My apologies...

For those cats who visit my blog, I apologize for the lack of content over the past week. I've been pretty busy with the holidays and working on a new master plan to conquer the world (sinister laugh - muhahahahaha).

I'll start posting good music and other random crap for you again this week...probably on Wednesday. In the mean time I hope everyone had an excellent holiday and I wish you all a happy new year.

2010 is gonna be straight FIRE! Believe that...

Live MPC Dopeness!

Exile and Dj Day at the Rooms of Red Bull from joao costa on Vimeo.

Fonda Rae "Over Like a Fat Rat" '82

Closing out the week with another classic throwback. Last working day of the year, so between now and the 4th I'll be looking to get over like a fat rat!

Intro beat is so so so ill...then the bass guitar kicks in, then the whammy. Ahh man just FIRE!!!

Jocelyn Brown "Somebody Else's Guy"

As we continue on with the classic throwbacks... This joint really kicks in after the initial build up (@0:47). Enjoy!

Factoid: This video was shot in the late nineties, as no video was shot before then.

Gwen Mc Crae "My Funky Sensation" '81

Get over the Hump today with this classic throwback: "This funk is like an extra strength pain reliever" Enjoy...

Alicia Myers "I want to thank you" '81

Continuing on with the classic R&B throw backs. These are those joints that you sing along to while in the shower or in the car...even those fools who can't sing to save their lives (like me) LOL... I know you'll be singing along with this one. Don't front!

I'll probably go down this path for more than just one week. We'll see how long I feel like throwing these gems down before I switch it up on you and throw down some breaks or funk.

Peep out my man DJ Hells Yeah diggin in the crates

DJ Hells Yeah threw down this old school soulful mix last week @ A1 Record Shop. Dope Shit!



Mixed by DJ Hells Yeah

01.Isaac Hayes – Wonderful
02.Gato Barbieri – I Want You (Part 1)
03.Dionne Warwicke – You’re Gonna Need Me
04.Charles Bradley & Menahan Street Band – THe World (Is Going Up In Flames)
05.The Three Degrees – You’re The Fool
06.Wilson Pickett – Engine Number 9
07.Eugene Blacknell & The New Breed – We’ve Got To Live Together
08.Dave “Baby”Cortez – Funky Robot Part 1
09.Aretha Franklin – Mr.DJ (% For The DJ)
10.Vicki Anderson – Message From The Soul Sisters
11.Funky People – Everybody Hustle Part 1
12.Manzel – Sugar Dreams
13.The Soul Searchers – We The People Part 1
14.Clarence Reid – Nobody But You Babe
15.The 8th Day – She’s Not Just Another Woman
16.Lee Field – My World
17.Johnny Guitar Watson – Love That Will Not Die
18.Butterballs – Butterballs Part 1
19.Bill Cosby – Yes, Yes, Yes
20.The 5th Dimention – Love’s lines, Angels And Rhymes
21.Bumps Jackson – Funky In Jamaica part 2
22.Shark Wilson & The Basement Heaters – Make It Reggae
23.James Brown – Brother Rapp
24.Marvis Groove – B.W.Souls

Listen and Download HERE

here

The Spinners "It's a Shame" '70

Nothing but throw back classics this week...

Q-Tip: Rap is not pop, if you call it that than STOP!

I'll start this post giving respect where respect is due. Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest is a hip-hop legend. Period! The albums ATCQ made in the 90's were ground breaking and influenced so many artists and hip-hop fans (myself included). They were, and still are, some of my favorite albums and tracks. They are forever classics.

Also to give additional credit where credit is due Q-Tip is an amazing producer. A lot of people don't realize the extent of Q's production career. For starters he produced the first three ATCQ albums. Many think Ali produced the albums because he was the DJ, but they all belong to Q. The covers credit ATCQ because they wanted to represent the albums as a group vs. an individual effort (no man is bigger than the group). Very respectful. There's also the non ATCQ production from Q over the years: Nas, Cyprus Hill, Bush Babies, Mobb Deep, Busta Ryhmes, and the list goes on. He deserves his shine from all of that. In fact Q was voted the "Best Producer on the Mic" in an recent poll on www.unkut.com vs. the likes of Doom, RZA, Lord Finesse, Largo Pro and others. Q-Tip knows good music and knows how to make good music. So nuff said on that topic.

I won't touch heavily on his DJ skills & career as that's an entirely different topic and post. I'll say this much...he's come a long way, but has a long way to go but heavily relies on his name and industry connections. I have no doubt that in enough time he will become a very good DJ (never great)...but at the moment he gets an avg. rating from me which is much higher than the 'F' I gave him three years ago when he was spinning under the "Abstract" alias (because he knew he sucked I guess).

To get to the core of this post... Just because Q-Tip is a "Legend" is he above confrontation for becoming a crossover "pop" artist and going against his own words? Q-Tip's solo career has been nothing but Pop and R&B (or better named "Rappin Bullshit" by Q's Native Tongue brethren De La Soul).

I say no! He is not above being called out. No one is above criticism or confrontation in my world. I believe artists have the right and need to diversify to grow in order to make money and stay relevant in today's ever changing music industry. But in Q's case he goes against hip-hop principles and even worse his own words:

-Check the Rhime: "Rap is not pop, if you call it that then stop."
Need I reference more than the garbage track "Vivrant Thing"

-Buggin Out: "I know I'd be the man if I cold yanked the plug on R&B, but I can't and that's bugged"
Starting with the Last ATCQ album "The Love Movement" and quickly accelerating throughout his solo career every song I have heard has been Pop or Rappin Bullshit.

So I'm blowing the whistle and throwing the Yellow Flag on Q-Tip. Major Offense: "Hip-Hop Crossover - Unnecessary use of musical skills and talent just to make garbage pop music for the money". That's my opinion and that's how I'm calling it, but I welcome comments or counter arguments from the peanut gallery.

-AGROvate1

Funky Friday: Ralph MacDonald "Jam On The Groove"

It's Funky Friday and even though I'm in a real shit mood today I'm still bringing you the HEAT. Ralph MacDonald has ridiculously long credentials that we don't need to get into here...check Wikipedia or his own website (http://www.ralphmacdonald.com).

This track "Jam on the Groove" is pure FIRE! It's a Super Classic Break Record from the late 70s. Def check the break in the record @3:47 & enjoy this track folks...

War's "Deliver the World" '73 sampled by Premo for "Betrayal"

War is the shiznit for those who don't know. They were an ethnically diverse grop from the west coast who started playing together back in the 70's. mostly known for their early hits Low Rider, Cisco Kid, Tobacco Road, Spill the Wine, etc... I saw they were still touring back in 2000. Wonder if they are still playing and making new stuff? At this point I doubt they would be able to re-capture the magic they made in their earlier days. Anyway...here's one of their earlier tracks DJ Premier sampled.

War "Deliver the World"


Gang Starr feat. Scarface "Betrayel"

The Kung Fu - The Lords of Percussion

From the album Funk Fu - Psycho Funk vs Rare Grooves 1970-76

Deams - The Legacy EP promo

Somehow I missed this one. It dropped in September. It's FIRE! I'll be coppin this EP

Eddie Simpson - Big Black Funky Slave

"You're a no good woman" ..."Gonna drive me to my grave"
Damn girls!!!

Featured on "Product Placement" by DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist, "Ultimate Breakbeats" and many other compilations.

The Complex Soundboard: Click & Play | Nation Of Millions - Hip Hop, Music, Sports, Sneakers, Skeezers, Jokes, Videos

The Complex Soundboard: Click & Play | Nation Of Millions - Hip Hop, Music, Sports, Sneakers, Skeezers, Jokes, Videos

Know the Ledge

No reason or background needed...just classic as classic gets.

C'mon SON! episodes 7 & 8

Missed on these last two episodes. Love these joints. Ed always calls it how he sees it! Calling all you cats out for being just straight dumb... He's the black celebrity version of me. LOL!!!

Episode 7


Episode 8

Soul Vibrations " The Dump"

Been a few days...was out of commission recovering.

Here's a throw back slow funk track from Soul Vibrations (a group that started as a bunch of dudes selling cars together). They ended up making this track while rehearsing a vocal song for local yelper “Little” David Lee Clodfelter, the group gigged out a Kool and The Gang-influenced ode to Anderson’s nickname, “The Dump.” Recorded the next day by Galaxie III’s Harry Deal, an engineer who recorded notable funk locals like Rayfield Reid and released his own funk tune “Fonky Fonky,” “The Dump” served as the group’s one and only calling card.

For your Hump Day enjoyment - "Camel Time" African Music Machine

Super Rare Funk: The Majestics-Funky Chick (1969)

Super Rare...only 500 copies pressed and the bands only recording. Not bad for a high school band? They broke up shortly after this recording due to the Viet Nam draft and whatnot...

Vince Carter Top 100 Dunks

Dude never won anything but the Dunk competition and probably never will. But damn...The Dude Can DUNK!!!!

Definitely deserves a heated discussion with the likes of MJ, Dominique & Dr J for the crown.

Another gem used by Premo "Peace Of Mind" (1972)

Premo is one of the best, if not the best, at finding and sampling old gems. This one was sampled for MOP's "Roll Call"

Must Have for all "Lo" heads "Lo-Life Documentary"

Most people have no idea how deep the RL Polo sub-culture goes. I met a chick the other day who works at a Polo store in NY and out of curiosity I had to ask if she ever hear about the Lo-Lifes. Of course she didn't...

Not sure where you can pick up a copy...but I'll be on the look out for one. I don't claim to be a true/hardcore "Lo Head", but respect the culture and would love to have the full movie in my collection. If you know where one can buy a copy post a reply for us all to know.

"Smoke my peace pipe" - In recognition of our upcoming stolen land day

I'm dropping this funky gem on you today as we prepare to celebrate the day we stole this country and made it ours. Sorry to the natives who got took in the deal. But hey...it was bound to happen eventually and if not us then someone else.

As KRS One so eloquently stated it on "Sound of Da Police":
"There could never be justice on stolen land"

Anyway enjoy this funky track by The Wild Magnolias and smoke your peace pipe!

Piecebook Reloaded

Shout to my man Kaves LOB featured as one of the artists in the book and in this clip.

"Funky thing pt 1." circa '69

This track by Larry Ellis +The Black Hammer was sampled by Jay-Z and Nas on "Success"(2007)

DEZZY DEZ By Alan Ket

DEZZY DEZ By Alan Ket

Posted using ShareThis

FUNKY FRIDAY - deep funk 45 for your enjoyment!

"Chris Cross" by Jimmy McGriff. Enjoy the track and your weekend!

All The People "Cramp Your Style"

Sampled by sampled by KRS ONE on the hip hop classic "Still No.1" (My favorite trrack of his) from the By All Means Necessary LP.

Packer's - Doin' it for Dominique

In Honor of Packer's Shoe Store's 20th anniversary Reebok Pump dedicated to the Human Highlight Film

Top 10 All Time Dominique Wilkins Dunks

Paul Nero "This is Soul"

Made in 1968 starts with some funky drum breaks and then jumps into covering Soul Finger and then Soul Man. Can be found on the "Blues Break Beats" CD collection.

Sampled by Funk Doobiest & Delinquent Habbits. Possibly others...

Maceo Parker - 70's Funk Baby!

Maceo & All The Kings Men "Better Half" circa 1970. Sampled by BDP, Gang Starr, LL Cool J. Enjoy...

Special Ed - Freaky Flow (DJ Premier Remix) (1996) [HQ]

Special Ed fell off the map... but here's a dope Premo remix from '96:

Blakroc (Feat. Mos Def & Jim Jones) - Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)

Stevie's tribute to Minnie: "Perfect Angel"

Ending my week of Minnie. She died in '79 after a battle with breast cancer. She was at times part of Stevie's backup group "Wonderlove". Stevie was an assisting producer on one of her albums "Perfect Angel" under the alias "El Toro Negro". When she passed Stevie did a tribute to Minnie on Soul Train singing her song "Perfect Angel". Enjoy...

Classic Nike Commercial... Lil Penny

More Minnie - "Loving You"

Continuing my week's Minnie tribute. Here's "Loving You"...no need for further description.

Del The Funky Homosapien & Tame 1- Flashback

Dope collabo worth sharing... TameOne reppin Jersey!

More Minnie - "Back Down Memory Lane"

My week of Minnie Riperton continues. Today's song "Back Down Memory Lane" from her last album "Minnie" '79. This track was sampled by Pharrell for Jay Z's "So Ambitious". Enjoy.

More from Minnie - "Inside my love"

My week of Minnie Riperton continues. Today's song "Inside my love" is another amazing example of her skills from '75 as has been sampled by Tribe "Lyrics to go", Busta & Q-Tip, Intelligent Hoodlum, Killa Priest and more... Enjoy.

OOOPS... Revok got himself nabbed overseas

Graff artist Revok got himself nabbed by being so diligent with his tweets. Tough break, but at least he walks away smiling about it. Keep your head up.

***VANDAL VACATION*** from WWW.REVOK1.COM on Vimeo.

Minnie Riperton "Baby This Love I Have"

I was digging on Minnie and her voice this weekend...she was just incredible! So this week I'll be posting Minnie tracks. Factoid you may not know: Minnnie was also a member of Stevie Wonder's backup group "Wonderlove" aside form a talented solo artist.

This track was sampled for Tribe's "Check The Rhyme", Black Star's "K.O.S." and Pete Rock's "Play Dis Only at Night". Enjoy this gem...

Help me! What's the guitar riff sample? It's driving me Crazy!!!

I'm what you call "a digger". I love finding the original tracks sampled in today's songs because it's usually a forgotten gem and many times better than the newer songs that sampled it. I consider myself fairly knowledgeable in the area of original samples... but this guitar riff has me stumped. I can't figure out where it was pulled from (it's dope!). I know I've heard it before and can't put my finger on it and it's driving me bananas. Could it be an Albert King sample? I believe they sampled "Blind Man" by The New Birth in the track, but that's not the guitar. If you know it or can figure it out...help a brother out. Please!!! If not just enjoy the track.

BTW: This track is Banging! By far the best track on the album (circa 2000).
Binary Star "Slang Blade"

The Epic Journey of DJ Disco Wiz, Hip Hop's First Latino DJ

This book was recommend to me in passing and I bought it as an add-on to an Amazon order (to get my free shipping). Being sick with the flu SUCKS, but it gives you time to catch up on reading and things. So I picked up this book today and read it in one sitting which is very, very, very rare for me. It was not what I expected...that is to say another book about how hip-hop & DJing started back in the day. Instead I was blown away and engulfed in the realness of this man's (this Hip-Hop Legend's) life story. It's not one of glamor and fame, but one of a hard fought life with lots of mistakes, struggles and hardships. I'm not sure I would put it on the level of Iceburg Slim's life story (PIMP), but it's the closest book I've read that truly captured the raw emotions of each incident as Iceburg did in his book. Highly recommend picking up a copy.

Collision: Is Christianity Good for the World?

It's easy to create a lopsided documentary that proves YOUR point of view, regardless of the facts. Examples: all of Michael Moore's films and even Bill Maher's "Religulous" (which was quite funny and entertaining). However, "Collision" shows two highly educated, very well spoken individuals with polar opposite opinions on Christianity and God debate their points like mature adults to promote the book they wrote together pulled from emails back and forth. NOTE: they never met in person b4 the debates. I would definitely recommend this documentary to others with interest or curiosity in the topic from either side of the argument.

ROC RAIDA TRIBUTE Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 @ SOBs

featuring DITC| IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE|BRAND NUBIANS| / GRAN PUBA| THE BEATNUTS| LARGE PROFESSOR & many more

Funky Fridays!

For my listeners, DJs and break beat junkies. I usually try to end the week with a funky track.  Here's some good old funky breaks...with a little bit of a "down south" country feel. Enjoy...
Jimmy McGriff "Red Sails in the Sunset"

36th Universal Zulu Nation Anniversary 35 Years of Hip Hop Culture

FYI: to those hip-hop heads. Nov. 13th through the 15th, 2009! NYC...

Starting it off with one of my favorite songs...

This is one of those stand by songs that AW listens to when I need to get out of a funk. Never fails to make my day a little better. I listen to this joint on the train in the morning A LOT!

Let the games begin...

I'm fed-up with FB and need a place to post my song of the day along with random thoughts, rants and opinions so I'm starting this blog.

I'll be posting daily songs (at least mon-fri).  Mainly 60s & 70s funk/soul/jazz with some background and info on the tracks (those that laid the foundation for early and even today's hip-hop).  However, I reserve the right to post whatever track I'm feeling that day.  It's my blog damnit!

You can also look forward to the random thoughts that cross my mind that need to be shared because I'm an opinionated bastard and have little (no) filter.

Let's see what we can do here.

-AGROvate1