Vinyl Archaeology

Regarding Broken Mac.com Links

2010-12-30T23:28:00.004-05:00

Apple made changes to their Mobile Me service that affected any of the URLs here that linked to Mac.com. Please let me know about broken links, but in the meantime you can fix them like this:

If a URL was:

http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/.Public/web/haroon_alaahtani_presents_the_funk_and_soul_of_turkey.zip

It becomes:

http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/dotmac/Public/web/haroon_alaahtani_presents_the_funk_and_soul_of_turkey.zip

Basically two things are done:

1) dotmac is added after alqahtani

2) the period in front of Public is dropped

Sorry about this but it was beyond my control.

Dan the Automator - Music To Be Murdered By

2010-08-17T09:24:00.002-04:00

Before working with Kool Keith, Dan the Automator did a record any DJ would love. The cover is great too, with a pair of Technics SP25s and an SP1200. Listen.

Tony Tee - Expressing My Thoughts

2010-08-17T09:17:00.004-04:00

An early Teddy Riley production from '87 that is a precursor to what would later become New Jack Swing. This record really reminds me of Mantronix with the heavily chopped samples, and that's why I like it so much. Get it here.

The Tornados (Joe Meek) - Telstar

2010-08-17T08:55:00.004-04:00

A slight departure from some of the stuff I usually post, but I think it's a great record. Joe Meek was the UK's Phil Spector pretty much -- complete with melodrama. Arguably, Meek is the true inventor of the so-called 'wall of sound approach' that entails running everything through a reverb basically. The sound works in many cases. You get this very erie, almost sinister sound out of a record that would usually seem fluffy. Think of the Beach Boys "Wouldn't it Be Nice." While Spector was using an EMT plate reverb, Meek was using a simple spring reverb he toted around in a box.

'Telstar' is a reference to the first satellite launched solely for the purpose of cross continental television broadcasting. The first broadcast was between the UK and US, and at the time, a miraculous thing. Meek (a producer who was tone deaf with no musical training) came up with the tune in his sleep, and hummed it to his musicians until they got it right. He was one of the pioneers in unorthodox recording techniques. The intro to 'Telstar" is a good example, which I think was an object being rubbed around an ashtray and then played backwards.

A downfall in his career led to a severe bout of depression and eventually he shot himself in the head, immediately after shooting his landlord. Check out Telstar here.

Tuff Tuf - Strictly for the Boomin' System

2010-08-17T08:44:00.003-04:00

Another Pittsburgh artist from Homewood. The track "Ghetto Soundcheck" got heavy rotation locally, and I think even got some attention out of state. This is a CD rip of the entire LP.

Misfits in the Attic - Kick It Anyway (CD5)

2010-08-17T07:46:00.004-04:00

This cover screams 90s. This was a group from Pittsburgh whose fate I know nothing about, beyond the PAT bus ads they were doing in the mid-90s. The name 'Attic' was a reference to Pittsburgh being some unearthed gold mine of Hip-Hop talent. Admittedly the Misfits weren't the most amazing group out there, but they came at a time when hearing any kind of Hip-Hop coming out of the city was a rarity, no thanks to WAMO not supporting local artists really. This is a CD rip. Were there any other notable rap trios with 2 females and 1 male? Can't seem to think of any right now.

My Biz Markie "Just a Friend" Remix

2010-08-15T21:03:00.003-04:00

For an MP3 version click here.

Haroon Al-Qahtani Presents: The Funk & Soul of Turkey

2010-06-02T21:00:00.003-04:00

I just put together this unmixed, 70+ minute compilation of Turkish funk, psych, and soul. All ripped from vinyl by yours truly. Enjoy!

EDIT: Broken link fixed. Any homepage.mac.com link here is probably broke since Apple changed some things a month or so ago.

"Eye Foreign I" now on iTunes!

2010-05-08T16:51:00.001-04:00

Grab your copy today!

"Eye Foreign I" - The Unmixed Version Available

2010-05-03T17:03:00.004-04:00

The unmixed version of my album, "Eye Foreign I" is available now for download. Only $6.75 for 21 tracks; CD release coming in a matter of days. Special 7" single will be released this summer. Download or purchase the CD here! Throw some love my way.

DJ Premier: The Early Years & Rare Gems

2010-03-09T12:47:00.003-05:00

Mixed by Haroon Al-Qahtani

Download Here

In the Trunk (Remix) - Too Short
Wrath of my Madness (Remix) - Queen Latifah
Here Comes the Heavster - Heavy D
Peer Pressure - Mobb Deep
Drive By (Remix) - Boss
Freaky Flow (Remix) - Special Ed
On and On (Remix) - Shyheim
Neighborhood Drug Dealer (Remix) - J Rock
Strictly for the Ladies - Lord Fineness
Show & Prove - Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, ODB
Unfuckwitable - Lady of Rage
Guilty - Heather B
Wake Em Up - Da Youngstas
Blackwidow Blues - Buckshot LeFonque
Ease My Mind (Remix) - Arrested Development
All For You (Remix) - Janet Jackson
Flip Da Scrip (Remix) - Da King & I
Lifestyles of the Rich and Infamous (Remix) - Ice T
I Ain't Gone Under Yet - Neneh Chery
Bring It On (Remix) - N'Dea Davenport /w Guru
Rugged Neva Smooth (Remix) - MOP
Def Wish II (Remix) - Compton's Most Wanted

Dedicated to Guru. Stay strong!

Da King & I - Flip Da Scrp (Primo Remix)

2010-02-18T13:06:00.003-05:00

Remix & instrumental here.

1.5GB MP3 Grab Bag

2010-01-20T09:21:00.005-05:00

I've been ripping some vinyl to MP3 for use with my CD-Js over the past week -- about 130. Why shouldn't you benefit too? Nothing rare here really, just some stuff I anticipated wanting to use in sets. Download it here.

Rob Base - "Turn It Out" (UK Remix)

2009-12-19T20:57:00.003-05:00

This is a very interesting remix done by 1987 DMC winner Chad Jackson. It has a very 45 King / Pete Rock feel about it, complete with horns and lo-fi sound. The first time I heard this (which was a couple months ago) I swore I'd find 45 King's name on the label. It really sounds like something off of Queen Latifah's first LP. Here's an AIFF of the song because I'm too lazy to convert it to MP3.

Kenny Dope /w Shaggy - "Gunshot"

2009-12-19T20:49:00.002-05:00

Before annoying the hell out of you with "Mr. Boombastic" being played 24-7, he made tracks like this with house-master and Masters At Work member Kenny Dope.

Frankie Cutlass - "Puerto Rico" (Original Mix)

2009-12-19T20:47:00.003-05:00

The good version. The original version. The instrumental version. AKA, the version without annoying dudes rapping over it and ruining it. Listen.

Archie Bell & The Drells - "Don't Wanna Be A Playboy" & "Give Me Time"

2009-12-19T20:42:00.003-05:00

Too lazy to comment on these or even take a picture of the label. Download it.

Milk - "Get Off My Log"

2009-12-19T20:40:00.002-05:00

Wow could I have taken a more pathetic picture? Get off his thing and let the johnson swing.

Maurice Starr - "Electric Funky Drummer" (9-minute full version)

2009-12-19T20:36:00.003-05:00

Around the same time he was producing early New Edition records like "Candygirl" Maurice Starr was also experimenting in the realm of Electro Hip-Hop. A pretty typical and funky electro track that still sounds good and before he become the notorious New Kids on the Block puppet master. Cool.

Urban Dance Squad - "Deeper Shade Of Soul" (Extended Mix)

2009-12-19T20:31:00.004-05:00

This song made a little buzz in the early 90s with its skateboard-themed video and Hip-Hop influence. Some have claimed this track (and the group in general) influenced the likes of Rage Against the Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers (think "Give It Away Now"). You decide.

Haroon Al-Qahtani Presents: "Eye Foreign I" (Mix of All Original Hip-Hop/Downtempo Beats)

2009-11-26T10:04:00.005-05:00

Download Here!

"Eye Foreign I" is an hour long mix of 24 beats I have created during the past year and a half. All tracks in the mix are brand new, original, and created by me. They represent, at least I think, some of my best creations out of the near 100 compositions stored on my MPC's memory card. Although I would label it Hip-Hop, it could easily get categorized as Downtempo, Chill Out, or Trip-Hop. At any rate that doesn't really matter.

Everything in this mix is from my post-Reason period, where I abandoned all software in favor of -- mainly, an MPC 500. The mix is put together like my others as a sort of story line; "Eye Foreign I" refers to otherness, conflict, individuality, and even happiness and I believe that musically it reflects those feelings.

Work safe with the exception of "Why Can't We Be Enemies?" It is mostly instrumental with the exception of a few narrations and sound bites.

Last thing, if people seem to like this mix I am contemplating one, or both of the following ideas. First, I would release an unedited, full version of two tracks on one 7", 45 RPM single. The cost would be between $5-7. Second, I would release an unmixed CD or digital download of all the tracks, including "12-inch" DJ versions with intro and outro breaks for easy mixing. If there is enough interest in the 7" I will have 100 copies pressed.

A tracklist is included below.

Strict Flow - "Move!"

2009-10-19T14:58:00.002-04:00

Here's a little Pittsburgh Hip-Hop.

Barbara Mason - "Another Man"

2009-10-19T14:51:00.004-04:00

Most people remember Barbara Mason for her 60s hit "I'm Ready." In the 80s however her songs took a slightly more risque approach, as you can hear in this record. A great record from the original West End's last days. Oh -- and it features one of my favorite drum machines, the Drumulator.

Funky 4 + 1 - "That's The Joint"

2009-10-19T14:47:00.003-04:00

A little more Sugar Hill oriented flavor, 1980's "That's The Joint."

Sylvia Robinson - "Sunday"

2009-10-19T14:41:00.002-04:00

Before starting Sugar Hill Records with her husband, Sylvia Robinson had some minor success as a singer in her own right. Her most notable (only?) single was "Pillow Talk," however anyone who has listened to Moby's second album may recognize this tune as well.

Haroon Al-Qahtani Presents: The Kraftwerk Über Mix

2009-08-08T01:39:00.003-04:00

A 41 minute mix of songs from the most influential group of musicians in modern music, Germany's Kraftwerk (literally, power station). Their contributions laid the foundations for modern dance, pop, and hip-hop. While electronic instruments were used in music before the emergence of Düsseldorf's synthesized quartet, Kraftwerk mixed it with pop and rock sensibilities, making the niche genre easily accessible by the mainstream. The group was not without their eccentricities. Nearly 40 years after their debut album little is actually known about the group and visitors to their secretive Kling Klag studios are rarely welcomed.

Kraftwerk's philosophy of man versus machine in the creation of music would later be cited by Techno father Derrick May as an inspiration, and certainly affected the sound of Hip-Hop. Most notably "Trans Europe Express" and "Numbers" formed the basis of "Planet Rock;" "The Man Machine" has been sampled numerous times, from the Fearless 4 to MC Lyte, to Jay-Z.

It should also be noted that Kraftwerk's songs often contained subtle social messages as evidenced in "The Robots," "Radioactivity," "Computer World," and many others.

Tracklist:

1) Hello

2) Music Non Stop

3) Trans Europe Express

4) Boing Boom Tschak

5) The Robots

6) It's More Fun To Compute

7) Home Computer

8) Numbers

9) The Model

10) Computer World

11) Interlude

12) Showroom Dummies

13) Tour De France

14) Sex Object

15) Computer Love

16) Goodbye

Some very important tracks have been omitted such as "Radioactivity," "Autobahn," and "Man Machine" -- just to name a few. Listen here.

The McCoys - "Hang On Sloopy" Hip-Pocket Disc

2009-08-08T01:11:00.008-04:00

A Hip-Pocket release of the McCoys' "Hang On Sloopy." Read more about Hip-Pocket (or Pocket-Discs) here. Sampled by De La Soul for "My Brother's a Basshead."

Before cassette tapes were commonplace this was Philco / Ford's answer to portability: flexible discs that could be shoved into one's pocket. A miniature portable player was even designed for them. Some discs could actually be bought from vending machines at stores such as Woolworth.

They are very similar to the film-like records one would find in magazines through the 60s and 80s; they also wear out just as fast, as you might imagine. Download both the A and B side of this disc here. The B-Side is a nearly identical sounding rendition of "Fever." Some YouTube fun is below.

Hansoul - "Imagination"

2009-07-25T17:54:00.004-04:00

I first heard this song on a Coca-Cola music sampler in 1991. You'd send in some UPC codes and then you'd receive this cassette sampler in the mail. Naturally, I chose the 'rap' one.' Some cool stuff was on it like Shabba's "Trailer Load of Girls," but Hansoul's "Imagination" was probably my favorite track. I never heard of the dude before this tape, and well -- never heard of him after either. What stuck out in my mind at the time was the lo-fi sample. I had no idea why it was like that then, just that I liked it.

Years later I'm speculating about what sampler was used on this track. I'm fairly certain the drums are the Casio RZ-1's layered over the "Impeach the President" drums sampled into the RZ. Why am I pretty sure? Well, they sound like something the RZ would produce, but on top of that -- if the RZ is connected in stereo mode it pans each sample channel to the left and right, just like on this track. As for the main loop -- it is too gritty to be an SP; it sounds 8-bit. I'd say it was the RZ-1 as well but the RZ has a maximum sampling time of 0.8 seconds -- so I doubt it. However, there was a rare extended version of the RZ with something like 4 seconds of sampling time and additional built in kits; some third party would do the mod for you . . .

The other possibility is that they used a keyboard like the Yamaha VSS-30. There's no production credits on the tape, but some Googling reveals that it's probably Randy (DJ Ran) Gaskins from Philly so time to track him down and ask him these highly important questions.

Here it is, Hansoul's "Imagination;" I believe it is what the 12" labels as the "Philly Cheeseteak Mix." There's another mix (embedding was disabled, sorry) with a more club feel, but I'm not really fond of it.

The Blossoms - "Soul and Inspiration"

2009-05-17T23:42:00.001-04:00

A soul remake of the Righteous Brothers' hit. It's nice.

Damon Fox - "Black Widow Spider"

2009-05-17T23:40:00.001-04:00

Check it out.

Eugene Pitt and the Jive Five - "Come Down in Time"

2009-05-17T23:38:00.001-04:00

Funky soul for funky people. Yeah man!

The Turtles - "You Showed Me"

2009-05-17T23:34:00.003-04:00

The infamous record that began De La Soul's legal troubles and forever hindered the idea of fair use in music. It was also the basis of a Nightmares on Wax track. Don't forget the Sybil remake. Listen.

Billy Stewart - "Summertime"

2009-03-28T13:50:00.003-04:00

This has a famous vocal stab used by Public Enemy on "Fight the Power" and by DJ Premier on "Deep Concentration." The music was sampled by 2 LIve Crew for "Pop that Coochie" (don't ask me why I know this). Listen to it here.

Billy Stewart - "Cross My Heart"

2009-03-28T13:48:00.002-04:00

Brought to you by Billy Stewart of "Sitting in the Park" and "I do Love You" fame. Play it.

James Brown - "The Drunk"

2009-03-28T13:46:00.002-04:00

A tight b-side instrumental from the Godfather of Soul. Spin it.

Dennis Coffey -"Garden of the Moon"

2009-03-28T13:43:00.002-04:00

A track sampled by Shadow on "Entroducing" from Dennis Coffey's "Evolution" LP. Run it.

Junior - "Mama Used to Say"

2009-03-28T13:39:00.003-04:00

12" mix of the classic early 80s track by Junior. Check it.

Risco Connection - "Ain't No Stopping Us Now"

2009-01-27T21:52:00.005-05:00

Risco Connection has a few notable dub/disco/reggae remakes out there; this is one of them, and by far their best. If you're hungry for more Risco Connection check out their remake of Billy Stewart's "Sitting in the Park."

DJ Forums Hip-Hop Samples DJ Battle

2009-01-14T03:56:00.002-05:00

Over at DJ Forums I battled DJ Voltron in a 20 minute set of songs that were, or could potentially be sampled on a Hip-Hop track. The results just came in and I was the winner. This is my submission.

She was more like a beauty queen, with an M16 . .

2009-01-05T20:06:00.002-05:00

A dancehall remake of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Junior's "Mama Used to Say" by Shinehead. Both use the same riddim, but "Mama Used to Say" (the B-side) stands out as the champ between the two. Sounds like an early Roland rhythm machine was used for the percussion, but I'm not sure which. Download both songs here.

Lee Moses - "Reach Out (I'll Be There)"

2008-12-25T01:15:00.004-05:00

From Andy Smith's "Northern Soul" compilation, an instrumental remake of the Four Tops' "Reach Out (I'll Be There)." Be sure to grab the entire compilation because it's an excellent introduction to the UK's Northern Soul Scene. Listen here.

Haroon Al-Qahtani Presents Appetite for Deconstruction - A multi-genre, multi-generational mix

2008-12-17T00:31:00.003-05:00

Mix tapes throughout the years have generally been themed around particular eras, genres, or eras in a specific genre; sometimes they focus on specific artists, technical abilities, or in their lowest form, a presentation of new songs, oftentimes not even mixed, but accompanied with plenty of shouting.

Appetite for Deconstruction should be consumed in its entirety as a complete work, not just a series of songs chained together through scratching and mixing. By ripping apart and recombining various styles, some of which seem at odds with one another, we find something new.

In short, this is the essence of Hip-Hop. New Order and INXS, if presented within the correct context, can be equally 'Hip-Hop' as Nas or Run DMC. After all, what was "Rock Box" about? Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this mix and would like to throw a coin in the hat, please PayPal whatever you feel to al underscore qahtani at ya hoo dot com. Or, for $5 you can have an uncompressed .WAV of the mix; for $10 I will send you a copy on CD.

Cool Breeze - "Cre-A-TIne" (Original and Remix)

2008-12-04T14:43:00.002-05:00

Check out the original here and my remix here. The video is a favorite of mine as well.

De La Soul - "The Bizness" (Original and Remix)

2008-12-04T14:35:00.004-05:00

The debut single from De La's "Stakes is High" LP featuring Common, "The Bizness" (Original) and my own remix.

Ahmad - Back in the Day (Haroon's Remix)

2008-11-29T13:19:00.004-05:00

My overall motivational levels are pretty low, so my vinyl ripping vigor suffers as well. Until I get back into the swing of things here is a remix I did of Ahmad's "Back in the Day." And in case you forgot, here is the original:

Mic Geronimo - Unstoppable (Original & Haroon Al-Qahtani Remix)

2008-11-10T21:35:00.003-05:00

Some say this is the only good track from his "Vendetta" album. Pete Rock rarely does wrong. I've also included my remix of this track. Enjoy!

Biz Markie - "Studda Step"

2008-11-10T21:32:00.002-05:00

Did this ever appear on an LP? I honestly can't remember and can't be bothered to check Discogs to find out. Possibly the best flip of "Moments in Love?" Who produced this? Listen.

Funkmaster Flex - "RZA Megamix"

2008-11-10T21:26:00.003-05:00

So what Funkmaster Flex isn't a DMC world champion. At his peak, he was a party rocker akin to Kid Kapri. While this isn't the most awesome specimen of mixing out there, it is somewhat hard to find and promo-only -- something anyone can appreciate. Spin it.

Sylk 130 - "Season's Change" (Philharmonix Mix)

2008-11-10T21:19:00.003-05:00

Back from a long hiatus. Enjoy this track by Sylk 130 (aka King Britt). Season's Change.

Shinehead - "Who The Cap Fits"

2008-10-21T19:52:00.002-04:00

Been looking for this for a while and found it yesterday, Shinehead's "Who The Cap Fits." More updates coming soon!

The Originals - "We Can Make It Baby"

2008-10-17T23:49:00.004-04:00

Written and produced by Marvin Gaye. A great soul track.

Kool & The Gang - "Dujii"

2008-10-17T23:44:00.002-04:00

B-Side wins again. Flip it over and play it.

Slick Rick - "It's a Boy" (Large Professor Remix)

2008-10-10T22:58:00.004-04:00

I recently bought the 2XLP reissue of "The Ruler's Back" (I sold the CD I owned at some point in the 90s). It's really not a bad LP. For whatever reason I didn't appreciate it at the time, perhaps because it was definitely not equal to the first in overall quality. I love how Rick keeps 80s production values on some of these cuts, evening bringing in the DMX at times. Anyway, here's the "It's a Boy" Large Professor remix, the same one that appeared on "Behind Bars." Of personal interest here is that Large Pro's remix was released on the 12" in 1991, before T.R.O.Y, but used Tom Scott's "Today" sample in the hook. Also take note of the "Schoolboy Crush" bells on this track, predating "Halftime." This remix was not on the original pressing of "The Ruler's Back," but is featured on the reissue.

King Floyd - "Woman Don't Go Astray"

2008-10-06T01:37:00.004-04:00

I'm tired and falling asleep. Play this record.

The Buoys - "It Feels Good"

2008-10-06T01:31:00.003-04:00

Some blue eyed soul-pop from The Buoys. Theo Says "Jam It On The One."

James Brown - "Theme From King Heroin"

2008-10-03T21:17:00.004-04:00

This is the instrumental mix of the more popular, "King Heroin" by James Brown -- a sermon or rap of sorts on the ills of heroin addiction. One of the more somber James Brown tracks and it's always been a favorite of mine. Enjoy!

James Brown - "There Was a Time" / "I Can't Stand Myself" (When You Touch Me)

2008-10-03T21:10:00.003-04:00

Two great songs from the Godfather of Soul: "There Was a Time" and "I Can't Stand Myself" (When You Touch Me) straight from the original 45.

Archie Bell and The Drells - "Tighten Up"

2008-09-29T20:59:00.002-04:00

Not much of a rarity, but a great song. If you see the Atlantic label on a record from the 60s, chances are it's great. Sampled by Digable Planets for "Where I'm From." Listen.

Ultramagentic MC's - "Pluckin Cards"

2008-09-29T20:56:00.004-04:00

Keith takes shots at X-Clan, De La, Tribe, among others. Classic track from an LP I consider even better than Critical Beatdown. Kool Keith is Pluckin Cards.

Vanilla Fudge - "If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody"

2008-09-29T20:48:00.004-04:00

Ever since I got ahold of Vanilla Fudge's debut LP I went on a quest to obtain every recording they've made with the original band members. This cut is from their "Rock & Roll" LP that I'd say is a pretty solid record from beginning to end, especially their cover of "The Windmills Of Your Mind" and "Street Walking Woman." Here is a blue-eyed psychedelic soul track, "If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody."

Ersen - "Bir Ayrilik Bir Yoksulluk Bir Olum"

2008-09-29T20:44:00.003-04:00

Istanbul, what is funky?

Suicidal Tendencies - "Institutionalized"

2008-09-29T20:26:00.002-04:00

Broaden your horizons. One thing you have to love about punk rock is that it's still heavily a vinyl culture: tons of cool picture discs, 10"s, 45s, and more. Punk, like Hip-Hop has a history of carrying social messages and revolting against norms. This is one of my favorite tracks by Suicidal Tendencies. Not many musicians can claim to have been detained by the secret service, something Paris only came close to.

Best 12" Cover EVER

2008-09-22T17:02:00.003-04:00

More rips coming soon (perhaps even today), but until then:

Vanilla Fudge - "You Keep Me Hanging On"

2008-09-16T20:51:00.003-04:00

Best group name ever? Possibly. Vanilla Fudge was known for doing covers; this one is an insane rendition of the Supreme's "You Keep Me Hanging On." Seriously, this entire LP is good and it has earned a spot in my favorites crate. Check it.

Screwball - "Take It There"

2008-09-16T20:46:00.005-04:00

A guy over at MPC-Forums said that if you can't rob a bank while listening to it, it ain't Hip-Hop. I tend to agree. Screwball provides the optimum soundtrack for urban and suburban mischief. Check it.

Double Shot - "Psychotic Reaction"

2008-09-16T20:40:00.002-04:00

1966 psychedelic rock by Count Five. Anyone have this entire LP? I wouldn't mind hearing it. Spin it here.

Non-Phixion - The Past, The Present, & The Future Is Now

2008-09-14T16:58:00.003-04:00

While I usually stick to vinyl I thought it would be nice to share this tape rip with my readers. This is a collection of Non-Phixion's demos, freestyles, and promos up to the year 2000 mixed by DJ Eclipse. If side A sounds distorted, that's not my fault; this is the original tape, and for some reason Side A was recorded hot. Not sure if that's just my copy or if they were all like that. Promo only rare goodness. Side A is here; Side B is here. Have fun kids!

I'm too lazy to type a track list. Here's a picture instead.

Iron Butterfly - "Solider in Our Town"

2008-09-09T23:58:00.002-04:00

This was the basis for that Gorillaz song wasn't it? The name escapes me. Anyway, tight drum break at the beginning that I'm sure somebody raped -- now you can too. Enjoy!

Donny Hathaway - Voices Inside (Everything is Everything)

2008-09-09T23:54:00.003-04:00

Who's better: Marvin or Donny? It's a hard one to call. This might make it a little easier. "Voices Inside" was sampled by the Geto Boys and also creatively by Terminator X for the intro and outro of Lyte's "Not Wit a Dealer." Listen.

Ohio Players - Players Balling (Players Doin' Their Own Thing)

2008-09-09T23:49:00.003-04:00

"Pain" is a great LP -- perhaps the Ohio Player's greatest and if you don't own it, you should, regardless of format. "Players Balling" was sampled by Dre for "Days of Wayback" and used as an intro for Pete Rock's "Lots of Lovin'." An all around great song.

Black Ivory - "Wishful Thinking"

2008-09-09T23:45:00.003-04:00

I don't know much about this group, and I don't know offhand of anyone who sampled them, but they have some nice sounds. Black Ivory also has a nice remake of Jackson 5's "Got to Be There" though it's not on this LP. Here's one of my favorites from "Baby Won't You Change Your Mind" entitled, "Wishful Thinking."

Salah Ragab & The Cairo Jazz Band - "Ramadan in Space Time"

2008-09-01T17:15:00.006-04:00

رمضان كريم (Happy Ramadan)

For most of the Muslim world today marks the first day of Ramadan. While obviously most of the blog's readers won't be fasting with me, you can at least enjoy some music inspired by the holiday. Here is a cut from Salah Ragab & the Cairo Jazz Band entitled, "Ramadan in Space Time."

Salah Ragab is known by many Hip-Hop diggers for his collaboration with Sun Ra. Salah Ragab passed away in early July of this year (الله يرحمه). Check out this video for more information about Ragab.

Aretha Franklin - "Walk On By"

2008-09-01T16:43:00.003-04:00

Is "Walk On By" the most covered song ever? Everyone and their mother has done a version of this, and 75% of them are good; Aretha's version from the "Today I Sing the Blues" LP is no exception. Before signing to Atlantic and becoming the Queen of Soul, Aretha was a more jazz-oriented singer on Columbia. Aretha has actually covered "Walk On By" at least twice to my knowledge, with another version from the same era that is less funky. Anyway, props to Burt! This is a pretty good album, so if you see it grab it.

Heather B - "I Get Wreck"

2008-08-26T21:57:00.005-04:00

I've always liked Heather B, and always hoped her career would have taken off. "If Heads Only Knew" got some reasonable airplay as did "All Glocks Down." And anyone with a guest appearance by M.O.P. must be worthy of some longevity, right? For some reason she was always on BDP's back burner. The ideal time for her to release a complete LP would have been right after the finish of season one of the "Real World," when people could still remember her face and name. Unfortunately, that didn't happen until the mid 90s. "I Get Wreck," however was her 1992 debut single that received little interest from the Hip-Hop nation, even if it did feature Kenny Parker's traditional hard drums and bass line heavy production. This record was never played on The Grind. I suspect this will be the last post I ever make that has "The Real World" as a tag.

Heather, if you're out there -- let's do a track.

Booker T And The MGs - "Sunny"

2008-08-26T21:50:00.005-04:00

Bobby Hebb's original version of this song is great, but there are countless enjoyable remakes as well. Here's one. Booker T's version really brings out the somberness that's not so apparent in the original, so much so that Prince Paul thought it would work well as the main sample for "1-800-Suicide."

Trouble Funk - "Pump Me Up"

2008-08-26T21:43:00.005-04:00

I don't think this record needs much commentary. A DJ favorite from Washington, DC's own "Trouble Funk." Take note that this is the original, 1980 release on Trouble Funk records, not the Sugar Hill reissue, that I'm sure Sylvia Robinson obtained the rights to in exchange for a Cadilac and $500. Pump pump pump pump pump me up!

Kool Kyle and Billy Bill - "The Old School"

2008-08-26T21:31:00.003-04:00

Unless you count "Rockit," this was one of the first Hip-Hop records I was ever exposed to it. It was on a cassette dubbed from a friend who recorded it, along with other songs, from a radio mixshow in Baltimore. I didn't find out the full title of the song until about 1992. It also appeared on a Profile records compilation entitled, "Rap 2," which is best known for debuting Run DMC's classic "Live at the Funhouse." Kool Kyle refers to himself a number of times on this record as "the true Star Child," which I'm guessing is some sort of beef with Busy Bee. Anyone know? DMX-laden production by Mr. Kurtis Blow. Never gets nervous when he cuts the beat.

Triple "S" Connection - "My Cherie Amour"

2008-08-26T21:08:00.003-04:00

Toward the end of the Disco era everyone was making a Disco record, from Rod Stewart to the Rolling Stones. Another later trend involved Disco remakes of past hits (again, something Hip-Hop records would imitate, especially early Sugar Hill releases). While touching one of Stevie's greatest songs might be sacrilegious, I'm willing to let this one slide.

Tavares - "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel" (12" Mix)

2008-08-26T20:45:00.004-04:00

It's debatable what impacted the evolution of modern DJ culture more: Jamaica, or Disco DJs. If it weren't for them it's unlikely that DJing would have ever become an artform on its own. Many early Hip-Hop records sounded like, if not identically, to Disco records. Dance music and Hip-Hop have a lot more in common than most Hip-Hop heads give credit; both are DJ and producer-driven and both contain vocals, but in most cases the lyrics are either mind boggling amazing or horribly forgettable. Both genres cater to, or were founded by an underclass out of necessity; if it weren't for Disco Hip-Hop DJs would have likely been spinning 45s, not 12-inches!

But more importantly, some of the production on Disco records is amazing, and it's a shame that modern-day electronic dance music couldn't have stayed truer to its 70s roots. Here is the first in of a series of Disco posts: Tavares, "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel."

De La Soul - "Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa" (12" Remix)

2008-08-23T20:44:00.004-04:00

Before the exalted Prince Paul used this Patrice Rushen sample for a Gravediggaz track, it appeared on a seldom discussed remix of "Mille Pulled a Pistol on Santa," that trumps the LP version for its somber tone alone. This 12" also features the, as far as I'm concerned, superior video mix of "Keepin' the Faith." Even more reason for you to get your own copy! Will rise not fall, definition Prince Paul, our mentor, don't be sore, when I say that's all . . .

By the way, it's a tossup between De La and Gangstarr for best Hip-Hop group ever. If you disagree there's a party at Idi Amin's house, you're invited. Pick you up about nineish?

DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince - Live at Union Square (Full 20 Minute Version)

2008-08-23T20:12:00.004-04:00

This is the full 20 minute version of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince's infamous "Live at Union Square" recorded from Mr. Magic's "Rap Attack" radio show and later bootlegged onto this piece of vinyl. Presumably, the version that appeared on "He's the DJ I'm the Rapper" was also taped from Mr. Magic and then edited down to about 3 minutes.

Jazzy Jeff, alongside Cash Money, were responsible for a huge step forward in Hip-Hop DJing. So many different scratch techniques evolved out of the transform scratch that it's questionable where scratching would have ended up without their contributions.

I bought two copies of the Ultimate Beats and Breaks used in Jeff's performance as a teenager just so I could try to imitate what he did. I came close -- occasionally. Jeff is the man though and he never lost his touch. Y'all ready to have a party out there?

Afrika Bambaata - "Death Mix 2"

2008-08-22T19:58:00.003-04:00

If you don't love every minute of this record, you probably don't really understand or appreciate Hip-Hop -- period. This is what it's all about folks. Two turntables, breaks, quick on the spot editing/remixing, and keeping it funky. This is how it started. If this doesn't resonate with you, then you are likely a lost soul. The B-Side features an alternate take of the mix and if you want to hear it consider purchasing a copy of your own; Paul Winley puts out some dope stuff anyway. Put the needle on the record when the drum beats go like this.

Ajda Pekkan - "Kimler Geldi Kimler Gecti" (If We Were Free)

2008-08-22T19:53:00.004-04:00

It's no secret that I love Turkish folk, pop, funk, and psychedelic rock from the late 60s and early 70s. After all, I dedicated an entire mixtape to it! In that same vein I present you a favorite B-Side of mine by Ajda Pekkan. Sultan Haroon says play it!

Jazzy Jay - "Fusion Beats Vol. 2"

2008-08-22T19:48:00.005-04:00

While the A-Side of this bootleg, "Flash to the Beat" is well known and oft-sampled, the B-Side, a Jazzy Jay pause tape creation is less played, yet no less dope. This is a Hip-Hop classic. Listen man.

Kool and The Gang - "Little Children"

2008-08-22T19:27:00.002-04:00

A favorite of mine from the album "Open Sesame." Check it out here.

Curtis Mayfield - "Hard Times"

2008-08-20T22:41:00.000-04:00

While most people are familiar with Baby Huey's version of this tune, Curt's is my personal favorite. Spin it.

Eddie Holman - "This Can't Be True"

2008-08-20T22:38:00.001-04:00

You played it for her you can play it for me. Play it!

Marvin Gaye - "What's Going On" (Hip-Hop Remix)

2008-08-20T22:35:00.001-04:00

This is a bootleg remix of Marvin's classic over Soul II Soul's "Fairplay" beat. Sort of interesting, but I am still searching for a similar remix that used "Impeach the President" instead. If anyone has it please get in touch with me. The house remix on this 12" is pretty interesting too, but I was too lazy to rip it. On the flipside there's a blend of NWA's "Express Yourself" bonus beats over "Sexual Healing" -- that sort of sucks in my opinion. Anyway, enjoy!

K-Solo - "Fugitive" (Clark Kent Extended Remix)

2008-08-20T22:29:00.000-04:00

Oh, sorry -- I should have labeled this the Super Extended Remix. I never knew that Clark Kent was originally from Panama. Just listen man.

Lisa Stansfield - "All Around the World" (45 King Remix)

2008-08-20T22:21:00.001-04:00

While I'm not sure what possessed DJ Mark to make an 11 minute remix of this track, it is interesting nonetheless. At the time of this record's making, Hip-Hop producers weren't involved in too many major-label R&B remixes, aside from a few from Clark Kent. The 45 King's signature horns enter the track toward the end. Lisssssten.

Jimmy Spicer - "Money (Dollar Bill Y'all)"

2008-08-20T22:18:00.000-04:00

Another gem from Mr. Super Rhymes himself -- Jimmy Spicer. Notice a young Russell Simmons with production and writing credits. Check it out.

G. Simone - "Music for the 90's"

2008-08-20T22:15:00.000-04:00

A great R&B jam that was overshadowed by the 'divas' of her time, KRS-One's wife gets busy on "Music for the 90's." Listen to this, just listen to this.

Johnny Guitar Watson - "Ain't That a Bitch"

2008-08-20T22:10:00.000-04:00

While the most sampled song from this LP is undoubtedly "Superman Lover," my personal favorite is the title track, "Ain't That a Bitch." Enjoy!

"Roxanne's Revenge" (Street Version)

2008-08-20T12:06:00.000-04:00

The somewhat hard-to-find "street version" of Roxanne Shante's "Roxanne's Revenge" including the instrumental. Classic 1984 Marley Marl. The original was lo-fi, and this was ripped at 320kbs; this is the best you will get! Get it here.