Today, at work I got a message via Facebook via one of the random friends I have on my account. The opening line drew me straight in so, here is how it went down. Poor guy. Anyway, dont let him add you or anything.
Don Benjamin Morrison hi sir, i am a banker in ghana and i have a business deal for you. hope you will coperate. thanks
Ray Juss you want my bank details? account number and sort code?
Don Benjamin Morrison no there is a dormant account that beers your second name and i need you to clear it for a percentage share
Ray Juss wow, that is amazing. How much money is in the account?
Don Benjamin Morrison there is 100,000 Ghana cedis and is about 70, 000 Euros.
Ray Juss this is amazing, I will be able to feed my children and buy them shoes finally
Don Benjamin Morrison well that is impressive
Ray Juss Don, you have changed my life. How can I repay you?
Don Benjamin Morrison u only need to send me any valid id card so i can procees u as the benefactor
Ray Juss I will do that, first send me your account number and sort code as I would like to deposit some MONIES into your bank to say thank you for all your hard work I will also need your address, to send you a card my children will make for you
Don Benjamin Morrison that is not necessary now we are rather going to transact more better business
Ray Juss but it is, my dead wife would like you to have the gift too. She died last year, this is why I have had much financial problems she was addicted to doughnuts. Kripsy Kreme ones. It was a long a tough battle please accept my gift Don. I just need your account number and sort code
Don Benjamin Morrison ooh sorry for ur wife
Ray Juss I am crying with tears of joy and sadness she would like to thank you from the grave she will visit your house tonight
Don Benjamin Morrison i dont think my account number is needednow
Ray Juss as a ghost send the details Don
Pause
Ray Juss DO it FOR MY DEAD WIFE SHE WANTS THIS SO MUCH FOR MY CHILDREN
Don Benjamin Morrison as a ghost for what in my house
Ray Juss she will not harm you she comes in peace she likes Fufu please DON send me your account number and sort code
Don Benjamin Morrison ghost cant cant visit my house cos is protect by the blood of jesus
Ray Juss She will come and thank you tonight you will see Don I must go The spirits are calling me Thank you for the gift of 70,000 euro
Don Benjamin Morrison you better go and meet those spirit cos am stronger than all of you
Ray Juss bless you Don. You have much Fufu power. Good bye
12 months ago in a
bar on Upper Street started a small yet quiet revolution. Off The Record was
born. A night dedicated to vinyl but not just DJs, people who still bought,
collected, found, stumbled upon could come and play those black discs.
Over the year there
has been many first timers, new DJs, old DJs have graced the wheels of steel at
Wax Jambu. Rare and unheard records were played as the bar staff mixed up some
of the best drinks in the World (check the competitions, its true!) Over this
time, there was not one lame set. From the early days of Ustreaming around the
world to the later sets being recorded and preserved on Mixcloud, each person involved
shared a little bit about themselves by the music they played.
While it is a
celebration, it will also be the last time Off The Record will appear on a
Wednesday evening at Wax Jambu. But fear not! After my well earned break, there
will be something new to get excited about. I would like to thank all of the
DJs that took part. In this order, almost!
CAST
Laze Breaks, Martin
Daniels, JJ Mumbles, K15, Rookie Sludat, DJ Nickname, Danny Lowe, Andy Fenn,
Lee HEE-MAN Henry, Bensamba, Sunil Chauhan, James Blanco, Richard Walsh, Orsii,
Bradley Zero, Peach, Cleo, Matt Baker, Dr Wink Importer / Exporter, Klaus,
Laurent Finitoni, Naqwon, Greedy Kid, Will Furtado, Alex Chase, Maharishi
HI-FI, Dave Metcalfe, Rie Fujihira, Louis P, Ashley, Si Domone, Vue, Intalex,
Filter ‘Power’ Taylor, Sodalicious, Pete Byrne, Joe Pesh, Elliot Davies, Bacary
Bamba, Mo Sean, Dickon Storme, Steve James, Robert Morgan, Grace Bassface,
Piers, Senior Girls Own, Sonny D, Nijmakesbeats, Ed, Dnbenergy, amar_, Ralph, Lawrence.
Also thanks to Jimi,
Will, Sara at Wax Jambu for making it happen and ALLLL of the bar staff for
sending me home drunk plenty of times!
Also a massive Thank
You to anyone that has popped in for a drink on a Wednesday
June, birthdays, The Euros, Sun, Weddings, returning friends. We all can get caught up in stuff sometimes. Anyway, here is what you have been missing. The listings for the month of June. Off The Record turns ONE so if you have never been and you claim to be my 'friend' I will see you there, WONT I!
June Listings
6th – Dave Metcalfe (Reggae) | Pete Byrne (Rock/Electronica)
| amar_ (Electronic)
Summer is knocking on the gates of London and to help
it get through passport control with the minimum of fuss we have the Reggae
master Dave Metcalfe. He will be warming up for Pete Byrne who will take us on
another musical trip. Closing the show will be amar_ who will be brining it up
to date with a more up tempo and modern set.
13th – Ralph | Lawrence | Ray Juss
(Soul/Motown/Hip Hop/Classics)
There
are not many more elusive collectors than Ralph and Lawrence. They showed an
interest in playing a while back but after many emails, Facebook messages and
meetings I got them to put pen to paper. Digging through found and acquired collections,
these enthusiastic guys will get things moving!
In
life, they say you shouldn’t have favourites. They tell you that everyone is
equal. They, are sometimes wrong. The stars have aligned to allow me to pick
not only 3 friends, but probably 3 of the best talents playing and collecting
music. K15 will no doubt surprise me and everyone else with his selection of
tracks. Bensamba aka the DJs choice probably has a load of new things tucked
away. (Ill be the train spotter by the turntables for that one). Rounding
things off we have the laidback neck snapping master Nijmakesbeats. Playing
them slaps until they kick us out!
27th
– OFF THE RECORD 1ST BIRTHDAY
So
here it is, 52 weeks later. The baby turns one. London’s best kept secret where
anyone can come and play anything from vinyl has no doubt changed my and a few
other people’s lives. It has been a fun and interesting learning experience and
I am proud of what has gone on at Wax Jambu every Wednesday. Don’t let me spoil
any surprise of who is playing. Want to find out… come a long!
As modern life pulls us in each and every direction, time is precious and is thinly spread over many responsibilities. I wish there was more time to spread that time over being creative and leaving things for others to enjoy. Fortunately, the greedy one found some time to create this new jam. Now I am not a fan of write ups for tracks in this modern age as with one click you can find out what it sounds like yourself. But, when I previewed the track standing at Kensington Olympia Station I was lifted away, so much so I almost missed the 19:50 to Milton Keynes. Take a listen, download if you like. Most of all, enjoy.
2nd – Dave Metcalfe (Reggae) | Pete Byrne (Rock) |
Dickon Storme (Bunker Funk)
As the sun tries to creep from behind the clouds its
only right we kick things of with Bar favourite, Dave Metcalfe. Bringing his
selection fine selection of Reggae music to compliment the cocktails. To help
keep the drinks flowing, Pete Byrne will be taking over the middle set of the
evening with his choices of rock and electronica. Returning to the fold we have
the elusive Dickon Storme. My messages sent via de-commissioned Navy radios
reached him at his bunker where he has been carefully selecting records for his
second performance. Expect the old/new genre of ‘Bunker Funk’
9th – Ashley Jno | Oli (Open The Gate)
The word of
Off The Record spreads slowly but that’s just how we like it. Tonight we will
be entertained by Ashley and Oli. From successful sets at Open The Gate, they
will be bringing their electic selections to Wax Jambu. Loads of great music
you may never of heard but will recognize. I promise!
16th
– alum (Ambient to Zouk)
The mighty
alum sound comes back to Off The Record. 3 DJs all with their own tastes and
skills rolled into one mighty musical powerhouse. No genre is safe so you are
sure to hear something you like and even if you don’t, you can always drink
more and then everything will sound great!
23rd
– Ray Juss | Senior Girls Own (Splinx and Mindy)
Back on my
warm up duties for no doubt the greatest DJ duo since, I don’t know when? I
will be providing excellent music to accompany the drinking of the fine
cocktails from behind the bar. Once I tag in Senior Girls Own, who knows what
sort of greatness will happen? If I told you they finished their set with a 90s
rave classic last time, would you believe me? Come and find out for yourself!
30th
– Martin Daniels (Recordstore.co.uk) | Si Domone (WOODWORK) | Dnbenergy
(Quondam Records)
One for the
dancing crew tonight. Kicking things off is the musical mastermind Martin
Daniels from Recordstore.co.uk playing classic and contemporary hits. The next
DJ Si Domone will be picking up the pace and taking you through what he is
feeling from the genres of house. Ending the month and evening will be
Dnbenergy playing a drum and bass set catered for the surroundings.
April, the month of fools and when accountants praise the birth of the Sage and Excel lords. Please dont be offended religious people, they are just accountants. Anyway, lets crack on with what we have going on in the month of April
April Listings
4th – Ray Juss (Mixed 7s) | Senior Girls Own (Ambient to Zouk)
The first week of the April line up restores an excellent line from back in February. Once again I will be starting things of digging into my expensive 10p crates of 7s to set the mood. After, I will be handing the turntables over to Senior Girls own who will take you on a musical journey from A to Z. Hence Ambient to Zouk.
11th – Ed | Rob Morgan (ifthereisahellbelow) | Ray Juss (Soul/Funk/Rock Night)
More members from the Recordstore.co.uk team come and play some records this week at Wax Jambu for Off The Record. Starting off we have the darling of Camden Ed who will be jumping back into his DJ role once again. We welcome back Rob Morgan from ifthereisahellbelow to help us discover and un cover new and old music, all of it will be well worth hearing. I will be closing the evenings entertainment with whatever treats I can find in my bag!
18th – Mo Sean | Louis P | Laze Breaks (Breaks/Soul/Funk/BrokenBeats Night)
After some travel problems last booking, we are glad to have Mo Sean back on the bill. A master thrift store digger, his collection has been amassed from the four corners of the earth. Expect to hear breaks that are dying to be sampled. I have also managed to get Louis P back down to play some of his favourite records. With roots in jazz, hip hop and even broken beat it should be a good hour. Last on the evening is the digital champion, Laze Breaks. For someone with such a good record collection, he shouldn’t dismiss it so much. Dusty jazz breaks and 90s soul/hiphop is what I am guessing will come out.
25th – alum (Ambient to Zouk)
Alum are previous guests Grace and Piers who have added a third member, Adam. Not to sound to comic book film trailer, together they are, Alum. The genre classification for these guys is just a loose one because to try to pigeon hole them wouldn’t be fair. They have the full 4 hours to entertain you musically. Will be a treat so come and get involved!
I've had this done for ages but I will be honest, Ray and The Palace aint spending much time together to I am sneaking in some sofa and computer time tonight. Let me hit you with what Off The Record has in store for March.
March Listings
7th – Pete Byrne (Rock) | Dave Metcalfe (Reggae) | Dnbenergy (DnB)
I resisted including some of the email banter between Pete and Dave, FYI, it was hilarious. They come back to explore guitar based music and reggae music respectively. Following we have a double debut. Our first dedicated Drum and Bass DJ and first outing for Ashley aka Dnbenergy. Not only does he DJ but is making his own productions over at Quondam Records
14th – Unur | Cleo | Sonny D (Soul/Funk/Hip Hop Night)
We welcome another starlet to the Off The Record turntable for her first DJ outing. After coming down and enjoying the evening, Unur will be digging from Cleo’s selection. Cleo, an Off The Record regular will provide a fine selection from UK and US. Closing this session will be Sonny Delight who also makes his first spot at Off The Record. With 20+ years DJing skills under his belt we should be in for a treat!
Good friend of Off The Records head of Crowd Sourcing, Christine, Shabby will be joining us for her debut. Expect some Lovers Rock and whatever else she can find. Also, it will probably get rowdy seeing as they would like to beat me at Kings. Bacary Bamba pops into Off The Record again for another excellent set of music across loads of genres. Rounding off the evening will be the excellent Ashley who is getting more deserved attention for his skills behind the decks.
28th – Ray Juss | Lee ‘HEE-MAN’ Henry | NijMakesBeats (Hip Hop/Soul/Funk Night)
Three guys. All locals of Wax Jambu. All like records. AND, all like a drink. Let me tell you a little more about the other DJs. Lee is the funk supremeo. Every Wednesday when he has brought his records out something magical has happened. Mix that with some drink, who knows what wont happen? Nij was actually at my first gig at Wax Jambu, I spent most of the night talking to him about Dilla and hip-hop. Fast forward a few years and we cross paths again and I manage to talk him into playing some records. Its going to be hip-hop of the finest kind!
So things have been pretty quiet on the blog and internet fronts for a while. This is because, amazingly, we conduct actual real lives outside of the confines of our sweaty rooms. Work is busy, Off The Record is picking up on every month and the excellent Super Human Disco has kicked off so I get more play outs now than I ever did. The downside is, I don't get to spend much quality time at home creating new things. It makes me sad.
On the other hand, my brother. The elusive one has started making his 5 beats per year and you can catch the first one below. Since modern tech will allow you to click play quicker than I can describe it you may as well go ahead. Post and repost on your sisters Facebook and tell her I love her. My brother will also sing to her for Burgers. Our fees are very reasonable, we just be saving to shut down another Cruise Ship.
A big 5 weeker this month, plenty of good music and new people coming down to share their music collections and tastes.
February Listings
1st – Matt Baker | Brokenhomes
February gives us a bumper month due to the magic of the leap year. This also means, I am expecting a lady to propose to a guy at Off The Record. We welcome back Matt for his sophomore set for more upfront house and electronic music. Ill be taking you through until close with my usual mix of genres.
8th – Ray Juss | K15 | Steve James
This line up promises to be very dance oriented but then there are never any promises at Off The Record. Master of the keys K15 joins us once again and hints at a house set. Steve James, a long time friend is a big fan of 4x4 UK Garage and House. For my selection, I don’t have work the next day so who knows what my drunk self will pick!
15th – Recordstore.co.uk – Martin Daniels | Andy Fenn | Robert Morgan
The Recordstore.co.uk team are back to provide vinyl music new and old and have picked up a new addition. Robert makes his debut at Off The Record but has plenty of skills under his belt. He runs the blog over at ifthereishellbelow.comwith plenty of weird and wonderful music. Should be a wide and varied selection.
22nd – Mo Sean | Grace Bassface and Piers as Fünf
I got an email from Mo Sean at the start of the year saying he had full access to his record collection. This could only mean gems! After his previous set, this could only mean more thrift store finds from the States. Grace Bassface and Piers DJ as the collective Fünf and will be playing up until close. With music from the soulful side, all the way to the bass heavy.
29th – Brokenhomes | Senior Girls Own
Another DJ duo join us at Off The Record for their debut set. First up is Helen aka Splinx who runs the label Helen Llewelyn Product Nineteen - http://www.hlp19.co.uk/ releasing them vinyls. Bonus points! There will be an exclusive spin of the latest release on the night so that’s a first. Following Splinx’s set will be Mindy who will be picking up the pace with older House cuts and bringing it up to date.
Still finding yourself writing 2011? You need to let that go bruh. We are fully into 2012 and Off The Record is back and settling into the second half of its first year. And what a 6 months its been!! So here we have the line up for January 2012 with a few familiar names and a secret name.
January Listings
11th - Ray Juss | Bacary Bamba
So for this evening I will be sharing deck duties with Bacary Bamba who comes down for his second time behind the Wax Jambu turntables. An excellent sound track was provided last month so come down and hear some more great music. I will be taking you through the happy hour with them happy tunes!
18th - Ray Juss | Carlosbambos | Si Domone (WoodWork)
Back again on warm-em-up duties is myself and I am joined by good friend an my DJ teacher Carlosbambos. Carl comes down for his second set and more diva activities. Rum will be drunk to Motown or skippy UK Garage, who knows. On close we have Si Domone who reaches his hat trick tonight. Bring your dancing shoes for a set of music under the universal banner of House.
There could be a birthday extravaganza this week with all 3 DJs celebrating their birthdays around this week. Greedykid (subject to commitments) will be opening up the set with whatever records I can lend to him. Next up we have a 'new' mystery DJ. Dickon Storme - emerging a bunker with thousands of record from the 60s, he has uncovered some gems that could include Ramsey Lewis, Funkadelic, Pigmeat Markham, War, maybe even some Pink Floyd.
So we reach another year, apparently, the end of the world will happen this year. I couldnt care less about these Mayan cats think. What this post is about is the tracks/music/themes that had a big part of my life through out the last year. They may have come out before 2011 but were important all the same. Also, you all know I listen to a lot of music and I still miss loads of genres but these few youtube links are what stuck out whilst writing this.
Lets get it cracking
Action Bronson - SHIRAZ
After seeing him on a feature with another rapper, I had to find out more. Turns out he is (now) an ex chef turned rapper. Sweet raps about food I can't afford over excellent Tommy Mas beats.
Detroit CYDI - Yeah Bitch
Featuring one of my fave beatmakers in his rap singer group Detroit CYDI. Always had visions of playing this in East London and getting the whole crowd to sing along, maybe next year. Enjoy, Bitch
SebastiAn - Embody
There was a little funk/electro revival going on last year and this was one of the hi - lights. Sebastian was already one of my favourites from out of the ED Banger team (still <3 u Busy P) but this came out of nowhere. Good album too if you like the whole sound. He also proposed to that Royal sister chick via video screen at Lovebox. OOOOOOOOOWAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Death Grips - Guillotine (It goes Yah)
What can I say about Death Grips that you cannot make out from the video. One of the best drummers in the world teams up with a 'guy' to produce one of the most out there different albums in all of 2011. The show at the Old Blue Last was a sweaty anger fest.
jonwyane - dat ass
The Wayniac was on my radar from last year but his music was hard to come by. This year saw him start to put out music in a few beat tapes and albums. Next year should be a big year for him I hope. This beat, from the Doodles album kills it. (ignore the drunk walking man)
Lil B - Charlie Sheen
2011 was the year I finally caved into trap beats, swag rap and I guess the leader of it all, Lil B. Another show I caught at the Old Blue Last. Everyone was on stage cooking. Oh, if you know the girl in this video, get her to email me. SWAG WOO COOK
Samiyam - Kitties
Sam Baker released his album on Brainfeeder to much confusion. I think people expected more. Personally, Samiyam can do no wrong in my eyes. Guy is an animal on the 404, this one knocks. Oh yeah, caught him at Plastic People in '11 too. MEOOW
Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire ft. Despot, Das Racist, Danny Brown, EL-P - The Last Huzzah
If Danny Brown dont make it as a rapper, he should get a job as an A&R. Almost blowing his load on twitter after finding the original video of this song The Muthafuckin eXquire went from zero to hero. The guys got together and made the remix to kill the remix. FYI, there is A LOT of ASS in this video. HUZZAH
TELL THE TRUTH - PROD. BY MOVM3NT
I miss Heatmakers. I really do. They have turned to rapping which is awful. Luckily, their sound lives on but in these weird trance pastiches. Made famous by Araab Musik this track is off one of the Trance mixtapes. Works for me.
Lil Z x OtrosCosmosis- I think im flying lotus
Flying Lotus show - Roundhouse, Camden where I lost my coat in the cloakroom for a month. Stood in the crowd shouting this song at people making remixes. When he played it, there was no reaction by the crowd. I think I made a 10 metre circle around me when I went nuts to it. COOKED HARD
Danny Brown - Monopoly
Following up The Hybrid with XXX on Fools Gold records turned Danny into an internet superstar. You can probably guess I like what Danny is doing right now. This was my favourite track from XXX. Includes references to badly seasoned fried chicken and shitting on CDs. Hell yeah
Mono/Poly - Punch The Troll In The Neck
Good to see Charles fully integrated into the Brainfeeder camp now. Another beat maker who will do even better things next year from what I have heard so far. This one kicked it off at the Crooked Tongues party. I was going nuts.(I was playing it)
DA-10 - The Future Is Futureless
The Off The Record night brought me some new friends. Some of these friends own a record label. One of their releases was this gem. Spent months humming the riff to this and got it as soon as it came out. Big up the WotNot music gang
Clams Casino - Illest Alive
Ill be honest, I slept on this dude for a while. He was giving these beats to rappers I weren't really feeling so I just passed them by. One afternoon, I downloaded his free (he gave these away) instrumental beat tape. Put it on in the background and done some work. Next few days I had them going round in my head and wondering where they had come from. On listening again, I realised that ClammyClams was something special. 2012 and even 13 will be the year(s) of Clams Casino
Dexter - Gimme No More
Kutmah is London's premier beat DJ and he had been haunting me with this beat all year. Every time I saw him play I wanted to know who had created this flip. Luckily, Kutmah is a guy and he told me. The search ended in me being £3 poorer but so much richer in my soul. CHOP
Toto - Africa
As previously mentioned, Off The Record started in 2011 and it has been a revelation for me and music discovery. It actually has been loads of things but there is too much to write here. If there was any one tune that sums up Off The Record and the good times we have every Wednesday, it would be this.
Thank you, lets have a great 2012 and see if Danny Brown can make it a hat trick!
