I came across something the other night that woke up a child-like freedom and sent it rushing through my musical veins. Jun Oshima, an everything man grinding in many directions from music production to PR, is bringing back the simplicity of good music without the flash. Just pure enjoyment - letting yourself free and opening yourself up to the places music can take you, if you let it. Like many of us fascinated by the Brooklyn streets and the glow they hold, Jun uses still photo’s as the backdrop while Will Bradford gets his groove on in the short but sweet “Brooklyn Step”. Also stay peeled on his page for upcoming releases, and projects - this Toyko artist spreads his wings and makes Brooklyn his home. Find “Brooklyn Step” and more videos like it here.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing a set by Taylor McFerrin, you definitely want to stop by 205 tonight to check out the release party for his long awaited EP, Broken Vibes. Already gaining international praise and attention, the anticipation for this release has reached a fever pitch. His beatbox bringin’, laptop rockin’, soul fueling set always gets crowds vibing in a trance-like sway. Featuring 7 tracks, all in different dimensions and depths, his natural talent and feel for the groove will no doubt inspire and move you. Also, ready to show herself to the world, track 7 Celebrity, features vocals by Trace adored TK WONDER (who will be featured in our Feb/March Art Issue). Tonight the party starts at 9:30pm with buzzed about Muhsinah, followed by Hezekiah and then Taylor @ 11:15. Check 205’s MySpace page for more info.

No 1’s Done It Right, is coming together once again to bring you a party that will stay in your dome as a night to remember, with a cause that is no doubt worthy of your respect. With a very successful launch party in November of ‘07, the crew founded by Nosa (not to be confused with the design company N.O.S.S.A ), was able to raise enough money to support the Macheo Children’s Home in feeding 150 Orphans for 2 months. This coming Wednesday the 23rd, it’s going down again, but this time you’re advised to expect even bigger and better. The music will be off the chain, with Baile Funk heaven from DJ Cassiano, Crunk California Electronic from Lets Go To War, and Melo-X bringing some serious Hip Hop - all blended together and topped off with an open bar cherry from 9-10. All proceeds go to F.L.O.H and Cucu Foundation. Bailectrohop… better act like you know! “ITS GOING TO BE INSSSSAAAAANNNNEEEEE!!!!!”

The ladies at Harriet’s Altered Ego are proud to announce an opening not to be missed this Sunday, featuring art from the vibrant Kevin Bright. Proving art can come from many different sources, Kevin’s world opened up once he decided to drop out of art school, and jump right into the scene. Since his mighty leap, he has completed a collection of one of a kind t-shirts, uniforms for the swank Bombay Talkie Restaurant, and he’s sold masterpieces to Madonna, Bjork and Jennifer Lopez. As the word begins to spread about Kevin’s incredible work, the world is looking a little brighter.

Be sure to stop into Harriet’s Altered Ego for an open bar, shopping and the opening itself, which will unveil a few never-before-seen pieces. Bonus: if you’re looking for gear, all winter stock will be reduced to $30.

Sunday January 13^th, 3-6pm
293 Flatbush Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
www.harrietsalteregoonline.com
http://kevinbrightstudio.com

Image: Crown 2007, Acrylic, Canvas, Staples on wood

Featured recently in our Music Uncommon issue, Delphine Diallo is one of my favorite artists on the scene right now. She blends photography with her trademarked style, a style which combines drawing, painting and an impeccable eye. Not only do her images provoke conversation, the culture and feelings weaved into her creations guarantee that you take in the whole experience. This Friday, you can troop to Harlem to be welcomed with amazing African music, food and drinks, and Delphine’s Magic Photo Studio. The gallery, Society Coffee, is also a wine bar at night, and it will be keeping the gallery open until 11pm for those who like to sip vino when the sun goes down. For more information on Delphine Diallo and her work, check out her MySpace, website or the article in TRACE. 

Anyone looking to get out tonight should head to Brooklyn for some 90’s R ‘n B and Hip Hop classics, champagne and birthday cake, and to top it all off artwork by the creative and lovely, Fly Lady Di. Yume BKNY, a streetwear and vintage boutique carrying brands like CMYK and Coup D Etat, will celebrate both the birth and the expression of Fly Lady Di as she exhibits her paintings solo for the first time. Known for stunning crowds on both dance floors and in music videos with her technique and foot-work, this adventurous mind is ready to tackle a whole other animal with her live paintings - self exploration with brush in hand. Show some love & get down in BK! Also keep your eyes peeled and watch for Fly Lady Di gracing the pages of our upcoming Art Issue.

For all you men who are afraid to pick up that bar of soap your mother sent you for the holidays (you know who you are), Diesel has come thru with a scent that comes in a package and size that’s reasonable for even the man on the go. Complete with a wallet chain, a bullet shaped capsule for holding the 3 ML fragrance, and 2 refills, you can strut confidently into any room knowing you smell as hot as you think you look. If you’re the type who wants to keep it on a shelf where you sleep, look for the 75ML limited edition bottle draped with chains. There’s also one more option for the ladies: a sexy chain with an even sexier scent for the fairer of the sexes… just in case you’re looking for a last minute gift for you the one you sleep by. Check out more details here.

For those who are in the mood to give a gift this year that will help the greater good of the planet (not just your closet), we found a really great auction, so get your bidding on. 100 plus artist, musicians, culinary masters, entertainers and celebs, pitched in and designed a lunch box that speaks louder than words. Some, like Yoko Ono and Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels, kept the design simple but the message clear, while others including London’s Lily Allen went wild with colors, patterns and collage, really bringing her style to life. The proceeds go to help feed two organizations - The Lunchbox Fund of South Africa and Food Bank For New York City. With Millions suffering from hunger both close to home and across the globe, those who have an abundance this year should support the 2007 Lunchbox Auction. Bidding ends this Friday, December 21st at 6pm EST. To see what’s up for grabs click here.

One of the newest clothing lines that’s got me all worked up, is the 21st Century Maroon Colony (21MC). The birth of the brand was in Spring ‘07, but the blood behind the name comes from African ancestors, a reference to “the Afro-Triangle”. Emeka Alams and Yego Moravia, the hearts behind 21MC have been close since they were young, but were brought together to change the face of style forever, by combining bitter truth and painful history all the while finding beauty in the modern day Maroon. As graphic as the truth can be, 21MC has found a great way to highlight some of the beautiful patterns and colors that scream Africa, but also capture the face of today’s generation. In 2008, look out for remixed/redesigned shirts dedicated to tracks by 2pac, Big Youth, De la Soul, Black Uhuru, Santogold and Nas. Spring brings back the ancestors in foil print and embroidery on t-shirts, sweaters, jackets and even leggings as well as a tribute to the 21st death day of Basquiat. Read more on 21MC as Yego breaks down “The Afro-Triangle”: “ It reconnects us with that place where the bones of our ancestors trace out the routes of trade between Africa, The Americas, and Europe like a 500 year old super highway. Literally. It’s estimated that all the bones of dead Africans during the middle passage could be lined up side-by-side to make a two lane highway from Charleston, South Carolina, U$A, to the Slave Coast of Ghana. The route then heads north to Liverpool, England, then back to the Americas, the completes the triangle. Sharks still patrol the routes of the slave ships, that’s how well fed they were during the slave trade. Supposedly, the shark population tripled between the 15th and 18th centuries…” Heavy stuff worth thinking about. Learn more about 21MC here.

YOUNITY, started by active New York artists Toofly and Alice Mizrachi, is bringing a new face to the name of women and the arts. YOUNITY is an organization, a community, a process, and the future of women and expression free of any confining purpose or direction. Its mission, “to create an international collective of female visual artists, designers, photographers and craftswomen,” comes at a perfect time as more and more women are getting sick and tired of being put on the back burner. Keeping the focus on the visual arts, they plan to do shows in galleries, craft markets, and fashion shows that will be anything but predictable. The collective hopes to stand as a support system for young artists on the rise by mentoring, building tight networks, sharing resources and developing a community in which women can grow and flourish as artists. Annually, YOUNITY will hold a showcase in New York to allow the public to view some of its work. Today will mark the first exhibit, from 6-9pm at the Showroom Gallery featuring art from ladies worldwide. Don’t miss this moment of history in the making.