Click here for a YT playlist of many of the tracks from this list… Unlike some previous years, I’ve done a pretty good job of writing about dope music all throughout 2018. I wouldn’t say there has been a particularly large amount of new music that I like, but there is definitely a lot that…
SOL ORTEGA THE BLUE CLUB EP ON RHYTHM NATION SAN DIEGO
This year has been an experience of learning for me musically. There have been a few magical moments. As well there have been low points. Through all of the ups and downs, however I can say without hesitation my year in music has been quite fruitful. Earlier this year a good friend and mentor; Cordell…
Mix: Dimensions / w Lerosa & Kenny
I’m pretty sure this is the longest I’ve gone without posting on ISM since I joined over 10 years ago. So it goes. I’m still buying music and Djing – and slowly but surely, releasing records through my label Apartment – along with working on the Open Ear Festival; so while I’m not focusing my…
10 Qs With Sean Tate
It was a looooong long time ago when I first encountered a mysterious poster on some forum (maybe RA?! lol) who called himself THE BUTCHER. Had to have been like 07-08 or so. And this cat was just hilarious and always on point. The world of dance music shit-talkers is not a big one so…
Current Wave American Dance Music
A lot of my favorite current dance music is made by cats who have been in the game for a long time. Theo Parrish, Kai Alcè, Glenn Underground, etc. While these guys remain at the top of their game and are always high quality, for this music to grow there has to be an influx…
10 Qs With Aaron Paar of Teflon Dons
Teflon Dons is one of those groups whose name has great resonance in house music despite a relatively small output that mostly came out over twenty years ago. Their tracks were largely unobtanium until a few recent reissues made a portion of their catalog widely available, especially the double pack on Must Have Records (which…
Marcellus Pittman – Something Like {A Dream}
This year has been a really fun one for me musically as it has seen some of my favorite producers who aren’t known for quantity of releases dropping a boatload of great new jams. Way back in February I wrote about two excellent releases by Marcellus Pittman, both on his Unirythym label. Over DEMF weekend…
Pipecock Live In The Mix
I can’t even remember the last time I posted a solo mix. Probably like 6+ years ago at least. Anyway this was me live on my friend Jillian’s Speaker Spanker Radio show. She always has me and Jwan on and we always have a damn good time. I thought this one turned out exceptionally well…
Specter – Built To Last
Specter is, like Rick Wilhite whom I wrote about just a few weeks ago, one of these underground cats who is a brilliant DJ and producer but not known for releasing a high volume of music. Even a full solo single by Specter would be cause for celebration, but what we have here in Built…
Dance Music Needs More Brothas And Sistahs
So as of late I have had many discussions about black dance music being hijacked. Yes it has been stolen away from us and in many cases we are to blame. Soulful underground American dance music is no longer visible in Black and Latino communities. With the exception of a few radio stations nation wide…