Last night we were witness an excellent performance from J-Rocc at the Stones Throw records evening. Here's a video of one of the pieces that he did that was recorded a few years back.

The warm up act was Egon, who played some great tracks to start with and then bored the crowd with shouts out like "This is how we do it in LA", "Listen to this crazy Turkish record". Errrm Egon, we have heard eastern music before in Europe you know. We had to wait some time for this guy to get off stage as the J-Rocc, Madlib and Karim Riggins were probably still at dinner in the restaurant where we had seen them earlier. We definitely should have stayed for desert and coffee it seems. ;)

J-Rocc was up next and he was certainly worth waiting for. He's a very fluid DJ with mad skills and he performed some of the best turntabilism that I have seen in quite some time.

The main act started out badly in my opinion, despite that fact that they had the enthusiastic crowd with their hands-in-the-air. J-Rocc as DJ with Madlib and Karriem Riggins as MCs. It did not really hold together for me. Luckily before we decided to leave a guest MC came on stage and showed them how it is really done. From Detroit Guilty Simpson is in town to play at Detroit remix event with Black Milk.

That gig is happening tonight at the Supper Club, here's the blurb. Live remixes of diverse Detroit genres from the likes of Platinum Pied Pipers, Black Milk, Marc Mac, Dimlite, Guilty Simpson and Kissey Asplund. Supperclub, 19.30-01.00, €10)

Madlib then took up residence behind the CD decks with Karriem Riggins playing drums with J-Rocc accompanying on decks on his Serato Scratch setup. We were provided with a performance of improvisational jazz and hip-hop of the highest order. (ending unfortunately with the seemingly obligatory jazz drum solo)

The hands-in-the-air crowd did not seem to dig this so much and there was a lot more space suddenly available in the room which was good as the small room in the Melkweg was packed last night. After this there was a further surprise treat of Jeru the Damaja doing MC on a few tracks. This is a classic track by Jeru the Damaja.





Rounding off the night was Guilty Simpson and Black Milk doing MC on another number. Apart from the bad start and the wobbly middle this was a most excellent night of hip-hop in the Melkweg. This video is from Black Milk feat. Guilty Simpson "Sound The Alarm".





That's it for me this year. Laibach are playing tonight at Melkweg for those of you who are interested in this neo-classical industrial Slovenian band who produce very entertaining subversive cover versions. For those of you who remember the original, this is their version of Life is Life.





If you are around on December 20 or 21 check out the 10 years Sonar Kollective Weekender featuring Clara Hill and band, Trickski, Benny Sings and band, Jazzanova DJ, Christian Prommers Drumlesson's, Olaf Boswijk DJ & Jutojo DJ. link