Mind Notes Pt.18 LYONS x Reflective Materials

This is an unreleased EP recorded in 2008 with a live 4 piece funk band from London called Reflective Materials.

Great musicians and really lovely guys.

Thoroughly enjoyed working with these boys.

'People Power'

Miscommunication

Got everybody crazy

We could change the whole world

If we wasn't so lazy

For all the people wondering

What this life is for

Learn more

Teach more

Spread love

And stop war

The past is history

The future's not written

So be a real person

And make real decisions

For all the people wondering

What this life is for

Learn more

Teach more

Spread love

And stop war

We're stuck inside this culture

Of conspiracy theories

The harder I look

The more it gets scary

I learn more and more

About this twisted society

Contempt builds up

And there's nuff' anger inside of me

What's the topic of conversation

At your dining table

Because with me and my peoples

It's straight ghetto fables

I'm seeing the struggle

On a day to day basis

And people in my hood

Ain't filled with smiling faces

I seen people at the bottom

And people living the high life

So it makes me stop and check

And put perspective to my life

I could be much better off

Or much much worse

So I just play my position

On this little spinning earth

Even though this life's crazy

I don't let it phase me

Roll with real people

Avoid one's that hate me

We all got our downfalls

We all got our talents

To find a happy medium

We must have balance

In this cut throat culture

Of who get's who first

Things ain't getting better

They're just getting worse

Because it's first come first serve

You cruise you loose

And everybody out here

Got something to prove

People trying to be the best

Or the best they can be

But unfortunately

That's the problem with society

Because to be the best

Is at the expense of others

So it's dividing our sisters

And it's dividing our brothers

There's no collective consciousness

Or greater good

Instead of building it up

We're trying to escape the hood

And it's all good

If you escape the struggle

But your people still be striving

And that's just the trouble

See power comes in numbers

We need more unity

Start bringing people together

In our community

People be divided

With their personal beef

So we never get a chance

For the whole hood to eat

Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference

Between good and evil

Because I'm seeing too much beef

Between local people

People running around crazy

Like chickens with no heads

We're supposed to understand each other

But we hate instead

See we need more morals

And positive action

Instead of seeing others falling

And feeling satisfaction

We should be quick to pick them up

And help them on their way

You never know

You might need somebodies help one day

Because life's a dangerous game

Trying to come up

At any stage of your life

You might find yourself stuck

You turn to your friends and family

Hoping it will be fine

But they can't solve all your problems

All of the time

But what if the world was our family

And we had no limits

Many problems we possess

Would quickly diminish

Things could be so different

But it ain't happened yet

So for now we share ideas

And voice our regrets

'War In The World'

It's war in the world

Mankind has gone mad

It's war in the streets

Can't tell good from bad

It's war in the world

They out for the kill

It's war in the streets

So run for the hills

Everyday politics

Conflict and war

Cut throat economies

This world is raw

Countless billions

Spent on destruction

People need food

Not bombs

This world is disgusting

Biological

And chemical attacks

Always innocent people

End up lying on their backs

Foot soldier pawns

Being pushed into position

Divide and conquer

An age old tradition

Tanks and machine guns

Pistols and blades

Strategic positions

Night time air raids

Bomber planes over head

Whole cities lay dead

Rubble and destruction

Streets run blood red

Bombs bombard

So called military targets

Turns out they're primary schools

And local food markets

Regardless of the white flags

The troops roll on

Meeting each new place

With a bullet or bomb

Everybody's talking about

World war three

But the wars have never stopped

Since the first century

Mans are always growing bigger teeth

Always trying to eat

First spears, swords and arrows

Then they invented the heat

Gunpowder power

Stand tall like sunflower

Now the wars rage on

Day by day

Hour by hour

Rape rob and pillage

Take everything you see

Aggressive invasion and colonies

For centuries

Everyday aimless soldiers

Fighting unknown wars

Follow the generals orders

Keep killing the poor

Armed combat

Deaths

Casualties

And friendly fire

Must have been some miscommunication

On the radio wire

Crumpled cities

Refugee camps

Prisoners of war

Sharp shooters claiming victims

And they looking for more

Mercenaries

Rebel armies

Everybody's on the trigger

All these world war strategies

Just keep getting bigger

The arms race escalate

Since nine eleven

A new age of warfare

We talking nuclear weapons

Wipe out a civilisation

With the push of a button

One man could end the world

With this mass destruction

The planet would survive

Still grow and rotate

But there'll be no evidence left

Of this human race

Some people wonder why

They manufacture these creations

Western world monopoly

Exploit developing nations

It's simple economics

And simple finance

It all boils down

To just pounds and pence

For the rich to stay rich

The poor have got to stay poor

So the rich keep staging and waging

This never ending war

Heads of military

Generals

Presidents and politicians

Corporate owners

Diplomats

All with the same vision

Don't care for the needs of people

Just keep making these millions

So don't believe everything you see

On tell lie vision

'So Particular'

I'm so particular

That's how I made my moves

That's how I got this far

I'm so particular

I made my own destiny

Became my own star

This tell lie vision

Has got me on a mission

To switch up the game

And make the fans listen

Music's kind of lost

Because the soul's been missing

But now we here to bring it back

And affirm our position

Because this tradition of paper chasing

Has got us crazy

No original concepts

Everybody turn lazy

Trying to jump on the bandwagon

And make another hit

Keep them raw hides rolling

Because your music sounds...

We stay legit

And make our paper from a nine to five

Not making paper from our music

But we staying alive

Many strive to succeed

But they chose the wrong path

Might be balling right now

But who's got the last laugh

We laugh hard

Can't break our solid foundations

Got the inspiration

And pure dedication

We speak real words

To the people of this nation

Freedom of speech

Real life information

Im going to keep doing my thing

And keep riffing

Because the streets stay grimy

And mans stay slipping

I play my position

And hold it down

Because there's too much madness

Around this town

That's why this hiphop sound

Has got me up in the mix

Ain't got to watch my shoulders

Or contemplate politics

We straight elevate

Communicate

Don't worry about hits

We just make this good music

To give us a lift

Because life weighs real heavy

Trying to pull you real deep

There's no easy way out

So through the streets

We still creep

Life's cheap

And people ain't afraid

To die for the cause

People taking no prisoners

Obeying no laws

That's why we duck low

Move quick

Stay off the corners

Can't be another casualty

Or storyline for reporters

Missing sons and daughters

Some say the good die young

So we keep dodging shadows

Always stay on the run

I'm my own worst enemy

My own best friend

Got to make real choices

Means justify the ends

Can't depend on others

To carry my weight

Because if I wait to long

It might be too late

So I debate with my conscience

Convince my soul

Write my own script

And play my own role

But this world

Is an easy place to get lost

I can't afford to slip

I might pay the cost

I seek inspiration

Question the motives of other men

Keep thoughts to myself

Because it's easy to offend

Time and again I question

Why we hate on each other

We all sisters and brothers

We born from fathers and mothers

But some are fighters not lovers

So they lack in compassion

People caught up in themselves

An trying to follow fashion

So I choose my crowd carefully

And keep to myself

Focus on what's real

And chase love not wealth

'Whatever'

Whatever man

We keep making these grooves

No time to loose

Whatever man

We make music

Any which way but loose

They say there has to be bad

For there to be good

But surely if it's all good

Then ain't it all good

So do what you can

And say what you should

Keep your fingers crossed

We knock on wood

Because the jungles dense

Every man got they matchet

Prey moves fast

We be trying to catch it

We gone from hunters with bows

To hip hop shows

Modern survival techniques

Trying to perfect our flows

No one knows how long

We've been walking the earth

Contemplating chickens and eggs

And which came first

But we know that we're here

Two thousand and eight

Ableton live recording

So the timings never late

Different colours and cultures

Vibe collaborate

For the love of this music

So we could never hate

Communicate through songs

Like birds in the trees

Bass lines and melodies

Real talk MC's

Seconds

Minutes

Hours

Moments in time

Words and pictures

Slipping out of my mind

The design of my mind

Is musical chemistry

Nerves and senses

Fuelled my musical energy

Writing words and thoughts

In black and white

Never gritting my teeth

Because I'm coming with might

Never let fake pretenders

Obscure my sight

I rep' for peace and love

But for the people I fight

Day and night

The saga keep playing

Like old love songs

Trying to figure out the puzzle

Of who's right and who's wrong

But the story is long

And the end is out of reach

Clutching the straws of the lessons

That we learn and we teach

The late great legends

Always show us the way

That's why there's so much talent

In the world these days

Free minds speak thoughts

And people liberate

Because there's always more time

And it's never too late

Nothing ventured

And nothing gained

But I've never been in this

For material gain

I invest my time

See my work bear fruit

Search for quality recordings

Never mind the loot

Because I've learnt from the things

That I heard and I saw

So that's what I'm here for

To put this down on A4

Study some literacy

Read between the lines

Be careful what you believe

They're trying to rule our minds

So I say it how it is

Never mince my words

Never follow wives tales

Because they sound absurd

Because it's hard to decide

Which choices to make

But I'm living by decisions

And the choices I make

What's real and fake

What's right and wrong

Hear my thoughts play out

Over hip hop songs

I just reflect on day to day

Acts and events

Never get sucked in

I'm trying to sit on the fence

'I'm Leaving'

I'm leaving

That's right I'm out

Don't know if I'll be back again

I'm leaving

Can't take this no more

So I've got to make moves my friends

I'm leaving

That's right I'm out

Don't know if I'll be back again

I'm leaving

I had just about enough

So I've got to make moves my friends

I'm leaving

Don't know if I'll be back again

Because everyday the sun breaks

My heart feels pain

Knowing I've got to go

through the struggle all over again

Trying to plicate myself

And stop myself from going insane

But how can I be sane

When all around are loosing their heads

Fairytale monsters turn real

Kids ain't safe in their beds

Spiralling down down

We slide the slippery slope

And we choke as we fight

And we tighten the rope

We try and keep hope

And motivate ourselves to make moves

Out for our own

Nobody wants to walk

In next mans shoes

Show and prove

But the ego

Comes to bite us in the back

Biggest teeth eats

Dog eat dog

It's a well known fact

We live with that

Watch our backs

See the woods through the trees

Nothing comes with ease

A lot of blood sweat and tears to please

Or fickle pleasures

Chasing treasures

Dreaming of living large

What will it take

For us to wake up

And see through the mirage

We caught

Hook line & sinkered

Blinkered

Light year clone followers

We used to be thinkers

Now we're smokers and drinkers

Consumers and buyers

Fronters and fighters

Schemers and liars

The truth is inside us

But we ignore the voices

No sense of morality

We make selfish choices

Based on individual need

And individual greed

Before we find peace

How many more victims have to bleed

Social neglect

Day to day disrespect

Mans feel fret

Never forget

The waters run deep

We try not to get wet

And yet so many slip trip

Directly into the deep end

Life's hard

But even harder

When you got no friends

Trying to make ends meet

Clothes on our backs

Shoes on our feet

Making legit money ain't easy

So it's wild in these streets

Many retreat

But the strong stand tall and maintain

Life's unpredictable and ugly

But it's a wonderful game

We used to crawl

Now kids are born running

We used to play ball

Now kids be out gunning

Just to look stunning

Indulge in their vices

To live the high life

Prepared to pay high prices

Thats why this modern day crisis

Perpetuates

Nobodies trying to relate

We disagree and debate

Manipulate and breed hate

Instead of helping each other

Time and money

Made us forget

We're all sisters and brothers

They say life's great

But the history books

Don't tell the whole story

Lies and destruction

Pave the path to glory

The success of a few

Is always suffered by many

That's why we've always got nothing

That's why they've always got plenty

Chasing them pounds

Counting pennies

But the race never ends

Loosing our freedom

Loosing patience

Loosing family and friends

The cycle of poverty repeats

But we can break these chains

Just destroy and rebuild

Start all over again

This is a single I also did with Reflective Materials inspired by Newton Faulkner.

'Uncomfortably Slow Remix'

Please Mr

Don't take my photo

I can't bear to look

And I don't want to know

It feels I'm standing still

But I know

I'm just moving

Uncomfortably slow

Cars and people pass

Rain and snow

No matter what

Time will always flow

It feels I'm standing still

But I know

I'm just moving

Uncomfortably slow

Travelling again

I know just how it ends

But can't see down the road

Because there's too many bends

The routine daydream

Starts as I set off

And in these nine to five days

I'm in a daze feeling lost

I'm holding up the queue

My ticket won't go through

I'm fed up of these feelings

Wonder what should I do

Because I know it should be simple

But it never is

And I know life's hard

Because it always is

Cars and people pass

It seems I'm standing still

But it's just uncomfortably slow

Too much time to kill

So something's got to change

Something's got to give

Because I've got to clear my thoughts

Got to try and live

I'm lucky in a lot of ways

But I always want more

Going forward

But I'm thinking about

The times from before

Brace myself to hear the lies

Told by mice and men

Talk drifts into memories

What's left at the end

I wonder if they know

That I don't get their jokes

I just need the laughs

So I listen to folks

Slow down and reflect

As thoughts unveil

Take a moment to consider

Life's infinite details

Wish it was more obvious

Wish it was more simple

Wish there was more answers

Wish it was all clear now

Unsure

So I'm moving unconsciously

Uncertain

But I wish I could try to be

Don't judge books by covers

Check the glossary

Because there's more to the man

Than you think you see

Different outlooks

So people act differently

But the truth remains

That I could only be me

Golden hour glass sand

Seeps slow like glue

Wondering how many days

Can I make it through

So don't take my picture

Because I don't want to know

How it looks

When time creeps

PEACE LOVE & PEOPLE POWER!