Don't call it a comeback...

Survive the xmas spirit? Good. Time to get back on the treadmill. If you're hitting Oxford St for the sales this week, you might want to take a load off by heading to Market Place on Thursday evening (December 28th, 2006) for a Mahogany revival. If you don't know Mahogany, it became part of the quintessential Sunday evening experience for slick 20-to-30-something neo-soulites and lovers of good music and lazy Sunday afternoons off Oxford Street. The night no longer runs, though it's been replaced by something that I'll probably mention here when I've had a chance to check it out. This Thursday is a chance to catch a piece of "the vibe that once was". Enjoy. [Great flyer, isn't it? And the Market Place is a very nice venue... ]

Hip-Hop Karaoke

Oh, this sounds like SOOOOO much fun... ;)

In other news: I'm currently reviewing all of my web services. My current host has done me well up until now, but I think I've outgrown it. I'll hopefully be making a move over the next week or so, which may well mean a new home for TYMBI... Watch this space.

Wonderland

It's been far too long since I went dancing. Proper kick up yer heels and shake loose. Garth and Seymour unleash another Wonderland session next Wednesday (20th September) - featuring guest DJ Cypren (Soulbrother Records, Solar Radio, CoOp...) with residents Garth, Seymour for "musical freedom and good vibes", as he calls it. Venue: Ruby Lo's, 23 Orchard Street, London, W1 (next to Selfridges and M&S). Doors 8pm-2am, free before 9pm, £3 after. Expect the jazz dance crew to be in attendance, and go with the intention to move.

New Soweto Kinch album...

Soweto Kinch. Diamond geezer. And talented, to boot. In a freestyle session between me, Benji Reid and Soweto, Soweto had no competition. Now, seeing as I hadn't hit a freestyle sesh for years, and Benji's no emcee, that may not be saying much, but trust me - 'kid's got skillz'. Got the following info from a Dune Records mailer:

A LIFE IN THE DAY OF B19: TALES OF THE TOWER BLOCK
Dune Records DUNECD014

On iTunes 12 September
In stores 25 September

The NEW ALBUM from the sensational young sax star and MC, Soweto Kinch breaking new ground in hip hop and jazz.

The first of a two-part album follow-up to Kinch's Mercury/MOBO/Urban Music Award-winning album, Conversations With The Unseen featuring explosive jazz with innovative rap and hip hop beats.

A distinct and commanding way of looking at jazz, at hip hop, and at the whole performance situation. Mr Kinch demonstrates what England has to teach [the USA] about narrative hip hop. Don't sleep on Mr Kinch.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

A rawness and power that mark him out from his peers in British jazz.
THE INDEPENDENT

--- end quote ---

Plenty tour date information available at either http://www.sowetokinch.com or http://www.myspace.com/sowetokinch. A couple of London dates:

14 Sep LONDON Cargo LAUNCH PARTY! 0870 060 0100 http://www.cargo-london.com
* hosted by Jonzi D
* + DJs Mark de Clive Lowe / Part Time Heroes
* + live support by Lyric L

19 Nov LONDON Jazz Festival Queen Elizabeth Hall http://www.rfh.org.uk 0870 264 9988
* Double bill with Abram Wilson + The Delta Blues Project

FAVELA FEVA @ Guanabara - 05.09.06

From the Caferecordings mailing list:

"On September 5th, UK and Brazilian artists and DJs come together for FAVELA FEVA, a one-off event to raise money for a radio station to be built on behalf of AfroReggae in one of Rio 's toughest favelas.

"Guanabara plays host to DJs Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 1), DJ Marky (Innerground, Brazil), Bryan G (Movement/V), Benji B (1Xtra BBC), Bongo DJs (Mr Bongo), DJ Limão (Jungle Drums Sambatralia) plus guests.  They will be joined by MCs Dynamite and Skibadee . Dancing will be courtesy of Quilombo de Samba (Basement Jaxx) and Capoeira Canal.  There will be an exclusive live set performed by Bembe Segue (Goya Music). The UK' s own Ty (Big Dada) and Estelle (V2) will be the hosts for the night.

All proceeds will go towards providing the favela's youth with training and equipment to build and run a new community radio station.

"Doors open at 8pm. Tickets on the door. £6 before 10pm / £8 after. Dress however you want.
Guanabara is at Parker St., corner of Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PW,
Tel: 020 7242-8600 / www.guanabara.co.uk
For more information call Izzy on 07976 638586"

Lyric L @ Soul Power - Wednesday 6th September...

It's a little known fact, but I used to emcee. With my teenage crew Pure Cut Productions, we hung with British Hip-Hop stalwarts Son Of Noise and Kobalt 60, got a little attention from Blade, and even got the chance to do a little guest slot on Choice FM, which was a big thing for me as a 17 year old rapper living my dream. Ah, the good old days...

My relationship with hip-hop is a little more tenuous these days - don't get me started - but I still have an ear for it, and particularly the UK reps. Not only does Lyric L rep UK Hip-Hop, but she's incredibly versatile, having risen to (international) renown on the back of the seminal Seiji-produced Loose Lips - a classic slab of broken beat. Props n' kudos to her. Get down to Soul Power and support if you can. Check the myspace page for more deets - myspace.com/thesoulpower

Charlie Dark plays Mothership Connection Party @ SLG - Saturday 19th August

Charlie says:

"Calling all South London Crew. I'm spinning at the South London Gallery in camberwell on Saturday night. Mothership Connection Party. 6-12pm Free.
Reach down, check some art and listen to some musical selections."

South London Gallery

Blacktronica @ the NFT - Friday 18th August 2006

If you don't know Blacktronica, check www.blacktronica.com

Tonight: Full crew alongside Dj Supreme on the tables and his excellent film 'Turntable Trixsters' in the cinema. Film kicks off at 8.30 music spins from 10pm.