Let's Get Together

Pam Todd & Love Exchange: Let's Get Together (1977)
Such a great song and such a bad mastering job... The overall sound is not bad, but someone must've bumped on the master volume at 0:39.
Produced by Greg Carmichael, of course.

RIP Mr Magic

I don't really know what's going here. DJ's dying left and right. Mr Magic was a hero to me as he was to everyone who's ever done a radio mixshow. Of course you couldn't hear WBLS here overseas, but I did literally grow up on his Profile compilations.

Here's a great set from 1988 I downloaded from Old School Hip Hop Tapes some time ago. They used to have lots, but the Zshare links are all dead now. This is the only one on Divshare and still up, go get it.

Mr. Magic's Rap Attack / WBLS / 12-23-88

Download here.

Another blog with just incredible WHBI and WBLS posts is Will C. Make sure to check at least this, this and this.

Before I go I'll embed one of his snippets from Mr Magic's Disco Showcase radio show, all the way back in 1981. This is guaranteed to blow your mind if you know your hip hop history at all.



Rest In Peace Mr Magic.

Nuff Respect

Time to head home home after 3 weeks in Philly, LA, San Francisco, Oakland and New York.

Nuff respect, in no particular order:

Tony Tripledouble, Abby Klein, Emynd, Bo Bliz, Sammy Slice, Apt One, Skinny Friedman, Thee Mike B, Eli Epstein, Omar Doom & Bella, Glen Jamn, Danny, Chris Haycock, Jamie Strong, Waldo, dude from Classixx, Travis TK, DJ Pubes, DJ Fashen, DJ Excel, HVW8, Twelvebar, Dam Funk, Dirty Dave, Daniel Terndrup, DJ Tina T, Them Jeans, Dan Oh, Stretch Armstrong, Shecky Green, Pase Rock, Gina Turner, Mighty Mi, Nate Day, Steven Bloodbath, Matthew Africa, Josh B, Platurn, Jr Flo, King Most, Shred One, Vinnie Esparza, Cool Chris, Vinsol, everybody at Pork In The Park, E Da Boss, Eunice, DJ Eleven, Queen Majesty, Chris Cutz, DJ M0ma, Nick Catchdubs, Cosmo Baker, Blu Jemz, Lloyd, Jeff Mao & family, Jared, Jonny, Tom Thumz, Cousin Cole, Dayta, Morsy, Cmish & crew, Love On The Run, Peter Reyes, Sal Paradise, Amir & Josh

And make sure to grab this dancehall jammy while you're here...
Lady G & Home T : Nuff Respect (1989)

Easy Access / This Friday

Nightlife Unlimited, September 2009 Edition

Shout outs to everyone who came to Dance Right last night. I had a brief but very enjoyable time behind the decks.

During my set someone asked about the version of Peaches And Prunes I played. I couldn't recall the details there, but here it is, a really cool take on the timeless Ron Hardy classic. Enjoy.

Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes (Special Editions Remix)(2003)

Over the next couple of weeks you can catch me at the following parties in LA, SF & NY. Come say what's up.

Friday September 4 Los Angeles: Bar Lubitsch w/ Thee Mike B
Sunday September 6 Los Angeles: TBA
Tuesday September 8 Los Angeles: Dim Mak Tuesdays @ Cinespace with Love Grenades, Dangerous Dan, Them Jeans and Dan Oh
Thursday September 10 San Francisco: Le Cirque @ Yoshi's SF with
King Most and Shred One
Friday September 11 San Francisco: Treat 'Em Right @ The Elbo Room with Matthew Africa, B.Cause and Vinnie Esparza
Saturday September 12 Oakland: Ta-Dow!! @ Luka's Tap Room with Platurn and B.Cause
Thursday September 17 New York: Fam @ Von Kellar with Chris Cutz, DJ Eleven and Queen Majesty
Friday September 18 New York: TBA
Saturday September 19 New York: Grand Groove @ APT with Chairman Mao

Grand Groove w/ Chairman Mao

This is gonna be a lot of fun.

Today, Tomorrow & Forever

Whenever I'm in NY I try to catch Mr Cee's Throwback At Noon if I only get the chance. Last nite I went as far as stream it all the way from here just because Twitter told me he was doing a killer house classics set. Indeed he was, murdering staples like Gypsy Woman and In A De Ghetto. Towards the end of the set he went into one of my all time faves, Break 4 Love.



The Castle Beat: Today, Tomorrow & Forever (1987)

Break 4 Love is produced by Vaughn Mason of Bounce Rock Skate Roll fame. I don't know what his relation to Castle Beat's Larry Joseph is, but what's clear is that Today, Tomorrow & Forever is the blueprint for Break 4 Love, minus the vocals. Probably he just jacked it. If anyone knows I'd like to know too.

Why did people sleep on Diamond Shell?

I dunno, I always liked dude. I'm definitely trying to play this tonite.
If you didn't know, dude is Biz Markie's cousin. Biz produced the song (and the entire album) and there's definitely something very 'Biz' about the sample too.

Still Going in HKI this Friday

Be there.

Too Through

I gave up going out tonight due to a work deadline tomorrow and here I am, posting random disco songs. Oh well. At least we have a little Jocelyn Brown theme here.
Bad Girls featuring Jocelyn Brown: Too Through (1981)
Shout outs to DJ Kensuke, DJ Kango and DJ Toyo, Club Harlem last night was a lot of fun.

With 1 and a 1/2 Pair Of Pants You Ain't Cool

Boogie Down Productions: Love's Gonna Get'cha 1990
I always thought of this as one of Kris' finest moments. The beat is by the one & only Joseph Longo aka Pal Joey, who also produced early-90's BDP jams like Duck Down and Black Cop. Actually, I think I first remember his name from the Edutainment liner notes, way before I knew a thing about his house music career (producing timeless jams like Dance and Hot Music in addition to running his own Loop'D Loop label.)

BONUS:


Jocelyn Brown: Love's Gonna Get You (8:38 Dance Mix) 1985
Another solid classic by one the biggest voices in disco, produced by Jellybean. Sadly most seem to only remember the samples taken from it. In addition to the BDP above the acapella provided hooks for Chill Rob G's Power, Moby's Go and Bizarre Inc's I'm Gonna Get You. If some of you still want to take a stab at it leave feedback and I just might upload it.

Eli back in HKI TONITE

Bump! The party will be packed and it will be bangin, so get there early.

Here's a little gem from last year you might have missed.
Neon Neon: I Lust You (Eli Escobar Remix)(265vbr)

Facebook

Also, I'll be at Nefertiti in Gothenburg, Sweden, tomorrow Saturday doing a classic disco & soul set. Locals get at me via email for guestlist & whatnot.

And once more for all of you who missed this the first time around, the impeccable Stand Back Remix:

Tee's Happy

Another perfect example of a disco dub just murdering the vocal version. RIP Tee Scott.

This is one the first rips on a new set up I'm testing here, including a vintage Formula Sound PM-90 mixer. I'm liking the results, and included the lossless version for those of you who care. Feedback appreciated as always.
Tee's Happy (1981)
Tee's Happy AIFF

Got To Get Your Love

So I'm on vacation, but of course I'll be doing some record shopping as well. Today I was surprised to find one of these gems for a pretty damn decent price. And hell no, it's not the reissue. I had one already, so it's up for grabs too. Serious offers only...
Clyde Alexander & Sanction: Got To Get Your Love (1980)

Classic Time #43

J.Beez Comin Through Bonus Beats (1989)
To this day this is like the best hip hop instrumental ever. I'm kicking myself for not ripping it earlier.

Feelin This

Miss Banks: Gimme A Chance via Fader
Miss Banks Myspace

That's How We Move it

I kind of always thought Check It Out was the weakest of the three Reel To Reel singles. As much as I enjoyed Puba and Mary, the A-side never did much for me. But I must've really slept on the b-side, cause the remix of That's How We Move It buried there is like the best thing ever. I mean, how could it not be, with Puba in top form over a sample like this?
Grand Puba: That's How We Move It Remix (1992)

BONUS:
Trick Daddy: Take It To The House (2001)

Wow... looking forward to this

The Disco Files 1973-78- New York's Underground Week By Week will be published by DJHistory.com and should be out in April.

I Hate My Job

And I know I'm not the only one waiting for the new album...

Deep In Brooklyn

From rap to dancehall to house, all in all Big Beat was a real solid label through most of the 1990's. Some of my favorite things are the handful of party breaks they put out and as far as I'm concerned the Deep In Brooklyn mix of Kenny Dope's Supa is still one of the dopest in the genre. Dancehall vocals over rap beats always work for me and the Louie Rankin loop here is especially addictive.
Kenny Dope presents The Mad Racket: Supa (Deep In Brooklyn Mix)(1991)

600 Posts

Once again it's that time. Another 100 posts, another 10 classic jams. And since we just welcomed '09, let's go all the way back to '89 for a minute...









This is no "best of" list by any means, just 10 timeless jams I happened to rip lately. I feel they all deserved their own post even, but for now they are here in one zip for your convenience. The link won't stay up forever, so act like you know...
1989 zip / 12" versions @320

One Of My Favorite Blogs part 132

S/FJ, no doubt. Dude's end of the year list is solid too.

Night On Earth / New York

Classic scene from a classic movie. Rosie Perez is just incredible, as always. I just wish they had the Helsinki scene up on Youtube as well.

Marley Marl In Control 1989

I had to post this great Marley Marl radio set I've been listening to repeatedly during last week's travels. Great selection and a super dope freestyle by Kool Keith himself. I grabbed this in a big lot of 80's radio shows a while back, I believe the tape rip is by someone called A to the L. Enjoy!
Marley Marl in Control WBLS July 14 1989 (guests Ultramagnetic MC's & 3rd Bass)

Mos Def, Jay, Prince & Stevie / Marvin Gaye, Led Zeppelin & Biggie

Damn, I used to play this a lot at one point. Now it's been a while and it's sounding fresh as ever again.
Q-TIp: Let's Ride (1999)
(click to preview or righ click save as to DL)



Btw, make sure to check the new jam and the somewhat bangerific Swizz Beats remix if you haven't yet.

Also, a request: if anyone has a high bitrate version of the ancient unreleased ATCQ jam Mr Incognito I'd really appreciate it. My old bootleg 12"'s too damn beat up to rip.

Hi, This Is Carol Williams

Carol Williams: Can't Get Away (From Your Love) Special Club Dub Mix
Some more disco nerdery before we move on. After a few months of club and radio play Carol Williams' 1982 New York hit Can't Get Away (From Your Love) was given a special dub mix by Vanguard's in-house DJ Ray "Pinky" Velasquez . Carol herself added the famous spoken word intro, the remix was pressed on one-sided 10" vinyl and sent out to A-list Tri-State DJ's as an appreciation of their support. All in all, it's one of the coolest special mixes from the era and has been bootlegged once or twice too.

Mansion And A Yacht

Kurious, Sadat X & Mike B: Mansion And A Yacht (1994)
One of the definitive posse cuts of the era, the b-side to I'm Kurious. "Dropping jewels like a thief with a hole in his pocket". I had kind of forgotten how ridiculously good it is.

It Ain't Hard To Tell Large Professor Remix

Nas: It Ain't Hard To Tell Large Professor Remix (1994)

A long time ago I kind of promised to post this and I finally located it. It's just as good as the first time I heard it. And god damn the 12" used to be hard to get.
Also, this reminded me, who's got a 320 of the Blue Jays joint for me? I have no idea where the LP is...

No Guns, No Murder

Ray'von: No Gun, No Murder (Hip Hop Remix)(1994)

Some real classic dancehall remix business right here. This was a joint release between VP and Dope On Plastic, Funkmaster Flex's label. The production is credited to someone who calls himself Da Big Daadee, but as far as I know that's Flex himself on the boards.

Btw, last year I did a little uptempo blend that uses the Ray'von vocals over the Earth People Dance beat, check it out if you missed it back then.

Oh Yeah, Them Records...

So in addition to partying I had to do some record shopping as well (of course!) and in DJ's Delight tradition here's a little something for ya'll to play out too.

One from L.A...
Alfreda James & Billy Ray: Back To Love (Club / Remix Version)(1983)

This here is a very very nice electro R&B jam on a label that went on to release a lot of early West Coast rap. Written by Kashif and produced by Rich Cason (see Formula IV as well) it's kind of an all-star affair. Alfreda and Billy don't really get to sing too much, the focus stays on Cason's synth work and I'm definitely not mad at that.

...and one from N.Y.
Skyy: Here's To You (12" Version) (1980)
I wasn't even going to post this as it's such a classic, but I've been on a bit of a Skyy kick recently so why not? Randy Muller is the man and this is one of his finest moments. The 12" is surprisingly hard to come by and I could never find a clean copy cheap. It wasn't exactly a bargain now, but I got $50 off the tag so I just said fuck it and grabbed it.

I'm Back

So I'm back home in the cold, wet but nonetheless charming city of HKI and finally getting over the jet lag too. LA and NY were both real cool experiences, mostly because I had the privilege to hang out, kick it and dj with some real cool peoples such as
Dave Tompkins, Kohji & BBP & crew, Eli Escobar, Johnny, Jared, Toshio, Asaf, Amir, Doc Delay, Georgia, Dreski, Soulstrut crew, Anit, John Kirby, Monk One, Orlando, Cosmo Baker, Sydney, Eleven, Ayres, Excel, Teddy King, Jessica @ Spectre, Emynd, Bo Bliz, JD, everybody @ LAX, James Pants, Dam Funk, Steve 1der, Chris Haycock, Aloe Blacc, Waldo, Blu Jemz, Lax, Gracie, Glen, DJ Magneto, Arsi, Soatiana, Noelle, Shärki, Juuso, Aksim and last but most definitely not least:
Josh D (damn those aiffs were OFF THE HOOK), Asha (great meeting you), Mike B (the dudest of ALL dudes, I owe you big time) & Chairman Mao (the feedback on my writing was much appreciated lol).

All of the nights were a lot of fun- big up to the promoters who made it all happen- but the most memorable was no doubt The Do-Over on Labor Day Sunday. Great crowd, dancing from early afternoon on, countless pitchers of sangria and hot music all day long... f'real, what more could one ask for?

Steve 1nder killing it, my crappy camera phone doesn't even do it justice...

Shut Em Down

Public Enemy: Shut Em Down (Pete Rock Remix)(1992)

So is this like the best remix ever or what? A long time ago I used to play it as the last song of the night for a while, I guess I could start doing that again.

Crown Heights

Crown Heights Affair: Say A Prayer For Two (12" Version)(1978)
I've been in Crown Heights for a few days now and just had to post this timeless piece of BK disco.

APT Tomorrow!

Me an my main man Chairman Mao will be at APT tomorrow for his long running Grand Groove night. Come check us out if you're in NYC.

Also, last night, fresh off the plane, I did the Wax Poetics Record Rundown with my peoples Josh D & J.Kirby. The podcast is up on the EVR site now. My selections are not listed in the playlist, I have them here now though.