89 - 85
Seeing as it's sunny let's try and round out to 85 with four more big Funky EPs from round this time. I would have bought all these from Uptown I think; and bought the Gabryelle Refix from UKfunky.net on mp3 before that, even though i didn't have anything to play them on yet.
Mario is Tadow as well, he made Hornz/Stressed Out etc as well, loads of big tunes from that era but never quite on the same level of recognition of the other big names. Weird really, not sure I even ever saw him DJ out, despite having all those bangers. Face doesn't fit sometimes I guess? I am just guessing there. I have the green vinyl of Bloodclart Bass, there is zero difference to the black vinyl but it is apparently worth more money? So good for me
D-Malice EP all great- these producers were pretty kind to us vinyl DJs with no money, lashing out 3-4 tracks at a time, you could build a pretty bait set within a few weeks. Uptown helped out with the bootleg 4-trackers as well.
The Hard House Banton EP was a revelation on that one, I couldn't believe I was getting Sirens/Reign/Zulu Form all on the same 12. Can't really listen to Sirens now- the siren grates on me- but I really think Reign is one of the all time classic UK Funky tunes.
I did a favour for my ex's mate and played some massive houseboat party in Brighton for fuck all really, I think a couple of beers and some shit weed, we fucking travelled down with a big record bag and paid train ourselves. TBF I was a nobody, it was summer 09 probably, I shouldn't moan. The reason I bring that up is that I remember standing on the deck smoking a spliff talking to some lad and there was a fucking shooting star, we watched it dart across the sky; I was transfixed by that and really stoned at the time. Anyway that night someone came upto me when I was DJing and fucking wheeled The Music while it was playing, leaning over the decks and made everything jump, I was worried it was scratched. A bit like that Riz La Teef/Sherelle farrago, though this didn't make me famous I just wanted to punch him. Records were precious then when you were skint*
DJ Mystery- Speechless, got to be top three or four funky vocals ever, love that backwards synth sound thing going through it. I bought it late but it actually reminds me of being freshly single at some point in 2009 and accidentally singing along with some girl at Brixton Jamm (maybe a Cooly G night? Not sure). Thinking yes go on lad you've got her here, and I didn't, she fucked off after I bought her a drink. C'est la vie. Great tune.
Never owned Lighter- Skanker; pretty sure it was only a dub, though people do have the wav now so I know there are fake "dubplates" that have gone on discogs or ebay for daft money. They're not real unless they've got the music house label on though lads
*Once saw someone do this with a dubplate in FWD at PP and Tubby looked like he was going to kill him. Always seemed like a really mild-mannered lad, him, but there are some things you just don't do.
Probably do some grime 12s next to take it upto 80 but I am going to make a start on dinner now