Pullin From The Stacks ( Ian Head's Groove )

Dedications and Tributes Mixes

Jazz Mixes - Various Artists

Gift of Gab was most definitely a big part of my life's soundtrack since high school. I might have seen Blackalicious in concert more often than any other group. He was one of the most brilliant emcees I've ever heard, and from all accounts was just a great human. Sending love out to his family and friends. This is just a short tribute mix with a few favorite tracks and a few samples that give me that feeling that became part of the legendary music he and Chief Xcel made together. RIP.

June 30 2021

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Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 171 (Gift of Gab Tribute)

My first tribute to the great Ramsey Lewis, one of my absolute favorite pianists and musicians, who passed today (September 12, 2022). Thought I'd re-up this. Salute!!

May 2009

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Throwback Mix: A Tribute to Ramsey (2009 Mixtape)

Finally back after a several-week hiatus due to my move. Definitely some hard losses these past weeks, with absolute legends Pharoah Sanders and Ramsey Lewis passing away. Ramsey Lewis's records were some of the first jazz and funk records I purchased, and I highly recommend his catalog - it's still pretty affordable, and just as beautiful and funky as many of the "rare" and pricey records from other artists. Pharoah Sanders' records are getting a bit more pricey these days, but most are still attainable - and there are some good represses out there. Absolutely beautiful music. Rest in Power to both these legends, I'm eternally grateful for what they brought to all of us.

I tried to intersperse some interview clips of each of them within this mix, which I did live on Twitch a few days ago.

September 28 2022

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Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 207 (Pharoah Sanders + Ramsey Lewis Tribute)

Salute to the legend Donald Byrd, who was born December 9, 1932 and would have been 90 this year. I'm a long way from having or hearing everything in his catalogue, but his records are pretty much all guaranteed brilliance and highly recommended. I do think his work gets slightly melded with and possibly overshadowed by the Mizell brothers later in his career, but Byrd was an amazing orchestrator, producer, song writer and of course musician in his own right. So I tried to keep the Mizell-related tracks to a minimum here and play a selection from throughout his catalogue. Enjoy!

Pullin from the Stacks

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Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 216 (Donald Byrd Dedication)

Rest in Peace and Power Dave Trugoy the Dove Plug 2. An absolute tragic loss that I'm still in shock over. Sending love and support to his family and friends, and of course all the other fans like myself who literally grew up on De La Soul and Dave's voice and artistry. De La Soul is not dead however. Everyone should go out and buy and support their music when it starts streaming and becoming available for purchase in early March!

This is a mix I made last Friday evening of some of my favorite De La records and samples, with a focus on Plug 2's mastery of the written and spoken word. All vinyl except for one obscure guest spot that I love which he did with Moka Only awhile back.

Salute to one of the absolute best groups and emcees EVER.

De La Dedication Mix 2023

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De La Soul Dedication Mix

New weekly podcast from DJ Ian Head. Just playin some eclectic records for you all every Sunday. Since this is the first episode, I'm gonna keep it simple and cross my fingers that I can do this every week for at least the near future. 

Tracklisting: The Jazz Piano Quartet, Patti Brown, Nina Simone, The Soulful Strings, Young-Holt Trio, Tyrone Davis, Chocolate Milk, Mike Longo, Harry Belafonte, Nirvana, The Lloyd Miller Trio

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Pullin From the Stacks Podcast (Episode 1)

We're back for week two! Many thanks to everyone who checked the first episode, and to Pipomixes and Grandgood for promoing it last week. 

Tracklisting: Osmosis, Eddie Palmieri, the John Young Trio, Curtis Mayfield, the Supremes, Isaac Hayes, Bill Withers, Pete Seeger, Ramsey Lewis, the Temprees

Pullin from the Stacks Podcast (Episode 2)

The latest episode! All 45s on this one. Tracklisting: Richard Roundtree, Jimmy McGriff, Cannonball Adderley Quintet, The Three Sounds, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, William DeVaughn, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Eddie Harris, Ray Bryant, The Loading Zone, The Fantastic Johnny C, The Mirettes, T-Bone Walker

Pullin from the Stacks Podcast (Episode 3 - all 45s)

feelin under the weather this weekend, so just played a couple art blakey cuts. a few get a little crunchy, but hopefully it adds to the flavor.

Pullin from the Stacks Podast (Episode 4 - crunchy art blakey records)

Back with some funky covers and heavy soul. Tracklisting: Black Pearl, Freda Payne, Curtis Mayfield, Cal Tjader, Willie Bobo, Ella Fitzgerald, Sly and the Family, Incredible Bongo Band, Rare Earth, Freddy Robinson, Pete Seeger.

Pullin from the Stacks Podcast(Episode 5)

Ahead of Monday's 'Red Bull Music Academy Presents Cosmic Expansions', Gilles puts together a mix of his favourite Lonnie Liston Smith-related selections. 

And to round things off, here's the first play of the full un-edited interview between Lonnie and Gilles, recorded in November 2012.

ll smith - rejuvenations (astral travelling 1973)
roland kirk -now please don’t cry beautiful edith (now please...1967)
pharaoh sanders - astral travelling ( thembi 1971)
leon thomas - echoes (spirits known and unknown 1969)
ll smith - shadows (expansions 1975)
ll smith - sunbeams (reflections of a golden dream 1976)
gato barbieri - tupac (fenix 1971)
ll smith - in the park (love is the answer 1980)
ll smith - bright moments (loveland 1978)
ll smith - space princess (exotic mysteries 1978)
ll smith - mardi gras (renaissance 1977)
ll smith - naima (cosmic funk 1974)
oliver nelson - in a japanese garden (skull session 1975)
miles davis - ife (big fun 1974)
ll smith - space lady (renaissance 1975)
ll smith - a chance for peace (visions of a new world 1975)
marvin gaye - what’s going on (live in montreux 1980)
ll smith - visions of a new world (live! 1977)
expansions - expansions (1975)
ll smith - cary paul and louisa (make someone happy 1986)
ll smith - a song for the children (a song for the children 1979)
ll smith - colour my love (magic lady 1991)

http://uktour.redbullmusicacademy.com/events/cosmic-expansions

Lonnie Liston Smith Mix & In Conversation

via @walla-p 

I remember the 1st time I heard of Lonnie Liston Smith; it was through the album credits of Jay-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt”. I’ve always been more intrigued with production rather than lyrics but still, I didn’t really catch on to his work until later on when I saw a video of Ski Beatz where he was explaining how he made “Dead Presidents“. That’s when I realized I had to dig deeper into LLS’ catalogue, especially as a young beat producer at the time.

Even since then, Lonnie Liston Smith has captured & mystified my ears with his music. Whether on the solo tip or with his Cosmic Echoes, LLS’ compositions are filled with funky rhythms, peaceful messages, celestial rhodes solos and timeless rhythms. He was, and still is a true visionary, and I’ll always feel like he was way ahead of his time.

For this mix, I selected some of my ultimate cuts, tracks that helped me escape from reality, travel to outer realms & meditate on my past/current/future endeavours.

Tribute to LONNIE LISTON SMITH - Selected by Walla P

1 Roy Davis Jr. & Jay Juniel - Egyptian Jazz 
2 Roy Davis Jr. - About Love (Isolee Black And White Mix) 
3 Marshall Jefferson & Roy Davis Jr pres Umosia - Love Don't Let Me Down (Primal Auto Soul Mix) 
4 Roy Davis Jr. - Chicago Heights 
5 Roy Davis Jr. & Juan Hoerni - I Like It Like This (Main Mix) 
6 Roy Davis Jr. - If You Wanna (P'taah Vocal Mix) (feat. Terry Dexter) 
7 Roy Davis - Let Me Show U Tha Scene 
8 Roy Davis Jr. - Give It Up (Maurice's Nu Soul Remix) 
9 Roy Davis Jr. - Always There (Roy's Vocal Mix) 
10 Roy Davis Jr. - Closer 2 U 
11 Roy Davis Jr. - Come On (feat. XL) 
12 Roy Davis Jr. - God Of Israel (Funk Electric Mix) 
13 Roy Davis Jr. - Goodlife (Patrick Dream Montreal Mix) 
14 Roy Davis Jr. - Electric Soul 
15 Roy Davis Jr. - I Wanna See Your Body Move 
16 Roy Davis Jr. - All 4 U (Live @ Club Heaven) 
17 Roy Davis Jr. - How Will You Know 
18 Roy Davis Jr. - Dance Shake 
19 Mike Acetate & Carlos Gibbs Feat. Roy Davis Jr. - Jus Move (Original Mix) 
20 Roy Davis Jr. - Dance Everybody (Original Mix) 
21 Roy Davis Jr. - I Know What You're Thinking (feat. Ayro) (Version 2) 
22 Roy Davis Jr. - All I Do 
23 Roy Davis Jr. & DJ 2 Tru - Future Funk 
24 Patrick Dream feat. Roy Davis Jr. - Feet Don't Fail (Spiritual Blessings Remix) 
25 Roy Davis Jr. - Bad Like Me (feat. Manny) 
26 Roy Davis Jr. - Got 2 Get 2 Heaven 
27 Roy Davis Jr. - Comparison It Is

ROY DAVIS Jr Part 1

Al Jarreau - So Good 90 min special

Available On Beatport

David Isaac - Jazz In The House (2012)

Several inspirational artists left us recently, including the great Junior Mance, whose records I've really loved since DJ Center put me onto him years ago. RIP Mr. Mance, RIP Ricky Powell, RIP Double K, RIP DOOM...condolences to everyone who's lost loved ones and to others in the hip-hop and broader community who drew inspiration from the incredible work these folks and others put in over the years. Keep your heads up everyone. 

Tracklist: Junior Mance Tribute Set, Grant Green, Sergio Mendes

February 3 2021

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 155 (Junior Mance Tribute + More)

When I'm not at the dayjob, I'm probably at a record store. Pullin from the Stacks podcast most Wednesdays, available here, Apple Pods (please subscribe!) and elsewhere.