Film: Super Noble Brothers

September 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Super Noble Brothers

This film provides a colorful look at Milwaukee’s own Super Noble Brothers—Andy, Tommy and Davey—who are artists, small business owners and world-renowned DJs of rare funk and soul.

In our ‘Don’t Sleep On Milwaukee Post’, we mentioned several Milwaukee artists to check out. One of those artists are the Super Noble Brothers. Soul and Funk Purveyors, record store and label owners, musicians, artists, and amazing DJs, the Super Noble Brothers are creative force in Milwaukee. Now their life story is now on film and will be premiering at the Milwaukee International Film Festival.

Milwaukee’s Lotus Land Records, Center Street’s trove of rare vinyl, has been on the lists of serious soul, funk, hip-hop and jazz collectors throughout the United States for years. Milwaukeean Mark Escribano’s camera hangs out with the brothers who own Lotus Land as they struggle to run this Milwaukee landmark, perform incredible live acts, discuss all matter of miscellanea and paint (particularly Davey, master painter of erotic abstracts). The brothers are a staple of the counterculture scene throughout Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood; however, their national and global influence is relatively unknown, ultimately reinforcing their humble attitudes. Intimately filmed at a swift pace, The Super Noble Brothers succeeds as an illuminating portrait of Milwaukee artists and businessmen, but perhaps more importantly as a testament to finding your own way in business and life.

Lotus Land

These brothers probably own one of the finest record stores that specialize in funk, soul, and rare grooves in the country. Lotusland Records is not only an amazing store, but they also put out some great re-issues. Even DJ Shadow is known to shop for his 45s here. If you are in Milwaukee, don’t miss this film. The film will be showing on September 28th @ 6pm at the Milwaukee Art Museum, and then again on Sunday, September 30th @ 2:15pm at the Oriental.


The Super Noble Brothers Trailer

Halo - Let Me Do It[snippet] (released on Lotus Land Records)

Posted by Tarik | Filed Under Movies, Music 

There is always time for Brazil

July 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment

brasilintime

Brasilintime is the follow up to the documentary Keepintime.

From the Brasilintime Myspace Page:

Earl Palmer is the drummer on Dirty Old Bossa Nova by Howard Roberts as sampled by A Tribe Called Quest. Often what you stumble upon is better than what you’re looking for… Sao Paulo… the progressive face of our underdevelopement In September 2002 Coleman and B+ went to Sao Paulo for nine days. They had a week to link with (hip hop) Brasil, enlist three drummers and find enough breaks to make a break record to guarantee commitment from our oversubscribed DJs back home. A record hadn’t been custom pressed to make a film since Wildstyle Is it possible that hiphop didn’t start in the US or Jamaica after all but in the challenge singing (cocos and emboladas) brought to the Brasilian NorthEast by the Africans from Angola and the Arab influenced Portuguese… How do you remember what cant be remembered… How do you rememeber thirst as Chris Marker asks… hiphop somehow does this…. In the Northeast (of Brasil), rhythm is God dehydrated… Paulinha Da Costa the Brasilian percussionist gave Michael Jackson “Mama se, mama sa, mama makossa” for “Don’t Stop Until you get Enough” the phrase was originally written and recorded by Manu Dibango. The Brasilian is always waiting for something good to happen… Joao Parahyba ‘s “Comanche” – the song named for him by Jorge Ben was interpolated by the Black Eyed Peas for “Fallin Up” Music is a dialectical memory game, it is history with a heart beat…

There will be a Los Angeles Premiere Week, July 17-20 which will include a screening a live performance. Our friend over at Analog Giant has some tickets to the event to give away.

 
icon for podpress  Brasilintime - Song For Dilla [6:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Posted by Tarik | Filed Under Movies, Music, concerts 

Afropunk: I wish I was in New York

June 28, 2007 | 1 Comment

AfroPunk

Alright, who is going to buy me plane ticket to come out to New York between now and July 7? This festival is amazing. Organized by the director of the documentary AfroPunk, James Spooner, it is in it 3rd year. If you haven’t seen this documentary, you really need to. Because we don’t play punk or rock on our show, doesn’t mean we don’t love it.

The lineup is crazy. Bands like The Objex, CX Kidtronix, Philmoore Browne, Stephannie Mckay, Suffrajett, Taylor McFerrin, Rich Medina, and Tiombe Lockhart plus plenty more. A very diverse line-up. Check out Sound Verite for more information about the artists and festival in detail.

Also premiering is the new film from James Spooner called White Lies,Black Sheep plus many other cool flicks.

Afro-Punk Trailer

White Lies, Black Sheep Trailer

Posted by Tarik | Filed Under Movies, Music, concerts, festivals 

Black Lilies for Black Blondie

April 29, 2007 | 2 Comments

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This post was accidentally deleted when I was updating wordpress. I thought this would be a better time to put it up. Our friends Black Blondie our doing a mini east coast tour this coming weekend. Starting May 4th in Pittsburgh and then on to New York for the Louder than Bombs show on May 5th. They will be playing with the Lab’s favorite Alice Russell, Thunderheist, Stephanie Mckay and DJ Moni at the Delancey.

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Then on May 6th they will be at the Black Lily festival. A first of it kind.

Recognizing the parallels between the music and film industries, the Lily will screen narratives, documentaries, music videos, animation and experimental work solicited from an international pool of multi-racial, multi-cultural female directors and producers. Seeking to duplicate the bonding experience between artists that was often cited as one the most enjoyable aspects of the Lily; audiences will enjoy the films in an intimate setting, with the filmmakers on hand for Q & A afterwards. The Lily will also feature panel discussions and workshops for women as well as a Girls’ Workshop.

The Black Lily revival concert on Saturday night will showcase talented female performers in a variety of genres. The concert will echo the spirit of the long running music series, featuring performances by an eclectic mix of today’s most talented musicians.

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Check out DJ Junior’s show Eavesdrop with interviews with Maori Holmes, Ethel Cee & Nikki Jean on the Black Lily Film & Music Festival.

Black Lily Film & Music Festival

Posted by Tarik | Filed Under Movies, Music 

I, Robot

March 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment

voltron
transformers3This next couple of years it will be the year of the robot. Childhood favorites The Transformers and Voltron will be made into live action films. Transformers will be released this July and directed by Michael Bay. I am kind of torn right now. The fact that Bumblebee is a mustang and not a beetle is kind of disturbing. I know I am a anime geek, but still. What if Ray Charles was performed by Toby Keith (same analogy). Then there is Voltron which is set to be released sometime in 2008. What make this is cool is that the soundtrack is produced by Pharrell. Time will tell if these flicks will live up to the anime counterparts.

robotech1
I am really would love to see Robotech be made into a movie. The series had a better storyline and more complex characters than Transformers and Voltron. Well that is enough of this geeky post.

Posted by Tarik | Filed Under Movies