As the last burger sizzles on the grill and the sun sets beyond the horizon, do you really want to sit and stare at fireworks all night long? Instead, make the most of the 4th and head over to the Independent Theater in Downtown LA for  the American Premiere of Mochilla’s newest film.

From the creative minds behind Keepintime, Brasilintime: Batucada com Discos, and the Timeless series, MOCHILLA in conjuction with VTech are proud to bring you their newest documentary, Tradition in Transition: A Postcard From Cali.

Come join us for the American Premiere of the forthcoming MOCHILLA/Sonido del Valle production. Shot in Cali and Buenaventura in Colombia, the film is based around the music of Quantic (Will Holland) and his Combo Barbaro. Their forthcoming album, Tradition in Transition (Tru Thoughts Records) feature the talents of Will Holland, Alfredito Linares, Nidia Gongora, Freddy Colorado, Arthur Verocai, Joao Comanche Gomes and Malcolm Catto.

Saturday, July 4th, 2009 @ 9pm

DOWNTOWN INDEPENDENT THEATER

251 S MAIN ST LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

Q & A with Quantic and Mochilla After Screening

$5 Tickets Available at The Independent Box Office

Afterwards…

 

3RD ANNUAL PEACE PROJECT AFTERPARTY

An afterparty to launch the new album by Quantic and his

Combo Barbaro and the American Premiere of the new film by Mochilla.

Peace Portraits by Azul 213*

Photo Exhibition by: B+ and Eric Coleman

LIVE Performance by Buyepongo!

DJs QUANTIC / COLEMAN / B+ / JEREMY SOLE 

11pm | $5 at door | Cash Only

Entry is Free with ticket stub from Independent @EVFA 542 S. Alameda St LA, CA 90013

 

 

When singer Carlos Dafe performed Pela Sombras with Arthur Verocai on stage for Timeless III, you were transported. Original singer, original arranger/composer, the energy, it was sheer magic. A timeless moment that transcends the 27 years since Verocai’s self titled debut album was released. You’re there, and in an instant and you realize, yes, this series is truly a celebration of music.

Here is a bit of musical history that was captured that night for you to enjoy. Arthur Verocai, saxophonist Justo Almario and singer Carlos Dafe performing Pela Sombras.

 

 

*Please be sure to check back as VTech and Mochilla  get ready for part II of the Timeless series later this summer. *

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

March 23, 2009

 Verocai triumphant, Axelrod cancelled – Timeless to return late Summer, 2009.

 It is with saddened hearts that we must announce today that Timeless, the extraordinary musical series, has ended without its fourth installment.

 Due to unforeseen circumstances, the David Axelrod concert scheduled to take place on April 5, 2009 is now cancelled. Pre-concert ticket purchasers for the show will be automatically refunded via credit/debit cards. Patrons who purchased tickets at the Harriet and Charles Luckman Fine Arts Complex box office should return to the theater for a refund.

On a personal note, I don’t really know what to say – my arduous attempts to make this event a reality did not work out as planned. We had luminaries from as far away as Ethiopia and Brazil grace the Timeless stage; and to have to cancel a local legend in the end has been very difficult. Those of you who know me and know my personal relationship to David will know the enormity of my disappointment.  Though we are unable to present our series in its entirety, it was still an undeniable success. From the composer-arrangers to our special guests to the incredible orchestra, we made history and breathtaking magic.

 I would like to extend our complete gratitude to VTech - more personally Tom Bacon for taking this chance with us and sticking with it.  Tom isn’t one to want to be in the limelight but I can say that none of this would have been possible without him, his wisdom and patience.

 Worth revisiting, here is our take on last Sunday’s show:

 It isn’t often that the cosmos align as perfectly as they did on Sunday to bring Arthur Verocai to L.A. for the first time. Though some people in attendance may have been familiar with his work through hip-hop’s skillful integration of his epic sound, there was no mistaking that Verocai’s symphonic artistry extends beyond the confines of sampling. With a 36+ piece orchestra – including Brazilian heavy hitters Ivan “Mamao” Conti, Aloisio Aguiar, Jose Bertrami and Airto Moreira – Verocai made his fabled 1972 self-titled album unfold before a “timeless” group of admirers.

 Leading his troupe through cascading horns and soaring string arrangements, Verocai looked like an elegant prophet sent to take us on a journey to an unknown heavenly destination. Without hesitation, he opened the night with the intense “Karina (Domingo no Grajau),” dominated by an all-pervading horn section and the soulful twangs of Woody Aplanalp’s purposeful electric guitar.

 Sultry classic “Dedicada a Ela” was given new life by Justo Almario’s saxophone, while soon after, the mestre himself took the microphone to sing his futuristic lament “Caboclo.” The most anticipated song of the evening was the larger-than-life “Na Boca do Sol,” which serves as an emblem of Verocai’s decidedly Brazilian approach to his visionary fusion of soul, jazz and psychedelic funk. Sung exquisitely by Clarisse Grova, Diana Booker and the recording’s original vocalist, Carlos Dafe, it was only fitting that the concert ended with a stepped-up encore of it.

 The momentous night ended too soon, but we hope this is not the last time our city’s humble ears will be graced by this living legend’s brilliance. Obrigado, Arthur ­– we love you!

 And indeed, thank you, Los Angeles.  It has been an astonishing journey – one that has proven to be a learning curve for all of us at Mochilla and ArtDontSleep. It has raised the bar for all concert goers in this city, and hopefully, institutional programmers will finally come to comprehend that with their budgets, they can make bigger and better things happen in this city. We’ve broken the mold, and there’s no turning back.

 

With total gratitude…

B+  (Mochilla)

 

Timeless describes moments outside of time-those moments that exist so deep inside history that they break through that finite grid. Timeless: The Composer/Arranger Series is an homage to the composer-arrangers that have influenced hip-hop in the most literal and profound ways. 

From Ethiopia to Detroit to Brazil, the Timeless Series has brought world music center stage in Los Angeles.

Since the start of the series, Mochilla has been diligently documenting every rehearsal, every show to capture this amazing experience. During the filming process of the Timeless Series, we have been very fortunate to catch many intimate moments between fellow musicians. This moment is a perfect example. Three friends, coincidentally all amazing musicians, sharing music and a brief laugh. Ivan “Mamao” Conti and Jose Roberto Bertrami from Azymuth and Aloisio Aguiar, the original pianist from Verocai’s original album, during a rehearsal day for Arthur Verocai.