(Prod. J Dilla) "The Soul Ave 3" [$osa]

Following up on his New Year's Day release, ''Reality Music'', Pittsburgh MC $osa brings to the music world the 3rd installment of his ''Soul Ave'' series. Over production from the late legend J Dilla, #TheSoulAve3 brings a strong introduction of lyricism. The track speaks on issues that are currently going on in the 412 & beyond & gives the listener a Song with substance & a chill vibe at the same time that everyone can enjoy; regardless of their musical preference.  Follow @Sosa412_ on twiiter, download his newest project, ''LA Market'' On Livemixtapes & Stay Updated On His Music Releases By Visiting The Links Below.

Classic Material with DJ Houseshoes

Classic Material W/ DJ Houseshoes (www.shoeshouse.podmatic.com) + Residents-Selecta & SMI Hosted by the incomparable Gene Stovall Saturday August 21st 10pm-2:30am Shadow Lounge-5972 Baum Blvd (East Lib) $10 Cover 18+

The Classic Material family is bringing in yet another guest DJ this month (August 21st), in a year that seems that we've more guests than not. We couldn't resist the rare opportunity to bring DJ Houseshoes back to the Burgh during his brief stint on the left coast. Houseshoes is known for his work with late J Dilla. Actually putting out one of Dilla's earliest remix EP's on his Shoeshouse label back in 1997. Since then Shoes has traveled the world as tour DJ for the likes of Gulity Simpson, Phat Kat, and other Detroit Hip-Hop luminaries. Houseshoes relocated to Los Angeles several years back to run the west coast division of Fat Beats Records and has not looked back since.

Houeshoes will rock a 2 Hour and 30 Min set alongside CM house Dj's, Selecta and SMI. Gene Stovall returns as host for the evening bringing his usual combination of crooning and MC skills to the mix.

DJ Lord Finesse kills it

DJ Selecta helping with the mic

Time Bomb and 720 Records got together for a very special Classic Material on Feb 20. It was the Big L, J Dilla and Big Pun remembrance party. Local favorites Selecta, SMI and Shef came threw to show their respects and we also had a very surprising and great performance from the X Clan!! We brought DJ Lord Finesse (DITC) from New York to do his thing. HE KILLED IT. I say that this is the best party we've done yet!! I mean the vibe was crazy, the crowd was one! Boot Prints had the limited edition tee's (made by Joe Boots, Katie Maillis and Jewels Despines) and the crowd ate them up. I can't wait to see what we do next! Keep your ear to the street and we will be in touch.

Limited Edition Tee's You Say??

Hell ya they're limited edition! Joe Boots, Jewels and myself each did a limited edition tee for our Big L, J Dilla and Big Pun tribute featuring DJ Lord Finesse. Joe Boots did Big L, Jewels did Big Pun and I did J Dilla (he changed my life). We did 20 prints of each shirtThey were a huge success minus the couple spilt drinks- BIGUPS TO BOOT PRINTS!! Wouldn't have been able to do it without you guys !!!

Time Bomb and 720 Records Present "BIG L REST IN PEACE"

This months Classic Material is going to be a banger. It's the "Big L Rest in Peace" edition with a lot of J Dilla love to, I mean February is their month! We are bringing DJ Lord Finesse (DITC-NYC) member of the Diggin' in the Crates crew and hip-hop historian to kill it for the night. We also have the local support of Selecta, SMI, Drastik, Shef and a special performance from Boaz. This month we are having Luqmon Abdus-Salaam host our event. Here are the details...

Early Start at 9pm until 2:30am
18+ $10 in advance or at the door

Shadow Lounge 5972 Baum Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Tix available at:
Natural Choice/Timebomb/Shadow Lounge
+ online @ www.showclix.com

Also here is some information on Lord Finesse so you can be fully educated of his greatness!

Lord Finesse is a Hip hop artist and producer, hailing from The Bronx, New York, best known as the leader of the D.I.T.C. rap crew. In 1989, Finesse and his former partner DJ Mike Smooth signed to Wild Pitch Records, home to other popular Hip Hop artists like Gang Starr, Main Source, Chill Rob G, Percee P and O.C.. In 1990, the duo released their debut album Funky Technician. The album featured production from future star beat-makers DJ Premier, Diamond D and Showbiz. Soon after, Finesse formed the popular New York underground crew D.I.T.C., an acronym for 'Diggin In The Crates', together with Showbiz & AG and Diamond D. Future members included Fat Joe, O.C., Buckwild and the late Big L.

Finesse returned as a solo artist in late 1991 with his second effort, Return of the Funky Man. The album featured guest appearances from Percee P and AG. The album's title track peaked at #13 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. Return of the Funky Man also included a couple of songs that were produced by Finesse himself, and this would be the start of a career as a much respected hip-hop producer. In 1994 Finesse made a production appearance on The Notorious B.I.G.'s classic debut Ready to Die, on the track Suicidal Thoughts. In 1995, he produced a big portion of Big L's debut album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous, including the single M.V.P. and also made an appearance on one of the album's highlight songs "Da Graveyard". He finally returned as an artist in 1996 with the now rare 12" single Check The Method and then the acclaimed album The Awakening. Finesse produced the entire album himself, and enlisted a large number of guests, including O.C., KRS-One, MC Lyte, Akinyele, Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D and Kid Capri. The underground single Actual Facts, featuring Sadat X, Grand Puba and Large Professor, was included as a hidden track on the album.

Finesse hasn't released a studio album since this effort, but has continued his production work. In 1997, he produced the title track to O.C.'s acclaimed effort Jewelz and also the track "Channel 10" off of Capone-n-Noreaga's debut The War Report. Finesse released a mixtape called Diggin' On Blue in 1999. Later in the year, he produced the track The Message on Dr. Dre's seminal 2001 album. Finesse is currently working on a Funky Technician remix project, as well as a new D.I.T.C. album. Along with these projects, he and DJ Premier are working on a posthumous Big L album.

In 1998, Finesse provided the vocal sample on the hook to The Rockafeller Skank, a hit single by British musician Fatboy Slim from his album You've Come a Long Way, Baby. The song features Finesse's repeated line "Right about now, the funk soul brother. Check it out now, the funk soul brother".

Lord Finesse returned to the mic on Handsome Boy Modeling School's album White People in 2004. He was featured on the song entitled "Rock 'N' Roll (Could Never Hip-Hop Like This) pt. 2, collaborating with famous old-school DJ's Grand Wizard Theodore and Jazzy Jay. Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park make appearances, as well as Rahzel of The Roots.