Musician With A Day Job

Collection Contents

#		Title	Length
1		The Boss Says: 'We the Best!'	5:39	Play
2		Song for Sister Sandra	6:40	Play
3		Ebony Beauty	6:38	Play
4		Blessed I Am	6:08	Play
5		Too Soft!	5:22	Play
6		All I want is some Damn Respect	5:57	Play
7		The Self-Expressive Dance	5:05	Play
8		Funky Mood in Blue Mode	4:27	Play
9		Rahman	4:09	Play

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Bitmunk Marketplace Service	USD $0.98
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Description

Are you happy with and/or thrilled about the music being promoted by the major record labels?

Don't you just love the loudness of it all (today's biggest hits) and the violent themes of crime, drug use,rebellion unprotected sex by minors resulting in early parenthood,& warfare by gang members in our neighborhoods? Young men and women driving by shooting at other young people without concern for innocent lives who just happen to be standing near? Can you believe that these themes in music are actually celebrated in best sellers by certain artists with names like snoop doggy dog?

If you like that kind of music, then you won't like the kind of music I play, so stop here and go no further. On the other hand, if you still have the ability to hear, and have not lost that ability from being abused, by the loud boom boxes that are everywhere, read on, you have found another soulmate in me.

I don't personally dislike artists who do what they feel they must, to rise from poverty to unbelieveable riches and fame, nor do I condemn the merchants who make it possible for the public to make their choices. The public has the right to spend their money as they please. Perhaps they see that form of entertainment as just that...it's only enter- tainment and nothing else. So, just maybe they don't really take it seriously. I would truly love to believe that! However, I can't separate the reality of life in the 'hood from this noble idea that they really don't mean what they rap and sing about in those songs and verses! The young people find something to identify with in that medium and the results of that association is not good, no matter how much we rationalize it!

You don't need to get high on drugs or adrenaline to listen to a good piece of music. The music should do that for you, if it is really good. If not, you should keep searching for that artist who can provide you with that product. I think that you will find my music enjoyable/stimulating and easy to listen to. At least, that's what I hope it will do for you.

'The Boss Says: We the Best!' opens the door and is the opening song, written in appreciation of the 'grace' found in life as we try and survive our struggles. We must struggle or we would become bored and lazy and not make progress. Challenges are meant to inspire you to grow, so love your challenges and meet them with energy and enthusiasm. This song has that quality about it. The melody shouts with power and is supported by lush chords of soft- ness, a catchy beat and pulsating bass lines. You are sure to like it.

The next few tunes feature tributes to women (so what else is new?). Most of the songs by men are about or to women and vice-versa. It's part of our sexuality to do this, I guess, and I'm no different! My first selection, however, is to my sister,Sandra and it's called,'Song to my Sister Sandra.' Not very imaginative, I know, but she is so down-to-earth that no other title seemed to fit. She is a beautiful human being and this song is beautiful like that. My wife has a sister named Sandra also. She says that I am her favorite brother-in-law and I feel that way about her. I wish to dedicate this song to both of those ladies and to all the women of the world. If you really like your music 'smooth and lovely', you will get into this one real nicely. It features a sexy saxophone lead backed by a piano line that flows like a river and the tasty beat of bosso nova to accentuate it like seasoning in good food! This is my favorite piece.

'Ebony Beauty' is the name of the next selection. I hate to be repetitive using the word 'lush', but this song is just as it seems, written originally to celebrate black women. I have since grown to appreciate all women... who are good-intentioned, regardless of skin color. and it's not about physical beauty either. A women's beauty is her inherent good nature and it doesn't matter a whole lot how she looks. When you see my beautiful wife on the album cover, you are probably saying,'This guy is full of shit.' She is a beautiful woman and good natured, so what else can I say? This song is a ballad pushed by a sixteenth beat drum line with provocative chords to support a beautiful melody line. I wish to dedicate it to my wife ( and you may dedicate it to whom you please).

'Blessed I Am,' is the next selection and it's origin is based on my personal belief in the destiny of America and its people. We are now a mixture of all of the nations and this song is similar, with its mix of an asian melody, afro american rhythms and european harmonies. After you hear this song, you leave singing its' melody line to yourself.

Following the above selection is, by far, the most controversial piece on this album. My wife strongly objects to its presence and thinks that it is out of place. In consideration of her feelings, I've edited almost all of the other commentary parts that proceeded each tune, except for that which could not be deleted. I needed to keep something of myself out there, and therefore, chose this piece to represent my creative efforts at voicing an opinion about certain social issues of the day. If the wicked can voice an opinion and be heard, why not me? If you don't think it was a good idea, then fast-forward and you will get all music the rest of the way. This piece is called, 'Too Soft.' It contains language suitable only for adults and explores controversial ideas about our justice system and challenges the positions currently maintained by the social conservatives. I apologize to friends and fans who may be offended by any of this, but I must reserve the right to express my opinions, no matter who may disagree. The views expressed are clearly and solely my own and not of anyone who appears on this album with me. As a matter of fact, Harold (pianist) , Jeffery (bassist), and Gerald (drummer) are not even aware of its existence. Remember that I am not merely an entertainer, but a working member of society, who lives a pretty ordinary life, among ordinary people like you. I really do have a 'day job' and all I want is some damn respect!

'All I want is some Damn Respect!', just happens to be the name of the next song. This is a jazz rock version of a song that I couldn't figure out what to do with it. It features a piano introduction played beautifully by Harold Land, Jr. Later, there is a duet part, played by Jeffery Littleton and myself that's pretty nice. Having been reared on jazz, it is very difficult for me to get comfortable with the rock beat, but I enjoyed trying. I think that you will like this song and its arrangement, I know that Abe, my engineer did. You see, Abe is also a pretty good young drummer and he really 'miked-up' Gerald Brown's playing on this cut. Gerald definitely makes it all happen with a snappy drum sound. Enjoy!

'The Self-Expressive Dance,' continues the dance rhythms as I remind everyone that dancing is healthy. At least, this is what some of the health professionals are saying. The melody sounds a little like an old standard song about St. Louis, but phrased more like what we hear in this modern era. The chords have the flavor of a blues...just richer and brighter. You will definitely find yourself bouncing to this one.

Finally, we get to some real blues sounds and the next song is appropriately named,'Funky Mood in a Blue Mode'. My youngest sister visited me during the last xmas season and she really enjoyed my trial version of this song. That version was recorded at my home on four tracks with me playing all the parts except drums. I am dedicating this one to her (so she won't be offended and left out, you know and I really hate that we didn't extend this one out. Harold was disappointed that he didn't get more solo space, but I plan to do this again on another album. Please let me know how you feel about this song and all of my songs, won't you? It's important to me.

The closer is called, 'Rahman', and again, Gerald provides a nice latin beat that is busy, busy and busy! Harold is very creative with the comping and Jeffery is steady and good sounding. We tried to not overextend the songs so as to be 'radio friendly'. The popular notion is that radio programmers don't like the songs to be too long, but I feel now that we could have gone a little farther, and I believe you will agree. You will want to hear more and (God Willing there will be another time.

So there you have it, so go ahead and order you one and tell a friend. Buy two and make someone a gift. Get more involved with helping it sell and make a profit. Write me for details at the email address linked to me. See Ya!



Notes about the musicians: by Akbar Muhammad

Harold Land, Jr. is the son of a very famous tenor saxophonist and is the pianist on this date. (UPDATE: HAROLD LAND SR. DIED OF HEART FAILURE IN AUGUST, 2001 and we will miss him dearly. He was 72 years old. Our condolences to his wife and Harold Jr.). It was through Harold Jr.'s recommendations that the other musicians were booked for this album. I wanted people who were familiar with each other, but most of all, I wanted them to be comfortable with each other. We did not have the benefit of a lot of rehearsal time. I have known Harold for quite some time and I think he is one of the finest young piano players in town.
He and I are the primary soloists on all of the songs and the bass player is featured on at least two or three.

The bass player is Jeffery Littleton and he has played with Nancy Wilson, Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard, among others and was available at the right time. This was very fortunate for me. I really enjoyed his playing and it was the first time we had played together. He loves to solo so room was granted for him on a few selections, but our drum- mer thought that this was not a good idea. His thinking was that the smooth jazz stations, such as Wave 94.7 FM, would not react too kindly to it. Jeffrey was given the room to do his thing anyway.

The drummer is Gerald Brown and Harold recommended him be- cause he plays the funky stuff real good. This is the first time for me meeting Gerald and I was extremely happy with the way he played, no matter what the rhythm was. He was very helpful with technical advice that drove the session along with very little wasted time. I appreciated his thoughtfulness about the economics of it all, because I was working with a very limited budget.

It took us only two days to lay the tracks down. All of these guys are union musicians and conducted themselves like the professionals that they are. Of course, the mixing and mastering took a little longer, but this only involved the engineerer and myself. I really did enjoy this session and not just because it consisted of all original compositions of mine. God Willing, I will bring another on the scene real soon. Peace.