Two years ago today, the world lost the King. Not just the King of Pop - without
Michael Jackson, music might not be where it is today. His constant consistency helped push others to either be more like him, or take the natural abilities he had and work it in their own fashion. But I'm no acclaimed journalist, and this isn't that kind of post.
I had to
re-up this mix J.Rocc did two years ago, a mix that doesn't leave my BlackBerry music folder. This 79-minute trek through MJ's musical catalog is fly. Kind of plays heavy to the older, teen MJ, as J.Rocc tends to love that more disco/party/Club vibe when he's mixing. He just knows how to blend perfect bits - he has comedy bits in here (draws out a thing MJ did for
The Simpsons), but also brings out just bonafide classics, as well as some gems that you might have forgotten about. In any case, put this on and reminisce. Or rediscover. Whatever you do, honor the man.
I didn't find everything I wanted on Record Store Day, but I did grab J. Rocc's Some Cold Rock Stuf, so while I rip those CDs in glorious 320kbps, enjoy FACT's latest mix, featuring some Hip-Hop, House and Disco from the Beat Junkie.
J. Rocc "Play This Too": One thing I love hearing is talented DJs showcasing their influences and diverse musical backgrounds. J. Rocc's sets always surprise me, because he’ll cut up a random part of a record, getting his Flash on and creating some excellent riddims out of an old Jackson 5 record, for example. This cut is taken from his Play This Too EP, which is a great glimpse at the excellence of what his album, Some Cold Rock Stuf, could be. We’ve seen Beat Junkies heads like DJ Babu flourish on their own in the producer field, but while Babu is more boom bap, J. Rocc is more Funk, more Soul, more, well, cold rock stuf. Can’t wait to hear the full LP!
Dil Jackson "Player Has Butterflies": This is awesome. J. Rocc is working on a J Dilla/Michael Jackson project called Share My Bed, and this is one of my favorite blends of either of their tracks since their untimely deaths. The blend works b/c he doesn't just throw a vocal over the beat - he actually put some thought into it, where it sounds like Dilla was really in the studio, vibing with MJ over this one. It sounds great, and it sounds like some shit I'd want to hear. I'm in awe, and cannot wait to hear more!
