Another hit single from the ingenious duo of writer, Rod Temperton and producer, Quincy Jones, Off The Wall‘s Rock With You proved to be an illustrating moment for Michael in the early 80′s. Echoing the dance floors of  Studio 54 with its moving bass line, flowing string arrangements, and synthesised sound of disco, this single captures a sensual playfulness fused with a joyous spirit in Jackson’s voice. Released November 3, 1979, Rock With You became a defining tune for Michael landing him in the #1 spot on Billboard’s pop and R&B single charts and later becoming the 4th biggest single of the 80′s decade.  From a perspective of resilience,  the staying power of  this single beneath the backdrop of industry changes due to the declining taste for disco and a resurgence of rock makes its chart topping endurance and platinum certification very impressive.

While Rock With You is 31 years old, its ripple effect in song and video is still felt in many contemporary artists like Chris Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Chuck Loeb and many, many others. Here’s a couple of  of examples to show  the single’s reach and influence: (more…)

“J.Dilla: Still Shining” from B.Kyle on Vimeo.

On the anniversary of his born day we want to send out much love and respect to the entire Yancey Family and all of the fans of this incredible musician whose influence is felt and heard daily.

Created in 2006, this remembrance piece is created as a tribute to the memory and legacy of James “J.Dilla” Yancey. This is a piece designed for his fans and supporters who knew of his accomplishments before February 2006 and those that have grown to appreciate his genius. Here, we gain a greater insight and understanding about our musical icon.

J.Dilla is Still Shining. (more…)

Happy Dilla month & R.I.P! The Brian ‘B.Kyle’ Atkins produced documentary drops Feb. 7th exclusively here. Hopes are high that this will be the definitive Dilla doc!

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Great new project from Eric Lau & Friends that benefits Save The Children. (more…)

From the good folks over at waxpoetics.com…

VTech in collaboration with Mochilla and media sponsor Wax Poetics are very happy to announce the above screening dates for the Timeless 3-DVD set.

These screenings of Timeless feature the works of J Dilla (Suite for Ma Dukes), Mulatu Astatke, and Arthur Verocai. Instead of showing all three films back to back or indeed making a screener edit of all three films, we will be doing something historic. At certain screenings, J.Rocc, of the World Famous Beat Junkies and also maybe the greatest DJ on the planet right now, will be DJing all three films, using the latest Serato technology. J.Rocc will be manipulating the films using vinyl on turntables to control the hi-res film files, creating an amazing megamix of all three films. This, as far as we know, has never been done to premiere a film or indeed a series of films. The screenings will be followed by Q&A with directors B+ and Eric Coleman, as well as Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, with an after-party to follow, with J.Rocc as the main guest DJ.

We will be giving away one VTech IS9181 WiFi Internet Radio Player at each screening. Follow VTechMusic on Twitter to find out how you can win one of these amazing music players.

For more information click here.

It’s been a great week and now it’s time to celebrate, while still keeping the eye firmly focused on the prize. Sometimes you just have to go there and you have to keep on going there until someone or two or three get it. So many jewels dropped here by De La with Dilla on the beats. Hit repeat.

Oh what could’ve been…..

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Dwele, Workin’ on It, from the album, Sketches of A Man (Koch/2008).

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R.I.P. J Dilla

Live clip after the jump.
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