Mixtape Monday: 45-7 Vol 2

45-7 Delgado's Tribute to 45s Volume 2

Well, I think I made it pretty clear how I love playing 45s, so here is round 2 of the mixes I made. Enjoy!… Read more...

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

45-7: DJ Delgado's tribute to the 45, Vol 1

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

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...

Mixtape Monday: DJ Crimson’s Tribute to Stax

Crimson Tribute to Stax coverI‘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...

45 Friday: Tramp!

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...

New KRS-1

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… Read more...

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.… Read more...

Remember Rappin Duke?

Remember Rappin' Duke?

Remember Rappin' Duke?

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… Read more...

RIP Heavy D

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...