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 Vol 2
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Tag Archives: samples
Mixtape Monday: 45-7: A Tribute to 45s
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...
Today’s Stack
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!
So far, lots of Joe Tex, including these two, and quite a bit of Johnny Taylor. Good stuff, that’s for sure. My next step is to clean and listen to them all, put them in sleeves (they didn’t come with… Read more...
Heptones Dubplate
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...
Mixtape Monday: DJ Crimson’s Tribute to Stax
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...
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...
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?
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...
Mixtape Monday: DJ Enki Breaks it Down
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
