Big Poppa

Press the play arrow above to listen to the song.

The Notorious B.I.G. Sampled from the Isley Brother’s “Between the sheets”. The was the follow up hit to “juicy”. My favorite line “you got a gun up in your waist please don’t shoot up the place. Why?”. “Juicy” brought the attention of the world the Biggie. “Big Poppa” made him a legitimate superstar.

In The Meantime

Press the play arrow above to listen to the song.

Helmet. They were one of the last great Rock and Roll bands of the 90’s. After Helmet we enter the dark ages of Rock (Staind, Fuel, Nickelback, Creed), which we thankfully have recovered from. I hate it when Rock and Roll doesn’t rock. It makes no sense at all.

With a Cantaloupe Girlfriend

Press the play arrow above to listen to the song.

The Three O’Clock. I’m giving a nod to the Mods. Almost in parallel to the ska revival in the 80’s, there was also a Mod revival. The original Mods were also from the 60’s, mainly in England (check out the film “Quadrophenia”). This song comes from the “Baroque Hoedown” EP. Those of you who know this band are probably asking why I didn’t play “Jet Fighter”, that’s another good song by this band. I would have played it but I didn’t take a photo of the album cover. Anyway, this song goes also goes out to Lida who wanted to hear Mod and Ska. Yesterday was Ska, today is Mod.

Shocker

Press the play arrow above to listen to the song.

The Toasters. Ska music by special request, for Lida, Happy Birthday Lida! The Toasters were one of the biggest New York City bands of the 80’s ska revival. Ska started in Jamaica 1965-1968 (a lot of early Bob Marley is ska), followed by an 80s’ revival (The Specials, Madness, Fishbone). A third wave of ska came in the 90’s (No Doubt – pre sell out, Smashmouth – pre sell out, Less than Jake).

From the mixed up files of DJ Black Bolt here is a blast from the past…

The Jump Off

Press the play arrow above to listen to the song.

Plastic Little. From Philadelphia. You can hear the Beastie Boys influence in terms of comedic content and musical arrangement. A 12″ single from 2007. Not all of my records are from yesteryear. My favorite line “Wade in the water”: the contrast between a Negro spiritual and hyperbolic braggadocio.

Stay With Me

Press the play arrow above to listen to the song.

El Debarge. This song was sampled by The Notorious B.I.G. Here’s a fun games to play. See if you can point to the band member who is the father of Janet Jackson’s baby. Damn, I forgot how cute she was.

The Message

Press the play arrow above to listen to the song.

Cymande. Another classic from their first album. Also sampled by De La Soul (via Prince Paul). Seems like a good song for a lazy summer Sunday. Enjoy

Eye Know

Press the play arrow above to listen to the song.

De La Soul. Another classic from the daisy age. With the Steely Dan “Peg” hook. I realize that by today’s standards, the remix seems simple, perhaps even primitive. That doesn’t change the fact that it is a good record.

Been Caught Stealing

Press the play arrow above to listen to the song.

Jane’s Addiction. You probably didn’t know they made a 12″ remix version of this song. I love it when rock and roll bands make 12″ remixes. It tells me that that they wanted DJ’s to play it. So play it for the Whiz Kid. Play it for the Globe, the G-L-O-B-E. Play that beat.

Jerry Was a Race Car Driver

Primus. The unofficial theme song of the south, “Jerry was a race car driver”. My favorite lines “fire her up man!” (listen carefully at the very beginning of the song, when they start the engine), it sets the tone the song: Southern cooking. Also “dog will hunt”, and “With a Bocephus sticker on his 442 he’d light em just for fun”. Bocephus is a nickname for Hank Williams Jr. This song goes out to Maitland and G.