By Emmial C. Fields

Thought provoking, controversial, and personal experiences have shaped the music industry before it was cool to "push the envelope" for popularity sake or album sales. Musicians and artists all over the world have removed their outer skin to tell the stories of common man and his daily struggles and triumphs, leaving the soul vulnerable for all to see and learn from.



 

Before the actual words existed in the writing format, stories of legends and humans with super-human abilities were carried throughout the world by Minstrels who sang words of encouragement and hope to end vicious cycles of human conflict or to shed light on our similarities. Stories like Beowulf, The Iliad, The Odyssey, some stories from The Bible, and even the tribal rhythms of the African Drums are examples of this early musical entertainment and communication.
 
 
Photo: GBMNews model, Eustace Mark
 
Most of the music crossing the airways seems to display such simplistic and shallow concepts, like a sandwich without the meat. We have allowed boundaries and limitations to be created on ourselves and our neighbors as the result of people who are products on the video shows. Don't get me wrong, I love to shake a lil' somethin' every now and again, if an artist has that right combination that moves me to do so. 

Now we categorize the elements of music and it's creators into what is now known as genres which help in organizing in the music stores, but limits the Music Artist who's eclectic style does not fit into a particular slot on the shelves. We also limit the evolution of music into time periods, by awarding merit for innovation during a particular year or decade (ex. Music Awards and Countdowns), when music of all styles are timeless to those whose hearts it touches. Long before studying music, I would observe the way a song left it's mark on myself and those around me.

 
 

Photo: GBMNews model, Eustace Mark

Understanding both the positive and negative power of music helped me to express myself with such and intense passion (verbally, musically, and emotionally), that it was the only way I wanted to communicate with the world. There were no limits to the ways I heard and felt music in my soul. I could not understand why my ethnic friends criticized me for listening to "white" music or for attending Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Alternative, and Punk Rock concerts. Nor, could I understand why I was criticized for listening to "Old-Fashioned" music (ex., Jazz, Gospel, Blues ,Classical) when there was so much to appreciate and learn from absorbing the presence of the older music as well as the newer. 

Lucky for me I have a mother who was raised as African-American as I am, and she enjoys the music of a wide-range of genres like: Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, The Isley Brothers, The Ohio Players, Parliament, War, Outkast, Goodie Mob, and Beethovan. With such a well-rounded a balance of sounds inhabiting my home I learned early that music did not have color (except in tone). I just loved music and objectively accepted it into my life as I have accepted all people, religions, and ideas.

 
 

Photo: GBMNews model, Eustace Mark

Periodically, I will introduce you to Music Artists (old and new) that have influenced the world by not forgetting the intensity and passion that makes music memorable and timeless. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you once again to music. Take a load off, kick your feet up, close your eyes, and open your mind to what the music in the world is telling us. Here are some artists who are not forgetting to add substance to their music recipe. I'd love to hear what you think.
 
"One Wish" by Aquanote from The Pearl



"When Your Live Was Love" by Joe Sample and Lalah Hathaway from The Song Lives On




"Warwick Avenue" by Duffy from Rockferry