I’m diggin’ through records (what else is new) because the sixth graders are reading The Watsons Move to Birmingham 1963 (highly recommended). Came across this gem by the Marcels, which is one of my earliest great music memories/song obsessions. In the early 80s, my dad listened to a lot of 560 KSFO & 1050 KOFY (amazing how radio stations & music purveyors stick with you), and I was introduced to this song. I bought the tune for him later (when I was in Jr High) at Brown & Berrigans on a compilation from Rhino.
Happy Valentine’s Day! I think Otis is the greatest American male vocalist of all time, so here’s one of his best songs. It’s not a love song about a person, it’s a love song about love.
I got two copies of this one, that’s how good it is!
This January, I tried something new. Although I love the creativity possible thanks to Serato and digital DJing, I find that it also erodes some basic DJ skills and makes me (and others) a bit lazy. In order to challenge myself and get back to my roots, I decided to only DJ with real vinyl for all of January. Continue reading →
I hear cassettes are coming back in style, at least in a retro way… although I told a friend I was coming out with a new mix and was going to put it out on cassette, and he said he didn’t know if he’d even be able to play it. Well, either way, He couldn’t play it like this guy—in fact, I can’t even play records like this!
This is the pile of 45′s I came across at a random sale the other day. Great pile of Southern Soul, although some are scratchy as hell. Looks like I have some enjoyable listening to catch up on! Continue reading →
Starting their recording careers like so many artists at Studio One in Kingston, they were one of Jamaica’s many popular vocal trios. They recorded at Studio One for legendary producer Coxsone Dodd from 1966 until the early 70′s, with lead singer Leroy Sibbles doing double duty as the regular session bassist. In that role, he played iconic reggae basslines like the “full up” riddim (you know, the one from “Pass the Kutchie/Dutchie“) and the “Three Piece Suit” riddim.
As the Jamaican sound slowed from rocksteady to what most call roots reggae today, the Heptones moved on to working with Joe Gibbs and Harry J and released the classic Night Food album pictured above. One track, “Book of Rules,” garnered world renown and great popular succes.
Now that the dub mix is posted, I can catch up on some new music and I’m excited about Mistah F.A.B.’s new one as well as Undun from the Roots. I was surprised running across this though—looks like the legendary KRS-1 will be dropping an album soon as well! Check it out!
Especially fun that it’s produced by Mad Lion, who has always been down with BPD and was featured on my most recent edition of the Fire series of mixtapes.
Those of you who know me well (or even just read my last post), know that I love dub music. Although many of the most famous reggae tracks ever are associated with great vocalists, there is no doubt that drum and bass is the foundation and enduring truth of reggae music. This is my tribute to dub. Continue reading →
As many of you know, I am a big fan of Roots Reggae Dub music. Not dubstep or any digital offshoots, but the original spacey, big bass tunes of live musicians being tweaked by a crazed genius in a smoke filled studio. A great way to explore the instrumentation of reggae, a great genre to inspire meditation and wonder. I’ll write more about the genre later, but wanted to give everyone a little teaser of a mix CD I plan to be releasing within the next few weeks. Read more and download the tracks below! Continue reading →
