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

We’re gonna be taking a break from the Blogosphere for a bit. There are a number is projects and side-burner issues I need to tackle and part of that will involve putting the electronic pen down for a bit. I welcome all the feedback I get here - it is much appreciated. You can still communicate by dropping a line at theblog@manrilla.net. See you all when I come up for air.

Yeah, my temper’s pretty short these days. I just don’t have the stamina to deal with morronic statements such as these. I received this in an email from a friend of mine. Ridiculous…

I don’t like to start arguments here, but let us focus here on the matter at hand, the name “Elizabeth”…, is it okay [to] have this name Islamically? The name Elizabeth has two meanings (God Is An Oath and second meaning God Is Seven ) both [of which] are Islamically not permissible…

Okay…, will someone please tell me why this is even an issue? C’mon, folks!!! There’s so many other important, far more pressing issues that Muslims should be dealing with (like the length of our beards and the permissibility of black vs. white niqab). Any more stuff like this and I’m gonna choke someone an inch from their life. “Good grief, Charlie Brown…”

December 22, 2006—February 16, 2007: (Prizes Awarded February 25, 2007)

Read! Read! Read! & Collect Pledges of Course!
It’s Simple…, Beginning Dec. 22nd, children grades K-12 pick up Read-a-Thon packets at Quba. Get sponsors. Read books. Complete a 1-page summary form and then return completed forms to Quba. Win Prizes! All proceeds will help fund text books and other needed supplies for the Quba Institute of Arabic & Islamic Studies. For more information contact Naimah Fall @ 215-432-3419 or Fatimah Abdullah @ 267-231-3876.

I can’t really believe it as I’m writing this. Michael Brecker passed away Saturday at the age of 57. It’s hard for me to picture him gone. His tone, his playing, all were so huge, so incredible. I grew up listening to the Brecker Brothers. Their brand of fusion was highly influential. Michael has been one of the most important tenor players of his generation, having created amazing music for the past thirty-plus years. He will be sorely missed. So in honor of Michael, my ipod will be on a Brecker rotation. My condolences to his family. I had the pleasure of meeting his brother, Randy, several years back while photographing him on tour. I know this must be a difficult time for him and his family. May he rest in peace.

There’s good fusion and bad fusion. This can be said to be true for all forms of music, from rock to rap, pop to folk, classical and beyond. But when the form is true to itself fusion can be just as rich and diverse as “standard” jazz. Allan Holdsworth is one such musician that has straddled the medium of jazz and fusion, most certainly one of fusion’s most important figures since its inception. His “real” debut as a full-fledged leader on I.O.U. showcases his talents as a bandleader, composer, arranger and of course, bad-ass guitar maestro. If you’re looking for a great album to massage you into the realm of fusion, I’d recommend Miles Davis’ In A Silent Way sessions. If you’re done with the cutsie day spa routine and wanna kick arse, then I.O.U.’s the one for you.

I must make something of a confession here: I am not a guitar player, guitar junkie or any other kind of guitar whore. I only say this because when I’ve gone to see Holdsworth, most of his fan base seems to be geeky guitar aficionados who don’t have a life, their skin a sickly pale hue, like slugs under a rock because they spend all their time trying to master Holdsworth/Steve Vai guitar solos. But Allan Holdsworth is no gimmick. His understanding of harmony, melody, chordal structures and more are so far out there he’s without a doubt, one of the most masterful musicians of his generation (and that’s saying something).

I.O.U.’s a watershed album for the entire genre of fusion. It is a time capsule where amazing playing, fantastic concept and great musicianship all merged to form a stellar performance. A mixture of vocal tracks and instrumentals, I.O.U. offers something for everyone. Paul Williams’ lyrics and signing (Checking Out and The Things You See [When You Don’t Have Your Gun] are two such tracks) provide a balance against the torrent of Holdsworth’s guitar onslaught. But not all of it’s over-the-top guitar chops. There are unusual, thoughtful melodies (Letters of Marque). Gary Husband also turns in a fine performance on the keys/drums. So pick up a copy of I.O.U. – you owe it to yourself.

That’s about it. It’s 2007. Get to work.