Everybody Loves Everybody Loves The Sunshine

And for a good reason too.
Teedra Moses: You'll Never Find (A Better Woman) Remix (2005)
Erule: Listen Up (1994)
Brand Nubian: Wake Up (Reprise In The Sunshine) (1990)

This WKND in HKI

A spectacular weekend coming up!

Ayres & MJ

Check out my man Ayres' solid new Michael Jackson mix. If I had any Photoshop skills I'd post a photo of the two just hanging out...

4 x Love You Down

I kinda love the song, so let me break down my favorite versions.

Inoj: Love You Down (1997)
Classic bass / R&B cover version from Atlanta. Check the video as well.

DJ Technics: Girlfriend (1999)
The definitive club remix. Baltimore Club Tracks has tons of classics by Technics & others, a lot of 320's too.

Sissy Nobby: Break It Down (Stick 'Em Remix) (2007)
Bangin remix of Nobby's bounce hit from last year, with the smooth Love You Down breakdown in the middle. I just wish I knew where to get more of his jams.

And last but not least...
Ready For The World's timeless slow jam from 1986 got zero airplay around my parts, which is a damn shame if you ask me. I don't think I even got to hear it until mid-90's or so. Here's the classic video for you to revisit. Enjoy.

Greetings from Moscow

Club 16 Tons was off the hook. Me and my man Nenis played a wide array of recent club stuff, but naturally we had to drop some classics as well. This went down well, like it always does.
Crystal Waters: 100% Pure Love (1994)

Shout outs to Andrei, Nairi, Katerina, Jules and the crew.

On A Day Like Today

I was planning to post something else entirely, but the beautiful spring morning kind of changed my mind. This is a short little edit thingy I made for personal use last weekend, but the song has a nice positive vibe to it and feels just right on a day like today.
Warning: if you're one of those people who can't stand kids singing (yeah, they exist) this is definitely not for you.

Gichy Dan's Beachwood No 9: On A Day Like Today (Anonymous Simple & Plain Edit) (1979/2008)

Btw, I'm off to Moscow tomorrow and have no idea when I'll be able to update next so have a fun weekend ya'll.

Top Willing

Everyone's favorite Gil-Scott Heron remix now up for grabs, courtesy of XLR8R. Get your free 320 here.

Drink On Me

"Excuse me... excuse me
uhh, can we have Sex On The Beach... twice?

Now COME RELAX AND TAKE A COUPLE SIPS WITH ME..."

Teulé: Drink On Me Original Mix (1990)
Teulé: Drink On Me Club Mix (1990)

As far as I'm concerned dance music doesn't get much better than this. Kerri Chandler- man behind the Teulé alias- went on to great house fame later in the decade and remains a prolific and respected figure to this day.

A word from our sponsors

Just playing, but I do have to shout out some of my peoples who are putting in good work for the Red Bull Music Academy. This year's application is in process as we speak and runs until May 5th. Things are looking promising as always so check the site and get on it. Like Ashford & Simpson, don't cost you nothing...

Twin Hype Appreciation

Do it To The Crowd (1989):



For Those Who Like To Groove (1989):

Top Billin this Friday

Once again it's on, this time with Mad Decent's Paul Devro, DJ Rideon, TB head honcho Mr Sir Nenis and yours truly.

2 x Ease Out

Mid Air is this much talked about, super dope and very hard to get 80's jam from Chicago that comes in two different versions. Most enthusiasts seem to prefer the original version, but I've had the remix since forever (thanks to this guy), and therefore kinda like it more, even if the sound quality isn't really all that. You decide for yourself.

Mid Air: Ease Out (Original Version)(1983)


Mid Air: Ease Out (Special Re-Mix)(1983)


And to my disco nerds out there: no, I don't have both pressings. The original appears courtesy of this fine compilation from a few years back. Highly recommended.

Last Night

This is the new, hopefully regular, weekend feature where I post songs people seemed to like the night before. This was the first jam to really fill the dancefloor at 10:30 or so.

Donald Byrd: Think Twice (Prince Language Edit)(1975/2006)

South Rakkas Mad Again DJ Sega Remix

Get your Friday night started right, over at Mad Decent.

Sport

I'm playing a B-Boy event tomorrow, so I wanted to post something a little bit...funky. And to me, this is as funky as it gets. The whole Hustler's Convention album is incredible, I don't know if it's available as we speak, but if you ever see it don't hesitate to grab it. With Kool & The Gang and Last Poets' Lightnin Rod on the same record you can't really go wrong. This is the classic jammy:
Lightnin Rod: Sport (1973)

As a bonus, a super dope re-edit of the same. This came out on a 12" last year, I wish I knew who's behind it.
Lightnin Rod: Sport (Corsican Brothers Edit)(2007)

Funky Sensation

The definition of a classic.
Gwen McCrae: Funky Sensation (1981)

BONUS:
An essential MAW party break, Funky Sensation with a Hihache loop.
Masters At Work: Get Up (1994)

Money's Too Tight (To Mention)

Valentine Brothers: Money's Too Tight (To Mention) (1982)(Quick Edit)

This little edit I just did was inspired by all of the recent recession talk (I picked up The Economist yesterday- clearly a mistake), the fact that some people still think Simply Red wrote this themselves and knowing most other DJ's don't approve of the original version's borderline cheesy horn intro. Enjoy.

Choco The New Harlem Sound

Honestly, The New Harlem Sound is one of my all time favorite records, in any genre. There's something in the combination of quirky Spanish pop samples and classic hip hop beats that I find really touching. The EP was released in 1986 on the very open minded Celluloid label and bootlegged in 2004 due to high demand in Japan particularly. Choco himself is better known as a house music producer and an engineer, over the years dude has engineereed numerous Wu-related albums among others.
These are my favorite two songs from The New Harlem Sound.

I Hope It Rains Coffee (Ojala Que Llueve Cafe)
My Little Donkey (Mi Burrito)

If you're curious about the samples you might want to check this and
this.

Cocaine Blunts & Hip Hop Tapes Appreciation

Still the best rap blog out there.

Some more new shhh while we're at it...

Busy P feat Murs: To Protect & Entertain
(courtesy of Kidz By Colette. Right click save as you know the deal...)

Wale Roof Remix

This has been out there for a minute now, but definitely still needs more spins. Dude is a good rapper and Ayres' subtle club approach works well, turning the song into a very cool little hip house jam. This is the remastered version that plays real real nice too.
Wale: Roof (DJ Ayres Remix)

BONUS:
And this is still up too, just in case...
Wale feat Bun B, Pusha T and Tre from UCB: Back In The Go Go

I Got The Feeling

Of the less succesful New Jack Swing groups Today just might be my favorite one. Of course they never went to be the new Four Tops like Motown planned, but recorded some memorable tunes nonetheless. Him Or Me is my jam, I Got The Feeling is just as good and kind of sounds fresher to me now. The group was a Teddy Riley project from the beginning, but I Got The Feeling is produced by Dr Freeze who's also responsible for all time classics such as I Wanna Sex You Up and Poison. The beat is bangin and the Flavor Flav snippets especially are a nice touch.
Today: I Got The Feeling (12" Version)(1991)

Weekend

Have a good one ya'll....

Coldcrush Brothers: Weekend (1982)

The Rub tonite...

Don't miss it...

UPDATE: a few photos, a personal thank you to everybody who showed up and a special shout out to Cosmo and Joe (Eleven) for rockin it.

Problèmes D'Amour

This time-tested electronic masterpiece goes out to my man Teemu somewhere in the middle of nowhere...
Problèmes D'Amour (Ah Ou Ah Version) (1984)

There was a legit reissue 12" with all the relevant versions of Problèmes sometime last year, it's still out there so go get it. Also, dude is still putting out quality electronic music so check him out. Visit Discogs for more info.

Spike Lee & Ed Norton appreciation

From 25th Hour (2002):

Supercutts...

is my JAM!

DJ Will Roc: Supercutts / Myspace

Let It Roll, Get Bold

What we have here is Marley Marl's bangin' extended version of BDK's Set It Off that was only ever released in the UK, followed by Doug Lazy's classic hip house jam that builds on Kane's opening line.

Big Daddy Kane: Set It Off (Extended Mix) (1988)
Doug Lazy: Let It Roll (1989)

Btw, how come I can't find a decent photo of Doug anywhere?

Classic Time #37

Delegation: Heartache No 9 (1980)

I love the production on this, especially the guitar still kills me every time. The lyrics are super cheesy, but just the right way. There's a slightly rougher mix out there as well, but I've yet to rip it.

£20 To Get In

OK so I went to London and of course I had to get me some London rekkids (among others).

Shut Up And Dance: £20 To Get In (1989)

Double 99: Ripgroove (1997)

Also, my man Smutlee hooked me up with this useful Ripgroove rework, combining it with last year's dancehall smash Hot Wuk.
Mr Vegas & Double 99: Wuk Groove (Smutlee Blend)

Respect to Dom & everybody at NHAC, DJ Arsi, Gary at Crazy Beat, Session, Smutlee, Sinden, Axel & Riina, Ali, Jani T & Egs.

LDN

I'm off to the airport any minute now, and don't know when I'll be able to update again. So I'll just leave you with this timeless London classic...

Disco Dub Band: For The Love Of Money (1975)

Mika Snickars live in Stockholm, 2000

Now this ain't no blog hyperbole: what we have here is a live set by one of my all time favorite DJ's. From late 80's after hour rare groove parties to 90's house club residencies, from the battle dj circuit to underground disco nights, dude's done it all. And always with style and class beyond most others. This set is from the Stockholm release party for Strut's Paradise Garage comp and features an impeccable selection of disco classics and lesser known gems:

Mika Snickars live @ Sturecompagniet, Stockholm, 2000

Thanks to Mika for letting me post this. Check out his famous record store at snickarsrecords.com. A special shout out to another good old STHLM friend, Martin Abrahamsson at Jung, for filling the gaps.

Classic Time #36

Trans-Europe Express (13:38 Long Version)(1977)
BONUS:
Trouble Funk Express (Instrumental)(1984)

B.Cause Is The Truth

Dude comes with new useful remixes like every other week....
Tanya Stephens: It's A Pity (Ya Boy B.Cause Blend)

BONUS:
Found out these older faves are still up there for you to grab:
Outkast: So Fresh So Clean (B.Cause Let's Get It On Reprise)(2007)
Stevie Wonder: Uptight (B.Cause Bass Re-fix)(2007)