My first memory in life was at age 2: laserbeams, smoke machines, and MJ in a full suit of armor. The Jacksons Victory Tour. I know most people are already sick of the oversaturation of MJ tributes, constant radio/bar/club replays and BET video marathons, but I have a particularly high tolerance for the man’s work, so I hope you don’t mind if I share a few more tracks and memories, even if I’m a little late (I spent the past 4 days DJ-ing, performing, or dancing every night). The photo above is me circa ’92. Don’t remember what song I was dancing to, but it gives you a little idea of how much I idolized the man. At an even younger age, I would stare glossy-eyed at the photo inside the Thriller gatefold LP of MJ with the baby tiger- just dreaming of one day being as cool. Around four or five, I had my big sister apply a giant iron-on MJ face (intended as a make-your-own T-shirt) directly to my chest where it remained, gradually deteriorating bit by bit, for a couple months. The obsession inspired me to get into dancing, which I took very seriously, until middle school when the constant barrage of “faggot” remarks made me second guess my own flamboyance. If only those same kids could have seen me win the Michael Jackson dance-a-like contest at senior prom and go on to be crowned king! But when I stopped rocking the spandex and tap shoes is when I started focussing more on music making, which eventually brought me to where I am now- DJing, performing and producing music for a living. I don’t want to go too far overboard, but MJ definitely helped make me. Even my youngest brother, age 7, knows the entire History VHS tape back to front- the same one I used to study religiously. Looks like the family legacy will live on.

Maybe you’ve already picked up these MP3’s at one of the countless other blogs paying homage, but I thought I’d share a few of my favorite covers- including the one by Discovery that I just heard a couple weeks ago (autotune electro MJ!). I’m working on a remix as well, but that probably won’t be done for a little while since I’m crazy busy with other projects and am going out to Cali this Friday for some Beatards shows (yes, that’s us all over the soundtrack to MTV’s Real World Cancun right now- hilarious, I know).  Enjoy the songs and long live the KING!

Derrick Laro & Trinity :       Don't Stop Til You Get Enough (reggae version)

Usha Uthup :       Chhupke Kaun Aya (Bollywood version)

Discovery :       I Want You Back (death of Autotune version- long intro, wait for it)

Rye Rye & MIA vs. Dinosaur L :       Bang (Chuck Wild Remix)

Rye Rye & MIA vs. Dizzy Gillespie :       Bang (Prince Of Ballard Remix)

Rye Rye & MIA :       Bang (WTF I Asked for a Kuduro Remix by Buraka Som Sistema)

Not like Rye Rye really needs more hype right now, but I can’t deny that her single “Bang” has been getting repeat plays on my stereo and been creeping into DJ sets (for good a reason too: it BANGS). Finding a recent batch of remixes inspired me to make my own little mashup. I went through a summer where I played Arthur Russell almost obsessively, and I felt it was about time to revisit some of his trancey abstract disco tracks. “Go Bang” (released under the pseudonym Dinosaur L) is one of his most danceable tunes. Another classic usage of Bang goes back to the early Boogaloo groover by Joe Cuba from his Bang! Bang! Push! Push! Push! LP from ’66. Seattle’s creative masher-upper Prince Of Ballard (same man responsible for the classic 99 Problems /Daptones remix) connected the dots on that one, using a version of the song recorded by Dizzy Gillespie– so many layers of BANG it’s hard to keep em all straight! And If you’re playing to a jumping dancefloor, I think this new “non-Kuduro” version by Buraka Som Sistema is kinda unfukwitable. Reminds me of Mantronix’s very appropriately named “King Of The Beats”. 

And as a last lil promo shout, you should come out to our Sex Wax party tonite at Sutra if you’re in NYC and get your BANG on for real. FREE Open bar 10-11, live performances by The Beatards, APSCI, & Kosha Dillz, and of course good music all night! Just say the passwords “YOYO, Like the toy” at the door for free entry. 

We did it once again! Last week’s MTR party was a smorgasbord of titillating delights. Shyvonne brought the sultry soul. Nyle came with the lecherous lyrics (“Fuck A Nice Guy”). Party people brought their debaucherous selves. And Ixley & Tacit (who don’t even DJ!) made a nice mix of tight pants indie rock dance music to keep the party going on your stereo until our next episode…

Download “Agony Ecstasy” mixed by Ixley & Tacit now in our Mixtry section

And peep more party pics here

Remember how I mentioned my friends were starting a non-profit organization to raise education funds for Liberian refugees living in Ghana? Well their first first benefit party went down on Sunday and was a smash success. Total grassroots operation, but they managed to raise over a couple thousand from our extended group of friends and the random people we all pulled together. Today I’m sharing the mixtape that I made specifically for that event (all the guests got to take home a copy). This mix has a lot of my all-time favorite African tunes, which somehow I’d never put together before, plus a lil something special for all those 80’s babies out there. Check out more info on their organization LYDIA, and make a tax deductible donation if you can. Then enjoy the good music…

Haysobay! mixed by Chuck Wild
Download

TRACKLIST

1. Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-stars – Living Like A Refugee
2. Abeti – Gogo
3. Orchestre Baobab – Kelen Ati Len
4. Oscar Sulley – Pleco
5. Ernesto Djedje – Zadie Bobo
6. Femi Kuti – Tell Me
7. C.K. Mann – Funky Hi-life
8. Jingo – Fever
9. Tony Allen – Road Close (Dance Dub)
10. Eko – Kilimandjaro My Home
11. Awa Band – Babatteur (Quantic Remix)
12. Dennis Ferrer – Funu
13. Pastaboys Feat. Wumni – Babalawo
14. DJ Africano – Unknown Jam
15. Oscar Sulley & The Uhuru Dance Band – Bukom Mashie
16. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo – Minsato Le, Mi Dayihome
17. Tabu Ley Rochereau – Karibou Ya Bintou

The world infamous Blue Jays. Romantic and mysterious road signs written in both French and English. The illustrious (and one-time world record holding) CN Tower. These are but a few of the many wonders that remain in my mind from childhood trips to visit my Grandma (Yaweh bless her soul) in Canada’s crown jewel: Toronto. All the while, I was entirely oblivious to the real treasures that the city had to offer in the form of raw funk, soul and ROOTS REGGAE. Funny how you can have an album for a while and not even listen to it properly for way too long. When I finally did revisit this collection, prompted by hearing “Memories” on a mix from my ever-schooling older sister, I was floored. Every cut on here is a winner, and even as the styles switch up from Northern Soul to dub, there’s a consistency to the whole mix that can only be attributed to one thing- the ethos of Toronto. Didn’t know it existed, certainly doubted it would be soulful if it was there at all, but once again my prejudicial mind was blinding me from the truth. Noel Ellis (son of Studio One/Treasure Isle legend Alton) delivers what I believe to be the greatest nostalgia song of all time. I accept challenges to this claim, but really, the crucial factor here is the extended dub which allows perfectly for someone such as myself (who loves to sing along, occasionally out of key) to go on a lengthy freestyle while the beat is tweaked and delayed into near cosmic oblivion. It’s as if the echoing chords are reverberating off the walls of my inner longing, disappearing into a faint whisper somewhere in my childhood where the sun was shining and the world was simple. REAL TALK. The other songs are kickass too. Really, you need to track down the whole album. 

Hitch-Hikers/Mighty Pope :       Mr. Fortune
Cougars :       I Wish It Would Rain
Noel Ellis :       Memories
all taken from the compilation “Jamaica to Toronto” on Light In The Attic (2006)

***ALSO*** My good friends have started a non-profit to raise education funds for Liberian refugees living in Ghana. Their kick-off fundraiser party is tomorrow in SOHO and everyone who goes gets a copy of the new West African mixtape I just made for the event. OPEN BAR 7-9, donation at the door, good peoples… more info here

We’re so on top of our game here at MTR that we left posting about our latest party til the day of. You’ve heard me say it before, but once again, we be foolish. If you’re in the NY area though, and are looking for a serious Tuesday night get down, look no further. Tonight’s Mixtape Riot party brings live performances from MC K-Swift and Chen Lo. Both of these guys are good friends, but that doesn’t sway my opinion on their music at all- it’s undeniably premium. Come out and hear for yourself! If you’re one of the first 100 you’ll get the latest limited edition mixtape- this time expertly woven together by the fathers of feel-good: Soul Imperial. And in case you needed any extra incentive, I’m sharing this fresh remix from The Rub’s DJ Ayres. He’s been putting out mashups and remixes consistently for a minute now, and they’rejust getting better and better. Check his website for more goodies.

Afrika Bambatta vs. Breakout :       Planet Rock Unplugged (DJ Ayres Edit)

For more info on the party, peep here and rsvp for the fun of it.