Twelve hours and a near two hour flight later, you stare in the face of adversity. The soles of your Balenciaga sneakers treading on gravel makes that crunching sound. While walking? Yes, walking. And walking a fair distance too. That’s sad. Today’s soulful house music’s target audience is age fifty plus. People would be upset seeing their mother or grandmother footing several kilometers to a music festival. Shuttle vans should transport the elders to and fro in AC. Instead their hands pull coolers. Their arms cradle shopping bags. And their backs tote luggage for close to a mile.
But behold. The wide open field of continuous green acres dancing between a play area, corrugated structures, a swimming pool and several Porta Potties. The early birds already in mid shuffles and spins to Tony Touch’s “Sacude” (Manoo’s Touch Mix). Front and center, a DJ stage. Leftwards, a large tent is the nucleus of the activity. VIP station. Sound control. Security tent. Lost and Found.
There he walks by near the food truck selling elephant ears. Who? The savior. Mr. Park On My Lawn for $20. Where your friend parked his vehicle. Thanks to the neighbor of Karen who complained about the hordes of vehicles stuck in front of her property. “We must do something about this.” She went on and on. Instead of bitching, Mr. Park On My Lawn for $20 found a way to capitalize on Collective Minds’ shortcomings.
“Ya’ll, I just had knee surgery. So bare with me. I might have to sit down in a moment.” Proclaims The Queen of Gospel Energy draped in a golden monogram LV black and white tunic. Mouths erupt as the Connecticut born Dawn Tallman belts out a forthcoming DJ Spen produced cover of Oleta Adam’s “Get Here.”
“Now, ya’ll ready for the anthem?” The “My Body” background vocalist shouts seated on a chair. When a four-count low bass swings to the fore introducing the Honeycomb Extended Vocal Mix. Dawn sings “For Me” as though she were somersaulting across stage. Her vocal playing acrobatic riffs. Alto highs ebb to tenor lows as her octave commands, “C’mon and dance with me.” When the music disappears, the songstress has the congregation’s arms waving in the air and their feet kicking up dust.
Surely, the Queen of Gospel Energy sets precedence for the evening. Muscle joints are warmed. Limbs are completely stretched. Bodies in motion are prepared to touch the sky.
Feel the sun’s rays kiss your brow. When the sun smiles on you. The golden sky fully illuminated. You let out the most gorgeous smile. Bright wattage fully shining. Your glow up is real. When the kick drum punches. The snare drum traps. You sing, “More of You. More of You. And More of You.” The Emile Sande Booker T Afro Liquid Mix is the perfect summer anthem.
The magic hour arrives with Afro delight. Dance the farmer to the Latin percussion driven “What Can I Do” by legendary David Morales featuring Blondewearingblack. Shuffle step to Geoffrey C’s “This Is Hot (Yes Indeed).” The Akwaaba works best on Caiiro’s “The Akan, “ as performing the shoki stuns during Black Motion’s “Moya wa Taola.” There is nothing better than dancing in the sun to a DJ Biskit beat down.
“I know what is being said on social media.” DJ Oji addresses the hundreds of attendees. Really? Is Collective Minds trending? Social media posts occurred as fast as out-of-towners were turned away from parking. Thumbs down. “But the show must go on. The next person to play stands onstage. This will be her tribute to her best friend, our beloved, our very own, Lisa Moody. Give it up for…..”
Her petite frame packs a punch. She rocks a fitted black tank on top blue denim. Her dress is more kickback than “Party Girl.” Her bleached blonde curls shaved to the scalp radiates. As a halo. Where the Maryland native appears almost angelic behind rays of gold, amber and sapphire.
When your bare soles feel the prickly blades of fescue poking at your naked feet: thumping drums rush to the fore. Accompanied with software generated tech. The soundtrack is of boisterous beeps and ballistic bumps. The sound of raw. She brings the soul. She did not come to play. This is Ultra Nate.
Whose latest “Miracle” dances with Loleatta Holloway’s “Can’t Let You Go.” The Louie Vega & Josh Milan Truth Dub Part 1 booty bumps to Jasper Street Company’s “Praying For You” that brings sweaty bodies dancing onstage. Lisa Moody’s favorite song forever, Lil Louis’ “Fable” (Director’s Cut Classic Club Mix) two-steps alongside Natalie Cole’s “Tell Me About It” (White Label Mix) before dropping low to Heavy-K’s “Gunsong” that skates, bounces, and rocks into Quentin Harris featuring Monique Bingham’s “Poor People.”
1915
“We’re going to let her keep playing.” says the MC. The music only plays for an extra fifteen minutes. Before Paradise’s “Burning Hot” abruptly closes the “RICH M*FKs‘” vocalist who scored a number one spot on Apple Music, brilliant moment. Even the festival’s ending time was questioned. Online flyers advertised seven pm and social media stated eight pm ending time. Collective Minds, make it make sense.
Collective Minds, their 18th year btw, accepted full responsibility for the event’s failures in a lengthy social media post. Despite the dramatics, the soundtrack stunned. The music selectors were stellar. Overall, a great time was had by those who actually attended.
Cheers to CM 2023 being greater and better. Hopefully with support from the city of Baltimore. That brings back the magic.
wrds: aj dance
Ultra Nate grphc: aj art
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Tags: #dancefloormagic #housemusicexcellence, afro house music, Baltimore, Baltimore House Music, Collective Minds, dance music, dancing, Dawn Tallman, DJ Bizkit, DJ Oji, gospel house music, Pearlstone Retreat Center, soulful house music, Ultra Nate