshine State” (Let me go on record now: SCOTT HAS GOT TO GO. There I did it again.)  Had some small fun with a wannabe  and  You’ve even been warned…

Seems like this site has almost become a chronicle of sorts as well, honoring those who’ve gone on the next stage in their journey. Never forget the George Dukes (see his last video), Vesta Williams, the Nick Ashfords (video) , Clarence Clemmons‘, Phoebe Snows ,  Gary Shider and of course the Whitneys of our worlds (to name a few). They are legion and their contributions to simply existing made the process that more bearable…

So, enough of that, I could go on and on and on…

In celebration there will be new mix sets streaming all this month featuring the cuts that have played and you’ve voted for as your favorites.  Starting this afternoon (like about now!), you’ll hear cuts from the 70’s, 80’s, 90s right up to the latest cuts released these past few days.

Here’s a clue as to the diversity of artists that have been heard on this stream

Here’s another clue with pictures!

So, as this is also an invite, click the player on the right hand side of the page and see what you’ve been missing if you’ve never tuned in before and cruise the site to see what’s been bubbling through here too!

If you have listened but have not been here since a live broadcast, you too should stick an ear in!

And to those of you who’ve listened all along I say thanks so much for making this worth the while!

Peace,

DJ

Related articles

• Dedicated to Frankie Knuckles
• The house that Frankie Knuckles built
• Rest In Peace Frankie Knuckles

© 2014, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

The World Is A Ghetto ~

Or so it would seem with all of the drama going on all over the place lately…

Young VladimirL Some kids grow up to do the craziest things…

Disappearing planes, Putin putting the moves on the Ukraine (w0nder what he was like as a kid huh?). Politicians demonizing those less fortunate. Crazy. (Why is The Temptations’ “Ball of Confusion playing in the back of my mind?)

So, in order to get the rest of us in the mood to do something positive for those around us, I’m going to release this set on you a few weeks early.

What say you? Early you ask? Yes. Early.

I was saving it to be used as part of WBPM NEtRADIO’s upcoming celebration of a decade streaming music to ears in over 40 countries.

Streaming to people (I might add) that seem intent on shooting each other over something we all share (Hint: its something round and real pretty when seen from space. Another hint: It’s the only one we got.)

So tune in tomorrow from 12Noon Eastern on and check out some of the new goodness I have put together for you. I think that it will be uplifting as well as grounding and maybe even provide some foods for thoughts.

Not gonna bore you with the names of the artists who will be heard during the 5 hour long mix set. But, I will tell you that this particular set is best heard as a VIP (Those commercials are a royal pain and I know it).

That’s right, listen as a VIP (there’s a free trial I read recently). Which brings me to another idea my head bubbled up. I’m considering going all VIP starting next month.

That means if you try to tune in and you have not signed up as a VIP member you will not be able to hear what else I got planned… just sayin’.

What do you think about that?

Would you be willing to listen as a VIP if it meant no commercial interruptions and guaranteed that WBPM NetRADIO would be around for another decade?  Let me know… visit the stream by clicking on the player on the right hand side of the page and click the link to send DJ a message.

I’d appreciate hearing back from you… yeah you I see you out there… acting all shy and sneaky and whatnot…

Get involved …

Peace,

DJ

Okay okay…the set contains some brand new cuts from some new and not so new people and its ALL good.

Related articles

• WBPM NetRADIO tops Garage Music Genre listings
• HUGE SET Playing on WBPM NetRADIO
• Doctor Tells Woman She Has Ghetto Booty
• NYC Bus Company Offers ‘Ghetto’ Tour
• Ukraine: If Sanctions Fail, What Other Options Do We Have To Stop Putin’s Aggression
• From one lead, a sea of questions emerges – CNN

© 2014, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

I wish a Happier New Year To you all.

2013 ended like no other and at one point I thought it could be no worse. It literally

The Marvelettes

felt like a slooooooow motion train wreck. It was fast approaching as bad as things were when Bobby Jr. passed.

Thanks to all of you who’d sent get well wishes and prayers to my sister.

It worked!

She’s back! (Personally I think she was just a tad too hard headed…)

Her recent illness really hit deep. See, I blame my sister for a major part of my love of music.

Yeah, my father was into the music business and I got to meet some of the legends of Soul (performers and broadcasters) at the house and sitting around a table having a meal in Frank’s Restaurant. But this is really my sister’s fault. She struck the match.

That’s because my earliest music related memory involves my sister (then a teenager) playing “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes…Over and over and over and over again..on some dinky record player.

I can recall visually where we were trekking across Harlem’s Lincoln Projects headed to some girlfriend’s house where they’d listen to more music. (I got to go because my poor sister was stuck with me more often than not!)

I can still see those tan Tamla labels centered on red plastic 45 record adapters rotating in my mind’s eye to this day.

Later .. (a lot later) I learned that while the Marvelettes were wailing to the USPS, I was also listening to the Funk Brothers backing the Marvelettes.

Playing drums was none other than Marvin Gaye with the prolific James Jamerson on bass. Who is James Jamerson you ask? No worries, you’ve heard him already…might not know it but you have. But that’s a story for another day.

This is about my melon headed sister who I love dearly for the everything that she sacrificed for me.

She really doesn’t have a melon head but I am sure there are plenty out there who would need one to contain all of the wisdom that sister has parceled out to me.

Two of the greatest gifts she gave me was her twisted sense of humor and by playing all that music around me a love for it. I will always be thankful for that.

I remember debating (I’m now a 17 yr old wannabe bass player, she a mother of four) with her as to whether or not Graham Central Station‘s “Save Me” was sacrilegious. I remember shaking my head in bewilderment… I didn’t even know what the word meant!

But wait…

This is about the New Year. You know what? Upon reflection lately, I realized I didn’t feel I told her properly or often enough how much I appreciate her and what she did for me. (Except the time when I was a baby, you sucked on my cheeks until it looked like I had huge hickies on my face… you know babies feel embarrassment?). I know as people, we all go through time and manage to get all caught up in basically a lot of bullshit. Here’s a tip: We need to step back sometimes, yanno?

So one of my resolutions this year was to make sure I let her know what she did. In a sense all of this…WBPMNetRADIO the web site (the periodic written ramblings) and the internet radio station is her fault.

So, THANKS SIS!  You are truly a Soul Sister.

I’ll be there soon.

P.s.: Learning to play Archie Bell & The Drell’s “Tighten Up” on the drums is your fault too. :p

Related articles

• Tighten Up – Archie Bells & The Drells
• Fantasy Band Project

© 2014 – 2016, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

Bull

As in “This is some…”

One night in San Diego my car a mint condition Electric Blue ’73 440 Charger, died on the way home from work. I was about 3 blocks away when it happened. I was able to pull into a parking space and lock up the car. The plan was to walk the remaining distance, get some tools, a flashlight and see what I could do to get it running.

One block from my apartment, SDPD stopped me and demanded ID. No reason was given and I was smart enough to not ask why at that time.

I showed my military ID (I’d been in the Navy nearly six years by this time) and after some mumbling they let me go. That was in 1982 I was not yet 24 yrs old.

Jump ahead to 1984. Same car but now we are passing through the town of Bethpage, NY (little town on the Nassau/Suffolk county border out on Long Island) on the way to work to what was then Grumman. I’d just started a job as a “teleprocessing analyst” (don’t ask). I get stopped again. This time the claim is I was speeding. The speed limit was 35 MPH. I was doing 40 MPH. The ticket said I doubled the speeding ticket. We are not even going to talk about how many points etc. I got hit with.

Jump ahead to 1986. New job . This time I have a night time network management gig at British Airways’ headquarters located on Park Avenue in New York. New car. A brand new black IROC Camaro. Loaded. 5 speed T-tops. Louvers over the rear window. All the goodies. Nightly, I would drive from midtown Manhattan back out to Huntington, Long Island where I was living at the time. I would get stopped by Nassau or Suffolk County police asking for ID. They run my plates. Nothing. No warrants etc. No ticket. I’m let go. In the coming months I notice that I am seeing a lot of unmarked police cars in my travels and they always seem to follow me for a period of time. I say to myself “…this is some Bull…”

Eventually I get rid of the car and move into New York City renting an apartment in Harlem. (One less headache right?)

Its now the mid ’90s and I am playing the bass in a really good band with some amazing cats. On this particular day I’m heading back to my apartment after a jam session. I have my bass in a guitar bag that I carry over one shoulder. Its one of those short headless basses. Maybe a little under a yard long. I see two transit cops on the subway platform to my left and I without thinking turn to my right and head the other way.

The F Train pulls into the station and as I’m about to step onto the train, I am yanked off the train by these two cops. They want to know what is in the bag. I tell them its my bass. They say it could be a gun. I think I wished I had a gun at that point. It takes all of 10 seconds to show them I really had a bass in the bag. But it took them half an hour to decide what to do with me. I think to myself “This is really some Bull…” I started taking taxis. Mainly “Gypsy cabs” when I can but in some parts of NYC you have to catch a Yellow or “Medallion” cab as they are the only type of taxi available in some parts of the City. Which is problematic because they don’t always want to take you to Brooklyn which was where I was living at the time.

A short time passes – now I find myself on the corner of 14th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan trying to catch a yellow cab (guess where I want to go.) No such luck. they just zoom by (I could’ve sworn some of them even sped up). So I had the young lady I was with stand 10 feet away and try to flag down a cab. Took all of a few seconds. As she got in I joined her. The driver, some dude from the Middle East drives half a block and decides that he’s “Off Dootie”. I’m like you can’t go off duty after taking a fare. We argue back and forth and I tell him “…okay fine drop us off at the next corner” (it was well lit and I wanted witnesses).

Once we got to the corner, I decided we’re not leaving that cab. He gets all excited – starts bouncing around in the front  seat as though he’s reaching for something and the young lady is out of there. I mean it was like someone had pulled a rope. She opens her door on the street side of the cab just as another cab is passing by. The taxi door clips the passing taxi cab and its mirror comes off. Naturally the passing cab pulls over. Now, while this is going on, I am yelling out of the cab to passersby to call a cop. No one listens. They look me dead in the face and keep walking. Lovely.

The driver of the cab I was in gets really pissed now and he jumps out of the car. Naturally me thinking he was going after her gets out too. He opens his trunk to take out a tire iron. By time I get back to the rear of the car he is stepping in the direction the young lady headed off in with this tire iron in his hand. I grab him by the neck and then it hits me. This guy is like 4 1/2 feet tall! I say to him “Gimme that damn tire iron. Are you nuts? You gonna hit her with a tire iron? Really?” I throw it to the ground as I look about for the now missing lady that was with me. I happen to glance over to a car that stopped at the light. It was stopped beside the cab I’d just vacated. There was this lady sitting in the front passenger seat with those glasses you see in the old Far Side comics looking at me like “Omigod!!! Omigod!!!” You’d think she was staring at Godzilla or something. I’m still holding this guy keeping him from running off after the young lady I was with. (Okay maybe I was bouncing him off of the hood of their car. Things were happening kinda fast…)

Nooow the police show up. Two of them and they are making a bee line towards me hands hovering over their guns. I’m thinking to myself “This is some Bull…”

I let the guy go and immediately tell the cops to slow down that “I am the passenger and he won’t take me to Brooklyn”. They looked at each other and smirked then asked “Where’s your witnesses?” “She ran off after this nut jumped out like he wanted to hurt someone with a tire iron in his hand” I said. Then the taxi cab driver claimed the young lady and I had jumped into the cab while he was off duty. The male cop looks at me with one end of his monobrow raised.

Remember the other cab that lost the mirror as he passed? Well the driver was standing right there and he says ” No. He wasn’t off duty. He didn’t turn on the off duty light until his door took off my mirror!”

Meanwhile my mind is like. They (the cops) immediately came at me like I did something before they even knew what was going on…this is really some Bull…

We eventually got back to Brooklyn and I eventually got another car. Cabs didn’t seem to work out too tough for me.

Its now 1995 and I am returning from a concert at the Jackie Robinson estate. Great show. Max Roach, Mark Ledford and one of the Debarges (I want to say El…) Ran into an old childhood neighbor and met the fantastic Mrs. Jackie Robinson (one of the most gracious and down to earth humans you could possibly meet). But I digress. The concert is over and I’m now crossing a bridge from Manhattan into Brooklyn. I get pulled over. Speeding he says. Get this. The police officer was parked on the bridge (I saw him as I sat at the light on the approach to the bridge). The light changes and a limo blows past all of us sitting at the light and races  onto the bridge. The NYPD cop  pulled out to catch the “speeder” and he nearly hits me because I was right next to him. See he had not hit his lights yet when he pulled out. Guess who got the invite to one of NYC’s ticket mills… more Bull.

Since then I have been stopped countless times. Its always some lame excuse like speeding when there was no way I could have been or “your license plate was hard to read”. I remember one night on I-95 on a trip  from New Jersey to Florida I got pulled over twice. Once coming into Brunswick GA by state trooper and soon as I pulled off from them after having my car searched and pee’d on by that damn drug dog. Then literally immediately as I passed the next exit by Brunswick PD on my way out of Brunswick. Each time no ticket though it was claimed I was speeding. Meanwhile in the back of my head I think “This is some Bull…” (by the way. On the way back up north I saw what looked to be an elderly couple pulled over with what looked like grand kids having their 1980 something Delta88 searched in Maryland…. You know what I thought right?)

Jump ahead to these days. Got stopped a few more times over the license plates. I know they only want to see what am I doing driving the car that I drive (kind of unique) and upon seeing who is driving the car the tendency is to assume the worst because there is no way I can be “legit” right? This is some more bull…

Okay so clowns assume the worst and mess with me as they see fit. I walk I get stopped. I drive I get stopped. WTF?!? If I could fly maybe I should.

Now it seems this jury is trying to tell me that if some yokel rolls up on me and accosts me because he has a hair up his butt – not because I was in any way in the wrong – but because he felt I was wrong, that  I could be wrong for kicking his ass? And he could get away with messing with me by claiming self defense? And it might cost me my life at that?

Now THAT’s some Bull. ‘Cause we gonna have to throw down.

There are a million similar stories to be told. Some worse than mine. In a collective world, can one understand why people are looking at each other like “Wha???” That boy should be sitting back right now enjoying his life not looking down from on high at the rest of us fools.

© 2013, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

Jazz…This Feels Good

I’ve been cruising the ‘net the past week doing of all things using Google satellite maps to see how places I’ve been have changed over time. These were some special places where I heard some amazing music for the first time and met some people that to this day I have yet to forget.

There was a lot of shock as (as expected) some things never stay the same. In one case, I had the hardest time finding one spot in Orlando. Jeez! Where is it?!? I heard Johnny “Guitar” Watson there for the first time! How could it be gone?  I just could not seem to pick it out from the images but I could still hear Dexter Wanzel in the back of my mind. I eventually discovered the reason I couldn’t find the spot was because it had been entirely wiped off the face of the planet. Boo Hiss.

But the good news is that recently a copy of Dexter Wanzel’s “What The World Is Coming To” landed into my grubby hands (you know what I did with it right?)

Next I spun the globe a bit further south – landed on Puerto Rico (Mi corazon) – and was

Rodney Franklin

immediately reminded of a few more people who I learned a lot from. Some through conversation and some through observation. This is where Jazz really smacked my up side my head HARD. So hard in fact I dragged a now raggedy taped copy of Rodney Franklin‘s “Felix Leo” (from his “You’ll Never Know” LP) around with me for decades ever since. Thanks “Bing” (the person not the search engine), “Reesie”, Steph, Melvin, Larry, Cully, “NightTrain”, Jessie (bet you wish you kept your Challenger … Or did you?), Jemma and the rest of the gang… After searching FOREVER for a newer copy, a CD arrived in the box this week too! (Yay!)

Sometimes you hear or learn things that stick with you through life. It’s like that thing has been tattooed to your brain.

You don’t even have to try and remember it. It is just there. One fine summer day, I was listening to WBLS in NY and this song came on. Dripping with synths and a bass line that kept up and sometimes led. Stopped me dead in my tracks. This was Return to Forever but different. “Who IS that?”. Naturally the song went off without even a mention of the title.

Damn…

I must’ve spent the better part of the following month trying to tape it off of the radio (its that old). Finally I got it! George Duke‘s “Dawn” from the out of print “The Aura Will Prevail” LP burned into my brain like oil on concrete as I learned to play every note of “Dawn” on my bass. George Duke’s “Dawn” aimed me at Weather Report, Return to Forever, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham and more… You know what happened right? (Hint: Tune in to hear this week’s Jazz Set)

Continuing on my little tour through time, I looked out “Left” to the west coast and found where I first heard of Steely Dan.

“Steely Who?”

San Diego was an interesting place musically to say the least. I’ve been luck to have met some real people out there too. And, it was the right place to hear Steely Dan’s “Aja” LP. Chuck Rainey‘s work on “Peg” snapped my neck while driving a monster Satellite Sebring Road Runner 4  speed down the 805 (Yeah… I’m kickin’ my own butt for not buying that one…) . “Deacon Blues” played while Balboa Park’s Globe Theater burned (they ever rebuild that?). Anyhoo… you know the drill right? (For the slower pedestrians… CHECK OUT THE JAZZ SET)

Putting together these sets reminded me how good Jazz makes me feel as it reminds me of all the good people and times that thankfully came my way. I hope it does that to you too.

© 2013 – 2016, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

Yeah… It’s Been A Minute-BUT New Music Mixes are Online!!!

Sandy got in the way of my friends in the NY metro area hearing the music mixes but they’re back now!

Been kind of busy dealing with the aftermath of some heavy weather and such… There’s new sets online now.The internet radio stream you love is featuring more great music mixes!

Can’t wait for the new site design to premiere and new show formats. The plan is to make it good for your eyes as well as your ears.

Coming for the holidays a new internet radio stream we are calling the Superset. It’s an very extended set that will be featuring the best non-stop house, R&B, Jazz and World music mixes. (We’ll even have some of that holiday music kind of stuff in there.)

So now you have an idea why it has been so quiet around here – we’ve been working hard creating new music mixes…

How about that Election huh? Seems like people are not as dumb that some would hope. Well, let’s see what happens next. Some folks never give up. Hear me?

Musically, the talk has been about how music has changed and who is in charge of what you hear everywhere else. Between the conglomerates controlling the airwaves and the labels deciding who gets promoted in the first place, it doesn’t seem that the indie artist has much of a chance these days. WBPM NetRADIO will once again feature new and upcoming artists who are true to the genres we love to play. If you know of an artist or group who needs global exposure, that you feel would flow well within our non-stop internet radio music mixes, tell them to hit us up by sending emailing our programming dept. They should read our SUBMIT MUSIC page for important information. Remember we do not accept emailed tracks, so please do not send them in via email. They would be automatically deleted and that might be a terrible loss to us all okay?

So, what do you think the world of music will turn out to be in the coming year? Let us know!

Peace, Stay Warm,

DJ

Remember to send donations to the RED CROSS if you are looking to support efforts to recover after Hurricane Sandy. Be wary there are con artists out there trying to scoop ya okay?

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• Hurricane Sandy – How To Do Your Part In Relief Efforts
• Resources for artists and galleries affected by Hurricane Sandy
• Help Victims of Hurricane Sandy

© 2012 – 2013, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

When you hear “Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing”

you know what that implies right?

Peek a Boo…

So how come so many young artists fall for the game where someone claims to be a “manager” only to turn out to be about exploiting the individual seeking to make their way into the music business?

And, why do those naive individuals fail to listen to those who’d try to warn them to be aware of the pitfalls of listening to only the good things people say about their performances?

You know the story. It’s been played out over and over in movies about young starry eyed music star wannabees time and time again.

In case you missed the flicks it goes something like this. A young one discovers they have a great voice (or a not so great voice) and they ignore the advice to not put all their eggs in one basket or better yet take the time to learn more about their craft and the business.

Instead our young one listens to the platitudes offered up by some  wolf in sheep’s clothing, seeking to make a lot of dimes off of the young one’s talents while never really offering anything to help the person along. Happens everyday.

Kids, remember this. It’s great you can create great beats. But, realize so can a million others just like you. If you wanted to be a pilot would you not need to learn to fly first?

What makes you think that because your beats are banging that your beats will be loved worldwide automatically?

Do your homework.

Learn all you can about The BUSINESS.

A woodcut of “The wolf in sheep’s clothing” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Doing so will serve you greatly when all is said and done. You may also find yourself with less parasites attached to your life.

Listen to this station and hear what other artists (who are a bit further along their paths) have been able to achieve. It might help you get an idea of how far along your path you’ve gone.

Better yet, I hope what you hear inspires you to keep on doing what you love to do.

To all of you soon to be superstars, check out Kashif’s “All You Better Know About The Music Business”. Search for it online. It’s been out a while but is still pertinent to today’s business of Music.

It will help you to see that a wolf in sheep’s clothing is nothing more than a naked pup.

Just a thought.

Peace,

DJ

P.S.: VOTE fool! Your LIFE does depend on it.

P.P.S: Oh yeah… yet another brand new set is streaming. Put an ear on it. It’s good.

© 2012, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

WBPM NetRADIO features Your Favorite R&B Music Hits

BT Express was heard on R&B radio constantly.

R&B Music Hits refers to more than just the great songs of The Godfather of Soul or Gladys Knight & The Pips…

The latest sets on WBPM NetRADIO provides examples of other classic R&B artists who have produced massive hits. For those of you who are fans of Side Effect, after literally years of hunting, I had added “Take A Chance” to the stream. This is a classic dance cut from back in the day. Has that driving bass line with a serious rhythm guitar track in addition to the stellar vocals.

The set is a tad more eclectic than usual. You will get a sampling of some classic guitar cuts including Funkadelic doing a live version of Maggot Brain featuring the originator Eddie Hazel and Micheal Hampton playing it together. Listen carefully to see how they did it.

Also Living Colour makes a first appearance here with a favorite of mine “Type”. Never heard of Living Colour? Do a search on YouTube.

Speaking of  “The Tube”, do a search for Maggot Brain, Eddie Hazel and check out the clip where they perform in Germany in 1985. That’s all I’m saying.

BT Express also comes through with a classic house party cut “I like It” in addition to Billy Ocean‘s “One of Those Nights”.

So… in ending I just want to wish everying some peace and sanity…because we could all use some!

Later!

DJ

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• LIVING COLOUR On New Album – “We’re Re-Thinking Blues And Its Relationship To Metal”
• George Clinton: A classic interview
• Giving the Gift of Independent Music

© 2012, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

“We just wanted to go to the movies!!”

Is what the lady said as the news hounds interviewed her and the other survivors of that midnight madness at the movie theater over in Aurora. Surely someone will be asking at some point “What were you doing when…”. I know what I was doing….

Sitting up in the middle of the night thinking random thoughts about the life and times (for starters…)

Maggot Brain had come on and the tv was tuned to some news channel with the sound muted. My eyes kept getting drawn the blue and red flashing lights on the screen. My brain was not processing what they were sending though. My ears had preempted all programming as Funkadelic’s “Maggot Brain” faded in building in volume.

The version I was listening to was not the familiar one most people have heard. This was a 14 minute version from another album where they played it live. (Funkadelic Live Meadowbrook, Rochester, Michigan 12th September 1971). Not a bad sounding recording my ears were saying – but my eyes kept cutting in…

At some point I I turned on the closed captioning on the TV to discover hell had revisited earth yet again…and the music played building to a crescendo of guitars as I read the news…

Wildly estimated body counts started coming in as the drummer got some…

Somehow the music added the perfect context to the event. Hard to explain. and I was thinking to myself, they only wanted to see a movie…crazy. And the music fit perfectly. Check this out…

Willard really? In a movie theater?

Related articles

• Gunman who massacred 12 at movie premiere used same drugs that killed Batman star Heath Ledger and messaged web lovers to ask. Will you visit me in prison?(newsworldwide.wordpress.com)

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• Bane for Real: How the Aurora Killings Shattered Movie Fantasy(entertainment.time.com)

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• Focus On The Victims, Not The Shooter, Victim’s Family Urges(huffingtonpost.com)

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• Fred Willard Fired by PBS, Issues Statement(thehollywoodgossip.com)

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© 2012 – 2015, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

“Please do not be alarmed…Remain Calm…”

Ever hear a song that contains untruths?

you know… a lyric or chant that says something that you know is a lie?

Or have you heard something recited until its like that song you hear over and over again until you start to hum along?

If not, you maybe need to keep doing what you’ve been doing because the rest of us have been getting inundated with such noise. The political season is about to shift into hyper-gear so Americans and others within the sphere of America’s media conglomerates should prepare themselves for the coming onslaught of

Half truths, innuendos, insinuations and flat out lies.

Played over and over and over again like the latest hit from the newest non-musical warbler’s media machine.

Well I thought I’d recommend a song that not only sounds really good but warns you better than I could. Check out “Moonraker by Foremost Poets”… Gotta give props to Bohemian Chick for pointing me at this cut. Lady has a taste for “la musica”.

Hmmm…you know what? Because you’ve been attentive thus far..here’s a little something to drive home my point. Take a listen (go ahead..TRUST ME!!)

Consider it my little gift to you…

Peace,

DJ

© 2012 – 2016, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

Thought’s that crossed my mind while driving and listening to music…

I warned ya…

If this sounds like you…I don’t care.

Ladies, do the planet a favor.

Put your war paint on before you get behind the wheel.

Don’t tie up traffic driving in the middle lane 20 mph slower than the rest of the world putting on eyeliner. (You have no idea how many people were hoping you’d roll over a bump…)

Deep in conversation are we? Here’s a tip: Shut the Hell up! It’s obvious to the rest of us you cannot operate a vehicle properly with your mouth open. So please we beg you. Shut the hell up!

Dude, she piss you off that much? Drive over there and let her know! Don’t yell over the cell phone stompin the brake pedal to make your point. See that really big truck in your mirror? Sooner or later that driver is gonna say “Oops.” You idiot.

Oh and by the way. I didn’t know we were racing. Did you seriously believe that your 22″ wheeled whatever you wanna call it (but used to be a 1973 Buick Century) could hang with a V12 BMW 850 CI  on that curve? Seriously, really? I was trying to get the heck away from your wobbly non-driving ass. Just knew that thing would tip over any second…

And you in the black Impala. Get a map. Know where you’re going before you leave okay? That 3 lane change you pulled this afternoon nearly wiped out the rest of us.  I want to get there. Since you seem not to, why bother leaving in the first place.

And to the rest of you … Keep on Truckin’  (Eddie Kendricks…nice cut.)

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© 2012, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

That’s some of what I thought as I considered the Trayvon

Martin case…

as I heard of all the folks wearing a Hoodie to rep Solidarity. Here in the land of the assumed to be “free”-  the home of the not so”brave”. Obviously we are not as free as too many would like to assume and there too many who think its brave to go around taking out women and kids. And it’s not just Sanford or Syria either…and please forgive me for digressing but can someone please answer this…how is it a country can get all outraged over the doings of a mad or crazy man but yet accept the disfiguring of girls who simply want to go to school? Just asking…I mean I would think they would stay pissed…A lot of this indignation I’m seeing around me is hitting me a less than genuine … these things we have been seeing has been happening for a minute so why the outcry now? Where was the fuss way back when…and mathematically speaking…how many isolated incidents make a pattern?

Okay I’m not going to rehash all that you’ve already heard except to add…

If you have to go to the store (for example), remain vigilant. Ask Amadou’s mom about that…

Spring has sprung and its breaking loose all over the place…

Rest in Peace Trayvon and my deepest to the family.

It’s a damn shame we can’t even get skittles without some crap jumping off. That goes for a Three Muskateers bar too..Right Queen, NY?

And what the hell is going on in San Diego? Some schizoparanoidignorantass murdered an Iraqi woman and left a note calling her a “terrorist”? WTF man?!? Really? People need to watch what they say because as Gabby’s experience has shown, there are those who have less than shit for brains running around loose.

Makes me wanna holla…

And I can relate to the scenario (on foot and behind the wheel)…

The only refuge sometimes is music and I’ve been digging through a lot lately.

Take a listen and see what I put together to soothe your moods the right way…

The latest set features a 10 minute House’d version of Parliament/Funkadelc doing “Mothership Connection” titled “Mothership Reconnection” and it is very, very tasty. Also you will notice a similar the bass line sounding like Chic’s “I Want Your Love” on another track (“Selected Works” by Uncle Sam) with nice ivory work mixed in… And yet another version of MFSB’s “Love Is The Message” A very smooth Kim English cut (“I Know A Place”), Terisa Griffin’s “Yes”,  Sick feat. K8 doing “What A Gig” and a number of other new cuts I’ve been able to track down…

So be aware, keep dealing and don’t let them change your tune.

Peace (to Syria, Sudan, San Diego and of course Sanford FL)

DJ

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• Iraqi Immigrant Beaten to Death in California (crooksandliars.com)
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• NY Church Members Wear Hoodies In Memory Of Trayvon Martin (newyork.cbslocal.com)
• Diddy & More, Wear Hoodies For Trayvon Martin [PHOTOS] (hellobeautiful.com)
• Zimmerman Called Trayvon ‘Term of Endearment’: Pal (newser.com)
• Celebrities, Athletes and Thousands More Wear Hoodies in Support of Trayvon Martin (dreblacksofresh.com)
• Guess Who Wears Hoodies? Geraldo Rivera (newser.com)
• Why I Will Not Wear a Hoodie (oneblackman.wordpress.com)
• Bay Area Churches Hold ‘Hoodie’ Event For Florida Murder Victim (sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com)
• Skittles, Iced Teas and Hoodies? NO! That’s Not Enough. (thesnobbycollegegrad.com)

© 2012, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

“People All over the World…”

Got sick and tired of posting when someone

passed.

That’s why you didn’t see nothing new for a minute…

(You coulda dropped a line yanno?)

I had to stop, though, and post about the passing of Don Cornelius.

Instead of waxing nostalgic about the who what when and where…just check this out…

https://youtu.be/QJdaJ5_li10

Check out the SoulTrain web site for words from former “passengers”

P.S.: Spoke to an artist who appeared on the show for the first time. I’m told if the clip can be found it will

appear on their web site. Of course you’ll get first looks so keep checking….

Yes…there are a few variations of the Soul Train theme playing on the station…some interesting versions at that.

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© 2012 – 2015, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

Wow…pt.2 goes like this…

I get an email with a link to an article about what I posted recently here and it turns out very interesting indeed. So after all of the fuss it seems that Sprint put the word out to the OEMS to get that software off of the devices a.s.a.p.

Looks like the uproar created by the guy who exposed the logging software got through to the right people. Now I wonder if the rest of the cell carriers will follow suit with their gear…. (more here)

Meanwhile,

I just want to wish all of you out there the safest holiday that can be had. Get with the family and friends and have a good time. Just don’t let me have to catch you on “World’s Craziest Sh*t To Happen Caught on Video” on some cable channel okay?

And for those of you out there who have to work during the season…quit your beefin’ You know what I’m talking about!

All the best to each of you and here’s hoping 2012 is the end of the b.s. and the start of the good groove for you and me both!

Peace,

DJ

Remember, if it’s a real tree water that bad boy! And don’t forget to unplug the lights at night. If no one is up looking at it, why run up the light bill right? All it takes is a spark and a dry Christmas tree can toast an entire house before you have a chance to say “Oh Sh–!!!!!!!!!”

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© 2011, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

Wow…check this out…

Using a Android based device?

Read this...

What do you think?

Peace,

DJ

© 2011, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just sending out a shout out to all of you who’ve been listening to the station and visiting this site.

Wanted to wish you all the best this Thanksgiving no matte what your situation might be at this time.

I know a number of us are dealing with some real liquid hell right now and I just wanted to say that I am wishing all the best to us all.

I can only imagine what any of us are really contemplating being thankful for in our heads.

In my head I am rolling past images and sounds of happier times and considering what things would have been like had those times continued.

I’m also thinking about how cool it would be if all of you were having an easier time of it.

I’m thinking how thankful coming into contact with you I am and how that contact has made me a better person.

I’m thankful that somehow WBPM NetRADIO will complete another year of broadcasting. I would not be lying if I said it has truly been a struggle.

I’m thankful for the opportunities to make new friends in a shrinking world and I am thankful to you who’ve stopped long enough to visit this site and listen to the music that plays on the station.

I would make one request (beyond signing up as a VIP of course!).

I think we should consider being thankful not to have to deal with some of life’s dramas that too many of us are dealing with. And, we should all become activists in working towards reducing that drama. I know I would appreciate that.

Dear Egypt,

I see you and I admire your fire. Please do not lose your humanity and remember your world is one of the lights in our world.

Dear Yemen,

No one has perfected it yet. Now it is your turn to show what you can do. Can you do this? Remake a society that takes the best of all for the betterment of all?

Dear Libya,

Okay you’ve done the thing. Now do your thing!

Dear Syria,

Hold on. Water eventually evaporates.

Dear Europe,

Good luck and maybe stepping out of the box will show you and the rest of us the way.

Dear United States,

Wake up. Get Up and Get Down. Stop playin’. Tomorrow is too important to be beholding to clowns who laugh at you instead of with you.

Dear You,

I know sometimes my constant positivity can be annoying as hell when the heat is “melting your sneakers”. but we have no choice. There are no battalions coming to render aid, no fairy godmothers hovering about. therefore we have to be our own cheerleaders and we have to believe no matter what that we can do.  Just as those who came before us believed they could succeed under much more adverse conditions. I want to thank you for believing in me and providing me with opportunities to be me. Above all else, I give thanks for you being my friends. Without you, this life would be a lot lonelier. I hope I have returned the favors.

Peace,

DJ

© 2011, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.

Alton Brothers has some nice shots of the towers on his site

Okay so I see on TV all of these shows replaying the nightmare that was 9/11. In the mix there was a show going over the events in people’s lives of the day before. The show reminded me of something that happened two days before Sept. 11th 2001. So here goes…

Prior to that day, I’d spent a couple of weeks up in NYC with a co-worker doing some work for a major retailer. We’d been doing some install work overnight during the week in downtown Brooklyn and midtown Manhattan. Since he’d never really “seen” NYC I decided to take him around.

We visited a few of my former co-workers who worked across the street from the World Trade Center at the World Financial Center. I showed him where I saw the filming of movies Godzilla and Booty Call. We ate our way uptown, across town and back downtown.

He got to experience (I think) his first NYC street fair and later we cruised The Village. Ponting out the Blue Note and Village Vanguard and showed him S.O.B.’s. I showed him my favorite Indian restaurant and also La Chinita across the street on 8th Avenue.I took him down into the subway and we visited my birthplace Harlem U.S.A. I even showed him where the Rucker Tournament was held.  We had a good time.

I’d spent time explaining the dynamism that was  NYC to him being he’s from Alabama and only knew it from the perspective of from the outside in. I showed him what I loved about Brooklyn and The Bronx and Queens…I even mentioned Staten Island.

I pointed out to him where Palisades Amusement Park was located across the Hudson…I was starting to really miss blading and jamming with my good friend Rafik (NYC based saxophonist and one of the best I’ve ever heard bar none) by this point.

Though all of that, we never got down to the World Trade Center complex. So the last day before we left we headed down there. I think it was a Saturday (though it felt like a Sunday for some reason).

Absolutely beautiful day out. We arrive back downtown and are standing at the foot of the north tower leaning back looking up the east side of the building …craning our necks to see the top.

I’d been up to the top  dozens of times.

So, the thought occurred to me that maybe he would like to see the view from the top. I asked him and he said no. I suspect it was a height thing.

I tried to convince him there was nothing to fear that we could even go up and not go outside though I wanted to being there was such a flawless sky that morning). He still refused. Then I said…

“Hey man, you might as well go. You might not ever get the chance again…”

I just looked at him. But…he still didn’t want to go so we wandered off.

The next day we headed to the airport to fly back to Florida. Just before entering the terminal, for some reason I stopped, turned around and looked back towards Manhattan focusing on the twin towers.

Remembering all of the times driving up the east coast I would look for them soon after entering New Jersey. Or when as a kid I would look back towards them as my father drove out of the city heading to his home out on Long Island.

Strange as it may sound I was thinking about what I had said the day before…

“…You might not ever get the chance again…”

“Got any bags to check?”

“Huh”

“Bags. You got any bags?”

“Oh! Yeah here ya go.” I was holding up the curb side check-in line.

Naturally we wish all the best to those who’ve suffered from those tragic events and curse those who profited for the sake of greed or hate. And for all of us – especially those who saw from the outside in – remember, this rock ain’t but so big so we must do a better job of making room for each other.

Hear the music.

DJ

© 2011, WBPM NetRADIO.com. 2004 – 2019 All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is not permitted.