So yo, not only has it been mad long that I’ve had a special guest up in here to do a Breakbeat Tuesday, but it’s actually been mad long since I’ve done one myself. That last half of a year was a monster for sure, but now that 2011 is over and the dust has settled, it’s comforting to get back to normal routines and columns. So for the inaugural edition of Breakbeat Tuesday, I decided to holler at one of my boys and have them do a guest spot. I am really jazzed about this one, cause if there’s anyone that really fits the bill as “Master Digger” is this guy right here – the one and only Kon. Now a lot of people know him as one half of the legendary digging duo Kon & Amir. Some people know him as super disco master DJ. A few people know him as all-around balls to the wall Boston based party rocker. But Kon has been KILLING if for years on all those levels, but really the shit that he kills me with is his original edits. Where he gets these parts, I don’t know. But for my money he’s the best in the business. And thankfully I am like one of an actual handful of people on this planet who gets the chance to actually get their hands on them. And guaranteed every time I play a Kon edit, someone is on me like white on rice about it.
Dude is incredibly talented and versatile in this, and has been busy as much in the studio as out. There’s Kon & The Gang LP in the works for summer 2012, as well as a new house project collab with the Whiskey Baron under the guise ” Nite Time ” out in March on Australian label “Future Classic.” For now, check his “Sunlight” 12″ here out on Social Disco Clubs’ H.O.T. imprint as well as here for his BG’s multi-rework. For more music you can check the mix he did of his multi reworks for Gilles Peterson (note that this isnt Kon & Amir, thats a mistake) here. There’s also a grea mix he did here for Moscow’s Kult Club, generously featured on fellow Bostonians Soul Claps own blog. But ENOUGH about this guy from me. Let’s hear from the dude himself.
Yoooooo
I’m with Amir and the homie, most of y’all know… the Funky President himself, the world famous Jrocc. So after smoking some of Jays finest medicinal marijuana, the best L.A. has to offer (some of us are sick heheh ) Jay takes us to this spot in Compton. We walk in and the owner and employees already know Jay and hand him a pile of records already picked out for him. Oh worrrrrrd… its like that !
So the spot has records everywhere but nothing in any type of order. We scatter like roaches and claim our little sections to go through. I start with the 12″ section… thinking I may come up on Jackie Cole 12″ for $3 (I wouldn’t think of paying what it commands!) The 12″s are set up like this: Pointer Sisters 12″ is next to Dead Or Alive’s “You Spin Me” which is next to Donna Summer, and so on. After skimming through the 12″s I found nothing. I head over to the LPs section which is set up the same way… Same old shit we all see, Patrice Rushen, Kenny Rogers, you know. But of course there’s some things I didnt know, like this LP by Glen Smith. It had the look, private press, back cover with dudes and bad haircuts… and I think it was $3.00. I may or not be blowing up the spot on this LP, but seems people dont really know it. I think its a Seattle record (Toronto & West Virginia – Ed.) so homies like Mr. Supreme & Jake One, may have it, but I didnt. Hey, were always learning, right ?
This track is what I refer to as a “B-Boys Delight.” Over 120 BPS, drums that bang and swing… and go on forever with a couple sections with piano and dialogue that you can have fun with doubling up on. This was really the only thing I copped out that spot. I cant remember what Amir copped (prolly some jazz record you listen to while dropping the kids off) and I think Jrocc bought his 38th copy of James Brown’s Funky President.
So… for those that still give a shit about a quality break, and like this one, get at me – I got extras!
This summer I was lucky enough to get the chance and sit down at The Bedford over oysters and beer with my friends from Paradigm Magazine for an interview that was going to be featured in their site. Then just a few months ago they decided they wanted to switch gears and do it as a video interview, and just like that the Rear Window series was born. Here’s what it’s all about, and here’s how it went down.
“The first time I witnessed Cosmo DJ, I was blown away. I saw him play this party in Washington, DC, and I stood in the same place from the beginning of his set to the very end in complete awe. He is everything you want from a DJ; he’s a “DJs DJ”. You can give him a hip-hop record, a pop record, disco, reggae, soul, funk…records that you would never think of mixing together, and he’ll take those records and create a masterpiece of a set; it’s just what he does. Not only is he a great DJ/Producer/Artist, he’s one of the warmest human beings I’ve met. I would suggest not missing him the next he’s in your town, or better yet, if you’re in New York you can catch him at his monthly party called The Rub. Paradigm had the pleasure of spending a day with Cosmo Baker and taping the whole experience. Hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we did.”
Here’s an interview that was done with me for the Kansas City-based Demencha Magazine to coincide with my upcoming show there on the 20th. In it they have me talking about my Philly roots, my recent trip to The Middle East as well as my overall philosophy of DJing and sound in general. I don’t think I come off that much of an asshole in it either so we’re skrate. Check the interview out here.
Get up on new dance discoveries and party classics, mixed live by beloved Brooklyn selectors The Rub. This time Codes attacks the turntables with a bunch of exclusives from Slow Roast label mates Craze, Klever, Kill The Noise and JWLS, along with his own remixes, mixed and scratched impeccably. Whose house? CODES HOUSE!
FACT: The Rub is the best hip-hop and classics party in North America.
Started in 2002 at Southpaw by DJ Ayres, DJ Eleven, and Cosmo Baker, The Rub does it Brooklyn style: great dance music mixed well, affordable drinks, and real people; no dress code, no bottle service, no VIPs or celebrity DJs. The combination of great music, a hot and sweaty dance floor, and phenomenal word-of-mouth buzz for the party means a line around the block every month. An unparalleled mix of hip hop, disco, 80s, reggae, funk, house and a fearlessness for breaking new records keeps the crowd bouncing. What started as a party became a DJ crew, and the three DJs have travelled around the world to play in over 100 cities in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. In addition, they successfully crossed the bridge from hugely popular mashups to original production, and all three release music at a dizzying pace. Visit www.itstherub.com for music, photos and tour information.
Dante’s Hifi – Miami – April 20 
