Every musical act has influences. The Beastie Boys and A Tribe Called Quest influenced each other. Punk bands from the U.K. influenced garage bands in Southern California and vice versa. Reggae and dub influenced each other.
What are your influences? That’s what we talked about in Helping and Listening Skills this week. We came up with a great list and I liked it so much I took a picture of it.
I asked the students to tell me about the things that influence them. What do they value? Why do they do what they do; love what they love? This is the list they came up with:
Parents
Environment
-Friends
-Neighborhood
-Peers
-Religion
Culture
Schools
Food/Nutrition
Media
Mental Illness
Life Experience
-Observation
Socio-Economic Status ($$$)
Books
Music
Relationships
Friendships
Family
-Uncles
-Aunts
-Brothers
-Sisters
-etc.
Role Model
-Coach
-Minister
-Teacher
Law
Government
Health
Medication/Drugs
Language
Sleep
Fashion
Freedom
Travel
Pets
Sex
Arts
-Pictures
-Painting
-Dance
Entertainment
Perception
The point I want to make in this class is that you cannot know any of these things about yourself or anyone else unless you first learn how to listen.
A great Master Mind group is one that’s committed to honoring and respecting each other and that includes listening unconditionally and without judgment. It is honoring a person to trust that they know what’s best for their own life.
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When you think about it, every musical act you know of is using the Master Mind principle whether they realize it or not. They are joining together as a team with a combined vision. You can use the same principle and make some truly rockin’ things happen in your life.
Do you have a creative project you want to complete? Do you want to find a purpose for your life?
If so, I invite you to come over to my brand new page called Start a Master Mind Group.com. I’m offering 4 freebies to get you started so you can get a sense of what the Master Mind is all about.
“Get Rel!g!on” is the current rally cry surrounding the latest hip hop producer, who’s already began dazzling artists and record labels with his skilled creations and innovative beats. Utilizing a fascinating mix of live playing and assorted sampling, the young producer from Vancouver, British Columbia is generating buzz in Canada as well as the U.S. Rel!g!on is already releasing his own material, as well as working with other artists to build his reputation as a bona fide hit machine in the hip hop game.
Released in January 2010, his first official release, Revelationz I garnered positive attention from reviewers and fans across the web. Featuring heavy hitters such as Chuck D of Public Enemy as well as Planet Asia and Moka Only, Rel!g!on’s first record was nothing short of an instant hip hop success. His inspired, imaginative tracks laid the foundation for ultra skilled MCs to spit their finest rhymes and create memorable, catchy songs.
“Rel!g!on has a nice sound to his production, and it shouldn’t be too much longer before his congregation of followers grows,” said Emmanuel Wallace of RapReviews.com on Revelationz I.
Born in Ottawa, Rel!g!on grew up listening to his father’s musical influence, which included a variety of instruments, singing, and an extensive record collection. Fascinated by keyboards and organs, the fledgling hip hop perfectionist began experimenting with records and a Casio SK 1, beginning the journey of honing his incredible skills. While he started with an old keyboard and entertaining diss tracks about his high school classmates, Rel!g!on rapidly progressed into a respected producer working with artists from Vancouver to New York.
The future is bright for Rel!g!on, as he shows absolutely no signs of slowing down, with a number of impressive projects currently in the works for hip hop fans across North America. He produced two tracks on Planet Asia’s upcoming record Black Belt Theatre, which also features Raekwon of Wu-Tang, DJ Babu and Evidence of Dilated Peoples, Ras Kass and many more. Rel!g!on will also be at the helm for Planet Asia’s entire next full length, slated for 2011. This summer will also see the anticipated release of a collaboration record between Rel!g!on and one of Pittsburgh’s finest MCs, Jasiri X and New Orleans rapper/producer Dain. Check out his MySpace page for music videos and streaming audio, and Facebook for the latest information and updates.
(If you don’t see the video above, click here to go to YouTube)
On Tuesday morning my husband came into the bedroom, where I was comfortably sleeping and proclaimed “road trip”. We got in the car and drove to a destination that was a surprise to me. We ended up at the California Poppy Reserve in Antelope Valley.
Along the way, we listened to music non-stop and documented the day with photos and video. In a sense, this is a mix-tape of our trip. All the car shots have music in the background.
We listened to Q-tip, Gary Numan, drum and bass and The Fall. We traveled from the 710 in Long Beach to the 5 freeway at Castaic Lake. Then, we took mountain roads all the way to the poppy fields. I hope this video inspires you to get out on the road or out in nature. I think we all truly need this type of rejuvenation for our sanity.
Did you wake up today,
Did you find the strength to say,
The world is your own?
Did you look up today
Did you find the words to say,
The world is your own?
To be left here alone,
Your own way.
You’ve got to believe
You’ve got to believe
In your own way
(In your own way)
You’ve got to smile
You’ve got to be strong
You’ve got to believe
In your own way
Do you still feel sideways?
Well damn this backwards way
Way of thinking,
When I stop thinking
Your own way
You’ve got to believe
You’ve got to believe
In your own way
(In your own way)
You’ve got to smile
You’ve got to be strong
You’ve got to believe
In your own way
WAAAOOOOHHH
WAAAOOOOHHH WAY
You’ve got to believe (WOAH)
You’ve got to believe (WOAH)
In your own way (WAY)
(In your own way)
You’ve got to smile (WOAH)
You’ve got to be strong (WOAH)
You’ve got to believe
In your own way
The song of the week is brought to you by Michael Zampelli, former owner of Southern California punk rock icon, Zed Records. For almost 30 years, this mecca of punk and alternative music kept Southern California enthusiasts adequately supplied with unique, original and innovative music.
Currently, Zampelli manages a hockey fan message boards at www.letsgokings.com with thousands of subscribers. He takes photos for the LAist and the LA Derby Dolls. Each week he will contribute a song with a theme, a message and a beat. Enjoy and stay tuned.
Song five on the countdown is a new release from UK artists Duck Sauce (Armand Van Helden & A-TRAK). This song is soulful and infectious with a video to match.
Although their music is currently not available in the U.S. iTunes store, you can check out their YouTube video here. You can also check out Duck Sauce on My Space.
Between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve I will post my top eight favorite songs of the year. These tunes were selected from the 51 songs of the week that were submitted by Michael Zampelli during 2009.
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If you like the songs in this countdown, you’ll love Songs to Galvanize Your Mind – A List for Strong Minds with a Purpose by Sheri Zampelli. It’s available for immediate download today and includes songs by artists such as:
James Brown
Stevie Wonder
The Ramones
Naked Raygun and
Ugly Duckling
The list is designed more as a mood enhancer and character strengthener than anything and features wide-ranged genres such as gospel, hip-hop, punk rock and soul. The list includes 4-subcategories:
• Dare to be Authentic and Have Fun
• Get Pumped Up
• Get to Feelin’ Groovy
• Blow Off Steam
Songs include:
Boom by P.O.D.
Viva La Revolution by the Adicts
Can I Kick It by A Tribe Called Quest and
Think by James Brown
Get your list free today by subscribing to Get Galvanized below. If you can’t see the subscription box, visit http://sherizampelli.com.
Song seven on the countdown is perfect for celebrating the season. The track is titled, One Tribe by the Black Eyed Peas and it’s all about unity and music.
This tune was the song of the week on June 9. Which is the day their album The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies) was released. I posted a blog with lyrics if you’d like to read along as you listen.
Between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve I will post my top eight favorite songs of the year. These tunes were selected from the 51 songs of the week that were submitted by Michael Zampelli during 2009.
Stay tuned because very soon I will release Songs to Galvanize Your Mind – A List of Songs for a Strong Mind and a Stronger Purpose.
Them That Do Nothing by Field Music. www.field-music.co.uk. From the Album Field Music (Measure) released February 2010. Directed by Gavin Wood. www.telewood.net
The song of the week is brought to you by Michael Zampelli, former owner of Southern California punk rock icon, Zed Records. For almost 30 years, this mecca of punk and alternative music kept Southern California enthusiasts adequately supplied with unique, original and innovative music.
Currently, Zampelli manages a hockey fan message boards at www.letsgokings.com with thousands of subscribers. He takes photos for the LAist and the LA Derby Dolls. Each week he will contribute a song with a theme, a message and a beat. Enjoy and stay tuned.
These days there is a plethora of books, training programs and classes all designed and marketed to help you “feel good”. Yet you can feel good anytime you choose, with or without training.
One of the ways to make happiness happen is to create an environment with constant reminders of what happiness is. Happiness is simple and it happens now, not later. Listen to songs like Feeling Good by Nina Simone regularly and happiness will begin to stir within you.
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. Feeling Good by Nina Simone Lyrics
Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Reeds driftin on by you know how I feel
(refrain:)
Its a new dawn
Its a new day
Its a new life
For me
And Im feeling good
Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
Blossom in the tree you know how I feel
(refrain)
Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, dont you know
Butterflies all havin fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
Thats what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me
Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
I love learning about the connections between today’s music and music of previous generations. Today I Tweeted about how I was listening to Fire by The Prodigy and one of my music-loving friends told me that The Prodigy sampled Arthur Brown off the 1968 Crazy World of Arthur Brown album. Indeed, Arthur Brown appears to live in a crazy world and clearly, The Prodigy was inspired by it. Check out both videos for a little compare and contrast amongst genres and generations.
When you think about it, every musical act you know of is using the Master Mind principle whether they realize it or not. They are joining together as a team with a combined vision. You can use the same principle and make some truly rockin’ things happen in your life.
These days there is a plethora of books, training programs and classes all designed and marketed to help you “feel good”. Yet you can feel good anytime you choose, with or without training. 
