Funk Me or Mass Suicide

DJ Ren: Se Me Perdio La Cumbia (Tracklist)

2010-05-19T07:17:00.000-07:00

Here is the tracklist for my latest mixtape. Enjoy.

(01) los angeles azules-como te voy a olvidar

(02) pilar montenegro-quitame ese hombre

(03) xochitl mejia-vuelve

(04) grupo cañaveral-el palacio de amor

(05) socios del ritmo-mama cumbia

(06) grupo megaton-si quieres llorar

(07) grupo cañaveral-llorar

(08) residente calle 13-atrevete te, te!
(09) ozomatli-cumbia de los muertos

(10) fito olivares-juana la cubana

(11) selena-como me duele

(12) kumbia kings-shhh

(13) celso piña-cumbia del rio

(14) los pedemales-la del moño colorado

(15) fito olivares-el colesterol

(16) la sonora dinamita-se me perdio la cadenita

(17) grupo bravo-ritmo sabroson de el salvador

(18) los corraleros de majagual-cumbia campesina

(19) hector fabio-la cumbia

(20) pastor lopez-cariñito sin mi

(21) unknown-la guatemalteca

(22) aniceto molina-fiesta cumbianbera

(23) kumbia kings-chocolate

(24) celso piña-cumbia poder

New!!! DJ Ren: Se Me Perdio La Cumbia

2010-04-26T23:52:00.001-07:00

I grew up listening to cumbia, whether in my house, at parties, in my dreams....I mean cumbia has been a part of my life for a long time. The thing I love about cumbia is that unlike many of the other "Latin" genres, cumbia can sound very differently depending on its country or region of origin.

Growing up Salvadoran, I heard my fair share of cumbia tropical. Anything from Aniceto Molina, Los Hermanos Flores, and La Sonora Dinamita. However, I also listened quite a bit to Mexican cumbia (Celso Piña, Grupo Cañaveral, Grupo Megaton, Grupo Kual, Los Angeles Azules, etc) cause I used to work at the Alameda Swapmeet in a gift shop. Next door there used to be a music store that blasted all cumbia all day long.

My new mixtape, Se Me Perdio La Cumbia (I Lost the Cumbia) is a compilation...or more aptly put, an attempt to compile cumbia of various forms. They may not always gel nicely together but in the end they are family. Enjoy.

To download click here.

DJ Ren "Slowgasm"

2010-03-03T11:53:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what parties can motivate you to do. Last week I attended a party where the challenge was to create a baby-making mixtape. I've always wanted to record this type of mix, but procrastination gets in the way.

Right around this time, a friend of mine started a Facebook group asking for a new DJ Ren mix. Now I could've gone the route of John Cusack from High Fidelity and put a series of songs together on a CD and burned them. But for starters, fuck John Cusack, and secondly I could use the relaxation of putting together a mixtape.

The result....my new mix titled Slowgasm.

Let me get something out of the way...yes a lot of the songs are painfully obvious. But I'm going for baby making here not a DJs wetdream.

So with that said use protection unless babies is what you're going for. To download click here.

Never Not Working Radio

2009-10-12T18:04:00.000-07:00

Come on...admit it...most radio sucks in the Twin Cities. With the exception of KMOJ, the Beatbox (Radio K), and to please some of my emo and alternative rock friends...the Current 89.3. Everything else on the radio is only appropriate if you're trying to send a message to the passenger in your car that you don't like them or if you really really need to stay awake on a long drive. [Insert any Lil Wayne song or Country music.] Better than 5 Hour Energy, but at the end of it you still crash. I'd venture to guess that a lot of accidents happen in the Twin Cities because a song that has no business being heard [Insert Taylor Swift or any American Idol winner song] comes on and the driver frantically searches for the tuner to switch the station, only to instead hit a patch of black ice, lose control and get stuck in a ditch. That is Twin Cities radio stations in a nutshell.

With the emergence of the internet people locally and in other places have managed to break through the spectrum and provide us some musically titillating programming. Never Not Working is a radio show featured on East Village Radio from New York. Hosted by Radio Rios and Oskar Mann this show throws complacency and commercial music out the window. In their words:

With a deep respect for the past and a keen ear to the future, Rios and Oskar deliver the best in deep soul, funk, disco, breaks and hip-hop. The best New York and the world has to offer.

Its reach and impact could never compete with the likes of Kool 108, but their content would make Kool look like cheap posers. Their song selection will have you constantly checking back with the playlist, and writing that shit down. What I dig the most about it is their appreciation for all types of music and all types of people. They routinely feature guests that bring their personal flavor and style. The vibe of NNW, even if through an online medium is one of building community through music.

Their show airs every Friday night from 12am to 2am ET, but don't fret, you can listen to Never Not Working anytime of the day by visiting East Village Radio's website.

Among my favorite episodes:
July 25th
August 15th
September 26th
October 10th

It's all fire though, you can't go wrong. Check them out.

DJ Miguel Presents... TIMEWARP!

2009-09-16T14:10:00.000-07:00

It's here! This is a mixtape that was recorded for FranzDiego.Com's album release show held on Sept. 12, 2009 at the Uptown. It's a mix of many things I have been listening to at the moment, amongst other things to be nostalgic about. I post it here in this blog for you to download and to share.

Yelli's Disco: Hyperbole *w/ Track List

2009-09-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

I, DJ Ren, am back with my 2nd featured release, "Yelli's Disco: Hyperbole", a blend of 70s and 80s Disco and Funk as well as a couple surprises here and there. Hyperbole is a non-stop badass mix that will have you groovin and doing the do. I wanted to push myself to put together a mixtape that had a constant flow of music, so in this mixtape you'll experience 47 different songs, blended live and with its fare share of mistakes along the way.

Its over 90 minutes of live mixing so put your headphones on, strap on your seatbelt, and get your popcorn ready, I'm really proud of this mixtape and am happy to share with all of you. Click on the link below to download.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: DJ Miguel Vargas and I will be spinnin at Solera Restaurant in Downtown Minneapolis (900 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403) on September 17th from 10pm to 2am.

To download follow this link and click on the giant arrow.

Playlist:
Diana Ross-I'm Coming Out
Melba Moore-You Stepped Into My Life
Bee Gees-More Than A Woman
Tom Tom Club-Genius of Love
Linda Ronstadt-You're No Good
Raydio-Jack and Jill
Womack & Womack-Baby I'm Scared of You
Average White Band-Pick Up the Pieces
Diana Ross-Upside Down
Salsoul Orchestra-Runaway
Luther Vandross-Never Too Much
Slave-Watching You
Pointer Sisters-Automatic
Cameo-Single Life
KC & the Sunshine Band-I'm Your Boogie Man
Rolling Stones-I Miss You
Sister Sledge-He's the Greatest Dancer
McFadden and Whitehead-Aint No Stoppin Us Now
Chaka Khan-I'm Every Woman
Patrice Rushen-Forget Me Nots
Wham-Everything She Wants
Ashford & Simpson-It Seems to Hang On
Cherrelle-Saturday Love
Shannon-Let the Music Play
Salsoul Orchestra-Love Break
Cloud One-Atmosphere Strut
Change-Glow of Love
Fatback Band-Backstrokin
Rockmaster Scott-Roof is On Fire
Madonna-Holiday
Human League-Do You Want Me
SOS Band-Take Your Time
Donna Summer-Hot Stuff
Rick James-Give It To Me Baby
Company B-Fascinated
GQ-Disco Nights
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam-Can You Feel the Beat
M.I.A.-Jimmy
Jackie Moore-This Time Baby
Anita Ward-Ring My Bell
Edwin Starr-Contact
Sylvester-You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
Rick James-Super Freak
Barry White-You're the First, The Last, My Everything
O'Bryan-I'm Freaky
Earth Wind & Fire-September
Donna Summer-Last Dance

DJ Ren: Last of the Dinkytowner

2009-07-28T14:29:00.001-07:00

Do you miss the Dinkytowner Cafe? Yeah I do too. I missed it so much that I re-recorded one of my last sets at the Dinkytowner Cafe. It's a mix of reggae and hip hop, basically something to get the juices flowing. I hope you enjoy it.

Download by clicking here

Any Day Now (1960-1963)

2009-06-03T06:10:00.000-07:00

Check out this timeless mix of Soul from the days when racism was legal, but yet the tunes on the radio happened to be all of your jams, and brought you closer to freedom, happiness, dreams, the one you love, the one you hate, heartaches, no monies, and yes, the watermelon man. So many different ways to express how one feels... To download "Any Day Now (1960-1963)", click here.

1. Mongo Santamaria - Watermelon Man
2. Ray Charles - Unchain My Heart
3. Sam Cooke - Chain Gang
4. The Valentinos - Lookin' For a Love
5. Marvin Gaye - Stubborn Kind of Fellow
6. Brook Benton - Kiddio
7. Betty Everett - You're No Good
8. Ike & Tina Turner - It's Gonna Work Out Fine
9. Barbara Lewis - Hello Stranger
10. Mary Wells - Your Old Standby
11. Ruby & the Romantics - Our Day Will Come
12. Ray Barretto - El Watusi
13. The Exciters - Tell Him
14. Bobby "Blue Bland - Don't Cry No more
15. Trini Lopez - If I Had a Hammer
16. The Impressions - Gypsy Woman
17. The Shirelles - Baby It's You
18. Chuck Jackson - Any Day Now
19. The Temptations - Dream Come True
20. Barbara Lynn - You'll Lose a Good Thing
21. James Brown - Lost Someone
22. Solomon Burke - If You Need Me
23. Freddie Scott - Hey Girl
24. Otis Redding - These Arms of Mine

Imagination

2009-04-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

What happened to the days of having songs so dope that you could do whatever the hell theatrics you wanted for its music video? Here are some videos from early-80s English funk group, Imagination who've made some best playlists from the best club DJs of its time. Be prepared to be entranced while I work on my "In and Out of Love" jig. Could it be the inspiration for Outkast's moves in "So Fresh So Clean"? It's just an illusion.

"Body Talk" (1981)

"In and Out of Love" (1981)

"Just an Illusion" (1982)

"Music and Lights" (1982)

Funk My Life (2009)

2009-04-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

It's finally here. DJ Ren's (myself) first mixtape "Funk My Life vol. 1". After much anticipation and admittedly procrastination, I've finally put together 43 minutes of sheer funk bliss that will have you bobbing your head, leaning like a cholo, and yes maybe even dancing. There isn't any particular inspiration behind the song selection for this mixtape, I did however want to offer some great tracks by some lesser known Funk artists. Most if not everything is 80s so put your retro gear on and get down. To download "Funk My Life" click here

Funk My Life vol. 1 setlist:
Digital Emotion-Get Up Do You Wanna Funk
Two Man Sound-Que Tal America
Sylvester-Do You Wanna Funk
Egyptian Lover-My House (On the Nile)
Newcleus-Computer Age (Push the Button)
Kano-I'm Ready
Chicago-Street Player
Earth Wind & Fire-September
Keni Burke-Knight Riders
Aurra-Get On In the Groove
Bohannon-Foot Stompin Music
Morris Day and the Time-Jerk Out
Nysa Shenay-He's So Fine
Carol Douglas-Got Ya Where I Want Ya
Surface Noise-The Scratch
I-Level-Minefield
The Whispers-Rock Steady
Michael Jackson-Rock With You
Orlando Johnson-Turn the Music On
Marvin Gaye-Funk Me

I remember Donny Hathaway...

2009-04-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

I was a big fan of Dr. Dre's The Chronic shortly after it was released, and it was the first album to make a big fan of music out of me. by age of 11. Not only did Dre's and Snoop Dogg's hardcore attitude and style made an impression (toughened me up while scaring me shitless at the same time), the sampled and interpolated music hinted that there was life beyond the Thunderdome.

It was also the first time that I paid attention to an album's liner notes. It was here that I could learn of Parliament-Funkadelic's influence on the album; a group that I, regrettably, never heard of until that point. Another name that is mentioned twice is Donny Hathaway. His recording, including his vocal, was sampled on the track "Lil' Ghetto Boy", the last song Side A (I'd only had a dubbed cassette of Side A from The Chronic, so it was the last song of the album for me). The source comes from a song of the same name from 1972, but sounds as if Hathaway right there in the studio recording with Dre and Snoop and contained the most haunting vibrato I've ever heard up until in that point:

"Little ghetto boooooooooyyyy, playin' in the ghetto streeeeeeeeeet.
What you going to when you grow up, and have to face responsibilityyyyyyyyyy?"

I kinda felt like he was singing to me.

Years past, and when I finally had money to buy my own CDs (16, believe it or not) I hunted any album I could find at the Barnes and Noble at Har Mar Mall in Roseville, and found A Donny Hathaway Collection. However, this compilation was nothing like I expected. It had no photos of him, just a portrait painting of his face on the cover. There were no liner notes bio to tell me about who he really was. I didn't even find the funk or the breaks that I was hoping for, except for "The Ghetto" and "This Christmas," the best Xmas song ever. Yet, I had a completely different experience; an experience of learning what pain meant through song.

The collection opened up with his cover of Leon Russel's "A Song for You". Upbeat, it isn't, but by the he wails:

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii-I love you in a place, where there's no space or time."

I imagined having a broken heart, with a tummy ache yet all you have is your voice. It made me want to be alone while listening, for tears just might fall down my eyes. Where was this source of sorrow coming from in this man's music?

Well, after further reading about him, I learned that he was born in Chicago 1945, and went to Howard University to study music. He returned to Chicago, and released his solo debut album in 1970 , Everything is Everything, an album that contained the hit "The Ghetto" and put him in a wave of Soul singer/songwriters that included fwllow contemporaries Sly Stone, Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, the Isley Brothers" and Stevie Wonder who sought artistic control and direction of their music.

He was also played keyboards on Aretha Franklin's album Young Gifted and Black that teamed him up with Aretha on piano, Chuck Rainey on bass, Cornell Dupree on guitar, and Bernard Purdie on drums. This "best-lineup-ever" recorded the hits "Daydreaming" and "Rock Steady".

Hathaway slowly withdrew from the music business in the mid-70s, although recorded a hit with his long-tine duet partner Roberta Flack with "The Closer I Get to You" in 1978. Sadly Hathaway fell to his deah from a hotel window in 1979. It was not known if it was an accident, suicide, or murder, but it was know that he had been suffering from depression, and even possibly schizophrenia, for the past several years. His children which includes Lalah Hathaway, continues to carry his music legacy.

Donny, we hardly knew you.

"The Ghetto" (1970)

Donny Hathaway .The Ghetto [Live]
Uploaded by capitainfunkk

"Put Your Hand In the Hand" (1971)

"Song For You" (1971)

Donny Hathaway - A song for you
Uploaded by benedictinelight

"Rock Steady" - Aretha Franklin (1971)

"Day Dreaming" by Aretha Franklin (1971)

Aretha Franklin - Day dreaming
Uploaded by mister_funkyman

"Baby I Love You" with Roberta Flack (1972)

Double Exposure
Uploaded by TroubleMan00

Little Ghetto Boy (Live)" (1972)

"Jealous Guy (Live)" (1972)

"The Closer I Get to You" featuring Roberta Flack (1978)

"Lil' Ghetto Boy" by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg (1992)

Funk Mass Playlist for DJ Ren 02/10/09

2009-03-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay, here is the playlist from our show on February 10th 2009. DJ Miguel Vargas' set to be available shortly. Don't forget our next show: Tuesday March 10, 2009 at the Dinkytowner Cafe.

1st Set-Happy Valentine's Day Set
Keith Sweat-Make You Sweat
Tony Toni Tone-If I Had No Loot
Bell Biv Devoe-Dope
Michael Jackson-Remember the Time
Guy-Groove Me
Bobby Brown-Humpin Around
Cameo-Candy
Curtis Mayfield-Future Shock
Womack & Womack-Baby I'm Scared of You
Prince-Sexy M.F.
Parliament-Give Up The Funk
New Edition-Popcorn Love
Positive K-I Got A Man
One Way-Cutie Pie
Bob Marley-Could You Be Loved
213-Beautiful
Stevie Wonder-My Cherie Amour
LL Cool J-Around the Way Girl
Andre 3000-Happy Valentine's Day

2nd Set-Ritchie Valens and the 50s
Monchy y Alexandra-En Un Dos Por Tres
El Gran Combo-Amame
Ray Charles-I Got A Woman
Ray Charles-What'd You Say
Chuck Berry-Johnny B Good
Little Richard-Tutti Frutti
Little Richard-Long Tall Sally
Buddy Holly-Bo Diddley
Buddy Holly-Peppy Sue
Buddy Holly-That'll Be The Day
Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers-Why Do Fools Fall In Love
Bobby Day-Rockin Robin
Gene Chandler-Duke of Earl
Jackie Wilson-Lonely Teardrops
Eddie Cochran-Summertime Blues
Los Lobos-Framed
Los Lobos-Charlena
Los Lobos-Ohh! My Love
Ritchie Valens-Come On Let's Go
Ritchie Valens-Dooby Dooby Wah
Ritchie Valens-Cry Cry Cry
Ritchie Valens-That's My Little Suzie
Ritchie Valens-Donna
Ritchie Valens-We Belong Together
Santo and Johnny-Sleepwalk
Barbara Mason and the Ambassadors-Yes I'm Ready

3rd Set-Dance Dance Revolution
DeBarge-I Like It
Ub 40-Red Red Wine
Arrested Development-People Everyday
Rick James-Mary Jane
TLC-Creep
Marvin Gaye-Sexual Healing
Mary Jane Girls-All Night Long
Mack Morrison-Return of the Mack
Mtume-Juicy Fruit
Jackson 5-I Want You Back
Color Me Badd-I Wanna Sex You Up
Kanye West-Stronger
E-40-Tell Me When To Go
Kriss Kross-Jump
Sean Paul-Get Busy
Baby Bash-Baby I'm Back
Big Quarters-Ladies Know
Jay Z-I Just Wanna Love You

Soul! Available for Viewing Online!

2009-03-05T13:53:00.000-08:00

Soul!, the Black variety show that aired on New York public television from 1968-73, are now featuring archived episodes on WNET's website: Thirteen.org

Before Soul Train was aired locally in Chicago, Soul! was a show where black musicians, singers, poets, writers, dancers, actors can perform for a live Black audience.

What is excellent about this show is its unapologetic anti-establishment attitude and being vocal about black pride and decolonization; something that mainstream music television, or any programming lacks today.

Complementing that politics are performances by Tito Puente, Willie Colon, Earth Wind & Fire, Rashaan Roland Kirk, amongst others.

To read an essay on the history of Soul! and its producer Elis Haizlip:
http://www.thirteen.org/soul/about-soul/host-ellis-haizlip-andsoul-history

To see a full list of episodes:
http://www.thirteen.org/soul/episodes

40 Years of the Chicano Sound: 1940-1980

2009-02-08T17:29:00.000-08:00

SOme of these videos are may seem random, but I will fill in the blanks when I have more time. Enjoy!

The Sounds of California

The Roots

Lalo Guerrero - "Chucos Suaves"

Lalo Guerrero - "Marihuana Boogie"

Don Tosti y Su Trio - Los Blues

Rhythm & Blues, Doo-Wop, and Rock N'Roll

Little Julian Herrera - "These Lonely Nights"

The Champs - "Tequila" (#1 Pop, #1 R&B, 1958)

Ritchie Valens - "Come On, Let's Go" (#42 Pop, #27 R&B, 1958)

Ritchie Valens - "Donna" (#2 Pop, #11 R&B, 1958)

Ritchie Valens - La Bamba (#22 R&B, 1958)

The 60s Sound of East L.A.

The Blendells - "La La La La La" (#62 Pop, 1964)

The Premiers - "Farmer John" (#19 Pop, 1964)

Cannibal & The Headhunters - "Land of 1000 Dances" (#30 R&B, 1965)

Thee Midniters - "Whittier Blvd." (1965)

Thee Midniters - "Love Special Delivery" (1966)

Thee Midniters - Love Special Delivery
Uploaded by scootaway

Thee Midniters - "Chicano Power" (1967)

A&M Records: Breaking Latin Music into the Mainstream, But at What Price?

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass - "The Lonely Bull" (#6 Pop, 1962)

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass - "Tijuana Taxi" (#38 Pop, 1966)

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass - "Spanish Flea" (#27 Pop, 1966)

Baja Marimba Band - Brasila (1965)

Chris Montez - "Call Me" (#22 Pop, 1966)

The Sandpipers - "Guantanamera" (#9 Pop, 1966)

Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - "Mais Que Nada" (#47 Pop, 1966)

Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66, Mais Que Nada
Uploaded by memmoria

Santana & the Bay Area Sound

Santana - "Evil Ways" (#9 Pop, 1969)

Santana - "Black Magic Woman" (#4 Pop, 1970)

Santana - "Oye Como Va" (#13 Pop, #32 R&B, 1970)

Malo - "Suavecito" (#18 Pop, 1972)

Re-Defining of the L.A. Sound and the Chicano Movement

"El Chicano - Viva Tirado (#28 Pop, #20 R&B, 1970"
El Chicano - "Sabor a mi" (1971)

SABOR A MI - EL CHICANO - Funny videos are here
El Chicano - "Tell Her She's Lovely" (#40 Pop, #90 R&B, 1973)

Tierra - "Together" (#18 Pop, #9 R&B, 1980)

L.A. Funk Rockers, Redbone, and their Indigenous Transformation

Pat & Lolly Vegas - "La Bamba/Write Me, Baby"

Redbone - "The Witch Queen of New Orleans" (#21 Pop, 1971)

Redbone - "We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee" (1973)

Redbone - "Come and Get Your Love" (#5 Pop, #75 R&B, 1974)

The baddest non-Chicano Chicano Band around

War - "Cisco Kid" (#2 Pop, #5 R&B, 1972)

War - "Ballero" (#33 Pop, #17 R&B, 1974)

War - "Low Rider" (#7 Pop, #1 R&B, 1975)

War - Low Rider (Soul Train)
Uploaded by hushhush112

The Sound of Texas

The early days of the Conjunto:

Narciso Martinez - "Muchacha de 15 anos"

Conjunto Bernal - "Mi Unico Camino"

Conjunto Bernal - "Odiame"

Conjunto Bernal - "Irresitible"

70s Norteño/Conjunto

Ramon Ayala y SuS Bravo Del Norte - "Un Rinconcito en el Cielo"

Los Tigres Del Norte - "Contrabando y Traicion"

Agustin Ramirez - Damelo

The Tropical Rigo Tovar de Matamoros

Rigo Tovar - "La Sirenita"

Rigo Tovar - "Mi Matamoros Querido"

Rigo Tovar - "Carita de Angel"

1960s Rock & Soul

Trini Lopez - "If I Had a Hammer" (#3 Pop, #12 R&B, 1963)

Sunny & the Sunglows - "Talk to Me" (#11 Pop, #12 R&B, 1963)

Sunny & the Sunglows - "Smile Now, Cry Later"

Sunny & the Sunliners - "Put Me In Jail"

"Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs - "Wooly Bully" (#2 Pop, #31 R&B, 1965)

? and the Mysterians - "96 Tears" (#1 Pop, 1966)

? & The Mysterians - 96 Tears
Uploaded by scootaway

Sir Douglas Quintet - "Mendocino" (#29 Pop, 1969)

Sir Douglas Quintet - Mendocino
Uploaded by scootaway

1970s: La Onda Chicana

Steve Jordan - "You Keep Me Hanging On" (1968)

Steve Jordan - "Midnight Blues" (1971)

Steve Jordan - "Le Seguiremos"

Steve Jordan - "La Llorona Loca" (1979)

The Royal Jesters - "Yo Soy Chicano" (1973)

The Royal Jesters - Lo Siento Por Ti (1974)

The Royal Jesters - Si Acaso Vuelves (1975)

Joe Jama - "Me Gusta" (1976)

Little Joe y Familia - "Las Nubes" (1974)

Los Fabulosos Cuatro - "Prieta Linda" (1975)

Los Fabulosos Cuatro - "Basura" (1975)

The Latin Breed - "Yo Lo Comprendo" (1974)

The Latin Breed - "Si Yo Pudiera" (1975)

Jimmy Edward - "Enganame Otra Vez" (1976)

Los Unicos - El Pope

Los Chachos - Irresistible (1976)

Tortilla Factory - Cumbia de Amor (1978)

Tortilla Factory - En La Vida (1978)

Freddy Fender - "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" (#1 Pop, 1975)

FranzDiego.com EP

2009-01-29T11:20:00.001-08:00

Girl you're looking lovely, girl you're looking kinda fine
Girl you're kinda special, I think about you all the time
But you got me trippin, you got me so...so...trippin
Girl you got me trippin, you got me so...so...trippin

The recently released FranzDiego.com EP has been draining the battery on my Ipod non-stop. There's much to love about it. First and foremost in the midst of our economic uncertainty it comes to you at the affordable price of "Download for Free". Secondly, while only 7-tracks in length, this EP is as diverse in subject matter as FranzDiego-Punto-Com's background.

The south Minneapolis rapper with Guatemalan roots and one-third of Illuminous 3 is a standout on multiple levels. His talents reach beyond the microphone, the embodiment of the Hip-Hop Renaissance man. Mr. Punto Com is a blogger, local organizer, artist, dables in producing and add podcaster to the list as well.

Getting back to the EP, there are a couple stand-out tracks in my own personal opinion. "Trippin" (chorus above) is an ode the beautiful intelligent women who unknowingly provoke us to make some not so intelligent decisions. For all of y'all who've ever decided to skip out on an important meeting or take a day off work to be with someone, this song is for you.

My other personal favorite is "Old Man" a pushback by FranzDiego to the status quo trying to define his identity and those of others. Its a challenge to push ourselves beyond stereotypes and falsely constructed images that serve to undercut achievement within our communities.

There's more to be said about this EP but I'll just let the music do the talking. To download the FranzDiego.com EP click here

Meet....Brandon Allday

2009-01-22T08:34:00.000-08:00

Brandon Allday (pictured above to the right) is a rapper and producer from the hip hop group Big Quarters. Brandon, a recent nominee of the Twin Cities Hip Hop Awards "Best TC Hustler", has been a constant figure in the local hip hop scene for several years. Big Quarters is the brainchild of Brandon and his younger brother Zach aka Medium Zach. Lets find out more about Brandon as he answers some questions about himself and Big Quarters:

1. In one or two sentences, introduce yourself to FunkMass.

My name is Brandon Allday of Big Quarters. My president is a brown baby of a white mother.

2. How long have you been making music? What do you use?

I started making beats before I got into rapping - I think we put out our first beat cd in 2003 or 2004.

My MPC2000XL sampler is my instrument of choice.

3. What is Big Quarters Direct? How can I get it?

It's a brand new system that we happen to be early adopters of - and it allows us to stay connected with our fans.

We send you 5 songs every month, on the 5th of each month. For $5 per month.Subscribe now @ http://www.bigquarters.com

4. What are your plans for Big Quarters in 2009?

We're bringing our fans into our creative process through BQDirect. Some of my friends and fellow artists record 25-30 songs for what will end up being an 11 track album.

Through that process - they pass around CDs to their inner circle for feedback and critique - to eventually narrow down the tracklist.

Big Quarters is recording and sending out tracks through BQDirect - and through that process we are shaping our album.

And I should mention, subscribers will receive any album we print for FREE.

5. Who are your top 5 favorite rappers?

Common

Nas

Kurupt

Phil da Agony

Jay-Dee

6. What's one song you never get tired of listening to?

Common "The 6th Sense" produced by DJ Premier

7. If you could meet anybody, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Jesus of Nazareth.

Or I'd like to meet my brother Phil for lunch - he lives in Charlotte, NC.

8. Besides making music, what else are you passionate about?

Working with young people.

9. How can people stay connected with you and your music?

Get at me. BONUS: DOWNLOAD "ALL DAY LONG" BY BIQ QUARTERS

Brandon Allday

612.804.5551

brandon@bigquarters.com

http://www.bigquarters.com

http://www.myspace.com/bigquarters

http://www.youtube.com/bigquarters

Dinkytowner Cafe: 1/13/09

2009-01-19T10:11:00.000-08:00

DJ Miguel Vargas' Set (DJ Ren's set to come later...)

1. Bobby Hebb - Sunny - '66

2. The Doors - Light My Fire - '67

3. The Kinks - All Day and All of the Night - '64

4. The Beatles - Day Tripper - '65

5. The Rolling Stones - Satisfaction - '65

6. The Animals - It's My Life - '65

7. Bob & Earl - Harlem Shuffle - '64
8. Major Lance - Um Um Um Um Um Um - '64
9. The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud to Beg - '66

10. Lowell Fulson - Tramp - '67
11. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Purple Haze - '67

12. James Brown - Cold Sweat - '67

13. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - More Love - '67
14. Syl Johnson - Different Strokes - '67
15. Eddie Floyd - Knock on Wood - '67

16. Sam & Dave - Hold On (I'm Comin') - '66

17. Wilson Pickett - 99 1/2 Won't Do - '66
18. Stevie Wonder - I Was Made to Love Her - '67

19. The Impressions - We're a Winner - '67
20. Otis Redding - Hard to Handle - '67
21. Bobby & James Purify - I'm Your Puppet - '66
22. Sam Cooke - Good Times - '64

Set II
1. The Latin Breed - Si Yo Pudiera - '75
2. Womack & Womack - Baby I'm Scared of You - '83
3. Jorge Ben - Camisa 10 de Gavea - '76
4. Cloud One - Atmosphere Strut - '75
5. Ashford & Simpson - It Just Seems to Hang On - '78
6. Nick Straker Band - A Little Bit of Jazz - '81
7. Eddy Grant - Timewarp - '83
8. Atmosfear - Dancing In Outer Space - '79
9. Dam-Funk - Galactic Fun - '08
10. Donald Byrd - Miss Kane - '73
11. The Pharcyde - Otha Fish - '94

12. T-Baby - It's So Cold in the D - '09

13. Keith Murray - The Most Beautifulest Thing - '94

14. Da Brat feat. JD - Funkdafied - '94

15. A Tribe Called Quest - Bonita Applebum - '90

Songs DJ Miguel Vargas & DJ Ren should play... (Vol. 1)

2009-01-09T13:23:00.000-08:00

Before it was "Luxurious"(Gwen Stefani), before it was "Big Poppa" (Notorious B.I.G.), and a considerable amount of time after it was "Between The Sheets", the infamous Isley Brothers sample was used in A Tribe Called Quest's "Bonita Applebum (Hootie Mix)" from back in 1990. This song was actually in a way the inspiration for Biggie's "Big Poppa," as he had mentioned how he was gonna flip that Tribe song (in reference to the Hootie Mix).

"Between the Sheets" has actually been sampled at least 27 times since it's release in 1983, which serves as a testament to how good the song actually is. Da Brat's "Funkdafied," Common's "Breaker 1/9," Aaliyah's "Old School," and Jay-Z's "Ignorant Shit" round out the list of songs with the sample; all good songs in themselves, and the Isleys certainly had a hand in that.

Now, I'm not here to give a history lesson (unless you're one of those people that thought Gwen Stefani sampled Biggie), I'm just saying that the "Hootie Mix" of "Bonita Applebum" is pretty fuckin' fresh and maybe Miguel V. and the DJ should give it a chance.

A Tribe Called Quest: Bonita Applebum (Hootie Mix)
http://www.divshare.com/download/6280320-980

And while we're back in the early 90's...
Peace... in the middle east.

We're Gonna Fly and Dance Into the Stars: Patrick Adams & Leroy Burgess

2009-01-05T13:25:00.000-08:00

During my recent diggings and research, I've come across two illustrious artists that I've found out have a lot to do with each other, yet are distinguishable in their own right. Now, you might not hear works of Patrick Adams and Leroy Burgess on Clear Channel radio, but their music continues to live and can be "classified as (a) rare funk gems, (b) quiet storm classics, (c) Paradise Garage staples, (d) hip-hop sample fodder, or (e) all of the above." (R. Washington)

Before you continue reading I would like acknowledge the following sources that have guided me in blogging this story and is recommended for further detailed reading:

"The Undisputed; Leroy Burgess is the crowned king of boogie" by Rico Washington, Wax Poetics, #24, 2007

"Synthesizer Symphonies; Disco futurist Patrick Adams found his voice through keys" by Matthew Warren, Wax Poetics, #31, 2008

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life; The History of the Disc Jockey, Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton, 1999, Grove Press

The story begins in 1968 in New York City when arranger Patrick Adams meets a teenage vocal trio named Black Ivory, featuring the falsetto of Leroy Burgess. After few years of writing songs together, and touring behind a young Kool & the Gang, Adams was able to fund a recording session at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, home of engineer Joe Tarsia, the house band MFSB, and where songwriting producers Thom Bell, Kenneth Gamnle, and Leon Huff would record their hits for the Intruders, Delfonics, O'Jays, Spinners, Stylistics, Harod Melvin & the Blue Notes, etc. The session Adams produced a pair of sides that would be Black Ivory's debut the A-side being "Don't Turn Around" and the B-Side "I Keep Asking you Questions" released in late December of '71
The success of their first single demonstrates the group's ability to tackled the smooth ballad, and the pre-disco uptempo, dancefloor killer of the Philly Soul sound. This would lead to cut their 1972 classic debut album "Don't Turn Around" back in NYC with most of the songs written by Adams and the group. Along with the groups first sides, the album contained the groups biggest hit ballads, "You And I", and "I'll Find Away".

Don't Turn Around (#38 R&B)

"I Keep Asking You Questions" (sampled By Raekwon's "Criminology", a single off of his Only Built 4 Cuban Linx from '95).

"You and I" (#32 R&B, #111 Pop, sampled recently for Q-Tip's "Gettin' Up" for his 2008 The Renaissance album.)

While Burgess and group members proved that they were able to write gorgeous melodies, Adams had the idea of the group to record an album of songs composed by himself and fellow producer David Jordan, leaving Black Ivory out of the songwriting process. The album did achieve the same commercial success as "Don't Turn Around", it did not have that same artistic feel without the group's input. Black Ivory and Adams discontinued their work together, would cut more albums and singles until Burgess left the group in '75.

Adams would move on to pursue other projects, but in 1975 he found himself inspired by the underground New York disco scene at clubs like Paradise Garage, and the Loft. He also grew fond of the Moog synthesizer in the music of Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, and Bernie Worrell of Parliament/Funkadelic which was used to show one's virtuosity, but also to create soundscapes to provide specific atmospheres and ambiance on record.

1975 was a time when major labels began promoting and labeling their artists to "Disco" market. It was common practice For smaller independent labels (West End, Prelude, SalSoul, etc.) who were not able to promote their artists at such a high caliber would often have producers and arrangers cut records featuring session musicians and chorus singers, and the recording would be the only end product to push, hoping it ends up in the hands of NYC's popular radio DJ's at the time. Given this mode of production, Adams would write, arrange and record "Atmosphere Strut" by Cloud One, "Shake Your Tambourine" by the Universal Robot Band, and "In the Bush" by Musique between the period 0f '77-'78.

"Atmosphere Strut" by Cloud One ('76)

"Shake Your Tambourine" by Universal Robot Band ('77, #48 R&B, #93 Pop)

"In the Bush" by Musique ('78, #29 R&B, #58 Pop)

Adams' disco music would later influence Leroy Burgess' songwriting once Adams invited him to work on his projects, by composing the club anthem "Weekend" by Phreek. They also worked together on a brief reunion with Black Ivory for "Mainline" and on other studio projects such as Bumble Bee Unlimited and other established artists such as Eddie Kendricks and Herbie Mann. Adams would later produce the highlight of his career "I'm Caught Up (In a One Night Love Affair)" by Inner Life; Burgess would also lend Rick James to record his song "Big Time", the highest charting single for Burgess.

"Weekend" by Phreek ('78)

"Mainline" by Black Ivory ('79)

"I'm Caught Up (In a One Night Love Affair)" by Inner Life ('79, #22 R&B)

"Big Time" by Rick James ('80, #17 R&B)

By the start of the 80s, Pop critics were calling for the death of disco in the mainstream, but that did not stop club goers from dancing, nor did it ruin Burgess' career. He began utilizing a new style called "boogie" which is more mid-tempo disco/funk that featured synthesizers. In late 1980, he began recording with his main songwriting partners drummer Sonny Davenport, bassist James Calloway, what was to be a new album by their new group name, Convertion. After finishing "Let's Do It", it was cut as a single during the sessions on SAM records. Once they discovered that SAM were lcking funds for a decent budget for the rest of the album, The group took the songs to SalSoul released the self-titled album Logg. Although the group and title name were chosen randomly, this album feature some of his best work to date which also features lead vocal in a very proto-New Jack Swing style, and contained a charting single with "I Know You Will". An unreleased track from those sessions saw the light of day few years later as "Barely Breaking Even" by the Universal Robot Band, Adams' former studio group.

"Let's Do It" by Convertion ('81, #90 R&B)

"I Know You Will" ('81, #80)

"Barely Breaking Even" by The Universal Robot Band ('84)

Burgess would continue to work in 80s with other artists, such as Fonda Rae on "Over Like a Fat Rat" and hooking up with Aleem (formerly the Fantastic Aleems, a group he used to songwrite and produce a few years back) on the hit "Release Yourself". Burgess and Adams would later collaoborate on WISH feauring Fonda Rae's "Touch Me All Night Long". Adams would go engineer some of New Jack Swing and hip-hop's most prominent albums including Keith Sweat's Make It Last Forever and Eric B. and Rakim's Paid In Full (which ironically features the Fonda Rae-"Fat Rat"-sampled "Eric B. is President") and Follow the Leader.

"Over Like a Fat Rat" by Fonda Rae ('82, #75 R&B)

"Release Yourself" by Aleem ('84, #83 R&B)

"Touch Me All Night Long" by WISH feat. Fonda Rae ('84, #70 R&B),

"Eric B. is President" by Eric B. & Rakim ('86, #48 R&B)

Highly Recommended Albums:

Black Ivory, Don't Turn Around (1972)
Logg, Logg (1981)
Patrick Adams, The Master of the Masterpiece, Vols. 1 & 2
Leroy Burgess, Anthology, Vols. 1 & 2

Websites:
The official Leroy Burgess website

DJ Miguel Vargas presents... Circumcisions

2008-12-22T13:55:00.000-08:00

Sequenced a little mix of everything that I've been listening, and it's my gift to you for the Holidays. Click here to download.

1. Gary Bartz - Music is My Sanctuary - '77
2. Black Banda Rio - Maria Fumaca - '77

3. Donald Byrd - Think Twice - '74
4. Main Source - Looking at the Front Door - '91

5. Eric B. & Rakim - Follow the Leader - '88

Eric B. & Rakim - Follow The Leader
Uploaded by Eric-B-and-Rakim

6. Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance - '89

7. Marcos Valle - Wanda Vidal - '72
8. Caetano Veloso - Marinheiro So - '69
9 . Jorge Ben - Camisa 10 de Gavea - '76

10. The Latin Breed - Si Yo Pudiera - '75
11. Tortilla Factory - Cumbia de Amor - '78
12. La Sonora Dinamita - Soy Como Soy
13. Sylvester - I need Somebody to Love Tonight - '79
14. Michael Jackson - P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing (Demo) - '82
15. Womack & Womack - Baby I'm Scared of You - '83
16. Fela Kuti - Dog Eat Dog - '77
17. The Wailers - African Herbsman - '71
18. The Melodians - Rivers of Babylon - '72
19. Brian Eno - No One Receiving - '77
20. Lou Reed - Walk On the Wild Side - '72

21. Love - Always See Your Face - '69

Enjoy, and let me know if wanna give me a gig...

State of Hip Hop Address

2008-12-16T21:31:00.000-08:00

In a recent CNN article the rapper Common talked about the impact of an Obama presidency on Hip Hop. He believes that along with everything else, "Change is coming to Hip Hop."

"I think hip-hop artists will have no choice but to talk about different things and more positive things, and try to bring a brighter side to that because, even before Barack, I think people had been tired of hearing the same thing," he said.

Well I certainly agree that I'm tired of hearing the same old thing from mainstream hip hop. The last 10 years of radio play have been disappointing as playlists from radio stations across the country reflect cookie cutters rather than diversity. I feel a strange dichotomy has emerged between those who have embraced hip hop from a mainstream perspective as compared to those whose journey in hip hop is much more grassroots.

I recently attended the Illuminous 3 Album Release Show at 7th Street Entry. [Picture to the right taken from Greg Grease via Facebook] It was probably one of the best concerts I attended in 2008. A lot of it had to do with the fact that most of us there knew each other or at the very least, in the words of myspace, we were in each other's extended network. People were throwing pounds and hugs all around. The DJ was spinning nothing but classic tracks while occasionally cutting out the sound to gauge if the crowd was singing along. More often that not, we most certainly were. Ladies were dancing, the fellas were sippin on their 20 oz Red Stripes [at least I was] and after watching The Usual Suspects, Kanser and Ill 3 perform the night ended with a party on stage with people dancing to various funk and old school hip hop tracks. In my everyday life, that's how I interact with hip hop.

If you've ever wanted to put an image to mainstream hip hop today, go to Downtown Minneapolis and enter any number of the posh sounding bars. What you'll hear is one top 40 hip hop track after the next with a generic sound and uncomplicated lyrics and beats. Its the kind of music that the Downtown crowd wants to hear to feel "street" as they pound down on the Jagermeister.

To further expand on this image, visit multiple bars and you'll find that the atmosphere, the music, the suburban mid 20s white men are all the same. I feel that at the very least the last decade in hip hop has been one disappointing Downtown Minneapolis bar after another.

For hip hop to truly change, it must first change how it thinks about its audience. What made Obama popular was not just his ability as an orater, I believe it had more to do with how he spoke to the public. From his coming out in 2004 to his speech on race, Obama has chosen to speak to people as adults. To me it was similar to the feeling I had when I shared my first alcoholic drink with my mom after turning 21, I was no longer a child.

So ultimately the challenge is about audience, will you cater your music to the Downtown crowd, or the folks from the hood who crashed 7th street entry last week during the Ill 3 show. Hip hop contrary to Nas isn't dead. It may have died at the top, but in the streets you need only to hit up a local Twin Cities show to find out it's alive and changing.

A quick note on Illuminous 3 (pictured below; photo by B Fresh). Their new album is called "Room" and its non-stop madness. Franz Diego.com has been kind enough to let us post one of the tracks as an exclusive download for all you FunkMass heads. The track is called Move and you can download it below. Either way don't forget to support local hip hop and go out to your local shop and cop the new Ill 3 album. A full review of this album on Funk Mass will come your way soon.

Free Track for Download:
Illuminous 3 - Move
(Off their new album release "Room")

Dinkytowner Cafe: 12/9/08 Part II

2008-12-11T16:43:00.000-08:00

53. Mothers of Invention - Dog Breath, Year of the Plague - '69
54. Mothers of Invention - My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama - '70
55. Babe Ruth - The Mexican - '72

56. Redbone - We Were All Wounded (at Wounded Knee) - '73

57. Daryl Hall & John Oates - I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) - '81

Hall And Oates - I Can't Go For That
Uploaded by manon42

58. Central Line - Walking into Sunshine - '81
59. Pointer Sisters - Automatic - '83

60. Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' - '82
61. Eddy Grant - Electric Avenue - '82

62. The Lonely Island - Jizz in My Pants - '08

Jizz In My Pants Full Screen HD + Download Link
Uploaded by vidsuperstar

63. Eddie Kendricks - Date in the Rain - '73
64. Blue Magic - Look Me Up - '74

65. Johnny Hammond - Los Conquistadores Chocolates - '74
66. Barry White - It's Ecstacy When You Lay Next to Me - '77
67. Sylvester - I Need Somebody to Love Tonight - '79
68. Sequence - Funk You Up - '79
69. Jaylib - Monasty Filth ft. Frank N Dank - '03

70. Wu-Tang Clan - Protect Ya Neck (the Jump Off) - '00

71. Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On - '73

72. Gil Scott-Heron - Angel Dust - '78

73. Bootsy's Rubber Band - Physical Love - '76

74. Parliament - Children of Production - '76

75. Daryl Hall & John Oates - Method of Modern Love - '84
76. TLC - Creep - '94

TLC : Creep
Uploaded by BLACKMUSICS

77. Mtume - Juicy Fruit - '83

78. Troop - Mamacita - '88

79. SWV - I'm So Into You - '92

I'm So Into To You
Uploaded by ice1906

80. After 7 - Heat of the Moment - '90

After 7 _ Heat Of The Moment
Uploaded by LarryDJ_Brazil

81. Soul II Soul - Back to Life - '89

82. CeCe Peniston - Keep On Walking - '93

83. BT Express - Do It ('Til Your Satisfied) - '74

84. Andrea True Connection - More, More, More - '76

65. A Taste of Honey - Rescue Me - '80
66. Womack & Womack - Baby, Im Scared of You - '83
67. Marvin Gaye - Far Cry - '80
68. Marvin Gaye - Keep Gettin It On - '73

Dinkytowner Cafe : 12/9/08 - Part I

2008-12-10T18:29:00.000-08:00

This is Part I of our playlist, featuring House, New Jack Swing
and tributes to Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Caetano Veloso, and
turn-of-the-decade Paul McCartney:

1. Logg – Dancing Into the Stars - ‘81
2. Jimi Hendrix Experience – Gypsy Eyes – ‘68
3. Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes – Bad Luck – ‘75


4. Marvin Gaye – Love Party – ‘80
5. Idris Muhammad – Hard to Face the Music – ‘75
6. The Aleems – Hooked On Your Love – ‘80
7. Carol Douglas – Got You Where I Want You - ‘83
8. Rockie Robbins – Work for Love – ‘85
9. Chic – Le Freak – ‘78


10. The Brothers Johnson – Streetwave - ‘78
11. Surface Noise – The Scratch – ‘80
12. Lucy Hawkins – Gotta Get Out of Here – ‘78
13. Gloria Gaynor – Substitute – ‘79
14. The Murphy’s – Murphy’s Jive Law – ‘82
15. James Cobbin & Prince Cut – Caught In the Middle - ‘84
16. Clarence Carter – Strokin’ – ‘87

17. Kenny Lynch- Half the Days Gone and We Haven't Earned A Penny
18. Paul McCartney - Coming Up - '80
19. Paul McCartney - Temporary Secretary - '80
20. Paul McCartney - Goodnight Tonight - '79

21. Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime - '79
22. Paul McCartney - Check My Machine - '80
23. Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Superman Lover - '76
24. Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Ain't That a Bitch - '76

Johnny 'Guitar' Watson
Uploaded by Testify

26. Johnny "Guitar" Watson - In the World - '79
27. Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Come and Dance With Me - '81
28. Caetano Veloso - Odara - '77
29. Caetano Veloso - Irene - '69
30. Caetano Veloso - Marinheiro So - '69
31. Caetano Veloso - Alegria, Alegria - '68
32. Caetano Veloso - Nine Out of Ten - '72
33. Caetano Veloso - Olha O Menino - '77

34. Caetano Veloso - Lost in Paradise - '69
35. Nysa Shenay - He's So Fine - '87
36. CeCe Peniston - Searchin' - '94
37. Long Fellow - This is Penis - '89
38. Pretty Tony - Jam the Box - '84
39. Raquel - Tonight's the Night - '96
40. Mood II Swing - Do it Your Way - '96
41. Two Man Sound - Que Tal America - '79
42. Dazz - Let It Whip - '82

43. Rick James - Can't Stop - '85
44. Prince - Musicology - '04

Musicology
Uploaded by eXsistenZ1968

45. Michael Jackson - Who Is It? - '92
46. Michael Jackson - This Time Around - '97
47. Michael Jackson - Remember the Time - '92

Michael Jackson - Remember The Time
Uploaded by hushhush112

48. Guy - Groove Me - '88

Guy - Groove me
Uploaded by Larolke

49. Brick - Dazz - '76
50. Con Funk Shun - Juicy - '80
51. S.O.S. Band - Weekend Girl - '84
52. Curtis Mayfield - Future Shock - '73

Welcome to Funk Me...

2008-12-08T11:28:00.000-08:00

Funk Me or Mass Suicide is the brainchild of Miguel Vargas and the DJ (Dj Ren aka Steven Renderos) which is formally a night show every second Tuesday at the Dinkytowner Cafe (Minneapolis) where you can catch us spin some of the most diverse programming in they city. But we also hoping to expand this concept.

Many times, we are often approached and asked about what music are playing, or what is our knowledge of certain artists, styles, genres, etc., and often times, you would just have to be there in order to catch those lectures and rants.

funkmass.blogspot.com is a way we can share and exchange information, stories, and culture with interested parties. In this blog, we post show playlists, reviews, and stories about the inspiring music that takes up all of our precious time. We will also include blogs, posts, and perspectives from allied contributers to help shed light in dark spaces to keep the blog rolling.

First things First; business as usual:

Every second Tuesday of the Month
Dinkytowner Cafe
412 1/2 14th Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN
9pm-2am
2 for 1 Drinks...
No Cover...
Free Pool...

You catch the playlist here the following Wednesday after the show for some downloads and videos from our sets.

Just recently DJ Ren and I were featured on some episodes of LISTEN TO MPLS, a podcast about the real serious issues and happening of our beloved city. You can download our featured episodes:

DJ Ren

Miguel Vargas

Earlier in the year, I had posted my very first mixtape of some late-70s/early 80s records I own.

DJ Miguel Vargas Presents "Filler" (2008)

*note: some of the files are uploaded to zShare, which may post some not-safe-for-work link and photos on their sites. I wish we could control that, but we'll find other alternatives in the future.

Thanks to Brandon Allday of Big Quarters for mobilizing us with the current technology.