TIMELESS PREMIERE

Amazing music, and an amazing series of DVDs (so I hear). Be at the Khuja Lounge on Wednesday 21st of July for what’s sure to be a great night. For more visit This Culture. For a review of Timeless by Jasper Skinny-Arms from issue #38 of Manual.

Timeless (Mochilla)

Los Angeles production company Mochilla were onto something big with Timeless, a series of concerts paying homage to three composers and arrangers who influenced hip-hop in different but profound ways. With backing from consumer electronics company VTech, Mochilla pulled off something truly historical, presenting the works of three musical giants—legendary hip-hop producer J Dilla (RIP), Ethio Jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke and lauded Brazilian composer Arthur Verocai—on a major scale. An epic production involving more than 150 musicians performing to sold out crowds, Timeless has gone down in LA musical history.

Fortunately for those of us unable to be there, the masterminds at Mochilla happen to be a couple of music-obsessed photographers (B+ and Eric Coleman), so naturally enough they caught the whole thing on film. Now, thanks to an exquisite three DVD package, you too can have your Timeless moment; be it witnessing Dilla’s extended musical family onstage with a 60 piece orchestra, Mulatu mixing it up with US jazz greats Bennie Maupin and Phil Ranelin, or, my personal favourite, Arthur Verocai joyfully performing his seminal self-titled 1972 album live for the first time ever, again in the company of bona fide musical greats! Good times, indeed. | JSA