Rocket Robin Hood

I haven’t seen or thought of Rocket Robin Hood since I was about 5 or 6 years old. My gentle reminder was presented to me during a casual browse through Archambault one day. I couldn’t believe the cartoon series I used to watch as a boy was in my hands as a man.

The nostalgia of watching the show washed over me and my immediate memory was of Friar Tuck taking one bite of each food item in front of him and tossing it behind his back.



I saw the DVDs at Future Shop but the price was just as out of this world as Rocket Robin Hood's adventures. One of my favorite downtown depots had the second season for a very reasonable price and I couldn't leave it behind.



While preparing this post, I just discovered Rocket Robin Hood was a Canadian cartoon from the mid-1960s. It gives me a warm feeling inside knowing that this program was not only made for us but by us as well.

The Modern Jazz Quartet

If it weren't for Take Five by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, The Golden Striker would have been  my favorite jazz composition.

I have a strong respect and interest for Milt Jackson as well as groups of musicians consisting of at least four members. 

For what it’s worth, The Modern Jazz Quartet is like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks or The Who of jazz music to me.

I didn’t care about the xylophone as an instrument until Milt Jackson.   

Scarface - Mr. Scarface Is Back

My personal favorite of his albums is Mr. Scarface is Back.

Although I was exposed to the gritty gangsta rap of the West Coast, The Geto Boys were slightly more raw for my taste.

It would have been easy for me to dismiss the trio altogether but after some strong urging from a good high school friend, I braced myself for a listening of Scarface's solo debut.



For whatever reason, I took to the Scarface solo release more than any Geto Boys album.

It was because of Scarface that I allowed myself to listen and like Bushwick Bill's Little Big Man, the Geto Boys album with Big Mike and Big Mike's 1994 solo release.

The Three Degrees

Something about The Three Degrees made their 1973 When Will I See You Again album my prime target.

The beauty of the three members, provocative poses and of course vintage soul called to me and forced me to go on a quest. I would want to gaze at them and hear their voices whenever I’d want. That meant I would have to retrieve copies of Three Degrees albums and as quickly as possible. I’ve had chances to own Three Degrees albums in the past but nothing happens before its time.

By the time I arrived in New York a few years ago, I had The Three Degrees on my mind. I found the album with When Will I See You Again twice at a collectible record store. In other words, it was a store filled with expensive records. Both copies were more expensive than I was comfortable with and their conditions weren’t justifying the price tag either. I asked the store owner to put aside the best copy of the two aside until I was basically willing to pay the price.

That record was on my mind for most of my time in New York. All the while I was debating with myself if the album was worth the price. I went looking for it at other record stores to see if he was on par or making me part with more of my money than necessary.

I planned to go the WFMU Record Fair and within the first hour, I found the 1973 Three Degrees album for nearly half of what the man was asking. I bought it immediately.

In an incredible twist of fate, I found the album at least two more times at the Fair and their prices were all within reason. If I had succumbed to impulse and bought the album from the first man, I would have had up to three reasons to kick myself.

Since my triumphant return to Montreal with the Three Degrees album as trophy, I found another copy of International (1975), Standing Up for Love (1977), the Moroder-produced New Dimensions (1978) and a copy of 3D (1980). Time will tell if/when I’ll get the Live release. For now, I’m just happy I managed to sweep up so much of the Three Degrees discography in such a short period of time. Thankfully Montreal is a great city for record collecting because I wouldn’t be so content otherwise.



Did I will myself to find that 1973 album or did the 1973 album call to me from New York? I’ll never know but what I do know is my admiration for Sheila Ferguson’s beauty and talent is undying and I now have more opportunities to experience them. Rest assured I’ll be adding them to my Suite Delight playlists in the near future.

Peanut Butter Wolf

I owe a debt of gratitude to the friends that forced me to listen to Stones Throw products.

It is now is one of my favorite record labels and I have a lot of respect for their artists.

Stones Throw is at the forefront of what I hold near and dear where hip hop and music is concerned.



Stones Throw is one of the most creative and innovative record labels in music today.




The name Peanut Butter Wolf was something of an urban legend to me many years ago. It was like saying Candyman three times in the mirror. What did he look like? How the hell did he name himself Peanut Butter Wolf? It took me over ten years to get answers to my questions.
  
In a strange twist of fate, as underground and mythical his persona was to me, he and his Stones Throw organization are now at the forefront of what I hold near and dear where hip hop and music is concerned.

The Chrome Children tour came to Montreal and I got to experience my first Peanut Butter Wolf live set. He mixed classic hip hop videos and not vinyl, Cd's or mp3s. It was one of the most unforgettable concert moments I've had in a long time.

The Stones Throw tour passed through this fair city and I got another round of Peanut Butter Wolf wizardry.

The label celebrated a decade worth of music recently and the diversity of their products has been nothing short of surprising. 

Peanut Butter Wolf has given his artists and label the license to explore and break down barriers and pre-conceived notions. I respect and admire the outlet and output which is Stones Throw.

Peanut Butter Wolf is scheduled to return to Montreal for a performance at Théâtre Fairmount (5240 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, Quebec H2V 4G7) on May 2, 2015.  

American Bandstand

I’ll always remember American Bandstand.

I was lucky, fortunate and blessed to have been born when American Bandstand was being broadcast. 

I’m even luckier that I watched it during my formative childhood years. It also didn’t hurt that I was inclined to retain that knowledge and had dreams of being like the legendary host in my own right.

When I was a boy, I thought American Bandstand was the only and best show of its kind. My passion for 1960s nostalgia and memorabilia would reveal American Bandstand had competition from various shows like Shindig. Considering that the other shows folded by the time I was aware of American Bandstand, my original statement about it being the only and best show of its kind still stands. 

When you’re a kid, you wish you were older and I wished I was old enough to have attended a taping of American Bandstand. Since that was impossible, I soaked up everything and minute of the show. 

I will carry the American Bandstand legacy with me in everything I do musically.

Dick Clark

When I think of Dick Clark, I’ll always remember American Bandstand over every one of his other shows or projects.

I was lucky, fortunate and blessed to have been born when Bandstand was being broadcast. 

I’m even luckier that I watched it during my formative childhood years. It also didn’t hurt that I was inclined to retain that knowledge and had dreams of being Dick Clark in my own right.

When I was a boy, I thought American Bandstand was the only and best show of its kind. My passion for 1960s nostalgia and memorabilia would reveal Bandstand had competition from various shows like Shindig. Considering that the other shows folded by the time I was aware of American Bandstand, my original statement about it being the only and best show of its kind still stands. 

For my purposes, teachers like Montreal’s Peter King, Casey Kasem and Dick Clark were influential in creating the DJ, radio show host and blogger I have become.

When you’re a kid, you wish you were older and I wished I was old enough to have attended a taping of American Bandstand. Since that was impossible, I soaked up everything and minute of the show. I watched the performances, the dances, their clothes and of course Dick Clark.

He stood above the dancers and got to talk to the musicians after they performed. He was the man on the show and that meant he was the man for people like me who watched the show. If Samantha Taylor was Canada’s coolest woman, Dick Clark was the coolest man in North America. I couldn’t have asked for better. Saturdays gave me hours of countless cartoons capped off with Clark’s Bandstand.

R.I.P. Dick Clark and I will carry your legacy with me in everything I do musically.

Rahzel

I personally have Rahzel to thank for resurrecting my interest and knowledge of beatboxing.

It had been a long time since I had seen or heard The Fat Boys, Just-Ice & DMX (not the Def Jam recording artist) and Doug E. Fresh in the late 90s. I was aware of the hip hop element courtesy of the aforementioned artists.

Similar to the De La Soul/A Tribe Called Quest/Souls of Mischief Montreal show in 1994, the first Roots show in this fair city is legendary. From the reports that got back to me, 
Rahzel ‘s performance accounts for a great portion of it being so memorable.



Keeping in mind that I was not much of a Roots fan when they first appeared on the scene, Rahzel did catch my attention with his appearances on their mid-late 90s albums. I would say he and then the Illadelph Halflife album converted me.

By the time I had realized The Roots were real deal, the sad news of Rahzel no longer being part of the group circulated and I realized I may not be able to have my own Montreal 1994 Roots show to experience or speak of.

I was happy he had released a solo album. All I knew was that I had to get it for more of the heat from the debut single and his unique brand of beatbox.

My New York trip for CMJ 2011 was my least favorite of the trips but I managed to make up for it through crate-digging, shopping and networking. When I heard Rahzel & DJ JS-1 were performing during my time in the Big Apple, I made my way to the venue. Unfortunately I arrived at the tail end of his set. At the end of the event, he along with other performers was in front of the venue talking to fans.

Rahzel & DJ JS-1 made a visit to Montreal in 2012 but I couldn’t make that one either. Their March 2013 show with Random Recipe at Phi Centre was to be the third chance and the charm for me to witness Rahzel rock the house.

Janis Joplin

I finished the Jefferson Airplane & Deep End with Nick Michaels posts by the time The Essential Janis Joplin CD finished playing a few months ago.

Hearing Janis that morning made me remember when I came across a photo of Slick & Joplin that intrigued me as most 1960s memorabilia would. The two 1960s San Francisco sisters were seated side-by-side.



My mind got to imagining what it must have been like to see them onstage in their prime.




The closest I can get to that experience is through their recordings and viewing vintage footage like the ones posted here. 

Her Greatest Hits album is easily a staple in any rock music fan's collection. Make it one of yours as well if you want to know why Janis Joplin is as revered as she is today. 

Cut Chemist

When I learned Cut Chemist, as well as DJ Spinna, would be spinning at New York's Red Bull Space, years ago, I knew I had to be there.



I was able to introduce myself to, take photos with and be handed a vinyl from Cut Chemist.



I noticed he only had one turntable set up for him on stage. He told me that was the plan. He would be using it and some contraption I saw under the table during his set. He used the machine as a pedal to alter the pitch and sounds of the music he played on the turntable. I learned a lesson or two in DJing that night.


My rubber arm was twisted by an esteemed DJ friend of mine when we were at a local store together.  He told me I needed the DJ Shadow - The Number Song (Cut Chemist Party Mix) 12" single he was presenting me.  After listening to a few bars, I agreed and played the remix on my show.  I am hoping for more Cut Chemist material soon.

Learning Cut Chemist & DJ Shadow will be bringing their Renegades of Rhythm Tour to Montreal is something like a deja vu for me in more ways than one.  That daytrip to New York to see Afrika Bambaataa's records at Gavin Brown Enterprise is still one of the most enriching experiences I've had in recent years.  The dynamic duo too must have been inspired resulting in the tour paying tribute to the hip hop pioneer.

Below is the Cut Chemist segment of the Crate Diggers documentary series. Enjoy!

MC Lyte

As I was preparing to write about MC Lyte, I realized I had to choose between her first & second albums to represent my favorite, I'd have a hard time. That is a true sign of the magic of golden era hip hop and her talent.  The photo above represents my choice.

Although Salt-N-Pepa were my first imprint of female hip hop artists, no female was ripping rhymes like MC Lyte. Chuck D said it himself that Lyte could win a rhyme fight and there is no better spokesman for her skills than him. Blessed with booming beats and lyrics that may have surpassed some of her male contemporaries, the Lyte as a Rock debut more than earned my respect. It forced me to re-evaluate what I thought or expected from MCs on a whole.

The title track sticks out the most for me. She was rhyming over this big beat with a lyrical, skillful strength unheard before. If you weren't getting smacked by the big beat, you'd get an uppercut from her bold delivery.



MC Lyte's impact on me was so strong that I would seek female MCs as skilled as her whenever and wherever possible. She just ripped rhymes like no other and I'm blogging about her like no other.

The Suite Delight new time slot is Tuesday morning 2-3am EST on www.ckut.ca & 90.3 FM.
 

If you haven't already, please make yourself familiar with the links below for more of your favorite show and mine to bring you up to speed. 

Feel free to request songs and artists below in the comments section below as well as onTwitter, Facebook.

Visit the Mixcloud page to listen and the Podomatic site to download them and more.

The Suite Delight - 2014-07-01 by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

Talib Kweli

Talib Kweli caught my attention from the first time I heard his voice.


TALIB KWELI - Listen by homhom

Mind you, I didn’t know his or Mos Def’s names whenever I heard Fortified Live but fate would naturally inform me of those facts.

I was at the last Reflection Eternal show in Montreal. The place was packed and the energy was high.Talib performed all his big songs and sounded crisp as he does on record. During the show, I realized that he's a seasoned veteran.



I was doing some musical math in my head while watching him onstage. I thought back to Fortified Live, fast-forwarded to Get By, skipped through his numerous guest appearances and came to the conclusion that Talib Kweli justified my being there to see him that night.

In this world, Talib Kweli is one of the few MCs that can get me to check him out any time he's on the bill touching Montreal soil.

The Brooklyn-based hip hop artist is scheduled to speak at Montreal's Phi Centre on September 12.  Doors open at 8pm and the event starts at 8:30pm.  Tickets are $12.75 and limited seating is available.

The Suite Delight new time slot is Tuesday morning 1-2am EST on www.ckut.ca & 90.3 FM.

If you haven't already, please make yourself familiar with the link below for more of your favorite show and mine.
 

http://suitedelight.podomatic.com

Below are podcasts to bring you up to speed. Click here to download them and more!

The Suite Delight - April 29, 2014 Playlist:

1. Darondo - Legs, Pt. 1
2. Jimmy McGriff - The Bird
3. Ziggy Marley - So Good So Right
4. Sola Rosa - Turn Around (Alister Johnson Remix)
5. Anoushka Shankar - Beloved (Thievery Corporation Remix)
6. Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno - Dog With A Rope
7. Lumineers - Ho Hey (Dubmatix Prince Blanco Reggae Remix)
8. Little Brother - Carolina Agents
9. Zion I - Temperature feat. Talib Kweli
10. Pharoahe Monch - Right Here
11. Ohmega Watts - That Sound (Quantic Soul Orchestra Version) feat. Lightheaded & The Procussions
12. Jazz Spastiks - Move feat. Apani B. Fly
13. Apollo Brown - Hungry feat. Rapper Big Pooh & Black Milk
14. Statik Selektah - For The City feat. M.O.P. & Jadakiss

The Suite Delight 2014-02-04 Playlist:

1.       Onyx - Throw Ya Gunz

2.       LL Cool J - Rock The Bells

3.       Ludacris - Southern Hospitality

4.       EPMD - Brothers From Brentwood, Long Island

5.       Anonymous Twist feat. Roc 'C' – Suckas Still Trying To Front

6.       Eternia & MoSS ft. Joell Ortiz - Its Funny

7.       DMX - Ruff Ryders' Anthem

8.       Big Daddy Kane - Get Down

9.       King Jus & Fresh Kils - Cold World

10.   Ghettosocks - I Invented Everything feat. Jabba the Cutt

11.   Relic - Loud Enuff Ft. Moka Only

12.   Hezekiah - Fired Up ft. Talib Kweli & Bahamadia

13.   Master Ace - Music Man (Mic Master Mix)

14.   Mos Def - Revelations

15.   Cee & Dr. MaD - Another Day ft. Notion & Nox

Black Thought

 

Black Thought is now one of my favorite lyricists. I loved his guest appearances on non-Roots tracks and it helped make me realize how good an MC he is.

If someone told me in 1994 that Black Thought would be one of my favourite go-to MCs in less than ten years later, I could have told them they and The Roots indeed had things distorted and step away from me with all of that static.

I didn’t warm up to them well in the beginning. My roots were planted with Illadelph Halflife and it made me appreciate Do You Want More all the more. Black Thought is no joke on the mic and has delivered the goods time and time again. I’m just glad The Roots lightened up their vibe now as opposed to the consistently dark discs they’ve given us over the last decade.

 

My mind goes back to hearing Super Lyrical from Big Pun’s debut album for the first time.

I never heard much of The Coup but his verse on My Favorite Mutiny is my favorite.



I barely understood the impact of J Dilla’s death on hip hop at the time The Shining was released. I did understand Love Movin’ was a hot track and the clear standout next to the Pharaohe Monch and Common songs. 

The Right On track from their How I Got Over album is simply lovely.



Black Thought does for me exactly what I need from an MC. 

 

The Suite Delight new time slot is Tuesday morning 1-2am EST on www.ckut.ca & 90.3 FM.

If you haven't already, please make yourself familiar with the link below for more of your favorite show and mine.

Check out the player below as well as the more recent playlists.

The Suite Delight - 2014- 05-27 by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

The Suite Delight - May 27, 2014 Playlist:

1. Quantic & Anita Tijoux - Doo Wop (That Thing)
2. Sola Rosa - Turn Around Ft. Iva Lamkum (DJ Vadim Remix)
3. The Seatbelts - Cat Blues (Mr. Scruff Remix)
4. James Brown - Funky Drummer
5. The Cactus Channel - Wooden Boy (Part 1)
6. The Roots – Don't Feel Right feat. Maimouna Youssef
7. J Dilla (aka Jay Dee) - Love Movin' feat. Black Thought
8. Nas - It Ain't Hard to Tell
9. Termanology - How We Rock Feat. Bun B
10. Marco Polo - Lay It Down Feat. Roc Marciano
11. Buff1 - Never Fall feat. Black Milk
12. The Extremities - New Season feat. Ohmega Watts & Moka Only
13. Lords Of The Underground - Tic Toc (Remix)
14. Lone Catalysts - The Ultimate (Kev Brown Remix)

http://suitedelight.podomatic.com

Below is a podcast to bring you up to speed.  Click here to download it and more.

The Suite Delight - April 8 2014 Playlist:

1. Big L - Put It On feat. Kid Capri
2. Common - Resurrection
3. O.C. - Time's Up
4. Big Pun - Super Lyrical feat. Black Thought
5. 2Pac - Ambitionz of a Ridah
6. Jay-Z - This Can't Be Life feat. Scarface
7. Gang Starr - Just To Get A Rep
8. Nice & Smooth - Early To Rise
9. The Beatnuts - Off The Books
10. Cypress Hill - Hits From The Bong
11. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - Mecca & The Soul Brother
12. Black Moon - I Got Cha Opin
13. Smif-N-Wessun - Bucktown
14. Nas - The World Is Yours (Remix)

The Suite Delight - December 17, 2013 (2):

1. Jemini The Gifted One – Funk Soul Sensation (Godfather Mix) 
2. Large Professor – Ijuswannachill 
3. Lord Finesse – Return of the Funky Man (Remix) 
4. Ice-T – Mind Over Matter (Remix) 
5. DJ Jazzy Jeff – She Was So Flyy feat. Kardinal Offishall 
6. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth – The Creator (Slide To The Side Mix) 
7. The Roots – Here I Come 
8. Gang Starr – Form Of Intellect 
9. Planet Asia – Whirlwind Patterns 
10. Wu-Tang Clan – Method Man 
11. Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo – Money In The Bank 
12. Big Pun – How We Roll ‘98 
13. A Tribe Called Quest – Can I Kick It?

The Suite Delight - December 17, 2013:

1. Lightnin' Rod - Sport 
2. Shuggie Otis - Bootie Cooler 
3. Elvis Costello & The Roots - Walk Us uptown 
4. Clarence Carter - Back Door Santa 
5. Kia Lomingo - Urbano De Castro 
6. The Poets of Rhythm - More Mess On My Thing 
7. Blood, Sweat & Tears - Spinnin' Wheel 
8. Colm K & The Freestyle Mellowship - Love To Love You 
9. Bridget Kelly - Street Dreamin' featuring Kendrick Lamar 
10. K-Os - NYCE 2 Know Ya 
11. Cyndi Lauper - All Through The Night 
12. Foxtrott - Colors 
13. Jonathan Emile - Endless Light 
14. Charles Bradley - Strictly Reserved For You 
15. Charles Bradley - Heart of Gold