Goldie & MC LowQui (UK) Fabric Live Tour @ Zen Video!

 

Photos from the night can be seen at http://bit.ly/rhIpJu

Friday, September 23 at 10:00pm - September 24 at 6:00am

Zen Nightclub

www.goldie.co.uk
www.metalheadz.co.uk

Goldie created his debut album, the immaculate ‘Timeless’ on his Metalheadz imprint, in 1995. 16 years later, the sentiment rings true: it sounds remarkably more progressive and idiosyncratic than ever. ‘Timeless’ as a concept defines who Goldie is, in every sense of the word. Decades from now, his music, art, charismatic gold smile (remnants of his teenage days as an alchemist, selling gold teeth in New York) and larger-than-life aura will still intrigue and confound even the most jaded of historians.

There are many faces to the complex creative, far beyond his musical accomplishments as an iconic and ever-evolving producer, being largely responsible for Drum & Bass’ most stirring, experimental and symphonic work. Or as an uncompromising DJ that’s lit up bassbins in just about every city across the globe, for well over two decades. Or as bold leader of the iconic Metalheadz label, harnessing an international roster of groundbreaking artists.The endless list of his non-music titles are equally wide-ranging as they are surprising: historical graffiti artist (covering his estate with over 60 murals by the age of 17); acclaimed fine artist; author; orchestral conductor; part-time Hollywood actor; gossip column mainstay; ‘Eastenders’ character; reality TV and documentary star; father; yoga enthusiast (“This past year, I’ve done 87 classes in the UK - 20 in America and about 25 in Asia - so I’m up in the hundreds, baby.”). Perhaps his atypical background exemplifies the strength and infinite possibility of a person’s creative spirit.

"This music - this wildstyle music - is not for the faint-hearted. I tried to get the alchemy right, which I've done on this mix: each of these are standalone tunes. It is dynamic, it does take you from one extreme to the other, because for me that's what my life is like. It'll be bikram yoga one morning, then DJing long into the night. Everything is balanced, not too much of one thing. When I think of the D&B tunes on this mix, I think of them as spiritual euphoria, like I've been lifted out of something."
Goldie

As Metalheadz strongly rides into its 18th year, the label and its leader keep the focus on progression and future-geared ideals, without ever succumbing to the incessant whirrs of today’s hype machine. As the various offshoots of bass music morph around them, MDZ continue to explore and expand the confines of drum & bass with their global army. ‘FABRICLIVE 58: Goldie’ is an embodiment of the Metalheadz mantra: forever finding ways to challenge formulas and take the D&B sound into an intelligent, deeply spiritual - and downright primal - sphere. A loud and proud snapshot of his Metalheadz stable, and the likeminded artists that stay at their level on equally progressive D&B labels, the mix features some of the most cutting edge and visionary music on the genre’s helm. ‘FABRICLIVE 58’ stands as proof that their stance within the music world is, quite simply, unmovable - not today nor in the world of tomorrow. Time stands no chance.

The ARC Projects Black Friday 13th: Street Chant Live (Video)

THE ARC Community Projects: Street Chant Live on Friday The 13th @ Rikka Sake Bar

(The tall black guy, with the cheese cutter on backwards, and the camera, cruising around in front of the stage is me, Bill Gray.)

Friday, August 13 at 9:00pm - August 14 at 2:30am

Location
The Old Rikka Sake Bar

17 Drake Street Victoria Park Markets

Auckland, New Zealand

OK first of all plaything gallery R.I.P. it died in the cold winter of 2010 but THE ARC has a new spot down town.

On BLACK FRIDAY THE ARC will take over the *closed down* RIKKA SAKE BAR in VICTORIA PARK MARKETS for one night of madness without a corporate buck in sight. We will transform the venue into a work of art.

Getting crunk has no genre so we bring punks STREET CHANT and THE DHDFD'S and HOME BREW as well as the mind-bending... HI:HA:HU
THE RADICAL TRUTH IS NOT A SCIENTIFIC FACT

Upcoming – Riva Starr (Italy) @ Be Club (Video)

Friday, 30 April, 10PM

Riva Starr (Italy), Dick Johnson, Daniel Farley, Maya & Vanya, Mark Emerson, Beat Mafia

Be Club, 8 Commerce Street, CBD

GENRE: house
Featuring
Riva Starr (Italy)

With support from
Dick Johnson
Daniel Farley
Maya & Vanya
Mark Emerson
Beat Mafia
Ditto* Live

promoter says...

Riva Starr IS the sound of chunky, jackin' house in 2010 and this is his debut NZ performance — which makes for an unmissable opportunity to say "I was drunk, at Riva Starr!"

He's remixed absolutely everything from Major Lazer to The Doors. With last year's smash "I Was Drunk", his album If Life Gives You Lemons Make Lemonade and Beatport chart toppers such as his remix of Malente's "I Like it" and Reboots "Enjoy Music" Riva Starr is an unstoppable machine in 2010 both in the studio and behind the decks!

You simply don't want to let this one pass you by — whether you're an overground or underground dance music lover, you're in for a treat. Source/Mukuna.co.nz

Shots Of The Day – Kevin Mark Trail (UK) @ Kfm 106.9

Hi all,

Here are my photos from an evening with Kevin Mark Trail at Kfm 106.9 last Thursday.

As I mentioned earlier, Kevin performed a quite good acoustic set for us all, and most people there seemed to really enjoy it. While I’ll admit that sort of music isn’t really my thing I did enjoy my evening none the less as well.

Kind regards

P.S. I’ve embedded a video of one of Kevin’s live acoustic performances as an example of what went down at Kfm 106.9 that night.

RIP Gifted Unlimited Rhythms Universal (Video)

Revered rapper Guru, born Keith Elam, has reportedly died after a year and a half long battle with cancer.

It’s indeed a sad day for all of his family, friends and fans, of which I am one, and Guru’s presence will most certainly be missed in this era of phony gangster posturing and self aggrandizing vocal diarrhoea that weakly attempts to pass itself of as true Hip Hop.

Remember… Guru stands for Gifted Unlimited Rhythms Universal!

Kind regards

Too Close – Pete Rock & Deda (Video)

Just some Old school East Coast Hip Hop, from the innovator Pete Rock, that I’ve been grooving on while I edit photos. I thought you might enjoy it!

Upcoming – DJ Pinch (UK) @ Zen! (Video)

 

DJ Pinch (UK) at Zen, 17 Albert Street, CBD
10pm start $20 presales

tickets:
iTicketExpress
Beat Merchants, 31 Victoria St E
Real Groovy, 438 Queen St

GENRE: dubstep
Featuring
DJ Pinch (UK) with support from
Jason George
Ms Curious
Pimms

Here are the set times for tonight:
Vice 10.00pm - 11.30pm
Jason George 11.30pm - 1.30am
Pinch 1.30am - 3.30am
Ms Curious 3.30am - 4.30am
Pimms 4.30am - close.

Charkha – Mehi (Video)

Just a beautiful song I wanted to share with you all. It’s taken from the 2008 released Bar India: Indian Downtempo and Electro-Funk Grooves compilation.

Window Seat – Erykah Badu (Video)

Over the weekend, the video for Erykah Badu's "Window Seat" premiered on her Web site and immediately caused a stir.

With an explicit nod to Matt and Kim's "Lesson Learned" video — in which the duo strip in the middle of Times Square — Badu sheds her clothing while walking through downtown Dallas in her clip. Almost as soon as she is totally nude, Badu is shot in the head, falling near the same grassy knoll near where President Kennedy was shot in 1963. Instead of blood, animated words that spell out "groupthink" leak from her head on the sidewalk.

"They who play it safe, are quick to assassinate what they don't understand," she speaks, off camera. "They move in packs, ingesting more and more fear with every act of hate on one another. They feel more comfortable in groups, less guilt to swallow. They are us. This is what we have become, afraid to respect the individual."

On Sunday night, the singer was active on Twitter, explaining the video, which was directed by Coodie. "We only had 1 shot to get it right," she wrote. "We didn't plan the shot. Coodie and I just went raw dog. Too busy looking for cops and being petrified."

The singer also explained that the entire scene of her walking and stripping down took just a couple of minutes. They got their footage and ran like hell.

"The people caught in the shot were trying hard to ignore me," Badu tweeted. "Lol, [except] one guy grabbing [my] clothes. ... He disappeared. Didn't have time to look for him or clothes. We ran. It was the peeps off camera yelling.

Despite people who shouted at her, she said, "I held my head up and kept moving. ... There were children there. I prayed they wouldn't be traumatized."

Source/MTV.com

Valleys Of Neptune – Jimi Hendrix (Video)

I just downloaded the new Jimi Hendrix CD, Valleys Of Neptune, tonight and am quite enjoying it.

While I’ve been a Hendrix fan since the late 70s (I was born too late, and didn’t have hippie parents that dragged their infant son along to Woodstock, so I was too young to appreciate his music while he was still alive) it’s still nice to occasionally throw on one of his tunes and reminisce a bit about the hippie phase my friends and I went through back then. ;)

Kind regards

Coming Back Around – Pete Simpson (Video)

Just a little bit of Brit-soul that I’m enjoying at the moment. ;)

The song is taken from the album Domu Presents Pete Simpson: Look A Little Further.

Do It Now feat. Busta Rhymes – Mos Def (Video)

This is from Mos Def’s 1999 solo debut release Black on Both Sides.

I’m feeling a little Black militant this morning so I thought I’d feature it. Don’t let my mood freak you out though, since I’m about a third Western European hating white people would be like hating a part of myself. I don’t! ;)

Kind regards

Rise The Temperature feat. Doctor – Cotti (Video)

Cotti

Get Up (Guido Mix) - Pinch feat. Yolanda (Video)

Just a tune I’m diggin’ on right now. Holla! ;)

PINCH 'GET UP' FEAT YOLANDA

Pinch's massive vocal anthem 'Get Up', featuring Massive Attack collaborator Yolanda, gets a long awaited single release on 30th November. Supported by such luminaries as Skream, Kode 9 and Mary Anne Hobbs; the single is backed with top draw remixes by RSD, Guido, Jack Sparrow and L.V, along with an extended instrumental dub mix.

Pinch runs the internationally renowned Bristol dubstep label Tectonic, home to releases from Skream, Benga, Martyn, Joker, 2562, Loefah, Distance and many other top name producers. It is also home to his own groundbreaking work including the genre defining LP 'Underwater Dancehall'. Bristol is also the base for Subloaded - longest standing dedicated dubstep night in the town, with regular parties in London and an annual room at BLOC Weekender.

International diva Yolanda provides the stunning vocals on 'Get Up'. She has toured the world with Massive Attack as lead vocalist, recorded tracks for their forthcoming LP and worked with numerous dance acts over the years - either as Yolanda or as her alter ego Koko. She has a quite simply amazing voice and a pair of lungs that could blow out a candle a mile away.

Source/altsounds.com

Above The Clouds – Gang Starr (Video)

Hi all,

I’m just sitting here editing some photos and listening to music, as I always do, when the above tracked queued up on the smartphone’s music player.

You know I just had to share it, being a generous guy and all. ;)

It seems like I’m on an oldschool East Coast Hip-Hop trip tonight as some older Mos Def and A Tribe Called Quest just rolled through my playlist and past my eardrums minutes ago.

Kind regards

Sometime Sad Day – Rufige Kru/Goldie (Video)

Hi all,

I just happened to pick up Goldie’s newest album, Memoirs Of An Afterlife, yesterday and even though it’s about 8 months old by now I’m really enjoying it. I feel it’s a glimpse into the future of DnB by none other than one the genre’s chief founders and architects.

The album was released under Goldie’s Rufige Kru moniker. However, regardless of the name Goldie uses, we all know it’s still the man himself. ;)

Anyway, I was just sitting here doing the social media thing and the above track popped up on my smartphone/media player.

I was so moved by it that I just had to share it with you all. If you give it a good listen I think you’ll understand why.

Kind regards

Bass Music Sessions - I.D. & Baobinga (Video)

Hi all,

It’s just come to my attention that the good people over at Bass Music, a Bristol U.K. based DJ/producer collective, have released a donation album entitled Bass Music Sessions.  It features tracks from I.D. and Baobinga.

The album is in support of the Dove House Hospice and all the proceeds, with the exception of a tiny amount that Paypal will take as processing fees, will go directly to them without Bass Music taking a cut.

I’ve embedded the promotional video for the album below just to give you a taste of things to come.

Kind regards

Breakin’ Glass – Goldie (Video)

Hi all,

This is one of my favourite songs from DnB pioneer Goldie’s 2008 released album Sine Tempus. Yeah, it’s a little old now. However, I understand that the album just became available on iTunes a couple of months ago – not that I’d ever use iTunes or buy anything from it’s store which would put money in Steve Jobs’ pockets! ;)

You’re always breakin’ my glass. You’re always fuckin’ with shit in my past. Wake up! Smell the fuckin’ roses!

Kind regards

Upcoming - BrazilBeat Sound System @ Khuja! (Video)

DJ Mara (l) and Negro Beto (r) of BrazilBeat Sound System.

BrazilBeat Sound System was formed in San Francisco in 2000 and is a live drumming, DJ collective. It’s members include Brazilian percussionist Negro Beto and DJ Mara. The BBSS groove is a mash up of funk, house, breaks, dub, roots, dnb.

Negro Beto has been producing and teaching for over 20 years, on five continents. And, has toured with The Wailers, the OE:Brazil project and has worked for MTV Brazil.

What: Tropicalia ft Brazil Beat Sound System, Bobby Brazuka, Datt DJ, Bruno Baron
When: Saturday, 6 March, 10pm 
Where: The Khuja Lounge, 536 Queen Street, level 3, Newton

 

BrazilBeat Sound System at Rhythm & Vines music festival, Gisborne New Zealand, New Year's Eve 31 Dec 2009, Cellar Stage.

Masterpieces for MASSIVEGOOD – Spike Lee (Video)

Directed by Spike Lee and featuring Mary J. Blige, Samuel L. Jackson, Professor Brian Greene, Susan Sarandon and writer Paul Auster, this film - entitled Masterpieces - explains the simple idea behind the MASSIVEGOOD movement.

http://www.massivegood.org