DUSTY CRATES

Squincy‘s Nintendub mixtape deserves a rewind.

Fact Magazine just listed it as one of the “Top 20 Mixes of 2008“.

Good job, son!

A mix can show you a side to an artist that a regular album can’t, it can disinter the latent energy in songs both bleeding edge and familiar, it can help commemorate the past and it can break and spread important news. That’s why the second of our end-of-year lists celebrates the mix in all its modern-day incarnations – studio mixes, live mixes, radio sets and MC-oriented mixtapes – most of which are available to download for free below. –FactMagazine.co.uk

16: SQUINCY JONES – NINTENDUB (Self-Released)

In Houston DJ Squincy Jones’ words, this “combines three of the raddest things to ever happen to music: Dubstep, 8bit Nintendo Loops and Rap.” The first, it has to be said, is greatly exaggerated — sure, there are edits, and a sample from the original Zelda over ‘Jagz the Smack’, but for the most part this mix is simple — Southern hip-hop acapellas over dubstep beats. And the music from Lost Boys.

[Listen here]

More at Awwready.blogspot.com.

Come out to Block 21 THIS SATURDAY to celebrate the b-day of Gracie Chavez along with some of H-town’s best Djs: Squincy Jones, El Jeffe, G.Wizz, and last but definitely not least Antonio who just dropped his DISCOTEQSAS mix that is straight FIRE!

If you haven’t been to Block 21, here’s your excuse!
Block 21
2420 Washington Ave.

Z-Trip made a stop here in Houston two weeks ago and I totally missed out! [The hub-bub got to go and is still in the dog house for it. ]

But luckily Gonzo and Pr!mo of Aerosol Warfare caught up with Z-Trip for a short video interview on graffin’. It was like I was almost there…kind of.

Thanks to Frank151 for the heads-up.

Z-Trip @ AW from Alex “PR!MO” Luster on Vimeo.

MIXES

Get Z-Trip’s Party for Change-The Obama Mix 2008 now!

No doubt that Texas is the place to be. When fellow DIRB! DJ Antonio disappeared to Seattle for a bit, he missed Tex-Mex, humidity and doin’ it real big with us.

While he was there, he put it down on this DiscoTeqsas mixtape. We’re glad that you’re jumpin’ for joy to be back, homie! Arrriba, arrriba!!

You can catch him DIRB! on Saturdays with me at Block 21 (2420-B Washington, Houston). We’re bringing Movida back in ’09, bitches! Stay tuned for more info.

-Gracie

DiscoTeqsas – Antonio [DIRB!, DustyCrates.com] (zshare link)

Track Listing

1. Carmen – Throw Down (Toñio Fix)
2. Lifelike – So Electric
3. Cut Copy – Lights & Music (Moulinex remix)
4. Cut Copy – Future (Chromeo remix)
5. Kelis feat. Too Short – Bossy (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke remix)
6. Player Player – Teach These Cats (Player Player remix)
7. Blaqstarr feat. Rye Rye – Shake It
8. Moulinex – Break Chops
9. Justice – Phantom pt.2 (Soulwax Nite version)
10. Estelle ft. Kanye West – American Boy (LAZRtag remix)
11. Timbaland – Miscommunication (The Bloody Beetroots remix)
12. Steril – Amor Electronique
13. Le Le – Breakfast
14. Hail Social – Cherry-Cola Funk (Sta mix)
15. Frikstailers – Baile Frik
16. Mr. Oizo – Patrick 122
17. PNAU – Baby (Breakbot remix)

This past Sunday afternoon was simply a beautiful day, not just because the weather in Houston was unseasonably cool, but also because DJ Melodic (aka Paco, ne Ben Jennings) is on his way back to a full recovery. An eclectic mix of friends and family got together for the benefit and raffle to help raise money for Paco’s mounting medical expenses.

Nick Cooper and company played a little live jazz and then some under Block 21‘s grand Moroccan tent. That performance was followed by DJ Sun and Chicken George inside the lounge area. A few local media outlets covered the event. The links below are slideshows of the event, including DustyCrates’ own pics.

If you get a chance, give Paco a shout and let him know we hope he feels better. Houston’s music scene needs to have him back in place rockin it out as he should.

-Gracie

SLIDESHOWS & PICS

Houston Press Slideshow–DJ Melodic Benefit

Chron.com Slideshow–DJ Melodic Benefit

DustyCrates.com Pics–DJ Melodic Benefit

On November 3rd, Ben “Paco” Jennings, best known in Houston as DJ Melodic, suffered a cardiac arrest and was admitted to St. Luke’s Hospital in critical condition. Yesterday, he was finally able to go home. This Sunday, November 16, Soular Grooves and friends are organizing a benefit to offset medical expenses and support his family during this difficult time.

Please join us for an afternoon benefit filled with great music, light bites and prizes. Paco’s closest friends DJ SUN, DJ Chicken George and musician Nick Cooper will perform a musical tribute.

Plus, you can purchase raffle tickets and win some of the coolest things from shops like Barney’s Co-op, Sloan/Hall, Peel Gallery, Raye, Melodrama, Vanessa Riley plus prizes from great businesses like SugarHill Recording Studios, Soundwaves, Warehouse Live, Boheme, AvantGarden, Dolce Vita, CDs from local DJs and much more! 

Light bites will be provided by Gravitas, La Strada and Stir-It-Up Coffee House. Event tickets are $10, available at the door only, and raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. You can view raffle items here or make a monetary donation.

Thanks to Ziggy at Block 21 for generously offering to donate a portion of the bar sales to support the cause. And, thank you in advance for your donations, positive thoughts and help in spreading the word about this upcoming benefit for DJ Melodic.  He is aware of your participation and extremely grateful.

ABOUT PACO

“A genuine good guy…A great DJ and great, positive person…A truly positive dude.”

These and many other quotes like those are what people who have been touched by Paco aka Ben Jennings IV (aka DJ Melodic) express when they think of the person, the DJ, friend. His gentle and positive spirit has touched many. His humility is unmatched.

Paco came to Soular Grooves and entered the Houston DJ community with the same genuine positive spirit and humility that so many describe about him. He learned as much as he could about DJing from as many as he could and applied those characteristics to his vast knowledge of music, to become one of the most respected, well-liked, and precision-like DJs in Houston.

His aesthetic is unique and contributes to creating an uncompromising signature of sounds that have no match. To listen to Paco, DJ Melodic, as he DJs, is to be taken on a course of great music that blends together seamlessly and continuously. All his selections, he intuitively knows, belong together. It is a truly joyful experience to listen to him and watch him perform.

Sneaker Lab and Boogie present
The Almighty Kracker Nuttz
A Decade Strong Anniversary

Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Club Next (2020 McKinney, Houston, TX)
Admission: $10/$7 with a canned good
Doors: 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.; 18+ ladies, 21+ fellas

Houston, TX (10/25/08)–When the city’s most recognized on-air DJs get together to celebrate, it’s always a party. But give them a special reason to reunite and reflect on a 10 years of solidarity, then it’s really goin’ down! KBXX The Boxx’s Almighty Kracker Nuttz are going “A Decade Strong” and gathering folks up the night before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 26, at Club Next (2020 McKinney) for what should be absolutely memorable.

Founded in 1998 by brothers who shared a vision of integrating culture into their music and entertainment, DJ KleanCutt and Baby Jae established the Kracker Nuttz in the city of Houston. Their passion for turntables and good music soon became a strong bond that resonated with friends, family, and the community.

In no time the KNuttz organization grew with the addition of long-time friend and radio veteran DJ Ron EG. Also added to the group were DJs Akshun Kid, Kosuri, Cipher, Eddie, Milo, Rodney, Nino, Debbie, and finally Roy. Soon after the KNuttz became a staple in Houston’s nightlife and on the airwaves. They landed a coveted spot on Houston’s widely acclaimed hip hop and R&B station, “97.9 the BOX.” The KNuttz had hit the Houston scene in full force, incorporating their turntables, tricks, and scratches into all of their live radio mixes.
The KNuttz make regular guest appearances at shows, special events and some of the South’s top music venues–proof that the music industry has taken a notice of their crazy antics. Most notably, the KNuttz entertained events such as the premiere party for film X-Men (2000) in New York City, the Import Expo Show (2000, 2001) hosted by M&N Entertainment, R Kelly’s “Best Of Both Worlds” after party, and opened for legendary rap groups De La Soul, Common, and the Pharcyde, just to name a few.

Entertainment is covered when you call on The Kracker Nuttz: everything from radio to the club, competing in DJ Battles, hosting parties, producing and remixing, and to hands-on, face-to-face street promotions. They continue to leave a lasting impression, because the Kracker Nuttz stay “ALL UP IN YOUR MOUTH!”

For more info, visit www.myspace.com/krackernuttz_promotions or www.fahrenheit-media.com.
Contact: Fahrenheit Media, info@fahrenheit-media.com