I met Abu Sou (aka Breixo Martinez Barros) in a record store in Barcelona last Spring. We were digging through soul 45’s next to eachother and started a conversation. It was clearly meant to be, because within 5 mins I learned that he not only knew who I was, but had my music and was just as crazy about funky global disco sounds as I am. I ended up staying with him in BCN for several days, getting shown around properly, and was introduced to a bunch of his friends who are also all record junkies and music fiends. A sweetheart, a rebel, and a sound explorer, Abu Sou can be heard on his ScannerFM podcast or deejaying parties regularly in BCN. I’m happy to present this live mix he put together exclusively for Mixtape Riot– 67mins of funky disco, soulful house, and global goodies. He calls it “Hard Times”  because “Disco and House always grow on very bad social situations, like now in Spain.” Also, this mix reminded me that the Mixtry section has been falling a bit behind, expect more mixes in there soon!

      Hard Times Mixed By Abu Sou

Tracklisting

1. Intro ft. Rev. J.M. Gates – These Hard Times (sermon) – Harte Records
2. ENE! – The Latin Lover (Fuck Abu Raw Mix) – unreleased
3. KZA – Goody Goody – Let’s Get Lost
4. RAZE – Break For Love (Spanish Fly Mix) – Columbia
5. Francis Interno Orchestra – Horizon Beat – Scucci Manucci
6. Fries & Bridges – Forever This – Minority Music
7. Genius Of Time – Houston We Have A Problem – Clone/Royal Oak
8. Debonair – Your Love – House Of Disco
9. Jacques Renault – Go For It – Let’s Get Lost
10. Marvin & Guy – Town – Let’s Get Lost
11. William Onyeabor – Good Name (Auntie Flo Edit) – unreleased
12. Captain Planet – Bokazo – Bastard Jazz
13. Gerry Read – Bozza – Delsin
14. Django Django – Waveforms (Wild Geese Remix) – Because Music
15. Michael Jackson – Thriller (Ooft Music Phazed Edit) – L.E.S.S.
16. Andrés – Skate This Way – LaVida
17. KYM – Give Me The Dance – Award Records
18. Jim Bennet – Hold That Groove – People’s Potential Unlimited
19. Rev. J.M. Gates with Leon Davis & Sisters Jordan & Norman – These Hard Times (sermon) – Harte Records

The moment has finally arrived! Not only is today is the LA premier of Stupid Hype, but it’s also the worldwide launch on CWTV.com. Go watch the first 3 mini-episodes now! DJ with the mullet? Yeah, that’s me. Super proud of my bro and all my friends who made this happen, and really freakin glad to have been a part of the whole project from it’s inception as well. Having spent the last few months in a bit of a 90’s time warp- producing all the songs for this soundtrack (which will be released soon)- I’m gladly getting back to making new music. But I also feel like this may just be the beginning for Hype… Since you can’t all be at the premier party tonite (sad, I know), I’m gladly sharing some of the playlist that we will be doing the running man to.

Big Daddy Kane :       Set It Off

Sagat :       Funk Dat

Inner City :       Big Fun

Technotronic :       Get Up

Tone Loc :       Wild Thing

Doug Lazy :       Let It Roll

Eric B & Rakim :       Don't Sweat The Technique &       I Know You Got Soul

A Tribe Called Quest :       Youthful Expression

De La Soul :       Eye Know

Soul II Soul :       Back To Life

I got inspired last night after the victorious election so I made some tweaks to this P-Funk classic in the hope of continuing our progress towards a funkier future. I’ve always loved the song, but there’s really no drums on the og version and even the bassline is pretty quiet in the mix. Seems like George Clinton’s premonition was more on point than Nostradamus!

I don’t care how fancy they try to make the ballot machines, voting still feels super old school to me. I know plenty of people who would argue that it’s just a pacifying tool to keep the sheepish masses believing they have some minuscule hint of authority, when in fact we’re all just puppets controlled by the higher powers that be… and while I like conspiracy theories as much as the next guy, I don’t really buy all that. Being a lover of mostly everything old-school, the outdated machines and long lines in public school gymnasiums and churches actually add to the charming appeal for me. There also happen to be some pretty important local issues this year that I genuinely feel need to be sorted out before things get any worse. Anyway, this ain’t a political blog, so I’ll steer away from preaching and get on with the tunes that have absolutely nothing to do with politics aside from the fact they’ve been handpicked by my authoritarian rule in the land of mixtapopolis.

Rhye :       The Fall (Maurice Fulton Alt Mix) &       Open funky disco house rework from Mr. Fulton hits the soul train sweet spot

Alt-J :       Breezeblocks I’ve been meaning to post this one for a while now, absolutely love it, and I want to give props due to the band for winning the Mercury

Miguel :       Adorn (Cousin Cole Remix) excellent breakbeat remix for the early evening dancefloor from NYC’s Cousin Culo

Cherub :       Doses and Mimosas &       Hold Me (ft. Dominic Lalli) thanks due once again to Marley for turning me on to these guys out of Nashville

Retro Stefson :       Glow my homie THC sent me this catchy one from these Icelandic pop kids

Solange Knowles :       Losing You  simple moody indie pop done proper. Produced by Lightspeed aka Blood Orange aka Dev Hynes. Really cool video too

Sky Ferreira :       Everything Is Embarrassing and again, Dev Hynes on production. Reminds me of some of the better material from Jessie Ware. Starting to see a trend here?

Chico Mann :       Luz Attack of the killer MANN! Get the EP if you don’t have these songs.

DJ Nu-Mark :       Oya' Indebure Uncle Nu done outdid himself on this latest 2-sider from his broken sunlight series (which is FREE!). The flip has a real nice cut with Quantic too.

José James :       Trouble and a lil bit of mellow soul from Señor James to round it all out and try to keep us calm while we hope for the voting results to go our way…

First off, Happy Halloween! I hope you’re earning a new cavity in that sweet tooth of yours, I’m certainly going to do my best. While the entire East Coast (and much of the Caribbean) gradually gets back on its feet, I put together this latest installment of musical upliftment to help soothe the minds and move the asses of those in need. Even if you weren’t affected in the slightest by superpower Sandy, it never hurts to have a solid playlist of new music to help make it through whatever tough times this week has in store for you. Highly eclectic as always, this month’s show features new tracks (many of which haven’t been featured here yet) from Monkey Robot, Miguel, The XX, The Stepkids, Cherub, Crazy P, DJ Nu-Mark, Chico Mann and a whole lot more. Full tracklist and downloadable podcast available on the BrooklynRadio page.

For all my people bunkered up and hunkered down on the East Coast, I’ve got some heavy selections to help you dance away your cabin fever while you’re trapped at home. From the pics and video clips I’m seeing, this storm is no joke. Stay safe and prepare your lazers for the godzilla attack! Also big thanks to all my friends and fam who came out to the Stupid Hype premier on Friday, so good being back in NYC (even for just a couple days) and seeing all your beautiful faces. Glad I got out in the nick of time too. Finally, related to rain in it’s gloominess, RIP Terry Callier who passed yesterday- a truly unique artist whose voice & music has been deeply moving to me over the years.

Eddie Kendricks :       Date With The Rain (Disco Version)

Blondie vs. The Doors :       Rapture Riders

Recloose :       Don't Get Me Wrong

Solidisco :       Turn Around &       Set Me Free

Julio Bashmore :       Au Seve &       Battle For Middle You

Roska :       Long Range

Eats Everything :       The Size

Juan Atkins :       Dayshift (Oliver's Nightshift Remix)

Blende :       Fake Love

Le Youth :       Dance With Me

Terry Callier :       Dancing Girl &       You Goin' Miss Your Candyman