Making Beats. Producing.

Went to Half Price Books today and picked up this book entitled Funk by Dave Thompson. A very comprehensive guide to funk music: replete with artists and select discographies, essays, origins and the different stages of funk, and more funky stuff. I've been wanting literature on topics of the music that I've been getting into. So when something like this pops up, I've just got to have it. Interestingly enough, I recently purchased a book with a similar title, Funk: The Music, the People, and the Rhythm of the One by Rickey Vincent with a foreword by George Clinton. AND on the cover of the Dave Thompson book is a picture of George Clinton.
Delving deeper into this phenomenon known as music, I've been wanting more literature on the genres in which I'm educating myself. So it's great for me to find books such as these. I also found this huge book that serves as a jazz guide.
It's hard to not to want to use the records that have already been sampled to death. I mean, I don't want to use them because everyone else has, but because the records are just too damn funky! Saving up for an MPC1000. Probably use some of my tax return to help pay for that. Been working with sampling with a friend and his SP303 and a computer program. Using all vinyl and some samples he's been hooked up with. But once I get an MPC, it's game over. That's all I'll want to do. Seen a few on Craig's List for around $700 with all the features. Probably hitting up pawnshops this week and hoping I'll be able to find something for under 5hundo.


P.S. I know I'm slackin on the photos of what I've been digging recently. Will post soon. iPhoto is a bitch. One of the many reasons I'm not a fan of the Macintosh OS.

DITC Episode 1: Extended

Here are the records that I picked up in Houston...

The Kashmere Stage Band LP is a re-issue. I'll be damned if I could find an original pressing at a record store in Houston. Every other album is an original pressing. Copped that MFSB at Half-Price Books for $4! Vinyl is the truth. I purchased these LPs for their respective tracks. I've only heard them on mp3. It was a mere revelation to hear them on vinyl. The sound clarity/quality was beautiful.

Digging in the Crates: Episode 1

Episode 1: Houston, TX

Straight from Screwston better known as Houston. About to grub then check out the record stores in the city. And some HPB as well. Hopefully they'll have a somewhat decent selection. I didn't bring my record player with me, so I'm hoping for a public turntable at the shop so I can hear some tunes. If not, they'll have to be some solid decisions, meaning my decisions will probably records I've known about and are in vg+ or nm condition. Of course mint is always a good condition for a record to be in. Blackdog, Cactus, and Sound Exchange are the spots that I know of. I've been meaning to hit up Blackdog the past 5 times that I've been here, but it's been closed due to holiday or just the fact that they're closed on mondays.

So here's to a good day of digging in the crates. Will be sure to update later with results.

It has been almost 2 years

A lot of things have changed. A lot of things have not. One thing has changed, or has been amplified: my love for music. Enter "Music is the Message" by Kool and the Gang stage right. Most of my hobbies really aren't hobbies at all. More like passions. I become obsessed. Mostly listening to vinyl. I think I've given up downloading mp3s. Ah well. Anyways, I'm going to redirect this blog to have a music theme. Anything funky, hip-hop, or whatever music moves one's soul.
I hope to go digging in the crates in Houston, TX in a few days.
More people have blogs these days. I hope this one will now be read. Don't they have some phrase like "stratosphere". I believe it's blogosphere or something like that. Ah well.
I hope that more of you reading this will tune in and ask questions and input your...well...input. We're all about good music here at the Bazooka Collective.
So here's to a new start, a new year, a new heart, a new life, a new sound. Listening to music with new ears.

San Pedro Park on a Friday afternoon

65 degrees fahrenheit and sunny! Not a cloud in the sky. I didn't see one. Do you? I didn't think to take my bike. On friday, I was scoping out some spots in which we could have an uprock/bboy session. That gazeebo spot seems to be a perfect spot. Outdoors in the sun with a breeze going. It also had hardwood floor. I'm going to be making a "rockumentary" you could say. All of these photos were taken at San Pedro Park in San Antonio, TX. 1315 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX, 78212. It was a marvelous day.




























Song of the moment: "You've Been Talking Bout me Baby" by Donald Byrd

R.I.P. 2007: A look back at the year

Wow. First and foremost I want to thank everyone for helping me get back on my feet. I accomplished a lot in the year 2007 and it's only going to be more in 2008. Went all around America again. From Austin to Chicago to Houston to Phoenix/Tempe. I love traveling. There is so much out there to be discovered, people! I encourage all of you to plan a trip out of state for this year. Turning 21 was a riveting experience. It's a beautiful thing to meet someone up over a drink or two. I just wish that the bars in San Antonio were a bit more...adequate...? I accomplished all my new years resolutions except for visiting Vegas. I found myself in Houston for New Years which was still part of the plan. So here's to all the parties, clubs, bars, funk, soul, disco, house, bboys, uprockers, lockers, airports, coffee houses, art exhibitions, bike rides, blogs, books I've read, interesting people I encountered, articles I've written, girls I've had flings with, new friends I made, digital cameras, iced teas, mexican food, road trips, vietnamese food, boba, stimulating conversations, philosophies, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and HAPPY NEW YEAR! So here we go, a look back at the life and times of 2007...















































Song of the moment: "Shakara" by Fela Kuti

New Years Eve weekend in Houston, TX

I have a great time whenever I'm in Houston. I went to visit friends just ONCE in 2005. And just ONCE in 2006. That was horrible. I should have frequented Houston far more often than once a year. I had a girlfriend and she held me down from traveling a lot. It was a long distance relationship so the only traveling I was doing was to her city in San Diego. But this year I've been to Houston 3 times in the past month! In late November for a Ghostface Killah show. In mid December for BBoy Hodown (which was a bust). And New Years weekend for...New Years Eve. And in 2008 my plan is to move there. I'll keep you updated as that progresses. Here are some pictures from New Years weekend. Oh and one of the upsides of the Texas heat is that we have nice days in winter. As opposed to the rest of the country where it is usually sternly cold.





















Song of the moment: "Castles" by The Futures