Donnell, Nina & Michelle's Birthday Celebration at Bud's
Bud's 501 Club, 501 Morse St NE, Washington, DC 20002

TMOTT Board group picture

Sitting on the curb from left to right: #02, TCBTony, Deezo, Ms. Minnie Me, Delano795, Whodat
Squatting behind them: Adia and BigRico
Back row: Black Heart, Diva, FunkmasterJ (Me), Asmoothepoet, Slim Goodie being held by Ytee, Nena, Blak, Lioness, Bobbiedoll, slt, Songbird, Nephew
Present this evening, but not in the picture: Kato, Teago, SweetAngelmd27, Igottapoop, Chellley (whom I know as Mama Chelle), Shorty Q, Sweet Tyra, D Ball, Ras Lidj, Demon Killa & wife, lil miss, pisces4real, and The AssMan (Michael Muse).

I met slt, Sweet Tyra (who is much more attractive than her picture on TMOTT), Diva and Songbird while eating at the bar. Demon Killa was there with his wife, whom Angel referred to as Mrs. Killa. Giant "cards" were on the wall for the birthdays of Donnell, Nena, and Michelle. I signed the first two - I don't know this Michelle.

Ras Lidj & Deep Band
When I went upstairs, Ras Lidj and Deep Band had already started: they were already performing Son of a One Night Stand. Julian, the singer, was not present tonight, but Ras Lidj made do just fine and there were a couple of guest vocalists (including Songbird), particularly during the performance of Bob Marley's No Woman No Cry. I believe I recognized one of Ras Lidj's promoters, dancing dressed like a devil in matching red hat, vest and slacks. This time, there was a real audience to see the nice performance - there were twenty plus people went I went up. I stood by the bar for a while as there weren't many seats available - some reserved for the birthday parties, some just filled. Packy did not set up the light show or sit in on percussion this night, probably because of his injury. I did not try to take down Ras' setlist this time, but it was similar to last weeks, but they did the beats from Rare Essence's Body Moves before Ras called Birthday girl Nena to the stage, he did pelvic thrusts on her, then pulled her with spread legs to him dancing - it was highly amusing.

When EU set up, there was a buzz when no one was playing, but Sugar Bear decided to go ahead and play through.
First Set
1) Donny Ray-led John Legend's Ordinary People
2) Junie-led Earth, Wind & Fire's Can't Hide Love
3) Junie-led "If you were me, you would know what I mean to say"
The crank started with:
4) Sugar Bear-led Freak A Deak / Funkadelic's Undisco Kidd (tease) - "The Girl is Bad" / Cops' Theme (changed to) "Bad Girls" / "Pop That Coochie" / Ludacris' Number One Spot (tease)
5) Donny Ray-led - 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) / OutKast's The Way You Move (tease)
6) "Ride with Me - Funk Style"
7) "Show you what love is supposed to be"

Yannie was there like last week. JuJu said hello and Sugar Bear. I said happy birthday to Nena. There were so many TMOTT members I met that it just easier to list them above.

Second Set
1) Sugar Bear-led "Gimme that beat" - to another birthday girl he said, "You may be small, but you have dirty drawers", "Pick up on this" / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) / "We ready go y'all get down"
2) Snoop's Drop It Like Its Hot - a lot of improving
3) Sugar Bear-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) / "Go low and push up"
4) Donny Ray-led Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
5) Juvenile's Slow Motion (tease)
6) Stephanie rapped / Amerie's 1 Thing / 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) / Donnie Ray had a response rap
7) "I Like It Like That" / Devo's Whip It (tease)
8) Sugar Bear-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease) - "Go Donnell, it's your birthday"
9) ?
10) Donny Ray-led - something about Southeast
11) "I know you hear me on the radio"
12) Um Bop Bop
13) Sugar Bear-led "I Want to play, I ain't tired yet"
Sugar Bear said, "Is Donnell in a wheelchair yet?"

Stacey was there.

Familiar Faces
Jacques was the second percussionist, not Charlie like last week
1) Happy Birthday - I think Yannie sat in
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know - nice solos
Kay Kay was there
3) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People
The crank started with:
4) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
5) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Superstition
6) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
7) Halima-led Faith Evans' (either Again or Mesmerized)
Donnell shouted "Where you at Kay Kay?"
8) Yannie-led Erykah Badu's Danger - Halima was on backup vocals / Kay Kay rapping
Donnell called them "The three meanest women in DC" (last week it was baddest)
9) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
10) Stinky Dink-led One Track Mind
11) Donnell-led Public Enemy's Welcome to the Terrordome (tease)
12) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease)
I greeted Little Benny as he walked in - I could tell it was raining as they had buckets catching rain water that was leaking through the roof.
13) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Spotlight / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon?
14) Little Benny-led then Mike-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World
15) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Roll Call - Ras Lidj danced onstage with them
16) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot - E rapped
17) E rapped "Bounce to the flow, Uh Oh Uh Uh Oh"
18) Donnell-led "Hold It" / Alternating Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
Adia walked in
19) Halima-led Amerie's 1 Thing

I missed the very end, as Bobbie called me downstairs to participate in the group TMOTT picture above. After that I waited outside, but sheltered from the rain to get a ticket from Little Benny for his reunion show on Saturday. The one birthday girl Michelle asked me where I am from, I told her Bethesda and her friend asked why I drove all the way here from there. I said, "Why not?" She said that wasn't a good answer. I gave Benny a ride to his car. He sold me a ticket and told me to bring my camera.

Donnell's Birthday Celebration at Takoma Station

Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012


Jacques, Mike, Doc, Stomp, Halima, Donnell, Godfather
Picture taken by and Copyright Jordan Rich

Donnell celebrated his 41st birthday. Mike said our co-worker Shirley Thompson is celebrating her promotion. I didn't realize that Mike also works at Verizon along with Donnell and DP. Donnell said, "Is she in management now? We don't like managers."

Packy had been in an accident - cut off on his motorcycle. His left arm was in a sling. I told him it could be worse; my friend Paul had one of his testicles internalized in a similar motorcycle accident. Probably because of Packy's injury, they didn't have their light show set up for this evening.

Angie complained that despite being a regular, Jauhar wouldn't let her go out and in to pick up Robin. Tracy ended up picking up Robin later.

Stacey talked with me about using my photos for a newsletter.

Donnell did shout outs to guests in the audience - Big G, Andre, Go-Go Mickey, and DeeDee.

Mike Smith was there, he asked a girl when Charlie played with FF; she didn't know who Charlie was, so I told him Saturdays and Thursdays. Because of his birthday, the three tables on the left side of the stage were reserved for Donnell's guests. There were very few stools behind the railing separating the dance floor from the bar. I ended up standing the whole night.

I asked Tamara about the first song she sang last week, she said it was Jill Scott's: that she calls it the Woo Me song, but its real title is E Flat something. Jay Floyd came in said he was going to steal a seat among the reserved seats, I pointed out to him that since it was for guests of Donnell, it was cool for him to sit there anyway.

I asked Tim (LJ) if he was going to the Little Benny reunion, he said no, Wednesday is his night out; otherwise he's a family man. Tom Goldfogle was there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Instrumental
2) Alternting Mike-led Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change / Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine
3) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People
4) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know
5) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
Jay said Halima has really grown more comfortable with the band; she was tentative when she first joined. Sixx and Sugar Bear were there. Halima talked with me a little and then to her stylist.

Donnell emphasized that "what goes on in Miami stays in Miami." Mike repeated "I am in room 666 (at Myrtle Beach) come if you dare". Donnell said, "no one laughed either time you said that." 6'9 was there, he said hi. Donnell joked about people's nicknames - Sugar Bear, Gregory Elliott, Rah Rah, Christopher, Sixx, James, Stomp, Larry Atwater, Smoke, Sammy Dews. Benjiy - editor of GoGoSwings magazine was there. Grady was there.
Second Set
1) Donnell chanted "Sweet Chelle, My Belle"
RE Angie was there.
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva / bass line from Stevie Wonder's Superstition
3) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
4) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
5) Halima-led Faith Evans' Again
6) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love (tease)
Little Benny sat in
7) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Spotlight / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon?
8) Donnell-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease) - the crowd sang along
9) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel (tease)
10) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
11) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Roll Call - "Oh my God!"
12) Sugar Bear-led medley
13) Go-Go Mickey percussion solo
14) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - Donnell chanted "Wait a Minute" / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (Tupac's Hail Mary is part of this medley)
15) Halima-led Amerie's 1 Thing - the new way they rehearsed on Tuesday
16) Donnell-led Lap Dance - a very long version, Donnell chanted, "Swing your body"
17) Donnell-led Prince's Take Me With You
Supa Dan came in
18) Donnell-led Hold the Note
19) Donnell-led Sly & the Family Stone's Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
20) Donnell-led "Got to believe in something, Why not believe in me"
21) Donnell-led DIP
22) Donnell-led Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me - she was there, "Od ba ba ba"

Rah was there. Benny and Dwayne talked with Tom Goldfogle about Benny's single.

Tuesday at Rehearsal
Private location

Familiar Faces
This was Donnell's actual 41st birthday. I asked him if Sunday's show at Fur was really going to be a documentary. He said as far as he knew. Donnell played the live recording that they are going to sell.

They rehearsed Faith Evans' Again (Charlie joked to Halima that she should change the one line to reflect the fact that she was busted with an ounce of weed) and Mesmerized.

Everyone in the band was present, plus Duane Face, Nephew, Donte Floyd, Lorenzo (a keyboard player), Charlie, Derek Jr., Darrell and I believe another son of DP's. Derek Jr. played on the drums, trying to play a pocket. His (I think brother) asked if that was his signature beat.

I told Donte how Lee Majors no longer works at the Cluck U in College Park.

Doc joked about Halima's sun brewed tea from Jacksonville, Florida - she corrected him - Fort Lauderdale. So many people were there, they had us non-band members quickly leave the room so that they could make sure there was enough room for them.

Jauhar came in and told Donnell that Adia sat in with Y2K the night before.

Donnell had them go over Amerie's 1 Thing in a new way - with the horn punch (normally done at the end of the third verse) at the beginning.

Stomp teased Donnell about his mustard yellow pants. When walking out, I asked Stomp why it said Larry not Stomp on his driver's shirt. He said no one at work calls him Larry. I asked him what his mother calls him (a reference to Coming to America) - he said she calls him Atwater.

Unfortunately, since I am writing this a week later, I've forgotten most of the rehearsal.

Saturday at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

I talked with Halima before the first set. We talked about Miami, and I asked her why she moved here. She said it has a better music scene. She was a wedding singer down there. Stomp's female guest sat next to him as he played. I found a seat at a table- I don't like standing in my formal shoes. Charlie was there already. He and James performed throughout.

Familiar Faces
First Set
The house turned off almost all the lights - very different from last week
Donnell gave a shout out to the "Dearly departed Tito"
Donnell said, "The Wizards' good season is over. We are not speaking to Miami Heat fans."
Donnell announced it was Nesha's (spelling) birthday
1) Mike-led Glenn Lewis' Don't You Forget It - Smoke and Charlie played some nice percussion
Donnell said, "E from the LA Times" was there
They started the smoke machine
2) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden - nice solos by her
3) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
4) Doc-led Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot - Donnell introduces this song by saying, "Stomp give me the snare", Doc rapped
Mike Smith from Rare Essence was there.
5) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Body Moves
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda (tease - in a literal sense)

The dance floor pretty much cleared out after they went to break. Slim Goodie was there. I talked with BJ about how I understood when they talked in rehearsal about how they can't see Donnell's signals at the Tradewinds. He said it's so dark; all you can see is a silhouette. He also said FF's lights are too bright. The DJ music suddenly shifted from contemporary music to oldies with The Staple Singers' I'll Take You There. Mike danced when the DJ played some James Brown. I asked him if he would do the splits (like James Brown) he said no.

Angie and Tracy arrived. They had watched the Winky Wright vs. Felix Trinidad fight. Angie was surprised that Trinidad lost. I asked Halima how she liked DC. She said, "I love it!"

Second Set
1) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
2) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
Donnell did a shout out to Elmo
3) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
Donnell said Don & Mike are here
FF's strobe light went on
4) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - "Wait a Minute" chant / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
DJ Kool sat in
5) DJ Kool-led his Music Ain't Loud Enuff - he vocally imitated the horn effects from Let Me Clear My Throat
6) DJ Kool-led "Is DC in the house? If You're Ready and You Know It..."
He finished by saying "I just wanted to clear my throat, now back to Familiar Faces".
7) Alternating Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / "Wait a minute" chant
8) Halima-led Amerie's 1 Thing
I went and talked to DJ Kool
9) Mike-led Lap Dance - Mike added some interesting Spanish terms, it ended with a percussion solo, first with Stomp, Smoke and Charlie, then just Stomp, Donnell did his "Swing Your Body Girl chant", while Mike echoed the word "Swing" (I assumed it was Halima because it was so high pitched, but subsequent performances show it was Mike)
Donnell announced DJ Mix was there
They stopped performing, but Donnell said they would do one more song.
10) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
02 Was there - he said hello.

Nita was there, I said, "I haven't seen you in a while". She said, "Yeah, I've been chilling".

I asked Packy Charlie's middle name, he said he didn't know, but let's call him Charles Monroe Allen.

Donnell teased someone about his brother's baby momma. Donnell said, "If you haven't gotten the number yet, it's too late" - then he aimed this at James, who said, "I guess you haven't been watching me."

Outside in the parking lot, Godfather talked with Halima about producing a solo album for her.

Friday at Safari Steakhouse
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

I talked with Godfather out in the parking lot before I went in. Godfather set up and played his keyboard before the other band members arrived.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Mike-led Kool & the Gang's Summer Madness
2) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Diary - she did a nice solo
Donnell joked that Halima needed a DC name: "Shaniqua, Keisha, Nee Nee, Aquarius, Aquarium".
3) Mike-led O'Bryan's Lady I Love You
4) James-led Jill Scott's Not Like Crazy
5) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know
I joked to Halima that James' voice is as high as yours. She said he sang very well.
6) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People

At the break, I talked with Angie and Tracy. Tracy was feeling Doc's shoes that had the same kind of wood as BMWs. Angie wanted to learn how to play pool, but not at Safari. I asked her what she did, she's a purchasing agent. Stomp slept during the break.

Second Set
Donnell went over the announcements for their Bike Week trip and the Miami video shoot. He said of the Bike Week: "We'll be available for parties at the Radisson. Fellas, Halima will be in room 442. But at Bike Week, you may want to find faster paced girls". Mike responded, with a voice like a possessed Linda Blair in the Exorcist: "My room is 666, come if you dare!" Donnell then joked about the Miami trip: "If you can't afford the flight, Godfather is arranging a bus trip. We have chartered a 747 with Michael Muse's colors painted on the tail fin."
Kato was there and CrankinDrumma. I asked and he said he's done with school.
1) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
Kelvin Robinson, assistant manager of Y2K was there and said hello
3) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Superstition
4) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
5) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
Darryl "Blue Eye" Arrington and Darrin "X" Frazier arrived. I introduced myself to Darrin X, as I had spoken with him and emailed him, but not met him in person before. Donnell did a shout out to them.
6) Donnell-led "___ Is in the house"
7) Donnell-led Holla at Your Boy
Charlie and RE Angie arrived
8) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's I'm Getting Ready
10) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda

Dollar Bill Mason of Y2K said hello.

Blue Eye, Darrin X, Mike and Donnell cracked stories during the break. I asked Donnell about the story about Mike and Funk he started to tell on Wednesday. Blue Eye said, "Funk beat up Mike on the stage, in front of the stage, next to the stage." At one point, after one of Blue Eye's stories, Donnell mimed shoveling sh*t. Charlie called Packy Arthur - his middle name which he hates. Packy then said to Charlie, "do you know you are sitting next to?" (Me. I guess Packy forgot that I already knew his middle name. Donnell joked about Rare Essence being the "Ickedest Band Alive".

Donnell said, "Let's roll," over the mic a few times and Stomp was still in the lounge. Donnell walked in the lounge and literally grabbed Stomp by the arm and dragged him to the stage.

A regular who said, "You're here every Friday!" gave me money to buy myself a drink, which I did.

Third Set
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
A woman sitting on Charlie's lap said Halima was the best female singer GoGo's ever had
2) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - "Wait a Minute" chant / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
3) Donnell-led "Put Your Hands Up"
Ras Lidj and Julian from the Deep Band arrived and said hello
4) Donnell-led Prince's Take Me With You (tease)
5) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love / Rare Essence's Spotlight / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon? medley
6) Donnell-led Hold the Note
7) Donnell-led "Hey ay, ho oh"
8) Donnell-led DIP
9) Donnell "35, can I get 40, girls want to shake that ass" / Rare Essence's Work the Walls (tease)
10) Donnell-led Vinnie D's $55 Motel
11) Donnell yelled "Wait a minute" - percussion solo
12) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Work the Walls
14) Halima-led Amerie's 1 Thing - a very long performance with extra solos by Halima
Stacey was there
Donnell said, "I like that sh*t".
He thanked the people from TMOTT for coming out, and Rico who was also there Wednesday. He said, "James is on a roll". He said, "Rest in peace Chuck, Footz, Little Footz, Heavy One, Fre, Ms. Mack and Len Bias." He also thanked, "Fatz and Black" and asked them to "stop hiding." He compared RE Angie and "FF" Angie, "the old and the new". Donnell asked Slim Goodie's friend if she sang at the funeral. She said, "No."

I said, "What's up Gilbert Arenas" to Supa Dan, he laughed.

A guy busted on the Os (I wore an Orioles jacket) and my khakis to me in the parking lot.

Thursday at Bud's
Bud's 501 Club, 501 Morse St NE, Washington, DC 20002

As I walked in, a woman behind me yelled, "hey FunkmasterJ" - I met Nena in person for the first time. I sat and ate at the bar with some women from the TMOTT Board. I asked Ras Lidj when he would be going on then went upstairs. Packy was setting up FF's lights at the same time the Deep Band was setting up.

Ras Lidj & Deep Band
Only ten customers were there when Ras Lidj & the Deep Band started. They performed an eighty to ninety minute set. This was my first time seeing his whole band - it is two vocalists (Ras Lidj & Julian), a guitarist, two keyboard players, and a percussionist (congas and later roto-toms and timbales). The soundman went over the mics one by one. The bass was quite booming where I sat. Bud asked me if I was enjoying myself. She asked me if it was the first I was at Bud's I told her, "No, I was here for Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday"
1) Son of a One Night Stand
2) Bob Marley's No Woman No Cry - Ras Lidj added a rap
3) ?
4) I believe this was Tour Bus, Packy joined them on cowbell and later other percussion as well
5) ?
Ras is quite a showman; he jumps around a lot and even stands on one leg
6) "She Want Money"
7) ?
Ras Lidj said, "Now for some culture & diversity".
8) "Ganja Weed"
9) "I used to take you for granted"
10-18) To be honest, given that the material is unfamiliar to me and the transitions are so smooth, it is difficult to figure out how many songs there are.
The manager asked for one more song, which they did. It was a very nice performance, which is why it was a shame that there were so few people watching it.

Chocoltchp from the TMOTT board introduced herself to me. During the break between Deep Band and EU, one of the songs the DJ played was Chuck Brown's single Fiesta that he performed at the DC Armory.

EU
The line up was: Sugar Bear on vocals and bass, two male singers (Donny Ray, and lead vocalist Junie), a female singer - Stephanie (wearing a pink outfit with a miniskirt and the word Diva on the back of her top), a guitarist, a keyboard player - Scooter, JuJu on drums and Derek (spelling?) on percussion
Also at this time, a guy set up for GoGo pics
First Set
1) Earth Wind & Fire's Can't Hide Love
2) "If you were me, you would know what I mean to say"
Sugar Bear asked if the Wizards had won yet, the crowd shouted "they lost!"
3) Shuggie Otis' Strawberry Letter 23
4) "I'll take you out tonight" - Junie went out on the dance floor
5) "The secret of you, can't recall"
I noticed Packy played cowbell for them
6) Sugar Bear-led "Do you want some more, freaks on the floor"
Kato said hello
7) Stephanie-led "You're my nephew" rap
8) Sugar Bear-led "Melissa, hold up, wait a minute" / Freak A Deak All Night Long

Sugar Bear announced they were going into break and pointed out Yannie from L!ssen was there. He asked her if she want to sing with them. He said you have ten minutes to decide.

JuJu asked me if I was having a good time - of course.

#02 from the TMOTT board said hello. I told him I'd check them (Submission Band) out next week. He said he reads my blog.

A couple of women next to me debated the merits of Derek vs. Mighty Moe on congas for EU. The crowd grew larger.

Second Set
1) Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know
2) Sugar Bear-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di "Don't you hurt nobody"
3) Sugar Bear-led Freak a Deak All Night Long
4) Sugar Bear-led Funkadelic's Undisco Kidd (tease) - "The girl is bad" / Cops' Theme (changed to) Bad Girls (tease) / "Pop the Coochie"
5) Sugar Bear-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
6) Sugar Bear-led OutKast's The Way You Move (tease)
7) Sugar Bear-led Hues Corporation's Rock the Boat (tease)
8) "Do go pop?"
9) Bobby Valentino's Slow Down
10) Stephanie-led Amerie's 1 Thing - she went on the dance floor, percussion solo at the end
11) "Get your freak on" - nice guitar solo
This performance was also about ninety minutes. This was the most crankin' EU performance I've been to.

All three bands had their own sound men. Donnell and Charlie arrived during EU's performance.

Familiar Faces
DP was not present tonight. At the start of the set - Dwayne Lee and BJ were not there, they were returning from a gig with a singer named Ebony in Philadelphia. There was a guy with a trumpet case on his back - I guess he was supposed to be a replacement trumpeter, but after he talked with Donnell, FF went without a trumpet. They had the lights and smoke machine for their performance. Preston Blue was there and said hello.
1) Mike-led O'Bryan's Lady I Love You
Dwayne Lee arrived and apparently BJ (I didn't actually see BJ until the performance was over)
2) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine - Donnell touched her hair during the appropriate part of the lyrics
Stacey was there
Ytee fanned the smoke with his Nationals cap
They started the crank with the third song
3) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
Kay Kay went on stage
4) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
Donnell said, "Where you at Adia?" I assume he meant Yannie. Then he yelled "I'm Getting Ready"
Yannie sat in
5) Yannie-led Erykah Badu's Danger / Kay Kay rapped
Donnell said, "These are the three baddest women in DC."
6) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
7) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - Doc rapped / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / Donnell yelled, "Wait a minute"
8) Donnell-led Tupac's Hail Mary (tease)
9) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
10) Donnell-led Prince's Take Me With You (tease)
Slim Goodie from TMOTT introduced herself to me. I couldn't hear her the first time she told me over the music. But after Ytee chased her, she sat down next to me and I asked her what she said. I'd seen her before at Safari, but didn't know who she was.
11) Donnell-led Hold the Note
12) Donnell-led Miss Shaquita Will You Dance for Me - "Od ba ba ba"
13) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
Donnell said, "Can we get a socket for the birthday girl?"
14) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
Mike said, "Don't worry about Ytee screaming, he's just excited."
15) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As - then an acapella repeat
Donnell said, "What did you do to her, she's rubbing herself." Now all she needs to do is go down in that drawer. You ladies don't need us anymore do you." One woman shouted she kept it (her vibrator) in the freezer."

Donnell was joking about people having born on dates like beers. Mike went with Shaquita to the bar and bought her a drink. Donnell teased him: "Mike's down four. Oh, he lost by two, missed the last shot. Don't worry Mike; it's a seven game series." Mike responded, "I'll quit before I lose." Donnell then joking called Shaquita "Shaq". Mike said, "I bought her a drink, I want my eight dollars back." Mike then said, "Look he's (me) writing all this down." Donnell said, "Alice Keys has been to Bojangles too many times, she's putting it on."

Wednesday at Takoma
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

I met Linda Wills, who arrived with Halima. She said she brought Doug E. Fresh to Tradewinds on Saturday.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Blueprint - instrumental
Donnell introduced Dwayne Lee. He said, "We call him Malcolm X."
2) Halima-led ?
Donnell invited Tamara up to sing. He said, "We haven't done that enough recently".
3) Tamara-led Jill Scott's He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat) - Halima was on backup vocals
Donnell asked her to sing another song, "That man-hating song". Tim (LJ) came up. Donnell said, "We don't need any managers here."
4) Tamara-led Vivian Green's Emotional Roller Coaster
Little Benny arrived, then Go-Go Mickey shortly afterward
5) Mike-led The Stylistics' People Make the World (Go Round)
Little Benny hung out with a woman (named Amy?) - Mike asked her, "Should I tell them?" She said no, but he said anyway, "She was my girlfriend when I was six years old, back in 1971". He later revealed it was her birthday tonight. The smoke machine came on for
6) Mike-led Javier's How Beautiful You Are
7) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know
8) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine
The crowd gave a very appreciative response. Donnell said, "Any more of this and I'm getting jealous."
9) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden
Ras Lidj walked in as I walked outside with Dwayne and Doc. I told Dwayne that I had forwarded him the link to MVP's page on the Washington Post website. He said another of his prior bands, 3LG was on there too. He said he was going to perform behind an artist named Ebony in Philadelphia. Ebony had opened for Vivian Green here. He is performing with Pooh and BJ. It will be at 9 PM, so he is worried about getting back in time for tomorrow's performance. He let Donnell know.

Roosevelt Littlejohn was there. He said that Trouble Funk was performing at Club Levels on the 22nd. I told him that Big Tony will be performing with Little Benny on the 21st at the CFE.
Saturday May 21st @ CFE Event Center
7758 Marlboro Pike Forestville, MD. 20747
Lil Benny Performing old school hitz
Also Performing "Big Tony & Dyke" - Trouble Funk "Chuck Brown" ALSO "Suga Bear & JuJu" - EU W/ Spur of the moment's Rhythm section Invite Guests......... GoGo Mickey, Walker Redds,Jungle Boogie,Funky Ned DJ Sounds by MC Chill & DJ Phase
INDOOR & OUTDOOR Party Settings 28& older... Dress 2 Impress Tix 20.00 in advance
CFE-301-568-5708 Beverly- 240-461-4943 Coop-202-438-2760 Pumpkin- 703-898-4074

He said he looked for me at the Armory show to have me come on stage with Trouble Funk, but he couldn't find me. I was already in the crowd. Doc's friend Tanya was there.

Second Set
1) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
3) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
4) Donnell-led Tom Tom Club's Genius of love / Little Benny came up to sit in - Rare Essence's Spotlight / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon (Medley)
5) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Roll Call (Go-Go Mickey sat in. Ras Lidj was on stage with a Tambourine during this song only)
6) Little Benny-led "Get your Hands up, Wait a Minute, Say What, good to you"
7) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go
8) Little Benny-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version)
9) Little Benny-led rap "Rattlesnakes"
Little Benny and Go-Go Mickey finished sitting in
10) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
11) Alternating Donnell-led Trillvile's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
12) Donnell-led Tupac's Hail Mary (tease)
13) Guest female rapped
14) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
15) Donnell-led Hold the Note
16) Donnell-led DIP
17) Donnell rapped
18) Mike-led Prince's Purple Rain - nice guitar solo by Dwayne Lee
At first that was going to be the closing song, Donnell said no overtime, but the crowd demanded one more song.
19) Mike-led Lap Dance - a long version, Donnell chanted "Swing your body" repeatedly

Some of the band was already packing up before Lap Dance. Donnell joked that Stomp would be given power to fire band members who don't keep playing. If you get a call from Stomp that means you're fired. I talked with Little Benny about his upcoming show, he said it was a bunch of his friends, that if they didn't show up, they "Should get the f*ck out!"

Tuesday at Rehearsal
Private location

Familiar Faces
When I arrived, again everyone was in the parking lot - Donnell, Doc (sitting on his bass case), Jacques, Mike, Duane Face, and Smoke (I think). Donnell played the CD of Saturday's performance - playing the parts where Doug E. Fresh performed. He said that Doug E Fresh meant to sit back and chill. "I prostituted myself to get him to perform. I acted as if he is my baby daddy." Halima walked up with her tea in a jar. Mike said, "That's a concoction." She said it was a miracle whip jar that she put the tea bag with water in the jar and let it sit in the sun. Donnell started to tell a story about how James Funk invited Mike to dance at his house. Mike stopped him, saying "Everyone's heard that story, Funk cracked on everyone except" he named a few names, one of them Mark Lawson, who arrived immediately after Mike said his name. BJ then arrived and then Nephew and Dwayne. Then DP arrived with his sons and we went inside - they woke up Stomp who was sleeping in his car.

They talked about Sunday's performance as we walked in. They were impressed with Publicity's vocal harmony. Doc especially said their transitions were perfect. They were impressed enough that James was there - I've never seen him a rehearsal before.

However, before everyone could set up, Donnell called them into a meeting. I waited around for a bit. Scotty Beats came by to drop off the CD of the live recording. After Dwayne and BJ walked out of the meeting, I left.

Saturday at Tradewinds
Tradewinds Night Club, 5859 Allentown Way, Camp Springs, MD 20748

I talked with Doc in the parking lot. He said hey had played at a private gig earlier, they all came together from it to the Tradewinds.

The stage has a diagonal setting on the dance floor. Pooh played drums for the night. Britney and Jay Floyd were there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
Donnell did a shout out to Doug E. Fresh who was there. Donnell chanted "I'm Getting Ready"
1) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden
2) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led "Can we do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!"
5) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
6) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
7) Doc-led Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Body Moves
Donnell talked about going back to "1986 at the Metro Club"
9) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Lock-It (tease)
Doug E. Fresh came out and performed with them
10) Rare Essence's I'm Getting Ready
11) Doug E. Fresh-led D.E.F.
12) Doug E. Fresh-led "Giving all you got, dancing, I'm over romancing, closer to the top"
13) Doug E. Fresh-led Slick Rick's La Di Da Di
14) Doug E. Fresh-led Rare Essence's Must Be Like That
Donnell referred to the Trinidad Crew, the Wickedest Band Alive. They stayed up until 4 AM writing that. Linda Wills introduced him to Doug E. Fresh in 1983, and now Halima.

Tracy and Angie were there.

Second Set
Donnell said he wanted "Doug E. Fresh's little sister Halima to sing something."
1) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine
2) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
3) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh"
4) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot - percussion solo
5) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
6) Donnell-led Hold the Note
7) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
Donnell said. "Come to see Rah Da da?"
11) Halima-led Donna Summer's Love to Love You Baby (tease)
12) Halima-led Amerie's 1 Thing
13) Donnell-led "Tired yet, Ready to quit?"
14) Mike-led Rare Essence's Lock It
15) Mike-led Lap Dance
16) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
I finally noticed Charlie playing percussion
17) Maceo & the Macks' Soul Power '74 (tease) - instrumental (sampled in Jennifer Lopez's Get Right)
18) Donnell-acapella Sly & the Family Stone's Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
I asked Doc who played congas with them on Friday, he said Mighty Moe of EU. I asked Charlie if he played percussion both sets or just the second, since I could not see the percussion section from where I stood until I moved late in the second half. He said both, but he was late for the first set.

As I walked out, a man and woman were ahead of me. The man said, "Nice seeing you, you should go out more often." She replied, "I am a married. How often should a married woman go out?" He replied, "As much as she wants!" Tracy honked as I walked to my car; she hadn't seen me earlier tonight.

Mambo Sauce's first gig!
Club Daedalus, 1010 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005


When I arrived, the cover taker said this was a private party. I said "Mambo Sauce", she said yes, and let me in even though I wasn't on the guest list. The club was downstairs from the entrance. The stage was below the regular bar level - like an orchestra pit. I went down and asked when they would be performing; a guy named Sean said the first set would be at 1 AM. Since it was only a little after 11 PM, I went up to sit down and wait. Smoke was sitting on a couch and said hello. He said if he had known they would have been starting so late, he would have played the first set at Safari with Familiar Faces. I asked him how long he had been rehearsing with them (Mambo Sauce), he said he started rehearsing with them before he joined Familiar Faces. I asked how often they would be performing, he said not often, they would have to schedule around his playing with FF and the other people's other bands as well.

I went over and introduced myself to Red - his nickname was obviously due to his red hair. He said they had originally planned to do one set opening for other bands, but this two set opportunity popped up. He said they wouldn't be performing weekly, or if so at different clubs partly because of Smoke's commitment to FF and the keyboard player Lil' Chris Wright's commitment to Suttle Thoughts. The other reason is that if they perform on a weekly basis, they would have to do covers. He said they would be doing three covers tonight, but they are Black Boo's songs. Black Boo likes them so much with Mambo Sauce; he wants to re-record them with them. Red kidded that he wanted to pull rank on Smoke to play with Mambo Sauce over Familiar Faces since "He was in my band first." He said he wasn't concerned when I said that the club's website said tonight was "Hip Hop Night". He said he hadn't heavily promoted it since this is their first show. He didn't like how the performance area was below the audience level. He told me they were late with their sound check, they wanted to do it at 9:30 PM, but the sound men arrived at 8 PM, and the club wasn't open until 9 PM.

They did their sound check for about fifteen minutes starting at 11:30 PM - they started with Stevie Wonder's Superstition. The sound was nice; you could hear/feel the bass very well. After the sound check, Red said they were leaving but will be back for the first set. The whole band left the club.

There was a DJ playing pre-recorded Hip Hop. At 1 AM, interestingly they played two Rare Essence songs; then the band walked in.

There was a guy affiliated with the band taking digital photos. Even though this is not a regular GoGo venue, there were GoGo pics being taken. A few people wore the T-shirts that RedC Records sells.


All of the band members' bios are listed here. Alfred "Black Boo" Duncan - vocals, Thi Lai Simpson - vocals, Samuel "Smoke" Dews - congas & timbales, Khari Pratt - bass, Barrington "Barry" Talbert - drums, Andrew "Drew" White - guitar, and Christian "Lil Chris" Wright - keyboards.

First Set
1) Instrumental
2) Sweet Baby - Black Boo introduced this as being written for all the Single Moms out there
3) Things Will Get Better - Black Boo introduced this as being about struggles
4) A love song, a slow ballad intro, then refrain "They say two wrongs don't make a right"
5) Refrain - "I'm not a pimp, I'm not a player"
I noticed Boo's signal to end the song for the first time - a closed fist
6) Fairweather, the song they have streaming on the website
Black Boo showed another signal - his hand held in a C - this told the band members to close the set

They had obviously spent a lot of time rehearsing. I assume the setlist (including order) was pre-determined. They have a really nice sound, but I wish they had a cowbell. Smoke asked me how they sounded, I said, "Good, but I wish you had a cowbell player, he said, "Yeah."

The stage lights were turned off for the second set.

Second Set
1) Instrumental
Black Boo did band intros, the he said stop, time to bring to the stage - Antoine (a singer)
2) Refrain "You're the best thing, I just have to get to know you" (Black lights came on in the stage area during the song)
3) Refrain "Do that sh*t"
Black Boo thanked Antoine (who had walked off the stage after the song), and introduced by title (the only song he did this for) -
4) Cool Points, it had a nice Smoke Roto-tom solo
I noticed Black Boo looked down at this point and later at a sheet that was either a lyric sheet or a setlist. It didn't affect the music; it was just something I noticed him doing.
5) Heavy guitar and Drew did the Jimi Hendrix maneuver of playing with his teeth, this song was really crankin' - It had the refrain "No I'm not" (it was hard to tell because of the loudness of the instruments and the mic being held close to the singers mouths)
A girl standing to my left yelled, "We love you", Black Boo responded, "We love you too."
6) Another crankin' song with the refrain "Crank" - a nice percussion (drums & congas) solo at the end
After the set was over, a girl shouted, "Thanks for coming motherf*ckers!

Note: This would be the only gig with this line-up. Khari was replaced by Candra "Candy" Newkirk for the next 2 gigs and Smoke left the band and was permanently replaced by Jermaine "Lil Pep" Cole.

Here's another review from Solace from the TMOTT Board:

?When I saw the guitar player start playing guitar with his mouth, I knew I came to see the right band??

?Most people know that I divorced go-go back in ?98... After hearing Mambo Sauce, I?m thinking about reconciling?

-Solace.

What can I say? I think back to that night when I called my wife on the phone as I was driving home from the Mambo Sauce show to find an answer to that question. All I kept telling her was ?These kats ROCK!!!? It felt like a mantra. I just kept saying it over and over again as if each time made it more valid than the last.

These are some of the most humble performers I?ve ever come across, and I?ve played with many to include famous gospel singers. This band has what I call ?quiet confidence? and I DIG IT!!! Even with seasoned vets like Smoke and Khari, there is NOT even a hint of arrogance or overconfidence in this group. The best part about it is that it shows in their playing.

They started off the night with a nice jazzy intro as the singers made their entrance on stage. I?ll be honest and say, the musical depth on their intro impressed me more than most full songs I?ve heard from other bands/musicians as of late. Mambo came out of the blocks a tad slow in the beginning, but once they got warm, they lit the place on fire.

The entire first set to my knowledge was composed of original songs written by the band. All the songs varied from good to ?fire?. NOTHING that I heard during the show could be labeled as whack by my standards. Smoke is a serious asset to this band with his ability to push conga beats over non-standard go-go songs. Smoke has an uncanny ability to conform what he is playing to any song. During one point of the show, he caught me imitating him as I was mimicking his beat on the speaker I was standing next to. He laughed at me as he continued playing effortlessly. That?s not to leave out the rest of the music section. Khari, Barry(drummer), Drew(guitar), and Chris(keys) HOLD IT DOWN.

On the front line, you have Thi Lai and Black Boo. These two bring something to the band that is very rare nowadays. Both sing well and Boo can actually rap. Most of you that know me know I am very unforgiving with emcees, but Boo can actually hold it down and fits very well with this band?s sound.

Without giving away all their songs, I?ll say that the second set is what sold me on Mambo Sauce. They hit everything from neo-soul to hard rock. When the guitar player started playing the guitar with his mouth, I knew I came to see the right band. There were two songs in particular during the second set which made me a believer in Mambo Sauce. One was a song that transitioned from a hard socket beat into a roto-tom/timbale breakdown, and the other was the rock & roll song that they hit.

This band is versatile and plays/mixes several styles of music together very well. They definitely get my vote and my stamp of approval. I told Smoke and Black Boo after the show that watching them made me miss playing/rapping.

Some things I think the band should sustain are their chemistry, their sound, their humility, versatility and their hunger for good music. If I had to give some advice on things to improve, it would be to practice the transitions between songs, and to develop a strong stage presence on the front line. The back line is EXTREMELY fun to watch. The frontline, while also EXTREMELY talented, just needs to work on their techniques to better connect with their audience. They have it, they just need more time playing together to let it truly come out.

Bottom Line: My hat is off to you fellas/lady and to Malachai for pushing the vision of the label and the band. This is a band that came out for their first show already showing more power and presence than bands that have been doing it for years. Something I truly respect about this band is that 98% of the songs that they played were original tunes. Not only that, but the entire club was partying from start to finish even though this was their first time hearing any of these songs. The next time I put out information about this band playing somewhere, do yourself a favor and do NOT miss the show. You will not be disappointed.

Overall Grade: A-

_________________ Maaaaan for real.. They was hookin like it was no tomorrow. Knockin on dudes car windows and moving like they was some old special forces hooker team joe

-Solace

Stomp's Birthday at Takoma
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

I talked with Doc - he said he heard they lost a lot of money at the DC Armory show, he said that wasn't the proper venue, they should have gone to the 9:30 Club. DP had his flugelhorn. GoGo Mickey was there - I introduced myself, told him about my project, have seen him perform with them and also went to the DC Armory show - he gave a thumbs down, said they (the promoters) lost a lot of money.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Grover Washington Jr.'s Lock It in the Pocket
Donnell said it was Stomp's birthday, the whole right side of the dining area was people for his birthday, he joked that he's 17 (actually 26)
Stomp's mother screamed out, Donnell repeated: "That's my baby!"
2) Mike-led Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change / Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine
3) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know
Donnell introduced Tom Ellis, author of a book of poetry, Maverick Room, including poetry on GoGo. Mike added that he is a Dunbar graduate.
4) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People
5) Mike-led Lap Dance - Go-Go Mickey played congas for most of the song
Adia came up and sang as a special request for Stomp:
6) Adia-led Jill Scott's Not Like Crazy

RE Angie, Michon, Ray, Robin, Tracy and Angie were there. I talked with Tom Sayers Ellis about his book, we will talk more later.

Second Set
Donnell said that Adia is also celebrating her birthday, Peaches, Tyree, and Mike's is Friday
1) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
3) Donnell-led "Hay ay, Ho oh"
6'9 was there, he said hello
4) Halima-led Amerie's 1 Thing
5) Donnell-led 50 Cent's In Da Club (tease)
6) Adia-led Erykah Badu's Danger
7) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
8) Mike-led Rare Essence's Take Me Out to the Go-Go
9) Mike-led Rare Essence's Roll Call
10) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
11) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
12) Donnell-led DIP
13) Mike-led Michael Jackson's I Can't Help It
14) Donnell-led Prince's Purple Rain - mostly instrumental
15) Donnell & Stomp instrumental Maceo & the Macks' Soul Power '74 (tease) - instrumental (sampled in Jennifer Lopez' Get Right)

Godfather said to me, "That's the man (pointing) do you know who that is?" Since his white cap (with red shirt) was blocking my view of his face, I said no. Godfather said Rah Rah. He took me over, talked about my project and introduced me to him.

Tuesday at Rehearsal
Private location

Familiar Faces
There was no actual rehearsal tonight. Donnell was at Night Flight Studio working on the editing of the live recording from last week. I talked with Godfather, Stomp, Charlie, Jacques, and BJ in the rehearsal parking lot while we waited for DP to unlock the door. Jacques was playing a Whop-N-Em recording. When DP arrived, everyone went in. Everyone signed agreements regarding the live recording, received their pay and left. Mike Muse walked in as I left.

Friday at the DC Armory: Old School GoGo Reunion
DC Armory, 2001 East Capital Street, Washington, DC 20003

I got a little lost on my way to the DC Armory, but ended up being plenty on time. I got to the DC Armory at about 10:30 after parking. There was an expected security check. Then I walked in and there were rows of tables with white table clothes on either side of the dance floor. I looked on the left side, then the right for someone I knew. Roosevelt Littlejohn was on the right and invited me to sit down with him and Rochelle. I asked what the order was, I was told EU, Trouble Funk, Rare Essence, and Chuck Brown as the headliner. As far as I am concerned, this was a Trouble Funk show. They, together with Familiar Faces, are my favorite GoGo band and the rest of the bands in this show I can see anytime. Roosevelt told me most of Trouble Funk was in the back, but I could clearly see a number of the band members sitting at a front table - I should have gone up and talked to them, but I was hoping to meet the whole band at once, next time I won't make the same mistake. (Update: Roosevelt said he was going to bring me up on stage during the performance, but couldn't find me in the crowd, but he'll make sure next time).

EU
EU came on, starting off their performance with John Legend's Ordinary People. Next they performed their own song, Ooh La La. Off the top of my head, they performed Um Bop Bop, EU Freeze, a song I didn't recognize with the line "Ribbit, give it up", Amerie's 1 Thing, and a couple of instrumentals.

Billy the Kid was insufferable during the breaks, he talked nonstop. There was an area in the right corner (from the front, not the performer's right) for GoGo pics and a cafeteria. Bars were on both ends.

Trouble Funk
Trouble Funk performed next. I really enjoyed their performance. There were only a couple of negatives: their time was cut short, and Big Tony was rightly pissed about it, and Iceberg Slim's voice was gone when he rapped for Don't Touch That Stereo. They performed: Say What (Tease, and later the full song), (Let's) Get Small, Pump Me Up, Trouble Funk Express, So Early in the Morning, a Tee Bone percussion solo, Don't Touch that Stereo, E Flat Boogie, and Ludacris' Number One Spot. After Pump Me Up, the promoters (The Firm) turned the main speakers off as a way of letting Trouble Funk know they wanted to cut short their time. Big Tony complained, "About the same old crap, they want to cut our time in half." After Don't Touch That Stereo Tony talked about how, "They will have to cut the power to stop us from continuing to play". Then he said, "Let's go back to the beginning" and then they performed E Flat Boogie. They closed with Ludacris' Number One Spot; then Big Tony said, "They cut the power on us; we have no choice but to stop". Fortunately, Billy the Kid mentioned they would be performing at Club Levels on May 28th, along with EU, Ayre Rayde, and Mass Extinction. Chuck's granddaughter danced on stage with them during their performance. Also, their drummer continually would toss drumsticks to the back as he was done with them. I am not sure hoe many people they had in the band: Big Tony on vocals and bass, three other vocalists in the front line, two keyboard players, a guitarist, two Sax players, a trumpet plaer, a drummer, Tee Bone on percussion, and Iceberg Slim on vocals for Don't Touch That Stereo only.

The performance was filmed; hopefully it will appear on DVD. I hoped to talk with Big Tony after the performance, but he went in the back. I realized that a middle-age white man and woman there was Tom Goldfogle and Becky Marcus of Liaison. I recognized a number of people there - among them Teago Ward and Kato of TMOTTGOGO.com. Preston Blue was with Teago. I wonder who was doing FF's sound tonight, as Googie, Telando, Vincent, and one of Vincent's associates (Paul?) were all at this show. I briefly talked to Kato and a writer named Tawanda by the stage. Then Angie, Tracy, and Robin came by and I spent the rest of the show with them.

Rare Essence
We went to get something to drink, then sat down. Tracy formally introduced me to Robin, her cousin. I told Robin I saw her at Wednesday's show. She said, "Oh, that's not good." They had missed the earlier part of the show as they sat in the car during the rain. I pointed out Nece, the promoter. Tracy talked about how expensive the lights were during Rare Essence's setting up. They had a light with the Rare Essence logo, and an involved intro that Angie said sounded Satanic, like a record played backwards. Rare Essence performed the tightest (I mean in the sense of being organized and having rehearsed) of all four of the bands, but their sound sucked. The percussion, particularly Go-Go Mickey is their strongest asset to me, and yet it was way back in the mix. Their percussionist on timbales and roto-toms might as well have been banging on a table for how poorly you could hear his playing. Little Benny sat in with them. They were all dressed in black, which while it was good to all be dressed the same, made them hard to see because of the dim lighting and the black stage background. What I can remember of their performing (I didn't even try to bring a pen in, having had too many pens lost to security checks): Lock It, Do the Mickey, Marinda, Shoo-Be-Do-Wop, and Ashlee Simpson's Pieces of Me. Whiteboy talked about Tricky Rick briefly. Angie had said this was her first time seeing Rare Essence perform. She asked me which guy was Whiteboy; I pointed him out and told her why he's called that. She said they play the same songs as FF, I told her Donnell composed a lot of those songs. Their new female vocalist, whose name I don't remember, sang Ashlee Simpson's Pieces of Me. Chuck Brown also briefly sat in on their performance, but I have no idea what he sang. They had the largest crowd. Whiteboy did a shout out to Tricky Rick.

Chuck Brown
Chuck came on last. He had three horns - trumpet, Sax, trombone, a keyboard player, a drummer, two percussionists, then later Little Benny on vocals and Kay Kay rapping. He played It don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Go-Go Swing), Moody's Mood for Love, Run Joe, Fiesta, a tease of Funkadelic's Undisco Kidd, a remix of the Cops theme song, and Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot. I was surprised how positively the crowd reacted to Chuck, more than any other of the bands. A few minutes after 3 AM, the lights came on and the show ended shortly afterward. While the show was good, the crowd was too small - The Firm lost a lot of money.

Live Recording at Takoma Station
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Nephew sent out emails about tonight's performance, confirming that it was going to be recorded. I brought a camera to record it. Still, I asked Donnell to confirm it. I talked with Tim (LJ) a little bit about Friday's show at the DC Armory. He said he couldn't go. I talked a little bit with Doc before the show. Marc Cary was there as a guest performer. This was my first time seeing the lights and smoke in full force. Halima said she was tense from working on memorizing so many lyrics.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Miles Davis' Tutu - some really nice keyboard playing by Marc Cary
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know
3) Halima-led Rodgers & Hart's My Funny Valentine
4) Mike-led I Dreamed You
5) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People - I really liked the beat Stomp used
6) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
7) Donnell-led "Lincoln Heights" chant
8) Halima-led Amerie's 1 Thing
A guy that Donnell said was YC played the flute during this set.

A woman who is a regular asked me what happened to Adia; I said that she's no longer in the band. A number of regulars were there. 6'9 said hello. Tracy, Angie, and a woman I don't know, Robin (whom I later learned is Tracy's Cousin), was there. I joked with Darrell, who sat with his head almost in Tracy's lap. I said, "Lap dancing is illegal in DC." Darrell responded: "Only if you get caught." Tamara, Sharmba Mitchell and Ray were there as well.

Second Set
1) Instrumental
2) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva
3) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
4) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
5) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) / Donnell improv - "Wait a minute", "Hey Hah"
6) Donnell-led Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me
7) Donnell-led "Tired yet, ready to quit?"
8) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
9) Donnell-led Hold the Note
10) Donnell-led DIP with an added rap
11) Mike-led Lap Dance - stopped then a drum solo, then a percussion solo
A fine recorded performance.

CD Tracks
1) Halima-led Erykah Badu's Didn't Cha Know / intro to My Funny Valentine 5:49
2) Halima-led Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart's My Funny Valentine 6:01
3) Mike-led I Dreamed You 6:35
4) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People 6:28
5) Instrumental / Halima-led Erykah Badu's Cleva 9:49
6) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U 5:01
7) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot 4:08
8) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease) (there may be more in this medley than I have identified) 6:59
9) Donnell-led Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me / Donnell-led "Tired yet, ready to quit?" 4:44
10) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You / Donnell-led Hold the Note / intro to Donnell-led DIP with an added rap 4:58
11) Donnell-led DIP with an added rap 2:33
12) Halima-led Amerie's 1 Thing 3:09
14) Mike-led Lap Dance 12:15

Tuesday at Rehearsal
Private Location

Familiar Faces
This rehearsal was packed. When I arrived, Godfather was at the front, talking on a cell phone. Stomp was also talking on a cell phone, sitting in the dark in another room. When I walked into the main rehearsal room, DP with his two sons, Donnell, and Charlie were there. A PA of last Wednesday's performance was played - Donnell talked about how he liked the improv conversation by Mike during I Dreamed You. Donnell asked me how my exam went. Over the course of time, everyone else arrived - there was a packed house.

This was the first practice I attended with Halima (only her second rehearsal). Everyone was there eventually: Godfather, BJ and Duane all set up their keyboards (I don't think I've seen all three set up in this practice room before), Dwayne, Doc, Jacques, Smoke, and Mike. Doc said to Charlie: "In September, I'll have been in the band for two years, and I've never seen you here before." Donnell answered for Charlie, "He doesn't work nights anymore."

Donnell talked about the Erykah Badu songs Halima sings: Cleva and Didn't Cha Know. He said she really brings it all when they do Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart's My Funny Valentine. She's good with all her songs, but she really brings it extra with that song. He is hoping she can transfer that to other songs.

There was ongoing joking between Donnell, Stomp, and Charlie throughout the practice. At one point, Halima played a song that she wants to do, Stomp sang along in a falsetto voice. Halima said she wants to remix it, putting in an elaborate intro "like church." Stomp said, "He (Donnell) doesn't know church." Donnell said, "You public school guys don't know. In high school, I played behind Lena Horne. If you don't know who Lena Horne is, ask your mom."

DP had a flugelhorn; he said both the horn and the case are twenty years old. They also worked on Amerie's 1 Thing, which they will now do with Halima on vocals instead of instrumentally. Donnell said they would do a live recording tomorrow.

Nephew was there at the end. Donnell talked about the Mother's Day show with L!ssen and Publicity at LaPearla - which used to be the Mad Chef. Nephew asked if they still did catering. I talked about how when I went to the Mad Chef, they told me the kitchen was closed and I said, "I'm not here for that." They laughed. Dwayne and Stomp worked on the music from a commercial.

I emailed Halima the lyrics to Stevie Wonder's As when I got home.

Wednesday at Takoma
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Donnell worked on setting up FF's own light system with Packy. Stomp, and Dwayne were there talking, Dwayne was tightening his strings. I asked Doc why Stomp was here since Jeff was at rehearsal, he said: "Jeff is no more, Adia is no more." I asked why (I figure they Jeff just has too much going on, they want someone who will be there all the time), he said, "No comment". I asked if it was mutual, he said, "Nothing was mutual."

I talked with Jay - he said I was a glutton for punishment. He asked if they were ready to go on MTV, I said no, you have to be in a major record label. I told him about the changes, he guessed that the girl with the big afro was the replacement singer. He was right and it was Halima (I didn't recognize her with the different hair and the dim lighting). He talked with Nephew who gave him more details. I said I've seen other bands, even Trouble Funk. He said there are 3 kinds of GoGo: straight GoGo (Backyard Band), GoGo R&B (FF) and GoGo Jazz (Trouble Funk). He also said that Chris (Rah) on Holla at Your Boy was great, he wished Donnell would hire him and sit back. He said being CEO is hardest. I said that Chris left because of the Northeast Groovers reunion, and What? Band is doing well. He said that L!ssen, Backyard and Rare Essence are 1-2-3. We discussed the colors of fashion vs. sports teams' clothes (like Mike wearing both Yankees and Red Sox gear).

Go-Go Mickey was there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Blueprint - instrumental
2) Mike-led John Legend's Live It Up
Mike talked about that band Familiar Faces and led up to
3) Mike-led I Dreamed You
4) Mike-led Glenn Lewis' Don't You Forget It - James was on backup vocals
5) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
Donnell said there will be a surprise, it was Halima, he said, "She occasionally sings with us (he didn't mention the change in female singers)"
6) Mike-led Bernard Ighner's Everything Must Change - Halima was on backup vocals

Jay said he has filmed FF at three places - the Market Lounge, Safari Steakhouse, and Takoma Station. There was a stretch Expedition limo outside. Sugar Bear talked with Doc. Jay is a Lakers fan - he said he saw his (other?) brother out in LA. He said he played basketball with Kareem, he was real nice.

6'9 and Sixx were there, Donnell announced it. Tamara was there. Tasty, with a new hair cut, said hello to me. She was with Nita. Darrell was there. Nita was wearing shoes with glowing heels. Blak was there, and Hobo Moe. I talked with Doc again. I said Adia wasn't at rehearsal. Doc said it went down this weekend.

Second Set
1) Halima-led Jill Scott's Golden - James was on backup vocals
2) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
3) Alternating Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - the crowd shouted "Wind Me up, Smoke" / Notorious BIG's Warning / Keith Murray's Call My Name (tease)
4) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
5) Donnell-led Hold the Note
6) Donnell-led Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me - "Od ba ba ba"
7) Doc-led Snoop's Drop it Like Its Hot
8) Mike-led Lap Dance
He stopped and then agreed to do two more songs, but only ended up doing one
9) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As - Donnell said, "I don't know what's wrong with Stomp"
10) Percussion solo - the crowd shouted "Wind me up, Smoke"
Donnell said, "People (the band) were jealous", that's why they stopped. Donnell said, "Everyone listen just to Stomp". He said, he likes to showboat, his name is Sammy, he likes to slick it up, Smoke, Samuel Dews. Donnell said, "If Mike only knew the words that would be something".

Day Day was there. Godfather said James is his nephew.

Tuesday at Rehearsal
Private location

Familiar Faces
When I arrived, Donnell, Doc, and DP were already there. I talked about Doc and DP about Bradford Bishop and Montgomery County violence and brothels. DP said there were a lot of murders in Montgomery County lately. I also talked about a Russian brothel found across the street from the Bethesda library several years ago.

Mike arrived shortly after, than Dwayne, then Duane, Jeff, and Jacques. There was a discussion about using Live It Up not in the pocket, but instead like the original, they played it that way with Little Benny and it went well. Safari's crowd has dropped the past four weeks, Dwayne or Mike said to Donnell, "Stop inviting your cousins." Donnell talked about how they can crank and be good: "Don't mess with a working formula, mellow songs played not in the pocket, other songs crank. They can possibly play it in the happy hour set not in the pocket." Suttle Thoughts plays everything in the pocket. Chuck Brown played mostly covers in the pocket, but was alone in using Jazz as his niche. Donnell asked, "Why do they use Grover Washington Jr.'s Lock It in the Pocket which no one young knows?"

There was a discussion over upgrading the keyboards; Donnell said he loves Godfather's organ playing, but not the other keyboard effects. Mike and Dwayne pointed out you can't play new stuff like strings on the present keyboards., I told Mike that Scotty Beats said you can't even get the Ensoniq fixed. The Ensoniq is a sampler - no pre-programmed sounds, it belongs to Donnell. A Triton (which must be old according to Dwayne) sold on eBay for $750. The new Moog is $3K, Doc will buy one.

People (like Jauhar and Nephew) notice Adia's sharps and flats; they just don't know what it is.

They worked on Stevie Wonder's As - Godfather and BJ arrived to work on it.

I asked Duane what he thought about Friday - he really liked I Dreamed You, when Stomp and Smoke got in a groove, but preferred going downstairs during the breaks. He would stay down there if they played the live music on the monitors, his cousin really liked DP's playing. He will be woken up again!

Due to their slow pace of performing As, Mike suggested they play in the pocket, Donnell rejoiced and sang along. Mike said Stevie would dance if he heard them playing. Mike said Stevie was ahead of his time with Girl Blue (he mentioned that at Xcalibur this summer).

I asked about where the nickname Frankie Knuckles came from, Mike and DP told me to ask Donnell.

I thanked Donnell for the 6'9 intro, I told him I knew where he had transferred to. DP said Terry Long transferred too. I talked about the two books about Bias, Never Too Young to Die by Lewis Cole and Lenny, Lefty and the Chancellor by C. Fraser Smith. Donnell said that Lefty was right to want to clean his room, DP and I agreed that it was wrong - it was a criminal investigation. I pointed out that Purnell, the then-assistant coach that Lefty ordered (but refused) to clean Bias' room, is now the head coach at Clemson. Donnell said a girl was also in the room; Lenny was sleeping with her at the time. I said they couldn't convict Tribble because Gregg and Long could not confirm whether Bias or Tribble got the drugs. Donnell said they were scared and Tribble was a well known drug dealer.

As I was leaving, Donnell and DP wanted to talk to Jeff, in what turned out to be his exit interview.

In the parking lot, I told with Godfather. Godfather wants to see my pictures. He is upset, he thinks they are being small minded, they should promote a big show after Miami. He also said I should go to Bike Week.

Adia was not present - I found out the following night that she was already no longer with the band.

Friday at Safari
Safari Steakhouse, 9430 Annapolis Road Lanham MD 20706

Donnell said, "Who's playing that flute, Vincent?" (it was distortion on the mic). Charlie said he Stomp and Bo are really tight, he just talked to Bo tonight, that he's holding up well, and his trial is in November and then he'll be home.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Amerie's 1 Thing - instrumental
Donnell said, "Stomp's wearing a button-down shirt, he says it's from shooters, but it's really from the shrimp boat across the road."
2) Mike-led The Stylistics' People Make the World (Go Round)
3) Adia-led Incognito's I can Get You Out of My Head
4) Mike-led John Legend's Live It Up
5) Mike-led John Legend's Ordinary People
Mike said, "We love you whether you like it or not."
6) Mike-led I Dreamed You
He went over the origin of the song.
He said, "Adia is a real diva; put the chicken on the floor."
7) Adia-led Alicia Keys' Diary
Donnell said: "We're going to Miami in July, Christina, you can come with me, I have six sleeping bags."
8) Tamara-led Vivian Green's Emotional Roller Coaster

I don't know if it was Mike's comments or what, but Adia packed up her stuff and went outside, but ended up coming back inside. I talked with her during the break; she really was going to leave. Kelvin, Y2k's manager, was there. I talked with Angie about the paper; she said her 15-year-old daughter is into TCB. She couldn't understand the attraction. I told her to check out my interview of Darrin X. She said her other daughter in elementary school was secluded, but even she knew about "beating your feet". I told her I would send her a picture - it is below.

Ras Lidj was there. I pointed out to Angie band members; she didn't know who Doc was. I asked if Darrell was related to Tracy, she said no and that he's into her. Angie said Darrell, Tracy, Tim (LJ), and she are a posse (she didn't mention Tamara who is their friend as well). She said she was here with Tamara, who was promoted to deputy manager. She told me that Bike Week was wild when I asked if she was going. She asked if she could forward my paper to other people.

Second Set
1) Adia & Donnell-led (Sade's) Cherish the Day
A fight broke out, Donnell said, "Let's play something old so the youngins will leave, this is not the place to beat your feat. I don't want to party with my children (ironic since Donnell Jr. goes to some shows)."
2) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy
3) Donnell-led Rare Essence's I'm Getting Ready
4) Donnell-led either a new song or part of I'm Getting Ready
5) Mike-led either new song or part of I'm Getting Ready (Hoochie Coochie Man)
6) Donnell-led Trillville's Some Cut - the crowd shouted, "Wind Me Up Smoke"
7) Kay Kay rapped
8) Donnell-led Ludacris' Number One Spot
Donnell talked over the mic to 6'9 Jordan did you talk to 6'9, he did go to Maryland, I talked with 6'9, and confirmed where he transferred

Kato was there, he wasn't there last week due to being tired, he slept until midnight; there was no reason to go that late. I talked more with Angie and Tracy. Tracy is writing a book, BJ pointed to me. She's going to talk about people's experiences. I said that Donnell said he wouldn't write the Rare Essence story because he'd have to move to Wyoming. She said that Donnell is nosy.

Ras Lidj is opening for EU at the Market Lounge.

Doc and I discussed the same old music industry stuff: The need for professionalism, the band not being all in synch, that if the drummer isn't there, get someone else to play, etc.

Tracy and Angie talked about being (practically) blind, I told her about Brian at the 5th column and crossing the street. Brian is one of my fraternity brothers. He has poor vision but doesn't correct it. He told a story about going to the 5th Column (a gay and straight bar in DC) with a friend and discovered only after he got up real close that his male friend was gay, since he danced with another guy. I also watched Brain one time, going across the street - he was looking at a girl and walked face first into a traffic sign. She pointed to some girl's ass; Angie said she couldn't see that far. I said she should talk to Mike, and that Godfather's store advertises for his site. I said Tasty is on Mike's Website.

Third Set
1) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
2) Mike-led John Legend's Used to Love U
3) Mike-led Prince's Take Me With You
4) Donnell-led Hold the Note - Doc rapped
5) Donnell-led "Tired yet, ready to quit?"
6) Donnell-led Vinnie D-like rap "Nikki"
7) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika
8) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Marinda
9) Donnell-led Miss Keta Will You Dance for Me - "Od ba ba ba"
10) Mike-led Rare Essence's Lock It
There was a fight; Donnell said, "Okay, we'll play one last song, a slow one so the trouble makers wouldn't be back."
11) Mike-led Glenn Lewis' Don't You Forget It
12) Smoke and Stomp traded drum rolls

DP and Mike called Tasty Frankie Knuckles. Mike carried Tasty in his arms in the parking lot.

I had no idea at the time that this would be Adia's last performance as a member of Familiar Faces.

Wednesday at Takoma
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012


Adia and Michael Thompson of L!ssen
Picture Copyright Adia Doores

My friend Sean told me he was coming. I talked with Angie about Nephew's Dad; she said he was there on Saturday as well. I told her about my paper, and the photo. Tracy got the web address from me and Angie gave me her email address. Stomp arrived with Charlie.

They were late setting up, the other band members helped carry equipment and set it up.

Sean arrived. I talked with Jay; he showed me old photos of Rare Essence members in white tuxedos. I asked if I could scan them in, he said no. Sean and I went and watched from in front of the bar due to the loudness. Nephew showed the pictures to Tracy. Sean asked if Tracy and Darrell were brother and sister (they aren't related).

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Instrumental
2) Adia-led Jill Scott's Not Like Crazy
3) Mike-led Ordinary people - Michael Thompson of Lissen sat in during it
Salih "E" Williams was there as well.
4) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's Golden Lady
5) Mike-led Lap Dance
When the set ended, Donnell joked, "Can I get a new drummer? Oh, there's Scooter (of EU)" Pooh was also there. Day Day and Gene Pratt of Suttle Thoughts. Sugar Bear and Donny Ray of EU were there, as was Buggy from BYB and Grady, Rare Essence's manager. The girl with blonde highlights and Tanya and their friends were there again. Also, Ray, Tim (LJ), Darrell, and RE Angie were there. Also, Michelle Blackwell of What? Band was there.

I talked with Tanya, asked her if Doc had emailed the pictures to her, he said he told her where she could see them. I said I wouldn't have put it on my site if she hadn't complained, she said it was okay. I talked with Jay, he said they need more direction, I said they need to work on punctuality. He said they aren't all working in the same direction. I talked about how their crowd had grown between the Summer and November to 500. He said he went to Safari and told Eric how he was amazed how big the crowds were, and Eric said even more will be here and they were. I told him how they have different crowds for different sets. He said he didn't want to get me into any more trouble.

Sean left during the second set, when I pointed out it was midnight. Tara St. John arrived; I asked her how she was doing. She said she worked plenty of overtime at the post office because she bought/is buying a house. I asked her if she was going to perform, she said she didn't know.

Second Set
1) Adia-led Jill Scott's Whatever
2) Mike-led Marvin Gaye's I Want You
3) Mike-led Anthony Hamilton's Since I Seen't You
4) Mike-led Happy Birthday
5) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Body Moves
6) Donnell-led Notorious BIG's Warning - Donnell performed as a duet with Ebony
7) Donnell-led Ludacris' Intro / Ludacris' Number One Spot
8) Donnell & Mike-led Terror Squad's Lean Back - Tara guest rapped
9) Donnell-led Miss Tara Will You Dance for Me
10) Donnell-led Prince's Take Me With You
11) Donnell-led Hold the Note
12) Donnell-led Sly and the Family Stone's Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (tease)
13) Donnell-led DIP
14) Donnell-led Jennifer Lopez's Get Right
15) Donnell-led 911
16) Donnell-led Medley - Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love / Rare Essence's Spotlight / Rare Essence's Get on the Wagon? / Vinnie D's $55 Motel - this time he performed the entire song, at this point his accompaniment was just Packy playing congas and Sugar Bear playing drums
17) Donnell-led Lisa Stansfield's All Around the World (tease)
18) Donnell-led Rick James' Mary Jane (tease)
19) Donnell-led Rare Essence's Overnight Scenario

Michelle and Nita arrived during the set. I told Michelle about Jay's photos, I told her he was gone, but she said later he wasn't, he was just outside.

I asked Tara as she was leaving if she was going to come out more, she said yes.

I asked Donnell who 6'9 was, he said David Gregg.

I told BJ about the photos.

Outside, Michelle said Donnell needs a bodyguard, she said, "A girl went right up to him, he, I mean she almost kissed him." Donnell talked about Nephew's "gay experience" - he was propositioned 10 years ago at work. Dwayne talked about Sly supposedly touring.

Tuesday at Rehearsal
Private location

Familiar Faces
Donnell's Jaguar was out of the shop. He said my brother (Jay) said you said we had bigger crowds last year. I said, "No, that I had said the record isn't selling well, but that they have big crowds on Fridays at Safari..." Donnell said part of the reason that its not selling well is that Baba and he haven't really promoted it, they are waiting until they hire a head of the record company.

DP was right behind us. DP works for Verizon too. Duane entered the room talking; he asked if a band formed out of Ellington. Donnell said, "You learn more than rehearsing; wait and then ask." Donnell said "No, there were three guys from Rare Essence, but mostly Rare Essence was formed out of Ballou HS." More from Ellington went into Classical. Kato and Dave Chapelle went there as well. Chapelle was in theatre, not comedy.

Dwayne arrived and told how when Doc from Ayre Rayde was at Friday's performance, he said "Hey, you were in Redds & the Boys". Dwayne said the guys from Ayre Rayde followed Redds & the Boys around like puppies. Donnell asked if Dwayne had done anything with Ayre Rayde, since he's a Maryland dude, Dwayne said no.

Stomp was there, had to leave early. Someone discussed the fact that he and Charlie are always on the phone with each other. He was working on Lap Dance. They also rehearsed Ludacris' Number One Spot. Doc asked if that (the rehearsing) was a tape, he thought it sounded so good as he walked in.

Nephew, BJ and Godfather arrived. Stomp discussed adding the Ludacris sample to BJ's keyboard, but the blank disk that Donnell found was faulty.

They then worked on a remix of Lap Dance over Godfather's protests; Donnell said he thought it is too busy. Godfather had a whole detailed plan for the video. Donnell joked that Mike won't be going to the video shoot since he won't be singing. Mike said, "That's okay; I'll stay home and bone all the chicks you claim are yours."

Godfather talked about folks, then my people, he said that was usually a derogatory remark, he didn't have a problem with me or Mike, the Puerto Rican. Godfather was upset and said they'll learn, that the important thing is to give the crowd what they want. They (BJ, Doc, and Dwayne) composed music to go along with lyrics composed by Donnell (I didn't write them down).

I talked with Nephew about his Dad, of whom he said when I asked his name, I don't know the guy, repeatedly. He confirmed (from Wed) that his Dad is a big fan of Rah. I said his Dad looks older than forty-eight. Adia was there (only Jacques and Smoke were not there and they aren't required to attend every rehearsal). Nephew left to go to After Hours' Happy Hour at Club Level.

Donnell asked me not to talk about Rock with guys when they are late. Duane, Dwayne, Donnell and DP stayed to work on Amerie's 1 Thing. Donnell told me his brother's name is Jay.

I asked Donnell if FF was going to be the only act on the record label, he said initially, then later other young GoGo bands.