 |
"Following a three-hour hearing that featured extensive public comment...the three-member committee unanimously approved the new law, which would grant the Entertainment Commission added powers to crack down on problematic nightclubs as well as establish stricter oversight measures for how the commission operates."
Read more about the E.C. and yesterday's meeting at the Snitch here.
Post a Comment
 |
| EKAphotography |
| Buju Banton perfoming at Rock It Room, before the pepper-spray incident |
Last night, fans of controversial reggae star Buju Banton were pepper-sprayed by an unknown assailant during Banton's concert at the Rock It Room. The assault occurred during the show, when, according to the Rock It Room's booker, Ben Thompson, someone let loose with pepper spray. "This happened directly in the middle of the dance floor, in front of Buju's backup singers," he said. He added that the three singers were all affected by the pepper spray, and Gramps Morgan, Banton's opening act, was also affected. "It got in my eyes and throat," Morgan said. He didn't see the assailant, he said, adding, "It was a dark club and I felt it."
An earlier version of this story mistakenly identified Pollo Del Mar and other LGBT activists as being responsible for the incident, based on misinformation from Banton's management. SFWeekly regrets the error.
Thompson said the assailant was "absolutely" not Pollo del Mar, who was in full drag and would have been instantly recognizable.
Before the concert, a small group of protestors--including Del Mar--stood outside chanting slogans and attempting to engage clubgoers in dialogue about Banton's lyrics. Thompson says the protesters left before the pepper spray incident and never entered the venue.
"My side is simple," says Del Mar. "We showed up. It was a peaceful protest. Violence of any kind is unacceptable," he adds. Del Mar says he first heard of the incident that night at 2 a.m., and his first thought was that he hoped no one was hurt.
Andrea Shorter, Director of And Marriage For All, who attended the meeting earlier in the day between Banton and members of the LGBT community, derided the pepper spray incident as counter-productive: "Assaulting concert goers is totally unacceptable," she said in an email.
Following the incident, Banton said, "We play America for the fans, not for the protesters," declining to make any additional statement on the matter.
 |
| EKAphotography |
| Buju Banton meets the LGBT Posse |
The meeting, which took place at the Courtyard Hotel in Larskpur, included Banton and his manager Tracii McGregor, San Francisco supervisors Bevan Dufty and Eric Mar, LGBT Center executive director Rebecca Rolfe, queer blogger Michael Petrelis and lesbian activist Andrea Shorter. The LGBT acvists, led by Petrelis and Shorter, voiced their concerns over homophobic lyrics and anti-gay violence in Jamaica directly to Banton, and suggested various things he could do to promote human rights, such as a town hall meeting in Jamaica. Banton, in turn, pointed to additional context, such as colonialism and the Jamaican government's homophobic laws. He denied he is a hate speech or murder music artist, as his critics have insisted. "Let's face the reality," Banton said. "Whatever is said in a positive light can't get out." On the topic of the controversial tune, he added, "I don't perform the song anymore. The reality is, I've gone past that."
"You have a bad PR problem," Shorter told the three-time Grammy nominee, adding, "I'm not gonna get a medal for talking to you." She added, however, she was willing to try to forge ahead to figure out "what we can do together to fight against hate and violence in a way that is meaningful." After some testy questions by Shorter about Banton's commitment to gay-rights issues, Mar said he knows of many within the African American and reggae community who "see you as one of the most positive artists out there" - in stark contrast to the way Banton has been presented in the LBGT activist scene and queer blogosphere. "I've been actively doing some of the stuff you mention," the singer said, referring to Operation Willy, a pro-safe sex anti-AIDS organization Banton founded in 1994. "I don't advocate violence, Rastafari is not about that," he added.
The tete-a-tete appeared to soothe tensions on both sides. At the end of the meeting, all assembled posed for snapshots, as Dufty remarked, "No city is gayer than S.F. You have met with some of the toughest queer activists around." Banton said nothing, while Shorter said, "I'm more hopeful walking out of here than walking in here."
EKAphotography Boots Riley at Outside Lands, 2009
It's been a minute since Oakland's legendary hip-hop group the Coup last played its hometown - nine years in fact, according to frontman and primary songwriter Boots Riley. In that time, the group has played SF and Berkeley -"We did a kind of rehearsal at Black New World 2 years ago," Boots recalls -but Friday's gig at the New Parish is their first "legitimate" O-Town gig since 2000, he says. In that time, Boots has busied himself by going on the road with Galactic, recording and touring with Tom Morello in Street Sweeper Social Club, and writing new Coup material (which he says he hasn't taught to his band yet, so it's doubtful it'll be played Friday)
Even so, the gig has its merits. Besides being just the second show at the new venue, it's also a benefit for the North Oakland Community Charter School, so your ticket fees go to support education for youth. Interestingly enough, it's also the second consecutive show at the New Parish to feature a dude with a big-ass Afro (the other being Alex Cuba). Beginning of a new trend, perhaps? I dunno, but if so, here are some suggestions for the club bookers: Pharaohe Monch, Erykah Badu, Questlove, and Medusa.
Opti-Mystic Soul: Buju
Three-time Grammy nominee Buju Banton has been credited with ushering in dancehall reggae's conscious revival with 1994's "Murderer," an anti-violence tune which preceded the ascension of such artists as Sizzla, Capleton, and Fantan Mojah. Buju began his career in his teens, quickly becoming a popular toaster with a rapid-fire tongue--which occasionally dipped into slackness, as on the sexual prowess-affirming "Stamina Daddy" and the still-controversial "Boom Bye Bye" (which he no longer performs in concert). Yet since converting to Rastafarianism over fifteen years ago, Banton's output has been overwhelmingly positive: In addition to anthems of struggle and redemption ("Untold Stories;" "Not An Easy Road"), he's made nature-affirming odes to the almighty ("Hills and Valleys"), protest statements against gunplay ("Bad Boy") and African genocide ("Sudan"), and retro-dancehall pro-herb tunes ("Driver"). Banton's latest album, Rasta Got Soul, updates Third World's "Sense of Purpose" and finds the artist wallowing in positivity ("Optimistic Soul").
Buju concerts are more than just an opportunity to puff marijuana like Bob Marley and get your ragamuffin on like a Jamaican "modeler"; they're often spiritually-moving experiences which bring audiences closer to Jah. Banton brings the "Rasta Got Soul" tour to Berkeley's Shattuck Down Low on Saturday, along with the Shiloh band, Gramps Morgan (of Morgan Heritage), and Nikki Burt. It's Angel Magik's 8-year anniversary bash, so expect the vibes to be extra-crispy. Purchasing presales are highly advised; this show will likely sell out. (If you miss Banton on Saturday, he'll also be at SF's Rock It Room Monday for a special edition of DeeCee's Soul Shakedown, ya heard?)
Afrobeat's Ancestor: Fela Kuti
It's hard to think of a more iconic artist than Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The founder of Afrobeat, who famously proclaimed "music is a weapon," was both a voice of progressive social change--and often uncomfortably-honest socioeconomic critique--and a musical visionary. Fela's fusing of traditional Yoruban music with American jazz, R&B and funk was ahead of its time, as evidenced by the flowering of the Afrobeat genre a decade after his death and the influence Fela's music has had on a generation of artists--including Afrobeat revivalists (including Kuti's sons Femi and Seun), hip-hop and reggae aficionados, and electronic music heads.
This Saturday, Café du Nord turns into a mini-shrine to Fela, as DJ Jeremiah (aka Mr. Afrobeat) presents a Kuti birthday celebration, featuring a live performance by Afro-soul artist Siji, plus DJ Said and Jeremiah himself. If you like endless grooves with thought-provoking messages,this one's for you.
EKAphotography PUTS: Double K and Thes One
You'll have to forgive my hangover this morning (afternoon?) - a direct result of hanging out with People Under the Stairs and Om Records' Gunnar Hissam last night. Hazardous duty, for sure. Anyway, PUTS previewed their new album Carried Away before a young but enthused, nearly sold-out crowd at Slim's last night, and I've got pictures to prove it (even if some parts of last night are a little fuzzy. LOL.)
EKAphotography Thes One moves the crowd
I'll say this for PUTS: they know how to party and they know how to rock the party. New material like "Trippin' at the Disco" and "Beer"--an infectious, instantly classic ode to hops, malt, ale, lager, pilsner, and pretty much everything associated with everyone's favorite frothy beverage--went over well, but the crowd's biggest cheers were reserved for well-worn PUTS' favorites "San Francisco Knights" and "Acid Raindrops."
Peep more pics after the jump.
The Dead Trees
Portland power-pop outfit the Dead Trees --fresh from a recent tour in Brazil--play Bottom of the Hill tomorrow, in support of their recent album King of Rosa. It's their first co-headlining tour (along with Rosewood Thieves). Peep the awesome video for "Loretta" here .
Steve Lopez Montezuma's Revenge Cover Art
Legendary Oakland hip-hop group Souls of Mischief yesterday announced the forthcoming release of their new album, Montezuma's Revenge. Produced by the equally-legendary Prince Paul (De La Soul, Gravediggaz, Handsome Boy Modeling School), the album features 18 songs worth of pure Hiero hip-hop, as well as cover art by esteemed illustrator Steve Lopez. Plans for an extensive tour--which hits SF's Slim's Oct. 20, alongside Wu-Tang lyrical stalwart Ghost...Face... Killah (no one can get iller!)--have also been announced. I don't know about you, but this is one hip-hop show that goes down as a must-see, in my book.
Yes, He Can: Estria
The fascinating subcultural (and frequently subterranean) world of graffiti art surfaces this week, as the third annual Estria Invitational Battle, organized by Bay Area spraycan art legend Estria (in conjunction with Marc Bamuthi Joseph's Living Word Festival), gets underway. The festivities begin tomorrow with the Can Film Festival, a free event at the 1:AM SF Gallery featuring screenings of the films "Style Wars" and "Bomb It," and an illustrious panel including moderator Jeff Chang, Estria, Suzie Lundy and Kevin Epps. On Friday, Pecha Kucha Night at East Side Arts Alliance in Oakland presents "Don't Sweat the Technique," an exhibition/discussion featuring 10 graffiti artists showing 20 slides, promoting social change. On Saturday, Oakland's deFremery park becomes ground zero for the culminating event, the Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle, bringing together 16 of the nation's top graffiti artists, as well as workshops and a black book battle.
Waassup: Waajeed
One of the best things about living in the SF Bay Area--as opposed to say, Bumfu*k, Idaho--is that it's recognized as a cultural center and tastemaking place. Case in point: the Beat Machine tour, a Scion/Turntable Lab-sponsored jaunt through six major cities (including the Sucka-Free, natch) in support of the recent Beat Machine album. The SF edition features three of the hottest urban music producers around: Wajeed (of Platinum Pied Pipers), Blujemz (of Da Hardy Boyz) and Ge-Ology (Blackstar). It's goin' down tonight at 330 Ritch's "PST," which continues to be one of the more interesting Tuesday night weeklies in the whole entire universe! No, seriously. Quote me on that, if you must.
Retro Chic: Raphael Saadiq
November 18th will be a homecoming of sorts for Oakland native Raphael Saadiq. Ray Ray, as he is known, is arguably the most prolific and talented male soul/R&B artist around today--equally seasoned at singing, playing several instruments, and producing. Saadiq has come a long way since the late 80s, when Tony Toni Tone defined the "Oaktown sound" along with Hammer, EnVogue, Digital Underground and Too $hort--his 2008 release The Way I See It earned three Grammy nods and was voted Best Album of the year on iTunes, and his production credits include Joss Stone, D'Angelo, Ledisi, Lucy Pearl and LeToya Luckett. Saadiq plays the Fox Theater--an entirely appropriate venue, given his retro-Motown shtick. Tickets go on sale Friday, but special presales are available here -- enter the code "ankh" and they're all yours.
Hank chacon Convenience Store Ballas: PUTS
In a hip-hop landscape full of playas, gangstas, and more "Lil's" and "Youngs" than one can keep track of, People Under the Stairs have methodically carved out an impressive body of work which maintains more verisimilitude to old-school hip-hop than new-fangled rap. With their latest (and seventh overall) album, Carried Away, dropping next week, the duo of Thes One and Double K make an appearance this Wednesday at Slim's (along with Kenan Bell) for a night of true-school beats and rhymes, with no unnecessary drama or beef additives. Fyi, PUTS' MySpace offers free ringtones, and for true fans, the 1st pressing of the physical CD comes with a fold-put board game and poster, as well as a VIP (Very Important Partier) card which allows fans to purchase exclusive material at PUTS shows, as well as exclusive online material.
EKAphotography Havana Good Time: Alex Cuba
In certain Afro-Diasporan traditions, ritual baptism is a well-worn, time-honored tradition. Voudun in Haiti, Santeria in Cuba, Condomble in Brazil, and Pentecostal Christianity in the Southern United States essentially do the same thing. Any important occasion, be it birth or death; marriage or a funeral, is marked by a celebratory event involving song and libations.
EKAphotography Salsa Dancing at the New Parish
Alex Cuba's Friday night show at the New Parish was very much in this vein. Accompanied by just a bassist and drummer, the Cuban-born Canadian world music star's mix of rock and R&B stylings with syncopated Cuban rhythms fit the intimate, somewhat low-key setting to a T. In keeping with the name, the vibe inside was somewhat sanctified, as Cuba (who's little-known in this country, but not for long) blessed the audience--which included R&B singer Goapele, radio personalities Sterling James and Weyland Southon, and a host of Oakland notables--with a performance which seemed to portend greatness, both for him and for the club. Invoking both James Brown and the orishas, Cuba was a perfect match for the venue's Creole-Caribbean theme (which also happens to be the theme of Hibiscus, the club's soon-to-open adjoining restaurant.)
EKAphotography DJ Bobbito
While the overall flavor of Uptown tends toward gentrified and/or flashy venues which have little to do with the Southern roots of Oakland's traditional black clubs, the New Parish seemed like a return to cultural antecedents, as well as a new beginning. An early DJ set by Willie Maze and a late set by special guest Bobbito--both heavy on a combination of Latin flavor and classic funk, R&B, and hip-hop--only confirmed this notion. In fact, several folks were overheard remarking that they had just found their new "kick-it" spot.
EKAphotography
Kiwi
Here's another benefit show for typhoon victims in the Philippines, also on Saturday: "Affinity" at Milk. Organizers are asking for a $10 donation, with proceeds going to help international relief efforts in the P.I.. The lineup includes performances by Kiwi, Alexander Spit, and Hopie Spitshard, plus DJ sets by Jay Yzer, Haylow, Swiftrock, Wonway Posibul, Prince Aries, Digga, Retsel, Izzace, and Delrokz. More info is here .
DJ Shortkut
If you've been following the news at all, you know that the typhoon which struck the Philippines has caused untold devastation. This is a grievous concern for many Bay Area folks who have friends and family over there. This Saturday, "Word Up" at Azul will be donating 100% of the door proceeds to the Red Cross, earmarked for Typhoon victims. The DJ lineup is pretty phat, with MR. E, Shortkut, Swiftrock, and Boogie Brown, plus hosts Ro, Randall Rufino, and Rel. More info
is here.
Dancehall superstar Beenie Man makes a rare Bay Area appearance tonight at the Shattuck Down Low in Berkeley. Dancehall artists come and go with more regularity than tropical breezes in the Caribbean. But Beenie's somewhat of an exception. A stage performer since the age of 8, he ascended to the upper echelon of dancehall artists in the mid-90s, conquering Jamaica with a string of chart-topping hits. His 1996 Island release Blessed was somewhat of a greatest hits collection which established him to audiences outside of the islands, and he's never looked back. For the past decade-and-change, he's continued to notch international hits, while remaining fiercely popular among his core audience. For all dancehall heads, this one is probably as close to a can't-miss show as you'll find all year.
Dude With the Wickedest Slam: Beenie Man
Many years ago, club owner Mike O'Connor told me of his dream, to open a spot in Oakland. The man behind the Informal Nation parties and the legendary Justice League--SF's last dedicated hip-hop venue--had become somewhat disillusioned and disentranced with The City, particularly the lack of anything but a transient community when it comes to nightlife. O'Connor still maintains part-interest in the Independent, arguably the best mid-sized club to see live music in SF on a consistent basis. But O'Connor doesn't book the venue, and it seemed apparent that he missed such direct involvement.
Inaugural Performer: Alex Cuba
If Oakland was on its way to becoming both a home for culturally-vibrant, ethnically-and-socially diverse folks--some refugees from SF; some not--and a nightlife destination which can hold its own with its more famous and celebrated neighbor a few years ago, it's even closer to that now. The infusion of new residents and new venues has resulted in a new feeling; Oakland's renaissance may be in its infancy, but it takes another important baby step forward this weekend when The New Parish--a joint venture between O'Connor and Skyblaze Entertainment honcho Namane Mohlabane--opens its doors.
Situated in the heart of Oakland's up-and-coming Uptown district, at the site of the former Sweet Jimmie's--a venue known to attract such hip-hop celebrities as E-40 and Too $hort--The New Parish promises to be anything but ostentatious, flashy, and ghetto-fabulous. The bookings for its first shows hint at a more progressive bent for which Oakland currently has no equal. Saturday's opening weekend features Cuban soul singer and Canadian transplant Alex Cuba (who's just reissued his second album, Agua del Pozo), as well as legendary hip-hop DJ, crate-digger, and shoe fetishist Bobbito (aka DJ Cucumber Slice). In the coming weeks, the New Parish serves up a tasty gumbo of shows: Oakland hip-hop/funk revolutionaries the Coup, SF experimental space-rock guitarist Stu Allen, and interstellar bassist-vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello. The New Parish's website offers few details--as of press time it merely said, "Open Soon"--but ads are running in weekly pubs and more info, including links to ticketing details, can be found on the club's Facebook page.
Mark Seliger She's An Enigma: Meshell Ndegeocello
I've always had a lot of respect and admiration for Meshell Ndegeocello. Besides being a superlative musician, the African American bassist is one of the most unlikely gay icons of our time; I remember seeing a show at the Independent a few years back where she lambasted her lesbian fan base for not feeling the rawness of her grooves. I can't imagine Pink, Madonna, or Rufus Wainwright doing the same thing.
Meshell is a bit of a musical chameleon - her muse is an active one, it seems. Her sonic journey has taken her into many realms, including alt.R&B, D.C. go-go, hip-hop, electronic music, experimental jazz, classic Motown soul, and Van Morrison covers with John Cougar Mellencamp. Her new album Devil's Halo, which drops October 6, has been called "an irresistible combination of R&B, rock, new wave, and everything in-between," which confirms that she continues to defy categorization. Underlining that point, her MySpace page describes her sound as "Japanese Classical/Christian Rap/Regional Mexican," which may or may not be a joke on her part. Ndegeocello plays the Independent October 24.
Tom Huynh Make It Rain: Jimmie Reign
What's up with the Bay Area's indie R&B scene? First Ledisi. Then Goapele, followed by Netta Brielle. And last, but (certainly) not least, Ms. Jimmie Reign.
Reign has the goods to go far in the industry--she projects a sex-on-a-stick image and apparently has a distate for wearing too many clothes. How can she lose with the stuff she use? -it's a winning hand, as Lionel Richie might say. But if you can get past her physical appearance (ahem), she's also got the talent--and the music--to back it up.
Reign, who was recently featured in the October issue of NYC's "Urban Ink" magazine, has been not-so-quietly amassing a wealth of hot material. Her recent hits "Best I Ever Had" and "Can't Go" clocked a lot of commercial radio spins, and she has two current tunes which appear primed to do the same: "Different Person" and "Make You Wait." Reign has also been playing a lot of shows: her next scheduled appearance is Oct. 2nd at Oakland's Arsimona, and Oct. 17, she hosts the Black Tie Affair at SF's W Hotel. More info--show dates, videos, songs--can be found here and a video of "Different Person"(shot at Oakland's Air Lounge) is here .
 |
| Bill Evans |
| Stevie Wonder sits in at Coda |
Would you lose it, knowing that one of the most respected artists of our time was in the building? Or would you just do what you do - jazz music with a whole lot of soul and a touch of funk?
For the Jazz Mafia crew, the latter proved the best option when Mr. Wonderful himself arrived unannounced, with no entourage in sight, at their gig at Coda September 27th. JM don Adam Theis reports that Wonder arrived a bit hungry--for food and for music. The kitchen was closed, so another nearby spot was recommended, though "Chris Pastena (Coda's owner and chef) would have opened the kitchen for him," Theis says. Sometime later, Stevie returned to check out the JM's set--not because he had a show that night or was in town on business, but because he wanted to hear some live music.
"It was a crazy night," Theis says, even before Stevie came in during the JM's second set. Though he admits to feeling a little nervous, Theis and the JM crew continued about their business, while Wonder got his groove on. "Every time I looked up, he was bobbing his head," Theis recalls. "He was really feeling it by his body language."
Then, the JM played their hole card--John Lennon's "Jealous Guy," sung by Joe Begale, but based on the Donny Hathaway version, which has a different arrangement. "We played the whole song," Theis says, "and all of a sudden people are rushing up with cameras. I look up, and Stevie's body guards were bringing him to the stage."
Michael Flack Night Moves: These Are Powers
We've almost reached the end of festival season. After this weekend's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, there's just one more big outdoor event looming on the horizon: the Treasure Island Music Festival. This year's lineup, which veers from the mainstream/frat-rock tinge of Outside Lands into more underground/indie/electronic/urban territories, looks promising.
And just like with Outside Lands, TIMF promoters have announced several "night shows" which keep the music going well into the evening hours. Appearing at the Independent are Pretty Lights and DJ Rootz on Thursday, October 15; A Place to Bury Strangers, These Are Powers, All the Saints and geographer Saturday, October 17; and Mike Posner with Big Sean Sunday, October 18. Also on Sunday, Mezzanine hosts Dan Deacon, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, BLK JKS, Future Islands, Teeth Mountain, Nuclear Power Pants, and DJ sets by Bob Mould and Aaron Axelsen. Tickets for the festival are available here . And night show tix can be had here and here .
Da Kool Chief Rocker: DJ Premier
When people talk about "classic" or "Golden Age" hip-hop, nine times out of ten, they're actually talking about DJ Premier . The Texas native, best known as the production half of Gangstarr, boasts an impressive resume , including tracks with Biggie Smalls, Mos Def, Lord Finesse, Mobb Deep, Neneh Cherry, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Nas, Group Home, M.O.P., Das EFX, Showbiz & A.G., Bahamedia, Jay-Z, D'Angelo, Janet Jackson, O.C., Brand Nubian, Rakim, Afu-Ra, Big L, Common, Rah Digga, J-Live, Special Ed, Devin the Dude, Xzibit, Snoop Dogg, Ol' Dirty Bastard, AZ, Christina Aguilera, Ras Kass, MC Lyte, Kanye West, Maroon 5, and Ludacris (to name a few).
Preemo, as he's affectionately known, will be live, in person, and on the wheels of steel Saturday at 330 Ritch (along with Sake One, Mr. E, M-1 of dead prez and UMI) for what promises to be a night of body-movin' boom-bap. Make sure you get in by RSVPing here .
Let's hear it for female DJs. Specifically, the ladies of Everlasting B.A.S.S., the monthly at Poleng Lounge featuring residents Pam the Funkstress and DJ Zita. These women have reclaimed the night(club) and equalized hip-hop and dancehall's gender balance by spinning spectacular selections far above the average, mediocre, or mundane. This Saturday, Pam and Zita welcome guests Similak Chyld and Josie Stingray, plus host Fiyah Lilley. Email here for $5 admission before 11 pm.
She Serves Slaps: Pam the Funkstress
Oakland nightlife continues to be on the upswing. With new clubs and nightspots opening seemingly every day, this latest cultural renaissance is happening on the dance floor. And even established venues are getting into the act. Lukas Taproom was one of the first places to open up in the Oakland revitalization (as it will no doubt one day be known), and the pub/club is still in it to win it.
Rude Boys Back in (tha) Town: Zeph and Azeem
Lukas has just announced a new Thursday weekly presided over by none other than Zeph and Azeem, the well-respected DJ and MC duo who have been working together for years, and put out a dope album on Om HipHop a few years back. The night is called "Rewind," and it's in effect tonight. Lukas website lists the music as "classic soul, reggae, and hip-hop," all of which should sound great enhanced by the high walls surrounding the venue's dancefloor. Next week is Rewind's official Launch Party, when Z&A will be joined by Quannum/Flipsyde DJ D-Sharp. For more info, click here .
I caught up with the ever-Onederful DJ Sake 1 last week at his Thursday residency Oakland club Arsimona. I could have sworn it was ATL or LA up in there, the way the Sakester had the booties wigglin' and a-shakin'. I'm not accustomed to seeing Oakland clubs get that crunk, but believe you me, I could get used to it.
Goapele
Anyway, today, we've got a special treat for y'all, a Sake-produced remix of Goapele's new slap "Milk + Honey," which gets a reggae treatment here.
One more thing: tonight Sake's Tuesday night SF residency, PST @ 330 Ritch, hosts songstress Amel Larrieux, formerly of Groove Theory. Info is here.
 |
| All Souled Out: Soulive |
 |
| Entrancing: Cheb i Sabah |
Phife Dawg
After Q-Tip's masterful set at Outside Lands a few weeks back--one of the best of the fest, and certainly the one which engaged the crowd the most, especially when Phife Dawg emerged as a special guest for one song--I found myself reaching for my A Tribe Called Quest anthology. I hadn't listened to Tribe, as they were popularly known, in years. But there they were, in all their glory: all the seminal 90s favorites, from "Check the Rime" to "Award Tour," to the Dilla-produced "Find a Way."
Besides Tip and Phife's interplay, one of the things which made Tribe so great was their use of obscure samples (like Freddie Hubbard's "Red Clay," Towa Tei's "Dubnova," and Weldon Irvine's "We Getting' Down," to name a few). Their veritable musical cornucopia of sounds never settled for the obvious, but instead dug deep into the canon, resulting in truly classic, memorable hip-hop. Which is why the Kev Choice Ensemble is perfectly suited to be the house band for tonight's ATCQ tribute at the Shattuck Down Low. Few other bands, local and otherwise, have the jazz, funk, and soul chops necessary to pull off the intricate arrangements with authentic hip-hop flair, so if you're in the East Bay tonight, that's the blap. What makes the scenario even more enticing is the recent addition of Phife Diggy himself to the bill as host, which makes it seem highly likely he'll grab the microphone and let his words rip.
EKAphotography
Karibbean City, the East Bay club which bills itself as "the only reggae Night Spot and Stage venue in Oakland, CA," has been shut down by ABC, a state agency which regulates nightlife venues. Formerly home to such parties as Reggae Gold, 1 Blood Affair, Labelle, Ladies First and Third Fridayz, the club, located at the same spot as the historic Caribee, catered to a largely West Indian and African American clientele. It also generated crowds which often spilled over into the streets on weekends, and its loud mix of hip-hop, dancehall, and soca could be heard from at least a block away.
EKAphotography Reggae star I-Wayne performs at Karibbean City in 2008
As of August 6, Karribean City is closed indefinitely. A sign posted at the venue details a notice of suspension by the ABC "for violation of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act," which likely means that the club was caught serving underage patrons alcohol. Also posted is a sign announcing a public notice of transfer of ownership posted August 11. So it's looking like Karibbean City will be back, although exactly when is not immediately known. Let's hope the new owner runs a tighter ship.
EKAphotography
Zuni Cafe
San Francisco, CA 
Pier 23 Cafe
San Francisco, CA 
Asia de Cuba
San Francisco, CA 
The Grubstake
San Francisco, CA 
Dolores Park Cafe
San Francisco, CA 
Four Seasons Hotel
San Francisco, CA 
foam order.com
