Proudly Pushin' 'THE FUNK' in all its forms| Funk Soul Disco Hip Hop House Afro-Beat Afro Funk Latin Jazz Deep Soulful House | MIXTAPES | WAREHOUSE PARTIES | BLOCK PARTIES | BBOY / BBGIRL JAMS & Scene Info
English: Herbie Hancock live in concert playing the keytar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Live in Los Angeles 2002
Tracklist:
01. Wisdom
02. Kebero
03. This Is DJ Disk
04. Dolphin Dance
05. Virtual Hornets
06. The Essence
07. Butterfly
08. Tony Williams
09. Rockit
10. Chameleon
Diversity is a template for success for any artist, Sydney based music producer Pedram Rouzbehani known to his fans as “P.R” crafted his art around diversity drawn from life experiences & cultural upbringing.
Dubbed as a 4D producer, he exhibits the importance of not being 1 dimensional when it comes to creating his art. Despite becoming increasingly popular within the Hip Hop and R&B scene, P.R has expanded his horizons by creating Jazz, Soul, and House music.
His inspiration is drawn from his life and observing the world around him, which has created his passion to create positive music with good vibes or what he refers to it as “feel good music”. He loves to experiment with different moods of music by fusing multiple genres of current and past music.
He is influenced by Life, Sound, Film and Music (from Hip Hop to Classical). The main influences in his production style have been the great works of DJ Premier, Nujabes, 9th Wonder, Kanye West, J Dilla, Just Blaze, Hi-Tek, Statik Selektah, Alchemist & Timbaland.
In 2006 he committed himself to focusing on producing music seriously, whilst studying at university to complete his bachelor of Electronic Arts. His rentless drive started paying off as he was starting to get more attention and started to establish himself as a serious producer.
In January 2010, he released his debut mixtape “Pre-Heated” which was hosted by world famous DJ/Producer “Statik Selektah”. The mixtape featured artists from around the world such as Naledge (from Kidz in the Hall), Chaundon, Mystro, Carla Waye, 13th Son & many others. The mixtape achived great accomplishment clocking over 15,000 downloads, as well as being featured on 100+ websites, magazine articles and frequent radio air time.
In April 2010, he received a bachelor degree after completing a 4 year course in Electronic Arts, which he had studied Digital Music as one of his main subjects.
In May 2011, he released an e.p titled “Bridging The Gap” with New York legend “Ali Vegas”, with his music partner “The Iron Ghost”, under their music production duo called “Sound Kamp”.
He is currently working on many projects, including a solo e.p titled “Introspection”, plus producing for many other artists on many projects. To date, P.R has worked with a bunch of artists from all around the globe in Australia, Asia, Europe and America.
He plans to travel around Asia in 2012 to expand his music into the Asian market and work with Asian artists and labels, as well as follow in the footsteps of one of his biggest musical influences “Nujabes”, by taking on the hip-hop with jazz fused genre and getting recognized in the Japanese Music Scene.
His love for music & the cultures, as well as the joy and thrill of making music and experiencing other artists embrace and use it, are what drives him to continuously create and produce.
Niche Productions presents a cross-genre, cross-generational bill for the June long weekend featuring the future of Jazz, Soul and Electronic music. Whilst all three artists have a deep affinity and spiritual association with Jazz, they all refuse to be pigeonholed and on Sunday 10th June, all preconceived notions about ‘what Jazz is and what Jazz isnt’ are going to be blown out of the water.
Sun 10th June (Queens Bday Weekend) Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
The Robert Glasper Experiment makes its debut appearance in Australia off the back of their incredible new album Black Radio, which is out now on Blue Note (and debuted at #1 on the Australian iTunes Jazz Charts). Featuring a host of incredible guest vocalists and personnel, Black Radio is a concept that comes from Yassin Bey aka Mos Def (who contributes the albums title track) who wonders why, if the Black Box is the only thing that survives a plane crash, do they not make the whole plane out of its material? Glasper himself is in a class of his own behind the keys and when joined by vocalists like Erykah Badu and Bilal as well as newcomers King and Chrisette Michelle, shines even brighter (if thats possible). Nothing is predictable about a Robert Glasper Experiment performance and Australian audiences are about to get their very first taste. Watch a recent performance on David Letterman here.
Jose James is equally hard to pinpoint, having released songs from the classic American songbook for Verve as well as fully-blown beat collaborations with Flying Lotus, Moodyman and Basement Jaxx. His debut album The Dreamer was a throwback to the classic-cool-quintet albums like Kind Of Blue and was followed quickly by Black Magic (both on Gilles Petersons Brownswood label), which featured the aforementioned heavyweight collabs, leaning more on a Marvin Gaye/Leon Ware I Want You modus operandi. His new album No Beginning, No End will be available in 2012 and promises his heaviest lineup of players yet (Richard Spaven, Pino Palladino, anyone?). Enjoy a taste of the first single Trouble here.
Taylor Mcferrin returns to Australia after appearing recently with Shabazz Palaces in select shows around Oz. The one-man band (and son of Bobby) combines an incredible beatbox vocal ability, range, production prowess and gift for electronics the apple does not fall far from the tree. Signed to Brainfeeder, Mcferrins debut album is in the works. On his own he is mind-blowing, when he collaborates with his two fellow artists he truly embodies the spirit of Jazz: to improvise, innovate and entertain. Watch and learn.
Niche Productions could not be more proud to bring Sydney this ridiculously well-matched triple bill. A culmination of all of our influences on stage for one night only, Future Now is three artists who have consistently created some of the best moments of their genre and who have not even reached their peak. Join us for something truly special this June.
Niche Productions presents Future Now featuring Robert Glasper Experiment, Jose James & Taylor Mcferrin + special guests DJs Cian (Conch Records – NZ) & Huwston
‘Black Radio’ the new album from Robert Glasper Experiment is in stores now:
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Niche Productions presents Future Now feat. The Robert Glasper Experiment, Jose James & Taylor McFerrin
Sun 10th June (Queen’s Bday Weekend) – Oxford Art Factory – Sydney
Niche Productions presents a cross-genre, cross-generational bill for the June long weekend featuring the future of Jazz, Soul and Electronic music. Whilst all three artists have a deep affinity and spiritual association with Jazz, they all refuse to be pigeonholed and on Sunday 10th June, all preconceived notions about ‘what Jazz is and what Jazz isn’t’ are going to be blown out of the water.
The Robert Glasper Experiment makes its debut appearance in Australia off the back of their incredible new album Black Radio, which is out now on Blue Note (and debuted at #1 on the Australian iTunes Jazz Charts). Featuring a host of incredible guest vocalists and personnel, Black Radio is a concept that comes from Yassin Bey aka Mos Def (who contributes the album’s title track) who wonders why, if the Black Box is the only thing that survives a plane crash, do they not make the whole plane out of its material? Glasper himself is in a class of his own behind the keys and when joined by vocalists like Erykah Badu and Bilal as well as newcomers King and Chrisette Michelle, shines even brighter (if that’s possible). Nothing is predictable about a Robert Glasper Experiment performance and Australian audiences are about to get their very first taste. Watch a recent performance on David Letterman here
Jose James is equally hard to pinpoint, having released songs from the classic American songbook for Verve as well as fully-blown beat collaborations with Flying Lotus, Moodyman and Basement Jaxx. His debut album The Dreamer was a throwback to the classic-cool-quintet albums like Kind Of Blue and was followed quickly by Black Magic (both on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label), which featured the aforementioned heavyweight collabs, leaning more on a Marvin Gaye/Leon Ware I Want You modus operandi. His new album No Beginning, No End will be available in 2012 and promises his heaviest lineup of players yet (Richard Spaven, Pino Palladino, anyone?). Enjoy a taste of the first single Trouble here
Taylor McFerrin returns to Australia after appearing recently with Shabazz Palaces in select shows around Oz. The one-man band (and son of Bobby) combines an incredible beatbox vocal ability, range, production prowess and gift for electronics… the apple does not fall far from the tree. Signed to Brainfeeder, McFerrin’s debut album is in the works. On his own he is mind-blowing, when he collaborates with his two fellow artists he truly embodies the spirit of Jazz: to improvise, innovate and entertain. Watch and learn http://youtu.be/aQJqHEIxBW8?t=4m43s
Niche Productions could not be more proud to bring Sydney this ridiculously well-matched triple bill. A culmination of all of our influences on stage for one night only, Future Now is three artists who have consistently created some of the best moments of their genre and who have not even reached their peak. Join us for something truly special this June.
Niche Productions presents Future Now featuring Robert Glasper Experiment, Jose James & Taylor McFerrin + special guests DJs Cian (Conch Records – NZ) & Huwston
Humans have used masks for different purposes throughout time. One of the main reasons has been to create a different atmosphere in parties involving music, dance and art.
Knowing that the word Bossa was a typical slang originated in Brazil to describe anything that could be ‘cool’, we decided to put on a party to bring the cool attitude of Multicultural Sydney at its best. We are going to transform one of the best live music venues in Sydney (Blue Beat) into a ‘ludic’ night of music and dance.
Featuring Abuka an upcoming power trio that has been known all over Sydney by its delivery of funky infused grooves that allow our senses to experience different sounds and rhythms. In other words be prepared for a heavy dose of mix Brazilian rhythms with jazz and funk.
Alongside the terrific Abuka, Dj La Veneria and Dj Rapha (Vibez Brazil) we’ll keep you busy in the dance floor in a mix range of funky cheeky tunes and up-beat tropical sounds of Latin America.
Choose your mask, dust off your dancing shoes and be prepared for this unmissable and exotic night full of funky grooves! Damn!
Soul Of Sydney: ‘FUNK’ music blog, beamin’ out of Bondi Beach, Australia.
Pushing local Funk, Disco, Hip Hop, Soul, House & DNB since 2009.
King Britt at his finest hour with a classic House remake of the DISCO masterpiece “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life“, taken from his 1997 album “When The Funk Hits The Fan” that features everything from Jazz, Soul, Funk, Hip Hop as well as a few Soulful House cuts like this.
DEPARTURE LOUNGE RADIO WITH EL CHINO & JUZZLIKEDAT
Departure Lounge.. Flight 402..Elchinos..Friends As DJs series starts up again with.. DJ Samir aka JUZZLIKEDAT..lots of Soul, Jazz, funk, Hip Hop and also mixing in African, Brazilian, electrojazz and any type of Black music..Strckly Old School Selection from the Captain also..Tune in to hear what musical flght path we both will take ..Saturday,4th February..3 to 5pm..2SER.107.3
Departure Lounge Flight 402 Playlist
Vera Cruz/Jamie Marques/RCA
Pecados Do Amor/Marcos Valle/Signi
Soul Detroit/Intro
Blue Eyed Soul/Till Bronner
Groovin/Jackie Orsazasky and the Grandmasters
Montana/Bobby Hutchenson(Madlib)
Unwind Your Mind/Greyboy/Ubiquity
Soul Sister/Weldon Irvine
Mana Ana/Booster
Tumba Rhumba/Certain Ratio/Factory
Yerakiy/Malatu Astake
Rolling Stone/Red Astaire feat.Erykah Badu
Cala Boca/Joao Donato
Brothers/Marlie & Marcus Feat. D’Angelo
Bukom Mashie/Oscar Scully & the Uhuru Dance Band
Salsa Scatch/Rob Swift feat.Bib
Rainha Do Dub/Dubbin/GAMM
Com e Or/Mo’ Horizons
I Cry For You/Davina
Catch Juzzlikedat & El Chino dropping the goodness Friday at The LOUNGE.
PArty Rockers JUzzLIKEDAt & CMaN team up with Special Guest El Chino (Trevor Parkee) of DEPARTURE LOUNGE RADIO for a GOOd GooD Music Special this,
Friday Feb 10th from 7pm!
Will be a good one! Free Entry, Happy hours 5-7pm!
SOUL OF SYDNEY: Free Australia Day Block Party Picnic/BBQ
Soul of Sydney & Our House Sydney will be hosting another special family friendly FUNK picnic to celebrate the Australia Day in the right kind of fashion.. With a stack of good mates, in the great outdoors in the sunshine and with DJ’s playing REAL music in a family friendly atmosphere.
We have a stack of DJ’s on rotation playing a stack of daytime SOUL, FUNK, HIP HOP & HOUSE joints from the likes of James Brown, Jocelyn Brown, Masters At Work, Erykah Badu, De La Soul, Dilla, Larry Levan, Sade, Jill Scott & Frankie Knuckles just to name a few.
Real Music, Real People Enjoying in a Family Friendly outdoor environment!
DJ’s:
Soul of Sydney DJ’s & Friends;
PHIL TOKE, (Our House Sydney)
EDSEVEN
TERRY A
MICHAEL ZAC (Our House Sydney)
EADIE RAMIA (Our House Sydney)
C-MAN & JUZZLIKEDAT (Back of Back)
Open Decks, Open Mic & Open Floor (for all you dancers)
If you are interested in supporting, performing or need to get in contact please shoot us an email on soulofsydney@gmail.com as we will be updating venue information very soon.
Blockparty Picnic Mixtape #3 by DJ Phil Toke (Our House Sydney/Soul of Sydney)
JAN 2011
Our main man & resident Blockparty DJ Phil Toke put together this dope mixtape jam packed with some of the daytime FUNK, DISCO & REAL HOUSE jams he has been throwing down at the picnics over the last few months. Expect a stack of similar vibes for Australia Day!
John Davis Monster Orchestra- Ain’t That Enough For You
James Brown- Funky President
The Commodores- Brick House
Average White Band- Pick Up The Pieces
First Choice- Love Thang
Angela Winbush- I Love You More
Convertion- Lets Do It
Komiko- Feel Alright
Geraldine Hunt- Cant Fake The Feeling
Richard T Bear- Sunshine Hotel
Lenny Williams- You Got Me Runnin (Krivit Re edit)
The Salsoul Orchestra- You’re Just The Right Size
The Salsoul Orchestra- Salsoul Rainbow/Obama Victory Speech
Diana Ross- No One Gets The Prize
Diana Ross- The Boss
If you haven’t sent you for mobile number can you please forward to soulofsydney@gmail.com in the event we do have to move the party last minute?
Check out some of the SOUL TRAIN FUN from our last few parties
A Few points that might help you organise you day better;
It is a FAMILY FRIENDLY PICNIC first and foremost so might be a good idea really to pack for a Sunday Picnic in the park (eski/ picnic basket, fruit, drinks and something to sit on etc.)
We have a spot with a stack of grass around with plenty of room for kids, it is 5 mins from city around Alexandria, there is shade but best people bring some hats etc.
We will have a Sound System with selectors playing an eclectic mix of real music including everything from Sade to James Brown to De La Soul, Erykah Badu & Masters At Work, Larry Levan, Frankie Knuckles.
It is open decks with rotating DJ’s (but best people get in touch via soulofsydney@gmail.com if keen to play to confirm time slots)
We usually aim to get everything starting at about 12pm with ending time around depending on vibe.
We will be waiting for the weather forecast before we make the call as it is outdoors, if it does look like it’s going to rain then we will simply move till next sunny Sunday. (We will be in touch a few days out for the event via email & on the day via SMS in case we have to move the party, so we will need your Mobile details too so we can get location details quicker)
ARTIST CALL OUT: If you are a local Musician, MC, Singer, Percussionist or DJ then we are very keen to hear from you if you would like to play, especially if you down to play percussion along the Djs in an open jam vibe for Sunday. (we are hoping to get thing going as a regular Sunday afternoon local soul funk and hip hop open jam session so if your keen to be part of it let us know)
For local Soul music fan then we simply wants you there enjoying the music, so get a group of friends together, spread the word and come down for a day out it the park to some real music.
Thanks again for getting behind the idea kids.. Sydney definitely needs more people like YOU!
Pray for good weather & hope to see you all at the next one.
About the Block-Party Picnic Movement
In the name of spreading REAL MUSIC! SOUL OF SYDNEY, OUR HOUSE SYDNEY & TONE have teamed up to put forward a small number of hush-hush out door POP UP street & park-side throw-downs during summer.
The idea is a series of free Pop-UP Sunday afternoon family friendly Picnic’s in various outdoor locations around this beautiful city, featuring rotating sets from local DJ’s & Artists still flying the flag for quality music in Sydney.
If you like the idea of hearing everything from James Brown, Jocelyn Brown, Erykah Badu, De La Soul, Dilla & Masters At Work & Frankie Knuckles in an outdoor location where you can have a Sunday Picnic in the sunshine, then join us as we celebrate the gift of great music, in a relaxed environment with friends and al-fresco on picnic blankets!
Issac Hays- Theme From S.H.A.F.Tt black President.
The Beginning of The End- Funky Nassau (Part 1)
George Clinton – One Nation Under A Groove
Stevie Wonder – Higher Ground
Lonnie Liston Smith- Expansions
George Benson- You Can Do It < Phil Toke & Soul of Sydney ‘I Have A DREAM EDIT’
Roy Ayers- Evolution
#2- Blockparty Picnic Mixtape 2 by DJ Phil Toke (Our House Sydney)
Dec 2011
Our main man & resident Blockparty DJ Phil Toke put together this dope mixtape jam packed with some of the daytime FUNK, DISCO & REAL HOUSE jams he has been throwing down at the picnics over the last few months.
Tracklisting
1.The Last Minister – Tribute to the JB family
2.Lyn Collins – Think (Jski edit)
3.Kool & The Gang – Love and Understanding
4.War – Galaxy
5.Jimmy Castor – E man boogie
6.Jesse G – thats hot
7.Change – A lover’s holiday
8.Nijel – Dance so fine (instrum)
9.Brothers Johnson – Stomp
10.Superbreak disco edits – Body Bait
11.Society – Can U rock?
12.Phase II – Reachin
13.Terrence Parker – Love’s Got me high
14.Teddy Pendergrass – Only you
15.Sylvester – Over & over
This will be the final DJ set in Sydney for ”Dancefloor-Jazz’ legend DJ Maestro. He will be playing an extended 4 hour set from 8pm.
If you haven’t managed to catch DJ Maestro during his recent tour then you won’t want to miss this. Come along and listen to the finest Jazz, Latin, soul, Funk and much more…..
Definitely one we will be getting down to, big ups to JC @ Funkdafied for making this happen. Check out these Maestro Mixtapes to give you Soul Peeps an idea of what to expect from one of the finest selectors of eclectic Jazz sounds around.
There is a doll in the Amsterdam apartment of Martijn Barkhuis: it’s a DJ Maestro Action Figure. The box proudly mentions: ‘It really DJ’s, drinks and smokes!’ “That’s slightly exaggerated,” the real-life version says with a husky voice, while putting his Davidoff cigarette in the ashtray to fill our glasses with pinot grigio. “That doll doesn’t DJ at all.” At least, not like the human version of DJ Maestro, as many, many international dance full of sweaty and cramped calves can attest to. Mesmerize, DJ Maestro’s debut album, following the compilations he did for legendary jazz labels Blue Note (Blue Note Trip, three editions) and Verve (Delicious Jazz), is made for exactly those dance floors. “The music was inspired by the records I play and by the reactions of people who dance to those records. Some of the songs on Mesmerize are more than a year old, others I wrote only two months ago. But they have all been tested on the dance floor. When something didn’t work, we improved it.”
‘We’, in this case, are Maestro and producers Mark van de Bergh and Maarten Helsloot, aka JAAN and Marty Belmondo. They are the owners of a studio in the mundane outskirts of Amsterdam, are blessed with a good ear and the ability to transform Maestro’s ideas into beats, grooves and bass lines. “Sometimes, I hummed them a song, or described a certain feeling or vibe. I put dozens of my favourite songs on mini disc for Mark and Maarten, so they would understand what I was looking for.”
Mesmerize was born out of pure necessity. While the record collection stacked behind him almost crumbles under its weight, the DJ explains: “It’s getting harder and harder to find records I want to play. They often lack a certain atmosphere or groove. So when I was given the opportunity to record my own album, I took it with both hands.” We will get back to the hands in a second.
His record deal enabled Maestro to work with a bunch of talented musicians he often performs with: renowned saxophone player Benjamin Herman, flute player Magnus Lindgren (who also worked with Koop), Zuco 103-singer Lilian Vieira, Carl Young (bass player in Michael Franti’s Spearhead), keyboard player Sven Figee (with whom Maestro co-wrote two songs), soul singer Forrest (known for his hit ‘Rock the Boat’) and saxophone player Tineke Postma. “In general, we invited them to the studio once we finished the basis. All we told them was to do whatever they’re good at. Benjamin Herman did his thing in just half an hour.” As a result, the lazy track ‘Spring Street’ has a real ‘neon light in a wet street’ vibe, while the sax in the spicy latin song ‘En Orbita’ is like an exquisite sauce poured over the groove.
Funk, jazz, latin: the DJ seems to have been raised on soul food and hot peppers, but actually comes from a family where everybody listened to classical music in appropriate silence and played the piano and the cello considerably well. Maestro himself played the violin “quite well”, but he feels that “if somebody else is more talented, you should let that person play for you.” But clapping his hands is certainly not a problem for the DJ: just listen to ‘Rainy Day’.
As a teenager, Maestro was mesmerized by the turntables, mixers, headphones and vinyl albums of his friends, who took their drive-in show to hockey parties and school parties. It left him with an insatiable hunger for albums, and an incredible disgust for dance classics: “One of the highlights in my career was the moment somebody requested ‘Relight My Fire’ for the umpteenth time. ‘I’ve got that one,’ I said, pulled the record from my bag and broke it in two right before his very eyes.”
That doesn’t mean the DJ doesn’t know how to please the crowd: his Blue Note Trip-nights in clubs, nationwide attract many dance lovers, who love to work up a sweat on the amazing mix of modern and vintage from the Maestro’s record cases, which he carries with him to Indonesia, Japan, New York and most European countries.
With his own record label (Dig This!), being programdirector of the IJazz Amsterdam festival, booker for the new Amsterdam club “Jazz on the Riverbank” and founder of the dutch station Radio Jazz, Maestro has a big hold on everything that has to do with funk, latin and jazz in the Netherlands. “It’s killing sometimes, all those long nights with too much cigarettes and drinks,” he tries to put his fabulous life somewhat into perspective. But isn’t that a very big grin we see on the face of the DJ Maestro Action Figure?
His music attracts many dance lovers globally. His amazing mix of modern and vintage dance floor inspired Jazz has made him a Sydney favourite whenever he is in town. Funk, jazz, latin: the DJ seems to have been raised on soul food and hot peppers, but actually comes from a family where everybody listened to classical music in appropriate silence and played the piano and the cello considerably well.
With his own record label (Dig This!), being Program Director of the IJazz Amsterdam festival, booker for the new Amsterdam club “Jazz on the Riverbank” and founder of the Dutch station Radio Jazz, Maestro has a big hold on everything that has to do with funk, Latin and jazz in the Netherlands.
DJ Maestro Spiring Dance Floor Jazz, Latin & Funk Podcast:
‘Historic stained-glass windows, a 150-year-old streetscape, First Fleet seaman and the world’s first strike for an eight-hour day all have ties to one of the most distinguished heritage buildings in The Rocks – the former Mariners’ Church at 100 George Street.
The building sits above one of the most historic sites in Australia, believed to be where the First Fleet arrivals stepped ashore in 1788.
From 1856 to 1859, the Mariners’ Church was built at the site by the Bethel Seaman’s Union. Founded in England and later established in Sydney, the Union was born from the widespread evangelical religious revival of the early 19th century, which included missionary activity among seaman.
Now in its present day, 100 George Street has come alive once again.
Home to four chic bars, indoor and outdoor dining, lounge spaces, as well an exquisite VIP area, the beautiful options of BAR100 need to experienced to be believed.
Spanning three levels of stunningly re-worked heritage space, BAR100 is an inspiring fusion of old and new and magnificent day or night.
With amazing food and drinks, jaw-dropping surrounds and iconic views, this incredible new venue embodies the very best of the harbour-side city.
About DJ Maestro:
There is a doll in the Amsterdam apartment of Martijn Barkhuis: it’s a DJ Maestro Action Figure. The box proudly mentions: ‘It really DJ’s, drinks and smokes!’ “That’s slightly exaggerated,” the real-life version says with a husky voice, while putting his Davidoff cigarette in the ashtray to fill our glasses with pinot grigio. “That doll doesn’t DJ at all.” At least, not like the human version of DJ Maestro, as many, many international dance full of sweaty and cramped calves can attest to. Mesmerize, DJ Maestro’s debut album, following the compilations he did for legendary jazz labels Blue Note (Blue Note Trip, three editions) and Verve (Delicious Jazz), is made for exactly those dance floors. “The music was inspired by the records I play and by the reactions of people who dance to those records. Some of the songs on Mesmerize are more than a year old, others I wrote only two months ago. But they have all been tested on the dance floor. When something didn’t work, we improved it.”
‘We’, in this case, are Maestro and producers Mark van de Bergh and Maarten Helsloot, aka JAAN and Marty Belmondo. They are the owners of a studio in the mundane outskirts of Amsterdam, are blessed with a good ear and the ability to transform Maestro’s ideas into beats, grooves and bass lines. “Sometimes, I hummed them a song, or described a certain feeling or vibe. I put dozens of my favourite songs on mini disc for Mark and Maarten, so they would understand what I was looking for.”
Mesmerize was born out of pure necessity. While the record collection stacked behind him almost crumbles under its weight, the DJ explains: “It’s getting harder and harder to find records I want to play. They often lack a certain atmosphere or groove. So when I was given the opportunity to record my own album, I took it with both hands.” We will get back to the hands in a second.
His record deal enabled Maestro to work with a bunch of talented musicians he often performs with: renowned saxophone player Benjamin Herman, flute player Magnus Lindgren (who also worked with Koop), Zuco 103-singer Lilian Vieira, Carl Young (bass player in Michael Franti’s Spearhead), keyboard player Sven Figee (with whom Maestro co-wrote two songs), soul singer Forrest (known for his hit ‘Rock the Boat’) and saxophone player Tineke Postma. “In general, we invited them to the studio once we finished the basis. All we told them was to do whatever they’re good at. Benjamin Herman did his thing in just half an hour.” As a result, the lazy track ‘Spring Street’ has a real ‘neon light in a wet street’ vibe, while the sax in the spicy latin song ‘En Orbita’ is like an exquisite sauce poured over the groove.
Funk, jazz, latin: the DJ seems to have been raised on soul food and hot peppers, but actually comes from a family where everybody listened to classical music in appropriate silence and played the piano and the cello considerably well. Maestro himself played the violin “quite well”, but he feels that “if somebody else is more talented, you should let that person play for you.” But clapping his hands is certainly not a problem for the DJ: just listen to ‘Rainy Day’.
As a teenager, Maestro was mesmerized by the turntables, mixers, headphones and vinyl albums of his friends, who took their drive-in show to hockey parties and school parties. It left him with an insatiable hunger for albums, and an incredible disgust for dance classics: “One of the highlights in my career was the moment somebody requested ‘Relight My Fire’ for the umpteenth time. ‘I’ve got that one,’ I said, pulled the record from my bag and broke it in two right before his very eyes.”
That doesn’t mean the DJ doesn’t know how to please the crowd: his Blue Note Trip-nights in clubs, nationwide attract many dance lovers, who love to work up a sweat on the amazing mix of modern and vintage from the Maestro’s record cases, which he carries with him to Indonesia, Japan, New York and most European countries.
With his own record label (Dig This!), being programdirector of the IJazz Amsterdam festival, booker for the new Amsterdam club “Jazz on the Riverbank” and founder of the dutch station Radio Jazz, Maestro has a big hold on everything that has to do with funk, latin and jazz in the Netherlands. “It’s killing sometimes, all those long nights with too much cigarettes and drinks,” he tries to put his fabulous life somewhat into perspective. But isn’t that a very big grin we see on the face of the DJ Maestro Action Figure?
Soul of Sydney Podcast #21: ‘Honour Confers Your Crown’: Sade Ausralian Tour Mix by DJ Trey (facebook.com/djtrey)
5 Dec 2011
Get it touch for a on our SOUL OF SYDNEY FAN PAGE or GROUP or shoot us an email at soulofsydney@gmail.com for download link
DJ Trey, our man local selector of all things BLISSFULLY SOULFUL has put together this inspiring Sade Australian tour mix for us for everyone still feeling the magic from last nights concert and the lucky ones like me who are going tonight.
Join us from 6pm this Sunday long weekend for drinks, cocktails and exotic tunes. If you haven’t seen Gotham yet – this bar is one of Sydney’s hidden gems on the lower part of Oxford St. Cool out to the sounds of groovin’ jazz, bossa n boogaloo favs and simmering afro and latin rhythms! FREE ENTRY ALL NIGHT. Weekly Sunday event.
Deep & Jazzy HOUSE music from French Jazz musican Ludovic Navarre, AKA St Germain. Such a prolific writer of great music the man seemed to have everything from deep house to blues to downbeat works.
Hot off the press our man local musician,producer & DJKatalyst put together this dope podcast.
This mixtape together as a prelude to my upcoming album – DEEP IMPRESSIONS out in September.Apart from a few sneaky edits (to highlight the moments used by some of the best producers to have turned on a sampler) the tunes are as they appear on the original wax. This series is dedicated to one of my musical inspirations and heroes The Left Rev Eugene McDaniel’s who passed away 29th July 2011. If your reading this and don’t know who the great man was…… do yourself a favour and get familiar! This is Part 1…. more in the series to follow so stay tuned…
Really diggin’ this Latin-Jazz & Funk mix JC of funkdafied sent our way as part of the up coming Blue Note Trip tour featuring the one and only Maestro playing an intimate Dj set at the Basement.
Funkdafied & Double Lucky are proud to present Blue Note Trip with DJ Maestro at the Basement on Friday 12th August. Hailing from Amsterdam, DJ Maestro is one of the leading Jazz DJs on the scene today and this will be a one-off show in Sydney at the home of jazz music. Martijn Bark
huis, a.k.a. DJ Maestro is the only DJ to work with Blue Note and has mixed and compiled 9 albums under the name Blue Note Trip – compilations with material from the archives of the legendary jazz label.
The prestigious record label Blue Note has become the home for jazz heroes like Art Blakey, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock and Eric Dolphy, the label became famous for its inspired, high quality jazz recordings. Following a busy schedule of European festivals and tour dates and on the back of releasing Blue Note Trip Vol 9 we look forward to DJ Maestro performing for an Australian audience. With his own record label (Dig This!), being program director of the Swingin’ Groningen festival and the Jazz at the Lake festival, DJ at VPRO/Radio 6 and
founder of the Dutch station Radio Jazz, Maestro has a big hold on everything that has to do with Funk, Latin and Jazz in the Netherlands as well as a high profile world wide through the Delicious Jazz series, (Verve) and the platinum selling Blue Note Trip Series……
Expect a mix of traditional jazz with a blend of funk, soul and latin, up-tempo and lounge as well as forgotten treasures from the archives …
Joining DJ Maestro on the night we will have the following DJs/Acts: Trevor Parkee, (2SER Radio),and Omegaman Sound System, with some special guest musicians TBA. This will be a night of quality music,
DEPARTURE LOUNGE RADIO WITH EL CHINO & JUZZLIKEDAT
Special Guest 
His record deal enabled Maestro to work with a bunch of talented musicians he often performs with: renowned saxophone player Benjamin Herman, flute player Magnus Lindgren (who also worked with Koop), Zuco 103-singer Lilian Vieira, Carl Young (bass player in 
Special Guest 
Links: (
Deep & Jazzy 
