Soulection

LBC is a collection of creatives that swim in an ocean of sound. We have visions that are inspired by the “Sounds of tomorrow”; therefore creating something from what we hear from those sounds. In the same sphere: we’re highly inspired by other creatives who are making a difference in the industry. From that we are always wondering what we can do with them using our skills & music; together. In time you’ll understand what we trying to achieve; we’re very patient about it, cos we know it ain’t easy to embrace change. It’s new. Its unfamiliar territory & we understand how we can all get lost in it. But change is good! It is said that: even a baby gets really happy when it’s about to get changed.

A lot of you are about to experience yourselves in a different light! You’ll get to discover your true potential through the collabos we’re about to continue doing with you or rather; with other creatives. We also are not sure where we are being led at this moment in time, but we’re engineered & moved by the “Sounds of tomorrow” to places unknown & majestic! If we’re meant to find each other? We will! Music will bring us together in song of change & unity amongst us all…

LBC is drawn to a brand called Soulection. A movement, a culture of a worldwide energy of love through music. Our  1^st connection to this record label was a beatmaker who goes by the name of Ta-ku. His sounds unconsciously led us to Beats by Esta & Abjo. Then IAMNOBODI, Evil Needle, Sivey, Insightful & the list goes on. All of those artist mentioned are beatmakers that have taken shelter under the label. Which we discovered through our continuous digging of future sounds.  Soulection also has a radio show. It’s a collective of creative music makers from different parts of the world. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Soulection  breathes the most incredible tunes from around the globe and increases visibility for them and their originators via Soundcloud, social media, weekly FM presence [KKJZ 88.1 FM HD3] and live events worldwide. It was founded by Joe Kay & Andre Power. We love this label. LBC looks up, inspired & driven by you guys (Soulection). We believe your music can change the world & how people perceive it…

This is what they live by: As a trusted resource and global platform pushing forth The Sound Of Tomorrow ™ on both the music creation and music consumption sides, we aim to inspire and foster an environment that values creativity, hard work and vision.

"Do What You Love"

Soulection on Soundcloud

kbeach

GOODLAWD

What we love about music is that it connects, teaches & uplifts. And LBC prides itself in using music to bring change & awareness. Through the years we got to meet awesome individuals through music. People that have introduced us to different kinds of music & purely connect with them spiritually in a way that church cannot achieve. Especially future sounds!

One such individual is a homie of ours who goes by the name of PlayKayStat. Which as strange as it sounds: the name came about when he tried to create his own gmail account. Since we are obsessed about dope names: we ain't complaining; cos its such a... club; jumping name!! Yes: he’s a Dj. Met him round about 2008 through the THESIS Social Jam Sessions in Soweto. The chemistry was instant, because we liked the same kinda music. His musical genius struck us when; in one of his social jam sets; he played a tune called: As we arrive by Dimlite. That’s when we took note of our connection, because we had just discovered Dimlite then!? You see: what sets him apart from other Djs is his choice of sound. And to our knowledge: he was one of the 1^st Dj’s we've ever heard mix different genres of music together. He’d go from hip hop to neo soul to kwaito to house to future; in one set. He’s a pure music tour guide & a brilliant conceptualize. That's the reason why we decided its time to feature him on our blog!

He recently dropped his 3^rd installment of his "GOODLAWD" mixes. He named them "GOODLAWD" as an expression to give a female props for her beauty, but in this case; its music. We particularly love GOODLAWD3, because of the story behind it. It’s an outcry on crime in SA & it’s his way of fighting it through music. Since fashion is in our blood; we pay attention to detail. He used a balaclava for a cover picture for the mix & the 3 holes on it; to us; signifies the 3^rd installment. We love meeting creative individuals & we always wish the world could meet them too.

Yes, you guessed it! A collaboration with LBC is on its way; soon! Here’s a link to the mix & hope you enjoy it as much as we do. 

LBC: The Vision of Sound!

Avant Garde Vintage Lounge (LBC Edit)

AGVL is an event that happens every 2^nd Friday of every month. It’s one of the most sort after gig in the hood, in Soweto. LBC loves AGVL simply for the music. Upon entering, you’re bombarded by the sounds of Break Beats, Funk, Soul, Lounge, Lo-fi, Dub-Step & Deep House!

AGVL is curated by intelligent guys namely; Trev the Japanese, SkinDeep & KSK. Who also, rightfully so, are the resident Dj’s . Trevor is known for 1break beats roots, while Skindeep deeps you in funk & lounge. KSK downs you with freshly squeezed Lo-fi, dub & deep house. AGVL is special to us, in a way that makes you think about the relevance of music we listen today. Their sounds & the dj’s that play there are delectably Avant Garde. It has featured both local & international dj’s. Only a couple of months ago they started featuring live acts in the midst of the music. International highlights that we’ve had the pleasure of dancing to are Mark de Clive Lowe & Dego. These 2 are the masters of alternative & perfect Avant Garde experiences.

AGVL was 1 of the 2 brands LBC decided to collaborate with, for their SFW Showcase. The idea was that LBC wanted to find common ground with local brands & artist. To find a way to eliminate completion, wake the spirits of working together to reach our goals & erase that thin line of segregation. Music is our common ground & through music we’ll open a new way of expression & unity. Part of the collabo was for people to experience AGVL in a different way.

Mike Check chatted with both, the Japan & KSK during the last AGVL in May. He wanted to do something simple & yet very Avant Garde. He saw 1 of the ladies Tees with the AGVL print on it & it all connected, LBC was in sync with AGVL. Took the white Tee, removed the sleeves & replaced them with vintage, cream white chiffon sleeves. Suddenly we had an Avant Garde Tee that completed a very sexy look, coupled with a high waist denim skirt by LBC. For Mike Check & LBC 1 of our best work ever. The collabo was an amazing musical success. LBC will be featured in the next AGVL on the 11^th of July 2014. Come through & be part of the new experience in an event. We also uploaded a Mix by Mike Check for AGVL, Enjoy;

Holler next time when you’re in Soweto on a 2^nd Friday Mike Check & the Japanese might just hook you up with a couple of shot of Tequila.

LBC x Akibelo x SFW

LBC is about what music creates from within us. Ear to heart to mind; We create what music has inspired. Hence, the vision of sound. We collaborated with two brands for the Soweto Fashion Week & one of them is called Akibelo. We blogged a Ta-Ku track that reminded us of them. It’s the lovechild of a couple, Akile & Kabelo. They say the brand was conceived from their belief, understanding & spirituality. It’s what the brand stands on & for. It’s a representation of their love for 1 another. Fashionably their most popular product is their printed 5 panel cap, which is mostly worn around South Africa.
.
Our collabo was intense & really, really cool! LBC needed an idea on how to present the Collection. Mainly, because it’s not just an ordinary brand but an On-Going Never-Ending Creative Project that preys on making a difference. As per LBC mandate: We hung out,  listened to music & a concept was born.


THE COLLECTABLEZ

We put together Mike Check, who is also a designer & a poet; Kabelo, a self-taught filmmaker; ID10T, who is also a photographer & Akile, a fashionista, who soon discovered that she’s a stylist. ID10T did a mix for the catwalk. Kabelo directed a video shot by ID10T of Mike Check reciting a poem. He also directed LBC showcasing on the ramp. Akile styled the models.

The vid was played before the collection came on. Then Mike Check walked on the ramp, with a Bunkstool (Traditional Wooden Chair) & a Beatbort (Small Radio). He sat down & watched the models as they walked the dawning the LBC collection; The Collectablez.

Different pieces representing the art of working together. It was truly a great night. We don’t have the video of the show, but we’ve uploaded Mike Check’s vid reciting & couple weeks ago, we uploaded ID10T’s mix. Ladies & Gentleman we present to you: The Collectablez.

Soweto Fashion Week
Akibelo
Eunice Driver - Love Beats Cafe

Collectablez by LBC for Soweto Fashion Week

Last friday we showcased the collectables at the Soweto Fashion Week. Our showcase was a collectable effort we did with our sister brand Akibelo. We also collaborated with 1 of the dopest events in Soweto, called Avant Garde Vintage Lounge. Which happens every 2nd friday at Rockerfella, Soweto. We took 1 of their ladies tees & transformed it into an avant garde piece. Paired it with our high waist denim skirt. The combination was amazingly awesome.

Our resident music player & collector, ID10T, did a mix for the walk. Our presentation was unique & it was the 1st of its kind to ever been done on a fashion ramp. We believe collectively we can achieve more. That's what LBC is about. Everything we do is inspired by music & from that we come up creative concepts that best describe our vision of sound. Here are pics & the Mix, both done by ID10T!
LBC: The Vision of Sound, Enjoy:

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.