Thursday, February 28, 2008

"I fly like paper - get high like planes"



M.I.A. - Paper Planes (DFA Remix)
How is it possible that my favorite song from the M.I.A. record could get any better? The mutherfuckin DFA, that's how. Okay, hold on. I know I know - it's not actually better. Because that Clash sample in the original version is impossible to top. But this dubby-disco mix is a panty wetter.



The Duke Spirit - The Step And The Walk (Rich File Remix)
In a very similar vein to the DFA, this remix by Rich File from UNKLE takes what was originally a very bluesy track (think The Kills) and turns it into a slow burner for your late night sets.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

"can you stick your pinky finger in my tea?"



New Badu-du. Cute video. Cute song. Album... well, I haven't decided yet. On first listen, it sounds a bit unfocused. But sometimes you gotta get into her mindset to really dig what she's trying to do. So I'll give it a bit more time to sink in.

It's in stores today, so pick it up and decide for yourself!

Friday, February 22, 2008

"I just can't wait 'til Saturday"

It's time once again for our monthly freak out. And we will literally freak out tomorrow night, as we'll be featuring CHIC all night long.

The duo of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards were not only the founders of the band, they were also known as THE CHIC ORGANIZATION, LTD., a production team who crafted albums for Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry and many others.

During the 1980s, they were each responsible for some of the most well known hits of the decade. David Bowie, Madonna, Duran Duran, INXS, Power Station, Mick Jagger, Grace Jones, Robert Palmer, ABC and the B-52s are just some of the artists who struck gold under their direction.

Here are two classic CHIC ORGANIZATION LTD disco productions.

Norma Jean - Saturday
She was actually one of the original CHIC vocalists, but due to contract issues, she didn't make it past the first album. However, the boys did produce an album for her, which yielded this hit single.

Sister Sledge - Thinking of You
Obviously the sisters Sledge had many a hit thanks to Bernard and Nile. But this is one of my favorites, because it's not as over-the-top as most of their songs. Nice and soft.

Friday, February 15, 2008

"gotta stop gotta gotta stop"

I'm bored with CDs.

LET'S HAVE A 45 PARTY!



Tomorrow night, it's one of my old school - all 45 sets. Exclusively seven inches, all night long. Scratches, skips and pops. New stuff, old stuff. Pop, rock, disco, house, R&B, new wave, no wave, post-punk. It's my favorite format, so stop by and pick out your favorite and I'll play it for you.*

DJ JEFF JACKSON
NUMBERS
@
NOWHERE
322 E 14th Street
every saturday
no cover

* Offer void if I've never seen you before in my life.

Here's a couple rips from my 45 collection to whet your appetite. They're both Prince b-sides. Rest assured, this is as obscure as I'm likely to get on Saturday nite as I'm feeling very pop. Very tacky. The more you drink, the more you'll enjoy it - TRUST.

Prince - Gotta Stop Messin About
This was the b-side of Let's Work. A hot new wave track with blatant references to masturbation. Sounds like an outtake from the Dirty Mind album.

Prince - Horny Toad
This was the b-side of Delirious, for obvious reasons. It sounds just like it!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

"feels good"

Here's a couple of romantic numbers for your valentine.


Sparkle - Handsome Man
Alternately credited to Friends featuring Sparkle Tehran, this track has an almost Chic-like feel, thanks to the rhythm guitar. The vocals are very loose. And I love the arrangement - it has lots of little surprises sprinkled throughout the song.


Vincent Montana, Jr. Featuring Denise Montana - It Looks Like Love
The look that's love is out of sight. Two together - allllllright! Super dynamite. It looks like love. Feels good! Soft and sweet. So right. Let's get down!

[Note: Sorry the link above was bad. It's fixed as of 2/13/08]

Friday, February 8, 2008

"I'd sell my soul for total control... over you"

I just heard yesterday that Tina Turner and Beyonce are going to perform together at the Grammy Awards on Sunday.

I know the Grammys are tired. They haven't meant much to me since I was a kid. But this is one number I can't wait to see. Mainly because I LOVE Tina. And she hasn't performed in a while.

I like Beyonce too. She has obviously taken cues from Miss Turner. On her Beyonce Experience tour, there were many moments where I thought "Tina did that!" As evidenced in the clip below. The dress length, the leggy dancing, the rock guitars, the fact that she covers someone else's huge hit and makes it her own! Pay particular attention to the moment at 4:30 when all the dancers do that move together. IT'S THE IKETTES, Y'ALL!



Okay, now you wanna see how Tina Turner opens a show?



Have you finished gagging?

Since there wasn't any singing in that clip, here's a couple Tina numbers to tide you over till Sunday.

Tina Tuner - Let's Pretend We're Married (Live)
This is a Prince song from his album 1999. Tina covered it live around the time of Private Dancer and released it as a b-side to Show Some Respect. The only problem (aside from the cheezy synths) is that the recording fades right before the end of the rap where she says "every mother fucking night." I guess that might not have gone over too well during her major comeback.

Tina Turner - Total Control
Another cover, this time it's The Motels. Her take is nearly identical to the original, but with more reverb. I love the dramatic silent pauses. This was Tina's contribution to the We Are The World album in 1985.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

"as a child I knew that the stars could only get brighter"

Hercules & Love Affair
featuring Antony Hegarty -
Blind (Frankie Knuckles Remix)

I've been playing this track every week at the bar since I got it, and let me tell you - faggots pee.

Every time it's on, the gays run up and ask "who is this?" or... "is this Antony and the Johnsons?"

Well... kind of.

It's Antony Hegarty, the lead singer of Antony & the Johnsons. But the track is by a new DFA signing called Hercules & Love Affair. Not the catchiest name. But they are probably going to put out a great record this year (I've heard a few tracks, and they're all in a similar new disco style).

Even more astounding is that they got house legend Frankie Knuckles to add a little sparkle to the mix. Beautiful job, Frankie. And wow - it's amazing to hear Antony sing a disco song! We want more!

Audio Soul Project - Community 2007 (Fish Go Deep Vocal Mix)

While we're on a house tip, I thought I'd share this song that I picked up last year. A very mellow house groove with spoken word vocals by Ron Carroll.

It was originally released in 2000, but has been remixed and reissued for the children by Fish Go Deep, a deep-house duo from Ireland, of all places.

Friday, February 1, 2008

"aay eee eye oh you"



Am I the only one who thought - for the past 25 years - that a woman sang this song? An actual genetic woman, that is. I'm gagging.

Here's the singer John Rocca's follow up hit. I love the girl's punk corn rows forming a massive widows peak down to her nose.