I met MARY while I was a regular student/attendee at a Yoga studio which is located not far from where I grew up on Chicago’s West Side. To me MARY had a beautiful, gentle spirit, and just being in her presence was therapeutic. I believe she felt the same about me when we met. MARY is a virtuoso-level keyboardist and her contributions were critical in the making of WEDDING DAY and how the finished recordings turned out. Both Mary and I were going through some Mental Health challenges at the time, and I had the idea that working on this music activity would be therapy for both of us. This 4-song collection consists of songs, music and lyrical artworks composed/Co-Created with God during the 1970s and 1980s, with “Wedding Day” having been written in 1988. WEDDING DAY is another example of “Clearing the Vaults”.

As is usually the case, the songs were Motivated and Inspired by the LOVE/Infatuation I developed for certain women, who were actual people. I worked with one of my Yoga instructors, Siri Adi Singh, also known as REDLOX, who is also a Musician/Producer/DJ. DOLLY and WEDDING DAY were totally produced and performed by Mary on the Keyboards, while I provided the foundation for CHARLIE BROWN and THE CROSS OF LIFE.

MARY can be seen and heard on her YouTube Channel, appropriately titled “Serene Today”. We haven’t been in touch since the making of the album, for various reasons. However, I yet Love Her and wish her well in navigating this world.

This SOUL MUSIC COLLECTION includes the songs:

Southern Soul/Blues collection is built on a foundation of Songs written and performed in Tribute to some of my Favorite R&B Soul Artists. I also refer to this as the “Crying Album”, because I physically cried either in the making of or listening to a song included on this album. All this Music is a “throwback” to the sound of the 1960s, the 1970s and Early 1980s, of course. HUNG UP ON MY BABY is another “Fruit” of Creativity developed over 45-plus years of “life experience”. This project was the Second of two which were produced by JAMES JACKSON, who is affiliated with ECKO RECORDS in Memphis,

Tennessee. I was introduced to James by my Cousin BLUESMAN GEROD RAYBORN, who is a long-time Musician/Songwriter based in MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, a city I have adopted as my Second Headquarters Branch Office Location. This album is most special with the inclusion of the Title tune, written in collaboration with my Musical Father, ISAAC HAYES.

This COLLECTION includes the songs:

1. I CAN'T GO BACK : I CAN’T GO BACK was written for BOY GEORGE of CULTURE CLUB-fame. The lyrics of this song were suited to any person, regardless of Sexual Orientation. This was based on my real-life relationship with my first (and only) Girlfriend whom I had intended to marry, but our life objectives were not compatible.
2. CHECKING YOU OUT:  CHECKING YOU OUT was written for TYRONE DAVIS, who was one of my Favorite Male Soul singers. I saw TYRONE DAVIS Live in Concert more than any other artist with the possible exception of JAMES BROWN. I wish Tyrone could have heard it at least.
3. IT'S ON YOU (WHATCHA GONNA DO):  IT’S ON YOU is a remake of a song I recorded in 1986, that was included on my Limited-Edition Cassette “RULERS OF THE WORLD”. JAMES JACKSON produced this version with more of a DISCO/Technopop-feel, though I originally envisioned THE ISLEY BROTHERS in the Mode of their album “GO ALL THE WAY”. In this version, I was thinking of ISAAC HAYES here.
4. I'M NOT A GAMBLER:  I’M NOT A GAMBLER was written by EUGENE RECORD of the CHI-LITES. EUGENE is one of my Most Beloved Songwriter/Musicians of all time. I was blessed to meet him in person and I have his autograph. I can still hear him calling my name “Anwar” when he was providing me with a CD of his called “Let Him In” which was Inspirational and Gospel-influenced.
5. GIVING UP ON LOVE:  GIVING UP ON LOVE was originally performed by JERRY BUTLER, who was one of my Favorite Male Soul singers. I consider him a Mentor. I met JERRY in person at a book signing and we had a conversation over the course of 30 minutes at least. We discussed aspects of the Music Business. This is one of the “crying” songs. I remember sitting at my desk at one of several hospital jobs I had, listening to this song, which I had heard for the first time, even though it came out in the early 1960s. I was compelled to play it about 5 times in a row. Something about the words of this song touched me, bringing me to tears. I saw JERRY BUTLER Live in Concert one time I think. CURTIS MAYFIELD made a special appearance at that concert.
6. HUNG UP ON MY BABY:  HUNG UP ON MY BABY was written by ISAAC HAYES and released in 1974 as part of the THREE TOUGH GUYS Movie Soundtrack. THREE TOUGH GUYS was the first Acting appearance by ISAAC HAYES. Another connection here is that scenes from the movie were filmed next to my elementary school, which was DODGE school. I was one of the first people to view the Movie and buy the Soundtrack. I was particularly impressed by this instrumental HUNG UP ON MY BABY. After listening to it several times, I had the idea that Lyrics needed to be written. This was around the year 1974. FORTY-SIX YEARS LATER, the Inspiration came. In 2020, while working on this album, which I originally wanted to title I CAN’T GO BACK, I was corresponding with Music Producer REDLOX and I wanted to send him examples of songs released that fit the sound I wanted for the album. I knew that ISAAC HAYES was a central figure, so I went on YouTube browsing videos when I came across the music HUNG UP ON MY BABY. It was an Extended Version, which I had not heard before. My Curiosity was aroused. I had heard this music scores of times before, but I was particularly possessed while listening this time. I was thinking of a Filipina Yoga Teacher that I had a crush on, who ironically was the wife of REDLOX. I literally began to cry. Hence, there is the reference to this as a” Crying” song. I was hung up on her, and thinking about the way I felt about her compelled me to write the Lyrics.

MEMPHIS PRINCE is another “Fruit” of Creativity developed over 50-plus years of “life experience”. I’m “Clearing the Vaults”. As is usually the case, the songs were Motivated and Inspired by the LOVE/Infatuation I developed for certain women, whether they were actual people or part fantasy. I wanted very much to work with James Jackson, who did most of the Production on Imperial’s first two albums.

For whatever reason, for which I have never gotten a satisfactory explanation, James did not make himself available, so he introduced me to another Memphis-based

musician Durrell Hagen, who has an alias of Memphis Prince. I named this collection in recognition of him.

This COLLECTION includes the songs:

1. MY MELODY: My Melody was inspired by a girl I had a crush on as a teenage college student. I met Melody at church at took a liking to her. Melody was one of the many girls who didn’t reciprocate the feelings I had for her. Composed the Lyrics based on my thoughts at the time. Composed the Music and the “Melody” on an acoustic piano located at the church. Musically, I was thinking of my Musical Father, Isaac Hayes.
2. YOU ARE THE ANGEL: YOU ARE THE ANGEL was written during my teenager stage when I basically worshipped women and girls I liked. I saw this woman as a literal Angel. Her name escapes me now, but it doesn’t really matter. Another case of unrequited Love.
3. WHEN YOU'RE LONELY: was conceived during a rehearsal session with co-band members Gregory Phenix and Melwyn Fields. Greg played a brief chord progression while Melwyn accompanied him on Bass. Neighborhood “friend” Earl was in attendance and he sang one line…”where do you go when you’re lonely?” That was enough for me to build on, along with the Curtis Mayfield vibe reminiscent of “I’m So Proud”.
4. LOVE AND ROMANCE: LOVE AND ROMANCE was/is a song of Special significance, as it was musically inspired by FRANKIE BEVERLY and MAZE. I worked out all the chord changes and progressions on my synthesizer in my basement studio headquarters which I still occupy today. I am using the Original Basement recordings on this. This was around 1985. It was sometime later that I settled on a title and one line of the Chorus…”we can share Love and Romance”. I didn’t complete the Lyrics to this song until the early 2020s (35 or so years later). I dedicated this song to Frankie Beverly, who unfortunately did not hear this completed song. Frankie passed away in 2024, the same year of release of LOVE AND ROMANCE. This is one of several songs I wrote for specific artists to record. That’s what I tell myself, anyhow. This song will be featured with two versions. One by Anwar Kinte (Imperial Brown) and one by my Musical Cousin, Marta Garrett of the Musiversal organization, who appeared on the MINISTRY(By Geechee Lion). 
5. OUR LOVE'S IN DANGER: OUR LOVE’S IN DANGER was inspired by BOBBY WOMACK’s music that I had heard from several albums of his. I envisioned him singing this. I would like to get a recording of this by a singer whose voice and style is closer to Bobby’s. I’m also wanting to get a Southern Soul Female version of this. I did the best I could with my own voice, singing at a lower octave. The foundational Rhythm Guitar by GREGORY PHENIX is reminiscent of Steve Cropper of BOOKER T and THE MGs. The original recording made in my basement is basis for this arrangement.
6. FORBIDDEN LOVE: FORBIDDEN LOVE is about a real-life situation where I had feelings for and attraction to a woman with whom a romantic/sexual relationship would be taboo. Musically I was inspired by Marvin Gaye as a reference. Again, I sat down in front of a keyboard and a tape recorder, with my pen and paper and put the song down. Memorialized it, if you will. The original recording made in my basement, with my Keyboard and Vocal, are the basis for this arrangement.

The Title tune ALONE AT LAST was written by my Cousin MELWYN TODDELL FIELDS and I around 1978 at a time when we began to play music in the band we formed called the SOUL INFLAMERS, which included FIELDS, Our friend GREGORY PHENIX on GUITAR, myself on KEYBOARDS and VOCALS, and Vocalist JERRY WELLS, who was with the group briefly at the beginning, and who passed away at a very young age. His vocal stylings were impactful and influential. I am planning a 2026 album release paying tribute to JERRY WELLS and the SOUL INFLAMERS. I will do my best to channel JERRY in my singing. This was our first experience recording in a professional studio. I searched for a studio and settled on SOTO SOUND STUDIOS which was in Evanston, Illinois, under the Management of the late JERRY SOTO. The ALONE AT LAST project would be the first of three that I would be involved with at Jerry’s studio. Another unique and special benefit of a recording with Jerry is that he provided VIDEOTAPING as a part of the session. All these videos are available to view on my GEECHEE LION MUSIC-FULL ROSTER YouTube Channel. These Classic Rare videos show the SOUL INFLAMERS during their creative heyday in the Mid 1980s, showcasing their musicianship experience gathered over the 8 to 9 year period.

This COLLECTION includes the songs:

1. JUMP FOR JOY is a song dedicated to the anticipated birth of my Daughter. I wrote this song before she was conceived so her coming was a fulfillment of “prophecy”, if you will. Musically, I wrote this song with LUTHER VANDROSS in mind as the Vocalist. I hope to get the right vocalist to channel Luther singing this song.
2. IT’S YOUR PARTY was written for MICHAEL JACKSON. So obviously the song was inspired by him. The musical contributions of MELWYN FIELDS and GREGORY PHENIX are prominent here. With FIELDS coming up with the unique Bass Line, and PHENIX adding that TITO JACKSON-JACKSON FIVE Guitar flavor.
3. MISS ANN was written with BOBBY WOMACK in mind to sing it. This song was later submitted to Womack through a concert promoter who was my neighbor. Of course, he passed on it. MISS ANN describes a certain Female personality that was prevalent in the Black community at that time. Women and girls were often referred to as “Miss Ann”, who I would equate to the slavemaster’s daughter.
4. THE LIFE WE SHOULD LIVE was a song inspired/written for TEDDY PENDERGRASS, conceived with a Philadelphia International/Cecil Womack-feel. Influenced by my thoughts and perception of the Real World that I had at that time (Early 1980s).
5. CANDY LOVE was a song inspired/written and conceived with style of MICHAEL HENDERSON who wrote You Are My Starship. Yes, I was thinking of a certain woman I liked at that time. This music came to me while I was waiting at a Bus Stop on Chicago’s south side. I was still attending college at the time and I did not have a car. My first “Boss”, Kathy Tomasik (of Polish Descent) heard this song and said it reminded her of MARVIN GAYE. And I hear that myself, during the “Bridge”. Ironically, CANDY LOVE was the song I was working on in my basement “headquarters” when I heard of MARVIN’s death.
6. ALONE AT LAST was a song inspired/written during a SOUL INFLAMERS rehearsal/Jam Session, with MELWYN FIELDS providing the Guitar chords and Bass Line. I was playing around with the Lyrics of STEELY DAN’s song “Everyone’s Gone To The Movies”, and I gave it my own twist.