Michael Larsen aka Eyedea Dead at 28

Sad to say that rapper Michael Larsen, who goes by the stage name of Eyedea passed away in his sleep Sunday morning. Larsen was 28 years old. First time I saw Eyedea perform was in my college dorm room watching the Blaze Battle in 2000 on HBO. He had a special performance through this tournament bracket single elimination format. At the time Ali Vegas was a heavy favorite and New York City native that had a lot of buzz in the underground. Eyedea won the battle between the two in the first round and Eyedea moved on to win the whole thing. He continued to perform and eventually teamed up with DJ Abilities to make the duo Eyea & Abilities. Prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends. R.I.P. Eyedea.

Clip from the Blaze Battle vs. R.K.


Eyedea and Abilities - Junk


Enjoy,
M.G.

Cage- Probably Causes Paranoia

Sound Familiar?


The LP version.


Enjoy,
M.G.

Bobbito Garcia's Álala Records

ÁLALA Records is Bobbito Garcia's new vinyl-only label, and third imprint in his 15 years of releasing forward thinking music on wax.

In 1997, the visionary DJ put out M.F. Doom's first album DOOMSDAY on his FONDLE'EM hip hop imprint. Later that year, FONDLE'EM was voted Best Indie Label (all genres) by URB Magazine.

From 2001 to 2003, Kool Bob Love expanded wonderfully to other genres with FRUITMEAT, licensing 7" and 12" releases from eventual Grammy Award winners The Spanish Harlem Orchestra. FRUITMEAT was also responsible for debuting Vinia Mojica as a solo artist with her "Guilt Junkie" single produced by Geology. The vocalist was reknowned for her work with De La Soul, Common, and Black Starr throughout the '90s.

In 2010, Bobbito returned to the vinyl market with Álala Records, distributed by FAT BEATS (www.fatbeats.com). Here's a list of the releases, with music ranging from Latin Funk (Yosaku), Neo-Soul (Mark de Clive-Lowe), Afro-beat/Hip Hop (Blitz), and Boricua Roots (Tato Torres y YERBABUENA)!

Yosaku feat. Bobbito "Malembe" 7"
http://fatbeats.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9311

Mark de Clive-Lowe presents Lady Alma/Rahel "I Can't Help It"/"Hope" 7"
http://fatbeats.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=976&products_id=9339

Blitz The Ambassador "Remembering The Future"/"Breathe" 7"
http://fatbeats.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9521

Tato Torres y YERBABUENA "Casita De Chema"/"Ser De Borinquen" 7"
http://fatbeats.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9586

Be on the lookout for future 7"s by Jesse Boykins III, Riri Garcia, Khethi (from South Africa), Coultrain, and Bobbito's own Álala live band project!
www.fatbeats.com

I wish Bobbito Garcia the best with this one!

Enjoy.
M.G.

Friday Feel Good Jam

Enjoy,
M.G.

Rob Swift

This is a badass pic of a badass DJ. I had the pleasure of seeing Rob Swift last year and I was not dissapointed. The former member of the x-ecutioners has been doing his thing over a decade and just showing some love today. I hope he comes back to Pittsburgh soon.





Enjoy,
M.G.

Friday Feel Good Jam

Enjoy
M.G.