My Dwele article in Groove Korea

Dwele, the neo-soul artist from Detroit, Michigan, who is known for his smoothed out vocals and solid hit records, recently toured Korea. Crooning in army bases from Uijeongbu to Ulsan, Dwele’s visit to Korea was about boosting soldier morale by giving them and army affiliated expatriates a taste of universal soul music, with a talented taste of home. The concert was definitely set apart from other ordinary Korean musical experiences.

Appearing on the scene in 2002 with the debut album “Subject” and releasing his Grammy nominated sophomore album “Some Kinda…” in 2005, Dwele’s third album release called “Sketches of a Man” comes at a time when there is so much to be said about the music industry. With the rise of downloading, the downturn of record sale dollars and the revamp of the artist tour, having a music career is not just about being hip or having swagger nowadays. It’s more about having passion and dedication. Dwele has proven to have brought talent, dedication and passion to a high point on his latest self-produced record.

“Sketches of a Man” has both classic and contemporary elements of hip-hop, jazz and soul. But what makes this a great album is the combination of great musicianship and solid song writing. The song “Body-rock” has a club vibe, where we seem to witness Dwele in a pop-star-ish, ‘built-for-the-radio’ arena. Even with this deviation from the normal soul sentiments, the experiment to try something new with his music worked out well. Another standout recording was the cover of Bobby Caldwell’s “Open Your Eyes” that highlights Dwele’s breezy vocals over the hip-hop base and delicate piano. The record consistently had a chilled out vibration that we can depend on soul artists for without losing the fun-loving, conscious, poetic musical flows of today’s popular social climates.

“Our job as musicians is to make good music and take the time to express the feelings of the people. Unfortunately, not a lot of artists are doing that right now. It’s almost like it’s too stressful to be political, but musicians should document the times,” says Dwele, who feels that his third album is culminating and conclusive in content as opposed to the musings and exploring he did in his previous records.

When asked to comment on the passing of musical icon Michael Jackson, Dwele was sincerely affected. “I really couldn’t believe it. I had 20 texts messages on my phone. I heard it, but then it wasn’t real. It got real, though. I woke up the next day and the news was still the same.” Almost everybody who is even remotely connected to the music world has been influenced by the art, stardom and innovations of Michael Jackson. “He has a song that everybody can relate to. There are only a few people in this world who were meant to be immortal, and Michael was one of them. He was, without a doubt, one of the biggest musical trailblazers of all time.”

Although Dwele’s musical career does not deem him as a pop star, his successes are built on an unshakeable ground of artistry. From the horn sections in “Travelin’Girl” and “Vain”, the piano mastery in “I’m Sorry”, to the subversive lyrics of “Cheating” (where he is actually singing about dating a girl and cheating with her alter-ego), what we hear is pure talent. For Dwele, making music is also about knowing when and where to put a song. “There is a time and place for everything. I don’t go to the club and expect to hear gospel music or when I want to relax, do I go ahead and play some Gucci Mane either. Location is everything.” The entire album is formulated for certain kinds of environments, yet it completely fulfills one’s expectations of a great soul record.

From album to album it seems like “Sketches of a Man” is the strongest one yet. Released on KOCH records, which is an independent label housing other musical powerhouses such as Sinead O’Connor and RZA, what seems evident is that Dwele’s talent has been unleashed with strength and passion that makes his musical journey an exciting course to follow. Even to Korea.


Copyright 2000 ~ 2009 Groove Korea

Solitude, my friend.

Just yesterday my mind raced into oblivion and I barely caught the end tale of this thing called "solitude". We go through life responding and reacting or not. But being still? Like really being still and trying to make use of that emptiness is special.

When I think back on the moments where I had time to spill my heart, I did, but now, I question what amazing things could have come from just being a bit more silent and conscientious. How many loves would I have kept? How much more feeling would have been spared?

In that silence we hear all kinds of things. Some negative, some positive, some encouraging, and some spiritual. In growth, I think this must be the secret place of the most high and I doubt that I could stay there forever. I started to miss connecting with people and I plugged back into the internet the moment it became uncomfortable. However, I felt refreshed and renewed at the fact that I had spent something like 9 hours awake without saying a word to a soul. Walking the streets, taking in the sights, brave to the world and completely muted by thoughts, memories and experiences.

I dare you to try it.


Laslty, this wouldn't be a blog without some form of promotion. So one of my (many) brothers, has a record coming out and you all need to listen to it, support it, buy it. On this here 999 aka number of completion and manifestation (read:http://www.calleman.com/content/articles/999_and_the_mayan_calendar.htm) the September 9 MIXTAPE by Ian Kamau is important, warm and insightful. Unlike his records that have come before, this one has its roots in what is classic yet still strongly appealing to the evolution of musical sounds with his own fusions of hip-hop, spoken word and RnB.There is fire and healing in its content and compilation. Its solid.


http://www.zshare.net/download/64980421079eb4df/

Enjoy.