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Malamanya performing at Hell's Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of Malamanya)

I sat down a few weeks ago with Malamanya, the latest salsa y rumba band in the Twin Cities at their cozy South Minneapolis' "Brownbag Studios." Getting to know a little more about a band who proves that using spoons as drumsticks, while banging on pots in pans in your Abuelitas kitchen is still something to be proud of.

Malamanya is made up of all acoustic instruments, grouped by local musicians percussionist Luis Alvaro Ortega- Castrellon and Jesse Marks; Tony Schreiner on up-right bass, Trevor May on the "Tres" and flamenco guitar; Jason Marks on trumpet and the lovely vocals by the beautiful Latina mujerona essence Adrianna Rimpel.
This corrillo brings so much sabor and heat that they make the Nomad World Pub feel like a jam session with the Buena Vista Social Club.  They can turn the Driftwood Bar dance floor into an El Barrio block party within minutes of playing, while striking listeners to continue on their night with a Fania after party.
Each member of Malamanya targets a bulls eye by resurrecting the spirits of Celia Cruz, Ramito and Joe Cuba;  while keeping Willie Colon's, Yomo Toro's and Johnny Pacheco's alive.
Schreiner takes leadership as the "conjuntos" musical director.  He came together with the vision of forming a group after being inspired by the "Negocios Lindos" mixtape. An album which features a variety of Fania composers such as Colon, el cantante Hector Lavoe, and Johnny Pacheco.  After hearing the NYC, DJ Fred Schmaltz compilation, he grew an obsession with Latin Music of the 1960s and 70s era.

"I played it as much as I could," explained Tony. "And eventually met up with Luis a year ago while he was playing for a SotaRico event."  Luis expressed his same excitement to Tony for the music which raised and inspired him.

"We started building the band from that momentum," recalled Luis Ortega-Castrellon who is of Panamanian and Puerto Rican decent.
"and through mutual friends, we were introduced to everyone else in the band. It came together like a domino effect, and we all get along great which is also a cool thing," vibes Luis, with a classic smile expressing his chill and one love vibe.

"Organically were heading to making our own original takes and making it work," stated Tony.

Adrianna Rimpel's soothing voice leaves you smiling back.

I was a fan from the moment I heard Adrianna Rimpel sing her first note, accompanied by the traditional strings played by Trevor May and Jason Marks on trumpet.  Adrianna's voice brings me back to the empowerment of women, when the rise of the Latina Soul was dominated by the sounds of la reinas Celia Cruz and La Lupe in Latin Music; but more toned down and settled to a mix of "Viva Chango's" Celina Gonzalez with a drip of Bonny Rae.  May's passionate playing will buzz you like a fine Shiraz, while making your heart pump faster to express life's "amor y pena." Jason Marks' trumpet nurtures you like an Arturo Sandoval stew sprinkled with Willie Colon's sazon.  Every member highlight each others performance. Luis' smooth Ray Barretto-ish hits and Ruben Blades vocal-swag, plays a key role parrelled with Tony's "cool-kat" swing on his amazing bass playing.  I admit my favorite part of their show is Malamanya's energy to get the crowd to participate in the mostly traditional, call and response cantos.  It placed me back to a child being raised by grandparents who played records, while cooking; singing about migrating, cross- culture living, struggle, faith and love with pride of being "jibarros," no matter where life placed them in the world.

"In every show we want to express, take our positive vibe to our fullest advantage, by creating a force to have all people relax, live, dance and have a fun time during this hectic stage in the economy," explained Trevor. "And continue to learn more, create more! Malamanya will learn our next path once we do it."

Tony Schreiner follows up, stating the mission of their music and performance is "to Preserve and inspire."

"Drink dance and..," Smiles Tony, "well you know," pauses as he drops the F-bomb.
We all laughed as Adrianna followed Tony's statement with
"okay lets just calm down now."

Along with having a good time, MalaManya also dedicates their sound towards bridging their support towards hope. Percussionist Jesse Marks is co-organizing their next gig at the XY and Z Gallery, which is a fundraiser to assist a child friend in Peru who underwent a life-threatening surgery. All proceeds of the event will be donated to help assist his medical treatments and expenses.

I look forward to dancing my night away soon to Malamanya's music and encourage you to keep warm with their ritmo.

Catch their show out on Friday November 12,  at the XY and Z Gallery, 9pm-2am with Dj Turtleneck


Check out their Youtube live performance at downtown Minneapolis' Hell's Kitchen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHs5W4bPnTI

Join their music-fan page www.facebook.com/malamanya

Maria Isa release the video for "Lowrider Mamis," showcasing WestSide pride. (Photo courtesy of Twin Films/SotaRico)

I am very excited to share the video for "Lowrider Mamis (Caddy Lincoln Chevys)," off of my upcoming mix-tape"Sip It!"  First, let me give you a personal explanation of the video's concept.....
 
I am dedicating this to the memory of MexiRican Cartel mix-tape and souvenir shop owner Judy Ojeda.  Who served as an activist for human rights and promoted me as a hip-hop artist in 2005; selling my very first mix-tape compilation "A West Side Story" with (my first) hip-hop crew Many Styles.  Judy passed away suddenly in October of 2009.  I am honored to have her family's support til this day (her kids are featured in the video).  She was passionate about her Mexican heritage and her husband's Puerto Rican heritage.  It was with her, that I shared with the idea of branding SotaRico, before establishing the company with my family and close associates 2008. 
 
I also dedicated the song to the memory of my aunt Miriam Perez, who was from the Bronx and always respected the pride of the Latino community and the arts.  She was a fighter (literally).  Miriam was a Nuyorican raised by the 1950s.  Her personality reflected the Earnest Lehmon "West Side Story" character Anybodys, styled with a hint of Patsy Cline, while spinning to mambo and salsa.  She always taught me how to defend myself in many battles growing up.  Especially against the boys in my family.  Her influence has most definitely been a strong force within me as a woman and artist in the music business.
 
I truly could feel their smiles and pride during the filming of this video. 
 
SotaRico worked closely with TwinFilms who directed, filmed, and edited the video, shot on the Westside with the support of District Del Sol's "Cinco De May" Lowrider Car Show on May 7th, 2010.  SotaRico casted many versatile crews who represent the Westside's hip-hop community along with appearances from Youthrive Live colleagues Dj Snuggles and Dancing Dave. 
 
Growing up on St Paul's Westside, I take pride of the influences that represent our small, but diverse and passionate community.  The lyrics for "Lowrider Mamis" creative process began with the concept of Lloyd Banks' and Juelz Santana's release of "Beamer Benz Bentley," (Produced by PRIME). 
 
"Lowrider Mamis" was recorded, mixed and engineered by Eddie Sancho  in Queens, New York. I wanted to "rep for the chicas of my barrio" who respect and honor our cultural pride towards the Urban Latino art of Lowrider Cars. 
Paying homage in the first verse to Queen Latifah's "Who you calling a bitch" lyrics in the classic U.N.I.T.Y. 

Director Griffin Larson (TwinFilms) played with the idea of "instead of capturing the traditional 'video-hoes'vixens' (as Lloyd Banks and Juelz Santana did), we wanted to represent Maria Isa's image as 'the mami MC' with respect from the neighborhoods' "Papi-Cholos."   
 
I was Inspired by Lloyd Banks's phrase "my jeans are never empty," in Beamer Benz Bentley.  The inspiration came as a driving force to flip it and represent for the females who rock their fashion designer handbags with "Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Coach bags (are) never empty."   
 
I am working in NYC, recording my mix-tape and promoting Street Politics for the upcoming BMI showcase on July 6th, 2010 with my band in New York City's S.O.B's. This was an extra special treat to go back home to the Twin Cities and spend time working in the community that has helped raise me.  This video project truthfully was a pride to carry back and represent in the Big Apple.
 
Sit down relax and sit in our lowrider.....bounce up and down! I hope you enjoy it.
 
 
 
Paz, pa'lante y "WESTSIDE!".......
 
Maria Isa
 
 
 
VIDEO LINK:

 LOWRIDER MAMIS (CADDY LINCOLN CHEVYS) OFFICIAL VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnNaXjDM7aE
 
 
*NO PROFIT SHALL BE MADE FROM THIS SONG OR VIDEO.  
 
 

Two Sunday nights ago wasn't your ordinary Easter feast rap up.  While many Twin Citians were glued to the tube watching the holiday episodes of Fox's the "Simpson's" and "Family Guy," or the NCAA Woman's Basketball finals, or playing catch outdoors before the Yankee's vs Red Sox game, I decided to take a different route.  A fellow SotaRico staff member and I attended the grand opening of First Avenue and 7th Street Entry's "Record Room."

The festivity was hosted by First Avenues' booking agent Sonia Grover, who presented a speech commemorating a brand new "retro styled, comic-strip collage" mural by artist Greg Gossel, who was inspired by the historical venue celebrating its 40th anniversary.  Grover also gave special recognition to the room's history and how its carries another branch of representation to the venues popular status. She proclaimed the room as a space showcasing the richness and strong movement of local and international DJs who have drawn an impact towards the Twin Cities music and night scene.

(Photo courtesy of First Avenue and 7th Street Entry)

In honor of the renaming of the VIP room, I caught up with Twin Cities based DJ Verb X.  Verb X is most known for spinning and hosting every Thursday's "The Bungalow," one of the venues' most popular nights. The expansion of what's now the Record Room has so much history!  Out of all people, I felt it was appropriate to acknowledge what DJ Verb X thought about the room's transition, development, accomplishments and memories.

Maria Isa:

When did you begin spinning @ the former VIP room?

Verb X:

It was in late 1998, during its "Erotic City" night.  At the time PopTop was the DJ and we came across networking through music. He really was the one who gave me my opportunity to spin.
At the time, a former booker at First Avenue was highly impressed and I got the chance to kick off the "Bungalow" in March of 1999.  I came up with the marketing, the name, establishing a crew to help promote through the One Love Movement.  In the beginning it was strictly all reggae and slowly I incorporated playing hip-hop, which was mostly played during a promoted night in the room called the "Barbershop."

MI:

If those VIP walls could speak and tell us about its' expansion what would they say?

VX:

They'd definitely cross the point of how much smaller the room used to be!  (Chuckles as he remembers) It was so small when we first started. It was a record closet for all the DJs who spun at First Ave, which is why the name "Record Room," is so fitting.  Our crowd started with 75 people, representing friends, staff, supporters, artists and has now grown to establishing a fan base of weekly club-goers.  The room has grown to the best... if not the best, than most def one of Minneapolis' most chilled places to be at on a Thursday night.

MI:

As both, a fan and an artist who has performed at First Avenue, I've found Thursday nights at the famous club to be a highlight of our community's music scene.  With the Salsa night in the main room and then the "Bungalow" upstairs, what inspired you to help make this historical venue's room so diverse and entertaining?

VX:

I really wanted to help create and bring a great atmosphere for club-goers to have fun and chill.  I was really inspired by the New York City rooftop club parties that spun reggae and brought movement and rhythm to the place. It's great to have the Salsa night in the main room, because if definitely feeds towards upstairs.  The fact that the music we play is so diverse with reggae, hip-hop, dancehall and reggaeton it adds towards seeing the variety of people who come every week..and love it!  I especially enjoy the ranges from different generations and cultures. From the "turning 21 year-old birthday" crowd, to the local artist scene and regular supporters who have been attending the VIP room for years; the "Record Room" to me now represents that movement of people!

MI:

How do you feel about the new "Record Room" name?

VX:

The "Record Room" represents the venue's name better than the VIP room, because many of our people who hang out there never felt it to be a VIP lounge.  It still is and has always been a home for DJs. Purely a room that adds flavor and a place to chill after main room events.  You hear a great act in the main room and then have an opportunity to continue the night listening to the cities best DJs play fitting music.  It was time for the VIP to grow and establish its own identity, where weekly acts and guest can help establish their unique brand.
I do hope that we can showcase more artwork and details towards the history of the DJs, events and acts who have made the room successful up to this day.

MI:

What was one of your most favorite memories in the VIP room?

VX:

Wow! I've had many, but one that grips me was when Muja Messiah had his "MPLS Massacre Mixtape" release show in March of 2008, at the 7th St Entry Room.  As soon as his show finished, the whole VIP room became even more packed and he performed his version of "Paper Planes." It was cool.. The crowd went crazy!  It was a great night and showcased what the room is meant to be about...it showcased our cities' love for diversity and local music. Moments like this one is what keeps us connected with our local artists who support the venue, just as much as we support them.

Thank you Verb X, Sonia Grover, and all of the staff at First Avenue and 7th Street Entry.  The Twin Cities look forward to seeing the future of the "Record Room" grow.

You can find Verb X spinning every Thursday night presenting "The Bungalow," at First Avenue and 7th Street Entry's "Record Room."

Also tune into his podcast @:

www.onelovemovement.blogspot.com

For more information about First Avenue and 7th Street Entry, please visit the official website @:

www.first-avenue.com

Pa'Lante!

-M.I

Twas a well night spent last night at Minneapolis' "Triple Rock." Famous for they're live and loud punk/metal rock shows, the events' head banging attendees jammed out to a different buzz. A sound in which transformed Twin Citians into killer bees as they were stung by the venom of one of the founding members of the Wu-tang Clan, the "genius" himself: GZA.

Before the Brooklyn, NYC native born Gary Grice took a hold of the mic, the crowd was hyped up by opening acts from militant rapper St Paul Slim accompanied by Dj Snuggles, and Minneapolis massacre Muja Messiah alongside Dj Turtleneck who spun a few sets throughout the nights. The crowd was thick and diverse with your traditional hip-hop backpackers rocking black and gold "Wu" t-shirts awaiting to "Enter the Wu-tang's 36 Chambers."

As I roamed the room, greeted a few people, and felt out the vibe of patiently waiting fans, I made it back to my place backstage to interview GZA before he turned the venue into a human beehive. It was truly great to sit next to an original member of a crew who has influenced so much of my work as an emcee and hip hop advocate. M.I.: The Wu-Tang Clan has been known globally for almost 2 decades now. As hip-hop continues to grow and media depicts the changes of representation, Where do u see the future of the Wu-Tang Clan's expansion? GZA: Schools, education.

Wu-tang has opened many doors for hip hop. I see us continuing to open doors for the youth and students through entering more curriculums; alongside Hip-Hop courses being taught and adapting in universities and colleges now I see us more adapting those lessons with lyrical workshops and discussions. M.I.: Would u consider the Wu-Tang Clan to be on the high ranks of spreading outreach to communities of activism? Would you say the Wu uses poetic expressions to walk alongside the formed movement of the 1960's Black Panthers and Young Lords? GZA: Yes most definitely. Not in the same path such as Chuck D (Public Enemy), but more so along the guidelines of staying committed to giving back and speaking the truth through our craft and motivation. As well as keeping our projects productive to help benefit each artists.

It's all about organization. M.I. What has been a success to be able to progress the Wu's message? GZA: Education is the tool. Even if we haven't directly instructed a session. I think Wu-Tang has been an instructor of education to anyone who has been a fan, anyone who has supported our movement whether its been from buying a Wu-tang cd or coming to see a show. I feel each listener/supporter has received a jewel or a blessing of knowledge and motivation that they can carry inside of them forever. We don't just talk about repin' our hood.

We bring patterns of mathematics and ancient history through modern metaphors. Something I wish more artist these days could continue building from. M.I. What's one thing that stands out about the Twin Cities? GZA: Not to many 24 hour sit down food joints yo. Whatsup with that?! (Smiling) M.I. I can't give much of an answer to that. I've been waiting my whole life here in the TCs to have a more of a selection than the normal "fast- food" all night service and Mickey's diner on my side of the river.

But hey the SotaRico kitchen is open all day! :) As I wished the GZA a good show (and informed him if he finished his set he may have a chance to grab a slice at Pizza Luce), I made my way back out towards the sound board at the Triple Rock to catch what would be once again an amazing set by one of the Killer Bees. Bumping shoulders with Atmosphere's ANT and fellow Rhymesayers label mate Toki Wright, I took a moment to discuss and acknowledge how truly great the culture we live in is.

It's about having a purpose and recognizing that even after 20 years in the game rocking a mic and spitting knowledge, you can continue to motivate and move forward to help establish the next chambers that await their destiny. Pa'lante mundo! -M.I. Check out M.I. Song of the post: St Paul Slim's "HORSES" www.myspace.com/stpaulslim