Old School Fools

My Namis is Doug Infinite?

2008-09-13T11:50:00.004-05:00

I’ve given so many excuses on why I don’t blog more often, but hear me today; September 13, 2008 is the day I turn things around. I got a little motivation after reading one of my brother’s blogs this morning and it inspired me to be more consistent with my blogs. So let it be known and recognize…
Many of you who have followed the movement of The SuperStarDJ’s with Fat Laces and Unlaced Radio podcast know of the quality and knowledge of old school and underground classics we share. At least I hope you do. Anyway, I’ve been working on a little something to compliment these two shows. I’m in the early stages of launching my new podcast A Love Jones. The podcast is devoted to the understanding of A Love Jones and one of my favorite genres of music, the Slow Jam. The show will consist of, music speaking, or the slow jams of yesterday and today. When you get a chance I hope you make a side trip to the site, comment, subscribe and enjoy my latest creation.
Until then, let’s talk hip-hop. A couple days ago my boy a fellow SuperStarDJ, Mista Ed, hit me up about a mix-tape that circulated through the crew back in the day. I still don’t know the name of tape but will update the blog once I run across it. Anyway, it was a tape put out by Roc Raida, I’d say maybe mid to the late 90’s era. We would make numerous trips back and forth from Austin to San Antonio listening to this tape over and over. The tape consisted of breaks, gems and new-soon to be classic material. One song stuck out more than the others, No I.D.’s “The Real Weight”. We had already encountered or were familiar with No I.D. in his work with Common so I was pretty excited to hear what he put out as a solo artist. The thing about the song that captivated me was the track itself. The sound of that repetitive percussion piece had my head noddin’ instantly. The flow of the track worked well with his vocals and complimented each other which brought forth an underground classic. Check it out, download and comment and let me know what you think.

No I.D. "The Real Weight"

http://www.zshare.net/audio/18713070908eba66/

What Is A DJ If He Can't Scratch?

2008-07-01T14:26:00.003-05:00

DJ Jazzy Jeff, Cash Money, Joe Cooley, Mr. Mixx, Aladdin, Magic Mike, DXT and many more names are considered some of the scratch pioneers in the game. Many look to DXT on Herbie Hancock's "Rock It" as the inspiration to their entry into the scratch life. When I first heard DXT on that particular record I was somewhat mystified. How was that sound created? I've destroyed many records and needles using the family's console systems turntable trying to recreate or mimic that sound. From that moment I was locked in and fell in love with scratching. One moment that sticks out more so than any other was when I first heard Cut Creator on LL's "Bad" LP.

I want to say it was the summer of '87. I was in Texas visiting my grandmother for the summer. I was kicking with a childhood friend, Craig Jefferson, the entire time. We would go out shooting hoops, swimming or at the crib listening to hip hop records. Going through some of his cassettes I run across LL Cool J's "Bad" album. My eyes were wide as a 50-cent piece. I had the "Radio" album at home and heard some of the songs off of "Bad" but not in its' entirety. We begin to listen to the album and come across, what i thought, was the hardest song on that album, "Go Cut Creator Go". The guitar and lyrics lived up to the albums' title, "Bad". Not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good. Anyway, the thing that put me over the edge were the cuts. Some of the cleanest and energetic cuts I've ever heard. I need this record. As the summer went on I got to thinking how I could get that tape for the ride back home to Florida. A few days passed, me and Craig are chilling over at my grandmothers. Shes out and about and we go to my uncles room. He stored a few of his personal belongings in the back room that he picked up while traveling the world in the army. We gained entry into one of his foot lockers and came across some cool stuff, games, knives, clothes, medals and some Hustler and Playboy magazines. Craig jumped straight to the magazines. He was like a kid at a candy store. It was funny. He sat there for hours going from page to page. Right then I had an idea, offer a trade, see if he would go for it. I propositioned and he went for it. I gave up about 10 of my uncles nudy magazines and I got the "Bad" tape.

It's time for me to leave and my grandmother gets me to the bus station. She hands me my bags, my ticket and some loot and I'm on my way home. On that bus ride home, from Texas to Florida, I went through 2 packs of batteries on my walkman listening to "Go Cut Creator Go" over and over. I would sit and mimic 'air scratches' and enjoying every minute of it.

Today, I still listen to that record, think back to the summer of '87, with the same energy and excitement. Craig if you're still out there, hope the magazines were worth it and hope you got a lot of use out of them. Also, to my uncle, hope you're over the loss of your magazine collection but thank you for contributing to my scratch lifestyle.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

LL Cool J "Go Cut Creator Go"

http://www.zshare.net/audio/14636496bca9ad0c/

Step To The Rear

2008-02-06T11:45:00.000-06:00

Rodney: It's been a long time...I shouldn't have left you. Man, I love that line. I'm trying to be a little more consistent with my blogs but it seems I always have something that comes up and delays my post. The reason for today's post comes from a conversation I had with Spin in regards to the upcoming Brand Nubian show in a couple weeks. When I first heard about the show I was kinda on the fence on showing up if it was just Sadat & Jamar. Not taking away from the two but I got into Nubian listening to the combination of all three. But to my surprise, all three will be showing up to doing their thing. I can't wait.

My selection for today from the "One For All" album is a tough one. There are just too many joints to choose from, "Slow Down, "All For One", "Concerto in X Minor", "To The Rear" and "Wake Up". But the track that sticks out to me is the flow from Puba on "Step To The Rear". The production from the SD50's was refreshing but the lyrical content to me was genius. Here are some snippets of some my favorite lines:

Never in a scandal and I'm never caught schemin'.
Knew Pu was dope ever since I was semen.
Swimmin' in my daddy's big nuts...
but now I'm scoopin' girls with the big ole butts.

("Okay everybody")...now I'm-a end it like this:
I'm like Superfly Snuka, know how to hook a hooker,
caught her on looker, know where I took her,
to the short stay, around my way,
and like Monie say, "it was the perfect way".
I caught a verse from the Christian, and it goes "Praise the Lord"
Skins lined up on a wharf for when I'm bored.
From Na-ru, I'm in the right mood,
and if you like the way that this flows, well that's cool.
See this is no illusion, the style is too confusin'.
If you try to bite, then you're cruisin' for a bruisin'.
Back up, sonny, and let me make my money,
then I'm straight, I got a date at 8.
So see you brothers later, time to motivate.

If you're in town on Saturday, Feb 23 - get there. This a show not to be missed.

Spinner T: Yeah I was really amped to hear B.N. Was coming thru, coincidentally I had been bumping the One For All cd in the car for like the last two weeks straight. I have been debating with myself as what the albums best song is and after much consideration I am going with a seldom mentioned gem, "Ragtime". That song does a good job at highlighting the groups core message and ability to kill it on the MIC. As usual G. Puba is too much on the lyrical content and delivery. For those that want to hear what an MC is suppose to sound like check Puba's verse on track 4! Pure Genius. "and I'm out beging crack heads I can do without!"

Enjoy!

Brand Nubian - "Step To The Rear"

http://www.zshare.net/audio/72545643e64d94/

2008-01-22T09:32:00.000-06:00

Rodney: Alright, so it been a hot minute since I posted something up on my blog. I was flipping through the catalog and started listening to some Juice Crew, namely "Droppin' Science" with Craig G. Of course continuing the trend, I move over to ATCQ "Hot Sex" - Notorious BIG "One More Chance (hip-hop remix)" and finishing up with Das-EFX "Kaught in Da AK (Premier Remix). What do all these songs have in common? Isn't it obvious? The Lou Donaldson "Who's Making Love" sample. The debate is ongoing and has never been resolved, who's flips the best sample? Each of the artist take ownership of the track, some better than others, but I have to give my vote to Das. So my question to you is, Who flips the best sample? Let me know what you think.

Das-EFX "Kaught In Da AK (Premier Remix)

http://www.zshare.net/audio/6775442c341d9a/

Sleeper Track 3

2008-01-07T10:16:00.000-06:00

Rodney: I'm not certain if this song is Sleeper status. This song is most definitely one of my favorite hip-hop tracks. Pete Rock kills the production on this one. The horns are melodic, beats are hard hittin' and cuts are fresh. But the thing that catches you on this track are the vocals. A.D.O.R.'s vocals are fluid and refreshing. Verse after verse he has the listeners wanting more. The reason I say this may or may not be Sleeper status simply because I don't know if he's getting play in other circles or not. In the SSDJ camp he's definitely in heavy rotation from mix tapes to the FAT LACES RADIO show. I've been to shows and have heard DJ's play the same classics but never hear them play A.D.O.R. I guess that's why I say...You people are sleeping on this one. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Let It All Hang Out - A.D.O.R.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/6275936d0ccfd3/

Girls look fly in Kangol's

2008-01-04T19:06:00.000-06:00

Rodney: Yes they do! A song I can listen to forever. I listen to the lyrics and smile as I remember seeing the very same girls walking through the halls in Jr. High with the very same look. A chain with a name plate, cazals, gold rings and big earrings. They were a dime a dozen, one after another trying to out-shine each other. I remember one in particular, Kim. She always had on the fly gear and had all the boys sweatin' her. She knew everyone wanted her but she was so fly she didn't show it. I admit, I was one of them. Everyday she'd walk by with her girls following closely behind her, never wearing the same thing twice. I was locked as soon as she entered the main hall way. I was just happy to be in the same English & Math class with her. Unfortunately, that was the closest I was able to get to her. Kim if you're reading this blog, holla!!! Man, this song brings back memories.

Tell me if you have any fly girl memories.

A Fly Girl - The Boogie Boys

http://www.zshare.net/audio/6197485da8c454/

Sleeper Track 2

2008-01-02T19:19:00.000-06:00

Rodney: Sleeper Tack 2 - Not too many people are up on this guy. MC Rell & The Houserockers came out late '88 and early '89. I remember the first I heard Rell on "Into The Future", at first I thought it was Rakim. The voice was similar but then started to drift from each other. Nonetheless, the track still has my vote for being a Sleeper Track. Take a listen a let me know what you think.

Into The Future - M.C. Rell & The Houserockers

http://www.zshare.net/audio/6132944be19d31/

My Favorite 12"

2008-01-02T19:05:00.000-06:00

Rodney: Before I knew who Public Enemy was I remember walking into my local Coconuts Records & Tapes store and cruising the new 12" releases. Just the look of the album cover won me over instantly. An album cover of a bunch guys sitting on what it looks like either Lincolns or Cadillacs, maybe both. Anyway, some holding pistols and others just looking hard. I saw the Def Jam label and knew I had to buy it. Incredible - "You're Gonna Get Yours", "My Uzi Weighs a Ton" and "Rebel Without A Pause". I was hooked on Rebel from the start. The constant horn sound that my parents thought was noise and the booming bass complimented the strong lyrics of Chuck D. I was a PE fan for life. I can still remember seeing them in concert a few times in an arena type venue as well as the smaller club type venue. Either way, they put on a hell of a show. Rebel Without A Pause - One of My Favorite 12"s. Feedback is appreciated.

Rebel Without A Pause - Public Enemy

http://www.zshare.net/audio/61325997509cb8/

Sleeper Track 1

2007-12-22T10:20:00.000-06:00

Rodney: I decided to come up with an ongoing series of Sleeper Tracks. These are artist who have that one track that never got the recognition it should have.

For my first Sleeper I bring you Society. If there are any hardcore PE fans out there, you'll know this guy. When Professor Griff was dismissed from PE, PG went on to record "Pawns In The Game" and found his way to Luke Records. Yes, the same Luke known for that booty shakin' and bass in yo face sound. Anyway, PG did a small stint on the Luke label for a couple years and in that time he created a crew called Field Nigguhz Klick. This crew consisted of PG, Lord Mecca, Nasty Ness, Mighty Buda & the man himself Society. Luke eventually went on and signed Society as a solo artist and in 1994 he went on to release "YES N DEED". I have always been a collector of anything coming out of Luke's camp so I was really surprised when I found this gem. Society is more of a conscious rapper so what is he doing with Luke? The track and entire EP was produced by DJ Slice but you can tell it was over looked by Luke. The 808 boom in which Luke's catalog is known for does not lack on this EP. Take a listen and let me know what you think.

Society - Yes 'N' Deed

http://www.zshare.net/audio/5830090e3a4927/

I'm Gonna Make It Real Funky For You...

2007-12-21T13:36:00.000-06:00

Rodney: I believe it was the summer of 1988. I just finished my freshman year of high school and one of my best friends went home to New Jersey for the summer. While he was up there he managed to record some of the radio shows which included DJ Red Alert's show on KISS FM. He was spinning everything from Biz Mark, EPMD and Jungle Brothers. But one song stuck out that had me locked was Ultra Mag's "Funky". Not the one you hear on the Critical Beatdown record but the one that was released as a 12" single along with Mentally Mad. For the real heads, this is the version that had the Joe Cocker piano sample. Red Alert was rocking the intro going back to back on the doubles which made for a more dramatic effect. Kool Keith's nasal, high-pitch sounding vocals were so distinct there was no comparison. I tried many times to make a dub of the tape but didn't have any luck but finally got my hands on the 12" some years later. This is one of those songs that you can still play today and it stands the test of time. Let's thank Ced-Gee, Kool Keith, TR Love & Moe Love for this classic.

Ultramagnetic MC's - Funky (12" Version)

http://www.zshare.net/audio/5805425c0c9f3e/

One of the most influential DJs ever!!!!

2007-12-19T09:25:00.000-06:00

Rodney: To me personally, I've been influenced by a few DJ's including Mr. Mixx, DJ Magic Mike, Cut Creator (errr...Bobcat?) more on that later, but more so by the magnificent DEEE JAAAAY JAAAZZY JEEEEEEF. Jazzy had the whole package from the innovative scratching and the ability to control a crowd with his selections. When I first heard "The Magnificent" on the Rock The House album, I was mesmerized instantly. The chirps were clean and precise but nothing more exciting than hearing for the first time the transformer scratch. What? I rewound the tape over and over and over. I couldn't get enough.

But things really changed the following year when He's The DJ...was released, I didn't know what I was getting into. Not to take away from "Rhythm Trax" but the raw sound of "Live At The Union Square 1986" shows why he's such a great DJ.

Spinner T:: Jazzy Jeff has to be my all time favorite DJ and “Live at Union Square” embodies all the reasons why. As a fellow DJ, I can appreciate how difficult it would be to pull off a routine so perfect, so precise, and so in synch with the MC. I can only image how it would have felt to be in the crowd during that November 1986 show. To think that this was only three years ahead of DST and Rockit shows you how far ahead of the curve Jazzy was. To fully appreciate what Jazzy means to the art of djing, you really have to understand the limits of technology at that time. There were no magnetic, curve adjustable faders at the time. Jazzy did what he did on a Gemini MX 1100 or MX 2200 with just two turntable inputs and a stiff analogue crossfader. So to hear the precision in his cuts, rhythm and timing really is hard to image being humanly possible. While everyone was catching on to the transformer scratch using the mixers line switch (a rapid way to toggle a sound signal on and off), Jazzy was always a step ahead utilizing only the crossfader to manipulate the sound. Maybe it’s just that I associate this time period with my generation of hip hop but in most cases I would rather hear Jazzy Jeff do his thing than most of today’s top turntablist. I only wish there was video footage available from this show. Something about his scratching really touched my soul. That why Jazzy Jeff is the Magnificent and forever will be!

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince "Live At The Union Square 1986"

http://www.zshare.net/audio/5753323c5b5ad5/

A New Chapter

2007-12-18T09:21:00.000-06:00

Along with the Fat Laces & UnLaced Radio show we wanted to comment & reflect on some of our all time greatest Hip-Hop classics.

I want to start off with one of my favorite songs and the reason why we decided to create this blog.

Doug E Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew's "Play This Only at Night". I vividly remember listening to "The Show" and "La Di Da Di" night after night on the radio in Jacksonville, Fl. It was being played on boom boxes during lunch on a daily basis when I was in 7th grade so I was pretty much familiar with DEF and was waiting to cop my own copy of the album. From "All The Way To Heaven" to "Nuthin" to "The Show", song after song I memorized every lyric and got into air scratching the best of Chill Will & Barry Bee. But one song stuck out and never really got the recognition of the commercial radio, "Play This Only at Night". The song isn't a club banger or a song you heard boomin' in the jeeps, it really was something you would sit back, chill & played at night. Download the track and let me know what you think.

Peace

DJ Rodney

Doug E Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew - "Play This Only At Night"

http://www.zshare.net/audio/5722518ead43da/