Karl K - Binary Code (1997)

So here we are with another classic, unearthed gem of a mixtape. Released sometime in 1997, Binary Code stands out to me as one of Philly don Karl K's finest mixes - less a show of tricks and skill,(though that pops up as expected), it's the overall vibe created and sustained throughout the mix that makes this one stand out. It also takes me right back to a particular time period of my life: In November of 1997 I moved from my parents house in Northeast Philadelphia and in with friends in South Philly, but was still commuting an hour+ each way every day to work. Throughout the following 3-4 months I played this tape pretty much everyday on my subway rides - it acted as the soundtrack to one of my favorite books, Snow Crash, which I was reading at the time on said commutes. It was the perfect accompaniment: futuristic techstep and early neurofunk by the likes of Trace, Adam F, Dillinja, Optical, Matrix, Andy C, DJ Krust, Future Forces Inc., and others. Apologies for no tracklist this time around - there are too many unknowns on this one for me, but have a go at it in the comments if you'd like!

Karl K - Binary Code (1997) Side 1


Karl K - Binary Code (1997) Side 2


Click the play button to stream.

To download: just click on the "divshare" logo. On that next page, click the "download" button. You'll get a 15 second countdown, then it takes you to the same "download" screen again. Click "download" again, it will prompt you to open or save. Save and import into itunes, winamp, etc, and viola! Whatever way you do it, enjoy!

P.S. New podcast like so soon. Slackin hardcore over here, so sorry y'all!

TRONIK FUNK Costume Party! Oct 30th!

For the unfamiliar, myself, Art Cuebik, Jason Magin and Armen (and a few others) ran a sucessful drum n bass month in Philadelphia called Tronik Sessions @ the old Saint Jacks' in Old City Philly, that ran from Summer of 2002 to Summer of 2005. It focused on the smoother, more soulful, funky side of the dnb genre. We've decided to get back the core of DJ's involved with the night (alongwith some close friends) and throw a one off Halloween Costume Party - everyone's breaking out their old vinyl and getting ready to let the funk drop all night. We hope you can make it, here are the full details:

On Saturday, October 30th, DrumSkool215 will assimilate a top notch line-up of the true workhorses of Philadelphia's longtime jungle/drum n bass scene to play one GIANT tag-team set, each jock showing off their deep and storied collections of the most cherished breaks and basslines. All for fun of course, but knowing these fellas they'll be one-upping each other all night. Most have collections dating back to the early/mid 90's but for this night expect a rolling mix of hardstep, neurofunk and liquid funk classics spanning 1999-2004.

This is a one time event, so try not to miss it. :)

Hosted by your Master of Ceremonies, the one and only:
ILLY MC (TightenUp.biz, Let Me Ride, Platinum)

Along with a DJ line-up dropping
the finest classic jungle/drum n bass:
ARMEN (Substitution, Tronik Sessions, Fuzed Funk)
ART CUEBIK (DrumSkool215, Let me Ride, Tronik Sessions)
CLAYTON THE CHEMIST (Natural Selection, Clayton & Fulcrum)
FULCRUM (Natural Selection, Clayton & Fulcrum)
ICON (Platinum, Point Of Contact)
JASON MAGIN (Substitution, Tronik Sessions, Fuzed Funk)
JOEY BREAKDOWN (DrumSkool215, Tronik Sessions, Let Me Ride)

And we must not forget to mention *** IT'S A COSTUME PARTY!!! *** So please pull out your weirdest, funkiest duds and prepare to sweat the night away. Come in full costume, get in free. Don't dress up and pay just $5.

We'll also be bringing in extra sound for some big baaaddd bass and as always expect special surprises all night long.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 30TH
10pm-2am
@ MEDUSA LOUNGE
21st & Chesnut
Philadelphia

*** FREE ADMISSION IN FULL COSTUME ***
$5 ALL NIGHT WITHOUT COSTUME
Door by DEVANT/DZA

DRUNK SPECIALS
$4 pbr+whiskey, $4 jager shots.
21+ w ID

*Cheers to IMRI for the excellent poster art as always!*
imri@reflective.net
Visit us @ http://drumskool215.blogspot.com/
or on iTunes search the store for Drumskool215.

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=events#%21/event.php?eid=161436137206328

DJ Trace - The Philadelphia Sessions (1999)

From what I gather, the streets is hungry for more classic mixes by the original techstep don - the UK's (and mid-90's Philly transplant) DJ Trace. I've been a long time fan of the master both as a DJ when I first got hold of his Don FM pirate radio sets from 1993/94, as well as a huge fan of his many incredible productions over the years.

During his stint in my hometown, not only did I get to regularly check Trace (known as Duncan to his mum) play excellently on many massive rigs, I've also been extremely lucky to be on occasion witness to this turntable monster throw down some of the freshest, nastiest dubplates in some of the most intimate settings: on decks set up on kitchen counters in 4am apartment ragers, off the back of a truck behind some abandon warehouse in North Philly, and of course the dark, smokey, extremely loud confines of the upstairs back room @ 1415 Locust (blunts, break-dancing and bass, anyone? Those were the days!).

When Trace announced via his Facebook last month he'd be giving up DJing drum n bass entirely, myself and I'm sure many other longtime fans shed a virtual tear. Lucky for us, many many many recordings of his beautifully hectic, futuristic DJ sets are being preserved digitally to be enjoyed by many more 'headz.

This mix from 1999 - landed via mp3 in my email box recently. I don't actually own a copy, though I do remember it's release and it making the rounds among friends. It's an excellent selection recorded at GFS studios (big up Joe & Justin!) with a nice little intro by the recently elusive Dub 2 MC.

Expect a heavy neurofunk vibe, loads of Bad Company, Ed Rush & Optical, Johnny L, Ram Trilogy, Trace, Fierce, and more. The quality is very questionable at times so forgive me it is out of my control. This is the problem with encoding cassette tapes. Enjoy!

DJ Trace - The Philadelphia Sessions (1999) Side 1


DJ Trace - The Philadelphia Sessions (1999) Side 2


Keep in mind these are ripped from very old cassette tapes, the sound quality is not the best! Click the play button to stream, or to download: just click on the "divshare" logo. On that next page, click the "download" button. You'll get a 15 second countdown, then it takes you to the same "download" screen again. Click "download" again, it will prompt you to open or save. Save and import into itunes, winamp, etc, and viola! Whatever way you do it, enjoy!

Karl K - Dubplate Selection (Who Run Tings?) (1995)

Throughout most of 1995, I, along with a good chunk of the Philly rave scene, regularly attended the dark, cavernous confines of the basement known as Club Fever, specifically the Thursday night weekly New World parties. This tape hails from that time period, as it was not only acquired from Karl K at one of those parties but a good chunk of what's on this tape is stuff he regularly dropped in his sets at the time. This mix was a fixture in my walkman, cassette deck, and any car I was riding in, and remains of of my favorite mixes to this day.

It's a blistering weave of ragga, techstep, hardstep, jump up, rnb & hip-hop vocal samples, and jazzy atmospherics combined with Karl's usual cutting and scratching - it's, in a word: jungle. And it's awesome. Look out for the brief appearance of MC Dub 2 in the second half. Below is a partial track list, if anyone is willing to fill in the blanks please do in the comments :)

Karl K - Dubplate Selection (Who Run Tings?) (Side 1)


Tonic - The Mack
Ed Rush - Gun Check
T Power - The Mutant (DJ Trace Remix)
Eternal Bass - One Movement
Roni Size - Timestretch (Origin Unknown Remix)
DJ Krust - Set Speed
???
Ray Keith - Sing Time
DJ SS & Mental Power - Blue
Funki Porcini - King Ashabanapal (Dillinja Remix)
Shy FX - This Style
Babylonian - Ball Of Fire
MTS - Baad Boy Sound
Therapy? - Loose (Photek Remix)
Q Project & Spinback - Riker's Island (Dream Mix)

Karl K - Dubplate Selection (Who Run Tings?) (Side 2)


???
JMJ & Richie - Free La Funk
Shogun - Reflex
The Mack - Hip To The Hoppa
Desired State - Here & Now
???
Splash - Babylon (DJ Trace Remix)
Dillinja - You Don't Know (Remix)
Photek - Complex
???
Roger Johnson - The Drifter
Jack Ruby - Another World

Keep in mind these are ripped from very old cassette tapes, the sound quality is not the best! Click the play button to stream, or to download: just click on the "divshare" logo. On that next page, click the "download" button. You'll get a 15 second countdown, then it takes you to the same "download" screen again. Click "download" again, it will prompt you to open or save. Save and import into itunes, winamp, etc, and viola! Whatever way you do it, enjoy!