What a damned year. No matter our particular angles or perspective, we can all at least agree on that much. “Unprecedented” in a two-way tie with the shrugging emoji for word of the year. A few highs and glimpses of empowerment, and several lows and mind-boggling low blows to contend with - obstacles masking opportunities, some moments of reflection and time gained, while many other things felt lost. 

One of the more remarkable aspects of 2020 was the sheer number of musical heroes and greats that have left this physical plane within the space of one year. Forces of huge influence, not only for myself but for countless individuals, music scenes, and artists from multiple generations. 

With this in mind for the annual wrap-up edition of the Greasy Listening mix series this year, while there was/is loads of amazing new and upcoming music to be shared and heard, it only feels just to pay respects and homage in memoriam to these many wondrous souls who poured themselves into their work over the last five plus decades, so we can forever be inspired and mesmerized by their greatness. 

While the selections may not be the most iconic/popular/rare or whatnot of each artist’s work, they are simply a few of my personal faves that fit the mix and are meant more as drop-in-the-bucket representatives of the incredibly extensive bodies of work that have been immortalized by these mighty creators (that also come highly recommended you dive into if haven't already).

So here it is: twenty pieces with timeless musical messages by twenty absolute legends that passed on in this most turbulent year of 2020. To the fallen stars, included in the set and not, Rest In Paradise - we offer our sincerest love and condolences to the families, and endless gratitude for the creative guiding light and healing power their music will forever bring us. Love, Peace, and Elbow Grease to all.

...

01. Jose Padilla - Walking On Air
02. Stanley Cowell - Travelin Man
03. McCoy Tyner - For Tomorrow 
04. Bohannon - Save Their Souls
05. Betty Wright - I Love The Way You Love
06. The Pointer Sisters - Yes We Can Can
07. Bill Withers - You Got the Stuff
08. Richenel - Autumn (Alt Version)
09. Vaughn Mason - Feel My Love
10. Candido - Thousand Finger Man
11. Manu Dibango - Sun Explosion
11. Throbbing Gristle - Hot On Heels Of Love
13. Gang Of Four - I Love A Man In Uniform (Dub)
14. Whodini - It’s All In Mr. Magic’s Wand
15. Kraftwerk - The Telephone Call
16. Two Lone Swordsmen - The Bunker (Original)
17. Mike Huckaby - Radiance
18. Tony Allen & Jeff Mills - Locked And Loaded
19. The Roots - Distortion To Static
20. Kool & The Gang - Summer Madness

**UPDATE: Two final gut punches of 2020 came in the form of the news of MF DOOM and K-maxx passing on Dec 31, two more amazing souls and musical titans who would certainly been included here as well. Travel safe through the lights, Kings. And infinite thanks for the inspiration.**

Greasy Listening : Episode 007

Brand new Soundcloud van damn page fam!

Bookings/Inquiries: contact@elbowgrease.la

Dave Aju is an internationally-recognized DJ, producer, remixer, sound engineer, vocalist and artist known for his distinctive voice and unique blend of musical styles. Born Marc David Barrite and raised by a respected Cali Jazz-head father, an early peer of Pharaoh Sanders, he soon became an avid young B-Boy and MC in the local Electro and Hip-Hop scenes before eventually finding his niche in the deeper left-field corners of mid-90s Detroit Techno and the global underground House Music movement, channeling all of the above influences into his retro-futuristic DJ sets and productions with a natural passion for dance music history, his Filipino/Ute Indian cultural rhythmic roots, and psychedelic-inspired sonic ingenuity into a raw handmade sound truly all his own.

An expansive discography which garners regular support from musical mentors-turned-fans such as Claude Young, Theo Parrish, DJ QU and Pepe Bradock includes his recently released fifth studio album Glossolalia with The Invisible Art Trio, the homecoming LP TXLAX and the follow-up Ciao Sun EP on Tokyo’s renown Mule Musiq, three previous award-nominated concept albums on Parisian outlet Circus Company, coveted remixes for select elite acts from Nicolas Jaar to STR4TA, celebrated EP releases for labels such as Ostgut Ton, Music For Freaks, and Matthew Herbert's Accidental Records, along with a deep history of notable headlining performances at globally-revered venues from London’s Fabric and Berlin’s Panorama Bar to the Sonar and MUTEK festivals, as well as regular contributions to tastemaker radio platforms like Dublab and Gilles Peterson's BBC shows. Dave Aju now finds himself in a well-accomplished creative zone at home in Los Angeles. Forever a fixture in his legendary studio developing next-level material, repping West Coast warehouse roots events with the DISCOS XXX aka DX3 crew, promoting culture connection truths with the LAXD series, penning lyrics and dropping soulful vocals for the exploratory band KAMM, while steadily mix engineering and working behind the scenes in support of a variety of LA projects, teaching production courses to future generations at Hollywood’s esteemed Musicians Institute, dropping DJ set science from his vast record collection, while running the Greasy Listening mix series that promotes new like-minded works that check the mind, body, soul boxes, and his home-base artist imprint Elbow Grease.