Tempo 70 : El Galleton
taken from the album “El Primer LP” on Mericana (197?)

Ricardo Marrero & The Group : A Taste Of Latin
taken from the album “Time” on Vaya (1977)

Initially, when I moved into my new apartment about 3 months ago, I was forced to question whether or not my record collection had gone too far. The sheer weight, the exorbitant squandering of space, the endless hours of obsession. Living in New York, I pay for privacy by the square foot. Is it okay that I have an entire room dedicated basically to my records?

But then I got comfortable. I compared my predicament with that of other DJ’s and decided it wasn’t all that bad. After all, it is my profession. And a little bit of obsessing is humbling. So instead of digitizing everything and saying to hell with the smell of mold, I managed a compromise… fewer records, better QUALITY. So, I’ve been picking out lots of stuff to get rid of. Still haven’t unloaded it yet, but I’m at least envisioning it. On the flipside, I’ve been focusing my purchasing on more upscale merch. Which is good for all of you too. Not all that long ago, I would NEVER (digger’s oath) spend more than $25 on a record. Recently, things have been changing…

In comes TEMPO 70, with one of my absolute favorite latin funk jams. Explosive. A perfect segue between classic salsa and more straight ahead breaks. I first heard it on this comp back when I was in high school in the Bay Area, home of Ubiquity and Luv ‘N’ Haight— who put out the collection. Well, now I got myself a copy. And actually, I barely breached my old digger’s oath to get it.

This record from Ricardo Marrero on the other hand, set me back a very pretty penny. But I ain’t regretting a minute of it. Crispy, smooth, soulful, and very jazzy latin goodness. The LP is an excellent listen all the way through– it’s arranged to sound continuous. Fusion synths meeting cuicas and cowbells. The track directly after this one provided sample stuffings for a producer I’m quite fond of, and the version of “Feel Like Making Love” on here is gorgeous.

Enjoy the top quality goods, and stay tuned for our MASSIVE 100th post coming up next…

Sou Da Pesada (7 Samurai Afroraduno Remix) : Jorge Ben
taken from a 12″ single on Dejavu (2006)

Royal Marcha (Raj Gupta Remix) : Robin Jones
taken from a 12″ single on Kudos (2000)

Viva A Povo Brasileiro (Da Lata Remix)
taken from a 12″ single on Mr. Bongo (2002)

Hotness. Heat. Sweaty sweat. Stinky stank. Mind melt mushcakes.

Might that perhaps pertain to your current situation? The fan can’t seem to blow enough breeze my way. And the AC be burning my throat every night.

Still I dance. Checked out this super-fun garden party, of course you know I gotta swing through here, and this was dope too. Despite my willingness to get soggy, I appreciate it when the DJ puts on a few mid tempo jams, equally compelling to a moving crowd, but a little less strenuous on us dripping partygoers. At one point this past week, I actually had to take a time-out from the dancefloor ’cause there was too much salt in my eyes! ewwww, grotie.

Grab this Jorge Ben single if you see it. A total sleeper crowd pleaser. The flipside is a drum n’ bass samba number that is pleasing even to those that don’t normally dig that stuff too much.

Robin Jones & Raj Gupta? Now you know.

If you like Latin/Brazilian remix tracks like these, then you probably know Da Lata. Bazeado on the other hand, seem to have snuck by the radar for the most part.

Also, BIG SHOUT OUT to Paul Irish over at Aurgasm. Not only does the man continue to distribute dope music, from a wide range of influences, time and time again. But he actually put up one of my own compositions from the Gumbo Funk EP! And included it on his very first DJ mix. Wurd up.

Gwen Stefani : LuXXXurious (Captain Planet Remix)
taken from the BOOTLEG REMIX EP OUT NOW! Look for The Beatards, buy that shizzz. Soon to be at Turntable Lab too.

Montell Jordan : This Is How We Do It (Murphy’s Mash)
Montell, Kriss-Kross & Super Cat like what! Crate EXCLUSIVE!

Soul Imperial : People Twisted Everyday
From the upcoming mash-up CD by Soul Imperial that you can get at our PARTY!

Ironing your jeans. Giving the dog a bath. Helping your girl with a petticure. Bottom line: It’s Saturday night and you ain’t got ish to do. Why not make it a foot-stompin’, beat-bumpin’, air-horn-blastin’, booty-shakin’ affair. Brought to you by the good folks over here at Via, plus special guests DRM (Bastard Jazz) and Soul Imperial. The Captain and Murphy (aka Big and Lil’ Bro) united on the decks for the first time in days. A good time is to be had by all. Drink specials and free giveaways–you know how we do.

VIA MEDIA PRESENTS:
We Live!
Summer Seasonal 2006

Saturday, July 22nd 10PM – 4AM
@ Soda Bar
629 Vanderbilt Ave. (b/w Prospect Pl. & St. Marks Ave.) – Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
21+ // FREE

Maxayn : Bail Out
taken from the album “Bail Out For Fun” on Capricorn (1974)

Mother Night : Fools Are You
taken from their self-titled album on Columbia (1972)

More music from DZ’s crate today. Thank him not me. Refer to this post if you’re confused.

I’ve been working really hard on reviving the art of summer. Meaning: I left my job, I’m actually sick of drinking beer (too much of a good thing is still too much), and aside from being very artistically productive (yeah!), I’m lazy as hell right now. I guess this here blog has suffered a little, I hope these tunes can reconcile my lax.

Hearing this particular Maxayn tune for the first time, my jaw was dropped in jealous astonishment. Sly Stone in female form?!? Album art to rival even the best!?! I’m still on the hunt for my own copy. Although not all her tracks are this piercingly on point, she’s clearly an underappreciated soulstress to be reckoned with. After cutting this album, the group took another go at commercial success in the form of disco-funk outfit Mandre. Sadly, recognition eluded them still.

As for Mother Night, your guess is as good as mine. Having the same name as a Kurt Vonnegut book (maybe that’s where they got it from) makes it kinda hard to track down on good ole google. Whatever the case may be, these are some serious heads. This tune takes us from the soothing, organic sounds of Eden directly into the pounding rumble of armageddon. “Snatch a feather from an Indian’s hair, hang it up for a souvenir”. Riding an artfully darting melody, these cats are the moral guardians trying to keep the world in balance. When the latin section breaks and the sax solo explodes, I envision the whole natural world rising up in revenge– oh what a glorious day t’would be. If this song could bump loud enough in South Central right now, maybe the bulldozers would get wrecked by some kudzu.

Also- BIG ALERT! I pressed up an EP of original remixes with my boy DJ O – you heard the “Unpredictable” remix a while back. There’s more hotness where that came from. They’re available online at BEATSTREET among other places. COP THAT SHIT! and yeah, there’s another Mixtape Riot this Wednesday… see you thurrrrrr. Pics ‘n’ stuff from the last one are HERE.

Bjorn Jayson Lindh : Daphnia
taken from the album Ramadan on Metronome/CTI (1971)

Bjorn Jayson Lindh : Bull Dog
taken from the album Sissel on Metronome/CTI (1973)

Summer stoop sales are back in full effect here in Brook-nam. I felt like a thief last weekend, or a pirate perhaps, just looting record bin after record bin and piling up my bounty. It’s always an education.

A fan of funky flautists like Jeremy Steig and Herbie Mann, it’s surprising that I never managed to find out about Swedish flute fanatic Bjorn Jayson Lindh. Mixing jazz-funk fusion with arabic and medieval sounding melodies was Lindh’s highly unique niche. Ramadan opens with an absolute bomb of a groove called “Loading Ramp”, but Daphnia definitely highlights more of his mixed up uniqueness. Plus, fans of a certain Chemist will surely recognize the ill shuffling flute loop that makes up the hook. I might have cut out the guitar solo towards the end, but hey, that’s just me.

Bull Dog is a laid back slinky groove that maintains it’s listenability well on hot humid days like today. Among other elements I love about this tune, the use of cuica (which enters about 5 1/2 minutes in) ranks high. I didn’t even know what that sound was at first. There’s also a phaaat open drum break that opens side 2. I know I recognize it, but can’t quite place it. Here’s to the never ending quest for booty! and of course, to all those unknown treasures still lurking in the darks and danks of forgotten basements.

Johnny Osbourne: We Need Love
Taken from the album Truth And Rights on Studio One (1980)

Rose Banks: You’re Much Too Beautiful For Words
Taken from the 7″ on Motown (1977)

Ralph Robles : Banana Juana
Taken from the album Ralph Robles Was Here on Fania (1969)

Copa 7 : O Circo
Taken from the album O Som Do Copa 7 on Top Tape (1980)

Frisbees are flying in Prospect Park. Somewhere down the block a BBQ is underway. The ice cream truck makes its rounds. It’s summer in the city.

Additionally, Murphy is back from his travels abroad, renewed, refreshed and reunited with the good Captain in Brooklyn. To herald the occasion, we two brothers are offering up a happy little grab-bag of musical treats. Some soulful reggae, a bouncy R&B groove, pocos ritmos sabrosos, and a taste of samba-funk Brazil. Apologies for the extended hiatus; we’re trying to make it up to you…

First off, the Johnny Obsbourne track taken from what is, in my opinion, one of the classic albums of that era. Truth and Rights is soulful reggae at its best. The opening bar of this track was recently sampled in a very tasty reworking of Gangstarr’s “D.W.Y.C.K.” (which can be found the Crate exclusive mix, Stone Cold Soul). Another amazing track using the same tune is Otis Gayle’s version of The Spinners’ “I’ll Be Around”. Don’t sleep!

Rose Banks (a.k.a. Rose Stone–yeah, as in Sly and the…) dropped one album and a handful of singles after the Family Stone disbanded in the mid-seventies. This track, chief among them, a truly unique stepper cut with an IIIILLLLLLL saloon-style piano breakdown part way through. Hold your baby close, and relish those warm summer nights.

Ralph Robles never made it as big a many other heroes of the Fania family, but this boogaloo jammer surely warrants more than a nod of recognition. Undulating vocal technique is used to devastating effect here by another lesser known Nuyorican: Jose Elisier. I love how the song really takes off after minute number 4, vocals switch up into Spanish, and the whole groove picks up another notch in the direction of downright mania. The album is a scorcher.

Finally, a super catchy party-samba joint from the sophisticated Brasileiros known to the world as Copa 7. Vibraslap, punchy horns, watery wah-wah, and a catchy bouncing scat-style hook all contribute in making this a sure-fire summer house party hit.

Again, sorry for the extended absence. Now we should be getting right back on schedule…