theo-ology
music
I was fortunate enough to see Theo Parrish at Plastic People last night.
Suffice to say it was an incredible night; quite simply one of the world’s best djs at the top of his game playing on the best soundsystem in London. Musically it spanned a massive variety of black musical forms from disco-through jazz, hiphop funk and acid. But it’s not like those kind of lazy musical tags really apply to someone like theo, with different styles effortlessly brought together to create a richer, greater whole.
This combination of the fantastic soundsystem and the otherworldly-ness of his crazy, intense, sometimes 20 minute + productions, made it feel like we were witness to the deejay, not as superstar, but artist; at once uncompromisingly new yet direct descendant to a black musical heritage increasingly under attack from a culture that wants to steal it and twist it for it’s own commercial ends.
One man diggin deeper, sticking to his own distinct vision and providing powerful inspiration to those willing to take the time.
Next time you get the chance, you should really try and check him out. In the meantime thanks to the power of the internets and to a new found friend, here is a excerpt from last night. It’s a bit rough and ready but you can kind of get an idea of the seriousness of the vibe. I’m guessing it’s some new theo edits (sounds like a marvin gaye sample in there somewhere)-either way it’s damn heavy.
Enjoy.
Theo Parrish-Unknown edits (Live at Plastic People 18/02)
Something for the weekend
music_ third floor classics
Hustlers of Culture-Flipjack
This track could also be a 3rd floor classic-it’s got the heavy drums, the upbeat jazzy break, the early 90’s vintage.It reminds me of a time when I could listen to tracks without instantly trying to pigeonhole them (probably because it didn’t know enough about music to be able to). We used check out a night called ‘funkin pussy’, when we were just getting into clubbing-they played all the classic funk stuff and would occasionally drop in tracks like this-it was a little on the obvious side, but nights would always really kick off. Soul2Soul used to play it as well as some of the more edgier house deejays and all the jazzheads finally had a jazzdance track for people who couldn’t dance to records in weird time signatures!.
I pulled it out the crates for last saturday’s basilika which turned out to be an a) an absolute stormer b)a bit of a kelly -classic selection (my bro and some mates were in the house, so it all got a little self indulgent)
I am learning that the less I deejay the more I enjoy it, especially if it means being able to regularly drop tunes this heavy.
Have a great weekend.
Something 4(hero) the weekend.
music
I love 4-hero.
Not only do they make incredible music but the sheer scope of what they produce is evidence of a deep love of the rich, broad spectrum of black music. Anyone hearing ‘Mr Kirk’s nightmare’,back in ‘91 could be forgiven for thinking that 4hero were in the business of making novelty records but 15 years (!!) of making killer music has put pay to that particular theory, their latest release being no exception.
Whereas ‘Two Pages’ and to a lesser degree ‘Creating Patterns’ sometimes fell victim to the overbearing ambition of it’s creators, ‘Playing with the Changes‘, somehow manages to find enough room to squeeze in all these influences, without sacrificing their own distinctive voice. A good example this is the track, ‘Morning Child’, which, whilst positively haunted by the ghost Charles Stepney still manages to retain that unique (ex-)dollis hill, future soul vibe.
People go crazy about the production skills of the late, great jdilla. But for all his undeniable talent he was working within the relatively conservitive fields of hiphop and rnb. These guys hit up jazz, broken beat, detroit techno, soul, funk ,house and a load of styles that don’t really have names yet and somehow manage to represent in all of them.
Sometimes it’s easier to rain down love on artists based in detroit or nyc than the ones who are just around the corner.
Here’s to London’s finest.
4hero-Morning Child
Disco Jesus part 4
disco jesus_ music
After finishing his epic 2006 mix trilogy, east london music lover Disco Jesus comes back strong for 07 with his first mix of the new year entitled “Winter Movements”.
“..this mix explores mid-80s underground sounds with a distinctive Chicago club flavour touching on vintage house, soulful electro and nu-wave funk. With a few very rare, early house gems up its sleeve, this is definitely one for lovers of the proto-house melting pot.”
If you understand what that means, you’re in for a treat- if you’re a little confused-give it a try he might well convert you.
Disco Jesus-Winter Movements
ps for some reason the built in audio player likes the mix so much it plays it super fast-please download and appreciate on your own system-unless you really like that +8 vibe.
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