Sanctuary Is Returning to Cleveland: Gemini Soul Edition

Yep, it's that time again.  Sanctuary returns to the Land on Saturday, June 1 and we will be representing  the geminis.  In honor of Sanctuary co-founder, Replife, a gemini a well as 70's baby, we're gonna welcome the summer with some heavy funk and 70's grooves.  Shout out to the entire Sanctuary family and I'll see y'all on Saturday!

Still skeptical? Check out the Sanctuary promo video below and see for yourself.  Enjoy!

MUAMIN COLLECTIVE: Live @ Sanctuary Cleveland 5/4/2013

In case you missed it, Muamin Collective (aLive and Zion), shut down Sanctuary last month.  In May, we held Sanctuary:  The Heavy Live Experience which showcased them alongside hometown heavyweights, Mariama Whyte and Gwen Maul.  The Neil Chastain Quartet rounds out the group with soulful instrumentation and heavy grooves inspired by aLive's beats.  Check the Mu as they perform the classics as well as tracks from their latest project, So Blue It's Black.

Enjoy!

Sanctuary April May 2013 - The Heavy Live Experience

Once again we've commenced the new month with yet another Sanctuary of epic proportions.  We named this month Sanctuary:  The Heavy Live Experience.  Featuring music by Muamin Collective, Gwen Maul, Maryama White and the Neil Chastain Quartet.  In other words it was a Cleveland-style clash of the titans while DJ Eso and I held it down on the decks.  Don't believe me?  Check out the links below and see/hear it for yourselves.

Enjoy!

-Red-I

SANCTUARY: Live Set 5/4/2013 by Dj Red-I on Mixcloud

Jamelody - Love Crazy

"Love Crazy," by Jamelody, is the definition of a love anthem.  This was the first single release from his 2008 album, Be Prepared.  The music video is equally as beautiful as the actual song.  I believe that this song is already a reggae classic because it celebrates love, family and perseverance.  Now that I think about it, this song is a classic... PERIOD.

See for yourself by watching the video or listening to it in my latest dj mix set, Reggae Regiment.

Enjoy!

Red-I

Sweet Corn Riddim (Pure Music, 2011)

The other day, someone asked me what I music keep in rotation when I am in the car.  I can safely say, that the Sweet Corn Riddim has been in my CD player for the last two years.

Enjoy!

It is a bouncy roots riddim by Pure Music with a bubbly bass line featuring some of my favorite artists like Delly Ranks, Wayne Wonder, Chevaughn, Froggy Maddsquad.  I've played songs from this catalogue at countless parties of various genres and I've received positive feedback every time.  In fact, you can listen to if on my latest mix show, Reggae Regiment.

Enjoy!

-Red-I

Wayne Wonder

Delly Ranx

Voicemail

Lutan Fyah

Reggae Regiment: My Latest DJ Mix Series

I cannot tell you how many emails, texts, tweets and other messages I've received in the past year about when I was going to post my reggae sets.  Also, I was recently at a party and someone tried to play me as if I weren't representing "di real roots and culture" simply because I had not posted a roots/lover's rock mix.  Well long story short, I present Reggae Regiment, recorded from the live sets that I perform for DJ Lantan's internet radio show (big up a mi UK link deh).

Featuring music by Queen I-frica, Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, Fiji, Luciano, Sizzla and many more, Reggae Regiment is full of positive vibes and reggae groves.

Enjoy!

Red-I

Reggae Regiment: Live Session 1 by Dj Red-I on Mixcloud

SYLVIA - SWEET STUFF

Sylvia Vanderpool Robinson (1936-2011) aka "The Mother of Hip-Hop"was responsible for discovering the Sugar Hill Gang, serving as the business woman behind songs like "Rapper's Delight."  She also produced "The Message" for Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.  She's worked with Al Green, Bo Diddley, Tina Turner, The Moments and many other legendary R&B artists.

Check out this track called "Sweet Stuff" from her album, Sylvia.  I also used it as the last song during last March's Sanctuary.

Enjoy!

-Red-I

Sanctuary - 4/6/2013

I want to give a big shout out to everyone who came out to Sanctuary this month.  We had an amazing turn out and it was business as usual.  I can't wait until the next one.

If you couldn't make it, no worries.  Click the link below to hear part of the recorded set.

Enjoy!

-Red-I

SANCTUARY: Live Set 4/6/2013 by Dj Red-I on Mixcloud

"Luchini (AKA This Is It)" by Camp Lo

"This is it what!"  Camp Lo, comprised of Sonny Cheeba and Geechi Suede, dropped this track in 1997 and DJs have used it as a go-to party-starter ever since.  In fact, I used it to kick off my set at Sanctuary this month.  This track is full of horn-heavy samples and free-flowing verses that will get the dance floor going in no time.

Enjoy!

-Red-I

Sanctuary Cleveland Presents: Cleveland Debut of the Documentary Film "Free Angela and All Political Prisoners"

"Sanctuary Cleveland is proud to present the Cleveland debut of the documentary film "Free Angela and All Political Prisoners." 

"Free Angela" is a gripping historic account of the events that catapulted Angela Davis into a controversial political icon in the turbulent late 1960’s. The film is a candid and powerful account of the tumultuous times and a woman who challenges a society that is afraid of all that she represents. You know her name. Now, you will finally know her story. 



"Free Angela" will be screened in Cleveland for one night only on Wednesday, May 1st @ The Capital Theater (1390 W 65th St Cleveland, OH 44102), so please spread the word!!

A 30-minute special guest panel discussion will follow the film screening. Sanctuary Cleveland resident DJ's will also spin during our after party. Location of the after party TBD.

DJ Red-I

DJ Eso

Tickets are available for purchase online here:

http://www.tugg.com/events/3610

Purchasing your ticket online BEFORE APRIL 24th will ensure that the screening will happen. So please, buy your tickets soon!!

See you on May 1st!

- The Sanctuary Crew

Replife & DJ Kinetik, Sanctuary Founders

Red Brick Riddim (January 2013) Kanambo Music

2013 started with a bang with the release of many hot new riddims like Raw Cash Riddim, Invasion Riddim, Jupiter Riddim and many more.  That said, the one that stood out to me the most was the Red Brick Riddim, released by Kanambo Music.  It's a bouncy yet straight-forward riddim...  aka dancehall at its best.  Featuring tunes by Konshens, Beenie Man, DeMarco, Bugle, Zamunda, Munga and Kanambo, the Red Brick Riddim is packed with big-name artists.

Check out this Red Brick Riddim Mix or Reggae Nite: Live Session 1.

Enjoy!

-Red-I

Konshens

Beenie Man

Munga

"BACK WAY" BY CHAM

Cham (Baby Cham), in my opinion, has been on a roll since 2012.  Stringing together dancehall bangers like Wine (School Bag Riddim), Tun Up and Back Way.  Most mainstream listeners know him for his 2006 crossover hit, "Ghetto Story" but true dancehall fans, including Yours Truly, are aware Cham's hard-hitting delivery that can ride any riddim.

Check out his video for "Back Way" Reggae Nite: Live Session 1 or SANCTUARY: Live Set 4/6/2013.

Enjoy!

-Red-I

"Misdemeanor" by Foster Sylvers

Many people listen to this track thinking that it is a Jackson 5 tune and are often surprised to learn that it was sung by Foster Sylvers.  In the 70's Foster was a young crooner with vocal talents comparable to those of Michael Jackson.  "Misdemeanor" is a classic feel-good track with a NASTY bassline and melodic harmonies.

Listen for yourselves and see why I featured in this month's set at Sanctuary.

Enjoy!

-Red-I

Reggae Nite: Live Session 4

Check out my latest dancehall mix series, Reggae Nite:  Live Session, by clicking on the image below.

About a year ago I linked up with DJ Lantan, a London-based DJ and vocalist, and began doing featured DJ sets for his internet radio show.  We got such positive international feedback from listeners, I decided to archive the sets by posting them on my Mixcloud.

DJ Lantan

This is the fourth installment and features music from Konshens, Bling Dawg, Spice, Capleton, Hawkeye, Mavado and many more.

Click here to listen to the previous three installments of the Reggae Nite:  Live Session Series.