Picking my favorite ten Fab Five jams will open me up to all sorts of criticism, but it must be done. Arguably, no single band has done more to shape rock and roll. But that aside, they are one of the few bands that are pretty much everyone’s request list. So here are a few of my favorites. Scratch that. These are the ten best Beatles songs, period. View Playlist »
Playlist #10: The Beatles
Playlist #9: Michael Jackson Classics
Michael Jackson Classics. His music is dance floor magic. Regardless of what you thought of the man, if his tracks don’t make your booty move, your booty must be dead my friend. When I was a kid, along with Jordan and Payton, this was the man I wanted to be. But I was fat. His creativity changed music and dancing and I owe a huge debt to his catalog, both as a DJ and as a fan. I for one, will miss him.
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Playlist #8: The Rolling Stones
Songs of The Rolling Stones. Whittling down one of the largest and most beloved catalogs in music history is a fool’s errand. The Stones have been synonymous with rock and roll since rock and roll was rock and roll. But as a DJ, part of the gig is making your picks and sticking to them. These are my favorites. So far.
Playlist #7: Nirvana
Nirvana Tracks. Though their run lasted a brief 5 years, singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer (for most of it) Dave Grohl, left an indelible mark that still looms larger than life over popular music and culture. When rock was on its’ deathbed, Nirvana gave it life in the form of Grunge. Inspired legions of imitators and innovators now attempt to carry the torch. That’s a very good thing.
Episode #6: Tarantino’s Top Ten
Tarantino Tracks. Starting with Reservoir Dogs, Mr. Brown established a knack for fuzing dug-up, classic tracks to his high-noon pictures. Now, impossible to divorce one from the other, Tarantino has melded his name to that of greats like Chuck Berry, Dusty Springfield, and Al Green. And as I found in putting together this best of, the quality of the soundtrack is usually directly related to that of the movie.
Playlist #5: Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation, and one’s knowledge of the existence thereof, is a modern day litmus test for musical taste and
adventurism. If I’m playingout, chances are you’ll hear at least one of their tracks. And with the ability to touch on many genres from House, World, Reggae, Downtempo, Ambient, to what I like to call Progressive Easy Listening, this is coolness even your mom can dig.
Playlist #4: Pulled Back Covers
This weeks’ playlist idea, Pulled Back Covers. These artists took a favorite track of theirs and stripped it down to the essentials while maintaining the integrity of the original and, in some cases, improving on the source material. Great to drop at cocktail parties and chill gatherings, and instant conversation starters, these relaxed covers are a great when played along side the original to spark maximum debate.
Playlist #3: 90’s Hip-Hop Jams
This weeks’ playlist, 90’s Hip-Hop Jams. Before Hip-Hop went Hip-Pop, these were the artists making waves. The MCs, DJs, and producers behind these classics are the reason that Chingy, E-40, and a host of less-talented contemporaries have an audience to play to. There has been some good rap since then, but the mid-90s were the hey-day for sure.
Playlist #2: Public Enemy
This weeks’ playlist, Public Enemy. P.E. was the first group that I was passionate about following. Political, edgy, and uncompromising, they have a cast of talented characters that are still unrivaled in rap music. Chuck D is lead MC, Flavor Flav plays the Joker, and Terminator X drops the beats for one of the most influential acts in the history of hip-hop culture.
Playlist #1: Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
This section is a weekly rotation of playlist ideas. This weeks’ playlist, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. I was lucky enough to catch Tom at the Hollywood Bowl last summer. I expected to see an aging band plodding through an old set list, but they played the show like it was their first time on stage. They’ve stood the test of time, never wavering from the sound that has made them icons of American music.