Mike Check 1, 2, 1, 2

A Street certified creative. L.B.C Creative Director, Writer, Clothing Designer & Music Collector. After more than a decade of collecting music; Mike Check reached each from Sowetron (Soweto) to share; what he calls his sounds of salvation. Don’t get it twisted: He’s a music player not a DJ & loves Check shirts! It’s not much about how he plays but what he plays. He plays feelings, because the music creates his imagination.

Made out clothing, creative projects & events: Music has been the driver of his creativity & positivity. He’s 1 part of HlfmanHlfMachine. Electric, electronic, chilled, strange has a subtle way of making an unexpected impact & a very strong one, Musically

Mike Check; TheMangstarr; The Beatbot; Mr downtempo himself.

Music= Life

Since the year 2000: I’ve followed my passion for music extensively & unwarily religiously so. I’ve helplessly followed wherever it led me. From my 1^st discovery of the double disk compilation album called Verve remixes to Boozoo Bajou; Dorfmiester to 340ml; Blue 6 to J Dilla; Foreign exchange to 4 hero & the list goes on & on like Erykah Badu! The point is:  I’ve been very true with my feelings for global/world music. It played a big role in influencing my way of thinking. The way I look at the world & how I’d like to change or make my community a better place to live in. Like the air that I breathe, appreciating my parents for my existence & being thankful for being able to wake up everyday with a purpose: Music!

I think now I’m at a point where I’m listening to a sound I never knew I was looking for. And I've always been drawn to the strange sounds of Massive Attack, Portishead, Matthew Herbert, Hird, Dimlite, Forrs & Oy. The fantastical sounds of Cinematic Orchestra, Dzihan & Kamien. To future sounds of Jamoriquai, Nicolay, Blaq Faith, Domu, Dego, 2000 black, IAMNOBODY, Pandaboy & Astronautica! These sounds changed my perception of music & life in general. It broke me out of the chains of conformity. It made me fly when I didn't believe I could. It made me live out of the box; always. I’m so in love & in an affair that’s been going for 13 years now...

Shigeto

I don't remember very well...? but i think i heard this song on "The Bartender" mix!?

Evenings - Babe (Shigeto Remix)

Abjo

As my music collection keeps on getting serious day by day, month by month; I bumped into this homie in the soulection compilation I discovered last year in my external drive!? I know! you probably asking yourself; "he didn't know he had it?" Well I didn't! You see here's the thing; right! My love for music is very pure & honest! More like the sword in stone story: Arthur obtained the throne by pulling a sword from a stone. Only & only "the true king; the divinely appointed true heir" can perform this task! Like  the princess & the frog, Cinderella & Sam; who was universally chosen by the Autobots to keep the AllSpark away from the Decepticons in Transformers. Thats what music is to me & thats what I am to it! I was chosen, divinely, universally & spiritually to be the listener; the sharer & preacher by the gods sound. I've always found myself bumping into great albums left by friends; on the desktop. If my drive is there they'd throw a couple in there & send me an sms that I've something waiting for me in my drive! Some just keep quite & let me find it in my own time! Which makes it more adventurers & exciting when I do find it.

I'll be profiling him soon! In the meantime: here's a song that's got me stuck on repeat.

Chloe Martini

A young generation of beatmakers are taking the underground music scene by storm!!! It becomes more intense especially when they're young ladies! Kinda gives me goose bumps, brrrrr!!!!

Through my times of distress: I found solace! I discovered a secret path in the jungle of life! I was not sure where it was leading me, but it felt right to walk it anyway. It felt true & honest! It gave me a feeling of reassurance that where I'm going: is a place where my heart belongs & has been yearning to be.

That's how I feel when I listen to Chloe. She breaks me down into small, little pieces! Where I can't be put together, even by the most accurate hands & eyes. In her my beats: I'm lost forever!! Based in Warsaw: she was born in Poland. Yep, another young beat beast; she's 20 years old. Real name Anna Zmijewska; is an electronic chillstep producer who started her musical prowess composing instrumentals for film scores. I kinda discovered her 5 months ago! I must say she's 1 of my best finds & I ain't never letting her go! I'll follow you till I die Chloe or rather till I meet; maybe! She's effortlessly cooks beats like a chef; on vacation; in a tropical island! Which feels very; very sexy :-)  My most favorite beat is "I love you so"! Dedicated to her fans! Right back at ya my love :-)

Day 15

I'm such a sucker for Ta-ku!!! I was especially blown away by this album! Best find ever in my music collection :-) That's why you'll be seeing me posting about it now & then! With different references of what it says or means to me. Only, because it has a special place in my heart & I found that it talks to me, a lot. Even if probably it doesn't say what i think it means! Somehow I find that music is meant to set you free! Don't get webbed in what the message really is! Be free so that it can make an impact its supposed to make in your life or situation. That's why sometimes some people cry from songs that are meant to make you happy or vice versa. Know 1 thing though: if there's a song that makes you feel like you want to cry, notice that you feeling so good inside at the same time? Its not reminding you of sad times, but the un-explainable, happiest moment in your life! Those tears? Are tears of joy! Just a 2 cents of listening info :-)

Now: about Day15? Its got a very laid back, reggae- hop to it! Even though it doesn't really say what I think it says! If you listen closely there's 2 words you might catch there! The 1st word is "together" & the 2nd word is "Akibelo"! Hahahahaha; I know, but that's what i hear & in music there's no master of hearing or listening! It almost sounds like it talks about these friends of mine! A couple actually! They manage a street cultured brand called Akibelo. The name is made up of their names: the lady is Akile & the the guy is Kabelo! They're very cool, laid-back individuals. I tend to feel like they're a perfect definition of kindred spirits & the beat suits them so much its scary! I hope they get to hear it & know that somebody out there appreciates their existence!

Wondagurl

Ebony Oshunrinde aka Wondagurl. Nigerian-Canadian born from Toronto. She's 16 years old & she's a self acclaimed beatmaker! Why wondagurl? She got lured into the world of beatmaking at the age of 9 & she just produced a track called "crown" on Jay-z's recent album: Magna Carta Holy Grail. Its a very fresh album. Which keeps Jigga on the "rap" of being 1 of the most outstanding & legendary mc's of all time! At 43: Jigga keeps on re-inventing himself all the time; without even breaking a sweat!

Think about this for a minute: For Wondagurl to produce a track for Jigga: what does it mean about her & her career at her age; now? Its an extraordinary union! For Jigga to find Wondagurl to produce a beat for him: what does that mean about him; as an artist; at his age?

Jay-Z - Crown