Teeko & Diamond Ortiz – Real Ones (SFC) – NTTG-001 – 7″ 45rpm
Our first limited release with Teeko featuring Diamond Ortiz.
Scheduled for official release on Friday, Dec. 16th. Items will ship on Tuesday, December 13.
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ABOUT THE RELEASE
Teeko is a San Francisco based producer & DJ and half of the the future funk duo Starship Connection. On this collaboration he’s joined by native Bay Area funkster Diamond Ortiz (MoFunk) for a fine serving of synthesized boogie/funk fresh out of California. Teeko performs on a Roland JX3P, Mini-Moog Voyager, & Talkbox. Diamond Ortiz performs vocals with a Microkorg XL with a Rocktron Banshee Talkbox. Real Ones is a lively vocoder slapper written & performed by Teeko with DJ friendly instrumental on the B side.
UPCOMING EVENTS
| Date | Artist | Location | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/1/16
12/3/16 12/5/16 12/6/16 12/8/16 12/9/16 12/10/16 12/14/16 1/14/16 03/10/17 |
Aki Kumar
Diamond Ortiz Aki Kumar Aki Kumar Aki Kumar Aki Kumar Allen Johnson RyStylz, Basura, Allen Johnson, Dave Ma Aki Kumar, Basura, David Ma, Allen Johnson Teeko |
Campbell, CA
Los Angeles, CA Aptos, CA Fremont, CA Campbell, CA Martinez, CA San Jose, CA San Jose, CA San Jose, CA San Francisco, CA |
Little Lou’s
EICid Aptos Street BBQ Mojo Lounge Little Lou’s Armando’s Headley Club Cafe Stritch Cafe Stritch Mezzanine |
7:30 PM
9:00PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 9:00 PM 9:00 PM 9:00 PM |
MUSIC BITES
Tony Palkovic – Deep Water
Tony Palkovic – Deep Water
Originally released 1980 via Deep Water Records; Re-issued digitally 12/21/2018 via Numero Group
Guitarist Tony Palkovic’s Deep Water, initially released in 1980 on Cleveland imprint Deep Water Records, is a dash of Non-Fiction era Steve Kuhn, a nod to the guitar-synth excursions of early Pat Metheny Group, and a few sprinkles of Japanese city pop, with this bubbly mixture radiating a synthetic late 70s / early 80s jazz fusion sheen.
Deep Water and later release Every Moment were recently re-issued digitally by Numero Group, providing some added visibility to Palkovic’s work. His musicianship on Water is clearly jazz caliber, and the ensemble on this work often strives for a funk pacing. But compared to the fire found within Mahavishnu Orchestra’s The Inner Mounted Flame, or the formless mind trips of Miles Davis’ groups circa Live Evil, Palkovic’s fusion doesn’t measure up to that same level of musical ambition and curiosity.
However, perhaps judging the music with that type of measuring stick is ill-informed. Touting the new digital launch on December 21, Numero Group tweeted that “Deep Water and Every Moment are the soundtracks to your next dentist appointment.” Sure, one could take that sentence as a jab of sorts, but I’d argue that, in the right setting, there’s something quite special about inobtrusive music. Let’s give a special shout-out to those study mixes, those workout playlists, those listen-while-you-work radio stations that color in our days without too much interference to our concentration.
“Live Like There’s No Tomorrow” starts like a heady techno tour de force, then 30 seconds later shifts to a virtuosic sweep of guitar shredding as Palkovic’s band comps along. There’s a carpe diem outlook to the attack, steeped in optimism and cheerful in its delivery. Standout “Lighthouse,” with its hints of a 70s rock shuffle, is the closest Palkovic comes to tracing out his own sound in this space. The clavichord synth recalls 70s Herbie Hancock, and Palkovic’s tone manages to insert itself into the mix without feeling foreign, with the reverb amped up to help add more shape to what can at times feel like a painfully thin tone. Similar to “Live Like There’s No Tomorrow,” “Reticent Babbler” showcases Palkovic’s clear command of his instrument. It fits the title quite well, as his runs pour out like an introvert who’s finally found the comfort to speak. However, the track does little to highlight the guitarist’s supporting cast.
At moments, Palkovic struggles to break free of the music being a clear derivative of the albums Pat Metheny was making at the same time, its sonic similarities too striking to catch minute differences in his playing. As for Numero’s point about this being dentist’s office music, there’s definitely more meat here than you’d find in Muzak’s musical wallpaper. The guitar tone and synth effects clearly sound dated, though they do serve as a fascinating time capsule for a jazz sound in transition.
Recommended for fans of Pat Metheny and new age listeners looking for more bite than you’d typically find in the Narada and Windham Hill catalogues.
By Brandon Roos – 2019
B. LEWIS
B. Lewis – San Jose, CA
Producer – Singer – Songwriter – Bass – Guitars – Keys – Percussion – Samplers
As a multi-instrumentalist and multi-faceted producer, his colorful range extends to rock, funk, pop, hip-hop, EDM, and soul. His production credits include collaborations with Chris Brown, Grieves, Brasstracks, Bad Rabbits, K. Flay and Teeko, among others.
While he’s often been a quiet force behind the boards, his recent single “Strange Things” featured Lewis front and center, both as producer and vocalist. He dropped the track in the summer of 2017 via Bandcamp and Spotify, gaining an overwhelmingly positive response. Since then, the track has earned more than a million streams on Spotify. Needle to the Groove Entertainment released the single as a limited 7” vinyl release, on both black and white vinyl.
The track was admittedly an exercise in restraint for Lewis. Speaking with Silicon Valley alt-weekly Metro, he admitted “Strange Things” was “really against the grain for what I’m used to making… I’m learning to take things away instead of adding more and more and more.” The Bay Bridged noted that the “more melodic, old soul vibe” was a fascinating departure from his earlier work, going on to call the track “a nice refreshing piece of music coming out of San Jose.”
In early 2018, he further revealed his innovative approach to soul and R&B with side with TESSA, a duo project featuring Lewis and vocalist Lake Stovall. Their full-length debut, Moment, came out digitally in March 2018. Needle to the Groove followed up with a super-limited cassette release.
In late October, Lewis dropped the collaborative Daydrift EP with Falcons from DJ collective Athletixx. BBC 1 Xtra’s Jamz Supernova named it to her #EPTop5 upon release. “Waterfall,” featuring Goldlink and Jazz Cartier, has been called “a slick and cinematic track well suited for a rainy day reflection” by REVOLT and a “sultry downtempo R&B showstopper that will have you vibing all day” by Run the Trap.
With the success of “Strange Things,” B Lewis has established himself as one of San Jose’s brightest musical talents. Given the wide variety of music he’s had a hand in both shaping and creating so far, there’s no telling where his journey might take us next on his yet-to-be-titled debut LP.
Notable Hype Stats:
“Strange Things” hit 1 Million Streams on Spotify
Hype Machine: https://hypem.com/track/2n5jc/B.+Lewis+-+Strange+Things
Thebaybridged.com: http://thebaybridged.com/2017/06/05/san-jose-producer-b-lewis-releases-new-track-strange-things/
The Interns: theinterns.net : https://theinterns.net/2016/05/18/b-lewis-cute-ruthless-feel-like/
“The Best Beat Tapes” via Bandcamp: “Science Within Reason”
Fresh Finds: Hiptronix Best of 2017 on Spotify
Production Credits: GRIEVES, Bad Rabbits, Chris Brown, P-Lo, Sango, K.Flay, Teeko, KRANE, Brasstracks, Falcons, Goldlink, Jazz Cartier
Vanyaland.com Interview: http://www.vanyaland.com/2014/03/21/interview-producer-b-lewis-talks-studio-fires-getting-bad-rabbits-play-house-new-grieves-record
REVOLT blurb (link): “Falcons and B. Lewis provide “Waterworld,” a moody and percussive background track with notes of gospel for GoldLink and Jazz Cartier to spit melodic bars over. The result is a slick and cinematic track well suited for a rainy day reflection.”
Run the Trap (link): “’Waterworld’ is a sultry downtempo R&B showstopper that will have you vibing all day.”
Earmilk (link)
“Instantly mesmerizing, the seductive soundscape the two maestros weave illuminates B. Lewis’ sultry, husky voice whilst adding spice to P-Lo’s flow. The smoky ambiance is a classically true R&B feel, tinged with subtle finger snaps and a low-key bass line that emphasizes but doesn’t overtake. Truly, the lyrics and the beat take us on a swerving, groovy journey that is absolutely feel-good and fresh.”
