So its Thursday in Chicago and I'm headed out with DJ Kwest_On to hang out at Red Kiva. I mention to him that I'm going to Atlanta next week and am trying to figure out a way to stay longer than origninally planned. Within minutes I get a call from Kai Alce. While chopping it up and talking about what's going on in Chicago I ask "So what's crackin in the ATL? I'll be there on Monday". Kai replies, "We're doin an MJQ reunion on Sunday". At that point I'm geeked and once I get off the phone I change my itinerary and make plans to arrive Sunday instead of Monday. This could not have come at a better time.
This particular event was known as "Adult Skate" which could also be known as the "Deep" reuinion. "Deep" was a 9 year weekly residency that took place every Saturday night in Atlanta at MJQ.
I vividly recall my first time attending. One of my friends called me early afternoon on a Saturday to say, "Hey MJQ has a House night and was thinking about checking it out tonight". Ok, I'm game. Not doing anything worthwhile that night anyway. I had been to MJQ on a Hip Hop and Jungle/Drum n Bass night and stayed for 45 minutes. The Hip Hop set was dope (DJ Boom Bip) but the Jungle/Drum n Bass did not necessarily connect with my soul. There weren't many people in attendance but like I said the Hip Hop set was really dope and made that experience worth it.
My expectations for Saturday were kinda low because when people say House music I don't always identify with their brand of House music. Plus I didn't know who the DJs were. We arrive at MJQ and as we enter begin to walk down a slight decline of an approximate length of 40 feet as we enter the actual club area. MJQ was an underground parking garage with a more than adequate sound system. It had really been a minute since I experienced something this underground and unique. I soon embraced my surroundings and began to vibe with the music. After grabbing a drink we all hit the dance floor and danced virtually all night. Before the night ended I heard Lil Louis' song 6am. I pretty much did not look into the DJ booth all night because the club was very dark and the lighting on the dance floor did not really allow you to focus your vision on who was DJing until you were right near the booth. After 6am was done I went to the booth to give the DJ props and realized it was none other than Kai Alce.
From that point on for the next few years MJQ was my weekly opportunity to release all my stress from the work week. This was also an opportunity to become cultivated with what had become the new sound of House music with Deep Soulful baselines, grooves, and live instrumentation as if it were almost new school version Disco and Soul Classics. Little did I know these series of events would change my life and inspire me to fall in love with House Music again become involved with DJing again after experiencing a 5 year hiatus, something I never thought I would do.
Now that the "Deep" weekly residency with Kai, Kemit, and Cullen has ended, once or twice a year they have a reunion to re-live the vibe we experienced on many a Saturday Night. Prior to it ending I would occasionally fly to Atlanta from Chicago from 2002 til 2004 with a few premises in mind. To visit friends and family, and the Saturday Night Experience of "Deep" at MJQ.
The reunion was off the hook! We arrived around 10:30pm and there were a few people in attendance. We went across the street to grab a bite to eat (I needed to get something in my stomach before partaking in my favorite vodka beverage for that evening) and when we returned at 11pm the place was steadily getting packed.
This event was dope on several levels.
The crowd was dope. A good mix of Black, some White and some Asian.
The event took place in the cafe of MJQ which has hardwood floors, is a tad bit more intimate, and still has a really good sound system. After getting my groove on with something chocolate, sexy, and of the female persuasion I noticed they were opening up a dance cypher (dance circle). Usually the dancers that really held it down were Twa and Soul. Both are dope and have been featured in music videos as well as other projects. On this night they would continue to show and prove that they still have can do their thing on the floor. Errol did his thing too, as well as a young lady's name who escapes me. I was really glad they opened up the cypher because that does not happen much in Chicago and I really only get a chance to experience this brand of dancing when I go to ATL, NY, Miami for the WMC, and occasionally in LA.
Every once in a while if I feel the spirit I join in and vibe with the energy. Although, I was mostly a spectator, I did manage to briefly join in the cypher, celebrate, and absorb the energy that was resonating on that portion of the dancefloor.
The rest of the dancefloor was "crunk" for lack of a better ATL term. Everybody in the spot was dancing whether it be in the cypher, coupled up, or individually in their own world. All of the DJs did a good job of mixing a variety of rare and standard Disco classics, House music new and old school and a few mid tempo classics toward the end.
Before we know it the 3am hour was approaching and many people were wanting more even though their musical thirst had been quenched. This evening provoked many memories of good times, the cultivating of many friendships, embarking on a brand of music that is not pretentious and soothes the soul, a musical era that would serve as inspiration, fulfillment, and celebration to many who had a chance to be there and live the experience. Hopefully we won't have to wait a long time before the next one.
May the legacy continue.
To find out more about Kai, Kemit, and Cullen please click the respected name below.
Kai
Kemit
Cullen
Thanks for reading!
Peace and Blessings,
Sean
If you don't know you betta ask somebody...JLC
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Event Review: We Love Soul featuring Coultrain
After much anticipation for the future, the We Love Soul event is now in the present tense. Coultrain fresh in from 2 shows in Detroit was finally here in Chicago. Starting out the night musically were myself and Duane Powell on the 1's and 2's. Duane was playing a really dope Soul set as people began to filter in around 7:30pm. As a promoter I always never become comfortable until the masses begin to show up which I seem to always forget is generally 2 hours after an event starts. Once people began to filter in by the 2's like they were boarding Noah's ark I began to feel more at ease and could enjoy myself.
The show was very intimate as there were many couples looking fly as well as plenty of single good looking women and men.
As showtime approached the room became more warm and vibrant as people are grooving to the music, doing a little bit of innocent flirting and socializing amongst one another, and checking out the vendors.
The show starts and there was something I forgot again...
I forgot how bangin Coultrain's music sounds and how a good sound tech can make Darkroom sound really good. The backup band Verzatile was doing their thing with Coultrain as they were vibing really well together on stage. Combining jazz sounds, soulful grooves and baselines with his vocals was tha bizness. His sound was perfect for a show at an intimate venue. It was a great balance between, love, and sheer raw dopeness for music heads in the building. The show lasted around 1hour as he and the band received a great reception from the Darkroom crowd.
He rocked about 15 songs and gave the crowd more than their money's worth.
It was fun and interesting to witness a performance of an artist who had never been to Chicago solo and be able to help expose his music to fans that follow him and fans who were looking to for something new. We were also pleased and thankful that people trusted our taste as DJs and promoters to point them in the direction toward something different musically and not the same ole thing with the same ole artists. Not that there is anything wrong with those artists and those shows, but there is a whole other world out there if you dare to explore. We appreciate those who support the We Love Soul brand and trust us to introduce and expose more artists we believe in to you.
Thank you for your support and stay tuned for what's new with We Love Soul by visiting our website at
www.welovesoul.net
Peace and Blessings,
Sean
If you don't know you betta ask somebody...JLC
The show was very intimate as there were many couples looking fly as well as plenty of single good looking women and men.
As showtime approached the room became more warm and vibrant as people are grooving to the music, doing a little bit of innocent flirting and socializing amongst one another, and checking out the vendors.
The show starts and there was something I forgot again...
I forgot how bangin Coultrain's music sounds and how a good sound tech can make Darkroom sound really good. The backup band Verzatile was doing their thing with Coultrain as they were vibing really well together on stage. Combining jazz sounds, soulful grooves and baselines with his vocals was tha bizness. His sound was perfect for a show at an intimate venue. It was a great balance between, love, and sheer raw dopeness for music heads in the building. The show lasted around 1hour as he and the band received a great reception from the Darkroom crowd.
He rocked about 15 songs and gave the crowd more than their money's worth.
It was fun and interesting to witness a performance of an artist who had never been to Chicago solo and be able to help expose his music to fans that follow him and fans who were looking to for something new. We were also pleased and thankful that people trusted our taste as DJs and promoters to point them in the direction toward something different musically and not the same ole thing with the same ole artists. Not that there is anything wrong with those artists and those shows, but there is a whole other world out there if you dare to explore. We appreciate those who support the We Love Soul brand and trust us to introduce and expose more artists we believe in to you.
Thank you for your support and stay tuned for what's new with We Love Soul by visiting our website at
www.welovesoul.net
Peace and Blessings,
Sean
If you don't know you betta ask somebody...JLC
Food and Drink Review: Tiny Lounge 4352 N. Leavitt
Recently on a Sunday I had a chance to visit Tiny Lounge at the 3 way intersection of Lincoln, Leavitt, and Montrose. The reason for the visit was to play some tunes for DJ Leann's birthday party. After visiting Tiny a few weeks ago and sampling their cusine I was pretty geeked to be visiting again. This time instead of going with the outstanding truffle fries and pizzaetta with fontina chesse, shitake mushrooms and white truffle oil I decided to see what's next on the menu. Ahi tuna tacos with avacado, wasabi, shredded zucchini, and red pepper, and the grilled chicken empanadas with fresh oregano and chimicurri sauce. Both selections were mind blowing and the presentation was fly as well.
On this evening I started out drinking red wine but made an illegal switch to liquor when a quote from Fred Sanford popped into my head... "Wine is fine but liquor is quicker". Plus I changed up when I saw what the bartender was doing. There I saw her specially hand crafting one of the drinks from their fall drink menu. After perusing the drink menu and being indecisive on what I wanted she choose for me the "Root Down" fully equipted with gin, orange zest and few other interesting ingredients I couldn't remember. The aroma from the orange zest sold me as soon as it was put in front of me plus the presentation was solid. The special touch of the presentation and aroma made me realize this is not your typical bar and that they take food and drink very serious. Some of the other items on the on the drink menu were hot or cold cider with fresh apple cider and pumpkin pie with crushed gingerbread cookies.
If you plan to visit Tiny Lounge I would suggest going on Sundays for a great music selection of Soul and Rare Grooves courtesy of
DJ Leeann and friends.
To learn more and have your pallette pampered please visit
www.tinylounge.com
4352 N. Leavitt
(773) 463-0396
If you don't know you betta ask somebody...JLC
On this evening I started out drinking red wine but made an illegal switch to liquor when a quote from Fred Sanford popped into my head... "Wine is fine but liquor is quicker". Plus I changed up when I saw what the bartender was doing. There I saw her specially hand crafting one of the drinks from their fall drink menu. After perusing the drink menu and being indecisive on what I wanted she choose for me the "Root Down" fully equipted with gin, orange zest and few other interesting ingredients I couldn't remember. The aroma from the orange zest sold me as soon as it was put in front of me plus the presentation was solid. The special touch of the presentation and aroma made me realize this is not your typical bar and that they take food and drink very serious. Some of the other items on the on the drink menu were hot or cold cider with fresh apple cider and pumpkin pie with crushed gingerbread cookies.
If you plan to visit Tiny Lounge I would suggest going on Sundays for a great music selection of Soul and Rare Grooves courtesy of
DJ Leeann and friends.
To learn more and have your pallette pampered please visit
www.tinylounge.com
4352 N. Leavitt
(773) 463-0396
If you don't know you betta ask somebody...JLC
Monday, October 11, 2010
Event Review: DJ Jazzy Jeff
Ok, so it's Friday night and I couldn't be happier to be at home in bed by 9pm. Then I get a text at 10pm saying DJ Jazzy Jeff at the Shrine. I set my alarm clock to wake up in a reasonable time to be able to catch approx 1 hour of his set. Upon arrival I move through the crowd as the spot is packed shoulder to shoulder.
The first time I saw him was at Zentra a few years ago and it was oddly enough promoted by a House Music promoter who's one Hip Hop event each year was Jazzy Jeff. Going with lowered expectations I was shocked to walk in the room to hear Big Daddy Kane's "Raw" being tricked out by The Magnificent himself. As the night progressed he played dope Hip Hop, Breakbeats, 80s Classsics and a little bit of Funk. After hearing his set I promptly came to the conclusion that in terms of Hip Hop and skill there was no greater DJ than DJ Jazzy Jeff. His cuts were precise and he dropped them at the perfect time. Selection and programming was fluid and his turntablism and live remixing was ridiculous. Also, what made the set dope was in Zentra there is a mirror behind and above the DJ booth where the crowd can see the wizardry taking place on the tables. Another idea that was dope was Mad Skills was his MC/Hype man and he was standing in the middle of the crowd on one of those cubes you usually see "go go dancers" on. It was almost like a remote mini stage.
This time was a little different. I walk in once again to a packed house but instead of Raw, I hear "Color Me Bad". After going thru a series of bubblegum ass 90's R&B classics he flipped the script and began to teach class. Playing an original sample and then next playing the current day song that used the sample was a good call. He also transitioned from one to another very seemlessly thus making it better than any other sample set I have ever heard. On this episode he didn't do too much turntablism and was just playing for the Friday night "weekender" crowd.
I missed a good portion of his set but heard that he was playing top 40 Rap earlier in the night. I guess that's what he thought they wanted to hear...and he may have been right. The one thing that many DJs of his stature may or may not realize is they can pretty much get away with playing whatever they want and people will still love it mainly because people want to bear witness to the mystique of that DJs fame. So, if he wants to play the first 5 songs off Ultra Magnetic's Critical Beatdown the reaction from the crowd may be "What is this?, I don't know but if Jazzy's playing it, it must be dope. Let's look cool and dance". Nevertheless, I do understand. If you wanna get the gigs that pay the commercial paper some cats feel like you gotta play some commercial music. In my opinion DJs like him can walk the fine line of playing real music and stuff many heads would consider goofy or wack. After all its a business and you want to make your clients happy. I remember at one point the DJ was the tastemaker and dictator of what music would be hot and what he wanted the crowd to hear. In 2010 that is not necessarily the case. People's desire to be entertained does not have much to do with education and progressing their ear and musical taste. Its funny how he still made the crowd happy just 5 years ago when he played all good music. Big props to DJ Jazzy Jeff for the other times I have heard him but this time I have to say I was a little disappointed.
Thanks for reading!
Peace and Blessings,
Sean
If you don't know you betta ask somebody...JLC
The first time I saw him was at Zentra a few years ago and it was oddly enough promoted by a House Music promoter who's one Hip Hop event each year was Jazzy Jeff. Going with lowered expectations I was shocked to walk in the room to hear Big Daddy Kane's "Raw" being tricked out by The Magnificent himself. As the night progressed he played dope Hip Hop, Breakbeats, 80s Classsics and a little bit of Funk. After hearing his set I promptly came to the conclusion that in terms of Hip Hop and skill there was no greater DJ than DJ Jazzy Jeff. His cuts were precise and he dropped them at the perfect time. Selection and programming was fluid and his turntablism and live remixing was ridiculous. Also, what made the set dope was in Zentra there is a mirror behind and above the DJ booth where the crowd can see the wizardry taking place on the tables. Another idea that was dope was Mad Skills was his MC/Hype man and he was standing in the middle of the crowd on one of those cubes you usually see "go go dancers" on. It was almost like a remote mini stage.
This time was a little different. I walk in once again to a packed house but instead of Raw, I hear "Color Me Bad". After going thru a series of bubblegum ass 90's R&B classics he flipped the script and began to teach class. Playing an original sample and then next playing the current day song that used the sample was a good call. He also transitioned from one to another very seemlessly thus making it better than any other sample set I have ever heard. On this episode he didn't do too much turntablism and was just playing for the Friday night "weekender" crowd.
I missed a good portion of his set but heard that he was playing top 40 Rap earlier in the night. I guess that's what he thought they wanted to hear...and he may have been right. The one thing that many DJs of his stature may or may not realize is they can pretty much get away with playing whatever they want and people will still love it mainly because people want to bear witness to the mystique of that DJs fame. So, if he wants to play the first 5 songs off Ultra Magnetic's Critical Beatdown the reaction from the crowd may be "What is this?, I don't know but if Jazzy's playing it, it must be dope. Let's look cool and dance". Nevertheless, I do understand. If you wanna get the gigs that pay the commercial paper some cats feel like you gotta play some commercial music. In my opinion DJs like him can walk the fine line of playing real music and stuff many heads would consider goofy or wack. After all its a business and you want to make your clients happy. I remember at one point the DJ was the tastemaker and dictator of what music would be hot and what he wanted the crowd to hear. In 2010 that is not necessarily the case. People's desire to be entertained does not have much to do with education and progressing their ear and musical taste. Its funny how he still made the crowd happy just 5 years ago when he played all good music. Big props to DJ Jazzy Jeff for the other times I have heard him but this time I have to say I was a little disappointed.
Thanks for reading!
Peace and Blessings,
Sean
If you don't know you betta ask somebody...JLC
Monday, October 4, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)