Guess Where Miami Falls

Laz R Us

Now that we've successfully run this blog into the ground, time for a futile attempt at resurrection via YouTube linkage.

Oui, It's So Humid

I'm still up in NYC.
Videos for time being.
Tune In.








2 Live Jews - Oui, It's So Humid

Church!

Some preaching to the choir via Cosmo's blog.

Video taken from the 140 Characters Conference that went down in NYC last month.

The speaker is music journalist Chris Weingarten.

Sorry that this plays automatically, dunno how to prevent that.

Just-Ice - Cold Getting Dumb II

Pssht.

Clay D & New Get Funky Crew - Give Me A Bottle

Pitbull recently bit off a bit of this bit.

Drink Drank Drunk

Via.

No idea what this song is really called, or who did this remix; but I got it from my girl Mapei for a show we did a while ago. Get with it, 170 bpms is the future.

Alkaholiks - Only When I'm Drunk (Mapei's Ghettotech German Techno WTF Remix)

Taster's Choice

Top tracks as listed in a 1993 DJ Mag issue, by two of the most influential discos/clubs in music history.

Yerp, THAT Norman Cook.

Swiiiing Batter Batter...

I haven't watched this documentary nearly enough this year. The above clip pretty much summed up my general attitude towards the notion of not participating in, but merely observing, competitive sports for a dominant portion of my life.

Ol' Long Arm.

Nowadays, wholly embracing the epitome of sports fanaticism as I do, here's an animated short that caught my attention span:

"In celebration of the greatest athletic achievement by a man on a psychedelic journey, No Mas and artist James Blagden proudly present the animated tale of Dock Ellis' legendary LSD no-hitter. In the past few years we've heard all too much about performance enhancing drugs from greenies to tetrahydrogestrinone, and not enough about performance inhibiting drugs. If our evaluation of the records of athletes like Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens, Marion Jones, and Barry Bonds needs to be revised downwards with an asterisk, we submit that that Dock Ellis record deserves a giant exclamation point. Of the 263 no-hitters ever thrown in the Big Leagues, we can only guess how many were aided by steroids, but we can say without question that only one was ever thrown on acid.

Sadly, the great Dock Ellis died last December at 63. A year before, radio producers Donnell Alexander and Neille Ilel, had recorded an interview with Ellis in which the former Pirate right hander gave a moment by moment account of June 12, 1970, the day he no-hit the San Diego Padres. Alexander and Ilels original four minute piece appeared March 29, 2008 on NPRs Weekend America. When we stumbled across that piece this past June, Blagden and Isenberg were inspired to create a short animated film around the original audio."

www.nomas-nyc.com

Music please.



The Seeds - Tripmaker


The Seeds - Faded Picture

& via DD:
Morgen - Of Dreams (7")

This Guy.

PART 8: CHRIS GRAHAM

Part 8 of the series I've just started, focuses on local Ras Trent look-alike, Chris Graham.

He's got a write-up/Q&A over on the NBC Miami NiteSide blog(?). There really has been a bunch of rumblings about the new spot, most likely a direct result of Graham's involvement. Did anyone else get that mass e-mail, errr, press release(?), he sent out asking to have his write-up blogged/tweeted/paid attention to? I'm looking forward to that beer you now owe me, Chris. Your cander only reminds me that I too need to blatantly clamor for publicity and dissemination of said publicity -- have you read your New Times today? Tell a friend. K'thx.

The spot takes over the old Blue space, which always struck me as one of the more awkward spaces for clubland to fill -- feels more like a long hallway than any space I'd like to hang out in for much longer than a beer. Judging from the pictures it looks like they're going for the kitsch -- but who doesn't like conversation-starters?

That's about all I've got on this place as I haven't even been there. Chris is a great (read: swell) guy that makes amazing chicken wings. Plus, he will buy you your first beer if you mention that you saw this review(?!) on the blog.

Best of luck dude.

*EDIT: After reading a bit into the recent past of this NBC NiteTalk series, they really cover a bunch of the family in there. Credit to John Hood (who has more bylines than Jesus) for shining some light on these guys n gals --- even Javi(PS14/Bar) gets love! I think I've got to take the newly founded This Guy series to the next.

Now I just gotta think of questions that aren't so formulaic. Suggestions?

Where's Egg Foo when you need him?

Mr. Oizo - Analog Worms Attack

No idea where I copped this 10" EP, but I remember replaying the A1 over and over. Everything sounds like its peaking to shit with a nasty grunge synth slashing through. It's somewhere between some downtempo instrumental hip-hop and proto-dubstep w/ the wobbles. Break out your black hoodie for this 1999 jam. Interesting to note that the cuts on here are from the Frenchman Feadz.

Souvenirs

So Santi's got a make-up show after a very unfortunate incident at Wesleyan University cancelled a previous gig as their campus was on lockdown with the shooter still on the loose.

"A 20 year old Wesleyan college student was shot and killed at the Middletown, CT bookstore she worked at yesterday, prompting the cancellation of the school’s Spring Fling concert that was to be headlined by Santigold.

Johanna Justin-Jinich, from Fort Collins, CO, was killed inside Broad Street Books, officials said. Police were searching for a suspect last night, but would not confirm reports that an ex-boyfriend of the victim was suspected. The Wesleyan junior was gunned down by a shooter wearing a wig. The liberal arts college was on lockdown for several hours after the murder and canceled yesterday’s Spring Fling concert, which was also to include King Khan and The Shrines and Clipse."

I'm taking advantage of the trip up north to pack in a couple extra gigs, and quality time [read: Tacos & file Transfers]. If you're going to be around any of the spots listed below, don't hesitate to hit me up [if you don't have my #/email, you should probably hesitate in the hitting up of me, as hanging out is just gonna be more awkward than usual].

21st(?) - Santigold @ Wesleyan

22nd - PYT, Philly

23rd - (dunno the spot), Philly

24th-26th - DC

27th - Silk City, Philly w/ Sammy Slice

28th - Savalas, NYC w/ Rok1

29th-? NYC

Of the things I look forward to hearing more of is Kele's new solo album, that the homey XXXchange lends his production skills to.

[This is where I'd post XXXchange's drumtastic remix of !!!'s "All My Friends Are Weirdos", but I gotta ask permission first. Even though its ~3yrs old I don't think its ever leaked on the intertubes]

Flip Ya For Real

What's up with social networking if I can only get the video post, and not the invite to attend? I didn't know this was going down!

Brief research [via] tells me:

"So, if you’re looking for a cool, innovative and attention grabbing way to advertise your business, sign spinners, who charge an average of $60 a hour, may be the way to go."

Keeping the options open.

Bernard Wright - Spinnin'

Perfect early 80's funky jazz. "Another mojito for Mr. Underhill at Cabana #3."

Also noteworthy for the sample at ~1:26.

Get It In Print

Originally slated to be published in their Winter Music Conference issue, the Miami New Times has gone ahead and printed their interview/Q&A with me that I posted (unedited) a while back. If you live in Miami, pick up a copy or read it online. They must've been slow on substance this week, cuz the article is a full-pager, and that's usually reserved for the talented.

While on the New Times site (it's gotten way better lately - congrats), I found out about Gen Art closing shop. Aside from all of the wonderful things I'm sure they focused on, of their events that I've been to, they were always attended by attractive AND intelligent girls --- a three-legged unicorn-like rarity in Miami.

Tip of the hat, adieu

I also learned that NKOTB is coming to concert. Tickets are $81. Ridiculous. How bout you give me $5 and I punch you in the nads? You also get a free t-shirt.

"Alright boys, now don't look too excited."

Listen to the song, and look at the photo again; tell me if it makes any sense.

Sparks - Beat The Clock (Extended Version)

This song is over 30 years old, and that drum still sounds fresh as hell. Might I suggest mixing in @4:02 and bringing it back to the lyrics when necessary/always.
You can find more Sparks-ish over here.

Orale!

The Coasters - Down In Mexico (Contra Sqcd Edit)

THE BAN

ok so i guess ive had it up to ^here with pizza places skimping me on the sauce. Since when is it ok to skimp on one of the most important ingredients to making this a great pizza. oh wait yeah i forgot, you skimp on the sauce because you DONT want the customers coming back to your spot. FAIL. from now on, im banning any pizza spot who skimps on the sauce.

AND THAT'S THE WAY ITS GOING TO BE
i scream when i'm mad son

Hey Gianni, You Got Your Google Alerts?

Hello?

I only just recently am stepping into this 2010 year of ours. First with the Twitter, got a Google Alert set up for 'dj contra' (its kinda annoying actually, and i'm not sure if its considered narcissistic to admit you have one set up...eh.), and maybe soon a *gasp* Facebook account?!? I'm telling you, moms would be proud. Then again, we've still got a rotary phone at the Casa De Contra.

More on the future in the future.

Regardless, here's hoping Mr. Gianni Marino has his Google Alerts set up and bothers to check em, cuz i'm digging a lot of his remixes, and would enjoy playing em out at a higher than 128-ripped quality. Went so far as to hit up Diplo bout em so he could ask for em; so hit one of us up w/ better quality -- or tell me to take it down and be 'that' guy.

Laidback Luke & Diplo - Hey! (Gianni Marino Remix)

*shitty 128kbps rip.