Balearic Breakfast | Episode 152 | I'm black and I'm Proud

by The Lioncub
Oct 24, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Sep 3, 2024

Colleen ’Cosmo’ Murphy broadcast the 152nd episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud and Twitch TV socials on October 24th 2023.

About this show. – Black History Month is celebrated in the United Kingdom throughout October but initially originated in the United States as "African-American History Month", this year marking its 53rd Anniversary (first celebrated on 2nd January to 28th February 1970 – more about the historical aspects here & there). This particular time aims to honour African Americans' contributions and recognise their sacrifices. Unbelievably, and as we all know it, the black community keeps paying a high and unjustified price at the hands of stubborn and hateful people worldwide. We all have in mind the unjustified deaths of black people that happened (and that are happening) in their own country, the United States of America and we can't forget how much History has been excruciatingly and painfully brutal to our brothers and sisters (I can only highly recommend that you take the time to read Ibram X. Kendi's astoundingly great book, Stamped from the Beginning, see below).

With the hope that these painful times will end soon, we will all stand tall whenever Racism shows its hideous face, saying, united as one: "I'm black, and I'm Proud".

As last year, Colleen kindly asked us, on Saturday, 21st October, to request songs paying tribute to Black Musicianship worldwide. The Balearic Breakfast Family answered as one, requesting more than 70 songs all in all... If you never took the time, go ahead and dive into Colleen's comments section on Facebook and Instagram; it's an open treasure. We're not hiding our Knowledge or our love for Music, Especially when it's coming out from our black friend's souls...

Colleen delivered a Soulful (almost laid-back) show, and you could feel its "solidity" as it took you by surprise (several times actually and right to its end...), showcasing, once again..., that Music is a Full Part of Humanity's History. A show to remember for sure...

Listen back to the 151st episode of Balearic Breakfast:

The Stone of Hope: a granite statue of Civil Rights Movement leader Martin Luther King Jr. carved by sculptor Lei Yixin at the MLK Jr. Memorial.

The Wow Effect. – From Nina Simone's live rendition of "Young, gifted and black" , to Yothu Yindi's live version of "Solid Rock", this show beautifully showcases Colleen's powerful approach to Music. The Message is, of course in the Music, in the Lyrics, and, if you need to understand why we're so close to Colleen, there's enough evidence here showing you how meaningful her choices are.

The Balearic Breakfast Family was wowed (and wowed itself ^^) several times, as always, but more specifically by three songs which we didn't hear in these versions before: Earth Wind & Fire – Fantasy (Blaze Shelter DJ Mix), Ballistic Brothers – Blacker and, lastly, Joubert Singers – Stand on the Word (Original)! If you want to buy these records, head to this post's Gallery and Stories section, where I put the Discogs links!

Also sharing with you here David Mancuso's Last Loft Party at Prince St (known as the Prince St Reels), where he played "Stand on the World" to an ecstatic audience!

Friendly reminder. – Colleen puts her heart and soul into Balearic Breakfast each week. If you feel like supporting the show, head over here and subscribe to Colleen's Mixcloud channel. Thank you so much for your friendly support!

Events. – Colleen will take part in these forthcoming events:

28 October: Last Note 10th Anniversary;
3 November: An Evening with Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy, host by "Find our Balearic Spirit";
4 November: Nightmares on Wax presents CLUB E.A.S.E;
9 November: Rough Trade Records (an evening with David Holmes);
9 December: Love Affair Presents: Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy;
On New Year's Eve: When pigs fly (official website & tickets here).