Tag Archive - Jazz
Eric Lau – ‘Last Night on Earth’ Vol 1
DJ / Producer Eric Lau was recently asked to do a mix…but not just any ol’ ordinary mix. The mix had to contain songs that fit the theme of his‘Last Night On Earth’. He took on the challenge and put together a compilation that contains Music he fell in love with as a child with some more recent joints by the late, great J. Dilla. Check out the playlist of songs that Eric would bump as he leaves Mother Earth. Oh yeah, download it for free while you still have the chance!
Peace!
RJ Bass
Put Me On It ‘Last Night on Earth’ Vol 1 – Eric Lau by Eric Lau
Mecca:83 – “Life Sketches Vols 1&2″
“Life Sketches Vols 1&2″ is an instrumental album by U.K. beat-maker / producer Mecca:83. Released in December 2011, the full-length album (16 tracks in all) consists of cuts from Mecca:83′s debut EP “The Life Sketches” as well as brand new material.
All tracks were produced by the Manchester based artist but he enlisted the help of some other really good Musicians including my homie Buscrates 16bit Ensemble, who’s a talented producer in his own right. One of my favorite joints on the album is a track called “Detroit Twilight” which features both Mecca:83 and brotha BusCrates. (Love the name too!)
Please check out the entire album below and for those that dig it, you know what to do…buy it!
RJ Bass
1Eighty – “D.D. (Dear Dilla)”
For those that know me personally or kick it with me on the various social networks, it’s no secret I’m a huge J. Dilla fan. I’ve written about him several times on my blog and I often post Music by him on Facebook and Twitter.
Shortly after our piano player joined our band back in February of this year, he composed a song and sent us the melody. After reading the title and hearing just the keys, I knew I was going to love playing this. The song is called D.D. (Dear Dilla) and it’s our dedication to the late Detroit genius, James Yancey aka Jay-Dee aka J. Dilla.
I’ve decided to post a couple of versions of this. The first version is from one of our studio sessions earlier this year. The second version is us playing live at Dolce Vita in Tokyo, Japan. Hope you like it.
RJ Bass
Noah Studio, Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, Japan – March 25, 2011
Dolce Vita, Okubo, Tokyo, Japan – August 6, 2011
Fathom 9 “SHS:Blue Notes from a Brown Soul v.1 Sounds 4 Sojourners”
Another one from that brotha that never seems to sleep, Fathom 9. His latest entitled SHS:Blue Notes from a Brown Soul v.1 Sounds 4 Sojourners has been getting heavy play in my crib this morning (sorry neighbors).
I’ve posted Music by Fathom before and he has become one of my favorite Musician / Producers. The dude can flow on the microphone as well! He recently got a change to open for legendary Hip Hop artist Sadat X (formerly of Brand Nubian), which he said was a life changing experience. Be on the lookout for more goodness from Fathom.
Peace.
RJ Bass
Miles Bonny – “Lumberjack Soul”
For those of you that are not familiar with this Soulful dude, you are in for a treat.
Lumberjack Soul is the latest release by Miles Bonny and is full of older and new goodness by the talented Kansas City-based artist (originally from New York). I’m really hoping this dude hits the shores of Japan in the not so distant future.
RJ Bass
Ahmed Sirour – “THE AFTER 2AM SESSIONS EP”
Ahmed Sirour‘s “THE AFTER 2AM SESSIONS EP” is definitely perfect for that late night hour but it’s also a good one to put on after a long day of working in the big city. The tracks on the Bandcamp page are just snippets, so be sure to purchase the entire release to get a full dose of…chill.
Peace.
RJ Bass
Dion Brown – “April First”
The news of Gil Scott-Heron passing last week caught many by surprise and upset all of those who knew his work. Not just his Musical works but his work as a activist, educator and social commentator. Gil was not afraid to speak his mind and “rapped” about things that needed to be heard…a lot of things which are still issues today. (Many refer to him as the “Godfather of Rap” but he denied that.) As the news spread, many posted their favorite speeches and songs while others began to educate the youth of the net community of who Gil was: A Freedom Fighter. Gil also had a special way of interjecting humor into his a lot his conversations about serious topics.
Dion Brown out of Chicago (Gil’s hometown) has shared with us his own interpretation of some of Gil’s works, entitled “April 1st” (the two share a birthday as well). This release is filled with lot of cool beats but there are a few standouts for me, and one of those is the outro track. In this song, you’ll get to hear a bit of Gil’s comedic side as he talks about some of the “blues” plenty of folks can relate to.
Rest in Peace Gil.
RJ Bass