Starsign Blog

'89 State of Mind

2011-09-11T11:53:00.001-07:00

89 State of Mind...

De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Beastie Boys, NYC crate diggers. Public Enemy, The Bomb Squad, Dust Brothers, Prince Paul, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Marley Marl, Run DMC, Rick Rubin. Those are my primary heroes. The beat diggers, the loop makers, the groove robbers. I grew up in the era of the MPC, of Cypress Hill, Ice Cube, Nas, Special Ed, Biz Markie, Wu Tang, Large Professor, Main Source, Organized Konfusion, Gang Starr. I discovered the old records... Groove Holmes, Eddie Harris, Maceo and the Macks, Jimmy Smith, The Meters, War, Sly Stone, Donald Byrd, and so many others.. I studied up on the masters and the pioneers of hip hop culture... Afrika Bambaataa, Kool Herc, Flash, Baron, Crazy Legs, Fab 5 Freddy, Krs One, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Red Alert, LL Cool J, Treacherous 3, Spoonie G, Busy B, Crash Crew, and of course, the Godfather of it all, James Brown.

I loved the creativity of the music, the spontaneity, the naivety when you could be experimental and create something new. Phase 2 for me was the Mo Wax years, mainly DJ Shadow. That's a whole other era but the long and short of it is a path of discovering more obscure music that ranged from jazz and Latin to 70's ambient and German experimental, and eventually disco, house, techno and balearic. This music spoke to my soul and I lived for it and loved every second of it. I djed periodically but finally decided to try to see if I could get paid to play at bars/clubs. Luckily I did, but I soon discovered that I had no business djing at the more popular spots b/c my taste in music seemed to always clash with what the crowds wanted. They wanted Nelly, Brittany, Justin, Snoop, Kanye, Gaga. I was definitely in the wrong scene. Then records were no longer a requirement to dj. Laptops, cds and ipods became acceptable forms of "djing". Cheap technology enabled anyone with the skill and time to remix or re-edit to become a producer. Lots of really poorly engineered music with little attention to sonics or proper EQing invaded the web. Those of us who preferred vinyl as a format seemed to shrink in numbers. Eventually, I lost touch with the new and I retreated into my own personal studio and dove head first into the music I loved... the 89 state of mind, where the dusty grooves and beats were in abundance. Hip hop is so digital now. It's a completely different sound from what I grew to love. A lot of the rappers aren't even skilled at rapping. It's as if a skinny kid who did a few pushups and sparred a few weeks made his way into the ring and became heavyweight champion... and I don't mean that in a good way.

So basically, just like the older generation was so tied to the Woodstock era when I was a kid and I felt like they were so out of touch and old fashioned, I have become that "Woodstock dude" to the young generation. I'm that dude who has a pony tail talking about how great the Jefferson Airplane was in the 60's and how disgraceful Starship is, and that kid (the young me) who used to shake his head at how wack that dude was is the collective 20 something crowd who finds it increasingly irritating why I won't play that latest track or why I have such an aversion to "insert latest underground quasi-electronic, offbeat, nerd music". Right now, I'm watching old videos of the Beastie Boys in their G-Son Studios, before any of them had grey hair, and am so at peace with that. Maybe I'll eventually figure out how to use that MPC I got a few years back.

designer

2011-09-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

now that the air mags have been announced...

zorn

2011-09-07T17:35:00.001-07:00

need to watch this!

2011-08-26T16:00:00.000-07:00

http://conanobriencantstop.com/cantstop/schedule

What's Up Now!

2011-08-26T15:49:00.001-07:00

my shit, for real. I love this fucking track!

I've lost control, I've sold my soul

2011-07-05T11:36:00.000-07:00

Uncertain Smile

2011-05-08T07:16:00.000-07:00

Poi Dog Pondering covered one of my favorite The The songs, called "Uncertain Smile"

What I love about the original is the amazing piano solo (played by Jools Holland) at the end of the track. I still love this song, and especially the piano solo.

Here's a crappy audio version of Uncertain Smile on the Jools Holland Show with Jools playing an inferior version of the solo on the studio version (where he goes off, literally, one of the best piano solos of all time)

Here's a live version with Johnny Marr on guitar. The keyboardist did a good job of approximating the solo on the original.

And finally, the original, with that magnificent, and never-ending, piano solo. (starting at 3:25)

A whole bunch of songs I like...

2011-04-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

josephine

2010-09-18T22:47:00.001-07:00

There are at least 5 versions of this song I know of, this is my favorite.

I took the last few seconds of the track, reworked it, and made my own re-edit of this Balearic classic.

"I'll Send You All My Love" (Chris Rea "Josephine" Starsign re-edit) by djstarsign

tonight we fly

2010-08-22T09:53:00.001-07:00

I will never ever get tired of this beautiful song.

let her dance

2010-08-14T16:01:00.001-07:00

14:31

2010-08-07T14:09:00.001-07:00

Fingerprint File

2010-06-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite Rolling Stones songs (the last track on it's only Rock and Roll). One of their lesser known tracks and that bassline is one of my favorites of all time (I think it was performed by someone other than Bill Wyman... he played synth on this track... so I've heard).

Sara

2010-05-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I opened the windows and doors and put Tusk on the turntable. Such a great album. I was never really a fan of this song, but yesterday, I realized just how amazing it really is. I love the background "pad" vocals, so beautiful.

I don't know jck about Genesis

2010-01-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

but I do know I love this song.

seriously the best thing ever!

2010-01-22T19:19:00.001-08:00

LOVE this song

2010-01-18T18:20:00.000-08:00

so beautiful!

thom the rapper

2010-01-18T18:05:00.001-08:00

sike

jonny

2010-01-18T17:59:00.000-08:00

Hamburger Pimp

2010-01-17T20:35:00.001-08:00

doo doo doo doo doo

2010-01-15T16:33:00.000-08:00

that's the audio daily double.

"a killer who love children"

Even Mos loves him. Real recognize real.

Listen to the lyrics. blown away.

pure unadulterated joy

2010-01-10T13:45:00.001-08:00

grinning from ear to ear epic cheer whenever I hear this song. it's just imprinted on my soul like that. I love this version!

gilliam

2010-01-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

dope

2010-01-06T22:09:00.001-08:00

always loved this track.

Dick Cavett

2010-01-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

Rap, I miss you

2010-01-03T11:41:00.000-08:00

I used to think I had rapped pegged until I heard music like this. The beautiful thing was that back then, rap was very broad and if you were into rap, you got down to stuff like this b/c there wasn't too much of it, it was still somewhat underground, mainstream market hated it.

We all know what rap has turned into in the past 15 years. So much garbage, ignorance and vanity. So sad.

The Diabolical

2010-01-03T10:33:00.000-08:00

alright that last post wasn't biz, but it made me laugh.

Check some vintage Biz at the Apollo. This is proof that Biz could start his own religion. I nearly cried I was so happy to see this. I miss this in rap.

the og video, biz is such a dork (in a good way).

The Biz in Brazil

2010-01-03T09:57:00.001-08:00

Get with that.

el guincho

2010-01-02T12:38:00.001-08:00

amazing

2010-01-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

Chick Webb

2010-01-02T08:56:00.001-08:00

Physical Graffiti

2010-01-01T17:57:00.001-08:00

I'm not a huge Zeppelin fan (compared to my fandom for other music groups), but I love love love their music. Apart from "The Rain Song", these two are among my top songs from any artist. The sounds take me to an inspirational place.

pablo honey blows

2009-12-28T21:33:00.001-08:00

but blowout rocks.

almost 10

2009-12-28T21:25:00.000-08:00

since this masterpiece came out.

the man

2009-12-27T13:38:00.001-08:00

the wolf

2009-12-27T12:10:00.001-08:00

orson

2009-12-27T12:08:00.001-08:00

Pistol Pete

2009-12-27T11:09:00.001-08:00

Powerful

2009-12-27T09:49:00.000-08:00

Hell yeah!

2009-12-27T09:48:00.001-08:00

still never tire of this

2009-12-27T09:46:00.001-08:00

Edan makes good (as usual)

2009-12-27T08:20:00.001-08:00

This kid is a genius.

big boots

2009-12-26T21:47:00.000-08:00

amazing. I love mpie. always loved this sequence.

Quite possibly the best thing ever.

2009-12-26T21:41:00.001-08:00

Loop City.

2009-12-26T21:32:00.000-08:00

I just got a Loop Station. Gonna have fun trying to make songs like Juana Molina.

it only takes a minute gurl

2009-12-26T08:42:00.000-08:00

TO FALL IN LOVE

two track you can't ever get tired of...

2009-12-26T08:32:00.000-08:00

when I say "you" I meant "me".

this is a good one toos.

Wattstax, Jimi, Curtis = FUNS

2009-12-24T09:45:00.001-08:00

You can't front on this.

2009-12-24T09:41:00.000-08:00

Get your bass harmonica on son.

2009-12-24T09:39:00.001-08:00

All Time Fave

2009-12-12T07:08:00.001-08:00

Can't beat this ever.

I like some cheese

2009-12-07T18:01:00.000-08:00

For example, these songs...

More Love

2009-10-06T19:34:00.000-07:00

Early Kraftwerk

2009-09-19T00:44:00.001-07:00

I LOVE this!!!

2009-09-15T20:22:00.001-07:00

I don't even like punk that much, but this is pretty damn punk. FEEL IT!!!

This too...

Commonwealth!

The Walrus

A LITTLE SOMETHING

2009-09-07T16:33:00.000-07:00

Just a few of my favorite songs.

30th Century Man; The Scott Walker documentary

2009-07-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

Man o man...

Scott Walker, what can I say?

Everyone should watch it. Seriously!

Slow and Mellow

2009-06-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

I grew up with this kind of stuff in my house, a lot of so-called "Soft Rock". It's my guilty pleasure. I love almost all of it. I even threw two parties in honor of all things Soft and Smooth from the 1960s - 1980s. Here are some of my all time favorites.

Wichita Lineman (I love this song so much, here are different versions)

The original still the best!

The simplicity of this song is perfect. This song always gets me.

2009-06-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

Free Association

2009-06-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

Love
Sex
Death
Bed
Hotdog
Smile
Facsimile
Metaphors
That Roar
on the road again
I always cry when you tell me that you'll be...
beginning me to bring you back home.
oscillations
meditations
chili breath
monster dragon
little dudes procrastinating on a vision
what's the purpose of you stopping me?
square waves and sine waves
who cares
you're not that pretty
but yes I am
tall buildings
collapsing like a house of cards
alphabet city
alphabet street
pyschoalphadiscobeta
pyschobetabuckdownbaby
we're on a mission
you know?

Long Island Wildin

2009-05-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

De La Soul completely threw me for a loop when they included this on Buhloone Mindstate. I loved that track then still love it now. Takagi Kan sounds like Popeye at the beginning.

they sampled a small section of this and slowed it down.

Is it in?

2009-05-24T08:35:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Bo Horne yall.

also used by Jungle Brothers and Force of Nature.

Drums, drums, drums, drums

2009-05-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

After all these years, I still love drums. Thick, heavy, loud, ass shaking drums. Hip hop was all about the break beats, the part of the song that was just drums. Then there was some electronica genre in the 90s called Breakbeat (which threw me for a loop b/c it had nothing to do with actual break beats... are you confused yet?) Here are some gems. Some are at the beginning of the track, others are more towards the middle.

play at 1:29

Anatomy of a Song:

2009-05-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

This is a hip hop classic from a bygone era. JVC Force out of Long Island, New York released the single "Strong Island" in 1987 using 3 essential elements, which I will list the youtube tracks to. To anyone who was into hip hop during the so-called golden era, this is one of the most essential tracks, but to the casual fan, this song may have fallen under the radar.

I've always loved that song and when I heard the original sample sources, it just demonstrated how simple-yet-effective hip hop was at taking something classic and reconstructing it in a new and exciting way.

JVC Force "Strong Island"

Freda Payne "Unhooked Generation"

Freda Payne "The Easiest Way To Fall"

Random Videos

2009-04-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

I got these in my brain!

Gang Starr sampled it for...

God, hip hop used to be so creative. I can't stand 99% of it now. Anyway, Jackson Sisters recorded one of my favorite disco funk songs of all time. This is the extended mix btw with the extended intro. Those horns and guitars are simply amazing.

The Meters baby!

Pazant Brothers amazing funker. I first learned about this from Main Source. It took me forever to track this down.

Kind of reminds me a little of Dr. John's Rite Away.

Even More Vids

2009-04-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

Depeche Mode - Backing Tapes

2009-04-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

These are pretty interesting.

De La Soul - Double Huey Skit

2009-04-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

One of those lost tracks that was never officially released except for a few limited promos, the Double Huey Skit is a De La Soul b-side that sampled the Muppets theme song and was never released b/c Jim Henson wasn't having it.

I heard about this song a loooong time ago and forgot about it until someone brought it up recently. This is De La at their zaniest, Saturday morning cartoon-est.

I dig it.

More Vids

2009-04-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

A Broken Frame was one of the last DM records I got (actually it was one of the first ones, but I took it back b/c it sounded so "corny"). I got it again recently, I can listen to it now. Not one of my favorites, but the last song "The Sun and The Rainfall" is one of the best DM tracks ever released and often overlooked.

Here's a slight variation of the original version.

Here's the Dominatrix remix (he also did the amazing remix to The Landscape is Changing). The lyrics leave something to be desired, but the melody is amazing.

and of course the pioneers...

And now for a rap throwback classic...

And a "remake"(?) from Five Deez (respect to Fat Jon!).

What about some classic vibes from the early millenium?

Based on this classic...

also sampled by St. Germain...

And Dilla ("why is America so fucked up!", "Bruce Lee would beat the shit out of your face" "The Samurai with the baby on his back" "I'm hanging out with Lucy, Bout to order some sushi, later on she's gonna do me!")...

That's What I Want For You

2009-04-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

This was one of my staples from my early days of djing. I have to start playing this classic again.

what I'm feeling

2009-04-11T22:33:00.001-07:00

I finally got an iPhone. Everyone expected me to already have one, I don't know why, I guess people think that being a designer means that you would own an iPhone (?)

Anyway, here's what I've been digging lately:

Four Million Points of Light

2009-03-28T18:18:00.001-07:00

I was inspired to create a new dj mix today. It's the beginning of Spring here in Austin, Texas. Life is great and the songs featured on the mix are some of my personal favorites. These are songs that have stood the test of time, songs that I never grown tired of listening to. I did this mix in the spirit of all that is positive in life and I hope that whoever listens to it will feel some of that energy and pass it on.

Summer Daze - Nick Holder

2009-03-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

It's a little insane how much I've gotten into house music the last 8 years. I usually spin about 50% house when I dj these days. Of all the songs in my collection, this one stands out as one of my top 5 easily. It really lifts the spirit.

Here's the original (is this smooth jazz?) to put the song in its proper context.

BONUS!:

the almight dollar

2009-03-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I just wrote that. anyway, here are some more goodies.

St. Vincent

2009-03-20T21:48:00.000-07:00

It's SXSW time here in Austin. I didn't even think about trying to get a badge, even though I probably could use my connections to get one if I was smarter about it. My friend Aaron spotted St. Vincent at his aunt's BBQ spot (Iron Works in Austin) at the line for the restroom. Neither of us had heard her music but we both thought she was cute. Since I live in Austin, am not really in the music business (despite the fact that I DJ) and have been going to SXSWs for god knows how many years, 10?... I decided to stay in tonight b/c the sun, the bike, the booze and other things during the day wiped me out. Again, I've been to plenty of these SXSW and without a badge or connections, it just isn't as cool, so I stayed in, chillaxed and decided looked her up, not really knowing what to expect.

Wow, all I have to say is that I am extremely impressed by her talent, a very genuine talent it is. Can't wait to see her live!

Gilles Peterson taught me...

2009-03-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

He is the don. Two gems I learned about via Worldwide.

Tracy Morgan on Fallon.

2009-03-14T15:45:00.000-07:00

Tracy is nuts!

More Trailer Park Boys

2009-03-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, so in my last post, I let you in on one of my guilty pleasures, TPB. Here are some more moments with the back story of Reveen and Patrick Swayze. Bubbles is the illest.

I appreciate SOME sophmoric humor

2009-03-14T09:30:00.001-07:00

I accidentally found out about Canada's "Trailer Park Boys" a few years back and maybe Canadian's can do stupid meathead humor in a way that isn't annoying (to me). Here's some of the best Jay Roc moments.

Starsign Favorite: Ralome by Plaid

2009-03-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

There are some songs that just stick to you and become part of your soul. This is one of those for me.

Taking of Pelham 123

2009-03-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

There is no way in hell the remake with Denzel and Travolta is going to be better than the original. Also, since Reservoir Dogs stole the whole color name from the original, I wonder if they will still use the code names or if newer viewers unfamiliar with the original will think that they took this from Reservoir Dogs.

You decide.

50 albums that changed my life

2009-03-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

1. The Beatles: The Beatles (aka The White Album)
2. De La Soul is Dead: De La Soul
3. Peoples Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm: A Tribe Called Quest
4. Doolittle: The Pixies
5. UFOrb: The Orb
6. Step in The Arena: Gangstarr
7. 99%: Meat Beat Manifesto
8. Screamadelica: Primal Scream
9. Stone Roses: Stone Roses
10. World Clique: Deee-Lite
11. Strangeways Here We Come: The Smiths
12. The Queen is Dead: The Smiths
13. The Chess Box: Chuck Berry
14. Velvet Underground: Velvet Underground
15. Music For The Masses: Depeche Mode
16. Music for Airports vol. 1: Brian Eno
17. What's Going On: Marvin Gaye
18. Sticky Fingers: Rolling Stones
19. Paul's Boutique: Beastie Boys
20. The Basement Tapes: Bob Dylan and The Band
21. Electric Ladyland: Jimi Hendrix
23. Head on The Door: The Cure
24. Organized Konfusion: Organized Konfusion
25. Breaking Atoms: Main Source
26. Enter the 36 Chambers: Wu Tang Clan
27. Bizarre Ride to The Pharcyde: The Pharcyde
28. Blowout Comb: Digable Planets
29. Souvlaki: Slowdive
30. Pygmallion: Slowdive
31: The Verve EP: Verve
32. Victorialand: Cocteau Twins
33. Hard Day's Night: The Beatles
34. Wild Honey: The Beach Boys
35. Ready To Die: Notorious BIG
36. 3 Feet High and Rising: De La Soul
37. Music For Airports vol 4: Brian Eno
38. Meat is Murder: The Smiths
39. Sandinista: The Clash
40. Exile on Main Street: Rolling Stones
41. Midnight Mauraders: A Tribe Called Quest
42. Low End Theory: A Tribe Called Quest
43. Daily Operation: Gangstarr
44. Hard To Earn: Gangstarr
45. Future Days: Can
46. Tago Mago: Can
47. Abbey Road: The Beatles
48. Scott 4: Scott Walker
49. Re: Cafe Tacuba
50. Done By The Forces of Nature: Jungle Brothers
51. Derilects of Dialect: 3rd Bass

Birth of the Cool

2009-03-07T17:47:00.000-08:00

I grew up in Houston. I lived very near downtown and as a young teen, I would drive all over the "cultured" center of Houston looking for inspiration in music, art, film, etc... I discovered many things at a young age because I was so close to this whole alternative and eye-opening atmosphere. Houston gets such a bad rap but if you live inside the loop, it has a lot to offer.

I remember going to the art museums and being blown away by the art. I used to get so inspired to create myself. Years later, I am now a graphic designer where I am paid to be creative. It's a dream job, one that I've always wanted and worked hard to get. I don't go to museums as often as I used to when I was younger, but last night I went to the Blanton here in Austin which is a new art museum on the UT campus.

I djed a party there in Oct 2008 and thought it was cool. I love 20th century art, but modernism is probably my favorite of all the movements. I love the minimalism, the sleekness, the streamlining of form and shape and the lack of frills and ornamentation. It really speaks to me in a very deep sense. At the same time, I still find a part of me that is moved by abstract expressionism.

Being in the presence of this exhibit brought back that deep-seeded element in my soul that loves art and design. I mean I love it with capital letters. I feel an unexplainable peace, love, passion and energy when I am in the presence of such mastery of color, form and design.

It made me feel like a 16 year old again. I can only imagine that this is what religious people feel like when they are moved by the holy spirit. The peculiar thing is that some people will see the same piece of art and not be inspired or moved by it. It just does not register on that level and while you can explain why you are inspired or drawn to it, you either get it or you don't. Art is so incredibly difficult to define, and delving further into the subject, quantifying something as good art over mediocre art is even more puzzling.

To me it's very simple. It moves me or it doesn't. Klee, Wunderlich, Rauschenberg, Twombly, Basquiat, Benjamin all reinvigorate the sense of amusement and passion I have for life and I see and feel the beauty of the world more profoundly when I experience it. It's so overwhelming at times that I can't contain myself and am reduced to just being lucky that I am able to have access to such art. To me art is the best thing in the world next to love.

I cannot begin to explain how excited I get when I see a great piece of art or architecture. It's a natural high, I feel like God lives in that art the same way he or she or it lives in nature and I don't even believe in a creator or divine being. I just feel blessed that such things are in this world and that geniuses have bestowed their gifts of art to better our culture and enrich our souls.

Ritchie Barrett

2009-03-07T17:43:00.001-08:00

I love this track, first heard it from The Beatles Anthology.

sweet thing

2009-03-03T19:29:00.000-08:00

100% amazing, I can only aspire to write songs one-tenth as good as this.

rave on

2009-03-01T18:35:00.001-08:00

what a beautiful piece of music, absolutely perfect.

take 5

2009-03-01T15:37:00.001-08:00

Respect to Matt Dike and the Dust Brothers

2009-02-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

Chain Reaction- Dance Freak

2009-02-24T18:27:00.000-08:00

This is why I love music! I bought a cd a long time ago, a compilation disc by the legendary Danny Krivit b/c I wanted some good rare NYC disco. I only listened to one disc and was kinda swept away by my busy life. About a year and some change later, I put it on at the starsign lounge and this song comes on. Bam, right in your face good disco, and the drums are sick on this!

What the hell?!

2009-02-23T19:39:00.000-08:00

I think I'm simultaneously in love with this, yet repelled by its kitsch. kinda bad ass though.

Here's another winning number. The French, gotta love 'em.

This one is sick though. That man looks like someone I've met, but I can't remember who.

Man I wish I knew French. I love this track. "Contacttttttt!"

iTune's Roulette (Don't Be Scared!)

2009-02-23T16:40:00.000-08:00

Here are the rules:

1. select your MP3 player of choice (iPod/iTunes/iPhone/Blackberry)
2. Select the Shuffle All Songs option
3. List the next 10 songs and the reason why you have it
4. NO SKIPPING ALLOWED

Yeah dude, I'm doing this. You ready?

1. "Here's the Thing" - Girl Talk (Feed The Animals)

So "here's the thing", I think Girl Talk is really clever with his mixes and they're enjoyable. I grew up on hip hop producers like Prince Paul, Dust Brothers (and Matt Dike), Bomb Squad, Pete Rock, DJ Premier and later got into Coldcut and Steinski. GT reminds me of listening to "Beats and Pieces", but a more updated version.

This particular song samples a lot of wack radio rap, but also samples Chicago's "Saturdays", "96 Tears" by Question Mark and The Mysterians, and Elvis Costello's "Pump It Up" (which u2 totally bit for their latest single). I like Pump It Up.

2. "Fire Engine" - Bernard Hermann (Fahrenheit 451 Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Fahrenheit 451 is one of my favorite movies from the 60's. I love everything about that movie and especially loved the music. I'm a fan of film scores and soundtracks, so yeah. Anyway, everybody should watch this movie. Also of interest for any fans of Ministry, they sampled the dialogue from this movie for the song "Faith Collapsing".

note: I live in Austin and there's a store called Book People, which takes the title from the characters in the Bradbury novel.

3. "Traveling Man" - Stanley Cowell (Deck Safari)

Taken off of an awesome Air mix "CD" called Deck Safari. If I'm not mistaken, this is basically a mix they did for BBC Radio 1 and some jackass made a bootleg of it, which is awesome becasue it's probably one of the best mixes of music I've ever heard (stereogum thinks so too).

Air was one of my favorite bands of the late 90s. They kinda suck now and even Moon Safari wasn't great all the way through, but when it came out in the late 90's, it was a breath of fresh air (damn, I fucking didn't even intend that corny pun, please excuse me) when you measured it up to all the electronic music of that era. Air was making electronic music, but it sounded straight out of 1972, not 1998 (or 1997... I forget). Deck Safari is basically a compilation they put out that where they play some of their favorite jams from their record collections. Excellent comp b/c you can hear exactly how Moon Safari came to be after listening to it, especially its atmosphere.

This song reminds me of the theme from Taxi ("Angela" by Bob James)

4. "Chicken Half" - Sugarman Three (Daptone Sampler)

Way back in the day, we did the very first Scion dj gigs (before the car even came out and no one knew how to pronounce the name). This is one of many samplers I got from them. Basically throwback Stax instrumental R&B. Not my thing, but whatever.

5. "Airbag" - Radiohead (OK Computer)

What can I say, if you don't know this song (or album), um, you fail? yeah, that sums it up. Great song to kick off one of the most influential records of our time.

6. "Slow and Low" - Bits Breaks and Pieces (This is Rong Music)

I first discovered Rong records when I was in Stockholm, Sweden. We were at a very cool bar (that looked like a converted movie theater) and the bartender also happened to be selecting the music, but it was all vinyl. One of the songs he played was an amazing re-edit of some song I'd never heard before and I had to ask him what it was. He was cool, and gave me the title of the record. I bought it at Snickars Records and even tagged my name on the wall next to Kenny Dope's. The record I bought was a very rare promo only re-edit 12" with absolutely no information. I still love that record, all deep disco re-edits.

Rong Records makes some of the best New Disco stuff out there. This is off of a compilation they put out, I highly encourage everyone that likes good deep disco and the Balaeric/Nordic Disco that's been coming out the last few years to look out for anything from Rong (especially Lee Douglas). Also look out for anything on Full Pupp or Bear Ent.

7. "Black Snake" - Ramblin' Jack Elliott (The Essential Ramblin' Jack Elliott)

This is basically a reinterpretation of Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Black Snake Moan". I found out about Jack Elliott when I became a fan of Dylan. If you're a Dylan fan, you know Ramblin' Jack. If not, he was Bob Dylan before Bob Dylan was Bob Dylan, meaning he was a jewish kid who wanted to be a cowboy and became a Woody Guthrie disciple and even lived with Woody and the Guthries. Dylan was kinda deflated when heard Elliott because "someone else beat him to it" (to be fair, Jack Elliott was 10 years older than Dylan).

Elliott never moved on passed the whole folk and country roots so his audience is kinda small compared to Dylan's, but he's the link between Guthrie and Dylan, and a damn fine musician, storyteller. One of his cohorts, Derroll Adams, took a young Donovan under his wing which you can see in D.A. Pennebaker's "Don't Look Back." Donovan was kinda shy, Adams was cool in his beard and Dylan was kinda being a dick.

There's a great documentary about Ramblin' Jack called "The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack" that you should see.

8. "Stop Whispering" - Radiohead (Pablo Honey)

Damn, another Radiohad song! God, this album sucks. Even Radiohead hates this record. The only good songs are Lurgee and Blow Out. I even hate that Creep song. I saw this video once in college on the Canadian version of MTV. God I thought Radiohead were a crappy band. Thom Yorke's hair in this video is FUNNY. The whole video is funny. I only bought this album after Kid A came out and I became a full blown Radiohead fan. I bought this record out of respect for them, even though 95% of me thought I was going to hate it. This song is terrible and tries to sound like Dinosaur Jr. at one point. I should delete this song from iTunes right now.

9. "DVNO" - Justice (that album with the cross)

Daetron Vargas gave me this album when he gave me a shitload of mp3s. Justice kinda blows, but I still kinda like them. I could make this music (I think). This song is pretty wack, but the video fucking rules. Remember when people thought Justice was Daft Punk's alter ego?

10. "Rapture Riders" - Go Home Productions

Damn, there's a youtube video for everything these days. I heard someone else playing this song, I think it was Ursula 1000. I thought it was one of the best mashups out because it sounded natural. I downloaded this off of soulseek ages ago. The quality of this mp3 sucks. The song is still cool.

Influences

2009-02-21T14:49:00.000-08:00

Been listening to a lot of Spanish pop/rock this afternoon. There was a time when my friend Aldo and my other friend Hugo were playing me all this pop and rock stuff from latin america and spain. Stuff like heroes del silencio, duncan dhu, fobia, caifanes, maldita vecindad, enanintos verdes, but the two that made the most impact on me were soda stereo and cafe tacuba.

Soda Stereo was a band from Argentina that I found out about in the late 80's. I liked their music, it reminded me of U2 bits of british rock/new wave, but with Spanish lyrics. I didn't think too much of the band itself, but I do remember liking their music a lot more than the pop music I was used to hearing from Mexico, which in my opinion was absolute shit. Most of that stuff sounded like Celine Dion or Elton John, but only worse.

Soda's sense of melody made an impact on my ears, the same way The Beatles, Pink Floyd and The Smiths did, and to a lesser extent, Depeche Mode. I later came to appreciate just how tuneful and melodic their music was and didn't think I was that influenced by them until I started playing my own music.

Cafe Tacuba was just fun, it's like they took all the regional music of Mexico, stuck it in a blender with the british stuff they liked and actually made it work. Some people like to call them the Mexican Radiohead, but if you think about it, they're really more like the Mexican Flaming Lips.

Since I'm talking about influences, how about a video playist and I'll just shut my trao.

little joy and noah

2009-02-19T21:15:00.001-08:00

Starshine - All I Need Is You 12"

2009-02-18T21:01:00.000-08:00

My name used to be DJ Starshine until people kept mispronouncing it and called me Starsign instead. That's neither here nor there, but this song is amazing. I can crawl inside a cloud, hang out with the shirt tales, take a trip on the great space coaster and eat a fudge sundae, that's how this song makes me feel. Love it!

Rolling Stones - Metamorphosis

2009-02-16T21:30:00.000-08:00

This is a compilation of Stones songs but most of the record is really only Mick singing with music provided by session musicians (and future Led Zeppelin members) Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones. A lot of these songs were recorded by other artists, although they were written by Jagger and Richards.

It's a great album although some people consider it to be a collection of "throw away songs".

Halcyon

2009-02-15T21:41:00.000-08:00

I used to love this song back in the day. This was back when I didn't care too much for electronic music, but this song was one of a few exceptions.

I found my original copy yesterday (the single edit, not the one on the album, which is the one in most of the videos). I actually like the album version better, but it's cool that I still have the original single version.

It inspired me to remake it on my guitar pedal (it has a loop function). I pulled it off and just for fun, I recorded it. I then added more layers and percussive strokes by beating a bottle with a pencil. Since I have a drum machine that I still haven't read the manual for, I decided to plug the little bastard in and play the beats on it. Here it is in its unquantatized, sloppy, lo-fi glory!

Dudley Moore - The Millionaire

2009-02-13T23:03:00.001-08:00

One of the best songs ever recorded, in case you didn't know, Dudley Moore was a hell of a jazz pianist. This song was used on a Meat Beat Manifesto record which is how I found out about it.

Dudley Moore R.I.P.

Steve Reich

2009-02-13T22:37:00.000-08:00

I've been a fan of Steve Reich for about 5 years. I accidentally discovered his music via "It's Gonna Rain" when I was reading about the origins of electronic music. This was around the time when I discovered Stockhausen, Terry Riley, Phillip Glass and others.

Reich has been a major source of inspiration from his early phasing compositions to Music for 18 Musicians and my favorite, Electric Counterpoint. I've been composing some music and it's definitely got a Reich feel to it, although not as good.

Here are some of my favorite Reich bits:

If you listen closely to the weekend player's track, you can hear them sample Electric Counterpoint.

girl, you need a change of mind

2009-02-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

Seriously, one of my all-time favorite tracks ever. How can a song be this good, this beautiful that it moves your soul so much, you feel overwhelmed and overjoyed. I can't even begin to describe how much I love this track. I don't dance, but if this song comes on, I will be a dancing fool. Probably the best breakdown ever.

So much love and beauty in this track. Eddie Kendricks R.I.P.

The chocolate boy wonder sampled it for the Good Life.

dvd dntst rmx

2009-02-07T17:11:00.000-08:00

kinda funny.