BrownGirlsFly

I’ve been vibing all day to 5 great songs written by African artists, sharing good thoughts about their motherland. Listen with me.

It’s Independence Day! Here’s a little mood music — songs celebrating the great towns of America — to get you jazzed while you’re prepping for today’s barbecues, beach outings and family time. Happy Listening!

When can I get the (&$@+)($&+@$&+@$& out of here and start adventuring again.  The stagnation is killing me! Here’s the playlist helping me pull in together. Listen with me.

My annual pilgrimage out West is long overdue and those Pacific blues are yanking vigorously on my heart strings. A few hours and wheels go up. But, am I putting the finishing touches on my Rick Steves issued carry-on bag? No, that would be too much like right. LOL! I’ve found something much more stimulating — California Dreamin’ (gotta love YouTube) and mentally planning my excursions for what little time remains between corporate meetings and business dinners.

Before snapping back to reality, I thought I’d share the 1968 footage of brown boy Jose Feliciano bringing some serious Boricua soul to the song first released 3 years earlier by the Mamas and Papas. I never really liked the original, but Feliciano’s re-interpretation is a-whole-nother story. His version really does put theirs to shame. Watch his video below.

It’s undeniable … the free-spirited queen of NeoSoul, Erykah Badu is a brilliant wordsmith. Whether or not she represents your personal life philosophies or your preferred music genre, there’s something to be said for her fearless pursuit of self-reflection, uninhibited self-expression and continual reinvention.

For someone like me who’s been obsessed with sitting in the window seat since I was six years old, I implicitly understand the draw of her latest single and had to see what she was really vibing about. Indulge me as I muse about Erykah’s Window Seat lyrics and what they say about this traveling brown girl’s emotional journey.

BrownGirlsFly has been celebrating Women’s History all month. Among other things, this means we’ve been “vibing” to songs highlighting women’s collective strength, courage and wisdom. Think Indie Arie, Christina Aguilera, Queen Latifah, Tina Turner and other soulful women who’ve faced and overcome great challenges.

Have a listen and enjoy. Any good ones missing from the list? Be sure to let us know.

“I’m Like A Bird. I’ll only fly away. I don’t know where my soul is. I don’t know where my home is.” (Nelly Furtado) Though she is lamenting her relationship status and not an unfulfilled desire to vacation in the Azores, Nelly Furtado hit on a universal theme — the need to escape.

Wanderlust (wän-dər-ˌləst) n. – a very strong or irresistible impulse to travel, wander, escape. Eight artists, different era, different musical genres … a shared inspiration. Let me warn you up front though. This is a very eclectic mix. Even if it’s not your style, check it out anyway — atleast once.