There is a lot of talk lately about music, new vs. old, good vs. bad, etc. With the recent loss of greats such as Etta James, Johnny Otis & Jimmy Castor (in the soul world), many are feeling sadness at the thought of an important musical era coming to an end. The 1960s and 1970s provided just the right environment: politically, socially and musically, to fuel what exploded onto the scene in a collective musical genre that we call SOUL. A few years back, in 2006 to be exact, we lost one of the most legendary contributors to R&B, Funk and Soul (and beyond!), Mr. James Brown. A quick check on other Soul greats who passed that year adds the following to the list: Lou Rawls, Wilson Pickett and Billy Preston. And while we are spending time to remember those we lost most recently, in 2011, we lost a great talent in Nick Ashford of Ashford & Simpson fame; Dobie Gray, best known for "Out on the Floor" and "The "In" Crowd"; and Gil Scott-Heron, a socially active spoken word artist known for tunes such as "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", amongst others.
I guess the point that I would like to make here is that music is lasting. The message, the feeling, the melodies...all of these things have been preserved in recordings for future generations to discover and enjoy. Death is a strange thing and when it's someone who has been influential to pop culture, to your life's musical journey, or someone who has touched you personally, it is expected to make an impact on the way you see their individual contribution, as well as the music or movement or genre, on the whole.
I have realized that being born in the 1970s, as I was, thankfully gave me the link to the first half of the 20th Century that has been so influential to me and on the second half of the Century, but seems to be a distant memory now into the 21st Century. Because of this link, I have been exposed to music, culture, cars, fashion, etc. that most kids born in the mid 80s and beyond do not and will most likely never understand. Some of us out here are what can be called "old souls" and will tend to gravitate towards stuff from eras that we never lived through ourselves. But this is the most important thing to recognize and hold onto! Modern technology, pop culture and most notably, music, has brought about an abrupt change to our culture. Instead of appreciating true talents, society accepts digitally altered "talent" and the sad thing about it, is that it's eaten up! We are all too busy with our iPads, iPhones, Blackberry's, etc. to lift our heads up and look and listen to what's going on around us! If our society as a whole, blindly and silently, continues to accept the low quality, mass produced crap that is being offered up on not so shiny silver platters, we can only expect for things to continue to get worse. Mainstream has never been the stream I have flowed with. Humans are individuals and we should be proud of that, instead of trying to find a way to become assimilated with the rest of the millions of people out there. Eccentricity is a good thing! Individuality is a good thing! Embrace these things and find the path that is right for you!
...And now back to our beloved singers, songwriters and entertainers that have been lost, we must keep their talent alive. Share the music with anyone who will listen. Share the passion for their talents and remind the young ones coming up now, to dig. Dig into the past to find the influence for the future!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Jimmy Cliff - Sitting In Limbo
Woke up with this tune in my head. Second time in a week. Funny how there's a song for every moment of your life...
Monday, January 16, 2012
Calling Fellow Soul DJs! Where It's At! is looking for guests!!!
Hello Friends and fellow DJ's! Up until this month, I have been holding it down twice monthly at the Mad Dog in the Fog for Where It's At! with my DJ partner in crime, Shawn. Sadly, he will be moving back home to the Big Apple very soon. This will be leaving open the opportunity to welcome guests to share the decks with me. If you are interested, whether I already know you or not, hit me up! Please keep in mind that this is a 100% vinyl party specializing in 1960s & 70s soul:: Funk, Disco, Rare Groove, Motown, Modern, Northern, etc. Some nights get pretty eclectic, while others seem to focus a little more on a couple styles. It all depends on the mood of the bar and where my musical intuition flows. Regardless to say, it's a nonjudgmental night and we just like to spin good tunes and have a good time over a few pints of beer! So, if this is up your alley, send me a message and I'll get you scheduled to join the party!
With all of that said, here are the details:
*10pm until close (usually we quit the tunes about 1:45am)
*Mad Dog in the Fog - Lower Haight, cross street is Fillmore
*530 Haight Street, SF
*Free drinks for the night. Mad Dog is a beer & wine bar, fyi
*A little cash at the end of the night.
Contact me here if interested or need any more details: mookeysmooddesign@hotmail.com
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Lower Bottoms Funk + Soul vol. 12 [1 Year Anniversary w. *MissT*]
Keeping the Spirit alive in the New Year.
Lower Bottoms Funk + Soul vol. 12 [1 Year Anniversary w. *MissT*]
Can't believe we've been so fortunate to ride the wave this long. One great party after another formed out the ferment of all our collective efforts.
So many great guests and awesome supporters, late night vibes, & bumping jams!
Thanx Bay Area, but especially the West O. Hood for knowing what it is. And how we do.
Hope you all can make it to our anniversary!
===================
9PM-LATE NIGHT
Saturday Jan 14
@1610 7th st.
LOWER BOTTOMS
{{FUNK + SOUL}}
w. spesh guest
MissT (where its at)
------------------
& your residents!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Where It's At! First edition of 2012!
Hey Friends! So, it's that time again...2nd Friday means another edition of Where It's At! This will be the first one of 2012! Let's get the year off on the good foot! MissT & Shawn have been holding it down for the past 2 1/2 years. All OG vinyl all night long! Soul, Funk, Disco, Rare Groove and Motown tunes from the 60s & 70s. We love to bring ya the music and hope to see ya there!
Mad Dog in the Fog
530 Haight Street @ Fillmore
San Francisco, CA
10pm til close
p.s. I will be looking for guests starting in February. If you're interested, hit me up, but keep in mind we don't do laptops, iPods or Serato...vinyl only. Free drinks & a little spending cash at the end of the night. Cheers!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Rhygin Records and the Rhygin Showcase!
If you are a fan of reggae music, I highly suggest you check out this label: Rhygin Records! They just released a showcase album featuring their fantastically talented roster of musicians. Top quality from start to finish. Definitely a record that you need in your collection! These guys know how to do it right!
http://music.rhyginrecords.com/
The record features:
*Generation Rockers
*Roots Daughtah
*Sandollar Sound
*Tino Ranks & Sandollar Sound
*The Black Emeralds
*Gold Cobra
Thanks to my friends Paul & Adrian for the copy. Excellent tunes...sounds like I'm in 70's Jamaica...just need a rum cocktail in my hand and some warm sun on my face and it'd be perfect!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
WAKE THE TOWN! Hotshots of Rocksteady & Reggae! This Saturday night!
The longest running Vintage Reggae & Rocksteady night in San Francisco! 4 Years and running! Shawn Atkinson holds it down the first Saturday of every month! This Saturday, January 7th, we invite you to join us at the Mad Dog in the Fog! Shawn welcomes his special guests King Daddy (Craig McNaught) & Mini! It's going to be a party so hope you come down to join us! Top drawer Skinhead reggae & rocksteady all night long! Bring a friend...we promise a great night! See ya there!
ALWAYS BOSS!!!
Mad Dog in the Fog
530 Haight Street @ Fillmore
San Francisco, CA
The Lower Haight
Wake The Town
Every 1st Saturday of the month
10pm until close
FREE!
https://www.facebook.com/events/356105014404102/?ref=ts
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