RIP Teddy Pendergrass

1950 - 2010

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

DJ Slugo - Respect My Grine vol 1,2,3

Slugo was kind enough to give away his previous volumes of his Respect My Grine mixtape series while he's finishing volume 4 up. For those of you that don't know, the series covers local Chicago talent, much of the time shedding light onto the young artists making music in the city. Generally comprised of local rappers, you will find the likes of Tha Pope, DJ Nate, and sometimes people I know (what's up Khallee?). Definitely for those interested in following what the kids are doing Hip-Hop wise in the city today.

2010!!!!!

NGUZUNGUZU EP 2010

The club, the bedroom, and both at the same time.

Llet Ot Tog Ev'i, Yrots Elttil A S'ereh Won

Pappawheeli - Paul Revealed (Paul Revere Instrumental Backwards Un-masking)

Maybe it's my love for a lot of things Music Concret, perhaps it's just hanging around DJs but I can be a sucker for music sped up, slowed down, and even backwards. If this wasn't already obvious then I'll admit listening to Rihanna backmasked quite a few times. Miami Bass historian Pappawheeli flipped the Beastie's Paul Revere to unveil proto-Miami Bass from 1986 in the form of reversed white boy Rap, a bit different than how I remember hearing one of my first Hip-Hop songs. Played forwards it's already got the silence gaps and stop-and-start patterns that a lot of Electro tracks since Afrika Bambataa tended to have, but reversed it has even more hiss to the cymbals. That year was a pretty big one for the genre's predecessors, and this wasn't even able to influence those without the mechanism to play it at the speed that secret messages can be heard and therefore maybe a bit irrelevant and mostly for novelty enjoyment. I mean I'd be pretty psyched if a song played backwards sparked a highly influential musical movement, but hey we're in a new decade that will give us the Easy-Bake-Oven of screwed and chopped and backmasking machines via iPhone apps.

Crown Heights Affair "Galaxy of Love"

Here's a song for all you eager disco explorers. My newest vehicle for transport is by the late seventies hit by the

Crown Heights Affair, "Galaxy of Love".

The song opens different than the typical disco song. It sets us up delicately, with wind surf ambiance and piano tinklings, something that could be a whole song in its self, preparing us for a long flight. You take off and you realize that your flying very high and fast, with the SFX of space whizzing by your head. And with The high heaven vocals, the song soars bright and clear like a beautiful cartoon. This large group of hard working musicians play with vigor, and take the pleasure in bringing you higher than you've ever been. This is a Band of the Clouds, demanding you to dance with it's stern Horn Sorcery and disgusting Bass breakdown. The featured Synth Lazer even takes A Solo, flashing like a rainbow gradient gamma ray. And then suddenly, the band suddenly brings it all to stop, leaving you to drop from the highest point in the sky! Enjoy.

-J.Shorts

(The sound quality isn't too bad for a Youtube Clip)

Buckets

While I'm not willing to give up, this is probably the closest Juke will ever come to Go-Go.

Inside Mi Car

KI Persad & JMC 3veni - Catch Meh Lover 2009

One of my favorite places to both listen and read about music these days is Rizzla's great sex, drugs, and Soca spot, Wasted Youth Sound System. If not for the amazing web of links to both sides of the issue of homophobia in the Caribbean, than for the fact that he shines light on a genre stuck in the dark shadow of Dancehall. I'm gonna leave all that up to him, but I'll go ahead and dive into this Chutney song about catching your woman with another woman. From what I gather this is a big tune among East Indians in Trinidad right now, and it isn't a no-batty man/woman anthem at all but a rather tongue-in-cheek pop song about lesbians. Pretty harmless, basically right between My Girl Got a Girlfriend and I Kissed a Girl but I can't say I've heard anything from the Caribbean that takes on any similar subject in such a lighthearted poppy manner. It's incredibly corny, but I dig the production. The video is a must see especially for the hilarious bubble captions, and if you were worried about KI and his girls sacred bond it all ends up being a dream in the end. His acting makes me think he was actually psyched about it though.

Q:

A: Yes.

Cortando el Bloque

Los Gaiteros De San Jacinto - El Manolo (Rebajado)

DESVIARSE.

Mama Kudi

I spend a lot of my free time watching African pop music videos on the Africa Channel and Youtube, and unfortunately this means a lot of Kuduro videos with amputees from the aftermath of the Angolan Civil War. This video in particular results in mixed emotions, but I find it pretty amazing how brazen these guys are, dancing on top of cars and breakdancing with crutches (and sometimes absent of them). Once again DJ Nays shows up, who's pretty much my favorite producer of late. I know I've made a few wise cracks about lovey dovey genres like Zouk Love and Kizomba, but there is absolutely nothing wussy about this song, which is best in it's class. It serenades without actually saying anything. I've amassed a rather large collection of stuff like this that I've slowly been going through, and I'll touch more on that later.

Beggin' You to Beg Me

Gael Garcia - Quiero Que Me Quieras (Dj Explow Remix) 2009

A Banger remix of a Cheap Trick Cumbia cover. I'm a big sucker for this kind of stuff, and this one really isn't all that corny like some of the karaoke sounding, bad singing kind of stuff. I'm not sure if this is the same Gael Garcia as the Mexican actor, but I'm kind of guessing it's not (see comments).

Gel And Weave It

DJ Chip - Bald Head Scoochie Rat (DJ Hashtee Remix) 2005

This is barely a remix, more of an edit of one of the best DJ Chip tracks by some weird guy in the Swiss mountains(?). I get an image of a guy in a cabin with a big stack of Dance Mania records, but that's probably a bit off. I guess he added a few things, but it's pretty much a compressed version of the original. It's not better, but it is weirder, and maybe a bit more club friendly without the rapping.

X-Mas In Trinidad

Bindley Benjamin - Santa Lookin for Ah Wife

I generally loathe Christmas music, but Trinidadian Spanish-Catholic caroling music Parang is definitely worth a listen. Have a happy whatever holiday you celebrate.

Juy to the World

Grupo Ju-Juy - Track 2 (from Gigantes De La Cumbia Sonidera 2009)

These guys always have the best synths. Very nasally sounding at times, even though I don't think that is a word you can use to describe electronic instruments. This is from a split CD with Los Deakino that I picked up a block from my house, though most of the Sonidera releases in shops around here come from NYC. I wish I had some local product for you all, but the Cumbia played live in Chicago is usually by a side-tracking Duranguense band.

This song has a name but my CD is in the Midwest while I am on the West Coast, sorry.

Acres of Jamaica in Decatur

Kollosus ft Milla - Want No More (from Kollosal Activity 2009)

Rap music from Atlanta via Jamaica. Both Kollosus and Milla hail from the Caribbean but grew up in Decatur so their accents sound southern with a Kingston twang. I like how much of each side shines in their music, and I like this Kieth Hudsonesque beat quite a bit. Good for hanging out on couches, not so much for essay material but the semi-resistance to assimilate is interesting none the less.

Favela Funkin' With Another Drum

DJ Battery Brain - 808 Volt Mix (Beatapella Mix) (from 8 Volt Mix 12" 1998)

I don't feel like I've given enough love to Brazil so here's a bonus to all the Passinho below. Just like some of the dance moves from the kids in Rio, this record isn't from South America ether. This instrumental version of 808 Volt Mix was a seminal record in the creation of Funk Carioca, that luckily fell into the hands of of the early pioneers. Obviously the music stems from Miami Bass, but for some reason the most commonly used drum loop was from this track before the Tamborzão rhythms became a staple. How it became the Amen Break of Favela Funk? I haven't a clue other than it being of similar taste to stuff like Bass Rock Express, with doper drums. It would make a lot of sense if DJ Battery Brain aka Mark Rodgers was from Miami (which could be possible), but Techno Hop Records was a Los Angeles based label dedicated to local talent like King Tee and Compton's Most Wanted. With little info out there I'd bet like the rest of the roster he's from California.

Little Feet

Johan's recent genre of the week caused me to watch kids dancing on youtube once again. This time around it's kids Jerkin sans skinny jeans to Carioca beats only a teenager could love. Funk Putaria is driven by the same griminess that fuels the other forms of favela funk, but there is something more playful going on especially in the samples and sound palate. I haven't found much of the music by itself to really judge it sonically or separate it from the other genres, but along with it comes a maybe coincidental/maybe not hobby that makes it seem like the kids in Brazil have become enamored by the kids in California. "Passinho" means little feet in reference to Carioca steps and in this case is more living room appropriate than something you should do at a rave. Some of the moves in these videos are basically the same "dip" done to the New Boyz, but done in shorts and tank tops in humid Rio weather. An interesting addition to the phenomenon of worldwide footwork no doubt. Take note of the various Capoeira nods as well, or at least less confrontational ones.

Question: Why are these videos labeled Passinho FODA?

Stanky Decale

If your like me and have been enjoying Boima's African By The Bay EP, you will dig this too. Nays is the truth, and he fucks with pretty much every major form of African dance music from Zouk to Funana. Not totally uncommon to do that, but dude's got finesse.

Pinnokkio

DJ Dopy - Speedy Megamix 2005

Everything that a Bubbling Battle track should be. Contains Everyone Falls In Love Sometimes by Beenie Man and other sped up goodies for popping and locking, aka the weird dance also known as "Pinnokkio".

I Was In The Hood While You Were Shopping At Whole Foods

A snippet from Lil B's 6 Kiss mixtape (which has a creepy Trevor Brown-looking cover). Lil B raps over a really high pitched sine wave that sounds like something Fennesz made. I don't know how "enjoyable" it really is, but it's good backing proof to Lil B's position as poster-child for the effect the internet has had on the musical youth.

There Ain't No Such Thing as Baltimore House

Tyler Wilcox - Get Your Life! (Soundcloud Link)

Tyler sent over this great mix of early Baltimore 12"s in an email titled "There Ain't No Such Thing as Baltimore House". I definitely agree that what came out of Baltimore especially in the early days was a totally different sound than Chicago, but the title was meant as a correction to my mis-labeling of things, namely that I usually say "Baltimore House" when referring to such. It's not House music, but it's definitely club music, and this is a mistake that I don't imagine many people from Baltimore make. I hear other outsiders make the same error all the time, but there is an easy way to correct your mistakes. Just think of where you would most likely hear the music. In Chicago there is still a big underground wareHOUSE party scene, and we don't like ketchup on our hot dogs. In Baltimore the music started at the CLUB and they eat crab chips. It's as simple as that.

This mix is a real good collection of Baltimore Club music in it's early days, with lots of Big Tony vocals and Frank Ski productions. A lot of scratchy 12 inch dubs that tell the story of pre-internet underground tape swapping and pre-Baltimore remix. Words from the creator: "Growing up in Baltimore, the first underground music I heard were club tapes traded at school. Here is a mix of underground club 12"s I remember from the 90's. Many of my copies came from djs of that era so they're kinda crunchy, enjoy!!"

Bubbling Battle

Bubbling Battle is the style of Bubbling made for kids to dance to, and it's a small world because it's a ritual similar to Chicago Footwork. It's very much a pop-and-lock dance that goes along with weird DMC sounding mixes, a few of which I've posted recently. Pretty different to the drums-only tracks, and a lot goofier. The mess DJ Moortje left behind is now considered the old school form, and it's been known to piss off Dancehall artists who don't like their music at the wrong speed. I've heard that one of the reasons people enjoyed the change in pitch is that its fast energy fit the demands of the northern Dutch country boys who had enough adrenaline (and drugs) to dance like rabid animals for 10+ hours. Your speed binge wouldn't be disturbed by the constant record changing, because that's all your attention span at that point can handle.

Some More Kuduro

Helder Rei Do Kuduro - Ladies Night (Live)

Super sick live recording of Helder getting buckwild on the mic.

Kuduro Rituals

DJ Nays - Let Me K.O. (from Zouk Et Kuduro 2009)

The head of the Aubervillier Industrial scene using barking demon dog synths to make Kuduro. Really DJ Chuckie sounding on the rave tip too. I think you gotta say his name four times in the mirror before you can listen to this.

NGUZUNGUZU NU NU

DOWNLOAD

A promo mix for the forthcoming EP and debut NGUZUNGUZU release! I've heard it and can speak for myself, it is some of the best music I've heard this year in any category. This mix is a good representation of the corpse named genre that these guys chewed up and left behind, made possible with both drum pad skills and four well tuned ears.

Country Rap Still Not Kosher

Fuck this rap is dead shit. From the Juicy J and Project Pat Cut Throat mixtape, which is good.

The Art of The Assturn

DJ Kaas - Blanka Battle Beat 2001

Gunshots, G-Funk organs, Bam Bam Riddim, spaceships, and Wu-Tang.

House Music Identity Fraud

Mark Bernard - Kick Off (from Loop Point 12" 1993)

An old House song with way too much phase shift. I understand using pseudonyms for making music, but why on earth do a lot of the Dance Mania guys use "normal" names for their records, that aren't actually theirs? This is Robert Armani before he became the "Big Boss of Techno" and started doing the Hard House thing (something I know absolutely nothing about). No beard scratching to be found here, just fun goofy lo-fi dance music pulled off a shitty vinyl rip.

I Call It Lemon-Red

This video matches this blog, and Gucci pays $5000 for a cup of juice.

"VERY COMPLICATED"

DJ Nate - S.A.S.

DJ NATE , BEING A VERY CURIOUS AND TALENTED PERSON , HE FOUND A "BOOTLEG WAY TO RECORD LOL" SO THEY DECIDED TO RECORD AND RAP MIXTAPE ON THE SOUND RECOREDER PROGRAM , WHICH APPEARS ON EVERY WINDOWS COMPUTER. WHAT THEY DID , WAS THEY HAD USED A SMALL RADIO TO PLAY THE INSTRUMENTALS , AND USED A COMPUER MIC, TO RECORD THE BEAT AND THEIR VOCALS AT THE SAME TIME "VERY COMPLICATED , BUT THEY MADE IT HAPPENED , COMPARED TO HOW THERE MUSIC SOUNDS NOW , THAT WAS WEEK BACK THEN LOL!, BUT NOW, ANYTIME THEY NEED TO RECORD , THEY ATTEND DIFFERENT STUDIOS , AND RECORD BOOTS TO MAKE STREET POERTY , AND AS FAR AS NEW INSTRUMENTALS , DJ NATE , AND DJ PRODIGY MAKES MAGICAL BEATS , I MEEN THE REAL DEAL BEATS THAT RAPPERS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WOULD LOVE TO PURCHASE FOR A HIT SONG, ENUFF SAID , "GET IT SQUAD WE THA FUTURE"

2 Years Ago...

UGK - Tell Me Something Good Original Version (from The Southern Way Cassette 1992)

Sensi Addicts Only

Vybz Kartel - Weed (Gutter Riddim 2009)

I recently started paying more attention to the Riddims from the other islands in the Caribbean and this one out of Grenada is solid. Something about the down tuned xylophone with the muted dying trumpet sort of suspend things in time, like a snippet of Carnival caught in a tape loop. Vybz vibes pretty well with things, and his performance seems to be over a slightly bolder mix. Bunji Garlin's Mad Carnival is worth hearing too, but we're a few months too early for that.

Karizmatic

Karizma - Neccessarry Maddness (from Mind of It's Own vol 2 2009)

I've slept hard on Karizma, and it's a shame because his absence in my life has attributed to my grumpiness towards Baltimore House music in 2009. Which is to say, a general boredom with hearing too many lazy remixes and not enough fresh material to peak my interest. Karizma produced one of the weirdest early Bmore singles (Blow the Whistle) that I've always held close, but I was unaware of his recent productivity until a few months ago. His music goes along way and in this particular instance I'm excited to hear the Sing Sing Break used in a techy manner. This one cuts like a Disco Edit on the grown side of things, a definite floor mover that won't spill your drink.

Acordeões

Kodé Di Dona - Seis Anus Na Tarrafal (Cap-Vert: Kodé Di Dona's Funana 1995)

Really beautiful earlier Funana song that I've been listening to a lot lately. This was on Ocora, one of my favorite labels ever. Love finding this stuff used for dirt cheap in shops, don't love owing the Harold Washington library late fees.

Clean Like Dish Detergent

DJ Pillsbury - Swag Surfin (Juke Remix) 2009

So aggressive it's pretty much a Footwork remix. Just barely daytime radio-friendly, though I've heard DJ Nehphis play it before.

Now Streaming:

photo via Wayne&Wax's flickr

An INTENSE three hour long Kingdom live set on Ustream.

Whooditech

This isn't so out of the ordinary as far as Ghettotech goes, but almost every track from this guy seems to be based on a sample by a New Orleans rapper. I mean the vocals are in the same Detroit tradition and cars aren't an uncommon theme, (see DJ Assault - My Caddy) but it's surprisingly uncommon to come across "unoriginal" material in this environment. The music wasn't birthed from a sample like Bmore, therefore has different responsibilities. There are even some DJs who frown upon this method, and while a lot of Ghetto House/Tech lyrics are written in less than 5 minutes, I'm partial to the raspiness of Slugo's baritone, neighborhood kid choirs, and Assault's lisp. I would rather get some Katey Red or Chev up on something like this, but Mannie Fresh works out out OK in the end.

I'm not morally against putting an mp3 up since I can't find any legitimate places to buy this (released on Thorn Entertainment, a tiny subsidiary of the Twilight 76 web that exclusively put out AJ McGhee records), I just don't have one.

Same Old Song

Los Decadas - Polvo Y El Viento (from Sonido Fantasma C.J. Collection De Oro vol 19 2009)

One strategy for making your way through genres like Jazz is to cross reference the list of musicians to other records. I thought the Sax was dope on Journey Into Satchidananda, therefore I started checking out Pharoah Sanders. A simple plan that is replaced by pictures when digging through Sonidero CDs. What I'm getting at is that I totally look for the DJs with the coolest looking logos and start from there. Obviously looking at the list of bands is helpful too, but this recent release from Mexico's Fantasma (César Juárez) worked out fine. I picked this up in my backyard at Puebla Records & Gift Shop on Cermak which is small but very up-to-date with their New York City Sonidera releases. That section is even bigger than the local Duranguense one, but from what I understand Duranguense is most popular on the North Side, Cumbia on the South Side. This shop also operates at the "Maxwell Street" Market and they might apologize to you for not being unpacked yet if you come early in the week. They are also very helpful and fairly priced, cheaper than Jalisco on Chicago Ave which although expensive has a wider selection and pretty big Merengue shelf.

Oh yeah, this is not one of the best tracks on the CD, which has some pretty great synths overall, but an awesome cover of one of the lamest songs ever written. If I could think of a good name for it, this would be in the same series as that screwed Rush track I put up before. Sorry.

People People Still Wanna Cuss Cuss

Cuss Fix Riddim (2009)

Cuss Cuss was first preformed by Lloyd Robinson in 1969 and since has been one of the most versioned riddims in Jamaican history. The 80s Roots Radics version was actually the first early Dancehall song I remember making an impression on me, and I've collected a good deal of performances and alternative mutations since. A lot of my recent Bubbling listening has led me to pay closer attention to current riddims that aren't "Mickey Moused". I'm particularly impressed by this 2009 version, with a new set of claps and some backwards loops that breathe a new life into the 40 year old tune. Almost sounds like the original getting sucked into itself. It's hard to hide the association with old-school roots business, but this brand new fix is face-lift to the original dark theme. I'm honestly not all that impressed with most of the vocal versions, so I just put up the instrumental. Not really sure who I would want to hear over this.

Give It To Me Plenty

DJ Moortje - Money

This is my shit right now. So is this. And this. Moortjewatch 2.5.

You Big Dummy

Dat Nigah Tha Schit - I Want My Daddy's Records (from Pussy Pop 12" 1997)

Baltimore DJs weren't the only ones goofy enough to do it, Chicago fucked with Sanford and Son too. Not a theme song remix, but a sample from the episode where Fred demanded his fathers record collection from storage. It was totally recorded off a TV with a microphone. This is Paul Johnson under an alias he only used for this one record. I guess as far as playing this out, it's pretty outdated now that Technics don't even make turntables anymore.

New Weird Suriname

The Sukru Masters - Ai Sa Si (DJ Fasta R'Dam to Paramaribo Kawina/Bubbling remix) 2009

Combine the rabid patterns of West Africa in the form of Caribbean Drumz via The Netherlands with Afro-Surinamese folk music blah blah blah blah blah. Kawina is a song and dance formed after the Dutch abolished slavery in 1863 which has been kept alive by both the descendants of slaves and DJs within the diaspora of the Antilles. It is related to the Winti religion, in which "Wintis" or demigods are summoned by special rhythms. These Wintis can possess performers during ceremonies, but are a healing force, not an evil one like a Duppy. I'm curious what spirits the Bubbling remixes arouse? These aren't part of the goofy Moortje school, but usually mash-ups of Caribbean drum along tracks with popular male vocal groups. I don't imagine you would hear this kind of stuff at a party in The Netherlands, it's not ravey enough and doesn't mix as well with uppers. Probably a lot more likely to hear this in the actual Antilles, and at national pride festivals within the diaspora. There are some super bizarre Chutney versions of this stuff too, but that and Kaseko are a different story. If you have any remixes I don't have, your gonna email them to me right away.

For more listening, I've been compiling a collection of Suriname related music and videos in the form of a Youtube playlist. It's mostly stuff closely related to Suriname, not so much Bubbling via The Hague. Kawina dance ceremonies, Kaseko old and new, Chutney, Antillean Rap, Autotuned Ragga, Suriname Zouk, ect.

Factory Style

Jammin Gerald - Move It (from Factory Trax 12" 1994)
Jammin Gerald - Erk N Jerk (remix) (from Factory Thing 12" 1999)

Hmm, no love for Gerald on here, let's fix that! A series of records on Dance Mania were dedicated to the now defunct Factory club on Chicago's Westside, an important landmark in the history of House music. Jammin Gerald grew up at the right time, and on the right side of town, hence the existence of these tracks. His early records are a great example of the sound of the mid 90s when the bass started getting heavier, made very clear by 1994's Factory Trax. Erk N Jerk is from one of the later releases on DM, though it's mostly updated versions of his older singles. Like he kept the sounds on his MPC all this time, you can actually hear a bunch of samples he used 5 years prior as well as that same cold bass sound Deeon used for Headhunters. Guy was also up on Bmore before anyone else in Chicago, hell probably a lot of people in Baltimore too.

Don't Create

The Slits - Typical Girls (Brink Style) (from Cut 2009 Delux Edition)

The double CD edition of this classic Punk record came out about a week ago, and it's full of alternative takes and even a cover of I Heard it Through the Grapevine. I don't generally buy these kind of reissues but Dennis Bovell was at the controls, which means the studio was kinda cloudy. This version of my favorite Slits track is not far off from sounding like a track on Tago Mago. The magnetic tape was eaten by a Duppy and the holes it left behind created a beautiful piece of feminist Music Concret Dub. A really bent attempt at making an instrumental track.

Somebody should remix the video to this version. Some killer dance moves on that joint.

Dubstairsteps

Baobinga & I.D. - Man Down 2009

An exclusive promo track to go along with Tongue Riddim, the first release on Baobinga's new Build label. I am very happy with the way this leans towards Kuduro, something I wish Dubstep would do more often. I will take these kind of drums over Drum and Bass sounding hats any day. Kuduro is scary, Dubstep sometimes just sounds dorky (thanks Taliesin).

Speaking of Dubstep...

I Know It's Ugly...

This site is way overdue for a face lift, I'm just pretty clueless when it comes to web design. Sorry about all the yellow that's gone on around here. Above new banner is only temporary, I just thought the Rudeboy blowin' bubbles was appropriate for the time being. Made me laugh at least.

Untitled

DJ Dsign & DJ Exota - Underground 2 2009

A while back I posted a youtube video of a really weird Bubblaeton track from this mix and I finally realized that you can download the whole thing for free. DJ Exota's half is a must hear, for it's Dem Bow as if done on a Commodore 64, and Busta Rhymes sounds crazy sped up. There's unsurprisingly an Axel F Bubbling remix on the Dsign side. The Beverly Hills Cop theme has a pretty long history of being huge in Europe, and don't worry it's still on a Rave tip even with "Soca" drums over it. Speaking of Globalization , Dsign is an Iraqi ex-pat in Holland, both of them are around 17 years old (?!), and they are associated with Kashd Up Recordz out of the Internet/New Zealand(??!) which is run by another 17 year old (???!) whose roster is half Samoan, and includes a Rwandan Hip-Hop group. What the fuck.

More Nateisms and Jittin Jesuses

Dollah Jones - Bang It! 2009

Been lending my ears to more Detroit sounds lately, a place which always confused me musically. This is the result of reading this article which roots Jittin to the Jitterbug in a century-long time line leaning towards the notion that it didn't start in Chicago. You don't think anyone already tried that with Juke? Ether way a good read, and there is some very interesting history to the way people dance in Detroit. I've always been curious how Ghettotech got so much more notice than Ghetto House, yet DJ Nate probably has a lot more Youtube views than Jittin Jesus. I mean Ass N Titties is a household name, but even DJ Funk has probably only been to Europe once. However, is there like a Kid Sister of Jit? This Dollah Jones song is a Rap track you can Jit to. I can't help but give a nod to Tha Pope's Bob That Back Down also from this year. Not that it's also a Merengue infused Jukerap, but as far as blurring the lines between rhymes and sines, it does the job right and we don't end up with anything like Hip-House. In both instances, the Non-Rap hook permits one to dance rather than just nod your head. The abundance of Rap related Ghetto House/Juke and Ghettotech/Jit tracks out there can be blamed on the radio that has ignored the source material for so long. Here in Chicago, the majority of Juke tracks you will usually hear on the radio are Hip-Hop remixes, and the ones that aren't are played at weird hours of the night when most people are drunk. Hell I've heard DJ Spinn play sets that were over half Baltimore House. The love triangle between the "Ghetto" club genres is a filthy relationship.

DJ Nate Acting Debut

We Got a Horse?

Hilarious video made for Lil Wyte's Acid. I only like this guy when he's making drug songs.

Call Me Mr. Damn He Ain't Copin That Is He

DJ Oreo - This My Circle

Another real dreamy one from Westsider DJ Oreo of Geto DJz fame. Melodramatic Footwork with a structure even more awkward than most. The other few tracks I've heard have a similar vibe, but much more in the vein of later Dance Mania singles. I think that means more sequenced, but I'm not really sure. Despite the title, this is more of an after party soundtrack with tension than it is parking lot music.

"Modern Dance"

An old Bubbling battle dance video. The kids got footwork! Fucking cartoon chase music, but the Lee Perry part kills.

Footwork as Contemporary Classical

DJ Trouble - Bangs and Wurks

I have no information on this guy except that he seems to travel in the same circles of the Heat Squad (DJ Nate's old crew) and Bang City. A dreamy slower track with a Disney sounding loop, which is what most of his music sounds like though sometimes with a substituted obvious classical sample (not that I would know it). There's something creepy about his music, which is ultimately overshadowed by Trak Genious hype. Not that I escape it, but there are other talented kids making Footwork that I'll eventually elaborate more on. At least there was, a lot of them including Nate have been pursuing Rap careers lately.

And a video with a Trouble mix overdubbed of the Heat Squad vs Bang City in a weird looking TV studio.

Best Heard As Shitty Vinyl Rip

Tim Harper - Toxic Waste (Original Mix) from Toxic Waste 12" 1992

There was a lot of experimentation going on in this era of Dance Mania singles. In the middle of the spectrum of House and Juke, right before the word "ghetto" was added, things were brewing. Toxic Waste has the eerie tinny feel similar to a lot of club music at the time, but with a bass line that still exists today, if not a bit slower. Hi-end tambourine and peaking claps cut through a backwards tape loop like a knife while the lows are frozen in time. Many older Ghetto House records assume the role of repetition, but this one borders on minimalism. I'd like to hear Genesis P-Orridge over this.

While we're at it, I can't resist throwing up Ozone from the same 12". Super cheesy epic bedroom synths.

Gyal Dem

Lady Saw - Get Over (Rainforest Riddim 2009)

I'll be the first to admit it, there is a ton of very misogynistic music on this site. I don't know if I'm just too desensitized or what, but the serious lack of female-oriented music on this site makes me look kind of like a dick. Really though, the words "I beat that bitch with a bat" aren't running through my head all day, and I probably listen to Ce'cile as much as I do DJ Deeon. My reaction isn't as thoughtful as some peoples, but Lady Saw's brazenness on this track should help a little. Definitely a different tone than her grim classic Sycamore Tree, she's got more a bad gyal Trina attitude if anything here. Always known for being "controversial" if controversy involves talking about safe sex and being a woman Dancehall musician, this one goes straight for the jugular (or maybe groin area). The eeriness of the Rainforest Riddim doesn't help us poor males ether, combined with her shit talking I'm at least feeling pretty emasculated. It's a man's, man's, man's world, but I don't think Lady Saw is willing to be the woman to care.

Dude, I'm Bubbling My Fucking Ass Off

The Moon - Blow the Speakers (Naffie & DJ Chuckie Remix) (from Bubbling top 100 2007)

Digging through newer Bubbling can be like cutting through the crowd at a rave filled with landmines. Occasionally someones glow stick hits one, causing the DJ to accidentally play a record at the wrong speed. Current music from the Antilles has been harder for me to find, but in the case of the Netherlands your going to hear a lot of Trance and corny Diva House. This is a fortunate case when the two meet and the results are good. Chuckie turns this Belgian single into a staggering Caribbean lazer anthem. He added Soca drums and kind of turned this one into something not unlike Funky House. A little more abrasive with less of a groove than what people in the UK are doing though. I'm not entirely sure what year this was recorded but by the sounds of it somewhere between 2003-2006. With the notion that Moortje style Bubbling kind of died out in the early 2000s as far as hearing it in clubs goes, I'm interested in what might happen with people more closely examining it's corpse in recent years. Maybe zombie is the right word for it. I don't imagine it making a comeback with guys like Chuckie and Hardwell since they are like, superstars, but I can definitely hear the sound making rounds through the weirdo outsider club crowds of the US and Europe right now.

Don't listen to me though, sift through it yourself.

No Argument, No Conversation

Busy Signal - Whine Up Whine Up (Round of Applause Riddim) 2009

This riddim has an interesting drum palette and is perfect for Busy. Synths are replaced by little falsetto outbursts. On a Jamaican snap music tip.

If you haven't yet, you need to watch Busy's six track video medley Hottt ed.

Bubbling Roots

Pretty cool old school DJ Moortje interview with footage of him driving through tunnels. The footage of General Levy sounds like Eephing. The second part contains some more talk about the speeding up factor that seems to bother a lot of Dancehall artists when applied to their own music.

The Definition of Ugly

Danny and the Dressmakers - 39 Golden Grates cassette box set 1979

Is this off topic? Is this supposed to be a "world music blog"? Is England part of that "world"? Whatever, if your a fan of weird shit you will dig this. Danny and the Dressmakers were the most fucked up band ever, and unfortunately there isn't much out there. And the little that's out there is rarer than hens teeth. If the L.A.F.M.S. hadn't already taken the title I'd say this is the lowest form of music. Graham Massey of 808 State fame and his goons made the music of their generation, that generation being broke as fuck glue sniffing London punks making sounds with cardboard. Kind of like the now generation of pill popping swagtards with pirated software, except instead of NME we have blogs to tell us what to listen to. "We swapped instruments. We picked up the ones we could play the least and ended up making about 20 albums, all on cassette." More primitive than children banging on cinder blocks, so dirty you'll want to bathe after listening. This particular cassette(s) is the only thing I've ever found digitalized that isn't a compilation with other DIY bands, and it was released on a label called Fuck Off ran by a guy named Kif Kif. If anyone out there has any other tapes from these guys, email me ASAP.

A Nightmare on State Street

The French love Ghetto House, and I have been enjoying the music of the Nightmare Juke Squad even after Halloween. I was familiar with a small amount of the Chicago Violator DJ European spin-off, but Kaptain Kadillac's recent Mad Decent mix made me dig a little deeper. The dark vibes from guys like Leatherface and DJ Hilti sustain the grime of the windy city, and the horror themes aren't even so over the top; I've probably got 20 versions of scary movie Juke and Footwork. They have tracks on Midwest labels like Electrobounce and Juke Trax, and they have a ton of free mixes on their Myspace pages. I haven't heard their Bmore stuff, but maybe they will actually make me care about the Lyn Collins break in 2009.

And while we're at it, Footwork slasher flick.

i-i-i-i-i

Throwback video from artist Claire Chanel that I stumbled onto again yesterday. You can still get her super screwed versions of Ciara on her site, but I don't see much recent activity in her resume. This is pretty much the same thing I was doing in 2005, and it being the Robitussin version isn't the only thing reminding me of high school. Maybe a gallery in Germany will want to screen my Sippin on Some Syrup edit too?

Chopped Up and Slopped Up

DJ Dave Quam 6,000,000 Watts - Baby It's Screw

Just having a little fun being currently unemployed.

Planet Zouk

Kassav - Soleil (from Vini Pou 1987)

A bee buzzing and phone ringing synth jam from the masters of Zouk. Totally 80s and weird, and one of my favorite Kassav joints. I heard they had Afrika Bambaataa posters all over the studio back in the day.

Lil Jon's Oktoberfest Backup Band

DJ Turk Disco - Balagan 2009

The folks over at Bucko Records have put up another batch of free music, and I can't stop listening to this one in particular. It touches a lot of areas I'm into right now, such as snare drums and Crunk Polka bands. There is a super goofy video that goes along with it too.

The Devil and Youtube

Although watching these high school kid dance videos makes me feel both old and like a pervert, these aren't just weird teenyboppers doing the Stanky Leg. They are weird teenyboppers dancing to really weird music like it's nothing. Even the crumbling public school system and the high murder rate among the youth doesn't compare to the impact that DJ Nate and friends have had on corruption of teens in this city. Thy Lord walketh, not footworketh across the water. THE KIDS AIN'T LIVIN' RIGHT!!!

Mix Series Vol 4: DJ Jean Shorts - It's In Your Blood

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Halloween was crazy. I'm still recovering in fact. Lots of Disco, not lots of space on the dance floor. Said party was put together by my good buddy Ben Marcus, aka DJ Jean Shorts. He's known for providing patrons with heat suitable for doing rails in the Delorean. Inspired by this picture we found of Snow White doin' Snow White, It's In Your Blood is about the reaction to rhythm. Dance music is human nature as he says, and this one isn't so much for the bedroom. It's for ass shaking, riding into the club on a white horse, and well if your into that kind of thing, cocaine. Whatever might be in your blood.

Tracklist:

John Carpenter//<> The Bank Robbery

Cage & Aviary//Television Train

Only Fools & Horses//Spectacle Wins (Holy Ghost Remix)

The Popular Peoples Front////Church Love

Del Shannon//Gemini (Pilooski Edit)

Mock & Toof//Underwater (Alternative Dub Version)

Holy Ghost!///-//I Will Come Back (Classixx Acapulco Nights Version)

Social Disco Club((The Way You Move (DiskJokke Remix)

RUNAWAY//Brooklyn Club Jam

Munk///// BackDown (Cut Copy Remix)

Jackpot//<>/// Ragazza (In Flangranti Remix)

Force Of Nature// To the Brain

Stealers Wheel//Stuck in the Middle With You (Terje Edit)