Hometown house/techno heroes, NYC-based Champa Moore and Scope Recordings impresario Andrei Morant (aka Jack Mackrel) just dropped a new EP on us via Beatport.

A memorial recording for Abiel Mejia, a well-respected local DJ and graphic designer who passed away in a tragic car accident in 1997, Respect (Scope Recordings) is a steady stockpile of techno remixes from these two tycs, including Champa’s bumpin original.

Track listing

Respect (Higher Level Original Mix) – Champa Moore
Respect (No Respect Remix) – Andrei Morant
Respect (Lost in the Bassbin Mix) – Champa Moore
Respect (Respect Slower Level Mix) – Andrei Morant

What you want? Baby, you got it! Much respect. Have a listen here.

Then tune into Abiel’s live mix recording on KTRU Radio, 1996.

May you rest in beats.

As some of you may know, Dias de los Muertos happens to be one of my favorite annual holidays. Forget the Halloween hype–these two days in November (1st and 2nd) always remind you to celebrate life! So why not to start early.

Tonight, we kick off a weekend of celebration with Afro-electro beat freestyler Chico Mann in Houston. The lineup, brought to you by Squad Media, includes downtempo maestros DJ Sun and Mr. Bristle, and myself (Gracie Chavez) spinning un Bombón de cumbia and eclectic world beats upstairs at The Mink/Backroom (3718 Main @ Alabama, 77002).

Chico Mann was recently featured on one of my favorite remixer’s excursion, Mexicans with Guns’ “Me Gusto,” which is more of a banger for your soul than it is a soundtrack for the dead. Chico (aka Marco Garcia) describes his native style as “the convergence of electro, Afrobeat and freestyle.” “It’s kind of a statement to this genre of music that hasn’t really been developed until now,” he says.

Check out Chico’s “Oye, Mira, Cuidado!” live clip to see what’s in store tonight. Log on to Soular Grooves to get more insight or listen to my Cumbia Nena mix I recorded live on (now-extinct) KTRU radio station. Then, RSVP on FB to join us tonight.

Pero no se te olvide–Ponte los zapatos porque vamos a bailar!

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!

For more on the MK Ultra radio show, visit www.myspace.com/mkultrashow.

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!

DIRB! Live on MK Ultra Radio (KTRU) 12/2009 (3-hour mix)

1st hour – G.WIZZ
2nd hour – JEP
3rd hour – GRACIE CHAVEZ

Gracie Chavez & Jep DIRB! on MK Ultra 12/2009 (zshare)

GRACIE CHAVEZ Track Listing

1. Heads Will Roll (A-Trak remix) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2. Right Hand High (Kingdom remix) – Kid Sister
3. Black & Blue (Savage Skulls remix) – Miike Snow
4. Kids (Soul Wax remix) – MGMT
5. Woz Not Woz (Dub mix) – Eryk Prydz & Steve Angello
6. Sweat on the Walls – John Tejada
7. Be Alone No More (Another Level) – Rip Groove
8. Spin Spin Sugar – Sneaker Pimps
9. Hold the Line (Golden Gloves Wobble & Shake remix) – Major Lazer
10. Animal (Fake Blood remix) – Miike Snow
11. Let You Go – Bounce Camp
12. Replacement Girl (Illo Bounce Edit) – Drake & Trey
13. Flashing Lights (Diplo remix) – Kanye West
14. I’m Here You’re There (MWG) – Ernest Gonzales
15. A Man’s World (Regrooved by Parker) – James Brown

Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve written here. What, maybe two weeks? Well, that’s way too long. Since then we experienced Oktoberfest in August, the start/end of a *ahem* new monthly (it had potential–just sayin), and the close of a high-flying venue (it went three months strong, yay! *applause*). Here’s the long-overdue recap:

Lasting longer than the requisite 16-day beer fest, Sista Stroke‘s tour through Texas evidently still has some of us in an intoxicating honeymoon phase. The newlywed popped into the H for special “homecoming” performance at The Flat’s Sideways Tuesday with DJ Pooks & Drew and then played along with Eddie Spettro in her original hometown, San Antonio. Who knows how long she’ll be in the Lone Star State or if she’ll make another cameo behind the decks before jumping the pond back to London. But if you happen to somehow miss her Freaking Freely here, you can always tune into Mr. and Mrs. Hun‘s Brick City House podcast sponsored by ChicagoHouseFM.com on Wednesdays.

Meanwhile, the DIRBY! came out of the starting gates at a slow trot. I’ll admit, we enjoyed the pageantry and newish spot; who cares if there wasn’t much participation–we still had fun. We did manage to declare a DIRBY! mustache winner at the end of the night. Thanks to TABC’s late entry, we thought G.Wizz had it in the bag until said agent and pahtnah swaggered in at 1:45 a.m. He won, hand(lebar)s down!

Speaking of going down, let’s all pause for a moment of silence for the untimely demise of the indirigible airship-themed venue. In it’s heyday it was a mecca for Rich’s over-spill; in its most recent short-lived rendering, it was a ragbag of music and misfits. And although it didn’t amass the notable acts and acclaim that Walter’s on Washington did, it goes to show that throngs of d-bags don’t always ruin it for everyone.

So now that we’re moving on, I should note that DIRB! Block Party is on an indefinite hiatus from Washington Ave. Last Saturday’s performance with Jessica Lozano at the Boo Williams show at Block was certainly memorable enough that I recorded our Les Femmes reunion. G.Wizz capped it off on the decks after 3 a.m. Click below for a listen.

On short notice, however, I’m closing out the HMNS Mixer & Elixirs summer series tonight before the lively Latin act Grupo Ka-Che takes over the Dino Exhibit Hall. It’s been a fun gig all summer long, thanks to the open-minded museum curators!

And tomorrow, Saturday, 8/29, Antonio & I are DIRH! (Doin It Real House) again at the swanky Zimm’s wine bar while LBO Takes 5. And heed this: no socks for shoes people! RSVP pronto on Facebook >>

Meanwhile, I’ve updated DustyCrates’ sideline events widget with upcoming event flyers. Peep it. iCal it. Twitter it.

And as promised, more music mixes:

DIRB! Live on KTRU (May 2009) (mp3)
Listen to the 3-hour long live mix with Squincy Jones, Gracie Chavez, Tonio, G.Wizz & Jep in it’s entirety.

Les Femmes Gracie Chavez & Jessica Lozano Live at Boo (August 2009) (Zshare)
Thanks to HMH‘s Jep, I’m learning to record on the iKey-Audio. Here’s the raw, 3-hour live set from last Saturday.

Thanks for reading this extended DustyCrates Blog-a-thon of the Month. You’re now exempt from the pop quiz.

Houston’s Underground House Movement (HUHM) headed by dj/producer Lucas Keizer presents the first in a series of outdoor dance music events called “OASIS“. It starts this Saturday, July 18, at 2 pm in the afternoon and goes late into the night. The venue is conveniently located on Richmond Avenue near Mandel in the Montrose area, but you’ll feel like you’re in a tropical paradise complete with lush cabanas, palm trees and waterfalls. More details in sideline flyer here.

Before we get DIRB! Block Party going at Block 21 (2420 Washington) with guest DJ Chris Miguel, I’ll DJ out in the patio for coco-rita time starting at 5 pm and Tonio spins inside a bit later from 7-8 pm. We’ll both be spinning a set of Latin-inspired music very much alinged with Movida–DIRB’s revival of a sultry musical movement.

We set it off during a live recording on KTRU FM in May. The final installment of the DIRB! on KTRU Live mix Pt. 3 begins with some heat from south of the border. Bajo tropical and new cumbia is on the rise, folks. Make sure you’re part of la movida!

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD DIRB! Live On KTRU – Gracie & Tonio PT. 3

Cumbia Nena Mini Mix – Gracie Chavez

http://www.zshare.net/audio/61629779537d2a8f/

Gracie & Tonio

You bring the fans. We’ll bring our music. And we’ll all keep it cool.

El Pueblito Patio
1423 Richmond Ave
Houston TX, 77006
http://www.elpueblitopatio.com

Neon Nites kicks off their 2nd monthly installment at Zeppelin (3101 San Jacinto) with the usual suspects–Fixture, G.Wizz, Bristle, Jeff Mac–and featuring El Nino.

If you can stand the hot glow of the bangers played tonight, then you’ve definitely found your destination for the night. Just don’t leave home without your sunglasses! Shit’s gonna be hot! See Sideline Events for more info –>

Appropriately, the Soular Grooves camp will bring some warmth to the patio, thanks to Eric Salzman, Jibril and Seth Jones.

Although this is out of order, I feel it necessary to post the DIRB! Live on KTRU Part 4 mix from G.Wizz & Jep.

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD DIRB! Live On KTRU – G.Wizz & Jep PT. 4

http://www.zshare.net/audio/61629917d5d990ef/

Holler if you need at track listing: dirb2008@gmail.com

Enjoy it! I’ve got the final part of this live mix with me and Antonio cued up for next week.

Calm down!

We’ve got the next installment of the DIRB! KTRU live mix recording from last month.

And it comes your way on a very special day! Yes, it’s now officially summer, but it’s also DIRB!’s third anniversary.

So in celebration, and without further ado, here’s DIRB! Live on KTRU Part 2 mix from our latest DIRB! family member, Squincy Jones.

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD DIRB! Live On KTRU – Squincy Jones PT. 2

http://www.zshare.net/audio/616307815afc2adf/

PART 2

Bassnectar – Art of Revolution (Original)
Jayou – Crack Hands
Brumak – Arcade Rave
Deadmau5 – I Remember (Caspa Remix)
Kid Sister Feat. Kanye West – Pro Nails (Rusko Remix)
La Roux – Bulletproof (Foamo Dubstep Remix)
gWorm (Slimer) – Windowlicker Remix (EXCLUSIVE DEMO)
Virgo – Freak
Distance – Night Vision (Skream Remix)
Dave Gahan – Saw something (Skreamix)
Stagga – Sick As Sin (Feat.Skamma)
Mims – Move If You Wanna (gWorm Dubstep Edit)
Joker – Digidesign
The One True Jazzy Devastator – Textbook
Squincy Jones – Pop Trunk (Nintendub Edit)
Gangsta Red ft 2 Mello – Ima Tell Ya Mama
Menusha & The Girls – You Boys Can Boogie
Rick James – Superfreak (NES Remix)
Sonido Del Principe – Wumbia

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE MIXES AT WWW.AWWREADY.BLOGSPOT.COM >>

- DIRB!
…in case you thinkin’ we ain’t

Twitter, I wish I could quit you!

JUST IN TIME FOR OUR ALL-OUT DIRB! BLOCK PARTY (aka SDF-One’s B-day) THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 27 AT BLOCK 21 (2420 WASHINGTON) …

DIRB! DJs took over the KTRU Rice Radio airwaves on May 22. Here’s the first installment of the 3-hour long mix we recorded. SQUINCY JONES, GRACIE CHAVEZ, ANTONIO, G.WIZZ & JEP were on hand to make it happen. The only thing that didn’t happen was that awkward family photo Antonio forgot to take!

First up, it’s a dubstep mix (PT. 1) by Squincy Jones featuring an intro by moi–Gracie Chavez.

Enjoy!

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD DIRB! PT. 1 here:

http://www.zshare.net/audio/616304082588f349/

GRACIE CHAVEZ (INTRO)

Faust – Feel.Love.Thinking.Of (Mexicans with Guns Remix)
M83 – We Own The Sky (Udachi Dubstep Edit)
The Postal Service – We Will Become Silhouettes (Mexicans With Guns Remix)

SQUINCY JONES

Rumblejunkie – Training
Rusko – Bionic Commando Theme
Skream – Sandsnake Ft. Cluekid
Prodigy – Breathe (NumberNin6 Remix)
Dread Foxx – Pump up the Volume Remix
Chase & Status – Eastern jam (Vaski VIP)
AC Slater – Calm Down
The Streets – Blinded By The Lights (Nero Remix)
Marchmellow – YoungFolkDub
Dubbel Dutch – Dem Bones (EXCLUSIVE DEMO)
DatsiK – Nuke Em
Joker – Do It

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE MIXES AT WWW.AWWREADY.BLOGSPOT.COM >>

Family Photo

Squincy Jones joins the DIRB! fam live on KTRU tonight…

DIRB! DJs Gracie Chavez & Antonio team up with G.Wizz (Neon Nites) & Jep for 3 hours of non-stop live mixing on KTRU 91.7 FM (ktru.org).

From 9 pm-12 am on KTRU’s MK Ultra DJ show, we’ll journey through an eclectic soundscape of music genres–downtempo, cumbia, dub, breaks, hip hop, world beats, classics, house, disco, electro, dance rock, etc…

Tune in locally >> 91.7 FM in Houston area
Listen here globally >> http://www.mkultra.us/
Download here futuristically >> http://mkultra.us/audio
Call in >> 713.348.KTRU

About MK Ultra
For years, the MK Ultra show has been one of the main driving forces behind Houston’s electronic dance music scene. Indeed, it is where many of Houston’s finest DJs got their start, and has even led some to world fame, including the likes of Jake Childs, Andrei Morant, Chris Anderson, and Henry Chow to name a few…So sit back, and take a look around – there’s lots of goodies here from sentimental photos to slamming DJ Mixes! http://mkultra.us/audio

Updates and info at www.dustycrates.com at www.fahrenheit-media.com.

Neon Nites DJ G.Wizz (aka my hub-bub) plays at Speakerboxx tonight. Come on out if you’re done with semester finals or have tomorrow off! You’ll see this Neon Knight jockin’ and rockin’ the decks.

Also, the Speakerboxx MK Ultra live mix is back up, this time on zShare. If you missed Squincy & Dayta‘s two-hour long radio debut, here it is for download:

http://www.zshare.net/audio/528790079a637586/

We love zShare, don’t we!