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WE LIKE MONEY - BACKSTORY & LINER NOTES 

"We Like Money" blends the the Blues with bounce beat GoGo. 

I played in China, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea about a year ago. In each country, during jam sessions with local musicians, I noticed that the musicians wanted to play the Blues. This would happen without fail. We (my band and I) wanted to learn their local music, but they wanted to play music that sounded just like old John Lee Hooker songs. I felt like they were using the Blues to connect with us, which makes sense if you know the Blues, and you understand that the act of creating music with other people is also the act of engaging in communication. 

When I come home to DC from touring abroad, one of the first things I do is turn on local radio. After the Asia tour, I started wondering what it would take for GoGo to spread globally just like the Blues. What will it take for GoGo to be recognized by the music industry as an official genre? Chuck Brown, Rare Essence, Northeast Groovers, Trouble Funk, Junkyard, CCB, and BackYard are all very different, but they are all GoGo, and they are all designated as R&B / Soul groups on iTunes. Why? Mainstream music samples GoGo all the time - Beyonce's "Crazy In Love" is one example. Where is the industry's respect for GoGo? 

I wrote "We Like Money" for myself and for the people. Speaking positively has always served me well, so the lyrics are written as groupings of positive affirmations. I believe that if you need a dollar, saying "I don't have a dollar" won't help you. Instead say "I'd like to have a dollar". This will prepare your mind to make that dollar. 

During rehearsal, I sang the idea to my band: Wes Watkins (drums), Branden Jacobs (keys) and Jerel Abraham (bass). I told them that I wanted to play the song with a bounce beat. Things just came together naturally. A couple months later, I had Michelle Blackwell in the studio. She hadn't heard the song, but she stepped into the booth ready for whatever. I said, "The mic is hot. Do what you feel". Her adlibs are from that first take. 


LINER NOTES 

Lyrics, Vocals Performance, Production, Arrangement: Carolyn Malachi 

Lead GoGo Talker: Michelle Blackwell 

Producer: Carolyn Malachi 

Recording Studios: Raydar Sounds, House Studios and Audio Recreation 

Recording Engineers: Ray Murdock, Jake Grotticelli, Marcus Marshall, James McKinney 

Mixing Engineer: Jamil "Face" Johnson 

Musicians: Wes Watkins (Drums & Toms), Branden Jacobs (Keys & Synths), Jerel Abraham (Bass) 

Crowd Chants: Kristine Grimaldi, Cody Taft, Branden Jacobs, Carolyn Malachi

THREE COMMANDMENTS: SASSY NAIL SALON AND SPA  


Is it me, or have mani-pedi prices skyrocketed? I tire of paying half my car note for average service at hole-in-the-wall nail salons that find it too easy to take my hard-earned dollars for granted. At bare minimum, I expect prompt attention, friendly customer service, sanitized pedicure bowls and tools and a pleasant atmosphere. I’m just not getting that from typical, ‘round the way nail salons. Are you? 
 

So help me Google, I needed a new experience. Sassy Nail Salon and Spa in Takoma Park came up in my search for Black owned nail salons in DC. I called. The receptionist was polite and well informed. I went. The nail tech (Lee) treated me with great care. My mani + spa pedi cost $45. 



Three Commandments: Sassy Nail Salon and Spa 


1) Thou shalt take advantage of their free WiFi, fair prices, discounts, extensive color collection - I chose “My Gondola or Yours” from OPI’s Venice collection - and nearby hot spots including Takoma Station (next door) and Evolve Vegan Restaurant (across the street). 


2) Remember: you are exceptional, and normal business hours may not work for you. Sassy has you covered. With 24 hours advance notice, the salon will serve you between 8 PM and 11 PM, Thursday through Saturday. A $20 cover charge plus normal service rates apply. Relax on your own time. 


3) Honor the Sassy commitment to customer service, cleanliness, safety and hygiene. Equipment is sterilized and sanitized after it is used on each client… Word. 
 

P.S. 

Did I mention that Sassy Nail Salon and Spa is Black owned?

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