(FYI: This song is available on my website at: https://ahmedsirour.com/track/2996468/midnight-melanin-manhattan-a-score-for-ivy as well as Bandcamp at: https://ahmedsirour.bandcamp.com/track/midnight-melanin-manhattan-a-score-for-ivy)

I created this based on a scene from the 1968 film, #ForLoveofIvy, which was a story written by the recently departed, late/great #SidneyPoitier and featuring the also late/great #AbbeyLincoln. The music you hear is an original score I created, inspired by this scene (not one of Quincy Jones', who beautifully scored the rest of this movie, although his style was an influence I wanted to partially emulate). I was actually surprised he left so much room open in this bedroom scene you're watching now, because the original scene had no music at all until after Ivy (Abbey) joins Jack (Sidney) in bed for Round 2 of their lovemaking. 

Inspired by the great cinematography and sexiness of this moment, this is an all original arrangement of my own, and even chopping up and editing the royalty-free horns that I used for the trumpet and saxophone solos (which was very difficult to do because it's a combination of many different real horn player samples that I had to edit/pitch/re-arrange/EQ just for it to sound like two players to add to the grand piano, upright/double bass, and horn parts in the hook/chorus that I manually played and myself on keyboard (via Logic Pro instruments) to make it into a Jazz "quartet", then finally mixing and mastering the whole thing for it to come out finally as it did, which you can hear in full from the link at the top of this description.

Like many, I took a trip down memory lane, watching #SidneyPoitier films, since his recent passing at age 94. However, not many people know of/have seen this particular film called  "For Love of Ivy", which is kinda surprising since Sidney was THE biggest movie star in Hollywood at the time this film came out in 1968.

To put it in perspective, he started filming this movie (an original story he wrote, himself) in the Autumn of '67, but just a few months earlier that year, #ToSirWithLove dropped in the Spring, followed by #InTheHeatoftheNight that Summer, and #GuessWhosComingToDinner was up next in December to close out his undefeated year as the King of the Silver Screen. While each film in '67 was a blockbuster hit (and all dealt with #racism in some form), "Ivy" was very different as it was a rare mainstream film showcasing two Black romantic leads–Sidney, and the magnificent Jazz singer/activist Abbey Lincoln (who had a dope afro but they gave her a wig, instead 🙄 )–and it even featured the very first (though not explicit) Black lovemaking scene in a Hollywood movie. Perhaps that's why it didn't get much publicity over time as those others did, because more radical than a 1967 film with an interracial couple is a 1968 one with a Black couple being intimate on the big screen.

Ivy's character looked so serene, looking through the window, out over Manhattan late at night, in the afterglow of their tryst, before taking the throne and looking over her sleeping "conquest" 😉 It's a sexy scene without music, but I wanted to hear what it would sound like with some, and so I take this moment to celebrate the memory and legacy of Sidney Poitier, of Abbey, and this wonderful moment of #BlackLove on film with it!

This song will be included in my upcoming project I'm releasing on my bday, Tuesday, the 22nd of February, 2022 (or 22/02/2022). That's also the title of the project: 22022022 (the only palindrome b'earthday I'll have in my lifetime). I hope you enjoy and Happy #BlackHistoryMonth.

#AhmedSirour

Midnight, Melanin, & Manhattan (a score for Ivy)

"Midnight, Melanin, & Manhattan (a score for Ivy)"

Opening set for Justice.

October 8, 2024 live in Vancouver @ Pacific Coliseum

www.djnickbike.com

photo courtesy of Brandon Artis

Nick Bike - Opening Set for Justice [Live in Vancouver @ Pacific Coliseum 8OCT2024]

Ep. 35 – Soul of Ayers

A belated but imperative tribute and celebration to one of the greatest to ever do it, the master of vibes, Roy Ayers. A major inspiration to a several generations of producers, jazz & soul music lovers alike, with his original blend of consciousness, funk, Afrocentricity, and that Ayers brand of sunshine spirituality. The one many of us crown as the godfather of neo-soul. 

I’ll never forget discovering “Daylight” on DJ Muro’s King of Diggin mixtape in 1996, connecting the dots as the original to Tribe’s “Bonita Applebum”. Or digging up Everybody Loves the Sunshine in a bargain bin at Streetlight Records, hyped to be able to play it next to Erule’s “Listen Up” in a set. 

Interspersed throughout the show are excerpts from two interviews. One from 2017 on Questlove Supreme where he tells his life story, meeting Fela Kuti, and recites a poem inspired by his trips to Africa. A second with a young Sonya Saul on MTV UK circa mid-90s when he was touring out there in the midst of jazz fusion meeting hip hop. Roy’s catalog is immense, so two hours barely scratches the surface. 

– EB
@earlbiggers
@tribejazz

********
Tracklist: 
Roy Ayers - I Did It In Seattle 
Roy Ayers Ubiquity - The Third Eye
RAMP - Come Into Knowledge
Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Searching
Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Vibrations
Roy Ayers - 2000 Black
Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Mystic Voyage
Roy Ayers - Land of Fruit and Honey
Roy Ayers - Sometimes Believe in Yourself
Roy Ayers - Love Will Bring Us Back Together
Cro-Magnon - Midnight Magic ft. Roy Ayers
A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum 
The Roots - Proceed II ft. Roy Ayers
RAMP - Everybody Loves the Sunshine
Roy Ayers & Wayne Henderson - Thank You Thank You
Roy Ayers - Liquid Love ft. Sylvia Cox
Ethel Beatty - It’s Your Love
Roy Ayers - Brand New Feeling ft. Merry Clayton & Sylvia Cox
Masters at Work ft. Roy Ayers (Jazzanova Guestlist Mix)
Ferry Ultra - Dangerous Vibes (Original Dangerous Jazz Mix)
Roy Ayers - Programmed For Love 
Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Thoughts (Live at The Montreaux Jazz Festival 1972)
Roy Ayers - You Send Me feat. Carla Vaughn

Soul of Ayers w/ Tribe Jazz | Live on HydeFM | 03/31/25

Jaxx TMS b2b Persch.Inc Live at Soho House

https://hanlitzgroup.bandcamp.com/track/tucan-playa-manoos-steps-remix

The first remix of the forthcoming EP 'The Remixes' is a delicious deep cut by the French house legend Manoo.

Composed by Han Litz.
Remix produced by Manoo.
Arranged by Manoo and Bacanito.
Mastered by Coflo.
Artwork by

Han Litz Group - 'Tucan Playa (Manoo's Steps Remix)'

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! We have special guest sets from DJ Eazy Uno & Asha. Seano kicks things off for the first hour, the second hour features our special guests. For more information please visit soundwavesradio.com, press play and enjoy.

Ep. 830 - DJ Eazy Uno & Asha - May 23, 2025

WIZ presents: In The Mood For… „Beats N’ Vibes“ | 001

Also on Youtube: https://youtu.be/KG4d124kZek?si=WriiL3NkgN21Is-K

Who still listens to DJ mixes these days? In a world of streaming and algorithms, it might seem oldschool — but DJ culture lives through formats like this.
With "In The Mood For...", I’ll guide you through different styles and moods, one mix at a time. Stay tuned and stay in the mood.

Tracklist:

Gwen Bunn - Long Night
Bruno Mars & Anderson Paak are Silk Sonic - After Last Night ft. (Thundercat & Bootsy Collins)
Adi Oasis - Multiply
SiR - Karma (ft. Isaiah Rashad)
Joel Culpepper - Free (feat. Tom Misch)
Elujay - Frequently - summer '20
Elujay - Luvaroq (ft. serpentwithfeet)
Butcher Brown - DYKWYD (Feat. Braxton Cook)
Buddy - Like This
Jourden - Flow
Reuben James - What U Need (ft. Ric Wilson & Gareth Lockrane)
Moods - Talk About It
Fertile Ground - Take Me Higher
Jungle - Back On 74 (Full Crate Remix)
Yaya Bey - On The Pisces Moon
Tom Misch - Cinnamon Curls
Kartell - Time (ft. Qendresa & Coops)
Children Of Zeus - Royal
Cleo Sol - Self
Cleo Sol - Go Baby
Mary J. Blige - Failing In Love
Blue Lab Beats - Slow Down (ft. Ego Ella May)
OG Keemo x Funkvater - Yashas Song (Instrumental)
Luke Smith - It's Time (ft. Roy Ayers)
Melodiesinfonie x Al Hug - Tranquil
Naomi Sharon - Breeze
Okvsho - Jusqu'ici tout va bien
Daniel Caesar - Unstoppable
NxWorries	 - MoveOn
Retromigration - Dead Tech (ft. Mauricesax)
JEMS! - FLIGHTS
Durand Bernarr - Fist Bump (feat. Free Nationals)

WIZ presents: In The Mood For… „Beats N’ Vibes“ | 001

Tony Minvielle on Jazz FM : June 22nd 2025 w/ Swing Out Sister

My set from one of Detroit's dopest parties at one of Detroit's dopest venues.

DJ Cleveland Browne Live at Judy Spotlite DET 071125

 01.  Fatima - Red Light 

 02.  Bilal - Butterfly (Yoruba Soul Mix)

 03.  Paul Randolph - Not Gonna (Boddhi Satva Ancestral Soul Remix)

 04.  Deetron feat. Ovasoul 7 - Out Of My Head (Boddhi Satva Ancestral Soul Remix)

 05. Turbojazz feat. David Blank - Please You

 06. Full Crate - Yeah

 07.  Omar S - U (Instrumental Mix)

 08.  Lemon & Herb feat. Eliki & Kafele - For The Birds (Signature Remix)

 09.  Lemy Leo & Simbad - Vibin' 

 08.  Boddhi Satva feat. Teedra Moses - Skin Diver (OVEOUS Cut)

 09.  Dj Duke - Closer (Sean McCabe Club Mix)

  10.  Julian Gomes - Love Song 28 (Atjazz Galaxy Aart Remix)

Summer 2016 Series (PT.1)

Inspired Deepness
01 paso ft zano "majestic" (sobz drumatic soul mix)
02 beekay deep & midnight pulse "again i say (blaq soul remix)
03 sis n jones "jami in phoonshal" (g family remix)
04 spirit chaser "paradise row" (horizon dub)
05 sobz "men"
06 darque "son of soil"
07 usher "chimes" (sobz deeper dub)
08 bah samba "moonlight" (soulmagic go deep mix)
09 boddhi satva ft oumou sangare "ngnari konon" (manoo maffe remix)
10 bukusoul "the deepness"
11 hhny "for the very first time"
12 saint nicholas ft biggie "sunshine" (soulcool deeper dub)

compiled and mixed by Osunlade


Inspired Deepness

THE OFFICIAL SOUNDCLOUD ACCOUNT FOR AHMED SIROUR

Well, after having many tracks on Soundcloud, include various remixes that were up for years without any issue, SC started throwing strikes at me left and right, even with those I had proof I had permission to post, but they decided to take down my former page: (at)22music, inclusive of the thousands of wonderful followers who've joined me over the years.

So now I start back from the very beginning, the ground up, and hopefully many of you will find me again as well as newcomers who are hearing my work for the first time--and this time it will only be MY original work (or remixes that are verified)! lol Either way, I hope you take yet another journey again with me as I push the envelope with even more music, more positive vibrations, and more influences from around the world as I infuse my travels into my sounds...

"Midnight, Melanin, & Manhattan (a score for Ivy)"

Ahmed Sirour