Steven Totten ReporterOct 1, 2017, 4:06pm MST
In the same way an office worker makes copies or files reports, Miguel Ivery scoures through record collections for his gig as a DJ. It was a fairly typical routine, almost to the point that he’d do it absent-mindedly, which is what happened with a world music compilation he bought. “I had listened to the front side in the record store and hadn’t paid attention to the back side,” he said. A short time later he was sitting in his studio, flipped that same record over and found a song that would change his life: a 1969 recording of “Take It Easy My Brother Charles” by Brazilian artist Jorge Ben Jor. “I listened to it and thought it was amazing,” said Ivery. “I did a lot of digging and found all this cool black music in Brazil from the ‘60s and ‘70s and was like ‘wow.’” Once Ivery began finding Brazilian music during that period — tropicalia, samba, batucada — he decided to start a monthly event highlighting his discoveries. Brazilian artists began to take notice of Ivery’s event via MySpace, the prominent social media network at the time. “I started getting all these bands in Brazil saying they wanted to come and play, sending me hundreds and hundreds of songs, so I made a compilation,” he said. “It skyrocketed with radio play all over the world. I couldn’t even keep up with it.” The success led Ivery to start his own record label, called Afro Baile, in 2008. It now has more than 20 albums and 40 artists. All the exposure to Brazilian music inspired Ivery to showcase the culture to the Valley. He founded the Brazilian Day Arizona festival, which features every cultural aspect of Brazil. What began with 500 attendees in Tempe now has had more than 25,000 attendees since its inception, held at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Ivery has accomplished both the record label and the event independently and self-funded. “I do all the booking, marketing, design and press releases,” he said. “We need a cultural hub to support Latin American arts and culture, because there’s such a stigma of negativity of Latin American culture here. We want to show there’s a positive influence.” Additional Links: www.Afrobaile.com | www.BrazilianDayArizona.com | www.BombaFestiva.com | www.DJSeduce.com
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Its always an exciting time of year when September roles around, My label "Afro Baile Records" produces the annual Brazilian Day Arizona Festival at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Each year, the festival now in its 8th year, celebrates Brazilian Independence Day with a one day festival honoring Brazilian culture past, present and future. The annual festival showcases a plethora live Brazilian music, dancers, performers, educators, video, film, food, arts and crafts, activities, workshops and so much more! Brazilian Day is not only the largest Brazilian festival of its kind in Arizona, but its award winning, internationally recognized and has lead the way for Brazilians and culture fans alike for nearly a decade! I hope you will join me, us, them, and everyone who want to come have a great time this September 23rd!! Get your discount Tickets Online Now at www.BrazilianDayArizona.com
Honestly, I am not even sure where to begin when it comes to the Modern Groove Assembly. Should I start back more than 10 years ago at the Paper Heart Gallery in downtown Phoenix, when some white dude that looked like he was from NY comes rolling in wearing a Kangol, oversized sweater and glasses with a hand full of 12" records, or Should I start back (not as far back) at a dope show I was invited to DJ at with Modern Groove Assembly Sy Smith and Bugz in the Attic? Or! Maybe I should fast forward just a few more years and start with the gig I was asked to DJ at with Mark de clive lowe in a bar with Lady Alma. Are we talking about Phoenix? as in Arizona? I believe so, and how the hell was this possible? This guy named simply STEVE aka Modern Groove Assembly. See, Steve had a vision long before Phoenix even knew what nujazz, jazz or jazztronica was. So without all the accolades this mans deserves for his push for great music, we'll just start with Today. Yes, almost 2 decades later, Today, this man has recreated a classic, remixed, revised and reimagined what FourFiveSeconds could sound like today. And what a treat it is. Storming up charts worldwide, Modern Groove Assembly presents FourFiveSeconds Future Soul Rework Featuring Teri Tobin and Rasar Amani. Mastered by Chris Athens Masters. Reviews: "Beautiful! Fantastic! A Sublime Piece of Groovy SoulJazz Goodness!" "This is quite the rework and definitely a version folks need to hear. We're loving the broken beat approach which gives this song a whole new feel" (Bondfire Radio, Brooklyn, NYC USA) As heard on BBC Radio Four! "This vocal is amazing!" Get it today! Available Now! "Wonderful" "Sublime" "Funky" "Excellent!" "If you've heard the original, by Rihanna, Paul McCartney, and Kanye West, then you know that this version blows it out of the water!" (Steven Howie, Grooveline) 
What a way to start the day, than to kick it off with some Kris Bowers. This guy is the the Jazz truth! I came across this album listening to one of my favorite Jazz stations overseas. This albums radiates so many flavors of jazz, jazz-soul and grooving melodies you just cant get enough from start to finish. It cost me a pretty penny to have imported as you can't buy this in the states *at least at the time you couldn't. Check the music out, and if you can find a copy, pick it up.
 If any one really knows me, they know, I am a poster guy. Yeah, its from my youth, hanging up posters on the walls, tacks, tape, you name it. So when I came across this poster, it was no different. Except for Art Blakey happens to be one of my most favorite and influential musicians of all time. When you think of Jazz, you can think of Jazz without Art, and what better way to say it than to have a cool poster that lets you know just how Jazz feels!
In theaters now! The follow up Movie to the critically acclaimed Buena Vista Social Club album, tour and movie. The original released more than 20 years ago, has now gotten a follow up movie with even more music, interviews and features about that incredible time, and place where the album was recorded and brought to the world. Can't wait to see it! Select theaters nationwide so check your local listings.
 It always amazes me what vinyl factories are capable of doing with vinyl cuts. Check out this cool Police Badge vinyl of J-Dillas Fuck the Police. I thought it was a poster at first, but looked closer to see it was a dope vinyl. Record Store Day always coming through with the one of a kind cool releases.
What a huge Thank you I have to give to the folks over at the LULA in Toronto! Seriously, for over 15 years this place is the must, see, hear, do, dance, and go to place for great music and food. They 15 year anniversary event is a week long celebration of music, dance, art, and culinary wrapped in to one great celebration. Although I can't attend the event, the folks at Lula hooked me up with a beautiful care package complete with CD's, programs and other goodies! (love my Canada peeps!).
More Jazz and More Jazz and more Jazz, I should change my name to JAZZ. (kidding but love Jazz). Love this album 5ive by The Sure Co. out of London. The folks over at Jazz Refreshed have been consistently promoting, pushing and producing great Jazz acts in the UK for years. I believe I own every album they have released including this one! If you don't know the Jazz sounds across the pond, I highly suggestion starting with the Jazz Refreshed!
Probably my all time favorite Jazz album from Japan! These guys go by the name of J.A,M - Just a Mestro. Members of the the Soil and Pimp sessions Jazz outfit, JAM put together an incredible album of jazz dance, jazz groove and jazz soul music with some cool special features guests!! Have this on CD and vinyl, and wow is the vinyl hard to get!! But worth the investment! Now go dig this!
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