Gilles Peterson

R.I.P. Darondo, Forgotten Local '70s Soul Star Who Got One Last Taste of Fame

Darondo, a once-forgotten hero of Bay Area soul who lived a colorful life and saw a renewed interest in his music in recent years, died yesterday, according to his label, Ubiquity Records. He was 67. Darondo's best-known song was "Didn't I," a moody, aching ballad that showed off the singer's sweet ... More >>

The Top Five Parties in San Francisco This Weekend

What's better than a normal weekend? A holiday weekend, duh. In case you were unaware, Monday is Memorial Day, and that means there's a whole lot of stuff going on. As usual, we've got you covered, with a few suggestions that ought to help make some sense of San Francisco's chaotic nightlife world. ... More >>

KCRW's Jeremy Sole on the Importance of Radio and His Addiction to "Black Crack"

Between saturating airwaves with his weekly soul and funk show on KCRW, and throwing an underground party known as theLIFT, Chicago-born DJ/producer/remixer/host Jeremy Sole is a busy and influential artist in the Los Angeles music scene. As a teen growing up in Chicago, inspiration came from his fa ... More >>

The 10 Best Bay Area Electronic Records of 2011

The year 2011 ought to be remembered fondly by fans of the Bay Area's electronic music scene. It was a year when the stars seemed to align and the city's nightlife seemed to explode around the arrival of new venues that cater specifically to the desires of dancers and partygoers. With these venues c ... More >>

Weekend Party Preview: Dancehall Legend Mr. Vegas in Oakland, Zomby at 103 Harriet, and More

We might as well just go ahead and label this weekend Decibel South as it's filled by huge parties stacked to the brim with artists en route to the electronic music festival in Seattle. Needless to say, you're in luck if you're a fan of current electronic dance music -- this weekend has something fo ... More >>

S.F. Producers DJG, Dials, and Jus Wan on the Local Bass Music Scene and Their New Compilation

​ There really is something in the water here. At least that's what it seems like, judging by the number of San Francisco electronic music producers touring across the Atlantic and releasing tracks on U.K. and European labels. Dubstep and bass-driven club music producers have been especially p ... More >>

DJ Hakobo on Going from DJ to Club Owner, and Prince vs. Michael

​Jacobo "DJ Hakobo" Juarez began his DJ career 13 years ago, performing at Berkeley house parties. Love for a large variety of music has been a prime motivator throughout his career: He was a promotional pioneer in San Francisco's party scene and now owns and operates Som Bar. Below, he discusses ... More >>

Weekend Party Preview: DJs Benji B. and Fil Latorre

Benji B.​There will likely never be a lack of DJs in San Francisco, and subsequently, there will also probably never be a lack of DJ-fronted club nights. Even if turntables were outlawed and the city's noise ordinance put a stop to all loud music after dark, it's easy to picture the innumerable se ... More >>

Hey DJ! Friday Q&A w/ Kento Tanaka (BRAZA!)

​We're pretty spoiled, living in this city. There are club nights all over town that focus on different areas of the globe (old Jamaican reggae, new Argentinean techno, the best in UK bass music), mixing traditional selections with the latest beats. Add to that list the hottest tracks from Brazil, ... More >>

Outside Lands Trivia Challenge

Zap Mama​ The headliners for this weekend's Outside Lands festival--Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band, Black Eyed Peas, Thievery Corporation, Tenacious D, and M.I.A.--need little introduction. But what about the undercard? One of the coolest things about this event is the sheer number of acts play ... More >>

Skream signals dubstep's dance with assimilation

Seventies funk icon Darondo talks limos, ladies, and his Bay Area legacy

Worldly beats abound in S.F. this week: Halou, Gilles Peterson, One Block Radius, and the Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie

Cold Snap

British duo Zero 7 rode its chill vibe to the top of the U.K. charts. But will its mellow electronica play in America?

Raw Deal

On his new album Greyboy ditches the acid jazz scene he helped create -- and returns to his hip hop roots

Riff Raff

Basuki Bala, Kevin Dabbs, and Jim Ryan