Al Fingers | Remixes, refixes, mash-ups, mixtapes, charts & interviews

"Music in the soul can be heard by the universe."

— LAO TZU

Al Fingers is a DJ/producer based in London.

Muro – Diggin’ Greensleeves

News | 9th Aug 2013 | 0 Comments

Diggin’ Greensleeves is a new mix CD by the Japanese “King of Diggin”, DJ Muro, featuring various Greensleeves tracks from his extensive vinyl collection, as well as dubs from Johnny Osbourne and Ranking Joe. It will be released alongside a limited edition seven-inch of Johnny Osbourne’s “Ice Cream Love” b/w Toyan’s “Children Children”.

The striking cover art is by Novol, who took inspiration from the Greensleeves LPs Weakheart Fadeaway (Ranking Joe) and Goldmine Dub (The Revolutionaries) both of which were illustrated by Paul “Groucho” Smykle in the late 1970s.

The second Greensleeves LP, Weakheart Fadeaway by Ranking Joe (1978). Illustration: Paul “Groucho” Smykle.

The fourth Greensleeves LP, Goldmine Dub by the Revolutionaries (1979). Illustration: Paul “Groucho” Smykle.

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Diggin’ Greensleeves is released on 18 September on AWDR/LR2. View full track list here.

See also my Greensleeves mixtape for Stüssy, Greensleeves The First 10 Years.

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Rice And Peas X Sassafrass

News | 2nd Aug 2013 | 0 Comments

Having tried in vain to track down the dancehall poster don, Denzil “Sassafras” Naar, I began to wonder whether he was still alive. But his recent collaboration with Japanese apparel brand Rice & Peas shows that, thankfully, he is!

Using new Sassa illustrations, Rice & Peas (part of Tokyo-based 24×7 Records) have produced a dope selection of tees, totes, mugs and other bits, currently only available at the 24×7 online store and a few select shops across Japan.

See also the Rice & Peas Tony McDermott tee from a couple of years ago.

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Say Watt? Exhibition Celebrates The Cult Of The Sound System

News | 18th Jun 2013 | 0 Comments

Photo: Pierre Mahieu

Launching at La Gaîté Lyrique gallery, Paris this Friday, Say Watt? The Cult Of The Sound System is a new exhibition celebrating the culture and history of the soundsystem, from its origins in Jamaica to its adoption and adaptation around the world. Exhibits include Lick it Back‘s restored King Tubby‘s Hometown Hi-Fi speaker boxes, photographs by Beth Lesser and Lyle Owerko, and the album jacket and poster artwork of Jamaican artists, Wilfred Limonious and Denzil “Sassafras” Naar (both of whom featured recently in the Art in the Dancehall exhibition). The Limonious pieces are from the collection of Chris Bateman, author of the authoritative Limonious blog, In Fine Style, as well as a forthcoming book on the artist’s life and work entitled In Fine Style, the Dancehall Art of Wilfred Limonious, due for release in early 2014 on One Love Books.

Say Watt? is curated by Seb Carayol and runs from 21 June–25 August 2013 at La Gaîté Lyrique, 3 Bis, Rue Papin, 75003 Paris.

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Note >> The gallery has acquired a few copies of the now-hard-to-find Greensleeves The First 100 Covers book I did for Stüssy a few years ago, and are also stocking copies of Clarks in Jamaica, so if you’re in Paris and have been trying to get hold of either of those books, drop by.

Teaser Say Watt from La Gaîté Lyrique on Vimeo.

IKEA Soundsystem, David Renault, 2012. Photo: Mathieu Tremblin

From the series, “Mic Men”. Photo: Alex Smailes

From the series, “Last Dance in Notting Hill”. Photo: Patrick Gherdoussi

Squeeeque!, Alexis O’Hara, 2009–13. Photo: conception-photo.com

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Clarks in Jamaica Picture Disc: Greensleeves Records for Record Store Day 2013

News | 3rd Mar 2013 | 0 Comments

For this year’s Record Store Day (20/04/13), and to celebrate the publication of the Clarks in Jamaica book, Greensleeves Records are releasing a ten-inch picture disc in the shape of a desert boot, featuring a Clarks-themed tune on either side: Little John’s Clarks anthem “Clarks Booty” (1985) b/w Errol Scorcher’s “Put On Me Clarks” (1980). The picture used for the disc, shot for the book by the master Pete Canning, is of the Jamaica Black desert boot, first released by Clarks North America in 2007.

This will be a limited pressing, so if you see it, grab it. The disc will also be included in one of fifty Clarks in Jamaica box sets, available soon.

(more…)

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“Deez Nuts” by Mark Drew

News | 1st Mar 2013 | 0 Comments

“Deez Nuts” is an exhibition of paintings by Toyko-based, Australian-born artist Mark Drew, pairing illustrations from Charles M Schulz’s Charlie Brown Peanuts comics with hip-hop lyrics from artists including Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and NWA. The works were originally published in a zine of the same name, before being exhibited last month at China Heights, a Sydney gallery co-founded by the artist. So dope!

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News Archive »

March 2013

Top 40 – Spring 2013

Somewhere
CHRONIXX
DZL Records
Diamonds (J-Vibe Reggae Remix)
RIHANNA
N/A
Odd Ras
CHRONIXX
Digital Vibez Entertainment
Get Free
MAJOR LAZER feat. AMBER
Mad Decent
Weed Smokers
VYBZ KARTEL
Head Concussion
Started From The Bottom
DRAKE
Cash Money Records
Wine and Kotch
CHARLY BLACK & J CAPRI
Head Concussion
Loveeeeeee Song
RIHANNA feat. FUTURE
Def Jam
Sunset
THE XX
Young Turks
Pour It Up
RIHANNA
Def Jam
Most I
CHRONIXX
Don Corleon
Mirrors
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
RCA Records
Beat & A Mic
CHRONIXX
Special Delivery
UFO Medz
VYBZ KARTEL
Teetimus Muzic
Diamonds
RIHANNA
Def Jam
No Love Allowed
RIHANNA
Def Jam
Psycho
TOMMY LEE
UIM Records
Don’t You Worry Child
SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA feat. JOHN MARTYN
Polydor
One Of Those Nights
JUICY J feat. THE WEEKND
Taylor Gang/Columbia
Save The Music
EXCO LEVI
Vikings Productions
Behind Curtain
CRONIXX
Zinc Fence Records
Ain’t No Giving In
CHRONIXX
Chimney Records
Moonstruck
TWO INCH PUNCH
PMR Records
Caribbean Girls
MAVADO
JA Productions
Wiseman
FRANK OCEAN
Self-released
No Capitalist
KABAKA PYRAMID
Chimney Records
Dem Nuh Bad
TOMMY LEE
Good Good Productions
My Confession
DEMARCO
Head Concussion
We Don’t
GAPPY RANKS
N/A
More Money
I-OCTANE
JA Productions
Spectrum (Say My Name) (Calvin Harris Remix)
FLORENCE & THE MACHINE
Island
In My Arms
BERES HAMMOND
VP
Kingston Be Wise
PROTOJE
Don Corleon
Lyrical Bomber
TOMMY LEE
Head Concussion
Gal A Gimme Bun
I-OCTANE
Seanizzle Records/Troyton Music
Sweet Nothing
CALVIN HARRIS feat. FLORENCE WELCH
Columbia
Cheater’s Prayer
CHRIS MARTIN
CR203/Cheeny Big Son Prod
News For You
ERIC BENET
Jordan House Records
Differentology
BUNJI GARLIN
Sheriff Music
Kush Morning
BOBBY HUSTLE
Dynasty/Twelve 9

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Charts Archive »

October 2013

Esther Phillips

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Artist Of The Month Archive »

Interview: Bob James

Interviews | 23rd Jul 2010 | 1 Comment

Who do Eric B & Rakim’s “Follow The Leader”, De La Soul’s “Keepin’ The Faith” and Ghostface’s “Daytona 500″ all have in common? Bob James, that’s who. The bearded break pianist, who might look like your grandfather, has been one of hip-hop’s most influential artists. Don’t be deceived by his quiet demeanor, Mr James is the bomb ‘ish. Introducing the man who made Run DMC’s “Peter Piper”, Main Source’s “Live At The BBQ” and Onyx’s “Throw Ya Gunz” possible…

Read the interview

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