The John Popper Project Featuring DJ Logic
About DJ Logic
“Logic's not just a skilled DJ, he's also a talented all-around musician. Eschewing flashy scratching displays, he fronts chunky hip-hop beat slinging, knob-twisting dub, and chaotic sound sculpting -- sonic trademarks that've made him the man to call when jazz cats want to tap into the hip-hop zeitgeist. The results - both on the album and in concert - favor multi-textured grooves over highflying solos.” – URB
Born in the Bronx, Jason Kibler a.k.a DJ Logic experienced the birth of hip-hop first-hand. As a young teenager, Logic received a pair of turntables for Christmas and was soon spinning music for dances and parties in gymnasiums and private homes all over his native borough. Influenced by both the boogie down and downtown jazz scenes, Logic got his start playing turntables with live musicians in 1990 as a member of forward-thinking rock group Eye and I. After some early tutelage from Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, many members of New York’s downtown jazz scene took notice of the innovative DJ and the fresh sounds he brought to their music.
In 1996, Logic hit it off with funk trio Medeski, Martin & Wood at their historic Shack Parties. Logic’s ability to capture textures appealed to the trio and after a few collaborations the turntablist quickly became MMW’s unofficial 4th member. Logic toured with the band and recorded with them on their Blue Note album, Combustication. A big break for the DJ, his work with MMW made him a sensation in the jazz, jam band and hip-hop worlds, leading to work with jazz musicians like Graham Haynes, Don Byron, John Scofield, Joshua Redman and Christian McBride; jam bands like the Allman Brothers and Phish; and hip-hop masterminds like Prince Paul, Ursula Rucker, and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson from the Roots. By 1998, Logic was headlining at the Knitting Factory in New York City and word-of-mouth swiftly evolved the DJ into being the most sought-after in clubs all over the city.
In 2002, Logic released a follow-up solo record with Ropeadope. The Anomaly was critically acclaimed and the sophomore effort skyrocketed Logic’s profile, earning him respect not only from critics but also from a diverse array of musicians. John Scofield, Roy Hanes and Sun Ra Arkestra brought Logic on board as a collaborator as well as he worked with soul star Roberta Flack.
Later that same year, Logic co-lead two groups, each with a long-time collaborators: a duo with DJ Logic and Rob Wasserman (from the Grateful Dead), and The Yohimbe Brothers with Vernon Reid, the latter group recording Front End Lifter for Ropeadope (2002) and The Tao of Yo for Thirsty Ear (2004). The Yohimbe Brothers name is loosely based on an African herbal aphrodisiac – very fitting for the duo’s fertile partnership, which produced a well-received debut. Today, the Yohimbe Brothers continue to create experimental sounds that defy genres and combine the best of many elements into noteworthy packages, live and on record.
DJ Logic has gone on to perform all over the world, circling states, countries and venues everywhere from France and the UK to Brazil and Japan. His role as a producer keeps him at the top of his game, fulfilling countless requests for remixes for groups such as Soulive, The Weather Report, Olu Dara and Phish. In 2005, Logic is busy in the studio laying down tracks for his long awaited third album. In addition, he plans to release a Ray Charles re-mix album, one that is bound to blow off the charts. DJ Logic is currently taking his music back to its roots, playing solo DJ gigs all over the country and participating in regional tours with The John Popper Band and one-off collaborations with artists such as Mos Def.
Instead of techno, DJ Logic’s growing catalog of recordings is more likely to be filed under jazz and hip-hop. This is no small accomplishment, and his popularity is as much a reflection of his musicianship as it is of his diplomacy, his skill as an electronic-music ambassador. DJ Logic combines textures and weaves them into something completely new. He adds tabla beats to electrified blues riffs and salsa grooves. He attacks hard rock and punk with a jazz sensibility. This diversity of musical settings has become Logic's hallmark - his music is a recipe for jazz with the ingredients as Bronx as hip-hop. A flavor that will be passed down from generation to generation. |
