#soullife

[biteside-gummieshark]

Oooo spooky watcher art /vsilly

[mr-divabetic]

Earlier this summer, the song Mama’s Kitchen Table by Ivan Hampden Jr. featuring Paulette McWilliams was a new entry on the UK Soul Chart, debuting at #15.

Paulette and I co-wrote the lyrics, and Ivan produced the track.

The three of us met while working for Luther Vandross.  Ivan Hampden Jr. was Luther’s drummer, Paulette McWilliams was one of his backing vocalists, and I was his assistant.  

Before working for Luther, Paulette was in The American Breed who later became Rufus, and she introduced Chaka Khan to them to take her place. She sang with Quincy Jones, featured on Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall” and has toured with Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and so many others. She was a guest on Richard Marzetti’s Solar Radio show on June 3, 2022. Click HERE to listen.

Ivan Hampden Jr. is a four-time Grammy winner and, as well as Luther’s albums,  has appeared on albums by Ashford & Simpson, Diana Ross, Roberta Flack, The Temptations, Beyonce, Mavis Staple, and Ann Nesby to name some of the more famous ones.

After Luther’s stroke, related to mismanaged type 2 diabetes, I founded the nonprofit, Divabetic in 2003. Since then, I have reached thousands of at-risk people affected by and living with diabetes through live events, videos, and podcasts. I was thrilled to return to music with my friends, Ivan and Paulette. Seeing Mama’s Kitchen Table on the UK Soul Charts brought me so much joy. It was an unexpected but equally enchanting moment in an unforgettable Summer.

I’m also thrilled to announce the three of us teamed up again to write the new Christmas song, Pink Champagne, coming out in late Fall.

“Pink Champagne is dedicated to anyone experiencing a painful heartbreak during the holidays,” says Paulette McWilliams.

Breakups are hard. But the holidays seem to magnify the loneliness of heartache: parties with everyone coupled up, romantic Christmas music and movies, and those annual Christmas letters brimming with friends’ burgeoning families. The airwaves are filled with upbeat holiday classics leaving little room for sadness and contemplation.

Pink Champagne is a story of a woman’s journey from victim to victor at Christmastime. A mindset that Paulette believes can help someone with a broken heart find fulfillment.

“You can’t experience the joy of the holidays unless you let go of the painful emotions instead of holding them in,” she says. “I hope Pink Champagne helps people who are hurting be able to move on.”

Nancy Wilson’s Guess Who I Saw Today and Marlena Shaw’s Go Away Litte Boy inspired my lyrics and story.

Listen Now: https://open.spotify.com/track/2JDf1r0CR0bdPC41TgEWKI?si=f4cd84dc48324fbc

[katherinegenet]

And a great black wolf came up to me and put his front paws on my chest, looked at me for a moment with eyes deep and knowing, and a moment later, he leapt into my heart,settled himself there, and became part of me. ⁠ He is always with me now, walking beside me so that I can feel him press against my leg. He is my protector, the protector of my creative life, and a constant reminded not to let the call of the busy world take me from the wild life of my heart and my creativity. ⁠

[wedivinecreator]

Discover Life Beyond the Physical Body ????️

This video solves one of life's greatest mysteries—what is life after death?

[mr-divabetic]

#soullife with special guests CRYSTAL PENNY (Barry White, Shanice 'I Love Your Smile', & a great story about Phyllis Hyman!); together with new music from Narada Michael Walden, Tanqueray Hayward, Joe Leavy, Paula Letting & more with 40th anniversary of classic album, birthday boy Ronnie Foster, & great #happyhalfhour & #responsesong choices to finish... + what won the FFGF? #fridaysgotsoul

[mr-divabetic]

AMAZING!! Our new single, Crystal Penny's STANDARDS, produced by Ivan Hampden Jr., debuts at #15 on BCFM Radio's Soul Chart, hosted by DJ Tony Griffin. 

STANDARDS is a tribute to many of the Queens of the Quiet Storm who shaped our expectations about falling and being in love with a song. Available on all music streaming apps in late April 

[mr-divabetic]

Mama's Kitchen Table

Ivan Hampden Jr., Paulette McWilliams · Song · 2022

“Mama’s Kitchen Table” by songwriter Ivan Hampden Jr. and vocalist Paulette McWilliams serves up a unique musical recipe combining R&B, soul, and retro soul.

[mr-divabetic]

Flashback Friday: Looking back at the magical moment when "Mama's Kitchen Table" by Ivan Hampden Jr and Paulette McWilliams charted on the LMR Soul Chart Top 30 back in July! 

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/track/2JDf1r0CR0bdPC41TgEWKI?si=d46d0a12950449d3