ISSUE OF THE WEEK

BRAND NEW SUGAR


Soundtrack: Tracks of my tears - Smokey Robinson and The Miracles


When Brown Sugar Jazz Bar announced that they were closing, my heart broke a little and got bitter about the invasion of Top 40 bars.
Then good news surfaced, they have relocated to Phra Sumen road. Though I must admit, I pouted still a little cause it's quite far from my house. Compared to their original spot which was a 10 minute walk. My nightly dose of live jazz was no longer a stone throw away.

After flagging down several tuk tuks to ask for directions, I finally found it. You can't really miss it, it jumps out from other creepy-looking buildings that surround it.

Walking in, I was taken back by the shear size of it. They have taken over a whole building. A whole building of Jazz and Art goodness.

Up front, the setting is more of a cafe vibe then as you walk in the trademark quirky art on the wall and random memorabilia are scattered around. Yes, you are definitely at Brown Sugar.

The long corridor leads you to the club. I like how it builds the anticipation. It was a proper TADA! moment.
Slick and cool interior designs, everything is arranged to face the stage. Shows how it really is about the music. Love.
The little lamps has the reminiscence of the old Ronnie Scott's in London. 

The Henri Matisse 'Jazz' art work on the wall. I proudly have the book at home. I'm definitely in the right place...

My biggest surprise was when I discovered they had a terrace bordering the canal. Such a nice atmosphere. 
Mosquitos are not a giant problem. In any case Bangkokers should be swatting away them insects ninja style by now.

GET WITH THE MUSIC

The house band plays all the classics and bop. Modern tunes and sometimes switching up to funk.

Not many places in Bangkok has this sort of vibe or jazz bars as a matter a fact. So support your local artists and come down for some drinks, food and ear candy.

WHERE

469 Phrasumen rd. Banglumpoo
Bangkok, Thailand.

Hard but not hard to find, it is actually in the same soi as The Queen's Gallery, up the main road near Kao San.

TEL:

089 499 1378, 081 805 7759

WEBSITE

http://www.brownsugarbangkok.com/

The 2nd floor of Brown Sugar is also a play house, they will be hosting awesome events and shows in the near future.

Happy Jazzing!

Colour Box

: )

MUSIC OF THE WEEK

DRAGON'S DEN


Soundtrack: Someway through this - The Black Ghosts


Can you tell me what 'Dub' is? Can you name a Dub track?
Well DJ Dragon skooled me yesterday when we met at his slick pad and I got really snappy happy.

I was also greeted by two of the loves of his life; Dachshund puppies named Shorty and Jum-Jim. I automatically baby-talked with them and I was officially in love.

Back to music otherwise I will gush about them all day long.




So!
Records everywhere, vinyls and CDs... Expected really... He is a DJ and I am sure there are more hidden away somewhere.

Our conversation was a mix of catch-up and music related. I first met DJ Dragon when I was a student at SAE and he was one of the lecturers there. I've been a fan of his Dubway parties since and it really attracts an awesome mix of people.

I raised the topic of vinyls vs CDs and mp3s and I must agree with him in terms of sound quality. Mp3s are great for sharing music but again the feel and the sound is not the same as vinyls. It also takes music appreciation a bit beyond the sound. You have to consider the effort that goes into cover design, product design, sound engineering and to master mix tracks for vinyls. 
Sadly, it is something that the 'digital age' kids have missed out on. I may not be from the records era but at least I had the pleasure of discovering CDs and going music shopping. Remember that feeling of looking forward to go through the sleeves and read the artist's personal notes? I totally remember my first CD purchase. It was 1500 baht at the time and it was The Lion King soundtrack... and there goes my street cred. 


As vinyls become collectors items, I myself have a few (*proud*), I sincerely hope that it stays with us because it would be great to be able to still 'touch' music rather than just the player (and I'm not talking about DJs).


DUB IS:


Instrumental reggae music that emphasizes bass and drums, using certain audio effects to create a sense of space between rhythm patterns and melodies. (Straight from the Dragon's mouth I swear, word for word... though I'm sure a lot of people have asked him this)


DUBSTEP IS:


New skool kind of Dub, which is a mix of modern electronic dance and old skool reggae


DRAGON SAYS:


"Any kind of electronic music nowadays is kinda Dub"


FIRST GIG AS A DJ:


At his high school dance, in the 9th grade under another DJ name. Which he won't reveal but it has something to do with his middle name.. begins with a P....


FIRST DRUM&BASS LOVE:


"I went to a rave in the UK and they were playing House and Breakbeat and D&B... kinda started from there. I was listening to a Gilles Peterson radio show and he played Someway Through This by Black Ghost and that was it. I thought it was awesome"

RECENT PROJECTS


" I co-produced this with some Japanese dudes and we have another one coming out this year "

RANDOM FACT:


" I do yoga and no one believes me"




DJ DRAGON IN ACTION

Follow DJ Dragon and Dubway parties on FB and Twitter


FB: DUBWAYBKK http://www.facebook.com/groups/dubwaybkk/


Twitter: @dubwaybkk






Happy Dubbin'!


Colour Box