Even if you know nothing about house music, I guaran-damn-tee you’re familiar with the song “It's Time for the Percolator.” That tune has been the staple of non-house DJ’s house music sets for around 20 years now. It’s one of those songs that house-heads vilify for its popularity and “played out-ness,” yet still jack their bodies to it when it’s played at a party. The man responsible for that anthem, DJ/producer (and former chemical engineering major) Green Velvet (aka Cajmere), will be spinning at Dharma Lounge on July 30 … this is what he had to say for himself:

Creative Loafing: What makes a chemical engineering student decide to quit school and do music?

Green Velvet: Well, my love and passion for music is mainly what won me over. I did the chemical engineering because I was good in math and wanted to make some money. But at the end of the day, I talked to the Lord, and I said that I just want to do what I really love to do … thank God it worked!

From their humble beginnings in Gary, Ind., to their rise to the top of the pop charts, the Jackson family has been a force to be reckoned with for decades. Their contribution to music has helped shaped the industry over the years — and they show no signs of stopping. The Jackson's new generation is moving into the spotlight, but one in particular is venturing into his own lane ... by stepping outside of the singing roots of the family. Siggy "Dealz" Jackson, son of original J5 member Jackie, is introducing the Jackson flavor to the world of hip-hop.

“Music has always been a part of me, but I decided to pursue it because I wanted to bring a change to music. It’s not about the money or material things, for me music is more about helping others; if the people listening get something out of my music, then I’ve done my job,” says Dealz. “When I was a kid, we used to do talent shows for the family. Everyone else was singing, and I always rapped. Rap is in my heart, always has been, to me it’s more poetic. Rap has always been considered as 'gangsta' music, but it’s actually just more passionate than anything.”

That passion is evident in his new single “That’s How I Feel,” which features his father Jackie and his uncle Jermaine. "The song is me basically telling my father how I feel about women," Dealz says. "You don’t have to call women names and degrade them just to have a song.”

Dealz isn’t new to the music game; he released a self-titled mixtape in 2007, and a new album is expected this summer. And despite having a famous last name, he isn't relying on his familial notoriety to open doors or propel his career forward.

“Nothing has ever been handed to me; I have worked hard for everything that I have. I started out doing street promotions for artists and have worked my way up from there,” says Dealz. “It’s important that I do continue to represent my family, but more importantly continue to respect the name and brand that they have worked to build.”

This year marks the two-year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death. Dealz is using his passion for fast cars and motorcycles to honor his uncle’s memory. “My friend Porkchop and I just unveiled a custom dedication bike that has pictures of my uncle on it. I also built a custom dedication vehicle for him named 'Melody.' It’s a 2005 black-and-red Mustang with custom interior, with about 550 Horsepower under the hood.”

As fans around the world continue to mourn the loss of the King of Pop, Dealz hopes they keep one thing in mind, “I hope people remember my uncle at his best and for the good man that he was. He genuinely cared about everyone.”

To learn more about Dealz Jackson check out his website www.officialdealz.com.

— Shameika Rene

Singer Al Jarreau is one of only a handful of jazz artists who has managed to successfully reach a mass audience while still staying true to his musical roots. Serious jazz heads know him for tunes like his groundbreaking rendition of “Take Five” — while more mainstream music fans know him as the dude who sang the theme song for the old Moonlighting TV show. However you know Jarreau, be sure to check him out when he stops through Charlotte on March 20 (show information at the bottom of this artcile); he promises to put on a genre-bending show full of hits, both big and small (yes, even “Moonlighting”). We caught up with Al last week via telephone and chatted with him about his multifaceted career.

Creative Loafing: I was online a few weeks ago checking out performance videos of you online and found you doing your version of “Take Five” in 1976 (See video below). So far it’s been viewed more than 1,000,000 times. Do you have any particular recollections of that performance?

Al Jarreau: Well, a couple of things. It’s Al Jarreau just working on the scene, and it’s Al Jarreau doing some very unusual music for a singer at that time — and perhaps any time. I mean “Take Five” is a very special piece of music that takes a kind of special approach and understanding and ability to get comfortable with this rather unusually written, eclectic piece of music. I tell the story today on stage that whenever I see Dave Brubeck I tell him: “I know you wrote that song, but I’ve been doing it as long as you have — and I feel like you owe me some money!” (Laughs) Which is not the truth. But the truth is, I might have played that song as much as he has.

The way you were singing that song, it was kind of like you were mixing — similar to a hip-hop DJ, which came years later. It’s kind of interesting that you did that before hip-hop existed.

Isn’t that interesting? (Laughs) Al doing that stuff 20 years before it became the thing to do. Isn’t that interesting? Hello folks! Do I have to turn the spotlight on myself and drum roll? Gotdamn! Was Al a forerunner? Yeah he was … way out there. Ahead of the pack! (Laughs)

It’s funny to think that back in the day — with songs like “Moonlighting” and such — you were a pop star yourself. What do you think of the current state of pop music?

Oh my … man. I don’t recognize this sector of the universe! I don’t know what I would do coming along these days with my brand of music. I mean, the Esperanza Spladings are rarities; still, it’s encouraging to find that there are some young people who are seeing through to the real deal … seeing through the kind of haze of other stuff that can be “music.” Yeah, it’s a really different time. I just tell young people these days: “Just do it cause you love it.” … That’s been my approach.

So what do you have coming up?

George Duke and I have a little CD coming from 1965. In 1965, we played at a place called the Half Note [in San Francisco]. George was a student at the conservatory, and I was a social worker living in San Francisco and singing nights. We recorded on one or two nights. We just went through those tapes, and there’s some stuff there that we think is important for people to hear — Al Jarreau and the George Duke Trio 1965, doing some music that they’ve never heard me or George ever do. That’s coming toward the end of the month. And I’m gearing up for a big summer tour. And we’re working on a new studio record … brand-new material. We’re just really grinning about that. Ohhh wait till you hear this!

Show info: $38.50-$75.50. 7 p.m. Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. 704-372-1000. www.carolinatix.org.

There's a lot of chatter about the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone. First, people are talking about the cover of the magazine which features Lady Gaga in machine guns and little else.

Second, they're talking about the article itself which discusses Gaga's desire to keep up an image and always portray Lady Gaga — whether she's on stage or leaving a hospital. She says she won't even drink water on stage so that people will stay focused on the music.

Yep, she's a character alright...