2009...the good, the bad & the ugly

This has been both a great and fucked up year. I traveled the world and rocked beside my closest friends, helped score a movie, met a lot of great people and got to put out some new music. And, like you, I suffered tremendous losses both collectively and personally. I can't think of a year filled with more ups and downs than '09. That said,
IT. IS. OVER.
Time to start anew. Strictly positive for the next 365. Everyone get buck, have fun and be safe tonight! I'll be back in full effect beginning 2010. Lotta tings a gwaaan!

Poets of Rhythm - Guiding Resolution

TONIGHT!

LIVE PERFORMANCES BY:

BILAL
EXILE & DJ DAY FEAT BLU
MILOSH
OM'MAS KEITH
SHAFIQ HUSAYN


HOSTED BY:
PHAROAHE MONCH


DJ SETS:
DAEDELUS
J.ROCC
KUTMAH


*SPECIAL SURPRISE GUESTS*

ECHOPLEX
1154 GLENDALE BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CA. 90026

21 AND OVER | 8PM-2AM
$10 LIMITED PRESLAE TICKETS
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=796505
$15 DOOR

More info at VTech

Lewis Taylor - The Lost Album

If you would've asked me who Lewis Taylor was last week I wouldn't have had a clue. After listening to this I'm a fan for life.



















When he first dropped his self titled debut in the UK back in 1996 I wasn't really trying to check for new R&B (I was too busy looking for old records!). Taylor was signed to Island Records as the next "blue eyed soul" man, but he is much more than that. In response to his label trying to sell him as a pre-Robin Thicke, he turned in demos of what would later become The Lost Album and was met with a giant "WTF?" from Island. Instead of another Neo Soul album, he made what one reviewer called "a mix of mid-‘70s Southern California rock and British symphonic-pop". That's oversimplifying in my opinion. This is definitely pop-rock with obvious influences from the Beach Boys to Todd Rundgren, but it's incredibly layered and lush, with a unique sound all it's own. What makes it all the more incredible is that he played every instrument and sang every note by himself.

Needless to say, Island didn't know how to market him and after turning in Lewis II in place of this album, he was dropped from the label. These demos sat until 2004 when he and writing partner Sabina Smyth re-recorded the songs and released it on Taylor's own Slow Reality label in the UK. Fast fwd 3 years (you still with me?) and it finally sees the light of day in the U.S. via HackTone Records.
Just as it seemed like he was going to breakthrough stateside (his fans include D'Angelo, Darryl Hall, Aaliyah, & David Bowie among others) he retired from music during his first tour. Any info I've been able to find is from past interviews and reviews. All YouTube videos have been taken down (at his request), his website is shut down and he has declined to do interviews.

Now I know this is not my usual kind of thing to post (to be honest, it's not my usual thing), but this record really hit me. Maybe it's because he manages to articulate what I'm striving for in my own music. Or the fact that I've been listening to The Beatles for the last two months. I dunno. Any way it goes, give it a listen and form your own opinion. It won't be for everybody, but it definitely is for me.

Lewis Taylor - Please Help Me..If You Can

Lewis Taylor - Send Me An Angel (only available on original UK release)

Buy it

*shout out to Aser!*

Whoa.

That was a long time in-between posts. Without getting into too much detail, there was a tragedy in my family over Thanksgiving weekend and blogging hasn't exactly been the most important thing in my life. And not to make this a bummer of a post, but...


As some of you probably know, this Thursday marks the last Root Down. After 12 years, one of Los Angeles' best weeklys is calling it quits. Come out and support a legendary night that's had everyone from DJ Shadow & Z-Trip to Black Eyed Peas, Freestyle Fellowship, and more recently me and Exile (not to mention the Sound Clash series, Pushing Buttons, etc etc.).

Big thanks to Miles, Dusk (RIP), Expo, Sloe Poke, DJ Jedi, Ervin & Loslito. I've had a lot of great nights playing there. Thanks for the memories.

Breakestra - Getcho Soul Togetha prt.2

Back For More

Tonight DJ Day is back @ Soul Sessions (Grand Star/Chinatown)! One of my favorite parties in LA hands down. Come thru!

Perception

New Zealand looks like the place to be checking for in 2010. You have Recloose and the upcoming Star Blazers project - trust me, this is gonna be very ill, I've been bumping the demos for a minute - and now Electric Wire Hustle. I just got hip to these dudes via my man DJ Stylus. If you're a fan of Dwele, Mark De Clive Lowe, Phonte, Spacek, etc. dig this. I never get tired of that Minnie Ripperton flip.

Electric Wire Hustle - Perception

Echo Party

Double Dutch vs. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde was a nice touch.

Edan was asked to do a mix (...is it live? is it real?) with the Traffic Ent. back catalog (Chocolate Star, P&P, Sounds of New York, Tayster...basically all the fly shit from the late 70's-early 80's that goes for dumb money). The result isn't exactly a mix or an album, but a bugged out hybrid of the two. Once you're rocking a kazoo it goes into a whole other category.
I would post the promo that's going around, but it wouldn't do it justice. Just cop that

Domu Calls it Quits

As a fan of Domu (aka Sonar Circle, Bakura) this is a sad day. I found a lot of parallels in his life and production to my own, and having gone through a lot of similar feelings over the past year with my own music, this really hits home.
For anyone, in any artistic field, I highly recommend reading this.

The End.

I'll leave you with one of my favorite joints by him:

Simon Grey - Galactica Suite (Domu Remix)

Memories of El Job Corps

Art Laboe is the Chick Hearn of the oldies game. We used to listen to his show every Sunday when I was in Job Corps (real heads know the deal). He put me up on so much good music bitd. I'm still trying to find a copy of this. Enjoy a classic and have a good weekend y'all,

Brenda & the Tabulations - The Touch of You (Osha, where you at?!)

Mad Man

Synth porn and cobbler: a look inside RJD2's studio

*bonus beat* I had no idea he did the theme song to Mad Men. Get that syndicated guap!

It's Things Like This...

...that I sit and wait to come my way so I can share it with y'all.

Zo! (who you might remember from my previous post) has dropped the "...just visiting too" EP* to tide folks over for his own full length LP SunStorm. With the help of Phonte, Darien Brockington, Sy Smith, Carlitta Durand and Yahzarah, he covers Don Blackman's "Holding You, Loving You" (right down to the hi hats), Prince's "Crazy You", Minnie Ripperton's "Perfect Angel" and more. Highly recommended. This is someone to watch for.

Zo! - ...just visiting too


(*via Potholesinmyblog)

THRILLER

Thanks to everyone who came out to Root Down last night (shout out to Ervin for the footage)! We wanted to do something new for MJ & Halloween and what better joint to flip than "Thriller"? We had a day to rehearse our main set and put this together. Hope you all enjoy it. Be safe out there this weekend!

*bonus beat - Drunken Ewoks FTW*

Exile & DJ Day @ The Root Down

Tonight! Exile & DJ Day for one final (for now) performance live on 2 X MPC's & 2 Turntables at The Root Down.

For Those Who Like to Groove

1 minute mark is next level...via DJ Stef

Trus'Me...TRUST ME

I first heard about Trus'Me via Kon's blog a few weeks ago. He kept saying how ill this dude's record was gonna be, people were gonna flip, blah blah blah...and he aint never lied.
I just got the promo today and it's easily in the running for "Best Of" this year. I uploaded his cover of Bill Withers' "Can We Pretend" with Amp Fiddler to show you what I mean. The joint with Dam Funk is bananas too. This is a must cop when it drops.

Trus'Me feat. Amp Fiddler - Can We Pretend (removed by request)

Have a good weekend y'all, and don't forget if you're in my town come through tonite to Space120!

DJ Day X Jeremy Sole on KCRW

For anyone outside of Southern California, KCRW is NPR/college radio broadcasting from Santa Monica college. Ever since I first heard Michael Mixxin Moore and The Militant Master Mix in '93 I've been a fan. Out here in Palm Springs we don't get a lot of culture (surprise!), so having KCRW on the radio has been a blessing and a huge influence for me.

Over the last few years, DJ's from Raul Campos and Garth Trinidad to Jeremy Sole have shown love and played my music on the air, but it wasn't until last week that I finally had a chance to go into the studio and be part of a show.
As corny as it sounds, doing this was like a dream come true after being a listener for over a decade and a half.

Huge thanks to Jeremy Sole for inviting me on as guest selector and featured artist. Below is a link to my segment of the show and a tracklist.

DJ Day X Jeremy Sole on KCRW 10/15/09

Guest Selections:
BSides - African Spirits (white label)
M64 (Ohmega Watts & Ragen Fykes) - Rhythm of the Drum (Record Breakin)
Marvin Gaye - Time to Get it Together (DJ Smash Extended/Alt. Take) (Hip-OSelect)
Suff Daddy - Highlife (MPM)
Kenny Rankin - In the Name of Love (Little David)

Guest Artist:
DJ Day - Skyy, Can You Feel Me (MPM)
DJ Day feat. Miles Bonny - Learning to Fly (unreleased)
Erykah Badu - Honey (DJ Day remix) (white label)
People Under the Stairs - Trippin' at the Disco (DJ Day remix) (OM Records)
DJ Day - Kossa (unreleased)
DJ Day - Change Your Mind (Subcontact)

If You Don't Know...

Now you know!


The homie Fashawn's album, Boy Meets World drops tomorrow, Oct. 20th. I got a chance to hear it earlier this year when Exile and I were on tour (btw Exile produced this so you already know the time) and chilled with Fash for a few days before our show in SF. I can tell you, what you see is what you get. Dude has his head on straight and will be around for a long time. This album is a banger from beginning to end (you should hear the joints that didn't make it on the album!!!). Be sure to cop it when it drops tomorrow.

Felabration @ ESL, Washington DC, w/DJ Day

In support of the Knitting Factory Records re-launch of Fela Kuti’s music catalogue, Giant Step has organized official Felabration events in more than 15 cities across North America throughout the month of October; this outstanding schedule of Felabrations will bring together some of the best DJs, musicians, and promoters around to celebrate the life, music, and birthday of Fela Kuti. With the support of esteemed DJs such as Rich Medina, DJ Spinna, Ron Trent, DJ Nu-Mark, DJ Day, Jeremy Sole, DJ Kemit, J-Justice, Adam Gibbons, DJ Sun, Chicken George and Frank Gossner, as well as artists such as Roy Ayers, WUNMI, Ikebe Shakdown, Baba Ola Jagun, Amon, and many more, these Felabrations will unite the diverse communities and Tastemakers across the country that are instrumental in keeping Fela's music alive

fela.net | myspace.com/djday

More info at Giant Step

It's the MF Remix Vol. 3

Coming (very) soon... The Rub - It's the Motherfucking Remix 3! If you didn't check out volumes 1 & 2, you've definitely heard them on many mixtapes and many nights drunk in the clurb. Volume 3 does not disappoint with remixes by A-Trak, Skratch Bastid, DJ Eleven, Matthew Africa, Nick Catchdubs, Ayres, Platurn, Sammy Bananas, myself and more. Ayres has been kind enough to post the individual MP3s before the CD drops so get 'em while you can...

"I'd like to take a moment to say..."

Fuck Columbus.

Hit the Top b/w Trippin At The Disco Video

HO. LEE. SHIT.





Here's another new video with snippets of PUTS' new album Carried Away dropping Oct, 13th on OM Records.

Big up to the dudes for coming out and rocking with me during my set at the Breakestra show.
If you missed it, you can catch them at their record release party this Sunday, Oct. 11th at The Key Club in Hollywood.

Below is one of the new joints off the album.
























People Under the Stairs - Hit the Top

From Dusk Till Dawn

Tonight! Live & Direct! From Dusk Till Dawn Record Release Party
The Breakestra, Jeremy Sole (KCRW), DJ Day (w/Special Guests)
& Simple Citizens @ The El Rey Theater



































Los Angeles, tonight's event is not to be missed! Live on stage at the famous El Rey Theater, The Breakestra, Jeremy Sole, DJ Day (w/surprise guests) & Simple Citizens.

After a 4 year studio hiatus Breakestra is back with a new album dedicated (and featuring) DJ Dusk. Don't miss tonights show! Doors open @ 9pm.

Tickets available through Ticketmaster

Breakestra - Getcho Soul Together prt.2

Breakestra - Dark Clouds Dub

You Know How We Dooooo

What goes down Sundays @ The Short Bus...

Funemployment

New mix for the last days of Summer by my man King Most (everything from Zhigge and Pharcyde to Tittsworth and MJ on here).

King Most - Funemployment

*shout out to Lady Lex on the artwork. Feeling that Hot Stuff flip!

RIP GRANDMASTER ROC RAIDA

I've had enough of 2009.

TATD

1 of 500 - available now!

The limited 12" also has an uncredited dub version Thes and I did with a completely different track than the OG & remix.
Expect a lot of surprises and limited jammys related to the new album. I don't wanna get too into it, but there's some other cool shit on the way.
b/w Carried Away is
Dudes put in a lot of work on this one.

Easin' In

I was dubbing a bunch of records today and I realized I hadn't ripped this one for Sir Otto (I can't believe how many classic joints I still haven't gotten around to recording).
The intro to this song was always a bitch to mix unless you drop it when the bass comes in, so I did an extended intro/re-edit to play out.

Edwin Starr/Hell Up In Harlem OST - Easin' In

Have a good weekend and don't forget, this Sunday I start my new residency at The Ace Hotel.
Drinks + good music + free = WIN

Bring It On Back

Chop That Down, Pass It All Around

I've been playing this Prince Fatty cover of ODB since my gig at Stronghold last month. Enjoy, and go cop the 7" (or you can get the whole thing pon di digital here). Have a good weekend y'all.

Prince Fatty - Shimmy Shimmy Ya

FACE = MELTED

Shout out to DJ Sara. The illest 8 year old on the planet (my son's still 7 so she's got a few months left.)!

(via DJ Cocoe)

Instant Saadiq EP

The vinyl is in! Official release date is Sept. 11th. Tell a friend.

DJ Day, PBW, Gary Wilson, James Pants/Funky Sole...

Friday, Aug 28th Peanut Butter Wolf, Gary Wilson, DJ Day, James Pants, & DJ Alf Alpha live & direct @ The Ace Hotel, Palm Springs. Tickets available at www.groovetickets.com

Sat. Aug 29th, come check out yours truly doing the do on 100% vinyl @ Funky Sole with DJ's Miles Tackett, Clifton & Renato.

Bei Bei & Shawn Lee - "East"

Face + melt.

Bei Bei & Shawn Lee Beauty & the Beats limited 10" EP drops Sept. 8th on Ubiquity Records.

Braziliance Vol. 1

Solid Brazilian mix courtesy of Dreams In Audio

Tracklisting:

01. Jorge Ben – Ponta de Lanca Africano
02. Tim Maia – O Caminho Do Bem
03. Claudia – Deixa Eu Dizer
04. Rubinho e Mauro Assumpicao – Os Olhos
05. Dom Salvador – Hei Voce
06. Gilberto Gil – Domingo No Parque
07. Marcos Valle – Vinte E Seis Anos de Vida Norm
08. Arthur Verocai – Na Boca Do Sol
09. Milton Nascimento & Lo Borges – Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser
10. Perfume Azul Do Sol – Sopro
11. Karma – Depois Do Portao
12. Celia – Lennon-McCartney
13. Joao Donato – Cala Boca Menino
14. Quinteto Ternura – Ele e Ela
15. Piri – Cupido Esculpido
16. Jorge Ben – Minha Teimosia, Uma Arma Para Te Conquistar
17. Caetano Veloso – Tropicalia
18. Arthur Verocai – Dedica A Ela
19. Satwa – Amigo
20. Lula Cortes e Ze Ramalho – Regato da Montanha
21. Os Novos Baianos – O Misterio Do Planeta

"I used to make beats on the lunchroom table..."

This takes me back! I remember my man Alex doing "Looking at the Front Door" with just one hand and a pencil. Real heads know the deele.

First video is kinda bugged, but check the beat he does @ 1:15. Ho.Lee.Shit.

Miss Wax

Here's a preview of my part for DJ Magneto's
upcoming "Roachclip" mix for Miss Wax. Takin' it back to the old INL 4 track days on this one.

DJ Day - Miss Wax Mix

Last One (for real tho)

Here's some footage from the last show of the tour with Exile in Belgium @ Dour Festival. Definitely the highlight of the trip. Shout out to Lefto!

Dour Festival 2009 from Laid Back on Vimeo.

In other news...I just wrapped up another remix for People Under The Stairs for their new single which should be dropping some time this month. Record was pressed today so keep an eye out. Shout to everybody who's been keeping up with my blog. I know shit has been hit & miss lately, but you know I got you! I'm trying to drop a few things (at the least) every week. Stick with me, I've got some things in the works that should be dropping soon...

‘Best of Bubblers – A Brownswood Mixtape’ (Free Download)

via Brownswood Blog

To celebrate the release of Brownswood Bubblers 4 on the 24th of August 2009, we have put together a special ‘Best Of Bubblers Mixtape’ featuring a selection of some of our favourite tracks from all four Bubblers compilations. If your new to the Bubblers series, then this will give you a taste of what they are all about. If your a seasoned Bubbler then this mix is sure to push all the right buttons and set you up nicely for BB4.

You can download the mix HERE.

Enjoy!

Tracklisting –

1. Soundspecies – Can We Call It Love (with Ahu) [BB4]
2. Simbad feat. Steelo – Soul Fever [BB1]
3. Bullion – Get Familiar [BB3]
4. NSM – The Hype [BB2]
5. Katalyst feat. Steve Spacek – How Bout Us [BB3]
6. Cornish Waters feat. Duchess – Walking [BB2]
7. Ayak & First Man – Can We Go Back? [BB1]
8. DJ Day – A Place To Go [BB3]
9. Mayer Hawthorne – Maybe So, Maybe No [BB4]
10. Iman – Who Was I Trying To Fool [BB1]
11. Flying Lotus – Tea Leaf Dancers [BB2]
12. New Look – Everything [BB4]

Brownswood Bubblers 4 is released on the 24th August 2009.

Feel Good

The perfect joint for Summer.
Burnier & Cartier - Mirandolina

Exile & DJ Day in Amsterdam @ Rooms of Red Bull - D Train Routine

July 17th, Exile and DJ Day visited the Rooms of Red Bull in Amsterdam for a special live tapped performance of their D-Train routine. Exile "Radio" in stores now!!

Shout out to everyone at MOOVMNT and Rooms of Red Bull. Exile and I also did a West Coast Mix for their radio show that day. Hopefully I'll get a link up once it goes online.

Tune Traveler

A few months ago Clutchy dropped this record off to me and I didn't get a chance to check it out until recently. According to him, this album (Clutchy Hopkins Meets Lord Kenjamin - Music is My Medicine) was recorded with him and one of his various rotating band members in Barbados "a while ago". He also told me he had reels of projects from other cats who worked with him back in the day. Hmmm...

This has been on repeat all morning. That wobbly ass melody is burned into my brain.

Clutchy Hopkins Meets Lord Kenjamin - Tune Traveler

Have a good weekend y'all. If any of you are in P.S. tomorrow night come check me out at Stronghold. Nothing but reggae and dancehall related chunes all night!

*bonus* Clutchy & Bullshit (taken from an upcoming DJ Day X Clutchy Hopkins mix TBA)

Way Back Wednesday

I haven't heard this since it came out and it still murders.

J Rawls: Hotel Beats Vol. 1

Haven't checked this out yet, but I've been digging dude's music since Lone Catalysts so I'm posting this on the strength.

Mighty Healthy NYC. & Polar Ent. Present Hotel Beats Vol. 1 comprised of 21 instrumentals that were made completely from a hotel room less than 2 months ago.

Be sure to be on the lookout for J Rawls’ collaboration with John Robinson “JAY ARE” dropping on Polar Ent/Groove Attack on September 15th.

Click here to download

via Vapors

Wu Tang is for the chirren

Wu-Tang Lego: Da Mystery of Chessboxin' from davo on Vimeo.

(via Skratch Bastid)

Back to the Lab

17 days, 10 flights, 7 countries and 8 shows later I'm finally home. It's gonna take a minute to catch up on everything, but here's some flicks from the tour (and more) with video to come.
















Shout out to Lefto, Acrylick, Olski, Robert Winter, Juice Magazine, Red Bull Music Academy, LDBK, Jon Kim for holding things down, everyone who came out to the shows, all the promoters who helped put this tour together and last but not least, my man Exile.



Hold tight, more content on the way....

Droppin' in...

What's good people! The tour has been moving at lightspeed. We've hit Paris, Madrid, Copenhagen, Berlin and Vienna so far and still have a week to go. We have a couple days off in Cologne (steady internet and a washing machine FTW) so I figured I'd post a few highlights of the trip so far.

EXILE & DJ DAY - EUROPEAN TOUR 2009

I'm fucking HYPE!