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.

Jonti - Nagoya Train Station 3AM

Jonti - Sugar High

M.E.D. – Too Late

M.E.D. – Blaxican

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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I never heard of this cat Taylor McFerrin until that night. He kicks off his set beatboxing and makes a smooth transition into this electro funk that builds the energy.  Looping his beatboxing, the high-hat from the drum that joined him on stage comes in, a couple of synth-sounds from his laptop, and then Taylor gets into it on the Rhodes. I was like, “where did this kid come from? How did I not know about him?”  I’m wide-awake now, and blown away.

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I’ve seen Master Blazter play a handful of times and it’s always great to see what they bring. Talking to Dam earlier, he mentioned they were going to switch it up a little. Boy did they! They cranked up the energy level times 10. With a loud roar from Dam, you knew the Funk revolution had begun. J1 aka THE DEER plays the drums with an intense passion that makes him unforgettable. Computer Jay on keys has this old school swagger with a BIG presence. I’ve never seen an artist that rewired his equipment and play the hell out of it like Computer Jay. And rounding out Master Blazter, Dam Funk on keys and vocals making them a must see when they come to your town.

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Electric Wire Hustle (Myele Manzanza, Taay Ninh, & MaraTK) kicking off their first U.S. tour with a performance at Zanzibar, and what a way to hit the U.S.! Long story short, Anthony Valadez got Abraham Beltran hooked on Electric Wire Hustle (EWH). Abraham hit up everyone he knew and got them hooked on EWH. When Abraham told me about EWH, I couldn’t stop playing their album Every Waking Hour. When Aaron Byrd shot me an email about the show, I was more than ready for that. EWH put on an incredible show. I listened to the album so much I could hear the next song getting ready to drop. Each song they played was similar to the album but had that extra energy/punch in it, almost like a live remix. Standing turned into head nods, head nodding turned into clapping, and clapping morphed into dancing. If you didn’t know Electric Wire Hustle before you got there, by the end you were a fan. Can’t wait for the next LA show!

Everything about this show was dope. From the selection of artists and DJs performing to the vibe of the crowd- it was outrageous. I saw that  Omega Watts, Quadron, Bilal, Soundwaves’ Abraham Beltran, and a gang of other folks were there.  That night Zanzibar was the place to be. Mr. Aaron Byrd I salute you brother for putting on a show that will be talked about for a long time. BIG thanks man.

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.

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.

J Dilla – Think Twice (Welcome To Detroit)

The Pharcyde – Runnin’ (Labcabincalifornia)

J Dilla – Make’em NV (Ruff Draft)

J Dilla – Dilla Says Go (Donuts)

Jaylib – Starz (Champion Sound)

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

Strong Arm Steady – Two Pistols ft. Mitchy Slick

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.

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

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