In an effort to further explore the myriad and "Komplicated" musical tastes of the modern "post-Black" denizens of the world, we present Spin City, which will feature recommendations from some of the world’s finest DJs, headlined by the selections of our own "resident DJ," comic book fan, Star Wars and wrestling aficionado and all around swell guy, the world famous DJ Jedi [Facebook, Twitter and podcast]. He's graciously agreed to drop the science on musicology for you …
Hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving weekend.
We're doing something a little different from the usual top 5 recent picks this week. A couple of weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of seeing the legendary ROY AYERS at The Exchange in Downtown Los Angeles. I was so inspired by the show, that I've pretty much had his catalog in nonstop rotation ever since.
This weeks picks are some of my all-time favorite Roy Ayers songs, collaborations, and sample flips, in no particular order. Enjoy …
Talib Kweli, Kanye West, & Roy Ayers, "In The Mood"
One of the things I dig about Roy Ayers is that he's not afraid to collaborate with artists from today's generation. This banger was one of the highlights of Talib Kweli's not bad Ear Drum album that came out a few years ago.
The Roots feat. Roy Ayers, "Proceed Pt. 2"
If memory serves, this Roy Ayers collabo with the hardest working band in show business may be the first Roots joint that I ever LOVED. Another example of Mr. Ayers taking risks and not being averse to working with newer artists from a younger generation.
Sylvia Striplin, "You Can't Turn Me Away"
This Roy Ayers collabo became a beat digger staple after being sampled on Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s "Get Money," and more recently getting a shot in the arm after being covered by Erykah Badu. A textbook example of the Roy's versatility as a musician.
Roy Ayers Ubiquity, "Everybody Loves The Sunshine"
This song is perfect. Period. If you don't like this song, your ears may be broken.
RAMP, "Daylight"
A Tribe Called Quest made this song relevant to whole generation of hip hop heads when they immortalized it on their classic single "Bonita Applebum". Madlib also did a pretty fantastic instrumental interpretation of "Daylight" on Yesterday's New Quintet's debut LP Angles Without Edges. I learned only recently that RAMP is actually NOT an acronym for "Roy Ayers Music Project." Go figure …
Roy Ayers Ubiquity, "We Live In Brooklyn Baby" (embedding disabled)
I live 3000 miles away from Brooklyn, and yet I still wanna throw a trash can through a window anytime this pops up in my iPod. THAT'S how powerful this song is, fam. Those violins … those drums … Roy's vibes … everything. Just, epic …
Black Star, "Little Brother" (Produced by J-Dilla) Sampled from: Roy Ayers' "Ain't Got Time"
The story of how this song came into being may or may not be better than the actual song itself. You decide. Peep here to read ?uestlove's account of how it all went down.
Erule, "Listen Up" Sampled from: Roy Ayers' "Everybody Loves The Sunshine"
This song represents everything that was great about hip hop in the 90s: Sick flow, gorgeous melodic beat, clean swift precise cuts. It also happens to be my hands down favorite use of any Roy Ayers sample ever. "Sunshine's" been sampled dozens of times by now, but something about producer King Born Allah's interpretation puts all other versions to shame. When I was an up and coming DJ, the scratch solo showcased skills that I could only hope to aspire to someday. They don't make rap songs like this too much anymore.
Beatnuts, "Get Funky" Sampled from: Roy Ayers' "Painted Desert"
Great execution of an already great Roy Ayers song. The result is one of my favorite gems from the Beatnuts' arguably best album, the Street Level LP.
A Tribe Called Quest, "Keep It Rollin'" Sampled from: Roy Ayers' "Feel Like Makin' Love"
A lot of people might cite "Bonita Applebum" as their favorite Roy Ayers inspired Tribe flip. But for my money, I think the kids from Lindon Blvd really struck gold when they returned to the Roy Ayers sampling well for "Keep It Rollin'" on their third outing, Midnight Marauders. This is one of those rare songs that has the power to bring a smile to my face anytime I hear it.
Regularly scheduled column returns next week. In the meantime, here are … this week's events:
11.30.11 Reflection
(Live musical performances, DJing, dancing. Hosted by Joshua Silverstein. Special guest: Trees)
9pm-2am
$7 all night
21 & over
Location: Zanzibar
1301 5th Street (at Arizona)
Santa Monica, CA
12.3.11 DJ Jedi & DJ Dary at The Dime
(Turntable Lab DJs spinning music for the people at Fairfax's favorite bar)
10pm-2am
Free admission
Location: The Dime
442 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Take care.
Jedi
Barring unforeseen challenges, Spin City should be waiting for you, right here on Komplicated.com, every Monday afternoon.
[Source: DJ Jedi]