Reggae legend Junior Reid in Olympia tonight

The ageless icon and master vocalist of the reggae music scene, Junior Reid, is scheduled to hit the stage and cause the crowd at The Royal Lounge (311 Capital Way, Olympia) to go berserk!

You may remember the prophet-esque vocalist’s haunting hymns lacing tracks like MIM’s “This Is Why I’m Hot” remix and the penetrating bang-down track “One Blood” from The Game’s sophomore album, The Doctor’s Advocate. True reggae heads will know the chocolate skinned MC’s words and verse from a more than two decade-long career. It is rare to see legends breathe on the microphone … Catch him tonight, if you can.

All-ages Summer Jam in Olympia

Summer is the season for ice cream, less clothing and more concerts. In an effort to share the fun with the under-21 crowd, Live From I-5 Radio (KAOS 89.3 FM, Fridays @ 3 p.m.) and The 25360 are hosting The (Puget) Sound Summer Jam Friday, July 3 at The Loft On Cherry (Legion and Cherry) in downtown Olympia.

The Summer Jam will be held at the historic Loft On Cherry in downtown Olympia — an indoor facility. The lineup includes a lot of 25360 artists for a reason.

The current lineup includes: Twist, LA Swagga, Afrok, Wojack, Savage Family, Puget, S&S, Josh Rizeberg and DJs Drastic (25360 DJ of The Year), Dr. Rob, Sweet Elite and Luvva J. More announcements will be made as artists are added to the lineup.

The Sound Summer Jam is scheduled to run from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and costs $10.

Breakin’ it on down

The gift of B-Boying/Girling is one that is too often taken for granted in the hip-hop community. Breaking, popping and locking were of the first lessons I was taught and learned about in the hip-hop culture. The competition was invigorating and created an adrenaline rush. The dancing still creates this feeling, and that is why The Tacoma 1 on 1 B-Boy Battle July 11 at Hell’s Kitchen (3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, $10) will be worth your time.

The battle, presented by Seattle’s Circle of Fire and Tacoma’s Dance Broomz includes a performance by the legendary, Orb (Circle of Fire) a DJ set from dope Cali native and MC/DJ Ohmega Watts and a “mini beat battle.” Hip-hop will most definitely be present on this date … Looks like Fresh Blends is back for one more hoorah!

For more information e-mail: freshblends253@gmail.com

Shows, Ohs and 40 oz!

June 25: Junior Reid (reggae), XP, Lebowski & LUVVA J at The Royal Lounge (311 Capital Way, Olympia)
July 2: Young Buck, Afrok & LUVVA J at The Royal Lounge (311 Capital Way, Olympia)
GuudLIFE: Thursdays at The Royal consist of dope reggae/dancehall, soul, hip-hop and treasures (obscure/old-school/classic cuts) rocked by LUVVA J.

New and upcoming releases

LA Swagga: For The Fam (Olympia)
Clyde Carson: Bass Rock (June 2009)
Fabolous: Loso’s Way (June 2009)
Ace Hood: Ruthless (June 2009)
The Alchemist: Chemical Warfare (July 2009)
Andre Nickatina: Cake (Fall 2009)
Maxwell: BLACKsummernight (July 2009)

Winners Train, Losers Complain … Do Yo’ Thang!!!

Peace & Love
 
Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. is an editor, writer and producer. A graduate of Washington State University and student at The Evergreen State College, he writes and edits the Pacific Northwest section of OZONE Magazine and hosts and produces Live From I-5 Radio (since ’89) every Friday at 3 p.m. on KAOS 89.3 FM (www.kaosradio.org) in Olympia.