Mulatu Astake - Timeless: The Composer/Arranger Series, 3xDVD
Mulatu Astake - Timeless: The Composer/Arranger Series, 3xDVD
Mochilla Presents Mulatu Astake + Suite For Ma Dukes + Arthur Verocai - Timeless: The Composer/Arranger Series, 3xDVD
w/ a full orchestra feat. Bennie Maupin, Azar Lawrence, Phil Ranelin, Trevor Ware, Munyungo Jackson, Joel Yennior, Todd Simon, Dan Ubick, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Brandon Coleman, Tony Austin, Alan Lightner.
Live @ the Harriet And Charles Luckman Fine Arts Complex - Los Angeles, California - February 1, 2009
(73 Minutes/ Black & White/ Stereo/1.33.1 Aspect Ratio):
The first Timeless concert was the beginning of a big year for Mulatu Astatke. His colloboration with the Heliocentrics has made many peoples best of list. The Anthology of his work New York Addis London -- The Story Of Ethio Jazz 1965 to 1975 is the first comprehensive collection of his work and was a big success for Strut records. On February 1st 2009 he blessed the Luckmann with an amazing show. He shared the stage with veterans of the Los Angeles jazz scene Bennie Maupin, Azar Lawrence and Phil Ranelin. The performance is beautiful showcasing many classics aswell as some new material too. He's currently touring Europe with the Heliocentrics and is still talking about the Timeless concert in Los Angeles. He's currently in the process of recording a new record.
DVD Two: Suite For Ma Dukes (The Music Of James "Dilla" Yancey)
Miguel Atwood-Ferguson w/ a 60 piece orchestra feat. Bilal, Dwele, Amp Fiddler, Illa J, Shafiq Husayn, Talib Kweli, Posdnuos, Karriem Riggins, Thundercat, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey + more.
Live @ the Harriet And Charles Luckman Fine Arts Complex - Los Angeles, California - February 22, 2009
(73 Minutes/ Black & White/ Stereo/1.33.1 Aspect Ratio):
Timeless 2 celebrated the music of J. Dilla. Composed and arranged for a 60 piece Orchestra by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson featuring special guests Bilal, Dwele, Posdnuos, Talib Kweli and more. This premiere performance is still on the minds of many. The music has been mixed and mastered by legendary producer/mixer, Grammy award winning Bob Power. Power, the man behind hundreds of pop and jazz recordings had also worked with Dilla while he was alive. Bob rarely works on smaller independent projects like this. Bob was so impressed with the Miguel's music that he blessed this collaboration with an epic mix. In related news - the Cedar Falls, Iowa Symphony will play four of Miguel's arrangements of Dilla in a tribute performance to great American composers. Dilla will be honored right there with George Gershwin, William Grant Still and Duke Ellington. Only Timeless could have made this happen.
DVD Three: Arthur Verocai
w/ a 30 piece orchestra feat. Alosio Aguiar, Justo Almario, Jose Bertrami, Ivan "Mamao" Conti, Carlos Dafe, Clarisse Grova, Airto Moreira.
Live @ the Harriet And Charles Luckman Fine Arts Complex - Los Angeles, California - March 15, 2009
(73 Minutes/ Black & White/ Stereo/1.33.1 Aspect Ratio):
Timeless 3 saw Arthur Verocai make his first trip to Los Angeles. His performance of the complete seminal 1972 record brought the capacity Luckmann crowd to a stand still. According to Verocai, "he never played the record, alive or dead!" and hid the record from his family because "of his disappointment at its failure during the 70s." His delight at the opportunity to play this music in its complete form can be seen in the DVD. He has subsequently been offered an opportunity to do the concert again in London. Stay tuned. The music for the DVD has been mixed by Verocai himself in Rio de Janeiro. He was so excited with the result that he held a private screening of the concert at the beginning of December with the Carioca music community.