Taylor McFerrin + Nikko Gray 3/3/11 @ Little Temple

It's been a minute LA, but this last Thursday @ Little Temple made me realize I need to get back on the blog wagon. I had the pleasure of seeing both Nikko Gray and Taylor McFerrin (as well as some surprise guests) perform for Nu-Thursdays (put on by Nu-Soul: www.nu-soulmag.com). I have seen bits of Nikko's performances in the past as she is a staple in the love-friendly nightlife of LA. She once again laced the mic with sugar like the sultry songstress she is. Always in diva-mode, she kept that healing feminine energy flowing. From downright dreamy tunes to hip-shakers, she knows how to flex in many forms. She also had guest MC, Chris Young join her to throw in some rap flavor for a couple joints. Nikko Gray = Voice + Looks + Vibe = WIN.

Next up on the bill: Taylor McFerrin



After a little intermission with DJ Destroyer on the decks, Taylor McFerrin took the stage with a Rhodes, midi controllers, and his mouth. Deceptively humble in his vibe, he proceeded to build straight, uncut DOPENESS from scratch via live looping of keys, samples, and beatboxing (dude needs to jam w/ Rahzel if he hasn't already). To say the least, the McFerrin seed contains some sort of inter-galactic magic (his pops is Bobby McFerrin if you hadn't figured it out yet). Taylor brought Nikko Gray back on stage, as well as Chris Young and they proceeded to improvise their way through a song that honestly sounded better than a lot of pre-rehearsed bits I've heard from other artists. He then brought up fellow Brainfeeder signee, Austin Peralta. An odyssey is about the closest approximation for a word that can describe the musical journey they took my ears on. McFerrin is a deft beatboxer who understands rhythm to the core, and Peralta, well, he's legit as fuck on keys, truth. They had a free-form chemistry that only true musicians possess and carried on a musical conversation that probably only half of the audience fully understood (unless they have a grasp of music theory). Be on the lookout for more from Taylor McFerrin. He's got an honest, unpretentious, and highly-skilled nature that will continue to serve him as he gives the world more of his musical goodness.

LINKS:
Nikko Gray
Taylor McFerrin
Brainfeeder
Nu-Soul Magazine

Photos by Jenny B:

Mark de Clive-Lowe & Sy Smith + Erik Rico @ Little Temple

On May 19th, LA got a funky couple of treats courtesy of Nu-Soul Magazine and Soul Union. Their event, Strictly Social (on tour in California), brought the talents of Erik Rico, Sy Smith, and Mark de Clive-Lowe to Little Temple. Let me start by saying that I had a GREAT time. I've been on Nu-Soul's email list for a minute now but haven't been able to make it out to many of their events, which is kind of crappy considering some of their past guests (Shafiq Husayn from Sa-Ra, Afta-1, Jimetta Rose). I figured Mark de Clive-Lowe was an opportunity I shouldn't pass up as the man GETS DOWN on keys and drum machines. For those who don't know Mr. Clive-Lowe, click here to watch his video on the Red Mull Music Academy. Anyways, when I get to the spot, the residents Myxzlplix & Destroyer were holdin it down w/ some head-bumpin' joints. First on was Erik Rico, who I was unfamiliar with until that point. He went on a journey (a lesson if you will) of sorts looking back on funk and soul classics through the lens of future groove. Not only was he singing his heart out, he was on the vocoder/keys, and even a guitar. I love it when performers just pick up a guitar like 'That's right, I'm about to get down,' and then proceed to do just that.




After Erik Rico, it was time for the main event. Sy Smith & Mark de Clive-Lowe make an outstanding musical pair. You couldn't help but feel good when they took the stage and started to bring their uptempo, jazzy, soulful, extra-funky future goodness. I wish I had been more familiar w/ Sy Smith before because that woman has some pipes, AND she looked extra fit up on stage. The pair shared exclusive tracks from their new project and I'll definitely be needing to cop the album if it drops on wax. My highlight of the night had to be their version of 'Messages from the Stars' by The Rah Band (peep the original if you don't know: click here). I love that track and was totally vibin' out when they got into it. After the set, Mark de Clive-Lowe continued to spin on the decks w/ his special blend of dance treats. For the life of me, I can't figure out why people started leave; it wasn't even last call, and the music was HOT. LA, you disappoint me a little. This man is from out of the country and you don't have the good sense to get your two-step on while he continues to drop science???? In any event, this night was great and I'm glad I got out to it. If you live in the LA area and are looking for something grown & sexy to do, check out WWW.NU-SOULMAG.COM. If you're in SF, go there too, you might find some artists that will be coming through the Bay.