If you like biographical movies and you got an open ear for good quality music, the Ray movie that depicts Ray Charles life is certainly a must have in your library.

Jamie Foxx plays the role of the musical genius from his humble beginnings, raised by a single mom to stardom.
The move doesn’t spare you young Ray’s hardships and drama. It goes through little Ray’s dramatic life. Even as an adult, Ray remains haunted by the death of his little brother who drowns in the water in front of his eyes. His mom helps him to deal with his blindness and allows him to become an independant adult. A very interesting scene is the way Ray learns to play the piano.

The movie also describes the man in his weaknesses, his drug addiction, his life with wife and mistress. But moreover, the whole film is filled with intense moments of swinging sounds.

Ray Charles will have to deal with the opposition of the Church, because he combines gospel and R’n'B in his music.

His fighting spirit will allow him to eventually get recognition from the state of Georgia for his brilliant composition, Georgia On My Mind. Ray Charles’ music can and will defeat racism.

I recommend this brilliant movie to any music lover who wants to know more about jazz legend Ray Charles. If you haven’t done it yet, go watch the movie!

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

WATCH JERICHO AND THE EBURNEANS IN CONCERT:
*April the 26 th, 2008 at Belleville, Paris, 35 bd de la Villette Paris
*September the 19th, 2008 at l’Inattendu, 20 rue du Pré St Gervais Paris

Jericho and The Eburneans do cultivate a positive life philosophy: it is called regg’apt (for reggae aptitude). Jericho’s positive, down to earth attitude is visible in his every day life.
In fact the musician resembles very much the man I encountered in Paris last February, he’s no different: an artistic soul who loves life in its various dimensions.
Not only do Jericho and his fellows teach you a positive vision of life, the talented artists will also recall the African diaspora’s history.

A short introduction allows the viewer to focus on the 5 musicians

Jericho and The Eburneans DVD is made of three songs:

-A Tes Côtes (At Your Side) is based on a trumpet, drum, keyboard background. The song is an emotional lesson of black history that any white man of good will should accept to listen to. As painful events of racial discrimination, deportation, humiliation are mentioned, an intertwined black and white history reveals the scars of a black diaspora that was forced to abandon its culture and traditions to be accepted, intregrated into a society whose wealth comes from their sweat and tears.
You don’t know. Only Jesus would know what balck folks have been through for centuries.

-Madame is a good rhythmic sounding track. Despite its humorous accents, it also point out real social problems, like the obvious difficulties of a jobseeker in a mondialized world. Like it or not, mondialization has an impact on a country’s economy.

-Moultry is a very cadenced track that totally enlightens the drummer’s talent. Follow Jericho’s gangsta tale…feel the emotions of a man on the run.

If you like reggae music, Jericho and The Eburneans are exactly what you need. True fighters with a positive spirit, skilled musicians, Jericho and The Eburneans will probably manage to captivate your attention.
Don Marques’ good bass play needs to be underlined too. The blind musician manages to enrich the group with his specific touch.

What else could I say? Come and see Jericho and his crew live in Paris!

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

More info about the gifted Parisian musicians can be found here.

1. What motivated you to get started in the music industry?

- Since my youngest age, I dreamt about expressing the richness and the values of African culture

2. What is the story behind your group’s name? What does Eburneans
exactly mean?

-Jericho is the name my grandmother gave me. It has a meaning of hope.
Eburnea is Ivory Coast’s ancient name (it recalls the whiteness of elephants’ ivory).
The Eburneans are the inhabitants of the Ivory Coast.

3. Who is your biggest musical source of inspiration?

-My biggest musical source of inspiration comes from the black diaspora

4. Which artists have you collaborated with already?

-I played in the first part of President Brown, a Jamaican artist at New Morning in Paris.

5. Define your music within a few words…

-My music is a mixture of African, Jamaican and Afro-European influences.

6. Could you give us a short presentation about your group?

My group is composed of five musicians:
*Jericho/ leader/ singer of the group, from Ivory Coast
*Jiré/ guitar and vocals/ from Ivory Coast
*Don Marques/ guitar bass, from Trinidad and Tobacco
*Djazz: keyboard and back up vocals, from Martinique
*Mister Jean, drums and back up vocals, from Haiti

7. A few words about your upcoming concert, on April the 26th, that will
take place in Paris?
Jéricho and the Eburnéans are due to perform on April the 26 th at Belleville, Paris, 35
bd de la Villette and afterwards on September the 19th, at l’Inattendu, 20 rue du Pré St Gervais.

8. What is the biggest challenge you had to face since you started making music?

The Eburneans were to perform at the Fête de l’Humanité in front of a huge public. It was very emotional for all of us.

9. Which artist (dead or alive, mainstream or underground) has earned your respect and why?

- The artist I respect very much is Alpha Blondy. He represents Africa with much dignity.

10. What are your songs about?

-My music tells about the history of Africa and contemporary political/ social issues.

11.How do you compose your music? what comes first: lyrics, instrumentals or beats?

-I first compose the lyrics with Jire, then comes the melody. We go on with the whole composition work afterwards and we put everything in place.

12. Besides reggae music, what kind of music do you listen to?

- I’m very fond of Jimi Hendrix’ pop music, James Brown’s soul music and Fela’s Afro Beat.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

She is beautiful, heartfelt, talented. Highly influenced by the Motown musical world and rich of many other musical influences, Detroit artist Monica Blaire possesses that incredible gift to transform into gold everything she touches. Her deep, warm voice would make any insensitive person burst into tears.

Very much representative of many black music genres such as soul, hip hop ,R’n'B, Funkand blues Monica Blaire perfectly knows how to talk to your heart.
Some of you have probably seen her in Bizarre’s recent videos. I suggest we’d all explore more of her work.

With Christmas knocking at the door, Someday At Xmas perfectly fits into the season. Full of nostalgic accents, built on soft instrumentals and bell sounds, Monica Blaire transports you into a wonderful world of emotions.

Funkin For Jamaica leads the listener into a very dynamic, rhythmic piano-keyboard musical background in which Monica’s soft and deep voice totally comes to shine. Clap your hand and move to the dynamic track!

Set Me Free might surprise the listener at first, because of its only electronic background. Soon, Monica Blaire’s voice will escape from the musical landscape like a bird that had been trapped into a cage. Its strength will liberate an energetic mantra: Set Me Free. I loved the song’s architecture.

Work features Maestro. It intelligently combines strong vocals with rhythmic claps and xylophone notes. Darkness and light work together while Monica offers some vocal power to her listeners. A modern world of electronics seems to cross and contradict the real world. Beautifully done!

Piano notes open up on a jazzy background while Monica gently whispers. You will be enchanted by the artist’s brillance. Step into a world of softness…appreciate the moment, let your soul drink the lyrics.

Detroit artist Monica Blaire belongs to the category of creative artists who mark black music history forever. Check the incredible artist here.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Lean back in your chair, enjoy the chillout atmosphere, open an attentive ear to the music.

A Little More Time is enhanced with numerous guitars and some catchy percussion beats. With a definitely romantic spirit, Emanuel G talks about destiny. Some people are meant to be together. Let Emanuel G convince you about destiny.

Back In My Head is a dynamic track that combines traditional and electric guitars. The softness of the track is counterbalanced with the rhythmic drum beats. Let Emanuel speak about love.

A Man In Love is another poetic track in which Emanuel’s know how will move your heart about that little, but nevertheless important and magic thing called love.

Different expresses life’s numerous challenges and the wonderful opportunity it has to offer, always with a musician’s great sense of rhythm.

Emanuel G might sound too monotonous to some or maybe too romantic. However, I’d advice all of you to give him a listen here before making your mind about him.

Copyright©2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Like James Brown, Otis Redding possessed those great qualities that make of him a musician of exception. He was truly a soul legend who managed to move his audience. The richness of his instrumentals, a warm voice coming from his profound heart, his incredible dynamism would move any black music lover. With his simplicity and his unique way of telling his emotions to the crowd, Otis Redding has influenced the 60 s. Unfortunately, the gifted artist died in an accident in 1967.

His passionate delivery on stage was also an invitation for the public to participate to the show and to move along with his beautiful, moving and rhythmic songs.

You could barely listen to a song such as Shake without dancing with the artist, your heart being overwhelmed with an unexplained, but real joy.

Otis Redding managed to make something exceptional of Mike Jagger s Satisfaction song. Not only did he add his personal touch, the brilliant artist had this power to move the crowds with enthusiasm.

Discover more about the genuine sould legend here.

Copyright©2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

This CD is a live concert recording of James Brown’s concert in Atlanta back in 1984. Hopefully I will manage to touch my readers heart through this review, and make them feel what James Brown s music represents to me. Be ready for an emotional and intense read!

James Brown wasn’t your average artist. He was a musician who played 3 instruments( guitar, piano and drums). Amazing and skilled artist with a warm and emotional voice, he was a man who had heart. Musical genius, he truly is the Godfather of soul music. James Brown was full of life, that s why one could speak of him as Mr Dynamite. Not only did he have all those qualities, but he managed to transmit his energy and optimism to thousands of people.
James Brown’s music has always been a wonderful ray of sunshine in my life and for that, I could never thank him enough. I love you, Mr Brown. May God bless your soul.

Sit back and relax. Time to listen to the legendary It s A Man s, Man s, Man s World. Trumpets welcome you for the James Brown s appreciation of women. Soft funky keyboard sounds soften the song that describes a rough man s world made of technical inventions. With his warm, profound voice, James Brown manages to create the antagonism between a man and a woman s world. Sometimes harsh sounding and introducing you into a man s routine, made of money and cars, his voice suddenly softens, becomes intense and full of internal emotions that transcript a man s feelings for women. This song is probably one of the most beautiful ode to us women that has been written, ever.

I love the I feel so good I wanna screeeaaam, because it comes from Mr Brown s profound heart. This passion is so communicative that it will make you scream. For real.

Super Bad will enhance your day and give you your dose of dynamism needed. No need to take vitamins when you have a James Brown song in your ears. Get on the good foot and dance along. Forget about your daily routine, let trumpets, keyboards and saxophone transport you into an explosive world!

Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for a funky good time? Here we go. Electric guitars, rhythmic keyboard sounds, swinging drum beats, plus James Brown s warm vocals will actually take you higher and higher on emotions. Move your feet to the sound and carry that good funky spirit with you. Happiness guaranteed! Let saxophones weep in the background in perfect harmony with the singing guitars and the female vocals…you will feel good, because the music will make you feel allright.

Wonderful Try Me song: so emotional with its intense female vocals combined with James Brown s profound voice. As the instrumentals suggest it, this song is a chill out song for two (passionate) lovers.

Get On The Good Foot: that’s really the way we should look at life. Step up in the morning, get on the good foot and start a positive and dynamic journey. All instruments work together in harmony with the artist, create and re-create that wonderful sensation of being reborn.

Papa s Got A Brand New Bag is so full of energy that you would barely sit on your chair while listening to the song. Electric guitars, drums and vocals will enhance James Brown s explosive atmosphere.

I Feel Good is and will remain an eternal jewel. Positive lyrics, an astute and dynamic use of trumpets, keyboards and drums will transport you into an universe of positive emotions pouring from the heart and red roses of intense feelings thrown on you.

This CD is definitely worth your listen.

Thank you Mr Brown. Gone but never forgotten.

Copyright© 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

A James Brown fan who was obviously upset and angry against a fellow fan who happened to disagree over the recently deceased legend s height. The disagreement escalated to an unexpected extent and had dramatic consequences: the angry James Brown fan shot his fellow fan twice in the abdomen and killed him. The fool tried to kill himself after the shooting, but being unsuccessful in reaching his goal, he walked to the police station and admitted killing his former friend.

Most sources reported that James Brown was 5 feet 6 inches, but I don t even know what his height was. Who cares anyway? I love his music and so do many people in this world!

Today, I would like to address to a specific category of fans: the extreme ones.

Not the quantity of details you know about your artist, nor the number of posters or garments from his clothing line you actually have at home will make a better or a more interesting fan of you. The number of gadgets or clothes you possess might just tend to prove that you are a good consumer, not even a dedicated fan. Please don t misquote me: I do have some T shirts, posters and garments too, like many other fans. But I think that I wouldn t buy all of an artist s commercial stuff, because I think it is just plain stupid. I d rather spend the money on the music than on the clothes or any other gadget.

Of course-particularly as a biographer- I have been in depth with my favorite s artist s life. I have tried to do my best to combat the media s bad stereotypes against Eminem and have gathered a lot of info through the years. My goal was to picture Eminem in his every day life as a father, a husband and a friend to his fellows, so people could realize much more that he was just a human being. However, I don t really appreciate people who spend their spare time talking about celebrity gossips, because I find those annoying as hell.

As a journalist, I like true facts, not rumors and I do believe that a true fan should be much more focused about an artist s music than his whereabouts.

What makes an artist interesting in my eyes is his music. The paradox with Eminem is that you could barely dissociate the man with the music, because you need to know the story if you want to understand the music. But there is a huge difference between having a good knowledge of the man s biography and spending one s time fantasizing about his life and frequentations. I m not keen on crusty details about his personal life, simply because I do consider that it is none of my business. Any reasonable person would probably agree with me.

I would like to put a few things clear with my readers: most of you know me as the supportive Eminem fan I actually am. Most of you know how much I have expressed about the man and his music. I admit that while expressing some views on Em, his family or his friends, I might have been wrong.

I never said that anything I pointed out about Marshall Mathers was the gospel truth. You know why? Simply because I don t know Marshall Mathers as a person.

I have explored Eminem and Slim Shady, his characters. But the real Marshall Mathers remains veiled to me.

Any Eminem fan, even those who met him shortly should have the modesty to admit that they don t know their idol. To be able to pretend you know him for real, you must belong to his intimate circle of friends.

If we all made a slight mistake about Eminem s height, the world would keep turning, wouldn t it?

If Eminem told you to jump from a bridge, what would you do? I know I wouldn t.

If having a filthy backstage behavior was the only way to meet him, would you become 10 people s dirty slut? I perfectly know I wouldn t. I leave such disgusting behavior to the groupies.

Do you get my point?

Be a supportive fan as much as you want, but never cross the line of becoming one of those creepy extreme fans!

Copyright© 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

A lot of people who don t really care about artistic talents prompt to praise artists when they passed away. I have seen such behaviors numerous times and I d like to point out that I am not going to acclaim James Brown s talent because he recently died. I am going to praise this great legend of soul music, because Mr Brown s music has been part of my life since the 80s!

I was introduced into James Brown s music through a Cameroonian friend. I will always remember how much I was impressed to discover James Brown s rhythmic Sex Machine and his euphoric I Feel Good.

As a young student, James Brown s music spiced up my daily life. It gave me a great dose of enthusiasm and dynamism. Starting the day with his music really enhanced my way of life. It made me feel alive, ready to conquer the world.

James Brown s voice touched my soul. He had a unique way of telling things, like he did it in This Is A Man s, Man s , Man s World.

This beautiful song made me feel how much he appreciated women:

 This is a man s world, this is a man s world
But it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl

He’s lost in the wilderness
He’s lost in bitterness …

Not only did James Brown have a unique, suave voice, his use of the instrumentals inspired the greatest artists in this world, including NWA, the early Michael Jackson and many more.

James Brown can be seen as the forefather of rap music. He is and will remain a legend in black music. His incredible talent is still a huge source of inspiration to many contemporary artists.

James Brown also gave black folks a new sense of pride with his famous world known sentence:  Say it loud, I m Black and proud!

I could name a multitude of his songs, like Living In America, Papa s Got A Brand New Bag, I Feel Good, This Is A Man s world and many more, but I am going to stop here.

I d like to stay still for a minute and pay homage to the great musician that James Brown actually was. A great legend left us on Christmas day. May God bless his soul. RIP James Brown and thank you for the music that touched my soul over the years. I will never forget you.

Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved