Dogmatic/ 8 Mile Chronicles 2/ mixtape review

Global rating of the product: 5 stars
Every time I am tempted to give up on hip hop, I think of genuine artists like Dogmatic, because they manage to keep the art of rap alive. Guess what, Kevin Bailey aka Dogmatic is back with his long awaited 8 Mile Chronicles 2. Dogmatic’s brand new release is the follow up of 8 Mile Chronicles. While I found 8 Mile Chronicles very good, the second part is even better than best in every sense of the term: very well worked on instrumentals, very valuable Detroit collaborators (such as Obie Trice, Supa Emcee, Almighty Dreadnaughts, King Gordy, Raw Collection, Royce da 5.9, just to name a few), an incredible well mastered flow, some good punchlines. From the beginning to the end, Dogmatic ignites some pure fire and manages to create a passionate atmosphere. The excellent artist proudly represents the streets of Detroit.
You Know Me truly represents this unique Detroit spirit. Dogmatic’s confidence is enhanced by a very impressive flow. His credibility and his dedication to hip hop get him the full respect he deserves.
I love the offensiveness of the song entitled Detroit. The mixture of violins, loud drum beats and orchestra background introduce a dark atmosphere. Ready for war? This is a Detroit thing! Great work there too.
Beef , lead by Promatic and K.B is enhanced with some soft violin accords and some strong crafted punchlines. You are going to love this track, that’s how Proof and Dogmatic do!
Very beautiful collaborations with contrasting voices are present in Dogmatic and the Almighty Dreadnaughtz. Dogmatic spreads the spirit that is already present in Proof’s Hand To Hand mixtape: working on the flow, the mic, setting the lyrics at the highest level, offering the best beats and collaborations. In short, a total dedication to hip hop!
We Here enlightens some beautiful female vocals with Raw Collection’s participation and some deep sounding instrumentals. Promatic is there, enhancing the song in so many ways. You gotta love the way they do it. This is hip hop in its purest form. I enjoyed the song very much.
When Proof Died is a very rhythmic song, a beautiful homage to the skilled artist.
Among the songs I really enjoyed I recommend you Back To Back featuring Obie Trice and Promatic.
Globally speaking, Dogmatic gave the best of himself and of Detroit in his mixtape. This womderful music jewel is definitely worth your buy.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

La Vie En Rose- movie review

Global rating of the product: 5 stars
I just bought La Vie En Rose yesterday and I would like to share my thoughts about the movie with you.
La Vie En Rose recalls French singer Edith Piaf’s tragic and brilliant life. Nobody incarnates Paris better than Edith Piaf. As long as I lived in my hometown, I used to dislike Piaf: I found her old fashioned and her songs didn’t speak to be. But, having lived in Paris twice now, I think I am truly getting Piaf’s spirit. Each town vibrates a specific message.In my humble opinion, Paris is much about life appreciation and love. From the streets of Paris emanates a specific atmosphere that is truly wonderful. Even in my hardships, I could always feel Paris’ specific call to enjoy life and to love, which is always present in Edith Piaf’s music.
When I want to escape from London without traveling, I listen to Edith’s songs.
On a sidenote, I visited her tomb in July 2011 with my dear childhood friend Sylvie I hadn’t seen for 28 years. On Piaf’s tomb was the very emotional message: ” Dieu reunit ceux qui s’aiment” ( God reunites those who love each other), it was like Edith Piaf was talking to us from the grave!
Edith Piaf was born Edith Giovanna Gasson in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. Her mom literally failed at the task of taking care of her. She was literally abandoned in the streets of Paris while her mom was trying to make a living singing in the street. Her father who was an acrobat and contortionist took her to his mom in Normandy where she run a brothel. She then traveled with her father all over France.
She used to live in Pigalle and in Menilmontant ( I have seen her statue there and was amazed at her little size, she was only around 1m40).
Marion Cotillard brillianly interprets Edith Piaf. Not only is her physical resemblance with the real Piaf amazing, but she also has a very emotional interpretation of the singer.
Piaf’s destiny has been filled with drama. She lost the love of her life in a plane crash. She married twice after this drama. Despite the glory of the scene her life was far from being easy. She impressed a lot of people such as Jran Cocteau, famous German singer and actress Marlene Dietrich, Yves Montand, etc…
Her life was rough, but yet there is some joy and simplicity in her life vision. She shared the biggest secret of happiness with the world: love!
Among the great actors who are starring in the movie, you have Gerard Depardieu and Emannuelle Seigner ( the amazing actress who played in the Frantic movie).
Due to her drug addiction, alcoholism and weak health, she died at only 45. However , Edith Piaf left a wonderful heritage to the French culture.
Prepare your tissues, the movie is hard, very emotional. I cried on many occasions. It is definitely worth your buy.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Maverick Sabre/ Lonely Are The Brave/ album review

Global rating: 4.75 stars

I can claim without any hesitation that Maverick Sabre, of Stoke Newington, London, is the UK’s best musical revelation: this young man has the depth and consistency of genuine artists. His use of vocals is quite impressing, and moreover, he’s got soul.
Maverick Sabre was born in Stoke Newington (in 1990), which is one of my favorite places in North London. Stoke Newington is a place of contrasts in terms of middle class people and working classes that are mixed together, but it is also a boiling intellectual and artistic place, where you can meet the most interesting people. Church Street and Crissold Park make it a magical place, because it makes some room for artisanal creations, originality, color and beauty.
Violins introduce the soft, I Need, in which the artist excels in his vocal performance. This song invites angels and sunshine into your life. I love the optimistic quest that the song raises within me. Genuine is the word that defines this song best. It keeps you in communion with the Divine. I truly loved it.
“Sometimes” is written in a hip hop style in which Maverick Sabre recalls his childhood in “Stokey” ( Stoke Newington). I like the way words flow from the artists’ mouth. The song is beautifully handled. I also love the way it is apolitical. The instrumentals are intelligently combined with some light vocals; slight guitar notes work together with violin sounds and keyboard. Well done! I’d also advice you to watch the video to the song.
No One has some good, catchy beats. A man with a broken heart is exposing a lady’s selfish heart.
Open My Eyes: too often we are blind to see our true life purpose. It is so hard to change inherited habits. The song is very emotional. Again, the artist shows some good vocal talent. I highly enjoy the vocal contrast and the rhythmic instrumental background.
“Cold Game” points out the world’s coldness. I love the emotional style of the song.
When I first hear Maverick’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”, I was moved to tears.
When you hear “I was born by the river in a little tent…” you feel transported into another sphere. The artist will allow you to connect with your Higher Self and feel the deep meaning of his lyrics
I first thought this was a black man singing, because Maverick’s vocals are much extended. The song is very emotional; it talks to the soul and puts some real goodness into your heart. This wonderful gospel-style song is accompanied with a beautiful, rhythmic piano background.
Shooting The Stars is also one of my favorites. Get caught in a drama; enjoy the slow swing while guitar is hammering. One can shoot the body without killing the spirit. A man’s soul lives forever.
Globally speaking, excellent standards are set for the whole album. The artist’s words have a true meaning. Maverick has a very flexible voice that can go from light to dark; he handles lyrics instrumentals and spirit very intelligently. Lonely Are The Brave is a very meaningful album. Whether you classify it into soul or acoustic hip hop (to me, its major soul music influence is obvious), but it also combines gospel and hip hop. For the first time since I long time, I feel a strong connection with an authentic artist. I highly recommend this excellent album to any true music lover.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Confession Inachevee: the fabulous life of Marilyn Monroe


I recently came across Marilyn Monroe’s autobiography ( My Life) in the French version ” Confession Inachevee”, published by Laffont.
One can learn a lot by studying famous’ people’s biographies. I have always been fascinated with Marilyn Monroe. As a young girl, I wanted to be like her. In my eyes, she incarnated feminity and beauty to the fullest.
Norma Jean Morteson came from poor backgrounds, she has been from orphanages to orphanages, because her mom was unable to raise her. When her mom died, a friend of her, “aunt Grace” looked after the little girl and was officially her tutor. But aunt Grace didn’t have much money, so Norma had to go to different foster homes. In addition, Norma Jean had a a family history of mental imbalance. She never knew her father, who ( according to her), resembled Clark Gable ( Norma’s mom had a picture of her dad).
In the manuscript she left to Milton Greene, her friend and personal photographer, Marilyn Monroe depicts the world of Hollywood with a very analytic spirit and a lot of sincerity.
When you are changing your name, you are changing your destiny. Norma Jane was the symbol of unhappiness, being unwanted, being poor. Marilyn Monroe was the name of a glorious star.
What I have learnt from Marilyn’s words is that, no matter how our circumstances may look, if we keep our dreams alive, they will come true.
I have seen Marilyn in several movies. She had something more than sex appeal: she had a presence, something strong and emotional in her character.
Of course, she attracted a lot of jealousy. People are more less envious when you are ugly and intelligent. Beauty and cleverness combined scares them away.
She symbolizes beauty and wittiness. I recommend you her unachieved manuscript, because Marilyn will teach you a lot about life itself.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
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The Mystery Channel & J Dilla/ The Dillaship

The notorious Detroit DJ Butter introduced me into a new hip hop release that is entirely dedicated to J Dilla, one of Detroit’s most impressive producer. Some artists’ lives are cut short ( J Dilla died at the young age of 32 from lupus skin disease), but the perennity of their consistant work is our beautiful heritage; their music and legacy will live on forever. J Dilla is one of these guys who will relive Detroit from its ashes.
Ready to listen to The the DillaShip?
Please be all ear, be prepared from some tremendous, genuine hip hop!
Numerous Detroit talents have participated to this beautiful piece of art that enlightens Dilla’s genius. Some catchy beats will let you enter into a hot atmosphere. Meet at the Detroit club, enjoy the astute punchlines and syllable plays. The original instrumental background, a combination of light and dark keyboards, a crazy mix of catchy beats…nod your head to the track, meet hip hop at its purest state, where vocals work together with syllable smashers.
I am truly impressed with the numerous Detroit icons who participated to put together this beautiful and authentic piece of good rap like Proof’s former collaborators 5 ELA, Bareda aka Mr Wrong, the amazing vocalist and Bizarre collaborator Monica Blaire, just to name a few.
The music will take you into a magical universe where artists truly give all they have for the greatest pleasure of the listeners. I liked the ‘Detroit ghetto atmosphere’. Not only does the Dillaship present some excellent hip hop, it also brilliantly combines it with an amazing funky/ soul touch.
True hip hop lovers, have a listen! I definitely recommend you The Dillaship. While mainstream hip hop seems to have lost it, some genuine underground hip hop artists will know how to keep your passion for the music alive.
Copyright by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved