Back in Time

Summer's going too fast, I'm going back to spring with Ramza.  Take a trip to the past or the future with some good jungle sounds..

http://soundcloud.com/dj-ramza/dj-ramza-van-city-spring

Retro Reds

Catch these quick on saturday August 4, 2012.. I'll be out there trying to get mine, might just have to jack some kids in the parking lot though hahaa, sounds like if you're not out waiting at 5am you might be out of luck.  Something about the old J's.. why don't they just make enough for everyone? 

Akai

After what seemed to have been years of lying dormant or at least staying on the other side of the line in the sand.. Akai is finally weighing in and coming to the side of all on computer based production.  Of course they have never stopped making their signature line with a few new products here and there, and they've always had at least a leg in the computer based world with their midi/usb controllers.. but this is what we've all been waiting for.

No more trying to midi sync your old mpc with your favorite daw, now it's time to get straight down to business.  I haven't tried these out yet but am glad to see they've made a software component to link up with the mpc that can act as a plug in instrument, while still maintaining the capability of a stand alone if desired.  After trying to avoid computer production for the longest time by rocking an old mpc 1000, minikorg, turntables, mics and instruments.. once I finally did make the jump, I was glad I did, and I'm glad Akai made it too.  The fly looks pretty stealth hooked up to the ipad, but I've got my eye on the studio version.  I'm sure it's going to be like putting your old favorite hoodie on, get that comfortable feeling again.. but this time with tons of new features.  The big question is, did they sleep too long?  Is Native Instruments Maschine holding the title now, or will the new line of MPCs give it a run for the money?

Blue Chips

If you haven't got it already, grab the "Blue Chips" mixtape from Action Bronson produced by Party Supplies for some slick new tunes.  Supplies and Bronson deliver steady throughout, making some of the best music I've heard in awhile.  Reebok teamed up with them to drop the mix for free, check it out..

http://www.complex.com/music/2012/03/mixtape-premiere-action-bronson-party-supplies-blue-chips

Easy Afternoon

Red has a pretty slick technique for putting together nice tracks quickly.  Although it's been out for awhile now his album "Fingerprints" is always a good listen.  You can find it on itunes, amazon and such or find more about it here...

http://www.thedealmakerlabel.com/releases/fingerprints/

Araab Muzik

This guy's a monster.. he produces for Dipset and a lot of other artists, but I go for his solo work.  You can find his beat tapes out there.  Check for the "how to be an mc"series.  There's an older one with J arms that's good and he just dropped a new one Instrumental University.  The Electronic Dream tape has a different sound, blending rough beats drenched in synthesizers and his usual heavy hitting drums with house music.  Definitely worth checking out all of them, I don't want to link other blogs without permission.. but y'all know what to do.

Jordan 4s

The Jordan IV... like an eclipse that only comes around once every decade or so, these sneakers are like the holy grail to me.  Classic, stylish, might be the key to eternal life.. but ever so elusive.  These came out in February and somehow flew right under my nose, anyone know where to get a pair of size 10s?  Hahaa, but seriously though?  Let me know.

Being 7 years old, I didn't have any money of my own when these came out in 89.. but I remember trying to convince my mom how a pair of shoes could be worth 100$ and how I was willing to sacrifice a year or more worth of 20$ sneakers at 3x a year and work to pay off the difference.  She didn't bite and I was stuck wearing no names, if only she knew that now those originals can fetch $1000.  For the last 20 years I've been chasing these shoes.. even getting as close as a store with stock but not my size.  The 3s 4s and 5s where always the best to me, y'all know where I can get them?  Which one's do it for you?  Look out for the red/white/blacks to hit the stores next month.

More Summer Tunes

Digging through the archives, I pulled out another summer mix from a few years ago.  All from the original records, this one has a little bit of everything from 80s and 70s sounds to hip hop and jazz.  Pop it in, let it go..

1. Nu Shooz - I can't wait
2. Phil Collins - in the air
3. Freddie Hubbard - povo
4. George Benson - summertime
5. Heatwave - too hot to handle
6. Herbie Hancock - fat mama
7. Isaac Hayes - hyperbolic
8. Kool and the Gang - north, east, south, west
9. Hieroglyphics - oakland blackouts
10. Grover Washington - knucklehead
11. Nas - nas is like
12. Walter Bishop Jr - summertime
13. Isaac Hayes - breakthrough
14. Pharcyde - runnin'
15. Lonnie Liston Smith - outro


http://www.mediafire.com/?n3r8ku73y5r1o17

Summer Jams

With summer in full swing.. just pop this in, roll down the windows hit the freeway and let it ride.  I mixed this on july 13th a couple years back, but every summer it still treats me good.  Excuse the hiccups between tracks, I recorded it as one then split it up, other than that enjoy..

1. Warrior King - rough road

2. Mos Def -  excellence

3. interlude

4. Blu/Exile - show me

5. Mulate Astatke/Heliocentrics - cha cha interlude

6. Free The Robots/Billie Holiday - you let me down

7. Statik Selektah/Talib Kweli/Styles P - thrill is gone

8. Soulstice/J Boogie - wind

9. Roots/Blu - radio daze

10. Bahamadia - what I believe

11. Crown City - no sense

12. Red - whatup world

http://www.mediafire.com/?ml4f9bkxzm7dwjb

Steppin in Style

whew, these joints are pretty smooth.. too bad they have a 325$ ticket.  Check for the Florsheim by Duckie Brown if that's your thing, but wait.. who's Duckie Brown?