Though it may have seemed to some that the Timeless series was left “incomplete” with the cancellation of the Axelrod show, it was far from it. Culturally and musically, Timeless became a homing beacon for Los Angeles. Inspiring a city by providing a cultural anthropology via music. Bringing composers of such caliber into a formal setting with current beat makers and young musicians to show a vast continuum  of music, not limited by national boundaries, social groups or age. “Placing Los Angeles back on the map as one of the cultural hubs of the States…and rightfully so considering our rich ethnic make up and diversity,” according to Sylvia Adams, Editor-in-Chief of Evil Monito. It was sheer magic. “An absolute gift and dream come true”, proclaimed Bryan Younce, a VP from Columbia Records. “I saw Mulatu, Ma Dukes and Verocai and each of them was a total joy. All three reached lofty musical heights. The three best shows I’ve seen this year (and I see a lot of shows).”

 

VTech and MOCHILLA collaborating.

As a long time marketing veteran, Tom Bacon, VTech Vice President of Marketing, has sponsored and participated in his fair share of music events. So when the concept behind Timeless was first presented he was “stoked and a bit blown away”. “I had heard bits and pieces over beers but when it was laid out for me as a proper proposal my first thought was YES,” recalls Tom. “My second thought was, this will be larger than any of us think, and probably more work as well.”

For photographer Brian Cross “B+” and the members of Mochilla, their discussions and ideas for the ultimate series of shows is what sparked the notion for Timeless. “It was through a kind of frustration with the limited ways people had been thinking about the music,” explains B+. “ Programmers here (in Los Angeles) are seriously lacking in new ideas. The Festival Circuit here is filled with a lot of the same old, same old. Why shouldn’t we be able to celebrate bigger music from the perspective of those brought into music through hip hop?” When narrowing the field of composers and arrangers to showcase in the series, according to B+, “it came down to people who had been celebrated the least, but who influenced the most. Mulatu is phenomenal, Verocai is an anomaly, Axelrod is the king, and Dilla… Well, Dilla is one of ours. That had to happen.”

 

When one thinks of Los Angeles as vanguard for culture and music, it sometimes seems a bit inconceivable. Los Angeles is rarely regarded as a cultural epicenter. With well-known concert venues constantly rebooking the same names year after year, musical pulses hardly race. But for Tom, it was relevant and apropos to have it here of all places.  “I figured if there was ONE place to do it, it would be LA.” To Arthur Verocai who had never performed in Los Angeles till the Timeless Series, this was a new horizon. “This (Timeless) can interest young people with the best quality music, from the past and present, which is still lingering on.”
 
Above and Beyond: Timeless exceeded expectations. This series was everything everyone had hoped for and more. For Sylvia, the Mulatu show (first in the series) was “a poignant moment to watch the master of Ethio-Jazz get up and with much gratitude and decorum lead a group of both young and old musicians from Los Angeles.” It expanded beyond anything anyone thought was possible. Arthur Verocai, the third composer/arranger in the series was beyond thrilled. “As a participant in the concert series I must say I was very happy with the public homage and recognition of my songs quality.” But the real surprise for him was the crowd. “I didn’t fancy having so many fans in Los Angeles!” Ma Dukes is still riding high on her cloud. “It was so special and so wonderful, I can’t thank everyone enough. It was magic.”

One of Tom’s greatest joys of the series was seeing the effect of the event on those involved. “We seem to have been able to provide a platform for so many to take advantage of and quite a few achieved their dreams if you will,” states Tom. Though this didn’t play into his initial decision when agreeing to sponsor Timeless, it was something that occurred during the series. “You had to be there to understand,” says Tom “but it was one of my proudest moments professionally and personally. We (VTech) had the easiest job, providing the support for a vision that came from Mochilla. My history doing events with them left very little uncertainty that this series would be epic, but to the end it was more than I could have imagined. Humbling.” In the end, seeing how happy and excited the musicians were to play made it all worthwhile for B+.  “That was it for me, the looks on the faces of the musicians.” LinYee Yuan, Associate Editor at Theme Magazine, who flew out from New York for the Verocai show, couldn’t contain her excitement. “This is amazing. I can’t believe I’m here. I love Arthur Verocai.”

On stage, the old met the new in a harmonious melding of musical minds and souls. Mulatu was quiet and powerful, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson was simply amazing, with his heart and soul poured out for us all, and Verocai was left honored and humbled. Everyone who came to perform were phenomenal.

The Second Coming of Timeless- With Timeless returning in late Summer 2009, we’ll be looking forward to Mochilla and VTech expanding on the foundation that was created during the first series. More discoveries, more incredible music and visuals are what we’ll have in store. Many have unanimously agreed that this was a beautiful and moving experience to put so much thought into the history of music and pay homage to some incredible individuals that have left an impressive oeuvre in their lifetime. Arthur Verocai said it best. “If you’re going to have the series again next summer, don’t forget to call me please!” Without a doubt, this series will continue to explore new musical horizons and open eyes, hearts and souls to all those fortunate enough to be a part of it. 

  

Though the series has received numerous press reviews from the LA Times, Filter Magazine, Digital Dazed, Theme Magazine.com, LA Daily News.com, NPR, Pitchfork.com, LA Weekly, and more, here are a few words from some of our Timeless fans/supporters:

“This is a historic event, not just for us, but for all of Ethiopia.”

-Mulatu Astatke, Producer/Composer/Arranger: Timeless I

“The Timeless series has been hands down the most exciting series of anything I have been part of in my entire life. I am forever grateful to all of those that worked so incredibly hard to put it on. Los Angeles is truly a great place as an artist to live right now, and this magnificent series is one of the greatest testaments to that. The vision and integrity of Mochilla is unparalleled and my hat is completely off to them.  I know they are just getting warmed up and I cannot wait until they unleash their next wave of love, creativity and empowerment upon us!”

-Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Composer/Arranger: Timeless II

“Festival Timeless- joining generations together around the same music”

-Arthur Verocai, Producer/Composer/Arranger: Timeless III

“Connecting legendary composers and their inspiration on contemporary producers, and the notion of those producers being as influential as the composers they’re inspired by is an awesome ideal. To bring that into effect with such scale, beauty and respect is an inspiration in itself. I guess Timeless is an all-out, inspirational love-in, and one that can be felt from Los Angeles to London.”

 -Terence Teh, Dazed and Confused 

“Wow….thats just about the most powerful thing I’ve heard in a long time sir! Brilliant…any chance of getting some music to me to play on the radio…”

Gilles Peterson Host of Worldwide – BBC Radio 1, Founder of Brownswood Recordings

(after watching Hoc n Pucky from Suite for Ma Dukes on Youtube)

 

“Timeless was as culturally edifying experience for Angelenos that inspires greatness in us all and an overwhelming pride in our metropolis’ own long-standing history of ethnic diversity.” -Sylvia Adams, Editor-in-Chief, Evil Monito 

“History was made. All three shows were dizzyingly beautiful. I can already tell that years down the road, all of us who were lucky enough to be there will be recalling these performances as a profound moment in time.”

-Bryan Younce, VP Video/Content Production, Columbia Records 

“Wow this is amazing…. Has Quincy (Jones) seen it??”

 -Herman Leonard, Jazz Photography Legend

 

“The Arthur Verocai set was groundbreaking and revelatory. I only wish I could see it again.” -Brian DiGenti, Editor, Wax Poetics

 

The Future for VTech and Mochilla:

Mochilla will be finishing up a film for DJ/producer Will Holland “Quantic” and a film about the scene in Recife in the Northeast of Brazil. They’ll also be busy gearing up for the Timeless Series, returning in Summer 2009.

VTech will be focusing on promoting their new Internet radio. The blog will continue to grow and additional labels will be pulled in to work side by side with the company. This summer will present unique dates with Madlib and Karriem Riggins and also a possible collaboration with Hockey, a Portland based Indie band on Capital Records. Also work with Frank Nitty of Frank and Dank on a new mix tape series and even Rhettmatic may have some cool things in store.

Come back and visit our blogs, we’ll keep you posted.

*photos by Azul 213