Teena Marie (R.I.P.)

Teena Marie passed away yesterday, Sunday December 26th at the age of 54. This song was one of my favorites, rest in peace Teena!

Live Mix Pt2 10 Year Anniversary

On Thursday Dec 30th all original musicians from the Breakestra's Live Mix Pt2 will performing live at the Root Down to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of it's release on Stones Throw. So join us at the new Gabah (4916 Hollywood Blvd 90027) $10 Cover all night; 21+

Arise at Root Down

Last Thursday Night LA's reggae roots band, Arise blessed the stage at Root Down. If you we're there, then you know the band did not disappoint, it was HEAT! Check out the photo's & join us this week for the 10 year anniversary of Breakestra's Live Mix Pt2





*Photography by Ervin Arana

Arise Performs live at Root Down

This Thursday Night, join us for a night of live Reggae Roots music along with the sounds of the Root Down Sound System. The venue just had some major upgrades, providing a classy setting and improving to the sound system. Free before 11pm, $5 after. Hope to see some familiar faces!

"Take Me With You" by DJ Nu-Mark

Recognized for his pioneering work with Jurassic 5, DJ Nu-Mark is best known for his production on the anthem “What’s Golden”. Nu is putting the finishing touches on his debut solo release Broken Sunlight to be released in early 2011.

But in the meantime VTech and Mochilla present an exclusive look inside his forthcoming mix CD “Take Me With You…” with this exclusive 20 minute download. Click the link to download. http://music.vtechphones.com

Taken From; http://music.vtechphones.com

Blue Note Jazz Photography

I've known about this book for years and always forget to pick it up. I think this Christmas I'll buy myself a present. If you know anyone into jazz or photography this might be a great gift!

From 1941-1965 Francis Wolff took thousands of photographs during the rehearsals and recording sessions that made Blue Note Records the world's most famous jazz label. This book presents over 200 of those intimate photographs and the text details the history of the label and the fascinating stories behind some of its most legendary recordings. A valuable reference section includes biographies of the artists and the names and dates of the sessions at which the photos were taken. (Synopsis taken from; http://www.barnesandnoble.com)

Billie Jean by Aloe Blacc

Aloe Blacc was always one of my favorite guest performers at Root Down, but this performances here gives me the chills! Check it out & if you like what you hear, pick up his new album Good Things

Quantic Interview

Digging for breakbeats is definitely what exposed me to other genres of music. Quantic says it best, "There comes a time when you stop looking for break beats.... there's not a funk beat there, but I love it. You're taste deepens." Much respect to Quantic. If you haven't heard his music, you're missing out! Check out this interview he did a few years back.

Low Key Every Wednesday Night

Going on our forth week! Come vibe & lounge with us, we're spinning rare groove, early 90's r&b, neo soul, soulful hip hop and anything else that makes us feel good! Free all night.

Funky Sole

Tomorrow Night, I'm spinning an all vinyl set with Music Man Miles & DJ Soft Touch aka Clifton at the LA's legendary Funky Sole. So bring you're dancing shoes cause we're gonna get FUNKY! ...And it's free all night; The Echo 1822 Sunset Blvd LA 90026

Easy Roc's Halloween Decor

Yes, I know Halloween was a month ago, but a couple days after Easy Roc's Halloween house party, I stopped by his house to shoot all the incredible decor that was still up. Chatting it up with Easy, he was already mapping out his decorations for next year. So again, don't make any plans for Halloween weekend in 2011, lol. His parties truly capture the Halloween spirit!








*Photography by Ervin Arana

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Last night was definitely a night to be grateful for. My night started with my weekly residency "Low Key" at Carbon in Culver City. Lots of folks came to vibe & groove with us. Special thanks to DJ Bennett (Amoeba Music) for coming thru as well.

Then I headed out to the 12th Annual Thanks Givends event to rock with all my LA peeps. Spinning 45's after Japan's DJ Muro & Stone Throws' Peanut Butter Wolf is no easy task, but your boy did it. After seeing those two rock, it's inspired me to hit the lab & sharpen up my skills! Much respect to both of them!

I didn't get say hello to too many folks, but I hope everyone had a great night! And don't forget, be thankful everyday, not just once a year. We're very fortunate to be living the life that we do :D

*Photo by Ervin Arana

Thanks Givends 12 Year Anniversary

Every year LA comes together for the Annual Thanks Givends Benefit fundraiser. This year's event will be benefiting Mar Vista Family Center & Peace 4 Kids/Watts Boys & Girls Club Arts. I hope everyone will come out to support this great cause. Music will be provided by just about all your favorite LA DJ's, including yours truly! Here's the info....

Club Seven Forty
753 S Spring St (Corner of 8th in Downtown LA, Enter Alley)
9pm-3am | 21+ | $10 Suggested Donation


Mar Vista Family Center -
The mission is to provide low-income families with quality preschool education, youth enrichment, and educational tools to create positive change in their lives and in their communities. Every program adheres to the basic premise that it is critical to empower children, teens and adults to play vital and responsible roles – as decision makers, community leaders, mentors, classroom volunteers, and fundraisers – at MVFC

Peace 4 Kids/Watts Boys & Girls Club Arts -
Provides programs and services for foster and at-risk youth from ages 5-18, and after emancipation until age 24. Peace4Kids is truly on the front lines in addressing the needs of foster and at-risk youth in the South Los Angeles neighborhoods of Watts,
Willowbrook and Compton. They create a strong foundation
through programs focused on creative expression and life
skills, allowing our kids to discover their unique voice and
limitless potential for success.

Root Down Sound System

The Root Down Sound System doing what we do best. Check us out tonight at the New Gabba 4916 Hollywood Blvd CA 90027; $5 Cover or Free before 11pm with password "The Meters" so tell all your your friends!!!

Low Key

In the mid to late 90's I discovered what the media labeled, neo soul. Artist like Amel Larrieux, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu & more. As a DJ, this was a sound that interested me the most. However, most DJ gigs required me to play more uptempo music.

Don't get me wrong, I love all types of music. But every Wednesday Night at Carbon, I'll be exploring all the r&b and soul music that moves me the most. I hope you'll stop by and join me sometime...

Breakestra live at the Root Down

The Root Down's back for it's second week with a special live performance by The Breakestra! Join us at the New Gabah 4916 Hollywood Blvd LA 90027. $10 all night!

All Hallows Evil

Some of the best house parties I've ever been to have been hosted by Easy Roc. If you don't know Easy Roc, all you need to know is that when he does something, he goes all out & does it RIGHT!!!

So with that being said, I hope to see you at his annual Halloween House Party this Saturday Oct 30th! Bring all your friends, all cool peeps are invited. I guarantee, you won't be disappointed. Music provided by DJ Wobbles & yours truly! $5 donation, 16636 Georgia Ave in the city of Paramount CA 90723

Don't Call It A Come Back

...we've been here for years! After a year hiatus, The Root Down has returned. The Sound System's in full effect; Music Man Miles, Loslito, Sloe Poke, Expo, DJ Jedi, Burt Blackarach & of course yours truly! Going down at a new location, G-Club aka Daddy Cools; 4916 Hollywood Blvd, LA 90027. Free before 10:30pm w RSVP; ervinarana@gmail.com $5 After

Sonido Presents...

Another installment of Sonido Presents with LA legendary DJ Marvski along with resident DJ Sloe Poke & yours truly, here's the info, I hope to see you there!

Union Del Barrio Fundraiser

Going down tonight at Sonido Sundays; DJ's Sloe Poke, Expo, Frank(E), Chicus, DJ Ethos, yours truly and special performance by Aztlan Underground. More info...