Duck Down Records

I should have made it clear that I'm not moved much by present-day hip hop and revisit the glory days at any opportunity. 

I didn’t realize how much I loved and missed Duck Down until I saw them all on stage in front of me at Le Poisson Rouge for the Duck Down vs Blacksmith Showdown a few years ago.

I may have shed a tear at Roc Raida's memorial but watching Buckshot perform Black Moon classics moistened my eyes.

Buckshot was on stage with such conviction and experience that the word legend kept running through my mind.

Sean Price is one of the few MCs that I look forward to hearing from these days. He tore up Montreal when he performed at the Cabaret du Mile-End and I was hoping to get more of that Montreal madness when he took the stage that CMJ night. Thankfully I have that Montreal night to refer to. I was good to see him again regardless.

It was also good to see Rock, Smif-N-Wessun and OGC all on stage together.



















Evil Dee held down the turntables and could have stolen the night in his own right. The night was Duck Down's as time would later prove. 

Duck Down should have closed the night rather than happen in the middle of the night. I'm happy it did because it gave me my hip hop fix for the night and for the week as far as live shows were concerned. 




















My videos aren't the best so below's how it should be done, courtesy of Duck Down.

Ancient Astronauts

Into Bass & Time was the last album I charted at #1 before my reign as Concordia University's radio station RPM Director ended.



Ancient Astronauts is another name I learned since my return to the radio station nearly 6 years ago.

My moving to CKUT 90.3FM this year will not stop me from playing their music on The Suite Delight as future playlists will prove.

Check out the sounds of the Switchstance Recordings Remixed album.

The KLF

Not too long ago, I was presented with music from the group The KLF.

The song No More Tears was playing in a record store and I went over to the turntables to learn who it was. When I found it was by The KLF, I was somewhat taken back.




The only song I know and barely remember from the group is Justified & Ancient.

It was the biggest song from their album The White Room and possibly stands as the group’s signature single.



No More Tears is a great composition and I wish I had learned of it sooner. I possibly would have picked up a copy of the album when presented with the chance.

The KLF have the chance to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

The Suite Delight Request Line is Now Open!

The Suite Delight Request Line is now open!

I have entered my Suite Delight radio show in The International Radio Festival (IRF) Best USA/Canada College Radio Jockey Competition.

The contest ends July 10 so the next few Suite Delight playlists leading up to the contest deadline will be as especially special as possible outside of my birthday or radio show anniversary episodes.

I’m opening the show up for requests now especially during the competition. Feel free to leave requests for artists/songs/both at The Suite Delight Facebook page. Have your people do the same.

It goes without saying that you are cordially invited to listen, like, favorite, share, retweet the next few Suite Delight IRF Search for the Best US/Canada College Radio Jockey episodes with your friends, family, neighbors and enemies until July 10.

If The Suite Delight show wins or even gets some honorable mention, we’ll party up like Prince!

Thanks for your help and support!

IRF Search for the Best US/Canada College Radio Jockey by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

Playlist:

1. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey - Minsato Le, Mi Deyihome
2. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey - Gbeti Madjro
3. Sly & The Family Stone - M'Lady
4. Booker T & The MG's - Lady Madonna
5. Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose - Too Late To Turn Back Now
6. The Bamboos - Where Does the Time Go? (feat. Aloe Blacc)
7. Diana Brown & Barrie K Sharpe - The Masterplan
8. Dave Hollister - One Woman Man(Remix) feat. Redman
9. Kamau - Brainstorming
10. Michie Mee & LA Luv - On This Mic
11. X-Ecutioners - The Truth feat. Fat Joe & Aasim
12. Outkast - Aquemini
13. Run-DMC - Jam Master Jammin'

IRF Search for the Best US/Canada College Radio Jockey 2 by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

Playlist:

1. Maylee Todd - Hieroglyphics (Tall Black Guy Remix)
2. Citizen Sound meets Ammoye - Trouble (Rise Ashen Club Remix)
3. Beverley Knight - Rewind It (Erick Sermon Remix)
4. Nickodemus - Desert Dancer
5. Joy Jones - Beautiful
6. Michael Jackson - We're Almost There (DJ Spinna Mix)
7. Classified - 5th Element
8. Redman - Down South Funk
9. Substantial - See Hear ft. Steph The Sapphic Songstress
10. Talib Kweli - Push Thru ft. Kendrick Lamar & Curren$y (Marco Polo Remix)
11. Oh No - Black (feat. Wise Intelligent)
12. DJ Cosm - No Reason (feat. Prince Po & Ghettosocks)
13. Grand Puba - That's How We Move It (Remix)

The Suite Delight on Mixcloud (June 11, 2013)

I have finally joined Mixcloud!

I've been wanting to do so for at least a year but felt it was not the right time. Time has come today like The Chambers Brothers sang so many years ago.

I have entered my Suite Delight radio show in The International Radio Festival (IRF) Best USA/Canada College Radio Jockey Competition.

The winner wins a trip to Zurich, Switzerland to present their show at the 2013 IRF.

The contest ends July 10 so the next few Suite Delight playlists leading up to the contest deadline will be as especially special as possible. 

If you like this mix, check out the June 4 episode.

It goes without saying that you are cordially invited to follow/subscribe to me there as well.
Feel free to share this with your friends, family, neighbors and enemies.

IRF Search for the Best US/Canada College Radio Jockey 2 by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

Playlist:

1. Maylee Todd - Hieroglyphics (Tall Black Guy Remix)
2. Citizen Sound meets Ammoye - Trouble (Rise Ashen Club Remix)
3. Beverley Knight - Rewind It (Erick Sermon Remix)
4. Nickodemus - Desert Dancer
5. Joy Jones - Beautiful
6. Michael Jackson - We're Almost There (DJ Spinna Mix)
7. Classified - 5th Element
8. Redman - Down South Funk
9. Substantial - See Hear ft. Steph The Sapphic Songstress
10. Talib Kweli - Push Thru ft. Kendrick Lamar & Curren$y (Marco Polo Remix)
11. Oh No - Black (feat. Wise Intelligent)
12. DJ Cosm - No Reason (feat. Prince Po & Ghettosocks)
13. Grand Puba - That's How We Move It (Remix)

The Suite Delight on Mixcloud (June 4, 2013)

I have entered my Suite Delight radio show in The International Radio Festival (IRF) Best USA/Canada College Radio Jockey Competition.

The winner wins a trip to Zurich, Switzerland to present their show at the 2013 IRF.

The contest ends July 10 so the next few Suite Delight playlists leading up to the contest deadline will be as especially special as possible. 

Feel free to share this with your friends, family, neighbors and enemies.

IRF Search for the Best US/Canada College Radio Jockey by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

Playlist:

1. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey - Minsato Le, Mi Deyihome
2. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou Dahomey - Gbeti Madjro
3. Sly & The Family Stone - M'Lady
4. Booker T & The MG's - Lady Madonna
5. Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose - Too Late To Turn Back Now
6. The Bamboos - Where Does the Time Go? (feat. Aloe Blacc)
7. Diana Brown & Barrie K Sharpe - The Masterplan
8. Dave Hollister - One Woman Man(Remix) feat. Redman
9. Kamau - Brainstorming
10. Michie Mee & LA Luv - On This Mic
11. X-Ecutioners - The Truth feat. Fat Joe & Aasim
12. Outkast - Aquemini
13. Run-DMC - Jam Master Jammin'

I have finally joined Mixcloud!

I've been wanting to do so for at least a year but felt it was not the right time. Time has come today like The Chambers Brothers sang so many years ago.

It goes without saying that you are cordially invited to follow/subscribe to me there as well.

Substantial

I discovered Substantial a few years ago when I saw his name on a 12” single posse cut. When I heard he released a full-length CD, I was very intrigued. After hearing the first few tracks of Sacrifice, I discovered he was perhaps a bit more talented than I thought. He has a track named That Damn Good and I am inclined to agree.

The CD begins with Let It Go, a brief but potent example of lyricism where Substantial rhymes for nearly three minutes with no chorus, hook or pause. After that display, I realized that Substantial has the skill and lyrics to deliver on any track.

Chain Reaction could have been one of the best songs on the CD. He is in fine form on Resurrection of the House Party.



Midway through the CD, Substantial gets sentimental and shows other sides of his personality and abilities. Up to three tracks pay tribute to hip-hop itself as he presents his view on the current state of the art form. If he had to resurrect the house party earlier on the album, he gets the chance to express more of his reflections on times past.



Midway through the CD, Substantial gets sentimental and shows other sides of his personality and abilities. Up to three tracks pay tribute to hip-hop itself as he presents his view on the current state of the art form. If he had to resurrect the house party earlier on the album, he gets the chance to express more of his reflections on times past.

Aceyalone's Greatest Show on Earth flow came to mind when I heard My Favorite Things. Substantial delivers his rhymes in the melody of the John Coltrane jazz standard and song Julie Andrews made famous in The Sound Of Music. The jazz influenced ode to hip-hop is still an interesting listen.


After multiple listens, I learned to appreciate what Substantial has done with Sacrifice. It is a very good effort in this age of disposable music. It is good to hear music with substance.

Just as I was thrilled to learn of his 2008 album, I discovered there was a new album called Home Is Where The Art Is.  

I have entered my Suite Delight radio show in The International Radio Festival (IRF) Best USA/Canada College Radio Jockey Competition.

The winner wins a trip to Zurich, Switzerland to present their show at the 2013 IRF.

The contest ends July 10 so the next few Suite Delight playlists leading up to the contest deadline will be as especially special as possible.

If you like this mix, check out the June 4 episode.

It goes without saying that you are cordially invited to follow/subscribe to me there as well.
Feel free to share this with your friends, family, neighbors and enemies.

IRF Search for the Best US/Canada College Radio Jockey 2 by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

Playlist:

1. Hieroglyphics - Maylee Todd (Tall Black Guy Remix)
2. Citizen Sound meets Ammoye - Trouble - (Rise Ashen Club Remix)
3. Beverley Knight - Rewind it (Erick Sermon Remix)
4. Nickodemus - Desert Dancer
5. Joy Jones - Beautiful
6. Michael Jackson - We're Almost There (DJ Spinna Mix) (DJ Spinna Mix)
7. Classified - 5th Element
8. Redman - Down South Funk
9. Substantial - See Hear ft. Steph The Sapphic Songstress
10. Talib Kweli - Push Thru ft. Kendrick Lamar & Curren$y (Marco Polo Remix)
11. Oh No - Black (feat. Wise Intelligent)
12. DJ Cosm - No Reason (feat. Prince Po & Ghettosocks)
13. Grand Puba - That's How We Move It (Remix)

Santigold

I missed Santigold's previous Montreal performances and did not want to miss the show at Metropolis. In retrospect, I really must not have wanted to miss it because I was at the venue nearly an hour before show time. The goal was to be there early enough to catch the show and to buy Santigold music in the lobby. 

I ran into a former classmate who I had run into previously at another concert. He said what most have said about Santigold. He said that her debut was one of the best releases of its release year and named individual tracks he was anticipating to hear live.



My former classmate and I were not the only ones eagerly awaiting Santigold's appearance on stage. The crowd nearly went into a frenzy upon seeing her. Her attire was reminiscent of late 1980s Golden Era Hip Hop. It was as if she were bringing the essence of Salt-N-Pepa, MC Lyte and Roxanne Shante to the present day or at least paying tribute to them.

On the subject of songs waiting for to be performed, Anne was on the short list of what I burned and yearned to hear. Amazingly, the live performance was as chilling as the recorded version. That made me realize how and why she packed Metropolis that night. Say Aha made everyone go wild! L.E.S. Artistes was my introduction to her music and was nice to experience live.

The song I waited for the most was Shove It. When I heard the song for the first time, it solidified my interest and respect for Santigold for many reasons. The production of the song is incredible and the vocal delivery is spellbinding.

No wonder I was waiting for her follow-up, Master of My Make-Believe, as much as I did.

Montreal Black Fashion Week 2013

I got word of Montreal’s first Black Fashion Week event days prior to the press conference and fashion shows.  

I figured that if I were to attend a fashion show that it should be one on my home turf. 

I was able to attend the press conference, the pre-party at Blueprint Lounge and the first night fashion show.

Both the press conference and fashion shows took place in Plateau churches.  The latter church was considerably large and packed with people.  The best seats were near the runway but I made do with wherever I could take a few photos. 

I would have loved to have checked out the second night but scheduling didn’t permit.  

Unfortunately, the camera containing photos taken during the first night fashion show is missing.

I managed to salvage these photos from the Montreal’s Black Fashion Week press conference.

For more information and pics of the Montreal Black Fashion Week, visit the event and Carifique websites.  

The XX

The Matthew Dear remix of VCR by The XX is the best song I've heard from the group.

The XX were as popular as Phoenix when I became Concordia University radio station RPM Director and I was curious to catch one of their Montreal shows.

I only knew Matthew Dear because of the 2010 release Black City.

Curiosity made me explore his other work and I discovered his wonderful VCR remix.



During an Aux 33 Tours record sale, my DJ friend and I were in agreement the remix was nuts and even inquired about whether or not it was pressed to vinyl.

Thankfully we can hear the remix anytime we want, as should you.