Friday, January 19, 2007

Query From The Weary

Actual, bona fide frat business is getting under my skin. I never thought it would be so hard to get somebody to work for their own benefit. I think when I was in Detroit, we had so many members, you didn't really notice the slackers. Now, everything is right there in my face. These cats is slippin'!

So over the last couple of weeks I set up the chapter website (which is so wack, I'm ashamed), got us a general chapter email address, and have been running the social committee to establish fundraisers for the scholarship fund. The little fundraiser we're about to have is a little "four.th Friday" after work set. Not a big deal. $5 for some appetizers, drink specials and ambiance. This chapter has had NO REGULAR SOCIAL EVENTS for years. They had one happy hour last year, the one where I met Carmel, but that's it. I figured once we do a few of these, we can build a rep for throwing dope shit and do bigger things, like have a fundraiser ball or some snooty shit like that.

So I had to find the venue, secure the food, arrange for equipment set up, make up a fuckin' name for the event (God, it's generic), make the flyers, call the brothers to make sure they're spreading the word, etc. I've had social committee meetings that have consisted of me and a 76 year old Brother discussing how to get ladies to come out to the event. I'm just bugged about it.

I'm gonna have to pick the music to establish the ambiance, which is a classy, after work affair. People from their twenties to their 70's will be in the house. My taste in music is a little to off-center for broad appeal. I'm looking for a soul/neo-soul/jazz/"smooth jazz" (ugh) playlist.

What I ask of you good bloggers, is to give me some good songs that I can compile and create a nice atmosphere at this thing. Help a brother out!

Peace,
KZ

20 comments:

SynSational said...

Ummmmm....I'm thinking, I'm thinking. I'm not good at just throwing stuff out like that.

Miz JJ said...

You can try some John Legend, Angie Stone, Raheem DeVaughn and you can never go wrong with some older classics from Stevie Wonder to newer oldies like Lauryn Hill. Good luck!

onefromphilly said...

Can't miss with some:
Earth Wind & Fire
Marvin Gaye
Brian McKnight
Jill Scott

Those usually appeal to all age groups.

Some smooth Jazz from
Boney James
Norman Brown
George Benson

I'll look in my iPod and come up with some more.

1969 said...

Acsension-Maxwell
Heaven Only Knows-John Legend
Black Brother-Angie Stone
That type of vibe.

Then throw in some uptempo classics...
Stevie Wonder (Always, That Girl)
Parliament (like Flashlight)
Al Green (Let's Stay Together)
Earth Wind and Fire (September)
Commodore's (Brick House)
Cameo (Candy)
Lakeside (Fantastic Voyage)

Some old school hip hop?

Tribe (Bonita Applebaum)
Doug E. Fresh/Slick Rick (The Show)
Big Dady Kane-Smooth Operator

Some Jazzy stuff

Will Downing
Rachelle Farelle
George Duke

Some dance stuff
Cheryl Lynn To Be Real
Step in the Name of Love- The Kellz

Whew...I'm tired

BZ said...

Links:
Dwele
Robin Thicke
Goapele
kinda old but, Remy Shand
Kindred
Mint Condition
Floetry

Those are off the top of my head.

George Benson & Al Jarreau have a great new cd together. Although, not sure how well that would fly. I know it would appeal to the older crowd.

I have a bunch of music at the crib I can look through.

Knockout Zed said...

@Syn
C'mon, what you be bonin' to?

@MizJJ
You're steering me in the right direction, but I need songs. I'm asking for songs because I don't trust my taste with the general public. I'll pick stuff that I like that's highly unpopular with the people.

@OneFrom
Gosh I hate "smooth jazz"!!! Give me some song titles too!

@Sixy
This is what I'm talkin' about! I need this! I gotta check the old school hip hop for cuss content, but I think this is an excellent start.

KZ

Knockout Zed said...

@BZ
If you could that would be cool! I need some song titles with mass appeal. I seriously don't know.

KZ

A.u.n.t. Jackie said...

the hidden beach label does some really fun stuff, it's jazz covers of hip hop so it has a wide appeal..

check 'em out. that way the music doesn't out weigh the coversation unless you're trying to get some booty shaking going on up in there...

my 2 cents!

Disco said...

look fool...I tolllllld you who to check out for the site (DUH!!!!)....get on it!

As for the music.... I say you NEED to go with the smooth jazz/neosoul shit..... try some incognito/ amel larrieux/BNH.....

work it out man....

And uh...a 76 year old and you.....smh..... that is a saaad sight dog! LOL

Shai said...

Do a lil old school 70's-90's stuff like:

Earth, Wind and Fire
Stevie wonder
Parliments/Funkadelics
James Brown for the old folks LOL
Some smooth jazz
You gotta do a few old and new hustle songs just to get everybody out dancing

I can name alot more. LOL.

A.u.n.t. Jackie said...

the old dude probably won't dance and maybe if you're lucky he'll bring his own cab calloway LP's or something..

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure if this the kind of help you're looking for but for really good playlists you might check:
http://www.novaslim.com/archive_mixes/?M=D

And for help with the web page design you might check:

http://www.t-atoms.com/web.html

Good Luck!!!!

Anonymous said...

dj quik, 69 boyz, kilo ali, dem franchize boyz, and ghetto boys. YEAH! BWAHHHHAHAHAH

Anonymous said...

Wont have any trouble getting ladies to that particular frat's events, even the seventy-six year old ladies... especially the seventy-six year old ladies (smile)

I guess you have to decide whether you want people to sit and talk (jazz, soft r+b) or you want people to dance (old skool, funk, harder r+b). Ive been to some after work sets where people get lit and start dancing.

So maybe you want to have some John Legend, Maxell, Eric Benet, Roberta Flack, Thicke, Blackbirds, Music Soulchild to play... but have some Old Skool Rap, EW+F, Cameo, PFunk, Gap Band, 'Lectric Slide, Booty Call, etc on reserve, just in case it gets live all of a sudden. I cant see it now...

"Go Gramps! Its your Birthday! Dont Stop! Git It Git It! Watch Yo Hip!"

Angel said...

i was gonna say the sam as miss ahmad. the hidden beach "unwrapped" series usually has wide appeal. either way, you're gonna have to have a pleasant mixture. little bit of "cha cha slide." little bit of "bunny hop." little bit of "electric boogie." :-/

SynSational said...

**gasping, clutching pearls**

Bone? By that, what do you mean, sir? I don't do those type of things.

LOL

Little Brown Girl said...

Hey Zed...wanted to add one of my favs from the smooth neo jazz list. Mike Phillips is awesome sax player. His cd is out of the Hidden Beach joints and I think it offers a good variety of tracks that make you feel good. I've played at a number of gatherings I've had and folks love him.

good luck!

Knockout Zed said...

@Zia
Mike Phillips? I think that's the guy that does my oil changes at Jiffy Lube.

KZ

proacTiff said...

I see no one added Kem to the smooth jazz line up. http://www.kemmusic.com/
No need to thank me; glad to be of service. Best of luck to you on the Fir.st Friday spin-off y'all affectionately named 4th.

Sheletha said...

Al Green - everything is going to be alright

Corrine Bailey Rae- Like a Star

Oran Juice Jones - the rain

Shanice - I love your smile

Foxy brown - ill be

TLC - Red light Special

En Vogue - giving him something he can feel

Fugees - ready or not

Tweet - call me

Brandy - have you ever

Mary j - I don't want to do anything else & missing you

Maxwell - dancewithme

Usher - seduction

H-Town - knockin boots

Johnnie Gill - Lady Dujour

Mint Condition - Pretty Brown Eyes

Keith Washington (damn I went back) - Kissing you

Some earth wind & fire, con func shun, Shirley Murdock for the old heads