Music, style, and life. We are mGrooves. We are 4groovers…

Say what?  The Godfather of Go-Go Music has passed away.  Cause of death is still unknown but this Rock-n-Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and a Washington DC legend is gone.

Being one of those few who was actually born and raised in DC, Go-Go Music, and that of Chuck Brown are very prominent in my music influences and tastes.  His unique rhythm heavy versions of Jazz and Funk are still inspiring the newest of artists that are from this area and abroad.  Although many do not know the music form or him by name, those same can repeat hook of the song Bustin Loose.  Some of his other favorites by DC locals are Run Joe and Go Go Swing, just to name a couple.  And missed will be the usually long format of his music, each song could last 20 minutes in an impromptu jam session and blend into the next song seamlessly without a break.

Now those were some killer live concerts!  I’ll have more musings on Chuck Brown and Go-Go Music over the next few days.

OMG... A Riot!

Did you see that craziness recently with Ron Artest, I mean Metta World Peace?  This dude who was one of the escalators in the fight a few years ago that broke out in the Palace in Auburn Hills Michigan, the home of the Detroit Pistons was up to his old out-of-control self.  This time it was in a game between the storied LA Lakers and the super upstarts OKC Thunder.  Look if you want the play by play, there is plenty all over the ‘net.  I’m not going to give it any more attention but to say, we want to knock you out but not in that way.

So how do we want to knock you out? By re-introducing Riot Now to a ScandalDC show on Cinco de Mayo!  That’s right boys and girls.  The 5th of May is complete with a Riot.  Hahahaha.  Riot Now and I have killed some sets on Thursday night.  Now we are one-upping the game by bringing him out on a weekend with the rest of the ScandalDC crew.  And we know our Gazuza crowd and many more across the DMV will love, love, love this!  If you think I’m kidding just get a load of this DJ set from him…

Your house. Our house. Riot’s house…

Even though a Riot is in the place, we are all love, peace, House music…

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Saturday May 5th
Gazuza Lounge – 1629 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington DC 20009
202.667.5500 or matias [at] gazuzalounge.com

We celebrate our time at Gazuza Lounge and the branching out of some of our own.

Yep, the ScandalDC crew has been at it for quite a while, since 2008 to be exact.  A feat that is not easy in such a fast pace, always changing environment such as electronic dance music. In fact, this anniversary is coming on the heals of changes to the current makeup of ScandalDC.

Two members of ScandalDC, Kochi and Sean, have decided to strike out on their own and focus on their partnership project called Ink House. Sean, a.k.a. DJ iLLogic said, “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunities that Scandal has allowed us and have enjoyed DJing with you guys.” I agree with ScandalDC founder, Mike a.k.a. DJ FugAmI in his response, “While it saddens me to see you guys go, I truly understand your decision and will continue to be a fan and supporter of iNK House.” We are family and we have enjoyed some tremendous events together as ScandalDC over the years.

ScandalDC will continue as just a two person crew for a short while. And many of you already know that I am focusing on new music production than ever before. Any fears of us leaving the scene should be put aside immediately.

Hence, we are inviting all of ScandalDC and Ink House fans to come out, to wish Ink House well, and to thank Gazuza for allowing ScandalDC to host so many successful parties in what is still one of the best lounges in the area. Saturday April 7th is a celebration of new beginnings!

Having collected some Kitsune’s compilations before, I always expect the unexpected. I still don’t think I could have been prepared for the video of their recent project with Is Tropical.

If you don’t know, Kitsune is also the Japanese word for fox, and is said to possess the ability to change appearance and face. The many faces and appearances is supposed to represent the many different parts and directions of Kitsune (the company and label). They freely mix fashion and music. And in the latter, the music may often seem unrelated from what became before or what will come after. (http://www.kitsune.fr/) Even though many may feel this type of change is off-putting, for many years now Kitsune has been recognized as a very cool source of indie-dance music.

Hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen…

So Baltimore and DC, would you be interested in an Is Tropical and Crystal Fighters show?

ScandalDC's new hot party at Eden (DC)

Have you heard? My crew, ScandalDC, is starting a new night at Eden. Located in the heart of downtown at 1716 I street NW, Washington DC, the multi-level Eden has a had a reputation to be one of the top places in the city to get your boogie on. ScandalDC will kick off with the guest appearance of DJ MD (Zach Horne). This maestro of music has a deep history of hosting some great parties with the George Washington University (GW) crowds and beyond.

Lust4Life at Dionysus Feb 3

In Baltimore, our Lust4Life party is on the 1st Friday of the month, Feb 3rd. We are heating up to keep you warm this winter with some of the best beat masters you have yet to lay ears on. Seriously, if you want to be on the cool end of the future, you are not going to want to miss L4L.

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Where to catch Stylo?
Feb 3rd – Lust4Life @Dionysus, Baltimore
Feb 4th – Foundation @Gazuza feat. Josh Vidal, DC
Feb 10th – The Groove @Eden, DC

Mar 20th – Future Classics (poolside) @National Hotel, Miami Beach, FL

This new installation to the LFG (Live From Gazuza) collection captures my musings through the music of what a strange and trying year 2011 was.  I am working on keeping my chi, my balance.

LFG 2012.1

• A Walk In The Park (Pional Remix) – Daniel Solar
• Your House (Rick L Remix) – Ricky L
• Proper Balance (Original Mix) – Consistent
• Mikes Garage (Mix) – Inland Knights
• Keep Moving feat. Lisa Shaw – Vincenzo
• Get Easy (The Deepshakers Dub Mix) – Mirco Sonatore
• Breath House – Armbar
• Hot Fridge – Ron Basejam
• Psyche Funk (Original) – KiNK
• Juju (Andre Lodermann Remix) – Black Coffee feat. Zakes Bantwini
• Interceptor (Kamo Remix) – Luke Solomon
• Trevoga (Original) – KiNK
• Finale – Guti & Luca Bacchetti

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (152.6MB)

Stylo and DJ Kochi stops for a photo at Foundation :: Homeboys

The new Foundation series kicked off over the weekend. The first of these sub-titled Homeboys was an absolute blast. Here is the complete photo album.

Foundation is a monthly on the 1st Saturday of the month in Washington DC.

One of the other things that happened at WMC 2011 and Future Classics 4, was the first public performance of “Her Freedom Song”. This original by Stylo featuring Tunde is now available through CDBaby. Other outlets like iTunes and Amazon will have the song for download in the coming days.

Her Freedom Song (feat. Tunde) by Stylo now available through several online music stores

A short video featuring footage from WMC 2011 and other recent parties to follow.

Be sure to congratulate Tunde this weekend at Foundation (Saturday, April 2nd, @Gazuza Lounge, Washington DC).

Playlist:
Juju (David Harness Alternative Instrumental) – Black Coffee feat. Zakes Bantwini
Djarabi (Ian Friday Libation Vox) – Yacoub
Cash Poor – Castro Brothers
Ode 2 p-Funk – Marathon Men
The Big Payback – Giano
Afreeka (Brandon Bass Remix) – El Boogie
All Night House – Stylo
Faith Like This – Mr Patron
Disko Ridin – DJ Sneak & Chris Simmonds
(live edit) Disko Ridin vs Party Train by Gap Band – Stylo

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:47 — 116.2MB)

Many of us have heard the phrase, ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.’ Well I don’t know if the phrase is true or not, but it has certainly come up for endless debate in the modern psychology community. And I’d rather talk about “Your Words” anyway.

What I’m talking about is the new song from the sultry voiced Rae and her compatriots deejay/producers on the song, Studio Apartment. Did I mention that I will be performing on the same stage as Studio Apartment for this year’s 4th Annual Future Classics Party at the Winter Music Conference? Get tickets at Wantickets.com. Did I also mention that a partner in dance music crime, Terry Thompson (Code Red/Defected) and I working on bringing Studio Apartment to DC the weekend prior to WMC? But I digress.

Rae offers up another solid dance tune in what is becoming a river of solid dance tunes. Studio Apartment offers their usually stellar production chops to the piece. From a deejay perspective this is a great song to use in the middle of a build-up set in route to what ever top-of-the-set banger you are traveling towards. Check out the official video…