Stimulating sounds

May 11, 12:23 AMCleveland Urban Dance ExaminerJennifer Toles

I have long since wanted to see Rahsaan perform live but with conditions. No big arenas with thousands of folk, rather something intimate, up close and personal with a faithful crowd. First weekend in May I got my chance at Yoshi's in San Francisco. It was everything I thought it would be and more. Rahsaan's music is so rich, so full of thought and intensity. It stirs you up inside and takes you to lovely places that you'll have no desire to leave. That night's performance was no exception. Add to that the serenity his grounded and spiritual presence brings... blissful. All the while the die hard dancer in me couldn't help thinking, "if only they'd clear these tables and chairs out of this lower area we could take this plateau to another level. Put another couple layers onto this sensory charge." Music that gets inside you, takes you over, and inspires it's own expression is ethereal for a dancer, certainly for this dancer.

My dream set: intimate venue, small & sexy crowd of all those who love the get down; live band with one of those artist whose vibe is infectious, talent and love for their craft undeniable, willing and able to take you there...and hold it; dancers givin' as good as they're gettin', flirting with the rhythms and each other... Can you imagine the energy in that space? Man...my type of party, infused with feel good vibes. Anybody doin' it like that? Let me know, I will book the flight today!

Back to the music... Cut after cut, album after album, Rahsaan has produced plenty to put the groove in you and get you out on the floor... Spend the night, Stay Awhile, Come Over, Don't Wanna Lose It, You Make Life So Good, Burnin', Feels Good, No Danger, the list goes on... But the RP track that stops everything for me... the "do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to" the dance floor (and put it on repeat!) is this week's feature motivation to move... Stop Breaking My Heart