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. 

Happy Tuesday! I’m pleased to present y’all with a new mixtape by the illustrious Goldie/Keaton conglomerate. Local L.A. heads, friends and extended famiglia, these are two baaaad dudes. Golden (aka. Jesse Rogg) has been doing BIG things in the last few years. The man behind mixing boards of a certain Sam Sparro and the forthcoming debut by The Love Grenades, this is a dude worth watching out for. Diane Keaton — like, as in the DJ, as opposed to the human being — is none other than international artist playboy/neo-anarcho-hedonist Jonny Coleman. What can you say about a staple Eastside L.A. nighthawk who summers in Berlin? Living the dream. When he comes back stateside, I’m gonna con him into joining the westcoast contingent of Mixtape Riot madness. ‘Cause that’s how we roll…

As for the mix… This one’s been in steady rotation for the last few weeks. A perfect L.A. summer night soundtrack. Space disco, retro-future dance music, a few tasty classics and a handful of exclusives. Equal parts lunar casbah and cosmic discoteque. It’s 3AM on the 101 freeway. You’re driving under a starless sky. What are you listening to?

Here’s the (updated) LINK

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

I know, I know. I been gone a minute. Not without a whole litany of excuses, but I’ll spare you those. Accept this as my apology: three of the dirtiest soulful heaters I’ve heard in a minute. A little backlog of Northern fire I been saving up for just the right occasion. I’ve been storming the dancefloors with these tracks for the last few weeks and imagine I’ll continue stormin’ ’em for weeks–nay–months to come.

The common thread to these songs–besides the undeniably heavy dose of soul– is a certain underlying fierceness. From the driving proto-funkiness of Judy Freeman to the almost punk-like jerk of my boy Reggie Garner to the absolutely decimating relentlessness of the Flirtations (listen to the way it goes straight from the pounding opening piano, right into the blasting horns, right into the scorching vocals, without leaving a split second to catch your breath–YIKES!!!). Who says that soul music is for softies? This stuff hits like a sack of bricks.

Aside from the Flirtations who scored a medium sized hit with “Heartache”, I don’t have much info on the other two artists. If you know something that I don’t, do tell. Otherwise, embrace the ferocity and dance with a fury. Till next time…

Reggie Garner: Hotline
taken from the 7″ on Capitol

Judy Freeman & Blackrock:       Hold On
taken from the 7″ on RCA

The Flirtations: Nothing But A Heartache
taken from the LP “Nothing But A Heartache” on Deram

Well actually, this is not me.  This is Shyvonne.  (Not the dancer on the flyer, but the singer posted below)  The up and coming singer from The Bronx who we have booked to perform at our next Mix Tape Riot! party.  My friend Ibe took me to see her at my friend Roxy‘s party @ Sway.  She blew me away with her dope personality and energy.  She didn’t perform this song, but I heard it on her myspace page and I think it’s really sweet.  Kinda Amy Winohousey without the beehive and nihilistic attitude.  Actually, it’s the opposite of Amy Winohouse and is really positive and uplifting.  This tuesday is going to be cruncadelic with live performances by my group, The Beatards and Nyle filling out the bill.  So here is a taste of what the party just might be like.  (Minus the booze, inappropriate touching and squeezing…)  Hope to see you there!

Shyvonne –       This Is Me