I’ve written about DJ David Hollands before, when I posted his classic “Pool Party” mix tape from 1996. “Midnight Train to Moscow” followed in 2000, and is also one of my all-time favorite house mixes. It’s a memorable blend of deep house, minimal techno, haunting vocals, and party-time cuts too. Recently I visited David at his East Village abode in NYC and he gave me a copy of the mix tape art from the original. Grab the front and the back artwork, along with the mix and enjoy.
I just heard about these from Prolly via his blog. I checked out the Quoc Pham website, and while the only version available currently are the black leather ones, I liked these tan ones the best. They are reasonably priced at £90 (about $130 USD) and I plan on picking up a pair when they get more colors in. Check out the full review from Prolly, who got a tester pair recently and seems to like them. I hope they also consider making versions that accept SPD cleats as well, like the Dromarti shoes. I am loving the resurgence of classic cycling attire these days – I think it’s a lot nicer than high-top Nikes and a Kid Robot hoodie (soooo two years ago!).
This mixtape was recently featured on my rave forum site Ravetrash.com, re-discovered and uploaded by my buddy Ria. In his words:
JAJO was the name, DJ JAJO a.k.a Juan Mauri Vera. Jajo was from Spain & going to school here in St.Louis. He soon dropped out & started DJing full time for STL raves. the scene was just flourishing and there was a party every weekend there, it seemed. He passed away in 1997 from a drug overdose. R.I.P.
This mixtape came out circa 1992. It did not get to me until the next year as it was re-recorded onto other tapes and passed on down the line until i got it and did the same thing fro my friends. This was pre-internet so it took more motivation and time to spread your mix.
The mix is an underground legend. This mix got me into house music which then led me more into raves and such. I’m not the only one.
This became my “white whale” ever since i lost my cassette copy of it after driving off with my tape case on top of my car. I have since searched for a copy to no avail. Friends and colleagues like Perry Ellis & Melloman who had a copy, could not seem to find it in their pack-rat lifestyle abodes.
It was just a waiting game.
Melloman recently FINALLY found the tape and we reminisced about everything as it seemed like i was listening to this for the first time. My room mate ripped it from tape and digitized, cleaned up & remastered the mix to mp3. it still has a few pops & hisses but overall, decent quality to rock out to.
I’ve listened to this mix myself many times, and it is timeless and funky like all the greatest house mixes. It is a relic from the earliest days of the midwestern rave scene, but doesn’t sound “old” in any way. Rock out to this immediately and savor your old school cred.
Dromarti is an Italian maker of fine handmade bicycles and shoes. The Sportivo is their SPD-compatible shoe, and there’s also Race and Storica shoes compatible with other types of foot retention. While the Sportivo carries a pricetag of $215 USD, I think that’s completely reasonable, even low-priced considering that this is handmade Italian leather! They have so much class – hopefully I’ll get my hands on a pair one day.
I have waited nearly a year to build this bike: I first ordered the frame from Alien Bikes as part of a group buy last October, receiving it last May. Despite the ridiculous wait, the frame is gorgeous and well-made, especially considering the low $350 pricetag for a hand-made lugged steel frame. I used wire brushes to remove most of the phosphate coating from the tubes, exposing the raw steel and bright gold flux around the lugs. The inspiration for this build is a classic Italian racer, something that looks like a throwback to the 1940’s or 50’s, but built from a mix of affordable modern and vintage parts.
Click “Read More” to see a hi-res gallery pf photos.
I Nine originally formed in 2004, and the story of their signing to J Records is pretty inspirational: their demo was a live recording of one of their shows. The recording hadn’t been intended to be a demo, but it was so spectacular that J Records not only signed them on the strength of it, but later put it out as the band’s first official release. They were since featured on the soundtrack to Elizabethtown, and released their debut album, Heavy Weighs The King in 2008. Unfortunately, major label pressure changed the band’s exciting, unique sound. They now sound (to my ears at least) like every other pop rock band.
Here is that original EP in all its glory. The band’s line-up at that time, was all strings with no drums. However the power of the combined upright bass, violin, and guitars provide a lush background for lead singer Carmen’s spectacular vocals. Their songs are cinematic, flowing from energetic and urgent to fragile and poignant with breathtaking beauty. The Live EP remains one of the best releases I have ever heard from J Records. Check out some of their in-studio and acoustic videos on their YouTube channel for more.
Recently I switched from riding in clips and straps (MKS GR-9 pedals with Toshi double straps and Soma double clips) to clipless pedals. It was an amazing difference; easily the best upgrade I have ever invested in for my bike. Within minutes I could do stuff that had always eluded me with clips and straps – I can skid, even while seated, and can ride no-handed. Handling and power transfer is superb. But I still had a problem: when I wasn’t riding, walking around in fancy road shoes and cleats was pretty lame! They don’t look cool, they were noisy, and at one point they made me slip and fall down a flight of stairs! (Luckily, I was OK).
Then at the Bike Jumble last week I bought a pair of these 611 Filter shoes from Continuum Cycles. They are skate-style shoes with stiff reinforced soles and mounts for cleats! Perfect! They are comfortable and solid, holding my foot as well as my road shoes. The cleat is recessed into the sole, so you have the full grip of the sneaker tread – no more slipping around on bulky cleats. I am using them with Shimano SH51 cleats and M520 dual-sided clipless pedals. I definitely recommend these shoes to any urban fixed-gear riders who want the benefits of riding clipless without the annoyance of walking around in road shoes all day. Check them out at 611’s website or you local bike shop.
