August 2007 Archives

I'll be spinnin' down at the Buzz Bar this Thursday with John Arnold during his weekly residency. Here's a little info about the night taken from DetroitLuv.com. The Buzz Bar is located at 546 E Larned St in Detroit.

Voted "Best Funk Band in Detroit" in the Real Detroit Readers Poll, Larry Fratangelo's One Nation Under A Buzz tears the roof off the sucka every Thursday night @ Buzz. Downstairs, John Arnold and Team Thursday lay down tracks that helped get the Real D prize for "Best Thursday Night Party in Detroit". 10p, $5 Cover

Just a reminder about some quality soul music in Detroit tonight. Rich Medina will be rockin' the latest edition of The Green Party at The Whitney. The cover is $20 but it is well worth it when it comes to the amount of great food that The Whitney's chef have prepaired for the events lovely spread. The last party with Waajeed and Ge-ology was so much fun, so I highly recommend checkin' out The Green Party tonight.


Then later on at The Buzz Bar is the official release party for Malik Alston's new album This Music Is Life. Free Hennessey v.s., Hennessey v.s.o.p., Nevan & 10 Canes Rum will be served free between 10 p.m. - 12 midnight, first come - first serve. Drink specials on all four premium brands will be available for the rest of the evening. Also, 25 copies of This Music Is Life will be given away to the first 25 guests with paid admission, between 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. 5 special promo packs will be given away during the evening.

Originally found as a hidden track on the amazing Idol Tryouts Vol. 2 compilation from Ghostly International, a properly release for the single from Osborne for "Outta Sight" is now available in 12" and digital formats on Ghostly's subsidiary label Spectral Sound. At Ghostly.com, you can purchase the Outta Sight Deluxe Package which includes the Outta Sight Tee, the 12", and Todd Osborn's Bingata single released on the new German imprint Running Back Records, all of which can be purchased separately also from the Ghostly store. "Outta Sight" is definitely one of the best production to come from Osborne and worth picking up.


On Saturday, September 8th, CPM will be throwing another Hook & Sling party in partnership with Ghostly titled Love On The Rocks at the Fi-nite Gallery. Downstairs, Tadd Mullinix, Vacuum, E. Spleece, and John Johr will be rockin' a disco dance party, while Todd Osborn, SV4, and Danner will hittin' the upstairs with soft rock and yacht music.

OSBORNE OUTTA SIGHT @ GHOSTLY.COM | SPECTRAL SOUND

My homies House Shoes and Brian Gillespie will be playing the Abstract Workshop party tomorrow night out in Los Angeles with performances from Blu & Exile along with DJs Josh One, Scotty Coats, Hyder, and Cocoe. Shoes and Gillespie together reminds me of the good ol' days at Motor in Hamtramck. Oh were those the days.

ABSTRACT WORKSHOP

Tonight at Hoots On the Avenue right at the corner of Michigan Ave & Trumbull is the first edition in a new monthly party titled Mixed Greens presented by my close friends Triple Beam Productions (3BP). For the jump off, they bringing in DJ Rhettmatic of Beat Junkie, and who was J. Dilla's DJ before his passing. Uncle Paulie will be warming up the night on the decks also.

Afterwards, the party moves over to the newly revamped OSLO for the official BYOB afterparty with DJ Dez and The Cynic.

TRIPLE BEAM OFFICIAL SITE

House Shoes just set up his own online podcast spot at shoeshouse.podomatic.com. He posted his Loungin': Live At The Buddha mix from 2004 on the page for your listening pleasures. And remember to check out his HVW8 podcast at hvw8.podomatic.com

Oh boy, do I have a crush on Miss Jack Davey, haha. Well, the Los Angeles based duo J*Davey is offering a free download of Land Of The Lost EPisode compiled by DJ Lindsey. Links below. Hotness.

LAND OF THE LOST (zShare) | J*DAVEY MYSPACE

Just a reminder that tonight at Northern Lights Lounge, I'll be spinnin alongside Ken "MGCPLX" Williams and the Soul Nite resident DJs for the Instinctive Movement party Introducing roXy hart. The night is free and we will be getting wild on the decks. I'm playing from 11pm-12mid and the theme of the night is "urban electro", so expect records spanning from Juan Atkins to Justice to Janet Jackson. The roXy hart press release is below. Come out and get crazy with us.

(press release) - The "Instinctive Movement introduces roXy hart" event on Thursday, August 16, 2007 formally introduces roXy hart as the segment of Instinctive Movement, which is comprise of fashion stylist, O'neka Nixon, and photographer, charles saadiq. The artistic vision of O'neka and saadiq are merged with the use of live models, cutting-edge styling, and fashion photography. The debut of roXy hart will be complimented by the sounds of the musicians that inspired the work of O'neka and saadiq, such as Prince, J*Davey, Outkast, and A Tribe Called Quest.

Northern Lights Lounge on August 16, 2007 will highlight 'stilettos, snapshots, & synthesizers' with a showcase of music, photography exhibits, and fashion in an energetic, soulful environment. Instinctive Movement's inauguration of roXy hart will demonstrate how the raw energy of music enhances one's self expression, sensuality, and spirituality. roXy hart strives to go beyond the simplicities of modern trends by being creatively emancipated. roXy hart differs from the typical tendency of popular culture by being creative, imaginative, and passionate while celebrating sexual expression.

INSTINCTIVE MOVEMENT MYSPACE | ROXY HART MYSPACE

Tonight my friend Josh Crilley's electronic funk/soul fusion band Exchange Bureau will be rockin' The Buzz Bar (546 Larned) in Detroit with special guests E. Spleece, El-Mahdi, and D'Jam. I finally got to see the Bureau at this year's CityFest and they put on one impressive live show, so the $5 cover is well worth it. For more information on EB and to listen to their music: myspace.com/exchangebureau.

Tonight, Waajeed will be out in San Francisco playing the Om:Soul party along with residents J Boogie and Sake One at Pink (2925 16th Street @ South Van Ness). Check out the links below for more info.

OMRECORDS.IMEEN.COM | OMRECORDS.COM | PINK SAN FRANCISCO

Previously available as a podcast on Stones Throw's website, the Thank You Jay Dee, Act 1 mix by J-Rocc is now available on CD, for purchase at FatBeats.com.

PURCHASE NOW AT FAT BEATS

This is a sad lost for the world of music since the foundation that Tony Wilson layed down with Factory Records and clubs like the Hacienda helped the progression of Detroit club music out in Europe. I'm a young cat (26 years old), but I do my research on everything before my time, the vision of Tony Wilson was extremely important to the pioneering waves of Detroit techno artists and his presence in this world will be sorely missed. For those unaware of the legacy of Factory Records, it was the home of legendary groups like Joy Division, New Order, and Happy Mondays, among others in their massive catalogue of music. Check out the sites below for more research on Factory Records and the news article below sheads more light on Tony Wilson's passing.

FACTORYRECORDS.NET | FACTORYRECORDS.INFO

R.I.P.
Anthony Howard Wilson
February 20 1950 ? August 10 2007

"So this is permanence..."

---

Anthony Wilson dies from cancer

Anthony Wilson was an influential figure in the "Madchester" scene
Anthony Wilson, the music mogul behind some of Manchester's most successful bands, has died of cancer.

The Salford-born entrepreneur, who founded Factory records, the label behind New Order and the Happy Mondays, was diagnosed last year.

The 57-year-old, also famous for setting up the Hacienda nightclub, underwent emergency surgery in January to remove a kidney.

He passed away on Friday evening at the Christie Hospital surrounded by family.

A spokesman for the hospital said: "Tony Wilson died peacefully at the Christie Hospital at 6.05pm this evening with his family by his bedside.

Part of me, part of Manchester, part of modern British music has died tonight
Phil Saxe

"Tony was a very great supporter of the Christie and this is extremely sad news.

"We would like to extend our sympathy to Tony's family."

Doctors had recommended he take the drug Sutent after chemotherapy failed to beat the disease, but the NHS refused to fund the £3,500-a-month treatment.

However, members of the Happy Mondays and other acts he supported over the years stepped in and started a fund to help pay for it.

His vision and determination played a key role in helping to put Manchester on the map for its music and vibrant nightlife and his entrepreneurial skills inspired people everywhere.

Phil Saxe, who used to work at Factory Records with Wilson, said: "Part of me, part of Manchester, part of modern British music has died tonight.

"Tony was a genius, basically.

"He was a visionary in that he helped bands, who otherwise wouldn't have made it, who were a bit out of the ordinary.

"He helped them realise their dreams and through that probably realised himself to be Mr Manchester".

'An inspiration'

BBC journalist Kristan Deconinck sought advice from him in the early 1980s on how to launch an independent record label shortly after Wilson had started Factory records.

"He couldn't have been more helpful and more patient," Kristan said.

"He inspired me - and countless others - to have a go if you believed in something.

"That in itself is a great legacy, apart from the vision he had with his label, his shows, his attitude - his contribution to a new culture.

"When I later met him, I found him far more amenable than scurrilous rumours had led me to believe and my esteem for the guy never diminished."

'Soundtrack of my life'

Speaking before his death, Wilson reflected on life and death.

"I used to joke in my early 50s that I'd had such a fantastic life, I'd be happy to die," he said.

"And then suddenly, I find some other reasons for living and just like get excited again about life when it comes along. So that was slightly annoying. I think I was a lord of my own presumption for thinking I'd be happy to die".

Tributes to Anthony Wilson have been flooding in from across the globe - both from people who had worked with him and those who had enjoyed the entertainment he brought to the world.

Speaking on News 24, Radio 2 presenter Stuart Maconie said: "There was no more influential and important figure in music in the last 30 or 40 years.

"He was incredibly generous, giving, enthusiastic and supportive of bands around him.

"He wasn't a businessman. He just loved the music."

The BBC, which employed Wilson, paid its own tribute.

"There will never be anyone quite like Tony," a spokesman said. "He was a true free spirit and a passionate advocate of Manchester - the city, its people and, of course, its music."

Fan Lewis Hart, from Hyde, Greater Manchester, wrote: "A one off who was an ambassador for Manchester. A huge shock."

Another fan, Ross Burton, from Annapolis, Maryland, in the USA, summed up his many achievements with a poignant eulogy: "Thanks Tony for helping to bring me the soundtrack of my life. Rest in peace mate."

Before I went to get my hair cut today, I stopped over at the Record Time in Ferndale, and they had two new Moodymann 12"s!!! Both are single-sided vinyls for the tracks "Technologystolemyvinyle" and "I'd Rather Be Lonely", and both are killer tracks. For those that were at the Moodymann performance at the DEMF this year, his whole set seemed to be based around "Technologystolemyvinyle, so you might recognize the break in it. Word is that these are limited pressings so you might want to scoop yours quick.

"Technologystolemyvinyle"
"I'd Rather Be Lonely"

I've had this album for a while now, but have been slacking with sharing it with the world. Few months back, house producer/DJ Theo Parrish release his Sound Sculptures Vol. 1 triple 12" album on his Sound Signature imprint. This is one of the hottest most soulful albums to drop from Detroit this year. It has guest vocals from Alena Waters on the amazing track "Soul Control" and one of my personal favorites and good friend Monica Blaire. Don't sleep on this album for real!

"Soul Control" (featuring Alena Waters)

Recently a podcast single on Stones Throw's web site, a white label 12" single has been pressed up for the J. Dilla produced "It's A Man World" by Guilty Simpson, which samples the James Brown song of the same name.

PURCHASE AT FAT BEATS | DOWNLOAD PODCAST

Now this is a great way to keep the works of J. Dilla alive. On August 21st, Delicious Vinyl will be releasing a double CD compilation of Jay Dee productions and remixes from his years working with DV artists such as Tha Pharcyde, Brand New Heavies, and N'Dea Davenport. The double disc features 11 tracks from said artists along with 9 instrumentals of those tracks on the second disc. All proceeds will go straight to Maureen Yancey. According to Amazon.com, the tracklisting is as follows:
1. Runnin'(The Pharcyde)
2. Sometimes Remix (Brand New Heavies w/ Q-Tip)
3. Somethin That Means Somethin (The Pharcyde)
4. She Said Remix (The Pharcyde)
5. Bullshittin (N Dea Davenport)
6. Drop (The Pharcyde)
7. Saturday Night Remix (Brand New Heavies feat. Mos Def)
8. Y? Remix (The Pharcyde)
9. Bullshit (The Pharcyde)
10. Whatever You Want (N'Dea Davenport)
11. Splattitorium (The Pharcyde)

The good people at Blank Artists have just released their first label compilation titled Blood and Water showcasing their roster full of electronic-based music tinging on funk, techno, and house. The CD is availble for sale on their official web site or digitally through Beatport.

OFFICIAL BLANK ARTISTS SITE | BLOOD AND WATER INFO/SAMPLES

So after living like rock star this passed weekend getting wasted at various parties at The Buzz Bar and Fi-nite Gallery, along with the Sunglasses At Day party at the Old Miami, a sense of accomplishment along with a sense of regret comes over me. I feel like I should be sharing my interesting life more on this site, so I'm going to eventually tweek the site a little bit more. During my journalistic phase while writing for Real Detroit Weekly, I felt to try to make this site more of an online 'zine, but I just can't do that myself and I can't find enough people that share the love for what I do to help out in that manner (as much as some people like to talk like they do). I was thinking that 6 years ago I used to run this site much like a "blog" site before "blogging" become so popular, so fuck it, I'm going to go back to that. I'm going to bring much more of a personal element to the site again because honesty my life is alot more interesting now and I'm much more comfortable putting myself as the center of attention now.

Expect more updates about songs I hear, CDs i get, parties i'm going and been to, pictures from parties and such. I'm just trying to bring much more of an aural and visual presense to the site again because I just think there is a small group of us in Detroit that are really trying to change the game a bit and make things more fun and interesting.

I invite people to hit me up if they have a new CD, new tracks, or whatever. I'm a busy dude so sometimes I can't get to things real quick but I'll try my hardest. I know this is personally opening it up for ALOT of wack shit to come my way, but screw it. Remember though that I only deal with quality music, so don't send me no bullshit.

Expect mixes and podcasts soon also. On a regular basis I want to put stuff that I'm feeling into a nice podcast show, and I want to make some nice DJ mixes just to show people how I play. People in Detroit know I spin, but they don't know how and what I spin. I've kinda changed it up a bit since I started using Serato. I get to play more music I'm really passionate about now!!!

Anyways. Email me. djkfresh@rensoul.com.