Ginos, Ginas, Freestyle and the Z28

The other day I came accross this reference on Wikipedia for Freestyle Music in Canada...

Freestyle had a large following in the late 80's and early 90's throughout the Greater Toronto Area catering originally to the Italian and Greek population, although ultimately accepted by large from the city's vast multi-cultural base. Freestyle was prominent in all ages venues and various Toronto nightclubs that would also showcase House Music. Canadians also invented their own term for the music called 'gino beats'. The fans of this music in Toronto were often referred to as 'ginos' (males) and 'ginas' (females). They often grew up in the 905 region. The term was not used in a derogatory sense such as 'guido' in America, but more a description of a Toronto male or female with a certain style (interest in fashion) and taste in music (Freestyle & House), and the behavior of blasting House music or Freestyle music while driving with the windows down, to try and attract the attention of females. By the mid nineties this market had moved almost completely to House music as their club music of choice. Lil Suzy released several 12" singles at the time, that became immensely popular amongst the youth population in Toronto. She ultimately performed live on Electric Circus, a popular Canadian live dance music television program.

I love it!  I'll be the first to admit it.  I am a Gino.  I loved freestyle back in the day and wish I still had my 12" copies of Stevie B, Trinere, Debbie Deb & Shannon.   All I wore in highschool was tracksuits (I still have my prized Kappa tracksuit folded in my closet).  I play soccer.  I played "gits" in school...and love house music....I think I still have an accent lol.

They need to be more specific though in this article.  By "905" they mean Woodbridge...and they need to add "while driving their Z28 with the windows down and seat reclined 75 degrees." Woodbridge is a special place.  Not to long ago I visited a LCBO and saw a convertible Ferrari parked on a "45" in a handicap spot.  I saw to "Ginos" come out and get in there car.  Both didn't look handicapped but they were definitely special...

Well unfortunately I was still too young to drive around with the windows down when Stevie B released his first album.  Fortunately though he was still popular by the time I was able to drive around in my parents Caprice Classic and head up to Wasaga beach a very popular destination for the "905"

Stevie B - Spring Love

Anyhow.  Here is my top 10 selection of must have "Gino beats..."

1. Spring Love - Stevie B
2. When I Hear Music - Debbie Deb
3. Diamond Girl - Nice and Wild
4. Lookout Weekend - Debbie Deb
5. Take Me In Your Arms - Lil' Suzy
6. I'm Hooked On You - Sweet Sensation
7. Let The Music Play - Shannon
8. I'll Be All You'll even Need - Trinere
9. Party Your Body - Stevie B
10. Summertime Summertime - Nocera

Well ok...one more:

11. Silent Morning - Noel

I am gonna go and see if I can find some old footage from Electric Circus...that show was the best!

Wiik Wiik Whaaaa!

I am not a scratch DJ by any means. Was never my thing. Back in the day I was the guy playing house and dance tracks with long smooth mixes and my DJ partner Marlon would play all the hip hop. So naturally he was the guy doing all the scratching...and quite good at it too! You can find him on facebook. Just look for Marlon Magictricks Tanner.  You can also here him regularily with The Drill Squad on 89.5.

For those that don't know the World DMC DJ championships is coming to an end. Finals for Canada are in Hamilton in the next week. Check here for the event listing. This is an interesting year for the DMC championships since it is the first time they will allow DVS (digital vinyl system) in the finals albeit without additional controllers. It is also the first year of the DMC online DJ competition in which voters vote online! They are now down to the online top 10 finalists with the winner being invited to the DMC championships wich are being held in London England in October.

For those not in the know here is an explanation of what DVS is from wikipedia...

Vinyl Emulation software allows the user to physically manipulate the playback of digital audio files on a computer using the turntables as an interface, thus preserving the hands-on 'feel' of deejaying with vinyl while allowing playback of audio recordings not available in

phonograph form. This allows DJs to scratch, beatmatch, and perform other turntablism that would be impossible with a conventional keyboard-and-mouse computer interface. The technology is also referred to as DVS for either Digital Vinyl System or Digital Vinyl Software.

It's basically a specially made record that sends a signal to the software that the software then applies to a digital media file playing. Quite cool really. Traktor (what I use) and Serato are the more popular systems...

Now why is it interesting? Well what these guys can do with a 2 turntables and a mixer is unbelievable! However the shift to DVS and external controllers opens up a whole new avenue of creativity...mind boggling actually. For example check out these two videos of DJ Craze (5 time DMC champion) and DJ Dummy performing on Traktor software...

Seriously how awesome is that?

Gonna be interesting to see how DMC changes in the coming years and to see the shift from the traditional to the digital. Pureists will probably resist the change. It was not to long ago that Technic 1200 turntables and a mixer were the norm. But with technolgy moving ever so fast there is no arguing that change is coming. It just allows for so much more creativity which at the end of the day is what is all about and the traditional set-up is just limiting. But at the end of the day...software does not scratch for you...well not well yet anyways.

I guess I should go dig up "Le Freak" by Chic and start practicing...

Wiik wiik whaaa...wiik wiik...Wahhhhhhhh.....freak out!

Soundspin01

Yes!  I am finally posting a mix for your listening pleasure.

I know...I know...you probably don't believe it since it has been what?  3 years?  Well coincidentally that is how old my daughter is so perhaps it is related somehow.

But it's true.  So here it is... Soundspin01 - Mixed By JMo

1. Want You In My Soul (Original Mix) - Lovebirds ft Stee Downes
2. Crowded House (Original Mix) - Karol XVII & Mb Valence
3. Shamba (Sidebum & Redondo Remix) - Wally Lopez & Richard Dinsdale
4. My Baby (Original Mix) - Oliver Klein & Peter Juergens
5. Music (Original Mix) - Claudio Cava
6. Did You Know (Karol XVII & Mb Valence Loco Remix) - BK Dukes & Yves Murasco
7. Vibrate 2011 (Zoltan Kontes & Jerome Robins Mix) - Big Black Boot
8. Back! (Coqui Selection Remix) - Nacho Penades
9. Ocean Drive (Vocal Mix) - David Penn ft Monia Amore
10. Pasilda (Muzzaik Remix) - Mike Polo
11. Wekesa - Alex Kenji
12. Back to the House (David Herrero Remix) - Paco Maroto

Stream it here:

Soundspin01 (Aug 2011) by Soundspin on Mixcloud

Or you can download it here: Soundspin01 (Aug 2011)

This is a housey affair that starts off with a great vocal track in "Want You In My Soul".  Later on "Pasilda" enters the mix.   I've had this remix for a while and love the vocal you should recognize it.  "Back!" is probably the most repetitive song you have ever heard.  But it is sure to get your feet moving! 

One of my favs though is Big Black Boot's "Vibrate" originally released in 2003 which has made a wicked comeback.  It has been co-remixed by Toronto's Jerome Robins.  Listen for the classic vocal "Girl I'll house you...You're in my hut now!" that was added to the track... sweet....

Since I have launched this new website and company logo I am re-naming the mix. Sunday Sessions is no longer. Mainly because I don't record mixes on Sundays like I used to back in the day but more so to keep the name "soundspin" engrained in your brain ;)

So enjoy.  Feedback is welcome.  My next release will be coming soon...no not in 3 years....hopefully.  But my son Mattias is only 8 months...so him turning 3 years old is a long way away... :)

Enjoy the Silence!

Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence" is a BIG TUNE.  I have heard countless remixes of this track and I don't think there has been anyone remixed more then Depeche Mode except maybe for Everthing But The Girl (side note...I love EBTG...)

Meet Ian Golden of djtechtools.com.  This guy is a genius!  In this video he is using a brand new Traktor Kontrol S2 which is a midi controller that interfaces with Traktor DJ control software.  Check him out remixing his version of Enjoy the Silence:

Here are notes from his blog:

In the left deck is a dubstep instrumental I worked up for the song.

In the right deck I triggered the acapella using cue points.

each of the 2 jog wheels are sampling and effecting the instrumental and accapella to create fills.

In each loop deck is a different loop that I drop over various sections and effect individually.

I use the same software!   I would need to divorce Tasha and say goodbye to my children in order to spend the rest of my life dedicated to practicing these skills to even come close to the skillset of this guy.

Who says you need two Technic 1200s to be a wicked DJ?  All you need is a laptop and one of these new bad boys and you are good to go...oh and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of practice...

Patio, food, wine and the Bee Gees?

So my wife and I went out for dinner...together...sans kids...and under no pressure to return home...or emergency phone calls...

It was Tasha's birthday and she wanted to go to the Boiler House in the Distillery District in downtown Toronto.  Now we don't normally go out for fancy dinners we usually opt for cheap Vietnamese...mmm spicy Pho at Xelua... and other ethnic restaraunts, the Real Jerk being one of Tasha's favourites.  But it has been a long time for the two of us since having kids.  We were lucky to secure a patio spot on a beautiful Friday night evening! 

The Boiler House in the Distillery District

Anyhow...dinner was fabulous.  Dessert even better.  The restaurant had a jazz trio playing soft music all night...mostly toned down jazzy remakes of new and old tunes.  It set a perfect ambience for the evening.

The singer at one point made an announcement.  It was someone elses birthday (damn why didn't i think of dedicating a song??) and instead of singing happy birthday along with staff members...I guess they don't do that at fancy restarants... he opted to sing "More then a Woman" by the Bee Gees. 

Now I am not the biggest Bee Gees fan...not my era.  But I do love "Night Fever" a track I try to play at any event I do.  I love that song.  If requested I will play "Staying Alive" though it usually doesn't make the rotation...too cheesy I guess.  But we all secretely want to point our fingers in the air and walk like Travolta does in Saturday Night Fever. He can shake it with the best of them.

John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever

But "More then a Woman" is a classic!  Check out this youtube video from the movie... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZCtgFmQvjQ  Where did night clubs like this go? Do they even play slow songs anymore?

Anyhow it was a great night out with my wife with some great food, wine and music.  In case you were wondering Tasha is more then a woman too!  But I will blog about that another time... ;)

Silence is Golden...sometimes

Silence is golden or so the saying goes.  But not this morning....

I am on vacation up at my cottage.  So what better opportunity then to  spend some time in front of my dj software and put a mix together.  After years of downloads, two kids and some lost hair since my last mix I decided to hit the record button.

After 67 minutes of recording I thought...perfect...all done...my friends are going to love this mix!

This morning I went to splice two of the wav recordings together since I had to pause last night to feed my son at midnight.  I am sure all superstar Djs have to deal with kids too?!

Cue up wav file one...silence.  Cue up wav file two...silence...

Crap...wrong output settings in the software...

 I guess a few more days won't kill anyone.  Good things come to those that wait.  Right?

Breakdancing...Love, Props and the T.Dot!

I started DJing when I was 13.  A cheap radio shack mixer placed between 2 different all-in-one turntable/radio/cassette stereos with no pitch control was all I had to "mix" the records my partner and I used to scrounge to buy from the local record store.

Years before that though in the early 80s my favorite past time was taking a piece of cardboard from the garage, flattening it, drawing graffitti all over it and with a ghetto blaster blasting... breakdancing!  I can remember a few songs from back then that I loved to street dance to... "Roxanne Roxanne" UTFO,  "Beat Box" Art of Noise, "Jam On It" Nukleus and a few gems by Grandmaster Flash come to mind.  My signature move was the windmill.  I could do it at least 10 different ways...hold the knees, the crotch, arms in, arms out...  Me and my cousins would perform at every wedding we attended as a family and with my cousin living in the Jane / Finch area we would enter competitions at the local community center.  I barely can remember that far back but I think being involved in breakdancing and early hip hop music is probably why I started getting into DJing in the first place.  Plus being the dude playing music at the roller skating rink seemed really cool!

Last night a friend of mine Stevie Whiteshoes posted a link to a documentary on my facebook page called "Love, Props & The T.Dot."  It is a documentary celebrating 25 years of the Toronto Hip Hop scene which talked about the difficulties of local rap artists back in the day had breaking into the hip hop scene in.  It also talked about how these early artists paved the way for some of the world reknown Canadian Hip Hop superstars we have today.

I truely enjoyed watching this documentary.  It brought back so many memories of my early teens and reminded me of so much music that I had totally forgotten about.  In conjunction with the documentary, the CBC also had a concert series called the "Hip Hop Summit" in which they brought all these Canadian Hip Hop artists, old and new, together for a fantastic show.  The documentary included footage from this concert as well as old video footage and interviews with all the major players in the Canadian Hip Hop scene.  Michee Mee, Maestro Fresh Wes, The Dream Warriors, Ghetto Concept, K-Os, Kardinall Offishall, Drake and much more all made an appearance.

Here are the links to the documentary and a page with video links from the concert:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52_M2SNI5sI or http://www.cbc.ca/toronto/community/hiphop.html
http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20110329hiphop

I only wish I had my old records from back in the day.  I would frame them and hang them all on the wall.  I now live in a digital world and will definitely need to go back and do some track searches to find some of this music! 

Oh and if you see me at a party and I look a little tipsy ask me to do a windmill. I have been known in the recent past to give it a spin...