7.2 | STEREOLOVE : PRE INDEPENDENCE DAY SOIREE | The 5 Signs, Dj Lotuspetal, Perfect Harmony +more | LITTLE TEMPLE | THURSDAY
Last Thursday was beautiful yet bittersweet! We laughed, cried and danced all nite, celebrating The Life of King Micheal Jackson! Maximum Respect and Special Thanks to EXTRA MILD SAUCE for putting it down major last week..
This week we are proud to have our new installment in the Stereo Lounge: THE 5 SIGNS + a special opening live set by DJ LOTUSPETAL and a live performance by PERFRECT HARMONY! Pre Independence Day Jam! No Cover All Nite!
Check out what you missed last week! Enjoy!
http://www.bartabz.com/BarTabz.com/Entries/2009/6/25_MICHAEL_JACKSON_LIFE_CELEBRATION_PARTY_%40_LITTLE_TEMPLE_BAR.html
All In The Family: Fuse Green
This cat is a very near and dear friend of mines (+ fellow Aquarian) that’s been holding down NYC and the world for a minute and some change. One of the most fierce visual artists on the scene, great Dj with some amazing records! Please listen, observe and enjoy! WHEATBREAD all day!
6.28 | 5th St. Housequake @ Zanzibar | Sonja Marie | A-Ski
5th Street Housequake!
Sonja Marie Performing LIVE with Special Guests..!
w/ Resident Dj
A-Ski (STEREOLOVE | Unique74)
Start Time:
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 9:00pm
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 1:30am
Location:
ZANZIBAR
Street:
1301 5th St.
City/Town:
Santa Monica, CA
View Map
310.500.5601
5thstreethousequake@gmail.com
LA, prepare yourself…5th Street Houequake presents an evening of SOUL..Featuring Sonja Marie! Sonja Marie is synonymous with the groove with music that spins tasty jazz,
hip-hop, funk, melodics and poetry, into more than a refried gumbo treat.
Her universal sound is electrifying and almost confining to the mastery of recording. Be sure to catch Sonja LIVE this Sunday!
REST IN PARADISE: SIR MICHAEL JACKSON
Michael Joseph Jackson was more than a perfectionist, an artist, or an entertainer. He was an institution, a way of life that raised the criteria above and beyond more than any other artist before or after him (Trust me..I was a fan long before Thriller and Off The Wall..). There is no question that he was an extension of the greats before him (ie, Ray Charles, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr, Fred Astaire, The Nicholas Bros, etd) . There are very few artist that can stay on the pulse of art and culture for over a lifetime, while raising the bench mark. I could go on forever and a day to speak on such a great man and a gift to the world who taught me the ultimate definiton of the word ICON. At the moment, I am still in shock and am having a hard time putting together how I truly feel in its full essence.
Thank you Sir Michael, I will always love you!
Ps: We send all of our Love and Prayers to The Jackson Family and friends.
Msg: To all of the fans, we must stay strong and keep jamming MJ in your boombox, ipod, in your car or truck and lets celebrate his Homecoming! He is at PEACE..No one can hurt him anymore..
6.26 | ATL : ROCK GARDEN EVENT
If you are in the ATL this FRIDAY..a must attend! My peoples Da’shon Is.. and Kembo are going to be serving up the sounds! Have a great time!
Unique 74 Revisited: Ohmega Watts | Lightheaded
I pulled this one out of the Unique74 archives. This was a review i did a few years back for Beautiful Decay.
Ohmega Watts | The Find
(Ubiquity)
A collage of colorful beats and clean flows is exactly what you will
find in this flawless debut by this producer/mc from the groundbreaking camp Lightheaded. Compared to the likes of Soul
Brother Pete Rock to Digital Underground, Ohmega presents a release of love, life and labor as heard in his debut release. Very few hip hop albums you can actually listen to all the way through and come out feeling good, it is almost a lost art these days but Ohmega is one of the chosen few who bring that “analogue” warm feeling that we all long for in a hip hop record. Filled with groovy loops, dirty funk and mellow tones, “The Find” is a journey of a long lost feeling of intent and honesty once found in great records. This release is the part of the next chapter to breathe life into Hip Hop music and its integrity.
This release is comprised of well thought out concepts and detailed production. The beats themselves are full of life, giving you the “feel good” vibe. Personally, I was jumping up and down like a kid again when I heard tracks like “That Sound” (feat Noelle and The Procussions), the wisdom driven and beautiful “Mind Power”, the Augustus Pablo dub influenced ****”Track 10″ which is a potential dancefloor jammie (12 inch potential, hint, hint..) and a host of others. The entire album is well balanced with a healthy and honest approach in every song. This release is not to be slept on if you truly love Hip Hop music.
A-Ski
This next piece I still rock in my sets, I did a review a year prior to the Ohmega Watts review. Courtesy of Jointz Magazine.
Lightheaded | Never Square EP
(Basementalism records)
This release takes it back to the basics of a great hip-hop record: concept, good beats, potent lyrics and energy. Lightheaded are part of a movement i’d like to call “breath of fresh air groups” that remind us why we love this thing called Hip Hop music. Having paid dues on the underground circuit which gave birth to their first release “Pure Thought” . The crew comes through strong with their vinyl debut “Never Square”. The title EP track “Never Square” chimes in with a mellow party vibe which celebrates the work of legendary jazz master Dr. Donald Byrd with his timeless piece “When I Hear Music” as the backing track. “Blink Of An Eye” sets an extreme B-Boy tone, comprised of braggadio rhymes and a slow tempo swing beat blessed by 9th Wonder which has the makings of a potential underground anthem.
The highlight track is “Blink Of An Eye” produced by Muneshine. This track has a very relaxed yet peaceful tone while the group’s delivery rides well with the track. Laced with the imcomparable Dorothy Ashby’s harps, her spirit stands out tremendously through this track. Peep the instrumental to truly capture the essence of this track. The “Never Square” EP is a sure winner like a Pioneer chicken dinner! Dont sleep on this sure shot!
A-Ski
Oscar, Quincy, Bruce, Paulhino, George and Patti = Inspiration
I was thinking about the great Osacr Brown Jr (the prototype for Mos Def and many other artists of his caliber today) and ran across his PBS TV series “Jump Street” that premiered in the early 80′s. When I was a kid, I use to look forward to watching this ground breaking series. It represented the essence of Black Music and its various attributes along with a plethora of legendary artists, writers, producers in candid form.
This episode features my Hero and Inspiration, Quincy D. Jones. In the lab cranking out the master guitarist George Benson’s Qwest debut release of “Give Me The Night“. I remember when this record dropped, it was on the heels of Q’s previous hit records (“Masterjam” -Rufus, “Light Up The Night”-Brothers Johnson, “Off The Wall”-Micheal Jackson). I remember during that period (the end of 79′), it was “Q”, Leon Sylvers, Ashford and Simpson and CHIC that were neck and neck in putting out hit after hit, keeping the record stores very well stocked and the streets moving.
I flipped out watching these clips because these are out-takes of now classic Benson pieces “Dinorah, Dinorah” and “Love X Love”. What’s ironic is that a couple of weeks ago I went to one of my favorite parties In LA (whenever I have a moment to relax) “The Do- Over”. That day, I had a chance to catch up with my colleagues Kon and Amir (their set was bananas! Kon: im still recovering from the Rick James “Mary Jane” extended multi track…Thank you for dropping that one!) . Kon starts his set off with an extended multi track of “Give Me The Night” and I am the only idiot at the party going ape s–t over this never released version while everyone else thinks this is the original (yes folks, I take my music VERY serious..). So fast forward, I just so happen to stumble on this YT gem with Q, Bruce Swedien, George Benson, Patti Austin and Paulhino Da Costa laying tracks for the “Give Me The Night” album (props to Billylovesjazz). Simply amazing!
Listen, Learn and Enjoy!
ps: I love it when “Q” speaks of knowing your craft and respecting it (aka “having the chops”), words of wisdom!
They clown on the overdubs for “Love X Love”…Ms Austin is amazing! Pure Class! Notice how they are taking their time and feeling the groove out!
PS: I want Q’s shirt!! 
S.O.U.L vs Stevie Wonder
This cover version is SUPREME to any other cover (they clowned at the end with the break..) . The Mighty Larry Hancock on vocals (for those who are curious). I use to close out with this one at my “Love Is The Message ” parties. Still get chills hearing it..
6.25 | Unique74 & Extra Mild Sauce presents..THE GOLDEN STEREO: Strictly Classics (a special edition of STEREOLOVE) | Little Temple | Thursday
you know what it is…early arrival is HIGHLY suggested yall...
SAVE THE DATE…SKF COMES TO LA @ STEREOLOVE!
Large Professor | Slick Money
One of my favorite producers of all time. Large Pro! Turn it up!
Money oh honey…
This live version is f—-n’ fire!! waaaay HOTTER than the studio version (which was a huge hit and I like as well!). This record was HUUUUUGE in the hood when I was a little Ski. Good times..if I only learned how to SKATE..argghh
