Ex-Washington Post journalist and now full-time deejay Rhome “DJ Stylus” Anderson refers to the party as “a mix of ‘lazer boogie,’ ‘Jheri curl funk’ and ‘champagne soul.’” It’s a celebration of the storm of post-disco crossover R & B, Detroit techno and the Minneapolis sound’s early 80s takeover. Kevin Saunderson, Juan Atkins and Derrick May’s down tempo electro funk was a staple of so many pop radio crossover hits of the era. Furthermore, you can’t tell the story of the 80s without Teena Marie, Prince, Morris Day, Jimmy Jam or Terry Lewis. Stylus continues, “I was hanging out one day with (fellow Axel F resident deejays) Jahsonic and Adrian Loving, and we realized that there were so many classic R & B jams that nobody really played out anymore. We wanted to change that, and for the past year I think we have.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Saturday night’s first anniversary event filled Liv, a classed up juke joint on the famous corner of 11th and U Streets, NW, to extreme capacity. The highlight wasn’t the just the music, but the appearance of something more. Sexual Chocolate. No, Randy Watson (and his powder blue tuxedo) weren’t exhumed from our collective memories of classic Eddie Murphy film Coming to America. However, an all-star band dressed in 80s themed costumes and tore the house down. Grammy-award winning member of the Foreign Exchange Soundsystem Phonte did don the iconic Jheri curl wig and play alongside indie soul favorite Zo! on keyboards, vocalists Deborah Bond, N’Digo Rose (shirtless while wearing a double-breasted blazer) and Nea Posey, guitarist Zach Cutler and a plethora more. Contemplating the amazing sight of a live band playing The Deele’s “Shoot ‘Em Up Movies”or hearing a cover of Cherelle and Alexander O’Neal’s “Saturday Love” and think “they don’t make em like this anymore?” Saturday night was JUST for you.

Standing in a dark corner, it was impossible to not want to boogie into the middle of the dance floor on time to the bassline of Stevie Wonder’s “Do I Do.” Janet Jackson’s “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” A gigantic hit for any era. Slowing things down for Keith Sweat? Still the ultimate romantic cure for seeing a cutie in a side-ponytail, headband and legwarmers from across the room. As if living and excelling in an amazing future isn’t enough, combining it with gems of an also beautiful past is arguably the ultimate party for the ultimate time.

New Tigallo Video, New Tigallo Video, New Tigallo Video –It’s so nice I had to say it more than twice.  Check out the official video for “Dance In The Reign”  from his Charity Starts at Home album. Directed by Kenneth Price

Click here to view the embedded video.

Last night Hip Hop looked down on some of her children proudly, as Phonte and 9^th Wonder joined forces on stage at the Black Cat. They were joined by underground royalty Rapsody, The Away Team, Median and HaLo. The show was everything that I want a live hip hop performance to be. Each artist held their own without a whole bunch of fluff. The show flowed extremely well. Once they got started it really didn’t stop. When one artist finished their set, they intro’d the next and on they came. The artists collectively represent a variety of lyrical styles. Throughout the style differentials however, they all gave the audience real hip hop. Not hip-pop, and not bull$#!t.

HaLo

HaLo was the first artist to come out. As he welcomed the crowd to the “Phonte – 9^th Wonder Experience” he got the crowd involved in a tri-faceted call and response: First, he gets the crowd to do the two step. As they’re two-steppin, he gets them to engage in a good old fashioned vocal call and response, and then gets them to wave their hands, all at once. I’ve been to a lot of shows. I’ve never seen anyone else do that. And you know what, it was a genius move. Quite honestly I’ve never seen that great a concentration of the crowd so engaged at the very beginning of the show…ever. In addition to the fact that he’s got a commanding presence- I mean, like I said, I’ve never seen anyone else do that. Points in my book. Instantly.

Median

Median is up next. Of all of the artists, I think that lyrically median may’ve been the nicest. I first got hipped to Median hanging out on the Foreign Exchange’s website. To top that off, dude had on a Ron Burgundy, Anchorman, T-shirt (Ron Burgundy is my idol on the low).   Fellow Justus League-ers  The Away Team also showed up and showed out last night at Black Cat. Made up of Rapper/Producer Khrysis and Sean Boog, the Away Team solicited and acquired the response from the crowd that marked the start of that high-energy vibe that real hip hop is famous for. Rapsody (who quite honestly I’d never heard of) was up next. The petite lady is undoubtedly making a name for herself through spittin real lyrics that stay true to the fact that she is a woman, without exploiting sexuality. It was a refreshing change from the standard female imagery that Hip Pop is breeding now. Her set also marked the moment that 9^th Wonder came on stage to take over the wheels.

The first thing 9^th did, when he took command of the one and the two was take the audience on a little walk throughout some of hip hops finest audible moments. Giving the crowd just snippets of some of hip hop’s most well known track soundbites from the likes of Mobb Deep, A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Dogg and Pete Rock & CL Smooth . 9^th Wonder interestingly, without any formal introduction or anything, got behind the turntables and without doing anything fancy or over the top made the audience focus on the DJ’s performance.

And then the moment everyone had been waiting for. Tigallo, comes out to the sound of the ‘Star Wars’ theme. “DC How the f**k y’all feel?”  he yells enthusiastically to the crowd.  Watching Phonte, I realized that one of his biggest strengths lies in his sheer ability to perform.  Lots of artists nowadays, a lot of hip hop acts in particular have no idea how to truly entertain a crowd.  No antics, no pyrotechnics, no shock factor type stunts, just pure entertainment. As he moved through cuts off his newly released LP ‘Charity Starts at Home’ like ‘Not Here Anymore’ and ‘Dance in the Reign’, Phontigallo’s stage show was sprinkled with everything from storytelling about why he doesn’t smoke weed after what happened years ago leaving the waffle house to impersonations of Martin Luther King Jr. and advice to all the young ‘dumb-muthaphukas’ (his words, not mine) in the audience.  Rocking with Median as hype man for a good part of his set, the two of them even traded freestyle rhymes over the others beat box rhythms. Such impromptu chemistry and high level comfort translates to the fans in the audience actually connecting with the artist, rather than simply enjoying the show. It makes you feel like you were truly a part of something. Not simply, in attendance.

Let’s also not ignore the historical value behind this collective touring effort of 9^th and Phonte. After the Little Brother fall out a couple of years ago, many Little Brother fans such as myself, mourned the loss of a force of purity that breathed fresh air into the stale deflated lungs of modern hip hop. Phonte says that this tour and the project (9^th did most of the production work on CSAH) happened as a step in his maturation process. “I had to grow up a little to do this project” Phonte tells the crowd during one of his narrative breaks.  For all the fans out there, you couldn’t have picked a better time to grow up, Phonte. Or a classier way to do it.

 (Charity Begins at Home) is that ‘what the fuck’ experience that a lot  of legendary artists have had. This is like Common’s Electric Circus, Marvin Gaye’s Here My Dear, Sly’s (Stone’s)  There’s a Riot Going On, Stevie’s (Wonder’s) Secret Life of Plants. I had to have that in order to develop.”  - Phonte

A hero to true school hip hop fans worldwide, when you ask Foreign Exchange Records stalwart Phonte about his most familiar status, he’s quick to shy from the spotlight. “I mean, it’s cool and all, but I just want to make creatively successful music. I mean, if people like it that much, that’s great, but to be called a “darling of the underground” or anything, that’s not my goal.” Phonte’s career arc is now the legacy being followed by an entire generation of young emcees. The Little Brother combination of him, 9th Wonder and Big Pooh was formulated in the dormitories of North Carolina Central University, but have had a far more impressive international impact. The mix of honest backpacker fare with soul stirring production was the foundation of the trio, and using the then nascent now ubiquitous internet to disseminate their gospel based in humility was then groundbreaking, but now is familiar. “We never had bigger or better tools than anybody else,” Phonte says. “We had great productions and content that made people believe in our message. I think people need to remember that, and also how to effectively market themselves to be successful.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Current album Charity Starts at Home is Phonte’s first solo work, a task that was arduous, and creates thoughtful reflection from the rapper. “It was really difficult at first to get myself in the solo mindset. Working with and collaborating with people makes the process a lot different, and adjusting to a new concept really helped me to grow not just as an artist, but as a man as well.” Cover art for the album features a For Sale sign tackily posted in a home’s front yard, a none-too subtle comment on the nature of hip hop’s crossover status. Aligning with fellow lyricisits like mixtape king du jour Big K.R.I.T. was a necessity to helping the veteran get his point across. Regarding the Mississippi native, Phonte effusively says, “Man, I have been downloading and banging his mixtapes for a minute now. I just was waiting for the right opportunity to work with him. I mean, there’s artists like Black Milk, who are like family to me, that I’ve NEVER worked with, so it was definitely a case where having someone like K.R.I.T. on this particular album made sense.”

Charity beginning at home was a key personal construct of the album as well. In recent years, the relationship between Phonte and his creative muse, super-producer 9th Wonder had become strained. Phonte was candid regarding the resolution of their issues. “I’m 99% sure this album would not have been completed if 9th and I couldn’t resolve our differences. But, we finally contacted each other, and realized that the music we could make together was bigger than any beef.” One-third of the current 12 song release features the classic soul trending sound, and lends the familiar feeling of authenticity at the  crux of the rap auteur’s top tier material.

Not in any way prepared to rest on his laurels, Phonte ends the interview with a revealing look ahead, and the type of drive required to be  lauded as a “darling of the underground.” “I just recorded with the Roots, and it felt like going back to school! Their level of perfection, how hard they work at crafting and creating that sound in the studio was amazing. I learned from that, and I learn from every experience I’ve ever had in hip hop. “

The Foreign Exchange came to Philly to shoot YahZarah’s “Why Dontcha Call Me No More”, off of her new album The Ballad of Purple Saint James. Although this is her 1st album on the FE label, she is no rookie on the singing circuit. YahZarah toured and sang back-up for Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun, collaborated with Phonte & Nicolay on FE projects and has 3 albums under her belt. The Ballad of Purple Saint James dropped 5/18 and is available on iTunes, Amazon and the FE music store.

Phonte, Nicolay and Aimee all came out to support and take part in YahZarah’s project. Philly’s own, Matt Koza, shot the video on different locations throughout the City. The 80′s vibe of the song was supported by an 80′s look for the video. Both were well executed and the video will be fresh & fly fo sho…here are some flics from the shoot.

Check out the full Flickr Photoset here and view the video (and more shots) below.

Download: Zo! Just Visiting Too

Zo! – Perfect Angel Feat Yahzarah

If you were at any of The Foreign Exchange’s live shows, you would recognize Silver Spring Maryland’s ZO! manning the keys on their breakout performance. We all know that Zo has been on his grind for a while, working with such acts as Kev Brown and Phonte (with that 80s project.)

But now it’s Zo’s time to shine. His mixtape, Just Visiting Too is downright amazing and reads like a who’s who of upcoming talent. From the first track, “Perfect Angel” with another DMV native Yahzarah to the last, the D Brock collabo, The Highways of My Life. The other track that will constantly be on repeat. As a producer Zo has crafted light and low key melodies, filled with light touches of piano, and fortunately does not overpower the talent on the mic. It’s a fitting introduction to this future producer and we will most certainly be hearing more from him in the future. (via SoulCulture UK)

(ok, the video is a little suspect, but whatever)

The track, “Rockin’ you Eternally,” has Leon Ware & Dwele leans towards 70s era soul, which is a no brainier since Ware collaborated Marvin Gaye, Minnie Ripperton, and The Jackson 5 back in the day. Again, solid production and amazing vocals make this song a masterpiece. This track is a Leon Ware cover. My bad, people.

Seriously, is there any better R&B/Soul track released this year? If you think so, let me know in the comments.

Foreign Exchange
Leave It All Behind

Netherlands producer Nicolay, and MC, Phonte one half of Little Brother have come together for their second Foreign Exchange effort entitled Leave it All Behind. With Nicolay moving to North Carolina where Phonte is from and still resides, one would think studio sessions as opposed to the Internet and file sharing that occurred while Nicolay was stationed in the Netherlands would be more frequent. Wrong, the combo figured if it worked, why fix it? As well, with our current economic state where gas is $4.00 per/gallon even though they’re in the same state, money is money.

Lyrically we were all privy to Phonte’s singing qualifications on the first FE album in addition to the sample we received on the first LB album the Listening, and in this day in age where Andre3000, Pharrell, and as of recent Kanye West have flirted with expanding their lyricism to carry a melodic tune this is one of the best experiments from the aforementioned group of artists. Phonte delivers real time stories that everyone has or will experience and can relate to, the disturbing reality is since the disappearing acts of D’Angelo and until recently Maxwell there hasn’t been act[s] besides the usual suspects that have written vivid experiences of life and love. You won’t hear Tigallo talking about buying a drink or getting someone is his ride but you will hear stories with a clear, distinct and fresh Nicolay sound that is in the same vein as the debut FE album. Since his solo efforts and producing for other artists Nicolay meshes perfectly with the North Carolinian and they sound as if they’ve done this before.

FE also reintroduces the world to Washington, DC’s own Muhsinah, who was heavily featured on the album, if you don’t know her, she was recently on tour with Common as a background artist and singer and she has her own EP entitled Daybreak and she proves to play the perfect supporting role on tracks like “House of Cards” and “Daykeeper.” Overall, Leave it All Behind is more than an experiment but a work that stretches the possibilities of good music and makes people forget about the purpose of genres.

Jazzanova feat. Phonte – “Look What You’re Doin’ To Me”

Phonte is putting his singing skills to work…first with Zo! and his 80s joint, then with the excellent new Foreign Exchange album, and now with a new track from German beatmakers Jazzanova, which highlights his finest vocal work to date.

The track is featured on Jazzanova’s latest album Of All Things, which combines beatmaking with live recording and also features Dwele and Jose James. Of All things drops next week.

myspace.com/jazzanovask

(via SoulBounce)

I’ve been listening to this album sampler for a day now and I’m hooked. I will leave my final judgements for when the official copy slides my way, but so far, Leave It All Behind is making me excited for music again. From first listen, Leave It All Behind carries Nicolay’s already smoothed out beats further into the downtempo territory, and so far Phonte’s move from MC to vocalist is proving more than surprising.

For more information, check out the Foreign Exchange site.

Wow, the line-up of shows for September and October in this city is going to be insane. Mos Def is going to be in town this weekend at the Kennedy Center (don’t get mad if you didn’t buy tickets–I warned y’all) doing his rendition of hip-hop and jazz classics. Should be tight. Phonte rolls through Busboys and Poets on Monday night and Raphael Saadiq comes BACK to Black Cat for MN8′s 7th Anniversary celebration on the 25th.

October is going to be insane. Girl Talk, Chromeo, and Hot Chip take over 9:30 Club and my homegirl Lykke Li takes on the Black Cat on the 19th.

Much thanks to Lady Glock for helping compile the list.

Sept 21st – Mos Def at the Kennedy Center (Sold Out)

Sept 22nd – Phonte of Little Brother and Zo! Q&A – Busboys and Poets

Sept 22nd – Upset The Setup Presents: Band In DC feat Ras Lidj & Deep Band and Godisheus – Velvet Lounge

Sept 25th – Clipse feat Wale, Consequence and Southeast Slim – University of Maryland

Sept 26th – The Chavy Boys of London (Scottie B, Shawn Caesar, King Tutt), Will Eastman, Gavin Holland, Dj Stereofaith – Rock and Roll Hotel

Sept 28th – Raphael Saadiq – The Black Cat

Oct 2 – Ratatat – Black Cat (Sold Out)

Oct 3 – Kool Keith – 9:30 Club

Oct 4 – Chromeo – 9:30 Club

Oct 8 – Hot Chip – 9:30 Club

Oct 9 – Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra – Black Cat

Oct 10 – Girl Talk – 9:30 Club (Sold Out)

Oct 15 – Janet Jackson – Verizon Center

Oct 19 – Lykke Li – Black Cat

Oct 20 – Talib Kweli, David Banner and B.O.B. – 9:30 Club

Oct 26 – Little Brother – Black Cat

BONUS:

Nov 1 – Murs and Kidz In the Hall – Rock and Roll Hotel

More Phonte drama. Man, the dude can’t catch a break. Now, Eternia (whom we’ve featured a couple times on this site), is all upset because Phonte called her Tit-ernia in a joking matter and sent her off the deep end.

According to her MySpace blog, after the “incident”, she ” I felt as small as…. as small as Phonte would feel if a white businessman he respected shook his hand one day, greeting with a smile and an embrace, calling him “boy” more than once repeatedly.” And now, she’s no longer a little brother fan and will most likely rish her professional and personal relationships over a cheesy come on line.

I never got the chance to meet Eternia in person. We kicked a few emails back and forth, and she seemed like a cool chick. (She’s Canadian, so that means that you’ve never heard of her.) But I gotta side with Phonte on this one. If you go off the deep end when someone calls you “Titernia,” then, as Phone responds, “this is a symptom of a much larger personal issue.”

As a dude, we’ve all been in this situation. We say something that’s slightly vulgar (but seriously, is that vulgar?), yet absolutely harmless and the female blows it out of proportion. In fact, there are girls who aren’t speaking to me to this very day because of things I might have said in jest. It’s not a big deal. Don’t ether your career just cause some dude is starin’ at your boobies.

Oh, and Little Brother haters like Tit-ra Henley are reveling in this one. Go figure.