Al Kent - Secret Sounds Promotional Video

Short film featuring Al Kent talking about his upcoming LP release on the BBE label, Secret Sounds.

You can check a couple of the tracks on a pre release EP HERE

New Podcast

Here's a new hour long podcast from me.


LISTEN HERE

Some Pictures From Last Nights Party

Me with Rahaan & Jeff White



Me with Zernell & Sean Sounds



Me spinning



Boogienite spinning



Rahaan Spinning

P.Skillz @ Lava Lounge, Chicago with Sean Sounds

I'm going to be playing at the Lava Lounge, Chicago this Monday, for anyone in the area. Also playing will be Sean Sounds who is an awesome DJ and also runs the excellent BRING THE HEAT site. If you haven't been on Bring The Heat yet you should check it out today.

R.I.P. Roc Raida

Gutted to hear DJ Roc Raida passed away this week aged only 37. He was one of the best at what he did & I couldn't even count the amount of hours I must have spent watching footage of him, when I was heavily in to the Turntablist thing. A sad loss, rest in peace.

Percy & Them - Shake It (DJ Red Greg Edit)

Great edit of the Percy & Them track Shake It by London DJ Red Greg. The original is a spin for a few on the soul scene. Great track & really nice edit too. This features on the Red Greg mix which is on Independent Movement. If you haven't listened to it yet then download it today.

P.Skillz spinning in Chicago Sat Oct 10th

If you're in the Chicago area on Saturday October 10th them come down to this. Will be a pure dirty disco beatdown featuring Myself & some of Chicago's finest dj's - Boogienite, Rahaan, Brian Reeves & Bullit.

THIS EVENT WILL ALSO BE STREAMED LIVE @ www.stickam.com/djboogieniteFOR THOSE THAT CAN'T MAKE IT TO CHICAGO FOR THE EVENT.

Nice Video

Stumbled across this today. Nice video with Mc Stig from Newcastle who used to hype for me years ago at a night I used to DJ at. Good to see someone from Newcastle doing some cool stuff. Also featuring the Scratch Perverts amoung others.

Keb Darge Interview

Here's an interview legendary record digger & DJ Keb Darge did a few years ago for a German site. Keb is entertaining & the interview is pretty interesting. There are another 4 parts to it on this link HERE

Kings Go Forth

I really love Kings Go Forth so thought I would do a post. They are one of a few bands making new music that sounds just as good as a lot of classic soul from the 70's IMO. I really like this track and it is available to buy now. You can buy it DIRECT FROM THE BAND or from places like JUNO. Find out more about the band HERE

Jeff White Guest Mix

I just got sent a new guest mix by Chicago's Jeff White. If you like the early 80's sound then you will like this. He also sent me a bio to go with it, so there is not much more for me to add. Enjoy the mix and leave Jeff some comments or shouts. Here's what Jeff had to say:


"My journey into becoming a DJ began in 1981. I was in a dance group called “The Boy scouts” we were at this club in Chicago called The Playground. The resident DJ was Farley Funkin’ Keith, now known as Farley Jack Master Funk. He was one of the hottest DJ’S back in that time. Listening to him spin, the tricks, the blends, and the records he played, grabbed me by the collar. I enjoyed the way the crowd responded to the way Farley was playing, how he held their attention, never letting them go.

Month’s later I bought a pair of Technic turn- tables and a Teledyn mixer. I began my record collecting by purchasing records from stores like Import ECT, Loop records, Second Hand Tunes & Gramma Phone. Just to name a few, songs like “Keep On Dancing,” “Keep Your Body Working,” “Martin Circus” “Klein MBO Theme,” were some of the hottest records out.

Now as I began maturing in music Disco and Garage became another one of my passions. From the playground I went to Mendell, Sauers, C.O.D.’s, Bismarck hotel and other parties. At C.O.D’s, there was this Dj by the name of Lil Louis. He was one of the hottest dj’s in the 80’s of the house scene in Chicago, as well as a very dynamic producer. He really touched me with his tracks and the mixture of disco. There would be five hundred + people at these parties. No one going home until the wee hours of the morning.

But it wasn’t until I heard the great late, legendary, Ron Hardy spinning at this club called The Muzic Box, which was located on Lower Wacker Drive. From the time you walked into the Box you were captivated, put in a trance. It was dark, with only the brightness of the flashing strobe lights bouncing off of the walls. The sound system was one of the best in the city. Ron Hardy knew how to grab the crowd. He knew how to work the crowd. He made many edits of certain records, and he was even a record producer. With his style and the system no track or record ever sounded the same.

This made me want to really learn the craft. I began trying different things with records until I developed my own style. I have had the pleasure of spinning at clubs such as Retno 5, The Concrete Jungle, Jackson Harbor Bar & Grill, Hi Ricky’s, The Fiz Bar, Slicks, Family Den just to name a few.

Some of the past Dj’s who were a major influence on me were: Farley, Steve Hurley, and Ron Hardy, Lil Louis, & Frankie Knuckles. Some of my present influences: Mark Grusane (www.mrpeabodyrecords.com), Mike Cole (www.mrpeabodyrecords.com) Sean Sounds (www.bringtheheat.com much love, and Baby Funk Roy, Joseph, Colbourne ( He’s the real deal!!!! ) also I must not forget Soul in the Hole’s Lee Collins and Sardar Bahar.

I do a mix show every Sunday on: www.stickam/jeff_white (Via video cast LIVE) . Also mix are featured on http://soundcloud.com/jeff_white and www.bringtheheat.com


(((((Open your mind and let the creativity flow through.))))) "



LISTEN HERE

New Unmixed Mix

It's been a while since I posted anything but I don't seem to have much spare time at the moment. Anyway I had a spare hour yesterday so I just played some records for an hour and recorded an unmixed mix. The tracks are modern soul with a few boogie tracks towards the end.

I'm going to try and get back to regular posting again.

Playlist:

Tal Armstrong : You've Got So Much Feeling (In Your Love)
Oscar Perry: Teasin' Me
The Imaginations: Perfect Pair
Little Beaver: Listen To My Heart Beat
Freeway: Get The Feelin'
Spade Brigade: I'm Your Man
Jeff Floyd: Don't Leave Me
James Bradley: Can't Get Enough Of Your Love
Sweet James Epps: Searching
Enchantment: I Know Your Hotspot
George Hill: Do It while It's Hot
Phase II: Follow Me
Rideout: Someone Special
RDS: Magic Wand

LISTEN HERE

New Ian Wright mix on Independent Movement

London's Mark G has just posted a new Ian Wright guest mix on his site Independent Movement, which I have been enjoying this week. If you haven't been on his site then check it out. The mixes section has loads of quality mixes from Mark & guests such as Keb Darge, Rahaan, Boogienite & Sadar to name a few. I've also been playing the Marco Santucci one a lot in the car this week. Do yourself a favour & check his site out today and download all the mixes for free.

CHECK IT HERE


UPDATE: the podcasts are really good too. I especially like the January one. You can check them HERE

Rainbow Disco

Someone posted this clip on a forum I go on & I thought I would share it. If you need to hire a DJ for a party, get this guy in. Rainbow Disco y'all.

New mix: P.Skillz - Because I Love You

Here's a quick unmixed mix which I did this afternoon. It's all soul tracks about love. I made it up as I went along. The needle skips twice about half way through but that is how it is, I can't be bothered to re record it or edit it. Anyway hope you enjoy the tracks.

LISTEN HERE

New Blog: Kojak Giant Sounds

DJ Ionik from Finland has started a new blog called Kojak Giant Sounds. The site will focus on: "the sounds and sights of deep disco, underground boogie and modern soul music in it´s purest, finest and rawest form. I´ll also be dippin´ into house & hip hop from time to time - mainly trying to focus on the more soulful side of things".

Should be good so check it out HERE

Free Truth & Soul Sampler

For a limited time, Emusic and Truth & Soul are offering a free sampler that includes various tracks from the T&S catalogue. From El Michels Affair to Lee Fields, Bronx River Parkway to Quincy Bright. More info on the label HERE

Go HERE to download all 12 tracks for free.

Doin' It

Second post tonight is "Doin' It" by Virtues. I've heard another version of this with vocals on, but I think I prefer this version.


LISTEN HERE

Ron Preyer

It's been a while since I posted any vinyl rips, so I thought I would post a couple of things. The first post tonight is a nice two step soul cut from Ron Preyer called "If you don't want my love". I'm finding myself listening to more laid back records at the moment which is a sign of getting old I think.

LISTEN HERE

Apologies

Sorry, I've been a bit slack with the posts recently as I've been mad busy. I have some spare time this week though so will post a new mix and some rips.

NEW GUEST MIX - DJ CHRIS RAY

Here's the latest guest mix for you to enjoy. This one was sent to me by Chicago DJ Chris Ray. Chris plays pure heat whenever he spins & he also makes some real nice Disco edits, there are a few of them on this mix. Any way check his mix out & don't be scared to leave feedback if you like what you hear.

LISTEN HERE

UPDATE:

By request Chris sent in the playlist:

1. Wheel Me out - Was Not Was
2. Keep On Movin' - Phillip & Llyod (Kon & Amir edit)
3. Jealousy - Natural Order (Z.G. edit)
4. Do Right - Teddy Pendegrass (Z.G. edit)
5. Corazon - LTG Exchange
6. What A Difference A Day Makes - Esther Phillips PME (my edit)
7. Your Ego - Dj Rush
8. Send In The Clowns - Lorenz Alexander PME (my edit)
9. Whip Raff - Dj Rush
10. Big Tyme - Smokey Robinson (my re-edit)
11. I'm On my Way - Candido PME (my edit)
12. I Don't Wanna Change - Untitled (too lazy to look for record) lol
13. Are You Ready - Delilah
14. People Walk By - Untitled
15. Joyous - Black Cock edit aka DJ Harvey
16 No Corner Love - Untitled
17. You're Just the right size - Jeffery Turpin
18. You Can't Hold Her - Chin Chin PME (my edit)
19. Movin' - Ray Camacho PME (my edit)
20. Mark Of The Beast - Willie Hutch

RE POST: DJ ELWOOD GUEST MIX

I have re upped this guest mix from last year. This was a Valentines special, from Brooklyn's DJ Elwood, called "The Grown 'n Sexy Warm Up". Elwood runs the excellent Every Few Day's I'm Hustling site, which if you are a regular visitor to my site you will have seen mentioned before. It's on my links if you haven't checked it already or you can check it HERE. This is a live mix of some nice smooth jams. I certainly like this mix & I hope you all do too. Send Elwood a shout if you like this. Thanks for the mix Elwood.


LISTEN


Playlist below;

DJ Elwood - The Grown 'n Sexy Warmup
01. Rahsaan Patterson - Burnin'
02. Amp Fiddler - Eye To Eye
03. Booster - You're The One
04. Juicy - Sugar Free
05. Angela Winbush - Treat You Right
06. Chuckii Booker - Games
07. Keni Burke - Risin' To The Top
08. Mixed Emotions - Never Gonna Stop
09. Groove Armada - My Friend
10. Karyn White - Weakness
11. Maxwell - Ascension
12. Sade - Paradise
13. Ledisi - Joy
14. Peven Everett - Testin' Me
15. Joyce Sims - Come Into My Life
16. Loose Ends - Stay A Little While Child
17. Sunshine Anderson - Heard it All Before (quantic rmx)
18. Luther Vandross - Shine
19. Stevie Wonder - Love Light In Flight
20. Maze - Joy & Pain (live)
21. Kleeer - Tonight
22. The Jones Girls - At Peace with Woman

RE POST: Cashmere - Do It Any Way You Wanna (P.Skillz Edit)

Here's a quick edit I did a few years ago of Cashmere's Do It Any Way You Wanna. I have always loved the track, but don't like the way the track starts, as it's difficult to mix in. The instrumental starts better, so I chopped the start off the instrumental & put it as the start of the vocal version, so that it is better to mix in.

LISTEN

320 KBPS

RE POST: Candye - Talk To Me (P.Skillz Edit)

Here's a repost as all my old links went down when z-share changed their server. This was a quick edit I made a couple of years ago. I basically chopped the drums, guitar & vocal sample of "Talk to me" then replayed it to extend the intro & outro so this would be easier to mix when DJing. I have not changed the track much, just extended it really. The original is "Talk to Me" by Candye. This was produced by Kevin McCord, who was in One Way, who made some classic tracks also such as "Pop What You Got".

LISTEN HERE

A Couple Of My Edits

Here's a couple of my edits to listen to while I decide on what I'm going to post this week.

LISTEN HERE

LISTEN HERE

P.Skillz BTH Mix

Apologies for the lack of posts over the last few months, lack of spare time & loss of interest after all my links went dead are the main factors for not posting. I'm going to get back to regular posting in 2009. To start off here's a 30 min mix I sent to another site. I just did the mix live and made it up as I went along, I'm not really into planning mixes and editing them so it's a bit rough in places. I'm going to do some new mixes in the next week or so to post & I also have some new guest mixes lined up.


LISTEN HERE

BSTC - Jazz In Outer Space

Love this shit. New disco played by a live band. I need to pick up their LP for sure.

Dennis Coffey Lecture On Red Bull Music Academy

I got sent the link for this today & I haven't watched it yet, but you know a lecture by Dennis Coffey is going to be the shit. Thanks to Davide for sending me the details.

WATCH THE LECTURE HERE

Below is what the Red Bull Music Academy site had to say about the lecture:

DENNIS COFFEY
Detroit, USA

It started in late 1968 with a marvelously fuzzed-out guitar riff at a Motown recording session. But Dennis Coffey’s electrifying axe-for-hire didn’t just fuel the Temptations’ psych soul classic Cloud Nine (amongst countless other Hitsville hits), it staked a counter-culture freak flag in Berry Gordy’s Sound of Young America, and helped usher in an era of ultimate breaks and beats that reigned supreme through the ‘70s. Coffey and his Detroit Guitar Band’s repertoire of funk bombs – Scorpio, Getting It On, Son Of Scorpio, Ride Sally Ride, Theme From Black Belt Jones, etc. – enjoyed much-deserved prolonged life when the likes of Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa started spinning them at South Bronx park jams late in the decade. But by then Coffey and partner Mike Theodore had already gone on to produce and record a number of disco and Loft classics (C.J. & Co.’s We Got Our Own Thing and Devil’s Gun, as well as his own Wings Of Fire) that bookend-ed the era before returning to his native Detroit. His distinctive fretwork now sample fodder on too many digi-age tracks to keep track of, Dennis still resides back home, where he gigs with great frequency and popularity, forever the pride of the Motor City.

Problem With Files

All of the files on this site are hosted by zshare. I have noticed that the download links don't work anymore. I read on a forum that due to them installing a new server all files uploaded before the 14th of October no longer work. I just uploaded something today & it works fine, so this may be the case. I will start to re-upload some of the files again, I will change the link to say "LINK RE-POSTED" when a file has been updated so that people know which files have been re upped.

Photo's From Rare Funkshun & DJ Boogienite Guest Mix (Link Re-Posted)

Here's some photo's from Rare Funkshun in Newcastle last Saturday. Props to the guest DJ's Al Kent & Boogienite & also everyone who came out.

I have also posted a mix from Chicago's DJ Boogienite, who was one of the guest DJ's for you to listen to.

LISTEN TO BOOGIENITE MIX HERE



Boogienite & some new friends:



Boogienite & Al Kent:

P.Skillz & Al Kent:

Some people dancing:


Al Kent on the one's & two's:

Al Kent Interview On Secret Rendezvous Site

There's an excellent interview with Al Kent, who is the guest at my night this month, on new blog Secret Rendezvous. Check it HERE

Rare Funkshun Night Newcastle UK

I have a new night starting in Newcastle, UK called Rare Funkshun. The first night is Saturday 27th of September at The Other Rooms, Newcastle Upon Tyne. The aim is to put on a monthly Funk, Soul & Disco club. Our goal is to serve up the very best in forgotten, quality, black music from the 70s and early 80s – Deepfunk, Underground Disco, Modern Soul and Rare Grooves . We will be bringing in specialist DJ's from around the world, who play rare soulful music.

Joining me on the first night will be guest DJ's:
Disco edit king Al Kent, who runs the Million Dollar Disco site. He has also just recently released the excellent Million Dollar Orchestra LP on the Barely Breaking Even label. Read more on Al Kent HERE

Also flying in for an exclusive UK date will be Chicago's DJ Boogienite. DJ Boogienite is a member of the Chicago based DJ Crew The Chuck Bros. Boogienite is a DJ & Producer who came up spinning on the underground Chicago party scene. His sets feature Soulful, Underground Disco music.

Promises to be a good night, so if you are in the area come through & enjoy the disco beatdown.

Just Got Back From NY & Chicago

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I've been away in the USA this week visiting people in Chicago & NY. I met loads of cool people, had some good food, drank loads & picked up some good records (perfect trip really). Big City Records is a great shop, if you are ever in NY be sure to check it out. I saw Lord Finesse in there digging for beats. Picked up a few nice records in Chicago too. Thanks to all the people who hooked me up while I was there. I will post a mix with some of my new records in the next few days. I have put a few of my pictures from the trip below (thanks to Connie & Boogie for sending me the pictures)
















Out & about in NY














Me with two members of the Chicago based Chuck Brothers DJ crew, Boogienite & Cee White (thanks for looking after me in Chicago. Boogie's BBQ food was awesome)















Chicago beauties Soul Sista & F-Me (Soul Sista's fish patties were to die for)















Me with Chicago DJ's Cee White & DJ Darryn

Live Radio

I will be broadcasting live today, Wednesday 9th July from 11pm BST (That's 6pm EST) for about 4 or 5 hours. There will be Deep Disco, Funk, Soul, Boogie & Hip Hop. Check it HERE

Ease The Pain (File Re Posted)

This track is Snooky & "Ease The Pain", which was produced by Kevin McCord. Kevin McCord was part of One Way, a group which also featured Al Hudson & Alicia Myers amongst others. In the early 80's they produced some nice synth drive, funk tracks such as "Pop What You Got" & "Mr Groove". This track was produced by McCord under the name Snooky & is a slice of early 80's funk in a similar type of style as Zapp. I'll do a label scan later tonight, when I get home. Play this loud & dance like Mc Hammer on crack.


LISTEN NEW LINK

New Shit Coming Soon

I've slept a bit with the posting on this site recently. I'm gonna post some new stuff this weekend, so check it out.

I'm starting a new monthly night in Newcastle, UK, starting the end of September. I'll post details shortly.

In the mean time I will be spinning live on Stickam tonight from Midnight BST (that is 5 hours ahead of EST, so from 7pm for people in NY) I'll be playing Funk, Deep Disco, Soul, Boogie, Breaks, Electro & Old Hip Hop. Log on & check it out. To listen go to http://www.stickam.com/pskillz

Live Radio

I will be broadcasting live this Thursday 19th June from 9pm until 2am BST. I will try & stick to this time every Thursday moving forward.I will be playing less well known cuts from the 70's & 80's. There will be Deep Disco, Funk, Soul, Boogie & Hip Hop. Check it HERE

Or even better log on & send some messages while I am playing.

UPDATE: I will be spinning live Tuesday 24th June 10pm until 2am BST (which is 6 hrs ahead of CST for people in Chicago).