Amongst the lot you were the best
I itched to say “yes” but first you had to pass the test
Classic case of road runner and wily coyote
Handbook to Lady and the Tramp on Bella Notte’s spaghetti
Conventional standards you had to measure up
Oh my I couldn’t wait to call you my buttercup
My glued up heart from experiences past
Stretching and snubbing to see if you’d last
Seizing every opportunity to prove your mettle
Lining up rose petals to my doorway
Your very own remake of Hansel and Gretel
Even without love’s trail you’d never stray
Waking up to your cute morning texts
Though I never replied, you never vex
Suffered you call waitings and blue ticks
Of your numerous choices I still remain your pick
Awestricken by your chivalry
My septic heart of devilry you charmed to one of ivory
Your presence plunges me into a state of euphoria
Detected symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia
My masquerading left you befuddled without a hint
Seemingly stone-cold and hard as flint
You’ve got my hormones jiggling like jell-o
Truth be told you already had me at Hello
~Jorcil
A/N: I didn’t intend on finishing this. I certainly didn’t plan on posting it here but since today is my birthday consider it my gift to you
Wait a minute, isn’t it supposed to be the other way around???
On this day you’d think I’d have some self introspection, reflecting on life and come up with something deep and profound but see… Smh, lol
Shout out to my boy Daniel Opoku Serlorm. Today is also his birthday, y’all do well to check out his blog Mpanyinsem
Now before I go on let me first say that if you do not enjoy jazz then it’s best to close this page and read the next post.
Normally, I get people telling me “oh, I like music so I like jazz too”, then they pull my head phones off and when they hear the jazz playing they frown and give me a quizzical look as to why and how I enjoy this kind of music.
Alright, since you insist on reading I’ll continue to do my blabbing but I don’t wanna read any complaints.
Family Dinner
If you haven’t heard of this group by now then I have to seriously question if you really like your jazz.
Snarky Puppy is a Brooklyn, New York- based instrumental fusion band brought together by Michael League.
The group is made up of a variety of instruments, from guitars, pianos, keyboards, woodwind, brass, percussion and strings.
Collectively they refer to themselves as “The Fam” and refer to their shows as Family Dinner.
Many of the members of the band were once students of the University of North Texas.
Individually the various musicians that make up the group are geniuses in their own right and have reached the pinnacle of the music industry.
Most of them play for top musicians both in secular and gospel genres.
They play for artistes such as Erykah Badu, Justin Timberlake, Marcus Miller, Kirk Franklin etc
Like most success stories the band started out with gigs in small bars in Texas for some years till they built up their reputation and auditioning to recruit other skilled and excellent musicians to join the crew.
Grammy 2014; Snarky Puppy- Best R&B performance
In 2014 the group won their first Grammy award for the Best R & B performance with Lalah Hathaway and in February this year they won their second Grammy this time round for the Best Contemporary Instrumental album after they teamed up with the world famous Dutch Metropole Orchestra which saw them topping music charts around the globe.
Aside my love for the group as a whole what really got me glued to them was piano players.
Yes, I know I’m being bias because I somewhat play the piano myself.
They have the melodic Bill Laurence and two other guys whom I call “Monsters” in Shaun Martin and Cory Henry.
These two have a perfect chemistry and when they touch the organ, piano or the synth it’s just awesome, awesome, awesome…!
They also have the infectious bassist M. League who’s also dope on the bass.
The brass sects, strings and percussion guys are all brilliant.
Saying they’re ace wouldn’t do them justice.
Just look at the solo from 05:06
These guys are monsters!!!
And oh, if you’re wondering why they chose the name “Snarky Puppy” it is because they chose to name the group after their pets which were predominantly puppies.
Cute innit?
This week has been filled with great sporting moments from Kobe Bryant retiring to Real Madrid coming from behind to qualify to the semi-finals of the Champions league. Golden state warriors breaking the NBA record for most wins previously held by the Chicago Bulls.
The almighty Barcelona being kicked out of the Champions league when they were the bookies favourite to defend their title, a feat never achieved in the competition.
But yesterday sometime magical happen, Liverpool did the unthinkable, they produced the unimaginable.
Liverpool came from behind to beat a serious Dortmund team by 4-3 (5-4 on aggregate).
For 25 years the domestic English league title has eluded Liverpool.
On several occasions they have come close only to agonizingly fall right at the end.
Though they have not had much success in the league when it comes to the continental competition Liverpool is a different beast all together, a powerhouse to reckon with.
Until recently when the club has been in shambles, falling apart leaving supporters disillusioned and apathetic.
They owners during the season appointed the animated and charismatic German Jürgen Klopp to take over.
Former manager of Borussia Dortmund who were in a similar position seven years ago before he moulded them into one of the most feared teams in Europe.
His management skill is different, he’s like a fan on the pitch, you only have to see him coaching on the touchline.
He throws his leg with every kick his players take, he jumps as if to nod the ball in when his players head the ball, he runs the length of the field to his players, slapping their faces and giving bear hugs to celebrate with them.
You would wish Klopp was your daddy, no seriously!
When he joined Liverpool he made a statement to the entire Liverpool fan base, he said it was time to turn from doubter to believer.
Liverpool fans are the best fans in the world when they want to be but this was going to be difficult as the team had seriously underperformed for two years but gradually he worked with the players instilling the self-belief they had lost, you could see the improvement.
One time many fans left the grounds early as the team were losing before a late equaliser.
The coach criticised the fans for leaving when the team needed them. The message went through
But back to yesterday’s European cup tie, after beating arch rivals Manchester United in the previous round Liverpool were drawn to face Dortmund.
An emotional return for Klopp where he had the best years of his managerial career so far.
Truly, it was a special moment as the Germans welcomed one of their own spectacularly.
The whole pre-game talk was centred on this reunion but on the field Dortmund were deemed favourites.
All pundits predicted a demolition job for Dortmund, they were supposed to pick Liverpool apart but Liverpool didn’t read the script.
Someone forgot to send them the memo.
They went to Germany took the first goal and returned to England with a respectable 1-1 draw, the away goal giving them slight advantage.
Still the bookies gave Liverpool no chance of qualifying and they were right by logic.
The Dortmund coach claimed the emotional return of their beloved boy affected them and with that out of the way now there was no way Liverpool had a chance.
This Liverpool were no match for the Dortmund team.
Dortmund had the better players, the big names, they were in lethal form. They were unbeaten in 23 games.
Liverpool on the other hand were hopeful, buoyed by their performance and result in Germany.
The coach knowing the role the supporters could play in being the 12th man on the pitch rallied for the support and my word when Liverpool fans want to support there is no club in world football that is better at supporting.
Jose Mourinho till date can’t get over how the supporters sucked the ball into the net against his Chelsea team in 2005 in what he refers to as the “Ghost goal”.
Liverpool fans setting the atmosphere minutes before the game
The fabled Anfield atmosphere was present and it was a sight to behold.
The supporters came in their numbers with scarfs, flares and pyros to greet the team bus before the showdown. It was simply amazing!
When the teams took to the field it was as if the home team Liverpool were rather dazed and overwhelmed by the occasional.
Within 4 minutes a loose pass leads to a Dortmund goal.
Liverpool now needing to score 2 goals if they are to qualify, by the 11th minute the efficient Dortmund got their second punishing the sloppy play and I’m watching the game like seriously Liverpool?
Now we need to get 3 goals against this superior German team.
The teams go in for half time, I check twitter Liverpool fans talk of a comeback from their team.
Reminding themselves of Istanbul where their team famously came back for 3 goals down at half time to win the trophy against a magnificent Milan team in the 2005 final.
Rival fans are taking the piss outta Liverpool fans.
My phone buzzing with whatsapp notifications as friends start their trolls.
The teams resume, Liverpool get one back.
Come on Liverpool, we need 2 more goals in 45 mins we can do this!!!!
Few minutes later Dortmund score a 3rd, ugh… that’s goodnight for me. 3-1, how do we score 3 unanswered goals with 30 mins remaining.
There seemed no way back, my phone vibrates I ignore it.
Still I watch on, this could get embarrassing for Liverpool real quick, the whole world is tuned in too.
Liverpool make two substitutions.
They carry on, probing, fighting, giving it a go.
A well worked move leads to a shot- goal 3-2.
Okay so we make the score line respectable, we go again! Remember that? Too soon? Forgive me
The Liverpool boys keep on playing fighting for every ball but Dortmund won’t give them a sniff. They defend whatever is thrown at them.
Liverpool get a corner, what a waste, we are terrible at corners all season and it wasn’t different yester night.
Horrific corners all night.
An awful corner goes in and a Liverpool player is unmarked, he heads it. Goal 3-3.
Now… now I sit up, I look at the clock we have 10 mins to get another goal to qualify.
The Dortmund players and supporters are stunned and in silence.
The Liverpool manager gives fist pumps and urges the boys on, the Liverpool supporters know this feeling their underdog team have pulled a comeback, and the fans know they have a part to play if they are to get that winning goal.
The camera zooms in on them as they sing the anthem in far away England and I in Ghana I feel goose bumps all over. Imagine the poor Dortmund players haha…
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp
Game continues, Liverpool miss chances, time is almost gone, 89mins.
Liverpool get a free kick, there right there you feel the whole world freeze, you know its coming, the goal is coming.
Liverpool take the free kick smartly but Dortmund defend.
Game petering out, some how liverpool get the cross in and pause… the much maligned Liverpool defender for the past 2 seasons heads the ball in stamping his transformation.
Liverpool fans all over the world lose it, they’re in a state of delirium and ecstasy.
Pandemonium everywhere, anfield goes wild.
Strangers hugging each other.
Me, I’m still in my seat, shaking… I take time to compose myself, brain processing what I had just witnessed.
Liverpool players celebrate winning goal with fans
Liverpool are known for comebacks but this… this was something special.
This crop of players are not the best, they shouldn’t be a match for this efficient, well-oiled Dortmund machine.
We no longer have our talismanic captain Steven Gerrard who every time singlehandedly dragged us out of sticky situations in the past.
No Messi, no Ronaldo… certainly no Kobe Bryant or Steph Curry but these lads… these boys… they didn’t know when to die.
They didn’t know when to give up.
This team has spirit, it has fight in them.
No longer the soft underbelly Liverpool of the past two years that capitulates under minimal pressure.
A transformed mentality.
And that is down to the manager who sticks it to his old club.
Nobody can explain what happened, it defies logic.
This was a miracle!
Liverpool break the internet
When the Dortmund manager was interviewed, he said “Sh*t happens” he had no explanations.
The Dortmund captain says the players felt the jitters.
Yep that’s right, that’s what the kop does to ya.
It discombobulates you, enervates your defences. Lol, look at me
Dortmund twitter account
This reminded me of why I support this club through all the heartbreak and anger they always make it to the top when the narrative doesn’t suit them.
They never know how to win easy they take you on a rollercoaster all the way, your heart goes fluctuate through all the emotions.
Liverpool has never been full with star studded line up but one thing that has made the club great is the passion to die for the shirt.
Show determination, hard work, grit and the fans will adore you.
It’s days like this that the Liverpool anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone becomes more than a song.
What happened yesterday was unbelieva-pool….!
I love you LIVERPOOL.
Next year is our year! We’re gonna win the league Tra la lala… #YNWA
I call this man the King of Gospel covers.
He and his group Sounds of Zamar (SoZ) are responsible for the gospel mash-ups that leave me bobbing my head on the streets with earphones plugged.
He along with his group take nice gospel songs and mash them up with other brilliant songs in ways you’d never thought possible.
The choir show their excellence with beautiful harmonisations and lovely blends which they execute perfectly.
Trey and his group do not only do mash ups they have an album of their own titled “Limitless” with their single “I will praise” doing well featuring on radio stations and billboard charts.
The Sounds of Zamar were also featured on Vashawn Mitchell’s “Triumphant” album.
They’ve also performed with artistes like William Mcdowell, James Fortune, Brian Courtney Wilson, Kiki Sheard etc.
Trey Mclaughlin & SoZ at a rehearsal session
If you are lover of gospel music, a chorister, music director or you should be all over Trey Mclaughlin’s YouTube channel.
He’s touched songs from Tasha Cobbs, Anthony Brown, Mary Mary, Kierra Sheard and a whole list of seasoned gospel artistes merged them into something special.
Like the previous post about special talents I have put on here Trey Mclaughlin is no different he’s ACE.
Conflicts over music is not a present-day struggle among Christians of today. From time immemorial, the church has been divisive over the issue of choice of music. Back in high school, I had a friend who vehemently protested against the use of musical instruments in the church because he believes it is paganistic and unbiblical. You probably know of folks who are deeply acquainted with old hymns that any other form of music appears to be ‘devil-inspired’ to them. In our time, many Christians divide mostly on 2 key things with respect to music and that will be my focus:
Should a Christian listen to “secular” music?
Are all music styles (focus is more on Christian Rap, Pop and Rock music) acceptable for a Christian to consume or not?
Music is not inherently bad. As a matter of fact, music is one of the good and perfect gifts from God…
A few days ago I read a post from the Senior year in Legon blog.
About doing things in varsity outside academics.
To read click here
The post got me laughing so hard as the memories came flooding back so I decided to share a few of the non-academic things I did during my stay in uni.
Before I carry on it is expedient that I lay down certain facts about tertiary education in Ghana.
FACTS
1. Regarding tertiary institutions in the Ghana, there’s only one university that one must go to and that is the University of Ghana (UG), affectionately referred to as Legon or Leg for short.
Notice the preposition “of” in there? So no need wasting precious time arguing
2. Within the University of Ghana the faculty or school to be in is the University of Ghana Business School, UGBS.
I’ll leave the medical students and law school to argue amongst themselves. The rest of the faculties can take their seats to my left hand side whiles the faculty of Fine Arts entertain us to some music & dance.
What is it you’re saying? Oh ok, the archaeology students are out on an expedition. My love to Indie
3. Legon hall is the best hall to be on campus. Forget the lousy vandals for they were birthed out of the loins of Legon hall.
Then we have the Vandal wannabes from Mensah-Sarbah and in this day and age we want originality not imitation.
For Akuafo well what can I say they’re just… Akuafo.
Volta hall is just about alright
Ok so now that I’ve ruffled a few feathers, made enemies and lost some friends lets proceed.
I gained admission to the UG in 2011 and if by this point if you can’t tell, *newsflash* I gained admission into the Business School and chose to be in the premiere hall, the hall of Gentlemen and Ladies- LEGON HALL.
As is the case for every fresher, first year is the bedding period, you try to find your bearings in this new world, adjusting to the new found freedom, environment, lectures, roommates (for the guys back then it was mostly coming to terms with being ‘narrowed’ by roomies who are looking for some privacy to seal the deal when they had their special someone come over).
Lord knows I’ve had my fair share of narrowing.
At this point everyone rolls with buddies from high school as they try to settle.
It was on one of such occasions playing Fifa 11 in the room of a high school friend, on the 5th floor of legon hall annex A (I was on the 3rd floor 308) when the level 300 roommate of my friend had to type and print his psychology assignment which was due for presentation in some few minutes.
He had been given the assignment several weeks ago but you know us students, sigh.
The dude was quite hot and was panicking so I offered to type it for him as I could QWERTY at some good speed thanks to Mavis Beacon.
Before the guy could say P-s-y-c-h-o-l-o-g-y I had finished typing and he was able to beat the deadline.
To show his appreciation he bought one Don Simon paper drink for my troubles. Succulent!
This did not end there, I became sort of his personal typist and he always beat his deadlines for submission and with it came the standard Don Simon drink or one litre of Coca-cola.
Eventually that became the going rate if I typed for you except for the group works dumped on me like pro bono.
My locker was quite stocked, those were happy days
Le Prank
Fast forward to 3rd year, I remember returning to my room after a 7:30 am lecture seeking to have some alone time as my 4 roommates were out. Legally it should be 4 in a room at the annex but we had a 5th roommate, extra members normally referred to as “perchers”.
So thinking I was about to enjoy some peace and quiet people just kept knocking at the door wanting to purchase Sobolo(local beverage made from hibiscus leaves) or Brukina(local drink from cow milk) which was shocking cos nobody ever sold any of those beverages on the floor.
The enquiries too never seemed to end.
I was seething cos you know boys and the silly things we like to do, till someone showed me an ad reading “SOBS 308- Buy your fresh Sobolo and Brukina at 308”.
When my roommates came back I narrated what happened in their absence and they all burst out in laughter.
Apparently, they put up that ad to get people to climb up to the 3rd floor just to tell them the ad was a prank, imagine that!
By night fall the number of knocks to buy the beverage was so overwhelming my roommates and I thought it wise to execute this sobolo business and make use of this sobolo prank turned market survey.
Quickly we got one guy from Akuafo hall and as the name suggests “Akuafo”=farmers to help us make this drink.
We contributed our capital, 10 Ghø each and got the ingredients listed for us to purchase.
We were then walked through the steps of preparing sobolo.
It was Culinary class 101- The Art of Sobolo.
By morning we were in business and this time we were selling sobolo for real.
We had flavours of pineapple and ginger, all natural with no additives.
Business was more than good, we run out of stock, had to go to the closest town (Madina) to buy new bottles, pineapples and the other ingredients for which I have absolutely no clue what their English names are.
We sold in two bottles, the bigger one for 1 Ghø and the smaller bottle at 0.50Gp
Predictably, yours truly, that is I, manned the books, keeping a detailed record and accounting for every penny spent on my excel designed cashbook.
All profits were ploughed back, it also helped that my roommates were disciplined.
If you brought a visitor who took a drink out, you the roommate paid for it.
We built a good customer base.
There were plans of expanding and getting vendors in other halls.
We were always liquid and made handsome profits at the end.
We even made plans to throw an end of semester party with plans to order for pastries, pizza and drinks and all that but like the boys that we are/were, we ended up buying and preparing beans ourselves.
You know, prudence concept and all, lol.
Mysteriously the next academic year we didn’t care to continue operating but it was a fun experience and one that always brings a smile up my face.
Four years in legon was fun. There were times when you never wanted to complete and times when you just couldn’t wait to get out of that school.
But you see school is not all about academics there’s more to gain aside a 4.0 GPA.
To borrow the words of Shafic Osman I say to anyone still in school
Play a sport for your hall of residence, join the debate society, become active in your campus religious organization, sell sobolo in your room, or write a cheesy article for your hall’s magazine
Like the Legon hall motto reads Cui Multum Datum meaning To Whom Much is Given Much is Expected
There’s so much that can be achieved outside the walls of the lecture theatres and libraries if only you’d borrow the tools of the archaeology students and explore.
Only then would you realise later down the years how good you are for having garnered the experience.
Make your stay in school a memorable one littered with fun moments.
Cheers…!
And oh, there’s also the story about my friends and I carrying the piano to rooms to play and sing for people on special occasions but because I cherish my life I won’t touch that as my guys will probably skin me alive…
The Silent Schmoozer 