“You and my soul are one, for all of time and history” – Michael Eugene Archer, aka D’Angelo
Dana El Masri of Jazmin Saraï at the Institute for Art & Olfaction, Los Angeles, California. September 2014. Photo Cred Saskia Wilson-Brown.
Solar’1 is the newest fragrance from independent perfumer Dana El Masri of Parfums Jazmin Sarai. As with all of Dana’s scents to date, music is her muse and Solar’1 was inspired by D’Angelo’s soulful song Africa. The minute the fragrance is applied to the skin the weary heart’s tears are dried by the comforting sun of the Mother Land and hope is restored to the soul as it travels back to the essence of civilization.
Kehinde Wiley An Economy of Grace
The fragrance begins with comforting warmth compliments of ginger and Osmanthus absolute and continues the sun beam theme throughout the heart with allspice while the earthy aroma of cocoa mingles in the background. Give it an hour or two and you’ll think you’re in the company of the regal and wise elephant as leather notes drift about and are blanketed by a soft cloud of musk. You immediately notice the high quality of ingredients and although the sillage is softer than in the collection, I believe it was purposely designed that way because the soul always speaks in soft whispers. Longevity is excellent, I still smelled it on my skin after eight hours and the scent is perfect for both man and woman. Although this fragrance smells amazing now, I believe it will just bloom in warmer weather so I can’t wait until Spring when the sun beats against my skin and heats the fragrance up even more. Notes: Ginger, Osmanthus absolute, cocoa, castoreum, allspice, labdanum, and musk.
Sun Kissed by The Nosey Artist
(written to the beat of Africa by D’Angelo)
You’ve become my Mother Land sweeter than my mother’s hands,
On my face when I’ve had a bad day
I make haste but you say you need space,
Just know there’s none other than,
You…that make me feel this way
My young Cancer your aura is like amber,
You’re cocoa to my soul your essence is Osmanthus
What’s the chance of fixing our circumstances?
Kehinde Wiley A New Republic Exhibition in Brooklyn, February 20 -May 24, 2015
Take all the time you need as long as I get an answer
Just speak from the soul,
It’s ok to open up and let the heart take control
If you truly feel like this than greet me with a kiss,
I don’t want to lose grip or ever part from you no!
You’re my skin scent ginger and incense,
Got me on cloud nine I feel like I’ve been swept
Off my feet and I don’t ever want to get up,
This love is worth fighting for I swear I’ll never let up
You’re my Mother Land sweeter than my mother’s hands,
On my face when I’ve had a bad day
I make haste but you say you need space,
Just know there’s none other than
You…that make me feel this way
-The Nosey Artist, Contributor
Art direction: MC D’Angelo released Africa in 2000 as a track on his Voodoo Album. Kehinde Wiley is based in NYC and known for his naturalist paintings of people of brown skin in heroic poses. I was at his Brooklyn Museum Exhibit A New Republic early March 2015 so his art spoke to me as I read TNA rap, listened to D’Angelo and wore Solar’1. Writer’s Note: Michelyn described this as Dana’s best fragrance yet in the best of 2015 roundup and as one who has been lucky enough to experience her entire line I can attest to that.
Compliments of Dana we have a worldwide draw for WORLDWIDE draw for a sampler set of Neon Graffiti, How do You Love Led iv Otis and Me and Solar ‘1 . Please leave a comment what you intrigues you about Solar’1 and what you liked most about The Nosey Artist’s rap. You must be a registered reader to enter the draw so if you’re not then you know what to do. Draw closes January 21, 2016
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