WSPC SESSION NOTES JUNE 2015: FOURTH ANNUAL BLACK MUSIC MONTH CELEBRATION

FROM THE DJ's STUDIO DESK:

We have lost many too many in such a short span of time.

For the month of June, WSPC will celebrate BLACK MUSIC MONTH for the fourth time. This is a 30 day period where this virtual radio station will exclusively spin the music of Black artists from around the world and this time, I do feel a greater sense of urgency to this celebratory annual event.

Over the past two months, we have had to sadly say goodbye to several legendary artists who have forever advanced and changed the face of music as well as provided us with eternal chestnuts that have all shaped the soundtracks of our lives. Regardless of whether we chose these artists or not, the music they so beautifully achieved entered our collective existence, transcending all demographics and therefore becoming timeless works of art.

On April 14th, we lost Percy Sledge, the singer most famously known for the heartaching ballad "When A Man Loves A Woman," as well as 2005 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductee, at the age of 73.

On April 30th, we lost singer/songwriter/producer and one time member of The Drifters, Ben E. King, at the age of 76. I honestly cannot imagine my life without having "Stand By Me," his iconic song of friendship and solidarity, as a part of my life's tapestry.

On May 21st, we lost bassist Louis Johnson, co-founder of The Brothers Johnson, key session musician for the likes of Michael Jackson and Stanley Clarke and nicknamed "Thunder Thumbs" for his pioneering work with the "slap bass" technique, alongside Larry Graham. Johnson was only 60 years old.

And of course, as well as most personally affecting to me, was the loss of Mr. Riley B. King, immortally known as B.B. King on May 14th at the age of 89.

In regards to B.B. King, I truly have no concept of how or when his music entered my life but in many ways, it seemed as if he was always there. What amazed and attracted me more than anything in the world about B.B. King was the sheer and bottomless joyousness with which he sang and played, making the intimacy and anguish of the blues something so universal and downright euphoric. To realize that his voice, plus the voice of his timeless guitar Lucille are now silenced just feels unfathomable, for King plus Percy Sledge, Ben E. King and Louis Jordan all seemed to be as unending as the sky, the sun and the stars.

But the music does indeed go on and on and on...

It some ways, it feels that this 4th annual ode to Black Music Month is beginning upon a somber note. While I don't wish for it to be, the sheer gravity of this time is inescapable because these artists have given us the gift of their musical legacies, and therefore artifacts of our collective histories and tin return and eternal gratitude for all they have given to us. These musical, and now cultural, histories must be protected, treasured, cherished, and ultimately, sustained so that their contributions to this beautiful art form of music do not go forgotten through the passages of time.

As with past years, while the content upon Synesthesia may not exclusively be tied to the theme of this month, ALL of the music that is played upon WSPC will definitely and humbly serve as a tribute. I do not come to this month serving as any sort of an expert. I come to this month in thankfulness and endless curiosity as the joy of discovery for me, and hopefully for you in turn, is paramount.

And throughout this month, should you choose to listen and celebrate with me, always...

PLAY LOUD!!!!!!.