A legend in Baltimore kicks off the 1st of the final 4 weeks of soul @ Red Maple

Well, if you haven't heard yet, let us tell you that Donny Burlin's Friday night Soulful Sounds party @ the Red Maple will stop at the end of August.  From what Donny tells us, it looks like management isn't interested in having quality & soulful House music on Friday anymore.  Now, instead of bowing our heads in remembrance, we should go and have fun on the remaining Fridays.  I went this past Friday(8.8) because there were no other House events going on in town and had the pleasure of listening to a legend play.  One of the founding members of Baltimore's world famous Basement Boys, Thommy Davis laid down a pretty good set.  Everyone that has been in the Basement Boys play with incredible energy when they're in the booth(Spen, Karizma, Teddy D, Thommy D).  At one point he ran off a string of vocal and R&B House remixes that made me exhale and sing.  You see, I lost my grandmother a couple of weeks ago and didn't get a chance to grieve, but just be sad and help plan for the funeral.  Well I was out on my own this night and got a chance to cry inside.  It wasn't the actual lyrics of the tracks but the soulfulness that Thommy threw down.  Especially when he played a few of the old Chicago style "Jack me" type songs.  You know, "Time Marches on" type stuff.  Certain songs touch people in different ways and on this night, this is what happened to me.  Rejoicing in my own little way.  I think the very lovely Bassee is the only person I danced with.  Speaking of Bassee can this woman get an applause from us all.  She put together the "Chocolate Factory" @ Club MMCCCIV and did everything she was supposed to do in promoting a House event.  Unfortunately all the great House dj's of the world can't get people to just throw away an enormous amount of money at the bar.  Which brings me to wonder about the ending of Donny's party @ the Red Maple which makes money.  I could barely get something to drink on this night.  I got out of the line and came back later.  Please go to the party this coming Friday(8.15) as DJ Oji throws down.  But I must say, if we don't come together and put together a Baltimore House organization, like club owners have done, then we are going to keep getting disrespected.  Right now, they tell us what nights we are going to rejoice to our music in Bmore.  Baltimore Housing Authority part 2 anyone?  (see pics below)

Out goes one party and in comes another.  Our 2nd Soul Fiesta was this past Saturday(8.9), and even though none of my beloved industry friends could make this one, we had more than twice as many people this time.  Now that's how you build a party.  Each party should have more people as the word gets out about the House clinic we are going to be putting together for you each 2nd Saturday.  We had the 3 elements of the Soul Fiesta rolling on this night.  That is smooth vocals, peak time "heat" from the dj booth, and the live element--with 2 percussionists playing for the love of the music. Everyone sees the potential of Club Plush and its already been "blessed" with the "Baby Powder" on the floor.  It has two levels and as soon as we build up enough of a crowd we will start booking all the rest of the Baltimore dj's that we love.  JLee and DJ Karizma appreciates all the House headz screaming at the dj booth to show their appreciation and I, personally, want to say I love all of you Baltimore House headz. more.....

Thommy Davis

Thommy

Bassee and Donny Burlin

Two good peeps

Question?

A founding member of the Basement Boys.

When some of us were too young to get into the older Baltimore nightclubs, it was Thommy's skills on display in Mondawmin Mall that amazed us.

Thommy makin' 'em lift their hands!!!!!

Bassee's "Chocolate Factory" is shut down for now. Donny's "Soulful Sounds" @ Red Maple is ending soon. But the spirit of House still lives in these two nice people.

Have you noticed that all the past and present members of the Basement Boys have a party in the dj booth? Even the once reserved Karizma jacks his body. Thommy gets much respect from us as we think of him as one of the people who helped put Baltimore on the map as far as House music goes.

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Thommy Davis

A founding member of the Basement Boys.