#ESPspotlight Review: Life on Earth by Musiq Soulchild

I've been waiting for this.

I've been waiting for this like you've been waiting to hear from me. Well as explained in my last post, my visits will be lesser, but this is one that I just couldn't miss. A new set from my favourite male soloist since Michael Jackson, is a monumental moment in music. And even though it still doesn't boast the collaboration I've been asking for, over the past decade at least (for the love of ALL that is Holy, will someone please call Mariah)? Musiq Soulchild has still given me a bounty generous enough to dissolve in, and effervesce I did. Now it's your turn....

The first point of note, is the step away from the phonetic album names he became known for. It's a small, marmite disappointment, but not one that really affects the album's direction in any way. At this point, any Salt o' the Earth fan knows, Hejuswannasang...

1. Wait A Minute

My Neosoul King rap-sings his intentions from the bodacious opening. He sounds hungry, like he's missed this. He sounds like he's gonna eat the mic whole, he's so ready, like a prize fighter stepping in the ring for a much-revued bout. And he's got us on the ropes in Round One. The switch up at the bridge is the typically smooth pre-sex we've come to expect from him, right up until he starts rapping....what just happened here? How did that just work? It's not remotely like anything we've come to expect from him, and yet; from the outset of 'OnMyRadio' it feels like a natural progression that we should've done. It's a stellar 5-star moment.

2. Who Really Loves You

This far into the game, it should be a question of where else can Musiq take his musical formula...have we not heard all that such a distinctive brand has to offer? I know that I certainly thought so, but the production on this 2016 'Marygoround', shows us that there are, in fact, top and bottom note directions that we have not heard from him yet - who knew? This man truly is living up to that belief I had the first time that I heard him duet with Aaries on 'GirlNextDoor', way back in that 2001 first album era: he's our next Marvin Gaye, blended with a little Donny Hathaway, and just a dash of Otis Reading (that means he's great kids).

3. Heart Away

That melodic opening drives us into the heavy funk drumline that Musiq makes mincemeat of. Reminding us there is no one out there who vocally romances us out of the undergarments that were firmly in place before he opened his mouth; he sings blithely about not just giving your heart away to anyone, knowing good N well that he sang it right out from under us, giftwrapped in those aforementioned treacherous undies. If you're looking for his female audience by the end of his smooth outro; you'll find us in that puddle in front of him, on the floor - aurally melted.

4. Loving You

That opening note makes you go "Uh-oh". Ladies (and some gents) hear the point when they become the prey of a (welcome) sexual predator. In this case, it's the second Musiq hits that bassworthy sweetspot that let's you know It. Is. ON. If you're able to break far enough out of his seductive reverie, then not only are you a better woman than me; but he let's you know his intent when he declares this "one of those babymakin melodies". By the time he hits the reminiscence of your casual romantic start, you're lost in the intimacy of the moment, as he vocally caresses you into submission. It's official ladies - we're all winners here, but only Musiq takes the crown.

5. I Do

Aaah here it is. The album's first single is thee most misogynistic proposal of all time - my fellow weak female friends, get ready to find yourself accepting despite being lost in offence. How can someone sound so sultry while being so rude? This is the definition of being unromantic, whilst maintaining your bravado for the fellas. He's saving face by hiding the mush in a sexy little velvet box suddenly sprung from his breast pocket. Collectively we want to be offended dammit! But he just sounds so, damn, sexy, whilst he makes out that you browbeat him into jumping the broom....he's such a...a...a MAN!!!!

Musiq Soulchild - I DO from SOULSTAR MUSIC COMPANY on Vimeo.

6. Changed My Mind

An intro that sounds straight out of 70s soul, a la Heatwave, has you questioning The Creator - what fresh torture is this? We're so glad to hear that he's changed his mind about spending his life alone, but unless he's deciding on spending it with this individual listener, it really feels like salt he's saucily rubbing into that open wound he sexily sliced open (maybe I've been watching too much Hannibal prior to listening).

7. Walk Away

Moving forward chronologically, this 80s soul-tinged number is the singer's most detached so far in the set. His delivery is an A+ in his shaping and characterisation of his lyrics, but Musiq doesn't quite 'put his foot in' this one as he does with every track prior to it, almost as if he doesn't want to be singing about leaving a situation. It makes you wonder if he's in a 'happy moment' personally....and see bunny boiler red. Once again,  maybe my viewing habits are clouding my judgement....

8. Far Gone

The heaviest bass line yet leads us into this official entering of a breakup anthem. His heart is back in this one, you feel him in the throaty, deep delivery. New kid on the block Rapsody's offering of the female perspective is bang on point; talking about the beautiful beginning to "the cold side of the bed" end. It's a tangible, emotional hip-hop offering.

9. Part of Me

JoiStaRR's intro is a wholesome, heartbleeding plea that begs her love to leave the skank he knows doesn't love him like she does; she wants to do something about keeping her man, and we're in her corner. Then Musiq offers a different perspective that feels like a follow on from 'Who Really Loves You'; according to him, she didn't want him when she had him, but he's not happy with her replacement, so they face off and go toe-to-toe. It's a brilliant r&b slice, another classic collaboration for Musiq, a just beautiful anthem.

10. Alive and Well

Is the socially-conscious moment that urges people to recognise their blessings and be happy with their lot. The fact that he uses the opportunity for some of the most awesome scatting and harmonisation that we have ever heard from him does not make me mad....it does however, make me wish I could do that; so in closing the song with it, he undoes all the good that he may previously have done, by making people envious of him! Maybe should've thought on that one a bit more!

11. The Girl

The piano-intro indicates a romantic moment that Musiq delivers as a means of distraction, before subtly suggesting The Girl of his dreams (who bears a remarkable vocal resemblance to Alicia Keys), take a step back and 'let him be the man while she stays in her place'. It's a little disappointing that he feels the need to ask "where does that leave room for me" of a female who is supposed to be a superhero (surely if she's a superhero, your 'does' are taken care of)? It's a bit of an unattractive ploy, despite how beautiful it sounds; but on the bright side, your undergarments will stay safely locked in place.

12. Life on Earth

The braggadocious intro sets up a big entry, and thankfully, the undies are back to twitching, as they should be when this maestro sings. "Loving you is all I wanna do on this Life on Earth"; that's what we wanna hear, isn't it girls? He's not performing for the fellas, asking us to give up part of ourselves, or change for his benefit, he just wants to love his love as is. Now that's the Musiq I fell in love with.

Musiq Soulchild

Life on Earth is out now; available at various prices from the following retail and digital outlets:

Amazon (CD) / Google Play (Standard) / iTunes (Deluxe)

Until the next...
ES ;)

Where On EARTH Have I Been???

Now I bet you'll wonder where I've been.....?

Three months before I started to go downhill...

Contrary to most reports, I did not join the jet-setting glitterarti amongst the highest of fashion circles, nor did I become some insanely handsome rock star's groupie....(NOT for want of trying...just kidding...sort of). No such glamorous luck, I'm afraid. In the words of the great and powerful Julie Andrews (have we seen Mary Poppins people? Not that recent tawdry fake I wish I'd been able to review - the REAL one; who would mess with her? Not I Sir, not I); yes in Julie's words - I shall start at the very beginning....

In 2007, I was diagnosed with a long-term, chronic health disorder, by the name of Fibromyalgia. Known as 'The Umbrella Illness', because it incorporates so many things, it is a painful, grossly debilitating nerve and muscle disease that too few Doctors in the UK are familiar with. No two sufferers experience the disease to the same degree, hence after I learned that I developed the illness (I had just undergone double-knee surgery ten months prior, and was still unable to walk without two crutches, even though I was supposed to recover in twelve weeks); with the help of intensive physiotherapy and acupuncture, I was able to return to part-time work for two years, before undertaking ESP Ltd. full-time.

During the September SS14 period of London Fashion Week however, I began to notice an overwhelming weakness that I could not overcome. I naturally put the source down to the Fibromyalgia and thought no more about it. A month later, I experienced my first tremor attack. Having never experienced anything like this before, I assumed that the excruciatingly painful, uncontrollable shaking in my right leg that lasted for 30 minutes, was a new element of the Fibromyalgia that I had not experienced before. I also assumed it was a one-off, until November (a month later), when the same thing happened, this time for 45 minutes. At the time, I had also begun to experience traumatic pains in my left leg at night, but did not know if they were connected. My GP at the time, suggested I take it up with the Fibromyalgia Clinic at Guy's Hospital, whom I was due to see in December anyway.

Put on long-term, controlled medication to try to counteract these new symptoms, I was sent on my way from the Fibromyalgia clinic; on the premise that should I need to see them again, I should be re-referred, and given an immediate appointment. Around the same time, I got a call from my Rheumatologist at St Helier's Hospital, saying that my latest round of blood tests had come back with some abnormalities and thus, I was being referred to Haematology for further investigation. I saw their team in January of 2014, when I was told that I had developed Early Onset Myeloma. Tests later revealed that although I was not suffering from the first stage of the blood cancer (phew...), I had in fact, developed the precursor, which will eventually degenerate into that illness (Oh...); what I had was known as MGUS. All the while, I continued to weaken, to the point where I was finding it hard to work on my virtual business.

By March, that weakness had forced me to stop everything but blogging, and even that was taking its toll. A series of collapses saw me admitted into Croydon University Hospital for the first time that year, where I stayed for 5 weeks, after losing the use of my right leg. Approximately five weeks after my discharge, I lost the use of my left leg, and by mid-May I was admitted into hospital for my second long-term stay. Not one to give up without a fight, I did manage to escape the ward long enough to attend Graduate Fashion Week (in a wheelchair). One day, I hope to be well enough to bring you some of the amazing talent I saw on display at that awesome event. For now, I will just have to make do with showing you one of my highlights of the day - the moment when I was Blessed to meet two of my icons together for the first time, making all the pain I experienced entirely worth it!

Caryn Franklin, a wheelchair-bound Yours Truly and Hilary Alexander

Back to hospital I did go afterwards however, having made it through three quarters of the day (RESULT!!!)...!

Painful testing continued (if you hear the words 'Nerve Conduction Studies' mentioned, RUN...or wheel away, whichever gets you to safety fastest); until it was deemed that there was nothing else the hospital could do for me, without a specialist in the subject to weigh in (they don't always 'resolve the matter' - House lied to all of us). Within three days of freedom, my then GP had me readmitted under what is called a failed discharge, since the problem of my tremor attacks, and the triggers for my pain management still went undetermined. The extra stay proved to make no difference overall (bar extra jelly and ice cream), and once again, I was ousted.

Since that time, I have been managing what has now become a total of 13 chronic illnesses, to the best of my ability. The discovery of autoimmune diseases Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Adrenal Gland Failure last summer continuing to prove that as long as I have a degrading illness, new problems will continue to follow - although I would not be adverse to receiving some kind of trophy on the diagnosis of lucky number 15 - after all, if this were my nation's beloved food joint Nando's, I would've received at least a quarter chicken with 2 sides by now.

And so to business - between the Fibromyalgia, the MGUS, and the Osteoarthritis in my hands and wrists, diagnosed in February of 2015; it means that working is something that I am forced to put aside for the time being, as unfortunately is blogging - however...with the help of my trusted advisers (and typers), I will aim to bring you at least one piece a month (starting with Musiq Soulchild's review for new album, Life on Earth to follow tomorrow). I do hope you accept my apologies for the lack of interaction but do understand the reasoning and hopefully, accept my Silver Linings offer...

Since full blogging is not currently possible for me on a regular basis, I have taken to 'microblogging' Music and Fashion on the ESintheP Instagram page. Because the account is, like this blog, from the perspective of Yours Truly, you will see mentions of health-related posts, mixed in with my two favourite subjects; just so that you get to continue on this journey with me, and have access to a portal by which to interact with me. You can also keep up with my video diary of my health situation so far on my personal YouTube account...

   

Please forgive and ignore the best of my hideous stop points (Thank You YouTube)

So a massive and humble Thank You for sticking with me, some of you have been absolutely amazing, supporting me personally, and I can never be grateful enough - is all that's left to say; if things improve at any turn, you will be the second to know (after my immediate family, because otherwise, they may consider that rude)! In the meantime, do Stay Tuned, because I AM working on ways to bring this blog back to you all - so don't give up on me!

ESintheP on Instagram / EricaSharlette on YouTube

Welp, here it is....I'm not that comfortable in front of the lens these days for obvious reasons, 12 chronic illnesses and counting are most definitely taking their toll, but I'm doing my best to hang in there, and take things one day at a time. Constant pain, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, makes it hard to find the positives and keep them in sight, but I do try very hard. I could wallow, but if there's one thing that maturity has taught me, it's that even if I can't think about others who are suffering more than me, I can always remember that I, myself have worse days. And if there's something I can do today, that I couldn't do yesterday, that's a win - even if I won't be able to do it tomorrow. I may not look my best, but I certainly am trying - and I can't ask myself for anymore than that. So #BonneAnniversaireMoi -Here's to looking beautiful next year 😉 #InstaBirthday #Birthday #bornday #Fibromyalgia #Osteoarthritis #MGUS #SystolicHeartMurmur #UnderactiveThyroid #HashimotosThyroiditis #PerniciousAnaemia #PCOS #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #CFS #PlantaarFasciitis #AdrenalGlandFailure #FibroFighter #FibroWARRIOR #ESintheP

A photo posted by Erica Sharlette (@esinthep) on Feb 11, 2016 at 11:34am PST

Until the Next...
ES ;)