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.
Si-
the year is questionable, but from everyone i heard from, it was either end of ’92 or beginning of ’93.
the mix was also called ‘House Colours.’
bigups!
IIVII
Thank you so much for posting this!!!!!!!!!
Every so often I do a search for JaJo on google to try and find this and one other tape I used to have. And I finally found it. I remember this one got eaten by a crappy deck. Not sure what happened to the other one. Anyway, yes this was like the soundtrack to 1993-1994 for me. Brings back so many memories of parties and friends and fun back in the good ol daze. Seriously, thank you. You’ve made my day.
Anyone have an mp3 or can dub a copy of Jajo’s mixtape that had an orange cover with a photo of the interior of some building? I believe it predates this (I had it before this one anyway, but maybe it came out afterward)? Contained such hits as “Deep Inside” by Harddrive “In my house”, “U got me up (Cajmere remix), “Brighter Days” just a shitload of classic tunes. My fav of the two tapes really. Sorry about such a long comment, I’m just really excited. Thanks again!!!!!
-Al
thanks for the comment, Al! I’m afraid I don’t have any other tapes by Jajo, but I sure would like to hear more of his mixes. if i come across another, i will post it.
Thanks so much for posting this. Jajo was one of the first djs I followed in my early days of raving in St. Louis. Such a great talent!
Al, I have that Jajo tape, in a good digital rip. Let me know your email and I’ll be happy to send it to you.
Rj
Actually, this is that tape. Judging by the timecode and ID3 tags, I believe it came from me, long ago.
I thought for a minute that I was out of luck locating anything by Jajo. There definitely is another mixtape that predates this one by a couple of years.. Has that “I like to move it-move it” track on it- as well as some jackin t.terry etc. I acquired from a mixtape vendor (cute chick) at a party I played at in 92(?) in knoxville. The tape basically blew me out of the water…I was like, “okay this is what good shit sounds like, yo” (yep, I said yo). RIP Jajo.
oh, by the way, I don’t have that tape any more, so…
I personally knew him and I just got a lump in my throat listening to the mix as well as seeing his pic. Really was a great guy and DJ.
RIP Jajo!
Contact my friend Neil Smith (DJNOID) in Saint Louis, He is on FB, He got most of his records after he past on. He has a lot of his great stuff. He would love to know all the people that he inspired.
This was one of my all-time favorite tapes, which sadly broke for a final time about 12 years ago. Makes me so happy to hear it again. Jajo was a lovely man and one of the most phenomenal dj’s ever. I still miss him. Did you ever see him flip the needle around, raise the record on a roll of duct tape in the center of the table and spin on the underside of the record with no headphones? Amazing. Thank you, thank you for sharing this!
P.S. Does anybody know the song/artist of the track on Side B that’s from about 16:30 to 20:30?
Cant really beat the Vibe Tribe. Ja Jo was one of a kind and will never be forgotten! He always had his “Own sound” that was super dope!! Him and Terry used to play this track on the B. Side at 31:00. If anybody could help me out with that track I would be most greatful! Thankx for the post!
Hi, Jajo was the mf’n man…
I am deeply grateful to you all for having found this tape and digitalised it. I was blessed to have known this human being during part of the brief time he existed on the planet earth. He was a very dear friend. I felt a little sadness when I listened to this because it made me think of him and how tragic it was to lose him but then music is so mesmerizing(for those who appreciate music) it takes you away from any sadness you may be experiencing.
I miss you Jajo. I am certain we shall meet again.
Your eternal friend,
Yen Couture
I can’t wait to hear this…I got to kick it w/ Jajo for a bit in maybe ’94(?). Some great peeps I knew (D&R) introduced me and he headlined a party over in Detroit. I can’t remember if it was “Safari” or the next one put on by that crew (I guess it has been 17yrs or so…time vs. memory…). A mix of his that I’ll never forget = “Planet Rock” w/ Liberty City’s “Some Lovin'” b/w “If You Really Love Someone” record. Anyone remember that one? I can’t wait to see if it’s on this mix. I will consider respectably mixing those two tracks in his honor once in a while and letting people know where the mix comes from to keep his memory alive and continue to spread his influence to other people who love music, dance, and good times.
RIP
With Love & Respect,
DJ L.P.M.C.
Those were crazy years. Jajo was great. Anybody remember the Dominos pizza guy? Those who know, need no explanation, superstars for life.
I do remember the Dominoes Guy…That will be payment enough!!
Used to hang him that dude at Jeremy Reese's place..
Remember The Dominoes Guy… I'm Him! Hope You All Had A Great Trip. Jajo Was A Great Person & He Is Truly Missed. For Those Of You Looking, House Colours, Come Into My House, LSD Trip & Live @ Rejuvination Can Be Downloaded Along With All Your Other Favorite DJ's Old Mixtapes @ ravearchive.com! The Best Site For Old Mixes…
Holy shit……Chuck E. have looked all over for you. You introduced me to the whole scene. Remeber takin my truck up to Chicago and kickin it all weekend with Dj Dan and Terry? Or the ill fated raid on the Chippewa apartments? Some of my best times in life were with u. If u ever see this look me up. Big Mike from Illinois 618-343-5934
No way, Chuck E.! I’ve been trading two to three e-mail’s a year with him for the past several years, trying to get MP3’s of any, or all of his and Jajo’s old mixtapes. You remember, he’s The Professor! Anyway, I got an e-mail from him a couple weeks ago and he has posted all of Jajo’s and his old mixtapes on the web site Archive.org.
Jajo’s mixtapes link : https://archive.org/details/@jajo_apos_s_music
The Professor’s mixtapes link : https://archive.org/details/@underground_soundz
Thank you so much! I was close to JaJo around this time. My friend Jessica was dating him and we practically lived at his place. I’ll never forget the time he fixed my car with a coke can and some yarn and all for the price of a bag of microwave popcorn, which JaJo Loved.
I have t heard these songs in more than 20 years and my sweet kids are wondering what makes me smile and cry at the same time.
Thank you!!!
Wow, Im so glad I asked about the Dominos guy, It was the best years of my life to, infact I just bought a shirt with Travolta on it on ebay, and it was the shirt I got at Alternate Skates in U city back then, damn I hate geting old, RIP JaJo