“I’m a Nubian yall…look what we did” -Q Tip

I catch a chill every time I hear this..What’s even crazier is that I HATED this song when I first heard it in 88′ (after so many years..it grew on me). Its stripped down, very minimal and warm.

This entire album got me through a lot I was dealing with at that time for a young age -street politics, family, puberty..just trying to figure s–t out!

This album was a fine medium of street, earthy and funk. I already had the heads up from The Jungle Bros “The Promo” and thought to myself “who is this dude with the soft spoken flow but is killing it!?” (Q-Tip). At the time, Hip Hop was going through a major transition of a less bravado tone. Icons such as Run DMC and LL COOL J at this point were struggling to stay afloat with the gold chain flow while a new generation was embracing medallions and chew sticks. Ironically, groups like NWA, EPMD, Kool G Rap and Polo, Schooly D, Ice T, Too Short etc were going strong with a new style called “Gangster Rap”…lol..I laugh because NOBODY in my hood or nearby ever used that term..we simply thought the s–t was dope and called it HARDCORE! The press created that whole “Gangster Rap” box (I want to say it was around the “Tipper Gore” era that I started hearing the mumbling about this “new sensation”).

What made A Tribe Called Quest so powerful is that they were re-defining and crushing the mundane images of the hyperactive, pro alpha African American male images -they were a healthy balance of intellect, street, spiritual and fun (along with the entire Native Tongue movement and like minds of that period). This album was a breath of fresh air for many of those who did not subscribe to being a prey to “keeping it real”, but rather elevate our pain and joy towards a more creative outlet. This album effected my life in so many ways…(stay tuned im going to speak more on this great group and album..)

Sangria | Wine | Beer
Breaksfast + Lunch
+more TBA
HARLEM PLACE CAFE (formerly known as LOST SOULS CAFE..ENTER THROUGH ALLEY BEHIND GATES..CORNER IN FAR RIGHT)
124 W. 4th St | DTLA
11a-2p
FREE

Arinmaya: vocals
Theimagination: keyboards/ sounds/ DJ selections
Percussion: Rene Reyes
Drums: Oskar Haggdahl

Connect>>>
Arinmaya: arinmaya.com
Theimagination: theimaginationmusic.com

http://theimagination.bandcamp.com/album/90-minute-cassette-tape-movements

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!

STEREOLOVE

3/25

We want to thank everybody who joined the STEREOLOVE + EXTRA MILD SAUCE fam last week for the EXCLUSIVE “A TASTE OF CHICAGO” event w/ a very special guest DJ set by DRACK MUSE who rocked the house with another amazing soulful set!! + we cant forget THE LEGENDARY MC LADY COPPER (in a very RARE appearance) who came to bless the mic!

THIS WEEK, we have another great line up of amazing cutting edge/ soulful artists that will set the party off w/ the STEREOLOVE sound collective!!!

APPEARING LIVE!!

Opening Acoustic Set:
BRUCE HATHCOCK

http://www.brucehathcock.com

LAST CALL (all rthe way from FRANCE)
Art Bleek, Charlie Sputnik and special guest DJ set by MR FRENCH (KCRW)

DEREK MCKEITH
http://www.myspace.com/derekmckeith (a very RARE LA APPEARANCE!!)

RESIDENT SELECTIONS:
LOTUSPETAL
PLUSHONE
DJ MIKECHECK
and A-SKI

21 and wiser | $5

| DRINK SPECIALS | 9p-2a

RSVP/ BIRTHDAYS / GUESTLIST
unique74events@gmail.com

LITTLE TEMPLE | 4519 SANTA MONICA BLVD (crosst st: VIRGIL)

::STAY TUNED FOR OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EVENT IN MAY!! ::

http://www.myspace.com/stereolovelittletemple

http://www.stererolovecollective.wordpress.com

http://www.unique74mag.com

dont 4get THE OFFICIAL ERYKAH BADU LISTENING PARTY THIS SUNDAY!! w/ PAC DIVISION, BLU, NOAH DARLING at ZANZIBAR

DIVA | SONGBIRD > LOVE SUPREME
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEAN CARN!!!

Guess who produced this number?
(proud owner of the 7inch on this jam..)

This next record has haunted me for years. The lead singer is still a mystery to this day..but it is clear as bell that the FAMILY STONE is holding down the rhthym section. Guess who produced this one? (whoever has the 7 inch to this.. you are BEYOND official, not easy to find. I am a proud owner of this and the MIGHTY JOE HICKS version on 7inch).

Guess who was the FIRST to use the talkbox? Which later influenced STEVIE, GUITAR WATSON, FRAMPTON, McCARTNEY, ERNIE ISLEY, TROUTMAN, etc. This was the theme music for the late great FRANKIE CROCKER “The Chief Rocker” (MY HERO!!) in his earlier years whenever he would “rap” on the radio. Stomp down Blues Funk at its finest!!

Update: Thank You Big Time Record Company for making small time moves by not exposing the music to fans on your artist roster..smart move..

Fans: the song is entitled “Sex Machine”…no not the James Brown version..it can be found on their 1969 release “Stand”

RARITIES >

“I Dont Know What The World Is Coming To” (1975) | Bobby Womack Sly provides background vocals. Put headphones on for it to really become clear, can be heard at the end near fade out.

“You Caught Me (Smiling)” (1971) | 7inch version | Sly and The Family Stone
Okay, for my “diggers” out there..you know where im going with this one..This is an alternate mix compared to the standard lp mix. The difference is that during the first bridge before the chorus, Sly lets out a huge JB-ish growl that can be only found on the 7 inch version.

Motown | The Golden Years {Dahl | McDougal III }
The Great Weldon McDougall III,
Musician, Producer, Former Label Exec for Motown/Philadelphia International states in his book that Sly and The Family Stone’s “STAND” lp was used as reference at Motown quality control meetings in search of direction for The Jackson 5 debut Lp “ABC” .

Funk Gets Stronger | Funkadelic | (1979)
Sly on the background vocals/talk box with Roger Troutman on Rhythm Guitar. A really feel good cut!!

Guess who is the proud owner of a skit with Sly + a live perfomance of “Family Affair” on The Tony Orlando Show (1977)?! Super Rare..Not even YOU TUBE can claim that one..