Attic Beats

Attic Beats 020 - Recorded January 11, 2006

For the 20th episode, I decided it was time to bring on the first guest of the show’s history. It seemed only fitting that for a show on turntablism and the art of DJing that I bring on the dopest DJ I know to drop some knowledge (and skills). Of course I speak of the oft-shouted-out-to DJ Ragz, a ‘97 West Coast DMC finalist who’s opened for people like Biz Markie, Del, Black Star, Organized Konfusion, Busta Rhymes, and others. He’s also a member of the Jazz Addixx and is working on an incredible new project called Soul Expansion with producer and emcee Mudd. Check out his site and his MySpace profile for videos, audio, and all that good ish.

This show serves as a sort of introduction to turntablism and DJing, covering DJ tracks from the late 80s, battles, team routines, and the turntable as an instrument. We’ll be revisiting this theme down the road sometime and hitting somewhat more rare tunes, but if this has got you jonesin for more, I suggest checking out the excellent Turntable Radio show. You’ll also want to pick up a copy of Doug Pray’s excellent documentary Scratch on DVD.

(And just for fun, so you can hear what goes on behind the scenes, this is what an Attic Beats blooper sounds like.)

• (ab) Terrorwrist… Mixmaster Mike [1995, Return of the DJ (also The Best of Return of the DJ)]
• Magic Mike Cuts the Record… DJ Magic Mike [1989, DJ Magic Mike and the Royal Posse]
• Aladdin’s On a Rampage… Low Profile [1989, We're in This Together]
• (ab) Look Who’s Talking… John Doe [2003, Popular Fallacies (ADDreviews)]
• Bad Meaning Bad routine… DJ Ragz [2003, excerpted from the "In the Groove" radio show]
• Head 2 Head… DJ Revolution v.s. DJ Spinbad [2000, In 12's We Trust]
• (ab) Invisible Skratch Piklz v.s. Da Klamz uv Deth… ISP [1997, 12"]
• Invasion of the Octopus People… Invisible Skratch Piklz [1995, Return of the DJ (also The Best of Return of the DJ)]
• (ab) Roboshuffle… Kid Koala [2000, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome]
• A Night at the Nufonia… Kia Koala [2000, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (UA Journal review)]
• Live freestyle… DJ Ragz
• (ab) Turntable Scientifics mix tape segment… Mr. Dibbs [1995, Turntable Scientifics]
• Catch Wrek… Jazz Addixx (DJ Ragz, DJ Boom, and Mudd) [2003, Oxygen]