DJ Jim Q's Playlist: RHYTHM
The theme this month is Rhythm. Perfect for a playlist right? We have the Basel Switzerland chapter to thank for such a music-oriented theme. But beyond music, rhythm is inherent in everything. From our heart beats, to the seasons, to the daily rotation of our planet, we live in rhythmic cycles, so it’s no mystery why we respond to rhythm so viscerally, it’s fundamental to life.
Rhythm did not come naturally to me. I don’t have a particularly musical family and most of my childhood artistic expression was channeled into the visual arts. This however didn’t diminish my love of music. Compelled by the rhythms of my favorite songs, which at the time consisted of mostly heavy metal, I would stomp my feet and flail around in what I thought was dancing, but to an average onlooker, probably looked more like a seizure. Nonetheless, the impetus to move was there and in my teenage years as my interest in more rhythmic music expanded, so too did my understanding of rhythm.
It was my early interest in DJing that intensified my affinity for the beat. Mixing records together to create perfectly synced transitions, creating ad hoc remixes by blending heavy drum loops behind other less beat-driven songs, and scratching (The act of manipulating the rotation of the record manual with your hand to create rhythmic patterns). The turntable was my first musical instrument. I certainly didn’t think of it that way at the time, it just sounded cool and other hip-hop DJs did it. It wasn’t until years later when I made the transition to the drum kit that I realized a lot of the things I was doing with the turntable were directly applicable to drumming. I won’t pretend to be a particularly talented drummer, but I love it nonetheless. The challenge of trying to tame the rhythm is probably what keeps me so interested. Rhythm is one of those tricky things, the harder you try to control it, the more unwieldy it becomes. Getting into a groove is an exercise in letting go, tapping into your intuition, and trusting your feelings. It’s kind of therapeutic for the control freaks among us. It’s a heart over head endeavor.
Speaking about grooves, DJing and beats, I wanted to mention a recent passing of a hip-hop legend, the 45 King. Known also as DJ Mark, Mark Howard James was an early production pioneer. His beats graced the platters of every DJ worth their salt in the late 80s and early 90s and well into the 2000’s. His infectious beats became the foundation of many classic tracks of the era. I was introduced to him through the many breakbeat records he released, mainly his opus the 45 Kingdom. I used the beat loops on this record extensively for real-time remixes of songs in my DJ sets for years. DJ Mark came up at a time where producers rarely if ever advertised their names within the first two measures of a song, a practice that has now become standard these days. So you would be forgiven for not knowing his name, but you certainly know his beats. A founding member of the Flavor Unit crew, his first big production was Queen Latifia’s debut “All Hail the Queen” for Tommy Boy records. It’s an incredible record. However it was his beat “900 Number” that became hip hip cannon. You undoubtedly know it from either the Ed Lover dance on Yo MTV Raps or more likely from DJ Kool’s ubiquitous party starter “Let Me Clear My Throat”. His releases were sporadic and unpredictable, often disappearing for years only to resurface with a certified banger. His simple yet addictive beat for Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock Life” dominated airways in ‘98. Eminem worked with DJ Mark to produce what some would call his defining track, “Stan”. DJ Mark had an instinct for infectious loops and and a penchant for earworms, wringing the potent grooves out of some obscure musical sources and unexpected sonic territories. Hip hop will always owe a debt to the 45 King. After his passing I was delighted to see the outpouring of affection for him across social media. Even traditional media outlets ran pieces about his work. In particularly enjoyed the article on Rock The Bells. So, I suggest you cue up “900 Number” and do your best running man in honor of the King.
These selections cannot be beat. Right on time and synced up, the theme this month is Rhythm. There is a pulse running through this playlist from Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation” to Janelle Monáe’s “Electric Lady”, to Vagabond’s “Lexicon”, can you feel it? These 50 plus songs will keep your head bobbing, toes tapping and hands clapping for hours. Cue it up and get into the groove.
*The GIF in this header is from the film 1985 film Krush Groove where Sheila E. performs “Holly Rock”. I couldn’t find her version of the song for the playlist, but you can watch it in all it’s glory right here.
Thanks for listening. If you like these playlists please let me know. I would love to hear from you on Twitter or become my first friends on Threads. Also be sure to like and follow on Spotify. See you next month with another themed playlist.