The Movement

There's a lot to be said about my 4th year of life. This year represents so much awareness, as far as I can remember. I remember my mother dancing to this song in our living room. The songs that sparked the movement in my mom, that was passed down to me were Roots Mural Theme and Many Rains Ago ( Oluwa)- composed by Quincy Jones. Quincy Jones is the Composer/Arranger of the Roots soundtrack. Which made it's debut the year I was born, 1977. If you are trying to figure out what the movement is, it's dance. I grew up in an extremely creative household. My dad coming from a musically gifted, creative family and my mom coming from an athletic, dancing, creative family created moi. Anyway, I digress.

The movement started on a Saturday night. Saturday nights in our home were always met with hours and hours of playing my parents album collection. I would always sit on the floor, possibly to absorb the rhythm and watch both my parents become engulfed in their own way by the music. This particular Saturday night was different, because this was the first time that I remember seeing my mom dance. Roots Mural Theme began to play and my mom said," I have to dance to this, this is so powerful. Bubba, do you hear those stings?!"

At the time I didn't know what Roots meant, but I knew how this significant body of pure, musical, genius made me feel. Both songs also introduced me to dance. I was a very shy kid and would not dance until many years later, which became a tool that I used to get closer to the music. Every time that I've danced, I imagined that I was every instrument. So, when I dance, I feel the music. It dictates the movement. The movement tells a story. My mom taught me how to connect to the music through movement and storytelling. Quincy Jones Roots Soundtrack, taught me to hear excellence.

What body of music tuned your ear to excellence? Please, share in the comments below.

With Musical Intention,

LaPrecious