I mean, have you ever tried to describe the feeling of love, or what sunshine feels like? For house music lovers who’ve seen Chuck Love perform live, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s just as difficult to verbalize what the experience is truly like. He pulls out all the stops. From guitar to vocals to horn, and then synthesizer to hookaphone (!), he puts on one amazing performance. He killed his set so beautifully and kept my friends and I dancing all over the floor until we were about to collapse from exhaustion. It was awesome.

However, if you don’t have the opportunity to see the producer-slash-DJ in person, I do recommend checking out his new album. The two-disc set includes one compilation of all original tracks, including two of my favorite house tunes, “Back in My Life” and “Soul Symphony.” For you house heads out there, you know what I’m talking about. Disc two features a blend of both Chuck’s remixes and original tracks that will pretty much make you either bob your head like crazy or just get up and dance. In my opinion, it’s an extremely solid album set, and everyone I know who’s heard it also sings his praises.

But you don’t have to be a house head to appreciate him. His production includes influences ranging from soul, funk, disco, and downtempo. One thing I love about albums of this quality is their versatility. Throw it on during a barbeque, house party, or beach bonfire and you’ve got instantly fun mood music. I’m excited to experience such a talented artist, I’m happy to spread the love to you all, and I hope at least a few of you will explore the “Love” too.

Resources:

• Listen to / Purchase Album
• Upcoming Shows [MySpace]
• Live video [Sorry the sound is distorted! I was near the speaker]

Notes: This article is a non-paid review, sponsored by MsDanielle. The Resource links are non-affiliated links. Shout-outs go to my friend Andrew from Ubiquity Records for passing the album along to me, as well as to Lindsay Fagan from OM Records for providing support.

As for this week’s video, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t posted one by this group yet. This is the one band I want to see live once in my lifetime. I’ve been to so many shows and concerts, but never seen them before. Shame on me. Well I hope you all enjoy this one, it’s a classic in my opinion. Andrew, crank up your speakers, this is a good one!

Happy Friday everybody!

Happy Friday everyone!

There was another version of this song that I can’t find, but if I recall it was a toned-down acoustic version. Do you guys remember it? Probably on the B side…I preferred the acoustic version. I’m sure I’ve got it buried somewhere in my stored-away box of cassettes, tucked in tightly with Motley Crue, Tesla, Metallica, Poison and GnR. Either way, take five, kick back and take a stroll down memory lane with me. Happy Friday!

This song is for you, Roland!

Yo, Roldawg, never trust a big butt and a smile.

Happy Friday, y’all!

A Silly Story

When I was in junior high school I wanted to be a drummer, really badly. I wanted to be a bad-ass like Lars. And Kirk Hammett was my “dream guy.” One day I saw him at Knott’s Berry Farm from far away, but thought I was just seeing things. I mean, why would Kirk Hammett be at Knott’s Berry Farm? No way, it couldn’t be. I heard later that it was him and that there was a swarm of people chasing after his car when he left! Darn it. Oh well, there went my one chance of ever meeting Kirk Hammett…at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Happy Friday, everybody!

This is definitely a sing-along slow jam, so feel free to crank it up and reminisce. Ahh, I just can’t resist a good slow jam. Do you remember where you were when you first heard this song? Let me know. Happy Friday, everyone!

Introspective. Outcast. Lonely. Inspired.

Or not.

It was written in dedication to the late Jayne Mansfield. If you don’t know this song, have a listen, as it might make you reminisce about someone dear to you, or an experience that you’ve had in the past, or relate to Ms. Mansfield’s plight. It’s wonderful just to…feel…these things. Feel free to sing along, or just close your eyes and be lost. Happy Friday, everyone.

Literally.

Last night, on the fly, my wonderful friend Daniel rings me up and offers me an extra VIP ticket to the Los Angeles Detour Music Festival, which I accepted without hesitation. [Thank you, Daniel! Special thanks also goes to Daniel's good friend Raymond Roker for the passes.] Check out the insane lineup!

We met up at the Standard hotel in downtown LA, where the after-party would later culminate, and headed over to the event being held outdoors near and around the steps of City Hall. Yes, the actual LA City Hall.

We arrived and the throngs of people were crowded into 1st Street in front of a huge stage setup, and scattered across Main and Spring Streets, running back and forth between performances. There were people everywhere, along the sidewalks, in the streets, and laying on the grassy lawns. We were able to catch the tail end of the TeddyBears, part of Justice, and then the beginning set from Bloc Party, when we realized we had to jet out of there because it was 11:00…this night had just started. We had to head back over to the Standard for the real party.

The TeddyBears	Justice on stage

After about an hour of slowly gathering up heads in one of the suites, we headed down to the 2nd floor where the real action was (not the rooftop). After midnight, in a narrow conference room/makeshift venue, crowded with bodies and accented with a low ceiling and steamy windows, Justice took over the decks. They remind me of an up-and-coming Daft Punk, minus the helmets and glow-in-the-dark track suits. You can see for yourself in this video clip just how energized the crowd was. It’s hard to see them spinning but I couldn’t get much closer, and the clip would’ve been longer but my camera ran out of memory!

Justice at the Standard Hotel

Video of Justice at Detour

Detour was a great event, and one of the last few big outdoor festivals we’ll see here in LA for awhile. I was itching to get out and last night was the fix, especially closing out the night in the conference room with Justice. If you were at the event, let us know what you thought. If you didn’t make it, I’m sure the party will roll back around next year, bigger and better.

This video is a great ballad, and although some of you might think it’s cheesy, I really don’t care. Feel free to sing along, since I know you’ll want to. It’s my favorite song by this band, by far. I missed their tour this year but next time they come to town, my friend Tony says he’ll take me and I have to wear a Harley t-shirt, leather pants, and a big ol’ permed blond wig, which should be more fun than I can imagine!

God, how I miss the days of glamorous, cheesy, over-the-top rock ‘n roll…

Enjoy…and Happy Friday!