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So the last few months have been an incredible journey. My mind has been full of business plans, marketing strategies, cash flow statements and child education funds, images of the child’s first steps and first words - as I watch Keli transform into a beautiful, patient and happy mother. I’m very excited. Last week I put the headphones to her belly and I filled the womb with the soothing sounds of Sade. This week I’d like to introduce the belly to the sounds of Michael Franti and Spearhead’s new release – Yell Fire!
The last couple of weeks have been inspiring for new music. First I headed down to HMV and I picked up the new K-OS cd, Atlantis – Hymns For Disco, which I played the shit out of for a full week. In 2005, The Joyful Rebellion was my pick for album of the year and this year K-OS is again in my top 5 picks for 2006. Like Michael Franti, K-OS continues to communicate great songwriting, infectious melodies and the conscious words of a relentless generation. Songs like FlyPaper, Sunday Morning and Mirror In The Sky will leave you singing and humming for days, but hearing No Rain sent chills up my spine. Atlantis left me with Motown moments refueling my passion for Canadian talent. [Good thing you didn’t listen to that part of you telling you not to sing Kev]
Back in the 90’s when I was a radio dj at CHRW 94.7, my show always started with the Disposable Heroes Of Hyhoprisy track - Television, The Drug of a Nation. Last week the illustrious and infamous Victoria, the exotic belly dancer, was passing through Vancouver and stayed with us for part of her trip. While picking up some new torso thrusting Middle Eastern musical mantras for her upcoming shows, she also snagged the new Michael Franti & Spearhead release – Yell Fire. Well, I’ve listened to the album a good twelve times since she left. The best album of his career. Last year I was lucky enough to see Spearhead live with Xavier Rudd for an incredible show. The amazing positive energy emanating from the Commodore that night could be felt for days after. Franti’s lyrics like Bob Marley, Ben Harper and Buju Banton, continue to challenge and motivate us all to fight the good fight and clear the clutter that impedes us all from waking up to life.
A revolution never come with a warning
A revolution never sends you an omen
A revolution just arrived like the morning
Ring the alarm we come to wake up the snoring
- Yell Fire by Michael Franti & Spearhead
So it’s obvious I’m hungry for music lately and I was fed more beaty morsels last night at the Media Club in Vancouver. I headed out into the ‘blizzard’ to hear the big daddy sounds of Calamalka, opening up for No Luck Club's cd release party. Mary Ancheta hit the stage first with her full band performing a funky and ambient set before surrendering to the lap tops and turntables that would be set loose by Calamalka and NLC. [I think I recognize Mary from my dayze in the music industry in Ontario – was she in a band called The Misunderstood?] As I write this, snow continues to dump on the streets of Vancouver and sticks around, unlike the usual one-day snowfall we see in the city that melts as it hits the pavement.
Calamalka started his set with some hefty beats from the get-go. Bopping heads were immediately sucked in to the new up-tempo drum and bass soundtrack that Campitelli would sew together over the next forty minutes. Calamalka mixed and swirled new material that made for a mystical musical score to the white winter wonderland that evening. Maybe a new album in the spring Campitelli?
After hanging out back stage with Calamalka we headed out front where the No Luck Club groove was drawing us in. It took me immediately to their merchandise booth where I took home their new cd, Prosperity. From the first few minutes of music I was hooked and I knew this was a cd I would enjoy. The instrumental hip-hop band including Trevor & Matt Chan and DJ Pluskratch turned up the heat in the room and had the audience shaking their feet.
As the snowflakes continue to fall today, I settle in to rub the buddah belly for some good fortune and prosperity. Judging from the experiences of the last three months, the last 24 hours - I’m already feeling pretty lucky. "Everyone deserves music."
Until next time – peace!
chico@phreeagent.com
www.phreeagent.com
Chico Observations
For more information on these great artists check out these websites.
CALAMALKA
K-OS
SPEARHEAD
NOLUCKCLUB
MARY ANCHETA
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