11/28/2023
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Music, reviews

MATINAE Music Live: Yussef Dayes

When I got the notification in one of those zillion emails for shows and tickets I hopped on it without hesitation. Yussef Dayes was coming to Variety Playhouse, Atlanta on 11/24/2023. Black Classical Music on Black Friday is perfection.

The show did not start on time, yet it was not a bad wait, allowing for people watching and listening to the music played over the venue’s sound system. When the band came on stage, there was no emcee, no fanfare and all heat in the opening song, Black Classical Music. The band includes Elijah Fox on keyboards, Malik Venner on saxophone, Rocco Palladino on bass and Alexander Bourt on percussion.

Dayes music is classified as jazz or alt jazz, but what I heard at this show and on the album is more than that. This music is straight ahead jazz, funk, hip-hop, fusion, spiritual call and response and very much rooted in the sounds of the birthplace of civilization. This is music that is felt in the bones that is left me head nodding, eyes closed, foot tapping and bouncing throughout the set. The musicianship, the communication amongst the musicians and the translation of that to the crowd was a beautiful thing to participate in.

What I liked most about all the musicians is that they played with intensity, without being forceful. I love to hear that in a drummer in particular. I have heard many a drum solo with folks who are clearly talented but who sounded in my ears, like they were trying to beat holes in their kit. Mr. Dayes is not that guy and I am so glad about it.

If Yussef Dayes/The Yussef Dayes Experience comes to your town go. These musicians are playing some beautiful music.

🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁 of five

Photos: MsThorns

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12/19/2022
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Pen Reviews, reviews

MATINAE PENS – Fine Writing with the Pilot Precise V5 RT **UPDATE**

I’m not into fine point pens. I believe I said it when I originally reviewed this pen. However the line was so lovely and the color so brilliant I charged ahead and kept writing with it, until this past Friday.

The pen on the right fell apart when I depressed the clicker. I attempted to screw it back together to no avail. I moved on to the pen on the left which was writing fine momentarily until the tip broke and scratched the page so hard I thought it ripped.

I have never had two pens, back to back in the same sitting, break. So, the Pilot Precise and I are breaking up. The review is revised down to a ✍🏾.

Photo: MsThorns

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12/19/2022
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Pen Reviews, reviews

MATINAE PENS – Zebra Fuente Fountain

Maybe it was a trend or something in the early seventies but there was this wave of interest in calligraphy and fountain pens.  I might have begged my mom for a fountain pen to which she obliged, one with cartridges.  Once those cartridges ran out, I was done with my fountain pen fascination and moved on to whatever fickle elementary school girls were into.

Having been writing non-stop and talking about pens just as much the last few years, I wanted something different.  The memory of that fountain pen came to mind, so I started looking for a disposable set. The first set I found was the Zebra Fuente Fountain Pen set, assorted colors of course.

These pens could not have come in more disappointing packaging. A plastic baggie, really? This is not the packaging I saw in the photos when I ordered so I knew that these pens were going to janky but much to my surprise, they were not.

The barrel, cap and clip are made of translucent plastic reminiscent of gelatin.  The pens are short and chunky much like the writer.  The length of the pen however, is not a hinderance to writing.

On one side of the barrel is an ink level indicator, which could be handy or not.  For those who plan ahead, an ink indicator could be useful for determining when to reorder.  For others the indicator is for aesthetic purposes only.  

The grip is a clear plastic so the ink flow to the nib is visible.  The plastic grip for this pen works because it is, again, a thicker pen, so slippage is not a problem.

I thought that writing with the pen would be a scratchy affair but the experience was quite the opposite.  The look of a fountain nib for me, adds to the visual experience of seeing words, symbols, or drawings on paper.  The tip of the Zebra fountain rolls as smooth as any rollerball.  The ink, at least so far has not come flying out in a blob-filled mess.

The Zebra Fuente Fountain Pen is a solid entry point for use as a daily writing instrument.  Since it is disposable and relatively inexpensive, if you hate it, you can just pass it on to somebody who won’t. ✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾.5

Photos: MsThorns

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11/28/2022
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Pen Reviews

MATINAE PENS – TUL Retractable Gel Pen

I discovered the TUL .7 mm medium point retractable gel pens while looking for TUL Disc Planner refill pages at Office Depot (TUL is an Office Depot brand).  I have purchased several sets of these pens for the ink color assortment and because some of the limited-edition sets are visually lovely.  The question is, do they do their job as writing instruments?

The “basic” color set is all plastic except for the metal pocket clip and the pen tip i.e. the end of the cartridge from which the ink flows.  What keeps the whole cartridge from flying out of the barrel is the nose cone, which for the TUL is plastic as well.

The grip is a perforated rubber (preferred) for no slippage and is of moderate size so there should be little hand fatigue when there is considerable writing to accomplish.

The clicker/thrust mechanism easily depresses and retracts when operated and features a clear flat-topped outer case, revealing the pen/ink color in the assorted color sets.  The special edition black ink sets do not have the clear outer casing likely for aesthetic reasons.

When writing, the ink flow is smooth, and the tip does not skip nor leave ink blobs.  Any skips observed would likely be from having a tad bit too much coffee when writing.  The ink colors are rich especially in the solid barrel limited edition assorted set. 

Though the colors are great and the tip rolls smoothly there are two issues with the TUL, ink longevity and overall construction.  I have pitched at least one full set in the last year because the ink dried out.  Critics may say that the pens are not being used enough and that is a possibility, however, there are sets from other brands that I have had multiple years that did not dry out as quickly as the TUL.  In terms of construction, though the grip is quite suitable, the pen feels and sounds flimsy as one can hear the cartridge rattling around inside the barrel when writing.

The TUL is a basic pen, with great colors, think “great gowns, beautiful gowns”.  If this is a writer’s pen of choice, I recommend keeping plenty on hand because they will run out quickly and if heavy handed, you may break a few. ✍🏾✍🏾.75

Photos: MsThorns

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11/14/2022
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Pen Reviews, reviews

MATINAE PENS – The Pilot G-2 at Home

There is no escaping the Pilot G-2 gel retractable. I have written with them for years in various jobs because it is the standard work pen. Yet for personal writing, I steered clear since I had choices when using my own hard-earned cash. I may have been missing out in my rebellion.

The Pilot G-2 easily meets the physical specs of my favored pens as it has a ridged rubber grip and a clicker that does not stick.

The G-2 also comes in a variety of colors, point sizes, and finishes so one is not limited to the black, red and blue fine point of the office. Although the metallic variety is likely only practical for making art.

For writers of letters, notes, and journals, the bold variety G-2 1.0 with its rich color performs well, providing a smooth clean line despite its point size.

Not just for the office, the G-2 is highly recommended. These pens are long-lasting, reliable and a make a great edition to your writing instrument collection ✍🏽✍🏽✍🏽✍🏽.

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08/24/2022
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Pen Reviews, reviews

MATINAE Pens – Pentel EnerGel Pearl Deluxe RTX

Full disclosure, I purchased these pens because I thought they were cute. As a writing instrument, the Pentel EnerGel Pearl Deluxe RTX Gel pen outperforms said cuteness.

Writing is a smooth experience with a super clean line emanating from a .7 mm stable needle tip.

In general, a narrow tipped pen is not desired because I write hard and loopy and think the tip will break. Breakage is not an issue with the EnerGel Pearl. The non-slip rubber grip absorbs some of that pressure as well.

One thing I noticed and it may not be as clear in the photo, is that the manufactured date on the ink chamber says 2019. The pen was purchased in 2021 and is still writing in 2022👍🏾.

The clicker does the job and the clip bends out and snaps back into place when clipped to a notebook or shirt pocket.

The ink color stays true regardless of the paper color. The paper on the left is a grayish blue while that on the right is white.

If there is one thing that precludes the Pentel EnerGel Pearl Deluxe RTX from receiving that perfect rating, it is that thing it does similar to white clothing. The grip yellows over time. Otherwise this pen is a go to and highly recommended for your writing needs ✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾1/2.

Photos: MsThorns

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08/17/2022
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Pen Reviews

MATINAE Pens – Boldilocks, the Uni-ball Vision Elite BLX

These pens were purchased over two years ago and are still writing so that would be a +1 for the Uni-ball Vision Elite BLX .8 mm “bold” rollerball pen.

The Vision Elite BLX is obviously a stick pen, with a tight cap that snaps firmly into place.

The grip is fairly small and made of a hard etched plastic to prevent slippage.

The rollerball does its job providing a smooth no-skip ride against the paper. The ink on the tip is an indication of usage, not ink blobs.

The barrel and tip colors give some indication of the ink color, which is bold but not bright.

The lines are bold and the colors are deep and blackish.

Overall the Uni-ball Vision Elite BLX is serviceable and I will write with them until they dry up, but they are not preferred by this writer. The line is a tad heavy, I did not like the small plastic grip, and pens with caps are just another thing to keep up with. ✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾

Photos: MsThorns

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07/26/2022
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Pen Reviews

MATINAE Pens – BIC Gel-ocity

A fave early on in the pandemic, I ran them so hard, the few I had were spent quickly. I had to re-up on the BIC Gel-ocity.

The BIC Gel-ocity is a .7 mm (fine-ish) medium point gel pen, which translates into lines that are clean and crisp. The colors are brilliant and are easily the richest of any pen reviewed here thus far.

The barrel is almost pliable, a thick rubber, that renders a really nice non-slip grip anywhere on the pen.

The thrust mechanism, i.e. “the clicker” clicks. When the pen is in its detracted position there is no sliding up and down of the casing over the clicker.

The Bic Gel-ocity, checks all the boxes and is great for any kind of writing, whether it is note taking for meetings, or journaling. This one is a fave, highly recommended! ✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾

Photos: MsThorns

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04/18/2022
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Music, reviews

MATINAE Music Live: MOONCHILD

April 9, 2022, Buckhead Theater, Atlanta GA

The opening act Austin Antoine, appropriately describes himself as a performance artist. Antoine sang, rapped including a freestyle, and performed the famous Kid n Play House Party dance sequence with his cousin who came out for a few numbers, all while providing his own musical accompaniment (by laptop). The performance was fun, Antoine was engaging, and the audience, self-included, seem to have enjoyed the performance. Antoine’s music is available on all streaming platforms.

I missed the second act due to an unfortunate hot flash incident🔥. From what I could gather, a presentation and video from/about a local charity supported by the headliners was shown. Having properly cooled off I resumed my seat and soon raucous applause and cheers began for the headliners, Moonchild.

I first heard the group on Twitch some time in 2020, so the group is new to me. Nevertheless what I heard and subsequently added to my collection was enough to make me want to see them live. Moonchild is comprised of Amber Navran, Andris Mattson and Max Bryk. They were also joined by Efa Etoroma, Jr. on drums for the Atlanta date.

The band is tight. The three principles are all multi-instrumentalists which I would say lean toward soul and jazz. The set list included:

  • Too Much to Ask
  • The Other Side
  • Cure
  • The List
  • Run Away
  • Tell Him
  • Love I Need

and more. Love I Need was a funky banger. The album version features Rapsody, the live performance briefly transitioned into Anita Baker’s Caught up in the Rapture which was a joyful sing-a-long before returning to the funk.

The audience sang along throughout the band’s performance and whenever Navran stretched out of her normal vocal style just the tiniest bit, the audience went bananas and started shouting SANG AMBER! Navran’s vocals have been written about plenty, all I could add is that I would love to see her stretch a bit beyond her signature sound beyond the teasers she displayed in the live performance.

Seeing Moonchild was an enjoyable experience. Anyone who likes a soulful, jazzy type sound is encouraged to attend this show when it comes to your city, if it is not already sold out.

For more information on the charitable organizations that Moonchild partners with, please see their website.

Photos: MsThorns

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04/08/2022
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Music, reviews

MATINAE Music Live: Tank and the Bangas

The show was on 3/27/2022. I have been sitting on this for two weeks because a conclusion just could not be reached until now.

First I want to thank the parking gods and the cleaning staff of Buckhead Theater in Atlanta. The parking was easy and the theater Pristine. I had a seat in the balcony because my days of standing through a show appear to be over.

The opening act was Cory Henry and his band The Funk Apostles. If funk is in it, I’m here for it and Henry did not disappoint. He is a high energy keyboard master, vocalist, performer, minister of music. At times I heard Sly, Herbie and our beloved Prince. They seem to be his influences but his sound is his own, maybe a funk-jazz-gospel-rock??? I heard it all in his playing. The Funk Apostles band, instrumental and vocals were tight. Highlights were:

▻ Days – a bouncy, danceable groove, a bop
▻ Trade it All – this GOES, Henry’s solo was outstanding on this
▻ GawtDamn – he killed this, soulful, shout-worthy LAWD
▻ Alone – Henry described as the introverts anthem, was a jam with clearly inspired by early Prince.

I really enjoyed the performance and Henry and his band seemed to enjoy it as much as the audience. His music is streaming on all platforms, you need to see him live though, for real.

and now…

Tank is the technicolor dreamcoat. She is multi-faceted, vocalist, spoken word artist, playful all of the things, the Group plays all genres and do it well. However, I did not stay until the end because…

I am old.

As an old, Tank and the Bangas were a lot to take in, the colors , the baby-voiced, squealing thing Tank does was too much for me. The youngins LOVED it! Screaming, dancing, singing along, giving all the audience participation. My thoughts of the show, were the same as those when listening to the recorded music. This chile is TALENTED but wooooo it was too much for me.

To be clear, I was out of place, not the band, not the crowd. I liken the experience to the way my parents talked about hip-hop in the beginning. They thought it was loud, noisy, too-much going on. Later, they came around, my dad in fact is now a Snoop Fan.

Would I recommend this show? Absolutely, I enjoyed the reaction of the crowd, I enjoyed the vocals and the spoken word and the band, the baby-voiced squealing was a bit much for me. Oh, and the chicken wings the young ladies were eating next to me smelled and gave me a headache.

Would I go to see them again? Absolutely. A funny thing happened for me to arrive at this conclusion, the NCAA National Championship. I heard her before I saw her, singing the national anthem in all her glory and in New Orleans tradition. It was dope.

Photos: MsThorns

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