The USA is a mostly failed political experiment. It ended in 1947 when Truman signed the National Security Act (and essentially abolished the Constitution).
It’s failure was twofold. The first which must be addressed here is the obvious: racism. This is a psychological and spiritual cancer which was never addressed and never understood by the overwhelming majority of both the government and the people until it was too late to reverse the damage. There is almost no aspect of the USA that is not contaminated by this.
It may yet be another century before any real healing can be applied. What’s ironic is that the solutions are remarkably simple. The only problem is human unwillingness to apply a simple act of will to adjust a paradigm of thought. The disease is too firmly entrenched,a nod supported not only by sociopathic rhetoric, but by an economic infrastructure (and by default, legislation).
The second is usury. All banking of any possible description is based entirely on usury. All banks can be summed up thus: create worthless money out of nothing, loan it out at interest (and use real wealth as collateral against an essentially unplayable loan), charge fees to hold people’s money, use this money to earn money through usury based investments, and charge people another fee to give them their own money back to them.
The founding fathers largely saw this coming, and warned us about it. When privately owned banking corporations insinuated themselves into the government, the USA began to die. The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 was a crippling blow, and was the beginning of the end, because the economic power of the USA was handed over to a privately owned corporation. The situation got progressively worse over the next century, including the citizens of the USA being used as collateral against loans to the government.
Which brings us to the inevitable question of loss of freedom. It’s indisputable that our constitutional freedoms have been eroded. Executive orders issued almost nonstop from both sides of the bicameral assembly have systematically superseded every article in the bill of rights. And police brutality, augmented by militarization, has exacerbated the problem to the point where the National Safety Council has stated that a US citizen is eight times more likely to be killed by a police officer than by a terrorist attack. The reason for this is actually simple. The leadership of the USA (government and private sector; which are becoming indistinguishable) is enmeshed in an entirely unworkable system that is doomed to failure. The only way to sustain this is through totalitarian methods. In general, the Huxleyan “Brave New World” method (dictatorship supported by drugs, entertainment, sexual deviance, and genetic engineering [still in its infancy; but signs point to its possible institution) is used. When this fails, the Orwellian “1984” method is applied (endless war, privation, unlimited torture and brainwashing, etc.). Honest appraisal of all governments in the world show this to be true to one degree or another. If we don’t see this, these methods have been successful.
This is something the people of the USA never understood and have been brainwashed to find absolutely incomprehensible: other countries were invaded and bombed. Ours was sold.
Category Archives: Blog
The Tragedy of Jazz, and its Reawakening.
“Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny.” Thus spoke Frank Zappa.
According to Nielson’s 2014 Year End Report (thejazzline.com/news/2015/03/
So, what happened?
It’s arguable that when the soulless corporations started promoting (and probably designed) smooth jazz, the final nail in the coffin was poised and ready to be driven in. Personally, I can’t imagine anything more horrible than what that genre did to music (two examples I heard on the radio: some pitiful jerk who twisted “Take Five” into a dreary 4/4 so people’s intellects would not be challenged by a groove in five, and some demented eunuch who’s merciless emasculation of “Round Midnight” doubtless has Monk spinning in his grave fast enough to generate electricity). Once, at some music conference, while Diane Reeves was being discussed, a corporate drone was actually quoted as saying “I think she’s emoting too much, and that could be bad for the music.”
These are the kind of people who seek to control our musical destiny. And we’ve allowed it to happen.
Allowing people like this to take control of both the creative and economic aspects of jazz was a fatal mistake. And we must not blame them: these people have no souls and their nature is anti-musical. We shouldn’t have expected any less from them. Yet they took jazz away from us while we watched and did nothing. We practically handed it to them on a silver platter. Combine this with the indisputable dumbing down of America, and we have a recipe for disaster.
Which now begs the question of what can be done. And the answer to this falls squarely upon the musician’s shoulders.
Be honest (and I’m just as guilty as anyone): how many times did we do gigs where we walked away with nothing after playing our hearts out? Or worse, suffered the embarrassment of telling the guys / ladies who busted their asses playing our music in our bands that we couldn’t pay them, or paid them $3.00 or some other insulting amount?
This is clearly the result of two factors: 1. An obsolete and unworkable business model, and 2. The dominance of a working business model that cannot function by promoting music of real value. Take power away from music / entertainment corporations, and set up our own independent and autonomous business models.
We should explore alternative venues for our performances. A lot of controversy is being generated by the struggle to get clubs to work in the musician’s favor. Relying on them and expecting justice and fairness is a mistake. They will never work in our favor as long as the possibility to make a greater profit by cheating and exploiting us exists. Legislation is useless, protests are useless. Seizing power is the only answer, and an independent and autonomous business infrastructure is the only means to do so. Controlling our own venues will make our involvement with them unnecessary.
Legally, musicians who perform in clubs are catagorized as independent contractors. Some on the scene feel the way to insure fair pay for fair work is to catagorize musicians as employees. The idea being that employees have legal rights. While this could be a workable model, I’m not sure it’s always the way to go. Musicians need to be equal to the owners and management of venues; not subordinate to them (unless it’s one of those gigs where one agrees to these conditions, such as playing as a sideman with someone else, or playing in a restaurant). These details are negotiable, and changeable depending on the situation. The most important thing is this: if the club / venue wishes to work with us, they will have to treat us as equals, not poor struggling musicians with our hats in our hands, howling for better pay and equal rights.
Nona Hendryx once told me that it’s essential to develop oneself as an artist and businessman, and keep them separate. Yusef Lateef once told me “Always get your price.” No more playing gigs where nobody makes money. The promise of playing free gigs because it’s “good exposure” is a lie. It always has been, and always will be.
The DIY model of recording is a good model. Taking advantage of modern technology to produce, promote, and distribute our recordings places power in our hands.
We need to put more effort into promotion, marketing, and publicity. Find ways to do this not only outside the mainstream, but to use the existing mainstream for our own purposes. Do this in such a way that we don’t need anyone else’s help or approval. Their statistics, polls, etc. will be irrelevant. Every truly successful artist has essentially torn up the rule book, and rewrote it according to their own individual needs.
One of the main reasons jazz’ popularity diminished is that it allowed itself to become frozen in classical forms. It’s not much different than European classical music in that it’s elitist attitude allows no evolution and no creative venturing into new realms. Can you imagine how rock music would have survived if it hadn’t progressed beyond “Johnny B. Goode” or “She Loves You?” It wouldn’t. It would have become a mere novelty that people would take out on occasion, dust off, admire it as a relic of a bygone era, and put it back in its glass case without a second thought. Ask yourself if jazz hasn’t suffered a similar fate. How many times have we attended a jazz performance, only to be confronted by yet another version of “Autumn Leaves,” where, after the singer sings a few choruses, the sax, piano and bass take solos (in that order), the drums trade fours, they do the chorus, and end? Same thing, year after year, decade after decade. And when you’re in these venues, look around you. Who are in the audience (if there is an audience) and what is their reaction?
If jazz does not demonstrate, in theory and practice, that anything is possible, then it’s not jazz, and it’s corpse has become embalmed and put on display in a museum or temple of false idols. We must allow jazz to grow and evolve. Push out the “bebop nazi” mentality that makes jazz an elitist museum music. Take the idea of incorporating elements from non-jazz music, like Yusef Lateef, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Miles Davis showed us, into realms it’s never been. Jazz musicians rarely progressed any further than what they did. Miles’ last release was a hip hop album. I can’t think of more than a handful of people to picked up that baton and ran with it. Who says we can’t take something like, say, gamelan or psytrance, and transform it into a new sub genre of Jazz? Why limit instrumentation to the usual horns, bass, piano, drums, and occasional guitar? Put other instruments in the music: Chapman stick, raita, oud, sarangi, laptops with Ableton, er-hu, digiridoo, synthesizers, theremin, etc. Who says they can’t contribute to and expand the voice of jazz? Aren’t we creative enough to achieve this?
We could incorporate elements of theatrics. By this, I don’t mean cheap, empty sensationalism. We don’t need twerking or whatever other idiotic shit people sell to the masses. Make the theatrics work as part of the musical statement and spirit. If nothing more, dress well, or at least in an interesting manner, when performing (how many of us look like bums when we take the stage?) and actually speaking to the audience in an engaging and interesting way (how many of us have no skills at public speaking?) It will help. It all worked for Sun Ra and the Art Ensemble of Chicago.
It’s working for that rich and famous trumpet player who works for Lincoln Center.
How about music videos or even short films? Who says jazz videos have to be nothing more than just pointing a camera at whoever is soloing, or slapping some quasi-documentary interviews in there as an afterthought? Is our creativity so limited we can’t apply jazz concepts to what people see? What about other art forms; including ones yet to be invented? And why shouldn’t we be the ones who invent them, or collaborate with those who do?
Permit me to put out another idea. One that threatens to shatter almost everything I wrote here; and which brings about an idea we may be uncomfortable to face, but may be inevitable.
In the book “The Tao of Jeet Kune Do,” Bruce Lee said “Jeet Kune Do is just a name. If it dies, let it die. Don’t make a fuss over it.”
I wonder,,, is “jazz” just a name? Was it always nothing more than a name? Or perhaps the thing that made it special and gave it its spirit and unique qualities cannot be frozen in a name or genre. Maybe we’re looking at this the wrong way. I always tell people I am not concerned with styles and genres, but only with the psychoactive properties of music. Is “jazz” a genre that is destined to die, as all things must? Perhaps it’s the inner essence of music itself we should be primarily concerned with.
I was watching a documentary on Netflix about concert promoter Arthur Fogel. One of the people in the documentary, Lady Gaga, whose “music” is, granted, unfit for human ears, nonetheless said something spot on. She said that as far as promotion, what works today won’t work three years from now. We need freedom, but we also need the means to support and protect that freedom. We need to be ahead of the curve, in control of our own affairs, and to lead the way. Nothing else is acceptable.
This article had focused on the negative. Sometimes this is necessary to shock us out of our complacency. But the situation is not hopeless. There are many who are emerging from the shadows whose work is propelling the music to new heights and new realms of creativity and even spirituality. You, who are reading these words, may very well be among the new vanguard. It is inevitable: our spirit cannot be destroyed. It will come back again, renewed.
The Phoenix is waiting to rise from the ashes.
New Videos!
Yes, I know I’ve been promising you I’d post new videos. Here they are, better late than never.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4Rr5vNcdw4&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf44iLXFqWc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilAhr3HeM1M&feature=youtu.be
Enjoy! And don’t forget to post a nice comment.
A Thought
“If I told you what it takes to reach the highest high,
You’d laugh and say nothing’s that simple.
But you’ve been told many times before, when Messiah pointed to the door,
No one had the guts to leave the temple.”
– Excerpt from “I’m Free” by Pete Townsend (from “Tommy”)
The real battle begins when one leaves the dojo.
The real worship begins when we roll up our prayer rugs, and walk out of the mosque.
More writing for doobeedoobeedoo!
I have a confession.
When I go out to hear live music, I almost always end up writing a review for doobeedoobeedoo.info. I’m one of the magazine’s main writer / contributors. PLease check out the magazine, and support our efforts.
My latest:
http://www.doobeedoobeedoo.info/2015/05/05/concert-review-subtle-realms-trio-lives-up-to-its-name/
This is what you’ll find if you search my name:
http://www.doobeedoobeedoo.info/?s=dawoud+kringle
Legalization.
I have something to say regarding drug laws.
Cocaine and opium (and opium derivatives) have obvious side effects, and this contributed to it’s legislation. But there is another factor that must be examined. A program by a man named Harry J. Anslinger whose outrages against cannabis were overtly and openly racist, was financed by the Herst Corporation. Cannabis and hemp products derived from it threatened the paper industry; so the public opinion was “altered” via racist and sensationalist propaganda, and later made into law via the “Marihuana Tax Act of 1937.”
Any undesirable side effects from cannabis use are, in light of this, rendered irrelevant when considering the real reasoning behind prohibition. Anti-cannabis laws have generated billions and billions in profits for corporations and law enforcement (the line between them having become indistinct). The only real reason why the legalization process is moving ahead is due to the potential of greater profits. Within the government / corporate world, different groups are fighting over the potential profits and losses from cannabis laws or their repeal: public health concerns are a mere pretext. The prison industrial complex stands to loose money, and the fledgling cannabis industries stand to make billions.
It’s as simple as that. We the People are barely on their radar as anything except potential customer base or livestock for corporate owned prisons.
It is a terrible mistake to assume that the laws against these drugs were enacted only for concern for public health. One must always assume two motives: racism and profit. The USA suffers from a racist mindset that spilled over from Europe, and became epidemic. We have not recovered from it; it still contaminates our thinking, and only an idiot would fail to see this.
The other is profit. An even greater stupidity would be required to believe that there is no concern on the part of law makers for profit and / or acquisition of political power. There is no depths to which most humans would refuse to sink if it promised an increase of power and wealth; and no government or corporate entity is truly trustworthy.
As far as the legislation itself, I offer food for thought. ALL this legislation, without a single exception, makes a serious error. NOT ONE of these laws actually does anything to address the urge within humans to get high. What makes a person wish to smoke a blunt, sniff cocaine, allow him / herself to become addicted to opiates, pickle their brains and livers with alcohol, and smoke industrial grade tobacco? What fuels this motive toward self ruin? And how is it possible to redirect that urge toward something socially and spiritually beneficial to humanity? The lawmakers have NO answer for this: and they NEVER will.
This, for no reason other than that the most spiritually and psychologically base and perverse people on the planet have laid their hands on the instruments of political, economic, industrial, and military power.
Put that in your bong and smoke it.
The Beginning of May
Tomorrow, the Kandake Dance Theatre for Social Change presents “1001 Nights: Love Stories on Death Row (A Rock Ballet)” in the amazing Dixon Place theatre for one night only!!!
I am the musical director for the play.
Wednesday, May 6th 2015
Doors 7pm
GET TIX HERE: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/9993354 – $10 online for students/seniors, $12 online for general audience, $15 at the door
“1001 Nights: Love Stories on Death Row (A Rock Ballet)” is a socio-political work that incorporates traditional dance and music from around the world, hip-hop and rock, contemporary dance, martial arts, circus arts, storytelling, video projection and audience participation. We are also hosting several free mini-shows and workshops for the community so stay tuned!
Please visit www.TheKandake.com for more information!
This coming Sunday, May 10th, I’ll attend an open meeting @ the Shapeshifter in Brooklyn (18 Whitwell Pl, between Carroll St & 1st St, Brooklyn, NY 11215, 646-820-9452) from 3pm to 5pm.
In this meeting the host and Shapeshifter owner, Matt Garrison, will address venue issues and would like to discuss them especially with musicians.
He invited Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi to speak about MFM (Musicians For Musicians Foundation). He will address musicians issues.
You are invited to attend the meeting.
Also, I had a few meetings with my partner in God’s Unruly Friends. We are planning the next concerts, a recording, and possibly a video (which may become a mini-movie.)
So, where have I been?
Funny you should ask.
I’ve been working on some things behind the scenes. Not much giging. Mostly preparing for future events. I’m negotiating with some venues for the next GUF concert, and have a line on two interested venues.
I’m preparing for the art exhibit in September. In fact, I started a new painting; and am making progress with it.
The new books with Leilah Publications is coming along nicely. More news as it’s announced.
Also, I’m getting married in June! Ms. Akosua Gyebi, a.k.a. Kosi (jazz singer / songwriter extraordinare) is to be my bride.
More news to come!
Islam and Racism
Islam forbids racism. Not by insinuation (i.e. “brotherly love.” or the like), but in specific terms impossible to deny or contradict.
“And one of the Signs (of Allah) is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your colors (i.e. races) and languages. Surely there is a Sign in this for those who have wisdom.”
– Qur’an 30:22
I take this as meaning (among other things) that, since the creation of heaven and earth is mentioned in the same sentence as the different languages and races among humanity, that this diversity exists as in integral and indispensable component of creation. Humanity NEEDS a variety of people; without it, we couldn’t exist.
The Prophet Muhammas (sas) said, in his last sermon:
“The while man has no superiority over the black man, and the black man has no superiority over the white man; and the Arab has no superiority over the non-Arab, and the non-Arab has no superiority over the Arab, except in (individual) piety / nearness to Allah. And the best among you are those who remember that all people are descended from Adam (as) and Adam (as) is created from dust.”
Hard to get more obvious than that. But it didn’t stop there. In the Prophet Muhammad’s biography, there is a striking example of walking the walk and not just talking the talk.
Bilal ibn Rabah (ra) is one of the greatest saints of Islam. He was an African slave who accepted Islam when there were maybe two dozen Muslims in the world. His owner beat and tortured him to get him to renounce Islam. Bilal refused, despite the unspeakable agonies inflicted on him. The Prophet (sas) asked if anyone would purchase Bilal, and his companion Abu Bakr (ra) did so, and immediately freed him. Bilal became one of the Prophet’s closest companions, the treasurer of the Muslim nation, a great warrior, and was the first to make the adhan (call to prayer).
One day the Prophet (sas) said that he had a dream that he was about to enter Paradise, and heard footsteps of someone ahead of him. The companions were amazed, and asked who it was. He said “It was Bilal.” Consider what it means when the Prophet (sas) sees a vision of a former African slave entering Paradise before him; and makes it a point to happily share the news.
Muslims must cure their hearts of the cancer of racism, without hesitation or condition.
Now, permit me a “secular” analysis.
Racism is a disease that extends to both the psychological and spiritual dimensions of a human being. It is based on a number of factors all racists have in common:
1. Fear of surface appearances that differ from their own, or do not conform to paradigms of human cultural or physical manifestations that do not resemble imagery in the mind (which, by the way, only exists in their mind, and has no correlation to anything in reality).
2. Fear of loss. Exposure to some anthropological “other” triggers a reaction wherein the “other / different” is associated with the threat of being forcibly or cunningly deprived of possessions, social status, or some personal sense of pride or honor. This is similar to that found in many species of animals.
3. A lack of perspective and insight. This is either the conditioned behavior, or hard-wired incapacity to recognize similarities between people of different persuasions, and to understand on a deep and fundamental level that differences in humans / a multiplicity of manifestation, is essential to the structure of the existence of the universe. This is a subtle form of polytheism in its most degraded form. Polytheists look at unity and see multiplicity, whereas a true monotheist looks at multiplicity and see unity (lest you think otherwise, external appearances of polytheism or monotheism may harbor a very different internal motivation).
I must point out that some people associate all this with a lack of intelligence, however, this is a mistake. While you will certainly find morons among their ranks, many racists are extraordinarily intelligent people. They are not stupid: they’re insane. Such people are extraordinarily dangerous, because they usually have the capacity and the will to attempt to shape social order to conform to their insanity; and know how to incite other less intelligent people to do their dirty work for them.
(PS: yes, racists, I just dissected you as if you were laboratory rats, and exposed your inner dementia to the world. My assessment is true, and you are powerless to defend your position with anything but lies or violent outbursts, which only prove my assessment to be correct.)
I challenge anyone to prove what I posted here to be wrong.
Part of the Mystery
Once a part of the mystery has been revealed to you, the mistake most people make is thinking that this is the end of the process. No. This is the beginning of the ordeal of learning what to do with it. Most people stumble, create disasters they must clean up later, or fall utterly into ruin. Tragically, among the later, many are so deluded by self flattery they’re not even aware of their own ruin.