Tambor Party with Ian Friday

Wow!

What can I say?! Big ups first and foremost to Tambor Party for being a hit with the readers of Creative Loafing as ATL's After Dark event. Another big shout out to DJ Kemit for being critic's choice for Creative Loafing's CL List 2010: ATL's BEST DJ! Thank goodness Atlanta knows what's up. Congratulations you all!

Atlanta has really proven to be a hot mecca for events and music! Kai putting 'I Got Life' out with Terrance Downs and Justin Chapman, Ramon Rawsoul with 'House In The Park' and Stan Zeff with Tambor Party. Ian Friday (Tea Party Music/Brooklyn Mecca/Libation NYC) blessed us with some tunes! I lost it. I felt like I was back in the Caribbean, alongside my peoples. He brought the heat from the first track to the last. The tracks that got me: Gwebindala, Burning Hot, Kodjo, Don't Be Afraid, More Of You (Rise In Peace Jimmy Abney), Heartbreak Hotel and others.

I felt like I was back at the damn Tribe Party in MIA. I did my best to keep my clothes on. I would say that I did an amazing job. To go on record: This Tambor
made me smile and quite possibly my favorite! I felt my eyes roll in the back of my head. John Roberts on the drums made it no damn better. Percussions and drums always get me going.

Thank You Ian for blessing us once again. ATL loves you!


PICTURES:








Here is a snipper interview that I did on the spot with Ian. Big ups to Freddy for taping! I heart you guys!

Ian Friday @ Tambor Party

Flashback 2007 - Winter Music Conference: Bembe party with Ian, Carlos Mena, Rich Medina, Osunlade, Karizma and DJ Spinna...

I had the opportunity of meeting this man, not realizing how much of a hot commodity he is in our scene. I met him, along with Kev Master Kev at this event, which was held at Rain. He held a steady crowd, keeping it real deep and ancestral...

Flash forward to 2008 - The Gathering @ Cenci, Atlanta:

He ripped it and I was dancing on the floor the WHOLE night. Big ups to all whom brought him down. When he played, 'More Of You' by Jimmy Abney (Rise In Peace), me and my buddy, Nishana lost it. That is one of many songs that is beautiful, but at the same time, you can lose it on the dancefloor. I am forever thankful for that night.

WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE - Tribe Records UK party: In the moonlight with all of my ancestors surrounding me, he FIRST played 'Gwebindala' and it was over. Was it safe to say that I kept my clothing on? I felt like I was back in the motherland and not knowing that at that moment, happiness filled my soul. I ran into him later during the conference and told him how hard it was for me to contain myself. he says, 'I do what I do. I cannot help it if you cannot contain yourself. The music guides me...'

Ever since 2007, my eye has been on this man and his music never disappoints. To drop and remix tracks such as: Broken Dreams, More Of You, Carib's Leap and Don't Be Afraid, Atlanta will definitely be in for a treat. Bring your towel and drink PLENTY of water. The End. ATLANTA is ready for you, Ian...

6th Annual House In The Park

Wow, what can I say?!

Carlos Mena (Yoruba Records) kicked off my weekend and did the damn thing! Big ups to all who put it together!

This weekend has been nothing but amazing! Big ups to Ramon Rawsoul, Kai Alce, Salah Ananse, DJ Kemit, the sponsors, the City of Atlanta, the dancers, the singers and all who put it together. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I am STILL overwhelmed with happiness because of that day. AT LEAST 7k was in the building from all over the US and the World. We have Moodymann, Rick Wilhite, Colonel Abrams, Carolyn Harding and others roll through. You know your event is official when people who are not even heads roll through. Six years strong. Cannot wait for number SEVEN!

Highlights: seeing all people of all different backgrounds, just chilling, dancing their asses off. The outpouring of Love for this event has been amazing! Donations left and right. The event is the business when the Red Bull chicks pop up and people who have never heard of HITP come just for the vibe.

When Ramon busted out Culoe De Song's 'Gwebindala', I fucking lost it! I could have sworn my eyes rolled into the back of my head. I could care less what anyone was thinking at that moment. I felt my ancestors there. Seeing the young children dance made me smile. Also, when young kings and queens come up, giving hugs and saying a simple 'hello'. Now that is Love.

Having Yoli come ALL the way from Seattle. I had to hype it up and I know her experience was well worth it; by seeing peoples that I have not seen since the Winter Music Conference pop up blew me away. ATLANTA: WE ARE ON SOMETHING REAL and the rest of the music community sees it so. The icing on the cake: Having my best friend come from NY. We always shut it down.

However, at the end of it all: I cried. It was beautiful and I am glad I am a veteran of House In The Park. Much Love to all!

Photos and video:

Check out John Crooms photoblog at http://www.jcroomsphotoblog.blogspot.com

House In The Park - Atlanta

Article: Picnic with a beat| Creative Loafing

DONATE ALL! Keep House In The Park FREE!

We cannot do it without YOU!

So I was out one night and this man came up to me and a fellow friend of mine. That man was Ramon Rawsoul, the organizer of House In The Park and a good friend. Now you MUST remember, I was cutting a rug and doing the damn thing on the dance floor. He told me to be at this event the following day and that I would enjoy it. That Sunday before Labor Day in 2005 changes my view of House Music on a daily.

The music was beautiful and what many do not know is that it was held at Candler Park. There was a small group of us househeads, probably no more than 150 dancing around at the Pavillion, getting to know one another, on top of getting our eat on. Let's go into the following year: Perkenson Park. I walked up and saw the venue, not realizing how many people would show up. The crowd started to build and so did the amazing line-up of DJ's.


(c) 2006. John Crooms Photography

The following year was even greater and the energy was massive! People traveled from afar, such as: New York, Chicago, Miami, Charlotte, Detroit and even Washington State. To see individuals of all creeds, religions, sexual orientations come together just for one day in the name of House Music makes my soul happy. To hear that this event represents the South on a grander scale makes me even happier. Ramon Rawsoul, Kai Alce, Salah Ananse and DJ Kemit are staples in the House Music scene. So to see these men put together an event that unites ALL in the music community shows the sheer commitment being placed upon the community as a whole.

Flash onward to 2007: Man that day was hotter than ever! The crowd was even larger and the energy was immense.

Left to Right: Salah Ananse, Kai Alce, DJ Kemit, Ramon Rawsoul

The following two years have exploded into something many could only dream of when it comes to Summer outdoor festivals in Atlanta. Reports of people camping out overnight, some coming from outside of the U.S., 5,000 bodies all in unity and celebrating and others soaking up the energy the day after the event have been said about this event. So for those who love to dance, have a knack for amazing House Music and enjoy outdoor festivals, then this event is for you.

This Sunday promises to be a treat for all!

Tambor 1 YEAR Anniversary, House In The Park Fundraiser and Sunday School

I know, I have been off the map for a minute. Between working on my makeup portfolio and getting ready for a busy couple of months, I have not updated. I will do a better job. Promise. Anyways, first and foremost, I would like to give a shout out to the Tambor Crew, Lou Gorbea, Ramon Rawsoul, Salah Ananse, Anthony David, Sean Alvarez and others for making this past weekend so amazing for Atlanta. Many do not realize how much work is put into all of this to come together. I am excited for the next couple of months that are in store. House In The Park is celebrating its sixth year. WOW! I remember the very first one at Candler Park with less than 200 people and now look to what it has grown into. If people think House Music is dead, think again. This movement is going no damn where. On top of that, I will do whatever I have to do to maintain this scene, as well as others who are involved.

Back to basics: TAMBOR PARTY WAS RIDICULOUS! For me to dance on the wall and on the floor takes a lot for me to feel music that whole night and break a damn sweat with my 'fro. I had a ball. Now for the pictures:







Saturday night was amazing as well. Ramon Rawsoul, Sean Alvarez and Kai Alce threw down at The Sound Table for House In The Park fundraiser. Here are some pics:





So that Sunday night was Sunday School. A monthly event with DJ Salah Ananse and guests. Was a pleasure to have been there. John Roberts on drums, Anthony David on the vocals, Ramon Rawsoul and Salah Ananse on the decks. Yessir!

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

Tambor Party PRESENTS Osunlade

This night will forever be etched into my memory. Such an amazing night and meeting so many wonderful people, on top of meeting the man himself. Many truly do not understand this thing called House and when Osunlade plays, it is on a whole other level. Many DJs cannot surpass that level. When people tell me that they saw steam coming from the front, bodies dripping in sweat and people losing it, what more can you say?

So for all of those who experienced this night along with me, Atlanta has not been the same. The scene is changing for the better and many DJs are realizing that our city is not some mainstream city. We have put it in place a scene which has placed us on the map all over the World. I am ready for that wave to come and take us all on its journey.

Great Article that David Sabat wrote: Collective Promotion: When Fans Become Promoters


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Next Tambor Party! SO EXCITED!