Crate Diggin’ with DJ Equity
Every month, DJ Equity creates a special mix for ChicksOnWax, and then breaks down the method to his craft. This week, he’s highlighting the importance of starting from the beginnin’ when you go crate diggin’ (ha! that was terrible, sorry folks). Click on the link at the end to listen to this month’s accompanying track, it’s a great one, even if we do say so ourselves — nice one Equity!:
I’ve been sitting here, looking at a blank computer screen, trying to find the right words.
How can I express how critical it is for a DJ to collect vinyl? To search and find those original, inspirational, timeless beats is an art form onto itself. Just chill for a second and imagine life without Hip Hop…without Soul, Funk or Jazz for that matter. Every artist from Louis Armstrong to Kayne had to “dig in the crates” and innovate based on the history of the music.
One time I was in Ameba Records and I ran into the RZA of Wu-Tang. He told me he was working on some music and needed an Isaac Hayes album to sample. RZA has good taste. The Soundtrack to “Shaft” was one of the first albums of my collections. The origins of Hip Hop, and whatever genre are to follow are in the grooves of the record. And the records are in crates. And the crates must be dug. You dig?!
The mix I’ve put together is an example the benefits to having a collection of classic records. Each mix, the original to the Hip Hop version will literally bridge generations…
Like Kool and The Gangs Summer Madness is at least 20 years older than Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince’s Summertime.
And the difference between Dizzy Gillispie and Charlie Parker doing A Night in Tunisia and Gang Starr’s Manifest is 5 decades.
Then my last joint is the ultimate. A sample of a classic sampled. Mixed, produced and arranged by Black Sheep, The Choice Is Yours sampled the base line from McCoy Tyner’s version of Impressions. Impressions is a John Coltrane composition. McCoy Tyner got his start as a young piano player in Coltrane’s band. I believe Tyner’s version was a tribute to Tranes after his death in 1964. Listen to the intensity of the piano solo and let me know what you think.
PeACe
DJ Equity
DJ Equity would like you to be aware of the fact that he has John Coltrane’s ‘Impressions’ on vinyl, CD. MP3 and VHS, both live and studio versions in his crates.( ChicksOnWax! Thinks he might be showing off, but to be honest, we don’t care, cause we love this month’s mix!!!)
CAN YOU DIG IT!?!?!?!?!?
(click here to listen to this month’s treat)