Mixtape Monday: Cut Chemist, House Shoes + More Toast J Dilla
Happy post-Grammy celebration, Okayplayers! This week's episode of Mixtape Mondayfeatures an impressive crew of selectors and their formidable tributes to Detroit-bred producer + celebrated sound man, J Dilla.
Cut Chemist, House Shoes, Kronika and Himalaya Collective each take different approaches to the mix with their respective homages, but the love for Dilla is first and foremost in all of them. DJ Tara and C. Devone double down on matters of the heart with two gorgeous Valentine's Day mixes. The Funky Corners Show rounds things out with a memorial set honoring the almighty David Axelrod, who passed away last week on Feb. 5th.
Take a listen, Okayplayers, as you might just hear something you love.
Cut Chemist - A Stable Sound Episode 10: Dilla, Black History and Valentines Celebration
Cut Chemist kills three birds with one stone with the 10th installment of the A Stable Sound mix series. The latest episode is “a celebration of Black History Month, Valentine's Day and the music of J Dilla”. Cut Chemist includes joints from A Tribe Called Quest, The Commodores and Gang Starr alongside mixes from Mike Styles, Kali Dubz and Marvski.
House Shoes - Magic 02.08.17 (J Dilla)
As expected, House Shoes sets the bar for J Dilla tribute mixes with an expansive set for the latest in his bi-monthly MAGIC series for Dublab. If you thought your crates were popping, this mix is likely to prove you wrong. Packing in over 90 selections, Shoes includes tracks from Eddie Kendricks, Don Pullen, Smokey Robinson, Tin Tin, Lenny Breau, DJ Harrison, Will Sessions and Dilla. Discover the magic of James DeWitt Yancey by listening to the must-hear tape.
Fresh Selects - Tight Songs #136
Fresh Selects returns with another round of cutting edge joints for the latest edition of the Tight Songs weekly. This week’s set includes tracks from Kaidi Tatham, Hanni El Khatib, Benny Sings, NAO, Grooveman Spot, Smino, SiR, Mndsgn and more.
Kronika - Dunkin Dilla Mix
Kronika takes us on a trip to the donut shop to serve up some faves from J Dilla in celebration of the producer that changed the way she listens to beats. The mix begins with a gem from Minnie Riperton before jumping into a grip of Slum Village classics and other Dilla joints. Phat Kat, Baatin, T3, Spanky, Que D and Earth Wind & Fire all make appearances in the mix.
DJ Ralph Hardy - Nang Selection 176 (Love Hours)
The doctor is officially in for "love hours" with a 2-hour mix from DJ Ralph Hardy for Nang Selection 176 from London's Radar Radio. The "Pre-Valentine's Special" features tracks from Childish Gambino, Brandy, Anderson .Paak, Case, Bobby Caldwell, Anita Baker and more.
Himalaya Collective - Healing Herbs (J Dilla x Nujabes Tribute Mix)
Himalaya Collective pays tribute to the massive talents of J Dilla and Nujabes with a 43-minute memorial mix full of exclusives entitled Healing Herbs. The 20-track set includes contributions from Spear Oh, Moo Latte, kxllage, Baklu, Awgs and more. The funky, dense grooves and ambient sounds driving the production on this tape are a great tribute to the beloved aesthetics of two beattape giants.
DJ T-Wheels - Funky Corners Show #258 (David Axelrod Tribute)
The latest installment of The Funky Corners Show pays tribute to legendary producer, composer and arranger David Axelrod, who died on Sunday, Feb. 5th. T-Wheels delivers a sample-based tribute to Axelrod, whose career began to bubble in the late 60s and spanned over four decades. Axelrod’s cinematic sound is a foundational influence on hip-hop and electronic artists. The set includes tracks from the Artifacts, Joey Bada$$, The Beatnuts, Black Sheep, D.I.T.C., Da Beatminerz and more.
DJ Manipulator - Jazz Is Everything Mix
DJ Manipulator takes listeners to school with the 30-minute Jazz Is Everything Mix, which pays proper tribute to some of the greatest sample sources and other selections that informed a bevy of rap classics.
"From start to finish, Manip uses 'Jazz Is Everything' to drive home the point that Jazz is indeed damn-near everything. That’s because all of the material on here have been sampled in one way or another (and often multiple times) to create the instrumentals of so many beloved songs. And those songs run the gamut from De La Soul’s “Stakes Is High,” to Method Man & Redman’s “Maaad Crew,” to Gang Starr’s “ALONGWAYTOGO.” The end result is a wonderfully mixed tip of the hat to both the original artists (including Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, and Stevie Wonder) and the hip-hop legends who sampled them (including J Dilla, Pete Rock, and Clark Kent)."
DJ C. DeVone - Electric Love 3
DJ C. DeVone anticipates your V-Day needs and sets the mood with the Electric Love 3 mix. Anchored by a heavy dose of Queen Bey, the sultry babymaking set features plenty of soul, electro, hip-hop and other uptempo love jams.
DJ Tara - The Act Parts 1 & 2
DJ Tara serves up a timely two-part mix ahead of Valentine’s Day with The Act (Parts 1 & 2), a double dose of joints carefully chosen to illuminate and explore the complex feelings that often accompany sex. Back to back sets dissect the vulnerability, pleasure, pain, love and lust involved in the act of love. The mixes feature tracks from Ta-ku, Jose James, Tiffany Gouché, Machinedrum, SiR and more.