Jay Stone, Queens D. Light, newcomers highlight SMART BOMB v.53
With the shuttering of Los Angeles' legendary Low End Theory in August, it's comforting to know a like-minded spirit lives on and is recognized in the Bay Area through Oakland's SMART BOMB. Championing the cross-pollination of heady, experimental sounds in hip-hop, the upcoming volume (volume 53) shines an especially bright light onto Queens D. Light, Jay Stone, plus newcomers, producer Heru and producer/rapper Demahijae. Both Queens D. Light and Jay Stone have blessed 2018 with new albums. The hip-hop on Queens' spiritually energetic Flavor of Green EP was produced by Monster Rally, the same producer who gave us Jay Stone's [...]
Oakland beat showcase SMART BOMB recognized in 2017 YCBA 100
Every year, San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts publishes its YCBA 100 list that names people, organizations and movements that are using the arts to innovate and shape the future of culture. This year, among names such as Chance the Rapper, Donald Glover, Barry Jenkins, Rupi Kaur, and 100 Days Action, the YBCA includes Oakland's SMART BOMB for "showcasing dynamic, innovative and marginalized voices" through music. The monthly showcase curates local and global producers and DJs to bring all kinds of experimental, abstract and left-of-field sounds into the Legionnaire Saloon with the sole purpose of expanding its patrons [...]
Asonic Garcia releases lo-fi, ambient jazz tape on limited edition cassette
On its Bandcamp page, Asonic Garcia describes his Astral Turn Down Service mix as “celestial sounds for your inner being; familiar yet unknown vibrations from distant dimensions, both old and new” — An apt description of the 90-minute cosmic trip curated and arranged by the Oakland’s monthly SMART BOMB founder. Each of the two 45-minute sides is a stellar whirlwind of lo-fi, trip-hop, spiritual jazz from artists such as Sun Ra, Kamasi Washington, Pharoah Sanders, Flying Lotus, Yussef Kamaal, and other experimental vibes that fit perfectly into Asonic’s world of spirited, but also scientific, beats. The mix is a reflection [...]