The Scenic Sessions - Volume One (chilled organic rock)

As many a friend can attest to, I've been threatening to begin a mix series called "Scenic" for years. In 2006, I was on the road with Soulive, driving through Colorado. Making my first trip from Denver to Aspen (in the Fall, no less), I had the iPod programmed with many of the tunes found in this mix.

Musically, this one is chilled-out rock, or rock-based.

To be honest, after selecting and mixing records for this long, I'm less and less hung up about labels, and "what it means". As always, the goal is not to think too much, don't f&%$ with the records too much, just program them, and present them in a way that honors their spirit, and make them beautiful parts of a whole (mix).

Looking strictly at the artist lineup, many of you may be surprised to find U2, Seal & Tears For Fears. Throw that notion out your window, and focus on the overall vibe of the mix.

For now, enjoy "The Scenic Sessions - Volume One (chilled organic)"

Black Sabbath - Fluff
Jefferson Airplane - Embryonic Journey
We All Together - Cloudy Night
William Shatner (featuring Ben Folds) - It Hasn't Happened Yet
Dire Straits - Private Land ("Private Investigation" re-edit)
Tears For Fears - Swords & Knives
Three Dog Night - Easy To Be Hard
Chris Coco (featuring Peter Green) - Albatross
The Police - Tea In The Sahara
Judy Tszuki vs Pink Floyd - Breathe With Me 'Till Dawn (bootleg)
My Morning Jacket - I Will Sing You Songs (live)
Led Zeppelin - The Rain Song
Seal - Still Love Remains
U2 - The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Robbie Robertson - Somewhere Down The Crazy River
Chicago - Wishing You Were Here
Bad Company - Seagull

download links
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2007 Bonnaroo Silent Disco Mix - early set

'ello, Groovers...

2007 was my third Bonnaroo in a row, and I couldn't be more honored. The crowds are always bezerk and ready for anything/everything musically.

So I literally throw everything at them. This one starts with some rock, hip hop, funk, and classics - then veers into the direction of the hour to come. Dark and funky and representative of the super-diverse crowd the 'Roo attracts...







DJ Medi4 - Bonnaroo 2007 Volume 1 (Early Set) Tracklisting

1. Rare Earth - Celebrate 1971 (maybe my favorite opening tune)
2. Led Zeppelin & Black Sabbath - Whole Lotta Jigglin'/Sabbath 2007
3. Wolfmother - Love Train 2006 (really funky and dirty)
4. Queen - Fat Bottomed Girls (Z-Trip remix) 2007
5. DJ Zebra - National Bridge (Radiohead vs Fergie) 2006
6. CHAOS - Crazy Adidas (Run DMC vs Buckcherry) 2006
7. Arty Fufkin - Been Caught Stealing Your Rump 2005
8. DJ Moule - Crosstown Underground 2006
9. Free - All Right Now (re-edit) 1970
10. B-Boy Breaks
11. James Brown vs Beck & Peter Gabriel - Godfather of Soulhammer 2007
12. Paul Simon - Late In The Evening Remix 2005
13. The Turtles - Happy Together (re-edit) 1967
14. Missy Elliot - We Run This (X-Press 2 Remix) 2006
15. I:Cube featuring The RZA - Can You Deal With That? 2007
16. Khia - My Neck, My White Horse remix (DIRTY! NOT SAFE FOR WORK) 2006
17. MIA - Bucky Done Gun (instrumental & vocal) 2005

The Silent Disco was sponsored last year by KOSS Headphones, and they did an amazing job, considering the amount of wireless devices being used on-site (production AND cell phones take up a lot of BW). 500 kids, to the blind eye, dancing to nothing. There's always a wait to get in, and people stay for HOURS (which is always the sign of quality, no?)...

Here's a Megaupload download link. If you're not a "premium member" you'll have to wait 45 seconds to get the DL to start, but what's 45 seconds? If for some reason the link expires, someone please email me at info@djmedi4.com, and I'll re-up. Fiddling with the FTP server today, and should have it available to listen to from here shortly.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HB1YT5CE

Thanks for listening & Rock On!

DJ MEDI4 MIX - Love's Great Ocean

Love's Great Ocean - mp3

My very first crack at a proper "chill-out" mix, done originally in 2005. In the hundreds of sets I've done over the years, it remains my very favorite. I feel blessed to have been bright enough to actually record it down, and even more blessed to know you're listening to it (and enjoying it...).

As always, the mix is about song selection and the overall vibe; no fancy tricks or sudden moves here.

I hope this mix does for you what it does for me, still, after literally hundreds of listens...

Enjoy it and be well.

DJ Medi4

1. Jeff Buckley - Corpus Christi Carol (1994) Not much you can say about the late Jeff Buckley that can't be summed up in this track. Sounds like a Goth angel crying for redemption...

2. Dot Allison - Tomorrow Never Comes (1999) I was a big fan of the late 90's project One Dove (their album "Morning Dove White"should be a must-own for fans of trip-hop, ambient techno, etc - super cheap on Amazon).

3. Sarah Vaughan - The Mystery Of Man (1984) Not only is this track LIVE, but the lyrics are actually the writings of Pope John Paul II, and arranged and conducted by Lalo Schifrin. Mind-blowing that those 3 came together!

4. KD Lang - Love's Great Ocean (2000) This is one of those records that might slip past you, if you're not paying attention. Lush production over her vocals should make you come back to it. I met her in a cafe here in LA about 5 years ago, and was actually speechless...

5. Madredeus - A Lira - Solidao no Oceano (Afterlife Remix) (2002) Taken from their remix album, their fans either loved the record, or hated it. It's difficult to argue with Afterlife's lush Ibiza-like take on this.

6. Kenny Rankin - While My Guitar Gently Weeps (1976) A rare moment when KR doesn't make me shudder. Produced by Don Costa (father of Nikka Costa, and a legendary producer), this one is done live in the studio. Tastefully done...

7. Kate Bush - The Man With The Child In His Eyes (1978) From the first album, produced by Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd, who also discovered her.

8. The Sundays - Folk Song (1997) I would listen to Harriet Wheeler sing the phone book.

9. Rufus Wainwright - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (2001) An incredible cover of the Hollies tune. I keep screaming about production - well, check this one out. This one brings a tear to my eyes. Taken from the "Zoolander" soundtrack, strangely enough.

10. A Race of Angels - Afrika Displaced (2004) Tough one to figger out. All I know is my buddy, Sebastian Morton, produced this neo-soul ballad. The album is called Broadcast #1, and is well worth finding.

11. Jakatta featuring Beth Hirsch - One Fine Day (2004) Beth did vocals on the first Air record, and although it borders on cheesy, this tune is a chill-out classic.

12. Lemon Jelly - Soft (2001) Based lovingly around a Chicago sample, I paid top dollar for the 7" single back in the day, only to have them release it 3 years later on the album "Nice Weather For Ducks". Please buy everything LJ puts out - they're one of the few electronic acts that deserve your money.

13. Seal - Show Me (1991) The first Seal record is a desert-island-disc for me. He and Trevor Horn made a classic.

14. Annie Lennox - Waiting in Vain (Live @ the BBC, 2000) A very rare acoustic recording of her Bob Marley cover.

15. Mariza - O Gente Da Minha Terra (2002) Many of you won't be familiar with Mariza, or Portuguese Fado music. It's the national music of Portugal, and for many years, strictly a man's game. Mariza smashed all perceptions of what Fado was, and really opened the doors for a worldwide Fado audience. She tours the US - don't miss it.

16. Jose Feliciano - Light My Fire (1969) This won the Grammy for Best Pop Song in '69, and it easily stands the test of time. "LMF" has been covered dozens of times, but Jimmy Morrison was heard to say that Jose's was his favorite.

DJ MEDI4 MIX - Hard Soul, Volume 1

Hard Soul, Volume 1 - mp3

Hard Soul is a 1-track, 60-minute romp through some of the dirtiest funk and soul breaks you’ll hear. I’d give you specific artists and track names, but to 95% of you, it ain’t gonna mean nothin’. I can suggest putting baby powder on your floors – it helps the dancin’… Recorded live at The Knitting Factory, Los Angeles, CA in the Summer of 2003.

Enjoy this one!

DJ MEDI4 MIX - The 2003 Fall Twister

Fall Twister - Recorded Live 8.27.03 - streaming wma (mp3 coming soon)

• Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas Soundtrack – Drug Collection (Geffen, 1992) Why does it always come back to the drugs???
• Dr. Dre – Lyrical Gangbang (Death Row/Interscope, 1992) An album cut taken from the classic album “The Chronic”, featuring one of the tightest female mc’s, The Lady of Rage, and the twisted RBX.
• Fatboy Slim – The Weekend Starts Here (Astralwerks, 1996) Yes, that is the harmonica from Black Sabbath’s “The Wizard” in the beginning. Deep, dark and dirty…
• Asian Dub Foundation – Colour Line (Virgin Records, 2000) Imagine a punjabi version of Rage Against The Machine, and you’ll get ADF – catch a live show if you can…
• Outkast – So Fresh, So Clean (Fatboy Slim Mix) (Arista, 2000) Drum’N’Bass (for me anyway), was supposed to be fun. A lot of the producers/dj’s in the scene several years ago took it way too seriously, and made it too dark with no female appeal. Not the Fatboy!
• Jay Z Vs Elvis Costello – Htothehizzo (White Label, 2002) Yes, a pesky UK mashup/bootleg (and i’ll never tell where I got it, either).
• Witchcraft – Rascal & Klone (Soundworks, 2003) Like many electronic producers, R&K can be hit-or-miss. This one fires on all cylinders…
• Nas Vs Black Sabbath – Made You Look (White Label, 2003) I don’t think I need to explain this one. Dodgy quality, but what a toon!
• Timmy Thomas – Funky Me (Glades Records, 1974) Best known for his oft-sampled/covered 1974 soul classic “Why Can’t We Live Together?”, this tune shows TT’s willingness to experiment with technology (well, for 1974, anyway). Hypnotic record.
• Mc 900 Ft Jesus & Dj Zero - I’m Going Straight To Heaven (Nettwerk, 1990) MC9FJ mixed distorted beat poetry, a keen ear for samples, a tuntablist (the first one I ever saw live, btw), and a willingness to mix any style. Also suggested is the 1994’s “One Step Ahead Of The Spider”, a more chill, jazzy affair.
• Eminem Vs Led Zeppelin – The Without Me Song (Soundhog Bootleg, 2002) Does the bootie madness ever stop? This ‘uns a classic.
• Sweet – Fox On The Run (Capitol, 1974) I defy you to listen to this tune (Sweet also did the classic “Ballroom Blitz”), and not have the chorus stuck in your head, while people around you look at you like you’re old…
• Roxy Music – Love Is The Drug (Eg Records, 1975) Maybe the smoothest front man in rock, I wish to come back as Bryan Ferry’s suits.
• Tino Breaks – Schizophrenic Dj Remix (Tino Records, 1998) Many music freaks know about SF’s Jack Dangers and his project, Meat Beat Manifesto. For those of you that don’t, here we find JD using a Roxy sample to down and dirty dancefloor effect…
• Junior Senior – Move Your Feet (Krafty Kuts Mix) (Mercury, 2003) infectious, happy and just twisted enough for the big speakers…
• Talvin Singh – Ok (Turbinator Dub) (Polygram, 2001) When are we getting new TS material – anyone, anyone? Listen to the live/looped drum track – spellbinding stuff.
• Punjabi Mc – Pyar Wich (Planet Rock Mix) (Nachural Records, 1998) Just when you thought it was safe to un-bundle your bindi…
• Erick Sermon F. Jay-Z – React (Funkymix) (Def Jam, 2003) A dope, dirty hip-hop tune, included here as more of a bonus track for my other half, Gina – who just loves this tune, maybe as much as I love her. Maybe.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed the mix, and would love your feedback…

Blessings, health, wealth and happiness to you all!

DJ MEDI4 MIX - The Troubadour

The Troubadour - mp3
This mix comes from the back end (literally) of several really bad relationships. It is the sound of wounds healing, and hopes for the future. I hope you enjoy the story it tells. If you manage the time, please play this disc in one setting.

• Lindsey Buckingham – Big Love (live acoustic) (Warner Brothers/1999) Very different than the original studio take, this version will make you reconsider Buckingham as a guitarist.
• David Gray – Please Forgive Me (ATO Records/1999) It took 6 years, 3 albums, and 1 really nasty breakup to get David to break in America. Now, maybe a bit overplayed, but White Ladder is a perfect Sunday morning album.
• The Beatles – Norwegian Wood (Capitol, 1965) Quite possibly the best song about not getting any ever.
• Oasis – Where Did It All Go Wrong (unreleased version/2000) Again we dip into the vaults to find what ends up on the commercial releases isn’t always what’s best. This version was rejected by Epic, but approved by me.
• Travis – Driftwood (Epic/1999)
• Nick Drake – The Thoughts of Mary Jane (Hannibal/1969)
• Bread – Diary (Elektra/1972) A very guilty pleasure. Please by a copy of The Best of Bread.
• Coldplay – Trouble (Nettwerk/2000) A really exciting band with legs. It’ll be interesting to hear these guys in another 4 albums.
• Dave Matthews Band – Typical Situation (RCA/1994)
• John Martyn – Sold Air (Island/1973) Although Eddie Vedder & Michael Stipe made mumbling fashionable in the 1990’s, John Martyn may have started the trend.
• Gomez – Revolutionary Time (Virgin/1999) Why haven’t I seen Gomez yet? ‘
• Crowded House – Weather With You (Capitol, 1991) One of my favorite songwriters.
• Thrillcat – Strange Thing I Feel (Justice/1993) Saw this great little band from Austin, TX when I was working for WKSR at Kent State University back in the day.
• Cat Stevens – Wild World (A&M/1970) Some of my music-snob buddies gave me crap for including this classic tune. Un-romantic fascists…
• Richard Ashcroft – You On My Mind (In My Dreams) (Virgin/2000)
• Radiohead – Bulletproof (I Wish I Was) (Capitol, 1995) I cannot say anything new about RH that hasn’t been said already a million times. Brilliant.
• Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (MCA/1973) See the previous statement, replacing “RH” with “EJ”. Please don’t sleep on Bernie Taupin’s lyrics…

Hope you enjoy it. - Medi4

DJ MEDI4 MIX - The Spring Twister

The 2005 Spring Funk Twister - mp3
WARNING - THIS IS A BIG FILE! I'm trying to decide between file size and sound quality - if you have an opinion about the subject, lemme know.)

So, here's some music. A new mix, "The 2005 Spring Funk Twister", for your listening pleasure. All-over-the-place - again. B-boy grooves are represented alongside some of the finest new-school bootleg producers; '70's deep soundtrack cuts collide with rare James Brown family grooves, with some druggy rock & roll, just to keep it real.

Don't overthink it. I didn't. I toil too long over my mixes, and wanted to keep this under 48 hours spent from beginning to end. Eh. Download the mix, and tell me how I did. The mix, is NOT FOR PROFIT, and if any artists on the mix wish me to remove it, I will. Here's the tracklisting...

• The Doors/Bossarocker (2004 White Label) - Top 10 track for me last year - dark & cool.
• Freelance Hellraiser/It Aint Hard to Break On Through (Nas/It Aint Hard To Tell vs The Doors/ Break On Through) - One of the best bootleggers on the planet. Period.
• Trouble Funk/Drop The Bomb - The DC go-go scene is WAY underrepresented. Recognize.
• Abnormal Yellow Band/Beaval Summit - Thanks to Pete from Jelly Jazz for the Turn-On...
• Coldcut/Party (and Bullshit) - The 1989 release "What's that Noise?" is a blueprint for the future of electronic music. Think it's really out-of-print now... Someone re-issue it, please!
• Jurassic 5/Acetate Prophets - So much respect for outstanding production skills...
• Feature Cast/Channel Surfing featuring Kool Keith - I don't know much about FC - do you?
• Major Force Five/The Re-Return of the Original (Cut Chemist remix)
• Los Chicharrons/Psychedelic Fox - Dirty, bluesy and all-over-the-place
• Jimi Hendrix/Ezy Rider - Gem from the Jimi catalog - may be one of his funkiest moments...
• Howard University Marching Band/Got To Get You Into My Life - Thanks to Howard U for this!
• Quincy Jones/Money Runner - Quincy, once again, reminding us why he's a legend.
• Skeewiff/Cop Show - Stealing generously from the above Quincy track, still brilliant.
• Dunproofin/Casbah Wonder (Stevie Wonder/Everything Is Alright vs The Clash/Rock The Casbah) - This brilliant mash-up makes me happy in my pants. Thanks, Dun.
• Bobby Byrd & the JBs/Signed, Sealed & Delivered (live) - Rare tune from the JB's catalog.
• Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings/Got A Thing On My Mind - Maybe THE finest funk outfit around today - currently touring the States. Click the link, see the show.
• Big Boss Man/Humanize - Another slab of dirtiness from the UK.
• Julie Andrews vs Hexstatic/Sound of Music - Hexstatic (from the Ninja Tune camp) always suprises. Do check out the new CD/DVD of his.

A great example of a Medi4 Set Break set. Twisted, funky fun – don’t overthink it. Just play it real loud on your iPod.

Peace.

DJ MEDI4 MIX - Hard Soul Volume 1 - Live at the Knit

Hard Soul Volume 1 - Live at the Knitting Factory, Los Angeles - mp3
(WARNING - The Hard Soul mix is a big file, and will take awhile. I wanted to keep it at a decent bitrate, so it didn't sound like shit. If you like the mix, feel free to spread the link around - let's see if we can reach my bandwith limit this month...)

I'm just about to do a new "Hard Soul" mix, so I thought I'd post the entire first one here. It's not perfect, but what is? It was done live a little over a year ago, at LA's Knitting Factory, and was representitive of my idea of "the funk" at that time. I have to say, if nothing else, I play a lot harder, dirtier stuff now...

And in case you haven't already grabbed the New Mastersounds track yet, here it is again. Tight, dirty new school funk from Leeds, England. They're coming to the States for select dates right before Jazzfest this year. High Sierra is also buzzing about them...

Eddie Roberts is the guitarist for the Mastersounds, and here's a tight, funky track called "Eazin' Down" from his new solo record, Roughneck. This link will take you to a nice BBC Radio review of the record (congrats on the press, E). He'll probably wince when he reads this, but if you dug the St. Germain stuff, go get Eddie's record. Never panders, but goes down like sweet, sweet cough syrup - perfect for Sunday afternoon gatherings and house parties. People will ask what it is, and you'll be smarter than them, which is the ultimate goal, no?

Don't sleep - Eddie and the band are coming Stateside soon - you've been warned.

PROMISE - I'm working on adding lots of photos, dancing religious figures, and annoying sounds to the ol' blog, so it'll be a little more exciting to visit. I'm just busy...

My first Jazzfest is coming up soon. We've just booked flights for April 17 - May 3, and I've already started taking my vitamins for what should be a long, dirty, funky weekend. Wish me luck as I spread the word to promoters, managers, and venues...

Next few music posts are up in the air - email me if you've got a suggestion. Peace...