Joni Haastrup/Mono Mono Reissue

Joni Haastrup is one of the most influential forces in 1970's Nigerian music. He was at the forefront of the burgeoning Afro-Rock movement and rode the wave all the way through disco to afrobeat. Soundway and Tummy Touch Records are collaborating to showcase that progression by reissuing three albums: two releases from MonoMono, Give The Beggar a Chance and The Dawn of Awareness, and Haastrup's debut solo album, Wake Up Your Mind.

The World Might Fall Over - MonoMono by Soundway

Joni Haastrup descended from Yoruba royalty in Western Nigeria. While his choice to pursue a career in music was not embraced by his family, he rose to popularity quickly with his flashy stage presence and strong voice. He eventually sang lead vocals on Orlando Julius Ekemode's Super Afro-Soul LP and became known as Nigeria's Soul Brother #1.

I first discovered Haastrup via Nigeria Special as his disco jam Greetings made recurring appearances in my dj sets. These three albums provide an unabridged look at Haastrup's work, showcasing the span of styles he embraced throughout his career. Any of these three albums will provide some interesting listening material, but my favorite is definitely Wake Up Your Mind. I love Nigerian Disco, this is some of the best out there. Dig a free track off of The Dawn of Awareness here.

Fela Soul

Don't you love it when beatmakers mashup afrobeat instrumentals with hip-hop lyrics? I do, which is why I love Fela Soul, Amerigo Gazaway's remix creation combining De la Soul and Fela Anikulapo Kuti. If you love either artist, you're going to especially love this. Dig it here.

Bazzerk

If you haven't heard Kuduro, the crazy sounds coming from Angolan beatmakers, it's about time you have. I don't think I could find a better introduction than Bazzerk - African Digital Dance, a compilation put together by Jess & Crabbe for Mental Groove Records that showcases not only the original Angolan beats but also their descendants in Brazil, Cape Verde, Portugal and elsewhere. Be careful with this one.

Zongo Junction, The Funk Ark, Big Mean Sound Machine, and DJ Afro-Marc @ Southpaw Tonight!

I'll be on the 1's and 2's this evening when three seriously funky afrobeat bands hit the stage at Southpaw in Brooklyn, NY: Zongo Junction, The Funk Ark, and Big Mean Sound Machine. Definitely a night not to be missed. $10 at the door, come prepared to dance...

Dub Invasion 2011

The Dub Invasion is officially about to take over New York! Over the course of the next week, The Sound Liberation Front is curating a series of dub-related concerts, classes, film screenings and lecutres at different locations across the city. If you're into dub, this is the week it all comes together for you. Find a complete list of events below:

Fri Sep 9At Dominion 428 Lafayette St, NYC 21+ 10:00 pm $12 Advance / $16 Door

Adrian Sherwood ft. Brother Culture
Adrian Sherwood ft. Brother Culture- Subatomic Sound System- Channel U
UK-based music producer Adrian Sherwood has been a pioneer in expanding the scope and context of dub music. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of his legendary On-U-Sound label, he will be making a rare US appearance alongside UK rasta MC Brother Culture and NYC’s mighty Subatomic Sound System.

Sat Sep 10At Dubspot 348 West 14th Street 1:00 pm OPEN DOOR

Dubspot Hi Fidelity EDU Session
Photo Expo by Seb Carayol(1-6PM)- Panel Discussion(TBD)- Gear Demo(1-6PM)
Come celebrate Dubspot’s expansion with a showcase featuring the latest in music technology from Ableton, Propellerhead, iZotope, Native Instruments, and more. Join us for revolving presentations, workshops and sound sessions about DJing, music production and the history of dub.

Sat Sep 10At Dubspot 348 West 14th Street 3:00 pm Free with RSVP

Dub Masterclass Pt 2

Clive Chin (3-4PM)
Legendary producer Clive Chin, along with innovative engineer Errol Thompson laid down the foundation of the dub sound and originated some of the genre’s earliest recordings. He will demonstrate how to dub a track using original material. Experience the culture with one of its originators… A festival highlight! Workshop will be streamed live on the Dubspot website. Event is Free but space is limited so make sure you RSVP.

Sat Sep 10At B.B. King's 237 West 42nd St, NYC 21+ 8:00 pm $22 Advance / $25 Door

Lee “Scratch” Perry
Lee “Scratch” Perry- Subatomic Sound System- Jahdan Blakkamoore
Whether you call him a genius or a madman, Lee «Scratch» Perry is without a doubt a towering figure in reggae. The Grammy award winning producer, mixer, and songwriter, was behind the early Bob Marley classics, and along with King Tubby, helped shape the sound of dub music. Collaborators on recent Perry dubstep releases, Subatomic Sound System & Jahdan Blakkamoore, will be supporting.

Get limited super-discount $19 advance tickets at Ticketmaster by entering our festival code “dub”!

Sun Sep 11At Sullivan Hall 214 Sullivan Street, NYC 21+ 9:00 pm $10

Universal Sundays presents Alive Dub
Dub Poet Infinity- Super Hi-Fi- Top Shotta Band feat. Screechy Dan- Prince Polo- Double 05- King of Zulu Entertainment- DJ Sal P
A night of live performances headlined by Dub Poet Infinity alongside Super Hifi, cornerstone of the critically acclaimed Afro Dub Sessions concert series.

Mon Sep 12At Cielo 18 Little W 12th St, NYC 21+ 10:00 pm $12 with RSVP / $15 Door

Francois K & Badawi aka Raz Mesinai
Francois K- Badawi aka Raz Mesinai- Dub Poet Infinity
Consistently acclaimed as one of New York’s Top DJ party, Deep Space is the project of legendary house music producer Francois K. This special festival edition features “sound alchemist” Raz Mesinai aka Badawi.

Tue Sep 13At Dubspot 348 West 14th Street 2:00 pm Free with RSVP

Dub Documentary Screenings
Devon D’s Dub History(2-3PM)- Musically Mad(3-4PM)- Dub Echoes(4-6PM)
Get inspired and learn about the history and culture behind the sound during this day-long music documentary marathon. Event is Free but space is limited so make sure you RSVP.

Wed Sep 14At Kush 191 Chrystie St, NYC 21+ 9:00 pm Free with RSVP

Liondub Presents Pressure “Dub”
Ticklah- Dave Q- Liondub- DJ Lifeline- DJ Deluxe
Pressure Drop is downtown NYC’s freshest Wednesday night reggae affair with resident DJ’s Liondub, Lifeline and Deluxe. This dub edition will feature multi talented producer/instrumentalist Victor “Ticklah” Axelrod and Dave Q of the famed Dub War parties.

Thu Sep 15At Happy Ending 302 Broome St, NYC 21+ 10:00 pm FREE with RSVP

DTR in a Tribute to King Tubby’s
Deadly Dragon Sound System featuring Artists TBD- DJ Linh
NYC’s premier foundation reggae party, Downtown Top Ranking, presents a Tribute to the Father of Dub – King Tubby’s with Deadly Dragon Sound and guests celebrating and expanding upon the music, the mixes and vibes of the man himself in pure vinyl style.

Thu Sep 15At Dominion 428 Lafayette St, NYC 21+ 10:00 pm $10 Advance / $ 12 Door

TOTH International Dub Showcase
Spy from Cairo- Dr Israel- Nickodemus- DJ Lil Tiger
Nickodemus, founder of the legendary Turntable on the Hudson parties, curates this international dub showcase with a set of globe-trotting producers. Expect middle eastern influences, punk rock and ragga jungle sounds to blend seamlessly into a dubwise dancefloor extravaganza!

Fri Sep 16At Dubspot 348 West 14th Street, New York 6:00 pm Free with RSVP

Dub Masterclass Pt 3
Mad Professor (6-7PM)
Legendary second wave UK dub producer and disciple of Lee Perry unveils the secrets that made the Ariwa label one of the leading forces in dub music. Workshop will be streamed live on the Dubspot website. Event is Free but space is limited so make sure you RSVP.

Fri Sep 16At Knitting Factory Brooklyn 361 Metropolitan Ave, BK 18+ 11:45 pm $18 Advance / $20 Door

Mad Professor
Mad Professor- Twilight Circus Dub- Q-Mastah- Majestic Twinsound
Since the early 80s, Mad Professor has been one of the leading figure of dub’s new generation. His legendary Ariwa studio in South London has been the epicenter of dub’s foray into the digital age. Supporting the mad prof will be Twilight Circus Dub as well as NYC’s Q Mastah and Majestic Twinsound

All Together Now Kickstarter

If you've been following my blog, you know I'm a huge fan of a specific family of musicians based in Brooklyn, NY. One of those musicians, Tim Allen of Thought and Hylofi among others, is taking on an amazing project to capture the energy and collective consciousness taking place right now via a documentary film. In order to make his vision a reality, he needs your help. Make a donation via his kickstarter page, and check out the concerts they'll be documenting at Southpaw in December.