Monday, December 28, 2009
It matters where you spend...
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Uptown gold....
Friday, November 6, 2009
Depth Charge...
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
In Fashawn...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
$, Money,$....
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Brown Baggin' it....
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Syreeta & Stevie get housed...
Friday, July 17, 2009
My mixtape's better than your album....
DOWNLOAD IT HERE
Monday, July 13, 2009
One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards..
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Rudeness...
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Body...
Stephanie Mills- " Put Your Body In It " 12" Mix ( 20th Century Fox Recs 1979 )
While Disco heads have always loved both sides of this 12", it's unfortunate that the A-side, "What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin' ", the title cut of the related album, is the much more popular and well-known of the two songs. As is so often the case, the B-side wins again.
Here we have the extended 12" mix of one of my favorite late-70's Disco records. Produced by the great team of James Mtume (of "Juicy Fruit" fame) and Reggie Lucas (first Madonna Album, etc), this song features easily one of the best synthesized bass/keyboard lines in Disco as the main groove. Luckily, that part is featured even more on the 12" version. Released in 1979, it would be easy to mistake this for an early 80's track if it weren't for the strings and the change-up which are classic orchestrated Disco.
CHECK IT OUT HERE
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Raphie boy...
A portrait of Ralph Nader by the Lorimer stop of the L train, Brooklyn, NYC. This is sadly somewhat fitting...
Friday, June 5, 2009
Somebody....
Glenn Jones - " I Am Somebody Instrumental " ( RCA Recs 1983 )
Even though this 12" is 26 years old, it's one of my current favorites of any genre. While this is a slept on record, it's a prime example of very well-produced major label Boogie. I was hesitant to share this track because it's an ignored hidden gem, but it's too good not to. I really love the hook, which was fortunately included in the instrumental, as well as the synth bass line, the main keyboard groove, and pretty much everything else. It's close to a perfect track, I don't even mind the slightly cheesy change up which appeared on many of the productions from this era. Check the ridiculous extended keyboard riff that shows up only once towards the end of the record, if only it was used more...
This is more proof that RCA Records was hands down one of the strongest, most consistent major labels when it came to club-oriented music in the early to mid-Eighties. Enjoy...
CHECK IT OUT HERE
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Restless natives...
This stencil was in front of Classickicks right above Houston St. Was the artist targeting sneakerheads? Hhmm.
To be honest, what's written here represents the sentiment which I hear from many native New Yorkers nowadays (actually for the last 10 years.) It's not easy to feel like a stranger in your own neighborhood, especially if it's the one you grew up in. Some may see this stencil as a bit extreme. I can understand that.
Some might also say the city has only benefited by the vast gentrification that has taken place. I wouldn't agree. Certain racial and economic groups certainly have reaped the rewards, while others have suffered greatly. I will say that gentrification has been way out of hand for a long time now and the city has been culturally decimated in a number of ways because of it.
I like that someone else completely flipped the piece with just a subtle black marker by adding an arrow inferring that "Damon Damon" isn't from here either. I wouldn't be shocked if he/she wasn't. That's a whole other story though....
Friday, May 29, 2009
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
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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.
Friday, May 22, 2009
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
Thursday, May 21, 2009
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
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
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.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
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
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
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.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
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
Monday, May 4, 2009
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?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Right on target...
THE JONES GIRLS - "On Target" Instrumental (RCA Recs 1983)
By 1983 The Jones Girls were an established act with hits under their belt. Even so, this is a lesser known track, but a really good one. A solid uptempo, boogieish production. The song was co-produced by Fonzi Thorton, who was an artist in his own right (Check out "(Uh Oh) There Goes My heart".)
I chose the B-side, which is the instrumental version of the album's title track. Really it's a dub in that the chorus and some backing vocals are included. Once again, I prefer this to the vocal version. I have to say, RCA records was killing it in the early 80's when it came to 12's. They put out many known classics (Evelyn "Champagne" King- "I'm I Love') as well as excellent releases that went under the radar of the general public, or that were limited to promo-only pressings, often with exclusive mixes.
CHECK IT OUT HERE