My man Goldenchyld says you can't throw a rock in the Bay area and not hit a DJ, and I believe it. That said, the Fingerbangerz (who might could be going by The Bangerz these days) are head and shoulders above most, whether we're talking the Bay or elsewhere. You may have seen/heard them with The Jabbawockeez on America's Best Dance Crew or whatever, you may have seen them on tour, or you may have seen them killing shit in the greater San Jose neighborhood on any given night of the week.
Truth is, these cats can turn it out. I first heard of them when their debut album 'The Virus' dropped maybe back in 2004/2005 or so. From a production perspective, Goldenchyld, G-Wrex, Replay, Cutso, Ngobility and Square One got a good thing going. You can tell in listening to their stuff that they like to have a good time, and that's why I want to share this with you today.
***Perfect for house parties, corporate gatherings and underground booty clap contests***
My friend and co-worker Efim gave me a CD a while back just on the strength that it was something he thought I'd enjoy. Not that a CD is the most extravagant of gift's that a DJ or music-lover can get, but it's nice to have people who look out for you and have similar interests and appreciations. At the time, I was certainly familiar with the name Mark Ronson (and admittedly had some preconceived notions) but had not really heard much from the dude until I was passed this copy of his debut album 'Version.' It might have taken a couple listens to soak up all that the record contains, but I must say that this album is something to check for (now that it's been out for a couple years or whatever.) This is some funky, soulful stuff. Of course, it doesn't hurt that names like Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Kenna and others are featured vocalists on the record, but in truth I'm equally if not moreso impressed by the music here. Call it pop, call it soul, I don't know how you classify this otherwise, but I like this. Don't get it twisted, not everything on here suits me or is top-notch, but when it's right it's right. A couple (of the handful) of standouts are the Coldplay-inspired uptempo rendition of "God Put A Smile On Your Face" featuring the horn section from The Daptones and "Apply Some Pressure" featuring British singer Paul Smith.
On a similar note, I once gave a copy of 'Sounding Out the City' to my friend Monica and my description of the album was that it sounds just the way that it looks (below)...I'm not sure my words can truly do justice to how strong this record is. So, in this case with my buddy Efim, when it was time to return the favor, I once again offered up one of my own copies of 'Sounding Out the City,' the debut full-length from El Michels Affair. I told him the same thing I told Monica...it sounds just as it looks.
That said, if you've not heard this record, in short, you truly are missing out. Many people have spoken/written praise for El Michels Affair for their covers of Wu-Tang tracks, etc. (I got to see them live at XM a few years back with Wu doing that shit live...for real, one of the many beautiful perks of working at a place like XM,) but they truly shine when they do their own original stuff, and in most cases 'Sounding Out the City' is original stuff from the group (save for an Isaac Hayes cover.)
Soul, funk, whatever...this is good music. Take it in...
Got a couple vinly-exclusive take-alongs for you here as well.
First, a little break from Leon Michels and crew...and second, another bit of smooth from the Truth & Soul Records camp, some classic material.
For whatever reason (pianos from Evidence + Defari monotone = success?) these records stay in my collection and will likely remain there for the foreseeable future. You need these records if you don't already have 'em. It's unfortunate because the dude Defari has not really ever been able to put together a solid album, but in terms of singles, he definitely did his thing. Maybe he was ahead of his time a bit since nowadays it's not albums that are being pushed but rather singles, EPs, etc. Then again, a few years back a hot single was the way you paved the path to making some noise (as evidenced by the entire ABB camp and much of the more prominent hip-hop artists of the era.) I'm not sure if that particular West Coast underground (read 'Dilated') sound is still hitting as of late, but these cats made some ill records. Not trying to hate on their recent stuff, but I just think a lot of their albums/projects have been somewhat forgettable, that is, when I've put in the effort to check them out. With that said, I have a ton of respect for Babu and the entire Beat Junkies crew, Defari, Evidence, Joey Chavez, ABB and everyone who crafted this sound and put(s) it down in LA and out west, because simply put, as a cat who grew up on the East Coast, this west-side stuff has been an acquired taste for me and remains some of the most progressive hip-hop music. Can't wait to hear some more of this type stuff from these dudes or whoever else got it like that (Are people still making actual hip-hop records in 2009??)
As for the sounds, some of my favorites, and surely some of his most popular joints, the homie Defari from the Likwit camp, Dilated, ABB, etc. The intro here features yet another bit from the aforementioned Cornerstone mixtapes, Tony Toca and Hi-Tek making it do what it do. Otherwise, Evidence on the beats, Defari on the mic, simple and plain, give thanks and maintain!
