SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS / “Optimistic (Never Say Die mix)”

 

My goal was to establish a legitimate black music ensemble that performed the entire spectrum of African-American music in it's proper context. I wanted to do everything from West African music to field hollers, work songs, spirituals, blues, jazz, gospel, reggae, ragtime, r&b, hip-hop, jazz, rock 'n' roll – the full spectrum. Because it's all a family of music that emanated from an experience: You can't understand the 'Glory Hallelujah' of the gospel without knowing about the pain of the blues. And that's the meaning of the name: Each style of the music is a unique sounds of blackness, and collectively they are the sounds of Blackness. —Gary Hines http://www.pbs.org/riverofsong/artists/e1-sounds.html
I want to end the year on this note: be optimistic. I may be whistling through the graveyard that is New Orleans, pointing to all the pretty flowers as I try to convince myself that everything is going to be alright. I mean, I could be completely fooling myself, but at this point, what other choice do we black New Orleanians have? The shit on the ground is so bleak, the only way you can win is just to throw your chin up and keep on trucking. Just to survive day-to-day is a victory. That’s the way I’m feeling on a good day. Anyway, this is some beautiful music: grooves, with an overlay of choir and hip arrangements—I’m profoundly happy with the remix, the way they rumble that bassline through there. Sounds of Blackness started at Macalester College in Minnesota and have gone on to establish themselves as an innovative musical aggregation lead by Gary Hines. gary hines.jpg Gary is a visionary when it comes to hooking up the music. He understands that no matter what style, the best of black music has common elements. He has been the most consistent and most successful at merging the different elements into a seamless whole. Certainly Ray Charles was a master at mixing gospel elements into rhythm and blues, or George Benson merging jazz into popular music, following in the footsteps of his spiritual father, Nat 'King' Cole. And there are numerous other examples, but no one has so consistently mixed it all up so that it is indeed the full spectrum of the sounds of blackness rather than one particular style mixed with something else. sounds of blackness.jpg Which is not to say, Hines and the Sounds are without influences. First off, when Sounds of Blackness recorded for Perspective/A&M, their producers were Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, plus, I’ve got to believe that they are aware of P-Funk and you know they know Prince. Just to drop two quick examples: “Flashlight” and “When Doves Cry,” both of which rumbled along using electronic keyboards rather than an electric bass. Check how nasty the bass gets on “I Believe”; now you know that ain’t no traditional gospel approach to the bass line. And those handclaps, you know that’s some Clinton stuff up in there. Anyway, y’all got ears, I’m sure you can dig the grooves, the melisma of the lead voice, the power of the chorus lining out the inspirational choral chants. I just love the up-ful rush of this music, enough to put a crook in your neck as you try to bob you head hard on the one. I’m going to just leave it at that. —Kalamu ya Salaam           Mass (and massive) foolish optimism          Kalamu and I don’t talk about the tracks we’re going to do before we send them to each other. Well, sometimes we do, but we didn’t this week. My point is, independently and for different reasons, we both decided to bring in 2006 on a note of optimism. I’m here in perennially sunny San Diego, 1,600 miles away from the devastation in New Orleans. Although my optimism is a personal outlook—meaning, not directly connected to the ongoing struggle in New Orleans—it’s definitely framed by Katrina. Losing a lot of stuff you thought you needed but actually didn’t need at all has a way of changing your priorities. Simple things make me happy now. Lights that turn on when I turn them on. Water pipes that actually deliver water. (And drinkable water, no less.) Garbage men who actually show up to get the garbage. Stuff like that. As for my Baba, he’s right there in the middle of the ongoing disaster. Believe me, it ain’t over, people. Remember: New Orleans wasn’t so damned healthy back when she was healthy. You know what I’m saying? And now she’s ill. Perhaps terminally. So while you might categorize my Baba’s positive attitude as ‘guarded’ or ‘reserved,’ he’s got a lot further to come than I do to get from the place he’s in every morning all the way to optimism. For me, it’s as simple as waking up in the morning and opening my eyes. It never rains in Southern California and every day’s my birthday. I’m wildly, ridiculously, foolishly optimistic. I’m not necessarily advocating mass foolishness, that just happens to be my personal thing right now. Actually, you know what? To hell with it, yes, I am! Here’s to mass (and massive) foolish optimism. (And to the overuse of explanation points!!!! They’re free. Why not use ‘em?) BTW, “Optimistic” (the original version) is one of my favorite inspirational songs—it’s been on my hard drive for a long time now. I also remember hearing “I Believe” on the radio back in the day and now that I’m hearing it again, I like it. Good stuff, Baba. Aight everybody. We’re out for 2005. Here comes the new year! —Mtume ya Salaam

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 1st, 2006 at 2:57 am and is filed under Contemporary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


4 Responses to “SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS / “Optimistic (Never Say Die mix)””

Qawi Says:
January 3rd, 2006 at 1:20 pm

Thanks for this track. I reminded me of my OPTIMISTIC College Days (90’s). My days are still OPTIMISTIC and this track and Soul-to-Soul’s ‘Keep On Moving’ were just the songs I needed to hear when they originally came out.

As a listener to Sounds of Blackness from the past, (even bought their latest album – Unity), I can appreciate this track. Personnel has changed (Ann Nesby left then came back). Production has changed (Jam & Lewis of Flyte Time), but the group is still a Breath of Life in the music tapestry. Though, much like Mtume, I like the original version instead of the Remix treatment at the front and back end of this track. No need to dress up Ann Nesby’s vocals and the message of the song itself.

I had the pleasure to see them perform in person (@ Bowie State University). They had the place rockin’. Which is a lot to say, considering the Hip-Hop/Gansta Rap, R&B crowd (myself included) that were there. When they performed this song, the execution was flawless and the Sprit was contagious. Ever since then, I’ve listened to their work. Thanks for showcasing them in this forum.


jb Says:
January 3rd, 2006 at 3:01 pm

I love Sounds of Blackness (!) and have always felt they were tremendously underrated. “Optimistic” like all of their music lifts the spirits. I prefer the original version to this remix. I really like “Soul Holiday” and played it out this holiday season.

I should also note. When I was growing up in nineties, Sounds of Blackness got play on BET, thus introducing this important music to young formative minds. It’s sad that artists of this caliber would never see the light of day in the contemporary market.


Jason Says:
January 5th, 2006 at 5:08 pm

Now here is a live show to see…Sounds of Blackness can wreck shop. When they had Ann Nesby and her daughter in the group, they had about 6-7 lead voices, all with their own range, timbre, and style….all world class. They came to my school one year and blew the roof of the spot. My favorite from them was ‘The Pressure’….


Chris Defendorf Says:
April 9th, 2006 at 12:59 am

I haven[theard this mix, but the original was incredible. my favorite part is the vocalmelisma at the end. chilling.


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