Before Street Lights Call Us Home
(A Tribute to Jazz Legend Freddie Hubbard)

By Edward M. Garnes, Jr.

Chrisette Michele has been here before. Inheriting the vulnerability and matchless vocal character of queens like Billie Holliday and Phyllis Hyman, she plainly personifies loves vacant assurances as well as its soul stirring potential. Michele’s musical gifts vacillate between the sonic mysticism of smoky jazz clubs and the boomin’ system vigor of hip hop. In this exclusive with Ed Garnes, Michele represents for everyday sistas.

From running numbers to moonshine runs and after hour juke joints, black folks have often utilized the underground economy. Scarface is a hood hero because it is the ultimate underdog story.

The following joint is an exclusive excerpt from award winning writer Edward M. Garnes, Jr.’s long awaited collection Other Side of The Game: Rare Testimonials On Music & Black Cultural Production to be published by Home Grown in 2009. This was the first story ever written on Anthony David way back in 2000.

$400 I Ain’t Got

Get ready to break out the mistletoe, snuggle with your boo, and two-step with loved ones as smooth jazz statesmen Will Downing remixes the traditional Christmas album by pouring his silky baritone over lush productions.

I’ve been with women that have been beaten, played and treated less than human but when I come in contact with them they act like I owe them more than they’ve ever gotten from any man. What is the deal with these sisters that say they want a good man get one and try to make him deal with all their crazy issues? And why does this never happen to the brothers that treat women wrong?

Carl, Wilmington, DE

I know they say keep your friends close and your enemies closer and that’s what some people on the radio have been saying about Obama picking Hillary for Secretary of State. How do you guys feel about this? Do you think Obama is making a mistake?

-Rachel, Jamestown, VA

Obama hoopin, round the way girls, and short bus candidates!!