Video Feature: Elzhi – “DEEP”
The debut of Detroit hip-hop artist Elzhi’s (Slum Village) new official music video “Deep.” Directed by Gerard Victor Atillo. DJ Dez on the cuts.
R.I.P. Ron Banks (The Dramatics)
The Dramatics originally formed in 1962 as the Dynamics. They changed their name by 1967, when they garnered their first minor hit single, “All Because of You.” However, the group did not break through until their 1971 single, “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,” which broke into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #9.[1] Their first million selling disc “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get” was awarded gold disc status by the R.I.A.A. in December 1971.
Their members at this time were Ron Banks , William “Wee Gee” Howard (deceased), Elbert Wilkins (deceased), Willie Ford, Larry Demps and keyboardist James Mack Brown (deceased).
Shortly after the success of their first album, Howard and Wilkins left the group. They were replaced by L.J. Reynolds and Leonard “Lenny” Mayes. Through the 1970s, the group appeared on Soul Train and continued to have hits, including the #1 R&B hit, “In the Rain”, “Toast to the Fool”, “Me and Mrs. Jones” (originally by Billy Paul), “I’m Going By The Stars In Your Eyes” and “Be My Girl.” In the meantime, Howard and Wilkins formed a Dramatics splinter group, and came up with a minor R&B hit, “No Rebate on Love.” To distinguish themselves from this group, the core group temporarily dubbed themselves ‘Ron Banks and The Dramatics’. Howard eventually returned to the group for two albums, Somewhere in Time: A Dramatic Reunion and Positive State Of Mind, before departing again.
The Dramatics also were guests on the Snoop Doggy Dogg song, “Doggy Dogg World”. The song appeared on Snoop’s 1993 debut album, Doggystyle.
The Dramatics singer Ron Banks died early Thursday morning, March 4, 2010. Banks was born on May 10, 1951, in Redford, Michigan. It is believed that Banks died of an apparent heart attack.
Podcast Summary
Wefunk Records longtime provocatuer, Mike Clip Payne brings his retro brand of Raw Funk/Brown and Blue Eyed Soul to your world….
Payne, a 29 year veteran of the Hall of Famed Parliament Funkadelic Entourage who has decided to DJ and share his Whirl of Soul with the Planet. Most of the Music he plays is the MOD of “The ” era for LIFE and ocassionally he’ll play an original song from his cast of Freinds, Signed and unsigned Artists as well as George Clinton’s new signings.
Both CLINTON and PAYNE take you on a musical trip with their rare grooves from a World Wide Funk Scene notorious for Blowin Minds!!!
Video Feature: J Dilla “Won’t Do”
From the critically acclaimed, “The Shining” by J Dilla. RIP
MIX: Daft Punk Live @ Vegoose
Daft Punk Live @ Vegoose
Vegoose was an annual Halloween Music and Arts Festival that took place in 2005-2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2007 some of the artists that shared the stage were Daft Punk, Iggy & The Stooges, Cypress Hill, Queens of the Stone Age, Thievery Corporation, STS9, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Ghoastface Killah, Muse, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Pharoah Monch, Rage Against the Machine and the list goes on. The feastival featured a score of activities, including celebrity impersonators, a wedding chapel, costume contests, a massive pumpkin display, and more. Here’s a free download of Daft Punk’s hour and half long set from Vegoose including the encore.
Bob Marley Tuff Gong studio Kingston Rehearsal
Rehearsal footage of Bob Marley performing “Zion Train” in Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica back in 1980. This is some classic bits of history! We had to share!
Funk Night Records – 45’s
Will Sessions “Getcho Mind Right”
If you are from the Detroit area unless, you’ve been sleeping, you’ve most likely heard about the legendary Funk Night. This monthly gathering has brought people of all kinds of people together time after time for no other reason other than to celebrate, dance, to classic funk tracks. Funk Night was started by Scott Craig back in the late 90’s. Scott and Brad Hales ran it for some time then took a brief hiatus. Scott left town and Funk Night started back up again and is still every last Friday of the month.
The real story is the music, the house DJ Frank Raines & the house band, Will Sessions. Will Sessions came together in a basement back in 2007. Most of the members are were involved in in Wayne State University’s Jazz Program. The bands tight enough to jump from funk, hip hop, jazz-fusion to soul music that could make The Funky Meters stop and stare. In the past the band has done live collaborations with artists such as Guilty Simpson, Black Milk, Mayer Hawthorne, Monica Blaire, Phat Kat, & Rickey Calloway. This band is got to be the funkiest thing from Detroit besides Enemy Squad. Of course they are two different worlds of Funk, but you’ll get the idea.
Now Frank Raines, whom many of know and love who has been deeply involved with funk night over the years as a DJ and promoter has stepped it up and started Funk Night Records. Since I have never seen him spin anything but vinyl records its no surprise to me that he was to only release the debut release of Will Sessions via Funk Night Records on 45’s. We just wanted to give you a taste. There are two 45’s (limited edition of 500) and they are only available at Funk Night or directly from Frank.
Will Sessions members: Bryan Arnold (trumpet/keys), Tim Shellabarger (drums), Eric Kacir (guitar), Ryan Gimpert (bass), Matt Martinez trombone), Tom Parks (trumpet), Sam Beubien (trumpet/keys), Billy Love (Vocals)
Links:
Funk Night – www.myspace.com/funknightdetroit
Will Sessions – www.myspace.com/willsessionsdetroit
Funk Night Records – www.funknightrecords.com
Video Feature: Phat Kat – “Cold Steel” feat. Elzhi
“Cold Steel” by Detroit’s own Phat Kat. featuring Elzhi Produced by J Dilla. This is a classic!
PLASTIKMAN RETURNS
Richie Hawtin returns as PLASTIKMAN. Hawtin will unleash a live electronic performance that takes his mastery of technology to the next level, incorporating state of the art visual architecture, interactive technology, and more to be revealed in this return of one of the founders of modern electronic music.
Recapturing the spirit of the early Plastikman albums and parties in Detroit,
Plastikman Live is a fusion of the past and future, the visual and audible,
between performer and audience, of expectations and anticipation; creating the
ultimate Plastikman experience.
“It has always fascinated me how sound, lighting, visuals and human
interactivity define and deepen a concert experience By focusing on my own
unique Plastikman sound I hope to find new freedom and explore the extremes of
where these elements converge, challenging our senses, stimulating our memories,
and creating an experience of physical and mental intensity that can be only
Plastikman.” – Richie Hawtin
Links:
Reorganized J Dilla estate & plans for J Dilla Foundation
Announcing reorganized J Dilla estate & plans for J Dilla Foundation
Via: j-dilla.com January 24, 2010
The family of late music producer James “J Dilla” Yancey is extremely pleased to announce the appointment of West Coast probate attorney Alex Borden as administrator of Yancey’s estate, and also to announce the establishment of the official J Dilla Foundation. The developments mark a new chapter in preserving and enhancing the legacy of the legendary artist and secure a means of future prosperity for his mother, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, daughters Ja’Mya Yancey and Ty-Monae Whitlow, and brother, John “Illa J” Yancey.
“I’m so excited because it’s like one big organization,” says Maureen Yancey, who has worked tirelessly to ensure that the well-being of her family remains a priority for all involved and her son’s accomplishments are held in a positive and productive light. “We’ve got cutting-edge people all over the country waiting to work and be a part of it. Everybody’s on one accord it seems like the universe is working with us.”
Borden came on board last April following Arthur Erk’s tenure as Executor and has been working closely with the Yancey family in developing creative opportunities for J Dilla’s vast catalog of music. Says Yancey: “It’s awesome to not only have things back on the right track, but to have people who are really in your corner. I’m just blown away by the past few years, and working doubly hard to get things corrected, it drives you. It’s wonderful.”
The Estate will serve as the channel through which the Yancey family will receive financial benefit from the J Dilla/Jay Dee name, merchandise, and recordings; the goal of which is to create a successful, joyous, and profitable enterprise to be controlled by the family once the probate process is complete. All business dealings with the music of James Yancey, Pay Jay Productions, Inc. and the Estate of James Yancey should be directed to the Estate through the newly launched official J Dilla website www.j-dilla.com. The Estate will also manage contracts, copyrights, and other matters relating to the Yancey name and/or Pay Jay Productions, Inc., and welcomes ideas, requests, and licensing opportunities for evaluation and review with the family.
“We’re very happy about it,” says Yancey in regards to her family’s relationship to the new administration. “The entire family knows how Alex’s team works and how they’ve pulled together and stood up for us even before this time, and it’s just been excellent. The communication is wonderful. It’s like family…we’re just one big family.”
In a separate but complementary role to the Estate, the newly established J Dilla Foundation has filed for tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit charitable institution to help fund the development of music in the inner city and provide scholarships to students enrolled at schools with progressive music curricula. Four initiatives will be launched each year and three cities chosen to enhance local music programs, with scholarships awarded to one or more students at the beginning of the fall semester. Target cities for 2010 are Detroit, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. The Foundation will hold fundraisers in each city with each effort anticipated to bring approximately in $10,000+ of donations.
“One of the things Dilla wanted me to do with his legacy was to use it to help others, people with illness, and kids who were musically gifted but had little hope due to poverty,” says Yancey, founder and chair of the Foundation. “The Foundation is to keep Dilla’s dream alive to help youth—those who aspire to make good music—and develop their time, talent, and nurture their skill. We also want to be there financially for those who are talented but don’t have the money or access to the networks they need to help them grow.”
By the time of his death in February of 2006 from complications due to Lupus, Yancey was revered by the music world for his contributions to hip-hop and R&B, emerging from the mid-1990s underground hip-hop scene in Detroit, Michigan to become one of the industry’s most influential artists. “Every year, Dilla and his dream get bigger and bigger,” says Yancey. “Every time I go to a different city and visit with his fans, the dream just grows. It’s something that I can’t even describe, and it’s not going to die.”
Contact:
Estate of J Dilla/James Yancey
www.j-dilla.com
J Dilla Foundation
www.jdillafoundation.org
Dillanthology Vol. 3 – Dilla Productions
“Raw Sh*t”
We wanted to post this late last week. After reading the official press release in the mail there wasn’t too much about this that we could say. So I took a good portion of the release and slapped it in here. But you got to here this project. The two Volumes that lead up to this. Each volume seemed to have been stuck in my car radio for weeks after they came in the mail.
In his brief 32 years J-Dilla, also known as Jay Dee or James Yancey created and shaped a new sound for Hip-Hop that inspired beat smiths, MCs and music lovers around the globe. With an incredible line of production credits for De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, The Pharcyde Janet Jackson, Busta Rhymes, Common, D’Angelo, his own crew Slum Village and so many more it is little wonder that J-Dilla has been described as a visionary, a genius & the quintessential producers’ producer by some of the most respected names in the game. The fact that both Pharell Williams & Kanye West name him as their major inspiration speaks volumes to the influence of his distinctive “Dilla Sound”.
His own albums Rough Draft & Donuts on Stones Throw, Welcome 2 Detroit & The Shining on BBE Records stand out as masterpieces of modern music production and capture the imagination of producers, DJs & all music lovers across the world.
In the final part of the Dillanthology trilogy, Dillanthology Vol. 3, is set to release with in the next few days on Rapster. This collection presents tracks from his solo albums and the Jalib album with madlib. Guest spots from Guilty Simpson, Black Thought, Phat Kat, Common, and D’Angelo.
If you are in Detroit this Tuesday night, come out to 5E Gallery and celebrate with us. The Official Detroit Dillanthology3 Release Party will be hosting by Fusicology, Rapster Records, and the Foundation.
Tracklist
1. J Dilla – WorkinOnIt
2. Jay Dee – Pause
3. Jaylib – Raw Sh*t
4. J Dilla – Nothin Like This
5. J Dilla – Anti-American Graffiti
6. J Dilla Glamour Sho75 (09)
7. J Dilla – Won’t Do
8. J Dilla – Baby feat. Madliv & Guilty Simpson
9. Jaylib – The Red (Instrumental)
10. Jay Dee – It’s Like That
11. J Dilla – Crushin’ (Yeeeeaah!)
12. J Dilla – Reality Check feat. Black Thought
13. Jay Dee – Featuring phat Kat
14. J Dilla So Far To Go feat. Common & D’Angelo
For More info go to:
Souls of Mischief – Montezuma’s Revenge
“LaLaLa”
Some groups should need no introduction. Souls of Mischief is preparing to release a new album produced by DJ and man of mystery, Prince Paul. Souls of Mischief is comprised A-Plus, Opio, Phesto, and Tajai of the legendary Heiroglyphics Crew. A world tour is underway as we speak. The tour consists of 35 dates over one and a half months traveling through Europe, Asia, and the United States. Their has been talk about a touching the midwest as well this winter.
Souls of Mischief’s newest release, Montezuma’s Revenge, will be available November 10, 2009 via Hiero Imperium Records. If you are not familiar with the music, look it up. Google, ‘93 till Infinity. Keep up to date via hiero. Make sure to check out Del’s latest album for just $3.00 too.
Montezuma’s Revenge World Tour ‘09 Dates:
Wednesday, 9/30 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
Saturday, 10/03 San Diego, CA Canes (w/Andre Nikatina)
Sunday, 10/04 Scottsdale, AZ Chasers
Monday, 10/05 Flagstaff, AZ The Green Room
Tuesday, 10/06 Albuquerque, NM LaunchPad
Thursday, 10/08 Denver, CO Marquis Theatre
Friday, 10/09 Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep
Saturday, 10/10 CO TBA
Sunday, 10/11 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
Tuesday, 10/13 Missoula Badlander
Wednesday, 10/14 Seattle, WA Neumos
Thursday, 10/15 Bellingham TBA
Friday, 10/16 Portland, WA Berbati’s Pan
Saturday, 10/17 Eugene Wow Hall (w/Swollen Members)
Sunday, 10/18 Eureka Red Fox Tavern (w/Swollen Members)
Tuesday, 10/20 San Francisco, CA Slim’s (w/Ghostface)
Wednesday, 10/21 San Jose, CA Avalon
Thursday, 10/22 Brooklyn, NY Southpaw
Friday, 10/23 San Bernadino, CA Smoke Out (w/Hieroglyphics
Saturday, 10/24 SLO Downtown Brew
Thursday, 10/29 Linz Kapu
Friday, 10/30 Helsinki Nosturi
Saturday, 10/31 Wien Szene
Tuesday, 11/03 Lyon La Marquise
Wednesday, 11/04 Leipzig Conne Island
Thursday, 11/05 Berlin Bohannn
Friday, 11/06 Jona Zak Saturday, 11/07 Wil Gare De Lion
Sunday, 11/08 Paris Batofar
Tuesday, 11/10 Amsterdam Fouronefour
Wednesday, 11/11 Copenhagen Rust (w/Prince Paul)
Thursday, 11/12 Basel Kaserne (w/Prince Paul)
Friday, 11/13 Koln Bogen2 (w/Prince Paul)
Saturday, 11/14 Bulgaria TBC (w/Prince Paul)
Sunday, 11/15 Heidelberg Karlstorbahnhof (w/Prince Paul)
Classics – “Communication Is Where Its At”
“Communication Is Where Its At”
As we’ve been working, we’ve been listening to records. We figured that it would be nice to share. This classic was originally released on Grill Records by Billy the Baron and his Smokin Challengers. They just don’t make records like they used to. Sit back and vibe out.
