R&B of the 1990s: After 7's Reflections Album

The R&B group After 7 released its last album as a performing group in 1995 titled Reflections. R&B fans fell in love with songs like "Til You Do Me Right."

The R&B Group After 7 came on the music scene in 1989. The group members were Keith Mitchell and brothers, Kevon and Melvin Edmonds. The Edmonds are brothers to Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds who brought us songs like "When Can I See You Again" and "Whip Appeal." After 7 released three albums as a performing and recording group, After 7, Takin My Time and Reflections. Compilations of their music have been released after the group split up.

Music in 1989 When After 7 Released Their Debut Album

When After 7 released their first single in 1989, Cher was singing "If I could Turn Back Time," Fine Young Cannibals were grooving with "She's Drives Me Crazy" and Soul II Soul brought us "Back To Life." More upbeat songs like "Pump Up The Jam" by Technotronic and "My Perrogative" by Bobby Brown were released in 1989. After 7's music was much more soulful and reminiscent of the earlier groups like the Temptations, The O'Jays and the Isley Brothers.

After 7's Albums

After 7's debut album was the self-titled After 7 in 1989. R&B fans enjoyed "Heat of the Moment" and "Ready or Not," which will always be considered as a top R&B song. Takin My Time was released in 1992 with songs like "Can He Love You Like This" and "Baby I'm for Real (Natural High)." The last album, Reflections, was released in 1995. These three albums were all released by Virgin Records.

The Songs on After 7's Reflections

Reflections has twelve songs and all sing tribute to love. The songs were produced and written by Babyface along with Jon B. and The Boom Brothers. Keith Andes for Ande Pandee Entertainment also produced and co-wrote four of the songs on this album.

• 'Til You Do Me Right": This song was written by the Edmond brothers, Babyface, Kevon and Melvin. The title literally shares what the song is about. The second part of the chorus is "'til you do me right / only wrong is gonna come to you / nothing good is gonna come 'til you change…."
• "How Do You Tell The One": "How Do You Tell The One" was written by Babyface and is a song about breaking up. "Cause I care for you more than you know / although my heart says go" and "If I'm deserting you, I don't mean to make you cry" are examples of the lyrics.
• "Sprung On It": The Boom Brothers wrote "Sprung On It" which is the typical 90's song about infatuation or being "sprung." "Sprung On It" begins "Now I never thought that I'd be losing sleep at night / over you…." The song continues "Thoughts of you / keep driving me crazy / and if I don't sleep/ then it won't even faze me."
• "Save It Up": "Save It Up" is one of the more upbeat songs on Reflections and is reminiscent of the earlier R&B song "Heat of the Moment." Jon B. penned this song and also sang in the background vocals. Lyrics from this song include "take your time / let's make sure the feeling's right" and the chorus includes "Save it up baby love / don't hold back your lovin'."

After 7 Post Reflections

K-Ci & JoJo and along with Babyface and After 7's Kenny Edmonds and Melvin Edmonds joined together in 1997 for the sound track of movie Soul Food (1997). They, as a group called Milestone, sang "I Care 'Bout You" but the group did not release any other songs. Kevon Edmonds was featured on the soundtrack of the movie Save The Last Dance (2001) with the song, "Move It Slow." Kevon Edmonds has continued to sing and released the album Who Knew in 2009. After 7 was one of the R&B groups of the 1990s that had that classic R&B flow with soothing love songs.

After 7 released three albums while still recording and performing. Unfortunately, the group did not release any more albums after Reflections in 1995. However, Reflections will always remain one of the classic R&B albums of the 1990s with songs like "How Do You Tell The One" and "I Like It Like That."

Daily Resolutions - not for New Year alone

It's getting closer to resolution time! What's my resolution for 2011? I just want to continue being me. I make resolution sometimes daily, weekly or monthly. Some days, I just jump at new things.

I have goals but a New Year's resolution won't help me to get there. I know that I need to save more and I have already started cutting costs. i know I need to write more and I am writing more - thus the blog! I know I need to learn to say 'no'. Trust me - I am getting better at that. 'No' 'NO' 'no no'

I'd like to encourage everyone to do the best they can every day. If you must set a resolution, don't get discouraged if you fall back. Keep moving forward and try to improve your behavior. If you want to make more friends for 2011, you can't still be rude or shy or sarcastic. If you want to get closer to God, you can't keep smoking weed or heading to the club.

Set SMART goals and try to work with them. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely is SMART.

POEM: A New Insight

I am the one who says
that I will not give in
that I was born to win
and I admit that I have sinned
against God and others
lied to a sister or a brother
yes imperfect and simple me
i need to stop playing myself hopelessly
and instead speak righteously
use my vision as bright torch
and keep searching for the lost
the overwhelmed and deceived
because the only way I can learn from my bad deeds
is to reach out and spread love
but it takes not me but US
to get life moving right
keeping the positive insight
living to the glory of God's delight

ribbon

Let's Get the Writing Started Right! I had to work on mine for years

Many people express that they have problems with writing formally and informally. It is evident in the poorly written business correspondence, the ureadable emails and text messages and the poorly written homework assignments.

If you want to be a good writer, you need to read more and write more. That's why teachers encouraged us to keep diaries and journals so that we can write more often. Now we have the blog concept which is the same thing except we are typing instead of hand-writing. It does not matter once ideas are logged somewhere. Try to proofread your own work to minimize errors and if available, ask someone to assist.

I had to work hard on my writing skills over the years. I was OK in school and passed English with a B and received a General II grade for English and Literature. I think that I could form individual sentences correctly but struggled to write essays and short stories.

I head to the then BVI Community College (now HLSCC) and passed the Effective Business Writing Class but still was not confident with my English skills. I still felt that I was 'up-to-par' and could express myself. It was when I accepted to UVI that I realized that I need helped. I passed the entrance exam for both Math and English but failed the essay portion.

This was quite a blow to me and I ended up having to take a Skills class. In that class, the other students would say 'Why are you in this class?' because I seemed to get everything right. It was then that I realized that I really need to work hard to improve my writing skills - not just the barebones grammar but the finese and expression. I needed to understand how to put the well-written sentences together to create an interesting, concise yet detailed work.

I kept at it and was able to progress in my English and other classes. In the journey, I was encouraged to write poetry and today I have over 200 poems. I think that I have been blessed to find professors and other students who showed interest in my growth and who encouraged me to pursue things that I did not believe I could attain.

It is heart-warming for me to share today that I have expanded my writing resume to publishing every once in a while locally and I have written for CORE Magazine, Brown Eyez Magazine, DISH magazine and now Suite101.com. I love the challenge in it and I love sharing information that I think is useful to others.

My blog, Words of Ribbon, was left alone for a while but I must return more regularly to share some thoughts or some poetry. Afterall, my greatest philosophy is that parable about the servants in the bible. I honestly feel that it was their LITERAL talents that they were hiding and the master took them away when they did not use the talents.

Therefore, don't bury your talents. Use them for the good of mankind.

ribbon

Gossip Kills - Especially When a Male Gossips

Gossip kills. It's worse when you are blamed for saying things that you did not. It seems these days that men are getting more heavily involved in spreading rumors. Come on, guys! Don't you have some work to do?

I have accepted that men are wearing softer colors like pink now - awesome, looking great. I let it go with the two earrings. I love the braids - except when he's fighting me for the hairdresser's chair. I encourage men to go for massages, pedicures etc.

I draw the line at men gossipping - women too! We can chit-chat and talk about the happenings yes and how we can improve things. But when you are going to say that I said something I did not - NO NO NO.

A woman loves a man who she can talk freely with but men who gossip and make up lies to get in between other people's friendships are like the crud in the kitchen sink after cleaning the dirtiest dishes. I am not saying that it's ok for women to behave like that. I just think lower of the man who does.



ribbon

What's Going On with Us These Days

There is a lot of wrong in the world today. People are the main cause of the wrongs. The animals known their roles and they live for that -whether they hunt or are the hunted.

We humans however prefer to cheat, steal and lie to get our own way and to gain power. It is a fact - "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely." Biggy and Puffy also sang it well "more money, more problems."

So why the inane drive to gather it all? Unfortunately this is the cliche - it's human nature. Everybody can't be perfect and we should not try to be. We all need to focus on trying to be right with God, ourselves, our family and friends.

We know there is wrong everywhere. So what we can do individually. Do the best that you can and hopefully your good works will influence others to do the right thing too. It is always hoped that good works will be infectious. Some people look at good works like it's a negative thing but I think that those people are the ones who just need to re-evaluate themselves. Instead of watching and criticizing - we need to set better examples for our youth to help them to excel rather than rebel.

No matter what - wrong and crime will be there. There is no perfect world for us on earth. We just have to really pull ourselves together - accept defeat when it comes and celebrate the wins that we gain.

Let Your Light Shine - stop waiting and LIVE

I can no longer leave my blog untouched. There is too much to write about. From hair to politics, I have so many thoughts that I need to share.

Today is about getting the 'GET UP AND GO.' There are so many times that we find reasons to deny ourselves or to refrain from taking action or speaking up and out. If you read this blog, don't wait until you reach 25 or until January 1 to be proactive. Do what you have to do today.

I will not say that I am perfect but I take risks that are worth my while. People think that I am crazy because I put my car down after the transmission broke. It was a hard decision but I have to look out for my best interest. People would also say that I was stepping out on a limb to sign up to write for an online publication. I love writing for Suite 101 because writing more only advances my talents and resume.

While I live on a small island, it does not mean that I can't extend my talents internationally. How can I become a better writer or poet if my work is not shared. Too many people are afraid to experiment with opportunity. There will be challenges especially those that after intellectual property. However, as the hymn 'This Little Light of Mine" says "hide it under a bushel - NO, I'm gonna let it shine."

You have to find ways to inspire yourself. Sitting an waiting for your parents, boss or spouse to push you forward will get you NO WHERE. You have to find that inner drive and propel yourself forward. It's not every venture that will give you the best results. On the other hand, just taking that step into the unknown is a good learning experience.

THINK. BE INSPIRED. SHARE. LIVE

Ribbon

Blog, oh Blog - I have not Forsaken You

I know I have not written in my blog for while. I am now writing for Suite 101 and I love it because it keeps me busy. My blog in recent posts has more become the poetry generator. I will admit that several more poems have been written since the last post here on Blogger.

Poetry seems easier for me to write. I play with words and it comes. I guess it's second nature now - maybe more first. It's like my singing - I do not sing as much as I used to and I think my voice has deteriorated but the more I write - the easier it is to share my poems.

These are my thoughts tonight (while listening to some Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Marvia Providence):

spirit
alive
passion
be free
smile
unhinged
in one look
it's me
feeling
so special
being
a new me
surrounded
by nature
this love
how it captures
with joy
it enlivens
with peace
it strengthens
YES
it's indirect
and YES
it protects
never rejects
shows respect
and in fact
I know know
that this
is the
only
love
that
I need
because
it comes
from
heaven

© ribbon 2010

Music Makes Me Tick

Sweet reggae has an effect on me that I just can not explain. It makes me mellow and then I start to sing in a high falsetto and smile. Ras Attitude, Niyorah and Pressure are US Virgin Islands reggae artists who have a knack for really making me smile. I think it's just the positive lyrics that always promote a healthy image of a woman and also of the family unit.

Of course my British Virgin Islands brothers like Shine-I, Maccabee, Capable, Imo and Ritical bring the hard-hitting positive vibe as well.

I love most kinds of popular music - soca, reggae, dancehall, R&B and hip-hop. If you get me in the right mood, I may listen to some pop and enjoy it.

Music is really my favorite hobby and pasttime after writing poetry of course. I can only dream about composing lyrics because I am just straight up poetess. I leave the song lyrics to the lyricists.

the beat
and the vibe
touch me
embrace me
making me convulge
in a manner
not expected
even when
driving
I can't keep still
It's the music
the music
the music
YEAH YEAH
RAH RAH
I just
love the music

ribbon

POEM: Cloud Love

Above
my fears
above my dreams
stands strength
hope and love
and this is only so
because your love
rings strong and sets me
straight
no longer narrow
but love wide
enough to fill the ocean
and capture the skies
since you came around
it's a new dawning
a new morning
a new beginning
a strong feeling
it's a perfect rhythm
style and fashion
of beauty
poise
and refined peace
it's love
in the highest sense
highest form
highest order
sent from above
Cloud love

Words

this is mind-blowing sex
yes I said sex
because you blow my mind
with your word sex
you are suave
slick, smooth
and sly
and I like you
like that
that sex
that makes me
quiver
with
just two words
'Hi Honey'
the opener
that opens my mind
to accept
your sex
O how I love
to hear you
speak
so direct
so street
so sweet
that
figurative words
can't contain
how I want to
literlly
love you
yes
and your
mind-blowing sex
is all I need to get me going

You have done it all

You have become my strength
Filling voids so deep and so expansive
That I feel so filled
So rich
And so complete

You release my inspiration
Making me more creative
More powerful
With more of a flow
That gives me the real high

You are my source of love
It’s not how I love you
It’s how I need you
You calm my fears
And more and more
Everyday
I need you near

The joy that you bring
Is intense
I’m so elated
And so enriched
With happiness
Every time you smile at me

I am now solidly happy
Strengthened
Inspired
Loving
Joyous
With these feelings you
You make me complete

Right & Just

Haiti has trembled, Port-au-Prince is crumbled and Haitians are in need of help. California's beaches are receding. The BVI's nasty little secrets of pollution, environmental degradation and lack of proper waste management practices are trickling to the big world.

Crime is everywhere. AIDS is everywhere. Cancer is striking both young and old. It seems to be a worldwide epidemic of global suffering.

CNN's cry is that the survivors of the earthquake have a harder fight in staying alive - water, food and medicine are what are needed.

As all the different issues go on in the world, I sit at home trying to figure out why there is no UNITY among us all. It appears that even in times of crises, we are divided. I cannot understand or fathom what the agenda - hidden or known might be. The only agenda for me right now is to do what is right and just!

POEM: What have I done?

What have I done to help the oppressed?
Have I ever said a good word to one who is depressed?
Do I behave like I am human when I am stressed?
Or do I act like I don't know people when i am dressed?
Up and down the road of life as each daily move brings us strife,
why can't we treat each other better?
Why should you be hungry while I get fatter?
Why should you always be first and then I am left behind for your laughter?
Will you smile in my face as your lies get more craftier?
Don't you think that you are your brother's keeper?
Don't you think that we should all be richer?
Are you focused only on material things?
Aren't you tired of dragging others people's purse strings?
Don't you think it's time to spread your wings?
Don't you know what showing love can bring?
Don't you know how a good deed can begin?
Do I need to lose for you to win?
Or can we all just forgive each other's sins?

ribbon

Soca in Me Waist

I love SOCA music. It is so me, so Caribbean, so BVI, so cultural and so moving. You can speak about issues in a smart way while getting the populace to wine and basically exercise their cares away - without whining! Everyone knows I love a good play on words.

My children seem to love SOCA too. I find awesome videos on YouTube, like Claudette Peters, Alison Hinds, Peter Ram, Rupee, Kevin Lyttle. Of course, these are the artists that have been able to receive full Caribbean fame and some are internationally recognized as well.

In the past, I wanted to be a calypsonian but I'm not really a good enough singer to pull that off. I have a friend and fellow poet, April, who has that voice and that range to sing, sing and sing! She's definitely going to do many great things in her lifetime. Ribbon said it!

For me, SOCA is the best music to exercise to. I tried that Soulja Boy business, but I was out of breath. lol Of course, the children loved that music too. They are born into the generation of hyped yet lyrically empty music so I guess it is my job to ensure that they get a taste of examples of lyrically deep music.

I'm not saying that I have the greatest collection, but I do have some Luther Vandross, Bob Marley and Steel Pulse in my house - of course this is the music that I appreciate. If you have some Bach or Bon Jovi - that's all good too!

Whatever your taste - enjoy and appreciate it. I love my soca, reggae, gospel, R&B and Hip Hop but for keeping in shape - SOCA is the way!