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Entertainment

By Entertainment Editor Ahmed Sirour

CONFESSIONS/Pt. ?? (07.15.04)

I'm unorthodox. Those who read my articles never knowing what to expect can, at least, expect that. I'm also pretty blunt when I choose to be (possibly the strength of the Aquarius side of my cusp kickin' in stronger). It's something I can't help (though I can buffer it with tact, a la Pisces) and something I don't try to apologize for. Sometimes you want to say what you feel without necessarily stepping on people's toes, hurt people's feelings, or be dubbed as "politically-incorrect" but how easy is that to accomplish? Not quite, I can imagine. For some reason, I just feel like speaking a little of my mind and I will be upfront and say that most of what I'm saying is just my opinion and nothing more than that, so you may choose to either agree, disagree, or just say, "ooookay"--yah mean?! Maybe Dr. Cosby, or Michael Moore, or Dave Chappelle (a la Rick James), or Bono, or Madonna, or anyone else I can think of who go against the grain have inspired me to say a little more than I am used to. Whatever the case may be, let's get right to it...

Off the top of my head, let me start with music, or rather the latest new albums I've recently heard. The Tipping Point by The Roots--I'm upset!

Hands down their worst album to date and I consider them to be one of the best hip-hop groups out now. I got an advance copy a few days ago, all excited and what not and I'm hit with Neptune-like beats and commercial radio sounding tracks that astounded me! I'm not knocking the Neptunes but The Roots and them just don't go together (peep track 3)! What's up with the annoying cell phone ring tone loop on "Stay Cool" (track 5)?! Probably the only notable joints were "Web" (track 6) and "Boom" (track 7), both of which sound like classic throwbacks of the late 80s early 90s of hip-hop. I can see how "Duck Down" can easily be mixed with Cee-Lo's "I'll Be Around" in the club but I never thought of the The Roots as "commercial" even as they continued to climb on the charts. I don't equate success to commercialism...just when you compromise your sound for something that sounds recycled and not necessarily evolution of artistry.

I think the album was aptly named, though, 'cause somehow they "tipped over". Another disappointment was Unwrapped Volume III. I know I'm probably gonna catch heat for this one as one of Hidden Beach's most ardent supporters/promoters but I was soooo not impressed with this third offering! I was impressed by the first two predecessors but the third time is not a charm and I couldn't even listen to any one track all the way through. Why are there two 50 Cent songs ("P.I.M.P." and "In Da Club")? Besides the fact that Hidden Beach is known for going against the grain by promoting "positivity" and "good messages", and covering Fiddy is anything but, they could have at least chosen "21 Questions", which musicians could rock the hell out of (and as a musician I know how nice you can rock that joint live)! As fly as the original "Tainted" was with Dwele groovin' with Slum Village, the remake is flatter than an Ashanti note. Some of the vocalists that they got to sing in place of the original ones were sorry replacements and of the three fallen rap legends covered (Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay), Jam's tribute was uninspiring and empty with not much to reinterpret instrumentally. Without getting any deeper into it, and I'm sorry if I offend some of the staff and producers, some who I know and/or have met, but they should have kept this joint "Under Wraps" until they perfected it and realistically give more room and spotlight to more deserving artists like Jill Scott (August 24th) and Lina (September 28th), both who's new albums I can't find any info on at sites like www.towerrecords.com or www.amazon.com; I mean, what's really the deal???

Let's see...what else can I be up front about? Usher is producing the best results that he's ever shown for an album of his that I like the least (can't knock the hustle, though). I'm for equal rights for each and every individual but I draw the line at Gay Marriage (my gay/lesbian friends knew were I stood from the jump and respect my opinion just as I respect their right to be who they are). I'm probably one of the few African-Americans who doesn't like sweet potato pie, or potato salad for that matter. I think self-appointed President Bush is a #$^* and a @$$%^#& who can #$?* himself like he's been doing to this country. Like Jadakiss said on Why, "Why Bush knock down those towers?" Oh, and I was told stories by those within the music circles that Jada is "thug life incognito" who masks his sexual preferences as well as other notable rappers (i.e. Method Man, P. Diddy, etc.) and singers (i.e. Maxwell, Alicia Keys, etc.) that may shock and upset those who were feelin' them, wishing they could get with them. Might be true, might not be...but this isn't a gossip column so guess who doesn't particularly care? Halle Berry is probably at her least sexiest in Catwoman simply because she looks and acts mad corny! And, I'm sorry (though I'm really not) but why do I feel as if she really got the Oscar because she got buck-naked and was doin' it, pretty nasty and realistically, I might add) with a White dude, as if Hollywood is only awarding her because it fulfills some type of deep-rooted slavery days type fantasy, especially since Billy Bob Thorton's character (get that...BILLY BOB) is a racist, which is kinda like a modernized version of "good ol' Massa" gettin' down with the slave girl while the husband is separated from wife and child and eventually done away with?! Just a thought. Oh, and Berry's former hubby Eric Benet had a "sex addiction problem" my @$$!!

In digression...

Anyway, I guess that's all that's in my head for right now but let me digress and get back to what's happening this week. You know the deal starting this Friday (the 16th) is the kickoff for the National Black Arts Festival (www.nbaf.org), which will continue on through the 25th, followed by the Atlantis Music Conference (www.atlantismusic.com), next week. Please visit www.atlantahapps.com/upcoming_events.htm for additional events coming up this month, but of course, we'll hitcha with the newsletter as always.

So anyway, please excuse my bluntness but being an individual with a multi-faceted personality (not multiple personalities--LOL

), I can be a little forthcoming at times. Stay true whatever you do! Oh, and Shaq going to the Miami Heat helps me as a loyal Knicks fan to have something to again dislike about one of our archrivals since Zo left the game...I did, however, like Zo off-court, I don't, however, like Shaq either way.

peace2ya!

ahmed@atlantahapps.com

The views in this article are not necessarily the expressed views of ATLANTAHAPPS.COM or it's affiliates.

SESSIONS SATURDAYS at Tarrazu Coffeebar

Join us every Saturday
Time: 9 p.m. - 12 a.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)

SUDARABAJAN Productions present...

"SESSIONS SATURDAYS"
(as a part of Tarrazu's Liquid Jazz Series)

Featuring a three-piece (keys/drums/bass) neo-jazz band,

THE FORMULA

Enjoy a sensual atmosphere of candlelight's, chill conversations, cool sounds, and good food as you leave the stress of the work week behind you. As an extra treat, each week will feature a different up-and-coming vocalist to sit in with the band and grace the mike, for your listening pleasure. The dinner and dessert menu is definitely for the discriminating palate...and you won't need any reservations.

Time:
9pm-12am (NO COVER!)

Address:
265 Ponce De Leon Avenue (around the corner
from Old Spaghetti Factory)
Suite D
Atlanta, GA 30308
404.815.2077

Dress:
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Ahmed Sirour writes a weekly journal for ATLANTAHAPPS.COM

Ahmed Sirour is a Georgia Regional Representative for Hidden Beach Recordings

-- Archive

Gotta Make Moves	The Absolut Show	You Want More	A Weekend to Remember	Off Notes
Changing Seasons	Just Getting Started	Non-Stop Action	Ideas to Flirt With	Pursuing Purpose
Will Play For Food	Lasting Power	Rebound	For The Love Of Music	PURSUING PURPOSE (Pt. II)
ABSOLUT-LY OVER!!	A Weekend to Remember	The Absolut Show Round 3	Absolut Show - Round 2	The Lina Interview
Chicago on my mind	Ja Rule talks about beef with 50 Cent	Die Empty	Giving Back	Tis the Season
Life's Purpose	And We are off	A Dream Deferred	A special interview with Rachelle Ferrell	Super Weekend

Tit for Tacky	The Grammy Rocks the Love's Below	Click This	It ain't over	survivor
Stuff on my mind	Represent your hood	April Foolishness	MY STRANGE WORLD...Part XXVII	Just keep Moving
The Ying and the Yang	Industry Rule 4080	Back on Track	MILESTONES	Memorial Day Hangover
THE [right] FORMULA

Ahmed Sirour -A Product of a Sudanese-Arab (Muslim) father and a Bajan-Caribbean (Christian) mother. Ahmed was a "diamond in the rough" hewn from Brooklyn, now undergoing "polishing and re-cutting" in Atlanta. This serves as a premise to his diverse nature that comes from a diverse background. His poetic style is influenced by his love of music...specifically, jazz improvisation. He sometimes uses a rhyme form he calls "Broken Word"; basically, the rhyme scheme alternates between words and phrases but with a definite flow just like a jazz jam session where the art of freestyle takes place. Although it would seem that hip-hop, another of his influences, would seem to be a more apt description of his style, it is the marriage of youthful innovation paired with classic refinement. He is also moved by the Harlem Renaissance, which he feels is resurfacing, in spirit, throughout many major metropolitan cities, especially Atlanta. More importantly, he is moved by his belief in spirituality, believing that he is merely a vessel of God to bring forth the talent that he feels he has been blessed with.

Ahmed's goal, this year, to finally publish his first collection of work entitled, "This Would Be A Love Song...If Only I Could Sing"; a collection of poetry, essays, and short stories based on his life's experiences in the area of love and life. Ahmed is also a musician (keyboardist) and plays for and with many talented artists in Atlanta (and those who travel through the city from abroad). He currently represents for Hidden Beach Recordings (www.hiddenbeach.com), so he keeps one foot in the business and one foot (and two hands) in the art, itself. It is his hope and prayer that beyond enjoying his work, that people are actually moved, emotionally/intellectually/spiritually, by the words they read, and to know that this is merely a power that is coming through him and not from him.

SOULFUL HAPPS - A SPOTLIGHT ON URBAN MUSIC & CULTURE

Imagine for a moment if Marvin were still alive and able to record with the Roots... Or what about Pete Rock breaking-off a track for Minnie Ripperton or Donnie Hathaway. What kind of energy would these collaborations create??? The answer is found in a new Soul Music Series entitled SOULFUL HAPPS, and it's unlike anything you've ever heard. This section features artists who produce the sounds of 70's Soul, Acid Jazz, Hip Hop, and Rare Grooves appreciated by music lovers around the Atlanta area. But it's more than a sound... It's a feeling... bringing the past and the future together in a rather unique way. Click here for details

WHAT THEY ARE SAYIN...

Mr.Sirour,

I live in LA and was recently in your wonderful city and love reading you're column, Very nice. Miles...

Mr.Sirour,

I would like to begin by saying I enjoy your weekly "HAPPS" commentary. I look forward to it every Monday evening when I have down time at work. I appreciate you keeping us 'Atliens' abreast of the goings of Atlanta and upcoming music artists. Please keep doing what you are doing!

Mr.Sirour,

Now, I would like to comment briefly on your commentary for this week. Kudos to you for being honest and candid! How refreshing to hear such positive and thought provoking thoughts. I agree with you in so many ways. Just as a smile can be contagious, so can positivity.

P.S-- I saw the plug on your site for the Tarrazu Coffee Bar. It sounds like a great place. I will be trying it out this week.

Thank You,

Brettina Burney

I feel you 100% when you stated you feel a shift in the wind of this industry. I have been told by enough shallow producers to change my singing style to sound like this one or that. I was fed up of hearing this over and over so I took out my keyboards and produced myself. I am looking for people with a true vision of taking real music into the future to either assist me in promotions and possibly management. If you get a minute check me out at www.zuudiakusentertainment.com . Keep doing what you do, I will too.

Peace

Jas Tunica El

KATHLEEN BERTRAND

Visit the Website http://www.kathleenbertrand.com

Subscriber Kathleen Bertrand, her riveting performances combine contemporary R&B grooves with jazz riffs that keep audiences wanting for more...

No Regrets sets an elegant new standard for contemporary soul, and Kathleen Bertrand brings an inspiring new voice to the world of music. Look for future features on this dynamic singer in future ATLANTAHAPPS listings.

Ahmed -- Recently I read your column for "ATLANTAHAPPS.COM" As I was reading, I kept trying to listen to this very haunting melody that was playing in the background...and then finally I had to stop reading and just listen. You generously praise so many artists in your column, but your gifts are special too. I look forward to hearing more from you. "Without You" is just beautiful - I could listen to it all day.

I also am a singer/songwriter here in Atlanta. Last year, I released my "No Regrets" CD. Your words about a change in the music industry are so true and great encouragement. Thank you and keep spreading the truth. God bless you!

Kathleen Bertrand

A Collection of Poetry, Essays, and Short Stories from the life of Ahmed Sirour. A new movement in poetry, descriptive essay writing, and innovative story-telling.

Ahmed writes the way a jazz musician plays during an improvisational jam session paired with the way a lyricist freestyles in hip-hop form. It is a marriage of the past and present that creates a fusion to set the tempo for the future. His writing surpasses his racial makeup and simply becomes a unique American story by a unique American writer.