Tuesday, September 27, 2005

SHOCK G SHAKTI

Yesterday, eye started working on a new piece, detailing my emotional experience with Shock G last week. My, oh my! Spending time with "Greg" completely changed my WHOLE perspective on life. My innocent girl-like infactuation stems from the EP Release back in the early 90's. But, to finally meet him & to hang out with him in the Land Rover, while listening to CountBassD music, was an aligning of the planets type moment. He is the first person to even own a burn of the Oriana lee EP. Count purposely gave it to him by mistake. What kind of ish??? Sorry Ben (unchaste), hopefully you won't mind. Maybe this is the beginning of a new type of collab...CountBassD & Shock G? We have been wanting this to happen for a looonnnggg time. First,we have to convince Shock to get back to recording. He said that he quit a few months ago. After hearing Count's compelling plea for more music, he may have to get back in the game. We'll see...

Our terminal has finally bit the dust. Eye am at a local university library, scheming on a way to make it all happen. Thanks B!

The cover art for Something To Cope is final - for the most part. The pagination is under way. All that's left is for me to send my man, Jason, the images to incorporate. If only eye can find a scanner here...hmm...

Look for the launch of the UK-based unchaste belt line to happen at the end of October. With each purchase, comes an Oriana lee EP, produced by CountBassD. OF course!!! You know how we do!

Thanks again for all of the messages! Thanks for the love & sincerity!

MUCH LOVE...

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Wednesday, September 21, 2005

TODAY'S MENU: TEA & OH SO CRISPY CHILI

The Oriana lee EP to be released with the unchaste belt-line in the UK is on it's way. We have been bumping it around the crib, office & studio for the past few days. If O'so Crispy (R U The Girl?) is basking in anything comparable at this time then it would be my guess that she is on the brink of losing her mind. Were eye 10 years younger, we would be in one accord. But at 31 years young, it's hard to get too far gone before reality brings responsibilty back to the forefront.

To celebrate, Shock G will get to feel my presence. He is just blocks away from our spot on this fine fall solstice. My mom is gracious enough to mind the seeds while we make the celebratory rounds this evening. Asante sana, Mama.

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Saturday, September 17, 2005

AFTER THE LOVE IS GONE

There is something to be said about the high that comes from performing publically. It closely reminds me of the euphoria associated with childbirth. In such instances, energy is heightened beyond, and the life-force has truly evolved to a higher plane. Eye am always amazed at the amount of positively sincere feedback that this celestial space allows. To feel both desired & pleasing at once is a combo that continues to capture my breath. And when the shine is over, it's always too soon. Who is eager to walk back into the lonely unknown after having experienced such a warm & inviting shelter for one's art? Not me, sir. It has been my ultimate desire to dwell in a realm where it is my Godself that primarily occupies.

Eye am livin' out my dream.

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Friday, September 16, 2005

+Oriana lee Reading
African Street Festival
Tennessee State University (Main)
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Performances begin at 6 p.m.

You all know that this is one of the annual events in Nashville to which eye most look forward. Shea Butter. Fabric. Jewelry. Instruments. BOOKS. All things Afrakan! It tripped me out that in NYC these items are available at the flea market every weekend. And here eye am bugging out each time Septemeber rolls around trying to buy everything in sight.

Gotta' jet out for a bit. Let's build more on last week's trip to the N-Y this weekend...

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Thursday, September 8, 2005

BATMAN- TO THE RESCUE

For someone who is supposed to post almost daily, we can all see that my attempt is slack. There is a good ole' Black Baptist phrase that goes: "Charge it to my head & not my heart." Does that at all convey to you the nature of my guilt?

Another superhero has come to the aid of Something To Cope this week. Graphic designer, Jason Batog, will complete the page layout...in Quark. YEAYAH! OKAY!! It appears that we will only have to extend the printing deadline (9/13) by a week. That will give me space to at least give a more concentrated focus to Ma' Dukes on her birthday. By the 20th, we should be on the road to a published book.

As a heads up, it may be difficult for me to post over the weekend. The first DangerDoom show takes place in Boston, Massachusetts (not Tennessee?). Your truly will certainly be up in there. So get at me. CountBassD is the lead DJ for this event, so do not miss this bit of Hiphop history if you can help it. Cats are telling me that they plan to fly in from Portland. DAG!! That's love!

Saturday is a New York City business day for me as eye have several meetings scheduled related to the work that eye do in the music industry. The great thing about going to New York at this time, on this particular set of terms, provides me the perfect opportunity to begin planting Something To Cope seeds around the city. Taking the boroughs down one by one! This weekend's target area is Brooklyn. And in true Oriana lee fashion, eye am flying out of JFK on the dreaded September 11. What kind of fool am eye?

If you need me quickfast, then hit me on the hip. Unfortunately, Verizon may as well put me on payroll because my mobile phone puts in mad hours. Day in, day out. Better know it...

So school starts in half an hour. We'll put in a couple of hours. There's only so much assessment any child can take, so it is best for me to not strain the minds of these babes during this time. We began the semester on Monday. Yes, labor day. Well...how to best celebrate labor than to engage in a little ;-). It is these first two weeks of our school year that we shape our 14-week semester and with all of this review and evaluation, we will take our day off at the end of this process. Don't talk bad about me because these kids are schooling on holidays. We did at least spend a few minutes discussing the history of the American Labor system & why it was initially reserved as an off day.

No off days for me. With a book to finish & a tons of loose ends to braid, there is NO time to chill whatsoever. Catch me NOT chilling in Nashville next Saturday, September 17 at the annual African Street Festival. Performers go on at 6 p.m., so find me somewhere in the mix spitting a few family-oriented pieces.

Peace People.

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