Friendship without border.

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Brandy the dog and DJ the kitty.

Hey this is Brandy and Dj. Brandy is the dog in that picture on the left and Dj is the kitty cat on the right.
In this day of age there is rampant misunderstanding, clashes of opinion over small issues. If animals such as the one that belongs to friends of mine could put aside differences and get together harmoniously  with prejudices and hatred. We humans are a complicated bunch I must say. Thought of sharing it to teach us a thing or two.

Picture courtesy of Kimmy Ang

Girl vs Women

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• Girls make you come home.
• Grown women make you want to come home.
• Girls leave their schedule wide-open and wait for a guy to call and make plans.
• Grown women make their own plans and nicely tell the guy to get in where he fits.
• Girls worry about not being pretty and/or good enough for their man.
• Grown women know that they are pretty and/or good enough for any man.
• Girls try to monopolize all their man’s time (i.e., don’t want him hanging with his friends).
• Grown women realize that a lil’ bit of space makes the ‘together time’ even more special-and goes to kick it with her own friends.
• Girls think a guy crying is weak.
• Grown women offer their shoulder and a tissue.
• Girls want to be spoiled and ‘tell’ their man so.
• Grown women ‘show’ him and make him comfortable enough to reciprocate without fear of losing his ‘manhood’.
• Girls get hurt by one man and make all men pay for it.
• Grown women know that was just one man.
• Girls fall in love and chase aimlessly after the object of their affection, ignoring all ‘signs’.
• Grown women know that sometimes the one you love, don’t always love you back-and move on, without bitterness.
• Girls will read this and get an attitude.
• Grown women will read this and pass it on to other Grown women & their male friends.
  
  
  
  LoL. I don't know how true are all those statements. Just copy and paste from someone's facebook wall post

NEW RELEASES - MARGIE JOSEPH, THE MAR-KEYS, LIGHT OF THE WORLD

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MARGIE JOSEPH – MARGIE JOSEPH

The first Atlantic album from Margie Joseph – a great second generation southern soul singer who really helped the label find a new sound in the 70s! Margie got her start on Stax, but she sounds even better here – a bit more mature, slightly more urban, and backed with a bad-walking set of arrangements by Arif Mardin that help pull her out of the country into a wider 70s soul mainstream. There's still plenty of rootsy touches on the set, and the blend is one that's similar to that of Aretha Franklin's work of the time – one that echoes older southern styles, but brings them up to date nicely with some more sophisticated touches. Titles include "Make Me Believe You'll Stay", "Turn Around & Love You", "Let's Go Somewhere & Love", "You Better Know It", "I'll Take Care Of You", and "I'm So Glad I'm Your Woman". ~ Dusty Groove
  THE MAR-KEYS – LAST NIGHT

The birth of the Memphis instrumental sound – a classic album from The Mar-Keys, who were one of the leading early groups on Stax! The group was a unique assemblage of musicians from both sides of the Memphis tracks – coming together in the studio with a hard-wailing mix of soul, rock, and R&B – a great bridge between Memphis Stax and the sound of Atlantic Records in the 60s. Titles are all pretty playful, and feature lots of sax and organ lines – on tunes that include "Night Before", "Morning After", "About Noon", "Hold It", "Last Night", "Sticks & Stones", and "One Degree North". ~ Dusty Groove



LIGHT OF THE WORLD – LIGHT OF THE WORLD

An obscure group, but a wonderful one – and an ensemble we really wish we could hear more from! Yet thankfully, they've given us this wonderful album from the start of the 80s – a soaring, soulful set that seems to pick up the funky torch dropped by Earth Wind & Fire – and push things forward with the same blend of jazzy undercurrents and righteous feelings! Tunes are uptempo, but never too much so – and handled with musicianship that's really top-shelf – and the production has a wicked blend of jazz and soul that almost feels like some of Wayne Henderson's best productions from the At-Home years. The record features a wonderful soul number called "Dreams", which has great compressed grooves, and some early vocals by Miki Howard – and other titles include "Swingin", "Aspects", "Mirror Of My Soul", "I'll Always Love You", and "Who Are You?". CD features both UK and US cover art – and bonus cuts that include "Emergency", "The Word Is Out", "Swingin (rmx)", "Midnight Groovin (single)", and "Midnight Groovin (12" version)". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - MADELINE BELL, PERCY SLEDGE, BARBARA LYNN

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MADELINE BELL – DOIN’ THINGS

Socking soul from the 60s – a record with American roots and a very groovy British sound! The set was the second full length album from Madeline Bell – an American singer transplanted to the mod UK scene of the 60s, where she really flourished in a rich career of hit singles, endless session work, and later fame with the group Blue Mink. The tunes on this set are a wonderful bridge between Madeline's two worlds – and have a sound that's a lot like the uptown soul coming out of the US at the time – sweet and smooth arrangements, topped by deeper soul vocals that make for a wonderful juxtaposition. Arrangements are by British talents Arthur Greenslade, Ian Green, and Keith Mansfield – and titles include "Step Inside Love", "Hold It", "Help Yourself", "After All Is Said & Done", "For Your Pleasure", and "It's Up To You". CD features bonus singles too – 6 more tracks that include "Thinkin", "Go Ahead On", "How Much I Do Love You", "What'm I Supposed To Do", and "We're So Much In Love". ~ Dusty Groove

 PERCY SLEDGE – TAKE TIME TO KNOW HER

It's hard to imagine a more perfect 60s southern soul album – the legendary vocals of Percy Sledge mixed with classic Muscle Shoals production from Quin Ivy – all wrapped around a host of hip tunes that go way past the easy 60s soul hits! The formula here is similar to that cooked up by Otis Redding on Stax, but it goes perhaps a few steps more – relaxing into its own confidence, and hitting an easy, open approach to the material that's neither too "stock", nor too slick. And although Otis first started the groove, Percy really helps push it forward strongly on this record – by bringing a deepening spirit and new sophistication to the music that would help it thrive greatly into the 70s. Many tracks are written by the team of Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, including "I Love Everything About You", "Out Of Left Field", and "Feed the Flame" – and other titles include "Sudden Stop", "Baby Help Me", "Cover Me", "Between These Arms", and "High Cost Of Leaving". ~ Dusty Groove

BARBARA LYNN – HERE IS BARBARA LYNN

A fantastic album of soul from Barbara Lynn – an oft-overlooked gem in the crown of Atlantic during their glory soul days in the 60s, and a singer with a raw soulful style that really deserved greater exploration! The album's filled with wonderful original tunes, written either by Barbara or arrangers Cliff Thomas, Ed Thomas, and Bob McRee. The set was recorded at the Grits & Gravy Studios in Clinton, Mississippi by Huey P Meux – which gives it a slightly different style than much of the Atlantic output at the time. Titles include "You're Losing Me", "Sufferin City", "You'll Lose A Good Thing", "Take Your Love & Run", "I'll Suffer", "Maybe We Can Slip Away", "Multiplying Pain", and "Mix It Up Baby". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - LOU JOHNSON, JUNIOR, JOHNNIE TAYLOR

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LOU JOHNSON – SWEET SOUTHERN SOUL

An incredible bit of southern soul – and one of the few records ever by deep soul singer Lou Johnson! The masterpiece was recorded at the Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, at a time when the outfit was at the height of its powers – capturing Lou with a sweet-burning style that matches (if not betters) the best by Otis Redding or James Carr from the same period. Each song is a treasure, handled by Lou as if it were his own, and transformed completely by the amazing setting of the recording. Titles include "Tears Tears Tears", "Don't Play That Song", "People In Love", "It's In The Wind", "Rock Me Baby", and "I Can't Change". ~ Dusty Groove


JUNIOR- JI

The standout classic from Junior Giscombe – one of the more unique soul artists of his generation! The set's probably best known for its huge hit single "Mama Used To Say" – a killer cut with an incredibly catchy hook, and a groove that's lasted for years on 80s groove dancefloors – but the whole album's pretty darn wonderful overall, with slight twists and turns that are quite different than other mainstream soul sets of its type. Junior did the record in collaboration with producer Bob Carter, who also plays a fair bit of keyboards on the set – bringing in an airy, open feel that matches Junior's vocals wonderfully – in a sound that's somewhat sweeter than other male soul of the early 80s, but never in a way that's too soft or sleepy. Titles include "Mama Used To Say", "Too Late", "I Can't Help It", "Let Me Know", "Down Down", "Love Dies", "I Can't Help It", and "Darling You (Don't You Know)". Loads of bonus tracks too – including "Fame", "In Words", "Too Late (7" single)", "Too Late (alt version)", "Mama Used To Say (British party mix)", "Mama Used To Say (American rmx)", and "Mama Used To Say (American inst)". ~ Dusty Groove

JOHNNIE TAYLOR – WANTED ONE SOUL SINGER

Johnnie Taylor's first album for Stax – and a tremendous little set that easily stands as one of his greatest records ever! Sure, we love Johnnie in all his incarnations – but there's a special sort of something here – a rawness and earnestness – that makes the whole thing shine right from the start – a crispy sort of Memphis vibe that has the Stax Records team really hitting their stride. The set's filled with great tunes from the team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter – including "I Got To Love Somebody's Baby", "Toe Hold", "Outside Love", "Little Bluebird", and "I Had A Dream" – and also features great versions of "Watermelon Man", "Ain't That Loving You", and "Where Can A Man Go From Here". ~ Dusty Groove

BETTY WRIGHT REISSUES - EXPLOSION!, I LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE & DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE

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BETTY WRIGHT – EXPLOSION!

Betty Wright explodes with soul on this sweet 70s classic – really stretching out past the simpler grooves of her roots, and showing the world she's got more than enough talent to be one of the standout soul divas of her generation! The record's also a great illustration of the way that Miami soul was growing up at the time, too – and sparkles with Willie Clarke production that help balance some of the new smoother modes with Betty's core down-home energy – captured perfectly here with a quality that makes the record southern enough to appeal to longtime fans, yet hip enough to get plenty of play up north too. Vocals get nice and complicated at times, almost jazzy with a Rufus/Chaka touch – and titles include "Do Right Girl", "I Think I'd Better Think About It", "Smother Me With Love", "Open The Door To Your Heart", "Life", "If I Ever Do Wrong", and "Don't Forget To Say I Love You Today". CD features four bonus tracks – "To Love & Be Loved", "Ooola La", "Slip & Do It", and "If I Was A Kid". ~ Dusty Groove

BETTY WRIGHT – I LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE

A breakout album by Betty Wright, the record that spawned the cut "Clean Up Woman" – the choppy funky track that really pushed her over the top in a big way, and which has remained fresh for years –thanks to a strong sample history in hip hop! That cut's more than enough reason to buy the record – but the whole LP's great – and features loads of other original tracks written by Clarence Reid and Willie (Little Beaver) Hale, hitting hard in a sweet 70s Miami soul style – titles that include "I Love the Way You Love", "I'm Gettin' Tired Baby", and "Pure Love" – plus a groovy cover of "Ain't No Sunshine". One of the turning points in the emerging Miami soul scene of the 70s – soon to provide a second home to Atlantic Records! ~ Dusty Groove

BETTY WRIGHT – DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE

Massive music from Betty Wright – an album that really has her coming into her own – and showing the world how great Miami soul can be, when it's done this right! The album's overflowing with key help from TK legends like Willie Clarke, Clarence Reid, Steve Alaimo, and KC – all of whom bring in a cool shifting set of grooves to really expand Betty's style – still with all the charm of her early hits, yet also showing a classy, sophisticated side that we never would have expected before – a vibe that's even more powerful than Gwen McCrae on her albums from the time. Titles include the classic "Tonight's the Night" – made famous in a later live take, but done here in the original studio version – plus the tracks "Show Your Girl", "Where Is The Love", "Everybody Was Rockin", "Love Don't Grow On A Love Tree", "Don't Thank Me Baby Thank Yourself", and "Shoorah Shoorah". CD features lots of bonus tracks – including "Secretary", "It's Bad For Me To See You", "Value Your Love", "My Baby Ain't My Baby Anymore", and "One Thing Leads To Another". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES - KARYN WHITE, MASSIVE ATTACK, LOVING ON THE FLIPSIDE,

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KARYN WHITE - CARPE DIEM

Karyn White continues to "Seize the Day" as she sets to release her new CD "Carpe Diem," her first new release in over 18 years, on her website www.Karynsworld.me. Coming off of a spectacular debut, 3-night 4-show return to the stage at the exquisite, sophisticated Rrazz Room in San Francisco's Hotel Nikko in beautiful Union Square, Karyn is really embracing today's technology and taking full advantage of being able to touch and communicate with her own fan base. "What I realized is I don't need to be under the banner of any major record company or distribution system to be heard or felt by my fan base. They will find me if they want to and with the advent of social media, internet radio and digital distribution, with forward-thinking management, a great publicist and a strong social media team, you can be effective, efficient and successful doing this yourself!". Karyn's World is the exclusive outlet for those who visit her to purchase her new CD (Carpe Diem) as a digital downloadable album or a physical CD, her new book of positive affirmations and thoughts, "Carpe Diem," and a 2 ft by 3 ft poster of her Carpe Diem CD cover. To find out more about Karyn, visit her website at www.Karynsworld.me. "I'm just excited by what I see going on in the entertainment industry; it's so revolutionary and explosive and I've been gone for a long time, so I just want to say thank you to all of my fans, supporters and friends for waiting around for me to come back, and I just want to say Carpe Diem baby!!! Let’s seize this day! ~ karynsworld.me

MASSIVE ATTACK - PROTECTION

There's something about classic albums that take you back to a certain time and place. I think that it was my older brother that initially introduced me to Massive Attack's Protection. We were on the beach in North Carolina for a week and the album was pretty much on repeat. Being the hip hop kid that I was though, it took me a few years to really get it. Tracey Thorn's vocals on the title track initially threw me off, the closest thing to rapping on the album being Tricky's "Karmacoma." However, the tracks featuring Horace Andy are what really drew me in. The way that Andrew "Mushroom" Vowles, Grant "Daddy G" Marshall and Robert "3D" Del Naja were able to work with the legendary reggae vocalist on "Spying Glass," incorporating classic dub techniques, was nothing short of impressive. Massive Attack were able to use the studio to great effect and the instrumental tracks, especially the piano driven "Weather Storm," stand on equal footing with the rest of the album. In fact there does not seem to be a bit of filler on the record. Depending on who you ask though the live cover of The Door's "Light My Fire," again featuring Horace Andy, is the one love it or leave it moment on the record. Protection is a classic album that helped to define the then burgeoning trip hop and down tempo sound. ~ reviewed by The Voice 09/2012 (turntablelab.com)
LOVING ON THE FLIPSIDE - SWEET FUNK AND BEAT HEAVY BALLADS 1966 - 1977 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

An absolutely stunning anthology of beat-heavy soul jams and love ballads from Now-Again, the same folks that brought you that awesome Soul Cal comp! Loving On The Flipside contains some of the most incredible baby-making jams this here reviewer has ever heard. The songs contained here, mostly overlooked funk 45 B-sides released between the years of 1966 and 1977, are a potent combination of sweet soul and deep funk - a style of music the label lovingly refers to as "sweet funk." It is the dichotomy of heavy funk rhythms with sweet, soulful harmonies that are at the root of the sweet funk genre, a combo heard through and through on every selection featured on the release. Obviously it is no easy task to find jams of this caliber, so Now-Again actually reached out to New York's Truth & Soul to help find more sweet funk swooners and beat-heavy ballads to round out the release. Thanks to their help, Loving On The Flipside features 21 sweet funk gems from the likes of the Darling Dears, The Equatics, Black Velvet, Black Exotics, Eunice Collins, Symphonic Four, Rhythm Machine, and many others. The double LP version is presented in deluxe gatefold packaging (similar to the Soul Cal comp) with 80 page, full color, perfect-bound book featuring extensive liner notes highlighting the artists featured on the compilation. CD version includes the book as well. Highly recommended. ~ reviewed by TKB 10/2012 (turntablelab.com)