[acid-jazz] CD Review: Shelley Nicole's Blakbüshe - "She Who Bleeds..."

From: Bob Davis (earthjuice_at_prodigy.net)
Date: 2003-06-09 03:30:41

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    Shelley Nicole's Blakbüshe
    She Who Bleeds...

    This is a highly political album, but that is what I would expect from Shelley Nichole. She
    is not only an artist but also an activist on several different fronts including artist
    rights and human rights. She's also a Soul-Patroller with a brand new website at the
    following url, where you can get some more info about both her and the CD.
    http://www.blakbushe.com/

    1. Who is blaKbüshe (Intro)
    Nice spoken word intro by NYC DJ Supreme Ian Friday, making the obvious commentary about
    brotha's and "Blakbüshe" :)

    2. Scorpio Chile
    Starts out with a space age riff that sounds like a cut from 70's funkmasters "Ripple"., then
    turns into Led Zepplineque hard rockin groove. The song is about birth and life. At the end
    of the song there is a spoken word part that talks about "traveling to a land where your mind
    can be free". I suspect that it's autobiographical?

    3. Spiritual Revolution
    Starts out with "sitar like sounds" reminiscent of a "phunky Ravi Shankar", then the
    percussion kicks in with some jazz type congas/bongos and some alien twilight zone music.
    The vocals are cool and the intent is clear. Shelley wants us to join the "spiritual
    revolution and lead ourselves to "self determination". This song would not be out of place
    on an early 70's EWF album.

    4. Americas' Secret
    Most of you here have already heard this song. It has been playing on Soul-Patrol.Net Radio
    for almost a year at the following link:
    http://www.soul-patrol.net/prog1.ram The "dirty little secret" of course is the oppressive
    society that flourishes in the United States. The music is of course in a serious funk/rock
    groove and the vocal harmonies are inspired by LaBelle. This song would be a hit record if
    it were ever to be played on eMpTyV.

    5. 3/4 Sh*t
    SUPER FUNKY JOINT (period..end of story). It has a serious instrumental groove that if
    thrown in the middle of a club set would keep the crowd grooving or wouldn't be out of place
    on a 70's blaxploitation soundtrack. The vocals come in about ½ way thru the song and are in
    keeping with the general theme of dealing with issues, in this case health issues such as HIV
    and Smallpox..

    6. Cheatin' Baby Daddy
    Starts out with a funky "Living Colouresque" bassline and then the vocals kick in with a
    serious feminist message (as you could probably guess from the title..lol). It's basicly
    about a 'Baby Daddy' who hasn't been living up to his responsibilities.

    7. Release
    Punk rock/speed metal beginning, that makes me think of the Ramones?

    8. Getting Yo Head Did (Skit)
    As the title indicates this is s skit. It takes place in a beauty parlor and you hear the
    usual assortment of NYC multi ethnic female voices chattering about things that females
    chatter about inside of hair salons? In any case this seemingly meaningless vocal chatter
    serves as a perfect intro to the next song.

    9. No Lye
    "Hair Issues" have been a constant topic of conversation in the Black community for as long
    as I can remember. Back in the 1970's hairstyles (ex: straight vs. natural) defined in some
    respect what your persona, political and otherwise was. In this song Shelly Nichole makes a
    stand on this issue for 2003. She objects to getting her hair fried, "chemicalized" or
    anything else "ized" in the "all amerikan pursuit of beauty". The occasional horse sounds in
    the background are a commentary on those who choose to purchase "fake hair". The song ends
    with a sort of ode to WAR with the words "Slippin Into Process."

    10. Love Triangle: Self, Family, Goddess/God
    11. Real to Me
    12. Dance (Flying Home)

    Overall this is a strong debut CD from an artist that we are likely to hear some big things
    from over time. The CD contains some strong music and some strong ideas that are designed to
    make you think about the world around you and your place in it.

    Shelley Nicole's Blakbüshe: "She Who Bleeds..."

    Go to her website and listen to a couple of clips and if you like what you hear...
    BUY IT DIRECTLY FROM HER WEB SITE...
    http://www.blakbushe.com/

    ...and PUT SOME SKIN INYO THE GAME!

    _________
    Bob Davis
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