Holy Eff

Quite the conversation piece.

Hare Jordan 1

Modeled after the 'Hare Jordan' 7. These even come complete with Bugs Bunny silhouette on the tongue. Kinda clean.

Fatbackin'

So I stumbled upon the entire Fatback Band discography (24 albums) and have been rocking it throughout the workday all week. All I gotta say is, these peeps are the truth. I've known about all their classics for a long minute. Fatbackin', Gotta learn to dance, Backstrokin', Yum Yum (Gimme Some), Gotta get my hands on some (Money)...ect. All great tracks. But, I am listening to all of these lps, and no tracks are skippable. All are jam worthy. I rocked them in the ipod to and from Portland this weekend on shuffle and every track was worthy of my eardrums.


It is rare to find such a sold collection of funk. I mean James Brown has gems, Parliament is golden, Sly Stone is a beast, AWB and Tower of Power bring it as well...but I was caught off guard by the sheer amount of kick ass riffs and all around funkiness of the Fatback crew. Late Pass me if you will. But I am loving this shit.

I Wish I Wasn't Flat Broke

Jordan “Raging Bull” Defining Moments Package II (Limited Release)
Release Date: 05/2009
Style Number: 360968-991
Colorway: Multicolor/Multicolor
136027-xxx Black/Varsity Red-White
136027-xxx Air Jordan V Retro Varsity Red/White-Black
$310.00

H/T: Sneakerfiles.com

RIP Digable

This is a huge WTF moment for me. 3 days before the start of an East Coast reunion tour, Digable Planets broke up...again. I guess Ladybug left the group. For some reason she couldn't go through with the tour. I obviously can't really speak on the circumstances 'cause I don't have any clue, but this is definitely a shock.

Also a big shock for Common Market, who was set to open for them on this stretch of dates. A lot of the shows were already sold out, and they would have benifited greatly from the exposure. They put on a solid set and would have gained a lot of new fans, not to mention the paper lost in the cancellation.

I was lucky enough to see Digable at Neumos back in the fall and they were absolutely amazing. They ran through all the tracks I wanted to hear and I fell in love with Ladybug all over again. I have been bumping 'Blowout Comb' damn near daily ever since and can say with confidence that they are one of the most slept on hip hop groups of all time. That album is flawless. It contains more bass per captia than any album since. The samples are all classic and flipped with skill. The raps put you at ease, and deliver a feel good vibe that lasts throughout the lp. Each MC brings something fresh to the table and boy do I eat it up. Love me some soulful, jazzy hip hop music.

So RIP Digable Planets. You will be missed (until you pull it together and realize you are better together than solo). And Ladybug...I can't stay mad at you. You win.

Genius

Exile makes me want to keep my day job

So Exile and Dj Day put on one of the most amazing live production sets I have ever seen in my 25 years on this planet last Saturday at Nectar during the Qualified Beat Battle. It was more like a 45 minute dj set performed on mpc's. Flowing from 'Planet Rock' to 'I Can't Wait' to my favorite Dilla beat 'Fuck the Police' and even tossing some Afro Beat in the mix. Ohmega Watts, who was the king of the beats that night, also got involved with a 32 bar (or so) freestyle that contained the words 100 Proof (!!!). Not sure if that was a shout out, but I will assume it was cause I am kind of a big deal.

NERDGASM

I WANT

The Franchise

Looks like I'ma have to start saving up some money for those $9 Red Hooks. I will be at a whole lot more Mariners games this year.

I'm about to go cop that #24 Jersey this weekend.

206 up!

My only complaint? He didn't dunk over Dwight Howard in a vintage Shawn Kemp jersey. Seeing the look on Stern's bitchass face would have been priceless.

This Video is Brought to you by the Letters T, S and K

Here is the latest and greatest vid ‘Count it off’ from everybody’s favorite weekend warriors, the Saturday Knights. Complete with muppets, vintage animation and public access feel.

"Count It Off" - The Saturday Knights from Lincoln Leopard Films on Vimeo.

Also, TSK is coming off an award high for winning 107.7’s Endie award for Best of the Sound (beating out Death Cab and Fleet Foxes). Congrats fellas! Fleet Foxes are BOOOOORRRRRIIINNGGGG. AMIRITE GUISE?

Reebok Pump Omni Lite - Dee Brown All Star Game Edition

These kicks are releasing exclusively at Sheikh’s Arizona Mills location in Tempe and the run is limited to only 360 pairs. Bullshit.

h/t to Sneaker Files

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These...

A) Smoked out downtempo instrumentals

B) Fantastic guest spots over basement funk loops

C) A discography spanning 6 “just push play” albums and 2 dj mixes

D) All of the above .

Well, If you guessed D then you win the prize! Tell them what they’ve won!

You’ve won a chance to go see one of the UK’s best dj/producers in the game this Saturday night at Chop Suey! So exciting!

Nightmares on Wax, AKA DJ EASE (Experimental Sample Expert), will be bringing plenty of cool out classics to the stage this weekend. Every one of his albums are a must for any stoner type, or just about anyone that can appreciate the value of downtempo riddims. I have every one of his albums and they are the perfect soundtrack to life’s more relaxing moments. Whether it be during a long road trip, when the clock hits a 1/3 past 4, a summertime bbq (mixtape) or prepping for an afternoon nap, Nightmares has something for you

DJ EASE’s sample game is top notch, instrumental and percussion skills are on point, use of filters and phasers is downright unfair at times and he usually has some amazing vocal talent along for the ride (and uses them more as instruments rather than leads). Because of all these factors his albums take you on a great ride. Never too crazy, never too dull, but just right. His songs span many genres and tempos, but you can always pick out a NOW production. Another thing NOW does better than anyone is sequencing. Each element is given a chance to breath and more often than not drum breaks and bass lines ride out just a little longer than one would expect. I love this cause not many producers have the cojones to just let the beat ride. He isn’t afraid to bring in a new instrument 3 minutes into a song and that is genius. His tracks also contain some of the best mixing/engineering to boot. All the instruments and layers sound crisp and in the right place. With minimalist instrumental tracks it is really difficult to explain just how important this is.

NOW is currently on tour promoting his new album Thought So… and it is really good. The intro track Da Feelin’ is about as uptempo as his music will get, but maintains a level of non-chalant chillness that most producers can only strive to achieve, but never master. 195lbs is another classic joint that is on some super dub heavy Jamaican basement vibe. The vocals are grimey and distorted and almost transport you to Jamrock. Bringin it is by far my fav on the album and contains everything I love about NOW production. A simplistic drum beat that slaps, a female vocal loop, slow and steady buildup, and a lead instrument that takes almost two minutes to drop in. I strongly suggest you go pick yourself up a copy. Every track is worth a listen and as a whole the album can be classified as ’set it and forget it.’ [/Ron Popeil]

So if you enjoy some funky, soulful, smoked out beats you need to be at this show. I will be in the bar double fisting Jameson and Stella…holler at me.

BUY TICKETS HERE.

NIGHTMARES ON WAX

Zac Hendrix - (Del tha Funkyhomosapien’s tour dj/ local producer) & guests

$15adv / $17dos 9pm Doors / 21+

via: www.seattlesubsonic.com

Kick Game Proper

This is a public service announcement brought to you by dj100proof...

STEP YOUR GAME UP


Had to bust em out and try em on.

Now they go back in the box until Summer...

SAADIQ is Gawd

So, big ol Late Pass to me and a huge hat tip to Montana's Finest for hipping me to this video for my favorite song offa my favorite album of 2008.



This album was not only an amazing piece of art but also helped me get navigate a few speed bumps in my life last fall. Dude spits some real knowledge on love and heartbreak and lessons to be learned. Professor Saadiq dropped some gems and now I am a better man for it. The fact is, this album has got to be up in the hundred playcount area by now and has not worn on me at all. On that note...I'll go ahead and post my review of 'The Way I See It' I wrote for Seattle Subsonic last September. Here goes...

Raphael Saadiq has been putting out great music for a loooong time. He started out as a lead vocalist in the new jack swing group Tony! Toni! Tone! in the early 90s. Then he formed the (super?) group Lucy Pearl with Dawn Robinson of En Vouge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest. He is also a sought after producer, having produced cuts with D’Angelo (the Grammy-winning “How does it feel?”), Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, The Isley Brothers, The Roots, Macy Gray, Snoop Dogg, Devin the Dude, Kelis, Q-Tip, and just exectuive produced Joss Stone’s entire 3rd album. Then there are his solo albums that are a must have in any soul/r&b heads collection. Yeah he’s been doing things for a minute.

His newest album does not disappoint. The Way I See It is one of the best recreations of the “Motown Sound” I’ve ever heard. The tracks sound straight off a 1960’s vinyl pressing. The production is top notch, the vocals are well sung and every song captures the essence of soul music how it was meant to be heard. It isn’t too polished or clean. Hell, it doesn’t even sound like a product of the digital age…and that is the highest compliment I can give. It sounds like all analog equipment was used in the production process and that adds a realness and grittyness that is absent in nearly all new soul music, except maybe for Mark Ronson and the Dap tones. The resurgence of that classic/analog/soulful sound is the best thing to happen to music in the last decade, in my humble oppinion, and Saadiq’s latest offering is at the head of the pack.

The album is full of gems but my favorite track would have to be “100 Yard Dash.” The riff is just so nasty and the tempo is perfect. I can’t help but get in the groove and hum along when the guitar kicks in during the intro. The rest are all crowd pleasers that will feel right at home in the stereo of a peer, a family member, a parent, a child, or a coworker…practically everyone can enjoy this album. It doesn’t discriminate and is very listener friendly.

You can go and listen to The Way I See It in it’s entirity on Saadiq’s myspace page. Then I recommend going out and buying a copy.

The Time of My Life

So I went to DC from the 17th-22nd and it was easily one of the best trips of my life. It's hard to put into words the overall experience of bearing witness to one of the biggest parties our country has ever seen. Not only did I go out every night, meet amazing people, drink a lot and witness a truly historical moment...I got to see a monumental (literally) concert at the Lincoln Memorial featuring the likes of Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks, U2, Usher, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Herbie Hancock, Will.I.Am, James Taylor...and many more.


This show was not only entertaining, but a very moving experience. I have never been in a crowd so large (400 or 500,000) and everyone was genuinely ecstatic and singing along to just about every song. Herbie and Will.I.Am busted out 'One Love' and the whole audience just lit up and got their Jamrock dance on. Garth Brooks came out and sang "Bye, Bye Ms. American Pie" and "Shout" and owned the moment. The crowd was eating it up and jumpin' up and down. I have never been a huge Garth Brooks fan, but he killed it. Stevie Wonder is one of my idols, and when I got to see him live this summer I could have died on my way home and died a happy man. He put on a great performance with Usher and Shakira and just destroyed the clavinet like only he can do. I love me some Stevie. Finally, Sam Jackson came out and introduced U2. This was especially moving because he talked about the struggles of the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King...who stood on those exact steps 4 decades ago and delivered his I have a dream speech during the march on Washington. U2 then came out and sang 'In the Name of Love' which is a touching tribute to MLK and his stance on non violence and the power of love. Really an amazing moment.

What an amazing trip and a great concert! I can't wait to go back to the east coast...I kinda fell in love.

PEACE THE FUCK OUT BUSH!

COME KICK IT...with me...please??

Carry every Wednesday like it's Mardi Gras

ORGONE @ Nectar Lounge Friday Jan 16th

So it's Friday night and you are in the mood to get crazy...shake your ass a bit...have a drink, or 5...vibe out to some funky cuts...

Well lucky you.



This Friday January 16th Nectar Lounge is playing host to the first all out funk dance party of the year. I shouldn't even have to say this but I will. This is a can't miss event. If you were one of the poor souls that missed them the last 2 (!!!) times they played here, or missed out on Budos Band for the TSK release, or missed out on the Herbliser in November slap yourself and then get with the program. Nectar throws one hell of a funk concert.

So yeah, Nectar throws a good party blah blah, but let me explain further why this is going to be one of the best concerts of Q1/09. Orgone is going to kill it. I saw them play Bumbershoot this year and I had my own little dance party at the Fishergreen beer garden. Sure I looked like a granola eater at a Phish concert, but I could not have given less of a shit. I am a fiend for the funk. Love it, live it, breath it, spin it, produce it. These guys have got their shit dialed. It is infectious. You can't help but bust out your finest two step within seconds of the first kick drum or horn stab.


Oh you still don't believe me? Fine. Let me break it down further...Orgone is 8 members of the LA funk band/crew Breakestra (sometimes more) coupled with lead singer Fanny Franklin. The band itself is one of the best in the biz. The thing is, Fanny has the soul and organic sound to not only complete the package, but sign, seal and deliver it rushed overnight Fed Ex. Music Man Miles did a great job on the vocals on Breakestra's Ubiquity release "Hit the Floor" but Fanny just brings that extra something I need in a funk 'group'...sass, soul, whatever you wanna call it. The band can jam on and on, seamlessly transitioning from funk classic to dirty breakbeat to flute solo and back. I love that shit. Probably more than most people will ever comprehend. But, it's the extra addition of Franklin that really brings it all together and helps it stand out from the rest. Just peep "Who Knows Who" on their myspace and tell me otherwise. I dare you.

So what are you waiting for??? Peep their music either on their myspace or buy the cd and go get your tixx HERE.

Also, it's Colin Johnson's farewell party *tear*. The man that has brought us all these wonderful nights of funkiness, and who was a true friend to the local music scene, is leaving us for greener pastures (family first!) in LA and he deserves one hell of a bash to go out on . We'll miss ya man!

Snow Days + Car Trips = Best Massline Music I've Heard in a Minute

Blue Scholars - Coffee and Snow



Common Market - Tobacco and Snow Covered Roads

Fleet Foxes are not that tight

There...I said it.

Sure they're from Seattle. Great. They are in every critics top 5 albums of the year.

Their album was boooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring.