Monday, March 28, 2016

Top 10 – Diamond D’s Favorite 45s

April 4th, 2016 will bring a very special edition of NYC’s all-45 throwdown, Mobile Mondays!Celebrating their birthdays, and in the mix with nothing but 45s, will be legendary Hip Hopartists Diamond D and Large Professor.
Originating from the birthplace of Hip Hop, the Boogie Down Bronx, Diamond D‘s introduction to the music world came in 1989 as the production side of his group Ultimate Force. Soon thereafter, he would embark on a solo career, rhyming on the track “Show Business” from A Tribe Called Quest‘s classic sophomore album The Low End Theory. Less than a year later, Diamond would release his own classic with his debut album, Stunts, Blunts, & Hip Hop (1992). Quickly racking up production and remix credits for the cream of the early to mid 90’s Hip-Hop crop, including Brand NubianHouse Of PainOutKastThe Pharcyde, and many, many more, Diamond established a reputation as a go-to producer for a sure-shot beat. Diamond has continued to release his own material and to produce and remix for others, achieving a rare longevity for a Hip Hop artist. As evidenced by the name of the super group he claims membership in, D.I.T.C. (Diggin In The Crates), Diamond has always been a representative for vinyl culture. Be sure to check out Diamond’s latest release, the instrumental compilation Dat’s That Shit! An Exclusive Collection Of Rare Instrumentals From The DAT Vault.
In preparation of this Mobile Mondays! birthday celebration, we caught up with Diamond and he gave us a breakdown of 10 of his favorite 45s!
S.O.U.L. - Soul (Recorded Live)

S.O.U.L. – Soul (Recorded Live)

Funk to the 10th power. S.O.U.L., one of the tightest b
ands to come out of Ohio, first time I heard it was courtesy of Afrika Bambaataa on aZulu Nation park jam cassette tape.
Little Royal & The Swingmasters – Razor Blade

Little Royal & The Swingmasters – Razor Blade

Funk sureshot from Little Royal who called himself Soul Brother Number #2. First time I heard it was as a child, my neighbors down the hall, The Bowman’s, had the 45 and the name Razor Blade stuck in my head for years till I found it a few years later. They wouldn’t tell me the artist’s name…LOL.
Ennio Morricone – Metti, Una Sera A Cena

Ennio Morricone – Metti, Una Sera A Cena

Great Bossa Nova driven tune by Ennio, good driving and cleaning the house music. Makes me feel good.
The Incredible Bongo Band – Apache

The Incredible Bongo Band – Apache

The first Hip Hop break that was actually a Rock/Funk cover of The Shadows version which was the original and recorded in 1960. B-Boy shit, thanks DJ Kool Herc.
Mike Curb Congregation – Mickey Mouse March

Mike Curb Congregation – Mickey Mouse March

A breakbeat from Disney??? C’mon fam, it doesn’t get any iller or funkier than that. First time heard at park jams in the South Bronx. I took out a lot of sucker DJs cuttin’ up this rare break.
All Dyrections ‎– On Top of It

All Dyrections ‎– On Top of It

A sureshot breakbeat that Grandmaster Flash would play back in the day at park jams and heard on old cassette tapes. This break is also special because this is the group that eventually became Skull Snaps.
Mickey And The Soul Generation ‎– Chocolate

Mickey And The Soul Generation ‎– Chocolate

A Funk bomb from one of the illest soul groups signed to a label that specialized in tape manufacturing – Maxwell. A nice b-boy joint that gets the party jumping.
The Starlings And MFM Orchestra ‎– Charleston Hustle

The Starlings And MFM Orchestra ‎– Charleston Hustle

Another sureshot breakbeat made famous by Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash back in the day at the park jams of the South Bronx. A b-boy classic that was nicely tucked away in that late 80s R&B song “II Hype” by Entouch.
The Ivor Raymonde Orchestra ‎– It's The Real Thing

The Ivor Raymonde Orchestra ‎– It’s The Real Thing

I first heard this joint here from DJ Shadow, and trust me this Coca-Colabreak would’ve been called a “boss sureshot” back in the day. That Ivor Raymonde Orchestra was a funky bunch, and to think it was made in ’71 and I never heard it on ANY old school hip hop tape or park jams in the South Bronx.
Jake Wade & The Soul Searchers ‎– Searching For Soul

Jake Wade & The Soul Searchers ‎– Searching For Soul

Another breakbeat that was never heard in the South Bronx park jams or old cassette tapes. Pure unadulterated Funk and the drums are crispy.They’re going for like $200 now when I looked online. Had my doubles about 15 years now and paid about a fourth of what they’re worth now.
Keep up with Diamond D through his social channels:
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Mobile Mondays! is a weekly event founded by Operator Emz honoring the 45 RPM record and has quickly become New York City’s premier 45‘s vinyl night for music lovers. Every week is presented by Operator Emz, Natasha DiggsJoey CarvelloJust BlazeMisbehaviour, and $$$Mike, hosted by Miss Rebecca at The Bowery Electric.  MM brings NYC’s vinyl rats together to celebrate everything from Disco to Garage, curated from the inside. For the artists and creatives who congregate, Mobile Mondays! is a chance to go back to the New York City they love best; when records were events, the DJ was on the pulpit and the dance floor was epic.

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