Alright family, those who came out last Thursday know what
I'm about to say; magic! good feelings, great music, and a
couple hundred sweaty dancers with big smiles!

DJ CENTER came out from NYC to grace the place, and did
it with ease. J.SOLE brought them on an early journey through
a few countries, and GLENN RED went heavy on it!

Speaking of our two residents, this Thursday is their chance to
truly spread out, all night. These "Afro Funke' Soundsystem" nights
have become favorites for the dancers, as the residents run court
with long, steady sets that build to a frenzy! Plus special guests!!
Please come out early for drink specials and discounted admission!

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Afro Funké
WEEKLY FUNK INVOCATION
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Afrobeat, Brazilian, Dub, Reggae, Cumbia,
Samba Disco, Batucada, Afro-Latin House,
Indian Beats, Makossa & other deep-rooted
Funk music from around the world
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April 30, 2009

AFRO FUNKE' SOUND SYSTEM



resident deejay:
JEREMY SOLE
Afro Funke' co-founder and resident DJ, Jeremy Sole is on a mission to show how music is a universal
language, and that each culture’s rhythms and melodies are no more than slang - different accents of the
same mother tongue. His DJ sets, remixes and original compositions juxtapose world sounds and experimental
beats into a sonic ritual - a celebration of life out loud. Sole recently did a remix for Femi Kuti on the
"Femi vs KCRW Soundclash", and is working on several remixes and re-edits, as well as original pieces for his
"Musaics" collaborative recording project. Some of these "Musaics" have been featured on mixes and
compilations by Om Records, J-Boogie, Sake One, Chicken George, Lightning Head (aka BiggaBush) and more.

Sole has shared the studio and the stage with Sly Stone, Ben Harper, Stevie Wonder, Seu Jorge, Ray Charles,
War, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Roy Ayers, Lauryn Hill and hundreds of others. He had the distinct honor
of being the DJ that was mixing the California Democratic Party's Election Night Celebration at the exact moment
when Barack Obama officially became our 44th President.

 
The trial for the men who murdered Lucky Dube in a botched carjacking is over. Three men have been found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parol.
 
Evidence points to Lucky being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  These were common hoodlums who saw an opportunity to steal his car as he pulled into his brother’s driveway.  They ordered him out of the car but he tried to drive away.  One of the guys grabbed his hands , wrestling him for control of the car.  The other jumped in the backseat, next to his son, and shot him two times through the back.  The shooter figured that the victim was struggling because his was a Nigerian and there was a lot of money in the car.  The third man drove the get away car.  There was a fourth man but he turned State’s witness and got immunity. The criminals did not even know it was Lucky until they heard about it in the news.
 
Two of the murderers tried to escape on the way to court on the day the verdict was to be read, smashing a brick into a policeman’s face. They were caught and arrived back at court with their heads bandaged.

Mr. Dube left behind a wife and seven children. After the verdict was read, his wife was too emotional to talk with reporters, but his son Thokozani, who had witnessed the crime, said, "We can now have closure."

Love and Blessings to Lucky and His Family, May He Rest In Peace.

- INVITED TO PERFORM AT THE 5TH SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS - PORT OF SPAIN - TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO‏

It has just been announced that, The IV Peoples’ Summit has invited Jamaican conscious reggae performer Dennis McKay aka Mackie Conscious, to be a guest performer at this year‘s Fifth Summit of the Americas conference. This year’s event will be held for the first time in the Caribbean; the Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from April 17 - 19, 2009.

Mackie having achieved International recognition for his conscious works in the Reggae Entertainment field, is world renowned as One of Jamaica’s Premier, Reggae Conscious Artists. It is fitting that the invitation was extended to Mackie, as this years’ theme for The Fifth Summit of the Americas is: “Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability”.

When asked, what is so special about this particular Artist? The response is always; That “by all appearances Mackie truly lives and sings about the real consciousness of life”. This consciousness is shown like a beacon of light through the social awareness and positive messages in his music. From conscious songs such as “The World is in Trouble” “Cell phone on the Hip” to “More Reality”, Mackie’s musical expressions seems to personify the person within. It is well noted as of late; there has been much negative press on Reggae Artist going’s on. In such light; Mackie considers it “an honour’ to be recognized for his positive lyrics and to be invited to such a prestigious event. It is more than noteworthy of what an honour it is, for Mackie Conscious to be invited to this Summit: The mere fact that – The president of the United States of America – President Obama will also be in attendance.

The official White House press states: President Barack Obama will go to the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in “a spirit of equality,” looking to exchange ideas with the region’s leaders and hear what they have to say about a range of issues. Being a true Reggae Ambassador - Mackie Conscious will also visit media houses across Trinidad and Tobago to share his music and promote the message of true Peace, Love and Unity. To learn more about Montego Bays’ number 1 son and one of Jamaica’s leading Reggae Conscious Performers. Go to:

About The Fifth Summit of the Americas: The Fifth Summit of the Americas will be held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from April 17th to 19th, 2009. It brings together leaders of 34 states in the western hemisphere (excluding Cuba). This is the first time this Summit is being staged in the Caribbean. The opportunity presented by the staging of the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago is being used by the social movements of the hemisphere opposed to neo-liberalism to meet and to address an agenda for the people of the hemisphere. This alternative forum, called the IV Peoples’ Summit is a drive for social justice, equity, peace and sustainable development. The V Peoples’ Summit of the Americas will bring together members of trade unions, non-governmental organisations, civil society, social movements, agricultural groups, students, human rights activist, cultural activist and a wide variety of other progressive networks and persons from the Caribbean, Latin America and North America. The Peoples’ Summit will give participants the opportunity to discuss debate and analyse contemporary issues through the lens of a peoples’ perspective in ! order to define new strategies towards establishing alternative solutions to the many crises we currently face.

For more on the Fifth go to: http://www.fifthsummitoftheamericas.org/

Contact for: Mackie Conscious: Conscious Production Jamaica www.mackieconscious.com www.myspace.com/mackieconscious 876 385 0389 876 940 6511 876 995 3367 USA: 1-413-30-4566 Mushiya Jobe Enterprises P.O. Box 600542 Dallas, Texas 75360-0542  www.mikeydread.com www.innervisionsreggae.com www.dubmusic.com www.mackieconscious.com 469-767-9730 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Roots and Culture Magazine consists of a large group of individuals with the goal of promoting unity among our Rastafarian people, culture and lifestyle. The magazine aims to assist in the development of the conscious community by highlighting their enormous contribution both regionally and internationally. The potential of this vast group in contributing towards the development of trade and economy worldwide is of tremendous importance.

Although Roots and Culture Magazine will focus primarily on Rastafarian history, people, culture, entertainment, events, fashion, business and much more, it will provide something of interest to persons from varied walks of life.

Since, the Rastafarian Community is found in diverse places internationally, this opens tremendous opportunities for artist wishing to promote themselves and their music worldwide. Subsequent to a successful launch on the 18^th November 2008, held in Trinidad, our team is ready to take Roots and Culture Magazine to the next level. Because of the challenges we face to produce a one of a kind magazine, we are sorry to announce a delay in the print of the second edition of the Magazine. The Next edition of the Roots and Culture Magazine is scheduled to be out on 1st April, 2009. We have a distribution target of 250,000 magazines, internationally. This number does not include the soft copy versions (digital version) which will be on sale via our website and various leading online book stores, Rastafarian websites and also cultural sites.

Last Thursday night, LOCOS POR JUANA, blew our minds! The Miami based band that
features members from all over South America and beyond made the Afro Funke' crowd go wild!
Thanks to Guillermo from Sailaway Collective for all of his help
with this show! We can't wait to have them back!

This week we welcome back a DJ all of the way from NYC who formery graced our
stage with Chico Mann plus a listening party for the raining queen bee of UK pop / Reggae.
Come through early for giveaways!

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Afro Funké
WEEKLY FUNK INVOCATION


February 19, 2009



guest deejay:
OBAH
(Recycled Funk / NYC)
DJ OBaH turned a family legacy into a profession, becoming a rising industry music producer
and highly sought after NYC DJ. OBaH stands for OldskoolBeatsAndHarmonies for a very good
reason... the son of veteran NYC DJ/Record Dealer, Baba Chico, DJ OBaH had the world’s best
funk, jazz & soul records at his fingertips. Armed with his father’s epic record collection, OBaH
quickly made his mark on the NYC club scene, becoming the resident DJ at several nightclubs
in his native Brooklyn.His talents have also been commissioned by such companies as Louis Vuitton,
Vogue magazine, DKNY Jeans, Yahoo, Getty Images.His tracks are currently in rotation on networks
such as Mtv, Bravo. He can also be heard on the Giant Step jukebox radio, as host of his own show,
Recycled Funk. OBaH is also employed as a DJ instuctor at Dubspot, a dj/production school based
in NYC. He takes his “formative education” with him wherever he goes (thanks dad).
(photo: human photography)
www.djobah.com

  David Kirton retained the honor of being called 'Reggae Artist of the Year' at the Barbados Music Awards 2009. The evenings Divas including Grammy and Golden Globe winner Regina Bell and Soca Queen Alison Hinds held the spot light, but, when the Reggae category was announced out came the Green Camouflage. Kirton was awarded the BMA by his peers based on the success of his current album Time for Change, released by Barbadian Record label Bird's Eye Music and distributed by Universal Music in Canada and Right Recordings in the UK. Kirton set a brisk pace with this album. He is quick to say that this album was all about evolving his sound, position and scope, working with noted producers Chris Allman, Van Gibbs and De Red Boyz to capture and realize the final 11 track selected.

National College Campus Radio Review Canada stated 'Kirton has written songs with intelligent and grabbing lyrics that listeners can relate to on many levels. He then wraps them in some serious booty-shakin' rhythms, and a shimmy of urban flavor that would be at home in any dance club.' The UK's Sunday Mercury wrote 'the new album from Barbadian balladeer Kirton has the crossover appeal to break him big in the mainstream pop charts.' The Mercury went on to compare Kirton's style to Michael Jackson, Craig David, and UB40. Three music videos, each one unique and individual all help Kirton's cause. They exposed his fans to Kirton's home land, Barbados, in his Time for Change video directed by Sundance and Pulitzer winner Tom Kruger, gathered celebrities and artists together for the highly creative Free to Fly that charted at # 6 on the MTV Much Music Top 10 and did not leave out the Caribbean beauties in BMA Best video & Reggae song of year 08 Green Camouflage. The eclectic mix he assembles not only applies to his sound that has been described as a hybrid of pop - rock and reggae but venues with 2008 seeing performance at The Royal Chelsea Flower Show, Virgin Atlantic Music Festival, Fashion has no Borders, Toronto and The Midem World Travel Market, London. Kirton seems to be right on target with his plans for 2009, all ready in pre production of his forth album which is slated for release in fall and tours confirmed for Costa Rica in February and the United States in March it may be that David Kirton's Time For Change is now.

http://www.davidkirton.com

 Come February 2009, the Jamaica Film Academy (JFA), through the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports (MICYS), will host the second annual Reggae Film Festival, at Emancipation Park, in Kingston. This will be carried out under the direction of the Ministry's Consultant, Barbara Blake Hannah, and British film archivist, Peter Gittins.

In an interview with JIS News, Ms. Hannah said she hoped that the second staging of the Festival would serve as a catalyst for the development of the JFA, as well as Jamaica's film industry.

"For this film festival, we want to use it to solidify the aims and objectives of the JFA, to really establish an umbrella under which the training of film makers and the production and creation of Jamaican Films can take place, in a very fruitful and supportive environment," she said.

 LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Burning Music Productions) - Reggae music icon and international recording artist Winston 'Burning Spear' Rodney receives a record eleventh Best Reggae Album Grammy nomination for his new CD, JAH IS REAL

Burning Music Productions is proud to announce that Reggae music icon and Grammy-winning recording artist Winston 'Burning Spear' Rodney (O.D.) has been nominated for a Best Reggae Album Grammy for his all-new 2008 studio CD release, Jah Is Real.

Spear is a previous Grammy winner for his 1999 Calling Rastafari CD and has received a record 11 nominations (most in the Reggae genre) for his releases over his career to date (www.Grammy.com). The 51st Annual Grammy Awards presentation will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on Sunday, February 8, 2008 to be broadcast on CBS Television nationwide.

Jah Is Real is an all-new studio album produced and performed by Rodney and released / distributed through his own independent Burning Music Productions. The CD also features guest musical performances on several of the album tracks by Parliament-Funkadelic legends bassist Bootsy Collins and keyboard maestro Bernie Worrell. The Jah Is Real CD and Burning Spear's extensive catalog of releases are available at the Burning Spear Store, on his official website, www.BurningSpear.net, and all leading retail music stores.

One of the new events on this yearend's social calendar, Reggaelution, the $3,500 per person, all-inclusive session, despite teething pains, tried to live up to expectations . But whether or not it was a financial success is another story.

With performances scheduled to start at 11:00 pm, a fact which took many patrons completely by surprise, Reggaelution was designed along a 'party' concept, complete with dancefloor in the field of Knutsford Boulevard's Liguanea Club. The idea was for patrons to party from 7:30 until it was time for the live performances from Rootz Underground, Etana, Buju and Tarrus Riley. However, there must have been some communication block, since the bulk of the patrons arrived between 9:00 and 10:00 pm, expecting showtime.

Delano and the Renaissance crew did a commendable job of creating great vibes with their on-point selections which even had some of the more stoic swaying to the beats of reggae and dancehall. They gave way to the reggae/rock sound of openng act, Rootz Underground, a seemingly deep-rooted Jah-based outfit that has claimed its share of the reggae pie. With a new album out and extensive touring underway Rootz Underground delivered well and must have converted more fans to their already growing fan base.