Author of the acclaimed hip-hop album guide Check The Technique two-volume book series Brian Coleman will be at Amoeba Berkeley tomorrow, Thursday July 20th at 530pm (free and all ages), when the Boston based hip-hop ambassador will oversee an anticipated panel discussion plus record spinning session fittingly entitled "Checking The Technique." Joining Coleman for an evening of what promises to "celebrate old-school hip-hop, especially focusing on rap’s “Golden Age” with an emphasis on Bay Area and California artists" will be former Amoeba Berkeley staffer DJ Platurn (45 Sessions/Oakland Faders), Adisa Banjoko (Hip Hop Chess Federation & author of Bobby, Bruce & The Bronx), Eric Arnold (Oakulture), Domino (Hieroglyphics), and Prozack Turner (Foreign Legion/The Legionnaire Saloon). In addition to spinning select vinyl and discussing some of their favorite hip-hop records these panelists (comprised of DJs, artists, and historians) will talk about the importance of both documenting hip-hop's history as well as always been attentive to new upcoming hip-hop artists and musical trends.

A lot of fans and friends of Tuxedomoon member Peter Principle were surprised and saddened yesterday to learn of the passing of the bassist/guitarist born Peter Dachert. Some expressed hope that the news, announced via Facebook yesterday morning, might have been a fake story. But sadly the death from "natural causes" was confirmed of the 63 year old  whose group came to fame in San Francisco in the late 70's in the post punk era. Tuxedomoon, who got major play on college stations at the time especially on hometown station KUSF, often got lumped in with all of the other local emerging new wave and post-punk acts of that era. However they were truly a unique act with a distinctive sound, as well as visuals in their live shows. Their more avant-garde sound was electronic experimental, comprised of electric violin and synths in addition to guitars, and hence unlike the traditional guitar driven sound of most of their peers at the time. Amoeba bio writer Marcus Kagler described Tuxedomoon's sound as a melding of "avant-garde soundscapes, jazz fusion, and electronic wizardry with performance art gaining much deserved notoriety throughout art circles in the U.S. and Europe."

Tuxedomoon formed in San Francisco in 1977 by Blaine Reininger and Steven Brown with Peter Principle joining the group two years later. That was after they'd released (for The Residents' original record label Raplh Records) their debut album No Tears and before the recording of their second album Half-Mute that was released in 1980 (Note: reissued on vinyl/LP just earlier this year). Soonafter the release of their third album, Desire in 1981, Tuxedomoon had relocated to Europe where they founded the record label Crammed Discs out of Brussels in Belgium. Following a hectic prolific 1980's, the following decade was one of inaction for the group. But by 2000 they regrouped and began recording and touring again.  As noted in their Amoeba bio Tuxedomoon’s 30th anniversary was observed by the release of their first box set, 7707tm: 30th Anniversary Box (2007 Cramboy) that combined their release Vapour Trails with remastered rarities and b-sides stretching back to their inception in 1977. In addition to Tuxedomoon albums, Principle also contributed to side releases by the band members Blaine L. Reininger and Winston Tong.

The Roots, who did a killer Amoeba Hollywood in-store a decade ago, headline a Bay Area show tonight at the Fox Theater. (2 Chainz will be at the same Uptown Oakland district venue on August 14th).  Just a couple of blocks nearby in this vibrant nightlife section of the East Bay city is another excellent show. At the New Parish tonight will be the "collective of Black-Chicano-Cuban-Japanese-Jewish-Filipino musicians" Ozomatali headlining a bill with Pasto Seco Band plus local longtime emcee El Kool Kyle. Yes, it's mid summer and therefore there's lots of great hip-hop events going on in the East Bay in both Oakland and Berkeley, as well as across the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. That's where The Roots' hardest working member, drummer and busy DJ Questlove will be jetting over to after his Oakland show tonight to do a DJ set at San Francisco's The Independent on Divisidaro following a set by DeeJay Theory. Speaking of deejays Bay Area legend DJ Shadow over past week unexpectedly dropped the impromptu (digital) 4 song EP The Mountain Has Fallen which is a sequel to his summer 2016 album The Mountain Will Fall (also on LP/vinyl). He'll no doubt be performing from both releases when he brings his ongoing tour this weekend to Berkeley's UC Theatre on Sunday July 16th with Bay Area turntablist DJ Teeko opening. Next month show to look forward to: Atmosphere, Dilated Peoples, and Brother Ali all play Berkeley's Greek Theatre on August 22nd.

1: Jay-Z 4:44 (Roc Nation)

2: Logic Everybody (also avail on vinyl/LP)  (Def Jam)

3: Snoop Dogg Neva Left (Doggystyle)

4: Z-Ro No Love Boulevard (1 Deep Entertainment) 

5: Twista Crook Country (CMG)