Barber Chair Therapy

Peace and Blessings everyone, we hope this blog finds you well. This is Barber Chair Therapy's first issue. This launch and our blogs will feature good music, reviews, videos and interviews . Lots of tasty treats coming so make sure you come back soon. Leave us your thoughts in the comments section. For any questions or comments hit us at Barberchairtherapy@gmail.com

EMC:

Download a song from the album here.

EMC's "The Show," a whole 24 tracks from the Supergroup EMC : Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punchline and Strick. Secondly, we have a mixtape review up next from my man Search. This is comparison piece. Enjoy.

Anytime a producer remixes a Jay-Z album, it raises the stakes of success. You can find yourself with critical acclaim like “The Grey Album”, or you can be the scourge of the game by tainting Jay’s gospel with a sub par attempts. But as they say, there are many ways to skin a cat which brings us to our two mix tape’s under the microscope, Saint and Muneshines “American Gangster (The Resident Remixes)” and Mick Boogie and Shuko’s “Brooklyn Soul”.

Saint & Muneshines “American Gangster” rendition has been in heavy on my ipod. The beat selection feels like a Soul/Hiphop fusion that fits naturally with the lyrics Jay put down. It gives the listener a mental picture of a different view of the “American Gangster”. Made me want to roll up some of the green, drop the lights and sip some vino and zone; assuming I roll up the green of course. The way the beat locks in on “No Hook” is a testament to a DJ’s golden ear for music. I felt the sample selection really dug deep into complimenting the music, and really gives the listener more light into the shadowy underworld of the “American Gangster”. Even “Roc Boys”, which has become the most irritating song on the album due to it being spun every 30 seconds on the radio, becomes a bump-able song thanks to the soulful efforts of Saint. Another major highlight of this mixtape is how the beats move almost seamlessly from soul to a hiphop flavor. Perfect point in case being the track “American Gangster” which has the mink wearin’, jive-talkin appeal, then moves into “Pray” with its untied Timberland boot mid-90’s feel. All in all, a solid effort from Saint & Muneshine to do additional justice to a great album.

Mick Boogie and Shuko’s “Brooklyn Soul” effort left more to be desired. While I am an avid fan of Marvin Gaye, as anyone should be, and do enjoy those samples but there weren't any dynamic songs. I feel like they went too heavy on the soul side of things and relied on Marvin’s magic touch. While they did drop the ball the majority of the time, one stand out track was “Blue Magic”. The morose feel of the song was the only different sounding track; refreshingly different. The songs were put together well, they just weren't different in their formats, i.e.Marvin samples, smooth mellow soul. If perhaps there was some diversity in the selection, the mixtape could stand further out than Saint & Muneshines effort. (Review By: Search) * Download Brooklyn Soul @ www.Mickboogie.com / Saint and Muneshine: The Resident Remixes is available for download here

DJ PROFILE: DJ KITSUNE (GERMANY) (Interview By: DS)

DS: Give us a brief description of the daily activities of DJ Kitsune.

DJ Kitsune: On weekdays I'm usually at the office, taking care of the artists that we manage, my label (Starting Lineup Records) and my dj stuff, including bookings and my mixtapes. That alone is enough to fill out whole days. On weekends I usually dj a lot, I got a friday night regular and a saturday night, both are two of my favorite parties in my area.

DS: Tell us about your affiliations and crews.

DJ Kitsune: Back home in Europe I've been djing for a lot of artists on their tours including 4 of the 5 bestselling rappers. I also do a lot of mixtapes and did one of the countries biggest mixshows out there for a couple of years. I've also been a part of Whoo Kid's Shadyville DJs since 2006. We're still a young dj coalition but people respect us for the impact we can have and there's definitely big things to come in 2008. Shout out to all of the Shadyville fam.

DS: I hear you have a new LP dropping soon, whos on it? whats it called? will it be available worldwide?

DJ Kitsune: I've been doing a couple of really big mixtapes throughout the last years and I thought, why not take it to the next level and turn it into an album. I'm managing one of the hottest producers in Europe right now and I have good contacts in the US, which makes it quite easy to bring talented people together for a really unique project. Of course, the majority of artists is from Europe, a lot of the big overseas artists did an exclusive song for this cd and I'm currently working with a few selected US artists on songs too. I've been in the studio with Termanology last week who came up with an incredible song and there's a few more big names that I'm gonna announce once the songs are done.

DS: What are crowds like in Germany compared to the USA?

DJ Kitsune: Club crowds can be very different at times. Usually the music industry is a lot slower in Europe, a lot of the songs blow up in Europe half a year after they've been big in th US. A lot of songs don't even make it to Europe that's why only a few artists are really big out there. Plus Europe and especially Germany has a pretty big tradition in house and electronic music so the club scene is very mixed nowadays.

DS: Whats radio like out there compared to here in the USA?

DJ Kitsune: Radio is totally different from the classic format radio in the states. A lot of the very traditional formats that people know in the US are not existing in Europe. There's no talk radio, no urban radio, no sports radio, none of that. Most stations are top 40 radio (divided into top 40 youth and top 40 adult) and then there's a few additional channels for news or classic music, but that's about it. That also means it's not really a lot of space for urban music on the radio in general, even though there's a few mixshows here and there that play strictly urban stuff.

MILK MEN (Interviews By: DS)

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and politic with two Dj's carving out their own niche on radio and in NYC nightlife. Big up to DJ John Brunelli and also DJ Junior as they spill some thoughts on Orchid Milk.

DS: Give me a brief background of yourself.

JB: John Brunelli (New York) - I grew up in a small city in Upstate New York - Binghamton, birthplace of the Twilight Zone, home to Rod Serling. (Come visit & see for yourself - you may not leave) A once booming industrial city gone awry to empty warehouses and lots of urban decay is now undergoing a revolutionary transformation among artists and creative folk alike which has brought me back to the area to explore my many interests. I wear many hats I suppose. When people ask me what I do, it usually takes me a minute to figure out where to begin. I enjoy doing a multitude of things which can sometimes be a blessing and a curse. For the sake of labels - I am a visual artist, art gallery curator, music selector, tastemaker, purveyor of rare grooves, music promoter, world traveler (recently visited Kenya, Rwanda, Congo & Uganda to work with HIV+ youth.) I've been collecting records and selecting sounds for over 15 years promoting just about anything that has an undercurrent of funk, soul and jazz sounds- currently reaching out globally to the sounds of future jazz, broken beat, hiphop, afrobeat, latin, boogaloo, world beat, rare grooves, dance classics & more. I've been fortunate enough to have access to one of the last completely free format radio stations in the world where I've been doing radio for 9 years at WHRW 90.5 FM. WHRW is a completely non-commercial, educational, free format radio station. I'm currently hosting BREAKTIME RADIO, an idea that came to me after spending the previous 7 years trying out more specific sounds in underground hip hop, reggae, dub and afrobeat. BREAKTIME RADIO has elevated my interests to a wide array of sounds, dancefloor grooves reaching into the genres of broken beat, future funk, left field soul and features some really creative left of center beats & productions who I feel are some current innovators in the music. I always enjoy networking with good people, creative folks, people with ideas and ambitions from all over the world, learning from them, sharing music and ideas with them.

DS: how did you and DJ Junior collaborate? / meet ?

JB: Junior and I came to know each other pretty much through our radio shows. He hosts EAVESDROP on WKDU in Philly on Friday nights with Lil Dave & concurrently, BREAKTIME was/is still on Sunday nights on WHRW.

I couldn't help notice how similar our playlists were, so I started checking out his show on a regular basis and hit him up in early 2006. I didn't know many other DJs here in the states who were playing west london soul, future jazz on labels out of Japan, and these really obscure left of center beats and productions. So, out of the love of soulful sounds and good music, birthed a friendship that took us to collaborate last year in 2007 for Orchid Milk | NYC.

DS: Why did you choose NYC to place Orchid Milk?

JB: There is no other place in the world like NYC. Growing up in Upstate NY, resources for things like music, art, etc were limited. From a very young age, I always wanted to have my finger on the pulse of things that were going on elsewhere in world. Thanks to the large population of students from the NYC area who came Binghamton University, many who became DJ's at WHRW, I was introduced to a whole host of sounds from DJ's out of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan. (Dexie B, Rupie T, King Dread, DJ Spinna). At the same time during the 80's & 90's, NYC radio was big for me. I would collect and tape shows on WBLS & KISS FM - Marley Marl, Pete Rock, Red Alert, Chuck Chillout, Mr. Magic, Latin Rascals, Tony Humphries, Frankie Crocker, and later into the 90's Stretch & Bobbito. All of these radio personalities were tastemakers who changed the face of music that we know today. So, NYC to me is where I wanted to brand Orchid Milk, and gather the most diverse audience breaking sounds across all borders.

DS: Wheres the name come from?

JB: I like names that people will remember. As wacky as they can be, it sticks. You can use your imagination with this name.

DS: What sets this party off from other NYC parties?

JB: There really isn't anything else like it. There are a lot of great parties in NYC that have DJ's who touch on a similar sound to what Junior and I play, but I think collectively with our experience, knowledge, deep crates, and the connections we've build through our radio shows, we have featured and will feature guests each month who are the major movers and shakers of the genre. Watch out for 2008, we have some BIG things lined up for Orchid Milk!

DS: What does Orchid Milk have lined up for the future?

JB: We are currently working with a promotions team out in the Bay Area in Cali to do a west coast series for Orchid Milk. Junior and I would like to work with a lot of cats who we know out in LA and on the west coast who we might not have access to at the NYC party due to limitations on travel costs, etc. We also have plenty of people out there who listen to our radio shows that are encouraging us to come out there to do something. I'd love to connect with the folks on the west coast and get something going there, too. There are some really talented cats out there who I'd love to build with more. We are hoping ORCHID MILK WEST can launch this year, details soon to come! And I'd love to bring Orchid Milk over to Europe in the near future.

DS: What guests have you had in the past, what guests would you like to have?

JB: Past guests have included a really diverse and eclectic mix of performers: Malena Perez (Cubanita Groove) DJ Amir (Kon & Amir/Kings of Diggin'/BBE) DJ Tabu (NYC) Barry KIng (UK) DJ DS (CPP/Live & Direct) Taylor McFerrin (Rude Movements) Pursuit Grooves (Brooklyn/Beat Dimensions V.1) I'm really looking forward to the 2008 series which we are still negotiating with our guests...to wet the appetite though, we are hoping to bring DARU (Daru for Rusic/4lux) on board and KISSEY ASPLUND (out of Sweden) to name a few. Keep your eyes out at www.myspace.com/orchidmilk for more details soon to come!

DS: Junior, how did you get involved with Orchid Milk?

Junior: John came to a listening party I had in Brooklyn for one of my compilations. I knew of John's radio show. When he asked me to join the team it felt like a good match. John and I had a similar musical vibe and it was nice to bring it together to the NYC area.

DS: Give me and the readers a little background on you.

Junior: Well I'm a Leo. I like long walks on the beach. Oh wait...

No seriously. My dj name is Junior because I'm a Jr. (nothing fancy). I started collecting music when I was in middle school. I have been doing radio since 1991 then took a break for a few years and started Eavesdrop Radio in 2001. Few years later I joined forces with Dj lil'dave and we continued with the name Eavesdrop Radio. In 2002 I launched Recordbreakin.com. The site was a way for me to share my love of music and culture. In 2006 I launched Record Breakin Music (RBM), an independent record label. The label has released two compilations, "Lend Me Your Ear" and "Excursions". In 2008, RBM is slated to release a 7" record series and some other eps and full lengths.

I love djing on the radio and at venues. I see it as a way to share my passion for music with others but also to educate people by opening their ears to new tunes and how it crates a great vibe.

DS: Whats the diff between rocking parties in NYC and rocking 'em in Philly?

Junior: NYC seems to be more open to different styles of music. Part of Philly is moving in that direction but Philly crowds are tuff critics. What I love about Philly is that tuff love makes you shine in other cities. If you can rock Philly then you can rock anywhere.

DS: whats up next for Orchid Milk?

Junior: Well, we are working on OM 2008 with some surprise guest and bringing our soulful vibe back to the city that showed us so much love. We have also been asked to do OM West which would be in California so we are working out the kinks on that initiative as well.

DS: How about yourself?

Junior: Eavesdrop Radio = it's my love so I will continue to work on that with lil' dave and push good music to the people. Basement Soul = Is a great party we do in Philly that is doing very well. A spin off of Eavesdrop with the same eclectic music you would hear on our radio show.

The Sounds of Future Soul = continue the collaboration with Walking Bear Ent. and Boombastic Co. to bring unique soulful artist to Philly for live shows. Some previos shows included Omar, Vikter Duplaix, Fertile Ground and Eric Roberson)

Record Breakin Music = presenting more quality releases for 2008 of upcoming artist that I believe in.

Tour = Another European tour to promote RBM releases. Hope to get to Japan too in the near future.

Production = maybe dabble in that realm of music a bit.

DS: Any shoutouts ?

Junior: My lovely wife (Monica), John Brunelli and DS

VIDEO: S.O.U.L. PURPOSE "THE WAY THAT WE LIVE"

Mooney’s Pub (review by: Search)

If you find yourself in the Prospect Heights area of Brooklyn and want to have a fun, low-key, booze filled evening, you need to head over to Mooney’s Pub on Flatbush Ave. It’s a dive-bar goers dream of complete with low lights, dirt-cheap beer ($4 beers never hurt anyone, except beer snobs who don’t count), cynical, sarcastic yet friendly bartenders (true Brooklyn fashion). I’ve taken most of my “dates”, for whatever that means, and its been a solid experience. One definite stand out of this bar is the jukebox. This bar is the only bar I’ve seen to have the COMPLETE Superfly movie soundtrack. When you go there and hear it playing, you can bet I will be the one behind it. The crowd is quite the interesting cross-section. You can find a delirious old man on one stool recalling the days of Ebbets Field, then at the other end of the bar you can find a group of attractive women trying to have a “chill night”, but that’s another review all together. So all in all, I give this bar my golden grain seal of approval. Bring a friend, in fact, bring a couple to this place and enjoy what it has to offer.

TUTS NYC (Review By Mr.CPP Nana Osei)

Last weekend (Jan 20th) I went to Tuts [http://www.tutsny.com], between Houston & Stanton street for a party / fashion show held by up and coming magazine OmoNaija (Quick yoruba lesson: omo=child(ren), naija is short for nigerian = Child(ren) of Nigerian magazine)

Now, anyone who knows me knows that as of late I find partying to be boring. I don't know, I just don't see as much of the fun in it anymore. I must be getting old, or less sociable; maybe I'm just more business minded. Watevadafuk. However, a fashion show will always peak my interest. So I was hyped to see that.

I got there late. We saw nothing. People were already hitting the floor. Ah well,at least we looked fly. The music was a mix of whats hot right now with nigerian flavor. The venue itself was small, pretty dark, more lounge-ish, with wall to wall couches and Egyptian art on the walls (duh). All in all not too shabby, but definitely not made for heavy partying. I wasn't really hyped to do much so I posted up and enjoyed the music. Shouts to Ebby and Tosin who were also there that night. O...and on a side note, it was BRICK CITY out there. Cold as shit. Im staying my ass in the crib, f that. Until my next update, see ya!

Here are two more videos we've been enjoying lately:

VIDEO: HELL RAZAH,TIMBO KING,TRAGEDY & R.A. THE RUGGED MAN "RENAISSANCE"