(photos by Laith Majali & Nasser Kalaji)

Free new mix from Mochilla (click image for download page)

Message from B+:

This past summer, Coleman and myself, along with Jay Electronica and his DJ, TJ the King, Ommar Offendum, and Will Quantic had the chance to go to the Middle East and play.  We even made it to Egypt and linked with Kutmah there, but that’s a whole other story… This mix represents some of what we learnt. It’s a group effort, but Coleman made the whole thing seem magically coherent…

This is the liner note from the back of the cd:

The Mashriq (Arabic: مشرق, also transcribed as Mashreq, Mashrek) is the Arabic term referring to a large area in the Middle East that is bounded between the Mediterranean Sea and Iran. It is derived from the Arabic consonantal rootMaghreb (مغرب), which simultaneously suggests  “west” or “sunset,” and is a reference to the Arabic-speaking countries of North Africa. sh-r-q (ش ر ق) and essentially means “east” – or more poetically, “place of sunrise.” It is therefore the companion term to

Mochilla has had the opportunity to visit Lebanon and Jordan twice within the past year, as well as Egypt most recently. We were invited by our friends Nasser Kalaji and Laith Majali of Immortal Entertainment to play our music in Beirut and Amman, and to experience for ourselves how life is at this incredible cultural crossroads. To say that we have been astonished, amazed, shocked, gratified and humbled is to put things mildly. We have only begun to scratch the deep surface of this world, and yet so many things have been revealed already.

In honor of these visits and our growing cultural exchange, we are presenting a mix of some of the music that we collected, picked up, swapped and bought along the way. Coleman always delivers when it comes to these mixes and this is no different: from Jay-Z samples to the fidjeri vocal music of Bahraini pearl divers, this is a journey worth taking. Enjoy, open your ears and let the beauty and depth of the cradle of civilization wash away your preconceptions…

rockin’ a serious suit.

This weekend…free!

Also, they’re having an after party at Levende East (827 Washington St, Oakland).  It’s $10 with proceeds going to benefit Hard Knock Radio.  It’s a tribute to Michael Jackson with Spinna & Ge-Ology performing.  Hosted by Bamu, Chinaka & Rolando Brown.

Rocksmith Presents: Mac Miller (Fall 2010 Video Lookbook) from Rocksmith on Vimeo.

New Fall looks from Rocksmith featuring Mac Miller.

While fully realizing the advertising aspect of this, it is still a cool video and gives you a little insight into Mike Giant’s creative process. Medicine Agency facilitated the videos for Blue Angel with people like Werehaus, Brandon Biebel & Finktoons. You can see the others here.

New album, Good Things, out next Tues (really good!)

3 Nov, Wed:  SF @ Rickshaw Shop (All Ages)
4 Nov, Thu:  Portland @ Mississippi Studios (21+)
5 Nov, Fri:  Seattle @ Nectar Lounge (21+)
6 Nov, Sat:  Vancouver @ Fortune Sound Club (19+)
8 Nov, Mon:  Bozeman @ Zebra Cocktail Lounge (21+)
9 Nov, Tue:  Salt Lake City @ Urban Lounge (21+)
10 Nov, Wed:  Denver @ City Hall (18+)
12 Nov, Fri:  Chicago @ Schubas Tavern (21+)
13 Nov, Sat:  Gambier @ The Horn Gallery (All Ages)
14 Nov, Sun:  Cleveland Heights @ Grog Shop (All Ages)
15 Nov, Mon:  Toronto @ Wrongbar (19+)
16 Nov, Tue:  Montreal @ Le Belmont
18 Nov, Thu:  NYC @ LPR
22 Nov, Mon: DC @ DC9  (18+)
23 Nov, Tue:  Atlanta @ Masquerade (Hell Stage)
24 Nov, Wed:  Orlando @ Backbooth (All Ages)
30 Nov, Tue:  Phoenix @ Rhythm Room (All Ages)
1 Dec, Wed:  San Diego @ Casbah (21+)
3 Dec, Thu:  LA @ Echoplex (18+)
7 Dec, Tue:  Live on KCRW ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’ (11am http://www.kcrw.com)
16 Dec, Thu:  Live on Jimmy Fallon w/ The Roots

Record release party for Farad: The Electric Voice and Dave Thompkins’ book, “How to Wreck a Beach”.  Free!  RSVP to cherryrsvp@walkintalkin.com.

Domino from Hiero has recently started a blog…today he posted about the origins of “Make Your Move” as told to We’ve Got the Jazz.  He’s also going to be at the Pyramind Elite Sessions.  Click flyer above for deets.

Hey, it’s been a minute since we’ve done any sort of contest, so J. Kim thought it was about time that you had the chance to win something…first person to respond on our twitter: http://twitter.com/thegiantpeach wins a pair of tickets to Frequency: The Detroit Edition featuring Black Milk with a live band (new album making its way to us very slowly from the East Coast…we should have it up soon), Elzhi from SV, your man House Shoes, Carey Kopp…hosted by Fran Boogie.  This Friday at Mighty SF 119 Utah, 10 PM.  Anyone can enter, but you have to be in SF on Friday for the show.  Send us an @ message and we’ll direct message you back for your details.  Good luck!