The Electrifying Mojo. Detroit. Rock Lobster.

It probably comes as no surprise, but my favorite moments on the internet are the things that are as far removed from the internet as possible. Which is a clumsy way of saying, the internet gets better the closer it gets to tangible relationships, computer-less experiences, and pre-internet histories (NisN and RI embody this perhaps better than anyone). I've done some time writing and researching about purely virtual/internet phenomenon and I can only describe it as an awkward tautological depression.

As great as the interweb is, it's comforting to know so many things still exist within histories outside its purview. In particular, I have been wanting to write about Charles "The Eletricfying Mojo" Johnson and unless my research skills fail me, little is available other than a poorly written wiki page and some brief bios. A seminal Detroit DJ from the 1970s to the 1990s, the Electrifying Mojo was first a DJ in Vietnam where he was exposed to a myriad of global sounds. When he got back to Detroit, he had a nightly show and introduced the youth of Detroit to all of these diverse sounds, not least of which was Kraftwerk. All the founders of Detroit Techno (Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Derick May, Carl Craig, et al.) site him as a major influence.

My initial search for the Electrifying Mojo came from a quote I read from 'Mad' Mike Banks, ringleader of the Detroit Techno and Afro-Futurist collective Underground Resistance - "I think he ended gang warfare in Detroit with one band. A lot of guys will know what I'm talking about. That summer (1978) the gang warfare was at a height and Mojo would get on the radio and ask for peace, pray for peace, and then drop the B52s, man. "Rock Lobster". Truthfully, you can't be too much of a tough guy while doing the rock lobster."

While the accuracy of this statement is open to debate, the sentiment behind it is remarkable and embodies the way sonic narratives, including the most absurd and wonderful pop music, can activate new social realities.


Images: Ruins of Detroit courtesy of Yves Marchand & Roman Meffre.

HIT BOOK-DNC RNC

New HIT BOOK is up! (Perhaps the best one yet!)

Posthumous Florist

I know a blog has rarely, if ever, been used to complain or critique's one job, or the institution of labor in general, so forgive this departure into a path seldom traveled by the multitudes.

Yesterday I was reminded of a dream I had before moving back to New York in February of 2006. I think I have written about it before so forgive me if this is repetitive for some of you. In the dream, I was working with a large group of friendly enough strangers. We were in a large field, in a single file line, picking flowers, each of us making a bouquet. While this sounds like a leisurely activity, it was very clear that this bouquet was highly important and I took this task seriously and with the utmost diligence. At the same time, I was in a good mood and enjoying this communal 'labor.' After a while I had put together an impressive and beautiful arrangement of flowers. From the field we moved to a smaller enclosed area, still in single file line. I don't know how, but at some point it become startlingly apparent to me that the bouquet I put together was for my own grave and that I was already dead.

Initially freaked, this ended up being one of my favorite dreams ever as it ultimately signified putting to death a former part of myself. And anyone who knew me when I was living in Texas after grad school in London knows that this was certainly a self that needed to die. Though I have haven't had a similar dream since, I am hoping that my actions yesterday (walking out on a terrible job) will similarly put to death a part of me that has been lingering around for far too long.

In a further vulgar display of banality, I put together some sweet jams related to my feelings about 'jobs' and the experience as a whole. It was hard to resist some of the more obvious inclusions (lee dorsey working on the coal mine, NIN head like a hole, temple of the dog hunger strike and any number of kinks songs). If nothing else, it made me realize that for some reason I associate being malcontent at a job with singers' named 'Lee.'

Posthumous Florist
1. lee hazlewood pray them bars away*
2. soft machine hope for happiness
3. skip bifferty money man
4. doris waiting at the station
5. lee dorsey who's gonna help brother get further
6. gamers in exile I am a decent man
7. the 24-carat gold food stamps
8. the people's victory orchestra and chorus a long way from home
9. lee hazlewood wait till next year
10. townes van zandt waitin around to die
11. beck forcefield
12. gorky's zygotic mynci shore light
13. the free design going back
14. lee dorsey a mellow goodtime
15. purple image marching to a different drummer

*technically a song about prison but I think it is apt.

Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest (1956-66) Pt. 2

Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon Steal Away to Jesus

Bessie Jones & Children from the Downtown Community School I'm Gonna Lay Down my Life for my Lord


Malvina Reynolds No Hold in my Head

Minimalism, Early 1990s

Del 'Catch A Bad One' (1993)

Scarface 'Money and the Power' (1992)

Mobb Deep 'Shook Ones Pt. II' (1995)

Festival Rock y Ruedas de Avándaro, 1971

In early May of this year, Kindling and I went to watch her sister graduate from the fine institution of RISD. I was terribly sick and finding myself at a college party the first night I attempted to counteract my sickness with a healthy amount of George Dickel Whiskey. Anyone familiar with this product will know that this didn't work. I am intimately familiar with hangovers but I have never felt worse than I did the next day. As such, the commencement speech by Lauri Anderson that morning was less than exhilarating.
In all honesty I've never meet a more charming family but making it through a celebratory dinner with the O'Rourkes that evening was challenging. At any rate, all weekend, for reasons that I think are clear, the phrase Mexican Hippie pervaded my already sensitive consciousness.
Festival Rock y Ruedas de Avándaro, September 11th & 12th, 1971. Toluca, Estado de Mexico.
Rock y Ruedas performers Los Dug Dugs
Get it Here

The Cosmic Body, 1975

For our 1 year anniversary (June 22) Molly got me several incredible gifts, one of which was this bafflingly amazing book, The Cosmic Body: The Creative Evolution of Intelligent Energy by Peter Davis. Apparently she had to haggle quite a bit at Spoonbill & Sugartown as it was originally not priced. While mostly new age philosophy (and poetry), the visuals leave me speechless. Though I haven't fully read it, in my brief overview I can't help notice how much Deleuze & Guattari often mirror the ramblings of new age California hippies, or rather teachings of the "cosmic life energy tradition" as noted on the back of the book.

Wah Lay

Put this in the category of posts that should of happened two months ago- I finally got around to downloading Wale's The Mixtape about Nothing and I haven't stop listening to it since. Far too much in there to write about so I will suggest that in the off chance you don't already have it, get it now! Especially if you love Kanye but feel his cleverness (or his ghostwriters') far outshines his delivery and it always leaves you a bit disappointed (as it does me). The Kramer, his song about the Michael Richards incident is particularly brilliant; Wale manages to tackle the subject and the n-word deftly while avoiding the usual trappings. A mixtape themed around Seinfeld with Bun B, Pusha T, Lil Wayne, and Chris Partlow (Wale's cousin) shout outs is already aces but Wale's verses alone are extraordinary.
Wale - The Mixtape about Nothing (2008) Part 1. Part 2.

Twins. Prayers. Rejoice.

To mark this special day, I put a few songs together about twins, children, prayers, and overall rejoice! Its a pretty standard dmp affair; the usual suspects are represented (clipse, ac, dp's) and some personal 'oldies' came out of hiding (manitoba, solvent). To say some if it is twee is an understatement but I suppose that is only fitting. Here is the intended song order. Once in iTunes they will probably be out of order (sorry) so may be adjust the track numbers, but feel free to enjoy it however you see fit!

Prayers for Twins
1. we all together - children
2. manitoba - kids you'll move mountains
3. velvet underground - i'm sticking with you
4. dirty projectors - two young sheeps
5. animal collective - we tigers
6. clipse - young boy
7. solvent - tonka truck
8. the people's victory orchestra and chorus - children's anthem (let us sing a love song)
9. odetta - this little light of mine
10. malvina reynolds - love is something (the magic penny)
11. free design - lullaby
12. this heat - sleep

Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest (1965-66) Pt. 1

In the mid 1960's Pete Seeger hosted a low budget television program, Rainbow Quest, in which he invited various blues, folk, and old-time musicians to perform. The Johnny Cash appearance gets a lot of play, but it is the performances by Elizabeth Cotton, Reverend Gary Davis, and Mississippi John Hurt that are absolute treasurers. While this is truly a singular moment in American history, my hope is that we will soon see Kanye West's Rainbow Quest with a similarly low budget. Don't sleep!

Mississippi John Hurt You Got to Walk that Lonesome Valley

Reverend Gary Davis Oh Glory, How Happy I Am (With two young Hippies watching, Donovan & Shawn Phillips. The song doesn't get going until a few minutes in, but don't miss it. )

Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee Easy Rider

Elizabeth Cotton Freight Train