“I am truly blessed by all the incredible opportunities I have had.” My life has been filled with amazing adventures; I can’t wait to see what happens next!” ~ Shakura S’Aida

My wife and I packed our bags. After the crazy year we’ve had so far we decided to run away. Well, at least for the day anyway… So we took a car ride in the country and visited some old stomping grounds where we used to camp and do some hiking.

Of course, when you’re taking a car ride in the country, tunes are a must!

It was several weeks ago while writing an article on the late Luther Allison’s recent commemorative CD/DVD Songs From The Road, that I happened to come across an artist called Shakura S’Aida. (pronounced Shack-oora Sigh-ee-da) Wow, was I ever impressed! The last performer I was unacquainted with that knocked me out like this was Joanne Shaw Taylor; coincidentally also signed with Ruf Records. That was almost one year ago during a similar drive.

As I plugged my MP3 player into the car stereo and hit play, I just knew my wife was going to be impressed when she got a taste of some Brown Sugar.

BROWN SUGAR

The funky vibe of Mr. Right sets the tone and is followed by the enticing groove Walk Out the Door. The contagious beat of Gonna Tell My Baby is very slick, and just when you thought it couldn’t get sweeter, the song Break Your Heart maintains Brown Sugar’s smoldering atmosphere.

My wife’s immediate reaction was, “She’s wonderful, sounds a lot like Etta James and Tina Turner.” Good ear, considering those are two of S’Aida influences.

Shakura S’Aida latest album was produced by Jim Gaines, the same mastermind who also worked on Shaw Taylor’s White Sugar. Gaines credentials include work with artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana, Steve Miller, Luther Allison and Lonnie Brooks just to name a few. Between the excellent writing, flawless production and extraordinary talent, it’s no wonder we were hooked.

Guitarist Donna Grantis collaborates with Shakura on eleven of the twelve cuts and provides alluring guitar chops throughout. There’s no doubt at all that there’s some great chemistry happening here.

SHAKURA S’AIDA

is a versatile Canadian blues/jazz, R&B and soul artist. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, but would move to Switzerland when she was eight years old. In the late seventies S’Aida’s family settled in Toronto. She began performing at a young age and after several gigs became lead singer in a thirteen piece world music band called Kaleefah; which would lead to a Juno nomination. She also worked as a backing vocalist for Rita MacNeil and Patti Labelle, as well as with jazz musicians such as Jimmy Smith and Ruth Brown.

S’Aida’s resume includes musical stage roles in productions such as “Ain’t Misbehavin” and “Momma, I Want to Sing.” She has performed in some of the most distinguished stages in the jazz world including the Apollo Theatre. Shakura was nominated four times as the Maple Blues “Female Vocalist of the Year” in addition to Entertainer of the Year in 2008.

She was also a second runner-up at the 2008 International Blues Challenge in Memphis where she competed against more than 160 bands from more than 20 different countries. It was at this event where Thomas Ruf and S’Aida met. Filling in for Candye Kane on Ruf’s Blues Caravan Tour 2008, Shakura was offered a record deal and Brown Sugar was the result…

MORE BROWN SUGAR

If you were ever thinking of a way to help with the crisis in Haiti, then the heart-rending fifth track “Angels on High” is available for download for only $1.00 by clicking here. Proceeds from each download go towards the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund Free The Children. In partnership with Partners In Health, Free The Children is working towards providing long term health care, education and relief to children affected by this terrible disaster.

One of my favorite tunes on the album is the upbeat Chasing the Sun. Cranking the volume for this one, the bright positive vibe had me playing this tune several times over. Between the bouncy and swinging Missing the Good and the Bad and the funky Sweet Spot, the car ride turned into one blues filled soulful trip. The last few tracks continue the albums’ tasteful pace and the Outskirts of Memphis is a solid blues groove that closes our delightful ride.

The uplifting and positive energy created on Brown Sugar acted as the soundtrack to our brief getaway. And even though we only pretended to run away, at that moment the music from this album made us forge ahead; allowing us to take our minds off some of the challenges that come along with everyday life.

One Week Later

I haven’t been able to stop playing this album. Even though it’s now a week after our drive, I continue to be impressed with what I hear. Shakura S’Aida is awesome and judging from this latest release, there’s no doubt she has a promising future ahead. I cannot recommend this one enough. Already released in Europe, Brown Sugar makes its debut April 13, 2010 in the U.S. and Canada. Do yourself a favor and put this album on your list.

So how do you feel? Did you enjoy any of the clips featured in this post? I’d love to hear your feedback on this one. Please leave your comments below. And if you enjoyed this article, share it with those you think will feel the same. It’s guaranteed to make them smile…

If you’re looking for latest concert info and any further information on Shakura S’Aida; you can find it by going to her website by clicking here.

The Blues Blogger

The persona of The Blues Blogger has allowed me to do a lot of soul searching and ponder aspects of my life in a way that was never possible before. It’s given me a canvas in which to express myself, and at the same time feature artists that have inspired and motivated me along the way…

Throughout the course of this blog, I always wanted to do an article on guitar legend Terry Kath… This weekend it will be 32 years (on Jan 23rd) since Kath tragically lost his life. And Sunday January 31st marks what would’ve been his 64th birthday, so the timing seemed right.

I could spend days thinking of the right words to express how talented and versatile an artist Kath was, but I’m going to let the music speak mostly for itself… I’m hoping this brief post gives those who remember, and perhaps others not so familiar, a taste of this man’s extraordinary work.

The First Ten Years of My Life

I grew up listening to my brother play guitar to a wide range of blues, jazz and rock tunes. He would practice endlessly into the night the grooves from albums he listened to earlier that day… On Saturday afternoons my brother’s band rehearsed in the basement of our house. I remember on several of those daze way back when they added 2 sax players and worked on some songs from Chicago Transit Authority‘s 1969 debut album.

For many people Terry Kath was one of the main focal points on that record and his finesse at one time even had Jimi Hendrix shaking his head in disbelief… Terry Kath’s incredible guitar work coupled with his distinctive style, tone and phrasing was simply remarkable.

Terry Kath

was born in Chicago on January 31, 1946. He began playing drums and at 10 years old switched to guitar; teaching himself by using his mother’s banjo. He gained inspiration playing along to records by The Ventures, and put together an instrumental group of his own, called The Mystics. After graduating high school, Kath met Walt Parazaider and Danny Seraphine while attending DePaul University and together formed The Missing Links. It was this band and The Big Thing that would later be known as The Chicago Transit Authority. Known for his scorching guitar solos and his astounding ability playing both rhythm and lead guitar, Kath was held in very high regard by many of his peers and inspired many guitarists along the way.

Terry Kath’s guitar playing and vocals continued to be heard on such signature Chicago hits as “25 or 6 to 4,” “Make Me Smile.” and “Wishing You Were Here.” Kath would appear on a total of 11 Chicago recordings from 1969 through 1977; all achieving at minimum a gold certification. Original band members Walter Parazaider, Danny Seraphine, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Robert Lamm, Peter Cetera and Kath formed a group with a unique vision and the result was a diverse powerhouse that created, “a new rock sound with horns.”

As most people already know, the band shortened its name to Chicago for their second album and eventually became a pop ballad juggernaut. While they gained massive appeal, many of their fans went in a different direction after the loss of Kath. However for older music lovers and rock historians that first album has gone into the history books as a hugely creative, experimental and very musical piece of work on the same level as some of the best music ever produced in a debut effort.

Chicago Transit Authority or CTA was actually the first double LP I could call my own and a gift from my brother when he moved out of the room we had shared all our life… Over 40 years later this LP stands out as a major influence and also brings cool memories of growing up in changing times…

Terry Kath has played a huge significance in remembering moments from my past. Does Kath’s music play any significance in time for you? Do you have any favorite songs that strike a chord? If so I’d love to hear from you.

Please share this post with others you think may enjoy it. Let’s not forget this very important artist in music history. Your comments are always welcome…

Remembering the Times,

The Blues Blogger