Another Year and Top 10 Tracks

I just want to thank EVERYONE who has read, commented, shared and embraced this blog. Without you all, we would not have the opportunity to EXPRESS what we do. Damn it has been three years and I am still kicking.

2013 is another year for greatness, positive vibes and amazing music. I do not consider it a new beginning; rather a year to transform House Music to the masses through writing to many who are willing to understand our World a little more. I have not given up on this music since it has not on me. I can still remember the time I fell in Love with House Music and the grip it has had on me since. It saved my Life!

Speaking of saving lives, I got ten tracks that were bangers this year that gave so much LIFE on the floor. Here are a few that did it for me (In NO particular Order):

Lamone - My Favorite Things:  Now anyone who knows me knows I am not big on the holidays. However, I downloaded Josh Milan's Holiday albums with wonderful artists such as Dawn Tallman, Lamone, Cinnamon Brown, Sandra St. Victor and others to make it oh so soulful. The Honeycomb Music camp made me appreciate vocals, soul, harmonies and music even more.  Tyrone Francis banged this at December's Tambor Party and the Spirit took over me. I was in tears of joy. Give thanks for these wonderful voices. If you want to download the album, go here: Honeycomb Christmas

Timmy Regisford feat. Mikey Dance - Shining (Sean McCabe Remix): When I first heard this track, I was like, 'Alright, let's see how this will sound' Gotta admit, at times I have a biased ear. I LOVE when vocals and production come together properly. Sean McCabe did justice with the remix of Timmy Regisford's track. I am a big fan of Mr. McCabe and I can truly say that this track needs to be played. I kept playing it over and over at home. Dancing to it is such a release.

SMT feat. Shea Soul - Just Fine: This track is just SMOOTH!! I heard it a while back when I was at The Gathering and I was hooked. I kept listening and KNEW that I had heard the voice before. Shea Soul never disappoints when it comes to tracks that she is on. The David Harness mix is HOT TOO! To be honest, I like all the mixes on this track. Now go and beat that to the ground.

Jazzmatik and Boddhi Satva feat. MiSSuM - And Other Worlds (Kai Alce Vocal Remix): If this banger does not make you move, I dunno what will. Kai Alce put his damn foot in this one and I cannot stop moving to it. It reminds of how House Music should be: Melodic, Vocal, Soulful and damn RAW! You better get it, homie! ATL REPRESENT!

Tuccillo and Kiko Navarro feat. Amor - Lovery (Yoruba Soul Mix): Maaaaaan Osunlade better stop playing. When I first heard this track, I thought out to loud and said, 'Goodness gracious! What a banger to get the summer going right'. Many DJs rock this track to get the masses on the dance floor. It always works and that is why it is on this list.

Mr. O and Funk Deepstar feat. Ckenz Vocal - I Got This Feeling: Big ups to South Africa for this one. Not your typical South African banger. The SoulCandi camp does it again. They never disappoint. I heard this track at Tambor Party during Stan Zeff's set. Me and Yoli Chisholm were blown away and I HAD to ask. Paid for my download and the rest is history. Get it!

Atjazz and Jullian Gomes - Overshadowed (Atjazz Galaxy Aart Dub): OH MY GOODNESS! I really do not think you all here in the STATES understand how damn genius Atjazz is. Sleep on this dude if you  must my fellow Americans, but he is the TRUTH! We gotta get him stateside. SOMEONE. ANYONE?! Carlos Mena played this banger at one of his BEMBE parties here in Atlanta and I fucking LOST it! Words cannot describe the feelings I had at that moment when  this track came on: Nostalgia, Love, Pure and RAW emotion, the ability to move freely and dance like no one is watching. Atjazz's tracks usually does that to me. However, this track here: OH MY GOODNESS!! Thank You for producing this with Jullian Gomes. WARNING: Not for all DJs to play and for the faint of Heart. Just being real.

EnaWadan - I'm Still Standing: Brother ain't that the truth! Carlos Mena brought this cat to the masses with 'Forever' on his Ocha Records label. Thankful and blessed that he came back FULL force with this banger. This track makes a sista feel good when she is dancing and yet again, NOT every DJ can play this track. With the release on Offering Recordings, it set a whole new standard to vocals and ancestral energy. When I hear this track, it sends off positive vibes and great energy to the dancers. A banger, indeed!

Ralf Gum feat. Monique Bingham - Take Me To My Love: When I tell you that this track can NEVER get old, believe it. Regardless of what sound of House you may play, this track is a club banger. Ralf Gum and Monique Bingham have done it again. With Ralf's stellar production and Monique's smooth vocals, you cannot go wrong. I LOVE THIS TRACK!

*****FLako feat Dirg Gerner -Lonely Town (K2 REMIX): Alright Kris Klayton AKA Karizma AKA Kaytronik, I am calling you out on this one! How you gon' produce this foolishness and NOT put it out?!?!?! I heard this track and seriously started screaming at the top of my lungs. When I tell you that this is EVERYTHING that I needed for 2012 when it came to Music HANDS DOWN, this is the ONE!  I put stars next to this because I WANT THIS RELEASED! Hell, I am pretty sure most of your fans want this out. YET AGAIN: ONLY CERTAIN DJs can play this. Kai Alce rocked this shit during one of his sets and I lost it. People were lost as me and a few others were losing our minds. Seeing people go to the booth and ask what it is guarantees that it is a banger! DAMN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT IN THIS ONE, Kris! THANK YOU!!!!

If you want ANY of these tracks, PLEASE PAY FOR YOUR DOWNLOAD. Amazon, iTunes Store, Traxsource, Beatport, Juno and other paying sites. Thank you all and LOVE!

Tambor Party PRESENTS Djeff Afrozilla (Kazukuta, Nulu, Tribe)

Let me just say this: If you missed this man on the decks last night, I really do not know what to tell you.

REWIND TO WMC 2012 - Tribe Records Party at The Vagabond: So my brother, Carlos Mena is like, 'Yo, this kid is the truth! You might wanna stay for his set for a second...'. Ausar also informs me that this dude is the TRUTH and is to not be slept on. I go to greet him and he says hello and then HANDS ME A SHIRT and CD! He thanks me for dancing and I thank him for keeping the tunes going. Jose Marquez is finishing up his set and did the damn thing as well. Big ups Jose! We gotta get him to the A soon! His sound is amazing and so raw. Okay, I digress.

He steps on the decks and the SPEAKERS are RIGHT there in front of me. I am in a complete trance when he is on. I could care less if no one was dancing around me. I felt my ancestors the entire night while I was there. However, it was a warmth that covered his sound, along with the Angolan beats that kept me on the floor until Carlos tells me it is time to bounce. Such a humble and warm being. His set was INCREDIBLE!!!


DJ BE warms the crowd up with some dope bangers to get people AWAY from the walls and onto the floor in order to get Djeff nice and right for all to feel whom he is as a being on the decks. Stan Zeff closes out the night with some goodies I have not heard. A sista needs to know where she can her download from of the tracks you played. I WILL pay and dance even more.

Suffice to say when he played last night at 595 North, he did not disappoint. I am still on a high. I am a big fan of Kuduro and still learning more about it. The scene in itself is taking Angola by storm. Stadiums are filled with the sound. Reminds me a little bit of Soca with a little bit more of deepness intertwined. If you do not know about Kuduro, do your RESEARCH, folks!!! I am thankful that we as a city have the wonderful opportunity to experience sounds that other major cities do not have the opportunity to experience. It says a lot about our scene and the music overall. Atlanta is bringing the heat, folks!

Now onto the pictures and quick interview I did with him:

ORIGINS:DJ DIASPORA, Tambor Party w/ Culoe De Song and Sunday School

Another amazing weekend to put in the book for Atlanta's music scene.

First and foremost: I have to give thanks to DJ Ausar for letting me contribute to the very first and of many events like this one. Without his vision, the event would not have taken off. Secondly, Carlos Mena with his storytelling of the many Orishas gave me a better insight into what spirits lie amongst us if we just look, listen and learn. My homegirl, Sabine. She ripped the decks this past weekend at Sunday School and gave me a dance that I shall remember. Oya is with you and I give thanks for your amazing energy. Charmaine Minniefield for being the behind-the-scenes woman who played a greater role in all of us coming together. Salah Ananse for letting Sunday School and Afrique Electrique become what it has become.

Everyone else as well for showing Love for this event. It is time. For too long we have been complacent and not truly recognizing the importance of Africa within music. Sure, we hear certain sounds and vocals. But do we know what it truly means?

On Friday night, Carlos Mena blessed us on the decks. For those who missed it: YOU REALLY missed out! Sekou had the agogo going and I unfortunately did not get any pics of Carlos doing his thing because I was dancing the whole night.

Here are some pictures I took:

On Saturday, I had the wonderful and beautiful opportunity to get some Afro-Cuban Orisha dance in, which was taught by Charisse Williams (BIG UPS!). Carlos started off the energy with some storytelling. Thank You oh so much for the wonderful vibes and energy. I felt at peace. At the end of the dance session, we had a 5th generation drummer from Nigeria come in and speak, then play for us all. How humbling is that?!

That night, Culoe De song came and tore it up if I must say so myself. When I heard 'Stop Jealousy', my energy soared and I was completely in another World. At the end of his set, he closed it out with 'The Bright Forest'. Chile, myself and Shana were done for! I lost my damn whistle in the process. Oh well! It was well worth it! Big ups to the Tambor Crew for showing us all what a REAL music event is. Pictures:

On Sunday, we were all blessed by the amazing DJ Sabine Blaizin from NYC. For those that don't know, she was also part of the dance group, Dance Warrior Project of NYC. She also plays alongside Ian Friday. Big ups mama! Now she has Oyasound, which is sure to be blazing soon. Many blessings to you mama!

Pictures:

Video of some of the awesomeness from this past weekend!



Thank You for the support and until the next outing...

<3

Tambor Party with Zepherin Saint

I must say, what another amazing party! Big ups to the Tambor Crew, Zepherin Saint , the heads and ATL for coming out. Cannot wait for the next one. I cannot express the amount of energy that came through from his set alone. When Zepherin played a different version of 'Burning Hot', I about damn lost my mind. Mind you, people were all on the dance floor, screaming and yelling till it ended. Still on a high from his party at the National Hotel at WMC! MADNESS! Cannot wait to see him along with Ian Friday on Thursday at the Sullivan Room.

NYC PEEPS GET AT ME! Pictures:





Here is an interview that I did with Zepherin Saint. Gotta do it on the spot. Love