Virtuous Optimist Podcast

Activist, Artist, Teacher & Rapper, Arnold Burks aka MidCityAb & Yo Soul Sista Chazz, play ring around the rosie, but around the moon with some good ol soul tunes. Pt. 01 of this two part episode, lays the groundwork of Arnold’s journey, some Ab history, which includes his Letter To New Orleans, Nola history, Jazz history & Black history!!!! Ab shares MAD knowledge that he’s acquired while on his journey. Who are you inspiring?

SPOILER: Ab shares an experience that left a major mark on him, a connection was made. He says he felt like he was in purgatory.

A must listen!!!!!!!

Tune Samples:

Horace Silver - Song For My Father

Rebirth Brass Band - Do Whatcha Wanna (Live in New Orleans) #JAMINTHEVAN

MidCityAb - Temperatures Rising ft Hermi7 Khalfani (Prod Havoc) REMASTERED

MidCityAb - "Asthma" (DIRECTED BY BMIKE OF 2CENT) *video*

MidCityAb - Devotion (Prod. Levi Clust)

MidCityAb & Gene Stanza - Travellin Man (Prod. Calamity)

Mid CityAb - King Herion (Prod. J Dilla)

The Temptations - Smiling Faces

The Undisputed Truth - Smiling

MidCityAb - Wasting Gas (Prod M-80 The Music Man)

MidCityAb - Kool Out ft Cypha (Prod M-80 The Music Man)

MidCityAb - Tulane & Broad (You Down Wit OPP ) ft Gene Stanza (Prod M-80 The Music Man)

Jelly Roll Morton - Creepy Feeling

Stokely Carmichael - Black Power Speech

The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble - Shadows

MidCityAb - You Don’t Want What’s Real (Prod. J Dilla)

Clifford Brown & Max Roach- Cherokee

Jelly Roll Morton - The Crave (Original Version)

Sugarhill Gang Apache - Jump On It

Cold Crush Brothers - The Weekend

Gil Scott Heron - Everyday

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message

Chic - Le Freak

Jelly Roll Morton - Buddy Bolden's Blues

Louis Moreau Gottschalk - Grande Tarantelle

Jelly Roll Morton - Climax Rag

Willie Hutch - Brothers Gonna Work it Out

Music copyright to the respective artists.

Just Purpose is an extension to the Kickstarter project we released today, March 1, 2018, with a pledge goal of $2,500. The Virtuous Optimist thought that it was important to reflect on the meaning behind the Vo platform (as we ask you to sow seeds into it) and its true intentions for the lives and purposes of others. This episode features Sultry Hip Hop artist, Mahlleh, Novelist, J.D. Arceneaux, Virtuous woman, Xavier Stewart, and Sneaker aficionado, Jaylin Poullard, who are all living in their purpose.

Tune Samples:

Reggae Jackson - John McNeil & Kenny Berger

Don’t know - Marc Ivory & Excelled Praise

Goo Goo Wah Wah - Wah Wah Watson

Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Egypt 80, Live at the Zenith, Paris in 1984 (YouTube)

Brotha Man - Kem

Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely - Regina Belle

Moments In Love - Art of Noise

Critics - Capelton

Music copyright to the respective artists.

Gib$on say he don't record freestyles, he just freestyle & the brotha never disappoints!!!!! Random rantin' clearly comes natural to this brotha.

"Show Yo Naked Skillz" freestyle segment from Ep. 07 - Just Goals Feat. Gib$on

"Show Yo Naked Skillz” Instrumentals:

Don't You Go Home - David Ruffin

Voyage To Atlantis - Isley Brothers

Neighbors - J Cole

Knee Deep (Not Just) - Funkadelic

June 27th Freestyle - DJ Screw

Cool Down - Jazz Liberatorz

Rock With You - Michael Jackson

Music copyright to the respective artists.

The Virtuous Optimist gets Gib$on on the line from down South to chop it up about his musical journey, Soul tunes, influences and goals. In addition, Gib$on brings that HEAT to our "Show Yo Naked Skills" freestyle segment! Come vibe, Loved Ones. Peace

Tune Samples:

Witch Hunt - Donald Byrd

Really Freestyle - Gib$on

What’s Life Like - Raphael Saadiq

Mo City Don (Instrumental) - Z-ro *Sample of Eric B. & Rakim's Paid in Full (Seven Minutes of Madness - the Coldcut Remix)*

Slap (Instrumental)- Ludacris

Simply Beautiful - Al Green

Vanish In Our Sleep - Bootsy Collins

Stand Up In It - Theodis Ealey

Lake City Ft. Flat - Gib$on

Dope Intro - Gib$on

Get It Spalding - Gib$on

Black Superwoman - Gib$on

My Struggle - Boosie

Finals (Adigang Remix) Ft. Limbo - Gib$on

Lean 2 Da Side - Kevin Gates

The Takeover Ft. Limbo - Gib$on

All Your Fault Freestyle - Gib$on

Was It's Gon Be - Gib$on

What’s It Gonna Be - Busta Rhymes Ft. Janet

Late Night Sessions - Maya Angelle

Random Rantin - Gib$on

In The Bottle - Gil Scott Heron

Mo City Don - Z-ro

Growth - Gib$on

Ain’t The Same Ft. Kri$ - Gib$on

Reefer Party - Gib$on

Get Somethin - Gib$on

What’s going on - Gib$on *Samples Tupac Interview & Marvin Gaye’s "What’s Going On"*

Treat ‘Em Right - Chub Rock

Gold Mind - Gib$on

Ways To Kill Em - Curren$y

Let’s Do It Again - The Staple Singers

Mothership Connection (Live In Concert Ft. On P-Funk Documentary)- Parliament

Choppaz - Big Moe

It’s Going Down Tonight - Big Moe

Exclusive - Foxx

Hella Rich - Gib$on

Dinninit - De La Soul

What’s a Telephone Bill? - Bootsy Collins

"Show Yo Naked Skillz” Instrumentals:

Don't You Go Home - David Ruffin

Voyage To Atlantis - Isley Brothers

Neighbors - J Cole

Knee Deep (Not Just) - Funkadelic

June 27th Freestyle - DJ Screw

Cool Down - Jazz Liberatorz

Rock With You - Michael Jackson

Music copyright to the respective artists.

The Virtuous Optimist uses the Season Finale to revisit her week of concerts (3) in Los Angeles, California before easing into a flashback of Episodes 1-5. After reviewing the season, she launches into answering the question "Why am I podcasting?". Before closing the final show of the season, she talks about what you can expect when we return for Season Two. Say it with me "Artist INTERVIEWS"!!!

Until we meet again, peace and blessings.

Tune Samples:

1. Her Beauty Through My Eyes - Keyon Harold (feat. Pharoahe Monch)

2. Something He Can Feel - Aretha Franklin

3. Gee Whiz, Its Christmas - Carla Thomas

4. Pressure - Mr. Kelly (feat. Blood$hot)

5. Mr. Kelly (Live DJ Set at The Viper Room)

5. Us: TheFolks (Live at The Viper Room)

6. How Much A Dollar Cost - Kendrick Lamar (Radiohead - Pyramid Song interpolation?) - Josef Leimberg Astral Progression Ensemble (Live at The Lodge Room )

7. Igarape - Baden Powell (Wylde Flower Live DJ Set at The Lodge Room)

8. The Mugician - Keyon Harold & Chris Dave (Horn & Drums Live at The Lodge Room)

9. Lookout For Detox - Kendrick Lamar

10. Atom Brown (Live at Lexington Theatre)

11. The Heart Pt.2 - Kendrick Lamar (Chopped & Slowed)

12. Today - Kendrick Lamar

13. Golden Days - MasterMind Mose (Virtuous Optimist Theme Song)

14. Disco Lady - Johnnie Taylor

15. Love That Girl - Raphael Saadiq (Tuney Live)

16. Watermelon Man - Herbie Hancock

17. Life of Emotions - Nicholas Richard (Live)

18. Erykah Badu Tyrone Bass Jam - GregF From YouTube (Live)

19. Beauty in the Dark (Groove with You) - Mos Def

20. Skyy Can You Feel Me - Raphael Saadiq

21. Bad4Me - Chrystal Doomes

22. Lilies of the Nile - The Crusaders

23. I Wanna Thank You - Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly (Live)

24. Get Somethin' - Gib$on

Music copyright to the respective artists.

The Virtuous Optimist also known as Channtanza, also known as Lil Chazzy, invites Loved Ones to join the conversation about "The Morning After...A Setback".

Emerald Guidry (Owner of Be Black Denim, LA), Brandi (The Great, LA), Todd Vinci (Owner of Todd Vinci Clothing, TX), and Xavier (The Virtuous Soul Sista, IL)drops knowledge on how to overcome a "setback".

In addition, the Virtuous Optimist gives you the run down on personal and professional setbacks . So much encouragement, confidence, and positivity here. All the while, being uplifted by a groovy, live instrumented, fusion of Funk/Disco/Hip Hop Timeless Tunes.

The Virtuous Optimist also known as Channtanza, along with Jazz's Forefathers, Jazz Liberatorz, and Saxophonist Nicholas Richard melodically tell a story about the evolution of Jass/Jazz and how it has shaped today’s music culture (i.e. Hip Hop). All my Hip Hop heads, you need this in your life, especially if you create music. You have to be knowledgeable and acknowledge your roots. The ones that came before us. Learn about it here.

This content is intergenerational. Your great great grandmother, grandmother, grandfathers, aunties, uncles, brothas, sistas, cousins, nieces, & nephews will ALL appreciate this episode.

Give Thanks!!

Tune Samples:

By Traditional - Shofars Call

Jazz Liberatorz – Clin D’oeil

Jazz Liberatorz – Ease My Mind (skit)

Jazz Liberatorz – When the Clock Ticks (skit)

Jazz Liberatorz – Genius At Work (skit)

Jazz Liberatorz – The Return (skit)

Jazz Liberatorz – Cool Down (skit)

Duke Ellington & Louis Armstrong – It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Aint Got That Swing)

Louis Armstrong – Go Down, Moses

Robert Johnson – Cross Road Blues

Let’s Go Get ‘Em – Bo Dillis, Monk Moudreaux & Rebirth Brass Band

Original Dixieland Jazz Band – Livery Stable Blues

Count Basie and His Orchestra – Swinging the Blues

Charlie Parker – Donna Lee

Charlie Parker – Just Friends

The Dave Brubeck Quartet – Take Five

Miles Davis Sextet – Walkin’

Clifford Brown & Max Roach – Cherokee

Cal Tjader & Eddie Palmieri – Los Bandidos

Hugh Masekela – Mas Que Nada

Santana – Black Magic Woman

Santana – Maria Maria

Bob Marley & The Wailers – Smile Jamaica

Gregory Isaacs – If I Don’t Have You

Roy Ayers Ubiquity – The Memory

Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Searching

Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Everybody Loves the Sunshine

Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter.. – Rey Clay

Freddie Hubbard – People Make the World Go Round

Herbie Hancock – Watermelon Man

Brian Lenair – Eye of the Storm

The Crusaders – Lilies of the Nile

T.H.U.G. (The House of Urban Grooves) – Deringa

The RH Factor – Poetry (Rest In Heaven Roy Hargrove)

Abbey Lincoln – Ain’t Nobody’s Business

Billie Holiday – Ain’t Misbehavin’

Jazz Liberatorz – I Am Hip Hop

Kendrick Lamar – u

Music Copyright to the Respective Artists.

The Virtuous Optimist also known as Chazz sits down at The Lighthouse bar with her childhood best friend Meagan, who is visiting Los Angeles, CA from the Midwest. These Soul Sistas talk about what a "virtuous woman" means to them, touching on topics such as self-worth, knowing self, double standards, sex, covenants, & celibacy. DJ Tuney spins her first set featuring sounds by Dinah Washington, Hil St. Soul, The Jones Girls, and much more. Remember when we told you we had an impeccable ability to spot musical greatness? Chrystal Doomes, everybody!!!

The Virtuous Optimist reminisces on her love & appreciation for music before melodically dedicating majority of the show to the musical journey of phenomenal singer, songwriter, musician, & producer Raphael Saadiq.

The Virtuous Optimist kicks off the very first episode of the podcast sharing what she believes a Union should be, while sharing tunes by Sam Cooke, Johnnie Taylor, & Son Little.