Thursday, November 1, 2012

The first song Collaboration Haiti Reggae/Cali Vibe

The first song that is in the process is ‘Believe’. The lyrics I wrote have a spiritual base. Jah told ii to look for the angel and he will show ii the heaven is here. Believing in one another, we can create the heaven on earth. Johnny wrote about the Haitian people and his culture. He sang in English and French about their spiritual connection, their struggles and reaching out from Haiti, to the world... We Haitians are here... don’t forsake us.
            Oddly enough during the time we were creating this song, hurricane Isaac passed through Haiti causing more damage to the already devastated country from there 2010 earthquake. When that earthquake hit the world new of their devastation and millions of dollars were contributed and yet the country had hardly improved there traumatic conditions. Many people continue living in tents and many buildings have not been rebuilt. When Isaac hit Johnny’s music studio and his home no longer had roofs. In my overwhelming concern I was worried about him and his situation, feeling so helpless to be able to do anything to improve the conditions. Johnny said everyday is a new day and he goes on. His belief of a higher force provides and is there for him. I was impressed by his attitude. This inspired me and I want to perform with Johnny to show audiences how beautiful this Haitian man is in his strength to overcome high stacks and obstacles. Listen to song 'BELIEVE'

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Collaborating Haitian/Cali Reggae

I have begun an new adventure. Quite unexpected, I begin a musical collaboration with an artist in Haiti. I have been journaling the experience.
The story of my Musical collaboration with Haitian musician, Johnny Jean Joseph
           I put some of my original songs on soundcloud.com. My song, ‘Asking the Night’ had a comment by another soundcloud.com member, Johnny Jean Joseph, He liked the song. The beat I put on for ‘Survive’ he  was feeling. He commented he wanted to be on this beat and if we could do a collaboration.  My other music partner, Brandon West made the beat for  'Survive'. Johnny and I begin to correspond about our music, our goals, style and interests as musicians. I was convinced this collaboration would be good by a statement Johnny  made about his main goal. He said “ I want the world to hear my music”.  It's a tall order but I have always felt the same way. My own musical journey has had many ups and downs and I am still on my goal .  Birds of a feather flock together, right? My hard work will and must  pay off. It has been much easier to move forward with the technology to write music with computers and having access to let the public hear my original music on the internet. I still perform live but unless it’s a gig where cover songs are involved and performing for corporations, hotels and private parties, if is difficult to get the money deserved for my services. Johnny's goal is simple and to the point. I felt it is good goal to work toward. I agreed to collaborate.

Haitian/Cali Reggae collaboration 'Believe'