Anyone who keeps up with me on Facebook or reads my Blogs, knows how much I adore both Marcellus and Jamie 3:26. I truly believe they are craftsmen of this DJ game.. their execution and technical savvy how they lay the beats and blend the music is mastery at its finest!
The tune selection is mind blowing, very few know what to play and when to play it and make us like it.
Ya know, kinda like when you were a kid and ya moms would put ketchup on stuff to make you eat it! They know what to put on us to make us like "it"..., and last night they put some sho'nuff good music on "us"!
Them two Cat's went together like left Twix and right Twix just all kinds of chocolate and caramel goodness.. Watching Marcellus and Jamie play together was like watching a painter create a great work of art! Or watching an architect design. Or ... (and I might be stretching the limits here)... or like when the Lord created the Heavens and Earth. It was simply beautiful. It was quality music and tune selection. Impeccable style. They created a vibe that I'll just go ahead and equate to the garden of Eden. Pure, where love ruled supreme, even though serpents where in the grass. It was a creation of beauty, fine lines perfect blends, great story telling.. althought towards the end they stopped telling a story and just gave it to us! like in my Puffy voice they were like, " take dat take dat take dat" !! and we were like, "oohkaay"!
They kinda sorta tag teamed., and here is the real beauty lays. Marcellus and Jamie are so in tuned with the music and each other they played like they were one soul., four hands four eyes, and four ears became one. Them ninja were like the fucking Wonder Twins when they activated their powers!
Ok, so listen y'all know it's all intimate and stuff at Motor City Wine., well Dave goes and turns off the heat a few hours before the party even started.. and dude had to turn the air conditioner on and the patio door had to stay open.. THAT'S how hot them two brothers had it last night.
1st up was Marcellus, starting the night off right with some ol' cool funky vibes. I've always said, Cell is not a 2 dimensional DJ/Producer. Marcellus likes to play with sound as many DJs do, but to Marcellus sound is tangible it has a color he can see sound ( if that makes any sense) - and since he sees music differently from your average human he has the ability to be all over the place with his tunes and make them all fit together.. basically Marcellus can make purple, red, and orange work! ( blend that is)- he did a lil this and that, disco, deep house, a splash of some technoish type shit, some progressive..
Marcellus is solid, sure and steady. I watch those fingers caress the vinyl he was gentle with it. Make no mistake about it. Marcellus got some skills under them sheets. - I mean...I'm not fucking dude but whoever is, is a lucky chick.. When DJs touch their precious records it's like they are touching the most tender and sensitive spot on a woman. Its almost orgasmic to watch some DJs handle the tools of the trade.. but vinyl is best cause, I mean... its 12 inches!
Marcellus, that's the love reception, and respect you should and will get everytime you play at home. I know you said last night was the , "funnest night you have had"! It was so apparent that you and ya lil playmate Jamie had a good time. I'm just mad that I did not have a lil snack for yo.... oh wait!! yeah I did!!!- insider!
So while Marcellus was driving them crazy, me and my lil homie go to pick up the special guest.. Jamie3:26.. THAT man! When God breathed life into that man.. he did right by this Chicago native! Greatness was created. And then the Lord saw fit to place the most awesome grandmother in Jamie's life. It was she who saw to it that her grandbaby got what he needed to make his dreams a reality!
When I watch Jamie I think about the kinda childhood he had. He must have grown up around music. Uncles barbecuing, aunts lovingly cussing out kids and giving out loads of love and hugs. and all while this was goin on the music played, and James Watson became Jamie 3:26.
Jamie plays with so much fire and intensity you can't help but put out the same. Its, energy for energy give and give back! He gives nuclear fusion type heat! We were packed like a can of sardines - giggin our asses off! Each tune struck us like a lightening bolt! Electrifying our collective souls and feet!
Sweat dripping over those caramel shoulders and face, stroking the music. When Jamie gets behind the decks he is coming hard and fast but knows how to slow it down and give it to you hard with slow strokes... taking it out just a little and then once again getting back to those hard strokes..
So this is what happened last night. Marcellus, Jamie and the rest of the room had a musical orgy.
One of them making love with the music the other fucking us with the music, only those who were there know who was who! Truth be told they changed up so they each took a turn fucking and love making.
Each of us were hip rolling and slow strokin. Grinding on each other, and the mood and vibe in the room. It was the perfect venue for the intimate adventure.
It was pure fun to watch those two play as if one had invited the other over to his house just to kick it and and play some tunes. When I heard one of them tell the other, " go head" I knew we were about to get some serious shit. Something was going to transpire! Then Marcellus drops Chelsea Rodgers... ooooh baby that room lit up! They played with clean and clear precision. No flaws or defects. The fed each other and we got the nourishment we needed. That good Vitamin HM that the stuff that feeds ya soul!
It was up close and personal, it was family, it was good times, and great music, it was two men who have a love for the craft and sport of the game. Who's names will be forever remembered after we are all long forgotten.
The respect they have for each other is so evident and hopefully it will spill over to the hearts of each and everyone of us.
The music and the scene is soiled by over inflated egos and motherfuckers with deep seated insecurities. I can come in alone. Dance alone. Leave alone., but I'm never truly alone. I have the music and it has me. I have friends who believe in this thing of ours, and believe in me. I have both promoters and detractors. I don't feel the need to cuddle up to a DJ cause he has a penis and a pulse. I am enough, and do not need validation from anyone! I don't do this because I want kudos or accolades, although they are nice. and yeah, I would like to get paid. But right now I do it for the love of it! I'm not loud, obnoxious, I don't need to boast about what I'm doing.. All I need to do is write and
Let The Music Play
~P
...sorry folks the wine was plentiful and I had more than my fill so I don't remember the names of the songs. Sue me!
A few years back, Earl Mixxen McKinney had the notion to form a group of DJs who had mad skills behind the table. That group consisted of his life long best friend and Detroit legend Al Ester Jr., and a new kid out of Boston name Chris Habibian. Chris had come to Detroit seeking his fame and fortune and was introduced to the Detroit House community by every ones favorite Hi Energy fitness goddess Nancy Gavoor. ( y'all know them Armenians stick together) - insert big cheesy grin.
The very 1st time I heard Chris, I dubbed him the Boston Banger he calls himself KidBibs - personally...I like my moniker better, but I'm kinda bossy that way!
Anywho... Chris came to Detroit and blew us away with his DJ stylings he was a young Cat with Vet skills and he loved the wax, vinyl that is!
Both Earl and I saw something in the youngin and my guess is once Earl put thought to action Chris was on board from the get go., and he did not let the newly formed Sonic Natives down! But times changed and Chris sadly had to leave to go back to Bean town but with lemons you make lemonade right...? So with Chris we expanded our Sonic Native reach and brand!
How did yours truly become the only chick in the group AND I can not DJ to save my children's lives.. welp, I'll tell ya! Earl and I just clicked.. we bonded we became like brother and sister ( and with that came all the sibling arguments) two strong personalities he, being the Scorpio and me being the Aries and all.. But I know Earl had a vision and I was his ride or die. Right or wrong I rode with him to help his vision become a reality.
But enough about that, I've written about how we came to be.
I have to say, this Blog almost didn't happen! NEVER EVER tell me what I, "better" do! That is on no level cool or acceptable.. but calmer heads prevailed and I wrote it because "I"..ME..PJ wanted too! When you come to me, come correct or don't come at all!
Then... Magic happened! He came from the windy city, he served our country, he's like some kinda kungfu master, and he's a DJ!
Now, when Earl 1st ask/told me about adding Magic to the line up I wasn't sure if this would be a good look. I was not all that impressed with his playing...real talk, but Earl was, and Earl had been in the game far longer than I had and he knew what he was doing. I had to concede to the one who had the acumen, and that was Earl!- insert "side eye".. ol' micromanagin ass (but only I can say that)
Now, it's pretty well understood that if I do not talk or write about you I feel ( and this is just MY opinion) that you need to go back and work on your skills. So what I am about to say is strictly my opinion I could be dead ass wrong but... well let me just continue writing and we will see where this goes.
I saw Mel as new to the game even though he has been djing since before his time in the United States Army. But to me Mel was just trying to find his footing here in Detroit. He is a Chicago native and they play much different than we do. So I had to adjust and become accustomed to his style.
Welp!!! Let me tell ya, that dread locked DJ made a believer out of me last night! Now Ms. Iris ( who has been in the game a mighty long time and knows a thing or 3 about this music and DJ game.) Now SHE told me how Magic had showed his entire ass for her birthday back in February. I'd started hearing things. How Magic was coming with straight hard beats. Banging tracks, playing with all kinds of gusto!
When Magic plays he has all the right moves, but I was not a big fan of the tune selection... but again, I had to allow him to teach me. I can be stubborn sometimes ya know!
When DJ Magic hit the decks last night I knew everything Ms. Iris had told me was 100 % correct cause Mr. Magic took a hold to those tables and did not let them go until they begged him to! Magic had the room hyped and controlled them just like he controlled that mixer and fader ( look I like using DJ speak) allow me a little latitude here. Track after track after track was a heavy hitter. Well, ok... The Fleetwood Mac track didn't fit with where the vibe was going but that's just me!
Yes, Mr. Magic last night was your night. To me its like you came out of a shell and showed us who you REALLY are! I want you to KEEP playing just like that. Don't deviate, one iota You came, you saw, you conquered!
...and while the views and opinions expressed by me may not be the same as others. I can say this.. Melvin Tuck, DJ Magic, Trey's daddy... you were ER'BODIES daddy last night the way you whipped the hell outta us with your tunage and style.
At one point it was me and the Magic Man. I was deep into writing and he was deep into the beats. Together he was doing his thang and I was doing mine, we were in sync. Magic made me feel what no other dj had made me feel before. I now know what it feels like to be in the zone! I was writing and he was playing and boy oh boy was that man in the playing zone. I didn't need to see the keys I was typing I knew where they were just like a great DJ knows where all his/her buttons knobs and controllers are. For a moment Magic was controlling my words and actions with his heavy deep beats! Last night Melvin went home. Not to Chicago, he went back to the motherland. He took us all on birthday journey! He played for himself.. but the gift of his style was to us! The floor was all a glow with feet stomping to his skills. Wow Magic... simply wow! BLEW ME THE FUCK AWAY!!!!
Never a selfish man he allowed his brotheren to join in on the fun, but this ain't about them Mumford Mustangs! - its about that light skin Cat from Chicago! - you know.. the one with the dreads. The one who created Magic! Flossmore Homewood High school ya dig!
We hear you Mr. Magic, loud and very fucking clear! MOVEMENT is coming, Charivari is coming and there will be plenty of parties in between time and in the mean time. And as long as you play like you did last night!!! bay-BEE! you gonna be too hot to handle and too cold to hold!
And while I am no longer a Sonic Native, that group of rag tail DJs will always be MY boys, MY loves! We fight, we laugh, we love, hell sometimes we don't even speak! But each and everyone of the Sonic Natives are MY brothers, MY babies.. and I can talk about them.. but bet not nobody else say one word against them.. cause no matter what! Earl, Al, Chris, Melvin, Steve, and the newest member Big Rob Martinez Jr. will ALWAYS be my family and I will ALWAYS be their ride or die! - even when the do piss me off and I know I piss them off but, I'm the girl, the sister, that's my role in this thing of ours - (insert big cheesy grin) hey... that's family ya know!
I give credit where credit is due! To whom respect is given, respect is earned.. and Mel... to you all the credit and respect my brother...my friend! We hear dude... WE HEAR YOU!
Let the Music Play!!
~P
Now y'all KNOW good and damned well I'm all extra excited and stuff cause the spring and summer is about to be in full swing. Folks will be traveling up and down I94 to directions both east and west! People from across the oceans will be landing at DTW in May for that annual weekend of dancing and foolish musical shenanigans. Yes, the Mid west is going to be a hot bed of House and Techno this year.
With the climate as it is right now with so many people feeling. "some kinda way" it will be good to let go of all that pent up hostility, fear, and anger. Laying all of our cares on the dance floor or outside in the park, or in our car, or wherever you choose to groove!
Now more than ever its OUR time to show the world what UNITY REALLY looks like. We always come together like no other time when the music starts to feed our musical soul(s) and we can never get enough. We go past full and gorge ourselves on good vibes, new friendships and hot ass music! The word for this years summer festivities more than any other year is, POSITIVITY!! As always I have thoughts and you good people know me, I will share them with my House and Techno peeps.
1st and foremost, for those of you traveling from abroad,, WELCOME!! Rather its your 1st time here in the states or your back for a return visit. Welcome to our country never mind the idiot now running it, rest assured he will not be there, and here is where you come in, No matter where you go, no matter what country you're from lets greet and be greeted with warm hugs and smiles. Let's show the world what togetherness is! Share stories, take pictures of and with both new and old friends. Post them bitches all over the Internet! Show folks LOVE wins, NOT hate!!- OK, BRB gotta take an hour pause for the cause aka lunchtime ill be right back and we will continue the summer of, "Make love not hate global movement 2017"!
The one thing we all share is the love of the music we are so all inclusive with those we attract. For my family over seas.. Please don't let anything you hear on the news keep you away from our great Midwest region.
...ok, Im back
--now where was I? Oh yeah, the summer of LOVE!
MOVEMENT
Thank you Paxahau, you have made this festival one of the best in the world., and yes, I have had my issues with how things are done, but real talk... I don't run shit! I will ask that everyone treat Detroit's streets with respect keep it clean, keep it musically funky, keep it positive! In the past I would have concentrated on the after parties., but I am extremely happy that this year includes many many many local DJs. I mean they needed Theo and Marcellus on the bill, but again.. I'm not in the big office so I don't get to make the call.
...but y'all KNOW how I feel about my peeps so I am going to ask you, Paxahau ( and normally I don't "ask") - but I'm trying to get into heaven so I have softened my tone a bit. So,... again, I am asking that you PLEASE DO NOT PUT THE DETROIT DJS ON NO PUNK ASS STAGE WITH ZERO FLAIR AND LIGHTING! IN THE BACK FIELD WHERE YOU HAVE TO WALK A COUNTRY MILE TO SEE THEM!!! THEY DESERVE THE SAME QUALITY AND RESPECT AS ALL OTHER DJ'S PLAYING. Thank you!!!!! ( - insert smiley face)
Look for helluva sets by two (former) radio jocks who are two of the baddest boys to rock the 1's and 2's Earl Mixxin Mckinney and DJ Gary Chandler. Now I know these two personally.
The small one is a Scorpio and the larger one is a Capricorn.. they have egos so trust and believe when I say them boys are gonna wear you OUT... !!! That's just what they plan on doing!
This year you will have more of what I have heard over and over. People who DO come from(insert wherever) come to hear Detroit/Midwest/American DJs. Well this year you will have plenty of that. My guess is because, 1. I'm sure securing acts from over seas is extremely expensive. 2. People want to see more Detroit acts. and three- cause I wouldn't be me if I did not address this small elephant in the room. Y'all, (yall being Paxahau) got yaself some healthy competition with that Charivari Fest in August!
The after parties have started to be announced! MUST attend events. Dee Jones, Stomp the House at Truth Music cafe! Centrally located this is party always delivers!
MOTOR CITY WINE,
Plays host to anyone and everyone who is House and Techno. You don't want to miss an event plus, the wine is just so darn tastee! Look for The House Gallery Cat's day party always a crowd pleaser. and.. Mr. "where would we be without him" John Morales will be playing as well
M!X Bricktown will be functioning all weekend long. The new sound system is sure to make your ears happy.
There are two new spots in town. The Situation Room and Sicaro's Bar ( the djs playground) - nothing in the works... YET! but stay tuned they have some big plans on the horizon for MOVEMENT weekend!
Kai Alce's DEEP DETROIT 9
This is one of those, dance until your feet don't move event! Top notch line up and yet another MUST attend event! There is one thing above all others that I love about Deep Detroit. When the folks are there.. they are there to DANCE! The music is far from ordinary. It's so good to see so many diffent faces and here so many differnt languages and dialects. This party like Excusions brings the global village together on the dance floor.
Cordell Johnson's Excursions has been the most massive of all the after parties. Please see Facebook as I do not have a link! Marcellus Pittman (Unirhythm) and my friend and brother the Beast from the east DJ Masahiko Uchikawa aka Loftsoul. Along with DJ Taz (DET) never let's us down. I would like to see him play a little earlier in the evening please. When they touch the tables its magic all night long. Location change so please stay tuned for updates. This party above all others is the best yet! People dance from the time they get in until the time they leave and most dance their way out the door. Don't meet them there...BEAT them there!!!
..as more parties are announced I will keep ya posted!- hey, its what I do!!
CHOSEN FEW
BAY-BEE when I tell you, that is not a picnic, it's an experience.. that my friends is and understatement! The 1st time I went I was blown away so much love so much music so much barbecue! Now, I don't know the folks who run the event personally, but I like to think I do. Wayne Williams(my fav) Alan King(my fav) Terry Hunter(my fav), Mike Dunn(my fav), Jesse Saunders(my fav), Andre(my fav) and Tony Hatchett(my fav).. ( I feel like I might be forgetting someone) -any who! If you want to experience what it may have been like in the beginnings of House you DO NOT want to miss this 2 day event! They tear your behind out the frame with the music! Plus, its Chicago.. everybody loves The Chi!! 25 + years strong and... AND Its endorsed (so to speak) by the WORLDS President Barack Obama- he's a House Head ya know. Be ready to be loved on, ample space to dance once you enter the gates you are family, its just like the track Terry Hunter pinned. " We are one" I never miss this event!
Of course my pick of every event is my CHARIVARI DETROIT event. While new to the festival line ups It certainly is not new to the music. The goal is to showcase the Detroit and Midwest talent that is so loved around the globe. New site will be up and running soon but until then check out the link. The best of the best plays at this picnic and what's even better, they play a lot of Detroit music by Detroit musicians and thats what its all about, showing mad love to and for each other! New Heat from Dez Andres - straight fiyah baby!- yeah, Dez needs to be in that lineup as well as Marcellus and Theo!- but I'm bias so....yeah! Last year Eddie Fowlkes gave us ALL KINDS OF LIFE! as did Mike Huckaby, Norm and Terrence Parkers protege. I would expect more of the same this year.
.. and on a personal note., to said DJ/Producer(you know who you are!) I have been asking to complete the damn track, "if you don't have this track done and completed by the Charivari Picnic I am going to personally give you shaken DJ syndrome"
If you see me at the park shaken the hell out of said DJ you will know he did not finish the track, although to my untrained ear its ready right now!
I'm passionate about Charivari Detroit because.. thems my people! and while I can not say who will be dropping new heat, I can say there is a track that will be the hottest thing since the Sun. I would like to see some changes this year, and thankfully the powers that be would also like your input! So please voice your opinion, let your voice SHINE!
I would also like to see the likes of Glenn Underground, and Jamie 3:26 play at the picnic. No need for all the fancy smansy vendors, not right now. Im thinking scale it back just a tad and watch it grow from there. Plus I think its just cost effective.
and Team Charivari, look imma just put it out there. We want to barbeque! We are happy with the vendors and all., but real talk its a picnic! We want to pic-nic! that involves a grill and all the fixins. We will also need you to come down on the price of that water! - y'all know what I'm talkin bout! Kids are there and they are wasteful., ain't nobody got time or money to buy drink tickets only to have lil Jun-Jun waste that water trying to keep cool! Loosen up on them restrictions.
Thankfully someone schooled me on the insurance and stuff so I know one of the reason why but yeah, y'all gonna have to work som'in out!
More info on House in the Park ( Atlanta) at a later date. I just don't know enough about this event other than it on another level all together!
Keep in mind there will be a lot of up close and personal sets this year., keep your hands to yourself. lol what I mean by that is, if you are not a DJ, I don't care how close you are to the mixer DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS ON IT! They don't need your help!.. and ya might get ya hand slapped!! I know it feels good to ya but you keep your hands lifted in the air not on the fader or mixer! That really grinds my gears every time I see it!
Divinity will have your, Little Bit cards, inspirational sayings that we want you to spread around the globe. Please accept this as a part of making the world a better place. Just a little bit at a time!
This year more than any other, we should come together in the spirit of what this music is all about. Unity, Love, Togetherness!! and as always.....
Let the Music Play
~P
