Happy Funky #FollowFriday!

Family, believe me when I say it is grim most mornings on my way to work in Downtown Los Angeles:

L.A. ON WAY TO WORK

However, the world looks bright and happy on the way home.... :)

Here I come, San Pedro 

Commuting Home

These photos taken with my ancient Palm and need no explanation.  Now I am looking forward to the weekend and sharing some fun with you, my readers.  Have fun, party hard, and be safe in your journey.

Related articles

• Downtown L.A. registers another record high temperature (latimesblogs.latimes.com)

REVIEW: Josh Milan from Blaze and Chinahblac; Groove Junkies "Far Away" TC Moses

Dear Family,

This has been out since August but your dj just found it today and added it to Funk Sanctum posthaste. Josh Milan from Blaze was one of my first "friends" on MySpace.  I have not partied with these househeads because at my age, pacing is important.

Roy Ayers included in Mario Romay - Sounds of Joy Vol. 10 - SoundCloud

Cover of Roy Ayers

Roy Ayers' tune is included on this Mario Romay - Sounds of Joy | Vol. 10 - SoundCloud Roy Ayers and Bah Samba - "Positive Vibe" among others.  Proudly included the entire mix in Funk Sanctum Radio this morning and wanted to share some background.

Happy Follow Me to Funky #FollowFriday Land; Blog-Hopping

It's Funky #FollowFriday,

Who's feeling lucky?  This photo was taken by me in the building where I work every day of the week--that's right someone (actually, two women) won this in my building on July 16, 2010 from the Smoke N' Stuff Kiosk. It has taken me this long to actually be able to write about it because:

1. How could the winning ticket be purchased this close to me and not be me?

Planetary Music - Funk and Soul

Anyone else searching for Planetary Music, Funk, and Soul?

Image via Wikipedia

I just Googled the phrase "planetary music funk and soul."  The first result was "Brass Fantasy, The Odyssey of Funk and Popular Music" by Lester Bowie.  I really did not expect any results, and  this is fantastic.  I am not an expert on Lester Bowie (though I acquired many of the Art Ensemble of Chicago albums and saw them live in the 1970s).  He is my homeboy (St. Louis, Missouri [hi Nelly]) and older than me.  Not an expert on his brother, Byron Bowie, either, but I knew him, went to school with him (high school and college).  Byron was brilliant and a leader of us "Negro" ("Black" by the graduation) students during the turbulent sixties.  He was sorely missed when he left school early to move to California and get life going.  I admired him because he was a free spirit, never a follower and always nice to me. *Smiling.*

It is no "coincidence"  that the  "planetary soul" search returned my soul brothers from St. Louis because I think there is a particular distinguishable "soul" about this city.  St. Louis is where I formed my first impressions of music and its power to heal, lift and motivate.  The singers and musicians were revered in school and enjoyed popularity.  We idolized our artists and clung to the music for sustenance.