BEMBE Atlanta – Saturday, May 26th 2012
Carlos Mena returns Saturday, May 26th for the next installment of the legendary BEMBE party.
Get tickets here: http://bembe-atlanta-may2012.eventbrite.com/
Blog and News
BEMBE Atlanta – April 28th
Last month the BEMBE party was amazing and was being called the party of the year in Atlanta! Carlos Mena returns Saturday, April 28th for the next installment. Get tickets here: http://bembe-atlanta-april.eventbrite.com/
The BEMBE party happens every fourth Saturday
Six Records That Shape My Musical Aesthetic
Let me start by saying, that these are not my 6 favorite records, not my top 6, and not the greatest 6 albums ever. Although they would be in my TOP 20 Albums of all-time, these are simply 6 records that I have identified as having a major influence on my musical aesthetic and how I approach producing music.
I wish I had the time to share with you what I get from each of these musical treasures, especially when I listen to them on vinyl, (I have 5 of them on wax, not that I am a vinyl snob). See below for the short version.
Why am I sharing this list with you? I am hoping musicians, artists producers, label heads see this list and try to copy some of what is in these records. Yes, listen and copy (no not rip off, copy as in soak some of it in). That would elevate the game instantly!
A Tribe Called Quest – Low End Theory Deep, hard, organic and lyrical. The perfect hip-hop album.
RUN-D.M.C. Raw and simple, yet a ground breaking record that still holds my attention.
Miles and Coltrane – Live at Newport Jazz Festival I didn’t get it when I first heard this record. I knew it was important, but I didn’t get it. I listened 50 times in a row in about 3 days and then the hidden image started coming into focus. 30 years later I am still getting it, in pieces.
Led Zeppelin II The Blues interpreted by some pretty funky cats. Loooove this record.
Beatles – The White Album Musical and engineering genius.
Willie Colon & Ruben Blades – Siembra Genius songwriting, percussion, keys, horns, bass, ….heaven!
BEMBE Party December 17th!
BEMBE returns to The Vagabond in Miami. San Lazaro Edition!! With special opening set by Djinji Brown.
BEMBE Party returns to Miami Sept 24th
Join me as I celebrate my birthday at The Vagabond on Saturday, September 24th. Djinji Brown joins me with a special opening set.
Purple Reign
By now most of you know about Acai, the Brazilian super fruit, its nutritional content, it’s amazing earthy, chocolatey, dark berry flavor, and how it is pronounced. I’ll spare you the lesson, but I will tell you that I have been addicted to Acai for the last 6 years. Pretty much everyday, I have an Acai bowl with granola and bananas or an Acai smoothie to start my day. There have been a few brands out there, and I’ve had them all. I’ve also seen a few of my favorites go out of business including Flavor Brazil, which I cleverly include a little granola packet in the cup. The ubiquitous choice we have been left with turns out to be the least authentic tasting of them all. And while Sambazon should be commended for having USDA organic certification and having implemented fair trade certification, their growth has left us with little to no choice for Acai sorbet/pulp. I used to have gallons of Acai pulp overnighted from UniversalTaste, which had superior taste and texture, but that too has been unavailable for a while now.
I really do encourage you Acai fans to search for alternatives to Sambazon and support them. My latest find has been Nativo Acai (http://www.pureacaiberryfruitjuice.com/). What’s so great about them? They have the only raw (unpasteurized) pulp that I know of and it tastes great! I get it at the Whole Foods in South Beach, and I bet they can get it at your Whole Foods too if you ask. Long story short, Acai is good for you and tastes great, find some, have some! … and now you know what the song Purple Reign on my upcoming album is about! 
