Jonti’s Sine & Moon is a FREE album curtesy of Stones Throw records for a limited time. If you missed it …. I don’t know what to say, but it’s a good one.

Jonti’s Sine & Moon is one of the happiest beat albums I’ve heard. I was checking out the artwork and wasn’t sure what I was going to get. I had my headphones on, volume cranked up, hit play and Saturday Night Song started. At first I was like,  ”Folk music, what’s this?!? Did Stones Throw let me down?” I let it play and thought that was one of the happiest tunes I’ve heard in a while. Red On Green kicked in and I knew. Head started nodding, fingers typing. By Flesh Of Morning I had a smile on my face and was happy as can be. Jonti bring a lot of familiar sounds and some that aren’t, and arranging them in an upbeat melody. I can see why PB Wolf put Jonti in the starting lineup for the year. If you still can, download Jonti – Sine & Moon on Stones Throw. BIG thanks to Stones Throw for tweeting about this one. Also check out Jonti’s Twirligig in stores now.

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Jonti - Nagoya Train Station 3AM

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Jonti - Sugar High

This is the M.E.D. album I’ve been waiting for and I know you folks need it. From Push Comes To Shove and the features here and there, Classic says it all about M.E.D.’s skills. Where I’m From is a bang. Yes I know you are all thinking, “he likes it because Mr. Aloe Blacc mentions Riverside.” No… but it doesn’t hurt. The production on Classic is crazy and full of superstars, but M.E.D. makes this album a Classic. I cranked up Too Late and then played it again. Then I realized I have to listen to the rest of the album. So glad I did. Good album to just hit play and ride out. Get your copy of M.E.D. – Classic from Stones Throw online store. BIG thanks to my man Weyez.

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M.E.D. – Too Late

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M.E.D. – Blaxican

If I can make it, I’m heading to The Barn at UCR. Tomorrow, Yesterday, the E.A.R.T.H. Crew, and Madlib are going to be performing at The Barn in Riverside. If you haven’t seen these folks, heading to The Barn would be the best time to see them. Tomorrow, Yesterday is a great show to catch live with high energy. One of the reasons I want to check this show out is because I haven’t seen the E.A.R.T.H. Crew live. I’ve seen Madlib a few times and it’s definitely an experience. Hopefully I’ll see you folks there. BIG shout out to Yep for the heads up.

The Barn @ UCR

900 University Ave, Riverside Ca.

date: Nov. 10th

time: 9pm – 2 am

cost: $15 non-student, $5 w/ student I.D.

I can’t believe I have to find the words to explain what went down Wednesday night at Zanzibar. Incredible, wow, unreal, great, THE FUNK! For real, this was one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long long time. I knew something good was going to go down when people started calling me a week before the event. I hit up my homie Dan to roll out to the event and take photos. Good thing I did because this was an event that shouldn’t have been missed.

Dan and I showed up to Zanzibar, and one of the first people we saw was Dam Funk. No matter how many times I’ve talked to Dam, it still feels surreal to me.  I mean its Dam Funk! A note to all you music lover’s, show up early and you might meet your favorite artists. Anyways, we talked for a while as more folks started coming in. Zanzibar was getting packed pretty fast. Later on Jacqueline, from Mint Collective, needed a little help interviewing Electric Wire Hustle, so you know I was down for that. Walking back I ran into friend after friend rolling up for the show. It was going to be a great night.

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DAM-FUNK is a keeper of West Coast tradition. His funk-electro-boogie sound is a fitted cap tip to the days when Uncle Jamm’s Army, the Fila Fresh Crew, Arabian Prince, Egyptian Lover and World Class Wreckin’ Cru reigned supreme in L.A..

Adolescent Funk is culled from a collection of cassette tape masters that DAM turned over to Peanut Butter Wolf. These tracks are from his teenage years, so fans can really get an idea of his artistic progression. You can buy it early from Stones Throw, before the wide release on the 26th.

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Dam-Funk – I Like Your Big Azz Girl (1992) Download

When I used to live in Long Beach, Krispy Kreme had the ingenious idea of opening a location adjacent to the East Division station of the LBPD. It’s been a minute since I’ve called Long Beach home, but I’ll bet good money that this Donut Shop has weathered the recent economic storm.

The most visible Donut Shop in the LA area is clearly Randy’s Donuts, off the 405.  However, it’s Donut Man, a little shop quite a few miles outside the city proper (Glendora…just Google it) that inspires my actual Donut cravings.  Kelis’ Milkshake got nothing on a limited edition, (ie. seasonal) Strawberry Donut from Donut Man.

Speaking of limited edition releases, this six-pack of unreleased & re-mastered tracks from the Dilla archives was pressed & packaged into the first J Dilla Serato release back in May.  As a big thank you for everyone that supported this project, Stones Throw let them loose today.  You can download it here.

Take the time and enjoy a Dilla track or 2. We’ve all been blessed to witness a movement in music history with this man’s gift. Be inspired, create, and leave your mark on the world. I hope to have an impact as J Dilla’s music did on me.  Please check out the J Dilla Foundation.

Thank you James Yancey aka J Dilla.

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J Dilla – Think Twice (Welcome To Detroit)

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The Pharcyde – Runnin’ (Labcabincalifornia)

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J Dilla – Make’em NV (Ruff Draft)

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J Dilla – Dilla Says Go (Donuts)

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Jaylib – Starz (Champion Sound)

I’M NOT PLAYING…BUY THIS SH*T NOW! Ok, I’d heard the buzz about Strong Arm Steady’s (Krondon, Phil Da Agony, & Mitchy Slick) In Search Of Stoney Jackson, but it was the midnight release and in-store performance at Fat Beats that pushed me over the edge. (If you haven’t seen it, google that sh*t. I would have paid for that show.) Earlier that day a Strong Arm Steady podcast mixed by House Shoes and J. Rocc was dropped with all the extras. I bought the album that night and bumped it all the way home. Even took the long way. I can’t say anything bad about In Search Of Stoney Jackson; every track is a banger. Funky beats by Madlib, hard-hitting lyricism by Strong Arm Steady, and guest appearances by Phonte, Planet Asia, Tri-State, Fashawn, Talib Kweli, Oh On, Evidence, & more mean there’s no way this could be a bad album. Stop what you’re doing and go buy In Search Of Stoney Jackson! I got mine at Fat Beats. BIG thanks to Strong Arm Steady and Madlib for making great music. You cats set the bar high.

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Strong Arm Steady – New Love ft. Planet Asia & Tri-State

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Strong Arm Steady – Two Pistols ft. Mitchy Slick

I got Mochilla’s email newsletter about their upcoming event, and saw this flyer. I caught Madlib, Coleman & B+’s names first, and was like “that’s what I’m doing” before I saw the date. I continued to read the rest of the email. Real talk, I had no clue who Hypnotic Brass Ensemble was, so I did my homework. I watched this YouTube video on them, and was floored. I hope you watched that video and bought a ticket, because I think it’s going to be a packed house. Catch some more background and videos on VTech Music. Buy your tickets online at TicketWeb. You can try to hit the door the day of, but I’m not trying it. BIG thanks to Mochilla for keeping me in the loop. See you cats there!

The Echoplex

1154 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles

9:30pm-2am | 21 & over

Presale $15, at the door $20

For more info check out attheecho.com or mochilla.com.

I first got wind of this cat Rick Hughes from the track In My City off Cali Co-op, and a few folks I’ve talked with dropped his name in conversations. But what made me really pay attention was an email I got from Camille about her post on Arize Magazine’s site. I chatted with her on twitter about it, and Camille told me she was all about getting good music heard. I was down for that, and the tracks she sent were good. Rick Hughes has worked with a gang of people from Kid Boogie to Oh On, so I’d keep a close eye on this cat. Rick, keep making moves…and rep’n the I.E. Download all 5 tracks here. BIG thanks Camille for keeping my ears open.

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Elzhi & William S. – In My City (prod. by Rick Hughes) Download

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Mykestro – We Major (prod. by Rick Hughes) Download