Our peoples Bobbito Garcia teams up with co-host Stretch Armstrong to bring their legendary hip-hop radio show to the stage next week. Want to make it out? Check out the details below…
Adrian ‘Stretch Armstrong’ Bartos and Robert ‘Bobbito’ Garcia are imperative to the fabric of New York City. On the surface, an unlikely pairing of DJ and host, the two took what started Stretch’s graveyard shift college radio show and unassumingly crafted into the voice of a culture – the soundtrack to after-midnight Gotham throughout the 1990′s. Crackling through home-stereos,clock-radios and ya man’s trunk-rattling system on the way to or home from Tramps,The Wetlands or Mars.
From the confines of Columbia University’s WKCR 89.9FM modest studios, Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito’s show slowly took hold of young insomniacs across the 5 boroughs. Due in part to their unwavering efforts to track down and break the genre-defining hip-hop records of the time, a feverish excitement that favored the new more than what’s “hot,” and the show’s countless guests – many unknown to the world until their appearance on the show.
10 years strong from 1am till 5am every Thursday, the show transcended its contemporaries. New York’s most comprehensive radio show began to garner a listenership that surpassed anything previously seen in size and scope in the Tri-State. But it was the fans’ incessant home-recording that turned the Stretch Armstrong Show Show into the folklore that it is today – young New Yorkers waking up periodically to flip their cassettes, sending dubs across the globe, creating a network of fans into family from the epic broadcasts.
On Feb 10th we celebrate a live 20th Anniversary of Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito’s show, reveling in its vast influence on NYC culture and hip-hop music as a whole. Hot off the heels of their impromptu WCKR on-air reunion in October, this will be a one time only night to remember.
Need a primer? Check out audio of their (5 Hour!!!) Reunion show from late last year, below…
Part One
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Part Two
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Our peoples Bobbito recently ran down a few of his favorite tunes for the folks at LargeUp. Check out the details below….
DJ, writer, baller and all-around personality Bobbito Garcia is world-famous for his contributions to the spheres of sports, street-style and independent hiphop. But those who know him well know he has also been a tireless ambassador of salsa music, latin funk and sounds of the Spanish Caribbean in general and has been closely associated with the recent revival of interest in the classic salsa label Fania in particular. When we asked him about the influence of Caribbean culture on the wide spectrum of music he Fs with, here’s what he said:
I’ve been fortunate to have spun in over 40 countries throughout five different continents, and anywhere I go, no matter whether I’m throwing on an Afro-Cuban/Boricua/Dominican record, a Jamaican roots tune, or a jazz/dance banger from the Bahamas, it’s guaranteed to make people smile and get down on the dancefloor. I can specifically remember rocking in Rio de Janiero in front of 1,000 youth from the favelas, and biggest reaction of my set? Celia Cruz’ “Cucala”–a 7? released before all of them were born, but it spoke to their core as people of spirit. Here’s a starter kit to open your mind up to some wonderful Latin music which I’ve played recently in my DJ sets!
Come out tomorrow night for a celebration of the legendary Salsa label Fania records featuring Bobbito, DJ Laylo and others. Check out the details below….
July 11th, 2010
7pm-12am
¡Siempre!
A DJ Tribute to Fania Records
Featuring:
Bobbito Garcia
Sake One
Laylo
+ Mireya Ramos on Violin
and Jansy Gonzalez on Congas
Cover: $10 Before 8pm/ $15 After
——————————
NEW YORK, NY – On Sunday, July 11th, DJs Bobbito Garcia, Laylo and Sake One reinvigorate the vibrant ‘60s and ’70s Salsa sounds of New York City at their annual party ¡SIEMPRE! A DJ TRIBUTE TO FANIA RECORDS.
Taking inspiration from the label’s groundbreaking artists (Willie Colón, Hector Lavoe, and Celia Cruz to name a few), the ¡SIEMPRE! crew blend Latin music (bomba, boogalu, descarga, guaguanco, rumba, son montuno, etc.) for the modern dance floor, adding in elements of hip-hop, soul, jazz, house, and reggae, making the classic recordings more accessible to a younger audience while retaining its authentic flavor.
Anchored by Bobbito Garcia, a global DJ legend for multiple genres and an icon for urban Latinos everywhere, ¡SIEMPRE! is also driven by DJ Laylo and DJ Sake One. Born in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents, Laylo is the co-founder of Liberation Lounge (NYC) and has ignited dance floors from Berlin to Brazil. Sake One is among the most respected DJs from the Bay Area (CA) ever, and in 2008, Fania released his Fania Live 03 mixed CD worldwide.
¡SIEMPRE! A DJ TRIBUTE TO FANIA RECORDS presents the classics of yesteryear infused with the consciousness of today, creating a unique event that will bring three generations of salsa fans as well as people of all different backgrounds together!
Today in Central Park, take in the sounds of classic Fania records, along with the live music of Pupy y Los Que Son Son. Check out the details below….
Cuba es Libre with a rare live set from songo icons Pupy y Los Que Son Son, pan-latin grooves from Jose Conde and an all-star DJ celebration of NY salsa.
As a former member of the internationally acclaimed Los Van Van, Cuban pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader César Pedroso has proven his talents. Now, touring under his nickname ‘Pupy’ Pedroso has set about taking the planet by storm. Along with his group, Los Que Son Son, Pedroso is a trailblazing representative of the relatively young style of Timba music. Pupy y Los Que Son Son SummerStage appearance marks a major highlight of their first US tour.
Singer, songwriter, and producer Jose Conde is celebrated for his recordings with the Cuba-centric band Ola Fresca, which deviate from traditional Cuban music forms through a liberal juxtaposition and fusion of rhythms and the playful use of language. The Brooklyn-based, Miami-raised son of Cuban immigrants, Conde has reached a large audience by being featured in numerous recent compilations. Tonight marks the official unveiling of music from his upcoming solo 2010 release with his funky new pan-Latin powerhouse of a band, the nu Latin Groove.
NYC native and world-renowned DJ Bobbito Garcia is the Creative Chief at Project 2050, an ideas and solutions shop. The former Bounce Magazine Editor In Chief is also the critically acclaimed author of Where’d You Get Those? NYC’s Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987 and has a new CD compilation out titled Connection .
DJ Laylo’s unrelenting commitment to good music and rocking the crowd has earned her a reputation as one of NYC’s foremost turntablists. Born in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents, her musical selection reflects her NY upbringing: hip-hop, soul, salsa, house, merengue, reggae, and Afrobeat.
Born and raised in the culture of hip-hop, DJ SAKE-1 has been looking for the perfect beat since 1989. A founding member of California’s (((Local 1200))) Sound System, DJ SAKE-1 has utilized a combination of advanced science and Bay Area hustle to genetically alter the hip-hop idiom into a 360 degree circle of soul.
For even more info and directions, check out SummerStage.org.
I had to take some time out to give my peoples DJ Junior some props on his year end listing of the best in music for 2009. For those looking for something different in the worlds of Soul, Jazz and more, check out the list below.
Also, check out their weekly podcasts for more on these albums. They’ve got a best of 2009 coming up this week. Click here to check out their PodMatic Page and subscribe via iTunes by clicking here.
Inspired by all the others that have shared list and harassed by others for me to do a list (geez).
It's interesting, throughout the year I heard "…there isn't much good music coming out". Really??? because I have a laundry list of albums that got heavy rotation in this last year and I'm sure will continue to be played on a regular basis.
These are in NO particular order and I'm sure I'm missing some.
Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!
Look our for a Best of 2009 edition of Eavesdrop Radio in early January!
Cheers
Junior
JAZZ
Freedom, Rhythm & Sound – Revolutionary Jazz 1963-1982
Nicola Conte & Others – Modern Sound of Nicola Conte – Versions in Jazz Dub
Robert Glasper – Double Booked
Tribe – Rebirth
Emanative – Space
Carlos Nino & Miguel Atwood Ferguson – Suite for Ma Dukes
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
DJ Cam Quartet – Diggin
Saunders Sermons-Classic Delight
Build An Ark – Love, Part 1
HIP HOP
Dj Mitsu the Beats – A Word to the Wise
Mos Def – The Ecstatic
Tanya Morgan – Brooklynati Dotmatic – The City
Bobbito’s had a good week, having already guested on CNN, and now hosting the latest Cornerstone Mixtape. Check out the details below…
Got Game? We bring it back to NYC for a special NBA 2K10 version of the Cornerstone Mixtape #120 with DJ Eclipse (From New York City’s famed Halftime show on WNYU) and hosted by Bobbito Garcia aka DJ Cucumber Slice (Rock Steady Crew, Streetball player & BOUNCE Magazine). Mixtape #120 is a musical reflection of what DJ Eclipse brings to New York City’s underground scene. Find him on WNYU or Sirius Satellite, Eclipse has represented true Hip Hop faithfully for many years. Listen as he goes in with new heat from La Coka Nostra, Pac Div, Skyzoo, Kidz In The Hall and more!
Listen to the mix below…
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Through Asho, I Just got word on this Fania tribute event featuring Mr. Garcia. It all goes down this Sunday, July 12th. Check out the info below and after the jump…
This Sunday, July 12th
7PM-12AM
DJ Laylo, Move Forward Music, Pacific Standard Time Present:
FANIA LIVE
A Musical Tribute to the Golden Era of Salsa Music
Music by:
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a Kool Bob Love
Sake One
DJ Laylo
Live Music by:
Ilu Aye
Hosted by: Flaco Navaja
Taking inspiration from Fania greats like Willie Colón, Hector Lavoe, and Celia Cruz, who pushed the boundaries of Latin music this crew has updated the Fania catalogue for the modern dance floor, blending in elements of hip-hop, house, and reggae, making the classic recordings more accessible to a younger audience while retaining their authentic flavor. Join us as the vibrant sounds of 1960′s New York City salsa come to life!
