Now available FULL CD COMPLETE w/FREE COVER GRAPHICS & SONG DESCRIPTIONS INCLUDING VERY PERSONAL "MAKING OF THE CD" COMMENTS, ALL FOR ONLY $9.99!!!!! Singles also available for just $.99.
Next up...the "WINE ME & DINE ME: SAVING ONE LIFE @ A TIME" TOUR, late Spring 2013. I'll be coming to a city near you! PLEASE leave me a message on the "CONTACT" page and tell me where U R & the name of Ur fav club, restaurant, "watering hole" you'd like for me to stop by while on the tour. I'll bring a few friends and some music, I'll sing a few songs & we'll hang out for a minute! Hope to C U soon!
One Luv!
Selena
Inspired by the late great Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown, I did this special DMV Remix of my story, "It's About That Time". DMV...THIS TRACK IS FOR U!
Designed to sound like someone searching for a radio station, this intro to the CD starts with an excerpt of a WLIB/WBLS Radio LIVE long distance telephone interview by NYC on air personality Gary Byrd circa 1983. I was a young classical Voice Major in undergrad at the time, and as you'll hear (and find hilarious) still had a bit to learn about musical terms as a "blooper" is forever "recorded in stone".:-); and a performance introduction taped LIVE at Washington’s #1 Jazz club Takoma Station Tavern in Washington, DC, July 3, 2011.
An autobiographical piece written in 1992 as a traditional R&B track, presented here in a Neo-Soul groove is the most revealing of all the songs included in this debut CD. It’s my story!
The title track, and the last to be written of the songs chosen for the album, is an up tempo, Jazzy/Pop flavored melodic Urban Inspirational track, with a beautiful string orchestrated backdrop throughout. It’s as upbeat as the title suggests, based not only on personal experiences, but shared moments with family and close friends over the years talking about, crying about, just trying to figure out, how to “make it thru” another day, thru another night, solve another problem, or how some in my personal circle refer to problem solving; “putting out another fire”! I just wanted to offer a little something for everybody to hold onto like a “life raft”, a “life plan”. Something to put in our IPods and listen to whenever we needed to be encouraged.
The Question: Reminiscent of, and inspired by fellow native New Yorkers, "The Last Poets", a group of poets and musicians who rose to fame during the 1960's African-American civil rights movement, and cited as one of the earliest influences on what later became "Hip-Hop music", this track is based solely on personal experience and is my first attempt at The Spoken Word. Laid over a haunting, taut, funky Bass dominated Neo-Soul flavored rhythm (compliments of my friend and Bassman extraordinaire David Dyson), with background vocals that repeatedly ask throughout, behind the lead track, "Who Am I"?
Voted by U DMV to be my debut album’s 1st single release, the title of this track may make many people think “Gold-digger song" before ever listening to it! But the message is real simple, "Don’t ask for more than you’re willing to give”.
This song, written over an "islandy", Latin flavored groove, is the story of a couple noticing (as a result of their all consuming pursuit of "the American Dream")the gradual deterioration of their relationship. After bringing it to her mate's attention, the woman points out several changes (that will unfortunately sound very familiar to some) rightfully sending up "red flags", then emphatically declares that they should as one line states, “take time out to put things back the way they used to be”, strongly advising that they need to “Gettaway!
As we used to say “back in the day”, this track is one of those “baby makin’ songs”! Sensual vocals accompanied by a melodic blend of simplistic keys, drums and laidback, but thumpin’ bass line, with occasional spurts of hushed strings in the background helping me to recall (from personal memory) when the love of MY life and I moved onto the next level, crossed over from just “passionate chemistry” to a deeper, “spiritual love”, 4 minutes and 49 seconds of “eargasmic bliss”!
In this age of “friends with benefits” and “one night stands” kinda living and attitudes when it comes to intimacy, many will agree that the word "Chemistry" is sometimes thrown around a bit too much to at times explain away questionable behavior, or the lack of it as a reason for not being attracted to someone. Written to a true less is more Neo-Soul flavor of drums, keys, bell tree, a kickin' bass line backdrop (also provided by my friend David Dyson) and vocals, this song is simple and to the point as it asks the question ("the morning after”), was what the couple did the night before, "the beginning of ‘Love’, or just ‘Chemistry’”? Hmmm?
Sometimes U just have to "flip the script"! This song, set to a haunting, R&B groove, is a telephone call made by a woman to her man (but could just as easily be from a man to a woman) who’s at home waiting for her/him, like (s)he’s done so many times before. She reminds him of some of the things he’s done to her, like one line states, "...and I felt like I was on call, the way you kept me waitin' by the telephone". By song's end, he seems to be rendered speechless as he realizes “what goes around comes around”!
Written to an incredible up tempo R&B groove (provided by my son and Producer "RiZ") this song shares my decision to keep “Holdin’ out for the man who’s ‘Rib’ I think I am”. While I admit my goal to make the "suggestion" of “provisional celibacy” (i.e., until you meet someone special) to everyone who'll listen may be a bit ambitious, I hope the message will nonetheless reach out to my 35 and under music lovers (the current age group most infected by the Aids virus) and they'll be able to connect BECAUSE I shared MY story. Bottom-line, I just hope we can try not to be so quick to move to "the next level" when you meet someone. Wait, for a number of reasons, the BEST one being, like L’Oreal proclaims…YOU'RE WORTH IT!
Written to a dreamy, ‘70’s inspired, Neo-Soul groove, this song shares my idea of what the “perfect love” would be, should be, could be. I believe love can be beautiful, but we have to, as one line suggests, be willing to "take a chance and offer love your heart", in order for your “Love Dreams” to come true.
This song, laid over a simple acoustic guitar melody and frontline rim shot, is a "get somebody's body close to your body", ole skool slow drag kinda R&B ballad. The song tells the story of a battle fatigued "soldier of love" (thanx Sade) who had shut down, and explains right away, "I wasn't lookin' for more than a good time, because my heart was in recovery from, all the fallin' I had done, and up until then, love had not been kind". Then she meets someone who cracks that defense wall she'd built up. By the end of the song it’s almost like a testimonial about what we all learned about what love can do…even to a “self-exiled from love heart” like hers (OK MINE :>) had been.
Inspired by one of Luther Vandross’ last recordings, “Dance With My Father”, and the loss of the love of MY life (at least as my book of life is penned thus far); Don Colbert Hawkins (who left me much too soon), is an emotional R&B ballad told over harpsichord keys, and laced with a Rock guitar solo (that fueled my heart-felt vocals) and a very personal dedication to my former friend and lover, and EVERYONE who's ever lost someone they wished they could have as one line begs, "just one more night, just one more chance, just one more kiss, just one more dance". Like Luther in "Dance With My Father", the song is my very real prayer for...a "DO OVER"! My vocals' emotions ran the gamut from the song's inception, to the "wrap" on the final vocal tracks where it became evident that my writing and recording of THIS song provided me the much needed outlet to grieve Don’s passing, and as you’ll hear, to finally release the "sorrow" my heart had unknowingly been carrying around for such a long time. The message is simple; true love is timeless, it never dies!
Inspired by the simple piano, high hat, xylophone and whispering strings in the background, that makeup this Urban Inspirational track, I just wanted to say “Thank U”! When the song begins it appears that I’m singing to a love interest or friend. But it soon becomes very clear that I’m thanking God for many things in my life, especially for my gift of MUSIC!
A song of affirmation and encouragement, first written in 1987 to an anthem like R&B mid-tempo groove, the title says it all. While fighting to recover from “The Big C” battle of ‘86 (I am a 26 year Cancer survivor), I drew upon and shared memories of my mother with this song, who would always say those three little words to me to keep me from giving up whenever I got discouraged. This is my attempt to encourage anyone who'll listen, to come together in these troubled times we live in. I sincerely believe we can do it, if for no other reason, for the CHILDREN, for OUR FUTURE!
The Answer: Part 2 could have been named “Who Are U?”, because (again, from my own personal experiences) I speak to some of the relationships, romantic encounters, kinds of men some of my friends, my relatives and I have encountered (and thankfully sometimes avoided) in our (“our” meaning both men and women) never-ending quest to answer that $6 million question, “Is (s)he ‘the one’?”, whenever we meet someone new. I saved the “Answer” for the song’s very last line.
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"WINE ME & DINE ME" ON SALE NOW FOR $0.99! Proceeds from the sale 1st 1000 copies sold to be donated to local chapter of the American Cancer Society in Greenbelt, MD. Link to purchase first Single: http://selenamcday.bandcamp.com/track/wine-me-and-dine-me-single
In my desire to do my part, among other things in the works for 2013, I'm doing my best to raise Cancer Awareness because I know personally that "early detection saves lives". It did mine! March 21, 2013 will mark my 27th CANCER FREE year! THANK U, THANK U LORD! So help me out here, like you've done many times before with your support while I'm chasing this musical dream. This is even closer to my heart because I AM A SURVIVOR! So please help me out. I'll donate proceeds from the sale of the first ONE THOUSAND (1000) singles sold from my debut CD to our local chapter of the American Cancer Society here in Greenbelt, MD. The Single,"WINE ME & DINE ME", released 11/11/11, is now available for $0.99. $0.99! You can find that much change in the sofa, between the car seats or the bottom of your purse ladies. All I can think about is the one life that loose change could possibly save!
So come on help me maybe help someone else by using the direct link here and get your copy. I promise you'll actually like the music too. And who knows, we just might save another life! Thank you so much! B Blessed! And please remember...
"A BLESSING IS LIKE A BOOMERANG...THROW IT OUT THERE, IT'LL COME BACK TO YOU!"
THANX 4 THE LUV DMV!
Selena
Limited Edition T-Shirts
$10.00
"Ole Skool, Nu Kool" is how I describe my Music! Created with my son (and Producer) RiZion, when we are writing, as a Mother & Son team, we seem to come from a place so wonderful that the result is we are blessed to have something for everyone to feel, relate to, enjoy, dance to when we're done!
The "Limited Edition" T-Shirts are $10.00 plus s/h. (Use the secure link HERE)
Get the Full CD (includes CD cover graphics, song descriptions and personal comments) for ONLY $9.99 (+s/h)
However, U can purchase BOTH for only $16.00!!!! (+s/h)
(*USE "CD & T-SHIRT PRE-TOUR SPECIAL" PURCHASE LINK BELOW)
Keep in touch! Next Up...the "WINE ME & DINE ME-Saving One Life @ A Time" Tour! Coming to a city near U, late Spring 2013! B Blessed! Selena
Get BOTH Full CD (including Cover graphics, song descriptions and very personal comments about the making of the CD by Selena) and "Limited Edition" T-Shirt HERE!
Selena, I just wanted to congratulate you on your new cd and to let you know that you are such an inspiration to me. You never gave up on your dreams/passion and you're living proof of how God can manifest in your life it you only let him. May God continue to bless you.... Much love! Gashia
Diva Rose
Nov 11, 2011 @
11:16 AM
Selena! Selena! Selena! What a great sound! You are a joy to my ears this morning! Kudos to you and your son! What an honor it must be to work with your offspring on this musical venture. Hope to see you perform live soon!
L Boogie1
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Nov 8, 2011 @
12:50 AM
Enjoyed having you on The Boogie Spot with L Boogie tonight! I love the CD and look forward to your Exclusive CD Launch Party! You're AWESOME!!!
bonhuffer
savannah
Oct 24, 2011 @
10:02 PM
love your music, it is better that I rebember. Where can I get it or how. It has been many years. be looking to hear from you Ro
Spicy
Mitchellville, MD
Sep 24, 2011 @
10:14 PM
Hey Lady Bug Checking in wanted to ask if you were performing anywhere local....DC / MD?
Spicy
Jo
Pasadena, Maryland
Apr 5, 2011 @
1:05 PM
Selena Include the song on your CD. I love it. As I had always loved your music from back in the days (Takoma Station & Countryside)
Donna Desormeaux
Washington, D.C.
Mar 6, 2011 @
6:10 PM
Selena:
We found you! Buddy and I were regulars at Chuck & Billy's every Wednesday night with DeAndre and Artie Sherman. I loved you! You even sang a song for me on my birthday. I've thought about you often. I wanted to know what you were doing and where you were singing. I still do. I'm so happy for you! I'd knew you'd make. Please contact me and let me know where you'll perform. My email address is donnad477@gmail.com. LOVE YOU!
Reggie The Jazzman
Cleveland, Oh
Nov 12, 2010 @
6:15 AM
Selena, Here's to you! I'm hoping that your lyrics and melodies continue to flow unceasingly! Lt me know when your CD drops...blessings and success to you
Reggie The Jazzman www.smoothjazzmixes.com
RiZion
Odenton
Sep 10, 2010 @
10:55 PM
Im so proud of you Mom! Thank you for giving me the gift of music via the Lord. I will always love you for that...
All I can think about is the one life that loose change could possibly save! 
Checking in wanted to ask if you were performing anywhere local....DC / MD? 
