A-Trak @ The Do-Over, LA

This is shamelessly robbed from DJ Step One's blog so credit to him, it's so good I couldn't resist though. Check the vid of A-Trak really demonstrating how to rock a party properly, and now click below to download the full set he played.

DOWNLOAD

The Rub

I was going to add this to the previous post which was on a top notch mix by some of these guys (go and check it, it's just below this). I actually thought that this deserved a post of it's own. This is all about The Rub, which is a night in Brooklyn run by DJ Ayres, DJ Eleven and Cosmo Baker. They put out consistently amazing mixes as well as DJing all over the place. I've yet to catch them in the flesh because last time some of them were in London I found out the day after they played. I hate it when that happens.

Their site is the best place to go to check what's going on with them, but they are also on Brooklyn Radio where you can download and stream some of their mixes.

Some of my favourite mixes they've done are part of their "History of hip hop" series, one mix for each 1979-1999 inclusive. No matter what era you favour you know that there's one of these that you're going to love. I'm a big fan of the '94 mix but '88 is up their as well. All of these mixes (and others) have been archived on Crewcial here so please don't sleep, and make sure you explore the other folders there.

Think the 80s was only cheese?

You'd be very wrong, and this is the mix to prove it to you. This is also for you if you think DJ Yoda dropped the definitive 80s mix (and while you're at it Google DJ Spinbad). Check here to find the download link, beautifully put together by DJ Ayres and DJ Eleven of The Rub.

Talking heads

Here's a nice short featuring some of the favourites of the UK scene Scratch Perverts, Foreign Beggars (including Shlomo), Stig and Doc Synners. Enjoy.

Brown Bag Allstars

I first got wind of BBAS from seeing Soul Khan (also on Twitter at @_soulkhan) battle in Grindtime against some crazy competition (and some not so good but that's not his fault). It seems like they all (mostly) work at Fat Beats NY which is somewhere I always head when I land in NY. This is a video for a remix of a track off their mixtape which is now out of print in terms of physical copies but can be acquired from iTunes. I like it.

My upcoming gigs

OK, the next few sets I'm playing. The first one is a wedding of two friends so you're not invited to that one unless you're already down! That's the 29th Aug at the reception, messy business.

The next day I'm playing at some point at this free entry all day event at the James St Tavern. There'll be plenty of good music, food from the BBQ and E.N.I.G. for those who know.

On Sept 12th I'm also playing at a night @ The Bully on Cowley Road, in aid of a very good cause for the newly formed night Beat Constructers. All of the acts on the night are extremely talented and some of of my best mates as well, I reckon it'll be a top night. Check the website for details and a couple of mixes by some of the DJs (not me yet, but I'm aiming to record something).

That's all for now, more than enough to be getting on with, don't get greedy now!

"The King Adverse, that is his name"

We live in an age of disposable music, where every man and his dog is throwing together some pre-beatmatched mp3's and calling it a mix. Just to give you a heads up, these don't even come close to falling into that category. I first ran into Adverse on the Sure Shots message board a long time ago and since then he's put together a couple of mixes that are in regular rotation for me. They consist of a mixture of a few UK gems, some of the best recent hip hop, lots of classic and sought after hip hop from years gone by and a few beats and breaks to bind the whole lot together. As he readily admits he takes his time putting these together and it shows in the quality of the final product.

Here are links for the latest installments so download them, check them out, marvel at their splendour and hit him up on Myspace offering to have his babies. Why not try and identify a full track list? There will be prizes for the first winning entries (NB - these prizes will consist of varying amounts of "e-props" and do not have an equivalent cash value).

*All links reupped on 08/03/10*

Annual Report

Years To Build

Dedparty

Real Progress