VIDEO: Stussy – J Dilla Documentary

As I’m sure many of you have been following, Stussy have been releasing a three-part exclusive documentary on the greatest hip-hop producer who ever picked up an MPC; J Dilla. Since the series has now come to its conclusion, I thought it necessary to share the documentary in its entirety. The third installment is particularly poignant – as somebody who caught onto the subliminal “memento mori” theme which underlies Donuts, hearing his last work broken down by his friends and associates provides some serious “hair standing on end” moments.

RIP J DILLA.

Never Forget : J Dilla

Four years ago today a legend was taken from us. That legend was J Dilla, aka James Yancey of Detroit, Michigan.

Time passes so too quickly. But, we’ll never forget.

mp3: J Dilla – Don’t Cry

mp3: J Dilla – Last Donut Of The Night

mp3: DJ Spinna – Dilla Is The G.O.A.T.

R.I.P. Roc Raida

It’s with great regret, and much sadness, that I have to report the passing of Grand Master Roc Raida (1972 – 2009). No specific details have been released, but it is believed that there may have been complications with regards to surgery he underwent after a very recent martial arts accident. At this time my thoughts and condolences go out to Anthony Williams’ family and friends – this is both tragic and upsetting.

A true legend of hip-hop and turntablism, Roc Raida was the very reason for thousands of young people over the years taking up DJing and turntable battling. He was a pioneer of techniques, be it scratches, juggles, or body tricks. As an original member of the X-Men (later the X-Ecutioners) along with Rob Swift, Total Eclipse and Mista Sinista, Roc Raida graced an untold amount of stages and DJ booths throughout the world, taking with him his unique and awe-inspiring skills, turning heads in every town that he went to.

I had the great fortune of meeting Roc Raida in Brisbane a few of years ago, when I was working at Butter Beats record store. Lord Finesse was due in to the store along with Q-Unique, DJ Eclipse and… Roc Raida, as part of their Zulu Nation Supa Jam Tour. The store was rammed with people waiting to get autographs, mainly from Lord Finesse. Some of the other guys were engaging in conversation with the fans, but Roc just kept himself to himself in a quiet corner, minding his own business. Now, as much as Lord Finesse is a legend himself, I was always a huge DMC and general turntablism head, so even before these guys turned up I knew it was Roc that I wanted so desperately to meet. So, as people are forming a not-so-orderly queue to speak and get autographs off Finesse, I make a definitive move in the direction of Roc. Out went my hand and I said something dorky like, “I’m a huge fan and it’s a real privilege to meet you”, albeit dorky, it was meant sincerely and I got the impression Roc could tell as much. He seemed quite shy, but a huge smile spread across his face and he thanked me and shook my hand. We spoke for a while and he came across as a genuinely humble and decent guy. There was a warmth which emanated from him – that feeling you get when you know you’re in the presence of a good person. And I truly was.

I never get tired of watching and re-watching Roc Raida’s turntable routines, he really was one of the kings in the tricks department. So, I shall leave you with this classic clip – absolutely timeless…

mp3: The X-Ecutioners – Raida’s Theme (LP Version)

R.I.P. Roc Raida, you will be missed.

Larry Young – Turn Off The Lights

Larry Young was an East-Coast jazz organist, active through the sixties on the Prestige and Blue Note labels, and through the seventies on Perception and Arista. What I wish to focus on is an element of Larry Young that stood him above many of his contemporaries – he was a true pioneer of the Hammond B-3 organ, but unlike other jazz artists, such as Jimmy Smith, Larry took a very modal approach to the Hammond. Larry Young also loved to experiment with music and was at the forefront of the fusion movement, playing with artists like Miles Davis (on Bitches Brew), Tony Williams and John McLaughlin (Mahavishnu Orchestra). Sadly he was taken from us at the young age of 37, dying of pneumonia.

But enough of the history lesson. The title of this article is; Larry Young – Turn Off The Lights. If you’re familiar with that track name or the LP “Larry Young’s Fuel”, then you’ll know where I’m going with this. Turn Off The Lights is a classic Moog track with a heavy, heavy break, as used on the Slum Village track Fat Cat Song, from “The Fantastic, Volume. 1″. It’s one of the most infectious and soulful tracks you are likely to hear in your lifetime – completed with amazing vocals by Linda “Tequila” Logan, who adds a certain ’sensual’ element to a track already riddled with smooth. I love it.

When you think of the Moog synthesizer, you’d be forgiven for conjuring up images of Stevie Wonder, Sun Ra and even Kraftwerk, but Turn Off The Lights, for me personally, is the absolute epitome of Moog use. At seven minutes long it goes from accompanying a steady bassline, to out and out frenzied melodies, like it was an experimental jazz jamming session – an absolute journey of a track and one I can never get bored of.

mp3: Slum Village – Fat Cat Song

mp3: Larry Young – Turn Off The Lights

Melvyn Price – Rhythm and Blues

Wax Poetics Records presents an immense re-issue of 1974’s Rhythm and Blues by Melvyn Price, out now on 180g vinyl and CD. Melvyn Price, although a Michigan native, made his mark as a musician in Europe – namely Sweden. A vastly talented conguero and trombonist, he began his musical journey in marching bands before embarking on his European adventure and finally landing in his adopted home of Sweden.

Rhythm and Blues is a deeply soulful jazz record, a 6-track excursion through the mind of an adventure seeking American draft dodger that just lived to create music. Melvyn Price was from soulful roots and used that to his gain – touring with the cream of Sweden’s jazz session players, before setting down to record this magical LP that was to be released on his own Meldor label.

The LP features Guy Roellinger on electric bass, Björn Alke on kontrabass, Jon Dill on congas, Melvyn Price on congas and trombone, Fredrik Noren and Gunnar Nyberg on drums, Luis Agudo on percussion, Björn Wolff on piano and Ed Epstein on tenor saxophone – all of which was written and arranged by Melvyn Price himself.

Tracklisting:

01. Voodoo Love Dance
02. Toward Brazil
03. Behind Kungstradgarden
04. Happiness Is …
05. Five O’Clock Traffic
06. Last Train

The combination of precise, yet fluid percussive skills and sharp, flowing jazz melodies creates a fusion of sorts. This mutually beneficial exhibition of the arts is something to behold. Elements of straight jazz and samba rhythms, teetering at times on either side of the fence – considering the timing of the release, the sound – although smooth and free running – is disciplined enough to be its own and not a replica of other releases of the era. There’s enough energy and rhythm to warrant pushing into more funk like territories, yet enough restraint and individual style to keep to their own jazz driven sound. Melvyn and his cohorts seemingly had a particular jazz vision in mind and they definitely fulfilled it.

mp3: Melvyn Price – Last Train

Rhythm and Blues is a ‘listeners’ record. If you like to immerse yourself in fine sounds, closing your eyes and feeling through the arrangements as they hit your ears, then it will more than strike a chord within you. This is tight. And it’s thanks to Wax Poetics for granting a re-release through their Wax Poetics Records imprint. Ever the ones for fine tastes, they’ve picked a winner here, and on 180g vinyl no less! Also be sure to check out other Wax Poetics Records releases from; East of Underground, The Moments and Earl Zero. That East of Underground LP is particularly special and might be hard to find now on vinyl – luckily I have my copy tucked away nice and safe.