Anu~Sun

The spirit of A Tribe Called Quest lived on at Joe’s Pub in New York City on Monday (Jan. 17) as hip-hop, neo-soul and jazz artists came together for “Beats, Rhymes and Life” – A Tribute to A Tribe Called Quest.

With musician/vocalist Anu-Sun leading the Bohemian Chocolate Café’s jazz sextet, the band laid down classic Tribe songs live as Anu-Sun and others expressed their admiration for the seminal hip-hop group.

The tracks varied between faithful renditions of original Tribe songs, original neo-soul Café songs and various MC’s own rhymes interspersed with Tribe verses.

While rumors of certain ATCQ members showing up proved to be just that, underground hip-hop luminaries such as Wordsworth, El Da Sensei and Buckshot did show up to give praise to their mentors.

Buckshot loyally recreated verses from “Check The Rhime” with vocalist Farrah Burns before later joining El and Words on “Scenario (Remix)”.

The band spanned the whole of Tribe’s career, from “Luck of Lucien” off People’s Instinctive to The Love Movement’s “Find a Way.”

Using the Black Rock Coalition’s -- a nonprofit organization dedicated to further the creative and commercial interests of black musicians -- artist tribute shows as inspiration, the idea for a tribute show was originally conceived by Anu-Sun three months ago.

Being both a lover of jazz and hip-hop, A Tribe Called Quest was a logical first choice. “If Tribe had the resources to play live back then,” theorized Anu-Sun, “they would’ve done it.”

The success of last night’s event has prompted thoughts of further tributes.

While no further tribute shows have been confirmed as of yet, Anu-Sun told AHH he is looking at various eclectic artists and will hopefully turn last night into a regular event in NYC. - By: Jason Newman 1/20/05 for AllHipHop.com

Efficacy Episode 65: Vegas native Anu~Sun is a BMI artist/ songwriter whose music offers an eclectic blend of Hip-Hop, Funk and Jazz. Being a drummer and godson of Jazz legend Lionel Hampton, Anu's love for music runs deep. Anu's latest project "The Adventures of Mr. Las Vegas" is currently available on iTunes, CD Baby ( www.cdbaby.com/cd/anusun3 ) & Band Camp ( www.anusun.bandcamp.com ). The album features 15 original recordings including the title track "Mr. Las Vegas" (featuring British Neo Soul pioneer Omar Lyefook, Blue Note jazz pianist Robert Glasper & world-renown drummer Chris "Daddy" Dave). Additional guest appearances on the project include DoItAll Dupré (from the hip hop group "The Lords of The Underground") and jazz trumpeter Leron Thomas. If you're wondering what the vibe of the project is? Well, it's the genre blurring maturation of hip hop, stepchild of neo-soul. It's the marriage of Brazilian Bossa Nova and Vegas Showroom tunes. It's childhood friend of 80's nuwave and British soul acts. It's the love child of P-funk and Jazz! In other words, it's an honest reflection of life in the 90's, as seen through the eyes of a Las Vegas native.
Supporters of Anu's music are most familiar with his 2004 debut release "Bohemian Chocolate". The project featured the video for his tune "Soul Brotha" and ranked among the "Top 100 videos of 2004" on the BETJ (now Centric). Now making his home in Brooklyn Anu frequently serves Vegas size helpings of soul to the crowds of some of New York City's most notable underground venues. To date Anu has opened for such acts Dwele, Bilal, N'Dambi, Talib Kweli, and Amel Larrieux. - By: Fiona Bloom

Inspired by the video web series '120 seconds' on friends we Love http://www.friendswelove.com/ produced by DJ Moni and Mike Vargas, Efficacy is a web series created by The Bloom Effect's Fiona Bloom. The goal of Efficacy is to capture the in depth character of immensely talented artists you may not know. It gives viewers a deeper lens into their lifestyle and history. The series will feature unusual, creative arrangements, camera effects and graphics designed by the artists. You'll learn something new about the artists and will enjoy it too! You can see more episodes at the Bloom Effect Channel. - By: SoulTracks.com

The first time I heard of Anu~Sun, I felt it had potential but not just yet. Sound quality was an issue for me, perhaps something that most people overlooked but for me it’s essential in making a good listening experience a great one. The Adventures Of Mr. Las Vegas (self-released) is an album that shows someone who knows and understands his talent, and this is a collection of music worth celebrating.

The adventures Anu~Sun creates as Mr. Las Vegas shows him as a showman ready to strut his stuff, and he’ll do it in a hip-hop context that’s traditional, or as is the case with “rOCk-staARz”, doing things with a pop touch, Gnarls Barkley style. Other tracks will sound as classy as Maxwell if he did more hip-hop. Summary: this is grown hip-hop that doesn’t sound too old, nor is it adolescent. One might mistake some of these tracks for the Brand New Heavies, and one could easily see someone like Amel Larrieux join him in some of these tracks. Some of the tracks have a demo feel in terms of being unadulerated and un-edited, but still sounding professional. Anu~Sun has a nice attitude in these tracks that make listening to this album a treat, it’s confident but not overly so. Ending the album with the 80's flavored “Nytes Of Pleasure” is a nice touch, and it’s definitely for the grown. Thumbs up. - By: John Book, published 11/25/10