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!

Mark Ronson

I am possibly still the biggest Mark Ronson fan in Montreal, Quebec and maybe Canada.



I admire his production, his albums and his own radio show has been influential on me this year. His playlists were practically musical treasure maps to me.

As a DJ, producer and radio show host, Mark Ronson has had a great deal of influence on me.



The vinyls for Here Comes The Fuzz & Version are among the most I've ever paid for in my life.

With the amount of times his name appeared on my own show's playlists, it was only a matter of time until a tribute show was done in honor of Mark Ronson.



Mark Ronson's Version started me on a quest of learning more about the British Indie rock scene. Names like The Charlatans, The Jam & Kasabian were new to me until I discovered Ronson was covering classics that most current Indie rock fans have known or should know.

I would have loved to be have been at the Mark Ronson talent showcase during the CMJ Music Marathon featuring Wale, Rhymefest, Daniel Merriweather and Rumble Strips. I read about how well they performed that night. 



As I have stated numerous times before, Mark Ronson’s radio show was highly influential on me and my own Suite Delight radio show. My weekends basically started with his show. I would do whatever I could to be home to listen.



Aside from the shopping and record crate digging, the night I met Mark Ronson was the highlight of my CMJ 2011 trip. The only downside was that the photo of Ronson and I turned out so poorly. I was pissed off about that for quite some time. The only thing that calmed me down was my repeatedly telling myself I have the experience to remember as opposed to not.

Before we parted ways, I asked when the fourth Ronson album will be ready.  I believe his answer was that he was working on it.  You can believe that I am looking forward to enjoying that album when the time arrives.

I was very happy to learn he was featured in the Crate Diggers documentary series. Check it out below.

DJ Jazzy Jeff

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 radio 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.

I was not going to let history repeat itself with the DJ Jazzy Jeff Hip-Hop Forever III CD. I have always had an interest in perfecting my DJ skills and instintctively, DJ/producers like Kenny Dope and DJ Jazzy Jeff are mentors for myself  and anyone willing to learn.

I figured a little over an hour of DJ Jazzy Jeff selections and cuts is as good a lesson any incumbent DJ can have.

J Dilla's influences can be felt in the mix. Both DJ Jazzy Jeff and Dilla released albums on BBE.

Unlike Kenny Dope's East Coast centred Hip Hop Forever, DJ Jazzy Jeff expands to the West Coast as well as showcases Detroit and Canadian hip hop artists.

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:

1. Ken Boothe - Moving Away
2. Aretha Franklin - Think
3. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - We Get Around
4. Quantic & Nickodemus - Mi Swing Es Tropical
5. DJ Center - In A Song (DJ Eleven Remix)
6. Second Sky - Under The Line
7. The Impressions - We're A Winner
8. Tall Black Guy - What's Good (James Brown I Feel Good Flip Up)
9. Resonators - Gold Dub
10. Sarah MK - Think Dat
11. Maylee Todd & Circle Research - Hooked
12. Charles Bradley - Heart of Gold
13. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Inspiration Information
14. Feist - Inside & Out
15. DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah - Make It Last
16. Lizz Wright - Old Man