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#1 DJ Frenzie Groove Therapy GURU Tribute Radio Show on 2SER 107.3 Sydney
It’s the usual story.. So much music and so little time. I’ve tried to cram in as much as I could in this mix. Definitely would have liked to have put more Gang Starr amongst it, but I know that there are already a heap of tribute mixes out there that cover the whole Gang Starr catalog. I hope this tribute mix gives a more rounded look at the musical career of Guru. There are a bunch of tracks he guested on, and a bunch of tracks where he put down the microphone and got behind the boards. It’s all good. Even that track with the spice girl has a place.. What more can be said? Rest in peace Guru.
GROOVE THERAPY has been broadcasting since 2002, every Friday lunchtime (12pm) on radio 2SER FM, Sydney Australia.
The show is presented and mixed by Shannon Briggs (Frenzie)
Frenzie has hosted numerous radio shows on 5 different community radio stations, written articles and columns for a heap of street press publications, and been playing records up and down the east coast since the late 1980’s.
02. Gang Starr – Intro (The First Step)
03. Gang Starr – Execution Of A Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy Pt. 2)
04. Gang Starr – Name Tag (Premier & The Guru)
05. Gang Starr – Speak Ya Clout (Feat. Jeru the Damaja & Lil Dap)
06. Gang Starr – Peace Of Mine
07. Gang Starr – Eulogy Continue reading →
The song originally appeared on the group’s 1991 debut album Blue Lines & features Shara Nelson on lead vocals. It is generally recognized as a pioneering song in the trip hop genre & is one of the group’s most successful singles,
This single was released shortly after the first Gulf War started, and due to increased sensitivities, the band changed their name to “Massive” for a time, which is how they are listed on the single.
The video was directed by David Lynch, who is known for his TV series Twin Peaks and movie Blue Velvet. It features Nelson walking along the sidewalk, indifferent to her surroundings, which include drunks, gangs, and bikers. The verve made a similar video for their song “Bittersweet Symphony.”
The drum track is based on the bells found in the 1975 song “Take Me To The Mardi Gras” by Bob James, who is a Jazz composer known for combining elements of dance, funk and pop. Also sampled by Run-DMC’s & Missy Elliot
They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest We Forget
————–
ANZAC Day, April 25th marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during WWI.
We though it would be fitting to select songs that pay respect to solders efforts and also help us to better understand the struggles of a soldiers of the battle field.
The Herd – 19
Marvin Gaye – Whats Going On
John Legend-Coming Home
The Doors – Five to One
Funkadelic – March To The Witch’s Castle
Jedi Mind Tricks – Uncommon Valor (A Vietnam Story)
This is probably the first time we have included any Johnny Cash or Rugby League to the blog, but it’s fitting as I was actually listening to this song as I heard the big news of the day in Sydney.
It has been reported the Melbourne StormRugby League team hasbeing punished for cheating the salary cap over five years. The NRL has in turn disciplined them by stripping two premierships (2009,2007), taken back prize money and ruled the club will accumulate no competition points for the entire 2010 (full story here)
If you’re a Storm fan you would surely be miserable about it all, but here is some musical healing by Johnny Cash because no one sings about sorrow quite like him.
For the rest of us, there is a cheap lesson in the song and the story…..
‘You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down’
Johnny Cash – God’s Gonna Cut You Down
Johnny Cash – God’s Gonna Cut You Down
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut ‘em down
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut ‘em down
Well my goodness gracious let me tell you the news
My head’s been wet with the midnight dew
I’ve been down on bended knee talkin’ to the man from Galilee
He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel’s feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said, “John go do My will!”
Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut ‘em down
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut ‘em down
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Well you may throw your rock and hide your hand
Workin’ in the dark against your fellow man
But as sure as God made black and white
What’s done in the dark will be brought to the light
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut you down
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut you down
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut you down
This is probably the first time we have included any Johnny Cash or Rugby League to the blog, but it’s fitting as I was actually listening to this song as I heard the big news of the day in Sydney.
It has been reported the Melbourne StormRugby League team hasbeing punished for cheating the salary cap over five years. The NRL has in turn disciplined them by stripping two premierships (2009,2007), taken back prize money and ruled the club will accumulate no competition points for the entire 2010 (full story here)
If you’re a Storm fan you would surely be miserable about it all, but here is some musical healing by Johnny Cash because no one sings about sorrow quite like him.
For the rest of us, there is a cheap lesson in the song and the story…..
‘You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down’
Johnny Cash – God’s Gonna Cut You Down
Johnny Cash – God’s Gonna Cut You Down
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut ‘em down
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut ‘em down
Well my goodness gracious let me tell you the news
My head’s been wet with the midnight dew
I’ve been down on bended knee talkin’ to the man from Galilee
He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel’s feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said, “John go do My will!”
Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut ‘em down
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut ‘em down
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Well you may throw your rock and hide your hand
Workin’ in the dark against your fellow man
But as sure as God made black and white
What’s done in the dark will be brought to the light
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut you down
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut you down
Tell ‘em that God’s gonna cut you down
Keith Elam, Legendry rapper Guru has lost his battle against cancer aged 43 after being in a coma since a cardiac arrest in March this year.
His death was announced on the DJ Premier Blog site yesterday morning.
Best known for his work with DJ Premier as Gangstarr during Hip Hop’s ‘Golden Era’ of the early 90′s.
The duo became known for ‘conscious Hip Hop’ & went on to released six studio albums during 1989-2003, including the seminal ‘Step in the Arena’ (1991),‘Daily Operation’ (1992), and ‘Hard to Earn’ (1994).
Sydney based Hip Hop radio with KweenG & Ran Dee on Alchemy radio every Tuesday @ 11pm, Check this GURU recorded 20th April 2009 (Listen Here)
Gang Starr | U Know My Steez| Moment of Truth
Gang Starr | Full Clip | FullClip
Gang Starr | Here Today GoneTomorrow | Step In the Arena
Gang Starr | Just To Get A Rep | Step…… In the Arena
Gang Starr | Take It Personal| Daily Operation
Nas | It Ain’t Hard To Tell |Illmatic
Gang Starr | Mass Appeal |Hard To Earn
Gang Starr ft. Nice & Smooth | Dwyck | Hard To Earn
Gang Starr ft. Jeru & Lil Dap | Speak Ya Clout |Hard To Earn
Gang Starr | Mostly The Voice| Hard To Earn
Gang Starr | Skills | TheOwnerz
GangStarr | Rite Where You Stand | The Ownerz
Guru ft. Damian Marley | Stand Up (Some Things Will Never Change) | Jazzmatazz 4
Guru ft. Common & Bob James | State of Clarity| Jazzmatazz 4
Gang Starr | Manifest | No More Mr Nice Guy
Gang Starr | In memory Of | Moment Of Truth
Here is a collection of our favourites musical moments & words of wisdom Guru has blessed us with..
Verse One: Guru
No way you’ll never make it
Come with the weak shit, I break kids
Step into my zone, mad rhymes will stifle ya
Lines like rifles go blast when I kick some ass
A lot of rappers be like one time wonders
Couldn’t say a fly rhyme if there was one right under
Their noses, I hate those motherfuckin posers
But I’m so real to them it’s scary
And with my unique skills nag you can’t compare me
And no we don’t make wack tracks
and all the suckers get pushed back when I’m kickin real facts
I represent set up shit like a tent boy
You’re paranoid cause you’re my son like Elroy
And you’d be happy as hell to get a record deal
Maybe your soul you’d sell to have mass appeal
Verse Two:
Oh yes I’m greater than all MC’s when I breeeze give me room please
I be like fascinatin when I be updatin
Cuttin off wack kids, pullin their trump cards
I thump hard, and mak eem say that I’m God
Niggaz be pretendin they hardcore
Never know the meaning of
But I get props like a slogan and no man
Could ever try to diss when I kicks my jam
Lyrically def and connecting complete mic wrecking
No double checking vocals kill like weapons
But if I have to I go all out with no mic
Yeah that’s right cause I survived mad fights
And for my peeps I truly care
Cause without some of them I wouldn’t be here
And they all know how I feel
Cause suckers be like playin themselves to have mass appeal
Verse Three:
I know I’m dope but don’t wet that
I’ve suffered setbacks but now I’m makin greenbacks
Just like baggy slacks I’m crazy hip-hop
Check one two and you don’t stop
Your head’ll bop when I drop my crop
of pure bomb, just like the seashore I’m calm
But wild, with my monotone style
Because I don’t need gimmicks
Gimme a fly beat and I’m all in it
Word is bond I go on and on
For you it’s tragic I got magic like wands
So I’ma end this lecture and I betcha
Those who kick dirt and do time I’m gonna get cha
Cause I be kickin the real
While they be losin the race tryin to chase mass appeal
No matta wat we face
We mus face de moment of truth..
Chorus:
They say it’s lonely at the top in whatever you do
You always gotta watch motherfuckers around you
Nobody’s invincible no plan is foolproof
We all must meet our moment of truth
Verse One: Guru
The same sheisty cats that you hang with and do your thang with
could set you up and wet you up nigga peep the language
It’s universal, you play with fire it may hurt you
or burn you, lessons are blessings you should learn through
Let’s face facts, although MC’s lace tracks
it doesn’t mean behind the scenes there ain’t no dirt to trace back
That goes for all of us, there ain’t nobody to trust
It’s like sabotage, it’s got me ready to bust
But I can’t jeapordize, what I have done up to this point
So I’ma get more guys, to help me run the whole joint
Cultivate, multiply, motivate, or else we’ll die
You know I be the masterof the who what where and why
See when you’re shinin, some chumps’ll wanna dull ya
Always selfish jealous punks, will wanna pull ya
down, just like some shellfish in a bucket
cause they love it, to see your ass squirm like a worm
But just as you’ll receive what is comin to you
Everybody else is gonna get theirs too
I ain’t no saint, therefore I cannot dispute
That everyone must meet their moment of truth
Chorus: Guru
Actions have reactions, don’t be quick to judge
You may not know the harships people don’t speak of
It’s best to step back, and observe with couth
For we all must meet our moment of truth
Verse Two: Guru
Sometimes you gotta dig deep, when problems come near
Don’t fear things get severe for everybody everywhere
Why do bad things happen, to good people?
Seems that life is just a constant war between good and evil
The situation that I’m facin, is mad amazin
to think such problems can arise from minor confrontations
Now I’m contemplatin in my bedroom pacin
Dark clouds over my head, my heart’s racin
Suicide? Nah, I’m not a foolish guy
Don’t even feel like drinking, or even gettin high
Cause all that’s gonna do really, is accelerate
the anxieties that I wish I could alleviate
But wait, I’ve been through a whole lot of other shit, before
So I oughta be able, to withstand some more
But I’m sweatin though, my eyes are turnin red and yo
I’m ready to lose my mind but instead I use my mind
I put down the knife, and take the bullets out my nine
My only crime, was that I’m too damn kind
And now some scandalous motherfuckers wanna take what’s mine
But they can’t take the respect, that I’ve earned in my lifetime
And you know they’ll never stop the furious force of my rhymes
So like they say, every dog has it’s day
And like they say, God works in a mysterious way
So I pray, remembering the days of my youth
As I prepare to meet my moment of truth
(“You should know the truth
And the truth shall set you free” — from _Who’s Gonna Take the
Weight?_)
Verse Three: Guru
Yo I got one lyric pointed at your head for start
Another one, is pointed at your weak ass heart
Now if I pull the trigger, on these fully loaded lines
You’re gonna wish I woulda pulled a black nine, I mack dimes
Crack the spines of the fake gangsters
Yeah the bitin triflin niggaz, and the studio pranksters
Yo lookin at the situation plainly: will you remain G?
Or will you be looked upon strangely?
I reign as the articulator, with the greater data
Revolvin on the TASCAM much doper than my last jam
While others struggle to juggle, tricky metaphots
I explore more, to expose the core
A lot of MC’s, act stupid to me
And we have yet to see, if they can match our longevity
But anyway it’s just another day
Another fake jack I slay with my spectac’ rap display
Styles, smooth but rugged — you can’t push or shove it
You dig it and you dug it cause like money you love it
The king of monotone, with my own throne
Righteously violent prone my words bring winds like cyclones
Stormin your hideout, blockin out your sunlight
Your image and your business, were truly not done right
Throw up your he-Allah-I now, divine saviors
You got no hand skills there’s no security to save ya
No pager, no celly, no drop top Benz-y
I came to bring your phone hip-hop, to an ending
My art of war will leave you sore from the abuse
Cause you must meet your moment of truth
Chorus: Guru
They say it’s lonely at the top in whatever you do
You always gotta watch motherfuckers around you
Nobody’s invincible no plan is foolproof
We all must meet our moment of truth
One of the meanest and the cleanest
And still I’m kind of feindish when I’m at this
Been doin this for eons peons best to catch this
vision of excellence precise rappin ability
Bout to make some dead presidents macking a million G
The money though, it’s got people actin funny yo
As soon as some niggaz get some light, they be like dummies yo
Products and puppets and pawns, gettin played out
When authentic niggaz step up, respect be layed out
Major effect to your sector, I’m the corrector
Live and direct, waving my mic like a sceptor
Supreme exalted, universal leader
Descendent of the kings and queens, the overseer
The overlord, cream of the crop, creme de la creme
Spent years buildin with cats in the streets, so they my men
Again, GangStarr has done it
Remember too much jewels back in the days? You’d have to run it
Check it, the ground be hot under our feet
So we be listening to beats to keep the cypher complete
Wether you kids be holdin, on the block all day
Or you be puffing lye, out in the back hallway
Or whether you being schooled, or in the library
Wherever you are Baby Pah, realize that your essence
is divine son, and let it shine son
As we refine son, aiyyo, this shit’ll blow your mind son
We’re royalty Chorus: K-Ci and JoJo
Wherever I go
I want to take nothin less than the best
Whatever I choose, I choose to do
I have to stand out from all the rest
Whatever I do, wherever I go
I want to take nothin less than the best
Whatever I choose, I choose to do
I just wanna stand out from all the rest
And all the girls they want to spoil me
My honey annoits me with oils G
After work she greets me, and treats me like royalty
Works with me, giving herself, by my side
She don’t sweat me for loot, my fame, or my ride
A lot of ladies out there, be lookin lovely
But they don’t got no control of the their life, inside they’re ugly
Word to Bugsy, and to Red Alert
Sway and Tech, and Funkmaster Flex to make your head jerk
Chicks go beserk when they see us in the spot
K-Ci, JoJo and Primo, creepin to the top
And to the sweethearts out there breaking hearts
While we’re takin part of this hip-hop art
Listen yo, the best way, it ain’t always the fast way
And yes the best way, it ain’t always to act nasty
I’ll open up the door always before you pass me
Baby Doll, because you’re royalty
Chorus: K-Ci and JoJo
Whatever I do, Wherever I go
I want to take nothin less than the best
Whatever I choose, I choose to do
I have to stand out from all the rest
Whatever I do, wherever I go
I want to take nothin less than the best
Whatever I choose, I choose to do
I just wanna stand out from all the rest
Artist: Gangstarr w/ K-Ci and JoJo
Album: Moment Of Truth
Song: Royalty
Typed by: OHHLA Webmaster DJ Flash (revised version)
"Gangstarr has gots to be the sure shot" --> Greg Nice
"and it's like dat" (Primo scratching)
"GangStarr" "Represent"
[K-Ci and JoJo] Ohhh yeah
[Guru]
One of the meanest and the cleanest
And still I'm kind of feindish when I'm at this
Been doin this for eons, peons best to catch this
vision of excellence, precise rappin ability
Bout to make some dead presidents, macking a million G
The money though, it's got people actin funny yo
As soon as some niggaz get some light, they be like dummies yo
Products and puppets and pawns, gettin played out
When authentic niggaz step up, respect be layed out
Major effect to your sector, I'm the corrector
Live and direct, waving my mic like a sceptor
Supreme exalted, universal leader
Descendent of the kings and queens, the overseer
The overlord, cream of the crop, creme de la creme
Spent years buildin with cats in the streets, so they my men
Again, GangStarr has done it
Remember too much jewels back in the days? You'd have to run it
Check it, the ground be hot under our feet
So we be listening to beats to keep the cypher complete
Wether you kids be holdin, on the block all day
Or you be puffing lye, out in the back hallway
Or whether you being schooled, or in the library
Wherever you are Baby Pah, realize that your essence
is divine son, and let it shine son
As we refine son, aiyyo, this shit'll blow your mind son
We're royalty
Chorus: K-Ci and JoJo
Wherever I go
I want to take nothin less than the best
Whatever I choose, I choose to do
I have to stand out from all the rest
Whatever I do, wherever I go
I want to take nothin less than the best
Whatever I choose, I choose to do
I just wanna stand out from all the rest
[Guru]
And all the girls they want to spoil me
My honey annoits me with oils G
After work she greets me, and treats me like royalty
Works with me, giving herself, by my side
She don't sweat me for loot, my fame, or my ride
A lot of ladies out there, be lookin lovely
But they don't got no control of the their life, inside they're ugly
Word to Bugsy, and to Red Alert
Sway and Tech, and Funkmaster Flex to make your head jerk
Chicks go beserk when they see us in the spot
K-Ci, JoJo and Primo, creepin to the top
And to the sweethearts out there breaking hearts
While we're takin part of this hip-hop art
Listen yo, the best way, it ain't always the fast way
And yes the best way, it ain't always to act nasty
I'll open up the door always before you pass me
Baby Doll, because you're royalty
Chorus: K-Ci and JoJo
Whatever I do, Wherever I go
I want to take nothin less than the best
Whatever I choose, I choose to do
I have to stand out from all the rest
Whatever I do, wherever I go
I want to take nothin less than the best
Whatever I choose, I choose to do
I just wanna stand out from all the rest
"GangStarr has to gots to be the sure shot" --> Greg Nice
"and it's like dat" (Primo scratching)
(repeat 4X)
[K-Ci and JoJo freestyle singing]
If one name crops up again and again in discussions of techno, it is that of Derrick “Mayday” May. Alongside Atkins, Juan, Craig, Carl and Saunderson, Kevin, May is regarded as one of the kings of the Detroit sound. Inspired by Yello and Kraftwerk, he began to make electronic music with Atkins and Saunderson while studying with them at Belleville High, Detroit. Recording either as Mayday or Rhythim Is Rhythim (occasionally in conjunction with Carl Craig) and generally on his own Transmat Records label, he went on to carve out a new vein in dance music that synthesized the advances of the electro movement with the more challenging end of the House movement – a music that defined “techno”. Early cuts such as “Nude Photo” (co-written with Thomas Barnett) and “The Dance”, both on Transmat, were inspirational to many. However, it was the release of “Strings Of Life” in 1987 (co-written with Michael James) with its wide appeal to the house music fans of the 80s & 90s, simultaneously brought May his deserved acclaim and Detroit techno to European club-goers.
May went on to cut three tracks on System 7′s debut album, before Network released Innovator: Soundtrack For The Tenth Planet in 1991, a six-track EP that comprised some of May’s definitive moments to date. In the same year, May was responsible for what Carl Craig has called the finest remix ever, Sueo Latino’s “Sueo Latino”, itself a reworking of Manuel Goettsching’s epic “E2-E4″. It was followed in 1992 by Relics, a double album of Transmat’s finest moments, heavily featuring Rhythim Is Rhythim, which coincided with a re-release of “Strings Of Life” on the Belgium label Buzz, this time in a drumless version reminiscent of May’s “Sueo Latino” remix. More recently, Transmat has been revived following its signing to Sony. This has resulted in the long-awaited release of Rhythim Is Rhythim’s 1991 recordings, “Kao-tic Harmony” and “Icon”, and the Japanese (and subsequent American) release of a comprehensive Derrick May retrospective, Innovator, which contains all May’s work for the Transmat label including remixes and tracks released for the first time.
Detroit Techno landlord and head of the internationally respected Transmat Records, Derrick May continues to move dancefloors with his no-nonsense Techno grooves. One third of the Belleville Three, this electronic legend arranges classic Detroit tracks in a timeless fashion: frantically beat-heavy yet soulfully warm. Nervous beats and breaks pound away at curvy synths and digital melodies that stand in the background of these vibesome grooves like an electric scalloped fence surrounding a celebrity’s home. Confident rhythms charge at your chest through an invisible spiderweb of string samples holding your consciousness captive on the dancefloor.
Derrick May is one of the founding fathers of Detroit techno, a precursor of its many variants and particularly of acid house. His eastethic, skeletal, melancholy style gained him the nickname of “the Miles Davis of techno”. He introduced both a psychological element and a futuristic vision in dance music. Along with his high school mates Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson, May began early in life to explore electronic music May sponsored the single Let’s Go by X-Ray, that introduced the hypnotic, repetitive electronic figures of techno, and then recorded Nude Photo (co-written by Thomas Barnett) (Transmat, 1987), credited to Rhythim Is Rhythim, one of the records that started the techno revolution world-wide.
Inspired by the legendary Detroit disco DJ, Ken Collier, May, along with High School friend Juan Atkins, formed Deep Space, a DJ and party outfit in the early eighties. Playing what they termed as ‘conceptual disco’ to the high school party scene that was very much alive in Detroit at the time, the duo set themselves apart from the other DJ and party collectives at the time. Atkins had already been very influential in shaping the emerging techno sound with his recordings as Cybotron, but May’s time was soon to come.
Whilst DJing with Atkins, May spent time visiting his mother in Chicago, where he was exposed to the emerging house music scene that was being championed by the likes of Frankie Knuckles and Farley Jackmaster Funk. His experiences in Chicago opened his eyes wider to the growing possibilities of electronic music and the euphoria and spiritualty it was capable of creating.
In 1986 May set up his now legendary Transmat label, taking the name from the early Atkins track ‘Time Space Transmat’ on his Metroplex label. May cut his production teeth with the label’s first release ‘Let’s Go’, developin his craft from the guiding hand of Atkins. His next release, under the guise of Rhytim is Rhythim entitled ‘Nude Photo’ (co-written by Thomas Barnett), with it’s bending synths, melodic staccato bass and deep bass drums would come to define the emerging techno sound.May then continued to develop his sound for Transmat. Utilising the familiar bass sounds with ever more complex beats, flange effects, twisting chords and deep strings, May produced a catalogue of music that pushed the boundaries of what could be accomplished with electronic sound ever further apart. To many, the techno of Detroit is very much ingrained within the character and history of the City itself. A City that was isolated from the rest of America, with a downtown area in financial and architectural ruin, a deteriating motor industry and the reputation of it being the ‘murder capital’ of America, Detroit, on the outset, seemed a desolate and empty place. In reality there was a spirit and soul there that lived on in the City’s urban communities from its glory days and its great musical heritage. This mixture of coldness and warmth, desolation and soul, was perfectly represented by May’s Techno experiments. The classic tracks that include ‘Beyond the Dance’, ‘The Beginning’, ‘Icon’ and his most famous release ‘Strings of Life’ all emphasise Techno’s most crucial componant, that this is the music of machines, cold and soulless machines, but May injected and extracted so much hope, spirituality and soul from them that the result was truly inspirational.
Inspiration is certainly one thing that all techno artists that came out in the wake of May’s recordings owe to him. An ambassador for Detroit and techno, May spent much time in the UK and Europe promoting the music at a time when America was not ready to wake up. At a time where the ‘Summer of Love’ was at its peak, May’s recordings, especially the seminal ‘Strings of life’ helped heighten and give further fuel to the movement. As well as his original production work, May’s ‘Mayday’ remix projects are also legendary. His re-workings turn average tracks into unique masterpieces, nowhere more evident than on his classic remix of pop band Dee-Lite’s ‘Wild Times’. This tune would also become a favorite of UK DJs at huge raves across the country, with its mixture of pounding hard basslines and tear rendering piano melodies, all combined with May’s trademark intricate and effect laden techno beats.
May spends most of his time touring the world as a DJ, continuing in the tradition of the likes of Ken Collier and Larry Levan, a tradition he started with his Deep Space parties all those years ago. He also still runs his Transmat label from Detroit, which has been given a new lease of life in recent years with the introduction of many artists that have helped kick start Detroit’s ‘third wave’ of dominence over techno.
Derrick May Mixes
Pioneering Detroit Techno DJ and producer Derrick May was recently invited to do a special edition of the BBC Radio 6 Mix, featuring three new exclusive mixes which showcase his musical make up, expect everything from Jazz, Soul,Ambient Electronica,Chicago House & of course Techno & Hi-Tech Soul. He also talks about his work as a producer and DJ throughout the mix. Enjoy!
Kicking off nice and early at 9pm with an extend FUNK & BOOGIE set by local BBOY DJ SAGE ONE who featured in the first podcast
Also the one & only DJ Hysteric — the perpetrator behind Melbourne’s legendary System electro parties up from Burn City to rock the decks with the Cold Crush Mob — that’s RETALI8, OSC-001 & Simon Caldwell, along with special guest boogie man Sage One: bboys b-ware!
You know the drill, old school vinyl mixing, dope cuts and ya’ll party freaks ripping up the dancefloor. 202 have a new sound system in too, it is fat and YOU KNOW Cold Crush gonna be rocking those bass-bins.
With this set I was trying to play a whole bunch of my favourite electro tunes, mainly focusing on newer tracks with a bit of an old school vibe, and trying to tie them in with a few classic oldies. It was mixed with the dancefloor in front of me, so I tried to keep it pretty beat-based, but managed to get some spacey vibes in there too. I love how this kind of music makes really abstract things funky. It’s like the machines are making the music themselves if the sounds and the feel all click together; it’s organic and artificial at the same time. Unfortunately I don’t get to play these tunes very much any more (the complete rape of the word ‘electro’ hasn’t helped) so it was fun to drop them at Cold Crush. Hopefully you enjoy the mix and can have a little body-pop to it.
— Simon Caldwell
Cold Crushin’ Mixes is back with a slamming electro mix from Melbourne mix master and certified wax addict Hysteric, who has done some hardcore crate digging to pull some very obscure tracks for us! But don’t let the fact that you have probably never heard of most of the tracks put you off — as unknown as many of the tracks might be to all but the most knowledgeable of electro fans, our homeboy Hysteric has put together an absolute banger of a mix, covering a range of styles from bboy electro funk and electro rap, to synth pop, minimal electro, new wave and some very heavy hitting sludge electro tracks from The Hague. Ya’ll should know what to expect by now from Cold Crushin’ Mixes, so needless to say, shit is off the chain!
Released on acclaimed BBE records (June 2010), Richy Pitch’s new LP entitled ‘Ye Fre Mi Richy Pitch’ features an ensemble of celebrated Ghanaian musicians inspired by his rousing two year voyage in Ghana. The first single ‘Black Star’ sees him collaborate with Ghanaian born US resident rapper M.anifest on a track that plays with the tempo in this fun mash of Electronica Hip Hop. The sound is reminiscent of an old school gaming soundtrack with a crisp modern twist beginning with a steady walking rhythm, which then gradually escalates to a swift pace, then back to almost a crawl repeating this pattern throughout the joint.
M.anifest explains that the title ‘Black Star’ has duel meaning written as his own personal coming-of-age testament to growing up in Ghana with determined dreams, to his migration to the concrete jungles of New York. He reflects on the loneliness, the hardship, his calling as a musician, and the social implications of his African roots in a capitalist world. The other significant meaning behind ‘Black Star’ is in reference towards the revered Ghanaian soccer team Black Star. M.anifest reveals on bbe website “The entire country gets religious/fanatic when they play. So being a black star to me, a diasporic Ghanaian, symbolizes doing things in my artistic journey to represent and thrill my people like the Essiens and Abedi Peles of our history.” Yeah, look that up for a history lesson.
Check the 8-bit video clip of Pitch’s ‘Black Star’ below produced by Digital Agency RAMJAM:
NEW OFF OF SOUNDCLOUD, RICHY PITCH’S AFROMIX (14/4/2010):
Released on acclaimed BBE records (June 2010), Richy Pitch’s new LP entitled ‘Ye Fre Mi Richy Pitch’ features an ensemble of celebrated Ghanaian musicians inspired by his rousing two year voyage in Ghana. The first single ‘Black Star’ sees him collaborate with Ghanaian born US resident rapper M.anifest on a track that plays with the tempo in this fun mash of Electronica Hip Hop. The sound is reminiscent of an old school gaming soundtrack with a crisp modern twist beginning with a steady walking rhythm, which then gradually escalates to a swift pace, then back to almost a crawl repeating this pattern throughout the joint.
M.anifest explains that the title ‘Black Star’ has duel meaning written as his own personal coming-of-age testament to growing up in Ghana with determined dreams, to his migration to the concrete jungles of New York. He reflects on the loneliness, the hardship, his calling as a musician, and the social implications of his African roots in a capitalist world. The other significant meaning behind ‘Black Star’ is in reference towards the revered Ghanaian soccer team Black Star. M.anifest reveals on bbe website “The entire country gets religious/fanatic when they play. So being a black star to me, a diasporic Ghanaian, symbolizes doing things in my artistic journey to represent and thrill my people like the Essiens and Abedi Peles of our history.” Yeah, look that up for a history lesson.
Check the 8-bit video clip of Pitch’s ‘Black Star’ below produced by Digital Agency RAMJAM:
NEW OFF OF SOUNDCLOUD, RICHY PITCH’S AFROMIX (14/4/2010):
Dust Tones is a weekly party mashing it up in true hiphop block party spirit.
Throwing down everything from hiphop, breaks, funk, dancehall, dub and soul. Every Friday at the Beach Rd Hotel Bondi from 8pm – 12am come check out international and local talent for free.
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Dust Tones presents: Phatchance, Coptic Soldier & Miriam Waks, Skryptcha,Dutch, DJ KoolAde & Mike Who
This Friday 9th April 2010
Beach Rd Hotel Bondi (71 Beach Rd)
Free Entry, 8pm-12am
Skryptcha (Obese Records)
Taking his first lyrical strides in 2003, Skryptcha is blessed by the gifts of a musical family; a grandfather who spent the 60’s distilling in Sydney’s jazz movement and a concert pianist grandmother who became Australia’s first entrant into New York’s prestigious Julliard school of music, his instrumentally-charged upbringing laid the foundations for a distinct vocal talent that would ultimately evolve into his debut EP, Left to Write. Having tested his ability on several guest appearances (including spending studio time with the legendary Def Wish Cast) and on stage with Scott Burns, 2buck and new labelmates Dialectrix, Thundamentals and Pegz, Left to Write is the young MC’s initial solo foray into the recorded realm, an occasion sparked by the introduction to maestro/producer Chasm by label boss Pegz. Skryptcha’s youthful energy on record and on stage provides the urgency for his borderless musical tastes.
Coptic Soldier & Miriam Waks
Its been a while since I listened to Aussie Hip Hop but even after even a few tracks into the ‘Coptic Soldier & Miriam Waks’ EP ‘The Sound of Wings’ I have to say..I was pretty impressed..
The release is packed with crafty lyrics, layered harmonies & epic instrumentation & is loads more ‘musical’ to what I had been used to hearing from home grown Hip Hop. Featuring elements of Soul, Funk & Rock it is well worth checking out if your into Hip Hop that sounds like its made by musicians..
Also.. as for the live show I been hearing so much about, well… a free show this Friday @ Sydneys Hip Hop institution Dust Tones @ the Beach Rd Hotel cant be missed!
01. Gang Starr – Betrayal (Feat. Scarface)
