My musical career began when I started collecting funk jazz and rare grooves records. I loved to search for the original records that were sampled in the 90s hip hop then. When I had about 30 or so records I started going from pub to pub asking to play tunes for a bit of cash so I could fund my hobby. That there was the beginning of my DJ life. I’d like to take a trip down memory lane and share some of the records I loved in that period and still love. These are all records I used to play in that period. Disclaimer, they obviously weren’t’ new in that time. I’m not THAT old 🙂
Jimmy Smith – I Got My Mojo Working
One of my fav of all time. If I am ever to become a pro boxer or pro darter, mind you, I’m not doing anything now to pursue that career, but if… I would def use this song as my opening/entrance song.
Shirley Ellis – The Clapping Song
I think this song is a classic for many reasons. According to Afrika Bambaataa, this is one of the origins of hip hop because of the usage of call and responds. I def agree with that, but I mostly like the song because of it’s great breaks.
Buddy Rich – The Beat Goes On
A track with a repetitive groove. I love it when jazz records have this. But on top of this lies this great vocal from his daughter Cathy. The reason the vocal sounds a bit different is that it was recorded over the live (show)recording in a studio. I also like it that the first half of the song is sang on and the rest is just bombastic trumpets etc. probably because of the later overdub from the vocal. The lyrics are from Sunny Bono and the include most of the things that were happening in that period (like ‘miniskirts, are the current thing aha’).
Bobby Womack – Across 110th Street
This one you might know from Tarantino’s movie Jacky Brown. The lyrics describe the day-to-day struggles of living in the ghetto in a way you can really picture it. Well at least I think I do :). It really breaths that life. when it comes to Womack there are so many good tracks I could choose. But this is def my fav.
Bobby Franklin’s Insanity – Bring It On down
This one for me is a real rare one. I think Bobby Franklin hasn’t done much that people will know and I don’t know any song of him that matches this. But I do think people need to know about this songs existence. I love the energy of this track. It’s so raw and funky.
Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up
One of the big and timeless hits from the funk/soul era. Curtis Mayfield was my first intro to this whole genre, because this track was also played a lot at student parties. Maybe it still is. I love this long original 9min version. The groove of those drums and congas are insane!
Bob Dorough – Three Is The Magic Number
Made famous by DeLaSoul, but the original version is really worth listening. It was writen by Bob for the Schoolhouse Rock program. A TV program that would cover topics like grammar, sience, Math etc for children. Imagine the Teletubbies were that funky 🙂
Five Corners Quintet – Trading Eights
I found this track on a Gilles Peterson compilation (Kings Of Jazz). It used to be one of my favorite records to play. It’s really a dance song, again because of its repetitive groove. Imagine if dance had more of these instrument solo’s in them haha.
Isley Brothers – Summer Breeze
I don’t like cars. Being stuck in traffic always makes me question the intelligence of humanity. I think people take the car to easily. It makes you lazy and it pollutes the environment unnecessarily. Especially those cruising drives. I really think its stupid. But…. I might throw all of that overboard when I hear this track. It really makes my want to hop in a big old polluting classic cabrio and cruise as long as this song can repeat it self.
Curtis Mayfield – Tripping Out
You can never have too much Curtis in your life! I found this one as a sample of Camp Lo – Black Nostaljack AKA Come On. I used to play their album uptown Saturday Night over and over. Then I heard the original track from Curtis on his album something To Believe In. Then I started listening to that album over and over.
Joe Williams And The Jazz Orchestra – Get Out Live Woman
Leaving you with the best break up song ever.
