I heart The Polkadotted Stripe By Jaspects...

And not only because the Atlanta-based sextuplet is a mosaic of harmonious male hotness... (wink)

The ideal mix of self-described Funk, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Soul…Reeling with free-thought and expression, this album has moved me to a place of undeniable soul searching. With themes hovering around freedom and sovereignty, its no wonder I’m ready to concur, or at least steal back my world, after even just one listen.

The Album’s title song Polkadotted Stripes is emotionally moving. With child-like innocence, it asks the question,

“America Don’t you love me?
I just need for you to tell me the truth…”

It’s a question that we’d all like to ask. And of course we know the answer… but messages are coming at us left and right stating that our best interests are at the heart of American decision making… If we ever decided to take the high road and give America a chance to answer honestly, this might be how we’d ask the question.




Another outstanding track, Fallin, is a poignant conversation between the American public (both misfit and main street), and their favorite Uncle Sam. While the figurative main character of the song strolls nonchalantly along Main and Wall Streets with gradually emptying pockets, The Great Uncle incessantly tags along chanting a mantra-like reminder that we are “falling for ever in debt” to him. So simple and well stated are the lyrics that it’s easy to soak up the message in just one listen. But one listen won’t be enough… trust me. The smooth sounds of this horn and harmony rich tune are on repeat at my house... I find myself in a trance like state, as I stare somewhere into space thinking, “Goddamn I AM falling in debt to Uncle Sam!”

The most inspiring aspect of this song is that it creates social movement in a gentle way. It doesn’t anger you to action. It quietly helps you to realize your position, opening your mind to the possibility of other themes to come... while connecting your spirit with the energy and vibration of others who are tired of feeling used.




The Rhythmic and Melodic 2010, (one of my favorites) is a cut that grabs your attention right from the start with a pulsating beat and blaring horns under intense almost chant-like enchanting lyrics. Ebbing and Flowing… Building all the way through until it ends with the declaration:

“I Just want to be free as I can be,
Someone please help me,
help me to be FREE!
I JUST WANNA SEE FREEDOM!”

Janelle Monae does a beautiful job with this one.




This album leaves me ready to find myself and allow myself to be whatever it is that I find. To find freedom and hold it worthy above all that equates to what’s “right” in my neighbors eye. In awe and reverence, I’m ready to throw all that is stagnant and full of societal-cliche out the door... for the knowledge of liberation and self-determination.

"Revelling"

So Beautifully Written.
Have you been here before? I have.
Thank God I'm not here now...


"Revelling"
you were so in love
that it was all you could talk about
and i think i felt a little left out
you were on cloud 9 all the time
while i was levelling
i was wringing my hands and you were revelling

but then why shouldn't you?
it was such a beautiful thing to do

would that i could get me some
of your yum yum delirium
i could level off the ground that we stand on
but with you down on bended knee
always looking up at me
that feeling of standing up together is gone

and though i love you through all time and space
my love always seems to take second place

you were so in love
that it was all you could talk about
and i think i felt a little left out
you were on cloud 9 all the time
while i was levelling
i was wringing my hands and you were revelling

but then why shouldn't you?
it was such a beautiful thing to do

-A. DiFranco

Brown is the Color of my True Love's Skin

Afro Blue

Dream of a land my soul is from
I hear a hand stroke on a drum

Elegant boy,Beautiful girl
Dancing for joy,Elegant whirl

Shades of delight
Cocoa hue
Rich as the night
Afro blue

Two young lovers dance face to face
With undulating grace
They gently sway
Then slip away
To some secluded place

Shades of delight
Cocoa hue
Rich as the night
Afro blue

Whispering trees,Echo their sighs
Passionate pleas,Tender replies

Lovers in flight,Upward they glide
Burst at the height,Slowly subside

Shades of delight
Cocoa hue
Rich as the night
Afro blue

And my slumbering fantasy assumes reality
Until it seems it's not a dream
The two are you and me

Shades of delight
Cocoa hue
Rich as the night
Afro blue

Oh shades of delight
Cocoa hue
Rich as the night
Afro blue

Santamaria, Ramon,

Lyrics by Oscar Brown