Summer is here again, knocking on our door, urging us to come out and play. What a pleasure it is to oblige in a place like Southern California. How fortunate an advantage that KCRW tends to its roots in such a magical place. And how fortunate for me to participate, invite family and friends, and enjoy music and fellowship under the stars as KCRW’s …

From KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad:
Portland-based Y La Bamba’s new album “Court The Storm” (2012, Tender Loving Empire) features a song that has fast become one of my favorites of the year.
“Bendito” is the album’s stand out track – an amplified folk groover that conjures up ancient rhythmic spirits of Spain and Mexico, with an undeniable rock tinged bounce and sublime vocal performance by Luz …

From KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad:
Last week, as part of a private session for Red Bull Music Academy, I had the distinct honor and pleasure of moderating a discussion with old school mega producers, the Mizell Bros, and new school funk luminary, Todd Simon.
The Mizell’s are known and respected for their work with Motown greats like the Jackson 5, jazz giants like Donald Byrd, …

From KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad:
I love it when people turn me on to music. It’s a huge help when fans, listeners, and friends present me with something they themselves really dig. It’s a kind and very personal gesture that I truly appreciate.
A few months ago, the editor of this blog, RR, turned me on to local band Superhumanoids. I found a CD with a …

From KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad:
Montreal’s CFCF is forging a new kind of baby making music. With a production style slightly akin to German colleagues like Boozoo Bajou, CFCF’s sound is easing down the road of post modern international, instrumental soul-dance-hip hop. His sound is part classic CTI, part dawn after an all night intimate encounter, and part score for the next underwater Imax adventure. …

By KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad:
“Art is not about living in the past” so says emcee Zumbi AKA Zion, of Oakland-based hip hop mainstay Zion I. He’s referring to the duo’s forward progression of work dating back to the late 90′s.
I personally became a fan once hearing the early single “Inner Light.” It was the first time I heard fierce rhymes coupled with the raw …

KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad was in New York visiting artist Sade earlier this week and sent back the following report from the East Coast:
From Garth:
New York always treats me right. This time it’s spoiled me somethin’ wonderful.
I was graciously invited to Jazz at Lincoln Center to hear the long-awaited new album from Sade titled “Soldier of Love,” along with a few industry heavies. I …

1. Me’Shell NdegeOcello – Devil’s Halo (Downtown)
2. Bodycode – Immune (Spectral Sound)
3. Blk Jks – After Robots (Secretly Canadian)
4. Little Dragon – Machine Dreams (Peacefrog – EMI)
5. Dam-Funk – Toeachizown (Stones Throw)
6. Lusine – A Certain Distance (Ghostly Int’l)
7. The XX – XX (Xl Recordings)
8. Maxwell – BLACKSummer’sNight (Columbia)
9. Baaba Maal – Television (Palm Pictures)
10. Rodrigo y Gabriela – 11:11 (ATO Records / Red)