[JPL] "Nu-Jazz"

[Lazaro Vega]

From: http://www.myspace.com/rasiyah

Rasiyah Runs The Voodoo Down

QUOTE
"Music is the healing force of the Universe" - Albert Ayler... Music
makes my world. I have a borderline unhealthy love affair with it.I
have chosen it over silly boys and silly people and in doing so, i've
literally saved my life in one way or another - several times! When I
was in school I wouldn't have got by without Hip Hop and RnB (when it
was good!!!??!?!). In college Jazz and Broken Beat (bruk step or
nu-jazz - whateva works for u) was and pretty much still is my thing.
There's somthing very mystical about it music. The way a song can
transport you from one feeling to another. The healing quality and
power it has... When I was in love with Hip Hop we had a very fun
relationship. It was like Hip Hop was a dude my age and we shared
similar life experience, hopes, dreams and jokes together! He was my
world. He was so witty and intelligent. He taught me so much about
life on road and how to survive. Then one day he turned on me. He said
he wanted to make money - nuff - and would do anything to get it. I
couldn't go along with him so he dumped me. I was heartbroken for a
while but i've gotton over him now. I've moved on, but I still see him
everywhere in all kind of shapes and forms. He really did sell out,
but at what price? Parts of him that I remember come up and out from
time to time, but mostly he seems lost to me. After him I met this
dude called Drum and Bass or Jungle as I affectionately knew him. He
was so 'on road'. It didn't last very long but we used to 'shock out'
all night. Then I came across Rock n Roll. He was a rebel - this funky
likkle white boy who had so much passion about him. We had a lot of
interesting conversations about his origins. I told him he came from
Blues but he didn't like that. Really sensitive about that subject. I
loved the whole rebellious streak he had going on but after a while
the whole 'misundastood youth' thing got boring. I left him and he's
pretty much still doing his thing. We're still good friends though. I
check for him occasionally and I find little bits about him that I
still like. After drifting around for a while I met this older guy
called Jazz. He was serious about me and him but I wasn't ready at the
time. I told him I would be one day and he respectfully left me to
grow. I met a few guys after that; Reggae, Lover's Rock and Rare
Groove. I liked them but they all had this 'oldest man in the dance'
vibe going on that I don't really like. But, unlike the 'old man...'
they were all pretty respectful. Nowadays I see them as my uncle's and
check for them when I can. After a long while I decided I was ready
for Jazz. And no sooner had I opened myself up to him, he came running
to me, eager to show me his world and took me on a ride that i'm still
on to this day. He's a very complicated dude, there's so many
different aspects to his personality - not all are accepted by
outsiders but I understood where he was coming from. He's very
sensitive and thoughtful. Sometimes a little overbearing and heavy but
I can handle it. We spend so much time together, I practically never
leave home without him! He's got love for me and encourages me to do
my thing - very supportive. Sometimes he can be a little aloof though
and a tad intense... But here's the weird thing, i'm not polyamourous
or anything but i've kinda sorta been seeing someone else as well as
Jazz. His name's Broken Beat. He goes by alot of names actually; Bruk
Step, Brukness, even Nu-Jazz occasionally but I always know who he is.
He's pretty much all i've ever wanted. He's got the depth of Jazz, the
grounding and foundation of Afrobeat, the energy of Jungle and the
dynamics of Jazz-Fusion - one of the many personalities of Jazz...  We
get along really well. He understands me and always knows what I need.
Lately he's been letting me down a bit but regardless I still love
him. Jazz understands our relationship although he refuses to accept
the similarities between himself and BB. My old music flames come into
my world from time to time and they all happily co-exist in
i-tunes!!!... This 'longer than I necessarily planned to write'
analogy is nothing knew. Music lovers tend to do just that, LOVE
Music. But what kills me nowadays is the fact that certain people are
murderising it. Killing the soul of music. Rinsing and raping it.
Bastardising it. Being careless and irresponsible with it. Think about
it folks, Music IS the healing force of the Universe. It IS that
important. It can and does heal. Let's been good to him or her,
whatever floats your boat. The following are my PERSONAL goals that I
aim to live up to. 1. I solemly swear to make good GOOD music always
and forever. 2. I promise to never abuse or misuse my GOD given talent
for bling and ting no matter how shiny the shit is. 3. I promise to do
my best in performance and on record - unless something seriously
dread has occured - I have honor my feelings yo... 4. I promise to
live by the simple truth - GOD is the ultimate CREATOR, my acts of
creation are a reflection of and a gift back to GOD (more eloquently
put in Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way') 5. I promise to do what I
can to help 'heal the gaping hole in the soul of black music' - Ursula
Rucker. 6. I promise to do my best to show future generations that
there are positive musical alturnatives. Forever and ever, Amen. Peace
n love and light and blessings and all that good stuff to ya! x