Still needs mixing and mastering, but this remix has worked out quite well :)

Final version will hopefully be available soon.  I'm waiting for a copy of the original Inspectah 12" to arrive in the post so I can replace the low bitrate vocal, then it's off to Lack of Afro's studio for the mix.

A bit of info about this track: the accapella is from Inspectah Deck's "City High" (currently a low quality mp3 in this version) and the beat is from an old Willard Burton & The Funky Four 7" (lifted from the original record).

It started off with me just making  re-edit of the funk track, extending the break and creating about 16 new drum patterns from the first bar of the break (as highlighted on the timed comments at about 0:20).  I then added the accapella, and restructured the track to fit.

The original track varies between 85 and 88BPM, and in my edit only the sections with my chopped up beat are strictly 87.  The additional bars (key sections, etc.) are at their original tempo.

This may seem like an ill-advised choice, but I really wanted to capture the authentic old school feel of early hiphop tracks where the beats had a lot of swing.  Although I haven't used an MPC (instead I cut and rearranged the drums manually using the antiquated Cooledit Pro and it's multi-channel editor*) I hope I've managed to capture the sound and style of one.  

(* I've been using Cooledit Pro for ten years now!  I am well aware that it is really shit, but I kind of like the fact that it is user-unfriendly and there are no proper shortcuts - it forces you to do everything manually, which takes time but yields good results).

Next step for this track is to replace the vocal with a cleaner recording, then I'll add some tight cuts provided by another Exeter DJ to the two instrumental breaks in the second half.  I'm not sure if the final version will be available for download here, as I've had some interest from a local bootleg label.  However, I'll still reply to requests for links via the message system.

Oh, and I know it is uncool to brag, but Phill Most Chill (Soulman) says "I'm diggin' that beat! Nice work, I like that funk 45 sound...good shit".  That comment alone has made 2011 a great year for me ;)

Heavy Stylus - City High (Funky In Here Edit) (2011) (WIP)

Heavy Stylus: An explosive amalgamation of Jamaican roots, hip hop beats, heavy soul breaks and blaxploitation ghetto-funk.

I’ve been rocking funk/soul/beats/hiphop/roots for around 20 years in various bars and clubs across the South West, and have supported a wide range of acts and artists such including Jelly Jazz, Boca 45, Andy Smith, Quantic, Craig Charles, DJ Food, Bonobo, Gilles Peterson, Ugly Duckling and DJ Format.

Although I started as a vinyl-only DJ in Bristol, these days I use a pair of battle-scarred Pioneer CDJs as my weapons of choice. I’m currently a resident (of 11 years) at the Angel Bar on Queen Street, and in the past have held Exeter-based residencies at The Monkey Suit, Timepiece, Dr. Inks and Verve (now Urban Underground), as well as DJing regularly for Hold it Down.

For bookings / remix/edits and hook-ups contact James via DM here.

https://soundcloud.com/heavy-stylus
https://www.mixcloud.com/jamesmonkman/

(Oh, and in addition to rocking the ones-and-twos, James Monkman is also one half of Exeter-based independent videogame development studio RGCD.DEV, hence the goofy twitter tag).

Heavy Stylus - City High (Funky In Here Edit) (2011) (WIP)

Heavy Stylus (Devon, UK)