The Black Rock Congress

Author and songwriter Jeffrey Othello (Author of The SOUL OF ROCK'N ROLL: History of African Americans in Rock Music) felt that the next generation of Ethnic Rockers needed a Positive and Professional Base to learn about the music/entertainment business.

His hope is that THE BLACK ROCK CONGRESS will grow into a community of Artists who will continually share their experience, ideas and wisdom world wide.

J. Othello

Your friendly cyberhood

Uncle Samurai

Too Strong

Looking back on American history, I have to stop and realize how far we have come. Our definition of civilization weighs heavily on the results we get from our struggles. All Americans are not going to see eye to eye on this, either.

On one side, there are the Americans who have always believed that the white race is superior to all races. Their historical demonstration of this psychotic philosophy has been proven wrong over and over again by our own United States constitution.

On the other side, are the people who continue to fight for freedom and civil rights. The people who have made adjustments and amendments to the constitution in order for it to stand for all people. We the people.

This song is about 3 of those law changes.

The *colored water fountain* and the *whites only water fountain* law change is depicted in the first verse.

The *women's right to vote* change is told in the 2nd verse.

And the last verse is about the change in marriage equality. Depicting an issue regarding gays and their right to marry in the United States. The recent defeat of the Prop 8 attempt by the right wing conservatives. The new breed of American haters that my generation must deal with.

I know they will never change their tired ways and that is sad and crazy. But then neither will we...and we get stronger and stronger each and every day...

Your friendly cyberhood

Uncle Samurai

AmA Evolution : Nadiyah Lewis- Sincerity, Soul and Sophistication

I have been a musician for 27 years in the Sf Bay Area. My taste in music is about as eclectic as the people of this area. We get folks from all over the world and it is our responsibility to write and play them good music. I have seen what turns people on and off. From rock to soul to country and blues. Funk, punk, classical, pop, electronic and of course, hip hop. Some of these styles have been enhanced by technology: auto tune, sampled backing vocal tracks, special audio enhancing effects, etc...

But when folks start spending hard earned money to go to see a band perform, they're usually looking for raw talent. A voice to deliver a message with sincerity, soul and sophistication. Someone to act as a channel between the driving, live sound of the band and the audience. Someone to identify with during this life long journey. And as I mentioned earlier, technology has allowed almost anyone to emulate and replicate the sound of talent, but few will be acknowledged as someone with a natural gift of music.

What I hear from Nadiyah Lewis is natural and raw talent. Hers is a voice that rings loud and clear beyond any synthesis or enhanced version of vocal melody. Enriched with that wisdom of clarity so coveted by singers we have grown up with and still listen to today. Mick Jagger is one of those singers who has said his attempt to sound like a black lady should be more than apparent. Because he loves the sound. It's a voice that tells the history and struggle of African/Americans alike. It is a sound that comes from the very roots of this amazing country. A sound that has always been at the heart of our music and culture in America. And there is no better example of it once you hear the real thing.

Nadiyah Lewis, the singer of AmA Evolution is exactly that.

Delivered live with sincerity, soul and sophistication. Something we all love to see more and more of during these strange, crazy and benevolent days...

your friendly cyberhood

Uncle samurai

It Is What It Is

It's not what your country can do for you...it's what your country is doing TO you.

The first step in change is to accept and understand what it is that we are changing.

Dear United Corporations Of America,

It Is What It Is by mooselethridge
If you're foolin' around with the laws of stability
And so many years of recorded anthropology
Don't act surprised with that look of stupidity
If I dismiss your financial possibilities
How many frauds in this continuum
Are holding a job to consistently ruin it
Making it hard to accept how you're doing it
Guilty as charged with the facts there proving it

As natural as the light from the midday sun
Shining in the sky since the summer of one
Inherent to us all as plain as can be
Your incessant need to change all that we see
But it is what it is, that's how it is
Even a scientist would have to admit that
All the deranged are rearranging everything
Into something so strange
But it is what is, that's how it is
And now we all get to deal with the mess
All the deranged are rearranging everything
Into something so strange and now it is...
That's how it is
The way that it is
Is what it is

If you're wondering how the whole world is gonna change again
Look at the proud corporations running everything
They won't stop and the people keep suffering
But some of us have a way to bring hope again
Balance the pain with a blow to the heart of it
Dividing the game that they play for the conquering
And just explain to their own kids living in it
Our whole futures on the line it's time to deal with it

As clear as the water in the deep blue sea
That brings all life to you and me
Inherent to us all as plain as can be
Your incessant need to change all that we see
But it is what it is, that's how it is
Even a scientist would have to admit that
All the deranged are rearranging everything
Into something so strange
But it is what is, that's how it is
And now we all get to deal with the mess
All the deranged are rearranging everything
Into something so strange and now it is...
That's how it is
The way that it is
Is what it is

Your Friendly Cyberhood

Uncle Samurai

FDA

Hey Mr. Michael Moore.

Here is a tune I hope you can use in your next movie.

Some of us appreciate what you are doing with your one life here in America.

The land of honey and sickos...

F.D.A. by mooselethridge

For the deceased Americans
Who had to teach us all about the hard way again
Rest in peace America
Respect and condolences to families who've payed

For the deceased Americans
Who had to teach us all about the hard way again
Rest in peace America
Respect and condolences to families who've payed

For the CEO negligence and greed
They only think about their own needs
They've got their reasons it's what I'm told
To trade lives for piles of gold

Please hold your corporate heads up high
(Confess your sinnin' and stop your grinnin')
Speak your heartfelt wisdom to the sky
(Tell us about it)
And say it loud for the deceased Americans
Who had no choice but to rely upon your help
And they believed you cared about them
And then you took them on a one way trip through hell

For CEO negligence and greed
You only care about your own needs
You've got your reasons it's what I'm told
Trading lives for piles of gold
Please hold your corporate heads up high
(And get your hands up you dirty bastards)
Speak your heartfelt wisdom to the sky
(Tell us about it)

And say it loud for the deceased Americans
Let's give them all a little peace, America
And try and kill the corporate greed, America
So they can finally rest in peace, America

your friendly cyberhood

Uncle Samurai

P.S. This song was greatly inspired by this movie...

And here is another great video called "drug"!!

Lightnin' Hopkins "Happy New Year"

Whew...it's about to be the next decade. Thank god for that. Since 2000, America has been a little tense, if you know what I mean. That administration was not very fun. The first decade of the 21st century was , pretty much owned by them.
(sigh)
But that was then and soon we will start a new. A perfect time to let go and move forward.
By the middle of 2010, I should be alright and the last decade will have been worth wading through. Sometimes the pains of life are overshadowed by the future that is so bright.

Meanwhile I need to revel in the blues with some Lightnin' Hopkins...






Your Friendly Cyberhood
Uncle Samurai

From Slavery To Noble Peace Award

I just want to take a deep breath and soak this in...
We've gone from slavery in America...

Gus Cannon – “Poor Boy A Long Way From Home” mp3

Gus Cannon’s story starts off the same way many other poor black aspiring musicians’ stories started off. At the turn of the century in the South, you had to escape the servitude of the share cropping system to pursue your dreams. Slaves ran away from their families and headed out on the road with little more than youthful optimism as their driving force. This mp3 is a tribute to all the revolutionary musicians of that time who refused to let their dismal socioeconomic status destroy their goal of enjoying a career playing music.

Gus Cannon – “Poor Boy A Long Way From Home” mp3



...to the first African/American President awarded the noble peace prize.





I love America...

your friendly cyberhood
Uncle Samurai