After playing musical chairs with the lineup, DIRB! welcomes special guest DJ/remixer Panchitron. Along the same veins as Toy Selectah and Uproot Andy, Houston’s Panchitron mixes up tropical bass, cumbia, house and ghetto to get you to the floor. !Puro fuego! [Spanish lesson: straight fire!]
He’s starting things off for the Recess crew including that bad boy Squincy Jones who’s finally out of Time Out and ready to play nice!
Finally, thanks to Oahn (www.soundslike1.com) for the dope-ass flyer. If we would have have animated it, we could have played on it like this: SPEAK & SPELL.
The beats are kickin. The bass is thump, thump, thumpin.
Your toes are tappin. The tempo starts to travel from your toes, up your leg and through your body.
Your heart is pumpin just a bit faster than the cut that’s playin right now. But all you hear is the next one cued up in your headphones.
You look up for a sec…yep…they’re still dancin. Now you’re starting to feel their heat. A beam of light shines in your eyes. The disco ball showers the dance floor with color.
OK, focus…
Levels? Check!
Beats are on…
Timin’s right…
All right, here we go…
When it comes to DJing, Austin’s DJ Mel always maintains that next level. His eclectic musical taste blends well with his masterful mixing. This DJ innovator pulls out classic gems and current tracks for awe-inspiring mixes each and every time. He programs sets from a vast collection of history’s recorded dance music. Plus, it helps when you’ve been Waterloo Record’s perennial music buyer for years.
Mel’s broad criss-crossing knowledge of music genres coupled with an unbelievable dexterity behind the decks has earned him numerous credits–Lollapalooza’s stage manager (2008), Scion “Free Your Mix” Finalist (2004) and Austin’s “Best DJ” four-times over!
But, I personally consider DJ Mel a “DJ’s DJ.” He happens to be one of my top favorite DJs of all time and, I’ll even admit, a source of inspiration for my threading musical taste in my DJ journey. But I’m not gonna discount that he still makes me shake my ass pon de floor.
Mel made his debut at The Lot (4212 Washington, 77007) with us last month in the H. It was one of the coldest weekends in Houston, but he brought some heat with him and set shit on fire. The response was tremendous!
So, I’m happy to announce that he’s back this month to DIRB! with us again! This Saturday, February 6th, get there early because traffic on Washington Ave. gets pretty heavy after 10 p.m. Parking can be spotty, but there’s valet available right out front of the Lot. There’s no cover and drink specials include our favorite Texas beer: Lone Star tall boys. I’ll be on deck to warm it up before Mel, but save me a spot on that dance floor as soon as he’s on!
Now, if that ain’t enough to get you out to see this man live in 3-D this Saturday night, push play on the video link to see what you missed last month. Or just download DJ Mel’s mixes and remixes at www.smellyone.blogspot.com.
Let’s do it real big for the folks in need in Haiti.
Donations can be made with the following Haiti earthquake relief organizations:
* Artist Wyclef Jean’s Foundation, Yele Haiti- Text”Yele” to 501501 and $5 will be charged on your next phone bill and issued to the organization’ relief projects.
* Operation USA www.opusa.org 1-800-678-7255
* Mercy Corps 1-888-256-1900
Hope to see you at DIRB! RECESS tonight at Boondocks!
Welp, this is the last day of the year, and the last December for the decade. What have you done that’s so important in the last ten years?
If you’re still thinking, maybe you should get back on track and join us for NYE at YAO’s Restaurant & Bar Downtown (1201 Main St., 77002). Dayta, Chris Miguel and yours truly will be Doin It Even Bigger as we recap the last decade, or two, of some of the best music you didn’t get to download on Napster when you should’ve.
We’ll be ringing in the new year with a traditional champagne toast (perhaps even the “Auld Lang Sine” mainstay ditty) and jammin’ the decade away from 9pm to 2am. There’s no cover and you gotta be 21+. Check the sideline flier —> for more info.
To reserve a table, email livingroomhouston@gmail.com and let them know you wanna DIRB! thru 2011!
That’s a good re-start, right?!
While I feverishly work out my top ten list as I go thru my music for tomorrow, here are a couple you should check out:
Tonight, Friday 12/11/09, the DIRB! Fam is live on MK Ultra Radio Show, KTRU’s only live electronic mix show in Houston since…oh, I’d say 1996.
After my webcast on Brick City House (ChicagoHouseFM.com) last week, we’re all doin’ it ol’ school and broadcasting live on the air waves.
Starting at 9pm, DJs on board to “bring the noise” are:
G.WIZZ
JEP
GRACIE CHAVEZ TONIO SQUINCY JONES
If you’re in the H, dial your radio knob into KTRU 91.7 FM. To give us BIG LOVE during the show, call in at 713-348-KTRU. Or, if you’re global, listen in at http://ktru.org/listen.shtml.
MK Ultra has a rotating staff of radio jocks, like DJ Great Scott, from Rice University each semester; many thanks to you guys for the invites each time, and also for keeping us on the ayre!
And Sandeep, I know you’re out there somewhere. Thanks for getting this show off the ground; It’s still goin’ strong here in the H. Holler at a girl if you’re still tuning in!
Check back for downloads and track listings, or go to our sister forum at www.subcrates.com for more rambling comments. Yep, yep!
Update: G.Wizz, Jep and I played on the radio for 3 hours. Thanks to Manny and Paul at KTRU’s MK Ultra for having us out. The cozy mix session was just perfect for a cold and rainy Friday night!
Earlier this week I recorded HouseWife, an exclusive hour-long mix and a short interview for today’s Brick City House (BCH) on ChicagoHouseFM.com. The online weekly show is run by none other than my girl Sista Stroke and it features mixes by DJ staples of the house scene worldwide. I’m extremely honored to be part of this set. Many thanks, girl!
Now, it’s no secret that some of my DJ roots go deep into house, so doing this mix was the perfect opportunity to go back to one of my first loves.So I dug thru a few of my favorite classics and added a dash of new house to come up with HouseWife, a mix I feel truly represents the house I get down to. It’s so house, it’ll make you wanna do your house chores! Here’s this Mami’s track listing:
1. It’s Just Begun (Larry Levan remix) – Jimmy Castor Bunch
2. Last Night A DJ Saved My Life – Dcup’s Bootleg Remix
3. Enjoy Yourself – Soul Avengers
4. Stepping Out (Frankie J mix) – Candy Dealers
5. Why Don’t You – Gramophonedzie
6. Phat Mama (Sub Dub) – Troydon
7. Sweat of Your Brow – Jully Black
8. Hit the Ground – Mario Fabriani
9. Baby How Long (Johnny Fiasco remix) – Da Sunlounge
10. Bushes (Norman Cook remix) – Markus Nikolai
11. Fix My Sink – DJ Sneak
12. Hot City Bass – Hot City
13. Come On Girl – Magik J
14. Let You Go (Got The Funk Mix) (Da Fresh Remix) – The Freshmakers
15. Life is Changing – Cricco Castelli
16. Vision of Paradise – Bob Sinclair
17. Big Love – Pete Heller
After today’s live webcast at 1 p.m. CST (if you’re DIRB! in Texas), I’ll sideline I have sidelined the HouseWife mix here on DustyCrates’s Mixes. You can also catch the entire show, plus more, as a podcast at SistaStroke.Podmatic.com.
In short, BCH is all about those solid house tracks that make you wanna put your fist up in the air and say “Amen, Sista!” And you can’t hate on that!
Coincidentally, this BCH show is also a preview of what’s in store for this weekend.
Ladies of the Kitchen
Before she returns to Mr. Hun in London, Stroke is wrapping up her stay in Texas with a stop in Houston this Friday, December 4. The Kitchen Family has teamed up with renowned Les Femmes de la Nuit DJs Jessica Lozano, Candice Elliott and myself to support the all-female DJ event, Les Femmes de la Cuisine (Ladies of The Kitchen), at Avant Garden (411 Westheimer, 77006). The Kitchen Family — Drew, Pooks, Mr.Bristle, and Criminal V and Brad of the Lamborghini Crew–will play more delicious house, UKG and funky upstairs. There’s no cover for ladies all night.
So bundle up! It’s gonna be cold (and possibly snowy) outside, but it’ll be oh-so hott in The Kitchen with Les Femmes de la Cusine!
Yes, indeed, tonight is the last DIRB! RECESS session for the semester at Boondocks. So we’re gonna take a roll call and make it a little special tonight.
Wear your socks, troopers, because we’re layin’ down TWISTER pon de floor! Lamborghini Crew’s CRIMINAL V joins us on the decks and the mic to call your ass out to the floor. I’ll start my birthday celebration along with my boys SQUINCY JONES and TONIO. Keepin’ it poppin all night long.
Boondocks (1417 Westheimer)
No Cover. 21+
10pm-2am
We’ll see you back next year–FRI, January 15, 2010–for more DIRB! RECESS!
We here at DustyCrates are digging the underground sounds of London and all the ways that 2-step, garage and UK funky is intermingling with dubstep, house and other genres. One of those newer sounds on the scene is known as “funky” and it’s highlighted by hard-hitting, syncopated drum beats and upfront percussion.
But all along in Houston, it’s been the Lamborghini Crew who have been driving us in that direction with DJs Brad Slack (aka Bugatti) and Vince Garcia (aka Maserati) riding shotgun. They’re joining fellow DJ Antonio and I this Friday night, October 23, for our 2nd DIRB! RECESS atBoondocks (1417 Westheimer, 77006).
I caught up with Bugatti for a quick 5 ON IT Q&A and this is how he broke it down:
DustyCrates: How did Lamborghini Crew come about and who’s a card-carrying member? Bugatti: Basically, a few of the guys like Shawn (Vishnu) and Vince (Criminal V), were playin’ 2-step and pushin’ that sound back in the day (early 2000). They joked about starting a Lamborghini crew; you know how silly Vince is. Well, I was there one time when they were talkin’ about it and loved the idea. So when we started gettin’ back into this (2-step, UKG) sound, I told him we should revive that.
Now the members are: Vicente Garcia a.k.a. Maserati; Brad Slack a.k.a. Bugatti; Dwayne Turner a.k.a. Bimmer; Shawn Jimenez a.k.a. Aston Martin; Michael Davila a.k.a. Cadillac; Ryan Boland a.k.a. Bentley; and Steve Swift a.k.a. Rolls Royce.
DC: What other forms of music were you involved with before? B: DJ wise, it has been jungle/drum & bass, techno, ’80s and house. But I love panty droppin’ music mostly!
DC: So why are you in bed now with arrhythmic 4/4 “funky” beats? B: Because it makes the ladies shake their ass and that motivates me.
DC: How is d&b and vinyl dealing with your breakup? B: I still play d&b and when I do, I play 99% vinyl.
As far as playin’ on Serato, when I play UKG stuff or UK funky it’s mainly because there is so much out there and so many different takes on it that I don’t want to be limited to one vibe for my whole set. I would have to recruit a whole gaggle of record bitches, and I love the ladies too much to put ‘em through that. (DC: Gee, thanks…)
DC: What do you consider the UKG/funky/2-step anthem? And which artists are pimpin’ it hard? B: Attacca Pesante “Make It Funky For Me” would be the “anthem,” I guess. There so many different vibes of funky it’s really tough to say just one. That tune has been in everyone’s box, though.
Make your way out on Friday for the funky, fresh sounds of the newest tunes selected by our own Lamborghini Crew. There’s no cover and the show starts at10 p.m.
The Pacha listening party is followed by the official Kinky after party with none other than Kinky lead vocalist DJing Gil Cerezo on the 1s and 2s. Check out the interview with Gil and more info at Lunaface’s blog.
Be the first to hear their NEW sophomore album, If You Want It, and get FREE CDs. Their music is a funky bilingual fusion of traditional Latin rhythms, like Colombian cumbia, Dominican palo, reggae, dancehall, sexy dub and electronica.
Then, DJ Gil joins Gracie & G.Wizz as we spin new sounds of Latin music (bajo tropical, cumbia bounce, dance rock, disco, electro and beyond) for the night.
Now if you never been to Texas, there's a picture to paint./Cause we Doin' It Real Big, in case you thinking we ain't ...--Bun B of UGK
DustyCrates.com is the blog for DIRB!, a DJ collective and movement originating from Houston, Texas. Started in 2006, DIRB! is made up of Matt Sizzle, Gracie Chavez, Antonio, El Jeffe, Squincy Jones and SDF-One who all share varying tastes in dance music: club, electro, drum & bass, dubstep, hip hop, house, world beats, etc.
Send us your tunes, mixes, event flyers/info and we'll post it up. Or you can holler at us for booking info.
