The Manrilla Blog | Life. Art. Religion. Culture.

I received a call today from a person who does some music promotion. I seems that a disc that I burned for a friend of mine of some electronica tunes that I did that were used in a short film found its way into this person’s hands. After he reviewed the tracks I was requested to deliver any new tracks for review/submission. Here’s one of them. I’ve been working on a full album of electronica music (may surprise some of you who think I’m just a jazz head) - along with a billion other tiny projects. But anyway, I thought I’d go ahead and share it with the public. So take a listen to Stuck On 5 Rumsfeld Welfare Society Remix [Justice, Love and Brotherhood] (extended mix as well) from the forth coming album 2nd Time ‘Round. I named this track after the 5^th track of the disc I sent out (it appears that the promoter liked track number five and got “stuck on it”. Enjoy.

Earlier this year I was asked to participate in a project by a group of grad students from Hunter College in NYC. It was a spiritual biography of sorts. It traced lines along religion and race. The final project has yet to be published but an excerpt is now available for listening. So take a few moments to download the first in a series of podcasts forthcoming from the Manrilla Blog. It’s approximately 14 minutes in length [25MB]. Enjoy.

It would seem that every time I turn around, someone’s got an apostate story. Muslims everywhere are renouncing their Islam. Some become Christians, having found the true nature of Jesus (peace be upon him). Others simply go the atheist route. Upon dropping Islam like it’s hot, they in turn become armchair pundits, Middle East experts and overnight scholars of Islam. They write articles. They appear on talk shows. The best of them write books, making it to the best sellers’ lists. And even much to my surprise, they popped up on my blog as a Google advertisement! But what’s really behind all of this? Read more this entry »

In an attempt to regain my lost physical glory, I’ve been walking home from 46^th & Market to South Philly. Yes, that is a long walk. But, it’s made for some interesting picture taking. Enjoy.

Cones, West Philly

Door & Flag, West Philly

Church Door, West Philly

Train Tracks, South Street Bridge

Old Street Light, South Street Bridge

Chair, South Street

Shapes and Shadows, Broad & South

Construction, 46^th Street El Stop

Pylons, 46^th Street El Stop

One Cloud, One Building, Market Street

Clouds, Market Street

Smoke Stack, 30^th & Market

Dramatic Clouds, 30^th & Market

T B 1 1, 30^th & Market

Graffiti, 30^th & Market

Park At Own Risk, 30^th & Market

Train Station - Looking East, 30^th & Market

Clouds At 30^th & Market

Shadow of a Flag, 30^th & Market

Flags, 30^th & Market

Train Station - Looking West, 30^th & Market

Door - Trader Joe’s, 22^nd & Market

Street Corner, Broad & Walnut

I feel oh-so behind the times. I just got around to checking out Dave Chapelle’s Block Party (on DVD). I keep having people calling and saying, “yo, yer brother’s in Dave Chapelle’s movie.” So, last night I checked it out and lo and behold, the boy’a all up on stage, doin’ his rock star thang. Lookin’ good akh. Proud of ya! Click on the images for full-sized shots. He’s the guitar player.

Just a few from the walk home the other day. Hot and humid. Enjoy.

46^th Street Stop, 46^th & Market

Abandoned House, 45^th & Walnut

Pigeons Take Flight, 45^th & Walnut

Makkah Market, West Philly

Lee’s Hoagie House, West Philly

Sign, University City

Train Tracks, University City

Skyline From Walnut Street Bridge, University City

Power Lines, University City

Bricks and Leaves, University City

Empty Lot, Lower Walnut Street & Schuylkill Ave

Lower Walnut Ave, Walnut & Schuylkill Ave

We Are Closing, University City

Schuylkill Bridge, Center City

Schuylkill River, Center City

Parking & Storage, Center City

Fortifying the Foundation of Your Deen

Four Weekend Deen Intensive

Dates: July 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, and 29-30

Daily schedule: 9AM - 8PM

Week 1: Aqueedah, Week 2: Laws of Marriage & Divorce, Week 3: Introduction to the Science of Hadith, Week 4: Behavioral Refinement. There will be daily and evening workshops. Instructors include: Sheikh Anwar Muhaimin, Professor Amir al-Islam, Ustaath Abdullah ibn Hamid Ali, Ustaath Anas Muhaimin, Dr. Jameelah Carter and Imam Aqil A. Sabur.

Course Fees and Registration: Registration begins June 8, 2006, $15. For single weekend $60. For all four weekends $200. Apply in person, by mail or online at www.imbrotherhood.org. * Discount will be given for registration and payment by June 16^th.

International Muslim Brotherhood 4637 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131 Tel: 215.473.8589. Fax: 775.703.4848

Sometimes it seems very disproportionate to be out taking pictures with so much violence going on. We had a shooting in our neck of the woods just two days ago. Young guy shot - no one’s stepped forward to say anything. But, through art we find solace. Here’s my attempt to deal with the madness. Enjoy.

Boom Town, Lombard & Broad

PNB, Center City

Chairs, Center City

Parking Loading Zone, Queen’s Village

Tree and Shade, Columbus Ave