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. … Read more...
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!… Read more...
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… Read more...
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!… Read more...
My babies: three copies of Tramp by Otis & Carla
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!… Read more...
As many of you know, Heavy D passed away this afternoon. I was always a fan because his songs were danceable and fun, and he always kept it classy and clean which was a big plus for those of us who had to sneak rap albums into the house.
He was always loved by the entire music, and strangely enough I was just doing a whole separate blog post that referenced him as well. Recent tributes have pointed out that he recorded with Biggie, Supercat, Michael Jackson, and the entire Stop the Violence Movement—how many could say that?
Below are a few of my favorites by the man. This Saturday… Read more...
Like a lot of you, I love Hip Hop music. Not just the songs, but the songs that make the songs. This week, DJ Skyscraper joins us with a great mix that highlights one of my favorite rappers and the songs that were sampled to make some of his greatest hits. A long time hip hop DJ from a rather unusual location, Skyscraper is no stranger to digging for samples—this is the fourth mix in his Originals series. Listen to the mix below while you read a very insightful interview with the man himself. Be sure to check out his mixcrate page for more music!
What
Like many obsessive music listeners, I hear music all the time. And not just when it’s playing—it’s in my head all the time. Oftentimes it’s a favorite song, but frequently it’s just vaguely recognizable beats with semi-familiar melodies floating in and out. This is the soundtrack to my daily comings and goings, always just out of the reach of my consciousness.
I had always wondered at those “songs” floating through my mind, but I never imagined that such a funky, free floating montage of music could actually be recorded and put to disc. And
Many of you know I really like seven inch records. Those of you in the Bay Area get to go to a regular party that features only 45s all night. Yes, little records, all night.
The party is organized by the Oakland Faders & friend of the blog DJ Platurn, and features residents E Da Boss, DJ Enki, and Platurn. The best DJs passing through the area with their vinyl gems are also invited and never fail to put on a good show, and you will always find me there. This time, I managed to convince a grip of my folks to pass through
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