With DJs Stylus, Meistro and Deep Sang.

Forecast for Saturday:
Abundant sunshine. 85 degrees (!)

Now that’s some Sol Power. Last month was crankin’ like a Lagos disco inferno.

Meistro, Stylus, and Deep Sang Live @ SOL POWER (3.2010) Part 1 by Meistro

Meistro, Deep Sang, and DJ Stylus SOL POWER (3.2010) Part 2 by Meistro

ALL beers are $4 (including Leffe & Redstripe)

Saturday, April 3
10pm
Dahlak
1771 U St, NW (18th & U)
21 and Over
NO COVER (that means FREE)

Nuspirit Helsinki – “Silent Steps”

I can’t believe it’s going on eight years since I first got hip to the wave of future hybrid jazzy soul that was rolling out of Scandinavia. The Gothenburg scene was popping in Sweden. Copenhagen was kragenoff. Even Finland was getting it in. The first Nuspirit Helsinki album is so mandatory. It’s held up really well over time.

Mica Paris – “I Should’ve Known Better”

The B-side wins again, which is why I posted the 12-inch label instead of an album cover displaying this luscious singer. Remember when the flip side of every single contained an exciting new adventure? This tune dropped in 1990 but was never officially released on an album until 1998. By then it was a well-established classic. I feel like I can never be a big enough stan for black Brit soul. Did y’all know Mica dropped a new record this year? Honey had the scoop on that this summer.

J. Rawls – “Hebejeebees”

Sometimes I feel like the Liquid Crystal Project jazz albums by this Ohio producer best known for his hip-hop work with Lone Catalysts are some sort of well-guarded secret. If that’s the case, they’re a secret I’d rather share.

Antonio Adolfo – “Cascavel”

I would have missed out on this tasty slice of funky Brazilian fusion jazz if it weren’t for Gilles Peterson. Compilations are your friends.

Want more? Come hang.

Another special moment from Sol Power 2:

Sol Power! Afro. Latin. Brazilian. House. Disco. Funk.

With DJ Stylus, Meistro and Deep Sang.

And special guest Hermon Farahi on percussion.

Sweat to the rhythms of Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico & West Africa.

Saturday, Nov. 28
Dahlak
1771 U St, NW (18th & U)
Washington, DC
21+
NO COVER

Sol Power! Afro. Latin. Brazilian. House. Disco. Funk.

With DJ Stylus, Meistro and Deep Sang.

Samba whistles, shekeres and cowbells welcome. Sweat to the rhythms of Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico & West Africa.

Saturday, Oct. 24
Dahlak
1771 U St, NW (18th & U)
Washington, DC
21+
NO COVER

And as an extra bonus treat, here’s the last hour from when we rocked in June.

Download audio file (solpower061209_pt3.mp3)
[download]

Of course the homie went digging on his trip. Make sure you check out Meistro’s mix on Soul Strut putting some of those rare treats on display.

featuring:

DJ Stylus
Meistro
Deep Sang
and Boogie on live percussion

sweat to the rhythms of Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico & West Africa.

Friday, June 12 2009
$5 before midnight, $7 after
Almaz
1212 U St. NW WDC
10pm – 3am

Some warm-up material:

DJ Meistro – Top Ranking vol. 1

Deep Sang – Beach Ball Boogaloo

DJ Stylus – Afro Diaspora Mix

As soon as the first stanktastic bar kicked in, I bugged, and not just because Dante was rhyming like Ali hitting the speed bag in his prime. This bamma pulled a Ghostface and straight rhymed over a whole existing song! One of my favorite songs by a group I first got hip to on my trip to Brazil last year. Vinyl heads on the internets were already on the case, digging up the original Banda Black Rio joint for comparison.

I would have known about this if I actually went to Mos Def shows because he’s been rocking this joint live for like the past five months. At this point, I wouldn’t be mad if he did a whole album rhyming over funky, contrapuntal jazz fusion classics. Some Return to Forever maybe? Weather Report? Head Hunters! Let’s go!

But before I get carried away, let’s take a moment to trace the origins of a tune that Mos also discovered (and kirked out over) on a trip to Brazil.

“Casa Forte” was originally written and recorded by Edú Lobo for his North American debut Sergio Mendes Presents Edú Lobo. Lobo was already pushing the development of Musica Popular Brasileira after building on the work of Jobim and Gilberto but despite his important contributions to bossa nova, his acoustic rendering of “Casa Forte” takes a back seat to the many cover versions of what is now a standard.

A few of my favorites:

Sergio Mendes gives it a pretty straight interpretation, but with the trademark vocal style of Brasil ’66. (listen / buy)

Legendary vocalist Flora Purim‘s take is less pretty and a bit psychedelic. She gives the tune a wild edge. (listen / buy)

Ellis Regina lends a slightly mournful feel to her version and her rhythm section sounds like they’d also been playing some bop over the course of the recording session. (listen / buy)

Madlib teamed up with original Azymuth drummer Ivan “Mamão” Conti for the Jackson Conti project. Their rendition of “Casa Forte” puts the samba percussion up front and features what sounds like a melodica running through a wah pedal carrying the main melody of the tune. Probably Madlib’s idea. While he was high. Loving the keyboard work on this. (listen / buy)

And finally, DMV beat scientist Nick Tha 1da snuck in a version of “Casa Forte” on his Bossa Bang! mixtape last year. Since it’s a seamless combination of vinyl finds and re-worked productions, I’ve had the damnedest time ID’ing the origin*. Maybe I’ll ask him next time I see him. I ain’t too proud to train-spot. Click the cover above to download the whole project.

Update:
*Nick came through! Crate-diggers never reveal their secrets, but I guess he was feeling generous that day. Dig up a copy of this record and you’ll find another unique Casa Forte to add to your collection.

Here’s the visual:

The Obrigado Dilla vid was my introduction to the brother and it came way too late.

The Sao Paulo hip-hop community was already reeling from one loss before this, and as someone who didn’t know him personally but who admired his style, skill and aesthetic, my heart goes out to our Brazilian fam.

Quite the party-rocker:

And nasty on the cut:

Descanse em paz.

I’ve been back for a while so I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’m not going to get around to detailing all the historical, cultural and social experiences I had in Bahia. This weekend I carved out some time to hit a pile of not yet listened to vinyl so I can at least post the digging wrap-up of my trip (with covers, since that’s a big part of the fun.)

Unfortunately, the holy grail remains outside of my grasp, even though I did visit their hometown. I saw a couple of vinyl copies that cats were not trying to part with and it’s been out of print forever. I’ll probably have to find a questionable Japanese bootleg or something.

I didn’t have much room to bring stuff back to the U.S. so I kept my aspirations low. I scouted out four spots and managed to hit three of them. One of them had massive stock but everything was too beat to be worth buying. Record condition was a recurring problem that I had been warned about.

Right around the corner is another spot I highly recommend to anyone traveling in Salvador. Cana Brava is all CD so it caters to you normal folks that don’t share the wax addiction. Pardal runs the store with his wife and he’s very helpful and knowledgeable. We ended up talking music for so long that I almost forgot to shop. But on impulse I came away with…

Banda Black Rio – Gafieira Universal (CD) [Basically the Brazilian Earth, Wind & Fire. I saw the afros and the disc pretty much jumped off the shelf into my hand. My hunch was rewarded by not a single fast-forwardable track on the whole record. Word to reissues. They've got four other albums that you can find with some due diligence.]

The main transaction went down in this random closet of a store in Barra. The mission posed several challenges. I had to whittle down a huge stack to a handful of critical purchases while dealing with a language barrier, no turntable to screen the records and large holes in my knowledge about the artists.

Then I had to haggle. I was somewhat concerned that I might have been hustled but my gut told me that the proprietor was a serious music head who recognized a kindred spirit. As I dug and asked questions in infant level Portuguese, he went deep into the stacks pulling more stuff and explaining it to me. I definitely paid more than the pieces would be worth in the U.S. but I haggled him down by a significant amount, had fun and most importantly, learned a lot in the process. That’s worth a few reais. Here’s the haul:

Egberto Gismonti – Corações Futuristas (LP) [Fusion bordering on free jazz. Definitely bugged out. I asked for something like Chick Corea and Azymuth and this was the recommendation. Apparently out of print and not often seen stateside.]

Miucha & Antonio Carlos Jobim (LP) [Sweet bossa jazz that's been reissued on CD.]

Olodum – A Música Do Olodum Banda Reggae (LP) [The sound of Salvador and an organization for community activism as well as partying. They even reminded Mike that he's black welcomed MJ with open arms.]

Cesar Camargo Mariano, Victor Assis Brasil, Helio Delmiro – Performance (LP) [Electric jazz cats I'd never seen or heard of. Quite luscious with killer guitar action. This is going to yield some juicy beat fodder. I think I made a come-up.]

Zezé Motta – Dengo (LP) [Lightly funky post-'70s tropicalia with pop accents from this major brazilian actress who also had a singing career.]

Elis Regina – Elis (LP) [If you're ever at a loss for a place to start exploring Brazilian music, you can't go wrong with Pimentinha. Her tone and phrasing are unforgettable]

MPB-4 – Antologia (LP) [This is a 1974 compilation of MPB (otherwise known as Música Popular Brasileira) and it's quite a goldmine. It sounds like an in-house vocal group at the record label doing medleys of the works of significant composers but I have to study up more to get the back story.]

DAYLIGHT Rhomiepalooza IV – Return from Bahia
Classic Music: R&B, Dance, Rare Groove, House, Funk, 80′s Pop, Early Hip-Hop… and some Brazilian flavor thrown in… you know I found the record stores in Salvador.
Bohemian Caverns | Liv
2001 11th & U St NW, WDC
Metro: U ST | CARDOZO (Green Line)
Sunday, Aug. 24
cover: $5 (includes buffet)

In my preparations so far, I’ve only begun to scratch the surface of the rich musical heritage of Bahia, but I’ve already got a prize to track down when I get off the plane. I was clicking about on this very informative site and caught a clip of a vocal trio that hit me with the same feeling I had when I was 13 and heard Take 6 for the first time. And after years of their records being incredibly rare, there are reissues floating around now.

The group’s namesake is a a bird native to the region and still being a pan-africanist at heart, I can’t help but draw a comparison to another legendary singing group named after an iconic bird.

I have a feeling I’m going to be connecting dots like this the whole time I’m down there.

The last surviving Tincoã Mateus Aleliua is still active and still infuses his work with the candomblé influence that he brought to the group. Please don’t leave this site without listening to Os Tincoãs sang the heaven out of “Lamento às Águas” in the player below.

[courtesy of www.bahia-online.net]

I get chills thinking about what Dilla could have done with that.

And to close, a Mateus Aleliua cameo with Margareth Menezes for a live medley of “Cordeiro de Nanã”, “Deixa a Gira Girar” and “Atabaque Chora”.

Black sho’ ’nuff don’t crack. Lawd.

Your boy’s got a gig too. More on that later.

To start the countdown to my departure, I’ve enlisted the legendary Bernard Purdie to translate my current mindstate.

“List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring or summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.”

2000black – So Right
The internets is going crazy and rightfully so since the geniuses behind 4Hero, Silhouette Brown, Agent K and DKD are blessing us with new hot goodies.

De La Soul – Dinninit
Does this even need explanation?

Carl Anderson – Buttercup
I’m just getting hip to this cat some four years after he passed away. And Stevie Wonder lent a hand too?!? Songs like this are why digging is so rewarding.

Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 – Mas Que Nada
I was torn between this and Elza Soares’ version which is actually my favorite but I just saw Sergio at Wolf Trap and I’m still happy about it. It gets no more summery than that. Gotta big up the original though. Brasil here we come!

Louie Vega – Let The Children Play
My inner child needs as much help as he can get. This tune is like his vitamins. I REALLY want to play at or throw an afro-cuban party this summer. White skirts, congas and catching spirits. Maybe I just need to finally get to Libation.

Ronnie Foster – Mystic Brew
This lowers my blood pressure and makes me want to lay down in a hammock somewhere with the breeze gently rocking me back and forth. And yes, it did give birth to another perfect summer anthem.

Choklate – Reach For The Moon
Although it’s standard practice and I can’t find it streaming anywhere, I don’t want to post a download of this out of respect for the sista. I really want her to win and this is a lovely bit of work from her. Catch it on her myspace player and hopefully on an upcoming release.

Tag. You’re it.

Rhonda Marie
Lisa
Kimmie
DJ YZO
DJ Statik
Dee Phunk
DJ Brainchild

1. Daru Beats – Gratefull feat. Deenahea (DNA)
2. Kissey Asplund & Suff Daddy (feat. Bless 1) – 99bottles
3. Erik Rico – Making Love
4. Nickodemus (Wonderwheel Records) exclusive joint
5. Coultrain – Green
6. Nicolay & Kay – I’ve Seen Rivers
7. Mr. Windmill & Jay.Soul – Hugo Hovenkampp
8. Trevor Lovey’s – Elevate Your Mind
9. The RH Factor – For Fun (SoulFeast Vocal Remix of “Common Freestyle” feat. Omar)
10. Reel People – Outta Love feat. Omar
11. Ave.To – Cuz Of You
12. Chris Barker – Breakin Bread edit
13. Demetrius Price – No Holdin’ Back
14. Moodyman – Black Mahogani
15. Amp Fiddler – I’m Doing Fine (live)*
16. Exchange Bureau – The End of Me & You feat. Salah Obeid

*original version: track 4

But the flick has been on my purchase list for a while. I finally pulled the trigger and ordered it. I was inspired.

Rhomiepalooza IV might be in Brazil this year and I am amped.

Download audio file (djstylus_afrodiasporamix.mp3)
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1. Mos Def – Umi Says
2. Faze Action – Samba
3. Femi Kuti – What Will Tomorrow Bring (Remix LP MIx)
4. Los Amigos Invisibles – Bruja (MAW Mix)
5. Tom & Joyce – Queixume (MAW Mix, Main Vocal)
6. Salome de Bahia – Theme of Rio
7. Los Ladrones – Las Luces del Norte
8. Osunlade – Diamant
9. Jiva – Love Chooses Lovers (The ‘Heart Chakra’ Mix)
10. Tortured Soul – I Might Do Something Wrong pt. 2
11. Fertile Ground – Peace & Love (Jazztronik ‘Mardi Gras’ Mix)
12. Nickodemus & Osiris feat. Carol C from Si*Sé – Mariposa
13. Sade – By Your Side (Naked Music Mix)
14. T.Kolai – Congo (T.Kolai’s Andalu Vocal feat. David Crosby)
15. Opa – African Bird
16. Charlie Byrd & Cal Tjader – Samba de Oneida
17. Osunlade – Aldeia de Ogun
18. Nuspirit Helsinki – Afro-Cuban Haze

1. Jazz Samba Encore – Saudade Vem Correndo
2. Visioneers – Runnin’ (extended)
3. Nicola Conte – Bossa per Due
4. Tom & Joy – Imagina
5. Evinha – Que Bandeira
6. Jeff Bradshaw – Soul of Bahia
7. Miyazawa – Anjos Ilrmaos (Rainer Truby Trio mix)
8. Jay Dee – Rico Suave Bossa Nova
9. Los Hombres Calientes – Brazilian Sugar
10. Los Hombres Calientes – Mulher Bahiana
11. Montefiori Cocktail – Gypsy Woman
12. Marcos Valle – Para De Fezer Besteira (4hero Mix)
13. Nature’s Plan – Broken Samba
14. Taylor McFerrin – The Song I Promised You
15. The Randy Watson Experience feat. Bilal – Can’t Hide Love
16. Karen Ramirez – Troubled Girl (MAW rmx)
17. Luisito Quintero – Aquilas Coisas Todas
18. The Rebirth – Talking Me Down
19. Nomumbah – Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser

Download audio file (projectvibe15.mp3)
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