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!
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.
2011 was a great year for me and my family, hope it was for you and yours as well. The turn in the year also marks the one year anniversary of this blog—hopefully you’ve enjoyed the year here as well. Mixtape Mondays has been a popular feature, and I hope to be able to bring you many more in the future, as well as lots more remixes, 45 Fridays, and new music! I’m also working on a few longer features as well, so hopefully I can get those done over the last few days of vacation.
In the meantime, hopefully you all enjoy your various New Year’s Eve events… I will be at a private party and thus manage to avoid “amateur night” out at the clubs. There is a flyer below that explains exactly why I try to avoid the big clubs for the night!!
Lastly, I know we’re all making lists of “changes” for 2012… here’s Woody Guthrie’s list that he made for 1942, from the great site listsofnote.com. Enjoy.
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 →
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 →
