Schooled

After watching lectures from RBMA for years, I finally got to be a part of a lecture series. This evening included sound system designer Gary Stewart, music producer 88-Keys, DJ Harvey, and VERY SPECIAL SECRET GUEST Flying Lotus!

FlyLo is a rock star!
And Red Bull puts together truly amazing experiences.

into the Frying Pan

Quantic and his Combo Barbaro
from the Official US Release Party of 'Tradition In Transition'.
July 15th, 2009
@ The Frying Pan on Pier 66

Big up to Will Quantic and Nickodemus. There needs to be more events like this in the city.

All photos and videos taken with my iPhone 3Gs.

Summer Sound

I'm feeling the sunshine today and Stones Throw enticed me to grab the lastest Madlib opus from the title alone: "Summer Suite".

Even the Stones Throw site has to admit that the master's work is not always easy to digest: "This suite is a single track comprised of four major sections and several different themes, altogether feeling similar to, more more cohesive, than one of Madlib's jazz mixtapes." But I have to admit that this Suite of music has just the right vibe.

Until, that is, I recieved my Amie Street newsletter.
Quantic and his Combo Barbaro sounds like summertime in the city. With traces of Vince Guaraldi and Roy Hargrove's Habana, this album is groovin like a good summer road trip or barbecue.

EDIT: Just came across this amazing Trailer from the forthcoming Mochilla/Sonido del Valle production. Based around the music of Quantic and his Combo Barbaro.

Tradition in Transition: A Postcard from Cali (TRAILER) from Quantic on Vimeo.

Must Mention Michael

Even though there has been a mass of media all about Michael Jackson (and not enough about Farrah Fawcett,
Ed McMahon, and even Karl Malden), I have to say that this music video mix by the brilliant Peanut Butter Wolf of
Stones Throw really touched and inspired me. (can you see the beginnings of the moonwalk in the forward sliding robot moves of Dancing Machine?!)

EDIT: Read this great, quick interview with Quincy Jones remembering Michael. So Wise! (and, uh...take a look at all those platinum records in the pic!)

I wanna hear Prince's take on the passing of his competitive contemporary!

Holiday Appropriate

Stumbled upon an old mix today...nice little bbq/beach soundtrack. Have a listen or download here.