Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... Atlantic Starr

Atlantic Starr was among the top urban contemporary acts of the '80s and fared well in the adult contemporary market as well, but their roots were '70s soul and funk. The East Coast outfit was formed in White Plains, NY, in 1976 by three brothers: lead singer/guitarist David Lewis, lead singer/keyboardist Wayne Lewis, and trombonist/percussionist Jonathan Lewis. After the Lewis Brothers hired lead singer Sharon Bryant, trumpeter William Sudderth, saxophonist Damon Rentie (who was replaced by Koran Daniels in 1981), bassist Clifford Archer, drummer Porter Carroll, Jr., and percussionist/flutist Joseph Phillips, Atlantic Starr's original nine-person lineup was in place. 

Influenced by '70s funk/soul bands like Earth, Wind & Fire, the Commodores, New Birth, and L.T.D., Atlantic Starr started playing around the northeastern U.S. They had only been together for about two years when they signed with A&M and started working with Bobby Eli, a well-respected producer/songwriter from Philadelphia. Produced by Eli in 1978, Atlantic Starr's self-titled debut album wasn't a mega-platinum blockbuster but did reasonably well and contained the funk hit "Stand Up" (which made it to number 16 on Billboard's R&B singles chart). Eli went on to produce the band's second album, Straight to the Point; while that 1979 release did OK, A&M knew that Atlantic Starr could be bigger. So in 1981, the band changed producers and enlisted James Carmichael for their third album, Radiance. It was a wise move; Radiance and its hit single "When Love Calls" established Atlantic Starr as a supergroup in the R&B market. It was on Radiance that the charismatic Bryant (who was featured on "When Love Calls") really blossomed as a singer and her lead vocals played a major role in the band's success. Carmichael went on to produce 1982's "Brilliance" (which contained the number two R&B single "Circles") and 1983's Yours Forever; the latter includes "Touch a Four Leaf Clover," another major hit featuring Bryant. 

Although Bryant was never Atlantic Starr's only lead singer -- Wayne and David Lewis also provided their share of lead vocals -- she was a major asset. So it came as quite a disappointment when she left Atlantic Starr in 1984 to pursue a solo career. But all was not lost. The talented Barbara Weathers was hired as a replacement and 1985's As the Band Turns -- Atlantic Starr's first post-Bryant album and sixth album overall -- found the outfit unveiling a smaller lineup that consisted of Weathers, the Lewis Brothers, and Phillips. Sudderth, Daniels, Archer, and Carroll were all gone, but despite those personnel changes, Atlantic Starr was still distinctive and recognizable. As the Band Turns, which contained the major hit "Secret Lovers," turned out to be Atlantic Starr's last album for A&M; in 1987, they moved to Warner Bros. and fared well with the album All in the Name of Love and the smash hit "Always." A syrupy adult contemporary ballad, "Always" reflected the Lewis Brothers' desire to have the type of crossover success that Whitney Houston and Lionel Ritchie had been enjoying in the '80s; they got their wish when "Always" soared to number one on both the pop and R&B charts. 

After All in the Name of Love, Weathers left the band to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Porscha Martin, who was featured on 1988's We're Movin' Up. Martin was around for a few years before being replaced by Rachel Oliver (Atlantic Starr's fourth female vocalist) in the early '90s. Atlantic Starr's relationship with Warner Bros. ended after 1991's Love Crazy, and in 1994, the band recorded one album for Arista: Time. That album was a commercial disappointment and the single "I'll Remember You" only made it to the fifties on Billboard's R&B and pop singles charts. Time (which was David Lewis' last album with the band) found a fifth female singer, Aisha Tanner, replacing Oliver. And when 1999's Legacy was distributed by the small, independent Street Solid label, Atlantic Starr unveiled yet another lineup -- one that consisted of two Lewis Brothers (Wayne and Jonathan) as well as Oliver (who had returned and replaced Tanner) and a new male singer named DeWayne Woods. Although Legacy received very little attention, Atlantic Starr hung in there and was still performing for die-hard fans when the 21st century arrived.

Atlantic Starr will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 31 October

Check out their Youtube video HERE

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... DMC

Darryl McDaniels or "DMC" as most of the world knows him, first made his start in the music business as one third of the groundbreaking rap group Run-DMC and quickly became the most popular in terms of fans and influence. He has been in the public eye for the past 20 years, since forming the now legendary, defunct group, RUN-D.M.C with Joseph (Rev. Run) Simmons and the late, great Jason (Jam Master Jay) Mizell. Also one of the founding members of this multi-platinum music group, selling over 30 million singles and albums worldwide, it would be hard to overstate his influence on popular culture. He helped transform Rap and Hip Hop into the most popular music in the world, while building a fan base that rivals the biggest acts in Rock 'n' Roll. 

As the first and greatest of Hip Hop's superstars, Run-DMC succeeded beyond anyone's wildest dreams - their own included - by embodying for the world endlessly creative subculture of young black New York. They were the first rappers to earn a gold album, the first to earn a platinum album, the first to go multi-platinum, the first to have their videos played on MTV, the first to appear on American Bandstand and Saturday Night Live, and the first rap band to grace the cover of Rolling Stone and Spin. 

DMC has recently added another list of firsts to his life - his first book entitled "King of Rock: Respect, Responsibility and My Life with Run-DMC" (St. Martins). The book, written by DMC with Bruce Haring with the forward by rapper/actor Will Smith, offers a flavored tale of his rise within the music business while stressing the importance of respect and responsibility in today's society. It has received rave reviews nationwide. Entertainment weekly called it "strangely compelling, bravely honest... plenty of entertaining anecdotes about life back in the day to keep you turning the pages. Like Will Smith, McDaniels is a born charmer." Publisher's Weekly says the book is "hard hitting yet sensitive... he (McDaniiels) argues astutely that 'very few of the rappers will admit they're creating a fictional character,' and thereby create problems for themselves." 

In addition to the new book, DMC released his own musical project entitled Checks, Thugs, Rock-N-Roll.

DMC will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 31 October

His Myspace

His Website

Check out his Youtube Video HERE

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... T-Five

T-Five is one of Indonesian RnB group that was formed in 1999. T-Five are   Andi Rustandi  a.k.a. And One (Piano/Keyboard), Aswin Anshari a.k.a. Ice Win (Synthesizer/Keyboard), Tabriz Muhajier E.M.S a.k.a. Tabriz (Guitar), Paul Arnold a.k.a. P.A. (Vocal/Soprano), Gordon Abraham a.k.a. Gordy (Vocal/Tenor),  Christian Marcus Nino a.k.a. N9NE-O (Vocal/Baritone – Rapp). 

On the 20^th July of 2008 T-Five reached his 9^th anniversary and with the new formation T-Five doesn’t stop making hits, but continue to give contribution to Indonesian music industries.

  On their newest album “The Legacy” there are several hit singles. One of them is called “MENDUA”; this song is based on a true event from one of T-Five members. The song is about: triangle love phenomena and packed neatly with an R&B flavor. “MENDUA” is a continuation from T-Five’s single “TAK AKAN HILANG” which has been released also by Twister Five Entertainment on the early of July 2008. T-Five’s 4^th album The Legacy already distributed on your favorite music stores around Indonesia region from February 2009. T-Five’s R&B/Hip Hop genre indicates that T-Five still exist on that, and this fact is already known from the year 2001; the year when T-Five release their first album.

This 4^th album is a remedi to cure the yearning of T-Five’rs around the globe, as we all know almost 2 years (from 2006 to 2008) T-Five haven’t been productive. T-Five’s live performace concept aslo hasn’t changed, still filled with awesome performance, still filled with beautiful harmonized vocal, and all of that is dedicated to their loyal fans around the globe (T-Five’rs).

T-Five will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 30 October

Their Myspace

Check out their Youtube video HERE

 

The "SOULNATION 2" CD is Coming Your Way

Wait, the fun does not stop there. We have a special promo offer which combines the double delight of owning this awesome CD and attending an equally awesome event, Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009. The offer is as follows:

- a 10 percent discount to Daily Pass price

- a special price of Rp 55,000 for the "Soulnation 2" CD

om.

This offer will be available soon through the Java Soulnation Festival's website www.javasoulnation.com

Note: the "Soulnation 2" CD you purchase will be able for collection at the Universal Music Indonesia's booth during the Festival.

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... DJ Spooky

While prolific and highly regarded as a writer and conceptual artist, Paul D. Miller is probably most well known under the moniker of his "constructed persona as "DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid". Miller has remixed and recorded with a panoply of artists ranging from Metallica to Steve Reich to Killah Priest, and has performed in a uniquely wide variety of situations throughout the world. His latest CD - a compilation of classic reggage tracks - is In Fine Style, DJ Spooky Presents 50,000 Volts of Trojan Records!!!! Other recent releases are Drums of Death, with Dave Lombardo of Slayer and Chuck D. of Public Enemy; the groundbreaking Optometry (Thirsty Ear Records); and Millers award-winning book Rhythm Science (MIT Press). He is currently touring the world with his multimedia/film/performance piece DJ Spookys Rebirth of A Nation. 

DJ Spooky will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 30 and 31 October

His Myspace

His Website

Check out his Youtube video HERE

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... DJ Larry

Having graduated from High School, he attended Berklee College of Music (Boston, USA) to pursue a degree in Music Production and Engineering. Graduated with a cum laude honor in 2001, Larry then busied himself composing songs. A single, titled “Just Another Night”, which he produced with DJ Takara in 2001, has formed a milestone in his early music career as a composer.

A few months before returning to Indonesia, Lawrence was approached by Edward Andez, his fellow Indonesian classmate in. Both Larry and Andezzz  realized that their potential collaboration could go beyond a mere single and result in unlimited possibilities. So, following Lawrence’ return from the US in March 2003, the two rejoined and formed SOVA which managed to launch Tempo Tantrum, their first album, in December 2003.

Tempo Tantrum serves as a fresh break-through for Indonesian music fans by introducing its unique kind of music. Some people call it Nujazz, or Lounge, or Electro Jazz. Despite its maiden debut, SOVA  was chosen as MTV’s Exclusive Artist of the Month in March 2004 and was commercially acclaimed as the most selling CD among Independent Artists.

As truly passionate and productive musicians, Larry and Andezzz managed to launch SOVA’s second album: Selayang Jingga in November 2005. Another thing is that this second album is available in vinyl (12” LP) which are also sold in vinyl stores all over London and even positioned number one in a local radio in Brazil.

After the SOVA era Larry and Andezzz went on separate ways to broaden their career. Larry put his performing days to rest and get more into producing and engineering. He managed to work as a producer for ALEXA (local rock band) and Indra Bekti, also was responsible for the sound recording in Maliq & d’essentials’ 2^nd album. He also took part in creating music for TV/Radio commercials. As for his other achievement in composing, Larry won the 1^st prize of BNI Song competition in March 2008.

His love for the art has pushed him to create a collective called Manga Warrior, along with his partner Sushiplatter.  Manga Warrior held parties, which includes painters, artists, DJs and musicians; they were considerably very successful and have attracted the youth to appreciate art in many ways. As for a bigger result the collective was staged at Java Jazz Festival in 2007 under the name of Warriors Of Manga.

In 2009 Larry joined a legendary Indonesian crossover jazz group Humania, as one the producers. Today Larry busied himself writing singles, composing jingles for TV commercials, producing tracks for major artists and DJing as a hobby.

 DJ Larry will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 31 October 

His Myspace

Check out his Youtube video HERE

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... Bondan Prakoso & Fade2Black

This is a music project collaboration between a musician, named Bondan Prakoso and a Rap hiphop group, Fade2Black; the members are Titz, Santoz, Lezzano.

In the early 2002, Bondan Prakoso who is also well known by public as a great talented bass player, who was also a former bass player in a Funk Stream band called Funky Kopral, and Tito a.k.a Titz who are known as a rapper and has group called Fade2Black, are often share their thoughts and idea to each others about music. They both came from different backgrounds of music, Bondan Prakoso more likely in Funk and Rock music and Titz in Rap/Hiphop. These 2 campus mates from Faculty of Culture and Humaniora, deepin' in Dutch literature, are colleges friends on University of Indonesia, Depok.

By the late 2003, because of the needs and his desire in acknowledging music is getting more mature, deeper and freedom in creating this art, Bondan Prakoso decided to go further as he decided to retired from their former band, Funky Kopral.

2004 was the year where Bondan came up with an idea to merge a different kind of music and combine them in a new package form of music, as in that mid year, he has asked Titz to join in a music project. Titz thought that it will be more strong with his group joining in.

The situation is getting more varieties and more colorfull as Bondan approved to involve this Hiphop group from Bogor, Fade2Black, in this project. Instead of only 1 rapper, this music project is combining 3 rappers, Titz, Santoz and Lezzano.

Fade2BlackBy the late 2004, they were starting to go further with this project and created various kind of music whit the touch of Rap, Rock, Funk as the elements. Bondan Prakoso is in charge for the music instruments, looping, and arranging, while fade2Black get more close to the lyrics.

The process took only 4 months to complete and in August 2005, their 1st album with the title "RESPECT" released under the SONY BMG Music Indonesia. Since then, the album which contains not only 1 type of music, but many types of music with rap as the basic vocal, by TITZ, SANTOZ LEZZANO, while in other songs also joined BONDAN on vocal in singing.

With this piece of arts, they managed to received contribution and awards, such as: 

- MTv Indonesia Exclusive artist in November, 2005

- MTv Advance Warning award in November, 2005

- Indonesian Music Award 2006, as the best Rap album production.

Now in 2007, they are ready to break the Indonesian Music Industry with their more hard, impulsive, innovative forms of music.

Bondan Prakoso & Fade2Black will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 31 October

Their Myspace 

Check out their Youtube video HERE 

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... Ndeesaster (Live PA)

Ndee (short for Ndeesaster) adds a touch of everything else she listens to in her music, making her songs un-ordinary yet strong with her characteristics, thoughtful, lively, intelligent yet never once pretentious.

As a natural born lyricist, she is used to have so many thoughts and opinions inside her head. Her love of observing life, people, and surroundings sharpened her logic and she pours what she thinks and what she feels in her lyrics, combining them with the beats she appreciates and her unique flow clearly secures anything she produces to be one of a kind and exceptional.

Ndeesaster has performed in many stages in town, from cafes to halls, from outdoor field to fancy clubs. For these past year, she has been a part of the team of D'Makaveli, one of the biggest hip-hop event organizer in the city, as their Live Performing Artist. She has also performed out of town to introduce her music to public, and impress them with her signature performances with her rap partner for 6 years, Lloyd Popp. She has worked with several talented producers and artists from Indonesia and abroad such as Herdi Oflo, Mistah, Radikal, Wiz, Jin Hackman, and many more.

She currently performs in many events in Jakarta and working on a compilation project with The Platinum Music called Hip-hop United, scheduled to be released in 2009, along with the finest Indonesian Hip – hop and R&B artists like Ojink, Nuff Sum, Request, Mistah, Minus One, Sally C, Raben, Mali, and more others . For the future, Ndeesaster plans to release her own album hence she's still seeking record deals and representatives at the moment while keeping her eyes open for every opportunity of working with innovative producers and do collaborations with other artists, whether in Indonesia or abroad.

Ndeesaster will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 30 October

Her Myspace

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... JFlow

JFLOW a.k.a Joshua Matulessy is a one man musical act. A recording artist under J Records whose 1st full solo album titled “Facing Your Giants” was released in 2008, distributed by demajors Indonesia. Having the unique blend of cross genres of music making him a musician of his own style. His album speaks for itself, the sounds and arrangements are fresh and nowhere else to be found. Started his solo career in 2005, he began making a name for himself by getting his songs played in radios. Released an underground mini album in 2007 and been getting good response eversince. Java Jazz 2008 was his 1st biggest stage, followed by Soulnation Fest and Java Jazz 2009. Today JFLOW is known as a musician with something fresh to offer, a real Indonesian music breakthrough.. 

JFlow will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 30 October

His Myspace

Check out his Youtube video HERE

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... RAN

Formed in November 18^th 2006, RAN is acronym from the 3 members; Rayi (vocal/rap), Asta (guitar) and Nino (vocal). They were studied in the same high school. Rayi and Asta, who were in the same level made a band with their schoolmates named F.R.D. which had won in some band festivals, and once played in Malaysia as well. When they graduated, they decided to disperse the band. So at that time, Rayi and Asta just made songs in Asta’s room using home recording tools.

They met Nino who was their junior in high school soon after that. He hung out in Asta’s place and joined making songs with the two others. Then when they joined Insof (Indonesian Song Festival) in Jakarta, they got the 2^nd places. So they decided to make a group, since they felt that they have the congruence in making songs. They named the group RAN.

A producer from KEP Media and Universal Music Indonesia soon is offering them to make an album after that. So they recorded their first album titled “RAN For Your Life”, and released it in May 2007. Public likes their music because it’s a fun and fresh one. The pop creative RAN is offering to music lovers consists of many genres, such as R&B, soul, hip hop, jazz, reggae, dance, etc. Their first single “Pandangan Pertama” got 1^st place in some TV & radio charts.  And apparently, so many people loves these 3 boys so RAN happened to get 130,000 and more fans in their Friendster account, and also 102,000 and more in their Facebook page.

RAN do a very attractive show performance. Supported by some talented  additional music players, they always make a very dynamic arrangements. Local medias also giving good praises for RAN’s music, can be seen in many good album reviews they wrote.

RAN’s performance in Java Jazz 2008 was being watched by more than 3,000 people, and they got it filmed and released in DVD version; “RAN Live at Java Jazz Festival”. RAN was also chosen as a brand ambassador for Wall’s Conello. They got “Rookie of the Year” in Rolling Stone Editor’s Choice Award 2009, and also “Best Group/Duo” in Kids Choice Awards 2009 which was held by Nickelodeon.

RAN has just released their 2^nd album titled “Friday” in August 2009, which gets many good feedback from public and the medias too. They were also invited to perform in Carnaval SoundNation 2009 in Melbourne, Australia.

 

RAN will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 30 October 

Their Myspace

Check out their Youtube video HERE 

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... Soulvibe

After years of performing and burning up stages after another, soulvibe has earned a reputation as Jakarta's Hot up and coming Neo-Soul and R&B act, since their conception back in '03. Made up of two front men Abenk & Bayu on Vocals, Bassist Handy, Caesar on Drums, Frans on Keys and Rio on Synth, "Sounds of Universal Love" never fails to elevate the vibe in every show with their vibrant presence. 

In the beginning, old friends Bayu and Handi came up with the group's concept. "We just started out by playing and having a good time on stage, sharing our common love for soulful music.. and from there things just fall into place!" Bayu states. After many trials and experience performing in various events, namely high school gigs, prom & campus nights, jazz fests & corporate events, the band is now solid with six members, and quite a handful of loyal followers. Handy adds, "After three years rehearsing, writing and performing with soulvibe, we've had our ups and downs, many faces have come and gone, and today I can say we've grown closer together as a family with these six key members". 

Aside from performing, soulvibe has also been productive in writing their original tunes, incorporating everything they've been influenced by, both on stage and in the studio. Back in '05, they've even had their demo version of their original tune "No More" played on one of Jakarta's leading radio stations, in which they've climbed up the chart, all the way to the top! 

Soulvibe's pre-single "Terang Jiwa" was aired on radios in mid September '07, in the heart of Ramadan. This song is the band's perception of faith, and though it may not be your average spiritual song, the band got their message across in their own 

Soulvibe will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 30 October 

Their Myspace 

Check out their Youtube video HERE

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... Boogiemen

Derived from a bond of friendship and the similarities of music reference, on August 27^th 2006 Dana a.k.a. Kyriz (Rap/Beatbox), Theo a.k.a. Tuff Gong (Vocal, Synth Bass, Guitar), dan Iyay a.k.a. Thriller (Bagpipe/Backing Vocal), agreed on forming a Hip Hop based concept which they finally call Boogiemen. Their career started with performances and/or gigs on campus events as well as various popular hangouts in Bandung.

Boogiemen’s unique concept of music was able to attract the attention of the Indonesian crowd and listeners as well as many Indonesian music industry insiders. Thus in a relatively short period of time, Boogiemen was able to expand its music horizon to events such as: Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival, Soulnation Festival, Sunburst Music Festival in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Urban Jazz Crossover, Maliq & D’Essentials’ sophmore album (Free Your Mind), Soulvibe’s premiere album (Soulvibe) and so on.

Early 2008, Boogiemen took a chance on making an even deeper move into the Indonesian music industry. Under the label Organic Records and Widi Puradiredja as a producer, the album NU SON TO SHINE with it’s 1^st single entitled “Last Call” was released in mid-2009 and is ready to please music listeners all over Indonesia.

Hip Hop, RnB, Soul, Jazz, Funk, Pop, Rock, and many other music influences became the energy which unites Boogiemen’s music to the Organic Sound. And so, although deriving from Hip Hop as the core and biggest influence, to simply call Boogiemen’s music a Hip Hop album would not do justice to represent the crossover music synergy found in it.

So guys, listen to the album. It’s time for NU SON TO SHINE!

Boogiemen will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 30 October

Their Myspace 

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... Maliq & D'Essentials

MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS was formed in May 15^th 2002, consist of 6 personnel, they are : Angga (vocal), Indah (Vocal), Ifa (Piano & Keyboard), Jawa (Bass), Widi (Drums), lale’ (guitar) and Amar (Trumpet). The meaning of Maliq is “music and live instrument quality, which created by Angga and Widi as producer, composer, arranger & song writer, also with Indra Sulisto as the Executive producer for the 1^st Album. And “d’essentials” is a nickname for the other band member. Finally we’ll say MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS as one and can’t be separated.

For the first 2 years, MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS act as band which played in several café and lounge, such as : “Jamz, Manna Lounge, The Bar – Four Seasons Hotel, etc.. For several reasons : to strengthen band, also to make our audience to get used to hear “soul music”. In mid 2004, MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS starts to record their tune, and the 1^st album released in January 2005, with the 1^st single “Terdiam” , 2^nd single “untitled”. In the early 2006 a repackage album was released which then called “1^st – Maliq & d’essentials, special edition” with the hit single “The One”.

MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS released their 2^nd album (“Free Your Mind”) in February 2007, under “Swarabumi & Warner Music Indonesia”. In this 2^nd album, MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS has made a concept which combine R&B, 70’s Soul and Hip-Hop, also they explore more sounds,  combines music & fashion and an attractive  choreography which made MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS amusing to watch. “Heaven”  as the 1^st single, “Beri Cinta Waktu” as the 2^nd single. In 2008 MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS released “Free Your Mind Repackaged” with hits single “Dia” & “Kau yang Bisa”. These 2 singles are also a soundtrack from a movie called “Claudia/Jasmine”.  

 MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS finally released their 3rd album (“Mata-Hati-Telinga” / “Eyes-Heart-Ears”) in March 2009, under “Organic Records & Warner Music Indonesia”. In this 3rd album, MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS has added another influence to their songs such as Rock and folk, as you can hear it from their 1st single “Pilihanku”. Also in this 3rd album MALIQ & D’ESSENTIALS has a new guitarist (Lale). He has bring another influences and sounds for “Maliq & d’essentials”.   

Get the album, listen carefully, free your time to see their concert, and last but not least, free your mind. Then you will feel the essence that they want you to feel. As they always say : Music is my sanctuary, wheter it’s binary or ternary. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’s hard for me. Despite everything, i still gotta do it, live with it, and always enjoy it. Nothings gonna happen unless you make it. So, open your Eyes, open your Heart and listen to your surroundings with your Ears  and make it happen.

Maliq & D' Essentials will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 31 October 2009

Their Myspace

Their Website

Check out their Youtube video HERE

Due to Perform at Java Soulnation Festival 09 .... DJ Moni

DJ Moni began collecting vinyl at the age of nine - once her parents bought her a turntable after moving to the US from Colombia. The Caribbean and African rhythms she grew up with were met with the bass-heavy electro, hip hop and new wave sounds of the early eighties. Her love of music and dance moved her to DJ and co-host a radio show in Washington DC 's WVAU in 1991. After graduating college she worked for an independent record label as she explored early house, jungle and trip hop.

In 1997 she moved to New York and worked for songwriter Denise Rich, who at the time wrote songs for Diana Ross, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, Mary J Blige and Marc Anthony. Moni was also part of the team that organized amazing events for Ms. Rich with performers and hosts like President Bill Clinton, Stevie Wonder, Bill Cosby, Mariah Carey and Russell Simmons.

By 1998, Moni was booking and promoting club nights downtown featuring DJs, live drum & bass and visual artists inspiring her to return to the decks professionally at her weekly La Chaza party. This was an open format for underground music where she spun alongside Bob Sinclar, Spinna, Jonathan Rudnick, JC (Amalgamation of Soundz), Russ Jones, Smash, Qool DJ Marv, Maurice Fulton, Gamall & Neil Aline.

Moni has since held residencies throughout the city and her clients have included Issey Miyake, Highline Ballroom, Dwell Magazine, TV Azteca and Sephora. She has played at Roseland, Vinyl, Central Park SummerStage, APT, the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum, Heyden Planetarium and internationally in Japan, France and the Philippines.

Thanks to Moni’s knowledge and love of numerous musical genres, she was hired as resident of the Highline Ballroom, opening up for acts as diverse as Paul McCartney and Amy Winehouse to Mos Def and Talib Kweli to Greyboy All-Stars and Secret Machines. She has also shared billing with Louie Vega, Kenny Dope, Osunlade, Nostalgia 77, LTJ Bukem, SA-RA, Rainer Truby, Daz-I-Kue, Benji B, IG Culture, Sarah McLachlan, Maceo from De La Soul and N'Dea Davenport from The Brand New Heavies.

In 2003, Moni joined the all-female dj crew, Ubiquita. Soon thereafter, fellow DJ, Reborn asked her to tour nationally with the critically acclaimed hip hop theater show, "Flow," providing a live on-stage score - scratching and mixing on cue to great reviews in the LA Times, Washington Post and a nomination from the 2005 Helen Hayes Theater Awards. She has since worked as Music Director & DJ for numerous theater productions, has been a resident artist in the NY public school system and currently teaches after school arts programs. Her work in theater led her to produce music, creating the original score for the "We Got Issues" national tour and working on her debut release with Gaea for Fall 2007.

In April, Moni was part of the Giant Step roster at the Winter Music Conference with acts like Gilles Peterson, Jazzanova, Simbad and Kruder & Dorfmeister. She recently became the first female DJ to mix the Cornerstone / Fader Magazine Suite 903 series. Moni has been named one of "New York City's 15 Hottest DJ's" and has been featured on the cover of the Village Voice, in the NY Post, Time Out NY, Suede, & Trace Magazines. She continues to spin her unique mix of music her Giant Step radio show, The Spectrum, with the Ubiquita crew and independently at clubs, corporate and private events.

DJ Moni will perform at Axis Jakarta International Java Soulnation Festival 2009 on 31 October

Her Myspace

Her Website