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I've got a Love Jones

Fifteen years ago today I was a young, couldn’t-tell-me-anything, about to be college graduate who was anxiously waiting to leave the university life behind and move on to put my mark on the world.

The year 1997 held so much promise for my life. I was proud of myself for making it through school in four years (I knew many who were on the five, six and even seven-year plan).

That year, on March 14, the movie I feel in love with and have watched at least 100 times was released. Is it any surprise it also happens to be my all-time favorite film?

Love Jones’ storyline has a real basic premise: love, friendships and relationships. Man meets woman at a time when woman is not ready to involve herself with any man. Undeterred, man continues to pursue woman and the tale unfolds from there.

I remember driving 60 miles roundtrip – twice – to see this movie (this was the closest theatre to the college I attended that was showing the film). The first time, I went with the girls, and the second time with my then boyfriend, his roommate and girlfriend.

I tell you, watching a movie like this with distinctly different groups of people is quite interesting. Seeing it with my boyfriend put our relationship in a different light and had me looking at him sideways more than a few times.

But I digress.

This movie has come to mean different things to me over the last 15 years. Back when I was in college, (and even now) I definitely related to the main character, Nina Mosley (played by Nia Long), the photographer whose heart is on the mend after a failed romance.

She’s closed herself off to love, until a chance meeting at The Sanctuary (a popular local spot in Chicago where poetry and music blend in a way not seen before on film).

Darius Lovehall (played by the delicious and sexy Larenz Tate), is the poet/writer who could possibly be the man that breaks down Nina’s barriers, and allows her to open up to the possibilities of it all.

Of course it won’t be easy, and the ride that ensues is definitely a twisting, winding rollercoaster – it has its high, highs and low, lows.

For me, watching the tale and all its subplots is so real because I’ve lived through some of the scenarios. And if I haven’t, I know someone who has.

This being a music blog and all, I must mention the score in Love Jones. It is the one movie soundtrack I still listen to so many years later (of course it’s playing in the background as I write this).

I also happen to consider it the ultimate movie soundtrack. Outside of Purple Rain, I really haven’t heard a soundtrack that pairs so well with a movie from beginning to end.

Opening and concluding with poetry from the film (by Darius and Nina respectively), the music in Love Jones ties the various themes in the movie together rather well.

There’s Dionne Farris singing about being Hopeless – “Hello morning/now when does the fun begin/goodbye morning/sorry it had to end/well see I cried just a little to long/now it’s time for me to be strong/hello morning/I sure missed you last night/goodbye morning/you just won’t do me right/I stayed just a little too long/now it’s time for me to move on/they say I’m hopeless/as a penny with a hole in it.”

You have Maxwell crooning ever so gently these lyrics: “Sumthin’/even though you never wanna show affection/I won’t go, I’ll always wanna show attention/so if it’s cool we can do a little, sumthin’/let me groove with you babe/and break you off a little sumthin’/you’re my, my chocolate so sweet/and you make me feel so good/when you’re lovin’/so if it’s cool/I wanna rock with you/rock you until your blue, sumthin’/let me break you off baby/break you off, sumthin’ ” on Sumthin' Sumthin': Mellosmoothie (Cut).

Put this song on when you want to set a certain mood and I can almost guarantee you will have a story to tell in the a.m.!

But the song I love best is sung by Kenny Lattimore. Can’t Get Enough literally is a great summation of Larenz Tate’s character Darius – “I was anticipating/changes in your personality/when things weren’t what they seemed/my pride got the best of me/she was my way of getting by/and I keep asking myself why/and will I lose you over a meaningless lie.”

Every time I listen to this soundtrack, I can’t help but see flashes of scenes from the movie. For instance, Jelly, Jelly by The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, plays after the couple has a “perfect” date, and Nina wants the night to end differently than what Darius has in mind.

What happens next while the song is playing is so appropriate – Nina laying in bed, resisting the urge to go back downstairs while Darius resists the urge to, well you just have to see the scene for yourself.

If you have yet to experience Love Jones or heard the soundtrack, I won’t hold it against you. But, if after reading this you still aren’t moved to rent the movie or at least listen to the tracks on iTunes, well, you aren’t in your right mind.

I’m just saying.

So, happy 15th anniversary Love Jones (and Love Jones Soundtrack, which was released on March 11, 1997). The message in the movie and music are still pertinent today – despite the obstacles, peaks and valleys one sometimes faces when it comes to love, in the end, it’s all worth it if you’ve got a Love Jones.

Unsung: The Story of David Ruffin

As I watched the story of David Ruffin’s life, I realized I wasn’t all that familiar with The Temptations nor was I a huge fan. Yes, I like such songs as My Girl¸ Just My Imagination and Get Ready, but liking a few songs hardly qualifies me to say I’m a fan.

Yes, I’ve seen The Temptations movie, but I’m sure there were some elements of the story that were embellished.

The Temptations are my mother’s generation’s music. She still sings along (and knows ALL the words) anytime one of their songs comes on her stereo. Me? I just listen to the group’s harmony and groove to the catchy beats.

Still, I was fascinated watching the story of a man who begged to join a group that was already well established before he came along.

While the group wasn’t in need of a sixth member when David asked to join, he soon received his chance after a fight between original members Al Bryant and Paul Williams resulted in Paul being fired.

One could say the addition of David provided an infusion of energy. While they had moderate success before the lineup change, with David singing lead, the group finally achieved something that has previously alluded them – a top 10 single.

My Girl (on which David sings lead and was written by Smokey Robinson and his band mate Ronnie White) turned out to be the group’s first number one pop hit, and is probably the one song most associated with The Temptations.

After My Girl’'s success, David was tapped to sing lead on Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, (I Know) I’m Losing You, and (Loneliness Made Me Realize) It’s You That I Need, all of which became hit recordings.

Unfortunately, success would eventually be the demise of David Ruffin remaining a member of The Temptations (he thought the group should be renamed David Ruffin & The Temptations, like Diana Ross & The Supremes). He was ultimately replaced in 1968 after a four-year run.

Trying his hand at a solo career, David had modest success, but never came close to the stardom he achieved with The Temptations.

Usually when person of David's caliber dies as tragically as he did, the focus generally turns to the negatives instead of the impact their talent had on others. For David, it was him dying of a crack cocaine overdose.

It was clear from this episode of Unsung that those who knew him best wanted the world to know there was much more to David Ruffin the world was unaware of, and crack was simply something that happened to take his life.

Some things I was unaware of:

• David’s brother Jimmy also wanted to join The Temptations, but according to original member Otis Williams, Jimmy had “bad feet and couldn’t dance.”
• One of the first to challenge Berry Gordy’s handling of the money, David sued Motown in 1968 to be released from his contract. He lost.
• He rarely talked about his childhood, but his older half-brother, Quincy wrote a book in 1989 detailing the abuse they suffered at the hands of their father. While David Sr. was a well-known preacher, he severely abused his kids mentally, emotionally and physically.
• Survived by four children (Cheryl, Nedra and David Ruffin, Jr., and Kimberly Ruffin-Jones), David was married twice, and was described by his children as a fun-loving father who “enjoyed who he was. He embraced it, he loved it, he practiced it,” said David Jr.

Note: Unsung is a music biography series on TV One that recaps the life of some of music's forgotten artist who are, “Uncompromised, unrecognized, unparalleled, unsung.”

In its fourth season, the show airs Mondays nights at 7 p.m. PST. Artists previously featured include DeBarge, Big Daddy Kane, Minnie Riperton, Teddy Pendergrass, Donny Hathaway and The O’Jays.

Catch Unsung: The Story of Whodini tonight, March 12 at 7 p.m. PST. You also can catch the re-run at 10 p.m. PST.

Unsung: The Story of Sheila E.

I’m embarrassed to admit this, but here goes – I didn’t know Sheila E., was the voice singing alongside Prince on Erotic City.

This I learned on the latest edition of TV One’s Unsung.

I have listened to that song countless times and it just never dawned on me that I should have known whose voice was saying, “If we cannot make babies, maybe we should make some time.”

Sheila E., also cleared up one often debated fact regarding Erotic City – are they saying “funk” or you know, the other “F” word?

“There were some words in the song, that I thought ‘I can’t say that.’ So I didn’t. He said it. I didn’t say it. He … made it sound like maybe you did hear it, maybe you didn’t hear it, but I didn’t say it,” she clarified.

Now, I just listened to the song a few times and honestly, it sounds like both of them are saying the curse word. I guess we have to take her at her word though.

I was in the fourth grade when Glamorous Life was released. It was the early 80s, our fashion sense was questionable, but the music wasn’t.

One thing I knew at the time – while I wasn’t living the Glamorous Life (I mean really, I wasn’t even in my teens), I sure wondered what it would be like to be in that world.

As an adult, I listen to the song’s content and think, “This song was so inappropriate for my young mind.” But I didn’t quite comprehend what she was saying:

“Boys with small talk and small minds

Really don't impress me in bed

She said, I need a man's man, baby, diamonds and furs

Love would only conquer my head”

The lyrics were definitely mature for my age group at the time, but all I knew at the time, was I loved the beat.

Before she transformed into Sheila E., she was Sheila Escovedo. Born into a musical family (her father is Pete Escovedo the legendary percussionist who has played with Santana), she’s been playing drums almost her entire life.

Her parents initially steered her towards the violin – “They said why don’t you try violin because then you can make money, you can play for the movies, and score and read music and all of these things he hadn’t done,” she said.

Her life changed at age 15 when she replaced the percussionist in her father’s band. The show in Bogotá, Columbia “turned my life around.”

Interesting tidbits:

• Prince knew who she was way before they met at a club in 1978 as he had been following her career. The two would become friends, date, separate for a while and eventually reunite as friends. Prince also made her debut album happen. “He said, ‘Well, okay, I can make it happen for you if you want to do a record.’ And I said, ‘Just like that?’ He said, ‘Yeah.’ I said, “Okay, let’s do a record then,” she said.
• Growing up in Oakland, CA Sheila E., didn’t realize she was Hispanic. In her community, there was black and white; she thought she was Black.
• Even though her father and two brothers are musicians, the family has only recorded one album together. Now & Forever was released in 2011.
• She used to go into record stores wherever they went to make sure the store was carrying her album. She would move hers to the front because it cost to have your CD placed there. 
• Sheila appeared in the 80s classic Krush Groove where she performed Holly Rock. “They thought I was coming in as a female rapper and I said that’s not what I am, I’m a musician, I’m an entertainer, I’m a musician, I’m not a rapper.”
• A trip to the acupuncturist for a pinched nerve in her neck and shoulder resulted in a collapsed lung – which she walked around with for a week before realizing there was an issue. Her back went out and she was partially paralyzed for two weeks. She spent four months  learning how to walk straight. “Every single day, therapy, twice a day to walk six blocks.”

Note: Unsung is a music biography series on TV One that tells the story of some of music's forgotten artist who are, “Uncompromised, unrecognized, unparalleled, unsung.”

In its fourth season, the show airs Mondays nights at 7 p.m. PST. Artists previously featured include DeBarge, Big Daddy Kane, Minnie Riperton, Teddy Pendergrass, Donny Hathaway and The O’Jays.

Catch Unsung: The Story of David Ruffin (of the Temptations) Monday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. PST.

Heavy Rotation – Soon As I Get Home by Babyface

Happy Friday!

This song was selected as my "Heavy Rotation" by coincidence. The other day I was listening to my iTunes library on album shuffle, and up pops Soon As I Get Home by Babyface.

It’s been awhile since I heard this song. Appearing on his 1989 release Tender Lover, the premise of the tune is simple – if the guy you’re dating isn’t treating you right, Babyface most definitely will.

He has no issue with paying rent, buying clothes, cooking a good meal and being a faithful lover. All a woman has do to is wait for him to get home from work!

The chorus:

“I give good love
I'll buy your clothes
I'll cook your dinner too
Soon as I get home from work
I'll pay your rent
Your faithful lover
Soon as I get home, soon as I get home from work
Girl, I'll treat you right
And I'll never lie
For all that it's worth
I give good love (good love, good love, good love, good love)”

Soon As I Get Home  is a refreshing reprieve from the “women are gold diggers” mantra that some men have adopted as of late. Here, you have a man willing to lay out the cash, cook and never do a woman wrong.

Not only that, he won’t even flirt! He’ll probably pay for dinner if you become tired of his home-cooked meals (but with a man like this, would you even dare complain?)

Second verse:

“It doesn't make sense
That you should have a broken heart
If I were the only one
I'd never let you fall apart
You're the kind of woman
That needs a man with lots of cash
With a stack of major credit cards
And with me you don't have to ask.”

Does this man really exist?

Unsung: The Story of Ray Parker, Jr.

Note: Unsung is a music biography series on TV One that tells the story of some of music's forgotten artist who are, “Uncompromised, unrecognized, unparalleled, unsung.”

In its fourth season, the show airs Mondays nights at 7 p.m. PST. Artists previously featured include DeBarge, Big Daddy Kane, Minnie Riperton, Teddy Pendergrass, Donny Hathaway and The O’Jays.

Following is a recap of Unsung: The Story of Ray Parker, Jr.

There’s more to know about musician Ray Parker, Jr. other than he was behind the mega 1984 hit Ghostbusters.

Much, much more.

Born Ray Erskine Parker, Jr. on May 1, 1954, he was reared in Detroit – well within walking distance of Motown Records.

Just 10 years old when he formed The Stingrays, Parker initially played the clarinet, but would eventually master the guitar after a bike accident left his broken leg in a cast at age 11.

Not able to do much else but practice the musical instrument that would ultimately bring him success in the music industry, Parker practiced “. . . all day, everyday, for like a year, year and a half. And the more I practiced, the more I wanted to practice until my dad would get upset and put the amp on the porch,” he said.

At age 13 he was jamming at the famed 20 Grand nightclub in Detroit where he played with the legendary Funk Brothers. During the rest of his teen years, Parker toured with The Spinners and Marvin Gaye. He also regularly participated in recording sessions at Motown and Invictus Records.

Parker didn’t last long in college; in 1972, he was offered an opportunity to join Stevie Wonder’s band on the road. While he was thrilled, Parker’s father was not. Still, Parker toured with the Rolling Stones and appeared on Wonder’s classic LP Talking Book.

Childhood friend Nate Watts said, “Ray went through Stevie’s Wonder's school of music, and he'll tell you in a minute he took a lot, learned a lot.”

Parker left Wonder Love after several months, journeying to Los Angeles where the knowledge he gained helped land him job with singer Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra.

More than a guitarist, Parker was also a gifted song writer. As a novice in the business, he unfortunately did not receive writing credits on Leo Sayer’s hit song You Make Me Feel Like Dancing. The song won a Grammy award (Best R&B Song) in 1978.

“One of the darkest moments in my life. For a second I thought about suicide. For five seconds, I thought about going to Detroit and shooting everybody involved. But none of these things were the real answer to it, and what good came out of it is everybody knew I did the song,” Parker said about the situation.

Receiving a recording deal from Clive Davis, who at the time was founder and head of Arista Records, Parker created Raydio, a four-person band consisting of two singers (Arnell Carmichael and Jerry Knight), a keyboardist (Vincent Bonham) and himself.

Their first single, Jack & Jill, headed straight to the top of both the R&B and pop chart in 1978. The self-titled album would go on to achieve gold status.

Difference of opinion regarding money initiated the replacement of some original band members, but that didn’t stop the group’s second album, Rock On, from also obtaining gold while crossing over onto the pop charts once again.

The lead single, You Can’t Change That, was originally written for The Spinners, and finally showcased Parker’s vocal ability.

While not confident in his singing, Parker said, “My vocal chords just had not been exercised, and it just didn't sound right. So it's not having insecurity in my singing as much as I knew I couldn't sing.”

Eventually, he would shed his insecurities and release a solo effort – The Other Woman – which, you guessed it, went gold.

All told, Parker recorded six back-to-back gold records.

By the time the mid-80s and Ghostbusters rolled around, Parker was an established guitarist, song writer, producer and singer.

Wildly successful in the United States, Ghostbusters would prove to be extremely popular in other countries – going platinum in eight. The song also would give Parker his first Grammy Award (Best Pop Instrumental Performance).

Parker’s time in the spotlight began to wane after switching from Arista to Geffen Records. Releasing only one album on Geffen, it failed to crack the top 50. He eventually settled down and married at age 40.

Today, Parker has four sons and has the luxury of working not because he has to, but because you wants to.

Interesting tidbits:

Parker wrote and co-produced New Edition’s smash Mr. Telephone Man. “I was surprised when it became a hit. You know what? I was surprised when we finished cutting it. It sounded pretty good. I was like, 'Why didn't I cut this song?’ ” he said.

Parker’s was the session guitarist on Cheryl Lynn’s Got To Be Real.

Because of the cross-over success of Raydio, Clive Davis had an easier time marketing records to both R&B and pop audiences, paving the way for future Davis-backed stars such as Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton and Usher.

Catch Unsung: The Story of Sheila E. Monday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. PST.

Heavy Rotation – Yes by Musiq Soulchild

Welcome to the first installment of “Heavy Rotation!” Each week, I will profile either a song, album or artist that I have on continuous playback.

Musiq Soulchild has the honor of being the first artist of the song I currently have on repeat. The song on rotation in my iPod is his latest release Yes. If you have been a follower of Musiq's career, you know that he has several songs where he opens his heart and puts his feelings on display for all to see.

Don't Change from Juslisen, Betterman and Today from Luvanmusiq, Special, Someone and SoBeautiful from OnMyRadio and of course Yes from Musiqinthemagiq are just a few examples.

Yes is essentially a reassurance to the one he loves. While the lyrics are different, Don’t Change and Yes have the same premise – no matter what we go through, no matter what happens to you physically, I will always be there for you.

The chorus for Yes is a great summation of why this song has been stuck in my head this entire week: “When two or three years from now/you start having some doubts/’bout if this love will last/the answer is yes/I'll still think your beautiful cause I'm more attracted to what's inside of you/you don't have to guess/the answer is yes.”

The accompanying video does a great job of bringing the song to life. Depicting a woman who is battling breast cancer, it follows her journey while Musiq offers his support through her difficult times.

Visually, the video does an excellent job of bringing the song to life.

This would make a great first dance song at a wedding.