Haul of Records

Bob Marley

You can't choose what inspires you.

I saw the most interesting thing one Sunday afternoon while I was in the metro (subway) station. There was a man singing Bob Marley's One Love, asking for change. While I was sitting and waiting for the train, two young men and two young girls approached the nearby area. The girls looked to be the daughters of the young men. The young guys were talking and the two girls were entertaining themselves. I caught sight of one of the young girls mouthing, lip synching to borderline singing the lyrics of the song. She sang to her friend who may not have known the lyrics as well as her. They grabbed hands and danced a little around their fathers' legs. Mini-Britney saw me looking and stopped cold. I turned away and saw her picking up where she left off. I had seen enough for it to have inspired me to write.

For the young girl to know the lyrics to any Bob Marley song must mean she had already been exposed to his music on numerous occasions for it to have stuck in her mind.

When I was roughly the girls' age, I used to see reggae as old people's music and wanted no part of it. They weren't Michael Jackson, Lionel RIchie, Prince or Duran Duran for that matter. Reggae was for old people and therefore just not cool.

Bob Marley's music used to be played on Sunday afternoons in my house. My mother would ask to use my Toshiba boombox to play a tape of Bob Marley tracks. Not knowing any better, being possessive of my boombox, pseudo serving as program director for the house and just being a boy, I would put up resistance until she finally made me relinquish the boombox for her use.

It took years for me to realize how musically vital Bob Marley is. When I was old enough to buy music for myself, I made sure to get the Songs of Freedom collection to take in more of his tunes.

I would not put up any form of resistance if someone wanted to play Bob Marley now. I'm thankful to have been introduced to his music at a young age. I may not have been as receptive, appreciative or expressive as Lil' Britney, but it proves one thing. The timeless and positive vibes of Marley's music transcends generations, culture, race, gender and age.

In parting, this is to me a visual that is almost as beautiful as the ballad itself. This is footage of the band, as I know them, performing in unison prior to their parting ways.

Ironically or not, while doing some shopping, I stumbled upon a CD copy of Natural Mystic. It's a collection of his songs along with a few rarities. I'm pretty sure I have already the CD but because there was a sale going on that day, I decided to pick it up on the strength of it being more Bob Marley that I can listen to right away.

Happy heavenly birthday to Bob Marley. Rest in Peace.

Donald Byrd

I have played a good amount of The Blackbyrds music during the years of hosting a radio show. In a discussion with a local DJ at the Puces Pop Record Fair, I told him that he would have to get all of The Blackbyrds albums. That is after all what happened to me. I refer to the albums Donald Byrd produced for the group as essential.

The late Guru from Gang Starr is responsible for me knowing Donald Byrd’s name as early as I did. Their 1993 single Loungin’ is still widely believed to be the most popular single from the Jazzmatazz album. It would take me years to learn that Donald Byrd gave Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth their Places & Spaces for The Main Ingredient. One of Black Moon’s best remixes owes a lot to Donald Byrd as well. I could be found playing the game of dominoes at the time but didn’t know it was Byrd who recorded the song with the same title.

In the later 90s and early 2000s, I was exploring the origins of the hip hop music I loved. Like many friends and peers, I was curious to know who recorded what, where and when. I had already started checking out jazz music by that time but it was the traditional sounds of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Thelonious Monk and George Benson.

As much as I was absorbing James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone and George Clinton’s music, Donald Byrd’s music was my introduction to jazz-funk. I noticed that Donald Byrd’s name was connected to The Blackbyrds albums I was going wild for. In doing my research, I learned Byrd had recorded music as part of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers before releasing solo albums in the 60s and 70s. That was how I was first aware of albums like Street Lady and Caricatures.

As stated in The Blackbyrds post, I learned about the monetary value associated with albums sampled by hip hop artists in the late 90s and early 2000s. My music purchasing decisions were ruled by the CD format and budgetary constraints. Even if I wanted to at the time, I would not have been able to own all of those important Donald Byrd and Blackbyrds albums.

I made do with The Best of Donald Byrd CD which had the essentials in one place for basically the price I could have paid to own one of his albums.

In retrospect, it appears that Donald Byrd would have at least two more chances for his music to be revisited due to hip hop culture. Tone Loc’s 1989 album cover was heavily inspired by an early Donald Byrd Blue Note album. A compilation album of Blue Note jazz classic remixes picked up where Loc left off. Madlib in particular loved Steppin’ Into Tomorrow.

Lastly, the late J Dilla thought about Think Twice enough to add his spin to the tune.

Jazz legend Donald Byrd died in February 2013.

Brand Nubian

I am not usually happy to hear of my favorite groups or acts breaking up. I felt my chances of the group members making musical magic again would be less than likely. Between 1991 and 1995, I was subjected to heartaches galore as I watched Main Source, EPMD, 3rd Bass, Leaders of the New School, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth and The Beatnuts part ways.

The best thing that resulted from the Brand Nubian split was that there were numerous albums, remixes and guest appearances until the Foundation reunion. Whether it was Sadat X adding flavor to a track or his own solo album, Grand Puba doing what he did best or discovering Lord Jamar’s productions, I was at least able to follow what the Brand Nubian members were doing post-breakup.

I remember being slightly surprised at the darker turn Sadat X and Lord Jamar took on In God We Trust. Regardless, they were my boys and I bopped to that cassette on most days.

After 1996, my interest in hip hop faded and I didn’t get to listen to Foundation like I normally would have. I did like Don't Let It Go to Your Head a great deal.

If I didn’t know Foundation, I didn’t know their Fire In The Hole or Time's Runnin' Out albums either.

What I do know is that Brand Nubian, solo members or as a group, is responsible for many classic hip hop records and I thank them for providing the soundtrack to my teens.

Rick James - Come Get It (1978)

From 1978 to 1980, Rick James rode the wave of success.

I was in Toronto on the eve of the Sam the Record Man store closing and left behind the Come Get It CD on the shelf.

I already had the vinyl at home and was only quite familiar with the biggest tunes on the record.

Upon my return to Montreal and further listens of Come Get It, I realize I should have bought the CD that day.

I most likely will one day.  Mary Jane is one of my top 3 favorite funk breaks of all time.

Rick James - Street Songs

After nearly 5 years of successful records, Rick James had to comeback with Street Songs, his discography's equivalent of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On.

The iconic Super Freak, Give it to Me Baby, Ghetto Life and Fire & Desire can be found there.

Rick James - Throwin' Down

I learned about Throwin' Down much later.

I remember the Super Freak's 1981 success then followed with Cold Blooded in 1983.

As I type, I realize what could account for my Rick James 1982 void.

Thriller, the album that built my pop music consciousness, dropped in 1982 so no matter what Rick was throwing down would have to beat it.

Rick James - Cold Blooded (1983)

Cold Blooded would be one of the first Rick James records I would seek when I started collecting vinyl.

The song is funky as hell.

I remember Rick James' early 1980s era vividly. I remember Super Freak playing on the radio but it would take 1983s Cold Blooded for me to really connect with Rick.

The ballad Ebony Eyes would have registered with me more if I were older at the time of its release but I did remember being amazed Smokey Robinson would team with the reckless Rick James. Regardless of what I thought about either of them, they were label mates on Motown Records.

Sanford and Son

I grew up hearing about a foul-mouthed, elderly comedian named Redd Foxx and that I was to stay away from him.

Much later in life and with no parental supervision, I decided to allow myself to watch a rerun of Sanford & Son and learned how funny he was.

I will never forget the episode where Fred Sanford walks into his living room to see a goat. His reaction to the goat was priceless comedy. When they said a show was filmed in front of a live studio audience, they meant it. The audience reaction to Fred’s upcoming reaction made the moment that much more memorable.

Redd Foxx also did impressions which were also uncanny. There was an episode where he imitated Bogart and it was hilarious.

I was pleased to learn that Redd Foxx received a Golden Globe award for his work on Sanford & Son. The sitcom is one of the most consistently funniest I’ve ever seen, even during the period when Foxx was not in some episodes, and I believe one of the funniest in television history.

I want to take this time to say thank you and rest in peace to Demond Wilson for his work on the show. One of the Sanford & Son moments that I remember with Wilson to this day is the episode when he rehearses a scene from Othello. For all of the Sanford & Son shows I’ve seen, I marveled at what it must have been like to have Redd Foxx to act opposite of. Wilson’s book must be rich with stories and Foxx facts that could shed a lot of light on the historic television show.

Do yourself a favor and watch any and every Sanford & Son you can.

Maestro Fresh-Wes

If Michie Mee is the queen of Canadian hip hop, the title of king could only go to Maestro Fresh-Wes.

The achievements they attained early in their careers and history of Canadian hip hop make them royalty.

Symphony In Effect, the album holding Let Your Backbone Slide as well as Drop The Needle among others, was the first Canadian hip hop album I ever heard, bought and owned.

Legendary producer K-Cut produced The Black Tie Affair. Blazing tracks like The Maestro Zone, Poetry is Black and title song made their way onto my radio show playlists upon my return to Concordia University's radio station in 2006.

Maestro's 1993 Naaah, Dis Kid Can't Be From Canada?!! CD has escaped me for whatever reasons. I remember Fine Tune Da Mic but never heard the album in its entirety and it never crossed my music-buying path. Diggin' In The Crates' Showbiz was at the helm, making it all the more alluring for me to want to hear but it has yet to happen.

Ever Since & Built To Last did cross my path and are in my tender care among my other musical possessions.

It has been thrilling to catch a Maestro verse from time to time on the odd posse cut. A particular favorite is Classified's Quit While You're Ahead from the Self-Explanatory album.

The Maestro visited the Scène Bell stage for the Montreal Jazzfest.

Maestro wrote a book and I have been interested in reading it. That too has not yet crossed my path but with a little luck like McCartney, the 1993 CD and his autobiography will be mine around the same time. Until then, I have many Maestro discs and tracks to hold me down.

I thank him for his contributions to Canadian hip hop history.

I learned that Maestro Fresh-Wes will be getting her own stamp along with fellow Canadian hip hop icon Michie Mee

Here's some footage from my historic 2013 Under Pressure DJ set where I have fun with classics from Maestro Fresh-Wes & Public Enemy.

Below is a playlist of my former Suite Delight radio show and link to an archived episode to bring you up to speed as to what I was doing years ago.

Click here to listen.

The Suite Delight - March 11, 2014 Playlist:

1. The Roots - Proceed III feat. Bahamadia
2. Maestro - Stick To Your Vision
3. Classified - Quit While You're Ahead
4. Marco Polo - Back to Work feat. Artifacts
5. Moka Only - The Taste
6. DJ Format - The Place feat. Chali 2Na & Akil
7. Miles Jones - Coast to Coast feat. Kae Sun
8. Poor Righteous Teachers - Easy Star
9. Das Efx - Kaught In Da AK (Remix)
10. Zion I - We Got It
11. Dujeous - All M.C.'s
12. Substantial - That Damn Good
13. DL Incognito - The Masses

Michie Mee

If the term legend ever was deserved and applied to an MC, it would be fitting for Michie Mee.

She is the first Canadian MC to make an impact in the United States before Drake, Kardinal Offishall or even Maestro Fresh-Wes.

The Basement Flavor compilation released on First Priority Music featured two of the pioneer’s singles. I was in high school when the On This Mic/Victory is Calling 12” single was circulating and sought-after by the DJs and collectors of the day. Either song could wreck a party. With the co-sign of lady label mate MC Lyte at the beginning of Victory is Calling, Michie Mee and Canada were indeed victorious.

Like Backbone and Drop the Needle, Michie Mee’s singles destroyed high school dance floors and parties. At that time, those songs and artists being Canadian were after-thoughts. Now, they are at the forefront of our minds.

It was almost yesterday that Michie Mee was inducted into the Stylus DJ Awards Hall of Fame. Not too long ago, I learned that Michie Mee will be getting her own stamp along with fellow Canadian hip hop icon Maestro Fresh-Wes.

Congratulations again to Michie Mee for yet another crowning career achievement.

Hip Hop Homeroom Facebook Page

This was originally posted on February 7, 2020.

I had stated that if you hadn't done so already, feel free to like Hip Hop Homeroom Facebook page that no longer exists to keep up to date with the latest blog posts.

As of January 2026, I have started blogging again but there is no Facebook page.

Salt-N-Pepa

Salt & Pepa are the female equivalents of Run DMC in more ways than one.

They patterned themselves after Run DMC and managed to achieve their own level of success akin to that of the Hollis trio.

Hot, Cool & Vicious is not only the female version of Raising Hell but in the Top 10 of hip hop albums most responsible for shaping my hip hop education and expectations.

They are the first ladies of hip hop to me because I had not heard or seen females on the mic until them.

I remember being in New York in 1986-7 and watching the Tramp video for the first time.

The Hot, Cool & Vicious liner notes informed me Salt's birthday was very close to my own and that made her my favourite when I laid my pre-teen eyes on her. Regardless of astrology, the trio have a place in my heart and record collection.

Salt-N-Pepa members Cheryl "Salt" James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and DJ Spinderella were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November 2025, receiving the Musical Influence Award.

DJ Solespin Guest DJ set on CHOQ-FM's Mutations

It was an honor to join the ranks of some of my fellow Montreal DJ peers and friends by spinning three guest sets on Paul Charpentier's Mutations weekly program.

I cooked up something pretty special again for the occasion once again. Paul gave me an idea of a theme. See if you can figure it out.....

Follow the link below to download my archived Mutations podcast.

DJ Solespin - Mutations (September 2024)

Billy Stewart - Summertime - GRT
Dutch Rhythm Steel and Show Band - Funky Stuff - Le Smoke Disque
Eddie Floyd - Big Bird - Stax
Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now - CBS
Grace Jones - La Vie En Rose - Quality
Jim Capaldi - It's All Right - Island
James Brown - People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul - Polydor
Parliament - Up For The Down Stroke - Casablanca
Talking Heads - Burning Down The House - Sire
Cameo - Keep It Hot - Chocolate City
Peter Tosh - Glasshouse - EMI
Carly Simon - Why - Mirage
Rufus & Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody - Polydor
Zhané - Groove Thang - Motown
Mos Def - Sunshine - Geffen

DJ Solespin (The Suite Delight) - Mutations (July 2015)

1. Donald Byrd - Change (Makes You Want To Hustle) - United Artists Records
2. The Salsoul Orchestra - Getaway - Salsoul Records
3. Jimmy "Bo" Horne - I Wanna Go Home With You - T.K. Records
4. L.T.D. - (Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again - A&M
5. Stuff - As - Warner Brothers
6. Gaz - Sing Sing - Salsoul Records
7. T-Connection - Do What You Wanna Do – RCA
8. Johnny Guitar Watson - I Need It (React)
9. Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes/Dimitri From Paris - Don't Leave Me This Way - Virgin Music Canada
10. Chicago - Streetplayer - Columbia
11. Betty Wright - Where Is The Love - T.K. Records
12. Herbie Hancock - I Thought It Was You - Columbia

DJ Solespin (The Suite Delight) - Mutations (January 2015)

1. Madlib - Stormy - Blue Note
2. The Pharcyde - Passin' Me By (Brixton Flavour) - Traffic
3. Too Short - Life Is...Too Short - Jive
4. Rick James - Mary Jane - Gordy
5. Thievery Corporation - Until The Morning (Rewound By Thievery Corporation) - ESL
6. Material - Let Me Have It All - Elektra
7. Lindstrøm & Christabelle - Lovesick - Smalltown Supersound
8. Dâm-Funk - Hood Pass Intact - Stones Throw
9. One Way - Cutie Pie - MCA
10. Cameo - Keep It Hot - Chocolate City
11. Kiddo - Try My Loving - A&M
12. The Brothers Johnson - I'll Be Good To You - A&M

Listen to the live Mutations broadcast Sundays from 5pm-6pm EST on CHOQ-FM.