The Gentlemen Of Leisure: November 2009

Friday, November 6, 2009

The Breakdown: Chali 2na

Chali 2na played with his band at the Nas show and you know what? I was really feeling it. Not that I was hating but I really didn't expect much from him - sure I dug him back in the day with Jurassic 5 but wasn't feeling theor later stuff and rapper's with a band doesn't always really do it for me. But his band had it just right - a bit of bounce and fun and good musicianship, new tracks were good and they dropped a bit of Rick James in the middle. Can't go wrong.
Then my afrobeat band played on the same bill with him again a few days later, they killed it and they were all real good dudes.
This week I got the new record from the radio station and I'm liking it so time to spread love...

Chali 2na - So Crazy (Decon LP 'Fish Outta Water', 2009)
bonus: Rick James - Give It To Me Baby (Trackmasters re-edit)

Chali 2na - Guns Up feat. Damian & Stephen Marley (Decon LP 'Fish Outta Water', 2009)

The Breakdown: Get down (all jazzy like)

Nas had me all thinking about the get down again so this Friday we were off to something you might find his father Olu Dara on.

Gene Russell - Get Down (Black Jazz LP 'Talk To My Lady', 1973)
It's all about the bass and drums with this one. Real killer funky jazz where the band grooves out but still stays in the pocket the whole time. Nothing else to say...

Weldon Irvine - We Gettin' Down (RCA LP 'Spirit Man', 1975)
Weldon starts off all Herbie Hancock then next thing you know you're into a break and then get's all 'Award Tour' on you. R.I.P. Master Wel, a true genius.

Ah yes but just who are these The Gentlemen Of Leisure?

Well sit back and let me learn you up... They are but men. Yet they are men unlike any others, oft separated by 3420kms of continent but drawn together by a love of fine musics, the lost art of moustache wearing and the majesty of expert swordsmanship. You've seen them shirtless, riding stallions in slow-motion on the beach undoubtably off to rescue some hapless, buxom environmentalists. You've heard tale of their exploits fighting hordes of invading Mongols alongside peasant villagers in the deepest Amazon. Sure they have occasion to gad about town quaffing cognac, wearing Blue Stratos cologne and indulging the fairer sex in their charm, wit and sparkling repartee but for all their futuristicness these are no robots. They are men. Men who all the while remain committed to their one true cause - being totally awesome Disc Jockeys.

Such are ways of The Gentlemen Of Leisure. They are men who stand together, alone in the sea of shit that is this interweb thingamy. They are freedom fighters. They are tireless artistes. They are the leaders of free men. They are first among equals. They are equal among firsts. They are each equal part lover and fighter. They are both Man and Beast.

They are the Gentlemen Of Leisure.

DJ Manchild

Biography

DJ Manchild has been bringing his trademark sound combining funk, latin, african, hip-hop, disco and beats to the dancefloors of Melbourne and beyond since early 2001. He has played and dug for records on adventures from Mumbai to Lagos to Tokyo and back; always bringing back booty for his radio show 'The Breakdown' which is now into it's sixth year of Friday afternoons on PBS 106.7FM.

In New York he and two friends were inspired to start an large afro-beat ensemble, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, which has since played Big Day Out, WOMAD and Falls as well as sold-out shows across Australia. Their debut album 'Do Anything, Go Anywhere' (which they together recorded, produced, mixed and independently released) was nominated for an ARIA in 2010.

DJ Manchild has supported the likes of Public Enemy, De La Soul, Eddie Bo, The Bamboos, LL Cool J, Eddie Floyd, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Rob Swift, The Jungle Brothers, Marva Whitney, Quantic, Nas, Ghostface Killah, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Black Keys, DJ Roc Raida, Betty Harris, DJ Z-Trip, Aloe Blacc, DJ Dexter and Cookin' On Three Burners. In addition he has played onstage with The Beatnuts, Jeru Tha Damaja, Nfa and DJ Z-Trip.

Upcoming gigs:

- Thursday 28.07.10, 11-12am @ The Laundry on Johnson St, Fitzroy playing soul music

- Friday 29.07.10, Perth playing party music with DJ Charlie Bucket, The Gentlemen Of Leisure together!
- Saturday 30.07.10, Perth playing party music with DJ Charlie Bucket, The Gentlemen Of Leisure together!
- Thursday 04.08.10, 12-1am @ The Laundry on Johnson St, Fitzroy playing soul music

- Saturday 06.08.11, all night: Soul-A-Go-Go @ The Johnston playing funk 45's with Richie 1250, Pierre Baroni & Emma Peel
- Saturday 12.08.10, 9-11pm @ Southpaw on Johnson St, Fitzroy playing funk, disco, hip-hop and party tunes for the official launch party!
- Saturday 12.08.10, 12-1am @ The Laundry on Johnson St, Fitzroy playing funk, disco, hip-hop and party tunes for the official launch party!

and also...

On the radio each and every Friday 3-5pm on PBS 106.7FM in Melbourne or streaming via www.pbsfm.org.au/breakdown

DJ Charlie Bucket

Biography

Charlie began his musical career as a drummer playing in jazz and funk bands in Perth in the late 90’s but it was upon returning from a European trip he discovered the art of DJ'ing. With an already eclectic and diverse taste crossing the boundaries of funk, soul, hip hop, house, disco and reggae Charlie began to infuse his existing love of performing with his new-found passion for record collecting.

In late 2003 Charlie was introduced to a fellow funk fanatic and they founded a weekly night at the Leederville Hotel aptly named “The Funk Club”. What started out as a bit of fun and a chance to hear the music they loved soon morphed into club night of legendary status drawing huge crowds and playing host to variety of international performers.

As the chief resident of Funk Club, Charlie Buckets career began to flourish and soon he was touring nationally and he became a regular on the Perth festival circuit. He has held down residencies in too many of Perth's acclaimed venues to even mention.

In 2009 Charlie co-founded a promotional company, "Think Twice", alongside fellow Funk Club founder, friend and long-time collaborator Jimmy "The Lips" Murphy. Together they promote boutique club nights as varied as “Afrodisia”, Russ Dewbury’s “Jazz Rooms” as well as weekly hip-hop and disco parties at The Manor. They are also responsible for bringing out high caliber international acts such as Kool & The Gang, Roy Ayers, Kurtis Blow and Mayer Hawthorne.

For the last 5 years running Charlie has been nominated in the "Best DJ" catergory of the West Australian Music Industry (WAMI) Awards and in 2010 had the honour of been selected as the winner.

Charlie has supported many artists including; Femi Kuti, MF Doom, Roy Ayers, Aloe Blacc, Mayer Hawthorne, Arabian Prince, DJ House Shoes, Kurtis Blow, Basement Jaxx, Groove Armada, Blackalicious, Norman Jay, Mr Scruff, Ghostface Killah, Amp Fiddler, Cut Chemist, De La Soul, Giles Peterson, Fat Freddies Drop, Q-tip, The Pharcyde and DJ Dexter.

The Gentlemen Of Leisure

Friday, November 6, 2009

The Breakdown: Chali 2na

The Breakdown: Get down (all jazzy like)

Contributors

Ah yes but just who are these The Gentlemen Of Leisure?

DJ Manchild

DJ Charlie Bucket

What's this all about then?

Wait.. isn't this tantamount to thievery you impossible cads?

Untrustworthy scoundrels to be avoided at all cost

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