I'll be teaching this 2-day, fun-filled workshop with my DJ cohort, La Rochelle in a few weekends. Please join us if you are a lady, live in the PVD area, and want to learn some skills of the trade.
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Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Pook Sunday
Just a few flash mixes with my dear friend, Pookie in mind. An inspiration and true loving spirit through and through!
Vinyl Edition:
Vinyl Edition:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Thank you, Richie Havens...
I swear just last week, I had a moment where I stop in my tracks and checked if Richie Havens was still with us... Just knowing that he was out there, somewhere humming to himself, stroking his long grey monk beard offered comfort in dark times. Somehow the world seemed more peaceful with him in it.
I can't remember the first time I heard "Freedom" but I know it was when I was young enough to only have access to my parents record collection (My first record was the Grease soundtrack, 1978 followed by the Fame soundtrack, 1980 and the Xanadu soundtrack, also 1980- I guess I only thought music came from movies back then and P.S. I still have all three of those records and Free to Be- You and Me which probably was before 1978 but that was more of a family investment). ANYHOOO, back to Richie...
Freedom- that song got to me at age like, 5. It was haunting and uplifting at the same time. It was rhythmic and soulful and simple and it was mine. I put it my pocket.
Now, I was not a motherless child (thank god, blessed with Vicky!) but as I grew into my adulthood and was further, physically and emotionally, from home that song stayed with me... There were moments as a sat in the ghetto in Belize City with 15 year old gang kids, homemade gun tattoos engraved into their arms, as I sweated in the Badlands and Turkey, as I walked in a pilgrimage from Philadelphia to Washington DC that song, Richie Haven's voice bubbled up and hugged me. It made me feel comforted and so alone all at the same time, like those moments in relationships when you know you are more part of an individual than a unit. But knowing that he was there, that such a song existed made me feel like I was always exactly where I need to be.
Years later and many more evocation of that song in my life, I was walking around Lincoln Plaza in early December. I had just moved back to the East Coast and have no idea what I was doing in those parts as I rarely left Brooklyn with the exception of work.
As if almost by an external force, I stumbled into this church and followed signs up the stairs that read "Concert". As I came to an entrance, the signage changed to "Concert: Richie Havens". I walked right into to the right of the stage and had myself a seat in front of my icon, my father, my long time musical embraser.
I relished every note this man sang, mumbled, shouted, strummed... and when he came to Freedom, I shivered and cried all at once.
Thank you, Richie, for never leaving me alone in a world were I often have been.
I can't remember the first time I heard "Freedom" but I know it was when I was young enough to only have access to my parents record collection (My first record was the Grease soundtrack, 1978 followed by the Fame soundtrack, 1980 and the Xanadu soundtrack, also 1980- I guess I only thought music came from movies back then and P.S. I still have all three of those records and Free to Be- You and Me which probably was before 1978 but that was more of a family investment). ANYHOOO, back to Richie...
Freedom- that song got to me at age like, 5. It was haunting and uplifting at the same time. It was rhythmic and soulful and simple and it was mine. I put it my pocket.
Now, I was not a motherless child (thank god, blessed with Vicky!) but as I grew into my adulthood and was further, physically and emotionally, from home that song stayed with me... There were moments as a sat in the ghetto in Belize City with 15 year old gang kids, homemade gun tattoos engraved into their arms, as I sweated in the Badlands and Turkey, as I walked in a pilgrimage from Philadelphia to Washington DC that song, Richie Haven's voice bubbled up and hugged me. It made me feel comforted and so alone all at the same time, like those moments in relationships when you know you are more part of an individual than a unit. But knowing that he was there, that such a song existed made me feel like I was always exactly where I need to be.
Years later and many more evocation of that song in my life, I was walking around Lincoln Plaza in early December. I had just moved back to the East Coast and have no idea what I was doing in those parts as I rarely left Brooklyn with the exception of work.
As if almost by an external force, I stumbled into this church and followed signs up the stairs that read "Concert". As I came to an entrance, the signage changed to "Concert: Richie Havens". I walked right into to the right of the stage and had myself a seat in front of my icon, my father, my long time musical embraser.
I relished every note this man sang, mumbled, shouted, strummed... and when he came to Freedom, I shivered and cried all at once.
Thank you, Richie, for never leaving me alone in a world were I often have been.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Missed the Chillwave
As an old school funk, soul, disco DJ, I guess it's not surprising that I am a lil dated. But apparently, I may have missed the entire wave that was Chillwave. Whatever, I'm so Summer 2009 into 2010.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Chill Wave Week
Welcome to Chill Wave Week
A little behind on this situation and sound of it, I've been missing out...
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Welcome to Boogie Week
There's a whole lot of love in Boogie Week...
Let's start here...
And then get into this DJ Spinna mix:
Let's start here...
And then get into this DJ Spinna mix:
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Last Lazer Soul Mix
Here's the latest and last installment for awesome Lazer Soul mixes:
I'll be posting mine own in a few days!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Notes on Lazer Soul
lazer soul: the short list
shalamar
gary's gang
the gab band
tim tucker
final editions
ivy
Beat Electric has been a GREAT lazer soul resource. Check this mix.
shalamar
gary's gang
the gab band
tim tucker
final editions
ivy
Friday, January 11, 2013
Magic mix inspirations
Mix Research:
NastyNasty- Lazer Soul
And this came over from a friend... not all lazer but it took me two days to listen to the whole thing
NastyNasty- Lazer Soul
And this came over from a friend... not all lazer but it took me two days to listen to the whole thing
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Afrobeat Week Wrap
Over a few short days, I have re-discovered a childhood love/influence, found some awesome new Afrobeat groups/tunes, and realized it's just the tip of the iceberg....
Afrobeat is a genre I truly feel moved by and every time I hear that creeping drumbeat, I am transported back to that Lincoln on a December night, seeing my breathing and dancing in my seat.
Here is a humble blending of some new goodies in my stash:
Afrobeat is a genre I truly feel moved by and every time I hear that creeping drumbeat, I am transported back to that Lincoln on a December night, seeing my breathing and dancing in my seat.
Here is a humble blending of some new goodies in my stash:
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Bits from my Afrobeat research:
Antibalas on NPR just this past weekend...
Here's how National Geo defines Afrobeat.
Antibalas on NPR just this past weekend...
Here's how National Geo defines Afrobeat.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
And then there was Afropop...
Picture this- Winter of 1992 or 1993- I'm home for holiday break, savoring every day away from boarding school and spent with my older, dummer boyfriend Paul. Paul had long hair and drove a Lincoln which fit the other three members of our crew perfectly for the countless drive and smoke nights. Thinking about it now I am getting a flash of the credits for "That 70s Show" except it was the 90s, we were way, way cooler, the guys all older and musicians, and Queensryche, Fishbone, Soundgarden and Janes Addiction replaced Jim Croce and Peter Framton.
But this Sunday night, Paul and I were off solo- parked on a snowy dead-end down the street from my family house, every now and then releasing a free hand from under our warm legs to put something in the air. When the tape popped out of the deck, Paul reached to flip it but before he could, I laid my hand on his to pause and listen. From the radio, sounds I had never heard before came from the speakers. It was rich and had rhythm that made me move in my frosty seat. The smooth percussion was interrupted by a boisterous and singsong voice who referred to himself as "JOSS CULINAY" (Georges Collinet).
My world changed in that moment and thus started the "Afropop Worldwide". From then on though the remainder of my highschool days, Paul and I would be transported, together or apart, to far away lands of funk, soul and movement every Sunday night.
Fast forward almost 20 (!) years later and many moons of transitional soundtracks, I am walking down (I think) 4th St in Park Slope, Brooklyn (my then neighborhood) and I stop dead in my tracks at a colorful sign reading "Afropop Worldwide". I was jolted back to a time that I had not considered for at least a decade (and shocked when I processed the information that a) Afropop was not headquartered in Africa and b) they were still a radio program). I suddenly pulled together the link that brought me to where I am in my musical exploration today for if if wasn't for "Joss" and Afropop, my exposure and understanding of all the music in my future would possibly never came to be. And there it was- serendipitously staring back at me in BK. (I also came to find out that a dude I was dating at the time had worked for Afropop when he first graduated from college. It was the first time anyone I had met anyone who even knew what it was.)
So, thank you from the bottom of my Joss and AW. You guys changed my life, my music, my soul. Here's a program from a fews ago about DJing that I think brings it even more full circle. With LOVE!
But this Sunday night, Paul and I were off solo- parked on a snowy dead-end down the street from my family house, every now and then releasing a free hand from under our warm legs to put something in the air. When the tape popped out of the deck, Paul reached to flip it but before he could, I laid my hand on his to pause and listen. From the radio, sounds I had never heard before came from the speakers. It was rich and had rhythm that made me move in my frosty seat. The smooth percussion was interrupted by a boisterous and singsong voice who referred to himself as "JOSS CULINAY" (Georges Collinet).
My world changed in that moment and thus started the "Afropop Worldwide". From then on though the remainder of my highschool days, Paul and I would be transported, together or apart, to far away lands of funk, soul and movement every Sunday night.
Fast forward almost 20 (!) years later and many moons of transitional soundtracks, I am walking down (I think) 4th St in Park Slope, Brooklyn (my then neighborhood) and I stop dead in my tracks at a colorful sign reading "Afropop Worldwide". I was jolted back to a time that I had not considered for at least a decade (and shocked when I processed the information that a) Afropop was not headquartered in Africa and b) they were still a radio program). I suddenly pulled together the link that brought me to where I am in my musical exploration today for if if wasn't for "Joss" and Afropop, my exposure and understanding of all the music in my future would possibly never came to be. And there it was- serendipitously staring back at me in BK. (I also came to find out that a dude I was dating at the time had worked for Afropop when he first graduated from college. It was the first time anyone I had met anyone who even knew what it was.)
So, thank you from the bottom of my Joss and AW. You guys changed my life, my music, my soul. Here's a program from a fews ago about DJing that I think brings it even more full circle. With LOVE!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
2.0.1.3!
And a Happy New Year to you, my three followers (all of whom I could call faster then you would read this post)!
To kick off 2013 proper like, I have decided to lend my DJ efforts to Fun-A-Day, Providence.
My plan is to: a) choose a somewhat eclectic music genre b) research that genre for the week (roots, new tunes, key players) and c) finish off the week with a quick mix.
So at the end of the month, I will have a lot of new music, information, inspiration, and four new mixes for you to hopefully shake a tail feather to.
Here's a breakdown of the week genre:
Week 1- Afrobeat
Week 2- Lazer Funk & Soul
Week 3- Boogie
Week 4- Up for grabs- any suggestions?
Sure, I could make some mobiles or learned how to knit, laid the plans for my geodesic dome but I wanted something to share with you so, that's the plan...
and here's a pic from my first fun gig in PVD with Ty Jesso and Soul Power at Local 121:
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