WAX POETICS x MUSIC IS MY SANCTUARY
Digging Soviet Melodiyas with Lexis 

"When it comes to exploring records from a culture across the world, nothing beats going to the source and digging them from where they originated. After spending time in Estonia (a former Soviet Republic) last year and again this year, I went from knowing very little about Soviet-era records, to being obsessed by them.

Turns out, digging Soviet-era records is quite a challenge!"

Word by Lexis

Continue the story at waxpoetics.com

WAX POETICS x MUSIC IS MY SANCTUARY

Tune in to Across 110th Street live every week on 89.9 FM (NYC) or via WKCR.org from 12-2 PM EST!

Tracklist:
"Sparrow" Marvin Gaye
~Talk
"Betcha By Golly Wow" The Stylistics
"Betcha By Golly Wow" Phyllis Hyman & Norman Connors
"La La Means I Love You" The Delfonics
"I'll Be Around" Spinners
"Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" Spinners
"It's Gonna Take A Miracle" Deneice Williams
"Your Move, My Heart" Phyllis Hyman
~Talk
"Is It Something I Said" MFSB
"Crawshay" Cymande
"Bra" Cymande
"Zion I" Cymande
"Funky Nassau Pt. 1" The Beginning of the End
"Funky Nassau Pt. 2" The Beginning of the End
"When She Made Me Promise" The Beginning of the End
~Talk
"Family Affair" Sly & The Family Stone
"Last Night Changed It All" Esther Williams
"Seven Minutes of Funk" The Whole Darn Family
"Fencewalk" Mandrill
~Talk
"Yes We Can Can" The Pointer Sisters
"How Long (Betcha Got A Chick On the Side)" The Pointer Sisters
~Talk
"Close Your Eyes & Look Within" Donald Byrd
"Tripping Out" Curtis Mayfield

Photo: Thom Bell

Across 110th Street 1/15/23

Buy / Stream it here: https://orcd.co/beersheba

Like a long-lost Holy Grail album from the mid-seventies, Kirk Degiorgio’s latest project, Modal Forces / Percussive Forces, explores both Modal Jazz and Seventies Jazz Fusion in the Library album format. Side One swings with a vengeance with its tight arrangements built around acoustic bass, electric piano and glorious analog synth leads and side 2 takes us on a journey of funk fuelled, percussive workouts and heavy breaks. The contributions of renowned session drummer Chris Whitten adds to the authenticity of the album as does the use of vintage, analog synths.

Now, as a taster of what's to come on this album, BBE is releasing Beersheba as the first single from the project. In true library music style Beersheba comes in at less than 4 minutes but manages to create an atmosphere and a story. With the keys overlaying a melody and a refrain on top of a bass and drum break rhythm this track not only paints a picture but also builds to a lovely mid-tempo dancefloor groove that tantalises the listener as to what the next track will be.

Kirk Degiorgio is a DJ, composer and music lover whose influences, from family and then going out to clubs from under-18 discos to attending the Belvedere Arms and 'Shoom' and working in Reckless Records, cover all genres of Black music. From Soul, Jazz-Funk, Funk and then House and Detroit Techno Kirk has a love and an appreciation for how all these sounds work together and evolve from each other.

Kirk Degiorgio - Beersheba [BBE Music]

I came back the other week with a bag full of records I grabbed while in NYC to play for you all, but that will have to wait. In the past few days, two of the best to ever do it have transitioned after living incredible lives and giving all of us so much music and inspiration - Ahmad Jamal and Ivan "Mamao" Conti. It only felt right to pay tribute to them both on this episode. I tried to play some tunes, especially from Jamal's catalogue, that aren't the big sample-famous ones, but are favorites none the same.

I've done two other mixes dedicated to Jamal in the past, who is my favorite pianist ever, whose music has been so important to me, whose records my dad passed down to me. Admittedly only in more recent years have I become more familiar with Conti's work, and have completely fallen in love with it. 

Salute to these giants!

April 19 2023

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Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 224 (Ahmad and Mamao)

PT. 2 (BONUS) "Day Care" Radio Show w/ DJ Randy Ellis & The Alaia, featuring special guest Mr. Big Happy
Recorded and Mixed Live at Cafe De Nadie (CDMX)
Listen to pt. 1 here: https://soundcloud.com/cqqlrecords/day-care-on-nts-w-dj-randy-ellis-the-alaia-mr-big-happy-050823

PT. 2 Cafe De Nadie Bonus Day Care w/ DJ Randy Ellis, The Alaia & Mr. Big Happy 05.08.23

Was traveling last week but came home with a stack of goodies. Here's a few new and old soulful cuts to play on a hot August day! Enjoy, and don't forget to subscribe on Apple or elsewhere if you can!

Tracklist: Soul Surfers, Loving Cup, Tamba Trio, Maria Bethania Viana, Henry Mancini, Upp, De Vonne Armstrong, Patterns in Sound

August 9 2023

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Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 233 - Slow Burners

This week I threw together one more "summer" mix of just a few records I don't play often enough. Big Nicola Conte vibes on this one, which some great, upbeat jazz-house-ish flavors! Enjoy.

Jazz House Minimi

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Summer Jazz House Mini-Mix

Been a hectic past month, but in-between it all I've picked up a few things here and there. Lots of 7inch heat on this one! Enjoy.

Tracklist: Armand Boatman Trio, The Kanpai Quartet, Frollen Music Library, Aesthetic, Nautilus, Timo Lassy, Release Music Orchestra

September 20 2023

Pullin from the Stacks Episode 235 - Recent Digs and Things

Welcoming back to the podcast, we have Sam Don to share and discuss his latest release, Just A Touch (Athens of the North, 2023) — the new compilation focusing on underground U.K Soul. Together, Aswad and Sam discuss the term ‘Street Soul’ and what it means to them, the culture, the impact it created in a short space of time. Sam shares the inspiration behind the project, working closely with artists to resurface these rare, and sometimes lost and forgotten music.

Sam Don - Just A Touch

This is Volume 1 of 4 from Rap Production wizard Jake One released in 2004 (when modern soul was still virgin territory). Nothing but the ill 80s modern soul and funk.

Jake One - AR-1 (2004)

Zoom>FLAC 48/24>Soundcloud
Recorded by Adam Fisher and  processed by CRISH

Focus

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 233 - Slow Burners

DJ Ian Head