Just about the only thing missing from SLF’s second annual Fourth of July Rooftop Bash was a view of the fireworks over the Hudson River (those pesky downtown Manhattan office buildings got in the way). But maybe that’s just another way to tell that this party was so off the hook that hardly anyone noticed- or cared.

Yes, for the second year in a row we threw a rooftop party so happening the only way it could end was by the boys in blue showing up to clear off the picturesque Brooklyn Heights rooftop late into the night. But that couldn’t put a damper on the evening either. With a gorgeous view of the sunset over Manhattan, SLF’s own DJ Trainwreck got things off to a rollicking start as people arrived with a set of rare grooves from all over the world (if I do say so myself!). The night progressed and the roof filled with the kind of diverse crowd that makes Planet Brooklyn the center of the universe- DJ ‘Lil Tiger kicked things into a higher gear with a set of raw funk and soul, our friend DJ Fndomntl rocked the decks with more funk, doped hip hop remixes and the People’s Champs rocked the roof with a live set of acoustic soul and funkified afrobeat. The drinks were flowing, the folks were mingling, the hot dogs were grilling….and our own legendary DJ Q-Mastah spun a set of old school reggae that would have torn the roof off if we weren’t all standing on it, airing a rare exclusive ‘Murderer’ dubplate for the coup de grace. The second People’s Champs set was probably what prompted New York’s finest to call it a night for us, but by then we were all grinning from ear to ear anyway and didn’t mind. Some of us scattered to bars on Atlantic for nightcaps, relishing a gathering that went better than we ever could have hoped.

Our next big bash will be on the Coney Island boardwalk in August, we’re working on a killer event so stay tuned….till then, see you at Moe’s every Wednesday for SoundLib, and Rose Live Music every last Saturday of the month for the Afro-Dub Sessions!

It’s been a busy few weeks here at the SLF. With both Joe Cuba CD release party and Soundlib last Wednesday, we were pretty hyped up about the Afro Dub Sessions. Without surprise, the party was a success with great music throughout the evening. We had a blast and it was good seeing many people come out to be part of it.

DJ Linh started the night with some massive tracks, seamlessly mixing dancehall classics with afro funk grooves. Super Hi Fi was banging as usual and we had the pleasure to have John Brown’s Body Sax player Drew Sayers sit in on some tracks and perform some insane solos. Emch, the session’s special guest, then came in and added a layer of dubby sound effects and melodica on top of the live band before starting his own DJ set.

For the next hour or so, he unleashed a diverse selection of classic dub, dubstep and dancehall bangers mixed in with some original Subatomic tracks including his trademark dubstep remix of Lee Perry’s “Blackboard Jungle” as well as a new dope remix of legendary U-roy. Halfway into his set, he was joined by vocalist Donny Yardas for an impromptu rub a dub session. By that time, the dance floor was packed and the entire place was getting down to some serious heavyweight music. Super Hi Fi then came back for a second set before Q Mastah and DJ Lil Tiger finished off the night in SLF fashion.

We’re pretty stoked that there are still clubs left in this city that support alternative music (especially on a Saturday night) so big up Rose Live Music for letting us do our thing and to everyone who came out and enjoyed themselves. See you all next month (3/27) for the next edition of the Afro Dub Sessions featuring special guest DJ DRM from Bastard Jazz Records alongside the usual resident SLF crew.

Thanks to everyone who came out last Saturday to Rose Live Music for the inaugural event of our new monthly Afro Dub Sessions party. We couldn’t have hoped for a better turnout especially considering the biting cold NYC winter that was in full force that night. More importantly, the vibe was great and the crowd seemed receptive to the unusual combination of dub music and afro sounds.

The night started out with our own DJ Linh, spinning some dope afro funk and old school dancehall to warm up the crowd before resident band Super Hi Fi performed their first set. With Ticklah manning the soundboard, they delivered a tight set of instrumental dub infused with funk, rock and afrobeat influences creating an irresistible groove which got the entire audience converging toward the dance floor.

Ticklah then came on the turntables, spinning  an all vynil set of rare afrobeat and dub classics. By that time, the venue was so packed it was hard to move around. Following his DJ set, super Hi Fi came back for a killer second set before SLF resident DJs Q-Mastah and Lil Tiger finished off the evening of great music with a blend of  heavyweight dub and afro grooves.

We all had a blast and we’re already working on making the next one even better. If you couldn’t make it to Rose last Saturday, make sure not to miss the next Afro Dub Session on Saturday February 27th with DJ Emch from Subatomic Sound System.  More info to come soon…

To start this new decade, we’re proud to announce the AFRO-DUB SESSIONS, a new monthly party taking place every last Saturday at Rose Live Music in Williamsburg.

Since you probably don’t want to hear our music nerd babbles about the concept behind the party, we’ll keep the academic  details for SLF staff meetings. All you need to know is that you should come witness a unique blend of live dub music and DJs showcasing the latest in Afrobeat, Afro Groove, Reggae, Dub, Dubstep and more. There’s no cover so you have no excuse for not coming through!

Each month, we’ll feature a special guest DJ in addition to resident live band Super Hi-Fi and the Sound Liberation DJ’s. For our launch party on January 30, we called on our good friend and quintessential afro-dub advocate  VICTOR “TICKLAH” AXELROD, to bless us with his many talents. If you’re not familiar with Ticklah, here’s a bit from his bio:

NYC based producer, keyboard virtuoso, and vintage Reggae wunderkind VICTOR AXELROD, aka TICKLAH, has been a continual and integral part of the NYC music scene for over a decade – as a performer, TICKLAH is a founding member of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Antibalas, the Easy Star All-Stars, and worked with Mark Ronson on both the Amy Winehouse and Daniel Merriweather albums. As a producer, TICKLAH was behind the boards for the Dub Side Of The Moon album (co-production, mixing), remixed Shaun Escoffery’s classic “Days Like This” (alongside DJ Spinna), produced 2001’s legendary Roots Combination album, and released his own critically acclaimed solo Ticklah Vs. Axelrod LP on NYC Reggae label Easy Star. The list goes on and on. … Victor is a man in very high demand from some very big players for his untouchable musical aesthetics, his intricate attention to detail, and a true understanding of our musical past.

Hope to see you all there! Here are some more details about the party:

==========

Sound Liberation Front + TheBRMG + buhbOmp presents:

[[ AFRO-DUB SESSIONS: Sounds of the Rhythm R(evolution) ]]

SATURDAY | 30 JAN 2010
(and every last Saturday of the month)
10p-4a | FREE | No dress code

@ Rose Live Music
345 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
- Between Marcy Ave. and Havemeyer St. in Williamsburg
- G/L train to Lorimer or the L to Bedford)
718.599.0069

featuring:

[[ TICKLAH aka VICTOR AXELROD ]]
( Easy Star Records, Antibalas )
+ facebook fan page | myspace.com/ticklah

w/ resident live Afro-Dub band:

[[ SUPER HI-FI ]]
( w/ members from Aphrodesia, Slavic Soul Party, The Superpowers and Blue Man Group )

and resident DJs:

[[ Q MASTAH ]]
( Sound Liberation Front, Music Nerd All-Stars )

[[ DJ LINH ]]
( Sound Liberation Front )

[[ DJ LIL TIGER ]]
( –=(] buhbOmp [)=–, Sound Liberation Front, touch&feel:radio, Music Nerd All-Stars, Soular Grooves )

more info:
+ facebook event page
+ going.com
+ eventful

maps:
+ google
+ hopstop
+ yahoo

SOUNDLIB is back! Sound Liberation Front is hosting another night of great music, soulful vibes and good times in Brooklyn at Fort Greene’s legendary Moe’s Bar. Come by for eclectic, soulful selections from the Music Nerd All-Stars that span the depths of soul (new and old), Hip-Hop, afrobeat, house, reggae and much more.

We won’t keep you out too late either: 9pm-1am. Perfect for unwinding after work, having a few beverages and listening to some good music with friends. …

==========

[[ SOUNDLIB ]]

presented by Sound Liberation Front + buhbOmp + The BRMG + Rappers I Know

WEDNESDAY | 13 JAN 2009

@ Moe’s
80 Lafayette Ave
Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY, 11217
718.797.9536

C to Lafayette Ave / G to Fulton St
Also within walking distance from the Atlantic Ave station (B-Q-2-3-4-5 trains)

featuring:

MUSIC NERD ALL-STARS: [[ DJ LIL TIGER + Q-MASTAH ]] :: NYC
( Sound Liberation Front, –=(] buhbOmp [)=–, touch&feel:radio, Soular Grooves )

9p-1a | FREE | No dress code

+ facebook event page
+ going.com event page
+ eventful event page

map:
+ google
+ hopstop

In the spirit of our SLF/MNC Spring Loft Party and our Music Nerd Club Fourth of July Rooftop Party from earlier this year, we’re hosting a new party called SoundLib featuring your favorite selectors, SLF’s own Music Nerd All-Stars (aka DJ Lil Tiger and Q Mastah).

We’ll be bringing good folks together for some drinks and quality music at the legendary Moe’s Bar on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17. More info forthcoming. For now, peep the info below and spread the word.

==========

[[ SOUNDLIB ]]

presented by Sound Liberation Front + buhbOmp + The BRMG

THURSDAY | 17 DEC 2009

@ Moe’s
80 Lafayette Ave
Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY, 11217
718.797.9536

C to Lafayette Ave / G to Fulton St
Also within walking distance from the Atlantic Ave station (B-Q-2-3-4-5 trains)

featuring:

MUSIC NERD ALL-STARS: [[ DJ LIL TIGER + Q-MASTAH ]] :: NYC
( Sound Liberation Front, –=(] buhbOmp [)=–, touch&feel:radio, Soular Grooves )

8p-1a | FREE | No dress code

+ facebook event page

map:
+ google
+ hopstop

For the reggae lovers among us, Sound Liberation Front’s DJ Lil Tiger will be throwing down vintage dub and reggae at Bastard Jazz’s acclaimed Dubwise Sessions this weekend in Brooklyn:

[[ DUBWISE SESSIONS 24 ]]

SATURDAY | 21 NOV 2009

@ Studio BPM
237 Kent Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211
between Grand and N. 1st

More info at buhbomp.com or on the facebook invite page:

The night will feature a performance by Senegalese afro-fusion reggae artist Meta and the Cornerstones, and tunes selected by DRM and DJ Lil Tiger:

When you first meet Meta, of Meta and the Cornerstones, he emits pure musical talent and a humble spirit in his 6.3ft slim frame. Then, when you meet the band members of the Cornerstones you realize that you are in the presence of a group that is about to change the dynamic of Reggae music forever.

Born in Senegal, West Africa, Meta Dia grew a deep love and true appreciation for all types of music. As a child, while listening to his mother play Gregory Isaacs and Bob Marley on the radio his appreciation for Reggae music was founded and the desire to be a musician. In Dakar, Senegal, Meta is known as a pioneer for the voice and culture of Hip Hop. He began performing on the streets and stages of Dakar at the age of 14. In the year 2000, Meta formed his first group, YALLA SUUREN (God Bless) and gained celebrity recognition by the media. YALLA SUUREN was nominated as the BEST HIP HOP/REGGAE group by the French Cultural Center in 2000.

Moving to the USA in 2002, he began to collaborate with artists such as Sean Blackman, hip hop pioneer Toni Blackman and many others. He formed the band Meta and the Cornerstones with some of the best musicians in New York City: Adrian Djoman(bass); Shahar Mintz (solo guitar); Ayo Kato (Keyboards) and Chris Eddleton (Drums), Daniel Serrato (Guitar) who brought their musical influences of the Caribbean, Africa, America, Asia and Middle East into the mix.

Meta’s powerful writing skills, his phenomenal singing voice takes you back to the roots of Reggae music as he infuses his songs with hip hop, rock, soul and African influences performing in English, French, Wolof and Fulani. Meta and the Cornerstones have gained great respect and recognition in the USA and internationally. In 2006 he made a roaring statement when he performed alongside Steel Pulse & Luciano at the 2006 Annual Reggae Salute. In 2007 he was personally invited by International Superstar and Senegalese born artist Youssou N’Dour, to perform at his Annual ‘African Ball’ concert at the Nokia Theater, NYC.

The afro-fusion reggae of The Cornerstones and Meta’s soulful, soaring voice creates a soul-pounding spiritual experience for the audience. Meta is creating something bigger than music, transcending oceans, borders, and languages. The power of what he is contributing is unifying and humbling. Meta and The Cornerstones have something big to offer whoever is listening.

Here’s some live footage of Meta in action: