Listen: The Roots - Undun

The Roots never cease to amaze me. This has to be one of the freshest albums I've heard in a long time. I usually wouldn't say that something is classic before its time but I think this will be an album that I'll look back on 10 years from now. Although I've heard many critics who are disenchanted with them not being "hiphop" enough. Their new album "Undun" might bring about more of that same sentiment because of the soulful hooks from known and not-so-well-known artists. The album also ends with 4 instrumental tracks, which is atypical for any "hiphop" album. I listened to the album without knowledge of the concept of it until reading a couple reviews and coming across the short film below. I could tell their was some underlying thread throughout the album but reading more about really helped me overstand it all. The story is about the life of a fictional character, Redford Stephens, who you will see is not so "fictional".

 "undun is an existential re-telling of the short life of one Redford Stephens (1974-1999). Through the use of emotives and Redford’s internal dialogues the album seeks to illustrate the intersection of free will and prescribed destiny as it plays out ‘on the corner’. Utilizing a reverse narrative arc, the album begins as the listener finds Redford disoriented–postmortem–and attempting to make sense of his former life. As he moves through its pivotal moments he begins to deconstruct all that has led to his (and our own) coming undun."

The album plays seamlessly is solid from beginning to end. My favorite tracks are The Other Side, Lighthouse, Tip the Scale and Stomp.


The Roots - UNDUN from The Ghettonerd Company, LLC on Vimeo.

Top 5 Places to Eat

1. Champa Garden

Located in the neighborhood on the corner of 8th Ave in Oakland, this spot has delicious and affordable Lao and Thai food. The Champa Sampler is one of my favorites and includes Lao Sausages, Fried Rice Ball Salad, and Fried Spring Rolls. The catfish dish, I think #51 is also a typical favorite of mines. Interestingly the chicken pho there is actually pretty good too. Wash it all down with a BeerLao. It's always for $2.

2. Cactus

Located in the affluent Rockridge area of Oakland, this is a spot most "regular" people might not even think about going to unless you live in that neighborhood. The first time I came here I thought the food would be overpriced considering the clientele it was serving but it's actually pretty affordable and good, my 2 favorite things about any restaurant! The crispy tacos are the bizness! There's always a daily special that can be hit-or-miss depending on what you're craving but its worth trying if you're indecisive. The salsa is also crackin'. The tomatilla and the one with pineapple are top choice. The daily agua fresca flavors are always bomb and you can end your meal with a savory alfajor cookie.

3. Koryo Sushi

Located in the Temescal neighborhood, this spot is place to go if you're in the mood for some sushi. They also have sister restaurants called Drunken Fish and Miyozen but this location is best. Its fairly small and intimate. I think they have a happy hour or early dinner special. My favorite thing is something that my partner and I found out when we saw the chef serve one day, its called sashimi salad. I think it's on the menu but it's easy to overlook. 

4. Ao Sen

This is my favorite spot after a Saturday morning run around Lake Merrit. Although the Pho here is pretty good, the best dishes to get are the broken rice plates with shrimp and/or pork. I don't think many places do their rice up this way. 

5. Cafe Colluci

Not too far from the Oakland/Berkeley border is a nice little Ethopian spot. I can't say I know too much about Ethipian food but almost everything I've tried here is good. Just pick according to the veggies and meats you like. The waitress/waiter can also advise you on what to get if you're stumped. They have these things called "Denitch Tibs", that look like lightly fried potato chips. Sambussas are also good starters. 

Why the Best Kids Books Are Written in Blood

Another powerful article by Sherman Alexie

Sherman Alexie on Colbert Report

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

Interesting to hear Sherman Alexie's commentary on why he doesn't want any of his books to be electronic. I purchased a Kindle recently w/ not necessarily the intent on buying/reading ebooks but rather for reading my grad school articles because I found that you could read PDF's on 'em. I realized that trying to carry a bunch of articles or rather having to print them all was a hassle and an even bigger hassle to try and read/flip through 'em on a packed bart/muni. I decided that the Kindle would save me the trouble of printing articles, that I honestly might not ever read again. Hearing Sherman Alexie talk about the local appreciation of reading and the tangible qualities of a book reminded why I didn't ever want a Kindle. I think the argument is similar to how I feel about Serato/digital DJing. Technology will always be a double edge sword and we need to be careful how we use it.

Clean Program Detox Recap

So I've been on this Clean Program for the last couple weeks. If you don't know what that is you can peep out this video for a short intro:

 

The idea comes from Dr. Alejandro Junger's book (above). Basically you have 2 liquid meals per day (usually for breakfast and dinner) and one solid meal (usually for lunch). The main rule of thumb is to stay away from the forbidden list which includes: dairy, soy, breads, red meat, alcohol, caffeine, and basically any processed foods. My goal was to be on it for 14 days. On the last day, I kinda punked out for dinner time and had a solid meal because some roast chicken was hard to resist.

Here are some highlights/quotes from what I have learned:

1. "Older traditions of health care are based on the idea that when conditions in the mind shift, so do conditions in the body. Harmony in the body is greatly dependent on balance in the mind." (p. 178) -- Can't have a healthy body w/o a healthy mind...and vice versa.
2. "The anxiety people feel concerning hunger can scare them away from even starting a detoxification program. The real battle is usually with the mind and emotions. The body can go for days without food if needed; it adjusts itself quite easily to changes in intake." (p.186) -- It doesn't take a lot to be "full". Most Americans overeat. Sometimes we eat, just out of boredom or to move our jaw.
3. "Leave a twelve-hour window between the last meal of one day and the first meal of the next." (p. 188) -- After dinner, you shouldn't be eating anything else until morning. It was tough to try and eat dinner at 7pm or earlier because of my schedule but I stuck to the no snacking/food after dinner.

I realize that it was actually easier than I thought. The hardest part wasn't staying away from red meat, sweets, or dairy. It was preparing your meals ahead of time, which requires a high level of organization. Overall, I enjoyed the simplicity of the diet and the liquid meals, especially for breakfast. Although I will be going back to my regular diet, I know that keeping it simple and fresh is the way to go. HEALTH IS WEALTH!!! Be HEALTHY!!!

30s the new 20!?!?!?!?!

Although I can't honestly say that I relate to all the content of this song, nor would I want to compare my "worth" to Jay Z but I can relate to its central theme: maturity. As I turn 30 today, the song helps me reflect on what it's meant for me to grow and mature. I remember all the dumb sh&* I did as a youngsta. I remember how ignorant and unrefined some of my thoughts and actions were. I remember how invincible I felt. Remembering and not doing anything to correct your wrongs is immaturity at its finest. Aging is one thing but aging without growth is futile. I still see "grown" folx still acting the fool and still holding the same views they had as a teenager. What's worst is seeing them pass on these values to children. I hope I remain conscious of my faults so that I don't replicate the same mistakes. Growth without wisdom is not growth at all. I refuse to be stagnant and will keep it movin' forward...w/ vigor, wisdom, and creativity! Please keep me to my word!!!

DEVIL'S PIE SF | THURS 1.28.10

DEVIL'S PIE | SF
...soul by the slice...

1.28.10

FREE 4th Thursdays Soul Party!


w/ RESIDENT DJs:
un.d.fine
(http://soulnice.blogspot.com/)

Wonway
(http://www.myspace.com/thinkbeatradio)

& HOST:
Do D.A.T
(http://www.myspace.com/thinkbeatradio)

FREE
21+
10:30-1:30

Namu Bar
439 Balboa St.
San Francisco, CA

RSVP ON FACEBOOK

GOLDEN | SAT 1.16.10

Golden Soundscapes presents...

GOLDEN
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Every 3rd Saturday
hip hop, soul, reggae, classics



Golden Residents

DJ ZITA (B.A.S.S.)
DMADNESS (Knowmadic DJs)



Special Guest DJs

OWLBOOGIE (Action Figures)
DJ UN.D.FINE (Devil's Pie)

:::::::::NO COVER:::::::::

Common feat Musinah

Came across this randomly...don't know where its from but looks like its a bonus track

NEITHERWORLD RADIO PODCASTS

Been a minute since I updated. Here's a couple of podcast mixes that I did for the homies at NEITHERWORLD RADIO. My man MEGA7981 maintains the blog and serves as the homebase for producing the show. They regularly record on Tuesday and up everything on Wednesday.

"COME RIDE MY SPACESHIP" MIX

"DRIFTIN' THRU SPACE" MIX

Sorry I couldn't get the embed code to work...but check out the other mixes while you're at it!

DEVIL'S PIE | HOLLADAZE EDITION | THURS 12.17.09

Greetings All,

Don't think we've forgot. I know we missed each other last month so lets "make this a night to remember" like Shalamar. Come through in your flyest outfit, winners will get a special gift!!!

DEVIL'S PIE SF 
...soul by the slice...
THURS. 12.17.09
HOLIDAY SOUL EDITION

with resident DJs:
Wonway and un.d.fine

Hosted by:
Do D.A.T

10:30pm-2am
FREE!!!

NAMU BAR 

439 Balboa St (5th & 6th ave.) SF
www.namubar.com

FAT FREDDY’S DROP – THE RAFT

Woo! My partner took me to go see Fat Freddy’s Drop live this past Thursday and these cats can get down!!! Although it was annoying having to wait for the opener to finish their set and get off stage amidst a bunch of weirdo white people who kept hollering, screaming, and prancing around like pogo sticks for no reason, it was worth the wait. The only other thing that annoyed the ish outta me was this obnoxious woman behind me that kept humming, or I should say, making noise as if she was the horn section. Shut up and let the band play!!! Anyways here’s one of my fav tracks of the night in its pristine clarity.




My favorite part: “Though my people may not be many, we are ready for the storm to come…”

MOVING BACK TO BLOGSPOT

Looks like I'm gonna come back to blogspot. Although I like the wordpress layouts better, blogspot is much more simpler and allows me to link certain things that I can't on wordpress. And the other thing that sucks is...I'm not able to export my wordpress blog back to blogspot. It worked the other way around. Sucks but we'll figure it out!

MOVED...

I moved my blog so peep http://soulnice.wordpress.com for the latest

Who's the masta!?!?!?

Another post back to back! I must be bored!

This clip brings back old memories. I actually found the vinyl a few years ago at a record show. Now, to the clip...LONG LIVE BRUCE LEE!!!



Let's not forget, THE GLOW!!! Look at those special effects!!!!


And here's one to grow on... Same artist, different year...

M.I.A!!!

Dayam!!! If I had any readers at all, I probably lost them. You probably clicked over here once and thought "ok" he got some interesting stuff up. And when you clicked over again, you thought "shit, this lazy fool doesn't update for shieeeeeeeeet!" I will try to do a better job of updates (don't hold me to it though). Initially, I just wanted to post music but I will expand it. No need for static. If you are out there reading, hit me back with a comment or two so that I'm not blogging for ghosts! I'd like to know that someone out there is actually reading this. So here's a treat for checkin' in witcha boy!

A leaked joint from Big Boi of Outkast feat. his partner Andre and Raekwon "The Chef". Ah, sounds like some good ole 90's rap but made in 2008.

REMEMBER: "Its ezier to run the streets than walk in the sand". -Andre 3000

JB Tribute UPDATE!!!

Once again, if u missed out on my James Brown Tribute set, u can still catch it via FREE LIVE MIXTAPE!!! This is an updated link with all the files in 1 zip that includes cover art...if u want tah pop it into ur itunes!!!
Just to give y'all a lil' context, Dominoes poppin' off, kung fu flicks playin' on da screen, and some Taurus b-days in the place. Hosted by Do DAT and DJ Phatrick.

DOWNLOAD ME!!!

Here's the cover art...good lookin' Phatrick!!!

JB Tribute

Back up in this blog-o-sphere! Check out the special James Brown tribute set I did @ Devil's Pie last Thursday!

Dowload both parts and unzip!!!

Download Part 1!

Download Part 2!

Kaygee Samples V2

KAYGEE
The Samples

Volume two

Milk Crate Breaks 2007



Here are the tracks included for volume two

Kurtis Blow
christmas rappin
(used for Next's too close)

Willie Hutch
I choose you
(used for Jaheim's The Chosen one)

Lowrell
Mellow mellow right on
(used for Zhane's so badd)

Lafayette afro rock band
Hihache
(Used for Naughty by nature's everything's gonna be alright)

Les McAnn
Morning song
(Used for naughty by nature's dirt all by my lonely)

The Delfonics
Trying to make a fool of me
(used for Urban mystic's My block)

Gwen Guthrie
Seventh heaven
(used for Faith Evan's Goodlife)

Vicki Anderson
Land of milk & honey
(used for Naughty By Natures poor man's poetry)

Melvin Bliss
Synthetic subsitution
(used for naughty by nature's O.P.P)

Oliver Cheatham
Get down saturday night
(used for Ideal's Whatever)

Billy Davis & Marilyn McCoo
Nothing can stop me
(used for Jaheim's could it be)

The Fantastic four
Alvin stone (the birth & death of a gangster)
(used for jaheim's diamond in da ruff)

Sylvia Striplin
You can't turn me away
(used for naughty by nature's hip hop hurray)

The Crusaders
message from the inner city
(used for queen latifah's U.N.I.T.Y)

Toto
Waiting for your Love
(used for shade sheist's where i wanna be)

GET IT!!!

Kaygee Samples V1

So the new year has came in this Roman New Year and I haven't posted anything. But here's a lil' sumthin' that you crate diggers might enjoy. I'm reposting this from another great site called Milk Crate Breaks, who is the person that compiled this.

KAYGEE
The Samples

Volume one

Milk Crate Breaks 2007

Super Producer Kaygee the DJ/Producer from Hip Hop Royalty Naughty By nature,
started his hit trail with multi platinum albums by Naughty by nature but moved into
his own brand of Soul r&b back in the early 90's
(before the style was later coined Neo Soul)
with his first signing to Naughty's Ill town records imprint
The Jazzy & Soulful Female Duo Zhane (who released 2 platinum albums)

He then started Divine Mill records (after departing from Naughty by nature)
and hit the world with the #1 & platinum plus acts Next, Jaheim & Koffee Brown
which made him a force in the R&B world.

all the time handling production for artists like
Michael Jackson, Queen Latifah, Aaliyah, Eazy E, Luther vandross,
Shade sheist, Faith, Notorious B.I.G, Charlie Wilson, Syleena Johnson
and even Pop teeny boppers Brooke Hogan & Stacie Orrico

his wide range of styles and low profile have kept him
on the billboard charts year after year since the early 90's
release of naughty's first album

i don't think theres a more consistent producer around,
so I decided to compile some of the samples he has used over the years,


here are the tracks included in Volume one


Alicia Meyers
If you play your cards right
(used for Next's Imagine that)

Michael Wycoff
Looking up to you
(used for Zhane's hey mr DJ)

Ashford & Simpson
It seems to hang on
(used for Zhane's request line)

Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
wake up everybody
(Used for Jaheim's Fabulous)

Boney M
No woman no cry
(Used for naughty by nature's everything's gonna be alright)

Eddy Grant
Time warp
(used for Jaheim's like a DJ)

The Five Stairsteps
Don't change your love
(used for naughty by nature's hip hop Hurray)

Herb Alpert
Rotation
(used for Koffee Brown's Weekend thing)

The Isley Brothers
Make me say it again girl
(used for naughty by nature's hip hop hurray)

The Jackson 5
A.B.C
(used for Naughty by Nature's O.P.P)

The Meters
Find Yourself
(used for naughty by nature's feel me flow)

Original Concept
knowledge me
(used for Urban mystic's I got that)

Saint Tropez
Belle Du Jour
(used for next's next episode intro)

Tom Tom Club
genius of love
(used for jaheim's Just in case remix)

Ultra Magnetic MC's
Ego Trippin'
(used for Next's Jerk feat 50 cent)

GET IT!!!!