Timberland along with DJ Muro, New Era, and japanese based brand Kinetics brings us this exclusive collaboration for the winter ‘09 season. Included is a red/green lumberjack combination, which adorns the 7-eyelet boots, longsleeve t-shirt, hoody, and adjustable cap. Peep more images after the jump.

DJ DAISUKE KURODA
DJ JIN
OSAKA MONAURAIL

DJ MURO
AFRA
DJ DEV LARGE




DJ TOKNOW
DJ TSUGU
そして次の日、、、、JINさん黒田さんがご来店DEF!!

最高に真っ黒い夜でした。

Japan, stand up! (My bad, I couldn’t resist). As you all know, blogs these days are only preoccupied with what’s NEW and HOT (whatever that means) and frankly, I can’t keep up with the A.D.H.D. pace of updates and the superficial standard of information that is copied and pasted all over the Internet. That is to say, sometimes I will post music that’s been in circulation that I’ve rediscovered or impulsively feel like sharing. Today is one those times. The legendary Japanese producer and DJ cheesin’ in the photograph to your left is the crate diggin’ king himself: DJ MURO. I was introduced to his smooth sounds by my dear friend, Lucas, while driving to the arboretum in Jamaica Plain (shout out to the bean). MURO’s resume speaks for itself as a founding member of KRUSH POSSE (a crew of rappers and Djs including DJ Krush) in the late 80’s and collaborator with Japan’s infamous Nitro Microphone Underground. Most commonly known and appreciated for his impressive vinyl collections and vast, encyclopedic knowledge of hip hop, MURO represents a dying breed (which is why we must appreciate him again and again). Admittedly, I’ve developed a slight addiction to his compilation: 45arepm in which “every track on this compilation is recorded using 2 turntables and vinyl records only. No part of this CD was digitally enhanced in anyway. In addition, every record was originally meant to be played back at 33rpm. DJ Muro has masterfully created this mix whereby he plays each record at the incorrect speed of 45rpm” (quoted from the disc description). The compilation features classics from Isaac Hayes and Lenny Williams to The Moments and Dianne Reeves. Trust me, you need this in your collection and if you already do — have another listen!

+ DOWNLOAD: “45AREpm” DJ MURO +

…footage via Sam via Crate Kings. MURO has no website to plug just download and listen!

Today’s absolute shining light in my couch ridden state.

Go find it. Ask a nerd. Throw a google search. whatever.

THE HORACE SILVER QUINTET!

Marva Josie – He Does It Better
vs
Dj Muro – Patch Up The Pieces (Feat. Freddie Foxxx)

to pianino az samo prosilo sie o zsamplowanie.  przekozak.

Blog post from April 2009.

4 days between blogs. Lazy. I’m afraid I had to take some time out to ruminate over the fact I found myself attracted to a heavily hyped spaceshoe this week. I never saw that one coming. I’ve also been guilty of hypocrisy too – after damning the unavailability of good US-made heritage ranges outside of Japan a week ago, I’ve also been celebrating the fact that the far east still holds gems you just don’t see elsewhere. I’m not just talking retro Danner Mountain Lights in all their Vibram Cristy soled glory and Cushman sweatshirts – that’s covered to death on the studious looking neo-hype sites – I like the bits that defy the homogenised online community.

Sometimes it’s nice to just get a surprise, and Japan still offers pleasantly baffling shocks to the system that aren’t fixed to a global release a month down the line. My annoying habit of looking at Zaid from SpineMagazine’s MacBook from over his shoulder to observe whatever funk rareness is being scrutinised (incidentally, it’s Spine’s 10th anniversary this year – that’s some pioneering hip-hop blogging right there, commemorative European tour with Benji B headlining starts soon) meant I kept clocking incredible images on his laptop screen. Turns out they were from DJ Muro’s blog. Muro, for those who don’t know, but really, really should know, is Tokyo’s ‘King Of Diggin’, a Tokyo-based DJ and collector who can rival the likes of Kon, Amir and Soulman for hoarded vinyl classics.

Go check the mixes – all come recommended, except maybe ‘Super Samba Breaks’. 4 hours of samba is more than anyone needs. Apart from the innate ability to rock a party, he’s also a super nice guy with some fly fashion sense. For some reason London has never managed to juggle the embracing of new hip-hop sounds and style with heavy nods to the past – Paris, Amsterdam and Tokyo seems to pull it off, while we’re split between new-school fans and those who feel hip-hop came to an end in early ‘93. On seeing a replica of a $YNDICATE tee for sale in Japan’s ‘Groove’ magazine, it just seemed like a must-buy (though where one even begins to initiate the buying process is a mystery lost in translation), whereas on most European shores, that would be corniness personified. Me? I’ll take Jim Jones (check his Twitters – recent classics, “Whts ghetto: havin a cell phone in jail lol phone time homie”, “Whts ghetto: pullin up to parole in a bentley”), Keri Hilson and Trae over any UK MC preaching a return to supposed ‘real hip-hop’.

Muro’s recent blogs chart a US trip carries images of a recent record-buying excursion to Jerry’s in Pittsburgh that indicate his passion hasn’t diminished in the slightest, a party with Chairman Mao playing nothing but offbeat and rare cover versions, plus some pics of Q-Tip playing out at Santos, complete with Diddy in the booth. In fact one of his pictures captures Sean wielding his BlackBerry, presumably at the exact point that he Twittered “R YALL DANCING WITH US???!!! We are DANCING YALL!! GET UP!! LETS GO!!!”

A fan of clothing and shoes too, let’s not forget the ‘07 10 year anniverary of SAVAGE! when a number of brands, including The North Face made a number of exclusive products to celebrate – predictably none left Japanese soil, and Muro still maintains the TNF hookup, with recent photos showing him wearing some unique-looking outerwear. He also showcased the weird, inappropriate camo Polo from Ralph Lauren, shown below in slim fit, looking really, really shit. They should’ve given Jim Jones a call to model for that shoot.

The ‘Digger Mart’ section of King Inc. might be one of my favourite online spots. Where else can you buy a Debarge t-shirt, Ralph Lauren ‘Native’ button-down, a King Of Diggin’ TNF Pertex down coat, A longbox CD copy of Puba’s ‘Reel To Reel’ and best of all, homaging the Tommy Boy promos of the past, the Stussy x Haze x Carhartt x SAVAGE! Active Jacket – another ‘07 anniversary piece? Eclectic to say the least.

While we’re talking oddities, there’s always time to mention BBPBX’s bizarre Cold Crush Brothers/Coca-Cola rugby shirt tribute.

Elsewhere online, Carhartt UK’s ‘Heritage Archive’ takes a closer look at a hand-customised Chore Coat. Having had a look at this item, it’s humbling to think that something I take to be a cheap, staple, replaceable item, could justify so much alteration from its previous owner, using it for its true workwear intent.

Picture linked from www.thenonplace.com And Steve Mann has given me one of the first cases of chronic footwear envy in quite some time via the first round Stussy Blazer samples on The Non Place. All the beauty of a mid ’70s makeup on the 1980 smaller-swooshed, shape that was traditionally leather. Damn. In early 2001 (?), they were ditching potential classics. Madness.

I’m always wondering why we don’t push more reggae here at M&J. What’s the matter with us??? Hey Joppa, you are the reggae master, you are the one supposed to spread good vibes, but damn, you are too busy with dubstep at the moment to create more nice selections (here & here), I know and understand you…

Alright, let me do that in your stead, let me celebrate the spring, but since there are too many hip hop heads around, let me add a special touch. In fact, this is not your regular Reggae mix, this is something different. Something intriguing. It’s a Super Reggae (Funk) Mix!!

Who is the real and undisputed king of digging? Mr Muro indeed. He got more vinyl than your hardisk mp3! I have bought this double CD in Tokyo last New Years Eve and it’s a lovely selection of breaks, funk covers and some others good stuff from his crates. Enjoy as usual!

Listen to DJ Muro – Super Reggae Breaks 1

Listen to DJ Muro – Suoer Reggae Breaks 2

When the funk and soul was unplugged a few months ago, the citizens of Los Angeles cried out: Please dont stop the music…their Angelino prayers have been heard – Funky Sole lives again.

LA’s longest running funk party will relocate to The Echo this Saturday night, marking it’s return to it’s East Side roots. That’s right. Sole is back – still free and still funky.

Back in 2001, Funky Sole was started at Rudolphos in Silverlake by Music Man Miles (Miles Tackett), founder of the band Breakestra and promoter of the popular LA night Root Down. Joined by DJ Egon of Stones Throw records, Tackett says they created the night as a place to ’share the raw funk music crawling out of their crates with the folks of LA.’

Music Man Miles

Soon after, the multi talented Tackett (who has produced for many including Macy Gray, Dilated Peoples, Cut Chemist, and plays bass and cello) and the Sole crew moved the party to the Star Shoes bar on the Cahuenga Boogie and was joined by guest DJ Cut Chemist. In fact, the club became a place for DJ superstars all over the globe to try out beats or dust off some hard to find tracks they’ve never had the chance to play before.

Cut Chemist at Funky Sole

Guest Djs have included DJ Muro, Cut Chemist, Keb Darge, DJ Shadow, Peanut Butter Wolf, and Andy Votel. In 2008, they also branched out into world beat psychadelia which included new Funky alum Jeremy Sole of KCRW.  “Few cats on this planet have a rare Funk & Soul collection that rivals Miles’, and even fewer have the chops to put a seamless DJ set together like our man.” says Sole, whose Afro Funke party on the West Side runs on Thursday nights.

Jeremy Sole

Funky Sole moved south a few blocks to Jimmy’s Lounge, adding a gem to their roster, musical sage DJ Clifton (aka Soft Touch) became a resident on the decks. Clifton sees the care of the crate digger as the reason for the night’s popularity.

‘I think the appeal and success of the night can be attributed to the dj’s enthusiasm for the music…We have spent small fortunes collecting records and would do so even if there wasn’t an outlet to spin. I think club goers recognize this and that enthusiasm rubs off on them…it’s also the main reason big name guests, like PBW and Lucas (MacFadden), come to play at Funky Sole. No matter how big they are or what other styles they may spin at other venues, inside they are collectors as well. Funky Sole is a place where they can come and spin records that they love but might not be appreciated elsewhere.”

Dj Clifton (Soft Touch)

That fervent love for the sound of soul doesn’t go unnoticed by both patrons and turntablists alike. Says Jeremy Sole: ”Funky Sole is the only other residency I’ve taken on in LA, because Miles and Clifton have developed the perfect sound, energy and following for this sure-shot spot.”

It is to Tackett’s credit that this club las lasted this long. When the average Hollywood bar’s shelf life is smaller than the real estate on a 45, Funky Sole has a large fan base of regulars  and  a consistently fantastic soundtrack which features new classics and rare tracks. 

Miles Tackett on the decks

Now, that it’s back on the east side, Angelinos can get down without the hassles of bridge and tunnel traffic, valet parking or other Hollywood styled amateur night insults.

Pure fun and pure funk, just the way Tackett intended it and exactly how his Sole crew serve it up each week.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/funkysole

Kenji Oga, DJ Muro, and DJ Neil Armstong

So, the very short version of this exceptionally poignant story for me and my best friend Kenji Oga goes like this…

In 1994 I met Kenji as a freshman in high school. A few years after graduating from grade 12, Kenji co-launched VintageKicks.com, now known as Flight Club. Back in 2000, Kenji put me onto a DJ that I now represent, DJ Neil Armstrong. From Kenji’s travels to and from Japan for Vintage Kicks around 2002, we got put onto another amazing mixtape rocker, DJ Muro, arguably the pioneer of Hip-Hop in JP.

From 2002 on, Kenji and I listened to Muro and Neil’s mixtapes pretty heavily. Muro’s King of Diggin’ was, and still is, straight record digging madness at its finest; and it should have been as Muro was the Indiana Jones of record digging in Japan. Likewise, Neil’s first mix, Original, exemplified a commensurate level of digging, melded with turntablist tricks. These two guys were in a class of their own and yet they had never met or communicated with one another. Lost in Translation…

DJ Muro x Lord Finesse circa 1999…

Kenji and I always thought that it would be crazy for Neil and Muro to work with one another, for Hip-Hop’s sake. Their meeting was on the big dream back burner…

Just two weeks, ago, at the tail end of 2008, arguably eight years after our first conversations, Kenji and I were sitting in one of DJ Muro’s sprawling record rooms…with Neil and Muro talking shop. Simply insane.

Be on the lookout for the slated results of this meeting in 2009…

That said, here’s to working with friends and never letting childhood dreams die…

Thanks for all of the CDs Muro! Not sure if HAZE has a copy of this in his vaults…I will be passing it on as promised…

DJ Muro's custom DJ booth (not a UFO)

Respect to Muro!

One of the things that I’ll never get over about parties in Honolulu is how I more often than not find out about them in the national press instead of locally. Front not, the world is fascinated with our island and when good things happen here the world takes notice. Case in point: original street wear brand Stussy is throwing an event at Next Door in Chinatown on the 21st of this month and I read about it tonight on HypeBeast and KicksOnFire…go figure. Not only that, but Japan’s own DJ Muro will be spinning. Only owning one DJ Muro mixtape I decided to do some investigative work to find out more. I was lucky enough to stumble upon the the following which I gladly pass along to you:

Download: DJ Muro – Live on NYU (1996)

So how good can the mix be if it’s 12 years old, right? DAMN GOOD. This guy gives a whirlwind tour of classic breaks (all original vinyl by the way – remember that this way predates Serato) that is guranteed to trip out beat heads and Hip Hop lovers alike. Not to mention that this cat is pretty nice on the wheels. And this was 12 years ago. I can only imagine what this upcoming performance will be like.

Make sure you stay tuned to HNL Hip Hop because we’ll be sure to have more details as more about this event is learned. But for Hip Hop heads that love the art of production and turntablism this looks to be a must attend event.

Super Disco Friends – Dimitri from Paris and DJ Muro [2005]

Yes, everyones favorite DJ is back. Although born in Turkey, and of Greek decent, most people simply know him as Dimitri from Paris. Or ‘Dim’ for short.

This time he has brought with him another huge underground DJ. DJ Muro from Japan. Dim’s favorite past time is record digging, and while on hunt for rare gems, he met DJ Muro. While Dim was into soul and disco, Muro was into hip-hop. But they very similar taste, because hip-hops origins and roots come from soul and disco.

DJ Muro took him to a club in Japan where he began spinning tracks. Dimitri was blown away by his skill, and also the fact that he was playing sweet jams even Dimitri could not name. Although there was a language barrier, they got along great and decided to bring their collections together to make compilation album.

DJ Muro is big into early hip-hop. A/B rhyme scheme and old school breaks. Dimitri on the other hand loves late 70’s disco and rare dance beats. The two decided to make their album a tribute to the emerging block party scene in late 70’s and early 80’s.

This album is definitely another side of Dimitri most may have not seen. Gone are his white tuxedo and 60’s MOD hair styles. Instead, as shown above, he goes for the RUN DMC leather fedora and Adidas sweats. And I gotta say its a transition that is easy for him to pull off.

I am a HUGE fan of pretty much any black inspired music of the decades all the way up to the 90’s. Soul, R&B, Funk, Disco, and Rap are all expert areas for me. While this may seem out of character to some, to me it is not at all. Rap began as a way to get the crowd going at parties. Little short rhymes here or there done over breaks in the disco songs. Its a simple and easy marriage.

The album consists of 2 CD’s. Both CD’s feature old school rap and breaks. The first one is Dimitri’s go at it called “The Underdogs”. Almost every track is pure art. My favorites right now include:

Get Fly – TJ Swan

Boggie to the Bop – Mantus and Omega 88

Family Affiar (Instrumental) – Family

Very funky. Family Affair is a AWESOME break that makes me want to work on more break-dancing moves right away. And could someone tell me who the hell TJ Swan is?!?! Man that track is hot, but I cant shake that it sounds like a rap from a dancing video game.

The second CD is DJ Muro’s turn to show his stuff. Its no wonder Dim chose him to work with. He really is one of the best hip-hop DJ’s in Japan. And he knows his stuff too! His disc is called “The Foundation”. Current favorites include:

Positive Life – Harlem World, Lovebug Starski

Nobody Can Be You – Steve Arrington’s Hall of Fame

I Just Wanna Do My Thing – Edwin Starr

Ultimate Rap (Holiday Rec) – Nice & Nasty

Ultimate Rap and Positive Life are great A/B rhyme scheme party raps. Great beats and great lyrics. I Just Wanna Do My Thing sounds like a 70s barbecue sauce commercial. In a good way. But my only criticism of Muro is not that bad at all. Its only that his tracks are all cut short. Like one of my favorites, Nobody Can Be You, is barley over a minute. I’m hungry and I want my prime cuts in large slabs.

Dimitri’s average song is 5-7 minutes long, where as Muro’s are 2-3. This may not be such a bad thing as it depends on where your coming from. Old soul and disco are known for 12″ LP’s that last forever with large instrument solos. Where as hip-hop is all about the break beat, or the small part of the song that is your favorite. So, I think this is merely a matter of taste.

I’m gonna go with 4 stars for now. Its not the best Dimitri from Paris I have heard, but it sure gives the best a run for its money. If you are looking for this kind of music, or this era, I dont think you could ever find anything more up your alley.

If you are truly a fan of music and old school beats and you have never heard of Kon & Amir or DJ Muro then you need to go back to class and realize that these three master diggers find and mix some of the rarest beats out there. Kon & Amir’s On Track Series is just simply amazing, all mixed live and all vinyl, no tracklists no nothing.

I am fortunate enough to have the entire Kon & Amir catalogue which just never ceases to reveal new beats on every listen. I also own a good chunk of the DJ Muro catalogue as well which is equally mind numbing in its brilliance of lost beats.

DJ Muro mostly releases his mixes in Japan but he joined forces with Kon & Amir in 2006 to release The Kings of Diggin’. On the liner notes to the album is the following quote which pretty much says it all:

Beat diggers and vinyl addicts don’t just buy music; They rescue it from obscurity. Crate digging has always been an integral part of hip-hop culture; producers might spend days in basements and back alley record spots looking for “the perfect beat” with dirty fingers, dust masks, portable turntables- anything to aid their quest. With sample-based production making its way back into the mainstream (shouts to Kanye, Just Blaze and Rich Harrison), it seemed the perfect time for BBE/Rapster to bring out their latest Kings of… compilation.

Watch, Listen & Learn

If you do not own any of the cd’s listed below, seek them out. These guys are the real deal! JRoxx

DJ Muro

DJ Muro – King of Diggin’ Vol. 1
DJ Muro – King of Diggin’ Vol. 2
DJ Muro – King of Diggin’ Vol. 3
DJ Muro – Summer Breeze
DJ Muro – Super Funk Breaks
DJ Muro – Super Disco Breaks
DJ Muro – Super Reggae Breaks
DJ Muro – Diggin’ Ice 96
DJ Muro – Diggin’ Ice 97
DJ Muro – Diggin’ Ice 98
DJ Muro – Diggin’ Ice 99

Kon & Amir

Kon & Amir – On Track Vol. 1
Kon & Amir – On Track Vol. 2
Kon & Amir – On Track Vol. 3
Kon & Amir – On Track Vol. 4
Kon & Amir – On Track Vol. 5
Kon & Amir – On Track Vol. 6
Kon & Amir – Uncle Junior’s Friday Fish Fry: The Cleaning
Kon & Amir – Best of On Track

BIG!!!! Ups to BoogieNoMore for tipping us off to this great video

I headed out to Brookln Museum with a friend to take in the Takashi Murakami exhibit.  It was a beautiful sunny day, I even took off my coat. It was packed!  I enjoyed the Louis Vuitton display as well as the massive paintings. Lots of friends popping up, lots of nice people to look at, all the cool kids were there.  we even managed to run into some serious Animae fans and Otaku(Geeks).  The museum offered some nice movies to watch for free.  I saw ‘Howl’s Floating Castle’, which I suggest to EVERYONE!! The fire character was a riot!   The work displayed was pretty cool and the inochi commercials were wierdly funny.  I suggest this as a nice outting for a couple, family, or a single person.  Soon it will be time for the cherry blossom festival. I cannot wait. Not a TV in sight!

M-am intors, e Boyboy, you know it like a poet.

Hai sa vorbim despre Muro. DJ Muro mai exact, “The King of Digging”, reprezentand Japonia (asa-i in Hip-Hop, cu totii trebuie sa reprezentam ceva) este un producator talentat, expert in sampling, atat de specializat in digging (definitie) incat le da lectii chiar inventatorilor sportului din NY (dovezi mai jos). Colectia proprie de viniluri este atat de mare incat are doua apartamente in Tokio inchiriate special pentru depozitarea lor. Imi aduce aminte de scena din filmul “Blow” cu Johnny Depp cand baietii faceau atat de multi bani din cocaina incat nu mai aveau loc in vila unde sa depoziteze cutiile cu bancnote (sa te uiti la film daca nu l-ai vazut). In Tokio este o piata foarte mare pentru discuri. Au de toate: motown, funk, soul, soundtrackuri de filme, de musicaluri si toate celelalte viniluri obscure pe care ti le poti inchipui si care atrag producatorii de Hip-Hop ca pe muste. Modul de operare al lui Muro nu e complicat: o data pe an vine prin America, ghiozdanul cu discuri in spate, se intalneste cu producatorii pe care ii admiram noi si le vinde diamantele neslefuite, discurile cu sampleuri extrase de el din cele mai adanci cutii prafuite. Hai sa vedem niste sesiuni de ascultare a viitoarelor hituri. Mimica lui Just Blaze si uimirea lui Alchemist sunt nepretuite. Here we go:

In filmuletul de mai sus protagonistii se intalnesc ca sa participe la albumul lui Muro, Tokyo Tribe 2 (ti l-am pregatit aici; iti recomand RapidShare, chiar daca esti stelist). Dar furnizarea de sampleuri (o forma restransa de ghostproducing) exista cu mult timp inaintea acestor colaborari. De multe ori ofertele de genul asta nu vin nici macar din partea diggerilor, ci din partea producatorilor. Cand ai un stil de protejat dar nu ai destul timp sa dedici cautarilor asa cum o faceai inainte, un furnizor (sau o echipa intreaga) te salveaza. Problema este ca adevaratii cunoscatori sunt o specie aparte si se pot simti jigniti la o astfel propunere. Si nicio suma de bani nu i-ar putea cumpara pentru ca au pastrat in sange adevarata esenta a Hip-Hopului: arta nu bani.

Cel mai bun instrumental este pe departe cel pe care au sarit Ghost si Raekwon, The Roosevelts, negativ produs de Muro insusi. De fapt Just Blaze si Alchemist au produs doar cate o melodie pe album, restul sunt creatii solo ale lui Muro. Baiatul se pricepe. Dovada evidenta ca nihongo rap suna foarte bine. Flowul e flow in orice limba. Rapul japonez nu face exceptie. Si asta in conditiile in care este destul de greu de facut hip-hop in japoneza pentru ca nu au prea multe terminatii verbale diferite si e greu de gasit rima (si nu se poate emula usor structura clasica nordamericana sau europeana a versurilor).

Ma intreb cum ar suna Vexatu Vexx in japoneza. Vex, daca citesti asta, facem un mixtape in japoneza? Aduc eu beaturi.

Boyboy, furnizorul preferat al furnizorului tau. Ichi love.