DEEPBLAK Label Nite in Berlin. It’s funny to think that we sat together in Afrikan Sciences apt. in Oakland in 2006 as a small group of sonic misfits trying to figure out a way to perform together. Life has a funny way leading paths away then back together, but here we found ourselves in my new home of Berlin for the 1st DEEPBLAK Label Night. It was a truly magical evening, and a cap to what has been an amazing year for DEEPBLAK. To be able to merge my worlds in a night of sonic travels, was something i will always cherish. Afrikan Sciences, and Damon Bell in from Oakland, along with my Berlin massive of Loganic & the mad scientist that is Onyx Ashanti… simply beautiful.
Smiles and vibes in the air…definitely a historic night. To ALL DEEPBLAK massive worldwide your energy/love was present. It’s so tough to put a whole evening into context, but here is a snapshot. Also an amazing glimpse at the end of the vid of Onyx’s stunning live performance. ~ A
DeepblakCo-Head & Rhythm Czar Afrikan Sciences (aka Eric Porter) returns with his second Full Length project entitled “Theta Wave Brain Sync”. Following the critical acclaim of his 2011 “Means and Ways” LP the Oakland, CA based producer continues to push further into the realms of the rhythmic netherworlds. Much like the famed Fusion movement of the 70’s, Afsci continues to build on the ethos of free-form exploration of rhythm, dance, and sound. Utilizing an expansive rhythmic dialect “Theta Wave Brain Sync” points us inward to a sonic palette free of grids. That special place where numbers, and counting are rendered meaningless leaving nothing left for the listener, but the groove. Carefully crafted Theta is compiled of 11 songs that of themselves can transport the listener to the uncharted. This album will let you go as deep, and far as you desire. Which has always been a hallmark of Porter’s productions. Never the one for complacency “Theta” is without question Afsci’s most ambitious work to date. An album that we proudly hope stands the test of time, and solidifies Porter’s place as one of the outstanding producers, and storyteller’s of his generation.
Title – Theta Wave Brain Sync LP
Cat# – DBR-V018
Artist – Afrikan Sciences
Label – Deepblak
Format – 12” Double Vinyl | Digital
Style – Leftfield
Release Date – Oct 2013
Deepblak’s Chief Connoisseur Damon Bell steps forward with his third Deepblak vinyl project the “H.I.M” ep. Damon stays true to his ethos of weaving his jazz, funk, and soul influences into deep delicacies. The H.I.M ep also sees him joining forces with Deepblak co-head Afrikan Sciences for the twisted rhythm’s of “Babylonian Spliffs”. Always sprinkled with attention to warmth, and atmosphere Damon’s rhythms have the tendency to invite. Much like his DJ sets at his now famed 389 night in Oakland his productions pull you in, and leave you to surf the groove. Leaving something always for the head, heart, and body. Deepblak is proud to bring forth this latest project from Damon as we build into his forthcoming debut Album. We hope you enjoy the ride as always.
Welcome to DEEPBLAK’s podcast series “Off The Grid”. OTG was created to feature the LIVE side of performance via sets from the DEEPBLAK cast, and cohorts. No rules just the artist, their gear, and whatever trajectory they decide to explore. The expectation is to have no expectation simply ride.
OTG [02] is provided by DEEPBLAK Rhythm Czar Eric Porter aka Afrikan Sciences. With his 2nd LP “Theta Wave Brain Sync” slated for Oct. 2013 he provides us with triumphant travel piloted by his unique metronome. If you are new to Afrikan Sciences then welcome. If you are already initiated then you know the score. Hold tight as we visit the distant lands that reside deep within your mind.
Venus Vs. is a new the film by 2012 Sundance Best Director Ava Duvernay. The film produced for ESPN chronicles story of tennis champion Venus Williams and her struggle to get women equal pay at Wimbeldon.
via ESPN
We know about the swing. We know about the swagger. But what most Americans don’t know about Venus Williams is how she changed the course of her sport. In a stunning case that captured the European public beginning in 2005, Williams challenged the long-held practice of paying women tennis players less than their male counterparts at Wimbledon.
With a deep sense of obligation to the legacy of Billie Jean King, Williams lobbied British Parliament, UNESCO and Fleet Street for financial parity. And it was her poignant op-ed piece in The London Times that convinced many people that the Wimbledon tournament organizers were “on the wrong side of history.”
Roland Garros and Wimbledon finally relented in 2007. That year at Wimbledon, Venus became the first women’s champion to earn as much as the men’s singleswinner (Roger Federer). “Venus VS.” chronicles Williams’ fight for pay equality.
I was extremely honored when approached by Ava to work on the soundtrack. Largely because I was a fan of her work as a Director, and also a tremendous fan of Venus Williams as a ground breaking tennis champion from my native California. I considered myself pretty clued up on things of this nature so I was actually shocked at how little I knew about this historic story. To participate on the scoring of such a film was a benchmark moment for Deepblak as a label. It is very rare that a small indie outfit such as Deepblak is tapped for a project of such magnitude, and was humbled by Ava’s confidence in our music.
I was struck, and inspired by the dedication, and tenacity that Venus Williams showed in taking up this cause of Women’s rights not only in her sport, but also in merging it with the larger push for women’s equality on the international stage. She took on tremendous risks to herself financially by challenging some very well entrenched institutions, and corporations to right a long standing inequity. As the weight of the story unfolded so did my anxiety at scoring some of these moments. Here I find myself as a modest musician in the middle of narrative that will sit for generations to come, and my music will be a part of it.
It was surreal… I pushed through the process learning many many lessons along the way. In the end with the brilliance of Ava, along with her music composer Karyn Bostic, and all the amazing people that worked on this film something memorable was created. And yes I am totally biased… 😉 I hope that you find the time to see the film, and that you can draw the same strength, and inspiration from it that I did. Let us know how you thought the music sounded.
Deepblak Hall of Science (Lab 66) the last Oakland based hub before Berlin, and the start of the “Sketches Of Space” Sessions. Of prominent projects produced there AYBEE’s “Worlds” LP.
The multi-talented Vanese Smith aka Pursuit Grooves makes her debut on Deepblak under her new “91 Fellows” moniker. After establishing herself in recent years with Pursuit Grooves outings heavy in beats, and bass Smith turns her talents to more open sonic landscapes. “91 Fellows” represents as she terms her push into Cinematic Dub leaning heavily on her collegiate film major roots. The project was inspired as a dedication to her grandfather who passed on in 2011.
Through a myriad of ambient textures, and percussion she invites the listener to join her as she
weaves through different emotional headspaces. Six tracks that run like chapters of
saga accompanied by two remixes by Deepblak Chief Alchemist AYBEE, and resident
Rhythm Czar Afrikan Sciences. Deepblak is very honored to play host to the “91
Fellows” project as it represents a beautiful creative milestone for Smith who has
long been one of our favorite producers. We hope that the “91 Fellows” project
translates to the listeners heart as well the ears.
A few moments from the 1st SoN’y Rays which is Deepblak’s quarterly gathering diving into LIVE cosmic beats, rhythms, and space travel from the Deepblak cast & fam. Here are a few seconds of what was an amazing set up of Afrikan Sciences, AYBEE, LA Beat Master Dibia$e, and EPS1 of Blaktroniks all wired to jam LIVE. Unfortunately our videographer had to cancel so we don’t have much footage, but you can get an idea of the mode…
Was reflecting on the weekend just passed, and was a bit overcome with gratitude over the present creative environment in which I find myself. I connect with my friends…we cook, eat, check in, and then the creative process runs it’s course. It means everything to me that our music/label is not what we do, but an extension of who we are. It’s not about hitting the studio, but the things that lead one into the studio. Living life… the process, and the articulation of that path with the tools we have. I have been leaving our gatherings, phone converstaions, and skype’s filled with inspiration. Filled with excitement as I watch us all push, and grow. It is a truly humbling, and beautiful feeling. Much great music enroute from Pursuit Grooves, Blaktroniks, Shen 07, Damon Bell, Afrikan Sciences and myself. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoy living it. Love, Respekt, and Power Always.
Afrikan Sciences returns lush, and rhythmic as ever with his latest offering “Boss Nova’s Second Pass EP” . Continuing to push into spaces of other-world sonic’s, Afrikan Sciences locks together groove palettes that inspire, and challenge. Four tracks all worlds within themselves filled with soul, imagination, and freedom.
