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Collectors Item - Music, Art and Life
Cherish The Reassuring Touch of "Mama" With Singer Rorisang Sechele

By JR on 6:20 PM

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Like the African orchid which she represents, Rorisang Sechele displays the beauty of life and inspiring growth of a woman. On "Mama", Rorisang takes a moment to honor one of the most important aspects of our personal development. In a song about mother and child, Rorisang's voice and pen become the cradle of life from which we are born. The result is a 

Feel The Power Of The Human Heart As Third Reprise Bring Gospel To Broadway


The original version by Once On This Island is beautiful and offers a feeling of tenderness. However, brace yourself as the Third Reprise version of “Human Heart” delivers heart-pounding power and grace. If you're looking to rejuvenate your faith in humanity, look no further in a song that resonates deeply and reveals the core of our soul.

Strong Island's Own JVC Force Present Rare Radio Appearances From '88


Check out Da Official JVC Force YouTube channel for rare freestyles, interviews, performances and news on what the group is currently up to. Here are words from JVC Force about these two gems from their channel:

"a rare WBAU 90.3FM Adelphia Univ freestyle with T-Money (Yo Mailman on Yo MTV Raps), Mikey D (LA Posse), and B Luv & AJ Rok of JVC FORCE freestyling on Wildman Steve show in 1988. Thanks to DJ Oxygen for recording and sharing this classic freestyle!!

The promo we did for Kool DJ Red Alert Summer 1988 for his legendary weekly radio show on 98.7 Kiss-FM every Saturday Night. 

The legacy of DJ Red Alert is one of innovation, creativity, and cultural impact. As a hip-hop music and culture pioneer, Red Alert helped shape and bring the genre to the masses. His radio show on 98.7 Kiss FM became a cultural phenomenon, with listeners from all over the Tri-State area tuning in to hear his unique style and discover new acts and artists. Red Alert’s keen ear for talent and his ability to break in new artists helped to launch the careers of some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, and Black Sheep. DJ Red Alert was the first DJ to play our debut single, "Strong Island," on January 2, 1988. He broke the song and showed JVC FORCE madd love, so to show our appreciation, we went into the studio and recorded this promo for him. It could be heard every Saturday night in the Tri-State Area and on cassettes of his show shared all over the world."

 

The Mosh Pit Presents Live 90's Performances by ATCQ, Ultramagnetic MCs, The Meters & More


One of the internet's greatest archives of concerts Wolfgang's Vault is opened on the streaming compilation series The Mosh Pit. This archive covers a wide range of music by renowned artists, from Hip Hop, Funk, Pop, Rock and more. Enjoy a few of their gems and head over to their YouTube channel for hundreds of more volumes of The Mosh Pit.

 

The Funk Returns To TV With "Sound Spectrum: A Collection of Themes From Carl The Collector"


"Enjoy the music from the Emmy-winning PBS Kids show Carl The Collector now! Sound Spectrum: A Collection of Themes From Carl The Collector features the singular scoring work of Philadelphia’s Eraserhood Sound. Across 34 tracks, including the show’s indelible theme song, listeners will get a taste of funk, soul, rare groove, jazz, samba, r&b, new wave, and more, all delivered with Eraserhood Sound’s signature Synth & Soul stylings." - Eraserhood Sound

Written by Vincent John and Maxwell Perla
"Carl The Collector Theme Song" Written by Vincent John, Maxwell Perla, Zachariah OHora

Vincent John - Bass, Guitar, Synthesizer, Piano, Organ, Vocals
Maxwell Perla - Drums, Conga, Percussion, Drum Programming, Vocals

Produced by Eraserhood Sound

In 2001, Tha Liks Interview From LOUD Records Office For "X.O. Experience"


"Step inside Loud Records in this exclusive Rapscene 2001 throwback interview featuring Tha Liks (also known as Tha Alkaholiks as they talk about their highly anticipated upcoming album at the time. In this rare footage, Tha Liks talk about the evolution of hip hop, how the internet was beginning to reach the world, and the changes it was bringing to the music industry. Notice Tash wearing a Terror Squad T-Shirt for the Fat Joe 2001 album J.O.S.E."


"Watch as Tha Liks Tash, J-Ro and E-Swift bring their signature energy, charisma, and raw lyricism with a freestyle session that captures the essence of early 2000s hip hop. This behind-the-scenes moment shows the group just having fun, vibing, and celebrating their craft before dropping one of their most talked-about projects." - RAP SCENE TV

The '70 Psychedelic Funk of Giant's "What's In This Life For You" Receives A 2026 Reissue


The free-thinking songwriting and psychedelic sound of Giant offers a look into life during 1970 plus a modern label dedicated to the rediscovery of rarities. On "What's In This Life For You" you can feel the desire to live with each song as Giant use their music to reach for the sky. Feel the effects of the high as an exciting fusion of Funk and Rock combine in this celebration of life.


The Korean label known as Big Pink offer the 2026 reissue of "What's In This Life For You". You can view their entire reissue catalog here at their website where they specialize in discovering Prog and Psychedelic gems like this. Below is one of my favorite uses of the drum break you'll find on this album, used by Pete Rock. D.I.T.C. & Dilla.

Get Up & Dance as Down To The Bone Send You Love on "This Way Forward"


"A long-running name rather than a one-off project, Down To The Bone are collective whose door has revolved since at least the late 90s, ship-steered by helmsman Stuart Wade and a shifting crew of vocalists and session hands, rooted in UK jazz-funk and acid jazz but always tilled for dancefloor use. 

This Way Forward keeps that model intact and shows us the way, charging 10 cuts of brass accents and polished vocal turns from Hil St Soul, Natasha Watts and Guida de Palma. Wade's approach stays consistent, reaching back to Brit-funk and US smooth jazz but kept current through production detail and pacing. A continuation of a catalogue built over decades, the name identifying less a fixed band or brand, more a vehicle for Wade's take on club-ready jazz-funk."

 

DJ Premier's Columbia Jackets Discovered + A Hip Hop Radio Mix From '94




If you recall Gangstarr promo photos from back in the day, Premier was heavy into the Columbia jackets back in ‘94. So was NYC where the variety of colorful designs worn by us adolescents lit up the streets. If you wore or remember the Columbia wave in the 90’s, drop a comment!

Side note: BRING BACK COLOR TO HIP HOP FASHION! I see a lot of the youth lately rocking all black here in NYC. It's about time we bring back the art of color to the culture.

If you’re interested in owning a piece of Hip Hop history, I’ve got a copy of the fleece and jacket worn by Preemo here at my eBay storefront (Large and XL sizes). Thanks in advance if you decide to purchase this gear (or anything else) through my link. eBay will compensate me to help support my continued work of promoting classic music here at the blog.

Enjoy this discovery of classic Hip Hop gear along with a classic mix by Preemo. He catches wreck on the turntables during his former radio show "The Thunderstorm" on the great NYC radio station WBLS FM. This set was just before the release of Jeru The Damaja's debut album.

MC Joe Stu Lyrically Weaves Together Hip Hop Classics Seamlessly on "Classic Material"

By JR on 10:50 AM

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How many classic albums can YOU recall as this MC makes your Hip Hop life flash before your eyes and eardrum? Whether or not you know any of these albums, it's clear that Joe Stu has a gift for wordplay. Enjoy as he paints various images using the vast discography of Hip Hop music as his source of inspiration. This is an artistic example of grabbing the mic to create your own world of Hip Hop within Hip Hop.

 

Northern Exposure Newcastle Presents Early 90's Masta Ace, KRS-One, Cookie Crew, Caveman & Others


Some gems from the VHS collection of a UK Hip Hop head. Check out a couple TV programs from this European region featuring interviews with both UK and US legends. Masta Ace appears on a TV program about safe sex in the face of AIDS back in '91. Multiple US Hip Hop legends appear on a documentary about the foundations of Hip Hop in '94 on The South Bank Show.

 

Escape To The Cosmos With The '78 Fusion of Mikio Masuda's "Moon Stone"

By JR on 4:43 PM

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"Moon Stone is a gem of Japanese jazz-fusion that finds Masuda gliding between smoky cool and electric groove with plenty of charm and confidence. Comparisons to Bob James and Ramsey Lewis are obvious but apt as this is polished, warm crossover jazz with serious chops behind it. Highlights include the Latin-tinged 'Mickey's Samba' and the funky swagger of 'Funky Wav', while the title track drifts beautifully into mellow synthesiser territory. The supporting cast is stellar as Kazumi Watanabe's guitar adds real bite and Motohiko Hamase's bass keeps everything grounded. A welcome reissue of an overlooked delight for anyone with an ear for 70s jazz-fusion." - Nippon Columbia Japan

Music Is Life As Brian Jackson & Guests Live For The Moment on "Now More Than Ever"


This one is quite special, especially from my perspective of discovering and drawing life out of music. Whether or not you're already familiar with these classic songs, you are likely to leave "Now More Than Ever" feeling invigorated with life. With an all-star cast of soulful talent, Brian Jackson brings us on a journey of reimagined and revisited songs from his revered catalog. As a collaborator with Gil Scott Heron, Brian has enriched generations of listeners with the rhythm of life. Black Thought, Rahsaan Patterson, Josh Milan, Moodymann, Omar, J. Ivy and more join in this celebration, each blessing the album with their unique experiences. 

With Masters At Work on production, Brian's legendary catalog receives a whole new life. ‘Now More Than Ever’ is a testament to music that is capable of transcending time based on the universal desire to achieve a brighter tomorrow and get down in the process.

Jay Dee Lives On As Kilroy Creative, Valtteri Laurell & Ricky-Tick Big Band Have "Visions Of Dilla"


Imagine Dilla's music as the thrilling soundtrack to a film as Valtteri Laurell & Ricky-Tick Big Band bring his sound into new and exciting musical territory. On "Visions Of Dilla", you've got another chance to fall in love with an enduring sound of music. The musical essence of Jay runs throughout each arrangement for instrumentals that are intriguing as the various moods of cinema. Enjoy as this unit project their unique sound to enhance the emotion and distinct groove of the late Detroit legend.

Kilroy Creative are known for their bold and colorful illustrations that capture the likeness of musical greats. Below is their J Dilla Pop-Art enamel pin which captures Jay using a color spectrum you've probably never seen him in before. Visit their eBay shop here to view more music portraits (As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase).



Embark on An Epic Journey of Jazz-Dance Fusion With Joaquin 'Joe' Claussell & Emanuele Cisi


When the vibrant sounds of Spiritual Jazz and Soulful House merge, the result is epic in the music of Joaquin 'Joe' Claussell & Emanuele Cisi. Like the excitement of discovering a new beginning, this duo shine like the dawn of a new day. Upbeat rhythm meets dazzling instrumentation in the celebration of life that is the "Pharoah's Message". So press play and rejoice in another day as these musicians draw from a divine source to find happiness.

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