Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes is still very entertaining to me after all these years.

Just as he embarked on a solo career, you couldn’t tell me anything about Busta Rhymes that I’d listen to let alone his music. 



I especially didn’t want to listen to him even though he was popping up on posse cuts galore in the early 90s.

1996 was a pivotal year for me because A Tribe Called Quest and Nas  disappointed me with their albums and forced me to seek refuge elsewhere.



I found myself under Busta’s umbrella with the bangers of The Coming. 

When Disaster Strikes sealed the deal for me and is simply his best album. 
 
It is no coincidence that Busta recorded a track with Method Man, who is also flavor on a track and a party in the form of a human being when on the mic.

DJ Andy Smith

I love mixtapes.

When I say mixtapes, I mean the compilations of songs preferably mixed with some semblance of a theme or cohesiveness left for you to decipher and enjoy.

I blogged about The Rapture's mix CD and will now write about quite possibly the most important mixtape I've ever heard, Andy Smith's The Document.

Years ago, I was hunting for music on vinyl, CD & even audio cassette and stopped at a favorite nearby music store. For whatever reason, I remember seeing The Document CD on many occasions but paid no mind to it. It was possibly while browsing CDs at that store that I'd glance at it.



One day I decided to take a closer look at the CD and its contents. The tracklisting appeared to be eclectic to say the least and that got my attention. The issue for me was how could a CD have Jeru The Damaja, Jungle Brothers, Tom Jones and The James Gang among its songs?

I will admit to being quite linear in my thinking even though I studied, listened to, knew and had a lot of music. I did not know how or why the songs would go from hip hop to rock and vice versa on the CD but I was curious to learn.



I sampled the CD and understood its modus operandi. The songs were mixed together and so seamlessly that the connections between the contrasting genres made me understand music is not always to be categorized, classified and compartmentalized. I learned that listening to music of varying genres can be an enriching and rewarding experience.

If De La Soul made me see there was nothing to fear in sampling varying music genres to make hip hop and the late 90s/early 2000s Brass Knuckles/Blizzarts era made me realize there was more funk and soul than James Brown then DJ Andy Smith’s Document made me see there was nothing wrong in blending varying genres of music as long as it was done as right as possible.



I not too long ago came across, listened to and marvelled at my copy of The Document. Not only do I seek mixtapes in the mold of The Document, I seek mixtapes that will hopefully open my mind to new revelations and somehow inspire me to be a better DJ.

I listened to The Document II and unfortunately found it did not take me to the next phase like I could have hoped. Maybe my expectations were too high and blinded me to the wonder of the second installment. Perhaps a more objective listening will cause me to blog about the beauty of The Document II one day. For now, it appears I will never forget my first.

News of DJ Andy Smith appearing at Montreal's The Goods on October 25 couldn't make me happier.  The Goods takes place from 10:30-3:30 AM with a $15 admission on the last Saturday of the month at La Sala Rossa, 4848 St. Laurent (coin St. Joseph).   

April Wine - On Record (1972)

You Could Have Been A Lady is one of my favorite rock songs ever.  

I’m even more happy to claim it as part of my Canadian heritage. 

The song was a late addition to my Suite Delight 6^th Anniversary Episode playlist. I had gotten into a groove with vintage late 1960s/early 1970s pop/rock and felt the April Wine classic would be a great fit.

The group has hits as greatest hits packages have informed me but my knowledge of the band’s music is limited. 

The next song I really know and like is Just Between You and Me.I remember it from childhood and still like it to this day.The bilingual lyrics is a bonus.

Until I catch a live taste of April Wine, I'll settle with their albums and videos.

Johnny Guitar Watson

One of the first CD-Rs I ever made for myself was a Johnny Guitar Watson compilation. I didn't make it myself actually. I asked a classmate to find the songs and hand me the CD-R.




There is something bluesy and soulful about his voice that I can’t deny. I believe his music is the perfect link between blues and funk. There are many obvious reasons why he was sampled for hip hop tracks.

I found a Very Best of Johnny Guitar Watson album at the Montreal record convention but it doesn't have Lover Jones, my favourite of his late 70s recordings. I'm still very happy to have found that vinyl and will try to add Johnny Guitar Watson to upcoming The Suite Delight radio episodes.

I was made aware of a Johnny Guitar Watson - Listen album from 1973 that lays the foundation for his late 70s blues-funk legacy. Listen is now on my want-list. Wish me luck in finding it so that I can listen to it.

Punchline

I remember learning of Punchline through the colossal Lyricist Lounge: Volume One compilation on Rawkus.

If you have ever owned, seen or held the vinyl release of the first Lyricist Lounge, you know that the word colossal is not an understatement. I almost couldn’t believe it was 4 vinyls deep but considering the amount of music packed onto the 2CDs, it stood to reason.

Among the handful of tracks that I always remembered from the compilation, Punchline caught my attention with Da Cipher.



In the early 2000s when I was barely keeping my ear to the ground as far as hip hop music was concerned, I checked for what most of the underground MCs I learned of from the Rawkus label and Lyricist Lounge compilations were doing. Punchline was among those I checked for when I could.




I was happy to learn of the Punchline & DJ Soulclap music. The songs I’ve heard are among my favorite and best hip hop I’ve heard in the last few years. 

 

I plan to pack more Punchline onto The Suite Delight playlists in the upcoming weeks.

Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814

As big as their grooves were and as monumental the Control album was, Rhythm Nation took us to a higher level.

As I would learn, Rhythm Nation was a concept album and presented a more serious Janet Jackson.



Regardless of the darker sound and mood of the album, neither Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis nor Janet Jackson lost the grooves.

If Janet said it was Alright with her, than I was reassured we were in their capable hands.

Social media recently reminded us that the album celebrated its 25th anniversary and that too is alright with me.

Nice & Smooth - Nice & Smooth (1989)

One of the most memorable moments of my CMJ 2009 trip was meeting legendary duo The Awesome Two.

I told them how influential they were for my Suite Delight radio show and thanked them for their production on the Nice & Smooth debut album.

 

Let this be my moment to thank Nice & Smooth for the years of more & more hits.

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

The Suite Delight new time slot is Tuesday morning 1-2am EST on www.ckut.ca & 90.3 FM.
Below are some archived podcasts to bring you up to speed.  

Click here to download more podcasts.

http://suitedelight.podomatic.com



DJ Solespin - The Goods (July 2014) Playlist:

1. Damian Marley – Welcome to Jamrock
2. Koushik – Be With
3. Washed Out – Feel It All Around
4. The System – Don’t Disturb This Groove
5. Loose Ends – Hanging On A String
6. Erykah Badu – Bag Lady
7. Feist – Mushaboom (K-os Mix)
8. D’Angelo – Feel Like Makin’ Love
9. Mark De Clive Lowe – Restless
10. Marley Marl – Hummin’ feat. Roy Ayers
11. Charles Bradley – Heart of Gold
12. DJ Spinna – Surely
13. The Pharcyde – Drop
14. Masta Ace Incorporated – The I.N.C. Ride
15. Busta Rhymes – Turn It Up
16. De La Soul – Plug Tunin’
17. Nice & Smooth – No Delayin’
18. MC Tee & Lord Tasheem – Gangster Nine
19. Gang Starr – Code of the Streets
20. Pete Rock – Back on the Block featuring C.L. Smooth
21. Souls of Mischief – Make Your Mind Up (Rock On Mix)
22. Biz Markie – Nobody Beats The Biz
23. Digable Planets – 9th Wonder (Blackitolism)
24. Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew – Everybody Loves A Star
25. MF Doom – Dead Bent

The Suite Delight - 2014-07-08 by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

The Suite Delight - 2014-04-08 by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

 

The Suite Delight - 2013 CKUT Funding Drive Podcast by Dj Solespin on Mixcloud

Run-DMC - Raising Hell (1986)

Run-DMC was my introduction to hip hop. 

I was too young to understand what Rapper's Delight was. I just remembered that it sounded a lot like Chic's Good Times. 

Walk This Way reached me and I loved it. After Michael, Lionel and Prince, I saw them as role models relatively close to my age. Raising Hell was a breakthrough to me and opened the doors for Fat Boys, Kurtis Blow, Salt & Pepa, LL Cool J and Whodini to come into my life.



Proud to be Black would plant the seeds of my Afrocentrism during the late 80s/early 90s. No one was saying that to me other than Run-DMC and I eventually learned that they took that page out of the James Brown playbook.

Congratulations to Run-DMC for being inducting into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Who would have thought that over twenty years after their debut on the scene, they would be considered Kings of Rock?

R.I.P. Jam Master Jay

The Charlatans

The Only One I Know is the only song I know from The Charlatans. 

I’m open to suggestions for other songs by the band I should check out. 

I’m lucky we live in a YouTube era where I can see and hear their videos before the wait gets too long.

Salaam Remi

I remember the name Salaam Remi credited on many hip hop tracks and remixes in the 1990s. 

Not that long ago while preparing for my Women’s Day Showcase, it struck me that Salaam Remi, specifically, has produced for some of the most talented female vocalists in the business.




My theory begins with Lauryn Hill being one third of The Fugees. She would go on to release The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, win many Grammys for it and whose music would be missed dearly. The Ready or Not remix above is one of the best hip hop beats I've ever heard and that they ever rhymed on. 

Whitney Houston died months ago around the time I was planning the Woman’s Day episode. I was digging in my record collection and I came across the 12” single of My Love is Your Love. I bought it for the Wyclef remix and forgot the Salaam Remix was on it too.
The Wyclef remix was naturally played by my Concordia University radio station colleagues after Whitney’s death. I played the Salaam Remix partially because I felt my radio DJ peers and most listeners may not know of him or the remix.

I took notice of Jasmine Sullivan’s voice when her debut CD dropped. I was pleasantly surprised again to see Remi produced tracks on that album. I recently bought another CD copy of the album. It was not because I forgot I had already bought it. The second copy was at a price I couldn’t resist and it would have been easier to find among my collection.

Lastly, he produced for the legendary British R&B diva of Soul II Soul fame Caron Wheeler.  A brief browse of his website will list other notable women he has worked with over the last 15-20 years.

When I said I want to think of myself as the Salaam Remi of college radio, I meant that I enjoy the fact he worked and continues to work with the industry's most talented female vocalists.  I play them on my show whenever I can, play Salaam Remi's work with those females on my show whenever I can and by default play more Salaam Remi music than my colleagues. 

Eternia

Eternia is one of the few recording artists I would have made room for every week on The Suite Delight radio show. I’ve made do with whatever music of hers I could find.



My initial goal was to play her every week on the show for every individual track of hers I had. In that regard, I’ve come pretty close to achieving my goal.

 I was relieved to learn she teamed with MoSS and finally released new material. When I add that vinyl or CD to my collection, I will utter the title of her 2011 Polaris Prize long list nominated album.

Years ago, I was amazed to learn that Eternia was going to speak on a Pop Montreal panel and perform in Montreal on the same night. My mind was made up that night that I was going to be there.

Eternia delivered what I predicted was going to be a powerful and energetic performance. The only disappointment of the set was that my favorite single Evidence was not performed in its entirety.

At the end of the show, the majority of the performers were available to interact with the crowd. Thankfully for me, Pop Montreal and the intimate crowd allowed me congratulate, chat and take photos with the two lovely and lively headliners. This was a special night. I got to meet Canadian hip hop legend Michie Mee and newly favorite female rapper Eternia during my first Pop Montreal experience.

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 some podcasts to bring you up to speed.  Click here to download them and more.

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

Booker T. & The MG's

 

 

 

At a recent record convention visit, I found a Best of Booker T. & The MGs album and bought it even though I had all of the songs already. 



The Booker T. Set vinyl crossed my path and I paid plenty pretty pennies for it.

 

It seemed that the roads were leading me to remember Donald "Duck" Dunn. 

I was informed that Donald Dunn was ill weeks before his death in May 2012. All of those purchases were pre-cursors to the unfortunate news we learned of Donald Dunn’s passing.  In 2025, Steve Cropper passed away.

\
 

I guess I got those Booker T. & the MGs records and the Light in the Attic box set with him on my mind.

RIP Donald "Duck" Dunn & Steve Cropper and thank you for your grooves.

The time slot was Tuesday morning 1-2am EST on www.ckut.ca & 90.3 FM.

Please make yourself familiar with the link below for more.

Below is the 1st Anniversary CKUT playlist to bring you up to speed.

Click here to download archived episodes.

The Suite Delight 1st Anniversary CKUT Playlist:

1. The Monkees – Mary, Mary
2. Harmonica Paul – Motherless Child
3. Eddie Kendricks – Date With The Rain
4. Yellow Sunshine – Yellow Sunshine
5. Magic Disco Machine – Scratchin’
6. The Incredible Bongo Band – Bongolia
7. Lack of Afro – P.A.R.T.Y. (Instrumental)
8. The Jimmy Castor Bunch – Troglodyte
9. Booker T. & The M.G.s – Lady Madonna
10. GZA & Ras Kass – Lyrical Swords
11. RZA & MF Doom – Biochemical Equation
12. Camp Lo – Luchini
13. Digable Planets – 9th Wonder (Blackitolism)
14. Danger Mouse & Jemini – Ghetto Pop Life
15. Hi-Tek – The Sun God
16. K-os – The Love Song

Stevie Wonder

My love for Stevie Wonder and his music began when I was a boy.

I once dressed up as a young 1960s Stevie Wonder for Halloween. 



The only thing missing from my costume was a harmonica which Mommy Dearest got for me. 

Like most Motown singles I saw as a child, Stevie Wonder’s name was on many. 

His Innervisions album is one of my Desert Island albums. 

It would take me almost 30 years to have an even deeper connection with the album. 



Songs In The Key of Life is easily the album I own the most copies of because it deserves to be owned in as pristine condition as possible.  I was fortunate to have come across numerous copies over the years.  

Had it not been for Innervisions, Songs In The Key of Life would have the secure spot on my Desert Island albums list.  What Innervisions did was make me realize how special Stevie Wonder and his music are.  

I’ve always been in awe of Stevie Wonder and most likely always will.

Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key of Life Tour reaches Montreal on September 30, 2015.