Blame it on the Boogie : A Tribute to
Michael Jackson (Part 1)
01/July/09 | DJ
Fundiduster |
permalink
What could Burning Man and Michael Jackson possibly have in common? No jokes about how his hair exploded in to a flameball during the filming of that Pepsi commercial, please. I'm being serious here, and have thought about this question hard over the past week since learning of the King of Pop's passing to the other side. I've been thinking about the things I appreciate most about Burning Man -- freedom of expression, originality, devotion to creativity, genuineness, heart and soul, being brave enough to fully embody one's true self -- and feel like these qualities all came together in MJ and his music.
I felt moved to celebrate the gifts he gave to this world by making a musical mix that explores the evolution of the artist from his early career to the end. This musical journey starts with some selections from the Jackson 5, of course, before exploring Michael Jackson's early solo career, with a multifaceted look at "Off the Wall" and his original melding of disco grooves with Motown soul. Eventually, we reach "Thriller," looking at half of the album's hits from various different perspectives, before running out of time at the 79:45 mark -- just the right length to be able to burn this mix to CD. Part two, to be released in a couple of weeks, picks up with the second half of Thriller and runs through various side projects and the most intriguing sounds from his later releases.
Now, those listeners looking for a run-through of his greatest hits can, well, purchase or dig out his many "Greatest Hits" collections. In other words, this ain't your mamas Michael Jackson. The mix is built on alternate takes, mash-ups, early home demos, interviews and, especially, remixes. There are many, many remixes of Michael floating around out there in cyberspace, and I chose a wide variety of reinterpretations: some ready to bump your booty, some corny and others just plain weird.
I reveled in the wide, creative diversity of remixes that MJ inspired, and listening to them over the past week, it dawned on me just how universal his music was -- there was an essential DNA of heart, soul and groove in just about everything he performed, and those core elements were able to be fit in and reprogramed in all kinds of musical scenarios. House, reggae, grunge, glitch, ambient -- Michael's words and voice sounded natural in so many different genres and environments, in part because it was so real. And I guess that is why he was loved the whole world over -- his gift of song was universal. It touched the heart and moved the booty, no matter what culture or creed.
(One other BM-MJ connection: I couldn't have made this particular mix had I not spent time smashing down arbitrary musical boundaries on the playa. My time spent in Black Rock City has greatly expanded my musical horizons and I hope that this set is reflective of that in the varied versions of his classic hits. I hope it surprises you, makes you smile and inspires the breakout of a thousand dance parties, alone or with friends.)
Michael Jackson's great success in moving so many people killed him in the end. His superstardom took over his individuality and he gave himself away to our collective desire for hero-worship, gossip and judgement. In doing so, Michael lost touch with himself and then with reality and that's when the freak show began. I try to withhold judgement for all his oddities and naivete -- I feel like society pushed him in to the corner he was trapped in and we have no right to judge him. Especially now that he is gone and cannot respond.
Instead of getting swept up in the media frenzy of the past week -- the endless analysis of his finances and prescription drug use and relationship with his family and fate of his children -- I have turned to the music to remember. Just as I imagine millions of other fans are too. And my full immersion in Michael's glorious art -- "I'll Be There," "Ease on Down the Road," "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough," "Billie Jean," "Smooth Criminal," "Jam" -- has reminded me that MJ was, ultimately, a bright light, brighter than most of us here on Planet Earth. He was born to sing and dance and make people happy. His soul was made of pure light and he came to us a bodhisattva, giving of himself to ease the suffering of humanity. "Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter," he sings, "Togetherness is all I'm after."
MJ fearlessly became one with his creative expression, merging his life with his gift, and all of us are that much better off because of it. He performed with selflessness, devotion, generosity and an amazing amount of courage. I might be getting carried away now, but hearing him sing the bridge in "Human Nature" makes me feel like Michael, in his heartfelt surrender to his muse, was channeling the divine spirit. He opened up for us and the bright light of something sacred poured forth. He made it more beautiful to be a human being. We won't ever experience another musical being like MJ in our lifetime.
This musical mix, to be released in two parts to keep it manageable, is my tribute to MJ and all that he gave. Like I said, it is exploratory and sometimes experimental, but hopefully reflects even just a little bit of the shine that Michael gave to the world.
(This is my first time trying out the Soundcloud service -- hopefully it will make it easier for you to stream and share my podcasts. Email me if the player is glitchy or you can't download the mix: destinationburningman@gmail.com)
Rest in peace, Michael Jackson. You've earned it. And thanks for all the amazing music!
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Darwin's Furrowed Brow
23/June/09 | DJ
Edubious | permalink
Edubious is back in cyberspace Dubcasting on Radio dBM! Theis Darwin's Furrowed Brow mix is a follow up to Dariwn's Weird Beard - the second Burning Man Evolution-themed podcast from DestinationBurningMan.com mixed by DJ Plyaduster. This mix is a compilation of some of the tracks that I'll be taking to the playa. According to the count down on the dBM blog page, there are only 74 days until the Man burns in Black Rock City. This mix will fuel your creative muse as you plan, build, pack and get stoked for the portal opening on the Playa. Darwin's Furrowed Brow researches the evolution of hip hop, R&B, dancehall and reggae into glitch, breaks, dubstep and house. Plenty of remixes here - Break Beat Buddha, Bassnectar, Mimosa, Obi-j, Grant Phabao, Kraddy, DJ Rupture and more!
All of us here at dBM are lighting it up and preparing for this year's Burn. We hope to see you on the playa!
Burn it down!
~ Edubious
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed in iTunes via links in the sidebar!
destinationburningman@gmail.com
www.DestinationBurningMan.comclick here for more...
First-ever dBM Fun-raiser!
Help us here Destination Burning Man
keep the fire lit up all year. Support this website, blog and
podcasting service by making a financial donation via PayPal
at www.destinationburningman.com/support_us.
You're generosity will help keep this community resource cookin' --
hardware, software, bandwidth, bacon, goggles and new musical
acquisitions cost a fair amount of $$$ and we'd love to feel the
love back from our listeners and readers in the form of
donations. We need to replace some of our mixing
equipment and so are turning to you, freaky listeners across the
globe, for assistance. If you appreciate what we're putting out for
the masses for free -- musical mixes from DJs Playaduster and
Edubious and guest DJs, videos from the playa, blog postings from
the wide world of Burning Man -- consider dropping a $20 bill in
our collection dish today.
Thanks in advance!
xo, your friends at www.destinationburningman.com
destinationburningman@gmail.com
click here for
more...
Thanks in advance!
xo, your friends at www.destinationburningman.com
destinationburningman@gmail.com
click here for
more...
Sunset over Sunnyland : DJ
Playaduster vs. DJ Fundi
05/June/09 | DJ
Fundiduster |
permalink
the world's first and only Sunnyland Burning Man ceremony in 2006 -- I'm amazed the fire dept. didn't show up when I torched this dude!
This here podcast, the latest from your good friends at Destination Burning Man, has been sitting in the outbox for over a year now. Why it was never released until now is not known. It is the last musical mix concocted at the Sunnyland Soundsystem, where www.destinationburningman.com and www.podcastcafe.org were originally conceived and born. It represents an amiable clash between two imaginary alter-egos, DJ Playaduster and DJ Fundi.
Playaduster is known to be a bit crazier, a bit nastier and a lot more focused on electronica, dub, glitch and dance music -- his specialty is getting the party from lift-off up in to orbit and Black Rock City is his natural environment.
Fundi, on the other hand, is a more gentle soul and has a wider berth in the world of music -- he'll spin a jazz set, an acoustic/bluegrass set, even a set of drone music from Tibet, and is not afraid to mix some Beethoven, Beck and Beatles in the flow. He's certainly known to throw down a solid funk set -- see "Soundtrack for a Kitchen Dance Party", "Superbad" or "Deep Fried Funky Nuggets" for three fine examples -- but he tends towards the more organic laid-back style of funk.
What happens when the two of them meet and throw down at a soundsystem in its final days? Well, that is what this mix is all about. Can you guess which tracks are from Fundi and which are from Playaduster? We'll call it a Fundiduster mix if we must...
Soundstick recordings are from the "House Cooling" party thrown on Humboldt Street right before moving out.
destinationburningman@gmail.com
www.DestinationBurningMan.com
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed in iTunes via links in the sidebar!
Set list includes: Blackalicious, Missy Elliott, Erykah Badu, Gnarls Barkely, Monomo, Tortoise, Maceo Parker, Kutiman, Galactic, Ladybug Mecca, DJ Spooky, Chief Xcel, Chali 2na, M.I.A., Vibesquad, Freq Nasty, Burial, Gotan Project, Bonobo, The Beatles, Thom Yorke and Boxcutter.
More Sunnyland pics after the jump...click here for more...
Mary Anne Hobbs * "Pacific Coast
Clash" * BBC Radio One
Mary Ann Hobbs follows up her illuminating exploration of California-based DJs, "West Coast Rocks," with this set from The Glitch Mob's Boreta vs. Eprom vs. Dorian Concept -- broadcast on BBC Radio One Experimental in May 2009. Dig it correct.
destinationburningman@gmail.com
www.DestinationBurningMan.com
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed in iTunes via links in the sidebar!
click here for more...
Go back to the bunker, Dick!
(Bassnectar Murder Mashup)
In honor of Dick Cheney's recent reemergence from the slimy depths of his bunker, reappearing on the scene like a gollum you just can't shake, I clipped this Cheneylicious track from a Bassnectar mix and offer it here in tribute. Lorin's tracklisting for the mix calls is "Another Homicide vs JuJu (Bassnectar Murder Mashup.) Nice going, DICK!
destinationburningman@gmail.com
www.DestinationBurningMan.com
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed in iTunes via links in the sidebar!click here for more...
Darwin's Weird Beard
02/May/09 | DJ
Playaduster |
permalink
Starting to think ahead to Burning Man 2009 a bit -- can't help it. Time to start slowly crafting well-seasoned playlists of tracks that I want to bring down to the playa to share with the people. Here's a sneak peek in to some of my favorite musical goodies acquired over the past few months that are helping me to begin visualizing the next incarnation of Black Rock City. The vibe kind of swerves all over the place as lots of styles and theories are ingested in to the whole. Sources vary widely. Hope you dig it and it tickles the insides of your ears.
Do they sound like playa grooves to you or not?
destinationburningman@gmail.com
www.DestinationBurningMan.com
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed in iTunes via links in the sidebar!click here for more...
Ooah * "Scientific Sound
Surgery"
Ooah of the Glitch Mob will be in Bellingham, WA for BEAF -- the Bellingham Electronic Arts Festival. Enjoy his handiwork in the lab with this session of scientific sound surgery...
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed via links in the sidebar!
click here for
more...
Purple Reign I
03/April/09 | permalink
The first in a series of Prince-centric podcasts -- a long time coming and pretty damn self-explanatory. Dig if you will the picture...
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed via links in the sidebar!
click here for
more...
Madlib's 45 mix
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed via links in the sidebar!click here for more...
Burnal Equinox Evolution
24/February/09 | Playa
Mixes | permalink
DJ Edubious and DJ Playaduster met in the secret lab at Cottage Groove Studios to begin preliminary musical explorations for Burning Man 2009: EVOLUTION. Here's what they came up with in search of a playa soundtrack for a new burn. (Read more about their early brainstorms for BM09 on the dBM blog.)
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed via links in the sidebar!
click here for more...
Mary Anne Hobbs * "West Coast Rocks"
* BBC Radio One
"Mary Anne Hobbs went on a mission out to LA and San Francisco to check out the fast emerging, new electronic music scene, headed up by Flying Lotus. We hear from West Coast DJs and producers, including Glitch Mob, Daddy Kev, Kid Kamelion,Samiyam, DJ Tomas and The Gaslamp Killer. Along with sets from LA hotspot, Low End Theory and San Francisco's 103 Harriet Club."
An audio excerpt, hijacked for dBM on February 10, 2009.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/maryannehobbs/
UPDATE 2/14/09: I re-upped a new MP3 file for download and streaming featuring the full show instead of just the last half!
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed via links in the sidebar!click here for more...
Yes We Did : Obama Hopecast : Part
2
20/January/09 | www.podcastcafe.org
| permalink
Part two of a
two-part series (click
here for part one) --
released Inauguration Day
2009!
Left speechless & shaking with an intense, spiritual joy after the 2008 presidential election, I was so happy for myself, for my country and for the whole entire world that I came to a rare loss for words. This "hopecast" is my best attempt to describe and share some portion of the mix of emotions the election of Barack Obama has inspired in me. It is especially informed by looking backwards, because you can't know where you're going unless you know where you've come from.
Part two centers around Obama's election night victory speech in Chicago, interspersed with Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech from the March on Washington in 1963: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character." Bob Marley, the Neville Brothers, Bill Frisell, Marvin Gaye, Common, Z-Trip, Bonobo, James Brown, the Blind Boys of Alabama, George Clinton, Fela, Prince, Public Enemy and assorted hymns, field hollers and cameos from Dubya inform this tribute, along with a cast of dozens more.
I hope that my Hopecast serves as an audio record of history in the making, set to a fitting groove. Viva Obama!
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed via links in the sidebar!
click here for more...
Left speechless & shaking with an intense, spiritual joy after the 2008 presidential election, I was so happy for myself, for my country and for the whole entire world that I came to a rare loss for words. This "hopecast" is my best attempt to describe and share some portion of the mix of emotions the election of Barack Obama has inspired in me. It is especially informed by looking backwards, because you can't know where you're going unless you know where you've come from.
Part two centers around Obama's election night victory speech in Chicago, interspersed with Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech from the March on Washington in 1963: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character." Bob Marley, the Neville Brothers, Bill Frisell, Marvin Gaye, Common, Z-Trip, Bonobo, James Brown, the Blind Boys of Alabama, George Clinton, Fela, Prince, Public Enemy and assorted hymns, field hollers and cameos from Dubya inform this tribute, along with a cast of dozens more.
I hope that my Hopecast serves as an audio record of history in the making, set to a fitting groove. Viva Obama!
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed via links in the sidebar!
click here for more...
Ana Sia * dripHOP
From JamBase: Ana Sia, aka the Mob Bosstress aka Princess Slay-ah :: with an honest passion for prayer thru movement & music, i weave an experience eclectic in rhythm & rhymes, to hit in all the necessary spots...guaranteed to get the dancefloor crunked & connected. inspired by all things green, rumbling reverberations, eccentricities, ethniticities, fruit, puna, love...
http://www.myspace.com/anasiamusic
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed via links in the sidebar!
Ana Sia & The Glitch Mob at Burning Man 2007. Photo by JasonUnbound.
click here for more...
The Glogg Chronicles : 2008 in
Review
01/January/09 | www.podcastcafe.org
| permalink
A sound-smoothie made from my most favorite sound-nutrients of the past year; favorite artists, dopest tracks, weirdest records: all blended up just for you!
Featuring Flying Lotus, Erykah Badu, Gnarls Barkley, Al Green, Bob Dylan, Cat Power, Fleet Foxes, Q-Tip, The Roots, Jamie Lidell, Stephen Malkmus, The B-52's, Beats Antique & Bassnectar, Dust + Blackdown, DJ/rupture, Bon Iver, Esau Mwamwaya & Radioclit, DJ Scruff, Ani Difranco, Amadou & Mariam, K'naan, Nina Simone, Thievery Corporation & Quantic, y'all. Dig it correct!
Love, DJ Fundi at the Podcast Cafe
12/31/08
djfundi@podcastcafe.org
Click above to stream; to download MP3 version, option/right-click on the "Listen Now" icon.
To download superior AAC version with chapters & artwork, subscribe to dBM feed via links in the sidebar!click here for more...
