DJ Stylus – The Vibe Conductor

It’s time for June’s Refuge and we’ve got a double dose of freshness to share.

After half a century of blessing the world with the sounds of Brazil, jazz treasure Sérgio Mendes is releasing his 37th studio album and we’ll have it in hand for a listening session.

Bom Tempo showcases songs from the crème de la crème of Brazilian songwriters (including Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gilberto Gil, Joao Donato, Carlinhos Brown, Jorge Benjor, Milton Nascimento and Moacir Santos) and a song from his old friend Stevie Wonder, written especially for Mendes in 1977, the simmering “The Real Thing” (first recorded on Sergio Mendes and the New Brasil ’77 album). While many of Mendes’ friends and long time collaborators are present on the album (including drummers Mike Shapiro and Vinnie Colaiuta, bassists Nathan Watts and Alphonso Johnson, guitarists Paul Jackson Jr. and Kleber Jorge, percussionist Gibi, vocalist Gracinha Leporace—the bandleader’s wife—and songwriter-arranger-vocalist Carlinhos Brown, who was integral to the success of the Brasileiro album), newcomers are also in the mix.

Next we’ll be graced by some live vocals from dear friend, arts maven and all around fly girl Stef Renée. After serving as a pillar of the Philadelphia arts scene, she’s back in her native Washington and I’d like to welcome her home properly.

Wednesday, June 2
Sérgio Mendes listening session and Stef Renée feature
Tabaq Bistro (basement)
1336 U St NW, WDC
9pm – until
21+, no cover

So yeah, I kind of left you all hanging after Nicholas laced us last month. I only did that to give you more time to cop everything in the archives. (err… right.)

The brother brought a packed room full of admirers and sang his face off to tracks from Border Breaker, Hittin’ Switches and a few surprises.

And here are some highlights from my set.

Slakah The Beatchild – “The Answer” (Feat. Melanie Durrant)

The T-Dot beatmaker is already responsible for what has been a Refuge anthem since week 1. This samba is so sexy that I actually had to play it twice. Expect “The Answer” to become a staple.

A Tribe Called Quest – “Go Ahead In The Rain”

Shout-out to all the beckies who come up to the DJ booth asking if I’ll play some Tribe while I’m spinning something from People’s Instinctive Travels… This doesn’t happen at Refuge of course, but at other gigs.

Long a favorite around these parts and identified early as someone to watch, Nicholas Ryan Gant and his soaring tenor are popping up on many more intriguing bits of nu-soul, from these shores all the way to Japan. Catch him delivering an exclusive intimate set at Refuge backed by Slimkat 78.

Wednesday, May 5
Refuge featuring Nicholas Ryan Gant
Tabaq Bistro (basement)
1336 U St NW, WDC
9pm – until
21+, no cover

Got the album yet?

I know there’s a flood of artists paying their respects to Michael Jackson right now, ranging from touching to creative to regrettable. That flood will only increase to a tsunami as time goes on, but seriously, this one right here is among the best I’ve heard. Nick’s vocal study of some of MJ’s most beloved melodies and harmonies is elegant, poignant and expertly executed.

If you’re not hip to young Nicholas, you can play catch-up here and here.

Nicholas Ryan Gant – MJ Medley

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Some months after I first felt moved to spread the word about Nicholas Ryan Gant, he asked me to add some flourishes to a mixtape project he was working on with a west coast hip-hop theme.

It was probably just in time because homie’s becoming a hot property along with the talented company he keeps. You’ll find a few rising nu-soul favorites in the tracklisting below along with some familiar names.

This project also marks the milestone of 50 mixes now available for download on VibeConductor.com. (w00t!)

And even though Nick might not find it as amusing as I do, I’m posting the gag cover that was replaced by the official cover above. Maybe he can be convinced that it’s a good look.

There’s an unmixed version for DJ’s and iPod shufflers. Otherwise, enjoy it mixtape style, where mixing actually takes place, which is not guaranteed in this modern lazily assembled compilation mixtape era.

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1.Hittin Switches intro
2.What?
3.Good Thing
4.Incantory Tranquility ft. Labtekwon
5.Make It Right
6.Ode to Nate Dogg
7.Miss the light
8.My Switch ft. Muhsinah
9.Livin Life ft. Queen Godis
10.I Ain’t Ready ft. Amma
11.West Coast Connect
12.I’m Willin’
13.Gangsta Defined ft. Bilal Salaam
14.Unknown ft. Jesse Boykins III
15.Do What You Want
16.Don’t Call Me
17.The Past Outro

I first came across this cat when he was doing backup vocals for Bilal Salaam. It’s kinda hard to keep up with the younglings sometimes. Nicholas was a student in the same HU music department that gave us Muhsinah, and she came out of nowhere too and just started smashing the world. It’s a movement, y’all. And even when they leave DC I’m still claiming ‘em! Lots of reasons to be excited about music these days and Nick is definitely one of them.

WATCH:

This bamma is SAINGIN’

LINK UP:

http://www.myspace.com/nicholasmusicsoul

PURCHASE:

iTunes | Amazon