Dj's 4 Revolution is place for us to shed light on producers and purveyors of electronic dance music who are pushing the limits of art, justice making, community, consciousness, and healing through their work. These are local Bay Area folks I've encountered, but let me know of anyone anywhere (Dj's, producers, labels, nonprofits, etc.) you think should be added to this list and why, especially if it's you!

www.thegroovegarden.com

He's a friend and Dj brethren who throws down the funkiest of World and Future break beats. He's always up for the edge of dance culture where progressive alternative consciuosness and social justice often collide with the dance community. His Groove Garden Events in Marin County have offered me several euphoric lifts of delight. Tell me, where else can you climax to pumpin' electro beats with a sweaty community consisting of whole families, multiple generations, genders, ethnicities, and sometimes creatures that aren't human? Tell me...and I'm there as well.

www.bassnectar.net

This man has been one of the most freshly exciting Dj's I've heard in some time. He only plays tunes he thinks are either simply bumpin' or have a positive message. He'll often edit tracks whose beats might be hot but whose lyrics he finds less then inspiring, as he says, "vocal samples that stink of sexism, political ignorance, or unnecessary negativity." But his real stake appears to be as an ambassador for the future of breakbeat, producing and mixing a whole gamit of glitchy, bassy, dubby, stuff that often feels ripped from some future time and galaxy. I'm not sure how politically active he is, but he's certainly publically vocal about his cultural and political beliefs which from what I've seen and heard are spot on.

www.djadnan.com

Truely an inspiration. He's been navigating the territory between funky beats and socially conscious communication for a long time and deserves serious props for it. He's the very first Dj, and at times the only one, whose name would come up when I asked what Dj's/producers were mixing dance music and social awareness. The set I heard him play at the 2006 "Power to the Peaceful" concert (where the Dj tent is organized by him every year) was something I have been waiting and hoping to hear a Dj play for a very, very, long time. His productions from, "Stop War" to "Mr. President" simply cut to the heart of the matter while keeping you on the dance floor. His "Foreward" parties are just that. Check it!

www.alextheory.com, www.mysticvibration.com

Alex Theory...cool name! This cat is definately riding on the edge of music and consciousness as a sound healer and educator of sonic healing. I first got turned on to him when I was looking in to the Psychoacoustics Institute in S.F. (www.globerecording.com). He's director of the Sound Health Center there and teaches a class called, "Dance Music Production from a PsychoAcoustic Perspective." I've heard he does some funky live electro fusion stuff with the group Lunagroove, and though I've yet to see it, I'm ready.

www.opelproductions.com

Syd Gris is one of the most popular dj's in San Francisco. He's also one of most prolific and successful promoters in the underground dance scene. All accolades asside he's on this list for one, because he's a consistent and intelligent voice for peace and healthy social consciousness. His email lists and blogs are chocked full of progressive thoughtful ways of changing the world for the better. For two, because he's a trailblazer for dance culture, often throwing theme parties that branch out on the very fringes of dance, art, and lifestyle. For three, because so many of his amazing parties are also fundraisers for charities.