Cheebah and all that - Limerick, Ireland

Jennifer in effect

Returning to a site we highlighted before we see Jennifer in effect. Word on the street says she is overtaking Lorraine as all city in 08.

Tarpey Tunnel Syndrome

From the Unusual & Electric label comes a fifth release giving props to Paul Tarpey. DJ Adam from the label plays two gigs in Limerick at the end of the month, an early session in Mickeys and then playing in the Trinity Rooms.

Shane

Sauce with that burger

Every friday this Summer there's a nice little session of varied beats served with all the trimmings alongside the best bar b q in Limerick in the Courtyard of Nancy Blakes. Admission and food is free with the music selected by the increasingly diverse Doctor Greenwood with a Cheebah styled side dish with Tarpey. It’s a 6 o'clock start with the unconventional music vibes complementing till 9.

Voice and Moonstar

New Orleans rapper Voice comes to Limerick as part of her European tour with DJ Moonstar on this Saturday June 7^th in the Cornmarket bar. Also appearing on the night will be G-frequency a dublin based producer celebrating his release on a new downtempo Japanese compilation. Admission on the night is free.

Voice a Los Angeles bred, New Orleans based rapper first who came to prominence working with and appearing on releases by some of Europes finest producers including Marc Mac (4hero), Wax Tailor (Paris) and Zero db (Ninja Tune). Her own debut album 'Gumbo' received widespread critical acclaim when released in 2006. Its smooth, warm, sultry tone did not disguise a rapper with something important to say. Mixing soul, hip hop and jazz, Voice drew many favourable comparisons with Bahamedia and Ursula Rucker.

Working on production on that album was Moonstar. The Toronto based producer has an impressive track record with his own label (Public Transit Recordings) and remixes for groups like Jazzanova and Recloose. His tunes have been praised and played by the likes of Mr Scruff, DJ Spinna and Giles Peterson. In fact Moonstar even made Giles Peterson famous top 50 in 2004 with a release of his on German based label Sonar Kollectiv.

The Voicestra

Bobby McFerrin St Marys Cathedral May 27th

I've been to church more times this year than probably the last ten combined, and yet again my attendance on this particular May evening was music-driven rather than a quest to praise the Almighty. That said, there was something remarkably spiritually uplifting and inspiring about the performance that Bobby McFerrin delivered in the apt surroundings of St. Mary's Cathedral. I didn't quite find God on the night, but I did however leave with a reinforced appreciation for the potential live music has to induce a sense of collective well-being and wonder on all that had gathered.

Bobby McFerrin is an anomaly. The man has recontextualized the idea of the human voice as an instrument, juxtaposing polyrhythmic percussive sounds with pitch-perfect melodies. While beatboxing focuses on the vocal emulation of the drumkit, Bobby Mcferrin transcends this particular movement, establishing himself as a worthy equivalent to the orchestra. His progressive workshops and lectures, coupled with his role as a noted conductor, portray a man who displays a deep understanding of the nature of music itself – yet, despite all this, he will forever be known by the majority of people as the guy who sang 'Don't Worry, Be Happy'. It's a shame too, given the depth of his live performances.

A little too eager, I arrive over a half an hour early which gives me plenty of time for some solemn Christian contemplation. As the venue gradually fills up, it becomes apparent that I'm not the only one who feels obliged to be on their best behaviour, with most people sitting silently and avoiding the temptation to whisper to the folk beside them.

A brief introduction by Micheal O'Suilleabhain ushers the vocal legend on to the pulpit, where he remains seated for much of the show. What is blatantly evident is Bobby's ability to instantly enthral all those who had gathered, opening with a series of improvised pieces that remain focused but loose all at once. Whether its his 4 octave range, his unconventional approach towards percussion or simply his unique musical presence, he definitely has the crowd hooked from the very beginning. Control is something the man is truly a master of.

The initial impact of the show is so powerful, in fact, that's its difficult to comprehend how he could maintain such intensity for an entire show. Perhaps this is something that he's aware of himself, inviting participants from his workshop earlier that day to join him onstage for an improvised collaboration. Micheal O'Suilleabháin Jr. infuses a subtle level of genuine scat humour into proceedings while a young lady displays her own awesome version of the blues, all under the rhythmic accompaniment provided by Bobby. He changes pace within the show effortlessly, introducing familiar works such as his infamous rendition of Bach's 'Ave Maria' and the soulful 'Drive'. More guests appear on stage in the shape of a traditional Irish group, but the pace of the jigs and reels appear a little too swift for Bobby to improvise with, so he seems equally happy to sit and simply appreciate the timbre and colour of the sound created. Bobby is definitely a charismatic guy, no doubt about it – so when he asks for any singers in the audience to join him onstage, there's literally folk sprinting up the aisle to accompany him in song. This is no exaggeration, when the stampede had finally ceased, there was at least an extra 40 people on stage. Like I said, he's a charismatic guy. His sub-division of the choir underlines his unique imagination when it comes to producing sound, recreating the aural experience of hearing running water, wind blowing and the rustling of leaves.

He closes the show with one final bout of improvisation that yet again mesmerises the audience. The standing ovation and rapturous applause are a given, as most people seem fully content to experience as much as this performer can offer. If he played for another 2 hours, I would have stayed there for another 2 hours. It genuinely was HIS audience. The encore of a Q & A session wasn't exactly what people were screaming for, but it did provide a interesting insight into the real Bobby Mcferrin. “I got 2 dogs, you know. I live in the woods, where a dog can be a real dog. No pooper-scoopers, or stuff like that.” Someone asks where his next show is. 'Austria', he replies. If I had the money, I'd travel over there in a flash. And I never go abroad. It really was that good.

Johnny Doobs

Out on Lisbon

Received a copy of out on a lim there over the weekend. Good to see football zine culture still alive and kicking. Nice background piece here from Brian McDonnell in Leader.You can get a copy from the Limerick 37 Supporters club stall in the milk market on Saturday mornings.

I saw editor of the zine, Ron Byrne, at the Socialist Party organised debate on Lisbon treaty in the Hilton last night. A very big crowd of around 150 from all political hues came along to hear Joe Higgins, Barry Finnegan, Peter Power and Diarmuid Scully debate the treaty. Some fiery rhetoric, lots of diverse views and concerns were packed into over two and a half hours. Strangest moment of the night for me though came when ex mayor of the city and Fine Gael Councillor Diarmuid Scully concluded his pro treaty speech. Attacking Declan Ganley and his neo- con associations, he then urged the crowd to vote yes so as to give two fingers to George Bush ! This was the second time in ten days that I had witnessed somebody on stage exhorting me to give the finger to George Bush. Previous to this it had been Public Enemy in the tripod. Strange days when Fine Gael and Public Enemy are in agreement. But nowhere near as strange as the Jim Corr rant.

Shane

Kenny Dope In Bakers

It was a spoilt weekend for Limerick this Bank holiday Sunday. After Strutt trucking the town off to Techfest on Saturday, on Sunday we had Mr Scruff pumpin it in the Trinity Rooms and Kenny Dope in Baker Place with 2 room support from Broken funk, Colm Kennfick, Donal Dineen in full Ibiza mode in the Chicken and fast cuttin Leon as Kennys warm up downstairs. 3 years ago there would have been queues for New Yorks Dopest finest in Bakers but in meeawh!.. (wavy hand movement optional) ..culture it was just another Sunday. This was a loss to anyone who didn't make it because Bakers hosted a full roster of sounds with the above DJs playing serious grooves taking in house variants to the latest in funk reissues.

With his Kaydee record label reissuing rare funk Kenny has set out a stall that allows a Dj delivery of more than the acquired House music reputation that preceeds him. Tonight with the booth tricked out New york equipment wise the signature Kaydee Sound began his set. Soulful almost gospel vocals with drums of the kind he sampled in the early 90s for cut n paste classics are now heard in all their original glory. Latin Funk poked its head round the door as did some busy funk disco. A decision then was made to head for break classics ‘I know you got soul’ etc which was a letdown as these staples are well worked by local djs and everyone was primed instead for the raw dopeness, a ‘floorfiller’ descision nevertheless.

Steve Powers ESPO

Piece in todays New York Times about graffitti writer Steve Powers 'ESPO' who has spent the last six months in Ireland. They have eleven excellent photos to accompany the piece. From facing criminal charges to fullbright scholarship in the space of a decade. Anyone who attended the all city jam last month will have seen his work.
Shane

Subtle Audio

One of the great success stories over the last ten years in Limerick has been the energy, innovation and resilience of the drum n' bass scene. Epitomised by the long running Nu Killa beats night which has run regularly for eight years now, it also has impact worldwide with the subtle audio label. Since been started up three years ago by Code, the label has issued a steady stream of quality single and ep releases, which have picked up airplay on BBC radio one's Mary Ann Hobbs show and even been played out by (Limerick-born) Aphex twin.

This friday the Nu Killa night celebrates the first album release on subtle audio entitled 'Subtle Audio Volume 1'. They continue with their policy of top quality guests with Equinox flying in from London specially for the show.

Of course one of the unusual aspects of this, (similar to lots of us on this site) is that while we are predominantly working with very urban forms of music, our roots are in the rural. Well, apparently Pallasgreen is notable for its many ancient extinct volcanoes, so Code has obviously harnessed some of that dormant underground energy. Long may it continue.

More details of gig below the fold.

dance

Original bboy and artist Bazzy B starts hip hop classes in Limerick this Wednesday (Poppin', Lockin' & Bboyin') for all ages boys and girls so give him a call.Classes start in Dave Sheehan Gym off henry st.Limerick city-Wednesday @ 6pm and kids Saturday @ 1pm. Relaxed, fun yet energetic workout

Meanwhile Limericks promoter kings- Strutt, take on their biggest event to date this Saturday when they bring the inaugural Techfest to Offaly. A chill out stage has also been added. Bringing the funk back to Tullamore.