Don Dignitaries - High Grade Export

Happy New Year! It was a memorable year past and I am looking forward to a positive one ahead. I ushered in 2008 at the newly opened Summit Saloon and Stage in Bend,Oregon with my friends the Don Dignitaries supported by The Escort Service Band. A great time with lots of good vibes. The Don Dignitaries first full length album has been in heavy rotation in my decks for the past year. A memorable appearance this summer at the Northwest World Reggae Festival, again accompanied by the Escort Service Band, I feel has thrust them into the limelight as one of the Northwest's premiere acts. Definitely check them out when they come around. They are great showmen with a great live band bringing the best new roots and dancehall sounds around. And as a little encouragement to check them out and pick up there cd, High Grade Export, here is one of my favorite cuts from it. Big Ups to RK1 and Zelly Rock! No Hate in '08!

Don Dignitaries Myspace Page

Don Dignitaries - Original Don Dignitaries

Rocket 88 - Remembering Ike Turner

Though most remember him for his abusive relationship with Tina, Ike Turner is known to music for recording the first rock n' roll album ever, "Rocket 88". He passed away yesterday leaving a legacy of musical history, as well as his infamy in the spotlight with Tina. He was an accomplished pioneer of musical talent and rocked the stage with his band the Kings of Rhythm, and permanently left his mark with his work with Tina Turner. Here are a couple memories that will last forever.

Ike Turner - Funky Mule
Ike Turner - Ghetto Funk

Tina, Ike, and the Ikettes...Proud Mary

Slow Down Sagg

Root Down Jimmy Smith Live! is another classic album. Made even more infamous by the Beastie Boys in '94, it is the definition of acid jazz. Recorded February 8th, 1972. Incredible percussion (Buck Clarke), Insane breakbeats (Paul Humphrey), Funky Bass (Wilton Felder), Amazing lightening speed funk riffs (Arthur Adams), and of course the legend of the Hammond organ Jimmy Smith. The track I am posting here is called Slow Down Sag, and is a burner, start to finish.

Jimmy Smith - Slow Down Sagg

Appreciate

Like to dedicate this post to my friends and and their baby Ellis who came into the world this past week. Was wanting to get back to some of that feel good hip hop here. And this is the track, my favorite of of Pete Rock's Soul Survivor II album. There are some good beats on this album but I felt a lot of the tracks lacked umph! Then I got to the last one and I played it like 20 times in a row. This track just makes me think about how much we got to be thankful for and how special life is, instead of it always being hard day to day which is how I view it a lot of the time. When I need perspective this is what I put on, that and some good Jerry Band tapes. The instrumental stands on its own as well.

Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Appreciate
Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Appreciate Instrumental

Promised Land Riddim

Can't believe I allowed a month to go by with out a post. On break from school for a month now though and I ripped a bunch of reggae 7"s that my buddy Scotty One Drop gifted me a while back. So I got some ammo to make up for the downtime. Sorry about the lousy photo, but all I got at the moment is the crappy camera on my phone.

Here is the Capleton track Words of Mind on the Promised Land Riddim. I like both sides of this 7" but the version really lets the awesome bass line shine. I have been playing this one out almost every time I have had a gig.

Capleton - Words of Mind
Promised Land Riddim