Part of it may have been an attempt to avoid going back to the dark emotional place of June 25, 2009, but my crew decided we were going to hold off on the Michael Jackson memorializing until his birthday on August 29. I did re-post the recording from our epic MJ church service at Marvin last year. Then I got the call from SoulBounce to be a part of their Summer of Michael Jackson.

They had the fresh idea to release a series of themed Michael Jackson mixes based upon the refrain from “Blame It On The Boogie”. It was a hard choice, but I decided to take on “Sunshine”. The main reason is that there’s so much great material in the early Jackson catalog that goes unrecognized. And when you experience it in a big dose, it’s astounding how gifted Michael was as a child and teenager.

Download audio file (djstylus_SoMJ_sunshine.mp3)
[download | right-click (PC) or CTRL-click (Mac) > 'Save As' ]
[subscribe in iTunes]

Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (Z-Trip Remix)
Michael Jackson – We’re Almost There (DJ Spinna Remix)
Jackson 5 – Chained
Michael Jackson – People Make the World Go Round
Michael Jackson – Buttercup
Michael Jackson – Rockin’ Robin (Grant Phabao Remix)
Michael Jackson – Rockin’ Robin
Jackson 5 – I Want To Take You Higher (Live)
Jackson 5 – Can’t Get Ready For Losing You
Michael Jackson – All the Things You Are
Jackson 5 – It’s Too Late To Change The Time
Jackson 5 – Don’t Know Why I Love You
Jackson 5 – Don’t Let Your Baby Catch You
Jackson 5 – It’s Great To Be Here
Jackson 5 – Get It Together
Jackson 5 – The Mirrors of My Mind
Jackson 5 – Love Is the Thing You Need
Jackson 5 – Who’s Lovin’ You (Live)

Download audio file (djstylus_byos.mp3)
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1. Gil Scott Heron – Intro
2. Ohmega Red – Chocolate City
3. Wayna – So Long Heartache
4. Chuck Brown – Playing Your Game, Baby
5. Raheem Devaughn & Backyard Band – Guess Who Loves You More
6. MVP – Feelin’ Free
7. Ne’a Posey – Gotta Be
8. Priest da Nomad feat. Asheru & Kokayi – Holding It Down
9. Ne’a Posey & PPP – You Should Be
10. Ave.To – Sand To The Beach
11. Oddisee feat. yU – Searching
12. Tamara Wellons – Corcovado rmx
13. Kenny Allen – Kissing You
14. Kokayi – Own Soul
15. Kev Brown feat. Raheem Devaughn – Heaven
16. Muhsinah – Once Again
17. RPM – Poetry Bum
18. Nicholas Ryan Gant & Pharcyde feat. Amma – I Ain’t Ready
19. Bilal Salaam – Metro Groove
20. DJ Stylus – O Fim Dos Tempos
21. Unspoken Heard – Truly Unique
22. JLaine, TFox & Wes Felton – Don’t Really Know
23. Kev Brown – Allways
24. Kokayi & Foreign Exchange – Where Did The Love Go?
25. Marky, Jazzanova & Clara Hill – No Use

Last year I did a happy hour with SoulBounce and put together a collection of DMV soul that was created before Beltway outsiders extended long overdue acknowledgement.

[I really miss Vegetate. | photo credit: Ne'a Posey]

It was only given out on site to folks who attended the party and has languished on my hard drive since then. It’s not that undiscovered new-newness, but a collection of modern DC soul that leans toward the indie and progressive. The main names of the scene over the past decade are included as well as a few bits you might have missed. And of course, there’s a taste of go-go. Without it, this mix would be improper.

I noticed a strong connection between the vibes on this mix and our current combination of warm sun, cool breezes and mild temperatures. I highly recommend this mix for the following activities:

- cruising in the sunshine
- relaxing at a cook-out
- Friday evening pre-gaming
- Saturday morning bunning-up
- Sunday afternoon housecleaning
- hipping people to DMV music
- flaunting your good taste when you pull up next to a cutie at a red light

With DJs Stylus, Meistro and Deep Sang.

Forecast for Saturday:
Abundant sunshine. 85 degrees (!)

Now that’s some Sol Power. Last month was crankin’ like a Lagos disco inferno.

Meistro, Stylus, and Deep Sang Live @ SOL POWER (3.2010) Part 1 by Meistro

Meistro, Deep Sang, and DJ Stylus SOL POWER (3.2010) Part 2 by Meistro

ALL beers are $4 (including Leffe & Redstripe)

Saturday, April 3
10pm
Dahlak
1771 U St, NW (18th & U)
21 and Over
NO COVER (that means FREE)

Download audio file (djstylus_thecarlton.mp3)

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Carlton Banks & Tom Jones – It’s Not Unusual
Gnarls Barkley – Smiley Faces
Stevie Wonder – Part-time Lover
Hall & Oates – You Make My Dreams
Alice Russell – High Up On The Hook
Prince – I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man
Blackalicious – Powers
Lauryn Hill – Lose Myself
HEAVy – Sam
Joe Jackson – Steppin’ Out
Zo! and Tigallo – Steppin’ Out
Pigeon John – Brand New Day
Gang Starr – Lovesick (Upbeat Mix)
Carlton is a maniac
Pink – Feel Good Time feat. William Orbit
J*DaVeY – Outta The Window
Weird War – Ak-47
Punks Jump Up – Dance To Our Disco
Jamiroquai – Black Devil Car
PPP – Countless Excuses
Luther Vandross – Give Me The Reason
Carlton Banks – I’ve Got A Gal In Kalamazoo
Donald Fagen – Walk Between Raindrops
Doobie Brothers – Taking It To The Streets
Ben Westbeech & Die – Get Closer (Lovers Mix)
Carlton approves

It’s designed to make you dance like Carlton Banks for an entire hour, a dance originally captured in the wild by Eddie Murphy.

Those with shallow historical knowledge might be skeptical that this dance actually existed. For confirmation, check The Boss and Courtney Cox GOING IN on the white people dance, particularly at 3:30. This shit is awesome.

We’ve established that this dance has its own lore, but like any true visionary, Alfonso Ribeiro took existing styles to new creative heights in creating Carlton Banks’ signature movement vocabulary.

DJ Stylus at Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar
1104 H St. NE, WDC
Saturday, Oct. 10
10pm – 2am
NO COVER

There’s no sign. Look for the purple lights and the friendly ID checkers at the door.

When you hit the bar, make sure you order “The Awesomeness”. Thank me later.

It was on smash mode for my first stint there. It’s time for a re-up. Actually, here’s some evidence from the scene of the crime. Thanks to The Couch Sessions, The Black Snob, Qool DJ Uncle Q and Brightest Young Things who originally posted these mixes.

Download audio file (djstylus_LMW_082809_pt1.mp3)
[download Part 1]

Tigercity – Other Girls
Little Dragon – Constant Surprises
Sergio Mendes – Yes, Yes Y’All feat. Black Thought, will.i.am & Chali2na
King Britt presents Sylk 130 – All The Way Live feat. Capitol A
Blackalicious – Make You Feel That Way (DJ Eurok Kenyatta Mix)
Ohmega Watts – Platypus Strut
Alice Russell – Somebody’s Gonna Love You feat. Quantic
N.E.R.D – You Know What
Chromeo – Opening Up (Ce Soir On Danse)
Dayton – The Sound Of Music
J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science – Inferno feat. Lunar Heights
Speedy Consuela – Sukka Suited
Estelle – Star
David Bowie – Let’s Dance
Tortured Soul – Enjoy It Now
PPP – Dirty Secrets
Digital Underground – Kiss You Back
X-Clan – Funkin’ Lesson
Wale – Good Girls
Ryan Leslie – You’re Not My Girl
Restless Soul – Turn Me Out feat. Shea Soul & Motet
Skillz – (For Real) He Don’t Own Me
Ty – Sweating For Your Salary
Robin Thicke – Magic (Mark Ronson remix) feat. Wale & Mary J. Blige
Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Opolopo remix)
Q-Tip – Manwomanboogie feat. Amanda Diva
Cameo – Rigor Mortis
Rare Essence – Body Moves
Chuck Brown vs. Jackson 5 – Chucky Baby/ABC (Illo Rework)
Jamie Foxx – I Don’t Need It feat. Timbaland
Cheri Dennis – Portrait of Love feat. Yung Joc
Prince – 17 Days
Shannon – Let The Music Play
George Kranz – Dinn Daa Daa (dub)
Sygaire – Deux Mille Deux
Amy Winehouse – In My Bed [Bugz in the Attic Vocal Mix)
Anane – Let Me Love You (Masters At Work Mix)
Mr. V – Put Your Drink Down
Omar – It’s So

Download audio file (djstylus_LMW_082809_pt2.mp3)
[download Part 2]

The Roots – The Seed (Live On BBC Radio One’s Worldwide)
Bloodfire – Funky President (Yes We Can!)
War – Galaxy
Fela Kuti – Shakara
DJ Gregory – Block Party
Nathan Adams & Zepherin Saint – Circles
Enya vs. Stevie Wonder – Master Blaster (Foremost Boadicea)
Huey Lewis And The News – It’s All Right
The J.B.’s – Funky Good Time
Outkast – Morris Brown
Sleepy Brown feat. Big Boi – Margarita
Outkast feat. Sleepy Brown – The Way You Move
Che Grand – Sex Shooter remix feat. Apollonia
Status IV – You Ain’t Really Down (Acapella)
Prince – Raspberry Beret
Bill Withers – Who Is He (Henrik Schwarz Edit)
Wham! – Everything She Wants
The Jacksons – Blame It On The Boogie (live in Amsterdam)
The Jacksons – Blame It On The Boogie
Michael Jackson – I Can’t Help It (Tangoterje mix)
Stevie Wonder – Another Star
Louie Vega Featuring Raúl Midón – Cerca De Mi
Bah Samba – Tired Little One (Yoruba Soul Vocal)
Michael Jackson – P.Y.T.
Bugz In The Attic – Booty La La
Janelle Monae – Lettin’ Go
Jazzanova – Look What You’re Doin’ To Me feat. Phonte
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam – I Wonder If I Take You Home
Junior – Mama Used To Say
Hall & Oates – I Can’t Go For That
Doobie Brothers – What A Fool Believes
Aretha Franklin – What A Fool Believes
D’Angelo – Spanish Joint
Jussara Silveira – Adalgisa
Bah Samba – Don’t Let Them Get You Down

You missed it and you’re kicking yourself. You were there and you want to relive it. You need the perfect soundtrack to your outdoor summer gathering. You’re welcome.

Download audio file (solpower061209_pt1.mp3)
[download]

Anyway, after the spring pledge drive, I did a bit of traveling so I haven’t been on the show for a while. Here’s where I make it up to everyone.

6/11/09 – WPFW 89.3 FM/Decipher

Jake One feat. Elzhi & Royce 5′9″ – Glow
Jay-Z – D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)
Mos Def – Pretty Danger
Diamond District – I Mean Business

*break*

Fashawn – The Outer City
Theory Hazit – Time Turning

*break*

DJ Spinna – Summer Madness
Spec Boogie – Bed Stuy
Reflection Eternal – Back Again

*break*

Mos Def – Casa Bey
Diamond District – Make It Clear
M.O.P. – Blow The Horns

Some months after I first felt moved to spread the word about Nicholas Ryan Gant, he asked me to add some flourishes to a mixtape project he was working on with a west coast hip-hop theme.

It was probably just in time because homie’s becoming a hot property along with the talented company he keeps. You’ll find a few rising nu-soul favorites in the tracklisting below along with some familiar names.

This project also marks the milestone of 50 mixes now available for download on VibeConductor.com. (w00t!)

And even though Nick might not find it as amusing as I do, I’m posting the gag cover that was replaced by the official cover above. Maybe he can be convinced that it’s a good look.

There’s an unmixed version for DJ’s and iPod shufflers. Otherwise, enjoy it mixtape style, where mixing actually takes place, which is not guaranteed in this modern lazily assembled compilation mixtape era.

1.Hittin Switches intro
2.What?
3.Good Thing
4.Incantory Tranquility ft. Labtekwon
5.Make It Right
6.Ode to Nate Dogg
7.Miss the light
8.My Switch ft. Muhsinah
9.Livin Life ft. Queen Godis
10.I Ain’t Ready ft. Amma
11.West Coast Connect
12.I’m Willin’
13.Gangsta Defined ft. Bilal Salaam
14.Unknown ft. Jesse Boykins III
15.Do What You Want
16.Don’t Call Me
17.The Past Outro

Download audio file (hittinswitches_mixtape.mp3)
[download: mixed | unmixed]

Tuned in recently?

Here’s last night’s episode.

The crunchiness only persists at the beginning. Pretend like you’re in the old cassette days.

Finally liberated an important SD card from Jamil’s clutches. Now we can reminisce on the first minutes of 2009.

Part 1

The warm-up.

Download audio file (soulceezNYE2008_pt1.mp3)
[download]

Part 2

The clock striking midnight with maximum room capacity then busting the lightweights upside the head for about an hour.

Download audio file (soulceezNYE2008_pt2.mp3)
[download]

Part 3

Going deep and hitting a few peaks.

Download audio file (soulceezNYE2008_pt3.mp3)
[download]

Part 4

A little more head crack and then dénouement.

Download audio file (soulceezNYE2008_pt4.mp3)
[download]

The evening before Phonte tore it down at INAS, we had a little friends and family gathering to welcome him to DC.

Statik rolled down from Philly to kick it so we ran a three-man rotation.

Enjoy. More of these coming later in the week.

DJ Book
1. Guy – I Like
2. Guy – Teddy’s Jam
3. Guy – Groove Me
4. Today – Why You Gettin’ Funky On Me
5. Johnny Gill – Rub You the Right Way
6. Keith Sweat – I Want Her
7. Bell Biv Devoe – Poison
8. Tony, Toni, Toné – Baby Doll
9. Redhead Kingpin – Do The Right Thing
10. Father MC – Do 4 Me
11. E.U. & Kurtis Blow – Party Time
12. Davis Pinckney – U Can Dance
13. Mass Extension – Happy Feet
14. Class Band – Welcome to the Go-Go
15. Rare Essence – Body Moves
16. Hot Cold Sweat – Meet Me at the Go-Go
18. Trouble Funk – Trouble Funk Express
19. Trouble Funk – Pump Me Up

DJ Stylus
1. Troop – Spread My Wings
2. Chuckii Booker – Turned Away
3. Jody Watley – Friends (feat. Eric B. & Rakim)
4. Al B. Sure – Rescue Me
5. Bobby Brown – On Our Own
6. Entouch – Too Hype
7. Today – Him or Me
8. Jeff Redd – You Called & Told Me
9. Portrait – Here We Go Again! (extended)
10. Run-DMC – Pause
11. Laquan – Now’s the B-Turn
12. Jane Child – Don’t Wanna Fall in Love
13. Ralph Tresvant – Money Can’t Buy You Love
14. Heavy D. & The Boyz – Is It Good to You
15. Teddy Riley feat. Tammy Lucas – Is It Good to You
16. Wrecks-N-Effect – New Jack Swing
17. Bell Biv Devoe – Let Me Know Something?!
18. Tevin Campbell – If You Ask Me To
19. Full Force – Ain’t My Type of Hype
20. LL Cool J – Illegal Search
21. Joyce “Fenderalla” Irby – Hey Mr. DJ (feat. Doug E. Fresh)
22. The Good Girls – Your Sweetness
23. Guy – I Wanna Get With You
24. Big Daddy Kane – I Get the Job Done
25. Heavy D. & The Boyz – We Got Our Own Thang
26. Loose Ends – I Don’t Need to Love
27. Basic Black – She’s Mine
28. Jodeci – My Phone

Download audio file (njs_pt1.mp3)
[download | right-click (PC) or CTRL-click (Mac) > 'Save As' ]
[subscribe in iTunes]

Meistro:
Bebel Gilberto – Aganju (Latin Project rmx)
Plastyc Buddha – String Vibe (Nickodemus and Osiris NY Hip Harmonic Remix)
7 Samurai – Feel The Same (Dubben rmx)
Soul II Soul – Jazzie’s Groove
????
Alice Russell – Fly in Your Hand (DJ Vadim rmx)
Casbah 73 – Big Shoes, Small Feet
Gecko Turner – Un Limon en la Cabeza (Quantic rmx)

Stylus:
Afro Life – Sidewinder
Ohmega Watts – Adaptacao feat. Tita Lima
Common – Time Travelin’
Cloud One – Patty Duke
Milton Bros. – Living in the City
Tigercity – Are You Sensation?
Owusu & Hannibal – Lonnie’s Secret
Matisyahu/Rolling Stones – Chop ‘Em Down/Miss You Mash

Meistro:
Beatfanatic – Sumthin Betta
Common – Go (King Most rmx)
Amp Fiddler ft. Corinne Bailey Rae – If I Don’t
Casbah 73 – Freshly Sqeezed!
Bionics – Love Chains
Keyshia Cole – Shoulda Let You Go (Eli’s put echo on everything mix)
Space Lady – Gift Pt II
Faith Evans – Mesmerized (White label rmx)
Mark Hype and Jim Dunloop – The Mexican
Kathy Diamond – All Woman
Afro Heat 4 – White Label
Recloose ft. Joe Dukie – Dust (Roc Wun rmx)
The Rebirth – Evil Vibrations

Stylus:
Sesso Matto – Sessomatto
Universal Robot Band – Barely Breaking Even

Stylus:
Reel People – Upside
Nick Straker Band – A Little Bit of Jazz
Patrice Rushen – Number One
J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science – Conga Rock
John Arnold – Supadupe
Kelis – ’80s Joint
2000black – So Right
Aloe Blacc – Bailar

Meistro:
Faze Action – Hypnotic (Disco Mix)
Idan K – Ijidan Tribute (unreleased)
Louie Vega – Mi Gente (dub)
Matthias Heilbronn & Candela Allstars – Brobombique (Matty’s II Deep Mix)
Bunny Mack – Let Me Love You (DJ Gregory Original Vibe Mix)
Oreja – Manana por la Manana
Nickodemus – Conmigo
War – Galaxy

Stylus:
Ian Friday feat. Erro – Everything (Tea Party Vocal Mix)
Tiger Stripes – Missing You (Raw Artistic Soul remix)
Reel People – Alibi

Meistro:
Yam Who? – Flunky Gone Punky (we are ready)
Cymande – Brothers on the Slide (Ruffy Tuffy edit)
Awa Band ft Tony Allen – Bababateur (Quantic rmx)
Faze Action – Kariba (Copyright rmx)

Stylus:
Alice Russell – Somebody’s Gonna Love You (featuring Quantic)
Fela Kuti – Shakara

Meistro:
Nickodemus – Puerto Rico Pa’Gozar
Damn! – African
African-Scanian Music Continuum Rerouted

Booka Booka Booka Booka!!!

1. Mighty Peace Makers
2. Go-Go Lorenzo – You Can Dance
3. Mass Extension – Happy Feet
4. Rare Essence – Body Moves
5. Experience Unlimited – Ooh La La La
6. Class Band – Welcome to the Go-Go
7. Pumpblenders – Loveboat (live)
8. Trouble Funk – Double Trouble (live)
9. Trouble Funk – Trouble Funk Express
10. Experience Unlimited – Take the Picture (Pose)
11. Rare Essence – Dance to the Drummer’s Beat (live 1983)
12. Chance Band (live)

1. Daru Beats – Gratefull feat. Deenahea (DNA)
2. Kissey Asplund & Suff Daddy (feat. Bless 1) – 99bottles
3. Erik Rico – Making Love
4. Nickodemus (Wonderwheel Records) exclusive joint
5. Coultrain – Green
6. Nicolay & Kay – I’ve Seen Rivers
7. Mr. Windmill & Jay.Soul – Hugo Hovenkampp
8. Trevor Lovey’s – Elevate Your Mind
9. The RH Factor – For Fun (SoulFeast Vocal Remix of “Common Freestyle” feat. Omar)
10. Reel People – Outta Love feat. Omar
11. Ave.To – Cuz Of You
12. Chris Barker – Breakin Bread edit
13. Demetrius Price – No Holdin’ Back
14. Moodyman – Black Mahogani
15. Amp Fiddler – I’m Doing Fine (live)*
16. Exchange Bureau – The End of Me & You feat. Salah Obeid

*original version: track 4

Before his show in DC last week.

We chopped it up a bit.

The two most recent DJ Book mixes on Decipher are must haves. As you know, our slot was moved an hour earlier. It’s a positive move but the one snag in that plan is that Book doesn’t finish at WPGC until 9:30. These two sets might be the last time you hear him on WPFW for awhile and as usual, he kills it. (subscribe/iTunes)

DJ Book – Decipher 3/13/08

DJ Book – Decipher 4/4/08

Jamil’s still holding down Mondays at Marvin. That’s where he gets to dig into the deeper recesses of his crates that lie hidden when he’s playing his more mainstream gigs. He usually starts out with classic soul befitting the venue’s namesake and then veers off into the outer reaches of futuristic black muzik. You haven’t been yet? Download this set recorded live last month.

DJ Jahsonic – Live @ Marvin 3/17/08

I meant to write a blog about this night, it was a good one. I still might. In the meantime download these.

Download audio file (close2theedge_032108_pt1.mp3)
[download Part 1 | right-click (PC) or CTRL-click (Mac) > 'Save As' ]
[subscribe in iTunes]

Download audio file (close2theedge_032108_pt2.mp3)
[download Part 2]

It’s a regular thing with the homie Dredd. Make sure you check him out for the April installment.

It’s just a little Valentine’s Day edition of Decipher from the good ‘PFW studios. (subscribe/iTunes)

Been having a good time lately. You should tune in.

(Subscribe/iTunes)

TURN IT UP!!! R.I.P. Dilla

1. Mos Def – Umi Says
2. Faze Action – Samba
3. Femi Kuti – What Will Tomorrow Bring (Remix LP MIx)
4. Los Amigos Invisibles – Bruja (MAW Mix)
5. Tom & Joyce – Queixume (MAW Mix, Main Vocal)
6. Salome de Bahia – Theme of Rio
7. Los Ladrones – Las Luces del Norte
8. Osunlade – Diamant
9. Jiva – Love Chooses Lovers (The ‘Heart Chakra’ Mix)
10. Tortured Soul – I Might Do Something Wrong pt. 2
11. Fertile Ground – Peace & Love (Jazztronik ‘Mardi Gras’ Mix)
12. Nickodemus & Osiris feat. Carol C from Si*Sé – Mariposa
13. Sade – By Your Side (Naked Music Mix)
14. T.Kolai – Congo (T.Kolai’s Andalu Vocal feat. David Crosby)
15. Opa – African Bird
16. Charlie Byrd & Cal Tjader – Samba de Oneida
17. Osunlade – Aldeia de Ogun
18. Nuspirit Helsinki – Afro-Cuban Haze

Crowd was mixed, nobody paid a dime to get through the door, folks were partying and looking nice without having to be instructed to do so by a dress code. Isn’t that what a NYE party should be? My only regret is not having a mic to catch the roar of the dancefloor, makes the track mutes in the recordings sound silly. One women told us that “it’s time for you to play some mainstream hip-hop now.” We declined gracefully.

Part 1:
Setting the mood for the jump-off. “Champion Requiem” at a New Year’s Eve party? Whoa. Marvin Gaye makes the first of several appearances… ‘cuz we at Marvin.