What we gon' do right here is go back, way back, back into time...

Ok so I'm not exactly old, but one thing I've noticed is that raving these days just aint the same. For one, as you get older, people just get younger and younger. Stating the obvious much, you might say (*side eye*) but I'm being so serious and you know its bad times when the DJ asks the crowd who was born in the 90's? The frigging 90's you know (no offence or anything to the 90's babies out there) but damn! The funky takeover has contributed massively I think to the downfall of raving and whatnot. Don't get me wrong, I can get down with a bit of Funky (well, when it used to be Funky House - stay tuned for my comprehensive breakdown of the difference lol) but not all night, come on now o_O.

The saving grace for me is that small small section usually at the end of your "typical" rave when the DJ takes it back and hits you up with some of those old school grooves. A touch of 70's, 80's and 90's Hip-Hop, R&B and NJS is always welcome in my universe and a dash of Old-School Garage (the pre-funky days flex) is the icing on the cake.

To remind y'all (although I'm sure my music lovers out there haven't forgotten) and myself of such delights, here's a selection of my favourite ishk from the "old school"...everything from Funky House (circa 2005/6) to Dancehall and a few more.

First up, a 1978 disco-soul classic from Cheryl Lynn...


Second, "New Jack Swing King" Bobby Brown's 1988 hit...


Thirdly, a 1994 collabo from 2 of the 90's heavyweight girl groups (thanks to my girl EmC for this one)...


Next, a 1994 banger from Dancehall double act Chaka Demus & Pliers. Everyone knows this one, think bogle and butterfly :-)...


Now for the "slow down" section (doesn't really happen so much these days). I wanted the actual videos but no no, embedding has been disabled on Youtube (*angry face*). Anywho, slow jam specialists R.Kelly, Keith Sweat and Ginuwine (who I got the vid for)...






And finally a couple from the Funky House and Garage (pre-grime era) genre's...

I remember this tune being one of the first house tunes to crossover and become a club banger...


...and this tune has one of the sickest and most recognisable drops about...



Well, until next time, that's all folks :-D

Ri

Introduction... Lets get Connected.

As I am a fanatic of great music I thought it was only right to blog about RnB/hip hop duo The Foreign Exchange. Singer Phonte (left) and Nicolay are two geniuses when it comes to beats and writing. Their music consists of R&B, hip hop and electronica creating some serious tracks that I just cant get enough of.

I was only introduced to them about 2 years ago from a very trusted friend of mine who knows good music.

As soon as I got a hold of their album I was hooked. So far they have produced 2 albums 'Connected' and 'Leave it all behind' and their fan base gets bigger and bigger. What I'm trying to do is get introduced Y'all. Lets show them some UK love cause they need to be coming to the UK and perform (trust me I've asked them on their Face Book page) *Blush Blush*

They do have a new album out in October called 'Authenticity' so make sure Y'all get it. Lets show them that the UK appreciates excellence!

I'll leave you with a couple of tracks to get a lil taste of what I'm talking about.

Listen... Love... Enjoy.

Peace... Xxx

Wha Gwan Popcaaaaaannn

As a BBJ (British-Born Jamaican) I like me a bit of bashment and despite his questionable lyrical content, Vybz Kartel is probably my favourite artist within the genre. When I first saw this vid, it made me chuckle and got an instant re-post on Facebook. Just goes to show how such a tiny island (gwarn Jamrock!) influences the mainstream...something a lil' light-hearted for your viewing pleasure :-D

The Re-Education...

Soul superstar Lauryn Hill has been off the radar for some time now. Although her time in the limelight was brief, her contribution to the music world both as part of The Fugees and as a solo artist was significant and new material from Ms Hill has been hotly anticipated. From "Rita" in Sister Act 2, to the artist who posthumously dueted with the late great Bob Marley, she has provided us with some truly great melodies and now it seems that finally she may be back. Check out this interview she did recently discussing the reasons for her absence and the possibilities for the future and then reminisce with this vid from back in the day. Lauryn Hill, we salute you!









Ri

Excuse me... What's your name?

Okay, I'm going to take you back to summer 2009.

Walking down good old bait Mare Street in Hackney to meet my cousin. Minding my own business in my own world listening to my ipod when a guy stops me. The first thing I noticed was his gold tooth trying to blind me as it was UBER (lol) shiny. Anyway he begins to ask me all these questions you know the usual name, how old, what area are you from (why do guys ask that by the way what difference is going to make, so I'm in a different post code its not international!)

The next questions were:

Where are your parents from to look the way you do?

What's your style?

What's your complexion?

I did think at the time what is this guy on? Cause the questions were just weird, but then he asked this.

What's your flavor?

I swear I didn't know what to say my face was just blank! All I kept thinking was CRAAAAIG DAAAAAAVID... Was this the new way guys approach girls now cause I wasn't impressed at all. Of course I tried my up most hardest to keep a straight face and said I have to go after 3 attempts to shake him off he went on his way to another girl LOL and I think he got the digits cause she looked like she was enjoying the attention. Maybe he asked her the same question.

Also guys why do you get upset when the girl kindly say's that she's not interested you lot go off on one and say "Argggggh kmt your butterz anyway" LOL... Clearly your ego got burnt bad so you try to shake it off by trying to make the girl look bad. Not a good look guys.

I personally believe that all you really have to do is say "Hi" or "Excuse me, what's your name" That's the best way I think..... And NO I don't want to hear no Oi or Ssssssssssssss...... I am not a dog or a snake. So guys the simpler the better.

Tank que please.....

It's A UK Ting...

When you think of the UK "Urban" (I use the term very broadly) music scene the likes of N Dubz, Chipmunk, Tinchy Strider etc etc etc probably spring to mind and it's cool because they are all doing their thing but for me, the real gems are the unsigned singer-songwriter-performers who frequent some of London's coolest (and sometimes undiscovered) live music venues of which I am definitely a fan.

Below are a couple of vids from a couple of uber-talented folk I have had the pleasure to meet. First up, my Choice FM buddy Eleanor PS (aka Eleanor Keys in collaboration on the track "Warrior Woman" (I think the vocal on this is impeccable). Secondly, a couple fantastical performances from a dude called Enrico Delves who is actually a MOBO Unsigned Winner (err hello -woah!) and a genuinely nice guy. These two are covers but his original material is amazing too.

Enjoy!



















Make sure y'all check these guys out in cyberspace...

twitter.com/eleanor_keys
twitter.com/j_mariecooper
youtube: eleanorps - jmariecoopermusic


twitter.com/enricodelves
facebook.com - enrico delves
myspace.com/iamenrico
youtube: eme10d1c


Ri