Tired of all the noise, the flash, the sizzle, the hype of music, pop culture, social media and -dare I say it - even Steemit?

Need a single musical solution to all this hucksterism?

Well, read on and I will tell you a simple solution to cure your oversaturated, Super Sunday Blues:

• The “Simple, Soulful, Super Sunday Saturation Song Solution”

First, though, let me explain why you might be feeling queasy about the unappetizing thought of the media circus surrounding the big game and half-time show this weekend…

Sizzle - or Steak?

What do advertising copywriters mean by "don't sell the steak, sell the sizzle"? I guess it is assumption that what motivates most people to purchase are appeals to the senses and emotions of the buyer.

Perhaps I can illustrate by mixing in yet another metaphor… “All Swedish and no Finnish” is a good-natured jab you can hear in dressing rooms in hockey circles these days. It is usually meant as a slight against flashy players who can skate and handle the puck like a whiz but just can’t seem to “put the biscuit in the basket” (i.e. score a goal). Similarly, in contemporary music and pop culture today, audiences seem to be presented with a lot of dazzle, glitz and glamour but not a whole lot of substance. Indeed where is the meat of the matter?

• Ok. Ok. So what’s this “Simple, Soulful, Super Sunday Saturation Song Solution?” Well, hang on a minute let us further underscore the problem...

A Flash in the Pan

One hit wonders are not novel to our times. However, in a wild and wide-ranging interview in GQ magazine, Quincy Jones recently went off on a rant about the primacy of good songs and need for hard work to gain true success in contemporary music. When asked what’s wrong with Taylor Swift, for example, he grimaced and replied: "We need more songs, man. F***ing songs, not hooks." - Read more about it here: https://www.gq.com/story/quincy-jones-has-a-story

• And speaking of memes - before I give you the “Simple, Soulful, Super Sunday Saturation Song Solution” let me address one more concern…

The Meme is the Message

Marshall McLuhan, the University of Toronto English professor who became famous for his studies of the effects of mass media on thought and behaviour is probably most known for coining the phrase: “The Medium is the Message.”

But what is the meaning of this oft misunderstood axiom - this "McLuhan Equation?" Well, for a primer, you could read this article by by Mark Federman, Chief Strategist of McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology:
http://individual.utoronto.ca/markfederman/article_mediumisthemessage.htm

However, time is of the essence and, perhaps, we could insert another meme instead…

• I know. I hear you! You just want to know how to make it through this weekend and you want to know the “Simple, Soulful, Super Sunday Saturation Song Solution” However, there is one more issue I would like to discuss first...

Don’t Believe the Hype

Here is one further consideration for you to mull over on this media-saturated weekend. Simply remember the sagely advice offered to us in 1988 by Public Enemy. Challenge the media, see through the marketing, skip the buzz, or even ignore the rumours because it will get you nowhere. Indeed, "Don't Believe The Hype"

Alright, Alright, Alright, Already

If you really want to have the antidote to all the hype then here it is...

• The “Simple, Soulful, Super Sunday Saturation Song Solution”

Sit back this Super Bowl weekend and and give a listen to a great album that has just been released.

It is called “Old Soul” and it is by Robi Botos.

From http://robibotos.com
“Old Soul” releases on A440/Universal Music Canada on February 2nd 2018.

This weekend master keyboardist, Robi Botos, celebrates the release of his latest album. In it, he branches out from his traditional jazz trio into a number of different genres (jazz, funk, soul, gospel and the list goes on)

Robi is joined by familiar colleagues Mike Downes on bass and Larnell Lewis on drums, as well as Seamus Blake on saxophone.

Additionally, Cory Henry (Snarky Puppy, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Garrett) contributes on Hammond B3, Ingrid Jensen (Clark Terry, Maria Schneider, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Billy Taylor) on trumpet, and Lionel Loueke (Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Wayne Shorter) on guitar.

• Accomplished musicians
• Thoughtful people
• Authentic emotion
• Soulful music
• “OLD SOUL”

Have a Super Sunday!

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