I first met Dan Bean via a mutual friend with whom he shared the Iality HiFi soundsystem. As you can probably guess from its name, Iality was a predomoinantly Reggae affair, and so I assumed incorrectly that Dan was just another white-boy with a penchant for the sound of Jamaica. When I bumped into him in Fabric’s Room 3, which was being commandeered by the Detroit Beatdown DJs (Norm Talley, Delano Smith and Mike Clark), questions began to form in my mind about his musical affiliations. Over time, pre-conceptions were replaced with truth. The truth is that Dan’s taste (both musically and otherwise) is impeccable and diverse. Add to that his numerous trips to Detroit to hang out with Techno’s A-List and dig for long deleted vinyl prizes and you can probably see where we’re heading.
While I was round at his for an excellent meal and shameless audio geek-out a few weeks back, his floor to ceiling vinyl collection spanning everything from synthed-out Sunny Ade to Madlib’s DJ Rels broken-beat project prompted me to ask him to do a podcast for Heads High. It just so happens, that Dan is part of the Bleep 43 organisation who take great pride in inviting House/Techno’s finest to our fair city for marathon sets of real music. Derrick May is coming to Bleep very soon and that provides the inspiration for this very special audio excursion. I’ll let Dan explain:
“While preparing for the arrival of Derrick May to play a six hour set for us on the 21st May, I couldn’t help pausing to think about his work. It’s fair to say that he hasn’t exactly been prolific in terms of releases. On the other hand almost everything he’s released has been game changing in some way or other. This is partly to do with the innovative drum programming that Detroit is quite rightly renowned for, especially on the Roland TR-909. You might even say that the sounds from that peculiar little box define techno but that’s only half the story.
Listening to Derrick’s tracks, it seems clear that it’s the power of the melody that somehow connects most deeply. The instruments for this must have seemed like an uninspiring selection of cheap keyboards at the time, the only tools available to broke musicians. However in true ‘dubwise’ fashion they were put to use in ways that their designers probably never anticipated. The result was a sound or feeling that has since become ubiquitous worldwide, sadly almost to the point where it’s become totally devalued.
Rather than compiling a series of Rhythim Is Rhythim tracks in a mix, it seemed like a better idea to review at least some of the history of synthesiser music. It’s by no means a comprehensive review (please don’t write in…) but I’ve tried to pick out a reasonably varied selection including some tracks that might have influenced Derrick and his colleagues. For instance, ‘Shine A Light’ was a favourite of The Electrifyin Mojo, a revolutionary Detroit radio DJ who melded an almost ludicrous range of boundary busting records on his show and must take at least some credit for the Detroit sound.
I’ve also looked back to some early attempts to harness the power of synthesis by pioneers such as Raymond Scott and the unfortunately named Dick Hyman, not to mention sterling efforts from persistent innovators such as Ike Turner and Eddie Harris. Add to that Germany’s own take in the form of Popol Vuh alongside their inheritors Stereolab and with some luck I may have illuminated some less frequented corners of the synthesiser universe. To round the picture out I’ve also included tracks from European masters such as Giorgio Moroder (Beat The Clock) and Jean-Claude Petit and some apparently accidental house music from Roy Ayers, as well as a contribution from Detroit’s prodigal son (and devout synthophile) Omar S.”
Bleep43 with Derrick May is taking place on Friday 21st May at the wonderful Corsica Studios in Elephant and Castle. It’s £15 on the door (£9 NUS) or £12 in advance. Derrick will be playing for six hours from 1am. Hope you can join us. More info here.
John Carpenter//Main Theme from Escape From New York Jean-Claude Petit//Stones Of Law Omar S//Hot Ones Echo Through The Ghetto Rhythim Is Rhythim//Beyond The Dance Sparks//Beat The Clock (Alternative Mix) Jimmy Ross//Fall Into A Trance The Graingers//Shine A Light Roy Ayers//Chicago Cloud One//Atmosphere Strut Cat Stevens//Was Dog A Doughnut Fern Kinney//Groove Me Ike Turner//Thinking Black Dick Hyman//Give It Up Turn It Loose Raymond Scott//The Happy Whistler Stereolab//Refractions In The Plastic Pulse Popol Vuh//Aguirre I Yusef Lateef//Technological Homosapiens Eddie Harris//Carnival
East Village have always repped with the bookings they secure. Most acts are bait but one thing always ensured is a consistent level of quality. Continuing on this tip, tonight, they bring to the masses: Amp Fiddler (along with Alton Miller and Stuart Patterson).
Forgive me for dropping this so last minute; I’m hoping most heads are already well aware of this event, however for those of you that aren’t, I feel obliged to share this now or forever hold my peace.
In saying that, I’m going to keep this short and sweet.
Being born and bred in Detroit, Amp’s got that natural tendancy to dabble in soul, hip-hop, jazz and electronic music… His 3 solo albums are proof to this testament. The essence of Amp Fiddler, however is in all things funk. His profile up-to-date boasts collabos with pretty much anyone that has had anything to do with P-Funk. (Oh and if you didn’t know, he was also responsible for introducing J-Dilla (RIP) to the MPC-2000).
Tonight he will be performing a live PA set at East Village. Expect to hear both classic and new material. Having Alton Miller as support can only indicate how serious the vibe will be.
Party people, this is not to be missed.
East Village
89 Great Eastern Street
London EC2A 3HX
020 7739 5173
After an inexcusably long hiatus, the Duke drops some fresh gems on y’all. Detroit House, Hip Hop, Raw Roots music from Africa to the Caribbean? It’s all here:
John Roberts//White Chez-N-Trent//All about You Bookworms//African Rhythms Donaeo//Riot Music (Shy FX Mix) Marcé//Ca Ca Ye (Frankie Francis Edit) Georgia Ann Muldrow//Jina Langu Ni Afrika (my Name Is Afrika) Brittany Bosco//Black Keys Will – I – Am//Money Pal Joey//Breakin’ Necks House Shoes//The Makings Georgia & Dudley//Shine On Dabrye//I’m Missing You Reggie B//Spoken Lenny Flying Lotus//Quakes Jay Electronica//Exhibit A (Transformations) Fatima//Higher Black Joy Edits//Edit 10 Red Earth Collective ft. Manasseh//Hard Times Dub Vincent Taylor//Living A Lie Connie Bell//Vampires Midnite//Enter Nneka//Africans Baloji//Karibou Ye Bintou
“… HOLD TIGHT! don’t ever give up in the fight,
GRACE! can only come into the sight,
SOUL POWER! it ignites like the sun…”
(Slum Village, Fantastic Vol.2, 2000)
As we approach the date of one of hip-hop’s greatest losses, updated merchandise, fundraisers and J Dilla anniversary events are spilling out from all corners of the globe. This is not only to commemorate someone who is often referred to as one of the greatest hip-hop producers of all time but also to raise awareness of lupus, the fatal disease that unfortunately claimed his life on 10th Feb 2006 (3 days after his 32nd birthday).
“Systemic lupus erythematosusSLE or lupus, is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage.
SLE most often harms the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. The course of the disease is unpredictable, with periods of illness (called flares) alternating with remissions. The disease occurs nine times more often in women than in men, especially between the ages of 15 and 50, and is more common in those of non-European descent.”
Find out more about lupus and what you can do to make a difference on J Dilla Project’s MySpace which has a variety of links and info.
In saying all this, there is still a genius of a producer who’s work requires celebration and his legacy, continuation. Here are three dope suggestions as to how to we can all participate in making it happen:
1. The J Dilla Foundation. After being shut down for some years, the J Dilla Foundation was relaunched this year by Ma Dukes aka Maureen Yancey. Their mission is to encourage ‘progressive music education’ in schools and to ’support music enthusiasts with the tools they require to become successful within the entertainment industry.’
2. The Doctor’s Orders Presents J-Dilla Changed My Life. This is tonight at Kings Cross’ Scala. Contributing a minimum of £5 at the door will go to both the J Dilla Foundation and Lupus UK. This event will be pretty rammed but you can expect all the Dilla classics and extras. Massive vibe with the most Jay Dee die-hard, party harders from all over the UK. If you would like to make further donations, there will be all kinds of merchandise being sold there too.
3. There have been numerous Jay Dee re-workings and remixes building up to his anniversary, however the best contribution I’ve heard so far is from the stuff that the Roots have put together. It must be pretty hard attempting to re-work the ultimately skillful re-worker; however refreshingly for us, they took on some of his rarer beats. Obviously as very close friends of the artist (especially ?uestlove), their genuine and personal renditions are tasteful and beyond magnificent. Click here to listen. (A personal favourite is ‘Make em NV‘)
Yeah I know, this should have been posted last Friday but it’s been hectic times at Heads High HQ. I could have done it yesterday but I promised myself I’d take one whole day off the LCD and actually interact with real people ALL day. It was nice. I’ll do it again someday….
Anyway, here’s the missing selection. One of those ones that I wasn’t too happy with when I recorded it but listened back and was pleasantly surprised…A little rags in places but the rawness is the realness. Enjoy….
Dark Knight // Mutant Funk Bookworms // African Rhythms Zomby // One Foot Ahead Of The Other Silkie // Spark Red // I Should Tell Your Mama On Ya Baatin // Marvelous Jimmy Castor Bunch // It’s Just Begun (Larry Levan Mix) Holzer & Kamura // Pure Love Players Association // Let Your Body Go Don Armandos Second Avenue Rhumba Band // Deputy Of Love Fallout // The Morning After Martyn // For Lost Relatives F // Epilogue (Ramadanman Mix) Kode 9 & The Space Ape // Do You See What I See Elemental // Talk
Chinua Achebe was right. Things Fall Apart….or at the very least, divide and evolve. Take Dubstep. Once used to denote a specific crossbreed of steroid-pumped dub and skunked out two-step, the term now shelters a clutch of vaguely related forms ranging from the technoid to the unashamedly dubwise . When I first heard the sounds of 2562 aka Dave Huismans and his alter ego A Made Up Sound, I was excited. he’d managed to carve out his own niche, and by the time his debut Aerial LP dropped he’d built up a long list of accolades and received perhaps the greatest compliment – imitators.
One and a half years later and it’s that time again. November 2nd will see the release of his second collection Unbalance. With more than a hint of the detroit disposition of his A Made Up Sound alias, Unbalance promises to be everything you’d expect and quite possibly, a little bit more. We’ll leave the last word to Tectonic head honcho Pinch
‘I’ve worked closely with 2562 over the last few years and I can honestly say that Unbalance is an incredible album – it’s one of the most exciting releases that Tectonic has seen to date – it vastly exceeds the already high standard he set himself with Aerial’
1. Intro
2. Flashback
3. Lost
4. Like A Dream
5. Dinosaur
6. Unbalance
7. Superflight
8. Yes / No
9. Who Are You Fooling?
10. Narita
11. Love In Outer Space
[12. Escape Velocity – digital only]
Electronic or organic? Both have a place and both need each other to survive. Symbiosis. If you’ve heard any of Reggie Dokes‘ output you’ll know he understands this relationship. You’ll know he knows (poly)rhythm, African composition and how to translate soul through machines. Basically, Reggie Dokes is a deep brother. The good news for us is his depth has long been noted. Prime Numbers, Philpot, Third Ear, We Play House, Clone and Planet Harrier have all signed his wares, following in the esteemed footsteps of the Transmat, Sound Signature and Rhythmic Deep labels who came to the party early. His own Psychostasia imprint provided the foundation and continues to broadcast soul transmissions. I wanted to write a feature on Reggie because he embodies precepts that I hold dear. Innovation, depth and knowledge of self….so here it is…
Everything I’ve read about Reginald Dokes points to his father, musician and music teacher Dr Limuel Dokes, as the prime inspiration for his work – the foundation. He bought him his first copy of Martin Circus ($50!) and moved him to train formally on the concert snare and later the drums. So that’s where he got his rhythm from. In his own words…
‘My first inspiration would have to be my father, Dr. Limuel Dokes. His life to me has been truly inspirational. He touched many young people with his gift of music. He was formerly trained. Taught high school stage band, concert band and marching band. As a kid, I remember walking and marching with the drum section as they played on the football fields of various Detroit high schools performing. He taught me how to be a great man, father, lover and creator of good music, R.I.P. Dad.’
Detroit again. I’m sure there’s a portal to some kind of higher artistic dimension in that city. There’s just so much talent, and not just any talent, it’s deep, timeless, raw creation. There’s something so special about Detroit that no matter where artists move out of the city, or for what reasons, a piece of the magic remains with them indefinitely.Reggie is no exception.
‘I was born and raised in Detroit. Although I am in Atlanta now, I will always love my city. There are some hard realities in my lovely city, high unemployment and a lot of vacant buildings. Despite the run down buildings and vacant structures, artistically, I am still able to go within and bring out that creative side to my music. I like to think many things inspire me when it comes to music. My surroundings would certainly be number one on my list.’
Now seems a good time to mention Derrick May. Our awareness of Mr Dokes east of the Atlantic is due in no small part to Reggies’ relationship with the Bellville Three innovator. (The championing of his ‘The Skin I’m In‘ cut by one Theo Parrish didn’t harm either.)
‘Derrick May and I are still great friends to this day. He helped considerably in exposing me to the professional side of DJing. I had a residency in Canada a long with my partner Randall Washington. Thanks to Jerry the Cat, the head DJ at the club, he wanted us to come in and do some different things musically. Derrick would come to the club and hang out, especially if he had some gigs that way. I remember him coming up to the DJ booth. He was very cool. Two weeks later I was hanging out at this late night party off of Woodward, and saw Mr. May. He turned to me and said, “Hey what’s up? I want to help you with your DJ career.” The only thing I could say is, “Thanks.” At the time he had a DJ agency called Point Blank with this guy named John. He exposed me to parties in the states and eventually overseas. It was rough going though because I did not have any records out at the time, so basically Derrick would have me open up for him. It was a great experience but also quite nerve racking. I got over the nervousness eventually and just started having fun with it. Derrick is a great DJ. I have seen a lot of them. I remember we were doing a party in Detroit together and a record scratched while he was playing. He immediately hit the effects button and spun the record backwards. I was like, “oh shit!” No one really even noticed, the vibe was still on point. He did not even sweat it.’
It wasn’t all opening for legendary innovators though. We’ve all got to start somewhere and Reggie’s career began in the basement of his family home, cutting and pasting hot wax from New York and across the water in Europe.
‘I have been a DJ since I was 14. I had a good family friend that had a DJ set up. Naturally I wanted one, because he was mixing records that sounded very unique to me. A lot of them were records from overseas and New York records. DJing back then was such a cool thing to do for a kid. A lot of these records from Yazzoo, Yellow, Beat the Street, Capricorn, I Want it to be Real by John Rocca. These records were so different. The vibe was so amazing to me and intoxicating. My father started to support me in buying these records every week. Finally I got a DJ setup. It was a Realistic mixer with two Technics turntables called SLB 200s I believe. My setup was in the basement of my parents home, and I spent hours mixing and making mixed tapes for my friends at school. Sometimes I would make a mixtape before doing homework. My parents did not like that at all. Then I hooked up with a guy name Greg Freeman who DJed, and we just connected. Another guy joined us name Will Guest, and we formed a group called Audio Sounds. We eventually became this popular DJing crew playing Progressive and House Music at house parties. We progressed from playing house parties to being booked by clubs and various venues. Everybody started wanting our mixtapes and we became like local stars at our high school in Detroit. One memory I have is playing this event in Detroit and all the guys would stand around the table watching how we mixed records and stand by the speakers to hear our blends and transitions. It was quite competitive, but very fun.’
On to Psychostasia. Reggie’s label and home of his early output. Established in 2000/1, Psychostasia has consistently served up the goodness from Reggie’s own lab, not forgetting tracks from associates like Jerry the Cat, JuJu and Jordash and the fruits of collaborations between himself Craig Huckaby and fellow Detroit dweller Pirahnahead under the Napi Headz moniker. The label is still going strong today and has never swerved from it’s original aim of releasing eclectic, innovative, soul drenched productions.
‘It [Psychostasia Recordings] was inspired by my experiences in meeting road blocks with other independent labels. Many of them were giving me the runaround. I got tired. Decided I wanted to start my own thing. Psychostasia Recordings was born. With any label it is always a struggle. I remember sending my records overseas to shops in London for free, just to create a buzz. The fortunate thing is that my artistry came from the inspiring streets of Detroit. Considering Detroit’s history or ties to techno, that helped my label. My vision was to have a label that reflected independence. Meaning a label whose vibe was different or eclectic, soulful and genre bending. In addition, it was my aim to show that you could still put out records that particularly did not have the dancefloor in mind. I have manifested my vision, and I continue to push forward with my music.’
Focussing on this music, there is a strong African thread binding together Reggie’s back catalogue. Imagine Ali Farka Toure and Mustapha Tettey Addy in the studio with Juan Atkins and you’ll be getting close. It’s a real skill to balance those Motherland influences with more Westernized styles and do credit to each of the sources. Reggie has this art on lock.
‘…in that there is an intentional injection of African vibrations on my part when it comes to most of my productions. I make no excuses about that…I can only speak for myself, but I always try to make that connection and recognize the beauty of indigenous African rhythms with my electronic music, whether it be House or Techno. The African history/legacy that is a part of me, I share and send out through my music productions … At the risk of repeating myself, I think any person that creates should put a part of what is important and spiritual in their work. Without hesitation, I will unashamedly articulate that Africa, specifically the music, has influenced the world many times over. My first album was called Afromation. I wanted the world of electronic music to know that I am about Africa. I am about history. I am about peace. I am about love. I am about spirituality. I am about music.’
The Afromation was a truely breathtaking debut long player. Released in 2004, it still sounds as fresh today as when I first pressed play. The same goes for his ‘Rhythmicity EP‘. Reggie cites these as his most cherished works.
‘The productions that I am most proud of would be my first EP on Psychostasia and my first album, “The Afromation.” Like most artists, you always have a special connection with that first piece of work. I remember struggling trying to get that first EP out, and most importantly, creating that minimal track, “Black Thoughts” while my daughter was on my lap. The first album is always significant to the artist, this was a body of work that I presented to the world, representing all that is important to me: sprituality, family, music, genre bending artistry.’
The journey is far from over. With a new long player and Psychostasia reissue programme from in the pipeline, plans for a collaborative album with his brother in music Boddhi Satva and murmurs of a European DJ tour early next year, the master of the deep continues his walk….and long may it last.
Reggie has blessed us with a free download of his ‘Funk Below’ which you can pick up here:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
We like moving pictures too, so I included this trailer for the TechnoMecca which features Reggie discussing the black roots of Techno. And for throwback value, check out Sharon Redd in all her black leather glory in the original video for the awesome ‘Beat The Street’.
Many Thanks to Reggie for his patience and assistance putting this piece together. Our blessings stretch out to you brother…
We’re gradually getting back on top of things in here. Decent content, regular podcasts, we’re loving you the right way. Here’s a selection from the Duke to make you feel nice. He lost his voice half-way through but it’s all good, the music speaks for itself…
Lizzy Mercier Decloux // Hard Boiled Pearson Sounds // WAD Sole Fusion // Bass Tone John Robertson // Blame Reggie Dokes //Walk In Deepness New World Aquarium // Tresspassers Block 16 // Morning Sun (Pepe Bradock Refix) Lightening Heads // Message Beats Nanyo Addo // Wo ba wo ba shue Jimi Tenor & the Kabu Kabu // Fast Legs Silkie // Purple Love Elemental // Braindrops James Blake // Air and Lack Thereof’
Build an Ark Remix (Unknown – Help us out!) Amede & The Soundsmith // Tip Toe ft. Shanazz Dorsett Sa Ra Creative Partners // Soul’s Brother
Those of you that know will know that Titus ‘Baatin’ Glover formerly of Slum Village passed to the next realm on July 31st 2009. Because of all the work to get this site up, I didn’t manage to write a tribute at the time. I was going to leave it and just pay my personal respects but that decision just kept niggling at my conscience.
Baatin, T3, Jay Dee et al literally blew me away when I heard that initial ‘Fantastic‘ ish emanating from magnetic tape. I still reference them now (much to my peoples annoyance) in my quest for finding MCs who understand that the rhyme is all about the rhythm. Clearly Baatin knew this, delivering lazy, yet perfectly timed verses over ridiculous beats with all the rhythmic skill of a master drummer. Known for bringing the spirituality to the Detroit Hip Hop scene, Baatin left SV in 2002 coinciding with his being diagnosed with schizophrenia. As most of you know, this was not the end as he continued to make apperances with the group and actually returned full time to record their upcoming album ‘Villa Manifesto‘ due for release this September.
Although I understand that we all must pass when it’s time, I still moves me greatly to know that a brother who was , and still is such an inspiration to me no longer walks this earth. The reasons for his death remain unknown but there is speculation that he may have suffered complications linked to crack cocaine use. Whatever the reason, he will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all that he touched. Rest In Peace Baatin.
The folks over at Basement Sessions put together a sweet mix of classic Slum material and juicy collabs featuring Baatin. Download it here
Lastly, here’s a reminder of why we loved and continue to love SV….
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