VIDEO OF THE DAY : CHOCOLATE GENIUS – MY MOM

It was 1998, and I was watching VH1 one evening late at night, when this slow and melodic song came on. The video took place inside a small, wood paneled home. A man sits on the bed reflecting on his mother, who he is losing to dementia. “My mom, my sweet mom, she don’t remember my name.” The song is amazingly sad, devastating almost. It’s one of those songs which can instantly move you to reflection and tears. I was floored by it, i searched high and low for the album however, not a single store in Colorado had it. I seriously checked them all, so I resorted to ordering it from the local mom and pop store, Backbeat Cd’s and Tapes. A gem within itself, I remember waiting in anticipation for it to show up. I never saw the video again on VH1, but that didn’t stop me from checking every night with with blank cassette waiting. I remember the day the CD came in, I rushed to the car and threw it on. I had a well supplied stereo system in my car and I’m sure some people thought I was out of my mind when I rolled by blaring “My Mom” over and over. I didn’t even bother to explore the rest of the album for a couple days. However, when I did, I was impressed with the rest of the album. It was a beautiful struggle before Talib Kweli made it. Not in content but subject matter. It deals with the hardships of life, the pains, more downs than ups, it was simply “Black Music.” It was blues, rock, soul, jazz, it was seamless. The opening track, “Life”, which was used on the 1st season finale of “Breaking Bad”, sets the tone for the album. They say misery loves company, maybe that explains my obsession with the album for almost 15 years now. It stays in regular rotation for me. Marc Anthony Thompson, went on to release 3 more albums under the Chocolate Genius, moniker, although the name refers more to a collective than to him personally as he explains. He’s gone on to work extensively with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Michelle NdegeOcello, amongst many others, his version of Julia by the Beatles was used in the film, I Am Sam,written music for movies like Brother to Brother and American Splendor. Here are a few selected tracks to wet your palette, then I expect you to go out and pick up some music and rejoice……