Detroit’s own James “Dilla” Yancey (aka Jay Dee or J. Dilla). A Musician and Music producer who helped create Music for some of the best in Hip-Hop and R&B. The list includes, A Tribe Called Quest, Common, De La Soul, Erykah Badu, Janet Jackson (remember Got ’til It’s Gone?) and his own group Slum Village. He was 100% dedicated to Music and didn’t care about awards or fame. So much so, that when Janet Jackson won a Grammy for a song he produced, he wasn’t phased one bit. (Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis took the honors but the all the production credit goes to Dilla.) Just as Dilla’s Music and production skills were becoming more and more popular, he developed a rare blood disease called TTP. A true fighter, Dilla continued to work on Music while the disease began to take over his body. He never seemed to stop working, even while stuck in the hospital for dialysis treatment.

Unfortunately, a few days after days after his birthday in 2006, his Life ended due to complications from TTP and Lupus. He was only 32.

Since Dilla’s death there have been many Musical dedications by artists that worked with him or by those that were inspired by his Music (and his work ethic). However, there is one that stands out and I listen to or watch the live performance several times a week. (I’m actually watching as I type this.)

A Suite For Ma Dukes. A 15 song performance by a 60 piece orchestra with Music that was arranged, composed and conducted by MIguel Atwood-Ferguson (who’s also an incredible violinist). According to Miguel, some of the Musicians had no idea who Dilla was when he first asked them to participate in this project. However, after I watched for the first time and listened to how they interpreted his Music, it seemed like they knew him personally. Also included in the orchestra is drumming sensation Karriem Riggins. Karriem (who’s also a Detroit native) was a friend of Dilla and collaborated with him.

I first discovered this Musical project very early in 2010. After watching a couple of performances on Mochilla’s website I immediately pre-ordered the TIMELESS DVD set. (The TIMELESS set also includes live performances by Mulatu Astatke and Arthur Verocai which I’ll cover later.) I’m sure I annoyed several of my FB friends as I seemed to be posting the few video clips that were available every other week. I couldn’t help it though as this was some of the best Music I had ever heard (and felt).

After receiving the DVD I watched it right away. It was more amazing than I thought it was going to be. To listen to a 60 piece orchestra play the Music of a gifted, Detroit Hip-Hop/R&B producer who was humble and didn’t care about the accolades…to play his Music with so much passion…well, it was moving. (I’m not ashamed to say that I got choked up a few times.)

Here are a couple of clips from the Suite For Ma Dukes DVD

Untitled / Fantastic (originally performed by Slum Village)

Hoc N Pucky (originally performed by Slum Village)

I don’t wanna share too much as there are a few surprises towards the end. If you are a Dilla fan or a fan of some of the artists he produced or just wanna hear some good Music, please pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed.

As Dilla’s legacy lives on, I’m sure there will be more and more tributes but A Suite For Ma Dukes will continue to remain in a class by itself.

Mr. Brown

The TIMELESS DVD set was a limited release however, there are a few copies remaining at Amazon:
A Suite For Ma Dukes

To read more about James “Dilla” Yancey please visit the following sites:
J Dilla Foundation
Stones Throw
Official International J Dilla Tribute Art Contest

For more information on Miguel Atwood-Ferguson please visit:
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson

For more information on Karriem Riggins please visit:
Karriem Riggins

Here’s a cool mix put together by my friend and serious Music head, DJ Neo Sakhalin. Funk, Hip-Hop, Jazz, R&B, Soul…this mix has it all!

The tracklist is below:

♪ 01 The Sun – New Sector Movements (DWELOGY Remix)
♪ 02 Y’all Ain’t Ready – J Dilla (Explicit Lyrics)
♪ 03 Think Twice – J Dilla
♪ 04 Think Twice – Donald Byrd
♪ 05 Tell Me What to Do – Johnny Hammond
♪ 06 Roll With It – Trouble Funk
♪ 07 Break Out – Johnny Hammond
♪ 08 Gibraltar – Weather Report
♪ 09 Directions/Dice Game – Sound Directions
♪ 10 Future Shock – Curtis Mayfield
♪ 11 We Got The Love – George Benson
♪ 12 You’ve Got That Something – The Black Byrds
♪ 13 Tongue Power – Roy Ayers
♪ 14 Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose – James Brown
♪ 15 How I Got Over – Darondo
♪ 16 Sweet Power, Your Embrace – James Mason
♪ 17 The Master Rocker – Bernard Wright
♪ 18 Mystery – Miles Davis
♪ 19 Lansana’s Priestess – Donald Byrd
♪ 20 Comin’ Home Johnny – Jimmy Smith

Unfortunately I cannot make this mix available for download. However, if you’ve enjoyed what you heard, I highly recommend checking out Amazon or iTunes to hear (and of course buy) more songs from the great artists listed above. Also, be on the look out for an updated version of this mix…with me on Bass!

…and to DJ Neo Sakhalin, good job my man!

Nothing like some live Music after a stressful day at work. Last night some friends and I hit my favorite little Jazz club in Tokyo to check out my Bass sensei, Motoi Kanamori and his band. I’ve seen Motoi Sensei perform live before but this was the first time to see him perform in his trio (he’s the leader). They did not disappoint.

Before I talk about the band let me touch on the venue. Club NARU is a small, underground (for real underground – level B1) spot on a back street near Yoyogi Station in Tokyo. I swear, the somewhat hard to find places always house the best talent. The place seats about 50 and has a decent bar. The entertainment charges are really reasonable while the food / drink prices are about average (although the pizza is tiny!). If you’re in or around Tokyo, or plan to visit, please check out NARU.

I love small Jazz clubs. Yeah, the ventilation isn’t the best (I hate cigarettes with a passion) but the acoustics are fantastic without the need of a large PA system. Just the sound of the instruments. Seated close to the Musicians I could catch the finer details: The drummer’s precision brush work; The vibrations of the Bass strings; The pianist looking laid back while playing a million notes effortlessly. I could see the tiny adjustments each Musician made while not missing a step. Probably the coolest thing I saw were the Musicians smiling (almost laughing) and having a good time. Occasionally looking over at each other like, “Man, you nailed that sh*t! Let’s keep it going! Let’s give ‘em more!” While I sat there next to my friend / band mate, bobbing my head to the beat…I couldn’t help but feel…jealous (if only for a moment).

Before we got to the venue I already knew these guys would be good. I knew Motoi Sensei’s credentials and figured his band mates had to be good. They all exceeded our expectations. Drummer Ryo Shibata and pianist Hiroyuki Takubo (both Berklee alumni) were excellent. Last night was actually the first time Ryo played at Naru. He seemed perfectly comfortable and I’m sure no one knew it was his first time there until he said so (we didn’t anyway).

The grouped played several Jazz standards flawlessly but my friends and I all agreed that the original pieces were the best. Four songs -”Kiwi”,”Hiking” and 2 untitled pieces – kept us talking in between sets (we stayed for all three). I really hope he releases a CD with all of this material as it’s too good not to share with the masses. I think I’ll put on my”annoying student cap” and bug him until he does so.

RJBass

Club Naru

http://www.yoyogi-naru.com/

To hear some of Motoi Kanamori’s older material please visit:
http://www.myspace.com/motoibass (Japanese site)

Upcoming Events:
Apple Jump
http://applejump.net/ (Japanese site)
10/26, 8:00PM start (2 sets)
2000yen

Boozy Muse
http://www.boozy-muse.com/ (Japanese site)
11/27, 7:40PM start (2 sets)
2500yen

Motoi Kanamori is currently unsigned.

Ah, the Shinkansen (or the bullet train for all my people outside of Japan). There’s nothing like zooming along at 300kph (about 186mph) through the countryside of Japan, while listening to some good tunes…which is what I’m doing right now. Somebody beer me please!

I’m headed back to the city after spending a few days out in the country. I love the big city but it’s always good to get away – hit the onsen (hot springs), breathe some fresh[er] air, eat good seafood and zone out for a bit. Only one thing was missing…

I didn’t bring my Bass.

Yeah, I know…rest, relaxation, birthday cake (it was my son’s birthday), zoning out. Well, chillin’ out and playtime is over. It’s time to get to work!

I recently started working with a new Bass teacher by the name of Motoi Kanamori. This cat is phenomenal on the upright Bass (he plays electric as well). After seeing him perform twice at a Jazz club in Tokyo, I figured I’d hit him up for lessons. He said, “Sure!” and we started working together a few weeks later.

Before we started our session, I told Motoi that I want to know how to practice “properly” and also asked how long I should practice everyday in order to reach my goals. After giving me a lot of good tips, he said I should practice a “minimum” of 2 hours a day. I smiled and said, “OK!”, but I was really thinking, “Two hours?! Man, don’t you know I work full time?! Did the number of hours in a day just increase from 24 to 30 and no one told me?! And what’s this minimum stuff?!”

Yeah, I know…laziness will get you nowhere.

I softened my fake smile then asked how many hours a day does he practice. His response was, “10.” Yeah, that’s right, 10 hours a day. Ten hours a day for 6 years, while going to a really good school and majoring in something I cannot even pronounce. (For those that know the 10,000 hour rule, please do the math. If you’re not familiar with this rule, look up Malcolm Gladwell.) Yes, practices makes perfect.

Then it hit me. Motoi is a professional Musician and doing what he LOVES. There are A LOT of people that cannot say they love their jobs (most people I know and myself fall into this category). Some people I know cant stand their jobs!

After feeling like a lazy bum for a few minutes, I then said to myself, “Yeah, I can find “at least” 2 hours a day. During the week, I can get up a little earlier and stay up a bit later. I can practice even more on the weekends.”

Now you see why I regret not taking my Bass.

A lot of times the only person standing in the way of success is that person in the mirror. When that person is standing in your way, tell ‘em, “Stop being lazy and get busy!”

The saga continues. . .

RJBass