Pragmatic & Pretty

We're still in a Water Week, but the waves are starting to ebb a bit so the flow feels better for this kind of message. The listening for this writing is Sticky Finger 's " Queen ", because this song reminds me of all my Queens.  If that's not the right vibe for you, the other song behind this writing is Olivia Dean 's " Danger ". If you aren't an Olivia Dean fan then you need to be, because she is undoubtedly the next one to watch in the music industry.  Here we go... Let me start by saying ladies, there’s nothing I can say that you haven’t already figured out for yourself so this letter won’t be nearly as long as the one I wrote for the guys. I’m just going to re-affirm things for you (and myself) by starting off with: No, you’re not crazy. You’re just responding to your environment and THAT’S the crazy part. So, like I told the boys : Breathe. Just like my Aunty always tells me, everything starts with one really good deep breath. Center yourse...

Well friends, we’re entering a Water Week — not just a Water Day.  A Water Week is a series of Water Days back-to-back until you feel like you’ve been on your own Odyssey (journey) in the span of seven whole days. It’s high pressure and intensive growth. In a good way. An exhausting way. It’s letting your muscles heal after sprinting short intervals every day for weeks on end until you can run any relay race or out disc any competitor.  It’s letting your body rest while your brain breathes. This week we’re listening to a lot of earlier r&b voices like Anita Baker, Toni Braxton or even Teddy Pendergrass. It’s a “I’m homesick” kind of week, I think. So, the listening for this album is any version of “ Cruisin ” (originally) by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles . That song has transformed across generations to some of the grooviest articulations and vibes of any songs you ever want to hear. That’s why I will try to add every iteration (like this version by the legendary D'Ang...