Sinking in a Winter Wonderland...

Knee deep in the snow, I stand, immobile, immersing myself into the silence offered by my pristine surroundings. It is tempting to use the phrase “dead silent” as there are few signs of life. Yet despite the blanket of snow which dominates every inch in my vicinity, suffocating life beneath it, I know full well it is only a temporary state of affairs. In the distance, just beyond the conifer sporting a tall, white hat lies a portion of the Georgia Straight, shimmering golden thanks to a few of the partially hidden sun's shafts reflecting onto the waters. The sky above is predominantly overcast, except for a single brilliant strip of blue sky close to the horizon. The contrast is striking and the sheer clarity of the blue reminds me of my baby boy's magnificent eyes.

Gabriola Island is a winter wonderland. Normally a vivid, soggy green due to rain, the cedars, ferns, bushes are all weighed down by several inches of the magical, fluffy white stuff. Why even the giant gunnera which set such a lovely backdrop for our wedding a few months ago are completely buried under the weight of the snow. I, for one, could not be happier about these odd weather patterns, Then again, I am not in the city and I don't have to leave the house except to go out and play. And I'm not stuck in an airport either. Another being that keeps welcoming more and more falling flakes is Flea. Her deer-like bounding through the forest - as natural as if she had done it her whole life - is a sight to behold. Few Taiwanese street dogs are able to boast about the thrill of bounding through snow two-feet deep. Supposing she went back for a visit and was hanging out with some of her old buddy's, how would she even begin to describe the experience to her canine pals back home?

I've been on vacation for less than a week and already I'm fearing a return to a working man's routine. Ah, the luxury of time. Time to write, time to play with Kael, time for long walks in the woods, time to listen to music, time for just sitting around – that's what the holidays are all about. And of course the holidays are about family. It's only natural that I think of my own family firmly entrenched in winter's grasp in Ontario and Quebec. At least with a blanket of white covering everything, not to mention the constant worry over driving conditions hovering in the air, it really “feels” like Christmas in BC this year. I heard on the news that it will the first time since the 1970s that Canada will enjoy a white Christmas coast to coast. That is definitely something to celebrate.

This will be Kael's second Christmas experience. Last year, he – I mean, we – were given the best gift ever in the form of a jiggling chair that shook our colicky little guy into a comatose on Christmas day. It sounds mean, but we were all better off with him a little more “relaxed”. And as the picture shows, the stocking was bigger than he was. This year, he will at least match the stocking in size - if not outsize it. He will also be more aware that something extraordinary is happening, though he is still won't quite get it. Proof came when he was exploring around the tree and tried to use one of his presents as leverage . His hand pierced right through, and with a simple lift of the loose paper he could have had a sneak preview of his gift. Yet instead of stealing a glimpse, he merely ignored it and continued with his original plan: to grab the shiny ornament hanging on the tree and stick it in his mouth.

The fact that he is not yet interested in the gift part of Christmas is a blessing because in our family, as with many of you who do celebrate, it promises to be very low key year in the gifting department. And that's fine with me. Michele calls me a scrooge for having this attitude, but the truth is that I do find it difficult to summon that Christmas spirit. Maybe it's because I'd rather be inspired to give rather than pressured to do it. And the barrage of same old tunes everywhere (none of which is James Brown Funky Christmas) and the same old sentimental movies on Tv don't help one iota. 2008 is teaching us that it takes a recession – a forcing of the hand – for us to realize that it isn't the gifts that makes us happy during the holidays, but the time off. For his part, Kael is oblivious to the point where we could wrap up his existing toys and he wouldn't know the difference. Of course, I'm not so frugal as to not get him anything, but the truth is, the kid is happy to run around house which offers plenty of space and dive bomb down the staircase. Toys at this particular stage in his development, do not interest the lad.

Well, let's see what is on today's to do list:

1)perfect the snow angel
2)gulp excess amounts of hot chocolate with a hint of Bailey's
3)listen to Brazilian music for contrast
4)nap just for the hell of it
5)use the time to send out positive vibes to all friends and family scattered around this planet

Much love to one and all

oj

Philosophical Funk - Vol 1

There may be no decade that is easier to make fun of than the 1970s: bell bottomed slacks, afros, ludicrously large cars, loud-coloured clothing etc. Yet as ridiculous as some of these styles to emerge from that bygone era were, there was also something fantastically important to come out of the 70s: funky music. And the more one delves deep into the funk music library, the more often one hears the the same shared themes of equality, moral righteousness, togetherness and openness, which only add to the funky beats. The message is in the music.

Every song included in this mix espouses a sound philosophy. Listen hard, my friends, because these are words to live by and to groove to. Just copy and paste the URL link below, look for the "click here to start download", and you're good to go! And if you're looking to get real nerdy about the selected music and its relevant philosophy, the playlist with added comments can be found below.

www.mediafire.com/?m5zydthmygd'

My only wish is that this mix brings joy, positive energy and a little reflection to your life as you bring in the new year, wherever you are.

oj


Funk Philosophy – Vol 1.

1)Kool and the Gang – Heaven at Once

On a side which includes heavyweight tracks such as Jungle Boogie, Hollywood Swinging, Funky Stuff and More Funky Stuff, Kool decided to break things down with this cheesy dialogue. Or is it? And when asked, “What are you doing to make things right?”, Kool answers, “You see, we are scientists of sound/mathematically throwing it down”. Amen to that, Kool.

2)Skowa & Mafia – Deus Me Faca Funky (God Made me Funky)

A cover of the Headhunters classic by Brazilian outfit Skowa & Mafia. God made me funky is simply another way to say, we are born to create.

3)Isaac Hayes – Do Your Thing

We lost a good soul earlier this year when Isaac Hayes passed away at the age of 65. In this classic track, he lets us know that whatever it is we want/need to do in order to be happy – whether screamin' to let off steam or makin' love all night – to just do it.

4)Chocolate Milk – Action Speak Louder Than Words

The first thing you hear is the guiro, then the slow, heavy groove kicks in and, well, it's on. Lots of talk in this world, but as the saying goes talk is cheap.

5)The Meters – People Say (Rejuvenation)

Bar none, one of the top funk bands of all time. Drums, bass, guitar and keys, the no frills basics of The Meters is often mimicked, but never duplicated. It's a sure bet they'll be another Meters track on volume 2, but can you guess which one?

6)The O'Jays – For The Love of Money

As the economy enters its own funk, the O'Jays remind us how money changes us in ways we often aren't even aware of. As we all strive to make that mean green, how many of us stop to think about what is essential to our happiness? If it involves possessing lots of it while accumulating possessions, it may be time to re-evaluate .

7)James Brown – Take Some and Leave Some

“I don't want it all/ I just want a little bit”. James Brown at his funky buddhist best. Nuff said.

8)Kool and the Gang – Life is What you Make it

We often feel swept away by the forces around us, but Kool reminds us that we are the ones who create our lives. Whatever your situation, the choices you've made have got you there, and the choices you make will alter your reality. You can pretend that it's all beyond your control, but the truth is, it's all on you, in every moment of every day.

9)The Universals – New Generation

Some of the finest funk to ever come out of Florida, this 1970 recording never found its way to the distributor and was released in 2006 by Jazzman records. Too bad, that generation could have used it.

10)Mandrill – Positive Thing

Funk-rock heavyweights Mandrill released this gem in 1974. The simple message of love and togetherness is delivered with an ultra-heavy groove and accentuated by punchy, catchy horns.

11) Skull Snaps – It's a New Day

The instantly recognizable beat at the beginning sets the tone for this classic promoting positivity and new beginnings.

12)Charles Watts and 103rd Street Rhythm Band – Express Yourself

Sampled and popularized by NWA in the early 90's, Charles Watts and company urges us all to tap into our creative selves with this soulful groove.

13)Notations – Superpeople -

A Curtis Mayfield sounding joint whose message is perhaps even more relevant than the day it was written. In a world of egos gone wild, it's time to get grounded.

14)Donald Byrd – Change (Makes You Wanna Hustle)

Touching on the topic of impermanence, Donald Byrd reminds that “nothing stays the same/things just rearrange”. With his distinctive horn and use of funky strings, Byrd encourages us to act rather than sit there and be overwhelmed when life changes course.

15)BT Express – Do It (Till You're Satisfied)

Many will recognize the much sampled intro to this danceable track which, like Do Your Thing, encourages us to follow our dream, whatever it is.

16)Brass Construction – Movin'

This song is about getting your shit together and feeling groovy because of it.

17)People's Choice – If You're Gonna Do It (Put Your Mind To It)

This Philadelphia outfit reminds us not to do things half-assed. If you gonna do it, might as well put your mind to it.

18)The Isley Brothers – Fight the Power (part 1)

With “all of the bullshit going down”, the Isleys remind us to not give up the fight against those who insist on keeping the status quo for their own personal benefit rather than for the good of the whole.

19)Gerardo Pino – Shake Hands

Bought this one in a record store in downtown Nairobi (AKA Nairobbery), this is by far the rarest track of the bunch. It's moody, raw African groove about unity.

20)Black Heat – Love the Life You Live

If you don't get sent into orbit by this intense cover of the Kool and Gang original, then you need to get yourself checked out (or checked in!). The brilliant chorus' lyrical reversal of “love the life you life/so you can live the life you love” says it all.

21)Brass Construction – Take It Easy (Kenny Dope Mix) –

In times of stress, Brass Construction offers some sage advice: relax our minds and take it easy. You ain't gonna solve anything by stressing out about it! Brew up a bowl of mate if you need some help relaxin' that busy mind of yours.

22)Frankie Beverley's Raw Soul – Color Blind

Pre-Maze Frankie Beverley confronts racism in this track, wondering why we get so caught up on the colour of skin. Shouldn't we all be colour-blind by now?

23)Roy Ayers – People and the World

A plea for all of us to make the world a better place by living together by the living legend himself, the preacher of love and goo vibes, Bid Daddy Roy.

24)Earth, Wind and Fire – Shining Star

Every single person has the potential the shine and no one says it better than Earth, Wind and Fire in this funk-disco classic from 1975.

25) Tower of Power – Only So Much Oil

This jazz-funk brass powerhouse from Oakland warned us back in 1975 of our limited oil supply. Given the controversy surrounding oil prices and supplies that exist here in 2008, not to mention a war over it, maybe it's time finally time to listen.
Veggie fuel anyone? www.mofilms.org (Freedom Fuels)


26)Cymande – The Message

Among the best funk bands to ever emerge out of England, Cymande's bass-heavy grooves are complemented by soulful voices with rastafarian messages of peace and unity. “Together, we can grow/Forever, like it was before”.

27)Ellen Mcllwaine – Higher Ground

A riveting cover of the Stevie Wonder track featuring Mcllwaine's unique vocal stylings along the lines of Janis Joplin accompanied by some amazing bluesy guitar work. An unforgettable version of a song that encourages us to persist until we reach that next level of consciousness.

28)George Carlin – Values

Another great human soul was lost in 2008 when George Carlin passed on to the great gig in the sky. Think about it: What will you do with $10 and what would you do for $10? The revolution indeed is about values. RIFP (rest in funky piece, George)