Games...

Sweet G - " Games People Play Instrumental " ( Fever Recs 1983 )

I'm posting this track because I found a $4 mint copy of the 12" a couple of days ago which will be replacing the worn out one I've had since I was a kid. It's not rare, but I figured it deserved a posting. The A-side is of course an Old School Hip Hop classic that has been sampled endlessly. It was also a big club and radio record produced and arranged by Kurtis Blow and mixed by John "Jellybean" Benitez.

The song had a strong early 80's R&B/Boogie feel to it as well. Using live musicians along with some studio effects, it is superbly mixed and mastered. The drums are ridiculous, the bass line is heavy, the arrangement is layered and very musical, and the breaks are constant. While the vocal version was huge in the early Hip Hop scene and everywhere else, at least here in New York, the instrumental version also got play in the dance clubs and on R & B mix shows on stations like WBLS. It really became it's own record and much more than just a b-side.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

I'm not a member...

Here is a link to an excellent short piece from the LA Progressive. The article deals with the sad fact that the Obama Administration is getting constant passes from progressives, and the "liberal" media, for many of the really bad decisions it's made since taking power. Calling them out on the decision to not release the Iraqi torture photos after promising to do so is not enough. Other issues need to be fully addressed. Obama's recent decisions on policy include many broken promises and reversed stances. Particularly in regard to issues which the Obama campaign used to rally support among a very disparate group made up of Democrats, liberals, progressives, and sadly, members of the left who should have known better.

I've never been a member of Obama's apologist fan club, or his cult of personality for that matter. I didn't even vote for the guy (the horror!!) and I'm happier about that choice with every backtrack, every continuation of Bush's policies, and every act which disregards the people who really mobilized to get him elected. Dude is a mainstream American politician, plain and simple. A charismatic, likable politician who has advanced some good causes. But still, at best, a centrist Democrat hiding in liberal clothing. The fact that the far right keeps attacking him doesn't make him a "socialist," a member of the left, a progressive, or even a liberal for that matter. Actions speak louder than words.

As more progressive and left wing groups take issue with his, and his cabinet members', decisions every day, it will only be a matter of time before the average liberal realizes they've been taken advantage of. Hopefully, at that point we will see greater scrutiny and criticism of the Obama administration's actions from the left of center.

The logo man...

The man behind my (still unfinished) logo, Koncept, drops a really solid track featuring blog favorites Donny Goines and 6th Sense. If you don't know, Koncept is part of Brown Bag Allstars, one the up and coming NYC crews making noise right now. Check for one of my beats on their upcoming EP, as well as (hopefully) one on Koncept's upcoming EP as well, if he hears something he likes that is. We're doing it Music biz 2009 style; trading beats for logos, supporting friends with free beats and verses, etc. Nowadays, you better be making music for the love first and not the money, or you're in for a rude surprise.

CHECK THE SONG OUT HERE

BONUS:



I also produced a track for Koncept's 2008 mixtape "Konverses" titled "Livelihood." I've always liked the beat, the scratched hook is great, and Koncept flows nicely with his usual high energy style.

CHECK THE SONG OUT HERE

Movement...

Freda Payne - " In Motion - Instrumental " ( Sutra Records 1982 )

The legendary singer Freda Payne come through with a straight uptempo early Eighties Boogie track. Produced and arranged by a couple of the Sylvers brothers using a combination of live and synth parts. The B-side wins again; an instrumental version of the song with the hook and some sparse vocals included, as well as a robo-vocoder on the hook.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Looks fun...

A Sunset Disco Rooftop BBQ w/ People Don't Dance No More
Thursday May 21, 2009 A Sunset Disco BBQ with...
People Don't Dance No More

With resident DJs
ROBOT BLAIR + DAVID BRUNO

$5 Plates of BBQ!
Drink specials all night!

FREE admission, 6-10pm

I have no involvement in this, but the free weekly parties on Weds and Thurs at Studio B this summer could be fun. Especially when there's Disco to be heard...I just hope this pic doesn't represent the crowd, although I'm sure there will be some dudes with mustaches just like these, plus plenty of disco beardos, yaayyyy.

Back to the music...

Weeks & Co. - "Rock Your World - Instrumental" ( Chaz Ro Records 1981)

I'm taking it back to more of a live sound with this 12" which was recorded with a full band. "Rock Your World" was a pre-Salsoul release from the classic early Eighties group Weeks & Co. which features great horn arrangements, breaks, and an uptempo groove. Once again, I'm picking the instrumental version, which seems to be much harder to find online than the quite popular vocal version.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Welcome back.....

Over the last week I've been listening to the new De La Soul "album." Basically, it's a cohesive, continuous mix of brand new songs which loosely tie in to the work out theme of the company, Nike, who both sponsored released the album (on Itunes only.) It's nice to hear De La continuing to expand their sound. There are major electronic influences on this record which work on most cuts, and don't on a couple. as usual, they are on point lyrically and manage to drop knowledge in a subtle manner. They even dis Nike on a song and got away with it, probably because the suits over there didn't catch the references. Too bad for them.

While I love Nike kicks, and always have, I'm not a fan of their business practices, particularly when it comes to sweatshops and labor exploitation. I'm also unsure about this corporate giant releasing albums to promote their products. I suppose it isn't very different from Sony or Universal doing the same. I'll say one thing, De La used the opportunity to get more press than they have in years, and I feel they deserve it. They're an under appreciated group, to say the least.

If you're a fan, definitely check the album out. I'm not posting a download link, you can find one yourself. Or you can go to Itunes and cop it for $9.99.

Old to the new...

For many, many years this was my weapon of choice for making music:

The beautiful machine known as the MPC 2000Xl.



Very recently I bought one of these:

The new Macbook. (The $999 joint with all of the expansions)



One of the main reasons I bought it was for music production. Basically to drag myself out of the stone age of hardware and into the modern era of software. I have friends (shout out to J57 and AMD) who murder beats using computer programs. I've resisted. But no longer. Not to say my MPC is going anywhere, I still plan on using it as a central part of my production, but I am no longer a "purist."

I'm also no longer a Mac hater like I was when I used PCs. Sorry to say it but Macs are just more user friendly. I don't like how Apple manipulates their loyal customers or the market in order to make more profit (i.e. the iphone's original cost versus a couple of weeks later when it was lowered), but I can tell already that my music, DJing, and online presence will greatly benefit from the change. To all my friends who have been trying to get me to switch to software for years: you're all right. There I said it.

Global Warming as "hype" and "misinformation"

Do you see anything wrong with this picture? I sure hope so. Even if you don't care about animals like I do, you probably care about your family and friends. The Polar Bear is in deep trouble now, we're a couple steps behind.

Right-wing ideologues have joined forces with some oil, coal and gas interests to unleash a torrent of fake science, scare-mongering statistics and propaganda designed to stop climate progress in Washington. They are willing to destroy the planet's future to make profits now.

Consider:

• A $500 million war chest to run scare ads and pressure lawmakers.
  
• Thousands of D.C. lobbyists with one goal to stop climate progress.
  
• A reckless disregard for truth or for the planet's future.

The opposition is in full fury. Time to step up if you give a shit about anything of value. I won't even put into print what I think should happen to these people. Hey, if they're gone, there will be more resources for the decent people of the world. 'Nuff said.

Please consider supporting non-profit environmental groups who are desperately trying to fight the lies, deception and trickery of these snakes in suits and ties. The Environmental Defense Fund is a good place to start.

Respect to LA rapper, and Strong Arm Steady member, Phil The Agony for releasing what I believe is the first environmentally friendly Hip Hop album. The CD was produced using green methods, a tree is planted for every CD sold, and crucial issues about the environment are rhymed about by Phil, Talib Kweli, Planet Asia, Jean Grae and others.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

One of the forefathers...

The Paul Simpson Connection - "Treat Me - Dubmental Mix" (Atlantic Recs 1985)

If you aren't familiar with the man, Paul Simpson was one of the producers who forged the New York House sound in the early to mid- Eighties. He's best known for the track "Use me, Lose me" (Streewise Recs 1982) which even that far back clearly had all of the elements that would soon be referred to as House music.

As usual, I'm going with the dub mix on the b-side which actually has a slightly different title from the vocal version on the flip, which was named 'Treat her Sweeter." Anyway, I'd call this an early House record, but some would call it Proto-House or even late Boogie. However you choose to label this nine minute plus track, enjoy the really great production which was a prime example of what a couple of years later became known as NY Deep House.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

The man...

I went to the 90th birthday celebration of Pete Seeger last night at Madison Square garden with my parents, who have been fans since their early days as radicals in the 60's. If you don't know who he is, you at least know some of his songs. Since childhood, I pretty much guarantee it. Unless you grew up under a rock that is. For over seven decades he has fought for civil rights, peace, the environment, etc. He still is, plus he's influenced so many generations of musicians that last night looked like a who's who of the last 50 years in rock and Folk.

True music and film legends, African-American icons, Native American groups, even Obama, who sent a personal letter, all praised him. I have to say, the shit was touching, and more importantly, inspiring. My question is, who is going to replace people like Pete Seeger when they're gone?