Suite903 DJ: DJ Spinna
Suite903: No.5 (Part 1)
DJ Spinna is something of an anomaly in music. A humbling example of what it takes to truly succeed within the framework of multiple fields. A steadfast work ethic, an obsessively extensive vinyl library and the willingness to pursue the full extents of his roots (Funk, Soul and Jazz), foundation (Hip-Hop) and future (Electronic/Dance music) with no restraints. A cornerstone of Hip-Hop’s late 90’s indie-uprise, DJ Spinna made much of his first impression on listeners as the musical background of his group The Jigmastas. Turning heads throughout the industry, Spinna’s sonics soon infiltrated numerous genres. Tapped by everyone from Mary J. Blige to Motown Records (for his brilliant Michael Jackson homage to “We’re Almost There”). It’s here his production presence would flourish greatly, as Spinna would go on to revive and revise Soulful marvels like Donald Byrd, Eddie Kendricks, Betty Carter, Roy Ayers and Al Jarreau. With so much studio work, it’s a marvel Spinna travels as much as he does. The constant, globe-trotting performances he’s become equally famed for have brought the DJ as far as Iceland, Australia, and South Africa as well as countless jaunts through England, Europe and the U.S. Not to forget, his hugely successful tours of Japan, where Spinna is held in the highest regard throughout the country for his craft in music. Its true that there are other likeminded DJ/Producers in the world comparable to DJ Spinna, but for the most part, they choose a genre and master it. Ask them to flip another variety with the same intense knowledge and sleek-savvy and you’ll be hard pressed to find someone that’ll do it to Spinna’s extent.
Listen: Suite903: No.5 (Part 1)
Suite903 DJ: Qool DJ Marv
Suite903: No. 4
There is a method to his magic in the way Qool DJ Marv presents and plays music. He tunes into the atmosphere of the venue and the energy of the people, and then he blends what he sees with what he hears. Intertwining many styles for many faces from many places, Qool DJ Marv captivates you with his blend. The effortless flow & continuously ascending momentum of his wide ranging sets is inviting, hypnotic, & breathtaking. Qool DJ Marv crafts an unforgettable feel good get down party where everyone in the room will hear something that they enjoy. It’s as if he knew you were coming.
An inventive pioneer, Qool DJ Marv deliberately defies categorization to great effect. An evening of Qool DJ Marv may include mind boggling array of selections spanning many eras and decades of music including Rhythm & Blues, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Latin, House, Jazz, Funk, Rock and Soul classics, and Eclectic beats from around the world.
It’s Qool DJ Marv’s laid-back demeanor and the playfully enchanting smile that you 1st notice. He’s genuinely pleased to meet you and despite his even keel, he’s bubbling at the thought of what he has in store for your listening, dancing, and celebratory pleasure. There’s an exuberant idealism in Marv’s appealing mix that bridges us all – with a universal vibe, everybody gets down.
Listen: Suite903: No.4
Jaspects, “Unifunk”
This is some next level of Parliament, the wish fulfillment of George Clinton’s funky space futurism. And apparently all that needed to happen to realize the dream was techno music? Jaspects are jazz-trained Morehouse grads from Atlanta and know the difference between a synthy keyboard as an instrument and a synthy keyboard as a LAUNCHING PAD INTO THE GALAXY. Vocodor always sounds hot over a skillful bassline, but this track totally glistens, with a vehement pro-funk manifesto at the end: “Everybody rise up and say I AM FUNKAAAY!” Nobody’s not gonna do that.
Download: Jaspects, “Unifunk”
Dam-Funk, “Toeachizown”
This fall, Stonesthrow DJ/writer/producer/Los Angeles funkdafier Dam-Funk is releasing the first edition of a five-volume album pack. It’s entitled Toeachizown, has a single of the same name, is definitely keeping it funky. Using his eclectic mix of vintage synths and drum machines, D-F calls his own beats “modern-funk,” which is fairly accurate considering it makes us feel like like twisting our hair like George Clinton and, to be honest, lighting something up. Along with his upcoming opus, he’s also embarking on a giant tour across the States and Europe. Download the track below and check his live dates after the jump.
Download: Dam-Funk, “Toeachizown”
Suite903 DJ: Rich Medina
Suite903: No. 1
Listen: Suite903 No.1: Rich Medina
Choice defines the man. Rich Medina has made a life based on one choice that has transformed the listening experience of millions. DJ Rich Medina lives, breathes, and revels in sharing the type of music that make a listener remember his soul. It is this awareness of soul that brings listeners back time and again to hear Rich spin: heads nod, bodies sway, emotions expand and coalesce. DJ Rich Medina uses the decks to guide his people away from the ordinary and into the realm of their imaginations. His intelligent blends bridge unexpected song selections that build a collective consciousness of intoxication. Without even realizing it, DJ Rich Medina lures you in and makes you forget who you were before the music began – Medina spins you into the now, into the moment, into the vital essence of who you are. Medina credits his family’s Baptist faith as the groundwork and source of his musical inclination and intuition. Music was always a form of celebration and rejoicing. The first time Medina heard Diana Ross’s 1976 hit “Love Hangover” in the family living room, he knew he wanted to be a DJ. When he’s writing music, whether in collaboration with other musicians or a personal project, Medina always aims to inject a universal notion of the need for change. Rich Medina holds DJ residencies at prominent venues throughout the country. Most notably he is a defining DJ at his “Little Ricky’s Rib Shack” parties at APT in New York City. Every Wednesday night Rich draws a crowd that waits patiently in line to experience the Medina funk flow, and for the last decade Medina has been a fixture on the Philly nightlife scene. Saturday nights on a bi-weekly basis, DJ Rich Medina is host of Jump N Funk at the prestigious Martinez Gallery. It is through such residencies that DJ Rich Medina is able to cultivate his audience and hone his craft. Always evolving as an artist, DJ Rich Medina transitions into the role of pre-eminent spoken word artist at clubs the world over. Rich writes words that convey messages of change and agency, self-determination and hope, and he is also the embodiment of those very same qualities and emotions. DJ Rich Medina, renaissance man, articulate performer and a down and dirty DJ who can go head to head with the best, is an artist who will transform the average experience of any club or venue and give his audience a night of music and words to remember.
Listen: Rich Medina, “Blues Baby”
Listen: Rich Medina, “Weight”
Suite903 DJ: Ge-ology
Suite903: No.15
Back in the late 80’s under the name “DJ Plainterror”, GE-OLOGY was once the DJ/producer of a four member group “Born Busy” including high school friend, the legendary Tupac Shakur “MC New York”… uniquely cementing him historically as the only producer privileged to record Pac’s very first and earliest recordings. And in the early 90’s he co-founded the infamous “Dooable Arts” with Matt Reid aka “Matt Doo”, through which he first made his mark. Since then he’s become synonymously known for album cover art, T-shirt graphics, magazine illustrations and collaborative mural paintings with his fellow Barnstormers crew (a famed artist collective created by Davd Ellis aka SKWERM), as much as he’s known for producing tracks with the likes of Mos Def, Vinia Mojica, Talib Kweli, Sadat X, Pharoahe Monch, Jem, Mystic or his remixes for Pete Rock & Grand Agent. Boasting international acclaim, one of his most recognized paintings is the Rawkus classic “Body Rock” cover featuring Mos Def, Q-Tip and Tash from Tha Alkaholiks (featured in Andrew Emery’s “The Book of Hip Hop Cover Art” and listed at #3 in “EgoTrip’s Book of Rap List” 25 Great EP, 12″ & CD Single Covers section).
But to truly understand GE-OLOGY, one must not underestimate his influence, depth and versatility. Embracing the sacred principles and wisdom of great masters yet challenging convention with youthful rebellion, GE-OLOGY’s instinctual balance is somewhat of an anomaly in today’s clone driven mass-produced digitized society. His recognizable identity through sound, vision and consistency hasn’t gone unnoticed, thus resulting in a steady stream of exposure in numerous magazines such as XLR8R, The Fader, Frank 151, Style and Urb; cable network staple MTV News “You Hear It First”; and creative involvement in projects with international corporate giants such as Sweden’s Hennes & Mauritz (H&M stores) and the prestigious French cognac maker Hennessy. Though creatively venturing from the street level to infiltrating the creative commercial world, GE-OLOGY has never wavered from keeping his craft responsibly honest to the delight of longtime supporters… always maintaining his creative integrity. As evident in the barrage of fan mail from his international core audience, GE-OLOGY continues to open eyes… and this is only the beginning.
Ge-Ology Myspace
Download: Ge-Ology feat. Yukimi Nagano, “Blues Alley”
Download: Ge-Ology feat. Mos Def, “Superstar”
