Record Store Days: From Vinyl to Digital and Back Again [Hardcover]
Authors: Gary Calamar and Phil Gallo
Foreword by Peter Buck of R.E.M. According to the Scratch DJ Academy –a world renowned DJ and music production school here in New York, “The record store is like the barber shop of the music industry” and Record Store Days: From Vinyl to Digital and Back Again (Sterling, $19.95) only solidifies that statement by bringing a book full of love, respect and appreciation for a community that’s a second home to DJs, producers and rabid music fans. Comprehensive and informative with stories from musicians, record store executives, singers, songwriters, record store clerks, as well as record store managers themselves, the 225-page tome brings to light why the record store is such an important part of music history. It also takes readers through decades-worth of memorabilia, photos, first albums, and 45s, LPs, singles, as well as record stores from New York to Kentucky to Chicago, California and back.
What’s even more beautiful about Record Store Days? It was compiled by two music heads: Gary Calamar, a music supervisor for hit shows such as True Blood, House and Dexter; he’s also a radio jock at KCRW in Santa Monica; and Phil Gallo, a music journalist with 25-years of experience who’s appeared on nationwide shows to talk music.
LA-based duo Alex and Jaq (Nikkobya Bisou and Aziza Montnegro) otherwise known as Nola Darling are a fun, hip, funky and quirky pair of “vocalists and emcees,” who are the epitome of renaissance women. With Alex on vocals and Jaq on rhymes, the two highly-creative artists linked up while at NYU. Alex began her studies in BK at the Brooklyn Academy of Music while Jaq hails from LA and has appeared on shows like "Hanging With Mr. Cooper” and "ER." They are both writers, journalists, filmmakers, as well as trendsetters with a crazy “artistic synergy between them”.
That said, if you’re into documentaries, check out their post-grad doc called “Word” regarding the state of hip-hop around the world; where they visited South Africa, London, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Paris, and Rome, to interview hip-hop lovers, DJs, producers, and various artists to include Dead Prez, Capone, Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest), as well as one of the pioneers of hip hop, Grandmaster Melle Mel.
Though I’d heard about the hip-hop duo a few months ago, it was only last week as I re-watched one of my favorite Spike Lee joints, “She’s Gotta Have It” that made me want to discover more about them. I mean it’s pretty bold to name yourself after the highly-sexual “Nola Darling”. But I can see the connection: bold females living their life on their own terms. Who can knock that hustle?
Irish alternative-folk duo The Guggenheim Grotto (Kevin May and Mick Lynch) delivers their third album The Universe Is Laughing –an ode to love, lust, lost and many other L-words. But according to the guys it’s about “marching, chopping wood, highways, girls wearing pretty dresses, sinking churches, ghost towns, chasing answers, getting drunk…tiny white lies, the sun, the moon and the whole damn universe”.
In spite of all of that, The Universe Is Laughing is a fairly deep yet sentimental project, especially “Map of the Human Heart” and “Ruby Heart”. The catchy “Wisdom” will appeal to radio fans; while the album’s title track will definitely become a crowd favorite. Anyway, what got me to listen to the album was the title (I’m a huge proponent of the Universe’s actions), but also their hit single “Told You So” from 2006’s Waltzing Alone and “Fee Da Da Dee” from 2008’s Happy the Man. Despite mainstream success, the duo still maintains their indie-pop-folk appeal.
The Universe is Laughing
The Guggenheim Grotto gained popularity in their native Ireland before signing to indie-label United For Opportunity, from which their songs were licensed to popular network TV shows such as One Tree Hill.
For more information on The Guggenheim Grotto, check out their website as well as their myspace page!
Culled from an article in VIBE about the wives, girlfriends and lovers of hip-hop rap stars, Aliya S. King’s debut novel PLATINUM (Simon & Schuster, $24.99) reads more like an E! True Hollywood Story than fiction.
Alex Maxwell is a freelance writer (secretly) engaged to an up-and-coming rapper, whose latest assignment is to interview the women who are involved with hip-hop heavyweights.
Beth Saddlebrook is a white girl married to “Z”, a rapper past his prime --who she’s been with since the age of 15. They have three kids, one on the way; but only one child respects her, while her husband deals with his own demons.
Beth’s best friend, Kipenzi Hill is a multi-platinum selling R&B singer-songwriter who has worked in the music business since she was a child, and now she is ready to retire and live happily ever after. Thing is: she’s in a relationship with Jake, one of the hottest rappers alive; yet he refuses to publicly acknowledge their connection.
Ras Bennett, the super-producer married to a fashion designer gives his wife everything and twice more; but all she wants to give him…a child.
And then there’s Cleo Wright, the video vixen who’s about to throw shade in all their lives. All in all, Platinum is fast-paced, dramatic, and salacious; it’s a perfect read for hot summer days and nights. But have a drink afterwards; because you’ll definitely need it!
Platinum is in bookstores now!
Know a book SSNY should read? Let us know! Send your recommendations to besonewyork@gmail.com!
On a recent sunny afternoon in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn, I had the chance to meet up with Brooklyn-based turntablist and producer DJ Center --who toes the line between soulful house and hip hop beatmaker. On the heels of his debut artist release, Everything in Time, we talked about his best DJ set, the evolution of the DJ, and the story behind his name.
She’s So New York: To get us all better acquainted, tell us about your background.
DJ Center: I was born in Romania, bred in New York. I came up with a hip hop background and from there got into soul and the classics. My mentor coming up was a jazz musician, so I have a jazz background as well. I first got in to it playing live situations, being a DJ with other musicians in a live setting; and then using the turntable as an instrument, and doing live production. From there, I cut my teeth right here in Brooklyn in terms of party-rocking, in clubs and lounges and understanding how to work a room. Also I learned to take people on a ride with me. So then I was fortunate enough to travel…I was going out to Cali a lot about 10 years ago, and built with DJs out there and was also picking up influences over there. I also made it to Europe and Southeast Asia as well. Just picking up all these different influences and so I think when you hear my sets now, everything from all my travels and experiences come across now. No longer is it just a hip-hop set or a hip-hop-and-soul set. It is hip hop, soul, jazz, funk, reggae, Latin…it’s all those things because I love music.
SSNY: This segues right into my next question: Because when I listen to your music I hear the jazz, I hear the hip-hop instrumentals, I hear the Latin flavor, but also I hear a lot of different cultures, that said: How would you categorize yourself as a DJ? Do you want to be known as a soulful house DJ or a downtempo DJ, or even a hip-hop DJ?
DJC: I just wanna be known as a good DJ. To me my favorite DJs and the best DJs aren’t put into boxes. They just play music and it’s always different, right. What they do, they are able to read the energy in the room really well and play that set for whatever that moment is, as well as educate the people. So I think at the end of the day, I just wanna be known as somebody who loves music and makes people feel good with the whole palette of the musical spectrum that I have…
SSNY: So what would you say has been your best set?
DJC: I think my favorite and best sets were probably overseas in Europe. I would say Barcelona or London. I’d say that because of the openness and the reactions. I think over here in the States we may have our guard up, we might be a bit too-cool-for-school, have too many cliques going on, even worried about what other people may think [about our musical tastes]. Overseas I feel like the response to music is…and if you put it down right is…explosive. I mean you’re doing these huge rooms and the energy is through the roof and the appreciation is crazy. Though I haven’t been to Japan yet, I hear it’s a similar thing over there in terms of appreciation and just how much they love it. And as a DJ you connect with the crowd, right. What they give you is what you give back, and because you have that energy coming back at you, it makes you take it up a notch.
SSNY: Have you ever had to change your sets because of the energy of the crowd?
DJC: Oh yeah, all the time. I mean you can do your planning but I think when you’re in that moment, that’s really what’s going to guide you.
Dj Center - You Got The Love ft. Gretchen Parlato
SSNY: For the creation of Everything in Time, how did you come to record it and how did you know that now was the time to bring it to the masses? Because like you said you’ve been in the business for 10 years now.
DJC: I think…that’s a good question. I think there’s a natural evolution you go through as a DJ --where you start as a music lover, then you become a DJ; then you expand your vocabulary as a DJ and you get DJ experiences, and the natural step is going into the studio and laying down tracks, because you already have the crazy record collection you’ve amassed. So the inspiration and the influences in your library are endless and you start to get ideas. And there’s a clear relationship between putting together records and having them blend and mix in a live setting and taking sounds and instruments and working with musicians and blending those and having them mix. It’s pretty much a continuation.
Also, I remember being in Amsterdam and the promoter said something that really impacted me. It had to be like 2003 or 2005, and it was after the show and we were having dinner, and he was like what you do here is incredible, when you can come here for one night and rock it and people remember you that’s amazing, but when you produce music and have a product that you leave behind, your music lives on when you’re not physically here. And that moved me, you know what I mean. It was like that makes sense, how do I leave a piece of myself behind, beyond just mixes. So I think that was the start of it. I came home from that trip and I was like I gotta get to work. And three years later, you have Everything in Time.
DJ Center explains the process behind recording the album "Everything in Time"
SSNY: So before that point, you never thought about putting out an album?
DJC: I mean I had worked in different capacities with a group, and we were putting out records, but a solo record that was the first mention. 2007 was when I really started getting serious, built a studio and pretty much dedicated my life to it.
SSNY: So how long did it take you to record this project?
DJC: It’s a three-year record. It took three years from start to finish. When I set off, I thought it would take three months; and that’s why it’s called Everything in Time. Because you can plan all you want, but until it’s ready, until it’s time…
SSNY: There seems to be an underlining thread of positivity and motivation on the album, was that intentional?
DJC: That’s a good question, I don’t think it was intentional, but at the same time…I can say that to me, music is therapy. I think when I’m rocking a crowd I know that it’s therapy for the audience too. ‘Cause they’re probably escaping from their day-to-day and music has that power to take you out of your immediate environment and take you to a higher place. So I think that’s something I always strive for, to make music that can do that and have an effect on people is the goal. I want to make people feel good, and hopefully when they listen to it; it’ll remove whatever they’re dealing with for the time. So I think that was a subconscious intent. And you know just being a positive person and just living your life a certain way, that’s gonna be reflective in every interaction you have, and of course the music…
SSNY: I’m always curious as to what DJs listens to when they’re not working, so what do you listen to in your off time? Like what’s playing on your iPod right now?
DJC: It’s funny when you’re in the club; you’re playing more up-tempo or party music, regardless of the genre. But at home I’m actually very downtempo. I’m very lounge-y in the crib. I’m listening to a lot of roots reggae, like 70s stuff; a lot of downtempo instrumentals, jazz; you know like Coltrane is a steady favorite. I’m listening to a lot of vocalists from overseas like there’s a woman who’s Tunisian, I actually worked with her on my record; her name is Samia Farah. She’s Tunisian, raised in France and sings in French; and I remember she had this jazz-quality in her voice. She reminds me of a French Billie Holiday. Like there’s something really old-school about her, I mean like 50s old school. So she kind of gave me that quality [on the record] and her catalog is bananas too; so I’m bumping her. What we did is cool, but her own stuff is like…dope. But most especially the reggae stuff on production.
SSNY: So this is my final question, tell us about the name: DJ Center.
DJC: It comes from…when I think about my relationship with music, and what I want to put forth out there. My favorite music is honesty. You know stuff that doesn’t hide behind anything, facades; or any kind of stigma or hype. I’m talking about Sly and the Family Stone, Donnie Hathaway. I’m talking about real artists, honest artists. And I think I wanted that same reflection in my name. And to me your center is your core; it’s like when you pull away all your layers, that’s what’s left. That’s where the name really stems from. And of course, the double meaning in hip-hop, the DJ is the center; the centerpiece of the foundation. So it has that double play as well.
DJ Center’s solo debut Everything in Time is in stores and available on iTunes now!
Wanna be featured on our "One to Watch," series? Send us your music, bio and photos to besonewyork@gmail.com!
With a nationally syndicated radio show on WBLS here in New York, a new hit show "Keith Sweat's Platinum House” ( featuring Dru Hill) on Centric, former Wall Street stockbroker turned singer-songwriter and producer Keith Sweat brings us another round of his signature pop-R&B love ballads on Ridin’ Solo.
You have to respect the guy, he’s been producing albums and discovering artists for over 20 years now, so he’s well aware of what urban listeners expect from him: seductive R&B ballads. His 10th studio album covers that arena quite well. Though the first single “Test Drive” featuring fellow crooner Joe is urban enough, it’s the gritty “Hood Sex” (heard below) that makes us remember “Freak Me” by one of the other groups Keith discovered, Silk. Nonetheless, this album will probably produce plenty of spring babies.
Other recommended tracks: “Famous” and “Tropical”.
Other releases you might like: Al B. Sure, Honey I’m Home and Joe, Signature.
Every Thursday, She's So New York unleashes it's "One to Watch" series, where we debut the latest and greatest music from the ladies and gentlemen of the Big Apple and beyond!
Though I have a great affinity for 70s/80s R&B, funk and soul, house music is the bastard stepchild I’ve grown to love. Having said all of that Intricate Beauty is the latest from King Britt, a Philly-based DJ/producer (and former DJ for 90s hip hop pioneers Digable Planets) who’s become known for his downtempo-hiphop-infused-jazz-influenced grooves. And on Intricate Beauty he showcases some sweet gems as well.
Britt received a Pew Fellowship in the Arts award in 2007. Pew Fellowships in the Arts awards grants of $60,000 to Philadelphia-area artists working in a wide variety of performing, visual, and literary disciplines.
Recommended tracks: “Blackhand Side” and “Nightlife”.
Other releases you might like: Blue Six, Noesis and Yameen, Never Knows More.
Wanna be featured in our "One to Watch," series? Send us your music, bio, and pics to besonewyork@gmail.com!
Kelis’ fifth album is remarkedly impressive. If you’ve followed the alternative soul and pop diva’s career since her 1999 debut Kaleidoscope, on through Tasty (2003) and Kelis Was Here (2006) along with lead singles “Caught Out There”, “Milkshake” and “Bossy”, respectively --then you know to come to expect the unexpected with the Harlem-bred songtress. Especially on this year’s electro-pop fave that is Flesh Tone.
Opening with strong electronic synths that set the tone of the record, it’s an album, in my humble opinion, she was born to make. It’s for the club set, the dance party, the riding-in-the-car-heading-to-the-beach summertime record; it is Euro-pop at is bloody best!
Recommended tracks: “Intro”,“4th of July (Fireworks)”(seen above), and of course the David Guetta-produced “Acapella” (below).
Other releases you might like: Scissor Sisters, Nightwork and Sam Sparro, Sam Sparro.
What summer albums are you listening to? Send us your suggestions to besonewyork@gmail.com
Literally, my independence day was August 9, 2002 —my last day on active duty in the United States Air Force. Though I wouldn’t “officially” be free of my eight-year obligation until January 5, 2003, mentally, I was free as a nomad!
Don’t get me wrong, the military was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I truly enjoyed; I met wonderful people (some of whom are still my best friends); I traveled practically to every major U.S. city you can think of, as well as lived in Haiti and Japan --but living in what I considered a “confined creative state” for essentially all of my twenties (a time when we do our most growing), when I came back to civilian life…I didn’t have a clue as to what I wanted to be as I was growing up. As a result it took me five years (2003-2008) to finally figure out that all the years I had been telling friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances about all the different music I was listening to, all the concerts I was attending, all the movies I was watching, books I was reading, that I was all but living my dream job and didn’t even know it.
So I’m no longer afraid to say it: At 33-years old I didn’t have all the answers to my life’s purpose. To be honest, at 35, I still don’t. I’m constantly exploring new things and new cultures and ideas, so who knows if I’ll ever want to have it all figured out. All I know is that everyday before I go to sleep I say, “Thank You” because I’ve had some of my lowest points in these last couple of years and I don’t take any of what’s being given to me for granted. And trust, I’ve worked by ass off to get to New York and I’ll continue to work it (no pun intended, okay maybe a little). But before I go, I’ll leave you all with one of my favorite quotes because it epitomizes my journey during that five-year soul searching period:
“Do everything you can think of doing, so you know what you don’t want to do for the rest of your life”.
Live Love Pass It On
-ND McCray
All week, we will be celebrating our very own "Independence Week! She's So New York is asking you: When was YOUR Independence Day? Did you leave a bad relationship? A dead-end job to pursue a passion? Your country/state/town for the bright lights of the Big Apple? We are asking for your triumph stories! Send them to our NEW e-mail address: besonewyork@gmail.com! Remember: YOUR story may help someone rewrite their own!
All this week, She's So New York will be introducing to you all the SSNY family: Cutting edge, insightful, and are here to share with you their passions.Meet ND McCray:
ND McCray is a music writer and blogger living in the borough of Brooklyn. She frequently contributes album reviews, live show reviews and artist interviews to shortandsweetNYC.com, QuietColor.com, Nu-Soul Magazine and most recently, UrbanBridgez.com. When she's not busy reporting, she's completing coursework for her BS in Communication with University of Phoenix Online, as well as maintaining Unclouded By Ambition a mostly music-oriented blog that focuses on soul, funk, R&B, hip hop, pop, indie rock, dubstep, house and anything in between.
So that you may get better acquainted, here's ND's Rotation List:
ND’s Top 5 Albums in Heavy Rotation:
1. Janelle Monae, The ArchAndroid (Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy/Atlantic) – a sweet mix of afro-punk, funk and everything in between.
2. The Clonious, Between The Dots (Ubiquity) – jazz/electro/hip hop instrumentals from a 23-yr old Austrian kid (born Paul Movahedi). So nice and smooth.
3. Miguel Migs, Colorful You (Om) – One of his earlier recordings (2002): sweet, sensual soulful house. Perfect for a lazy Sunday playlist, but I play it everyday on the train.
4. Erykah Badu, New Amerykah Part Two – Like she says: It’s the return to Baduizm. Neo soul at its finest.
5. Wayne Brady, A Long Time Coming – Many people slept on this album when it dropped in 2008, but Wayne --for the most part, is straight-up R&B.
Top 5 Songs in Heavier Rotation:
1. “Closer” - Corrine Bailey Rae (The Sea)
2. “Love Like This” - Donell Jones (forthcoming album)
3. “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long” - Erykah Badu (New Amerykah Part Two)
4. “Lost Where I Belong [Flying Lotus Remix] - Andreya Triana (Lost Where I Belong, in stores 7/9) (seen right)
5. “The Keeper” - Bonobo feat. Andreya Triana (Black Sands)
