LEE FIELDS, CODY CHESTNUTT, KENNY DOPE + more at ECHO PLEX SAT MAY 19

Plug Research & ArtDontSleep present:

Lee Fields & the Expressions
with Cody ChessnuTT (Live Band) & Naytronix DJ's Kenny Dope & Kon & Amir

Saturday, May 19, 2012 8:00 PM - Tickets Here


Dig Deeper by Art Don't sleep...
Lee Fields & The Expressions:
There aren’t too many artists making soul music today who had a release in 1969, back when R&B was first beginning to give the drummer some. Lee Fields, however, is one such artist—or maybe he’s better labeled a phenomenon. Since the late sixties, the North Carolina native has amassed a prolific catalog of albums and has toured and played with such legends as Kool and the Gang, Sammy Gordon and the Hip-Huggers, O.V Wright, Darrell Banks, and Little Royal. With a career spanning 43 years, releases on twelve different record labels, and having toured the world over with his raucous-yet-tender voice, it’s mind-blowing that the music he’s making today with Brooklyn’s own Truth & Soul Records is the best of his career.

With a catalogue that ranges from James Brown-style funk to lo-fi blues to contemporary Southern soul to collaborations with French house DJ/producer Martin Solveig, Lee Fields has done it all. Today, with The Expressions—Truth & Soul’s house band,

SY SMITH - FAST AND CURIOUS

Sy Smith’s fourth studio release Fast And Curious is exactly that. It’s plenty fast. And wonderfully curious. Produced entirely by electronic remixer, jazz musician, and deejay Mark de Clive-Lowe (aka MdCL), this project fuses elements of soulful house, downtempo electronica, and underground R & B to place Sy in a whole new class unto herself:

Our friends at Nu-Soul Magazine review:
"Sy Smith is a woman in LOVE as one listen to the remarkable Fast And Curious will no doubt prove. The album moves along with considerable energy and power, grabbing your attention right away and keeping it for all 11 lengthy tracks..." (read more)

"Fast and Curious is a worthy addition to Sy Smith's catalog. By mining the sounds of the '80s, Sy and Mark de Clive-Lowe have found a sound that feels at once modern and timeless. If you're a fan of Sy, or just fun music in general, you'd do yourself a disservice if you didn't check this one out." (D-Money, Soulbounce.com)
SY SMITH FAST & FURIOUS reviews and bandcamp 

 

DJ SLOE POKE LA Riots Redux Mix featured on Huffington Post

On the eve of Dj Sloe Poke's inaugural set at Cherry Poppin we'd like to showcase the Los Angeles DJ patriarch who's "UPRISING LA: 20 years later mix" with Chicharron was recently featured on the globally respected Huffington Post.

The mix is a reflection of the music of the time, commentary by activists and artists now and then and Michelle Chen (Huffington Post) writes "The impact of the Los Angeles riots still resonates 20 years on. Here's an audio take on the experience of the chaos -- all the pain, the fear, the search for healing amid relentless destruction, and the hope for redemption rising from the ashes. The community has changed since then--socially, culturally, economically but the divides across race and nationality, and between the people of the state, still stratify the landscape. A generation later, popular uprisings and unrest are again exploding around the world again raising questions of conflict, justice and peace. Maybe listening to echoes of the past can clarify our vision for tomorrow's struggles." (Full Post Here) 

 

UPRISING LA: 20 years Later Mix
by the Sound Strike DJ SLOE POKE and CHICHARRON

(Podcast Link)

DJ SLOE POKE will be spinning at Cherry Poppin Wednesday May 9th at THE ROOM Hollywood.
1626 N. Cahuenga Blvd - Free b4 10:30/$5 after. Spinning the best in soul, funk, rnb/hip-hop classics and all that makes you feel fuzzy inside. (Facebook Event Page)

STONES THROW PHOTO SHOW PICS & PRINTS AVAILABLE

Stones Throw held a photo show downtown Los Angeles, April 27th, with the Lucie Foundation as a part of expansive showcase of So Cal photography community called Month of Photography Los Angeles (MOPLA). The show featured some highlights from the 16+ years of Stones Throw's photo history, with photo prints from B+, Eric Coleman, Joao Canziani, Viviane Oh and Theresa Castro.

Performing live and DJ sets were Madlib, Peanut Butter Wolf, The Lions, Jonwaye, Jonti and Gary Wilson. Photos below by Laith Al-Majali. (PICS/READ MORE)

MADLIB

 

THE LIONS

 

 PHOTO PRINTS STILL AVAILABLE for PURCHASE (link for more prints)

MELVIN VAN PEEBLES in 2005

 

Madlib & Melvin Van Peebles a previously unpublished photo taken during the production of their never-finished collaboration in 2005

MF DOOM the source photo for the cover of Madvillainy

ROOT DOWN JAMES BROWN BDAY EXTRAVAGANZA THUR MAY3

Rootdown celebrates James Brown
by Music Man Miles

This Thursday May 3rd the Rootdown soundsystem & friends are gathering to celebrate the birthday of James Brown by spinning the Soul Brother #1 & his funky family of various JBs incarnations & many more artists the godfather of soul developed & produced.

Although rhythm & blues was his foundation & artists like Little Willie John & all the New Orleans RnB foundation music is the true source of James Brown's style,  it is likely that the sub culture of funk music in particular would not have developed quite in the way it did both creatively & in the popular culture of the world had it not been for James' vision of emphasizing that back beat & syncopation on the drums. No doubt  drummer Clyde "the funky drummer " Stubblefield & the rest of JB's drum stable is  a major part of what became funk from rhythm & blues.

There would likely not be any of the hip hop, disco-funk & classic dance soul floor music as we know it were it not for James Brown & his family of funk & we are going to run down JB's sounds all night long on the ONE at the newly opened Virgil bar (formerly Little Temple).

DJS MUSICAN MAN MILES, EXPO, JEDI, ERVIN ARANA
Special guests INKA ONE (boombox) ADRIAN YOUNGE (Bridges)

@THE VIRGIL 4519 Santa Monica Blvd (formerly Little Temple)
Doors 9pm-2am | 21+ |  Free b4 11pm with rsvp@rootdownclub.com/$5 after
FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

James Brown's power and influence stretched far beyond the music medium documented here in "The Night James Brown Saved Boston" performance twenty-four hours post MLK assassination.

SOULSLAM - PRINCE VS MJ - SATURDAY APRIL 28th

One of the ultimate feel good parties of the year is going down this Saturday. SOUL-SLAM with DJ SPINNA playing a special 4 hr tribute set of these legendary icons. This event centers around the honoring of two of the most eclectic and innovative artists to date, Michael Jackson and Prince! From the inception of this concept back in 1999 the response for SOUL SLAM has been enormous. DJ Spinna sets the tone of this event as he lays down track after track from both MJ’s and Prince's extensive music catalogues along with tracks of their cohorts,i.e.; Jermaine Jackson, Vanity, Janet, Sheila E., J5, The Time etc.

 

SOUNDS OF DUSK FESTIVAL SAT APRIL 28th

It's been 6 Years since LA's DJ DUSK left our earth but his legacy continues with the annual tribute mini-art-music fest, Sights & Sounds of DJ DUSK Art & Music Festival.

It's going to be a family affair with live performances from THE BREAKESTRA, PERCEE P, DJ RHETTMATIC, MEDUSA plus more as they celebrate and support art, music, family, and community. Proceeds go to the Mar Vista Family Center, where Dusk was a youth counselor at during his time with us.

Activity areas include.
Children's Arts & Crafts area (face painting and henna tattoos) • Bike valet (for all our two wheeled friends) • Silent Auction. (including DJ DUSK's personal Items) •Homemade food. (always a favorite) • Live Silk Screening & Merchandise Table (such as our Poster available only at the Festival).




6th Annual Sights & Sounds of DJ DUSK Art & Music Festival.

JOY DENALANE still under the radar - New Release MAUREEN

Known as Germany's Queen of soul, JOY DENALANE still floats under the radar here in the U.S. even though she's been doing it since her first release in 2002, "Mamani". Primarily performed in her country language her 2006 follow up, "Born and Raised", was mainly in English and recorded in Philadelphia, featuring guests appearances by Lupe Fiasco and Raekwon. Producer heavyweights like James Poyser jumped on board after hearing her sweet vocals on Common's "Go"-Remix.

We first discovered her on the underground conscious driven fire-gem "Soweto '76-06' which still rocks the party til today and almost certainly gets a few heads walking up to the DJ booth inquiring who the artist is. She's now back with a new English album, "Maureen", and has stayed true to her modern meets classic soul with influences of her South African roots and American RnB. Just the right amount of polish and grit, this record should appeal to soul lovers underground and main.

For more info and listen: Joy Denalane Website

JOY DENALANE talks about "MAUREEN"

JOY DENALANE "SOWETO '76-06'"

JOY DENALANE - COMMON "GO" Remix

ROOT DOWN begins its 15 Year celebration at MOM

Root Down begins its 15 year celebration with the first of a series of events happening throughout the 2012 calendar year. Monday night the RD Sound System does Motown Mondays in one of the original LA party venues, the Short Stop.

Although its been a few years since the Root Down stopped it's weekly Thursday party, it has not officially closed it's doors, simply calling it a hiatus vs a retirement. A deep get down night of music is still in demand and RD has proven to be one of the premiere establishments to be the providers.

Founded by Music Man Miles and Loslito back in 1997 the theme was always and will be on this day being about the music. This night will focus purely on the Motown catalog and the DJs are wiping the dust of their vinyl as we speak. What better way to launch the year.

ROOT DOWN does MOTOWN
DJS Music Man Miles, Sloe Poke, Expo, Jedi, Ervin Arana & Burt Blackarach.
@The Short Stop 1455 Sunset Blvd | 21+ | No cover
Facebook Event Page

MICHAEL MILLER- WEST COAST HIP HOP HISTORY IN PICTURES

West Coast Hip Hop A History In Pictures – Michael Miller

Michael Miller was the man at the right time when the west coast hip hop movement was exploding. Besides shooting all the major players in the game he also hung out with the artists and became a part of the culture. Shooting important figures like Cypress Hill, NWA, Tupac, Ice Cube, Snoop, House Of Pain, etc, etc His photo’s are an amazing archive of a magical time in music and his crazy but true stories about the shoots are mind blowing. (for more info/pics-buy book)

Video about Michael Miller and West Coast Hip Hop History In Pictures

FreshJive Interview with Michael Miller
Freshjive Moving Pictures - An Interview With Mike Miller from Freshjive on Vimeo.

Snoop Dogg- picture by Michael Miller

SPECIAL HOODIE EVENT | WED MAR 28

We enjoy putting on events that bring communities closer together. We feel music is a unifying force that can help break barriers and help reveal our common interests. Usually most have a certain idea in their heads of what they might expect when they go to an event, distance, parking, cost, who will attend, is the area safe, will security be cool, etc.

Upon entering the venue, the next stage of criteria may roll down your mindset based on certain preconceptions. Seeing familiar faces will immediately get you in the comfort zone, but if you don't see people that travel in your circle then you may chill in a separate area, get a few drinks and slowly ease your way into the nights festivities. Sometimes your impatience outweighs the desire to settle in so you leave to another place where you can feel most comfortable.

Unfortunately when you are not flexible to be open to an environment that is outside your sphere of comfort then you lose the opportunity to discover, that despite what we look like or what area we might be from or space that is hosting the event, that many of the conscious event participants share much of the same desires to attend: uplifting music, good people and positive environment.

From doing promotions for over 15 years in many different scenes, celebrating many types of cultures, you witness how the crowd moves, feels and flows. You hope that individuals can see the common thread that you see from the attendees as a whole, but there is only so much you can do to assist in the changing of the mindset of someone who is so fixed in their preconceptions of what they think it's going to be vs. what it really is. As they say, if you are looking for trouble eventually your going to find it.

ROBERT GLASPER, QUANTIC + ALICE RUSSEL recap

By ANTHONY VALADEZ
Last night was wonderful on so many levels.  It was a fun crowd. My set went just about all over the place. The minute the doors opened I just felt that good energy from music lovers.  It was also great to see so many friends in one building.  Quantic took the stage with the amazing Alice Russell and crew and took the building to Church!   Rich Medina stepped to the decks and kept the energy up before Robert Glasper and crew took to the stage.  Glasper invited Bilal, King and Lalah Hathaway to the stage and dropped tracks from his new release entitled “Black Radio“....(to read full blog and pics)  

 QUANTIC & ALICE RUSSEL

BILAL

ROBERT GLASPER

RICH MEDINA

ROBERT GLASPER EXPERIMENT feat. BILAL & KING + QUANTIC & ALICE RUSSEL - Live

One of the more eclectic and music rich events is set to hit the LA stage on Wed Mar 21 and Thurs Mar 22.

Robert Glasper Experiment is hot on the heels of his new release, Black Radio, which features special guests King, Bilal, Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu to name a few. We are officially at the 20 year cycle of the hey-day of sp12000-mpc driven sample beats and this record comes full circle with Glasper's ethereal jazzed-loop-around musical creations. Should lend itself perfectly for an organic live experience that will lay ground to reciprocal performance talk from guests Bilal and King.

On equal hold, Quantic keeps evolving his Latin rhythms base with his soul-Rotary Connection roots on his new track with Alice Russel, "Look around the corner".  This should resonate to the Los Angeles audience with a heightened calmness and energy that will keep the flow steady with surprises throughout the evening.

This night should provide a nice antidote to the Dj-only driven events that's been trending the past few years.

ROBERT GLASPER EXPERIMENT feat. KING - "MOVE LOVE"

QUANTIC and ALICE RUSSEL "LOOK AROUND THE CORNER"

The Robert Glasper Experiment feat Bilal both nights & King(Thurs)
&  Quantic & Alice Russell (Live Band)

Main Room DJs:
J.ROCC & Ras G (Wed) RICH MEDINA & Anthony Valadez (Thurs)

Exchange LA:
618 S. Spring Street :: Los Angeles, CA 90014 :: (213) 627-8070
21 + wiser:
Tickets: www.artdontsleep.com
30$ @ General Admission

?uestlove | Kiss-N-Grind Recap

Walk Talkin' helps bring in the first Kiss-N-Grind of the year and Questlove’s in the building with Vikter Duplaix and Tailwind Turner.

Stay updated and "Like" Kiss-N-Grind and Walk Talkin on Facebook, stay updated with upcoming events and more!

For the full album click HERE.

Photos: Maricel Sison

HOMAGE: HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE feat PHIL COHRAN, DJ SPINNA + more 2/23

"Its something in the music that touches us, oh so very deep." Music is a frequency. Its a wav of energy. Its a code that the human mind, body and soul gravitates toward and feeds off of. Music has changed our life. We invest our time in change your mind music. Music that expand your thought process and help you hear past everything you have been taught. Once in a lifetime, we are graced with the special opportunity to witness should a musical spectacle. We pay Homage to those who have paved this musical road. Phil Cohran and William Hart.

Thursday February 23rd, 2012 :: 8pm-2am

EVFA & ArtDontSleep present: Homage
Live Performances by: Hyonotic Brass Ensemble feat Phil Cohran

Opening Performance by: Venice Dawn feat William Hart (Delfonics)
Main Room DJs: DJ Spinna & Lefto

Lounge DJ's: Anthony Valadez, Expo, Seano, Rani D.  Hosted By: Azul 213
Exchange LA: 618 S. Spring Street :: Los Angeles, CA 90014 :: (213) 627-8070

Tickets: www.artdontsleep.com
25$ presale :: 30$ @ the door
Physical tickets can be purchased at the following two locations:
Six Hundred | 600 South Spring St. Los Angeles, CA. | 213.599.1600
The Artform Studio | 701 E 3rd St. Ste 120, Los Angeles, CA | (213)
613-1050

Homage III - The Cohran Family Philosophy (Mixed by DJ Expo