Co Flo’s Track of the Week: Dream In Color (Casamena Kitchen Mix) – Spencer Gray
This is a beautiful and somber song. As a matter of fact every song/track on this album is incredible, Spencer Gray and his remixees did a wonderful job with every sound and selection. This particular song’s remix is the right blend of deep percussion with soulful lyrics – a fantastic intro to a fantastic melody and rhythm. This is the perfect song to hear at 2 am to let your legs cool off while you work the smooth accents to the various elements of the percussion and sweet vocal tone.

As I said this whole album is an awesome mix of Nu Jazz and house, buy the whole album – its a steal for such incredible music.

Here is the traxsource link for you to listen and check it out, make sure if your feelin’ it you buy it and support the beautiful music that these artist and putting out for us: http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=33834

From Traxsource:

The nom de plume of New York producer and DJ Marc-Alan Gray, and Loveslap! Records founder Charles Spencer, Spencer Gray was conceived in 2003 setting the benchmark high with their debut release ‘Pillow Talk’. DJ mag heralded the group’s arrival by drawing comparisons to the legendary house music partnership Masters At Work, proclaiming the single: “the sort of record that if made by MAW would be heralded as the epitome of cool, as it easily stands head-and-shoulders above the current competition.” Blues & Soul equally enthused about the single calling it “a joy” amongst other superlatives.

Six years in the making, Dreaming In Color, the group’s debut, about is upon us more than making up to the wait. A nine-strong collection of real songs (as well as a trio of additional remixes) that meander through a plethora of styles and tempos taking in house grooves, broken-beats, nu-jazz flavours and even electro influences en route, with an underbelly of warmth, rich textures and soulful jazz traditions.

Dreaming In Color is a debut set of pastoral impressions and beguiling dream-inducing electronica and deconstructed house from two protagonists who create a soundscape that boarders on cinematic themes, Afro-centric rhythms, and jazz-kissed soulful house at its most appealing. Enlisting the services of skilled musicians, singers and friends – among them vocalists Heather Johnson, Terrence Downs, Sylvia Gordon and Yshara, along with bass-player Andrew Higgins, trumpeter Rich Armstrong and jazz virtuosos guitarist Jay Bowman ? Spencer Gray have created a rare balance of live musicianship and contemporary technology all too missing in today’s club market.

Conceptually Dreaming In Color is an album for listening to from beginning to end; the journey getting underway with the smooth jazz-tinged ‘Over Tonight’, before ebbing-and-flowing into the airy vibes of ‘How Do You’. Fellow stable mate, the Galaxy Group (Spencer along with studio partner Tonee Green) adding swing beats to the song’s sparse arrangement allowing Terrence Downs’ subtle harmonies to envelope the senses.

A beautifully constructed opus of Balearic-kissed beats, rolling dance grooves and subtle nuances, the album sounds more delicious with each successive play: instinctively groovy, occasionally laid-back yet always polished and musically modish. Full of surprises and enriched by beautifully lush and dreamy numbers like the seductive ‘(Dream) In Color’ featuring Sylvia Gordon (fresh from adding her stamp to Moby’s ‘Last Night’ album), and the Stevie Wonder-like ‘Come On’ with Downs’ vintage delivery sitting atop percolating percussion-driven beats.

Highlights are many, and include the warm ambience of their 2003 debut ‘Pillow Talk’ – not a cover of Sylvia’s ’70s disco-erotica, instead an equally sublime shuffler with Heather Johnson’s seductive adlibs punctuating as deeply as her heartfelt words. (Also included is the sort after chunkier house remix by Asad Rizvi). The jazz-kissed bossa nova ‘Scatter Me’, with chanteuse Yshara (who’s worked with Loveslap! since the start of the decade and featured on singles like ‘A Better Way’ and ‘Freed Or Bound’), sounding uncannily like Bebel Gilberto; implausibly relaxed against a back drop of rattling Basilica samba rhythms. Iamni Uzuri (who has also recorded with Sly & Robbie, 4Hero and King Britt) delivers some truly captivating vocals on the bass-driven ‘Precious’.

Spencer Gray sustained success has been their vision for using the traditions of the roots of jazz, soul and a fair splattering of West Coast soulful house, to make their music more accessible. With the aid of sharp musicianship and sophisticated production flair, the result is a sound that pleases mature listeners whilst all the while maintaining contemporary aspects for both stalwarts and new fans alike. Edgy deep house grooves with the odd hint afro-beat, ooze elegance and panache, and add up to make Dreaming In Color a classic dance album.

I got the sounds, I got the linoleum… let’s dancing!

Breaks and MJ but mostly HOUSE music!
Dancers and friends it’s time to rock it sea side Saturday at Ocean Beach noon – 8pm. Please bring foods and drinks to share.

Filming for the Bay Area shout out video 3pm-5pm. Aloha!

Date: Saturday, July 4, 2009
Time: 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Ocean Beach Jetty
Street: Ocean Beach at Lincoln Way
City/Town: South San Francisco, CA

4th of July at Ocean Beach

Got some new music fo ya….also I decided to start up a nu-jazz and broken beat collection (also learning to mix it). So i through down some new broken beat trax i picked up this last week. Hope you like it

Right-Click on this link and “Save As” to download to your computer

Mix by Co FLO

yo muffugggin tracks:

Birds! – Steve Rigmaiden
His Presence – Ezel ft. FredyMassamba
Dema – Jay Tripwire feat. Boddhi Satva
Ride With Me – Roberto Rodriguez
Thunderbolts – Ezel Feat. Djinji Brown
Think Twice (Henrik Schwarz remix) – Detroit Experiment
Congaloid – Solo
Urban Watcher featuring CHarlie Sputnik – Art Bleek 
Believe in Something (Ceramic Vocal) – Greymatter feat. Heidi Vogel
Upside (Bugz Upside Mix) – Reel People feat. Darien
Home (Opolopo Mix) – Rogiers
Letting Go (Yellowtail Remix) – Arch_typ
Changes – Yellowtail Feat. Russell Morgan

I hear the question often are there any tall house dancers? lol YES THERE ARE PLENTY. So I figured I post some clips to inspire those who believe height is working against them.
Enjoy!
ODie

Heres a bunch of the french house dancers some the same height as you Alex!
ENJOY

Heres a clip of and OG Caleaf aka Big Leaf I believe hes around 6′5!

Co Flo’s Track of the Week: Thunderbolts – Ezel feat. Djinji Brown
I waited for this one to drop for while. I had been hearing it on DSOH and on CasaMena Radio hour for some time. Ezel’s debut on Ocha records – and what a debut it is. This track gets the dance floor jumpin’ fo sho. Congrats on the release Ezel, I’m sure many more dope cuts will come.

Here is the traxsource link for you to listen and check it out, make sure if your feelin’ it you buy it and support the beautiful music that these artist and putting out for us: http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=35606

From Traxsource:

The debut release for Ezel on Ocha featuring Carlos Mena and Djinji Brown

Ocha Records proudly presents the debut single from Ezel. This young talent is already making a name for himself with remixes on Yoruba, Ocha, and solo projects for Franck Roger, Boddhi Satva and Halo’s City Deep. “Secreto” is the title track from Ezel’s forthcoming full-length release “Secreto” on Ocha Records. A very deep affair, that gives you organic percussion, mysterious vocals by Carlos Mena, while Ezel takes you on an afro-tech ride that you will not soon forget. Next up on this release is “Thunderbolts”, also from the upcoming “Secreto” album, and features the powerful vocals of our brother Djinji Brown. “Thunderbolts will rock any dancefloor!

Thunderbolts
(Ocha People’s Music, Yoruba People’s Music, Ascap, Sony Atv Music)
Written & produced by Ezel @ House of Spirits studio , Santo Domingo, D.R.
All instruments by Ezel
Vocals & chimes by Djinji Brown
Thunderbolts by Chango (Kabio Sile)

Executive Producers Carlos Mena, Osunlade and Ezel
All songs mastered by Carlos Mena at the CASAMENA Studios, Oakland, CA.

Another new clip from Hiro, Tatsuo and Hyrossi. Some reworked counts from their last show and lots of new stuff also.This is a clip from march this year 2009. 10 min routine with 3 guys pheeeww I know that’s a lot of work!!!
ENJOY
ODie

Co Flo’s Track of the Week: Rass Out – Altered Natives
This one is a super slap fo sho! The drum kit in this track makes the musicality possibilities almost endless. When dancing to this track there is no reason to have a short of creativity that is for sure. Lots of energy and most def can mix easy off into another red hot top of the night heater. Never owned or heard any music by the Altered Natives before, but this one gets a prize. Well done, thanks for making real dance music! HA!

Here is the traxsource link for you to listen and check it out, make sure if your feelin’ it you buy it and support the beautiful music that these artist and putting out for us: http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=32979

From Traxsource:

Altered Natives has hit hard with a raw, big beat driven drum and bass highly impressionable track – fans include Laurent Garnier, Afronaut, Quentin Harris, Phil Asher and many more

Following the well-received debut release this second single for Fresh Minute is starting to gather even more numbers of enthusiasts to the label who have already marked it for its revered qualities in production of underground electronic dance music… Altered Natives has hit hard with a raw, big beat driven drum and bass highly impressionable track – fans include Laurent Garnier, Afronaut, Quentin Harris, Phil Asher and many clubbers have been drawn to it, as have the noted house heads who equally are enthralled by the nod to old school disco elements on the Souled remix of “Bullet Blade Knuckle Slap.”

All tracks Written and Produced By Daniel Yorke.
Except Bullet Blade Knuckle Slap (Souled remix)
Additional Music Production and Arrangement by Adam Cook and Ben Tidy

Okay finally got back around to a more complete mix with more new music, hope you enjoy this weeks mix. YEE!!!!!

Right-Click on this link and “Save As” to download to your computer

Mix by Co FLO

Dingity Yadida da da:

Din Daa Daa – George Kranz
Let The Groove Drive Yo Phunky Soul – Mike Dunn
Vem Quente Que Eu Estou Fervendo (One51 Remix) – Mustafa feat. Elisangela
Day One – Argy feat. Bajka
Ey Bi Yea – Jovonn
This Beat – Soul Purpose
Save Each Other (Chicago Underground Vox) – Jay Tripwire feat. Marie Tweek
Unfinished Business – Aphrodisiax
Bang The Drum (Manoo Remix) – Sister Pearl
Irinajo (Irinadub) – Siji
Paper Chase – Clara Hill Meets Vikter Duplaix
I forgot you (Atjazz Remix) – Atjazz feat. Clyde

Hell yea…..congrats to the Mind Body FLO House Dance class of 09′ – this was your best performance to date. You guys really worked it out and you have to say “it was hella fun along the way”. Hard work and dedication pays off, I can for sure say that I have seen progress from everyone just in a matter of 4-5 months. Here is a little video of all the greatness!

Mind Body FLO House Dance Workshop 2009 @ ODC Dance Commons, San Francisco
Edited by ODie and Tsunami (FLO-ology Dance Collective)

Want to take class? Summer sessions start Wed, June 17th for House Dance Basics (intro to house). Intermediate class for House Dance choreography and intro to freestyle on Saturday, June 27th. Click here for more info!