Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound

I don't know anything about Roberto Roena and the Apollo Sound but I'm feeling it. I scooped this up while hitting Goodwill with my brother last week. Check out Roberto's fiery latin cover versions of funk classics Spinning Wheel and Sing A Simple Song.

Oh, and peep that album cover, WTF?! That is a bizarre action shot. He's on a volcano on a cheap movie set or something?!?! Peep that ventilation system. I gotta give credit though, they have the vest game on lock!

* Warning: my copy is beat up so these mp3's are low-fi. But who cares, if you want it clean buy the cd!

Spinning Wheel
Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound
(mp3 format, 2:17 mins, 2.1 mb)

Sing A Simple Song
Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound
(mp3 format, 2:42 mins, 2.5 mb)

Son of Nun - LIVE!

For those of you that don't know, Son of Nun is an established M.C. from Baltimore. His lyrics are sharp and politically fueled. I was lucky enough to meet him last year and we have been collaborating musically as The Ratchet Project ever since.

On January 27, 2007, 500,000 people marched against the Iraq war and occupation in Washington, DC. After this mass demonstration, Son of Nun performed to a packed crowd at Busboys and Poets. Check out this video of him performing "Speak on It," over a beat I made.



You can check out 2 of the songs we are working on on our myspace page. For more information on Ratchet Project email me. Check out SonOfNun.net.

Root Down - Beastie Boys (DJ Mentos Remix)

Here is a new remix I did of the classic Beastie Boys' joint. This has a heavy bassline so don't bother playing it on crappy speakers/headphones.

Root Down (DJ Mentos Remix)
Beastie Boys
(mp3 format, 3:26 mins, 3.2 mb)

Dirt Nation - UPDATE

It's been about 4 months since I last updated the blog. I have been very busy and have been working on some exciting projects (more on that soon).

One of the most visited posts on this blog is the one about the song Khadijah by Dirt Nation. People must google it pretty frequently and I know there was a lot of people checking it out from the Okay Player message board. Anyway, J.B., original member of Dirt Nation has left a message on the site regarding the history of Dirt Nation! Read what he had to say HERE (scroll down to the bottom).

Ayatollah - Listen

I almost always post about old records but I wanted to take a minute to highlight a new album I just picked up - "Listen" by Ayatollah. As you may or may not know Ayatollah has been in the hip hop game for a while and known for his soulful and jazzy work with A Tribe Called Quest, Rakim, Mos Def (Ms. Fat Booty!), Talib Kweli, Ghostface Killah, Pharoahe Monch, and many others.

This is definitely a hip hop producer's album and I don't think it will appeal to everyone. Parts remind me of Jay Dee, RJD2 and Pete Rock but dude definitely has his own sound and it's really soulful and fresh. Some of the beats sound gritty and street while others are zoned out, jazzy and others soulful. I guess this would be classified as a "conceptual" album because it doesn't fit neatly into any popular genres.

Preview the whole album and purchase in the itunes store or at hiphopsite.com .

--- BONUS ---

Check out the video for "Listen" here:

The Message - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five - DJ Mentos Remix

Here is a remix I made using my own music with the vocals from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's seminal "The Message." If you have any feedback on my remix please leave a comment below or e-mail me.

All of my hip hop beats and productions are created by sampling old records, chopping up the samples and re-sequencing them and layering them with other samples to create something new. If you like this remix please check out my other remixes listed in the top of the right column of this page. I add new remixes to it periodically so please check back.

The Message - DJ Mentos Remix
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
(mp3 format, 5:43 mins, 6.6 mb)

The Jeff Wayne Space Shuttle

This is a weird record. It's on the children's record label Wonderland Records. Released in 1975 it is a collection of t.v. and movie themes, mostly from the sci-fi genre, recorded for children. The music has a very unique sound to it combining jazz and pop with some funkiness and a hint of surf guitar (?!?!) Weird, right? According to the back cover this record is "designed to take children into a delightful and exciting world of entertainment." I've seen Jeff Wayne's "War of the Worlds" record before, but never bought it. Let me know if it's worth picking up.

My favorite track is the cover version of "Ape's Shuffle" from "Planet of the Apes." The original version, by Lalo Schiffrin is funky and you can find the 45 pretty easily. This version starts off swanky and grooves steadily with doses of shakers, wah wah guitar, flute and synthy-moog sounds too - oh, and of course Ape grunting. Has a nice break down too. Dope.

Here is the full track list:
Side 1
1) Theme from "Star Trek"
2) Ape's Shuffle from "Planet of the Apes"
3) Batman Theme
4) Earth Bound
5) Journey Through Space

Side 2
6) Ape's Victory Dance
7) The Ape Planet
8) Star Light
9) Beyond the Outer Limits
10) Superman Theme

Ape's Shuffle from "Planet of the Apes"
Jeff Wayne Space Shuttle
(mp3 format, 3:22 mins, 3.2 mb)

The Ape Planet
Jeff Wayne Space Shuttle
(mp3 format, 2:22 mins, 2.3 mb)

Beyond The Outer Limits
Jeff Wayne Space Shuttle
(mp3 format, 2:28 mins, 2.4 mb)

Jesse Anderson - Mighty Mighty & I Got A Problem

It's been a while since I dug up a funk 45 for my blog so I figured it was time. The song Mighty Mighty is a cover version of the Curtis Mayfield track. Anderson's version is very catchy and up-beat with some slick wah wah guitar, funky flute and a nice little drum break to top it off.

The other side features "I Got A Problem." This is a lovely tale of balancing one's lover(s) and wife - hence the title of the song. Not as funky as the other side but a pretty good song nonetheless.

Mighty Mighty
Jesse Anderson
45
(mp3 format, 2:17 mins, 2.7 mb)

I Got A Problem
Jesse Anderson
45
(mp3 format, 2:43 mins, 3.2 mb)

Root Down Radio

Mr. Werks is killing it with his weekly hip hop mix show. Definitely don't sleep. This week's show (#29) features my remix of the Bash Brothers song "Two of the Illest". After you've caught up on the latest mixes check out the archive of older mix shows.

Root Down Radio

Exqusite Torture

This is not a rare record or even an amazing album. But I like this song and wanted to share it. Enjoy.

Exquisite Torture
David Liebman
Light'n Up, Please!
(mp3 format, 4:56 mins, 4.5 mb)

Music From Free Creek

I don't totally understand this record. It features some of the top musicians of the 1970's, some of which are included in the credits, and some are not because of legal issues. I assume that means that their record label wouldn't allow them to appear on the album. This 1973 double lp on "The Famous Charisma Lable" was realeased only in the UK. Some of the credited and not credited artists are Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Harvey Mandel, Keith Emerson, Linda Rondstadt, Todd Rundgren as well as artists from the following bands: Janis Joplin Band, Blood Sweat & Tears, Canned Heat, Three Dog Night, Doctor John, Traffic, Neil Diamond Group, The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and Jimi Hendrix Experience. Pretty impressive group of musicians.

The album features an interesting choice of covers, like Lay Lady Lay, Freedom Jazz Dance, Sympathy for the Devil, Mother Nature's Son, Hey Jude and Girl from Ipanema. For me, and most funk fans, the real gem on this album is a cover version of The Meters' Cissy Strut. Cissy Strut is the quintessential funk song. Tight banging drums with a snappy snare, catchy hypnotic bassline and a groovin' organ over top. Perfect funk. This cover version doesn't top the Meter's but it is definitely dope. What other Cissy Strut covers are out there? Click on "comments" below and let me know. I know the Al Capps version is pretty dope (if anyone has that 45 for sale or trade let me know) and there are a few reggae and steel drum versions out there too.

Cherry Picker is a cool song too. It's got a 70's jam band funky soulful rock feel to it. Serious work on the bass by Stu Woods from Congregation. Like most of the album this has a real improvised sound to it. Working in a Coalmine is another classic tune with more nice bass by Stu Woods. The organ replaces the vocals and sounds great. I like this version a lot.

Cissy Strut
Music From Free Creek
(mp3 format, 4:12 mins, 3.9 mb)

Cherry Picker
Music From Free Creek
(mp3 format, 4:28 mins, 4.1 mb)

Working In A Coalmine
Music From Free Creek
(mp3 format, 3:10 mins, 3 mb)

SOUL

That cover is ridiculous. It obviously impressed one of my favorite producers Pete Rock too. I really should make that into a t-shirt.

This album is a compilation that looks like it came out in the 1970's by Columbia Records. The first song on the album is O.C. Smith's version of the Otis Redding (and Ray Charles) classic Sitting on the Dock of the Bay. His version has a very soulful vibe to it due to the female back up singers (check out the mp3 below). The 2nd song is a live recording of Tina Turner and the Ikettes doing a nice cover of Shake A Tail Feather. This side also contains Aretha Franklin's Sweet Bitter Love which I believe was sampled by Prince Paul or Dan the Automator for Handsome Boy Modeling School.

Side 2 starts with Taj Mahal's Corrina wich is a really nice smooth soulful song with a little folk feel to it (mp3 below). Pacific Gas & Electric (love that name) sings Love, Love, Love, Love, Love. This is a cool funky psych rock song. It reminds me of something from the Black Chains and Exhaust compilation from a few years ago. I included this mp3 (link below) because it's very different from most of the music I post here.

The record store that I found this in also had some others from this same series - a Beatles Song Book, "ROCK", and "HAIR." If anyone has heard these please e-mail me and let me know if they are worth going back for.

Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
O.C. Smith
(mp3 format, 3:16 mins, 3 mb)

Corrina
Taj Mahal
(mp3 format, 3:01 mins, 2.8 mb)

Pacific Gas & Electric
Love, Love, Love, Love, Love
(mp3 format, 3:37 mins, 3.3 mb)

The Family Vibes - Strange Fruit

OK, any record cover that says "Ike Turner presents" has my attention. In this case he presents the band "The Family Vibes" and the album is called "Strange Fruit." Ike's backing band was originally called The Kings of Rhythm and changed it to The Family Vibes. Ike and the Kings of Rhythm recorded an album prior to this entitled A Black Man's Soul that is a very stripped down soulful funk album that I highly recommend. The Family Vibes' Strange Fruit has a much richer full sound than A Black Man's Soul possibly because the quality of the recording is far better. A Black Man's Soul sounds like it was recorded on an answering machine tape but it is raw, gritty and soulful. Another album I recommend is In Person by Ike & Tina Turner and the Ikettes. It's a live recording from San Francisco and they really do a killer show of mostly popular song covers and a few originals .

The song from Strange Fruit that I chose to share is called D.M.Z. This song is very different than most funk songs. I am not sure why, but it just has a different vibe and quality to it. Different and dope which is what I am out there digging for really.

D.M.Z.
The Family Vibes
(mp3 format, 2:43 mins, 2.4 mb)

Yusef Lateef - Russell and Eliot

This is my joint right here! A funky but heavy rolling jazz number that starts slow and builds up dramatically. Yusef plays tenor sax over a tight bass line that anchors the rhythm section. "The world's most recorded drummer" Bernard Purdie lays down his signature super-tight drums. Eric Gale's guitar adds to the deep mood of the song and sounds to me like a blues singer wailing over the steady rhythm.

Russell and Eliot first appeared on the album Yusef Lateef's Detroit in 1969 but I recorded this from a 1970 jazz compilation called Jazz Super Hits Vol 2 on the Atlantic label. The name of the song refers to an intersection in Detroit where Lateef grew up.

Russell and Eliot
Yusef Lateef
(mp3 format, 4:58 mins, 4.6 mb)

Manu Dibango - New Bell

Manu Dibango is probably best known for the song Soul Makossa that was a big hit for him in the 70's. There are a ton of cover versions out there of Soul Makossa. The first track on Dibango's Soul Makossa album is a personal favorite of mine, New Bell. New Bell is less disco-sounding than Soul Makossa and sounds more like Fela Kuti, Africa 70 or Tony Allen. It has a strong African rhythm to it with a pace that makes you want to get up and dance.

New Bell
Manu Dibango
(mp3 format, 6:51 mins, 6.2 mb)

The Bash Brothers - The Axiom

I am one of the Bash Brothers (dj mentos). M.C.'s Furious and Gest asked me to join their group and together we created this album entitled The Axiom. We spent several years writing and recording the material for this album and we are extremely excited to release it. I don't want to try to describe our sound, you can download 2 full-length mp3's for free (below) or preview snippets of the entire album by clicking here.

Life
The Bash Brothers
The Axiom
(mp3 format, 3:59 mins, 4.6mb)

The Fresh Maker
The Bash Brothers
The Axiom
(mp3 format, 4:21 mins, 5 mb)


Click here for the Bash Brothers website, to preview sound clips for the whole album and purchasing information.

The cd cover, illustration and packaging was designed by me, for OfficeThug Graphic Design.

Push Button Objects -360 Degrees

This post is really simple. I love this song, so I'm sharing it. It's from a 2000 12" single release on Chocolate Industries Records by Push Button Objects. The song is called 360 Degrees and it features Del the Funkee Homosapien, Mr. Lif, and DJ Craze. There isn't too much to say other than it's an indy/underground boom bap hip hop song with a TON of energy and bounce to it. A true head-nodder by 2 dope mc's and a world champion dj over a chopped-up, dope-ass beat. Enjoy.

360 Degrees
Push Button Objects
Album Version
(mp3 format, 3:42 mins, 3.4mb)

360 Degrees
Push Button Objects
Instrumental
(mp3 format, 3:45 mins, 3.5 mb)

Schlagers!

Schlagers! is a double-album compilation of Warner Brothers artists that they we're trying to promote for one reason or another. I am not sure what year it was released but it looks like 1969/1970. The artists included in the album are from many different genres, from the Everly Brothers and Kenny Rogers to Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (a great funk band best known for "Express Yourself"). Normally, I wouldn't put a compilation on my blog but this is an old one and contained some songs that I never heard or owned and wanted to share.



The first song is Fat Mama by Herbie Hancock from his album Fat Albert Rotunda. I am a big Herbie fan and F.A.R. is one album of his that I've wanted for a while and never ran across. The song is very funky with a rolling bassline and tight drums. Definitely a dance floor killer.

Fat Mama - Herbie Hancock
(mp3 format, 3:46 mins, 3.5 mb)



The second song I found on this album that I really like is For What It's Worth by Miriam Makeba. Her cover of the Buffalo Springfield anthem is from her album Keep Me In Mind. The song's revolutionary spirit is captured by Makeba and she injects a new soulfulness that I really like. Her voice is killer too.

For What It's Worth - Miriam Makeba
(mp3 format, 2:57 mins, 2.8 mb)

Let me know what you think about these songs by clicking on "comments" below.

Groovin' with the Soulful Strings

December was a busy month for me so I haven't had much time for the blog but hopefully in '06 I can pick up my pace again.



I wanted to share this record not only because the music is good, but also because it's on a pretty cool format. It's a 7 inch 33 1/3 record for jukeboxes. The songs have all been shortened to fit on the smaller format record but I'm willing to make that sacrifice to get the cool Jukebox insert cards and miniature artwork that came with it.

The album contains mostly covers of pop songs from the day and was released on the Cadet label (one of my personal favorites.) Some of the music is a little too easy listening for me but overall it retains a funky quality and the musicianship is top-notch. I uploaded the mp3's for Burning Spear and Comin' Home Baby because they are the funkiest tracks. I also like All Blues a lot.

Listen:
Burning Spear
The Soulful Strings
(mp3 format, 2:26 mins, 2.3 mb)

Comin' Home Baby
The Soulful Strings
(mp3 format, 1:53 mins, 1.8 mb)

All Blues
The Soulful Strings
(mp3 format, 2:24 mins, 2.3 mb)

Airto

I am not good at writing musician bios so google "Airto." You'll be blown away by how many great albums this guy has played on and how many great artists he's played with. His wife is Flora Purim who is amazing in her own right. Together, and individually, they have put out tons of great music, much of it with Chick Corea and the Return To Forever fusion camp. I saw Airto and Flora perform together in New York a few years ago and they we're amazing. They are definitely still doing their thing. Airto did a 10 minute 1-man-band-type thing (Bobby McFerrin style) drumming his hands on his chest and blowing a whistle.



Here are 2 of my favorite Airto tracks: Fingers and Peasant Dance. Peasant Dance is from the b-side of the Virgin Land album on the Salvation label. Peasant Dance is my joint. It's not funky in the traditional sense but it definitely makes people dance. I know this one gets the Oliver Marquis stamp of approval.

Peasant Dance
Airto
(mp3 format, 3:30 mins, 3.2mb)

Fingers is the title track from a CTI release with the bold cover art consisting of a bloody hand. I love this song and I used it on my I Believe In Music mix cd.

Fingers
Airto
(mp3 format, 4:33 mins, 4.2mb)

Random Mp3's

I don't have time for an elaborate post today, so I'll keep this short. Here are some funky songs I have recorded from vinyl that you DEFINITELY should check out if you aren't familiar with them.


Fire Weaver
Roy Ayers Ubiquity
Album: He's Coming
(mp3 format, 3:44 mins, 3.1 mb)

I Can Understand It
The New Birth
Album: Birth Day
(mp3 format, 6:21 mins, 5.1 mb)

Man From The Past
Tower of Power
Album: Back To Oakland
(mp3 format, 3:58 mins, 3.2 mb)

Dirt Nation - Khadijah

This is going to be a short post because I really don't know anything about this group. I know of them because the video for Khadijah was one of my favorites back in the day. I don't know if it aired more than once or twice but I had it on tape and had it in heavy rotation. I picked up this 12" off of ebay recently for a few bucks. If you know anything about this group, the single or the video please post it in the comments section below or send me an e-mail. Did Dirt Nation drop a full-length album?

Khadijah
Dirt Nation
(mp3 format, 4:38 mins, 3.7mb)

Das Efx - Microphone Master

The 12" single for Microphone Master has a couple nice gems on it that were not available on the full length album/cd. I have to admit though, when Das dropped their 3rd album in 1995, Hold It Down, I don't think I even listened to it. At that time their style has been imitated to the point that I couldn't even listen to them do it anymore, even thought they were the orignators. Not to mention some new cats were dropping some really big albums at that time so I definitely slept on this. When I recently came across the 12" single for Microphone Master for $1 I figured I'd scoop it up and was really surprised at how good it is.

The album version is dope, produced by Easy Mo Bee. I'm a sucker for a good vibes sample and hard hitting drums. DJ Spinna hookedup the the jazzy Head Cracker Remix with the smooth bassline and crunchy drums. Easy Mo Bee produced the Sewa/41st Side Remix with a guest appearance by none other than Q.B.'s finest Mobb Deep.

These mp3s have some hiss and pops so if you want the cd Amazon has it for pretty cheap. Or better yet, go to your local mom and pop record store and buy it from them, I am sure they could use your business.

Click on "comments" below and let me know what you think of these mp3s. You feeling the vintage Das Efx joints? Should I post some more funk, hip hop, freestyles, battles, live recordings? Or soundtracks, funky rock, jazz, I'll take some requests. Maybe :)

Microphone Master (album version)
Das Efx
(mp3 format, 4:32 mins, 3.7mb)

Microphone Master (Dome Cracker Remix Clean)
Das Efx
(mp3 format, 4:48 mins, 3.9 mb)

Microphone Master (Sewa/41st Side Remix Dirty)
Das Efx featuring Mobb Deep
(mp3 format, 5:09 mins, 4.2 mb)

I have the acapella and 2 instrumentals so e-mail me if you want them.

--- BONUS ---

While I'm at it, here are 2 Das Efx Pete Rock remixes. I didn't record these off of vinyl so I dont really have any background on them other than the Soul Brother #1 hooks it up like he usually does.


Jussumen (Pete Rock Remix)
Das Efx
(mp3 format, 4:47 mins, 3.8 mb)

The Real Hip Hop (Pete Rock Remix)
Das Efx
(mp3 format, 3:58 mins, 3.1 mb)

The Grandmasters - GZA & Muggs

I have been posting old records and 45's lately but here is some gritty NEW hip hop that's got me amped. I haven't gotten this hyped off a video since Ghostface's Run. DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill) and the GZA (Wu-Tang Clan) have teamed up to release an album entitled the Grandmasters. They (like myself) have not given up on that classic hip hop formula of banging sampled dirty drum breaks with simple but dope samples and blazing rhymes. This is that true hip hop sh*t people.



Check out the video for General Principles

This video is sick. I like that they threw in the old school footage from Wild Style (In Color) while the current video footage is black and white. (Cameos from Rakaa Iriscience (Dilated Peoples), Babu (Dilated and Beat Junkies), DJ Rhettmatic (Beat Junkies), and a couple guys I don't recognize.)

Here's an mp3 from the album:
All In Together
The Grandmasters (GZA & DJ Muggs)
(mp3 format, 4:24 mins, 3.6 mb)

You can preview and buy the album here.

Movin' On Up

Everyone knows the theme to the Jeffersons but not many have heard this cover version. I recorded this from the album "Motown presents: T.V. Hits played the way you want to hear them" and I couldn't agree more. This is in fact the way I want to hear my t.v. themes played.

I should dig up that 12" single I have with the disco version of the Love Boat Theme...

The Jeffersons Theme (Cover Version)
Motown presents: T.V. Hits played the way YOU want to hear them
(mp3 format, 3:48 mins, 3.1 mb)

Bling: Consequences and Diamonds

I urge you to watch this documentary about Diamonds and how they make their way to the jewelry you see on Mtv every day. It's narrated by Chuck D and features some music from Public Enemy. You can watch it in quicktime or windows media player on their website.

Bling: Consequences and Diamonds

I would like to mention that while I agree that a lot of iced-out rappers are irresponsible and set a bad example, they are not purely to blame for glamorizing diamond jewelry. Hip hop has been a scapegoat for many issues and I think it's worth mentioning that hip hop styles - and the music itself - has always been inspired by and has borrowed from other music, styles and culture. Hip hop didn't invent diamond jewelry. (although maybe they did take it to the next level) Wasn't Liberace flossing his ice long before Paul Wall or Nelly? Leave your comments below.

More 45's

People seem to be enjoying my funk and soul 45 collection so here are some more.


The Incredible Bongo Band is probably best known for their song Apache that has been sampled a million times and is a breakdancing staple. This 45, Kiburi, has a much different vibe to it. Smoothed out with a rolling rhythm it keeps moving very fluidly. Kinda raunchy like the Chakachas' Jungle Fever but not quite. Heavy percussion as you'd expect.

Kiburi
The Incredible Bongo Band
(mp3 format, 2:15 mins, 1.9mb)

Heads or Tails

Booker T. and the M.G.'s where formed in the 1960's in Memphis Tennessee and were on the Stax label. Because they were a racially integrated band at that time they had a difficult time booking gigs for both black audiences and white audiences. They are probably best know for Green Onions. This song, Heads or Tails is a personal favorite.

Heads or Tails
Booker T. and the M.G.'s
(mp3 format, 2:29 mins, 2 mb)

Tramp

Otis Redding and Carla Thomas teamed up for the album King & Queen which I have never heard in it's entirety. This 45, Tramp, has been covered by alot of artists over the years, and this version has a nice drum break in the beginning.

Tramp
Otis & Carla
(mp3 format, 2:59 mins, 2.4 mb)

The Original Breed

Here is another 45 from my collection. This is a record I know very little about. The group is called The Original Breed and I believe they were from Chicago. I am Somebody is a great song with a very positive and uplifting message. The other side, The Prophet, is a very catchy smoothed-out love song. If you know anything else about this record please post it in the comments section below or send me an e-mail.

I Am Somebody
The Original Breed
(mp3 format, 3:11 mins, 2.4mb)

The Prophet
The Original Breed
(mp3 format, 3:01 mins, 2.5 mb)

DOO DOO

What a great name for a song! I just assumed "Doo Doo Brown" was the first song with "Doo Doo" in the title, but I guess I was wrong. This is a funky jazz song with some serious guitar. I don't know much about it, I probably bought it because of the name, but the song is solid. The b-side is an up-beat track called Love Vibrations with a less-than-subtle message about love.

The ZEA 45 label is pretty dope too.

Doo Doo
David T. Walker
(mp3 format, 4:09 mins, 3.4mb)

Love Vibrations
David T. Walker
(mp3 format, 2:50 mins, 2.3 mb)

We The People - The Soul Searchers

If you grew up in the Washington D.C. area like I did you know about Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers. They have played tons of live shows in the area and are widely credited with starting/founding/inventing go-go music. If you don't know what go-go music is here is an npr piece on Chuck Brown and Go-Go music.



This 45, We The People, is on the Sussex label from 1972. The music is funky and soulful. The message is powerful. Despite the powerful message in the lyrics, I prefer the instrumental version over the vocal because you can really hear how good the music is.
We The People
Side A - Vocal Version
The Soul Searchers
(mp3 format, 3:13 mins, 2.6 mb)

We The People
Side B - Instrumental Version
The Soul Searchers
(mp3 format, 2:19 mins, 1.9 mb)

Ashley's Roachclip

B-boys, b-girls, dj's and most other hip hop heads know of the Soul Searchers because of their song Ashley's Roachclip. A.R. is an upbeat funk song with a killer drum break solo that has led many breakdancers to the floor not to mention being the sample source for Eric B and Rakim's seminal Paid In Full as well as many other hip hop songs. Nas reused the loop (well he sorta just jacked the paid in full loop) more recently for Stillmatic.

Ashley's Roachclip
The Soul Searchers
(mp3 format, 5:38 mins, 4.6 mb)

Stillmatic
White Label
Nas
(mp3 format, 2:34 mins, 2.4 mb)

World Beard and Moustache Championships

If you happened to have missed this year's World Beard and Moustache Championships in Berlin you can checkout this yahoo photo gallery of winners and losers. But really people, are there any losers as the World Beard and Moustache Championships?

Here is a link to the official site and if your feeling courageous do a google search for "moustache gallery" and you may stumble across the Official Gentlemen's Facial Hair Club and other scary facial-hair-related organizations.

The Shining Trailer

A post-production house organized a competition where assistant editors 're-cut' trailers for famous movies to try and make them seem like different movies.
This is the one that won:
The Shining (Plays in Quicktime)

DJ Mentos Remixes - Mobb Deep, Ludacris, Terror Squad

I just finished this remix of the Mobb Deep classic Shook Ones Pt II.

Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Part II
DJ Mentos Remix (mp3 format, 4:20 mins, 4 mb)
Let me know what you think about this song by clicking on "comments" below.

More DJ Mentos Hip Hop Remixes

Stand Up - Ludacris
DJ Mentos Remix (mp3 format, 3:35 mins, 3.3 mb)

Lean Back - Fat Joe and Terror Squad

The World Is A Ghetto

If the only WAR songs you've ever heard are Lowrider and Why Can't We Be Friends your probably going to be surprised when you hear The World Is A Ghetto. It's from their album by the same name and it's one of those songs that moves me every time I hear it. It's 10 minutes long but keeps your attention the whole time. I also really like music that defies genre and I don't know if this song is more jazz, funk, soul or r&b.



War - The World Is A Ghetto
This mp3 is recorded from vinyl, not ripped from cd.
(mp3 format, 10 mins, 9.3 mb)
Let me know what you think about this song by clicking on "comments" below and leaving feedback.

"Ghetto-Related Hip Hop Bonus Tracks"

Ghetto Thang (Ghetto Ximer Remix)
De La Soul from the 12" Single for Buddy & Ghetto Thang (mp3 format, 4:30 mins, 4.2 mb)
This is not the same version as the one on the 3 Feet High and Rising LP. This is the Ghetto Ximer remix from the 12" single.

The Projects
Handsome Boy Modeling School featuring De La Soul and Del the Funky Homosapien
(mp3 format, 4:30 mins, 4.2 mb)
Handsome Boy Modeling School consists of Dan the Automator (Dr. Octagon, Bombay the Hard Way) and Prince Paul (De La Soul, Stetsasonic)

Welcome to the OfficeThug.com Blog

Welcome to my blog. I guess for my first post I should introduce myself. I'm Zak. I'm a stay-at-home-dad in New York City. I also run my own graphic design company called Office Thug. I am also a hip hop dj (although I don't really perform live very often anymore), record collector, photographer and beat maker. You can check out my design portfolio, some of my photos, and some of my music at OfficeThug.com I don't really consider myself a writer but I wanted to start this blog so that I can share music, photos, weblinks and occasionally my opinions with my friends and I guess strangers too.

"It Takes Ca$h to Rock the Def Jordache"

For my first post I'd like to take it back to the old school. This is a live recording of Masterdon and the Def Committee rocking at Harlem World from 1981. (mp3 format, 30 mins, 27 mb *Pretty bad sound quality)** I had to take the mp3 link down to save room on my server but if you want the mp3 e-mail me. I couldn't find a good bio on Masterdon so if anyone knows a little history about them please e-mail it to me or post it in the comments section (the link is below). I got this mp3 from someone on the soulstrut message board. Listening to Masterdon drop these classic breaks and the mc's rapping, singing and harmonizing really reminds me that hip hop was born from live performances. Originally, hip hop was all about entertaining audiences and keeping people dancing and having fun. You know, when M.C. actually meant master of ceremonies for a reason.



I have some more old live hip hop recordings, battles and park jams that I'll be posting soon. If you have any mp3s for me please get at me. Oh, and for those of you that aren't feeling this old school style hip hop I'll have some rugged thugged-out 90's sh*t soon enough...