Attic Beats

In case you haven’t noticed, Attic Beats’ frequency has seriously diminished since the beginning of the year, and it’s now been a month and a half since the last episode. While I’m not entirely sure what the future of the podcast is at this point, I know there are at least a few more shows that I really want to get out there before making any final decisions.

So, stick around, check back, and I’ll have some new flavors for you soon.

Attic Beats 022 - Original concept: June 2002; podcast recorded February 26, 2006

This week, I revisit a favorite mix CD I made as part of my short-lived monthly-MP3-mix-CD series on my personal site.

This is the soundtrack for driving through New York City at 3am. This is a soundtrack for cabbies that work the graveyard shift. This is a soundtrack to make your adrenaline rush while making you meditate on the biological nature of urban existence.

Here’s original cover art, if you’re interested.

Click through for the playlist…

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The aforementioned promised podcast is ready to go, but the site that hosts our files is transitioning to the next version of their service. The downside is that all shows are now inaccessible and I can’t post the new show just yet. However, the good news is that when everything’s going again (in the next couple of days), we’ll have a larger archive of shows available to you.

Hang tight.

Podfading? Yeah, that sounds familiar.

Back this week with a new podcast. Promise.

Attic Beats 021 - Recorded February 1, 2006

aka “The Episode Where I Say ‘Interesting’ Entirely Too Many Times”

I admittedly have only a beginner’s level of knowledge on this week’s theme: exotica. So much so that I’m combining exotica, lounge, and space age pop into one big batch, which may make more knowledgeable fans cringe. For those interested in the actual distinctions between genres, check out What is Space Age Pop?.

Lots of groovetastic music this time around, with great sounds from Bernie Green, Andre Popp, and the only artist that is common to both my record collection and my dad’s: Enoch Light.

Here are a few links to help you explore the wonderful worlds of exotica, lounge, and space age pop:

• Tapeheads and Sound Effects Geeks - A great rundown on space age pop and some of the innovative recording techniques involved in making those records. The section on Bernie Green’s Futura makes him sound like the godfather of sampling: “The creator of Musically Mad! for RCA and Mad! Magazine, Green debuted “Animated Tape” (i.e., tape manipulations) on Futura, one of the best in RCA’s Stereo Action series. For “Kiss of Fire,” he wrote out a solo passage for trumpeter Tony Greenwald. Instead of having Greenwald simply play the solo, he recorded him playing separate notes, then spliced the solo together from these samples, according to precise tape length measurements–seven inches for a quarter note, twenty-eight inches per bar. The resulting manufactured solo included 778 splices for less than 20 seconds of music.”
• Hyp Records/Vinyl Safari: Exotica - Features an extensive listing with ratings.
• Cocktail Music for Robots - An LP Cover Gallery of the Music of the Future (circa 1959).
• Weirdo Music
• Two Zombies Later - Netlabel Comfort Stand’s debut release, a two disc set of original exotica.

Click through for the playlist…

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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.)

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Attic Beats 019 - Recorded January 2-3, 2006

To kick off the New Year, we’ve got a little (actually a lot) extra for you this week. The show runs nearly two hours and covers loads of great hip-hop, reggae, dub, downtempo, abstract beats, jazz, breaks, exotica, and even some of that forgotten subgenre of the early 90s, hip-hop reggae. There’s classics, forgotten singles, white labels, and random obscurities. I think you’ll really like this one.

This week’s set is all vinyl. Some’s stuff I’ve had for years, other is stuff I’ve recently acquired from Ebay, Ragz, and thrift stores.

Dig in, folks. And thanks for listening.

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Attic Beats 018 - Recorded December 7 and 13, 2005

Happy Holidays (and yes, that includes Christmas, dearest AFA)! We’ve got some jolly happy tunes for you this week, so gather the kids ’round the fireplace (actually, the kids shouldn’t be anywhere near this podcast) and enjoy some holiday cheer from your friend at Attic Beats!

The background music this week comes from the excellent Justin Time for Christmas compilation. Some of the best holiday jazz you may not have heard.

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December’s a busy month, no?

A new Attic Beats coming at you tomorrow night. Hang tight.

Attic Beats 017 - Recorded December 1, 2005

To kick off December, we have some great jazz from the 1960s, including tracks from Lee Morgan, Booker Little, Freddie Hubbard, and Miles Davis (duh).

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