There's been a mad musical rush in February, so far. It's almost as if I'm behind and need to do a little catching up. What makes it even better, however, is that I'm hoping this is the way that the year turns out, because 2003 was a little limp. Check it:

• There's the radio blogging thing that's hit everyone in full force....from Prime, Karsh, S-Train, Buccho, and myself, there's a musical cornucopia going on in the oh fresh. I'm waiting for a couple of more music-centric people to join in on the Radio Blog train, because there's lots out there.

• S-Train, a while back, had mentioned the 1997 recording of H.O.T.E.P. on his Blog Radio. As I'm sitting here listening to it at work, I'm waiting for Gloria and Emilio Estevan to walk through the door with him and jam right here in the middle of the joint. I like it, really I do.

• Then S-Train mentions Feed The Cat, and it's on Amazon backorder. After hearing the one joint on his Radio Blog, I had to pick it up.

• Seek just came through the mail, so now I'm all geeked out over that CD.

• JT mentioned Madlib, so that's in the mix.

• Michelle and Gldnspce brought Maroon 5 to my attention and that's in the mix.

• Gldnspce and I are feeling Jason Mraz. Again, the pot is getting full.

• I got a copy of The Grey Album and I was demanded that I review that pronto.

• Then, I started listening to Kanye and now I'm in complete agreement with Magic Negro that this is indeed dope. I would be remiss if I didn't review it this week.

With a total of 6 CDs to review, I think I'm in overload heaven. In which order should I review these? Anything else I forgot, people? Bring it on!

past: Jamiroquai , 'Latenigttales'
present: Amel Larrieux, Bravebird
future The Grey Album, Kanye West, Jason Mraz.

She's back, that wonderful Amel. With her talent gracing Groove Theory, Sweetback, Towa Tei and then her solid debut album Infinite Possibilites, I anxiously waited for three years for her followup CD to drop. There are some gems here, but this leaves me wanting more.

I expect to hear cuts like For Real and Bravebird, with their accentuated rhythms and flow, they start the album off on a high note. Maintenance however, seems to be the weakness here placing the album in a lull until we're graced with We Can Be New, the in-your-head beats and chanting of Congo, and the solid gold Say You Want It All near the end of the CD. It ends how it starts, on a high note-- but still wanting more. It's time for me to go back and get Stanley Clarke's CD 1, 2, To The Bass graced with her presence.

My take? 6/10. It's my second take so far this year. Time for upliftment.

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