Taj and James were nice enough to give me the opportunity to have my own column here at Dork. My plans are to share with you various music, events, publications, etc. that I am diggin’ at the moment.

Silhouette Brown - Silhouette Brown (2000 Black)
Dego (4 Hero) & Kaidi Tatham (Bugz in the Attic, Agent K) are a force to be reckon with in the broken soul scene! Their discographies speak for themselves. Oh, you don’t believe me? Let me share with you Exhibit A - Silhouette Brown, a self-titled release that is the result of their collaboration. There was a huge buzz about this project just when folks heard that these two were joining forces. However, there is a third member of Silhouette Brown that has proven to be the essential ingredient…vocalist Deborah Jordan. Deborah has managed to bring elements of soulful, melodic, cosmic grooves to the project with that soothing voice. Dego, Kaidi and Deborah’s Silhouette Brown has provided us with something that comes around every once in awhile…a modern classic.

Jneiro Jarel - Three Piece Puzzle (Kindred Spirits/Rush Hour)
There is a common saying “If you don’t know your past, you don’t know your future”. Well my man Jneiro apparently knows both based on his debut “Three Piece Puzzle”. Jneiro alludes to the past as his influences…Sun Ra, A Tribe Called Quest, Pharoah Sanders and Slum Village among others can be heard throughout the album. Jneiro holds it down in two roles on this project. As an energetic emcee, he rides the beat and shares some fun lyrics about everyday life and the joy of making beats. Showing off his talents as an extraordinary producer, Jneiro fuses a splendid mix of cosmic vibes and classic boom bap to this project. Along the way Jneiro picked up fellow camp members Dr. Who Dat?, Rocque Wun, Mel Owens and Dj Kiva to complete the puzzle. But let me tell you a little secret, there is so much more to come. Jneiro has a ton of stuff coming out off his independent label ‘Label Who?’. Another personal favorite is Timeless Vol. 1. Be sure you remember the name Jneiro Jarel cause it will be popping up everywhere quality music is being played.

Platinum Pied Pipers – Act Like You Know - Triple P (Ubiquity)
I overheard a conversation between two guys in their mid twenties the other day at the airport. They were complaining about the low level of hip-hop and soul, and not knowing of anyone new on the scene. I know they thought I was crazy but I had to jump in with my two cents. “There is plenty of good music out there you just have to do a little searching.” I then proceeded to list a slew of artists that are doing extraordinary things with their musical talents. Platinum Pied Pipers (Wajeed and Saadiq) are one of the artists I told them to check out. PPP are a prime example of artists that can handle multi- genres of music and do it very well. Just give a listen to their latest 12”, “Act Like You Know" ft. J Dilla. The track is butta and their choices for remix selectors in Geology and Rich Medina are right on point. But it doesn’t stop there - the B side has the wonderful Tiombe Lockhart bringing “Now or Never” to life with unique vocals. These guys are on point and on their grind. Be sure to pick up their debut LP “Triple P” on Ubiquity when it's released this spring. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Arthur Verocai - Arthur Verocai (Luv N Haight/Ubiquity)
I couldn't be more excited to write about this reissue, which is shamefully about to go out of print again. Arthur Verocai's eponymous debut is one of my all time favorite Brazilian records. By the time this album was released in 1972, Verocai had already composed scores for television programs and had written orchestra arrangements for notables like Jorge Ben and Gal Costa; he had also produced Ivan Lins' Agora.

Impressed by his work, a record company executive gave Verocai carte blanche to create an album of his own and the guitarist/producer set out to make a boundary-pushing record which would marry a myriad of his musical influences -- from Brazilian contemporaries like Milton Nascimento and Ben, to a wide array of adventurous American artists like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Frank Zappa, as well as elements of bossa nova, rock, funk and soul. He enlisted a 20-piece string section along with many seasoned musicians including Robertinho Silva, Luiz Alves, Paulo Moura, Oberdan Magalhães (later of Banda Black Rio), and Nivaldo Ornelas from Nascimento's backing band.

Like many Brazilian songwriters of the time, in order to get by the censors he used cryptic language to mask his protest messages against the country's repressive dictatorship. It's one of those records that makes me want to learn Portuguese so I can get a full picture of the music within. The liner notes describe the record as the Brazilian equivalent of Shuggie Otis' Inspiration Information, and while it's not off base, I think the musical versatility in Verocai's arrangements is more expansive. The album is as sweepingly cinematic as Milton Nascimento and Lo Borges' Clube de Esquina or Borges' self-titled record, but Verocai also travels a slightly different path often layering Latin grooves over deep doses of funk. There's a looser feel as he and his backing band experiment with extended horn, guitar and keyboard solos, light bits of spacey electronics, and a heavier influence of jazz.

After spending years as a pricey collectible, then finally getting reissued a year or so ago, I can't comprehend why Arthur Verocai's lone album of the '70s is going out of print again. This is truly a record that once gone, you'll be sad you missed. Don't sleep on this one.

Steve Sparrow – My Journal in Stereo | website
In a world of new faces and impressions of soul it is nice to hear something unique. Newcomer Steve Sparrow is one of the fresh voices of this new sound. “My Journal in Stereo” has Steve leaving a nice first impression on the listener’s ears. Steve’s thoughtful lyrics and delivery come together in an inviting vibe. This is most apparent in “Happy 2 See Ya”, “Patiently” and “She Don’t Call”. Besides Steve’s warm presence, the strength of Nate “Doc” Jones (A Peace of Music) production wonderfully compliments Steve’s style and approach to his craft. Aside from this well crafted ep, Steve’s live performances are quite an experience. He really comes alive and lets everything out while on stage without holding back.

Rude Movements | website
2nd Tuesday of the month @ APT 419 W. 13th St., NYC
Straight No Chaser magazine hosts this monthly session of soulful sounds in the Meatpacking District's APT. Eclecticism is the format: from hip hop to underground soul, techno, dub, boogie and beyond. Musical programming by Karl Injex + Tyler Askew (SNC), along with Gamall (Backspin). Your hosts on the night are Tchaiko and Ibrahim, with photographic support provided by Dustin Ross.

A few past guests have included Carl Craig, Pete Rock, Geology, Osunlade, Jazzy Jeff, SA-RA, Waajeed, and IG Culture. These guys have created just the right mix of beautiful music and friendly vibe that makes you leave your worries at the door. Be prepared to move.

Salvador Dalí Exhibit
Through May 15, 2005 @ The Philadelphia Museum of Art
When you have the guts to do your own thing and do it well folks have to give you your just deserves. This is the case for Salvador Dalí. Love him or hate him the man had talent.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is privileged to be the only American venue to host the major centennial retrospective exhibition devoted to Salvador Dalí (1904-1989). This exhibition, timed to coincide with the celebration of the 2004 centenary of the artist’s birth, considers all aspects of the artist’s long and controversial career. On view is a vast array of Dalí’s highly influential Surrealist paintings, as well as his early Cubist-inspired works and later experiments with optical illusions and perspective, as in Still Life - Fast Moving of 1956. This thorough reevaluation of Dalí’s remarkable contribution to modern and contemporary art is augmented by examples of his work in other fields, including theater design, filmmaking, and literature. Over 200 works of art are on view, many of which are being shown in the United States for the first time.

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For more information on Junior check out www.recordbreakin.com. The albums reviewed in this column and other ear candy can be heard every week on Junior’s radio show.

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