Myow, Myow, Myow…

Joi is “a top shelf bitch”

by j. brotherlove

Loverboy and I had company, tonight. His friend, Carter, and new boyfriend came by for dinner and watched The Broken Hearts Club. Loverboy plays this DVD for everyone who comes over. I can’t blame him, though. I find the films, he wears them out.

Afterwards, I shuffled over to The Cotton Club at for Joi’s birthday celebration hosted by Rolling Out Magazine and Soul Underground. Very cute event with Atlanta’s urban hipster’s doing their various thangs. Lots of flavor with minimum industry and ghetto ballers.

Ran into Cotrice, who looked stunning in a metal-mesh halter and skin-tight Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. She’s got a new man and a new band who should start gigging soon. She describes their sound as "soulternative".

I complain about some of the "southern affectations" infused in Atlanta but, when it comes to alternative soul concerts, they don’t miss a beat. In Chicago, I had a group of friends who would not only attend these types of events with me but would know who the performers were. At every cutting-edge concert (N’dea Davenport, Esthero, Jai, etc. ), there would only be a small cluster of black folks in attendance.

In Atlanta, the black folk turn out for live music — any live music. And, although Atlanta is immersed in hip hop culture, there’s a large population of young, black folks who enjoy their soul with a dash of funk and rock. Among the local roster of "soulternative" artist are Donnie, Speech, Whild Peach, Dionne Farris, Jiva, Julie Dexter… and of course, there’s Joi.

Anyone who starts their set with a cover of Betty Davis’ "If I’m in Luck, I Might Get Picked Up" is right on muthafuckin’ time with me. Joi commands the stage with the confidence and sensuality that most music "stars" feebly attempt. She performed some classics from The Pendulum Vibe (“Sunshine And Rain”) and Amoeba Cleansing Syndrome (“You Turn Me On”) to an appreciative audience. But our the excitement mostly generated from hearing material form her March release, Star Kitty’s Revenge.

In some ways, the songs from Star Kitty’s Revenge sounded like a combination of the soul/funk The Pendulum Vibe and the rockier Amoeba Cleansing Syndrome. Only first single “Missing You” had a hint of radio familiarity. So, Ms. Kitty will have a tough climb. But I think Joi is okay with that. When you have a base as large and supportive as Atlanta’s scene it’s an easier climb. David Whild played guitar and Peach sang back up (together they perform as Whild Peach) for the set. There was also a Dungeon Family bassist and surprise guest Erykah Badu in the audience. Lovely.

By the way, Joi’s husband, Goodie Mobb’s Big Gipp (who I never thought about one way or another) is sort of sexy in person.

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