AJ Dance Legacy

OPEN AIR AND INTIMATE

Part II 

LOUIE VEGA

“You, you, you….’ The F sharp and C minor notes dot the soundscape.  When the tappings of drums dissipates leaving only emptiness to expand.  A sound of sweeping ocean waves builds and builds to a climatic fall that washes away Upper Alabama Street. A refreshing rain of vibe and rhythm drenches the tops of heads.… Continue

The Phenomenon That Is Demarkus Lewis 

“Yooooooooooooooo!!!  What’s up?”  He grabs you by the hand giving you a bear hug. 

“I haven’t seen you in a minute.”  You reply.

“Oh, wait, you have to see someone.”  He leads you meandering through the heat.  The sweat.  And the thump from Jimpster featuring Mavhungu’s “Tribute.”  Luminiferous flashes guide you through the mass. … Continue

KING LOUIE

Be prepared to lose your $hit. 

1700

The atmosphere transforms.  A new presence is felt.  A new spirit arrives. Although he nor his fedora are visible from the rear of the dance floor adjacent the bar.  No longer Little Louie, Vega gives life when playing the Dance Ritual chart-topper from the early aughts.  “Brand New Day” never sounded more engaging.… Continue

The Five Essentials to Throw a Successful Event

2330

“One water and one vodka cranberry,” you tell the bartender who closes the tab.  Grab the libations early.  Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Cause when Louie Vega featuring Unlimited Touch’s “Music Is My Life” welcomes you into the expansion, you already know, it is going to be one of those nights.… Continue

Prologue 

“How long does it take to get a damn bottled water?” The bartenders dressed in shoulder less black halters are wearing black masks. By 2 pm, people are tripping over, slightly inebriated, or buzzed from Moscow Mules or whatever trendy libations are du jour. You’ve waited so long at the bar that you start a conversation with a lady wearing micro braids.… Continue

David Morales

Helluva Surprises and WTFs!

At 4:05 am, stepping onto Florida Avenue, seen are flashing lights and heard are sirens slashing the chilly air. Police cars, first responders, and emergency vehicles barricade the road. Bystanders stare from street corners.  Finger-pointers stand down 7th Avenue.  Whatever happened doesn’t look good at all.

Gimmick Music

Kai Alcé

2345

Walking into the club when the Kerri Chandler Dark Mix of Lea Lisa’s “Something for the Dancers” is playing means this is money well spent.  In the era of inflation, when the DJ drops your favorite from KemiticJust featuring Terrance Down’s “I’m Here For It” you totally agree, you came here just for this moment.… Continue

Black Coffee
The Entertainer

“That shit was as brutal as watching “Black Adam.” You tweet walking to your vehicle from the club. Feeling the chill in the air. Disappointed. Thinking.

Whereas, having recently witnessed Derrick Carter and Osunlade play heart and soul music, with conviction. Black Coffee plays music that entertains. He is an entertainer. Who now plays Hollywood house. Music with no authenticity.… Continue

OVEOUS

So what does an OVEOUS playlist sound like?  The music that Osunlade plays.  Percolating percussions.  Meditative melodies.  Ancestreal chants.  A major difference being OVEOUS spits verses, live.  Holding in hand a microphone he raps, “Find your friends on the dance floor. Or make new friends on the dance floor.”  Osunlade and OVEOUS are arguably interchangeable.  The latter having been mentored by the Yoruba priest, is a member of the Yoruba Recordings family.… Continue