Fujimoto Tetsuro “Macula”

April 10, 2012 at 9:56 pm

Spaced out g-funk instrumental goodness from this Tokyo based producer.  Buy this record, and hit the ten freeway.

Making of Shafiq Husayn’s “The Loop” LP

January 17, 2012 at 8:00 am

Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka was my favorite record of 2009, hands down.  I still play tracks from this record as if it were brand new, and can’t wait to hear this new project, called “The Loop.”  Shafiq taps into the cosmos with this stuff, man.  Lots of live instruments and great vocalists, but still what seems to be a very simple approach to beat making.  I think that’s the beauty of the whole Sa-Ra movement, though.  It sounds very stripped down, but, in my opinion, it could be an extremely complex production process.

Peep one of my favorite tracks from Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka.

FELA! in Los Angeles

December 15, 2011 at 9:48 pm

For whatever reason, the Fela! broadway musical was moved from April 2012 to December 2011 in Los Angeles, and we are not complaining!  I watched this in a HD simulcast from London a few months back at the La Mirada Performing Arts Center, and I was damn near in tears from the first note.  This is an amazing story based in Fela’s “Shrine,” a performance space where his live evening shows would last until the morning.  Sometimes 7 or 8 hours of afrobeat heat.  This production is, without a doubt, my favorite musical of all time.  No questions asked.  The music, the choreography, and the story will reach anyone who connects with afrobeat music.  Fela is running in Los Angeles through January 21st, so you have plenty of time to see it.  Do not sleep on this!  Get your tickets at www.centertheatregroup.org

Garfield Adams “For My City”

September 13, 2011 at 11:00 am

New release from my man out of the dena!  Solid hip hop production, with heavy vibes all around.  That’s Josh Koslow on the horns, as well.  I’ve always been a fan of this cat’s beats and I’m glad to see this new project coming to fruition.  This is the first track off the upcoming release, “1st Things First,” coming 11.11.11.  Check him out at garfieldadams.bandcamp.com and keep an eye out for the new album.

Check for it on an upcoming Forward Listening podcast, as well.

Peep the video, too.

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