Blue Moon

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Delgado

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.

Here’s the YouTube version… Read more...

What’s in a name?

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Delgado

Turntables. Record players. Decks. Wheels of steel. Tables. They get called just about everything except for their original name: phonograph. And they almost didn’t even get called that! Check out the list of names Thomas Edison & the crew thought of before deciding on “phonograph.”… Read more...

Mixtape Monday: 45-7: A Tribute to 45s

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Delgado

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...

Scratching Cassettes

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Delgado

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...

45 Friday: Tramp!

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Delgado

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...

Keeping 45s Alive!

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Delgado

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.… Read more...

RIP Heavy D

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Delgado

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...

FIRE VOL 8: Old School Dancehall

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Delgado

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

Mix Tape Monday: DJ Platurn & Tribe Called Quest

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Delgado

Living in Oakland, I am blessed to have access to immense musical talent showcased on a regular basis. This of course is true for DJs as well, where I am able to surround myself with friends and colleagues that are way more talented than I, and see them perform on a regular basis.

Known worldwide and having just been voted the “people’s choice best DJ” by the East Bay Express, DJ Platurn is definitely at the top of the list of great DJs I’ve worked beside. His resumé includes travelling the world blowing minds with music, starting the renown DJ crew Oakland

Musings from the DJ Booth

Thoughts from an old school DJ in a new school world…

Category Archives: simpler times