ABSOLUT-LY OVER!! (09.09.03)

Well, it has finally come to a close and we have our Grand Prize winner for the ABSOLUT Jams R&B Talent Search.  I would like to congratulate Mark Nelson on his convincing win in a very close contest featuring some of the best performers in the Southeast region.  Again, I am glad it wasn't me judging because the competition was pretty fierce...well, minus a few here and there that obviously were there to cop their 15 seconds of fame.  I hate to be like Simon Cowell but when the first contestant hit the stage to perform Tamia's "Stranger in my House", I truly wondered if she could really hear herself and the atrocity of sound that escaped her lips?  Another eye-raising performance was witnessing this one dude "pop-n-lock" then "drop it like it's hot" like a stripper doing a quick booty-shake (i.e. to be interpreted as a "song and dance").  Oh, and let me not forget the young lady who flipped the script and opted not to use the house band, at the last minute, and sang a previously sung song, and sounded like...hmm, how shall I put this...are any of you familiar with the cacophonic mythical being called a "banshee"?

Mark Nelson, Heather Johnson, Carmichael

All jokes aside, though they are apt descriptions, the rest of the talent pool were very impressive.  Notable performances included those by Chanda Leigh McKnight (with an awesome ATL All-Star band including India.Arie's bass player, and a great original song), a young lady named Mercy with a look and voice that made men beg for the same, and a cool track by a dude named Bari who had the band play along to it (it was pretty tight).  There were many others who did well, but Mark Nelson, solely on stage accompanying himself on the keys, delivered a beautiful ballad that had the ladies yelling and even the men clapping in recognition; his style is reminiscent of Brian McKnight, but his songs definitely have that "classic hit" value to them.  Interestingly enough, all three finalists (Carmichael, Heather Johnson, and Mark) are good friends and all alumni of the Midtown Jam Session that happens on Wednesdays at Apache Cafe', so there were no hard feelings afterwards.  It was really a tight final because each performer came with it so strong that the audience seemed perplexed because you could tell they didn't know who to applaud for more than the other.  Well, Mark is $5000 fatter in the pocket, but humbly accepted his prize, and it won't be long before this talented songwriter's work hits the airwaves, in my humble opinion.  This has been a great event, but now it moves on to Houston, TX followed by Chicago, IL to end the tour.  If any of you feel like you have talent and don't mind spending money to take a trip to compete, it's not against the rules to do so...even for previous competitors!

Okay, as far as what's happening around town...

THURSDAY (09.11.03)

Rock N' Roll heads can enjoy Whild Peach @ Apache Cafe' starting @9pm/$10 cover...OR...Jazz heads can catch violinist Ken Ford @ The Four Seasons Hotel from 9p-12a/$5 cover (www.kenford.net)

FRIDAY (09.12.03)

The talented Dionne Farris (w/ special guest Van Hunt) @ Apache Cafe' (www.apachecafe.info) ...ALSO, "Street funk-Soul Seshin" @ MJQ Concourse/836 Ponce de Leon (Midtown) @10pm-on

SATURDAY (09.13.03)

Sickle Cell March For a Cure @ Centennial Park beginning @ 8am with a $15 registration and a walk/rally from 10a12pm...ALSO,  For Sister's Only at the Georgia World Congress Center (www.forsistersonly.org) with special music performances by Ashanti (no comment), Nappy Roots, Avant, Ruben Studdard, Jagged Edge, and Heston...ALSO, Roy Ayers at the Stewart Amphitheatre in Lithonia starting @7p (www.ticketmaster.com) ... ALSO, the most talented urban/jazz/alternative trio, THE FORMULA, performing at Tarrazu Coffee bar with a special guest vocalist you don't want to miss starting @9pm-12am/no cover, but eat good and plenty! www.tarrazucoffeebar.com

SUNDAY (09.14.03)

CD of the Week: Javier
Release date: 08.05.03 (Capitol/EMI)

was impressed first that I even bought a NEW R&B album given I can't really stand anything I hear on the radio now (not that I particularly listen to it anyway).  Seriously though, I was really impressed by Javier's (pronounced "Hah-vee-air") eclectic collection of songs that went from mainstream to a few bangers like "Beautiful U R" that really should have been the first single as opposed to "Crazy".  This young man actually sounds like a cross between Eric Benet and Babyface, but he definitely has a style all his own, and I was impressed with the originality.  I still think that he has some time before he really develops his style and perfects his sound, but he's far ahead of these so-called R&B singers that are going platinum, putting out garbage!!! My personal favorite that will not tire me with the many times I keep it on "repeat" is the surprisingly jazzy, "October Sky"--I mean, this joint would have impressed the late Frank Sinatra (a Capitol Records alumni) as well as Stevie Wonder (the song reminds me of "Make Sure You're Sure" from the "Jungle Fever soundtrack).  Visit this link to Tower Records to hear samples of the CD http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=2869911 but you can purchase this for less (only $10) at Earwax Records (www.earwaxrecords.com).  Definitely worth adding to your collection!

Okay everyone, you do realize this is the most I've written in a while given all that's been occurring, so I hope you aren't upset with me.  For this week though, I'm going to chill with additional entertainment news because I've gotta reinsert myself back into the "industry matrix"...I needed to just get away from all the crowds, the media, the hype, the groupies (not mine, of course--LOL), and everything else that revolves around the entertainment industry.  I think my soul is unsettled by the constant emptiness and shadiness that comes with the territory and I needed some spiritual rejuvenation.  A visit to the top of Stone Mountain last weekend sort of alleviated my concerns of the world on the ground below, but reality has to be faced eventually.  I've even recently encountered an intriguing young lady who has kept me thinking about her non-stop (which for me at this point is very deep!), but it's going to be a challenge given our l ong distance between us...but if you're really feeling someone, you have to at least try and see if things can work out.  It feels like a test but hey!  And I'm not trying to diss any woman in Atlanta who is of substance and beauty that I could have encountered within the comforts of home where distance is concerned, but no one has currently given me reason to pursue them other than this fine young lady, so this is your "shout-out", and I hope you're reading this, 'cause I think you are beautiful all-around and I want this site's thousands of readers to know that as well!

Feel free to e-mail me at: ahmed@atlantahapps.com