Touching down at my Jam night on Friday August 8th

At the Pavilion, Carey's Lane, Cork



Noelle Scaggs
The B-Girl With A Golden Voice
At a time where Female artists of substance seem to be few and far between. Emerges a woman who has established a reputation for her mesmerizing stage presence, and inspirational voice. Noelle Scaggs illustrates the magic of true artistry. Acclaimed for her contributions as the female lead vocalist of Los Angeles based Soul Septet, The Rebirth. Noelle has contributed to film soundtracks, writing, and singing in such films as Walk Hard, The Nanny Diaries, and as an actress in Be Cool. She has also collaborated with hip-hop super group The Black Eyed Peas on several songs and videos. Noelle has been lending her voice to everything from classic Hip-hop hooks, to funky reggae dance floor tunes, to soulful ballads. She has joined forces with artists such as Quantic, Dilated Peoples, and DJ Rhettmatic of the Beat Junkies, M.E.D, The Lions, Orgone, Guilty Simpson, and many others.
Like her collaborative efforts, Noelle’s music takes on a chameleon like approach, drawing on a wealth of influences from soul, jazz, hip-hop, funky R&B, and electro. Laying soul filled vocal arrangements on top of beats thought to only be suitable for a well-versed MC. Grazing through Estero-like ballads, and sexy synth creations reminiscent of Glass Candy. Lyrically speaking on subjects of life struggles, relationship crisis, and social activism. Her highly anticipated, epic solo debut album “Venting” will feature production credits from many of the artists she has worked with in the past, as well as introducing her audience to producers on the come up. Some of them will include Madlib, Robin Hannible, Quantic, and Evidence of Dilated Peoples.
Noelle’s live performances showcase what she has been coined by her peers. Her b-girl style delivery and enchanting vocal range, often leaves audiences stunned with an infectious grin. Equal to Noelle’s vocal and writing talent is her alluring beauty and intelligence. Noelle Scaggs most definitely fits the description of what one would call, A Complete Package.

Tuesday tune of the day-Fela Kuti

The godfather of Afro-beat in action!

Tuesday tune of the day!

Without doubt, my favourite rhythm section of all time was the Chic combination of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. I can post so many of their tunes here, but this is not as well known as some. I still rock it in club sets and on radio to this day and despite the dated video (which i actually find still has got some charm!), the music still holds up as good as ever! Enjoy

Don't miss this gig in Cork!

The Cork Opera House Monday!

These guys are savage, been listening to their last couple of albums all summer, this could be one of the best gigs all year.

Ticket giveaways coming on Saturday on my Black on Red show between 7 and 10PM

Tuesday tune of the day!

Brother D with Collective Effort-"How We Gonna Make the Black Nation Rise?"

"Risin' up we can't take no more!"

Been digging this for many years, originally i heard my Sir Henry's Sweat buddy Shane Johnson dropping it at parties. I picked it up soon after in the Vinyl Exchange in Manchester on 12". Over the years i've rarely heard DJ's playing it but it's been a tune that i dust off every often for special occassions. Socially conscious hip-hop from 1980 in an era where many were content just to party,the lyrics are deep, while the delivery, particularly from the female MC's , has got a certain charm that many records lack these days. The sampled groove, another DJ staple of mine, Cherly Lynne's "Got To Be Real", adds to the party vibe in a record that spearheaded many of the great hip-hop tunes of the 80's, conscious and thought-provoking music that you could dance to aswell! Kick back and enjoy, or damn it, just rise up and dance.

Big up's to victornewman06 fro uploading on youtube!

Give us the Night, not the Nanny State

The Intoxicating Liquor Bill thaT got passed in the Dail last week was passed despite but major protestations from many areas, imcluding the governments own party, Fianna Fail. By passing the Bill, without a proper debate, the government
further curtailed our freedom to choose when and where we can
enjoy ourselves in this supposedly free society.
I’m not gonna discuss the Bill in
detail here but calls by Dermot Aherne to further reduce opening
hours on Sunday evenings are particularly draconian, seeing as many
people in Ireland do not work specifically between Monday and
Friday 9-5pm. These very people are being unfairly targeted and
blamed for loss of productivity in a rashly thought out and rushed
bill. Many people in Ireland work in the catering and service
industry and are working all weekend, it is simply unfair that they
can’t enjoy their Sunday nights out because of these
ill-thought out new laws, which are aimed at reducing the trouble
in the streets but which on closer inspection will add to these
problems.
By now, practically every taxi driver,
bar worker, DJ, garda or even nightclub goer will tell you that the
unrest on the streets is often caused by the simultaneous closing
of pubs, late bars and nightclubs. Give us the Night are an
independent volunteer group of professionals within the music
industry, campaigning to bring about a change to the licensing laws
in Ireland, with particular regard to nightclubs. They have been
very important in raising awareness on this issue and argue that
“the economy can benefit from increased demand for employment
in the entertainment sector and in ancillary services industries,
eg food and transport services”.
As for public order, they feel the “Government is
hindering the potential for a safer and more vibrant nightlife in
Ireland, which would be in line with the nightlife in other major
European cities”. It’s amazing that so many people in
Ireland are unaware of what is happening behind the scenes. As a
DJ, who would gladly play till 5am every Saturday night, I’ve
always been frustrated when trying to explain to people at 2am why
we have to stop playing music. In Cork, it’s sometimes even
worse than the rest of the country, but in Ireland we have the
earliest closing times of all nightclubs in Europe. Is it just a
coincidence that we have more public disorder too?
Give Us the Night propose that
nightclubs enjoy better partnerships with gardai, local authorities
and other relevant groups to allow them to “tackle the
problem of public alcohol-related offences”. Some politicians
see the light and are now arguing for staggered closing times.
It’s important to let it be known that this is not simply a
young persons problem, many responsible people who are older than
30 or 40 are having their personal freedom curtailed too. Many
genuine adults of all ages are being targeted by this law, when the
reality suggests that being in a nightclub with trained security is
as safe as place as any on a Saturday night. Check out more details
on www.giveusthenight.com. and join the debate!

This column originally appeared in last weeks Evening Echo





Here are some photos courtesy of Give Us the Night, of the recent protest outside the Dail

A summer in Cork-summed up by one song!

No video but one of my all time favourite jams. Turn it up and enjoy---covered many times by everyone from Tina Turner to Missy Elliot, it's the original that still sounds best---check the futuristic intro, no wonder Timbaland and Missy took an interest! Willie Mitchell brought more to the world than his incredible work with Al Green, and this is just one fine example. "I'm Gonna tear Your Playhouse Down" is another of her better known tracks (sampled by Sunz of Man from Wu Tang Clan), one or two of her compilations are available at a cheap price so maybe try and track them down. In the meantime, forget about those dark clouds and feel the soul!

Some back in the day slept on flavours!

This is some classic stuff from the Brand New Heavies "Heavy Rhyme Experience" from around 1991!

Wicked vibes and overly criticsed by some who didn't get it at the time, here are a few of the vids (minus the classic Pharcyde one too, and no video for the Guru one, sorry!)



Judge for yourself!

Jay Z sticks it to the music snobs

The degree of music snobbery which surrounded Jay Z’s recent
gig at Glastonbury was astounding really. The likes of Noel
Gallagher, and many more, have been quick to weigh in with
predictable sound bites dismissive of why hip-hop should be
headlining a rock festival.
Jay Z himself was uncharacteristically restrained
for a rapper, and preferred himself to let his show to the talking.
He answered Gallagher in the best way possible by arriving onstage to
the Manchester mans best known anthem, and proceeding to up the ante
with the intro to “99 Bitches”, a veiled dig at the Oasis
has-been. Oasis, basically a Beatles tribute act even in their
heyday, were a good band in their time but the comments of Gallagher
were highly disrespectful, though I suppose these days it is becoming
increasingly difficult to keep his profile up.
Jay Z has no such problems and carried off his show with
a swagger that silenced most critics, after all, most well admit that
hip-hop is virtually rock n’roll in both attitude and profile
at this stage anyway. It took an Aerosmith sample and video
appearance back in the day to get hip-hop any MTV recognition;
soon-to-be media darlings Run DMC were ignored before Steve Tyler and
co came along. Now hip-hop is everywhere, and even though the sad
music video gangster caricature of the genre is the pervading view
for some, it deserves for one of its greatest performers to be taken
seriously. Jay Z proved at both Glastonbury and Cork, that he is as
relevant and cutting edge as most mainstream rock acts, so I
don’t see the problem in his being there as a headline act.
Jay Z performed with a full live band and
delivered a varied set packed full of both hits and less well known
moments, in a show that was aimed at both hardcore rap fans and those
with a passing interest in Jay Z and his music. His professionalism
and ability on the mic were excellent, indeed last week in Cork he
delivered a top notch performance. The excellent sound quality
captured his vocals perfectly, and his rapping sounded as good live
as on record. Anyone who has seen a lot of hip-hop live will agree
that this is quite an achievement.
The genre that brought us Run DMC, The Beastie Boys,
Public Enemy, De la Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, and many
more, all of whom would not have looked out of place on the bill at
Glastonbury, deserves a bit more respect. Well done also to the
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, who followed their impromptu performance on
Patrick’s Street with a blistering set in the Pavilion after
the Jay Z show. His band were at the event and were well impressed,
and I can confirm that their will be a few similar acts heading back
this way soon. Next up on the horizon it’s Lupe Fiasco, again
accompanied by a full live band, who is in the Cork Opera House tonight!

Photos courtesy of Rory Cobbe and his excellent photoblog at http://www.jpgmag.com/people/frenchsvilla

Check him out at too at http://www.secondhandculture.com/

Peter Bowles also has loads of good photo's up at
http://s281.photobucket.com/albums/kk218/Peter_bowles/Gigs/Hypnotic%20Brass%20Band/

This article first appeared in Downtown of the Evening Echo July 3rd

A new era for Brass Bands!

The history of brass bands in American music dates back to the late
19th century. In New Orleans the blues and jazz era ushered in a
massive phase in the development of such bands, and I’m delighted
that a new era of such bands has come about lately, with many of
the new acts taking their cue not just from jazz and blues, but
soul, funk and hip-hop too.
This may seem like a break with tradition but
to be honest, as with most big developments in hip-hop and jazz, it
is simply a natural progression and development of a music styles
that are quite complex in their backgrounds. Modern day hip-hop
owes it all to jazz, blues, soul, funk, reggae and more, while jazz
itself considers to absorb and integrate new music into what some
people consider the essence of it’s original form.
What some jazz purists and traditionalists should
bear in mind when they put down hip-hop and new forms of music, is
that most of the major pioneers of jazz found themselves being
questioned back in the day when they departed from the traditions
and created something new. For many years the young brash arrogant
Miles Davis used rail against what he felt was the stale tradition
of Louis Armstrong and his ilk, but it was only when Miles himself
felt the sting of criticism about his own material that he
appreciated that Satchmo was a pioneer who blazed a trail that
paved the way for all jazz musicians. Ironically, Miles ended up
being even more single-minded from then on in pursuing his own
vision of a music form that had no boundaries.
Back in 2008 you may well be asking me who the hell
are all of these new bands I’m telling you all about? Well, you
don’t have to so much digging anymore because a quick search on
youtube will show you some of the greatest exponents of modern day
brass band flavour! The Youngblood Brass band will be familiar to
many in Cork, having played a blistering set here a few years ago
at the Cruiscin. Breakestra are the same, and the West Coast funk
group also played in Cork, as did Leeds outfit the Nu Mastersounds.
The Dap Kings are making big waves in modern soul and hip-hop, and
Mark Ronson has utilised them heavily in his productions that have
brought himself and Amy Winehouse great success. Meanwhile, the Hot
8 Brass band from New Orleans have are winning fans from all over
the globe with their jazzy takes on hip-hop and soul standards,
while the Dirty Dozen Brass band have collaborated with everyone
from Chuck D to Guru in their short career lately, and they have
been holding it down now for over 30 years! The Rebirth are an L.A.
crew who also played Cork, while we will also be getting a visit
soon from my favourite brass band of the moment, the Hypnotic Brass
Ensemble, Jay Z’s favourite band, and a group who are even as we
speak helping put together the new Gorillaz album!







http://www.myspace.com/hypnoticbusiness

The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble play Cork's Pavilion, Carey's Lane, June 25th

This article by Stevie G originally appeared in his Downtown Column in the Cork Evening Echo

Da Beatz at the Peace Park!

April was always gonna be a month full of rain but once again we
got lucky last Saturday when Da Beatz held their second annual
music showcase in Bishops Lucey Park as part of the World book
Festival. Again, the Triskel and all the sponsors did a fantastic
job in bringing together a fantastic line up of young singing,
rapping, djing, beatboxing, break-dancing and graffiti talent. The
sun even came out in force at one stage during a break-dance set by
the Rhythm Rebels/Zombie crew, and it is fair to say the hip-hop
gods were smiling on us for the evening!
Speaking of which, I wanna congratulate the
Rhythm Rebels and Zombie crew who are going over to represent Cork
and Ireland this summer in the World Breakdancing Championships in
Las Vegas this summer. These guys have been at the forefront of the
scene here in Cork now for ages and it’s great to see their
hard work being rewarded! Last Saturday was a superb showcase of
not only their talent, but of everyone involved. The rappers,
beatboxers and MC’s and singers are too numerous to mention,
but special mention must go to White Noize, Ciaran O’Regan,
Samir, Jaz, Bony, Mickey Gatch, Brozy, Nash and co, who all tore it
up. Ophelia was down as part of the Ladyfest celebrations and she
provided an incredible counter-balance to the predominantly male
macho vibe with a blistering set of hip-hop and soul accompanied by
DJ Mosschops!
There are so many people to
thank and both the World Book Festival and the Triskel did a
fantastic job, with Chloe of the Triskel tying the whole thing
together. Parkers Home Value and Cool C of All City deserve great
credit for their input and support, and Cork Graphic and Print of
Cook Street were also great in supporting an event that was
entirely free. The amount of tourists and passer-bys that came
along was great and it was fantastic to see people of all ages,
genders and races enjoying a free show in the Peace Park. Cork City
often under-sells itself but events like this are tremendous in
showing a side of youth culture that rarely makes the newspapers or
talkshows. Already, it looks as if Da Beatz are gonna be following
both this and our recent visit to Liverpool with some more big
events so keep an eye here for more details.
Ladyfest also ran a
successful all-ages gig last week and I’m delighted that the
young ladies of Coolaboola are celebrating their 3rd Birthday in
the soon to be opened Pavilion this June with another top class
line-up. With both Spitvalve and Mucky’s Wall ensuring that
Cork has once again got a big chance in the next Blastbeat final it
looks like the scene in Cork is only gonna get better in the next
few years. The youngsters of Cork are definitely giving us a hint
of some of the great things that could soon be in store!

This article originally appeared in Downtown of the Evening Echo last week

On Tour in Liverpool!