Songs of 2014 – A Selection of 12 – #HappyNewYear

Here’s to the end of 2014 and sharing with you all, a personal selection of 12 songs in no particular order of preference, that I’ve absolutely enjoyed this past year.  Cheers to a better and brighter 2015 and thanks once again to everyone who supported, shared and contributed to  my indiegogo campaign for my upcoming debut album Organically Singing 2015, even though the funding goal wasn’t met, every single drop goes a long way. I’m grateful.

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” – Confucius

My full vote of thanks & way forward can be read here. Cheers to family, friends and well-wishers, cheers to more songs and positive, beneficial, creative ventures, collaborations and progress for all in 2015. Viva La Africa & The Arts.

Here goes a selection of 12 songs released in 2014 by a varied array of artists, home and abroad that I absolutely loved and enjoyed~ Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Video released in 2013)

 

 

 

 

 

and of course to cap it all, I leave you with ‘good vibes’ from yours truly

 

Wishing you a prosperous and wonderful 2015

Beautifully Dreaming…Positively Doing

Tosinger

Advertisement

Afrikan Keresimesi (#Christmas) Carol @Tosinbeats @Tosinger

This blog post is following my writer friend Malaka‘s comment  saying — I’m the only person she knows who has vehemently insisted there are Christmas carols written and sung in Yoruba (my native language from Southwestern part of Nigeria) — 🙂   And there are really, traditional ones and one I incorporated here ‘Olugbala’, an original I wrote in 2012.  However, in this post, I am sharing a homely informal spontaneous recording of a composition of my musical brother ‘Tosin’ who I’d spotlighted sometime ago on the blog . He did a quick fly by Atlanta a couple of weeks ago.. and we decided to do an impromptu acoustic recording of a Yoruba ‘Owambe’ (party vibe) Christmas Song he wrote.

Here’s wishing you all a fantastic Christmas filled with love, joy , peace and everything Jesus the reason for the season brings. Enjoy and share!

 

Tosin says:

I grew up in post-colonial Nigeria, but the residue of colonialism was still palpable enough to have some impact on the post-colonial kids. For instance, I had British teacher in elementary school, and a British principal in high school. So we kept to some “oyinbo” (Caucasian) mannerism. However, I was able to, and still, blossom in my African way of life through enculturation fostered by my parents and my surroundings. And my musical direction is a reflection of this way of life.

With that said, I recently thought about doing an Afrikan Christmas Carol. Not that some African composers have never written some before, but I realized that we just repeat the same ol’ ones. So, on Wednesday morning (Dec. 10), the Heavens blessed me with a new composition. It was a few hours before my flight to Atlanta. And on getting to Atlanta I decided to do a quick collaboration with my Nigerian sister also called Tosin. The style of music I employed for this song is called Owambe.

  Hope you enjoyed it!

************************************************************************

In the mean time, the campaign for my debut album ‘Organically Singing’ is still on.. just a few days left!! If you haven’t, please check out the link here http://bit.ly/1wK84Iv contribute, support, pre~order/get perks for this good music about to be cooked, the kitchen is set, the cooks are skilled, we just need help with getting the ingredients to begin the process. Thanks to those whose hearts believe in the project and have been sharing the link. Campaign ends on Dec 29. Thank you! And the meraki goes on …  Season’s Greetings!

 

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

Tosinger

Fashion Spotlight – Attolle Clothiers (@attolleclothier) on Sale

Attolle Clothiers, an Afrocentric bespoke ladies fashion line was founded in 2002 by Bookey Itoandon – an Attorney who followed her passion for Fashion.  Her love for fashion, sketching and fabric selection led her to follow a career in fashion.

 In 2004, she relocated from Nigeria to United States to raise her family and further her education; and by August 2011 she re-birthed Attollé Clothiers in Houston Texas USA.

Bookey Itoandon

Over the years, her collections have featured contemporary ready-to-wear pieces with select bespoke outfits crafted primarily from printed cotton wax popularly known as African Wax Print or Ankara Wax Print. In 2010, she showcased at the Goonstyle fashion show in Houston Texas. The collection received a great review and she was invited back in 2011 and 2012. She also participated in the NAMC show in 2012.

Her collection was featured for the first time in 2012 at the AFWNY (African Fashion Week New York). The Attollé collection received an outstanding review that led to an invitation for her to showcase for the second time in 2013. Celeb personalities like Sarah TD Jakes have also been seen wearing her collection.

Bookey has become consistent with her vision to make every woman look elegant regardless of color, size and shape as she continues to develop bold and stunning pieces for all.

Attolle Clothiers is currently running a special holiday sale till Dec 31st available on their website at http://www.attolleclothiers.com/

Here are a few of Attolle Clothier’s lovely designs

And here I am  in one of her jumpsuit designs 😉 during Afrodreamfest 2014

Beautifully Dreaming… Positively Doing..

Tosinger

Merci Beaucoup – Preview from #OrganicallySinging

Presenting a short acoustic spontaneous version of ‘Merci Beaucoup’ (Thank you very much) – work in progress song from my upcoming debut album project ORGANICALLY SINGING Summer 2015.  I invite you to join me on board this uniquely refreshing organic and healthy afro~soulful music journey at http://igg.me/at/organicallysinging .  I appreciate your contribution to the indiegogo campaign (currently 9% at 28 days left …Help!!! :D) where you can  also lock in your pre-public/pre-order and get perks as well. A special thank you to all who have supported so far.

Laolu Senbanjo on Acoustic Guitar, Kunle Ade on Percussions and Eli Fola on the Saxophone. Recorded at Complete Studios, New York Oct 2014

 

Beautifully Dreaming.. Positively Doing…

xoxo

Tosinger