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!
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
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!
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
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
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?”
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
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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.
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, DJ Odiaka and I will be holding down the Lucky Lounge, and we are already working on our Heavy D tribute set. Come out and enjoy.
My favorite at the time, mostly because it was based on the original reggae tune by Third World. I especially liked that the vocals featured Aaron Hall.
Here’s the original song:
Another favorite of mine. I definitely taped this off of Yo! MTV Raps.
A later 90′s tune of the Heavster.
He was born in Jamaica, and always paid tribute to the Jamaican roots of Hip Hop, as well. Check him out with Supercat and Frankie Paul.
Here’s a 45 I played last weekend, and will now play again this weekend.
Check back to this post for some tribute mixes over the next few days, I’ll see what comes out.
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