A new friend of mine has taught me this:

     At some point in your career as a musician  you will have to sign a peace of paper that will allow your business to go further.  It's a good idea to have a lawyer or someone who can decipher what you'll be signing.  One thing that I've found in reading my own agreements is that what people say in person or on the phone may be completely different than what is written down.  Always read what you're about to sign and do not settle for less than what you want.

     This week I worked in the RedBull recording studio in Santa Monica.  I was there to assist a friend of mine in filming the session for Polish recording artist "Brodka".  She's a feisty, headstrong singer with great lyrics & melodies.  The day I was there they were recording some strings for one of her songs.  The string players were  given music to play and then they were recorded. As the session progressed the artist asked if the string players could come up with a part for a section in the song.  They tried to but what everything they did was not received well by Brodka or the producer.  Brodka had come to L.A. to get a different sound and a new vibe for her music.  Maybe she thought every musician writes.  I also thought every musician can write music like me.  However in the case of the string players this was not the case.  I've learned that some musicians are like CD players.  They can only play what's given to them.

    Most men are intimidated by a smart girl.  I'm actually aroused by it.  If a women has a goal and has already logged achievements towards that goal then they have conquered procrastination.  They can't be lazy if they're so responsible.  
I believe these women are less likely to give up when a relationship gets rocky, and, more so, less likely to choose a bad mate.  Problems become problems that need to be solved and not given up on.  If the goal is for long beautiful life full of laughter and good experiences then a women with goals already achieved is a sound investment and catch.  So men,
do not shy away from a intelligent, smart women just because you can't get into her pants quickly.  Chances are no one else is getting those draws either.  Approach these women correctly and you will always be happy.  But remember smart women will know if you are a deadbeat or not.

     I've been working on a new "Clear Soul" album.  I'm at the end and expect to release this summer.  I have a Funk song
called "Raising my Intellect".  I've asked Sly Stone and Bay Bay, Sly's & George Clintons assistant, to perform on it.  I was told George Clinton loves the song and has listened to it over 15 times.  George's son sent me a text that his dad loves the song.
     To have one of the Gods of funk listen to my music repeatedly is the biggest compliment I could ever get.  I can't explain how good I feel after hearing that.  Even if George and Sly hated it I would continue making music but to get validation from them is beyond words.  I really love making music. It's hot.

The 2012 thing is, to me, the end of an old consciousness and the beginning of new way of thinking.  While companies lobby to gain more control of the worker or common man the common man has become wiser to the workings of "Big Business".  We should also include the church in the "Big Business" umbrella.  
     The new consciousness puts more value on spirituality and less value on profit or gain.  The old rule "What goes around comes around  is the new Bible.  Its short simple and direct.  Nature teaches us, through history, that adaptation is the key to survival.  The companies that have been making tons of money doing business how they do business must learn to adapt or slowly perish in this ever changing life.  Look @ the music industry for example.  Labels still rape its artist of cd sales, merchandise & even freedom.  Many major artist are rich but miserable.  The internet has made it possible for artist to bypass the big wheel and go direct to music lovers.  In order for a artist to see this he/she must first believe that it can happen.  One must embrace a new consciousness.  In this next year open your mind.  Dream and believe and do not let your dreams just be dreams.  All the best. 

I'm working on a solo piano E.P. of six tracks. I'm 3 deep.  I almost forgot how much I love Jazz. I've been trying to fit in 
the Dance music & film music so much that I forgot that Jazz exist.  With this E.P. I've blended some pop. I have a track called "I can't say it but I can Play it". It's short, just over a minute but it's so emotional to me.  Today I've learned that blending is means you're not sticking out.  I should be don'e with this E.P. by the weekend.

    If I'm into an artist lyrics, message & over all vibe I like to help as much as I can with their goals.  I'll do production, play keys for free and even run the band.  The problem I have with some people is they expect you to give yourself for their project.  They may promise something in return but, truth be told, if you start out getting it for free then you will always treat your help as such.  I've dealt with people who are use to paying as little as $20 for ownership of a beat or track and these same people are shocked when you fill them in on the real price of a good product.  They actually believe that $1,000.00 is what Dr. Dre or Glenn ballard get to do track when it's more like 100 times that.  Music is easy to come but good music takes time and expertise.  This expertise does not start at $20.00 a beat.

When motion pictures were put into commerce in the first part of the 20th Century to give the images more life they used piano music.  The piano player set the tone of what ever was being viewed.  Music plays integral roll in how a movie is perceived.
     Today millions of dollars are budgeted for the musical part of major films.  However, on a lower level it seems that 
the independent film maker opts to use most of its budgets on the shooting, production & editing of a films. Thus, leaving very little if no money for the part of the film that helps set the tone.  I've seen films suffer because of "Free" or "Exposure" music used in films.  It seems today that young film makers are languid in putting weight on the musical part of a film.
   I feel that music and the motion picture share an equal roll in getting the viewer to feel emotions.  They're both equally needed and should be treated as such.

Cori-

     I believe we live in a matrix.  I believe that we create what it is that we want, we hate & love.  Everything we do and have is because we've desired it to the point of pursuance.  Some of us make sacrifices to obtain what we want. Others just life live them instead of them living life.  The only person you can blame or praise for what you have is "U".