Inspired by the beats of West London and cities around the world, Seattle’s SunTzu Sound extends the soul of brokenbeat, bringing people together to dance with a cosmic blend of urban cultures and organic rhythms.

Created in 2002, SunTzu is composed of four fine DJs: AC Lewis, Atlee (a.k.a. IMC Soul), Dr. J (a.k.a. 1Luv) and J-Justice, as well as Jayson Powell live on the congas. Together they have dedicated more than 50 years to music with soul—from brokenbeat to afrobeat, funk to jazz, hiphop to house.

Best known as torchbearers of the rising brokenbeat scene, SunTzu is fueled by a faithful following in the Northwest and beyond. The crew’s tireless efforts have made them an indispensable mainstay in Seattle, where they regularly book and promote top-shelf international talent and serve as the weekly hosts of Friday night’s City Soul on KBCS 91.3 FM. They were also recently nominated among Seattle Weekly’s “Best DJs of 2006” for their infectious club sets. Between various Seattle residencies and frequent dates across the United States, the DJs of SunTzu Sound have played alongside celebrated artists such as Afrika Bambaataa, ?uestlove, Bugz in the Attic, Erykah Badu, Jazzanova, Jeremy Ellis, King Britt,
Osunlade, Rich Medina, Zero 7 and many others. Past touring engagements include parties at the Winter Music Conference, Movement: Detroit's Electronic Music Festival and Seattle's own Decibel Festival, as well as renowned clubs across the country such as APT and Cielo.

In 2005 the SunTzu Sound imprint released its first EP to widespread praise. Featuring Black Daylight by 1Luv and Tickles by AC Lewis, the record has earned airplay on radio stations around the globe, winning considerable attention from press and artists alike, including Afronaught, Andrew Jervis, Benji B., Domu, Mr. Scruff, Phil Asher, Rainer Trüby and a number of year-end
“best of ” lists. Several new remixes and a new EP are due for release in the coming months.

Influences

Broken Beat, Future Jazz, Nu Soul, Afro-Latin, Deep House, HipHop, Brazilian, Dancehall, Electro-dub, Dusty Jazz, Soul Grooves

Podcast

http://www.citysoul.org

Website

http://www.suntzusound.com

Other Artists

Bugz in the Attic, Jazzanova, King Britt, Truby Trio, Domu, Titonton Duvante, Masters At Work, Moodymann, KDJ, Theo Parrish, Alex Attias, Ubiquity Records, John Beltran, John Arnold, Ayro, Moonstarr, 4Hero, Kaidi Tatham, Daz-I-Kue, Seiji, Afronaught, Amp Fiddler, Stevie Wonder, Roy Ayers, Gamble and Huff, Minnie Ripperton, Lonnie Liston Smith, James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Patrice Rushen, Soul II Soul, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Blackalicious, D'Angelo, James Poyser, A Tribe Called Quest, Madlib, Stones Throw, Slum Village, Jay Dee, Grant Green, Donald Byrd, Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, Alex Blake, Mtume, Herbie Hancock, Erykah Badu, Common, Gilles Peterson, Underground Resisitance, Carl Craig, Omar, Quantic, Platinum Pied Pipers, Troubleman, Capitol A, Solid Groove, Jill Scott, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Dabrye, I:Cube, Metro Area, Mr. Scruff, Sa-Ra Creative Partners, NERD, Fela Kuti, Quincy Jones, Manu Dibango, Prince, Cinematic Orchestra, Dollar Brand, Charles Mingus, Herbert, Sun Ra, Zero db, Zed Bias, Mark de Clive Lowe, Recloose, IG Culture, Phil Asher, ?uestlove, Charlie Dark, Freddie Hubbard, Rich Medina, Zero 7, Ursula Rucker, Koop, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinna, Lyrics Born, DJ Shadow, John Tejada, Pepe Bradock, Pressure Drop, Kemetic Just, Roots Manuva, Sonar Kollektiv, Ninja Tune, Ashley Beedle, Norman Jay, Compost Records, Sade

Band Members

AC Lewis Atlee (aka IMC Soul) Dr. J (aka 1Luv) J-Justice Jayson Powell