We're back! This time with a lot of music via The Bay Abridged (July Edition). Now if you checked out the June Edition, you know that we gather up some of our favorite tracks we've heard through out the month and put them together in the form of a mixtape. For our latest offering we had DJ Aebldee design the cover using an amazing photo of an Oakland sunset captured by the multi-talented Tivon. Aebldee also mixed the tracks which include some blog favorites like Erk Tha Jerk and Moe Green, but also some folks that you haven't seen on the site just yet i.e. Esinchill and Sap Sounds. Moral of the story: You need to download The Bay Abridged (July Edition) NOW! And while it's downloading and unzipping, check out what else has been going on at 38thnotes.com.

New Release:

Jimmie Reign's Pretty Girl

Jimmie Reign's Pretty Girl album is a solid debut from the Oakland, CA song bird. Ms. Reign has been on the scene for a while, but with this project you can hear her evolution and feel the angelic strength of her voice. The album, which hit itunes yesterday, sets a smooth tone, but particularly excels when she digs deep and showcases the mighty power and passionate emotion her small frame harbors.

On "Let Me" Jimmie pleads her case to the man that she loves.  "We've been down this road a thousand time before. Given you reasons 1 through 94 why I should be the one you open up to." You can't help but sway to her vocals as she digs deep and shows off her range. You know she means every word she utters, but given that love isn't often won through debate, you fear her pleas and overtures are in vain....

To listen to "Let Me" and read the rest of the review click here. Pretty Girl is available on iTunes.

Performance to Check:

The Alphabet (Mr. Clean and Captain Captain)  is a charismatic rap duo out of Oakland. They've been performing for years doing everything from tap dancing to African drumming and of course rapping. While they took some time off from rapping, they are back in the groove with their latest single "Fantasy."

The catchy club joint with offbeat metaphors is damn near impossible not to dance to, though you may spend a few seconds trying to determine what "sound" they really have.

This Friday they are headlining Vintage at the Oakland Metro Opera House (630 3rd St.). Doors open at 7:30 and the show also features Miss April, 1-O.A.K., and A.B. In the past The Alphabet has sited Busta Rhymes, James Brown, and Prince as artists whose stage presence they admire, go see what they've learned.

New Videos:

When Mistah FAB's "F*ck The World" dropped I replayed the video over and over. What could I say about this song? It's the type of song that needed to be put out, but you wish didn't have to be made.  There are shots of my neighborhood all through the video, I have young people in my family who feel hopeless, and some of my closest friends work for Oakland non-profits teaching these youth.  In short, I've grown up with cats who embody this son and I've heard FAB's sentiments expressed time and time again, here at home and when living elsewhere.

The truth is that we have tons of amazing things happening in Oakland. There are great events, new programs, ccalimed restaurants, national press and more, but there is still so much to be done. I thought I'd do an analysis, but I've decided to post and let you be the judge. Hopefully, it inspires you to do something in the community.

The Interview:

A few weeks ago I got a chance to sit down with Marshawn Lynch of the Buffalo Bills and Josh Johnson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at their 4^th annual Fam First football camp at Oakland Tech high school. The former Bulldogs have moved on to the NFL but return to their roots each year to help mentor and invest in the next generation of local athletes coming out of the Bay Area...more

More on 38th Notes:

Head over to the site to check for upcoming events, the latest from Vallejo's Willie Joe and live footage from singer/songerwriter J. Myers. And as always, comments are welcomed.