LoIsRandom’s Neighborhood

" Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!
Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.
Reassure me of your promise,
made to those who fear you.
Help me abandon my shameful ways;
for your regulations are good.
I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness."

~Psalm 119:33-40

I have to keep telling myself, "God, Thank You." In spite about how I feel about my current job and how every day I am learning truly learning more and more when it comes to dealing with customers how we as consumers...we as people in this world are truly a bunch of spoiled, inconsiderate brats. I'm learning that we feel like we are owed "every thing" and not responsible for our actions. We live in a time where company rules and policies do not apply to us. I have never worked at a job where I truly look forward to my days off and each day it makes me long for a job where I do not want to hear or deal with customers. But through it all I have to say, "God, Thank You."

I'm learning to thank Him because it is showing me what's in my heart that needs to be worked out. I have never used foul language under my breath until working there so I need to stop fighting it and ask my Lord and Savior for temperament, patience. I used to have it but when you begin to drift from His Word, His Ways slowly but surely you begin to those "Fruits of the Spirit".

I'm learning that now whenever I receive wonderful service over the phone that instead of saying just, "Thank You" I should ask for the individual supervisor or manager and acknowledge them, I should begin writing letters of gratitude for the excellence service. I'm learning that even though it's an individual "job" to help me that it's not my job not to put them through the ringer when I am (the customer) is having a bad day. It is teaching me as a consumer that when I am not happy with a company that it's not the customer server agents fault of the rules and policies and not to become nasty with them.

I'm learning that as a customer to be have as much information as possible when needing assistance. It breaks my heart that when customer calling in for help how many of them make it so hard to help them. They do not have paper or pen handle...they do not do research for themselves to get prepared. It's so sad, we have information at our finger tips through the world wide web and yet are some of the laziest people around and I have to include myself in the bunch but after taking call after call of people thinking they do not need to do their part (something simple as getting a zip code of the hotel where they will be staying) goes a long way in helping a customer's research.

Now I know the first thing people are going to say is, "if we had all of those things why do you need you in customer service? I mean, we pay your salary!" Funny, I have said that before myself and here is what I have learned in the process...

We need "live" people to correspond with when it comes to business transactions because that makes us (the customer) feel like we are not just a "quota" to meet a percentage each month. Now as a customer it may be my right to be a jerk to someone who is helping me or jump down a Customer Service Representative throat when they make a mistake but should I be surprise when I get mediocre service? I'm learning it's about "Doing Right" and not "Being Right". I'm learning that it's not all about me, it's about what that customer service agent is going through day in and day out when dealing with different personalities, different attitudes day in and day out.

This does not excuse bad customer service because there are some people that should not be in that field of work because that may not fit them and some do not have people skills and maybe they should choose another line or work. We can could go back in forth in regards to the "Customer" and "Customer Service" relationship but what I'm learning is that you have to have empathy for customer service workers. You think I would have learned this lesson from working 6 years as a Houseman in the hotel business...but I guess I forgot the core lesson and God had to remind again. Ouch

I may not like what God allows me to go through but in the end I'm learning that when I put it in His hands he shows me what I need to learn and how to become a person from the situation I'm going through at the moment.

Be Blessed, Be Safe
& Have a Wonderful Weekend and Work Week.

~DarrenKeith

{to listen: click here | to download: right click}
[to subscribe copy and paste this rss feed into iTunes]

Track Title - Artist(s) - Album Title
01. He Reigns - Kirk Franklin{from the "The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin" LP}
02. Letter From Home - Chi{from the "Sun Lake" LP}
03. Never Again - Kingz Jewel Feat. King Bull{from the *"First Step" LP}
04. There's a Monk In My Garden! - Oystein Sevag{from the "Sanctuary: 20 Years of Windham Hill" LP}
05. Love Liberty Disco - Newsboys{from the "WOW 2000" LP}
06. Morning Ride - Ken Navarro{from the "The Best New Age, Vol. 6" LP}
07. More Than Conquerors - Praiz{from the "The Take Over" LP}
08. Where Lovers Walk - Jonn Serrie{from the "The Best New Age, Vol 6" LP}
09. Speak to My Heart - Donnie McClurkin{from the "WOW Gospel 1998" LP}
10. Daydreams - Schonerz & Scott{from the "Sancturary: 20 Years of Windham Hill" LP}
11. He Reigns - Newsboys{from the "WOW Hits 2004" LP}
12. Wide Asleep - Michael Manring{from the "Drastic Measures" & "Sancturary: 20 Years of Windham Hill" LP}
13. Spoken For - MercyMe{from the "WOW Hits 2004" LP}
14. Zuni Rain - Michael Gettel{from the "Narada Smooth Jazz" LP}
15. Don't Cry - Kirk Franklin{from the "The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin" LP}

photo: Luis Lauranzon
outro underscore music: Nicolay

*CORRECTION - In the podcast I said Kingz Jewel album was named "The Contact" but it's actually "First Step"...my apologies

I don't know why but this tune by Apes on Tapes has been in my head for the longest. I first heard this cut back in 2008 on Macedonia's "Both Sides of the Surface" show. (ironic is that that episode was named, "Goodbye Summer, Have a Great Fall." since is how I love Autumn) I showcased this track last year but with all good things they have to come back around. Some of these tracks you may have heard them in previous podcasts but it's good to sometime to reach back and and refreshing course of great music. To my new listeners...welcome; to my regular listeners...thanx and thanx again for coming back time and time and showing love for what I do.

Another artist I heard last year that I had to showcase their music is The Shanghai Restoration Project. I love their music and rather if it's laid back or makes you want to get up and dance (and I rarely do that...not that I don't want to dance) it's refreshing and easy on the ears.

The cool thing about this selection is not only that most of the tracks are free downloads but the fact that these musicians get when it comes to getting their music to the masses. Sometimes in order to get huge returns you must be able to give a little away. I will never forget the 60 minute segment on The Grateful Dead. These guys are millionaires and what they did when it came to their music is the "sowing and reaping" effect. At their live concerts they gave the okay for their fans to record their concerts. To many groups would frown on this but this worked in their favor in two ways...

1) It was a concert so the people had already paid their money for seeing them in concert and plus it would give the people to have a piece of history so to speak to share with their friends, family.

2) Even though they were giving the green light to record their music(bootleg) many people still would end up going to the store and buying the studio recording of the Grateful Dead music.

I'm not saying you should never pay for great music because is that were the case i would never put links to these gifted artists sites because we now live in a day and age where it's okay to get crappy customer service and people feel it's okay to steal music and that is far what I advocate. I take the time to put information links in my show notes because I have the utmost respect for musicians...especially today because to be honest without the web, I think I would live off my own collection of music but not too much great music is played on the radio any more.

This collection of music on this episode is from artists that are creative, innovative, and gives you a sense of "yes...great music still lives."

As always, kick back, relax and take you some "me" for the next hour.

Be Blessed.

~DarrenKeith

{to listen: click here | to download: right click}
[to subscribe: copy and paste this rss feed into iTunes]

{Track Title/Artist(s)/Album Name}
01. Grand 5 - Apes on Tapes{from the "You Open" LP}
02. Babylon of the Orient - The Shanghai Restoration Project & Amos Winbush{from the "The Shanghai Restoration Project" LP}
03. in the morning - CHRISS ONAC{from the "UN PANTIN !!!?" LP}
04. Everybody's Wonderful - David Binney/Alan Feber{from the "In The Paint" LP}
05. Apolo X - Vate{from the "Volk" LP}
06. Soup - Euforquestra{from the "Soup" LP}
07. Miss Shanghai - The Shanghai Restroration Project & Dez{from the "The Shanghai Restoration Project" LP}
08. The Winter - Balmorhea{from the "Rivers Arms" LP}
09. B.A. - The Jive Turkeys{from the "B.A. " Single}
10. Apres le beau temps... La pluie - Antonie Dufour, Tommy Gauthier{from the "Still Strings" LP}
11. Hometown - Sam Yahel{from the "Hometown" LP}
12. Tears of Grace - Andrew White{from the "Walk In Light" LP}
13. Miss Shanghai Revealed (Bonus Track) - The Shanghai Restroration Project & Di Johnston{from the "Reinterpretations"(Bonus Version) LP}
14. Somewhere (Eric Kupper Reprise) - John Shannon{from the "Somewhere" (remixes)}

intro underscore music by Todd Kelley
outro underscore music by Nicolay
photo: Chris Gin

2 great blues podcasts to check out by Todd Grundy

• RIBS TPTD: October is "Blues Month", part 1
• RIBS TPTD: "Blues Month", part 2 – Blues Women

Macedonia's BSOTS episode where I first heard Apes on Tapes

• BSOTS 073 - goodbye summer, have a great fall

music from Iodapromonet/Jamendo/AllAboutJazz

The Shanghai Restoration Project & Amos Winbush
"Babylon of the Orient" (mp3)
from "The Shanghai Restoration Project"
(Undercover Culture Music)
Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at appliedSB (Groupietunes)
Buy at mTraks
More On This Album

Euforquestra
"Soup" (mp3)
from "Soup"
(reapandsow, Inc.)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

The Shanghai Restoration Project & Dez
"Miss Shanghai" (mp3)
from "The Shanghai Restoration Project"
(Undercover Culture Music)
Buy at Amazon.com
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at appliedSB (Groupietunes)
Buy at mTraks
More On This Album

Balmorhea
"The Winter" (mp3)
from "Rivers Arms"
(Western Vinyl)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Puretracks
Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at appliedSB (Groupietunes)
Buy at mTraks
More On This Album

The Jive Turkeys
"B.A." (mp3)
from "B.A. - Single"
(Colemine Records)
Buy at Fat Beats
Buy at Dusty Groove
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

Antoine Dufour, Tommy Gauthier
"Après le beau temps... La pluie" (mp3)
from "Still Strings"
(Candy Rat Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Andrew White
"Tears Of Grace" (mp3)
from "Walk in Light"
(Candy Rat Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

The Shanghai Restoration Project & Di Johnston
"Miss Shanghai Revealed" (mp3)
from "Reinterpretations (Bonus Version)"
(Undercover Culture Music)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

John Shannon
"Somewhere" (mp3)
from "Somewhere (remixes)"
(ObliqSound)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

When it comes to my relaxing digital mixtapes I rarely have many vocalist included because not too many impress me in this day and time. There are only a handful in this day and time that enjoy listening to I love instrumental music. So imagine my surprise that I've put together a podcast where not only is must of the tracks are vocalist but for some reason I wanted to put together a show where all of the vocalist are women (rather singing solo or duo). There are a handful of gifted female vocalist that I have enjoyed over the years and in this line up there are a couple that are new on the scene and are very talented.

T.J Brown, Muhsinah, when first hearing their talent made me stop in my tracks and say, "now that's sangin'". I first heard of T.J. late 2008 when my man BigLa made a remix of her song, "Chance of Rain" and I have been hooked on her since. We had a wonderful chat via FaceBook in regards to talking about how the music industry has change; how they try and paint female artists in a corner...if they do not fit a certain "image" they are not showcased. It's funny how the (music)industry does not want to take the time to help a talented artist "grow". I'm glad T.J. is marching to her own drummer and sometimes when making your "own" path it takes a little longer and this is another reason I enjoy being a music podcaster because I have always loved not only music but the talent behind the music and my mission is to showcase music where radio will not...I am so honored to have had a chance to touch base with a talent such as Ms. Brown

Muhsinah is a voice that is haunting, angelic, stunning. I first heard her when hearing the track "Daykeeper"(with Phonte). Her background work and vocal style is very refreshing in this day and time where the studio enhances the voices of vocalist in this day and time and to hear an young lady that sounds good whether in a studio or live is cool. One thing I dig about Muhsinah's voice is that she can hit the ground running whether if she has lead vocals, background vocals are performing harmonic vocals it's very beautiful, very subtle and in and era where many so called talent want the "spotlight" she does not mind stepping back and let someone shine and that is rare today. Many great vocalists have started off as background singers from Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Patti Austin...they grew over time into the vocalists there are today.

Along with track from these two wonderful singers I have in the podcast music from Sade, Oleta Adams, Tanita Tikaram, Santine, CeCe Winans(with her brother BeBe), Diane Schuur, Cherrelle(with Alexander O'Neal), Tamia, Tina Moore, Chante Moore, Sonja Marie, Brandy, Patti Austin(with Michael Franks) and Lalah Hathaway. Included in this wonderful relaxing mix is tracks from a guitarists that I have enjoyed for over 10 years. Paul Speer has two wonderful albums out and I am showing off his talent as an solo artist and a collaborator with and Paul LawlerSantine Orient from his "Oculus" and "Wonders" albums. I first heard Mr. Speer when working at The Nature Company from the album "Natural States" which he teamed up with accomplished pianist David Lanz. It's amazing the cassette LP is still in tack for the many times I played it so when he reached out to me to give me the green light to showcase his music I was thrilled and honored.

So for the next hour kick up your feet, pour your favorite beverage and take the sounds of these gifted artists.

Be Blessed/Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful day

~DarrenKeith

My Apologies: I think in the podcast I said, "Wintergreen Music Festival" and actually it's "Winter Garden Music Festival" which is starting today...for more information here is the official site, Winter Garden Music Fest 2009

{Title Track - Album - Artists}
[to listen: click here | to download: right click]
(to download my shows copy and paste this rss feed to iTunes)
01. Daykeeper - Leave It All Behind - The Foreign Exchange feat. Muhsinah
02. Love Is Stronger Than Pride - The Best of Sade - Sade
03. Spanish Steps - Oculus - Paul Speer
04. Rhythm of Life - Circle of One - Oleta Adams
05. You Make The Whole World Cry - Eleven Kinds Of Loneliness - Tanita Tikaram
06. Gobi - Wonders - Paul Lawler and Paul Speer feat. Satine Orient
07. Lost Without You - Greatest Hits - BeBe & CeCe Winans
08. Louisiana Sunday Afternoon - GRP Presents The Wave 102.5FM - Diane Schuur
09. Patheon - Oculus - Paul Speer
10. Kiss Of Life - Love Deluxe - Sade
11. Sittin' Up In My Room - Waiting To Exhale Soundtrack - Brandy
12. Denali - Wonders - Paul Lawler and Paul Speer feat. Satine Orient
13. Saturday Love - Cherrelle Greatest Hits - Alexander O'Neal and Cherelle
14. Firenze - Oculus - Paul Speer
15. Chance of Rain - Loves' Design - T.J. Brown

***Blog Upate!!! to check out a podcast dedicated to the love Sade, check out my brother-in-podcast Doug Fresh over at Vibes[in]Scribes.

Bonus Podcast

{Title Track - Album - Artists}
[to listen: click here | to download: right click]
01. House of Cards - Leave It All Behind - The Foreign Exchange feat. Muhsinah
02. Wey U - Waiting To Exhale Soundtrack - Chante Moore
03. Ganges - Wonders - Paul Lawler and Paul Speer feat. Satine Orient
04. So Into You - Tamia - Tamia
05. Never Gonna Let You Go - Tina Moore - Tina Moore
06.Cinque Terre - Oculus - Paul Speer
07. Cigarette In The Rain - Rich and Poor - Randy Crawford
08. Somethin' - Lalah Hathaway - Lalah Hathaway
09. Tahoma - Wonders - Paul Lawler and Paul Speer feat. Satine Orient
10. And I Gave My Love To You - Waiting To Exhale Soundtrack - Sonja Marie
11. A.M. - The Oscillations: Sine - Muhsinah
12. Construction - The Oscillations: Sine - Muhsinah
13. Festival in Terransini - Oculus - Paul Speer
14. Now You're In My Dreams - The Camera Never Lies - Michael Franks feat. Patti Austin
15. Mediterran Highway - Oculus - Paul Speer
16. Never Knew Love Like This - Best of Alexander O'Neal - Alexander O'Neal feat. Cherrelle

intro underscore music by Todd Kelley
outro underscore music by Nicolay

you can follow me on: Twitter | Facebook | Friendfeed | Plurk
photo by Luis

Three great windows utilities that you can use in regards to defragging your hard drive..and did I mention they're free! (thought you would like that)

Auslogics Disk Defrag

Smart Defrag

Ashampoo Magical Defrag 2.34

What I really dig about Smart Defrag is that it gives you a option called "Deep Optimizer" where it digs deep in your hard drive to defrag it...this one may take some hours but in the end you will thank me for using that option. I recommend performing that one at least once a month. 

I remember back in 1991 hearing Seal's first LP and how I was so memorized with that sound I couldn't stop playing it and especially the track "Voliet". I didn't know if I could feel that way about another LP...until now. The new LP from Nicolay, "City Lights: Volume 2. Two things I loved what Nicolay does, how he "bleeds" one song into another and how he using different sounds to weave into many of the tracks. I'm truly digging this LP because for me it feels like a new beginning.

The track, "Lose Your Way" gives me the feeling of that when looking out the city at night it gives me that utopia feeling.

"Shibuya Station" for me is just that...traveling on a lightrail as the sun is coming up...hanging out with friends, shooting the breeze, not a care in the world. The blend of the sounds brings back memories of first crushes, puppy love, butterflies in the stomach.

The cool track, "Rain in Ueno Park" for me takes me along a peaceful walk enjoying the rain hitting the pavement. For me the rain has always been a since of washing the old thoughts away for me creativly to allow new ideas come into play.

"Saturday Night" is a beautiful track that captures a time of just having fun. With the lyrics written by the talented Phonte and beautiful voice of CARLITTA DURAND; she makes you want to be caught up in the moment and forget what has happened to you throughout the week, rather you are going to dance or just let the music wash over you just enjoy yourself.

I truly enjoy this wonderful LP from the first track to the playful Shibuya Epilogue track that puts me in mind of a Vince Guaraldi composition...where your weekend has been a wonderful and you are looking forward to do it all over again.

It's one thing to imagine about different places that may inspire you to write but when you have truly traveled to different parts of the world and to be able to share with the masses through music that is truly a gift in it's own right. It will not surprise me in years to come Nicolay will be sought after by film studios to write scores for them because he truly has that ear to make you feel what you are seeing because I know with his music he makes feel as if I were at a particular place at a particular time and when you can do that with every track no matter how many times you hear the composition you have accomplished your goal.

What I have always loved about Nicolay's gift is that his music is truly universal...you can put this in any mix and his music can do nothing but enhance it. I know Nicolay may venture into another genre of music in years to come but for now I am caught up in this style of music and I am so loving it. City Lights Volume 2 is a must have for your music library when just kicking back and just reflecting on the goodness of life.

Keep doing what you're doing Nicolay because this music lover is enjoying the journey you are taking me through the streets of Tokyo.

Tracks from City Lights: Vol. 2 LP

01 Lose Your Way feat. Carlitta Durand
02 Shibuya Station
03 Crossing
04 Rain In Ueno Park
05 Satellite
06 Saturday Night feat. Carlitta Durand
07 A Ride Under The Neon Moon
08 Omotesando
09 Meiji Shrine
10 Shadow Dancing
11 The Inner Garden
12 Bullet Train
13 Wake Up In Another Life
14 Departure
15 Shibuya Epilogue feat. Carlitta Durand

I know that one music program can not be everything but for a program that is close to 100MB you would hope it would be close it. Yes I know the more we add features to our gadgets the application is going to grow...but again, almost 100MB? This is what has happened to iTunes, with Quicktime being included it's a HOG. I wouldn't mind it so much but with iTunes two things irk me and I don't know if they don't care or they have overlooked this: why can't it find album are and why every time I go to sync podcast I have go into the view panel and have the browser show each and every time?

This is very annoying and if anyone have any suggestion that I can have this feature visible at all times please let me know. Maybe this does not happen on the Mac side but it's on the Windows side this is becoming tiresome. And with the Gi-Normous database Apple has I know it should have album art up the wa-zoo but on many of the albums I want I have to go and find the album art myself I'm asking myself, "why?" Do I mind doing this from time to time...no, but with Apple happens quiet a bit. So I have decided not to use Apple to keep my music library and will begin using a program that I have mentioned from time to time but this time I will stick to with all my might(I sound like a small child but hey I love music)

MediaMonkey has been around for a while and I have used it from time to time and I don't know why I keep abandoning this wonderful music application. It has all the features I need and so much more. First and foremost it's not near a hundred megabytes, you can download different skins(which for me, I dig eye candy as well as a solid application...why can't I have it all?) I love how MediaMonkey finds album art, I love how it is what it is...a music application. This may not be fair to Apple because I know MediaMonkey does not have to worry about hardware but still for me it comes back to one thing...size.

Another thing that is really nice about MediaMonkey is how you can subscribe to podcast. on the "Podcast Subscription icon you just right click and a window opens up for you and you just cut and paste the url in the field and it also gives you fields where if you wish to put your comments and give a brief description of the podcast. For us geeks this is really cool but for some you want this done for you automatically...if you don't like to get that anal about it then may want to stick with iTunes but I enjoy having choice when it comes to my music (I was that kid that read the liner notes on vinyl LPs so you may be able to relate)

I love how making a new playlist is really simple and how you can send tracks or LPs to a new playlist; I also dig how it give you the option of burning it to a cd(the free version speed is pretty low(4x) compared to the Gold version which burn time could be up to 48x...for the complete list of what you get for the free version and the Gold version, click here[http://www.mediamonkey.com/download/] )

Another cool feature with MediaMonkey is that it recognizes your iPod and if you wish to add music to your iPod or a playlist you can making it a "one-stop" music application. I really wish it was available on the Mac side but I'm pretty sure Jobs has something to do with this not happening. I know on the Windows side this is making me enjoy using an music application again...I love the control I have in regards the music in my library because in the end that is what a true music lover wants...control.

Reflections from today's Our Daily Bread devotion
& Biblegateway.com passage
photo from Luis

I really like this devotion because it truly speaks the truth when it comes to Followers of Christ, we are "deep thinkers". It's funny how the secular world thinks that Christians are some "mindless zombies" that fall for anything where it's really the opposite. When you study God's word, pray to God, listen to God(yes, I said listen because sometimes we talk and talk and not take time to hear God's response, His guidance for our lives) listen to great teachings of God's word we realize what the world is truly made of and we can move with ease of mind.

One thing is what today's devotional makes clear, it gives us clear discernment when it comes to people actions: how non-Christians respond to issues in their lives, how they interact with people. These past two days has been a eye-opening experience for me because I have not been viewing my current job that way. At first I thought it was just the fact that I would be away from my job for the next five days that was bringing me joy and it was making the hours go by smoother but it wasn't because if it was I would have been more anxious and more tense but it has been the Holy Spirit giving me peace, having me realize that when people get upset, when people do not listen they are so wrapped up in their own lives that they are not thinking of someone else feelings. When you are a "Thinking Christian" you view yourself as a servant of God and you look for Him for peace, for words of wisdom, to think before you speak. Yesterday instead of saying mean things under my breath I began saying, "Thank you Jesus" and "Lord, Bless Them" and I really get what the latter means because when you say it from the heart you can do nothing but smile and laugh. God knows I need this job because I have small things I have to take care of: you know like paying bills, providing a roof over me and Mrs. head...stuff like that. (come on people, it's okay to laugh, God gave us laughter.)

When you are a Thinking Christian you know we live in a falling world caused by the "First Adam". You begin to realize that you do not make excuses for someone rude, deliberate actions but you understand why they do it because of the hurt they are going through, the lack of training they may have received as a child, how many times we have been taught that the world revolves around "us" and the heck with anyone else. When being a Follower of Christ you begin to think of working for God and not your manager, not your team lead and your day goes smoother.

You will have rough patches some days but you get the mind frame that you are there to shine for Him and not for yourself...when you shine for Jesus Christ everything that you deserve truly falls into place...it may not happen overnight but it will come. Now does that mean that you stay at a job no matter what the conditions are? No. But when you finally move on from that "tent" to another(sometimes you have to think of your job{not your occupation}as a tent because sometimes we get wrapped up in the moment and that can be frustrating)you would have passed that "test" and when heading to another job you will not have to go through it again because believe me God will have you go through it again until have that, "Oh, I get it! Thank you Jesus" moment.

Yes being a Thinking Christians and working for Christ Jesus truly has its rewards...now that is true "Trickle Down Economics" that works.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Thursday

~DarrenKeith

Hey everyone, thank you for coming back to check out another edition of MyLoveForMusic:Twilight. The cool thing about putting these podcast together is that no matter what mood I'm in these tracks relaxes me, makes me reflect on being blessed to be able to have music to share with the masses. (I knew reading album liner notes would pay off one day for me)

This show will showcase a track when first hearing it blew me away. I first heard this track on a compilation CD and ran out and picked it up years ago and it still sounds good today. Gaia's "Firewater" from the self-titled LP that was released back in 1994(you can find it on the Windham Hill Sampler '94 as well). What really caught me with this track was the fretless bassline in here...killa!!! Along with the haunting harmony vocals and the nice drum track and the blending the keyboards and synthizers makes this a must have for your library.

Three gifted musicians come together on the next track. I have never met these guys before but we have one thing in common...we are all podcasters but what makes this track really cool is that Fave, Doug Fresh and Todd Kelley (The BigLa) have never met in person but have come up with a great track that is really cool because with technology and with gift of their skills are working on a collaboration of bringing to the masses great music and I am so blessed to know all three of the cats. Their track "Give It 2 U" The cool thing I love about their music is that it takes me back when musicians truly loved their tracks. I love how Fave shows off his vocal skills in the forefront and the harmonizing background vocals which lets you know his gift as a vocalist and vocal arranger and with the "golden ear" of Todd Kelley makes this a gem and will get heavy rotation on my iPod.

Ocean Odyssseys by Asiabeat is a from my "Thriftstore Gems" archive...I still can't believe I getting this cassette from Big Lots back in the early 90s still sounds this good now...let me take that back...it doesn't surprise me because great music is timeless. This was the second LP from the "World Dance Beat" collection. This track would sound good today with the ambient tunes that are out now. I have always loved World Music because how it has interwoven acoustic with electronic.

Other tunes I have included in this podcast are from saxophonist Gerald Albright, guitarist David Torn, soundscape artist Rich Brodsky(Atomic Skunk), from the Windham Piano Sampler, Allaudin William Mathieu, the legendary Dr. Hook, acoustic guitarist extrondinare Andy McKee, the late George Jinda, The Shanghai Restroration Project(featuring The Virginia Sil'hooettes), great acoustic guitarist Earl Klugh and from the Chillout Album, Portofino Lounge.

So as always, kick back, relax, and take you some "me time" while you let this music flow over you and threw you.

Be Blessed

~DarrenKeith

to listen: click here | to download: right click
(to subscribe to iTunes: copy & paste this rss feed to iTunes)

Track/Artist(s)/Album
01. Firewater - Gaia{From the "Gaia" LP}
02. Give It 2 U - Fave & Todd Kelley(The BigLa)
03. Oceans Odysseys - Asiabeat{From the "World Dance Beat: Beyond The Borders" LP}
04. Take Your Time - Gerald Albright{From the "New Beginnings" LP}
05. Sunday on the Violet Sea - David Torn{From the "Windham Hill:Guitar Sampler, Vol. 2" LP}
06. Mind the Gap - Atomic Skunk{From the "Binary Scenes" LP}
07. Listening to Evening - A.W. Mathiew{From the "Piano Sampler" LP}
08. Sharing the Night Together - Dr. Hook{From the "Sharing the Night Together" LP}
09. Into The Ocean - Andy McKee{From the "Dreamcatcher" LP}
10. Just My Imagination - George Jinda{From the "Cool Covers - Smooth Jazz Plays The Hits!" LP}
11. vOX (feat. The Virginia Sil'hooettes) - The Shanghai Restoration Project{From the "Zodiac" LP}
12. Doin' It - Earl Klugh{From the "Move" LP}
13. Remember Me - Portofino Lounge{From the "Chillout" LP}

*Bonus Track
14. Behind The Waterfall - David Lanz & Paul Speer

music from Iodapromonet
The Shanghai Restoration Project
"vOX (feat. The Virginia Sil'hooettes)" (mp3)
from "Zodiac"
(Undercover Culture Music)
Buy at Amazon (CD pre-order)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Puretracks
Buy at mTraks
More On This Album

Portofino Lounge
"Remember Me" (mp3)
from "Chillout"
(Shake Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
More On This Album

info on artists and where to purchase their music check out my
Delicious bookmarks

intro music: Todd Kelley
outro music: Nicolay

photo by Luis

not a fan of MyLoveForMusic, why the heck not, please join and spread the word, ya know want to don't ya?

photo by Luis
This podcast is one that has been a long time coming and at the same time very hard to put together because on many levels. First and foremost this music that sealed my love for instrumentals, second to pick just 13 tracks from these LPs from my music library is not a easy thing because I truly dig EVERY track from the albums these tracks come from and it has sentimental value to me.

When first moving over here to Missouri I worked as a night janitor cleaning a Target store from 11pm-7am and where I discovered Windham Hill, Narada is there. The first LPs I got my hands on were Windham Hill Sampler 88, Windham Hill 86, Narada Collection Vol. 2. It's amazing I still have these on cassettes all of these years and even though I have the CDs now I still have the cassettes because it holds so many memories for me. When hearing instrumental music like this I felt in my spirit that I had found my niche in regards to truly loving music. The first time I heard the track "Wishing Well" I think I may have said to myself, "DarrenKeith, look what you have been missing out on music wise." Thus my quest was in full effect in regards to reading up on the artists, the producers, where it was produced...from here I discovered Will Ackerman, Alex de Grassi, Montruex, Richard Souther, David Lanz, David Arkenstone, and from here I learned more about some of the best session musicians: Dennis Chambers, Will Kennedy, Will Lee, Mark Egan, Colin Chin, Vince Loving, so many great musicians I lose count.

It's funny growing up in a small town where you were teased for the type of music that brings you joy. Many times I could not share some of the music I loved growing up for fear of being an outcast...it sounds silly now but when growing up an only child, not many friends you try and fit in best as you can but all while knowing that for me not only did I love classic Soul music but I loved classical. soft rock, classic rock and then when the 80s rolled end and discovering MTV, VH1, BET(you know, when they played "music videos") and discovering artists from across the pond, now I had and will always be a fan of the Beatles but then I discovered The Fixx, Duran Duran, Prefab Sprout, Danny Wilson, Level 42, The Fine Young Cannibals but all the while I have always been fixed on the musicians so when coming across music where it was instrumentals and no vocals it was like I had discovered a whole new world and it felt good. So again when moving to another state I could finally begin to learn about myself, be myself, not be ashamed of digging white artists and feeling like a "Black dude trying to act White" as I was called so many times in my life.

For me, instrumentals spoke louder to me than music with lyrics because to me it was my very own "soundtrack" to my life and no one could take that away from me and it felt liberating. Fast forward a couple of years when I worked at a store called The Nature Company(man I miss those stores) I really discovered music from Michael Deep, Paul Speer and so many other artists. I met new people, Black, White that thought outside the box when it came to music, nature, movies. I met and dated a wonderful woman who I met from Oklahoma that taught me that it wasn't me that had the problem...it was the people in my hometown that had the problem. So much I learned from embracing other genres of music and now some 10 years later I have a place to come back and share with people via web where my love for music began. This will not be the only set of music from my past I will share with you...some of these tunes you may have heard from earlier podcasts and some of these you may be hearing for the first time but one thing is clear..I love music and I truly feel I have been blessed with discovering this music and now I wish to share it you.

Other artists you will hear will be Michael Franks, Acoustic Alchemy, Stanley Jordan, and Special EFX because these artists shaped me in truly enjoying music. I hope you enjoy the selections I bring you. I have 4 podcasts to bring you over the next 4 months and instead of starting with Volume 1 I'm going to work from Volume 4 up to Volume 1. :-)

Be Blessed, Be Safe

~DarrenKeith

to listen: click here | to download: right click
to subscribe to iTunes: copy and paste this rss feed to iTunes

{Track/Artist(s)...album info: click on the artist}
01. Hot Beach - Interior
02. Highland - Acoustic Alchemy
03. The Island Road - Andrew White/David
04. New Waltz - Malcom Dalglish
05. Indian Woman - Rubaja and Hernandez
06. a)Timeless Mood - Special EFX
07. b)Jinji's Magic Bottle - Special EFX
08. c)Escape To Reality - Special EFX
09. Boulder Coaster - Acoustic Alchemy
10. Rainy Night In Tokyo - Michael Franks
11. Eric's Theme - Spencer Brewer
12. Music's Gonna Change - Stanley Jordan
13. Tell Me All About It - Michael Franks
14. Time Is Now - Stanley Jordan
15. To Be - Montreux

intro underscore music from who else, The BigLa
outro underscore music from Mr. Nicolay
The new Nicolay LP has dropped, make sure you add that to
your music library!!!

One thing about God is when you truly seek Him...His way, His word it comes to you and all you can say is, "Wow!" Yesterday on my daily walk I was hoping to find a way to a way to really not dreading to go to work because of the job I have at the moment. I try not to complain in regards to my occupation, but it is a job and I know that is not my final vocation, I know I have to pay bills, keep a roof over me and Mrs head...I know I'm only there for 8 hours a day and not 10-12 hours a day but to deal with people day in and day out that make something simple as to setting up a reservation drives me crazy at times.

I know when you complain it makes the day longer, it wreaks havoc on your spirit, physical, and mental being but still it makes me angry from time to time. So imagine my surprise when hearing these two-part message from Dr. Charles Stanley, "How to Ge the Most out of Your Work". It hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm glad to hear these messages because if I kept complaining soon it will reflect in my work, how I feel toward people in general and in the end it will only hurt one person...myself. Some things have helped me cope with what I do like and I hope they will help you and in the process it's helping me as I write these pointers.

a) Don't look at your day of work as the "Entire Day" but just the hours you are there.

I began the mind set of only being there "8 hours a day" instead of a all day event because lets be honest, we are not there all day. Now I know some people may work 10 or even 12 hours a day but begin looking at it that way it may take the weight off your shoulders just a little bit and may change your attitude toward each day.

b) Break Your Day up in 4 quarters.

This has really helped throughout my day. I map it out now as: 2 hours before break/2hours before lunch/2hours before last break/2hours before heading home for the day. When I think of work in small increments it helps my mindset because of me thinking, "I have 8 hours of dealing with this mess" it helps me realize that I will have a time to "rest" even if it is only 10 minutes (lets be honest...if you work in a call center a 15 minute break is not a 15 minute break because once you walk from your desk, go use the restroom, go find a place to rest your mind 5minutes have past already) By you thinking of smaller portions it helps me deal with what I have to deal with day and day out.

c) When You Have a Break or a 30 minute lunch find a place that is quiet to rest your mind.
It's amazing how when sitting at a desk and hearing complaints after complaints how it drains you not only mentally but physically. I like to get somewhere by myself and not hear another voice. The only voices I wish to hear is God's voice, my beautiful wife or my geek brother or a positive message but many times I will go somewhere to rest my mind, my thoughts. I've found out when I do this I get rejuvenated, it helps me get a new game plan for the second half of my work day.

d) Get enough REST!!!

I am truly realizing that when I get proper rest I get up refreshed, well rested. I'm learning that when it's time for me to go to bed I go to bed. I'm learning that when I focus on my body, taking care of my health it helps me feel much different when I am sitting at my d

e) Get A Marine Mind Set.

Everyone that know me that I love NCIS and I have learned some things from Mark Harmon's character and one thing I have learned is this: either follow orders or retire. If you get to a point where what I have suggested you cannot use to help your job day in and day out it's time to move on find something else(and keep this in mind, it's better to find a job when you have a job than when you DO NOT have a job). Now I know there are times when you have to leave because of a situation where you know you can't take it anymore but for the most part hang in there because in the end it is teaching you how to treat the person that works in customer service because they really do have a tough job. Now I know there are some businesses where customer service is lousy but what I have learned that when I have had a bad experience to start off by having the mindset and let the person know, "This is not aimed toward you ma'am/sir but here is my issue with the company" and I am learning that the best way to let a company know you are not satisfied with their business is to vote with your wallet and now with the web voice your opinion via social networking.

I hope this helps you when dealing with your job and I ask you is to pray for me to remember what I have shared with you because it's sometimes easy share wisdom but when you are going through it yourself sometimes reasoning flies out the window but I am learning I will always be a work in process but I also have to learn I have to be a example not only for my readers but for the love in my life and most important Christ Jesus

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Weekend

~DarrenKeith

The five Principles that Dr. Stanley Shares in his 2-part message "How to Get the Most out of Your Work"(I have links to the messages...I'm burning them to a CD and play it from here on when heading to work everyday)

"How to Get the Most out of Your Work, Part 1"
http://itm.edgeboss.net/download/itm/audio/radio/2009/itm20090907.mp3{right click here}

"How to Get the Most out of Your Work, Part 2"
http://itm.edgeboss.net/download/itm/audio/radio/2009/itm20090908.mp3{right click here}

5 Ways To Get The Most Out of Our Work
[Coming from Col 3:22-4:1]

1. When We View Ourselves As Servants

2. I am to work as For The Lord

3. To View Christ as Our Authority

4. See Other People as Worthy Persons

5. We are to View our Rewards "Present" and "Future"