The Bag Messenger- Music For Your Block Party
- May 17, 2010
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Its official folks, we are now in the midst of block party season. Thats right, its time to get out side, dust off the grill, and meet your neighbors in the middle of the street for an all day summer time shindig. One thing that is sure to ruin a block party quicker than you can say "rain", "Debo" or "stale hamburger buns", is lack of good block party music. What exactly is "good block party music" you ask? The simple answer is music that everyone know, but the truth is finding common ground when it comes to music is difficult. If you live on a block with a range of folks, walking this line can be a daunting task. The classics your neighbor Gladys wants to hear were released almost certainly on Motown, The Sound of Philadelphia, and Stax. We can also tell you that the kids that will show to eat all the hot dogs will have a very different list. Any DJ worth their head shells will tell you to play "the classics", keep the vibe fun, and offer to do this at your party for a fee. Although we would love to DJ your block party, we here at Tucker & Bloom are in the business of selling bags, and can save you a buck or two by spilling the beans on how to heat up your block party with only a few albums. The answer? Celebrate diversity! Here's a short run of some soulful albums to help you get off on the right foot. Just remember who saved your block party next time you need a bag.
-THE BAG MESSENGER
Motown Beats Vol. 1 by veteran DJ and producer Coolout. Twenty-eight tracks of pure block party middle ground music. Familiar enough that Gladys will reminisce, and peppy enough that you'll be able to flip burgers all night.
El Michels Affair is the group that put out "Enter the 37th Chamber" an album in which they replayed classic Wu Tang cuts. Their second album "Sounding Out The City" is good middle ground funk that you can play during the day. Perfect squirt gun dodging music.
Jazzy hip hop group Digable Planets Blow Out Comb is a classic, and also about as accessible a hip hop record as you can find...plus the vocals are low enough in the mix that the lyrics don't get in anyones way.
Michael Jackson's Off The Wall... need we say more? Hits
Never trust a person who doesn't dance to James Brown. Seriously
Classic Sunny day music from the king of the vibes Roy Ayers.
These Verve Remix albums are a great way to bridge the generation gap. Pick your flavor, house, downtempo, hip hop. Truly something for everyone on these.