Medley of Memories
My record collection brings with it an immeasurable value and although they’re worth lots of money, I don’t mean that in a monetary sense. The music I own is a collection of memories and when I listen to the many songs I played in the mixtape you’re about to listen to now, it’s like I’m sliding my right fingers down the median of a page in one of my mom’s family photo albums and gently turning left which each new song that plays.
The second song on this playlist is “Spoonin Rap” (Spoonie Gee). It belonged to my older brother Uni. He bought it when it was released back in 1979. Whenever I hear it, memories of him inviting his Junior Highschool friends over to our house to make mixtapes on my dad’s equipment come flooding back. At the 39:35 timestamp you hear a track titled “Kool Is Back” (Funk Inc.). But what I hear is a musical memory of making the 12 block walk to Dr. Butcher’s house in Corona from Jackson Heights and listening to Drew shred the break part as I entered his room to practice.
In this digital age of DJing, the vinyl being played on volume 2 of “Break Free”, a mixtape I originally recorded for my own personal enjoyment over a decade ago, carries inside it enduring recollections of learning how to DJ and bonding with the music I was learning how to DJ on. The investment of hours in curating these mixes and months spent excursioning New York City in search of more music to add to my collection is also a key part of the satisfaction I feel when I listen back to this sonic infusion of Rap, Disco, Funk, and Soul.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout BreakBeat Lou for his Ultimate Breaks & Beats compilations. I started building my stockpile of UBB records at age 12. Behind my parents’ back I’d take the #7 train into Times Square and maneuver my way through the seedy characters of 42nd Street until I made it to my favorite record store, MUSIC FACTORY!
I’d spend hours in there asking story clerks questions and hoping I’d get a glimpse of Chuck Chillout, Biz Markie (RIP) and my other Hip Hop heroes who were avid record collectors like me.
I get how against the background of streaming services like Spotify, the idea of record collecting can be dismissed as an antiquated process of collecting music. But hopefully, my accounts resonate with you and you’ll realize this is more than a mix of songs you’re hearing for the next hour. It’s a medley of memories that have helped me maintain a sense of my past as a DJ and person.
Happy Labor Day weekend y’all!