Conscious Plat

The Reggae singer and songwriter, John Holt, has died.THE FAMILY of the late reggae legend John Holt, has confirmed that the singer died of cancer.Holt's nephew, Tex exclusively told The Voice, that his uncle was ill with cancer, and passed away in the early hours of Monday morning (Oct 20). Tex, told The Voice: "We've only known about the cancer for a few months.
The singer, who was 69 years old, was being treated at The Wellington Hospital in St John's Wood, northwest London. Tex added: "I have so many fond memories of him enjoying life and having fun. He always looked to the bright side." The musician is well known for writing and singing the original version of The Tide Is High in 1967 - which was later covered by Blondie, Gregory Isaacs and Atomic Kitten. Holt’s childhood friend, and fellow Jamaican singer, Winston Francis – also known as King Cool – last spoke to Holt last week. He said to The Voice: “He told me he wasn’t very well. He said to me ‘I can only pray and keep my fingers crossed’.” Francis added: “I feel proud to have known John. He was such a gentleman and always so dignified.” Born on July 11 1945 in Kingston, Jamaica, Holt came to prominence as lead singer of the group The Paragons. Their hits included Ali Baba, Tonight and I See Your Face. Holt left the band in 1970 to focus on his solo career, where his 1972 single Stick by Me went on to become the biggest selling Jamaican record of that same year. Famed for incorporating orchestras in his live shows, his romantic love songs, and his iconic album 1,000 Volts of Holt, the Jamaican singer found favour with his powerful live performances, and is widely considered reggae royalty amongst the genre’s aficionados. The reggae community was stunned by the news that the icon had passed away, and tributes have poured in from the international artists including Shaggy, Sean Paul and Beverley Knight. The family are currently arranging the funeral details, and have confirmed that Holt's body will be sent to Jamaica for burial. (the voice)

Mary J Blige will be performing at the NIA, Saturday 15th November. Her new album might be called The London Sessions, but Mary J. Blige is giving us true Brooklyn MJB in the official music video to her UK single “Right Now“! Serving as the lead track from her upcoming LP, the Disclosure-produced track has been receiving a high amount of praise from Mary’s dedicated fans. With 20+ years as a dominating force in the industry, it’s no question as to why she’s been dubbed “The Queen”. From riding around London town in her black Bentley to taking over the stage at a dance club, this video will remind you just why you love Mary J. oh so much.

Playlist Sunday 26-10-2014



Wendell B - When It Don't Make Sense
Angie Stone - Do What U Gotta Do
Grover Washington Jr. - Jamming
Monique Thomas - Daughter Shine
Eric Nolan - Reminds Me
Garcia - Praying For Rain
Joe - Future TEller
Victor Haynes - My Time Is Right Here
Jack Radics - Good Lovin'
Yasmine Amari - Chose To Be
Garvin Christoher - WE'll Always Be Together
Bo Kirkland & Ruth Davis - You're Gonna Get Next To Me
Barry White - Midnight & You

Conscious Plat x 3
1 I'm A Queen 2 My Sistah 3 Black Pharaohs

Just Right Band - I Want More
Linda Clifford - I Just Can't Let This Good Thing Get Away
Don-E - (loose Ends Remix)
Gary Brown - - Somebody Been Sleeping In My Bed
Side Effect - SOS
Ronnie Mc Neir - Everybody's In A Hurry
John Holt (RIP) - Never, Never, Never
Al Hudson & Soul Partners - Spread Love

Conscious Plat Biography:

I am Conscious Plat a Nubian Queen who is a singer, writer and poet. My music is available on Itunes, Amazon and CD Baby. I create songs and poetry for the purpose of empowering The People. My mission is to impact many with my poetry and songs. I want to reach as many of my people as possible but even if I reach a few, I am still victorious. I promote Black Unity and Black Love. We must bond together if we want to rise above our adversities. Peace

Their website closed in 2013, but this was the welcome message: Welcome to The Conscious African Mind. This site was created by singer songwriter Conscious Plat for the purpose of Uniting People of African descent. The various videos, blogs and other post does not necessarily reflect the views of Conscious Plat. Members are welcome to freely post content to the site but are encouraged to do so in a respectful manor. Religious preferences, Political views, etc. are not a determining factor for membership at The Conscious African Mind. Our main goals are promoting unity, circulating knowledge, peace and love.  (Facebook)

Shola Ama

The singer, songwriter and performer, Augie Johnson, has died. He was 66.Augie, apparently, died in his sleep on Friday the 10th of October, and his girlfriend discovered him Saturday morning. Augie was the creator of the Fantasy Records group, Side Effect (whose early line-up included the Gospel singer, Helen Baylor and, also, the Soul singer, Miki Howard).When Augie was a child, he began playing the clarinet, later joining a boys choir.Augie was part of a group of children, who sang on the Frank Sinatra hit song 'High Hopes'.He then learned the saxophone, and formed his first group, entitled The Jazztronauts.Augie attended Washington High School, later relocating to Los Angeles City College, and then becoming enlisted into the military.Side Effect were created in 1972. Prior to the groups incarnation, Augie was a member of an earlier incarnation of the same band, called the Cultures.

As a songwriter, he is fondly remembered for many of his own compositions, which included, the L.A. Boppers evergreen, 'Watching Life'. Further writing, arrangement and production credits, include recordings by the likes of Pleasure, Wayne Henderson, Esther Phillips, The Boppers, Hilary, David Oliver, Light Of The World, West Street Mob and Yasuko Agawa. Recently the Daily Mail have suggested that his son (Brandon) was actually, Michael Jackson's son after DNA tests, this may have all been too much for him, who knows. He'll be missed, thanks for all that great music!

Stevie Wonder is going to be a proud papa — again. The superstar and his fiancée, 25 year-old Tomeeka Robyn Bracy, are reportedly expecting triplets. Once the three babies arrive, the lauded singer will have a total of 11 children. Radar Online shares the news via the National Enquirer. “Stevie never thought he’d be a father again so late in life,” a source told The Enquirer. “It may not have been planned but now he’s excited! The ‘Songs in the Key of Life’ creator had a child with Bracy last year, which apparently flew under the radar. “He’s been going to all the doctor’s visits and scans with Tomeeka. He actually can’t wait until the birth. Stevie missed so much of his other children’s upbringings, he’s vowed to be there for their children and for his soon-to-be new wife,” the source revealed. Bracy and Stevie apparently live together in Los Angeles, with their child who was born last year. Two years ago, he divorced his ex-wife of 11 years, Kai Millard Morris. They have children together: Kailand, 13, and Mandla, 9. Stevie wrote his 1976 hit ‘Isn’t She Lovely’ for the birth of his daughter Aisha. Maybe triplets will inspire new music from the 64-year-old legend. Next month he’ll embark on an 11-city jaunt dubbed the Songs in the Key of Life Performance Tour. The singer will begin in New York on Nov. 6 and wrap up in Oakland, Calif., on Dec. 5. (boombox)

Playlist for Sunday 19-10-2014



Hour one
Aretha Franklin - People Get ready
Marvin Gaye - After The Dance
Kim Waters - Steppin' In The Name Of Love
Melissa Morgan - Heartbreaking Decision
Cee Lo Green - My Kinda People
Rosie Gains - Good Times
Jermaine Jackson - You Like Me Don't You
Latoya Jackson - Camp Kutchi Kia
Blackstreet - Don't Leave Me (remix)
Lo-Key - Good Ole Fashion Love
Donell Jones - I Can Make You Feel Real Good


Hour 2
Shola Ama x3
1 Who's Lovin' My Baby 2 In Return
3 Much Love

EWF - On Your Face
James Brown - There It Is
Don-E - Little Star
Darwin Hobbs/Michael McDonald - Everyday
Emotions - Eternally
ZZ Hill - Cheating In The Next Room
Curtis Hairston - Chilling Out
Sir Charles Jones - Do You Feel

Shola Ama's Biography:

Campbell was born in Paddington, London, England, of a white father (Scottish and Irish) and St. Lucian mother. She attended Quintin Kynaston School in the early 1990s. At 15, she was singing to herself on a platform at Hammersmith tube station, and was overheard by Kwame Kwaten, a producer at the FreakStreet record label. In 1995, an unknown independent label released a single titled "Celebrate", which was a ballad produced by D'Influence. Although the single was not a commercial success, it did draw attention to Shola Ama as an artist. On her 16th birthday, she signed a recording contract with WEA.

The single "You're the One I Love" was her first single release for WEA in 1996; it barely made an impact on the charts, only managing to reach No. 85. Her second WEA single, "You Might Need Somebody", remains her biggest hit. This Randy Crawford cover reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. It remained in the top 40 for almost two months, becoming one of 1997's biggest hits. A re-release of "You're the One I Love" followed and reached #3. At the age of 18, Shola Ama released her debut album Much Love (1997).

On the success of the album, Shola Ama won a Brit Award for Best British Female and two MOBO Awards for Best Newcomer and Best R&B Act. More here

Keyshia Cole

Playlist for Sunday 12-10-2014
(sorry no audio supplied this week- Ed)

Amazonics - Redemption Song
Conscious Plat - Black Pharaoh's
Art Porter - Under cover
Teddy Pendergrass - Believe In Love
Eric Benet - Weekend Girl
Betty Wright - Share My Love
Kenny Lattimore - What Must I Do
Doc Pearson - Very Soon
Drizabone - Brightest Star
Big Bub - Zoom
Sire Charles Jones - Independent Ladies
Afi Soul - I'm Gone Shine
Allen Stone - Is This Love

Keyshia Cole x3
1 Beautiful Music 2 Heaven Sent 3 Trust

Sir Charles Jones - Do You Feel
Sunshine Andersn - Say Something
Allure - Enjoy Yourself
Alexander O'Neal - What's Missing
Tony Stone - Can't Say Bye
Aretha Franklin - It Only Happens
Staple Singers - Love Me x3/ Let's Do It Again

Keyshia Cole biography:

Keyshia Cole (born October 15, 1981), is a Grammy-nominated American R&B singer/songwriter, record producer, businesswoman and television personality. She was born in Oakland, California, and her career began when she met MC Hammer at the age of twelve and later met rapper Tupac Shakur. At the age of eighteen she moved to Los Angeles and was later introduced to A&M Records. She released her debut album, The Way It Is (2005), which five singles: "Never", "I Changed My Mind", "(I Just Want It) To Be Over", "I Should Have Cheated", and "Love". It was certified gold within 17 weeks, and then platinum just eight weeks later. The album stayed on the charts for over a year, eventually selling over 1.6 million copies. More here

Al Jarreau

In the news.. With the premiere of Lifetime’s “Aaliyah: Princess of R&B” airing soon on November 15, the network has revved up promo to deliver to the masses the highly-anticipated film about the late R&B star.In a short clip, Lifetime drops the first TV advertisement for the film starring Alexandra Shipp (pictured above) as Aaliyah. The clip also gives us more detail about the time it will air: 8/7c.  According to Wendy Williams, (whose production company logged on for the film), the movie will focus on her record deal at the age of 12, the controversial relationship with R. Kelly, how she took a risk against her label’s orders to work with then-up-and-coming producers Timbaland and Missy Elliot, and more. Despite the Haughton family's wishes to halt the production, the network seem gung ho about pushing this out...and with the quickness.

A schoolboy died after staff at a Birmingham hospital “missed opportunities” to save his life, a coroner has ruled in a damning inquest. Emmanuel Akinmuyiwa, seven, collapsed and died when he suffered a cardiac arrest during a blood transfusion at Heartlands Hospital. The procedure was performed four days after the youngster, from Tyseley, was admitted on February 8, 2013. Birmingham Coroner’s Court heard how Emmanuel would have survived had staff taken blood tests which would have shown a transfusion was required far sooner. More Mail

Lewis Hamilton secured a third successive win to move 10 points clear in the drivers' standings at a Japanese Grand Prix that was overshadowed by a crash that left Marussia driver Jules Bianchi unconscious. The leader did not take the chequered flag as the race was red-flagged for a second time in the afternoon following two separate crashes on the same corner. Hamilton had started behind pole sitter Nico Rosberg on the grid but passed his Mercedes team-mate and rival to open up a 10-point gap in their battle for the title. More @ Mail


Playlist for Sunday 05-10-2014



Al Green - Loving You
Deborah Cox - The Sound Of My Tears
Monique Thomas - Daughter Shine
Algebra Blessett - Nobody But You
Gwenolyn Collins - Beautiful Fantasy
Ca$e & Joe - Faded Pictures
Loretta - Miss You
Anita Baker - Feel The Need
Quincy Jones - Tomorrow
Phil Perry - You Send Me
Rick Braun -  Dance With My Father

Al Jarreau x3
1 Sweet Baby 2 Bright & Sunny Babe
3 We're In This Thing Together

Fried - Sugar Water Days
Rhythm & Jazz - Just In Case
Next - Looking For Love
Tracy Carter - Everyday
Charme - Georgy Porgy
Garfield Fleming - Don't Send Me Away
Don-E - You're So Special
Curtis Mayfield - Your So Good To Me

Al Jarreau Biography:

Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fifth of six children. His website refers to Reservoir Avenue, the name of the street where he lived. His father was a Seventh-day Adventist Church minister and singer, and his mother was a church pianist. He and his family sang together in church concerts and in benefits, and he and his mother performed at PTA meetings.

He was student council president and Badger Boys State delegate for Lincoln High School, going on to Ripon College, where he also sang with a group called the Indigos. Jarreau graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. He went on to earn a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Iowa, worked as a rehabilitation counselor in San Francisco, and moonlighted with a jazz trio headed by George Duke.

In 1967, he joined forces with acoustic guitarist Julio Martinez. The duo became the star attraction at a small Sausalito night club called Gatsby's. This success contributed to Jarreau's decision to make professional singing his life and full-time career. More @ Wiki