The Plan
In October of 2006 I flew to Minnesota to begin working on my first solo album. With the help of my good friend and fellow musician Jason "Fingaz" Brown, I spent the better part of a week recording and mixing guitar, bass, vocals, and even some keys. It was that fateful week that I bought my djembe because synthesized drums didn't really fit the "feel" of the album. Unfortunately we were unable to finish the project before I had to head back to Salt Lake City. We continued editing and mixing (via email) and before we knew it a year had gone by. I returned to Minnesota in October of 2007 and we completed the recording. Lauren Waltman and Adam Hale helped me with the discography and by the summer of 2008 the project was complete! The album features a variety of songs and culminates with a spiritual anthem "The Plan of Salvation".
Lyrics
So Much More
Another sunny day and everything's okay
I'm pondering the moment, there's not a lot to say
Just chillin passing time, not a worry in my mind
And I feel fine
But there's so much more to the way I feel
It goes much deeper
Beyond what words can explain
A peaceful feeling's all around as I watch the sun go down
and I'd like to take that with me so I wrote this jazzy song
To remind me when I'm sad that maybe life isn't so bad
And I feel fine
Soul Searching
Cold
Lost from the fold
Wandering soul
Searching to know
Whoa
Low and behold
As is times of old
A destiny foretold
Deeper substance
Hiding behind
Mortal senses
This is my life
Sometimes I wonder as I'm
Standing under the sky's
Lightning and thunder and rain
Is this a sign? something divine,
To wash away my pain?
There's a connection
Upon reflection of the matters of the soul
It's when you listen to intuition
The metaphysical
Whoa, this is my soul
Losing control
Starving for salvation
Oh, help me become
White as the snow
Through divine mediation
Forbidden fantasy
Meretriciously
Haunting me in my sleep
I fear I've made the mistake
As I begin to awake
And realize that it's all a dream
I want another taste of redemption
Help me as a I cry unto repentance
Cold
Lost from the fold
Wandering soul
Searching to know
Whoa
Low and behold
As is times of old
A destiny foretold
Deeper substance
Hiding behind
Mortal senses
This is my life
Sometimes I wonder as I'm
Standing under the sky's
Lightning and thunder and rain
Is this a sign? something divine,
To wash away my pain?
There's a connection
Upon reflection of the matters of the soul
It's when you listen to intuition
The metaphysical
Whoa, this is my soul
Losing control
Starving for salvation
Oh, help me become
White as the snow
Through divine mediation
Forbidden fantasy
Meretriciously
Haunting me in my sleep
I fear I've made the mistake
As I begin to awake
And realize that it's all a dream
I want another taste of redemption
Help me as a I cry unto repentance
Too Soon
Well it's not just petty infatuation
this situation has me so undone
My burning heart was left wide open
when you took my hand in the Summer sun
I'm not ready for another romance
another slow dance, but this feels so right
While I grin I try to take you in
but where do I begin, you're my new delight
You breath me in and breath me out
You left me here to think about
Why did you happen to me now?
I couldn't hide the way I felt
You pulled my feelings off the shelf
Why do I do this to myself?
Well I know it's early and I can't say this
so I'll just play this song and hold it in
Though I'm quiet I can't deny it
I know my eyes reveal the state I'm in
Don't you see, you've taken over me
It happened suddenly and now I'm losing sleep
That first night you held me tight
You saved my life feelings run so deep
When you smile I feel worth while
I love your style how you understand
You bite your lip as you stare from behind your hair
Your wish is my command
Take it slow cuz you and I both know
the further that we go, the harder to turn back
That first night you held me tight
You saved my life from going way off track
You breath me in and breath me out
You left me here to think about
Why did you happen to me now?
I couldn't hide the way I felt
You pulled my feelings off the shelf
Why do I do this to myself?
Another Mistake
Holding on too tight, hoping not to fall
Slowly losing sight of what you wanted, you wanted it all
Frozen in your place without the sun to thaw your understanding
Stubborn and ashamed, you've lost your will and hope to change
I don't know what you're waiting for but it already passed and you try to ignore it
Glancing into the rear-view mirror at the sign that you missed cuz the language was foreign
Highways filled with the doubtful hearts hearts and your thoughts weren't heard cuz the radio drowns them
After thinking their afterthoughts there's no time for the now and what really surrounds them
Losing patience and losing time you glance at your watch, the line isn't moving
Cloudy weather sinks in your mind and alters your mood without you approving
Why does rain often feel this way like you're running away feeling heavy and hollow
Piercing drops hit your naked face as you try to remember the path you should follow
Why can't you see
Now that you have everything
What will set you free
Let go of what you're holding on to be
Holding on too tight, hoping not to fall
Slowly losing sight of what you wanted, you wanted it all
Frozen in your place without the sun to thaw your understanding
Stubborn and ashamed, you've lost your will and hope to change
I don't know what you're waiting for but it already passed and you try to ignore it
Glancing into the rear-view mirror at the sign that you missed cuz the language was foreign
Highways filled with the doubtful hearts hearts and your thoughts weren't heard cuz the radio drowns them
After thinking their afterthoughts there's no time for the now and what really surrounds them
Losing patience and losing time you glance at your watch, the line isn't moving
Cloudy weather sinks in your mind and alters your mood without you approving
Why does rain often feel this way like you're running away feeling heavy and hollow
Piercing drops hit your naked face as you try to remember the path you should follow
Why can't you see
Now that you have everything
What will set you free
Let go of what you're holding on to be
Numb
It's only raining inside me head
I'm contemplating the words you said
And now I realize what I left behind
I'm running out of breath, I'm running out of time
It's hard to leave and it's hard to breath, I'm burning on the inside
But there is no time to procrastinate - I'll do it later
It's hard to explain the way that I feel, I'm burning on the inside
But there is no time cuz it's too late
It's three in the morning and I can't sleep
And I feel like crying but the pain is far to deep
And I feel betrayed and I feel alone
I feel incapable of trusting anyone anymore
It's hard to leave and it's hard to breath, I'm burning on the inside
But now I know it's never too late
So when life gets hard and you feel lost and you're burning on the inside
Don't hesitate to kneel down and pray
It's never too late
It's only raining inside me head
I'm contemplating the words you said
And now I realize what I left behind
I'm running out of breath, I'm running out of time
It's hard to leave and it's hard to breath, I'm burning on the inside
But there is no time to procrastinate - I'll do it later
It's hard to explain the way that I feel, I'm burning on the inside
But there is no time cuz it's too late
It's three in the morning and I can't sleep
And I feel like crying but the pain is far to deep
And I feel betrayed and I feel alone
I feel incapable of trusting anyone anymore
It's hard to leave and it's hard to breath, I'm burning on the inside
But now I know it's never too late
So when life gets hard and you feel lost and you're burning on the inside
Don't hesitate to kneel down and pray
It's never too late
Assalamualaikum
This is a song of praise to the father of creation
Sacred be his name, blessed and holy his station
This is a song of love from one man to another
A light of hope we are to share with each other
Astag Firulah
Father forgive me lest I fall
Assalamu Alaikum, Walaikum Assalam
This is a song of praise to the father of creation
Sacred be his name, blessed and holy his station
This is a message of joy to every girl and boy
This is a promise of light if we'll strive to do what's right
Astag Firulah
Father forgive me lest I fall
Assalamu Alaikum, Walaikum Assalam
Don't get discouraged
Hold to the Iron Rod
Always remember
The worth of souls is great in the sight of Allah
Astag Firulah
Father forgive me lest I fall
This is a song of praise to the father of creation
Sacred be his name, blessed and holy his station
This is a song of love from one man to another
A light of hope we are to share with each other
Astag Firulah
Father forgive me lest I fall
Assalamu Alaikum, Walaikum Assalam
This is a song of praise to the father of creation
Sacred be his name, blessed and holy his station
This is a message of joy to every girl and boy
This is a promise of light if we'll strive to do what's right
Astag Firulah
Father forgive me lest I fall
Assalamu Alaikum, Walaikum Assalam
Don't get discouraged
Hold to the Iron Rod
Always remember
The worth of souls is great in the sight of Allah
Astag Firulah
Father forgive me lest I fall
Hey Girl
Another night of standing on the stage and I am wondering
Then through the crowd I see her, she is dancing what a sexy thing
I don't know you but I know I like you and I just can't wait
Cuz when the show is over I'm gonna talk to her and I will say
Hey girl I think you know I want to, you saw me staring at you
And I was wondering if you were free
So why don't you come over, before the night is over
We can play
Is that your boyfriend with you, I really hope that he is just a friend
The way our eyes connected, I wish that moment would never end
I don't know you but I know I like you and I just can't wait
Cuz when the show is over I'm gonna talk to her and I will say
Hey girl I think you know I want to, you saw me staring at you
And I was wondering if you were free
So why don't you come over, before the night is over
We can play
You're lovely in such a lovely way
And I can't wait to get to know you better
And I'd be lucky in such a lucky way
If somehow we could get together
But I don't know what to say the second that I set foot off the stage
I see you standing there with wonder in your stare and there's no question
That you're the sweetest thing, oh to ever happen to me
So darlin what's your name and do you feel the same infatuation
I wish that I could read your mind
I thought I saw it in your eye
But I can't tell you how I feel
Until the time is right
But I'll tell you one thing
I watched you dancing all night
and I could not stop and I could not stop
And I could not believe my eyes
You better explain yourself
Cuz it's a crime to look so fine
And I could not believe my eyes
I don't know you but I know I like you and I just can't wait
Cuz when the show is over I'm gonna talk to her and I will say
Hey girl I think you know I want to, you saw me staring at you
And I was wondering if you were free
So why don't you come over, before the night is over
We can play
Play it Coy
Enamored of your smile I had to know your name
I thought my chance had passed when all at once it came
Nonchalantly seated there an angel in disguise
You took me by surprise with those effulgent eyes
And so it begins and I can't believe that you're really here with me
Light conversation, deep contemplation, receiving your soul like a heavenly dream
And so it continues the more that I'm with you the more that this feels it's too good to be true
But when you're away I hope and I pray you're feeling the same kind of feelings I do
Play it coy like your mother said
Make me wonder just where you've been
I don't know when I'll get to see you again
But I know I'll miss you
And all I want right now is to hold you
I wish there was some way I could have told you
But when I try to speak the words get in the way
Confusing everything my heart is trying to say
Enamored of your smile I had to know your name
I thought my chance had passed when all at once it came
Nonchalantly seated there an angel in disguise
You took me by surprise with those effulgent eyes
And so it begins and I can't believe that you're really here with me
Light conversation, deep contemplation, receiving your soul like a heavenly dream
And so it continues the more that I'm with you the more that this feels it's too good to be true
But when you're away I hope and I pray you're feeling the same kind of feelings I do
Play it coy like your mother said
Make me wonder just where you've been
I don't know when I'll get to see you again
But I know I'll miss you
And all I want right now is to hold you
I wish there was some way I could have told you
But when I try to speak the words get in the way
Confusing everything my heart is trying to say