When I was in Miami in March 2007, I had the pleasure to meet a true goddess in Monica Pineda, who goes by the moniker of DJ Moni. She is part of the lovely DJ crew based in NYC known as Ubiquita. She’s been getting her own thing going during the last few years, with her profile elevated through her association with both Giant Step and Gilles Peterson among others. She’s been touring her skillz globally, and has put out a compilation for Scion A/V.

Along with creative partner Mike Vargas, Moni has started Friends We Love, a video series showcasing creative luminaries great and small, as they share their love and passion of their respective works of art and culture through their words.

Here are a sampling of what Friends We Love showcases…

The first one profiles DJ/tastemaker extraordinaire Gilles Peterson chatting about his obsession with football (that’s soccer for us stateside peeps).

The next is of Brand New Heavies vocalist N’Dea Davenport about a serious medical condition affecting women.

Finally, here’s the very first Friends We Love video featuring DJ Bobbito.

Shout-outs to NYC-based singer/songwriter/activist Nanette Natal (introduced to my ears on Raggy’s Off Limits Radio show), who sent me a message on the show’s Myspace, asking me to check out one of her most recent videos for the tune “Six Years Down.” The song is from her 2007 album I Must Be Dreaming. Take in the stimili…

There isn’t much to bring me out from my self-imposed time off from the radio show, but this weekend brings about one way of me doing so.

The word is still spreading that vocalist, musician and producer Isaac Hayes has died today at the relatively young age of 65. He was still active in music, and it’s a irony that he was found unconscious next to a running treadmill.

This week, I’ll present a special edition of Urban Landscapes on Isaac Hayes; mostly his music, but also some tidbits on his extraordinary career. Please join me, or find the podcast shortly thereafter.

I’ll leave you with two versions of his groundbreaking classic “Theme From Shaft.” Enjoy, and rest in peace Isaac.

The first version is a live recording back in 1973. I don’t have any info on where this recording took place, so let me know if you do.

The last one is a special version of the theme, as conducted by Hayes during the Conan O’Brien Show just last year.

Here’s a quirky video for “Jazzy Joint,” a vocal track that features the excellent Jose James from “Just A Maestro,” the debut album from J.A.M. The trio are members of the hot, hot outfit Soil and “Pimp” from Japan. It’s already released in Japan, but forthcoming in Europe and elsewhere through Brownswood Recordings. Check it out…

Far Out Recordings has just released the new album from Sabrina Malheiros called “New Morning.” I will have an interview with her that will be posted soon…I’ll let you know where because it may not be here.

In the meantime, enjoy this video featuring words and music from Sabrina, and also words from her father Alex of Azymuth.

Jose James - Park Bench People (Brownswood Recordings)