Haul of Records

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.

They lightened their tone a little on 1994’s Everything is Everything. The duo are in especially fine form on Word is Bond.

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.

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.

They lightened their tone a little on 1994’s Everything is Everything. The duo are in especially fine form on Word is Bond.

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.

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.

Etta James

I've heard that my being an Aries gives me something of a predisposition to rooting for the underdog.

Before Etta James died, I felt the same way about her like I do most artists who are not as revered to my liking.

In the late 90s/early 2000s, I stepped away from hip hop to explore the roots of rap music. Similar to my discovering and learning acts like Jimmy Castor Bunch, I got more familiar with Atlantic, Stax/Volt, Invictus and Motown music.

I was fortunate to have found a lot of music back then and The Essential Etta James was among my finds. The 2CD compilation presents her biggest songs from the early 60s to early 70s.

The interesting thing about the collection is that it presents two distinct sides of her career at that time. Disc 1 shows her following in the footsteps of Dinah Washington with At Last at the peak of her powers. Disc 2 presents the more entertaining Etta for me.

My research into Etta James' life revealed her battles with drug abuse rival those of rock icon Janis Joplin. Joplin's legend was further cemented by her death. James was recording at that time but I believe was again overshadowed by another of her vocal contemporaries.

I thank rapper Def Jef for making me first aware of Etta James by having her sing on his Dropping Rhymes on Drums. In 1989, I saw her in the video belting her vocals but had no concept of her career. It would take my getting my hands on that 2CD compilation to bring it all home.

Although the feud didn't make James look too good in the media, in retrospect, I understand how and why the Beyonce/Etta James feud came about. At Last is Etta James' signature song and, metaphorically speaking, swan song as well. In an ideal world, the only person that should have sang the song for the Obamas would have been Etta James.

In a strange twist of fate, the fracas helped bring Etta James to prominence. Not too long afterwards, the Flo Rida single Good Feeling would employ her vocals as sample for a modern-day dancefloor anthem.

Near the end of Diplo's Igloofest set, he played Etta James' original Something's Got A Hold On Me. When I heard her larger-than-life vocals blaring over the speakers days after her death, I was flooded with nostalgia.

Etta James was born and died in the month of January.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah

When I learned of the DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah music, I wanted to treat it like fine wine. I didn’t want to over play it or burn out of it too quickly. I wanted to savor the songs, if possible, and enjoy the experience.

While filling in for the show following my Suite Delight, I decided to sprinkle some DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah onto the playlist. I chose Make It Last and near the middle of the song, the phone rang in the radio station DJ booth.

A listener from North Carolina called in asking me what I was playing. He thanked me for telling him, I thanked him for listening and calling in to the show and gave him a shout out during my talk spot.

I believe that the caller and I are not the only ones asking when DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah will be back for more. Hopefully we don’t have too much longer until we get our answer.

Check out the DJ Jazzy Jeff installment of the Crate Diggers documentary series.

Below are a few Suite Delight playlists to bring you up to speed. Click here to download episodes.

The Suite Delight - 2014-07-15 by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

The Suite Delight - 2014-07-15 Playlist:

1. EPMD - Strictly Business (Club Mix)
2. LL Cool J - The Boomin' System
3. Saukrates - Money or Love
4. Pharoahe Monch - Behind Closed Doors
5. The Pharcyde - Y? (Remix)
6. Boogie Down Productions - Stop The Violence
7. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime (Extended Bass Mix)
8. World Renown - Come Take A Ride
9. Xzibit - Paparazzi
10. Special Ed - Neva Go Back
11. Jigmastas - Iz U Dee
12. Black Star - Respiration (Flying High Radio Mix)
13. Slick Rick - Mistakes Of A Woman In Love With Other Men
14. Whodini - Five Minutes of Funk

The Suite Delight - 2014-02-25 by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

The Suite Delight - February 25, 2014 Playlist:

Ken Boothe - Moving Away

Aretha Franklin - Think

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - We Get Around

Quantic & Nickodemus - Mi Swing Es Tropical

DJ Center - In A Song (DJ Eleven Remix)

Second Sky - Under The Line

The Impressions - We're A Winner

Tall Black Guy - What's Good (James Brown I Feel Good Flip Up)

Resonators - Gold Dub

Sarah MK - Think Dat

Maylee Todd & Circle Research - Hooked

Charles Bradley - Heart of Gold

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Inspiration Information

Feist - Inside & Out

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah - Make It Last

Lizz Wright - Old Man

Top 10 David Bowie Songs

I’m a bigger David Bowie fan than I thought.

As a teen, I discovered he had been around long before he was commanding us to dance. I learned of his 1970s work and couldn’t understand why he wore red hair and make-up. He surely didn’t look like that in 1983! The term chameleon comes to mind.

From Time Will Crawl to Tin Machine, I did what I could to follow his post-1983 music but would later get side-tracked by a decade-long relationship with hip hop music. It would take my branching out from hip hop music towards other genres for me to re-introduce myself to Bowie.

I’m an admirer of Bowie as an innovator where music is concerned. The list represents my current knowledge of his music at this time. The sheer fact the three Let’s Dance singles appear on this list tells you where I basically start and end with Bowie’s discography until I get more familiar.

Top 10 David Bowie Songs:

1) Fame
2) Modern Love
3) Golden Years
4) Let’s Dance
5) Fashion
6) Rebel Rebel
7) Young Americans
8) Heroes
9) Let’s Spend the Night Together
10) Cat People (Putting Out Fire)