Red Alert....Goes Berzerk!

That was the drop you would hear on KISS 98.7 FM in New York City in the 80s when Kool DJ Red Alert (reppin' the "Boogie Down") was about to do his thing. If you had bionic hearing, you would probably hear the click of boomboxes for miles ready to record this veteran DJ's prime time set. I was fortunate enough to track down one of his classic live radio sets online and have it here to share w/ the readers of this blog. Enjoy!


Kool DJ Red Alert: Live @ KISS 98.7 FM-NYC

"Gotta Have House......Music"

This post is for my best friend De'Wayne (since 9th Grade) who's from Chicago and now living on the East coast. He's also one of the people responsible for helping me to take my mixing skills to another level by having me practice almost everyday after school. In high school we caught many by surprise b/c they didn't know we were DJs until we appeared on the school talent show w/ our Hip-Hop group called the Def Crew, which consisted of 2 DJs, 3 MCs, and 2 B-Boys/Dancers. To go by his old school name, "DJ Chi-Dawg" introduced me to the Chicago House sound in the early 80's by the tapes he recorded from the Chi-town radio station WBMX. As we walked to school nearly every morning carrying a boombox, that really helped put the pep in our step to try and keep tempo while we trotted down the block. Two or three years ago, I went to a thrift store and regained many of the singles that are included in this mix at the cost of about 50 cents for 12"s and a dollar for LPs. You may even hear a few crackles in the vinyl. To help relive those analog memories, grab a copy of the mix below. Part two will be posted soon. Bless Brother!

Track listing:
1. Jump To It - Aretha Franklin
2. The Glow of Love - Change ft. Luther Vandross
3. I Can't Turn Around - Isaac Hayes
4. Trapped - Colonel Abrams
5. You're The One For Me - D-Train
6. Weekend - Class Action
7. Is It All Over My Face - Loose Joints
8. Jack Me Til I Scream - Julian 'Jumpin' Perez ft. Connie V
9. Jack Your Body - Steve 'Silk' Hurley
10. Let No Man Put Asunder - First Choice
11. French Kiss - Lil' Louis
12. Love Can't Turn Around - Farley Jackmaster Funk ft. Darryl Pandy
13. Move Your Body - Marshall Jefferson
14. Good Life (Magic Juan Mix) - Inner City
15. Show Me Love (Stonebridge Club Mix) - Robin S
16. Work That Motherf*&%#r - Steve Poindexter

Classic House Mix by: DJ Kool Emdee @ The Record Realm

A Classic Revisited

Many Hip-Hop enthusiasts like myself were saddened by the demise of Wild Pitch Records in 1997. This was a label responsible for ushering in notable Hip-Hop acts that includes Gang Starr, O.C., Ultramagnetic MCs, Main Source, Lord Finesse, UMC's, Chill Rob G, The Coup, and others. The label is also noted to be responsible for releasing one of the most influential and important albums in Hip-Hop history, entitled "Breaking Atoms", released in 1991 by Main Source. This very album is also accredited for introducing Nas, then known as "Nasty Nas", on the song "Live At The Barbeque". This album, which is hard to find, along w/ the whole Wild Pitch catalog, has been out of print since 1997. However, reprints have been re-released in 2008 and includes never before released bonus tracks.



Main Source: Breaking Atoms + Bonus Tracks [1991]

A Voyage To India

Just check out the video, it's hillarious.

Funk Doc Pt.1

Here's a single from Redman, one of my all time favorite MCs, off Erick Sermon's "Insomnia" compilation LP, released in 1995. Not only is Redman a great MC w/ clever delivery, he also has his hands in production, and is not bad at all. Grab your bag of buddah, and light up to this joint again.




Redman: Funkorama 12"

Where It All Began

As the saying goes, "better late than never", applies to this post. The building commonly known as the "Birthplace of Hip-Hop" located in Bronx, NYC at 1520 Sedgwick Ave., has been bought by a New York City developer. This is the same building where the "Father of Hip-Hop", DJ Kool Herc threw parties and did his style of mixing called the "merry-go-round", which consisted of the breakdown in popular dance tunes, later termed "breakbeats". With the way developers are grabbing up land for regentrification, who knows what might happen to this huge part of Hip-Hop history.

The [Abstract] Best

Currently, this is one of the most sought after mixtapes. So popular, that J.Period's site crashed from the flood of downloads. For those who have copped any NuSoul or Acid Jazz/Lounge mixes that i've done or me spinning a live set, you've heard J.Period's versions of "banger". Here's your chance to grab this gem from one of the hottest underground DJ/producers. This is a must have for fans of iconic Hip-Hop group, A Tribe Called Quest, as well as fans of J.Period. If you take a look at the track listing below, you will see why. Yeah....go ahead and have your "Whoa sh*t" moment.


Tracklisting
1. J.Period f. Prince Paul, Questlove & Randy Watson– Rhythm (Scratch Intro)
2. Cannonball Adderly / Excursions Intro
3. J.Period f. De La Soul – Excursions (Tribute Remix)
4. Aquarius Interlude #1: Welcome
5. Q-Tip f. Busta Rhymes – Getting Up (DJ Scratch Remix) (The Renaissance)
6. Behind the Scenes: Ghetto Origins [Produced by J.Period]
7. What the Fuss f. Stevie Wonder (Shook Remix)
8. Queens Represent (Interlude)
9. Mobb Deep f. Nas & Q-Tip – Give Up the Goods (J.Period Remix) [Produced by Q-Tip]
10. Apache – Gangsta Bitch [Produced by Q-Tip]
11. ATCQ – If the Papes Come (Intro)
12. ATCQ – Check the Rhime
13. Behind the Scenes: Don’t Walk Away (Interlude)
14. ATCQ –Award Tour
15. Behind the Scenes: Award Tour (Interlude)
16. Hot Butter (Interlude)
17. J.Period f. Dres - Jazz Pt. 2 (Tribute Remix)
18. Behind the Scenes: We Got the Jazz (Interlude)
19. J.Period f. Blu– Jazz (Tribute Remix)
20. Skypager: Bob Power & Big Daddy Kane (Interlude)
21. Q-Tip f. Jay Dilla – Let’s Ride
22. Behind the Scenes: Bob Power You There? (Interlude)
23. Q-Tip – Vivrant Thing (Remix)
24. Q-Tip – Move (The Renaissance)
25. Q-Tip – Breathe & Stop (J.Period Remix)
26. Respect to Phife Dawg (Interlude)
27. J.Period f. Consequence & Kid Cudi – Buggin Out (Tribute Remix)
28. ATCQ Consists Of…
29. Behind the Scenes: The Native Tongues (Interlude)
30. De La Soul f. Jungle Brothers, Q-Tip, Monie Love & Queen Latifah – Buddy (Remix)
31. Respect to Ali Shaheed Muhammed (Interlude)
32. Q-Tip f. Busta Rhymes – N.T.
33. A Message From Talib Kweli
34. J.Period f. Questlove, Talib Kweli & Randy Watson – Youthful (Tribute Remix)
35. Q-Tip f. Amanda Diva – ManWomanBoogie (The Renaissance)
36. Chris Rock: Men vs. Women (Interlude)
37. De La Soul f. Q-Tip – Saturdays
38. De La Soul f. Q-Tip & Phife – Saturdays (Remix)
39. Q-Tip – She Likes to Move (J.Period Remix)
40. Dee-Lite f. Q-Tip – Groove Is in the Heart
41. Beastie Boys f. Q-Tip – Get it Together
42. Behind the Scenes: What Is Kapelka? (Interlude)
43. J.Period f. Skillz, Questlove & Randy Watson – What? (Tribute Remix)
44. Behind the Scenes: Busta Rhymes / Scenario (Interlude)
45. Busta Rhymes – Scenario (Unreleased Demo Tape)
46. Behind the Scenes: Hood R.I.P. (Interlude)
47. Hood – Scenario (Remix)
48. Aquarius Outtro
49. Behind the Scenes (Bonus): Reinvention (Kamaal the Abstract – A Million Times)

J.Period The [Abstract] Best Mixtape

Got Graphics?

Many artists, be it singers, DJs, MCs/Rappers, models, comedians, or whatever it is you do, you want to have a good presentable image to put in the package you are trying to market to the public. Here's where T. Piper Media [*Official Website*] falls in. Along w/ his trusty biz partner "JP", both who have years of experience and clients from coast to coast, you get one of the best in wardrobe and make-up, photography, CD/Album/DVD covers, logo design, and graphic design. Then throw in all your other media needs, which can be covered....even billboards (see pics below). You can view more samples of their work and contact them for more info thru their website or the T.Piper Media Official Myspace page.

I Say Eh Mon!

Remember the classic scene from the 'Cosby Show' where Denise is sitting on the sofa w/ her date and they are watching a video show. Denise's date is bobbing his head and patting his leg to the beat as Cliff asks him if he likes Reggae. Suddenly, while Cliff is trying to read his paper, you hear the guy blurt out "I say EH mon"! Many people have been puzzled as to who the artist was that performed the song. The name of the tune is 'Sponji Reggae', one of the tracks off Black Uhuru's 'Red' album. Here's your chance to relive that moment yourself and scream out...."I say EH mon"! "I say you go down.....and I say EH mon"!

Black Uhuru: Red

Want Relief?

It's Wednesday afternoon, you're in Houston, either at the office or caught in a traffic jam, going thru all the mainstream radio stations to find all of them seem to be playing all the same ol' voicebox tunes, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. You keep searching and come across the sounds of NuSoul songbird Sy Smith. Then you hear Aretha Franklin, X-Clan, as well as many local Soul and Hip-Hop artists. You let out a sigh of relief and able to relax. Then you hear the voice of 'The One Like ZIN' letting you know that you are tuned in to S.O.S. Radio, which means Sounds of Soul Radio...or you can safely say that he throws out a life line to save you from the sea of 'nonsense' played on commercial radio stations. This is the flow each and every Wednesday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm (Central) on Pacifica Radio KPFT 90.1 FM-Houston, listen live online at kpft.org. You can hear guests in the studio live or via phone interview that range from Chuck D of Public Enemy, Bro. J of X-Clan, Jurrassic 5, Zap Mama, and the list goes on. This is only one side of Zin, who displays many sides of his multiple gifts. He's an accomplished MC, producer, writer, director, filmographer, community activist, teacher, DJ, and so on. You can peep his MC skills by catching him rockin' on stage w/ a live band or being backed up by a DJ...even if it's himself. You can also purchase his previous release titled 'Seeds of Survival' w/ most of production credit going to him. As of now, we are on the horizon of a new album release, where you can listen to samples of 2 tracks and get updates on his S.O.S. Radio Myspace page. I've already had the priviledge of hearing the whole album and you can hear the maturity in the whole production, and he takes a bit of a different approach this time around. You just have to buy it to see what i'm talking about.






Listen to Zin in action in the player below.

SOSRADIO2-4pt5 - ZIN

This Ain't Pac-Man

You ever had a song that rang and rang in your head, but you couldn't remember the title or artist? I was that way for several years. I asked many old school DJs who were a few years older than I am, and they could not tell me who did this song. One day I asked my good friend DJ Blaknificent who did it (after I hummed a few bars), and before I finished, he spit out the group and title. The brain cramp was over...in this case. As far as this 'digital' sound goes, we can reach back as far as the early 70s to an overseas group called Kraftwerk who are documented as being one of the first groups to use mostly electronic instruments to produce their music. With Hip-Hop starting to gain a bigger audience and the music changing, Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force adopted the sound for their classic tune 'Planet Rock'. Around that same time, a technopop group that formed in 1978, hailing from Japan who goes by the name of Yellow Magic Orchestra took the airwaves by storm w/ 'Computer Game'. The song introduction is reminiscent of you sitting on your sofa playing an Atari game. Other than just listening to this song, this was one of my choices to pop, lock, or do the wave to.....when I was breakin' back in the day. Thanks to you...DJ Blaknificent for helping me find this song.



Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO): Computer Game

Mr. Vibes

For well over 3 decades, soulful Jazz great Roy Ayers has graced us w/ his musical genius. Not only am I impressed w/ his ability to play vibes very well, or the multiple albums he's produced, but to also look at some of his perspectives in writing, as the example used for 'I Am Your Mind', which shows a portion of his creativity from the point of your own mind speaking to you. For this post, the tune in question is a remix of Mr. Ayers' tribute to slain Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. entitled 'Holiday'. Remix production credit for this song is by Hip-Hop/Soul/House producer DJ Spinna. This is Rapster Records shot at the recent rise of Jazz and NuJazz producing labels doing remixes of classic Jazz tunes by the legends of the sound. However, this 'NuClassic' was not released domestically. This is an album worth taking the time to order and have shipped to you to add to your collection. But for now, sit back, relax, and enjoy this mellow tune w/ the notorious DJ Spinna intergalactic signature added.



Roy Ayers: Holiday (DJ Spinna Remix)

S.M.U.G.G.L.A.Z.

"When you look into the eyes of a S.M.U.G.G.L.A. .....what you see is the soul of a warrior", is one of the chants you will hear from J-Nap and Papa Doc, the duo of best friends and business partners who both own a bodega that sells various goodies, from clothing to videos. The S.M.U.G.G.L.A.Z. which is an acronym for 'Spark Mindz Using God's Gifts Leading All to Zion' (also features the talents of Phil Famous on production, John Baptist/Johnny Quest, Leo Manjaro, Bobbie Fine, DJ Fatta Carey, & DJ Kool Emdee), who are former members of Blaq Spurm, a Hip-Hop group that was on Def American Records in the mid 90's, has resurfaced and have come back w/ a message of peace, upliftment, belief in self, and standing firm. Here is a clip from the soon to be released album titled "Opportunity & Preparation" on their independent label World Crisis Records. Be sure to call your local radio stations and request this song. If they don't have this song, forward this blog address so they can get it for airplay. Here are a few photos of them opening for Stephen Marley on Feb. 11, 2009.










S.M.U.G.G.L.A.Z.: Pray 4 Me ft. Leo Manjaro

Police Brutality

Here I am watching the 6:00 pm news and see reports on a man brutally beaten, and another man shot in his abdomen, both who were unarmed. To take a look back at the last year alone, many wrongfully charged or apprehended have been brutally beaten or shot by police officers. Most of those shot resulted in the victims dying. Since this is "The Month of The Man", in tribute to J-Dilla, I decided to post this video, which in J-Dilla's words, expresses how I feel about crooked police officers.

The Organ: Not Body Parts

Taking you back to 1990 w/ a song remembered most for the driving organ riff that accompanied a serious "buzzing" bassline. Speaking of buzzing, the sample for this D-Nice tune is from "Buzzsaw" by the Funk group The Turtles. We all know that Hip-Hop has a very long tradition of sampling, and w/ me being a DJ, I love to dig for the gems they used to sample to make Hip-Hop classics, like this one.

The Turtles: Buzzsaw

D-Nice: Call Me D-Nice

Ice-T: Not A Cold Summertime Drink

Some accredit this tune as being the first "gangster rap" song EVER. Then you have others who say that Schooly D of Philly or Kool G. Rap of NYC are the first. We just have to continue to research and collect facts to get the whole truth on this. Another surprise about this record is, Midwest Funk sensation The Time (yes...the band led by Morris Day) are the musicians who played the music for Ice-T in making this record. You have to be a serious digger or collector to have this hard to find record.

Download here: Ice-T - The Coldest Rap Pt.1

This One Is For DJ Blaknificent

I got ya bro! After a long hard search to get this again, it's finally here. Ninja Tune re-released it in 1998 with about 7 remixes, but this is the original 12 inch version from 1996. Enjoy!

Download here: The East Flatbush Project - Tried By 12

Jazz In The House

Although this is not the whole Patchworks E.P., this is a great single from it entitled "Sugar". It has that old school Jazz feel w/ a great bassline, guitar, organs, and has a feel good House beat that makes you want to dance. When I first heard it, I pictured the great choreographer/dancer Judith Jameson (of Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre & has appeared on the "Cosby Show") gettin' down to this one. This is music that makes you happy while holding on to musical tradition. Again, this is another record I got a hold of digging in the used record section. Once more...."One man's trash is another man's treasure".



Judith Jameson









Download here: Patchworks - "Sugar"

Happy Birthday J-Dilla!

I had a pretty hectic day, yesterday, and forgot to log on (any of my accounts for that matter) to make this post on the G.O.A.T.'s birthday....which is February 7. Here are a few more images in rememberance of one of our truly gifted greats.








Here's a special treat for you while you view the photos. This is the legend J-Dilla mixing LIVE on the wheels. J-Dilla LIVE @ Inkonst 1/25/03

Sleep On This?!

As stated in a previous post, I am a vinyl junkie. While digging in the record bins at a local record shop, I stumble across this 12 inch in the used vinyl section. I put it on the turntable at one of the listening stations and you could see me light up to this jazzy, soulful groove. I thought to myself, what DJ in their right mind (or not) could take this back to the record store to be resold? After purchasing it along with a few other gems I found, I wanted to test it at one of my gigs to see if it would give others the same reaction I had. It did indeed. Several people came up to ask about this single that features vocals of one of the greatest Soul singers of the 20th Century, the late Marvin Gaye. I did a little research on the single to find out that many DJs from around the world had this song on their mixtapes and was in the top 10 of many playlists. As the saying goes...."One man's trash, is another man's treasure". In this case, it ended up as a treasure for many. Enjoy!

Download Here: JMDee ft. Tassel & Naturel - "Jazzical Healing"

Move!

It's pretty freakin' amazing how a well known magazine dedicated to music culture messed up the sample credit for this BLAZIN' HOT tune. While checking out the video for this song, under the video player on their site, Vibe Magazine said that the sample was taken from "Rock With You" by Michael Jackson. You can CLEARLY hear that the sample is from "Dancing Machine" by the Jackson 5. I know the album was released in 2008, but i'm gonna say that this IS the single of 2009. Thanks to the production savvy of the late great J-Dilla/Jay Dee for making this a bumpin' track that makes you wanna MOVE! Here are copies of both tracks for you to listen to.

Q-Tip: Move

Jackson 5: Dancing Machine