BUDDHA BEATS 80 - JUNETEENTH 2022
ABOUT THE MIX:
Juneteenth, 2022. Last year’s mix was fun, but this time, I wanted to bring some attention to the people who brought us these amazing performances, ideas that eventually became hits, even if only in the most underground of spaces. I recently found an article online discussing how Philadelphia music history is vast, but doesn’t have a music museum like Detroit does with Motown, or Nashville or many other places. In this article, I learned that the legendary John Coltrane himself was born in Philadelphia. Yes, THE John Coltrane, the Jazz legend himself was born in Philadelphia. How freaking awesome is that?!? I’d love to see a Philadelphia Music Museum one day. Sigma Sound Studios on 12th & Arch Streets was possibly the closest to us having one, but that’s gone too.
In this mix, there are deep house, and classic house tracks, including two DJs who I hope to one day be included in the same sentences when people discuss electronic music from Philadelphia: King Britt & DJ Dozia. Across the pond in England there’s Carl Cox and Idris Elba. Yes, THAT Idris Elba. You didn’t know he’s been a DJ for decades? Here’s a link to killer set on Radar Radio for proof, as well as his other performances. Remember the song “Everybody Everybody” by Black Box and “Gonna Make You Sweat” from C & C Music Factory from the ‘90s? Well, then you heard the unmistakeable voice of Martha Wash. But that doesn’t look like the woman from the music videos, right? Well they wanted to “sex it up”, and to the execs, she didn’t “fit” that image. Such BS. Her voice was THE voice of the 90’s.
Don’t worry Martha, I’m going to give your credit!
Another singer who I feel should have gotten more than she did is Rainie Lassiter. She sang the vocals on De’Lacy’s “Hideaway”. an underground club smash from the ‘90’s. The only version anyone mentions, when discussing this track is the Deep Dish (the Dubfire & Sharam duo) Remix. Definitely one of songs that’ll get mentioned if talking about house music being like a church with Lassiter’s amazing vocals preaching about how she doesn’t want “some two-timing brother”. Many a great night was had when this song came on!
Now, I get looked at funny by fellow brothers and sisters for being into music that’s not Hip-Hop. Yeah, it still happens every so often. They’ll say “Oh you like that white boy sh*t.” Wow. Then I proceed to tell them that American Techno, started in Detroit, by three black men: Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, and Juan Atkins — also known as “The Belleville Three” . Their influences came from Yellow Magic Orchestra, Kraftwerk, B-52’s, Prince, and Bootsy Collins.
That brings me back to Philadelpiha, and a very special person who has made me look deeper inside myself: Hollis P. Monroe. He asks the “hard questions”. The ones where you have “sit and deal with your own demons”-kind of questions. Hollis and I have hung out, partied and DJ’ed together, and had a blast. He has been producing music for as long as I’ve known him. We would vibe out at the parties at Fluid nightclub (damn I miss that place), and raves up and down the East Coast. So much fun. Next, The Funkboys, who are represented here with their flipped M.J. Tribute “Dance With Me” I’ve watched Khaleel throw down on the decks (Episode 58) in both Philly and Ibiza, where we met for the first time ever. We were there for a week, and when we were heading back to the States, we made a promise to work together to bring some serious noise to Philadelphia! I was the visuals and “tech guru” on his Underground Expressions Facebook stream, and then I got to DJ with him on the show as well. Khaleel is definitely one of the best deep house DJs I’ve ever met. The blends that he comes up with on the fly? I’ve never seen anyone do it the way he does. Sometimes, I find that I’m channeling what I’ve seen him do, just as a reflex. He has a first Friday of the month in North Philly under the same name. He has amazing talent coming through there, and I’m proud to call him a true friend.
Let’s talk about the rising stars. I have a friend who goes by Komanche, and he has some really nice tracks that I thought should see the light of day. I asked him if I could use “Queens” for this mix, and he gave me the permission. Komanche puts his all in to his work, just like me. We want to see the results of our hard work. Like Demuir stated in his track “Sub Trippin’”, we’d like to “leave our fingerprints on this” too! Stay tuned, as you’re going to see more from Komanche!
Please enjoy this mix, and look up the artists, singers, DJs, producers who are behind its creation. We work unbelievably hard to get what’s in our minds out, and into your ears and minds.
TRACK LISTING:
Dear John Letter (Hakeem Syrbram Keemix) by Whitney Houston
Heal My Heart (Brokenears Remix) by Treasa "Diva" Fennie & Kerri Chandler
Hideaway feat. Rainie Lassiter (Dubfire Needs To Score) by De’Lacy
Inferno (Original Mix) by Carl Cox, Reinier Zonneveld, Christopher Coe
Ohh Baby (David Tort's Dub Tech Mix - Mixed) by Carl Cox & Nile Rodgers
Jumpin’ (Govi Remix) by Todd Terry, Martha Wash, Jocelyn Brown, Govi
Finally Ready feat. Billy Porter (Extended Mix) by The Shapeshifters & Billy Porter
