TONITE: Azul Bar

ZAPP at Yoshi's SF tonight!

Tonight I am rolling deep with my Sweater Funk crew to see Zapp live at Yoshis on Fillmore (R.I.P Roger).  They are such a staple to the G-Funk sound, and if you are a fan of lowriders like I am, you cannot go to a lowrider show without hearing "More Bounce to the Ounce" at least once!

I wanna share with you an amazing tribute mix by the one and only DJ B. Cause. Go to his blogspot Diamonds In The Dust for more gems

Playin' Kinda Ruff-The Troutman Legacy

MAZU: Pan Asian eats in the Inner Richmond

So back in the day when I first started Djing, This place Rohan would let me rock a dinner set. I would work 9-1, play all vinyl and I even had to bring in my own mixer because the house mixer had a broken headphone jack. And they paid me peanuts! But it is just a part of earning my stripes. That was just one of my experiences as a newbie DJ that has made me grateful for those who came before me.



Rohan closed down and re-opened as Mazu. I will be spinning a dinner set there tonite from 8-11pm. Its a nice place for a drink before a movie (across the street) or a way to end a chill Friday night. Below is a picture of their "Black Samurai" which was featured in SF Weekly as thier drink of the week (A few drops of salty soy sauce bottom a shooter of sweet Sho Chiku Bai Junmai sake)

Mazu is run by a sister team-KK manages the spot and her sister Silma is the chef...I choose to support local businesses-especially family owned. They serve asian dishes, small plates, noodles/soups and main courses like Crispy Duck, Korean BBQ Ribs, Kombacha Squash Clay Pot (!!!) See more about the restaurant here.

Throwback Thursday: Group Home

Livin' Proof by Group Home is one of my favorite DJ Premier credits...It is one of the few albums I can listen to without skipping to the next track (I have major ADD). Last time I went to NY I loaded up my iPod with some classic New York sounds like Jeru, ATCQ, Old Nas, Pete Rock, Masta Ace and Group Home. It was a great soundtrack to my adventures in Manhattan.
There is a special place in my heart for the G-funk sound that came out in Southern California around this sametime, but if I could go back in time, I wish I was a twenty-something year old living in New York during the mid-90's. Hip Hop at its prime!

Download Track Here
Suspended In Time-Group Home (1995)
Check out the Incredible Bongo Band that Premier sampled below:
 

OLDIE BUT CUTIE

This was taken Sept. 11th 2009 when Dam-Funk played at Poleng the first time (RIP Poleng)
L to R Mamabear, Dam-Funk, Chungtech, Jon Blunk, Sabrina The French Boogie Queen, Renmin and at the bottom Sean Boogie (1/2 of Sweaterfunk)

MIDAS TOUCH Remix by DJ Platurn and Kat 010

Love the play on SOLAR Records with the label!

Oakland Faders DJ + Crown City Rockers Keys=tasty flip on a classic. Midas Touch is one of those tracks I can play from Sweaterfunk to Rumpshaker, if you can't get down to it, you have no soul! Pressed by BSTRD Boots label. Ordered my copy of turntable lab, get yours here

3rd Thursdays of the Month: RRRUMPSHAKER

 

Double Dutch is one of my favorite spots to play at...the staff is super friendly from the bouncer to the barback. Always a great houseparty vibe! This Thursday Feb. 18th from 9p-2a with yours truly and my girl DJ Ry Toast

MY MESSAGE FOR MONDAY

After this weekend, this song is my anthem right now!

TONITE: Pre-Valentines Dance Party

 

Sweaterfunkers will be upstairs in the lounge...keepin' it sexy with the 2-step and the soul

SWEATER FUNK RADIO-Valentines Day Edition

For the lovers...Freddy Anzures-you are the bee's knees for putting this together. Click on the link below to be directed to Freddys site Props radio


FOR THE LOVER IN YOU....SWEATERFUNK RADIO

Onra: Vietnamese+Parisian Beatmaker/Producer

I was put on to Onra by my friend DJ Idiom, who played his 7" for me at the Thursday night we had at Dalva. His song "My Comet" got me hooked, from the 7th edition of the 7x7 Beat Series by The All City Label out of Ireland
I started following Onra on Twitter and he is putting the finishing touches on his next album. Can't wait to get my paws on it! He passed along this little gem to hold me over...

Nite & Day (Al B. Sure)-Onra

New Mix-STRUT MY THANG

This mix is inspired by my Sweater Funk Family, a collection of mostly 80's funk rnb or as we call it, boogie...I recorded it live, after 4 takes this is the outcome! Thanks to Joe Vargo for mastering and getting the levels not too cold...not too hot...but JUST RIGHT!
Click Link to download STRUT MY THANG

Tracklisting
Funkysize my Baby by Ameega (Released in 2008?!!)
Like I Like It by Aurra
No Limit by Breakwater
All Woman by Kathy Diamond
Strut My Thang by Ozone
I'm Down For You by Stacy Lattisaw
Back At Ya by Kerr
Feel It by Finesse
I'm In Love by Evelyn "Champagne" King
Gigolette by Ozone
Love Me Tonite byAttitude
Hold On by High Fashion

Art Laboe's Killer Oldies

"Loca Smiley from El Monte is dedicating 'Baby I'm For Real' to Shy Boy...can't wait until we are re-united baby smooch smooch"

Sundays were meant for Art Laboe....This man, the one who trademarked "Oldies But Goodies™” is a major part of my musical foundation. growing up in the 909 I would tune into his radio show The Art Laboe Sunday Special which actually was introduced on 99.1 KGGI Riverside in 1991 (I.E. !) His show is still very popular and can be listened to online www.hot923.com.

Also please check out his website with more info on him here 

Click below to download a song inspired by my Love & Appreciation for Art Laboe...
Do You Remember by The Delfonics (1968)

The Delfonics are worthy of their own post...soon to come!
(This one goes out to DJ Franchise)

Think Twice

There are a few covers of Donald Byrd's "Think Twice" but this has to be one of my favorites because of the awesome progression, and the fact that it is more uptempo than the other versions.  The Detroit Experiment is lead by Carl Craig, well-known for being a DJ and producer of Detroit techno. Karriem Riggins (Drummer/Producer who has worked with Dilla, Common, Erykah etc..) is also part of this amazing line-up of more than 12 musicians, all who are from Detroit.

Think Twice-The Detroit Experiement (2003)

One of my Favorite Wacking Videos!

Dancing to One of my favorite songs "Is It All Over My Face" by Arthur Russell

Freestyle Fridays

Before Power 106 got WACK, they had a lunch hour show called "The Old Skool Show" with Jeff G which was the best hour of the day. Every Friday they played all Latin Freestyle/80's also known as "The Aquanet Set". Just wanted to share a piece of my childhood, representing my hidden inner chola!

Here is a song from my Aquanet collection....enjoy the one hit wonder...
(Click For Download) Pam Russo-Works For me (1988)

RUMPSHAKER-3rd Thursdays of the Month

Here are a few pics from Christmas edition of Rumpshaker, a party I throw with Dj Ry Toast. One of my favorite parties to play because this is our baby! It is a great feeling to see the fruits of our labor on the thizz faces of our crowd. We take the 3rd Thursday of the month and create a sweat-your-hair-out bump n' grind party...Shout-outs to the top rumpsakers Aubrey Burris and Travis Flowers! **HOT SHIT**

Stobelight Honey-Black Sheep

Check out this 12" House version from 1992...I really love the intro! ..."Don't Go..."

B1

Strobelite Honey (Def Version)

8:42

My Favorite Philly DJ: Illiterate

I met Illiterate through my friend Jason Foat who is an international playboy, I will post something about him later, but first here is a podcast by Illiterate. We played at Double Dutch last year when he came out to visit. All vinyl party rockin' set, which left me blown away! Listen to his podcast here
Here is video I taped when he played out here, YES that is me screaming in the background when he drops "Don't Walk Away" by Jade because that is my JAM!

Found This In the $1 Bin at Amoeba

My Kinda Funk....

Westcoast Wednesday

I was raised in Southern California, and the hip hop I grew up listening to has a signature sound. G-funk classics holds a special place in my heart...reminds me of BBQ's, park jams, hot pavement, traffic, Slauson and Western Swap Meet, car shows, roller rinks, etc...Here is a video by L.V. (Stands for Large Variety heehee) ft. Treach called "Throw your hands up". It definitely captures that LA summertime vibe. For comparisons sake,  L.V. is to Coolio and Nate Dogg is to DPG/Snoop. Click below for the mp3

Throw Your Hands Up-L.V. ft. Treach (1995)

Daz-I-Kue Live at Sweaterfunk

Daz-I-Kue Live set  

We were fortunate enough to have Daz-I-Kue drop a killer boogie set, all on original vinyl. See, DJs still travel with records! Thanks DJ Shred One for recording this

Dilla Month

"Fall In Love" is a song that I will never get sick of. I play it every Thursday when I DJ at Dalva, without fail. Miguel Atwood Ferguson is brilliant, I love how he took this song by J. Dilla and flipped it...listening to it over and over makes me zone out....it also makes me wish that I never quit playing the trumpet.

He Took Me Under His Wing

DJ Toph 1...I affectionately call him the unofficial mayor of San Francisco because he seems to know everyone in this city. I first met him at Doin' It In The Park in 2007 and I asked him if he would teach me how to DJ. He sternly said to me , "school starts now". I have been learning from him ever since.

His house is simply a record library that happens to have a bathroom, bedroom and a kitchen. I love bumping into him around town, usually when he's finishing up a cross-town bike ride or at Dalva for his Red Wine Social, which has been going on for YEARS. He has no cell phone and will never play serato, which intrigues me and charms me. He has taught me so much, he is one of the main reasons why I became a DJ! Love you Toph


*B&W Photo by Troy Holden

"I Carry My Own Records"

Check out my mix I did a while back, first mix I ever did and it is kinda random. I just wanted to capture what a typical set sounded like

1. Princess of the Posse-Queen Latifah
2. Old Times Sake-Sweet Sable
3. Bossy (Flying Lotus Remix)-Kelis
4. Oops! (Hudmo Remix)-Tweet
5. Mix Tapes-The Nonce
6. I'm Kurious-Kurious
7. I'm A Lady (Diplo Mix Ft Amanda Blank) -Santogold
8. California Cruiser-Rodney O & Joe Cooley
9. Back To The Hip Hop-Troubleneck Brothers
10. S.E.L.F.-Bedroom Productionz
11. Hollywood-Sa-Ra
12. Your Moms in my Business-K-Solo
13. Let Me Know-Hi-C f/ DJ Quik
14. Runs In The Famlee-Famlee
15. Pop Whatcha Got-One Way

I Carry My Own Records

Brother from Another Mother

Hard Knox for breakfast with my broski DJ Beatnick. Amazing DJ and even more amazing friend. Check out his culture podcasts

Sweaterfunk Family

In Case you were wondering, this is my crew

Tru Skool Tuesdays at Earthbound Radio

Shout-outs to DJ Norm Rockwell and Co.!
Here is a live set I did last year, all vinyl in San Diego. Random hip hop, boogie, and rnb.
Here is the playlist:
Sa-Ra Hollywood
So International- Too Short
Fuck Wit Dre-Dr. Dre ft. Snoop
C.R.E.A.M.-Wu Tang
All Night Long-Mary Jane Girls
Just The Way You Like it (12" Version)-SOS Band
Would You Like To Fool Around?-Mtume
Feels So Real-Patrice Rushen
Ain't Nothin' Goin' On But The Rent-Gwen Guthrie
Don't Walk Away-Jade
Addictive-Truth Hurts (So slept on!)
Doin' It-LL Cool J
Take It Easy-Mad Lion
Gangsta Bitch-Apache (Real records sometimes skip)
Most Beautifullest Thing-Keith Murray
Gin & Juice-Snoop
Chance With You-Brother to Brother
Pop Whatcha Got-One Way
Encore-Cheryl Lynn
I Love You More-Rene and Angela
Jump To It-Aretha Franklin
Didn't Mean To Turn you On (12" Version)-Cherelle
Jam On It-Newcleus
Strobelight Honey Remix-Black Sheep

HOT WAX

 

I had the honor of spinning alongside this diverse line-up of DJ's. Thank you to Marky (DJ Proof) and Freddy Anzures for bringing us all together for a night that turned out to be amazingly eclectic. We recorded the night and you can listen to my set with Allan Thayer and Makossa here.