We've been getting some interesting things in the mail here at the headquarters,
and have made some nice new discoveries. On the domestic issue front, I got a
promo of the US version of the Wagon Christ "Throbbing Pouch" CD, so indeed this
will be coming out in the US on Rising High USA. So all of you who wanted to see
what the hype was about, but didn't want to pay for the import, now have no
excuse. A phenomenal CD... indeed, it is 'sterile' in its execution, but
unashamedly so. A nice answer to the question posed by the hip hop/techno
collision.
Got all kinds of mix tapes this week, and we've been playing them around the
store and making heads turn. DJ Qool Marv (is that right? I don't have it in
front of me) sent some killer cassettes that show the more soulful side of the
hip hop/jazz mesh. Marv still cuts it up here and there, and even does some
intriguing original mixes by blending different acapellas with instrumentals.
But his use of tricks is tasteful, and the music is surely the main focus. Way
good.
DJ Bambi's tape arrived soon after, and showed yet a different side of this
music we listen to. Bambi once told me he likes music that 'people can
breakdance to', and this tape shows that. Funky, a touch of jazzy, but very
electronic. Some portions even show the 'ambient' influence on funky electronic
music, and these are the sections I find most interesting. Lush strings, echoes,
and spacey effects sound so good when a funky hip hop beat is attached! Oh- and
Bambi's mixing is dead on, and nice flow that carries on through both sides of
the tape. An excellent job.
I recently met a guy up in Jacksonville, FL (about 3 hours up from Orlando) name
Darrell Duke, and he's been loading mix tapes on me ever since. In the span of
three weeks, he must've sent me 5 90 minute mixes... is this guy prolific or
what? And, yes, he works for a record store (Now Hear This is Jacksonville) so
that's how he gets his records. Anyway, the lead tape that he's giving out now
is called "Downtempo Blunted Beathead Business" and, most certainly, that's what
it is. Darrell doesn't pay as much attention to mixing as he does in careful
song selection and effects (such as rain and thunder sounds) in order to give
the tape a sort of 'journey' vibe. Stuff like DJ Shadow, Portishead's mix of
'Karmacoma', and a little jungle detour on side two give you an idea of the
diversity and adventurousness of this fine DJ. And, he CAN mix up a storm as
well... some of his upcoming tapes he sent me are some amazing mixes!
As far as a Q-Burn's Abstract Message mix tape... I'm going to keep working on
it, but right now the fact I have no turntables and my weekly gig at Barbarella
is on a shitty mixer certainly doesn't help matters. However, a couple of gigs
I've snagged that I'm excited about: I'll be the warm-up DJ for the next Sam
Rivers Trio (minus DJ BMF) gig (not sure of the date, I'll let you know) and I
guess I'm going to be doing a gig with On The One publisher Paul Craven at Cafe
Instanbul in New Orleans for Art for Art Sake (October 7th)... I'm excited about
this, my first out of state gig. Thanks, Paul!
Phat N Jazzy will make it's first appearance at the Sapphire Supper Club in
downtown Orlando tomorrow night (Tuesday). This will be the biggest blast...
free buffet, martini specials, the works. Doors open at 9:30, and be sure to
dress sharp (I'll be in a hat & tie, folks). If you want to go, call me at the
store at (407) 246-0072 and I can put you on a guest list (it's invite only for
this first night). Oh- and T J Kirk are booked to play at the Sapphire on
October 20th... what can we expect? Never seen Mr. Hunter.
PEACE n LATERS
Michael Donaldson
EIGHTH DIMENSION RECORDS / SOUL POWER MAGAZINE