Buy on 12" vinyl or digital: orcd.co/lostmylove

Produced in collaboration with Berlin-based duo Re.decay, DJ Amir presents a brand new remix of Strata Records founder Kenny Cox’s track ‘Lost My Love’, taken from his long- forgotten mid 70’s album ‘Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise’.

Originally planned to be the second release on Detroit’s mythic Strata label (a precursor to its more famous cousin Strata East), pianist Kenny Cox’s first and only solo album came hot on the heels of The Lyman Woodard Organization’s classic ‘Saturday Night Special’. But, for reasons lost to the mists of time, the LP never saw the light of day until DJ Amir licensed the rights to the label’s catalogue and began scouring the archive in 2012, rediscovering ‘Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise’ and issuing it on his own 180 Proof imprint.

The closing track from ‘Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise’, ‘Lost My Love’ is a bossa-tinged, flute and mellotron string-laden, languid jazz-fusion gem, with Kenny Cox’s delicate electric piano chords at its warm centre. DJ Amir joins forces with Berlin production duo Re.decay for a complete rebuild of the track from the original master stems. Their version retains the cosy, analogue atmospherics of Cox’s original, complete with piano licks and flute trills, adding unhurried jazzy disco drums and drawing out the song’s subtly sleazy bass-line.

Serving as pianist for Etta Jones and recording for Blue Note records with his Contemporary Jazz Quintet, Kenny Cox founded the Strata label in the early 70’s, a natural progression from the Strata Concert Gallery which he opened in the late 60s, a tiny artist-led performance space that played host to jazz luminaries such as Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock and even Charles Mingus (a live recording of whose appearance at the Gallery was issued by BBE Music in 2018). He passed away at his Detroit home in 2008, survived by his widow, Barbara Cox.

Kenny Cox - Lost My Love

I noticed that the great Cal Tjader passed away around 40 years ago today (May 5th), and while I typically don't like doing death anniversaries, it did feel like a good time to revisit some of his records. The feeling of his music can't be understated - it just feels GOOD. Especially right now as spring moves toward summer, it seems perfect to break these albums out. This episode is also a bit of a sequel to an earlier Tjader mix on episode 24 of PFTS - I made sure to play a different selection of tracks, so go back and check that one too if you haven't already! Hope you enjoy.

May 5 2021

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Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 166 (More Cal Tjader)

High Park Funk - Radio Buena Vida 08.05.21

The latest Mystic Vybes show on WHCR 90.3 FM 📻

Mystic Vybes

Mystic Vybes WHCR 90.3 FM  11.11.2021

Taken from Surprise Chef's forthcoming LP 'Daylight Savings' (Release date: Oct 16th 2020)

Surprise Chef - Deadlines

For our first premiere of the week, MIMS presents “Spellbound”, lead single from UK-based producer King Knut’s forthcoming “XL” EP, due for release Aug 21. “Spellbound” is a hypnotic, heavy affair, putting us in mind of gritty 90s NY hip hop, dub, 90s trip hop and early Theo Parrish productions. 

We’re also very glad to share a video for the track, produced by Drive Me Home (Barkley Bandon, Later, CASisDEAD) and made using footage shot in the Costa Rican jungle by migratory naturalist, photographer, and small-scale coffee farmer Seth Beaudreault.

The EP comes on the back of 2018's cassette release Unreleased Beats Vol. 3 that received support and airplay from NTS, Wire Magazine and Trevor Jackson, and last year's remix for Lunch Money Life's Unlimited Ice Cream Palace on Kaya Records. The EP is mastered by Amir Shoat (Dean Blunt, Klein, Brother May).

A remix EP will follow later this fall with remixes from Cherrystones (Twisted Nerve, Touch Sensitive), Capitol K (Faith And Industry), Double Geography (Invisible Inc) and A'Bear.

Pre-order on the link below the player.

Pre-Order

Exclusive Premiere: King Knut "Spellbound" (Forthcoming Self-Release)

Antonio Neves - Forte Apache (feat. Hamilton de Holanda)

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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)

Piano and keyboard heavy episode this week, including two selections from the legend Chick Corea who sadly passed a few days ago. One of those artists you think will always be around, who made so many incredible records that I've been listening to since I first started collecting. Rest in Power. 

I have a stack of things old and new that have been landing in my post office box the last month, playing a few here and hope to play more soon! Hope everyone digs it.

Tracklist: Chick Corea, Allegro Jazz Ensemble, Marcos Resende and Index, Hampton Hawes, Vyacheslav Novikov, Michel Sardaby, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock

February 17 2021

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Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 156 (Pianos and Keys)

A belated birthday dedication to the one and only Nina Simone! Admittedly it took me a little while to fully get into Nina's records, even the well-known ones, but these days I always find something new and beautiful I hadn't noticed before on each one. Her eclectic song selection and style is so unique, there is nothing like it. The selections here are just a few of my favorites. Hope you enjoy.

Special thank-you to Alan Levine and Ruth and Judith, who generously donated their copies of Nina's records to me in recent years.

March 3 2021

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Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 158 (Nina Simone Dedication)

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.

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 156 (Pianos and Keys)

DJ Ian Head