Mixtape Mondays: Marvin Gaye x DJ Spinna, Herbie Hancock Birthday Mix, and More
We have two birthday mixes this week: Marvin Gaye mixed by DJ Spinna, and Herbie Hancock mixed by Buscrates 16-Bit Ensemble. Kenny Dope also returns with some straight-from-vinyl hip-hop and soul, and Tall Black Guy gives us a quick dose of inspiration.
Kenny Dope - April Weekend Hip Hop and Breaks Saturday Basement Mix
Just after we got done bragging about the size of this guy's record collection (pause), NYC OG Kenny Dope dropped a few more weekend mixes to prove again that a) his vinyl weighs a ton and b) he's restless. The mix features Craig G, Billy Stewart (fans of Jay Electronica's "Exhibit A," recognize), Will Sessions, Madlib, and plenty of others to keep you entertained until he drops the next…oh damn, he just dropped part II.
DJ Spinna - Happy Birthday Marvin Gaye (Part Two)
In 2010, our friend DJ Spinna released a Marvin Gaye birthday mix. Now he's back with part two. To make amends for missing last year, he decided to go all Here, My Dear on us and deliver some amazing material: almost two full hours of Marvin classics, rarities, unreleased remixes, and alternative takes. If you know how serious of a craftsman Spinna is when it comes to artist tributes, and you also agree that Marvin was one of the greatest ever, you know what to do.
Tall Black Guy - Chicken, Ribs, and Snacks
Tall Black Guy has been on a warpath recently. He's been releasing remixes, full-length and 7" projects, and random beats left and right. Fans of vintage J Dilla (can I just say Jay Dee?) do NOT sleep: TBG is on some seriously soulful, head-nodding beat-competition craziness. On this mix, he shares some of his inspiration. He opens with The Philadelphia Experiement's cover of Catalyst's super-good "Ile Ife" and then gets into some JB's, Blackbyrds, Amel Larrieux, and Malice and Mario.
Buscrates 16-Bit Ensemble - Herbie Hancock Birthday Mix
Legendary keyboardist/composer Herbie Hancock celebrated his 72nd birthday last week. His physical appearance is really starting to freak me out. Dude looks about 35 years younger than his age. And he's been steady cranking out records for over 50 years. He's ruining the aging curve for the rest of us. Anyway, to celebrate his birthday, our homie Buscrates 16-Bit Ensemble, better known as 1/3 of Pittsburgh's boogie-funk crew, East Liberty Quarters (E.L.Q.), honored him with a one-take mix of some of his favorite Herbie songs and interviews.
Tracklist:
People Music
Ostinato
Do A Thing
Sun Touch
Chameleon
I Thought It Was You ('Sunlight' version)
I Thought It Was You ('Directstep' version)
Stars In Your Eyes
Spook Who Sat By The Door (from Fender Rhodes flexi-disc circa 1973)
Actual Proof ('Thrust' version)
Actual Proof ('Flood' version)
Rain Dance
Tony (from Tony Williams 'The Joy Of Flying' LP)
T.F.S.
Palm Grease
Butterfly ('Directstep' version)