FIDA Resident DJ Vanita shares her FIDA picks of the week!

Her ear for music is impeccable.  With roots in Detroit "Motor City" Michigan, home of the Motown Sound, Vanita Wilson-Andrews' musical tastes extended beyond the average uptempo R&B Dance music listener/dancer.  Her fiery, passionate, cool yet calculated persona effervesces through her music telling a woman's story within the male dominated DJ environment.  However, Vanita never sacrifices her femininity in her presentation.  She share with us songs from FIDA that spoke to her heart, songs that found her often times in her "claimed" corner next to the DJ booth in the attic back at 618 Fulton, transporting her back to a moment on her journey.

1. Wind Parade - Donald Byrd - Places And Spaces - UA 1975

"This makes me feel light as a feather when I'm twirling on my toes.  This semi-instrumental takes me into a meditative state when I'm in a corner dancing all by myself.  And, I live for the soft melodic vocals that compliment each instrument.  What more could a dancer ask for!"

2. Free Love (Monster Club Mix)  Juliet Roberts - Reprise - 1993
"This song is special to me because of what's expressed through her vocals.  I first heard this track in 1993 at Club Zanzibar.  The intro really caught my ear, 'Hey yeah, sing it! Hey yeah, sing it! There ain't no other one that can make me feel the way doooooo...ewwwwwww!  I was hooked on this song ever since!"

3. I Can't Turn Around - Isaac Hayes - Chocolate Chip - ABC 1975
"This song is just....smh!  It's just a fierce work out song for me, especially if you have someone who knows how to play it, bring it back and extend it again!  Playing with the volume when the song hits its climax ahhhhhhhh! I just lose it!  LOL!  DJ Earon gave us a fierce rendition at a FIDA session over 6 years ago."

4. Space Princess - Lonnie Liston Smith - Columbia 12 - 1978
" This just takes me back to when I was very young.  I grew up listening to funk, jazz, rock, R&B, etc....just hearing the bass guitar and the other instruments prompts me to "carry" with the foot work on the dance floor like none other!   While the lead vocalist sings in my ear, 'I can feel you floating just beyond my fingertips...' Yesssss!"

5. Mama Said (Straight Ahead Mix) - Carleen Anderson - Virgin EP - 1994
"This is my little favorite sing along.  I can identify with the lyrics because I've lived this story!  So, when I hear it, all I can do is grab my head & locs and just sing along."

These songs, like the many songs I love, represent the freedom to express myself through dancints, twirling, floor work, extentions, and singing.  Since I was 5 years old, music has always taken me away from the stresses of life!  My life!  I once heard a very wise music historian say, "One thing about music, when it hits, you feel no pain!" (Robert Nester Marley).  I concur.

FIDA @ The Coffee Cave! Wed 9/21 - 7pm to 11pm

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Flowerzindattic Presents @ the Coffee Cave 

An "In House" Membership Drive!

also

we're celebrating our resident

DJ Rabhu's entry into this life!

45 Halsey St, Newark, NJ

Time: 7pm to 11pm

Admission: Members: 5 bucks/Non members: 7 bucks

Our musical directors: Rahbu and Flowerz

We will be accepting applications, conducting interviews and administering the FIDA101 Musicology Exam starting at 4:30pm. 

We greatly appreciate you supporting the Coffee Cave's food and drink menu.  Please continue to show your support of their succulent wraps & sandwiches and beverages.

FIDA Promotional Video

For those who didn't see it.  We're posting it here on the FIDA blog.  It tells the story of how this all started and the why's and who's...and most importantly perserving our musical heritage.  Enjoy.

From FIDA's Playlist: As Long As You Love Me - True Example - REVIEW!

As Long As You Love Me
True Example    Gold Mind (1977)
On one of my record collecting hunts with a friend of mine, Kevin Russell, we went to this Adult Video and Book Store on Route 22 in Union, NJ that sold records in the front area.  Curious (at the time) as to what was in the back; however, I focused my attention to the job at hand, digging for records.    Among the glut of vinyl, there were a few priceless gems going for $0.50 cents to $2.00!  I was always keeping my eye out for such labels as Prelude, Columbia, Capitol, Nashboro and Salsoul 12 inch singles.   As I was digging, I found two copies of True Example’s Gold Mind 12 inch single (distributed by Salsoul Records).  I knew instinctively that I struck musical gold. 


“As Long As You Love Me”, (which is actually the B-Side, the A-Side is the equally compelling, "Love Is Finally Coming My Way").  Produced by T. G. Conway for the Baker-Harris-Young (B-H-Y) production team.  B-H-Y is responsible for and has contributed to just about every R&B Disco/Dance song coming out of the Sound of Philadelphia.   They're definitely the progenitors of what we call HOUSE MUSIC.   Penned by songwriting geniuses Allen Felder, T.G Conway and Ron Tyson their discography in the R&B Disco/Dance and Sweet Soul ballad arena are endless.   

This enchanting duet features Cubby St. Charles (not sure if it’s him) and one of the Sweetharts of Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia (Yvette Benton, Carla Benson & Barbara Ingram), I don’t know which one, but it’s the Sweetharts on background vocals no doubt.   It’s the story of newlyweds who continue to reaffirm and provide assurance of the love they embody as one flesh.  It opens up with a beautiful congapella chorus intro by the Sweetharts, then develops into a funky, yet candied production that is ever so Philly.  The interplay between the singers intensifies as the song builds nailing the truth behind their testimony with each line.  If you can identify with the R&B sweet soul sound of Philadelphia, then “As Long As You Love Me” will not disappoint.   A Flowerzindattic sleeper tune, for those who know…S&TB!

Rahbu's Current 5 Classic Joints!

R A H B U

FIDA Resident DJ, Rahbu, whose musical ear and taste for the "odd, obscure and adventurous" never fails to hit the mark.   If and when he makes a CD for someone, he takes into account their personality, character and of course, their musical taste.   Amazingly, he seems to always tell that person's musical story for them at that moment in their lives.   Out of his vast music collection, Rahbu shares 5 of his personal favorites, classic joints that maybe got him through a particularly rough day, made him smile or cry and at the end of it all found comfort in knowing that everything's gonna be alright.

1. Flying Machine (The Chase) - War - United Artists (1977)
"A heart-pumping dance tune that just takes you away!"

2. If You Ever Need To Cry - Brainstorm - Tabu (1978)
"This touches one's soul when dealing with relationships."

3. I Can't Help It - Michael Jackson - Epic (1979)
"It's an ode to a significant other."

4. Powerful People - Gino Vannelli - A&M (1974)
"An upliftment to people who think life is not worth enjoying."

5. Feelin' Blue - Earth, Wind & Fire - Columbia (1974)
"One's personal cry for help in times of let-downs."