You Can't Lose If You Choose The Blues!

The Blues is genius!

Only could Black folk could take a concept like having the blues (depression, pain, heartache, oppression...etc) and flip the script!

It's called the blues when you are so sad or lonesome you could cry, but it is "THE BLUES" when that same feeling causes you to pick up a melody and pluck and sing and chase the pain away. Must be some kind of voodoo!

In this episode I blend some R&B Groovin' with some good old Blues Soothin' - cause like the man once said to the DJ..."You can't lose if you choose the blues"!

Smiling through the pain - brought the sunshine out of the rain.

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:

Michael Jackson - "Butterflies" (2001)
Ledisi - "Alright" (2007)
Mike Phillips - "You Have Reached Mike Phillips" (2002)
Urban Knights - "Come Back Jack" (2005)
Kem - "I Get Lifted" (2005)
Mint Condition - "Back In Stride" (2009)
Etta James - "Inner City Blues" (1998)
Larry Carlton - "7 for You" (2004)
Buddy Guy - "Somebody's Been Sleeping In My Bed" (2005)
Cassandra Wilson - "I Want More" (2003)
S.M.V. - "Tutu" (2008)
Will Downing - "Will's Groove" (2007)

City, Country, City

We all got some City in us and some Country.

Our City side is cool, hip, fast, stylish and aware. It wants to be where the action is and loves to see and be seen. Perhaps our City side may seem a bit gritty and mean but, it's only our defense to survive the City's dark side.

Our Country side is laid back, mellow, earthy and real. It is where it needs to be when the season is ripe, it plays all day and sleeps all night. Perhaps our Country side may seem a bit raw and unrefined but, it's only our defense to survive the Country's dark side.

The two come together in this mix - a tribute to East Coast Cool and the Dirty South Rule. Come on in a set a spell, relax yourself.... and let Pheno's Lounge take you there.... "I know a place..."

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:

Boney James - "Contact" (2011)
Amel Larrieux - "I and I" (1997)
Dwele - "That's The Way Of The World" (2007)
Incognito - "Show Me Love" (2005)
Marcus Miller - "Strum" (2008)
Mary J. Blige - "Can't Hide From Luv" (2005)
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly - "Joy and Pain/Before I Let Go" (1986)
Jay-Z - "Change Clothes" (2003)
Eightball & Goodie Mob - "Backyard Mississippi" (1998)
War - "Where Was You At" (1972)
Anthony Hamilton - "Never Love Again" (2005)

Feelin' Good!

I know today is Friday the 13th....but have no fear!

I put together a mix of 13 Joints from Chucky Baby to The Queen that are right on point...like the song says, "...it's all about feelin' good"!!

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:

Chuck Brown - "Feelin' Good" (2007)
Raphael Saadiq & Q-Tip - "Get Involved" (1999)
Brian McKnight - "Grown Man Business" (2005)
Erykah Badu - "Honey" (2007)
Jill Scott & Eve - "Shame" (2011)
Ini Kamoze - "Here Comes The Hotstepper" (1994)
Force MD's - "Love Is A House" (1987)
Aretha Franklin - "Oh Me Oh My [I'm a fool for you]" (1971)
Rashaan Patterson - "April's Kiss" (2004)
Common & Kanye West - "Go!" (2005)
Kenny Lattimore - "Can't Get Enough" (1997)
2 Pac & Eric Williams - "Do For Love" (1997)
Prince - "Don't Play Me" (1997)

One Bright Day!

The sun is calling... come out and play!

It seems to say - you've been inside your four walls too long, stop, look and listen to the birds song... watch the children laugh and play, it seems to be the way, here on one bright day.

This is the long overdue mix... worth the wait!

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:

Terri Lyne Carrington & Gretchen Parlato - "I Got Lost In His Arms" (2011)
The Roots - "Why?" (2004)
The Brand New Heavies - "We Won't Stop" (2006)
Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers - "One Bright Day" (1989)
Zap Mama - "Jogging a Tombouctou" (2000)
Jamiroquai - "Seven Days In Sunny June" (2005)
Luther Vandross - "Take You Out" (2001)
Michael McEvoy - "Cycles of Re-Evaluation" (1997)
Stanley Clarke & Esperanza Spalding - "All Over Again" (2007)
Everything But The Girl - "Before Today [Chicane Remix] (2002)
Q-Tip - "Blue Girl" (2009)
Marc Antoine - "Can You Feel It" (2005)
Maysa - "Conversation With The Universe" (2008)

Always On Time!

Hey Gang,

Has it really been 3 months....3 months with no new shows to groove with...3 months and no Pheno's Lounge to put in your iPod, to download to your iPad, to impress your friends with...I am so, so sorry!

It must have been as hard on you as it was on me....what can I say - when I shut it down...I shut it down. If you think that's a long time...it's been almost 2 years without a girlfriend... I need to wake up!!

Reminds me of something Prince once put in lyrics, "...sleeping alone will bore you and soon you'll grow old!" That maybe true, but I figure I'm OK because I sleep with music beside me almost every night so... I guess that counts as not sleeping alone, right? Oops...suddenly I feel old.

Well anyway - here is a mix 3 months in the making and believe me...it is right on time (always).

Enjoy,

Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenix

featuring:

Chaka Khan - "Spoon" (1998)
Hidden Beach Recordings- "Always On Time" (2002)
Pieces Of A Dream - "Anyway You Want It" (1997)
Gato Barbieri - "Blue Gala" (1997)
Urban Knights - "Brazilica" (2005)
Brooklyn Funk Essentials - "By and Bye" (1998)
Neos - "Indian Diary" (1997)
George Duke - "Mercy" (2008)
The RH Factor - "Pastor T" (2003)
Lalah Hathaway - "Tragic Inevitability" (2008)
Vinx - "Tomorrow Is Just Another Day" (2000)
Pete Downes & Steve Littler - "Skywatcher" (2009)