Last week was a whirlwind of music and events. Can you even remember all the acts you saw and the places you went? Instead of straining your already exhausted brain, which is slowly recovering from all the events of CMJ 2009, just sit back and relax. Download this exclusive podcast featuring our friends, Exile, Blu, Pharoahe Monch, J. Rocc, Spinna, Large Professor and more from our special VTech evening last Wednesday, and let the music help you get back into the groove of things. 

Don’t sleep… just listen.

Right click to download:  Can I Get You High: Podcast

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From front to back and side to side, the Blvd on Wednesday, October 21st, was packed. And why wouldn’t it be? VTech and Plug Research were bringing Bilal, Blu, Exile, Shafiq, J. Rocc, Spinna, and more, all to perform for the music hungry crowds at this year’s CMJ. With upbeat energy and soulful singing, the music that night was not to be missed. Be sure to check back later this week on the Sounds of VTech to download the exclusive podcast. 

*photos by Mike Park

MOCHILLA MONTHLY MOVIE SCREENING SERIES:         

Hosted by: Carlos Niño

Q & A with STEWART LEVINE and BIG BLACK After Screening
$12 Tickets Available at The Independent Box Office 

This week, we’ve moved. From the west coast to the east, VTech is now at CMJ 2009. And starting off this week of music, VTech and Plug Research are proud to bring you:

Can I Get You High

A once in a lifetime show with limited presale tickets at only $10 a pop, this is a can’t miss.

Featuring Live Sets from BILAL with a six-piece orchestra, EXILE feat. BLU, SHAFIQ HUSAYN feat Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Thundercat, and hosted by PHAROAHE MONCH, Blvd/The Pink Room  at 199 Bowery is where you’ll want to be on Wednesday, October 21st. We’ll also have DJ sets by J.Rocc, Spinna and more with many special guests to be announced! So let’s start CMJ 2009, the Music Marathon & Film Festival in NYC,  off right.

See you all there….

BLVD/The Pink Room 199 Bowery, NYC 10002 (at Spring St.) 212.982.0740
J, M to Bowery Station | F, V to @nd Ave (LES) | 6 to Spring

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
limited presale $10 
door: $20 9pm-4am

CMJ 2009 CMJ 2009 CMJ 2009

This year, VTech heads to CMJ in New York City where we’ll join forces with Bilal, Spinna, J. Rocc, Exile, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Thundercat, the Beat Junkies, Hockey and more,  bringing you the best in music.

We hope to see you all there.

Check back with The Sounds of VTech as we bring you more exclusive downloads, special events, parties and more.

It’s been a week and a day, not that I’m counting, since the Timeless #2: A Suite for Ma Dukes.  I’ve found it hard to write about the weekend, the rehearsal, the show for that matter.  I was sitting on B+’s couch, again, late last Friday night as we did our final decompress from the heavier than norm week that was behind us.  We were both still in a state of awe about what transpired, trying wrap my head around the things that unfurled along the way.  Walking into rehearsal straight from Burbank and seeing Dukes for the first time in a year and half. Seeing Miguel work his magic and feeling it like I’ve never seen, his months, hell, years of prep leading him to this moment.  The playful glee in the smiles of the musicians making up the amazing ensemble as they practiced what was definitely a bit outside their comfort zone - and KILLING it. Looking around the room: Pas from De La Soul, Bilal, my man Shafiq, Mochilla crew shooting everything…Nino posted next to dukes, me right behind her….soaking it in, being quiet. Holding hands, crying, laughing, smiling, bouncing…..it was all there. Drew of course handling biz, Bekka handling Drew…..It was different than #1…smoother…more like watching an opera.

Cut to Sunday before the show, backstage was buzzing. Ma Dukes brilliant in white, biggest grin I have ever seen, feeling the moment and ready to take care of all of us, if you know here you know what I am saying.  So much love that night in Luckman on both sides of the stage.  Karriem Riggins, Thundercat, so many friends and fam in the seats and on stage.  J. Rocc and House Shoes rocked the 1’s and 2’s as only they can, knowing Dilla so well for so long.  Miguel’s 1st time conducting, and for all of you that were there, it was nothing short of unbelievable.  5 standing ovations, encore and finale took us past the drop dead time, and the Luckman is Union….needless to say everyone was feeling the moment. I had the pleasure of sitting with Dukes during the show. At one point I hit Dru ” what time should I bring Dukes back?” ‘10:15′….So i leaned over and let her know we would need to get her on stage for “Stakes is High” et al…at which point she said ” Oh no, they have every one they need, they are full”….we secured the largest stage in LA for a reason….” No way Mom, we’re going…”

As i took her back stage we ran into Talib Kweli, surprise…around stage right we run into the whole crew, surprise….Oh No, Alchemist, Frank, MED, Rhettmatic…all the fam….from that point on you can imagine.  We’ll put up another video of the encore shortly, we thought Hoc n Pucky was the essence  you really needed to see right away.

All 4 of these shows are special, unique and close to our hearts. This show was complex on many levels, and allowed a lot of amazing people take their own gifts to another level, and we are grateful to have been there to witness it and to be supporting them.  Los Angeles, again, than you for your support.  Our special guests who came in from all over the country, Thank You. Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Carlos Nino- congrats!.Mochilla, Artdontsleep and the entire crew, killing the game and get some rest. J Dilla: We miss you. Ma Dukes: we love you.

a quick video of Ma Dukes on stage with Common and Illa J during the show: