Theo Parrish: FOOTWORK (full video)

The only way I know how to dance House...along with Lofting (Loft legend and icon, Conrad). I went through an entire calisthenics workout with this deep track on loop, dancing between sets.

Though I grew up in the Jacking (Hip Hop dance meets House dance) era of House dancing, I gravitated towards the traditional styles of Footwork and Lofting. My love for both forms was largely due to how appealing and showy they appeared to me. Furthermore, both techniques bestowed dancers full command of the entire dance floor as opposed to Jacking’s more concentrated upper body movements and stationary manner. Also, Jacking was so common back in the late 80’s-early 90’s that it discouraged me from following the norm. 

You’ll find today that in the underground House community, to be specific, new generation dancers take a fancy to Jacking quite frequently. I consider both Footwork and Lofting to be rare and exceptional forms of House dance in today’s era of House dancing and when done...all eyes on you.

I'm unfamiliar with the young gentleman in the video, but the older chap is veteran dancer from Detroit, Gehrik Mohr also known as Poseidon (Cymatic Soles).

"Let me see, your footwork, baby. Drive me crazy, don't stop, baby."
You made my day, Theo. Thanks!

Having a restless mind is "How I Feel"

Music can only be construed by the creator and its listener(s), Two dissimilar perspectives create two disparate stories. The title doesn't define How I Feel. The restlessness in Theo's music defines How I Feel at the moment.

Osunlade - Human Beings (Atjazz Remix)

Being "Human" doesn't apply to all of us. To be blessed with a soul is to truly be a Human Being(s). Divinity lies within those initiated to experience life in the flesh. Ose (thank you in Yoruba), Osunlade for this transcendent house tack. By virtue of the original, Atjazz was able to take it the next level once again.

The title makes me think of Mark L. Prophet's "The Soulless One, Cloning a Counterfeit Creation".

The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs

seanmiura:

caamedia:

American Revolutionary: The Life of Grace Lee Boggs unfolds like a layered conversation. Director Grace Lee was working on The Grace Lee Project, seeking stories from Asian American women who share a common name with her. In a moment of serendipity, Grace Lee met Grace Lee Boggs; a social activist born in 1915, feminist, supporter of the black power movement, lover of good questions, and idol to many. What emerged from their initial meeting became a decade-long project of conversations and sharing stories. Lee captures candid and intimate sides of Boggs and the flux of activism, revolution, inner reflection, and structural change. As Boggs narrates histories of activism and community in Detroit, she also provides her refreshing and restorative wisdoms on spiritual and social transformation.

Can we talk about how CAAM gif-ed Grace Lee Boggs.

The director of this documentary also has another good documentary in which Grace Lee Boggs appears as well. It’s called “The Grace Lee Project” (trailer) and it’s about stereotypes, religion, and a host of other topics and it’s all centered around her search to meet other Asian women named Grace Lee. I really enjoyed it.
(via wrcsolace)

Source: knowledge equals black power 

Mark Hewko: Blurb Book 2014

A dummy copy of a new interior design photo book by Mark Hewko himself. Stay tuned.

Source: http://markhewko.blogspot.com/

Mark Hewko

Punjabi. Lower East Side, 2004.

Source: http://markhewko.com/home.html 

pronounced 'hĕv-'kó.

News and Photographs from a guy named Hevko.

I never forgot you Mark. Stay awesome!

Clara Hill Meets Atjazz

Years before purchasing my first Smartphone and utilizing the iPhone Notes app to jot down annotations, I wrote notes on nearly everything with a surface (it happens when you have an affinity for art). The other day while throwing out paperwork, I came across a torn piece of paper with songs that appealed to me at the time from a satellite channel formerly called “The Move” (now Zen). Famed underground House producer and DJ Lars Berenroth was the chief host on The Move by way of his show Deeper Shades of House.

The songs listed were: Wagon Cookin “Everyday Life”, Clara Hill “Nowhere (I Can Go) (Clara Hill Meets Atjazz)”, and Sterling Ensemble “Follow Me”. While working out, I began to ponder on moving out of my current residence and relocating outside of New York. I’ve considered even moving as far out as Cali. Perhaps a big move, but when is there ever a small move when you’re willing to renew your life and follow your heart. While thinking about the possible changes, I unintentionally began playing Clara Hill’s – “Nowhere (I Can Go) (Clara Hill Meets Atjazz - Remix)”.

I find it quite funny how this soulful track draws a parallel with my current mind-set (from a male’s perspective). So, it was only right that I uploaded this to dwell on later. This track along with other things may perhaps be a source of inspiration in my shift.

Crème Brûlée

Jazz Meet performing their rendition of Pepe Bradock's underground house classic "Deep Burnt" into Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower". You know Pepe Bradock is the man when his music inspires a jazz band to improv "Deep Burnt". If you've never heard "Deep Burnt", it's not only a classic house track, it's one of the illest deep house tracks ever produced, in my opinion.

The Jazz Meet Band live at Floripa 1/13/13.
A Special Edition House Band to open The 2013 Sessions featuring :
Dave Orchart--Trumpet / Jessica Lauren-- Keys / Jason Simpson-- Double Bass / Sophie Alloway--Drums / Mark Townson--Percussion.

Due to technical issues, the Jazz Meet Band video does not upload properly on the blog, so here's a link to the their performance.
"Jazz Meet" Freestyling on Pepe Bradock's Deep Burnt into Freddie Hubbard's Little Sunflower.

On that note, check out the original track by Pepe Bradock.

Thelonious Monk - Caravan - Berliner Jazztage 1969

To end off Black History Month and the dawning of the Chinese New Year (Year of the Horse and my astrological sign) with style (Mandarin hat) and grace, I'd like to share this classic performance by one of the most prolific and abstract thinking jazz pianist/composers in history, the legendary Thelonious Monk. Performing Duke Ellington's "Caravan", co-written by Juan Tizol, Monk showcases his unique improvisational style.

Some say it's "Improvised Dissonance", but I say he was too advanced for the average listener. "The first humans who invented music were improvisers, the first cries of a new born child is improvised music. So, improvisation is the main source of new inventions in music." (anonymous)