It’s been quite the roller coaster ride with things that we’ve been really feeling lately and it’s been across the board in the entertainment realm especially when it comes to physical media. Although streaming has it’s conveniences, there’s nothing better than actually having and holding something physical. And before you say those items take up space, just remember that you don’t actually own the media that you are streaming and we’ve seen so much of it disappear and become unavailable to viewers and listeners. And now with the proposed merger of Paramount, so much of what you typically enjoy will now be controlled by one evil entity. But there are companies producing product that’s more than just nostalgia, it’s essential owning and we’re here to hip you to a few things that we’re digging.
Dusties Magazine
When it comes to reading interviews and stories, nothing beats print media and holding a physical book or magazine in hand. Launching at the beginning of the year was the new Dusties Magazine which is dedicated to vinyl, digging and DJ culture and history of past and present. I was featured on the cover of issue #1 with great stories on the history of the bootleg compilations (Super Disco Breaks, Octopus Breaks, Ultimate Breaks & Beats, Dusty Fingers etc), The history of the Brooklyn mobile DJ scene and more. The debut issue clocks in at 194 pages and feels more like a novel than a magazine. For issue #2, legendary producer, digger and Digging In The Crates member Diamond D graces the cover with articles on Danny Dan The Beatman who recently passed away, Dan Lish, The DJ Capital of The World – Philadelphia, the legendary Stanley Platzer of Music Factory and more. The new issue clocks in at 204 pages!
Available at https://dustiesmagazine.com/
*Extra mention to the new Rap Central Station magazine spearheaded by Chuck D of Public Enemy which is also currently on issue #2. This Hip Hop centric magazine features the return of legendary digger Soulman and his “World of Beats” column which originally made it’s debut in Rap Pages back in the 90’s. For the debut issue and return column, Soulman tapped me for his Beats To Catch segment where I delivered 10 break heavy funk 45’s.
McNasty – Ear Worm 6
It’s always funny to me when people say, vinyl or cassettes are back because for me and plenty others, these formats have never really not been in an arms reach of us. The format may not be the go to medium for DJ’s who record their mixes digitally but for those who go a bit deeper, we prefer ours on cassette and / or CD when necessary. I’ve been releasing cassettes consistently since 2015 with a few others doing releases as well but when it comes to holding his own, the Las Vegas homie McNasty puts it down for the crown. His most recent Ear Worm 6 cassette dives into the world of private press AOR and delivers an incredible mix of essential listening. In addition to Ear Worm, he also does a monthly cassette mix of varying genres and themes. When it comes to DJ related mixtapes, McNasty and myself are definitely the tape kings!
Available at https://mcnastysgoodsyall.bigcartel.com/
John Woo’s The Killer (Blu-Ray)
Arrow Releasing has been nailing with their incredible catalog of films making their way to Blu-Ray and 4K formats. So many of our favorite films are finally getting the upgraded treatment that they deserve so that we can finally retire our VHS copies but nothing comes close to finally having John Woo’s The Killer starring Chow Yun Fat! The Killer is Woo at his finest and the new print looks absolutely amazing. In addition to The Killer, Arrow has also released another John Woo x Chow Yun Fat classic, Hard Boild on Blu-Ray and 4k.
Sound Spectrum: A Collection of Themes From Carl The Collector
It’s been an easy 40 years since we’ve gone digging in the crates for a new children’s record that was funky and gave us all the perfect elements for not only musical enjoyment as a whole but sometime extra for the sample searchers and diggers but the new Sound Spectrum: A Collection of Themes From Carl The Collector checks all of the boxes. Released on Philly’s Eraserhood Sound, Sound Spectrum is the perfect children’s record for the modern era. The new LP features songs from the Emmy-winning PBS show, Carl The Collector and spread over 34 tracks. Get a taste of funk, soul, rare groove, jazz, samba, r&b, new wave, and more, all delivered with Eraserhood Sound’s signature Synth & Soul stylings.
Available at https://carlthecollector.bandcamp.com/album/sound-spectrum-a-collection-of-themes-from-carl-the-collector