Well this is my last post for the year and well maybe forever. I feel like the blog has run its course and its time to move on. I've been really lucky this year to be able to travel to Japan and the States and also interstate to Melbourne, Caught up with many old peeps i havn't seen in ages and continue to be surrounded by friends and family. Definetly going to keep it moving in 2011 and i wish you and all your family the best. Going to leave you with Moon Rocks Ill Street Blues. Enjoy
Price Of Silence was a Hardcore Punk group from South Australia. This is their self titled 10" that came out on their own label and distribution company Spiral Objective. I picked this up from Phantom Records in Pitt Street in 1995 when it dropped for the measly price of $9. What you get is 9 songs of brutal hardcore. Tackling issues about everything from Homophobia to truth in the media, and protecting the planet. Back in the day POS and anything with a Spiral Objective stamp on it were like seals of approval. You could happily pick any release unheard and know that it was dope. Spiral Objective were responsible for distributing both Australian and overseas hardcore, anarchist and punk records,books, and zines all over Australia and in the days of preinternet were instrumental in pushing the scene forward. I've ripped the whole 10" because this is well out of print and i want to share this piece of history with you. This is going out for all the hardcore kids i knew back in the day. You know who you are.
So i stumbled across this Australian producers youtube channel the other day (thanks to DOOM) and i was blown away by his music and videos. Julien Love has got the whole italo/modern boogie sound down. He must have a serious synth collection. His videos are amazing as well. I've had these all on repeat all day and still not sick of them. Hopefully M-Division Recordings will be putting out some of this incredible music in the near future.
Now that im not doing a hip hop radio show i find im actually enjoying listening to hip hop in my spare time. Here's a few videos that im felling right now.
Illmind is capable of being really boring some times but he kills this beat. Skyzoo comes correct too.
Freeway and Jake One just get better and better.
I always have time for E-40 but the Sade sample just hooked me in.
This isn't new but bangs anyway. Alchemist is underrated if you ask me.
A music program heavily influenced by the beat digging aesthetics of hip hop. From the sounds of the boogie down Bronx 1979 to the disco edits of today’s blog scene to the experimental sounds of LA’s Future Beat scene of today. From early Detroit and Chicago house to the deeper dubbed out electro sounds of today’s Dubstep and B- more club. Blended with Funk, Soul, Reggae, Brazilian, Afro and Latin breaks from the dusty crates of presenters Lo-D, Sage One, Size 13 and Sandro.
Every Tuesday 3-4pm on 2SER FM 107.3 or streaming on www.2ser.com
So this is whats been taking up my time of late. Were' up to episode 8 and podcasts should be up really soon. Mean while check the blog site for track lists and you can stream the show from the 7/09/10 below
As summer rolls in what better way to spend a lazy Sunday than listening to DJs, drinkin beer and playing bare foot lawn bowls. Every second sunday at Petersham Bowling Club. Kicks off this sunday
Just Blaze, The legendary DJ/Producer who has worked with everyone from Jay Electronic to Jigga hits Tone this friday in a sneak attack on Sydney's shore. Supports come from the UK's Sarah Love, Josie Styles and Cyberthief.
I was reminiscing the other day about bands we used to see back in the day and i found a bunch of clips on youtube. The Hard Ons were the first band i ever saw live. I think i was 14 and it was on at the local PCYC. It would have been 94 or maybe earlier im not sure. I don't remember much about the show aside from the drummer vomiting on stage. Im pretty sure The Dream Killers supported and The Cosmic Psychos could have been there too.
Lawnsmell was the best band i'd ever seen play. They had two bass players and were heavy as fusk why managing to maintain a pop sensibility without being corny. I had the biggest crush on the bass player (Gina?) for years. Its funny i was at this show that the video is showing. Some great gigs at the Manning Bar in the late 90s.
One Inch Punch changed there name to Mid Youth Crisis for some reason that escapes me. Another great band that i was very happy to be able to catch live a few times. They had a seriously heavy live show. Their debut album was on constant rotation for years.
Gilgamesh was a punk/ska band from the late 90's. The video is from them doing a reunion show with a bunch of other bands like Blitz Babiez. I have fond memories of seeing them play at gigs at the Phoenician Club before Bob Carr and Anna Wood fucked it all up.
I was shocked to find out that Aaron Carl one of the legends of Detroit electronic music lost his battle with cancer. Its weird as i was just pulling out a bunch of Aaron Carl records to listen to, Only to read the news in the music press today. Mentored by Mad Mike Banks from UR and Ron Murphy from NSC, Aaron was able to effortlessly move between deep house techno, and electro funk. His music was deep, soulful and slamming moving dance floors across the world You will be missed RIP to a Detroit legend.
Next Friday I'll be spinning at the night Set The Tone. There will be a an exhibition B-Boy battle, a live set from the jazz/hip hop group 5 Coffees and DJ Sets from Sage One, D-Lect and myself and the Swat DJs. So if your down with the jazz, funk, disco boogie and old school hip hop sounds get on down.
So i just picked up the new album from UK producer Ghost. Its his third album and limited to 300 copies available from his bandcamp site and a select few stores in NZ where he now resides. Im not sure what they put in the water in NZ but it seems to agree with overseas producers who move there. Postcards From The Edge (Which incidentally is also the title of Carrie Fishers autobiography) is a radical departure from Ghosts previous work on labels such as Breakin Bread. Gone are the jazz samples and the swinging organic drums. Also most of the vocals as well as only three of the thirteen tracks feature Mcs. Instead they are replaced by dark and sweeping synths that create rich soundscapes akin to something that could have been put out on Warp Records in the late 90s. Hearts and Minds remind me of something Autechre or Black Dog would have produced. This is not so say Postcards sound derivative, far from it. Ghost has crafted a dark yet uplifting album that conjures up blade Runner like images of the future.
Mexican Summer is a label hailing out of Brooklyn that straddles the sounds of psychedelic folk, synth driven electro pop and echo and delayed affected rock. They have an amazing roster of artists that include the chill wave sounds of Washed Out and the Lo Fi driven rock of Best Coast. Most of their artists release their albums on vinyl as well as mp3 which is becoming a rarity in this day and age. The move to vinyl seems to have payed off though with Washed Out's first 12" already in its 3rd press and with OG copies changing hands for increasing large sums of money.
Check out the new blog from some homies over in London. Basically its about records and music and all that good stuff. One of the most interesting ideas is their Diggin For Wax Mix Series. The premise being that with a $20 (pound) budget they go into a record store and make a mix out of the records that they find. The first mix is up now. Check it out.
Im loving the down tempo/lo-fi, pych, atmospherics of Mount Kimbie and Scuba. Hot Flush is definitely one of the more interesting dubstep labels out there right now.
Eli Escobar just dropped a new single on Planet Music and what a nice piece of seriously deep cosmic/disco it is. Love Thing features Amanda Blank who is amazing on this yet managed to turn out a very disappointing album last year. This track will be perfect for the upcoming summer months. Props to The Late Show for the heads up.
The Legion were a group from The Bronx who were put on by Dres from Black Sheep and down with Show and AG. I first heard this on Dj Krush's awesome Code 4109 mix. Its fairly easy 12" to come by these days but the album is still worth loot. One of my favourite hip hop 12"s of all time.. .1993 new york classic !
My overactive imagination conjures up pictures of circuit boards, drum machines and synths getting it on in a seedy 70's themed love hotel in Tokyo with this track. But hey that could just be me. Taken from Giles Peterson's Electric compilation on Brownswood Records this is by far the standout track for me. San Fransico producer B. Bravo says he likes Soulful chords and melodies and heavy drums and bass in his music. He says sometimes his music is labeled Future Funk but he dosn't really care what you call it. When its this good i don't think it really matters what you call it either.
Damn people this is the shit. This is what its about. New York 1977-1985 Downtown. ESG, Talking Heads, Keith Haring, Jazzy Jay, Busy Bee, Larry Levan David Mancuso and the list goes on. If i could time travel this is where i'd end up no doubt.
A video of Wu-Tang touring japan. I get chills to see them all on stage together, Would have been so dope to see. Its funny to watch them bickering on the bullet train gives you an idea of the dynamics of the group and how hard it was to get them all in one place at the same time. Also funny to see how wilding the Japanese crowd is.
Its been kinda slow in here lately. The real world has been keeping me busy. When i do have time to myself its all about chilling out and this song is perfect for that. Ron Preyer's If You Don't Want My Love came out in 1978 on Shock Records. I picked up this 7" at Big City Records in NYC. It caught my eye thanks in part to the funky logo shock records used and the fact that the B-side was entitled Baltimore. (Anything B-More related is generally worth investigating) What you get is a nice down tempo soul number with just enough swing in the drums and funky instrumentation to make you smile as you lie back at the end of a hard day.
This is what happens if you crossed Harmony Korine's film Kids with Fondle'Em Records and transported it to LA. Reminds me of early Cage before he went all emo crossed with some power violence band like Spazz. These kids are young and Earl has great word play, Something most rappers lack today. The beats produced by his brother are sinister and dark but sound sonically pleasing. The video is funny as hell and fits the overall mood perfectly. Get more of there music from their page.
Onra is a producer from Paris who is killing ears everywhere with his new take on disco boogie and RnB. Peep his new album Long Distance out on All City for proof of how deep, funky and spaced aged boogie grooves can sound pitched down to minus eight. Sounding like something Prelude Records would have released if it was still around today mixed with LA's future Beat scene, Onra's grooves are supplemented by the vocals of Reggie B, Olivier Daysoul and T3 from Slum Village. Highly recommended to anyone with a remote interest in anything electro funk related.
Rammellzee was the original space age b-boy. He was one of the first writers to start camouflaging their letters in a style that would come to be know as wildstyle. The dude painted trains with Dondi and Dr Revolt. He created his own theory on letters and their hidden powers that he called Ikonclast Panzerism. He also was a dope emcee whose tracks were featured on the 1982 documentary Wild Style. He released a solo album in 2004 and collaborated with NY label Supreme for a range of clothing. It makes me incredible sad that more and more of the pioneers of the late 70's and early 80s scene are slowly disappearing. Some time in the future the world will wake up and realise that Rammellzee was one of the great mind of our time. RIP to a true legend.
STICK UP KIDS & FreshIn present ANTE UP STICK UP KIDS & FreshIn present ANTE UP "Nothing but a hip hop party" Golden Era Hip hop, classic 90s rap, raw rhymes & blog hype, local Oz and NZ flavour, some smooth 90s rnb and a bit more new jack.
Saturday July 3rd $10 Doors Open 9pm Brighton Up Bar 77 Oxford Street
A Tribe called Quest are hitting Sydney. August 11th at that large shed that they call the Horden Pavilion. Now i could complain about how this is a wednesday night, how high ticket prices are and how there's a VIP option ( what are we Rolling Stones fans ?) but aside from buying a plane ticket to the states this is the only way your going to see Phife, Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad doing what they do best. Pre sale tickets went on sale today and word is they are only going to get more expensive so get in quick.
This post is simple really. Its about Jay Dee. I don't really need to tell you anything about this except to say that this is mix of Dilla productions,raps and samples broken down into three parts. It was originally done for the Radio show Droppin Science i host on 2SER FM here in Sydney to commemorate the fourth anniversary of his death. I know a lot of people are sick of all the hipsters jumping on the bandwagon of Dilla's death. But thats not going to stop me from celebrating the work of one of the best producers to ever live. Dude was light years ahead of the game.
This is a disco/boogie influenced mix i did back in 05 in homage to the club night Boogie Down that ran at Candy's Apartment for a number of years, and was hosted by Jimmy James, Blaze, Regal and Nick Toth. To many people including me this was the highlight of Sydney clubing especially for those that enjoyed the sounds of hip hop, breaks, disco boogie and funk. Too many great nights and memories were had here including watching Paul Nice, Young Einstein, Mark Rae, Quest Love and Cut Chemist among many others. I found this mix on a mini disk (remember those ?) and bounced it to mp3. No tracklist again but if you need to know about anything just ask.
Im probably the laziest DJ i know. I never really practice and i never get around to making mixtapes. Part of the reason is that Im never really happy with the results and if i have to do several takes on an idea it starts to feel forced and i loose any flow and spontaneity that i had. Anyway here's a mix i just did. Its loosely based around the concept of Soul music and features DJ Day, Erykah Badu, Stephanie Mckay, Eric Lau, Slum Village,Liz Fields, Jill Scott, DJ Cam and Onra among others. If enough people ask i'll post a track list. It was done in one take and has a few mistakes but i like the feel of it so here you go. Hope you enjoy.
Formed in 2007 in Milwaukee's Lotus Land record store by owner Andy Noble and Black Wolf, Kings Go Forth bring the heat in a serious fashion. Preceded by a bunch of 7"s that have become collectors items. Their full length album The Outsiders Are Back is the perfect blend of soul/funk/disco and the Philly Sound to make the listener think it was 1978 all over again. With seven players and three vocalists, the sound this band creates is massive. The singers harmonies are amazing and there are some ill drum breaks. Out on the independent label Luaka Bop, The cover art is by Mingerinn Mike. Buy this from all good record stores or straight from Luaka Bop's webstore.
The Do Over from LA have just entered the record game. The people responsible for the LA institution that is The Do Over have just put out a limited edition clear 10". They kept it an LA affair with Flyin Lotus on one side and newly anointed LA native DJ House Shoes on the flip. It's very obvious that a lot of time and effort has been put into the packaging and design of this release, which is great to see in this age where very little new music actually sees a physical release yet alone on vinyl. That and the music isn't half bad either. Grab your copy quickly they are limited to 1000.
UK producer Eric Lau hits Melt May 28th for Return Of The Real a night of Nu-Soul and Hip Hop beats. The first time i heard Eric Lau was on the Guilty Simpson track from the Producer Nol 1 compilation. I'd never heard of him before but because he was on a track with Guilty called "For The D" i assumed he was some yet unknown Detroit producer. Turns out i was wrong. Eric hails from the UK and gave up a university degree and career to follow his passion of making music. The result can be heard on his debut album fron Ubiquity Records entitled New Directions. Eric's sparse beats are carried by off kilter drums and deep lush synth programming. Equally at home with singers or rappers they carry an air of sophistication and most definitely a sense of soul.
Well its been a few year since the last one of these back in the good old days of the Globe ( Damn that was a great venue). There are two main reasons to check this out. Firstly the Bay Area's DJ Platurn and secondly the return of Blaze to the decks. Next friday people don't miss out !
Just a quick heads up that Miss Diola aka DJ, Singer and Songwriter (triple threat related) has finally got off facebook and started her own blog entitled Boom Bap Clap. Home Girls got impeccable taste in music so make sure you check it.
Gang Starr were one of the realest and purest hip hop groups that there was. They never diluted their sound or compromised for anyone. you always knew that they were going to bring that real hip hop sound. Guru was an MC of balance. Totally at ease with the hood and the street side of things, He was equally the teacher, Dropping gems of wisodm, waxing about jazz and teaching the youth to stay clear of drama. Guru was originally from Boston and Premier from Texas. Together they made Brooklyn home and created a sound that was so representative of New York. I first heard Gang Starr on 411 videos in the mid 90's No Shame in my Game was featured in a section and i was hooked instantly. We grew up on Gang Starr, We skated, partied, and chilled to this music and im having a hard time thinking that Guru is gone and there will never be another Gang Starr album.
First up is Premier's Tribute and he sets a few things straight about the circumstances surrounding Guru's passing.
Damn. Im searching for words. We just lost one of the greats today. I grew up on Gangstarr and simply can't fathom that Guru is gone. RIP to one of the illest EVER to hold a mic. More on this when i can get my head around it.
Back in the day when Kon and Amir's original On Track mixes dropped i remember chillin in Next Level and watching Mylk and Blaze (both of you need to call me !) trying to work out what all the samples were and who used them. It was informative and entertaining to say the least. Now several volumes later, the On Track series has become the Off Track series and has also been picked up by BBE and pressed to wax as well. The last installment was Queens. This time around Brooklyn gets the treatment. And its a warm summery affair ranging from modern soul to afro disco. To help promote the mix Kon has released an edit of Donny McCollough's From the Heart which will be released as a limited edition 10" through Carhartt Europe. There's only 500 of them so get in quick. Peep the mp3 below its pure heat. Off Track 3: Brooklyn drops April 26th.
Those cool cats at Niche are bringing out the world's premier expert on all things Boogie and Electro funk related, LA's Dam Funk. Fresh from conquering Tower Records in Japan. Dam will be hitting Sydney for a Basement show on May 15th. This will sell out so grab your tickets now.
Thanks to the peeps at Freshin and Stick Up Kids ANTE UP will be hitting the Brighton Up Bar Saturday April 17th. So if you want to get down to the sounds of 90's Hip hop, RnB and New Jack Swing then come on down I'll be playing the late night slot dropping some killer 80's dancehall tunes.
Its been a running joke for us for a while that Madlib releases everything that he produces, And with news from Stonesthrow that this year Madlib is going to release an album a month it seems that we weren't that far off. Peep it, Its already April and were up to album number 4. Up until 2004 you could pretty much pick up any record with a Madlib credit on it and know that it was going to be dope without listening to it. Now days with so much product out i can't wade through all the mediocre tracks to find the good ones. I simply tune out. While i respect that Stonesthrow let their artists release what they want maybe a little quality control might be in order. Now having said that Madlib is still cable of doing straight bangers. The new Strong Arm Steady album Search for Stoney Jackson is probably their best release to date. Madlib's chopped soul loop sits perfectly with Phil and Krondon's verses. Phonte kills it on the his verse and the hook as well. Peep the J.Rocc ( aka Stoney Jackson) cameo.
New HBO show from David Simon one of the creators of The Wire about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on the city of New Orleans and how a community puts itself back together.
Most people will know Andres better for his hip hop alias DJ DEZ. Providing the cuts for many legendary Detroit hip hop acts such as Slum Village, Phat Kat and Black Milk amongst others. However the Detroit sound is as diverse as it is deep ranging from everything from Hip hop, house, techno, electro to disco, funk, latin and of course Soul. This is where Andres II comes in. Blended together by a sampler and a drum machine but left raw around the edges, Its a sonic melting pot of all the styles mentioned above and moves effortlessly between them. Several well known samples are used but Andres flips them in such a way that a sense of familiarity is created likened to playing your favourite records and only enhances the listening experience. Co-produced by Moodymann and put out on his own label Mahogani Music it also features Amp Dog Knight aka Amp Fiddler playing keys on several tracks. For people who have a love of deep soul music whatever style it may take Hip hop or house this is a perfect album for you.
Jose James' new album Black Magic has finally dropped. A certain music journalist from Sydney (who shall remain nameless) wrote about how Jose james was a jazz alias of Flyin Lotus. With Flyin Lotus being related to Alice Coltrane this intrigued me enough to go out and find it. Although it became obvious at once that Jose James and Flyin Lotus are obviously two separate people (Well Duh) the album blew me away with its mix of spoken word, jazz poetry and some serious skills on the piano, and became one of my favourite albums of 08. Moving on and two years later we finally get some new work from Jose and funnily enough Fly Lo produces several tracks on it alongside Moodymann and Mistu The Beats. The music is more on a new soul/beat tip than the jazz workings of the first album, and Jose displays a more mature approach this time around both with his vocals and production. Only time will tell if this remains on my playlist as long as The Dreamer but you really need this album in your collection. Check out Electro Magnetic which is a bonus track on the japanese release.
Okay everyone Im back in this penal colony that i call home. Big ups to my Tokyo and New York crews for all the love that was shown. Also shout outs to Drum and Bass Records, Small Axe, Big CIty and Deadly Dragon Sound for the dope tunes. Brought back a bunch of new music so it should be all systems go from now on.
Life is good people. Been chillin in New York with good peeps, good food and good music. What more could you want ? Im going to leave you with this wonderful gem of knowledge i heard at a bar the other day "Money ain't a problem unless you don't have it"
Jun Seba famed Japanese beat maker Nujabes has tragically passed away. Long time collaborator with Fat Jon out of Five Deez, Jun had been making some of the best down-tempo beats to come out of Japan and was also responsible for the soundtrack to the animae Samurai Champloo. Jun will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
Damn Ron Banks from the Dramtics just passed away. So sad. The Dramatics are one of my favourite bands ever and they had joints for days. Too young for real RIP.
In the words of the immortal KRS Im outta here. Im off to spend March in the land of the rising sun and the good old US of A. So the likely hood of me doing any blogging is probably zero. Actually less than zero if thats possible. But never fear i'll be back in April hopefully with a ton of new music and mixes to post. Im going to leave with a clip of a song off the new Jake One and Freeway album The Stimulus Package. This shit is ridiculous you need to cop this with the quickness. Check the cd packaging too. Ryhmesayers and Brent Rollins killed it. Jake One is one of the few producers today that you can pretty much pick up anything he's done and know its quality. Freeway ain't bad either. See you fools in April.
Aloe Blacc just landed himself the theme song to the new HBO show How To Make It Happen In America. They possibly could have used Billy Paul's Let The Dollar Ciruclate or even Spacek's version but hey this is just as good. I really think Aloe is coming into his own with his recent work after what was to me at least a disappointing debut album on Stonesthrow. Havn't seen the show yet so i'll reserve judgement, But it dose star Shannyn Sossamon so thats almost good enough for me to give it a pass.
I found most of the Major Lazer album pretty boring to be honest but this new track is FIRE. Mia and Busy Signal on the mic. This is guaranteed to set the dancehall ablaze. Drops sometime in April.
Club Zirconia the brand new project from vocalist Tiombe Lockhart (of PPP fame) have just dropped their 2nd single after the aptly titled Fuck Work.The Dam Funk remix is essential. This time around Dj Sega works his Philly Club magic on the remix and turns out a killer of a tune. The Waajeed remix is also dope. Buy this and support.
Okay maybe its because Im single yet again for another Valentines day (fourth year in a row but hey who's counting). But really am i the only one who hates this day with a passion ? Its just an international conspiracy hatched by a global conglomerate of florists, greeting card and confectionary companies to fleece you of your hard earned cash. Im not buying it.
I don't have a favourite song. It always seems such a stupid question to me. Once people find out you are into music they always pop off that question. But to me its bullshit. My favourite songs change daily with my mood and how im feeling. They are too many genres and styles of music to know where to begin to be able to narrow it down to one song. But if i had to...only if mind you. Then this song would be pretty close to it. Its a song that reminds me of some one. (They should know who they are) But thats not why i like it. To me its a song that reminds me to live. That we are here for too short of a time on this earth and there is no room for regrets. And finally that music truly is the healing force of the universe.
New single from Erykah Badu's new album New Amerykah Part II: Return Of The Ankh. Its a seriously smooth affair. Something about her voice always make me feel good deep inside. Produced by James Poyser and Badu with Questlove on Drums.
Detroit's own Dj House Shoes hits Sydney this friday at Ruby Rabbits for the 2nd installment of Grindin's The Genius Of J-Dilla Limited capacity so get there early as many people missed out last year.
Oaky all you sneaker heads and anyone with a love of hip hop get down to Brighton Up Bar Sat 6th feb for a nite of indie underground rap. That and its Gibb's b'day so come on down and represent.
At the risk of turning this blog into a youtube version of the breaks these two songs have been high in my weekly rotation. I love how Alchemist murders this William Bell loop. I also love how if he had never used it i would have never ever had the joy of putting the needle on a William ( i make grown ass woman cry with this song) Bell record. And that my friends would have been a great injustice. What i don't like is how how copyright law and greedy ass corporations and lawyers put the brakes on this art-form. I could keep ranting but i'll leave that for Dj Shadow. Anyway comment or tell me
Some how i ended up on the NRA's mailing list. God knows how. I think i accidentally got drunk and signed up thinking NRA stood for National Record Association. I've tried blocking their emails and asking to be taken off the list but to no avail. I've even emailed them telling them that im a black,gay jewish member of the the communist party but they didn't buy that either. Anyway this post is about a way better Gun Club.
Okay my favourite DJ in the world J.ROCC and the band responsible for starting the new funk revival of the last ten years ( Yes they were holding it down long before anyone else) BREAKESTRA are hiting up one of my favourite venues in Sydney the Hyde Park Barracks for Sydney Festival. Its a different festival director this year and this reflects in the absence of hip hop and funk related nights compared to the last few years. But at least they picked a winner with this line up. Supporting will be Space Invadas the new project from KATALYST and STEVE SPACEK.
