Mochilla Records, run by famed west coast photographer, filmmaker and Hip Hop scholar Brian “B+” Cross is honoring the late producer/emcee J Dilla and his mother Maureen Yancey [click to read] with the upcoming release and concert series Suite For Ma Dukes.
The February 22nd event will help promote the recently-released Suite For Ma Dukes EP [click here], available on iTunes, featuring famous Dilla productions, re-interpreted by famed composers Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Carlos Nino. The Mochilla release includes covers of A Tribe Called Quest‘s “Find A Way” and Common‘s “Nag Champa,” among others.
This morning, B+ told HipHopDX about the project, “On Suite for Ma Dukes what Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Carlos Nino
have done is place the music of Dilla into a whole other context. It is
revelatory to hear the music with all the sweeps and swirls, the drums
are implied – Dilla exists in this music though implication.
It is lyrical beautiful and filled with possibilities. Just like what Dilla proposed originally but now in an even broader field.“
An affiliate of Dilla‘s last label home, Stones Throw Records, B+ spoke of the significance of Mochilla‘s upcoming event. “February
22nd is the day that we will remember that James Yancey was in orchestra and played cello. Only this time he will be with us in spirit
and there will be 40 of L.A.’s most talented musicians in the orchestra
playing his music. Its a once in a lifetime oppurtunity to celebrate one of hiphops favorite sons.“
The event will be held at the Harriet and Charles Luckman Fine Arts Center in Los Angeles. Deejay sets will be provided by DJ House Shoes and J. Rocc.
