About a week ago, one of my Facebook friends polled several music lovers as to their Top 10 songs from Jay-Dee aka J Dilla, aka James Dewitt Yancey. Intrigued by the answers of others, I really found myself going down a wonderful lane of memories-as I contemplated my answer. How do you really limit one's decade+ of classic material to just a Top Ten? Better yet, how do you choose which ones will be on the list-as opposed to left off the list of greats. So much quality-in so little time. Still I felt compelled to showcase a few of my personal faves in post. For those who are already fans, here's a little something to help you through the day. For those not quite as familiar with Dilla's production talent, here's a little sample of why we still talk about about him six years after his passing. R.I.P J Dilla. Oh and here's my complete Top 10 List (Not In Any Particular Order). "Thelonius" - Common / "She Said" - Pharcyde / "Climax" - Slum Village / "For Moms" - ATCQ / "It's Like That" (Welcome to Detroit) - Jay Dee / "Featuring Fat Cat" (Welcome to Detroit) - Jay Dee / "Little Brother" - Black Star / "Stakes Is High" - De La Soul / "History" - Mos & Kweli / "So Far To Go" - Common & D'Angelo / "Fall In Love" - Slum Village / "Drop" - Pharcyde / "10 Bricks" - Raekwon feat Ghostface & Cappadonna
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In the latest installment of FUSE'S "CRATE DIGGERS" Series, we find Legendary Mixtape Dee Jay TONY TOUCH providing a tour of his more than 15,000 records. From Comedy albums, to Dance records, to Hip Hop, Reggae, Break-Beats & R&B-Tony provides crazy history & insight into the world of Crate-Digging, B-Boyism & Music Culture on a whole. Old School Heads will love this piece; and Young Cats could learn SO MUCH from Doing The Knowledge. For those not familiar with the CRATE DIGGER Series, we will be posting some of the best prior episodes soon. Gotta Keep The CULTURE Alive... Beats 'n' Breaks is a new column presented by W.E.B. that highlights good beats made the old fashion way, from SAMPLES! This week's beat is from Dee Jay A-Seven: Co-Founder & resident Dee Jay for IIIISOUND IIIITHERAPY & SOUL ECSTASY. The track is called Wit No $ and is a second take on the Jerry Butler original track titled With No Money Down (please note: Jerry's version is not on YouTube). He uses a classic Ensoniq EPS 16 Plus & EPS, with a Boss MC-09 & 1138 to craft his beats. Straight and strictly all vinyl samples. Enjoy... In most cases the quality of music a Dee Jay plays far outweighs its age. You don't have to play the newest hit. A few great classics by great artists will be sufficient enough to rock any crowd. More contemporary/commerical/well-known music will work, but it can become very redundant. Take for instance the person getting off of work on Friday, driving home to go out to a nightclub later that evening. On their way home, they listen to the radio playing the same set of songs that are on the TV as videos when they get home. Then they get ready and drive to the nightclub. On their way to it, they listen to that same set of songs playing on the radio, that were videos at their house. They arrive at the club to hear the DJ playing the same set of songs. They drive home and again hear the same set of songs on the radio. The above scenario also shows the lack of originality or forethought required to play popular music. Playing song sets based entirely off the billboard top 40 list is quite easy. Furthermore, the top 40 tends to change and songs that were hits a month ago, are almost forbidden to play after they fall off the charts. These songs are extremely disposable. Keeping up with the most current playlist can become very expensive, especially if you spin vinyl exclusively. However, if you're a Dee Jay with a nice selection of quality classic music, you can rock any crowd. Below is a list of some of the LPs and artists that worked well with a group of teens from 14-17 years of age. Although they asked for Chief Keef and Lil Wayne, they were pleasantly surprised and eagerly freestyling to the two Dee Jay's selections. Some even asked for artist information and song titles of unknown cuts.
This is not the total list of songs and artists the Dee Jays played. These just serve as a snapshot of the types of songs anyone can play for any type of audience. Most of these songs are at least 6-7 years old. After speaking with Mr. Sith, a very dope Emcee from the Golden Era, he made an observation that was very good: the songs played were more commercial when they came out but still are way better than the current commerical songs that are out based on the production (use of samples) and lyrics (mature, use of larger words and more analogies). The point is, pick your selections wisely when formulating a loose set. If you pick the proper songs, you can play good music without dropping a current top 40 tune or alienating the listener. Stick by your good music guns and don't settle for crossing over.
Blue Note Records is a jazz label responsible for the birth and proliferation of Hard Bop-a merge of Be-Bop Jazz and other genres of music like blues, gospel and soul. Its peak era was from the late 30's to the late 50's. After which, the label was bought by a new owner who attempted to preserve its original integrity. The label was daring for several reasons: it was independent; funded by a known communist; and founded/administered by Jewish immigrants that recorded and paid Black musicians. Most of the acts during the peak era were largely lesser known, more obscure or sidemen at the time of their solo debuts. Blue Note served as their initial introduction to jazz listeners for several artists that went on to have grand careers. Miles Davis played back up for Cannonball Adderley, Herbie Hancock put out his first solo LP, Eric Dolphy, Freddie Hubbard, Lou Donaldson, Grant Green, Ron Carter, Donald Byrd, Sidney Bechet, Art Blakely and Horace Silver all recorded classic LPs on Blue Note during the peak era. Blue Note maintained a great roster of artists. Many of them stayed loyal throughout the peak period. Blur Note was unique in that it allowed the artist to have a say in the entire process of making the LP. It had some of the most intriguing LP covers usually black and white photos taken during the actual recording sessions. Be sure to view: Blue Note-A Story of Modern Jazz for more information on its history and the significant role the label played in shaping modern jazz music during the late 30's to late 50's. |
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