JAZZ TONIC | 9.1 | TONY WATSON, DJ SOFTCORE & + IDEA (Vibes & Stuff Radio + IDEA’s B’day celebration!!)
Jazz Tonic
Wednesday Nights
The Broadway Bar
…830 S. Broadway
Downtown LA 90014
http://www.broadwaybar.la/
9pm – 2am
21+ No Cover
$4 Drinks all night long!
Weekly Guest DJ’s, Jazz Musicians and Poets
This week at Jazz Tonic
We are excited to have down Tony Watson to Jazz Tonic for a special 2 hour set of Jazz music spun as only he can do it. Tony is easily one of LA’s best selectors and it will be a treat and a unique opportunity to hear this “golden ear’s” take on All Forms Jazz! As both a DJ and producer (of often Jazzy vibes) Watson has crafted his own style and vibe that is of the highest quality of smooth! For more on Tony Watson go to http://www.mekanic.com/index.html
Also for those who arrive early you will be treated to a brilliant opening sets from DJ Softcore. http://djsoftcore.blogspot.com/ & Idea //http://www.vnsradio.com/ (who will be celebrating his b’day with a special NEW ORLEANS FUNK & JAZZ set!!!)
This is shaping up to be one hot night for quality music and vibes!
Special Guests to be announced!
Live Horns by Dave Bass
Resident DJ’s
Mixmaster Massey (mixmastermassey.com)
& A-Ski (unique74mag.com)
Spin All Forms Jazz
Cool Jazz, Acid Jazz, Jazzy House, Jazz Funk, Jazzy Soul, Latin Jazz, Abstract Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Jazzy Hip Hop, Jazzy D&B, Straight Ahead Jazz, Jazzy R&B and…
Resident Poets Lotuspetal and Jazz Poet AK Toney (www.blogtalkradio.com/onword)
plus special guests!
Mesmerizing “Visual Tonic” by ifloz
Live audio broadcast live on the web by Astronaut Disco http://www.ustream.tv/channel/astronaut-disco
For the latest on future Jazz Tonic line ups and more about A-Ski & Mixmaster Massey check out www.unique74mag.com & www.mixmastermassey.com
For more about Jazz Tonic check out the official website!
http://mixmastermassey.typepad.com/jazztonic/
Unique74 salutes MILES DAVIS
MAVERICK. MUSIC. MILES.
Happy Birthday!!!
all about MAURICE WHITE | Unique74 | Props
Lately, i’ve been putting together final tracks for upcoming releases this summer. During that process, i’ve been wanting to incorporate elements outside of my “normal” recording process. I’ve been pondering the idea of playing rhythm guitar, I also have been overdubbing a lot of my own live drums just to explore new rhythms. During this past month I have been listening to a lot of early Chicago Funk-Soul (mainly Chess-Brunswick and other off beat labels). When I think of Chicago Soul, I cant help but think about my hero the great Maurice White. Besides being leader of the iconic funk-jazz-soul unit Earth Wind and Fire, he was a also a drummer on many of the sessions at Chess records (along with Morris Jennings). Countless sessions such as “Rescue Me”, “Sitting In The Park, “Grits Aint Grocery” (been wearing out Little Milton’s collection this week!) bear the back beat of Maurice White.
I just so happen to have a kalimba at the lab and I couldn’t help thinking about the story from my uncle (who is very close to Mr White) explaining to me how Mr White and the kalimba came about. According to his recollection, it was at a music store located in Chicago called “Frank’s” where Mr. White’s first encounter with the kalimba took place during the mid 60′s and he has been playing it ever since.
I remember seeing Mr White a couple of times during my early college days (he was always at my bank, amazing!!) and I always felt nervous in going up to shake his hand. But I waved at him, he waved back and my day was made just on that alone. There are very few like Mr. White that went through the various stages of growth and mastered the art of production and recording. There is a leadership quality (reflecting the work ethic of a Mr. White) that is lacking in today’s so-called “modern era” where there are very few artists who take risk and plentiful are willing to follow the depreciated sound pallet only to become flavor of the month. I write this in showing recognition and appreciation to one of my musical heroes who went against the grain and is a constant inspiration. Thank You Mr. White!
Unique74 salutes JEAN CARN | HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
DIVA | SONGBIRD > LOVE SUPREME
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEAN CARN!!!
Johnny Lytle : Where’s The Love
talk about a gem..on my 21st b’day, my mentor Kamau gave me this record…memories of my digging days at “Final Vinyl” are priceless..
The Night Is On My Mind: Bobby Womack | How Could You Break My Heart | Nobody Wants You When You’re Down & Out
Every now and then I get stuck on these Bobby Womack trips..this week i’ve been channeling him big time. I am confident we will meet in due time.. this track goes hard (the dialogue is priceless..lol)..
dammit where’s KC Hailey?!!
Barry White has a vamp that is very similiar to this track that he recorded around this same time (78-79). I gotta dig up and post it..I think its on the “Barry White :The Man” lp.
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Had to come with the double shotter for “The Poet”…I was literally RAISED on this next selection..this is a remake of an old ragtime blues classic..This is actually my FAVORITE in all of Bobby’s songs..The sessions with his rhythm section during this period (“PEACE” w/David Hood, Roger Hawkins, etc) were off the chain! Listen to that swing and grit! Priceless! A huge shout out to whoever mixed his sessions during the 70′s period..you always felt “the bottom” on all of Bobby’s tracks (observe how the string section “rises” in on the fade out!!).
Unique74 Remembers Monty Stark | Rest In Paradise
Imagine Sesame Street meets Gary Burton/Mothers of The Invention/Kool and The Gang throwing a block party. The Monty Stark Reality was beyond an experience, an experiment in sound and free expression. As a kid, I vaguely remember the reruns that aired sporadically, capturing the essence of free thought, free expression and funk. The musicianship was beyond stellar..
In the late 90′s, I was very fortunate to find an original double lp on one of the Monty Stark releases. The title escapes me.. its NOT a reissue..fair conditon 
.
Thank you for your amazing body of work and the promotion of free thought Mr Stark. Your work and contributions will be forever cherished. Rest Well..
read more courtesy of Now Again:
http://www.nowagainrecords.com/rip-monty-stark/
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN COLTRANE!
Unique74 remembers…
Hank vs. Herbie
I had a chance to visit the Blake Edwards Art Exhibit a few months back and was left in amazement by various pieces created by the legendary writer/director.
There was one piece in particular that stood out and left me asking the question:
Does Blake Edwards listen to Herbie Hancock?
Members Only: Johnny Hammond | Idris Muhammad
77′ .. South LA..Summertime..BBQ’s in the yard..very happy times..one lucky kid..
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!!
Large Professor | Slick Money
One of my favorite producers of all time. Large Pro! Turn it up!
