Here’s a rare, UK-only release for all you fans of good jazzy hiphop. Pete Rock, the producer behind the classic “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” and many other classics, released this underground gem in 2001. It’s a mix of never-before-heard instrumentals and a couple of hiphop tracks as well. I’ve been listening to it over and over again, and it embodies all the aspects of my favorite kind of hiphop. If you’re a fan of J Dilla, DJ Premier, Evil D, etc. then you better grab this right now.
Brainfreeze was a 1999 live mix album by DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist (formerly a member of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli). The two tracks of the album are uninterrupted recordings from a live performance where they sampled hit funk, soul, rock and jazz singles from 45 rpm vinyl records. This type of recording was pioneered by the duo Double Dee and Steinski through their “Lessons” (the difference being that the “Lessons” cuts were meticulously edited together from snippets of audio tape, rather than performed live using turntables). Brainfreeze was recorded by DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist as a practice session for a show in February 1999 at the Future Primitive Soundsession (San Francisco) mixing funk and soul 45’s.
Initially 1000 copies were made and sold at the shows, and a further 1000 copies were made and distributed to local records stores in California and sold out very quickly. A cease-and-desist letter from 7-11 Convenience stores (the whole artwork and styling was based on their logos and uniforms) meant that they stopped and moved on. This set was reenacted at the Mayan night club in Los Angeles on May 25, 2006, as part of a benefit concert for DJ Shadow’s art director, Keith Tamashiro, in order to offset costs related to a brain aneurysm he suffered early in 2006. The 45s used in the Brainfreeze mix are highly sought after by vinyl collectors, and the term “Brainfreeze” in online auctions often results in increased auction prices for these records.
DJ’s Vinroc and Shortkut from the incredible Beat Junkies crew mixed this set back in 2003, the first in a seven-volume series of mixes of jazzy r & b and classic hiphop cuts, blended and remixed with precision. This is one of those low-key but deeply soulful joints that’s perfect for a late night seduction or rolling a spliff and letting your mind drift to the days of wayback. It’s got both mood and depth, ensuring many replays on your beatbox. The ladies have been both been giving me a lot of love recently, and hurtin’ my heart at the same time, and this mix is perfect soundtrack for this kind of “new york moment.”
Today I’ve got three of the best old school funk soul R&B hiphop disco DJ mixes you’ve ever heard. I’ve got one recent BBC Essential mix, and one from the vaults, along with a “vintage edition” of the NinjaTune Solid Steel show.
Click here to check out and download the DJ mixes.
