Theo Parrish grew up on Chicago house parties. He went to art school in Kansas City, and then moved to Detroit. His eclectic DJ sets in Detroit in the late ’90s and early in this millennium are legendary. 

“Love of the music should be the driving force of any producer, performer or DJ. Everything else stems from that core, that love. With that love, sampling can become a tribute; An expansion on ideas long forgotten, reconstruction, collage. Using the same understanding openly and respectfully can turn DJing into a spiritual participation. It can turn a few hours of selection into essential history; Necessary listening through movement.” This personal philosophy gives shape and direction to the distinctive sounds that are created by Theo Parrish. (Last.fm)

01. Marvin Gaye – Life Is For Learning (Motown)
02. Dfa – Microstructural Characterization (Surveillance Rec.)
03. Jerry The Cat – I Only Have Eyes For You (sound signature)
04. Trip Do Brasil – Jelba Small
05. Moodymann – ???
06. East West Connection – North South – Chillifunk Records
07. Daryk Cura – Wide Open (Eargasmic)
08. Dwele – The Sun (Virgin)
09. Larry Heard – Missing You (Son Dexter Django Version) (Trackmode)
10. Ron Trent – ???
11. Hipnotic – Naima Laws Of Motion
12. Reggie Dokes – Black Thoughts (Psychostasia)
13. Larry Heard – Missing You (Tp Remix) (Trackmode)
14. Unknown Artist – Prescription Underground (Prescription 113)
15. Son Dexter – Sonrise Dance (Alleviated)
16. Herbie Hancock – The Essence (Joe Claussell mix) (Transparentmusic)
17. James Mason – Sweet Power (Soulbrother)
18. Nina Simone – See Line Woman
19. Herbie Hancock – Watermelon Man (Columbia)
20. Brothers Johnson – Caught Up
21. Braxton Holmes – 12 Inches Of Pleasure (Clubhouse)
22. Screamin Rachel – Rock Me (Westbrook)
23. Larry Heard/Mr Fingers – Closer
24. Nature Love – Speak Softly (Nite Life Collective)
25. Chaka Khan – What U Did
26. Undisputed Truth – Sandman (Gordy)
27. Dwele – The Sun (Virgin)
28. Tony Allen vs. Kraked Unit – The Man With The Drum
29. Marvin Gaye – Heavy Love Affair (Motown)
30. Herbie Hancock – Stars In Your Eyes (CBS)
31. Gil Scott Heron – Home Is Where The Hatred Is (Arista)
-thanks to theo parrish, dublab, last.fm, allphon.com and fullbozman.com

Theo Parrish - Live at Dublab 10.10.01

Moodymann @ Smart Bar Valentines Day 2009

2024-03-01 Live At Paloma Invites (Nico Lahs)

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy at Love Dancin' [ Live from We Out Here 2024 ]

Specter – The Cowrie 12.28.24
 Known for his deep, immersive sound and ability to blend genres effortlessly, Specter takes us on a journey from the first track until the lights flickered on. Guiding us through layers of house, techno, and experimental rhythms, as gritty as smooth, he crafts a sonic tapestry woven with grooves that kept the spirit flowing all night long.
Archived for your relistening pleasure!

THE COWRIE - SPECTER - 12.28.24

Next up in our Mix Series is Musclecars 🚗✨

Hailing from New York, Musclecars is a DJ / Producer duo consisting of Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield. Their desire to blend genres and express their appreciation for music is focused around their community, their end goal to bring people together.

Musclecars at Love Dancin' [ We Out Here 2024 ]

Co-founders of Léman Records Leo Luscher and Wolff have been navigating between France and Switzerland for over a decade, sharing their unique take on groove and celebration. Through various residencies, they've championed the soulful sounds they hold dear while mastering the art of reading and moving dancefloors with eclectic, finely-curated selections. Drawing from a wide range of influences, their sets are deep, dynamic, and effortlessly blend house, disco, and jazz into one irresistible flow.

Instagram:

Leo Luscher
https://www.instagram.com/leoluscher/?hl=en

Wolff
https://www.instagram.com/wolff0/reels/

Coloring Lessons Mix Series 071: Leo Luscher & Wolff

Part two of RA.996 comes from a modern-day house luminary. 

As part of our countdown to RA.1000, a milestone in the 24-year history of RA's weekly mix series, we're switching up the usual format. The next few editions will pair two acts who compliment each other's strengths, offering a fresh take on a particular community, scene or style.

This week, we're zeroing in on two names who fly the flag high for old-school, US  house—a foundational pillar of the electronic underground. The first half comes from Ron Trent, which you can read more about here. 

On the B-side is Ash Lauryn. Hailing from Detroit, she's a modern-day house savant. Her comprehensive understanding of the genre's history—knowledge gained from the Detroit greats who that inspired her—and her own inimitable blend of old-world soul meets new-school grooves make her a force to be reckoned with. 

A former RA contributor, Lauryn keeps it <i>real</i>, whether in the booth or beyond. A role model to a new generation of DJs, she can just as easily be found teaching workshops at Underground Music Academy in Detroit or sharing tricks of the trade in the green room at some of the best clubs in the world.

An unwavering champion of Black dance music, the Atlanta resident makes it a point to play as much Black American music as possible, as she told us in her 2019 podcast. Not much has changed since then. Her contribution to RA.996 spans favourites like Larry Heard, Mood II Swing, Byron The Aquarius, Moodymann, Ron Trent and plenty of Detroit heavy-hitters.

Listened to together, both mixes are a powerful snapshot of house's timeless elegance and, most importantly, understated yet innately euphoric joy.

Find the tracklist and interview at ra.co/podcast/998

RA.996 Ash Lauryn

We mark the late house music pioneer's birthday with an unreleased mix.

RA.415 Ron Hardy

Recorded at The Do-Over Los Angeles (July 27, 2008)
Hosted by Aloe Blacc
more info: www.thedoover.net

Theo Parrish at The Do-Over Los Angeles (July 27, 2008)

Recorded "LIVE" on Easter Sunday, 2019 - Here's a nice long (just under 5 hours) taste from what was a beautiful 8 hour journey of sensational music curated on the fly by the super combo of GE-OLOGY and RED GREG (both amazing in their own right), whose individual and combined music knowledge, chemistry, insane record collections, and masterful DJ skills WOW'd the Selectors Stage audience at DEKMANTEL a few years ago when they first paired up to play back-to-back. Ever since, it's been a treat to see these guys team up on a few more occasions...and the 6th birthday celebration for the FEVER 105 crew was no exception! Pure musical bliss....enjoy!