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Do You Hear Me Now Black Male Vulnerability Don Cornelius Soul Train

February 7, 2012 – 8:51 am | 5 Comments |

I cowered at the revelation that our soul brother number one, musical architect Don Cornelius, whose funky good time was always buoyed by a distinguished gentleman aesthetic, had taken his own life. Not by a pill popping escapade gone woefully astray, but rather a volatile projectile to the dome. This was personal. A profound proclamation of sadness with a mountainous burden: Do you hear me now?

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YahZarah Why Dontcha Call Me No More

Submitted by Edward M. Garnes, Jr. on March 16, 2010 – 4:51 amNo Comment |

Ed & YahZarah photo: shannonmccollum.com

“Another benefactor of the post Badu renaissance, D.C. native YahZarah packs a mighty vocal punch in her petite 5 foot and some change frame. A former background singer of Erykah Badu, her live show is a hybrid of Tina Turner’s sensuality and Parliament’s funky freedom. On her Kebo Music release Hear Me, the former Duke Ellington School of Music student unleashes her six octave range over tracks like the infectious “Blackstar”. The spirit of Minnie Riperton and Angela Bofill lives on.”—Ed Garnes circa 2002

Nearly a decade ago, as an entertainment editor with a decided bent towards all things soul, I wrote the passage above in an article co-signing the significance of a talent with enough sista girl fire to ignite a new generation of soul mammas. And now, play cousin Phonte and Nicolay of The Foreign Exchange Music give YahZarah the sonic freedom to take her rightful place amongst the greatest soul divas of our day with her upcoming release The Ballad Of Purple Saint James featuring contributions by TheRealFocus (Marsha Ambrosius, Raphael Saddiq), Nate Smith (Michael Jackson), Steve McKie (Jill Scott, Bilal), and guest appearances from Jaspects, drummer Lil’ John Roberts, and singer Darien Brockington. Courtesy of our friends at The Foreign Exchange Music, peep YahZarah’s 80′s influenced lead single here:

Yahzarah-”Why Dontcha Call Me No More”