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
Today’s Stack
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Category Archives: records
Heptones Dubplate
The Heptones, one of my all time favorite reggae groups, recently lost one of their founding members when Barry Llewellyn died the other day.
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.
In fact, it was so popular as a crossover, it was even covered by Grateful Dead survivor Bob Weir.
Of course, my favorite version mentions my name…. Here is the dubplate direct from Leroy Sibbles himself!
Download it here….
Check some other dubplates here!
Mixtape Monday: DJ Crimson’s Tribute to Stax
I‘ve never been shy about my love for the wonderful soul music the Stax/Volt label released through out its lifetime, and I’ve been planning a tribute mix for the label for years. Of course, someone beat me to it… but for a change I’m not mad at all!
Continue reading
45 Friday: Tramp!
My copies of the iconic tune
When I first realized that music expressed my world way better than words, I was listening to recordings on the Stax/Volt label. Otis Redding is my favorite artist, and this particular song is so iconic—I think it expresses the Stax sound: the raw funk, the big personalities, the great voices, the Southern common sense. I loved it from my first listen, and you did too. Here’s one of the best 45s I have on that label, and the songs that it inspired. And if you like the Stax label, we may have some real treats here for you soon! Continue reading
Mixtape Monday: Delgado in Dub
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
Mixtape Monday: Soul Boulders 2!
I’ve mentioned before that Oakland gives me an opportunity to surround myself with some really great DJs. This week we feature Matthew Africa, a soul encyclopedia who is also frequently the answer to the question “who is your favorite DJ’s favorite DJ?”
Keeping 45s Alive!
Tomorrow is the monthly 45 Sessions party at Disco Volante in Oakland, featuring the Oakland Faders‘ own DJ Platurn, DJ Enki, and E Da Boss. For those of you who live in the area and haven’t been yet—you’re missing out. Continue reading
Remember Rappin Duke?
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I heard Notorious BIG‘s “Juicy” on the radio at work lately and heard dozens of 13 year–olds singing along, reminiscing on “The Rappin’ Duke” and Heavy D being photographed in limousines in the pages of Word Up magazine. The irony was extreme, considering the children were born long after Biggie was dead, and long long after Heavy D had fallen from the pages of Word Up magazine. (Since I initially wrote this, Heavy D has passed away. Much to my surprise, Word Up is still published. Hate to think who is in the limousine now).
I also realized that many people my age probably also didn’t know anything about Rappin’ Duke. Hopefully they know enough about “The Duke” John Wayne that they’ll be amused at the novelty tune. What ever happened to novelty rap, anyway? Or is that what Krayshean and Lil’ B are?
John Wayne
If you like novelty rap, the tune is a classic. Above is my copy of the 45, there are quite a few available I imagine, since the song reached 73 on the charts in 1985. The beat is the same as “Blowjob Betty” from Too $hort, and the lyrics mostly refer to John Wayne, but also reference other pop culture touchstones from the ’80s, even comparing Ronald Reagan’s ascendence to the presidency to the Beverly Hillbillies. Of course. Enjoy the original video below, and look out for the track to make an appearance on my next 45s only mixtape.
For more about some of the samples featured by Biggie, check out the homie Dj Skyscraper‘s Originals mix.
FIRE VOL 8: Old School Dancehall
On the DJ scene today, everybody with a computer can call themselves a DJ, but when I began it was really about loving and being knowledgeable about the music. I think part of our role as a DJ is not only to bring people new music and stretch their minds, but to be archivists and historians of what today’s music is based on. I think this is especially true of reggae and Jamaican music which is still foreign to many Americans, despite its incredible influence on American music. Keeping those great old songs and talents alive despite our disposable consumerist society is hugely important to me, and may be my biggest strength as a DJ. History has value, and these were the tunes and riddims that got me into dancehall years and years ago. They withstand the test of time, even though you may not hear them as ringtones at the mall in 2011!
Here is a piece of the history of dancehall music that I have preserved (and enjoyed). As always, it’s arranged by riddim so that you can navigate it pretty easily and learn quite a bit in doing so, if you’re so inclined. Of course, it might also just take on a trip down memory lane, as “old time something come back again!”
I tried to keep it digital, all songs from 1985 up until the very early 90s. Many of these songs can be only found on vinyl, hence some familiar warm cracks and pops in some of the songs. I tried to keep the mix sounding as clean as possible, but each 45′s individuality is part of the fun as well. I’ve digitized most of them, so let me know if you’re dying to have one of these tracks.
Of course, taking advantage of 2011 has allowed me to use some new fangled tricks like looping and remixing a few of the dubplates. Enjoy.
The soundcloud version is 320 bit (137 mb), the mediafire version is 160 bit (69 mb). You can also find it on Mixcrate. The track list is below the download links, and please tell a friend!
Tracklist: Fire 8
Delgado, Mega Banton: Intro
Delgado, Mega Banton: Intro
Death In The Arena Riddim
Garnett Silk: Splashing Dashing
Spragga Benz: No Fun Ting
Beres Hammond: Show It Off
Bounty Killer: Big Or Small
King Kong: Trouble Again
Babatunde Riddim
Leroy Gibbons: Created By The Father
Pinchers: Deliver Me
Capleton: Who Am I
Beres Hammond: La La La La
College Rock Riddim
Beres Hammond & Marcia Griffiths: Live On
Garnet Silk: Commitment
Sanchez: One In A Million
Buju Banton: Buju Movin
Bandelero Riddim
Sizzla: Truth And Rights Aztlán Roots Dubplate
Pinchers: Bandelero
Cobra: Gundelero
Feeling Soul Riddim
Marcia Griffiths: Fire Burning
Beres Hammond & Cobra: Feeling Lonely
Buju Banton: Brownin
Buju Banton: Love Black Woman
Twin City Riddim
Skullman: Draw Fi Mi Sweet Heart
Blacka Ranks: Can’t Stop You
Shabba Ranks: Gal Wine
Life Riddim
Mega Banton: Champion Sound Aztlán Roots Dubplate
Mary J Blige: Love Is
Frighty & Colonel Mite: Life
Cover Me Riddim
Ninja Man & Tinga Stewart: Cover Me
Pinchers: Love Is Burning
Wayne Wonder: It’s Over Now
Action/Champion Riddim
Terror Fabulous: Action
Buju Banton: Champion
Spragga Benz: Moving Up The Line
Beenie Man: Music A De Beat
Ting A Ling Riddim
Shabba Ranks: Ting A Ling
Baby Wayne: Mama
Simpleton: Coca Cola Bottle Shape
Big Up/Big Organ Riddim
Shaggy and Rayvon: Big Up
Sizzla: In The Streets Aztlán Roots Dubplate Remix
Screetchy Dan: Skin Out
Jack Radics: Brandy
Terror Fabulous: Woman A Wear Di Ring
Mary J Blige: Real Love (Gregg Nyce Remix)
Mad Lion: Real Lover
Mad Lion: Take It Easy
Delgado: Outro
Delgado: Outro
Volume 9 should be out in August, Volume 4 is available for download here!
Update: I guess sound cloud is having some issues, so I am embedding it using DivShare here as well!
Fire Preview: Duck Dance and China Town
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| Look! A racist stereotype AND a copyright violation at the same time! |
As I’ve mentioned to many of you, I’m working on releasing a new mix later this month. I was in research mode the other day, and flipping through some records today and came across this classic, an album with two great dancehall riddims from Jammy and a truly remarkable cover. I frequently “rinse” both riddims when playing for crowds that can dig them… more so now that I use Serato and people won’t see me with the ridiculous cover in my hand.
I bought this record at Rasputin’s and was lucky enough to get it used, probably back in about 1989, judging by which location I remember Raputin’s being in at the time. For us old folks that really like the whole genre of dancehall, it is pure gold and has a guaranteed spot in the Fire series. Produced by Jammy, who had crowned himself King by then, with instrumentals by Steelie and Clevie (of course). Released in 1998 an an LP by VP records. Evidently it’s worth some money (maybe for the cover art alone) in Europe, where I found a link selling it for 56 Euros. Anyway you cut it, another stack of digital hits coming from the Jammy’s camp!
The album is one of countless releases from Jamaica that focussed on one or two riddims, as opposed to one artist.
I also found it floating around digitally, right here… I didn’t upload it, but enjoy!!
And here are some videos featuring the tunes on these riddims…