Digging is looking for records 6-7 days a week, every week.
Digging is starting at 8:00AM and stopping at Midnight.
Digging is climbing into attics, basements and barns that most sane people would think is nuts.
Digging is driving 2,000 miles in 8 days to flip through 3 million records to take home 500.
Digging is knocking door to door in a town/neighborhood to find one specific record.
Digging is pulling into a podunk town and going to the barbershop to ask if they know anyone with records.
Digging is never giving up.
Digging is knowing the name of every employee in every Thrift Shop in your town.
Digging is being able to go into a collection after other "diggers" have hit it and walk away with decent stuff.
Digging is being that guy that some local store owners are afraid to sell to.
Digging is having your business card at every Mini-Storage place in town.
Digging is being the guy that the "stuff behind the counter" is being held for.
Digging is about teaching young guys the ropes.
Digging is about always sharing multiple copies with your fellow digger.
Digging is what I do.
Man I wouldn't do any of that shit.
you should print that up like some kind of motivational poster and sell it to the crusties at the records shows thow. The poster should probably have a picture of a wolf in there too somewhere and somebody doing something extreme, and then a sillouette of a native american staring proudly into the distance.
The poster should probably have a picture of a wolf in there too somewhere and somebody doing something extreme, and then a sillouette of a native american staring proudly into the distance.
I was thinking more of a banjo playing dude with a Top Hat being chased by rednecks.
Basics of Crate Digging - Still Lookin' for the Perfect Beat Before reading a copy of Big Daddy and logging onto eBay to buy a $1000.00 copy of Third Guitar you might wanna read this first.
An often overlooked element of hip hop, record collecting has been an integral part of the culture since day one. From the days of Bam's infamous collection to the current culture of eBay and reissues there has been a need to have the illest and most unknown breaks. Since its birth, Hip Hop has always been about flipping records whether rocking the party or making a beat, it all comes down to the records you have and how creative you can be. Now with the internet there's a double edge situation. Diggers can finally find that copy of Stark Reality they've been looking for, while every herb with a link to the Sample Faq and his parents credit card can go buckwild. Knowledge is gained in stages so you need to start with the basics. You can't jump into funk 45's without going thru the CTI or the Capitol catalog first. There's a lot of information to go thru so to help you weed thru the wack I've laid down some simple guidelines that should help you get started.
1. Buy a portable turntable. I wish I would have done this when I started out. It'll save you money in the long run and keep you from coming home with wackness. The game is hit and miss but that'll help you out ??? ba-lee-dat!
2. Timeline/Song Titles: Looking at the year that the record came out can save your ass. Don't just look at the cover cause you can end up going home with some pre smooth jazz or proto disco weakness. The key years for most dope records are between 1968 and 1975. You can find some heat all the way into the 80's but to keep it simple you should stick to around these years. Also check the song listings on the back. Covers of songs like Put Your Hand in The Hand and Get Out My Life Woman deliver a break 9 times outta 10
3. Labels: Most labels like CTI, Prestige, People etc. kept to the same musical format, so finding something you like and checking other albums on the same label can sometimes help you find more of what you're looking for.
4. Musicians/Instruments: Reading who played on the album (ie. Bernard Purdie, Idris Muhammed etc.) can help you out as you begin to learn more about the musicians who play on a lot of these records. Most of the time it'll give you an idea of the type of style and sound of the record. Also read what instruments are played. If you see banjo and spoons you should probably think twice, but clav, rhodes, horns, etc. are usually safe bets.
5. Don't Limit What You Look For: Just because you see a guy with an afro doesn't mean its a dope record and just because you see a bunch of rednecks doesn't mean its wack. Most people would stay away from Black Oak Arkansas by the cover alone. Small unheard of groups and labels, college and high school bands, movie soundtracks etc can sometimes deliver the heat you so desire. Keep an open mind - most of the cats from that time did when it came to music.
6. Ask Anyone and Everyone for Records: A lot of records I got were free (or at least hella cheap). People tend to want to get rid of their space consuming records so take advantage of that. Ask people at your job, your neighbors and relatives if they want to get rid of their collection. I had a lady come into my work one time and the topic of records came up. Next thing you know she drove back with a crate for free. I got home and found Scores in there so don't be afraid to open your mouth.
7. Where to Go: Thrift stores, Salvation Army, garage sales, record conventions, trades, even putting a want ad in paper can yield the funk.
8. E-Digging: Before you spend your (or your kids) college tuition on eBay see #7. Its important to get your hands dirty before resorting to the internet. There's still a lot to be found out there so get off you ass and find it!
9. Talk to Other Diggers: Having a friend that digs can put you up on stuff you might have passed up or didn't know about. A lot of the knowledge gets passed this way.
10. Reissues and Comps: Ahhh the touchiest subject of them all. My feeling is, if you don't have $50 to spend on a record you may never even find then grab the brand new $9.99 copy. Some of the reissues are here and gone so do whatcha gotta do. BUT...don't get crazy with it, I try to keep my reissues to a minimum. If you get out and dig then you should be able to cop one now and then, but nothing can take the place of an original that you've been looking for and find after hours of getting your hands dirty. Comps can give you info on artists you might not have heard before (but if its on a comp you probably won't find it without dropping BIG change!) and they're both safer to take out and dj with than the originals. It all depends on your digging ethics. This has always been a controversial topic and will probably continue to be.
That about sums up the basics, now some records to get you started.
CTI/KUDU - (I recommend starting with this label.)
"Kudu, an African mammal with long spiked horns, connoted Black pride in an era that was very politicized by such things. Even the logo for Creed Taylor's first subsidiary label used the colors of the African flag to signal its mission, which Taylor described as "a black awareness label, more commercial oriented than CTI and indigenous to the black popular music of the United States."
Hey, if CTI is good enough for People Under the Stairs to jack their logo, its good enough for you! These records are around are are affordable so get ta lookin'! (*see resources for more info.)
Some must have CTI's :
Bob James 1 thru 3 Deodato - Prelude Grover Washington Jr. - Feels So Good Mister Magic Reed Seed Live at the Bijou A Secret Place
Jazz Records to get you started:
1. Herbie Hancock - Headhunters: A great record. No real "breaks" on here but its still a must have. 2. Billy Cobham - Spectrum/Crosswinds: both dope records, a little too hectic at times, but they have some solid cuts. 2. John Klemmer - Blowin' Gold/Magic Moments: If you can't find Blowin' Gold grab Magic Moments. Its a "best of" compilation that has "Free Soul". 3. The Crusaders - Southern Comfort/Chain Reaction: more all around dope records. I love these guys. There's also quite a few notable samples on these. 4. Tom Scott - Tom Cat/Tom Scott and the LA Express: Tom Cat's a mellow album with some really dope moments.TS & the LA Express has the classic break "Sneakin' in the Back". 5. Donald Byrd - Places and Spaces: classic. classic. classic. 6. Ramsey Lewis - Mother Natures Son/Maiden Voyage: MNS is slept on, there's some really good cuts on there and Maiden Voyage has a nice drum break, also the sample for "Case of the PTA" by LONS. 7. Bobbi Humphry - Bobbi Humphrey's Best: comp of some of her best songs (Harlem River Drive, Uno Esta) on one LP. If you can't find Blacks and Blues, Satin Doll etc. cop this. 8. Ronnie Laws - Pressure Sensitive: another classic record with the O.G. for "Who Got Da Props" by Black Moon. 9. Les Crane - Desiderata: weird sort of spoken word album with some nice drums 10. Quincy Jones - You've Got it Bad Girl: has the cut "Summer in the City" which the Pharcyde used for "Passin' Me By". Superstition has a pretty funky intro and there's some samplable moments on there. Not to mention the theme from Sanford and Son. Now you can put on a show for your family in that dump you call a room.
Soul Records
1. Marvin Gaye - Here My Dear/I Want You: Two of my personal favorites from one of the greatest. 2. Donnie Hathaway - Live: one of THE best covers of "What's Goin' On". He gives Marvin a run fo
r his money with that one. Plus the classic "Little Ghetto Boy". Donnie was one of the best. 3. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life/Innervisions: man I shouldn't have to say ANYTHING about these. 4. Bill Withers - Still Bill/Just as I Am: the classic "Still Bill" break and Better Off Dead make these two a sure shot. 5. Heatwave - Too Hot to Handle: has the "get you outta any shitty party situation" cut "Aint No Half Steppin" and some nice mellow jawns. 6. Al Green - I'm Still in Love With You: you can't go wrong with Al's buttery voice. Play this for the ladies and watch the panties drop, then watch yours slide off when those drums come in. 7. Ray Goodman & Brown - ST: classic break "Another Day" used by Brand Nubian for "Wake Up" 8. James Brown - Popcorn: Instrumental album that was recently reissued. You can still find it around tho you might have to make a visit to eBay for this one. 9. Minnie Riperton - Adventures in Paradise: made famous from the cut "Inside My Love", "Baby This Love I Have" is the banger. Both sampled my Tribe. 10. The Ojays - Survival: the party rockin cut "Give the People What They Want" lives on this album. Get doubles to impress your friends!
These are records from my crates that I still see around from time to time. Like I said these are to help get you started. They should be pretty easy to get if you have patience and dig. Some will be easier than others and not all of these will have a massive drum break or a 5 second sample that so and so used. These are records I recommend that are good to listen to and start your collection with.
The rest of us are dudes who buy records and help put the "real diggers" kids through college.[/b]
I think there are more like 40 real diggers here.
real diggers have crapped their own pants rather than leave their stack unattended.
real diggers have callouses on their elbows from shoving people away from the box they are going though OR from butting into the box that somebody else is already digging in.
The rest of us are dudes who buy records and help put the "real diggers" kids through college.[/b]
I think there are more like 40 real diggers here.
Dude not to poke or joke, but do you got your daughter helping/looking/asking for you on the side, seems like the right thing to do, seriously?
Nah...they both have "real" lives.......however, my wife goes digging with me every week......checks condition for me.....even pulls a gem now and then.
Best part is she also wants to sit down at night and listen to what we found.
All i ever want is eddy peabody records and dudes are always like "oh yeah, i see those all the time" but then they never have any to sell me and i sure as hell don't have the time to be "digging". i'll go to the record show and say "do you have any eddy peabody or jazz banjo records" and the answer is always "no" or "i think i have some at home but i did not bring them to the show" and i'm like 'well F*ck you then' and then once in a while i'll go into record city and be like 'you got any banjo records yet?' and the old guy will be like 'no but i saw one at that one thrift on el cajon but i dont know if its jazz banjo' and i'm like 'motherfucker i'm not going to a thrift store you should have just bought that shit'.
Remember that dude from Baldimore with the jazz records on his porch? I saw him a few months ago. And he said, "That Chinese dude you was with was intense." I replied, "Yeah, he's from San Diego."
Comments
DIGGING.
ITS SERIOUS.
THAT SERIOUS?
YES.
THAT f*cking SERIOUS.
Digging is looking for records 6-7 days a week, every week.
Digging is starting at 8:00AM and stopping at Midnight.
Digging is climbing into attics, basements and barns that most sane people would think is nuts.
Digging is driving 2,000 miles in 8 days to flip through 3 million records to take home 500.
Digging is knocking door to door in a town/neighborhood to find one specific record.
Digging is pulling into a podunk town and going to the barbershop to ask if they know anyone with records.
Digging is never giving up.
Digging is knowing the name of every employee in every Thrift Shop in your town.
Digging is being able to go into a collection after other "diggers" have hit it and walk away with decent stuff.
Digging is being that guy that some local store owners are afraid to sell to.
Digging is having your business card at every Mini-Storage place in town.
Digging is being the guy that the "stuff behind the counter" is being held for.
Digging is about teaching young guys the ropes.
Digging is about always sharing multiple copies with your fellow digger.
Digging is what I do.
AMEN
Although you must be getting old if you're only starting at 8:00am
Man I wouldn't do any of that shit.
you should print that up like some kind of motivational poster and sell it to the crusties at the records shows thow. The poster should probably have a picture of a wolf in there too somewhere and somebody doing something extreme, and then a sillouette of a native american staring proudly into the distance.
I seriously digg that sweater. Where to cop?
I was thinking more of a banjo playing dude with a Top Hat being chased by rednecks.
The rest of us are dudes who buy records sometimes and then also sometimes listen to them, or not.
Learn something new everyday.
I think there are more like 40 real diggers here.
Dude not to poke or joke, but do you got your daughter helping/looking/asking for you on the side, seems like the right thing to do, seriously?
real diggers have crapped their own pants rather than leave their stack unattended.
real diggers have callouses on their elbows from shoving people away from the box they are going though OR from butting into the box that somebody else is already digging in.
real diggers consider it exercise.
real diggers have fallen asleep crying.
Nah...they both have "real" lives.......however, my wife goes digging with me every week......checks condition for me.....even pulls a gem now and then.
Best part is she also wants to sit down at night and listen to what we found.
I'll have been married 30 years this June.
digging is having 2 monitors so you can watch ebay and porn and the same.
digging is training yourself to be ambidexterous for the same reason ^^^^^.
I got a nice Harlem Underground last week.
I'm going digging, bye guys.
Nah it got boring
you mean when you kinda got