* I was just cleaning up my computer when I found the following letter
that I wrote LAST year at this time. I never actually got around to sending it.

In order to keep my integrity, and post this WAY OVERDUE Thank You
note to all who came out and made our birthday bbq as meaningfull as it was...
Here it is:

'05 ARIES BBQ IN THE HILLS.

I would be doing such an injustice to not show my gratitude
for the people who came out and joined in the Aries BBQ.

Only 3 days before, Haycock and Andrew (Plandrew) heard that it was my
bday weekend as well as theirs, and called me to see if we should throw a
little daytime BBQ on Sunday. None of us were really in the business of
throwing birthday parties for ourselves, but the idea of all celebrating each
others made for a warm vibe, and once the location was decided on, well,
it was just too cool to pass up.

Andrew had a hook up with this big, historic bungalow-type house in the
hills of Mt.Washington. A secluded property at the end of a cul de sac that
Charlie Chaplin would use for his outlandish parties, back in the 30s.

In this private neighborhood parking would be a disaster, so we hired a
shuttle to drive everyone to the bungalow from the parking lot checkpoint.
At the last minute our 15-passenger-van-guy backed out, then plenty other
complications arose, but the 3 of us were all too used to this event madness
to give up on a lil Sunday bbq.

So, ok. Plans shifted and things change. Mad amounts of folks RSVPed,
so we knew it had to happen and happen it did.

Sunday, April 10th.

Smiling faces started rolling through about 3pm. Cases of beer, bottles of
liquor and hand-made food dishes. Mr.Grizzly prepared the most tasty Ital
foods. Daphne brought a case of some raspberry ginger brandy, and
someone gave me a bottle of vodka theyd been merenading in herb stalks
for weeks. Everything that was brought was shared with everyone, and this
would become the theme. I snuck away and did a couple skateboard runs
down those crazy hills and felt like yeah, it was gonna be one of those
kind of days.

Burning Star was set up outside on the front patio, and played a daytime set
around the bonfire while the bday boys served drinks for their guests. DJ
Expo brought the speakers (!) and a whole lot of Love through his exquisite
set of Sunday Roots Reggae to start the vibe, nice and easy.

Sundresses and plastic cups. Mystic showed up with a FULL SPREAD of
merenaded shrimp and fish, ready to claim the barbequing crown.
(MYSTIC ON THE WHEEL OF STEEL!). Rashida brought well, Rashida
brought even more sunshine, like she does. More smiling faces kept rolling
in, shuttled to the front gate in a taco truck by Arturo (you are THE MAN
Art, dont ever forget it!). 

Herb smoke and sincere introductions. Everyone starts to realize that most
of us have never seen each other in the light of day, only small talks and
those one-arm-hugs in passing at gigs. Not one single ego in the whole spot.

Burning Star started playing. People sat around on the outdoor futons, eyes
closed, soaking up the sound of the warrior lullabies. After the Sunday
service that is Burning Star, folks started to fill up inside where Damon Bell
started a set of feel good Disco and whatnot.

Smiles widened on exhalations. Drinks, joints and eye contact passed
between strangers without introduction. Damon left his dancefloor in the
arms of Jamie Strong, who elevated them to a Brazilian simmer. Sweat
dripped and people let go. Kutmah and Nobody brought us to left field and
everyone followed them. It warms my heart to see that some abstract
sounds dont lose the crowd, but rather deepen the sexy intensity that was
steadily building. Mixmaster Wolf hopped on the decks for a hot second to
drop doubles on some classic Funk. The sunset melted into the horizon,
through the panoramic view behind DJ Dusk (and yes, Dusk at dusk was
pre-planned) while Cumbia and deep Disco platters heated up the energy
to a boil.

Right as the sun was completely gone, Dusk dropped the perfect selection
for the mood, as Raw Sugars Sarah and her friend brought everyones (now
completely blunted) attention outside for an amazing fire dancing performance!

I convinced both Rashida and Daz (!!) to look through my crates and share
my upcoming DJ set with me. We never got the chance though, we were too
busy having fun Nothing lost though, absolutely nothing lacking my birthday
gift was LISTENING to all these DJs who are not only friends, but are my
biggest inspirations.

I overheard casual friends make plans for the future while we were standing
in line for the bathroom. Hugs seemed to last a couple beautiful seconds
longer than usual. Yall must have though I was blazed with that perma-grin
on my grill, but honestly I was just reveling in this unsuspected milestone in
my life. 

For the past 4 years since I moved to LA, I have been working to manifest
my musical mission, while also going through a difficult divorce with a
wonderful woman. Both of which test my souls determination to go on. I
wasnt always sure if I could handle Lost Angeles and its extreme
frequencies, but on Sunday April 10th, surrounded by a couple hundred of
the most sincere, supportive people I have ever met, I felt like this was
home, for the first time.

This was the birthday present that I could never thank yall enough for, but I
will forever try. May God (in whatever name you call Him) light your way as
brightly as yall have lit mine!

Quite sincerely,
// Jeremy Sole (Musaics)