ghosts of tha past

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DoPe MiXtApEs!!

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DJ IAN HEAD 👳

Jazz

Eat a Dick Donald Trump

Travels happened this summer - couple days in Pittsburgh, two weeks in Portland, few days in Chicago, then back to the Apple. Along the way, multiple visits were made to key vinyl vendors. Additionally, I went back through some old boxes I'd left at my mom's house the past few years and pulled out a couple gems. In-between roaming the aisles and avoiding papercuts while thumbing through record sleeves, it was interesting to think about how my priorities in digging have changed. I've really been getting into some of the slower, bluesier soul joints - don't know if it's the thick summer weather or I'm just getting older. That being said, I'm still out here looking for the funk.

This is an all-vinyl mixtape, about half an hour of a few of the 45s that I found over the past couple months. Big shout out to all the fam and digging peoples and especially my non-digging friends who let me sneak off for a couple hours to stare at record labels.

I'm starting to put together a more lengthy "Fall" mix, but had to throw something out there in the meantime. THE DIGGING NEVER STOPS!! Hope you enjoy.

- DJ Ian Head

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The Digging Never Stops (All-45s Mixtape)

Here's the second tape in my "seasonal" series - a compilation of eclectic tunes from recent and past digging adventures. Something to bump on the headphones after you zip your hoodie up and stroll up the block, crunchy and soulful. No tracklist for this one - thumb through a crate or two and I'm sure you'll come up with some of these cuts.

I'm continuing to feature artistic friends of mine with this series of tapes. Big shout out to Brian Burk, whose beautiful photo of a cool fall sky graces the cover. You can check out more of his incredible photos at http://brianburk.smugmug.com. Also special shout to the homie Turiya, who's getting back into vinyl and let me feature part of an interview I did with her on this tape.

Hope you all enjoy. Stay warm.

- DJ Ian Head 

Fall (mixtape)

DJ Skeme Richards of hotpeasandbutta.com shared this with me and allowed me to release it.
It was originally made to promote a company that was doing a line of 45 boxes for 7" vinyl but that never happened so now we get to hear it.

PHOTO CREDIT: FlowMo

DJ Skeme Richards-45 mix *2008 *UNRELEASED

Took me a second to get to this one. This winter has been a little hectic, but in a good way: the collision of work with school with travel to see family and friends. In-between, digging and stumbling between crates continues to be a constant. Besides my usual NYC adventures I was back in Portland for a couple weeks, and a quick day of almost getting caught by the polar vortex in Chicago - but still somehow managed to make it to the record store for an hour despite 2 feet of snow and freezing temperatures. This chaos the past couple months, combined with the ice-cold temperatures, has worked to create a bit of a bizarre tape, with more of a "rock" style edge. I tried to keep it eclectic as usual, and give a broad sampling of a few things I've dug up these last few weeks. All vinyl. No tracklisting, just holler if you need that science.

I'd also like to say RIP to Amiri Baraka and Pete Seeger. Both had a profound effect on the ways I view and listen to music and politics.

I hope everyone is staying warm.

- DJ Ian Head 

Winter (Mixtape)

http://www.rappcats.com/thank-you-jay-dee-act-2/ A dedication to the late J Dilla, mixed by J Rocc. This was the second of a four-part series, released over the course of three years.

Thank You Jay Dee, Act 2, mixed by J Rocc

Bolier Room SXSW w/ Julio Bashmore b2b omar-s, justblaze b2b glk, Mustard, Tinashe, Four Tet

[Broadcasted on 15th March 2014]

Tracklist & Video at Boilerroom.tv


Ray-Ban x Boiler Room 004 - SXSW Warehouse Four Tet DJ Set

Qool DJ Marv's 2-hour mix dedicated to The Roots, originally broadcast on WURD Philly. Marv's thoughts on 2 supporting inspirations:

One - I was telling my mom about The Roots making it from playing music on a South Street corner to becoming a band that travelled all over the U.S. and the world and is now the house band of the new Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. She wasn't aware of them and their journey. One idea behind this is a Roots mix for the older generations.

Two - I imagined this scenario between a Dad and his son. Dad's hipping son to the hip-hop of his day. Thanks to a cool mix from a DJ named Marv, Dad played his boy the entire mix on a drive from Philadelphia to New York (because they scored tickets to the Tonight Show).

After each and every song, son asked "That's them too?"
"Yes, that's them too," smiled Dad.
"They sound so different, every song," the boy with the eager ears said.
"Well, they are musicians and their main voice, Black Thought, what a name eh(?), he's more than a rapper, he raps poetry, stories, information and encouragement."
"I thought rappers just talked about themselves and how they the best," said son.
"They are best at self-aggrandizement, I always needed more son," taught Dad.
(The Seed 2.0 starts playing)
"Oh who is this? Are we finished listening to the Roots," asked son.
"That's them too," beamed Dad while reaching for the + sign on the volume control.
"Wow, that's them too," said son with a voice that trailed off as he looked out the window and saw New York City on the horizon.
(Narrator: "Each time [son] asked "That's them too," in his mind's eye, heart & soul and deep in his consciousness, he was actually saying, "That's me too. That's me too. That's me, too. That's me.")

Qool DJ Marv - The Roots Mix

A warm sun finally came out this weekend in NYC and the time felt right to drop the Spring mixtape. After the non-stop barrage of cold weather these past few months, I tried to keep things upbeat and bright, a gathering of mostly-instrumental vinyl selections I've picked up recently and not-so-recently. I hope you play it with the breeze blowing in through the apartment windows you've finally cracked open.

This is the last piece of my four-part "seasonal" mixtape series, and once again I am blessed to have an incredible photographer donate some of her work for the cover. Everyone should check out the beautiful photography of Hong-An Tran at http://www.hongantran.com/ and http://ruinista.com/. Seriously good.

Again no tracklisting on this one. For those curious about the records used, there's a few clues on my Instagram. 

Spring (Mixtape)

This recording is available to download at: http://boilerroom.tv/recording/collections-egon

Egon - Collections

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

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)

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)

Free Ep downl. :http://radiojuicy.com/album/smoke-break-ep
Vocalacap  courtesy of : https://soundcloud.com/edo-g-1
                           Cuts  : https://soundcloud.com/kallsen
                Artwork by  : https://www.facebook.com/loco.pixel
txs to https://soundcloud.com/flofills  for the nice sample dig 
"Maverick " Coming soon on https://soundcloud.com/radiojuicy

Ep Free download

Edo G - RevolutionRMX  ( Cuts   Kallsen )

I've done 7 x 1 hour mixes, solely made up of old tunes sampled in classic Hip Hop tracks - but cut up on two copies / decks to re-create the loops / chops people used.
I didn't use any compilations, reissues, bootlegs, or downloads. All originals. I've always been a digging fiend on the side!
But - to save the original pressings (and also cos it's hard enough to get one copy of some of these, let alone two!) - I loaded them into Serato vinyl, so I could scratch away to my heart's content, with ruining anything!
So here's VOL.1.
Further volumes to follow...
Enjoy...

Fake Blood - "USED" Vol.1

Something breezy and upbeat for the coming summer months. Music from Marc Mac, Jukka Eskola, Poets of Rhythm, Sly 5th Ave, DJ Spinna and much more. Hit me up for a full tracklisting.


Summer 2015 Mixtape

And here is the third in my "USED" series of mixes...
Me cutting up 2 copies of old tracks sampled in classic Hip Hop tunes.
All originals. No compilations or reissues. Crates power.
Still more volumes still to come!

Enjoy...

Fake Blood - "USED" Vol.3

Back with another bag of listening treats, including Nina Simone, Joe Cuba Sextet, Sophie MgCina, Curtis Mayfield and more.

Pullin from the Stacks - Episode 21

Here is Vol.4 of my "USED" series.

All original pressings of old tracks sampled in classic Hip Hop tunes, cut up on 2 copies.

Enjoy!

Fake Blood - "USED" Vol.4

Buy / Stream: https://BBEmusic.lnk.to/RiveGaucheWalking
Already touring extensively thoughout their native France, Rive Gauche is a new live and studio project fronted by Alexandre Destrez, pianist of Saint Germain’s
albums (Tourist & Boulevard).
Fans of Saint Germain’s two stunning albums on Blue Note will be pleased to know that the debut single from Rive Gauche is very much in the same vein. 
Smooth jazz grooves, seductive trumpet licks and smokey vocals are the order of the day here, laid over subtle electronic touches and solid beats. First up on remix duties, genre-hopping production maestro Simbad supplies an uptempo and fun jazz-house workout guaranteed to move a dancefloor (DJs should probably practise miming the ‘rewind’). Last but no means least, radio presenter and champion of quality music of almost all shades, Gilles Peterson takes the helm for the second remix. His multifaceted interpretation blends latin jazz vibes with Amen Break sampling drum’n’bass beats, somehow remaining delicate and floaty throughout. Creative and brilliantly realised, we can’t wait to hear what’s next from Rive Gauche.


Walking...

Rive Gauche - Walking...

MIMS Guest Mix: SAM IRL (Jazz & Milk)

As promised, here is the 5th in my "USED" series of mixes!

All original pressings of old tracks sampled in classic Hip Hop tunes, cut up on 2 copies.

Enjoy!

(working on Vol.6 right now...)

- FB

Fake Blood - "USED" Vol.5

Here is the 6th and last in my USED series.

As with all the previous volumes, it's 100% original pressings of old tracks sampled in classic Hip Hop tunes, loaded into Serato (to save them getting wrecked and cos many of them are super rare), and then cut up on 2 copies.

Hope you enjoy this one as much as the others.

- FBx







Fake Blood - "USED" Vol.6

1995-04-22 - Funkmaster Flex - NY Hot 97, A

Stretch Armstrong on His NY Sh!t

When Dilla first passed I refrained from doing a tribute mix because I felt that it was a little like bringing sand to the beach (though I thoroughly enjoyed many of the tribute mixes that circulated the web). Now that 2 years have passed, and over 2 albums worth of new material has been released (or re-released in some cases), I felt I could bring something new to the Dilla tribute mix collection. Expect the usual BlendingNations signature sound of quick mixing and blends upon blends. Take a moment and remember a talented man who died too early. Enjoy..."


DillaMix-Pipomixes

This mix was inspired by a Little Brother interview I read a few years ago. In the interview, I remember the interviewer asked the group why they went with the name "Little Brother." The group replied that they chose the name because they felt that musically, they were the "little brother" of groups like ATCQ, De La Soul, and Slum Village. In the spirit of that interview, I put together a 40 minute mix of Tribe, De La, and Slum V classics titled "Big Brother." Same BlendingNationSounds mixing style that all of you have come to know and love. Enjoy."


Big Brother

First off, big ups to my man Joey Stratts for the cover art. If any of you fellow deejays or bloggers are in need of some graphic art, hit up my man at joe.serhan@hotmail.com. Okay, okay, enough with the shout-outs. As the title suggests, the mix consists of all Pete Rock produced tracks. It's more on the minimega-mix side of things because it only runs at about 23 minutes and change. I know, I know, why so short? I don't have a good answer for that one other than I always error on the side of quality over quantity, and that my next mix (all Doom) will be at least double in length. The mix consists of 36 Pete Rock tracks mixed into a 23 minute package. To make things interesting, I'll send over a copy of the very hard to find Taster's Choice Vol. 4 (mixed by J.Rocc) to whoever is the first to post or email me a correct tracklist. As always, a lot of time and energy went into crafting this mix, so I hope you all enjoy the mix half as much as I enjoyed making it.

Pete Rock DXM06

I am constantly thinking of different themes to build a mix around. With the completion of each mix I typically fall into a 2-3 week funk where I try to think of a new theme for my next mix. Following the Folger's Blends mix I was struggling to think of a new theme. Then, one day while doing a random google search I stumbled onto the above logo. At first glance, I thought the logo was straight dope. However, the logo became even cooler when I learned that it was the creation of my favorite t-shirt designer, Derek from Manifest Worldwide. Given that the saying behind the logo comes from a ATCQ song, I was originally intending to do a Tribe mix. However, since Tribe mixes are a dime a dozen I went in the direction of creating a mix that attempts to capture the jazzy vibe that groups like Tribe and Digable Planets spawned. As the title suggests, all songs on this mix incorporate jazz based samples. The track selection includes music from jazzy groups and producers such as A Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, Diamond D, Black Moon, De La Soul, Madlib, No ID, Gang Starr, Showbiz & AG, Big L, The Roots, and Nas (I think that's all of them?). Half the fun of making this mix was doing the research to ensure that all songs maintained a jazz break. Some were no brainers, but other songs with jazz breaks were quite surprising. Jazz based samples have always given a special vibe to hip hop music so I hope this mix captures that magic. Thanks again to Derek at Manifest for inspiring the mix's theme.

We Got the Jazz

This mix was originally conceived aboard a LAX to Paris flight where I must have listened to Large Professor's "LP" album two dozen times. The "LP" was bumping in my headphones when I boarded the plane. The "LP" was looping in my ears as all of my fellow passengers slept the 12 hour flight away while your boy Pipo was more awake than a 5 year-old on Christmas morning. Frustrated with my inability to fall asleep, I ordered as much hard liquor as that plane could hold in attempt to drink myself to sleep (which failed). Through each Jack and Coke, Jack and ice, and ultimately, Jack and Jack, the "LP" was my soundtrack to each bitter plastic cup filled dose of hard alcohol. And yes, the "LP" was still playing (though, at a lower volume) while I watched Francis Ford Coppola's latest movie Tetro, and wondered how the hell the movie's director could be the same man who directed Godfather I, Godfather II, and Apocalypse Now. Well, while listening to L*#ge Pro's much delayed, and consequently, much slept-on album, I decided that I would devote an entire mix to one of my favorite production hero's. He may not be as heralded as Primo or Pete R*#k, nor as much of a cult-like symbol as J. D*&$a, but I challenge anybody to front on the Mad Scientist's production credits (and non credits for that matter). This mix is similar to the style of the PR mix I did a while back. So, if you enjoy the LP and a certain college professor who is known to drop a mix every now and again, your satisfaction is guaranteed. A lot of time and effort went into crafting this mix so I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

College Pro v. Large Pro

This was the third of a four-part series, mixed by J Rocc, released yearly from 2006-2009. This one was originally posted as episode 29 of the Stones Throw Podcast. Cover: Homer remix by Jeff Jank.

Tracklist
http://www.rappcats.com/thank-you-jay-dee-act-3

Thank You Jay Dee, Act 3, mixed by J Rocc

Pete Rock & Marley Marl - WBLS 08 Dec 1989

I enjoyed making this tape. It's a bit different from my more crunchy, vinyl-heavy mixes, but hopefully still bump-able at the local evening picnic or house party. You can do silly dances to it, or just cool out and sip a nice iced beverage while it rocks in the background. Either way, don't sleep on the Vijay Iyer's jazz cover of MIA's "Galang."

I'm planning on doing a series of "seasonal" mixes, in combination with covers from a variety of artists and photographers I know. The first cover is from world traveler, documentarian and incredible photographer Daniel Littlewood, a close friend since high school. You can find more of his photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellittlewood.

Tracklisting:

JuJu Orchestra - "Nao Posso Demorar"
Platinum Pied Pipers - "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"
Erykah Badu - "I Want Moombah" (J Boogie Edit)
Johnny Hammond - "Tell Me What to Do" (Whiskey Barons ReWork)
Jazzanova - "Boom Klicky Boom Klack" (Mr. Scruff's Vocal Mix)
Up, Bustle and Out - "La Morena en El Viento Andaluz"
Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth - "The Creator" (Surfboard Mix)
Cal Tjader - "Borneo" (The Gaff Edit)
Gilles Peterson's Havana Cultura Band - "Orisa" (Atjazz Love Soul Remix)
Five Corners Quintet - "Unsquare Bossa"
Visioneers - "Rocket Man (Afro-Latin Joint)"
Vijay Iyer Trio - "Galang" (Trio Riot Version)
Louie Gee Ensemble - "Scrabble"

Summer (Mixtape)

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.