This blog is an outlet for me to share interesting videos, articles, mixes, and songs of various genres ranging from soul, funk, disco, jazz, funk breaks, r&b, boogaloo, reggae, hip hop, bebop, afro beat, latin and brazilian grooves, gypsy jazz, chinese jazz, chill out, downtempo, and beyond.
I will be starting my first residency in Calgary shortly, will keep you posted though this page as soon as it's confirmed!
I am interested in starting up a monthly 'Bits & Pieces' party in Calgary. If you have any suggestions for small and intimate venues please let me know.
Here are a couple of mixes I put together in 2009. I have almost got my equipment set up, just waiting for my mixer and then I promise you I will be posting mixes on the regular, in the meantime you can download these two.
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?yquqttcydzf
1. THE TEMPTATIONS & THE STEADIES – MY GIRL
2. WILSON SIMONAL – PAIS TROPICAL
3. TOOTS & THE MAYTALS – MY NUMBER
4. EDDIE FLOYD – SOUL STREET
5. GEORGE BENSON – THE LUCKY OLD SUN
6. ARETHA FRANKLIN – ONE STEP AHEAD REMIX
7. MAYER HAWTHORNE – MAYBE SO, MAYBE NO (INSTRUMENTAL)
8. WUNDERLICH – IN FROM THE COLD (WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY ED CHOCOLATE) - EXCLUSIVE)
9. DUB PISTOLS – SHE MOVES (FEAT TK)
10. GREENWOOD RHYTHM COALITION – TABACO Y RON
11. [DUNKLEBUNT] – BLACK EYED SEA REMIX
12. NICKODEMUS – SUN CHILDREN
13. DJ DECKSTREAM – KEEP IN THE POCKETS
14. M-SWIFT FEAT 24 KARAT – DISCO
15. LOS CHARLIES ORCHESTRA – SOME OF THE THINGS (INST DUB)
16. CHRIS REA – JOSEPHINE (DJAZZ 007 EDIT)
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?gzeyv2exyhn
Here is the track listing
1. DJ MURO EDIT VOL 1 - 鉄砲玉の美学
2. SKYLINE REGGAE - COBRA DUB
3. MARVIN & HENRY TIPPER – STUBBORN KIND OF FELLOW
4. PAT HUNT – SUPER COOL (FUZZBOX EDIT)
5. SMOOVE & TURRELL – JUST CAN’T GIVE YOU UP (SMOOVE REMIX)
6. TAL M. KLEIN – CRAWLING UP THE SPOUNT (ZAMALI REMIX)
7. MOUSSE T. – FIRE
8. SKANK – GAROTA NACIONAL
9. BASEMENT FREAKS – CHEEBA DANCE
10. CLEON – Y ATA A YOYO
11. JUNIOR WALKER & THE ALLSTARS – SHOTGUN (FREQUENTO REMIX)
12. DJ WOOD – GROOVE ME FEAT LADY PRECISE
13. HAI KARATE ALL STARS - STAND BY ME (DJ CZECH REMIX)
14. GEPY & GEPY – AFRICA LOVE SONG (TJ GORDON EDIT)
15. JACKIE MOORE – THIS TIME BABY
16. INCOGNITO – STEP ASIDE (DFP & DJ MEME REMIX)
The Elizabeth Shepherd Trio is a Juno Award nominated jazz outfit from Toronto, Canada, fronted by vocalist and pianist Elizabeth Shepherd. The trio is completed with bassist Scott Kemp and drummer Colin Kingsmore. They are signed to John Kong's DO RIGHT! label.
Many of the jazz dancers in this video are from Messin Around. If you are in London check out their Sunday afternoon jazz dance session at Freedom Bar in Soho!
LARRY LEVAN - PARADISE GARAGE, NYC
I BOUGHT THE DVD MAESTRO AT SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE AND THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE THIS SEGMENT OF THE VIDEO WITH YOU. A TRUE PIONEER AND LEGENDARY DJ!
THE PHENOMINAL HAND CLAP BAND - BABY
IN MY OPINION, THIS IS THE STAND OUT TRACK ON THEIR DEBUT ALBUM, PICKED UP THE 45 AT PHONICA, CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THIS TRACK.
The Phenomenal Handclap Band "Baby" from friendly fire recordings on Vimeo.
Here is a link to a brilliant mix by Mr Scruff, check it out!
Mr Scruff live DJ mix from Keep It Unreal, Band On The Wall, Manchester, Saturday 6th March 2010 by Mr Scruff
Restaurant Recommendations in London in no paticular order...
Hakkasan - michellin star Chinese restaurant on Hanway Place, behind Tottenham Court Rd and Oxford Street, played chill out/lounge music here for 4 years, excellent restaurant. It's been packed since the day it opened 8 years ago, usually a 2 hour time slot on tables, if you want more than that make a late booking.
Little Korea - 2-3 Lisle Street- Check out their lunch special, £5.00 for a generous portion of Korean beef or pork with vegies and rice, best Korean in London if you ask me. Go with a Korean friend and you will receive free Kimchi, otherwise you'll have to pay for it!
Gallipol - If you are looking for a Turkish meal, look no further! Head over to Upper Street in Angel, then head down to The Bull for a funk session by my man Johnny Drop from The Dustaphonics or check Barrio North on Essex Rd, a few minutes walk away.
Aduli's - My favourite Eritrean restaurant, South of the river in Kennington, just a stones throw away from from Brixton, it's actually on Brixton Rd.
Banner's Restaurant - The place to eat if you are in Crouch End, it's full of character and they usually play good music. My favourite place in London for a Jamaican Jerk Chicken, check it out!
Jen Cafe - The best place for Chinese dumplings, couldn't find a restaurant better in 7 years. Located on Newport Place, just off Charring Cross Rd in China Town.
That's all for now, I'll post some more recommendations next time.
CHECK OUT THIS MIX BY THE MIGHTY A SKILLZ, ONE OF THE BEST IN THE BIZ!
A.Skillz INTHEMIX.COM.AU (DJ MIX) by A.Skillz
CAME ACROSS THIS RECENTLY, DJ JAZZY JEFF HAS TEAMED UP WITH AYAH (from Toronto) AND THEY ARE WORKING ON AN ALBUM TOGETHER CALLED 'MY WAY'. THIS IS DEFINITELY AN ALBUM TO LOOK OUT FOR!
BREAKESTRA!!! IF YOU DON'T KNOW OF THIS BAND, THEN IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME! I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SEEING BREAKESTRA A FEW MONTHS AGO AT THE LEGENDARY DINGWALLS IN CAMDEN TOWN. THE FOOTAGE RECORDED ON THIS VIDEO BROUGHT ME BACK TO THAT NIGHT, I AM THINKING THEY SHOULD COME TO CALGARY, WHAT DO YOU THINK???
The Breakestra - Sample Land from gregthedude on Vimeo.
THE MUSICAL REVOLUCION DE VENEZUELA! GOD BLESS GUSTAVO DUDAMEL!
CAME ACROSS GUSTAVO FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST YEAR IN A 20/20 INTERVIEW WITH BARBARA WALTERS. HE IS CHANGING THE LIVES OF THE POOR VENEZUELAN YOUTH AND IS ON HIS WAY TO BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CONDUCTORS OF OUR TIME. WATCH THIS VIDEO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEING!
FAT FREDDY'S DROP!!!
A SEVEN PIECE ROOTS, DUB, REGGAE, SOUL, JAZZ BAND FROM WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND! IF THERE IS A SINGER IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC WITH MORE SOUL THAN DALLAS TAMARA THEN PLEASE LET ME KNOW! HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SEEING THEM LIVE AT THE HAMMERSMITH APPOLO LAST YEAR, THE RAFT IS MY FAVOURITE TRACK ON THE NEW ALBUM FOLLOWED BY BOONDIGGA.
