DJ Prestige

Washed ashore this week is my guest castaway Jamison Harvey, aka DJ Prestige, from Brooklyn, New York.  

A full-time DJ since 1998, Jamison puts out the influential Flea Market Funk blog.

There is a great feature on Jamison in 'Dust & Grooves', a photography and interview project documenting vinyl collectors in their most natural and intimate environment: The record room. Check it out, here...  Dust & Grooves

"Flea Market Funk aka DJ Prestige, Brooklyn NY by way of Dirty Jersey. Father, Husband, Record Digger, DJ, Beard Enthusiast and Liverpool Supporter."

Ray Barretto - Soul Drummers

"First introduced to this artist via Dutch Rap/Skate Rock band Urban Dance Squad when they sampled 'Deeper Shade of Soul'.

I had gone out and bought the reissue full length, Acid, at a crazy record show in Edison, NJ. I was thrilled to finally dig deeper and procure a promo copy of "Soul Drummers" years later for like $5. 

It's just a catchy song, and was an introduction of sorts for me to Latin music in the early 90's.  From there I got to discover artists like Joe Bataan, Willie Colon, and the like.  I guess you always remember your first (Latin record that is), and the percussion on this one just kills it.  Definitely one of my all time favorites."   

Brother Jack McDuff - Oblighetto

"Having a sweet spot for the Jazz organ, I have been obsessed with guys like McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Shirley Scott, Groove Holmes, Lonnie Smith and Larry Young for a long time. 

Imagine my surprise to find this record in the bottom of a record crate for 50 cents.  The haunting vocals of Jean DuShon echo in the background, and Brother Jack goes about his business proper. It was a bonus to me that A Tribe Called Quest 'Scenario' sample used this record off of their Low End Theory LP, something I have worn out multiple times.

There is something about Soul Jazz that just moves me, and Brother Jack McDuff is one of the greatest."

Sugar Billy - Super Duper Love Part 1

"I originally bought this at a flea market on the cheap, and was hooked by the guitar riff and Sugar Billy's wail of "Giiiiiirlllll are you diggin' on me?". The jockey and horse, plus the typography of the words Fast Track drew me to this (I am a record design nerd too).

When I opened up for Joss Stone years later and played this song, her sound guy ran up to me and said "What are you doing playing this?  That's Joss' song!".  I took my headphones off and said, "Who?  This is Sugar Billy!".

Even without the Joss Stone connection, this is a smooth Soul groover that I can't live without."

Brother To Brother - In The Bottle

"A cover version of the Gil Scott-Heron's classic, to me, has got to be one of my 45s and imagine my surprise when I read that Bobbitto Garcia covets this same record.

OK, it's a bit slower, but still packs the same punch every time I drop the needle on it.

This was an early 45 I picked up when I started to get into 45s heavy.  It holds a special place among my records, and the flute solo that takes the record out is just lovely.  Turbo was a division of All Platinum based out of NJ, so a lot of their records could be dug up in the Tri-State area (NJ/NY/PA).

There were so many good All Platinum. Stang, and Turbo records around, but to me, 'In The Bottle' is top of my list."

Dawn Penn - You Don't Love Me

"Originally when I heard this, it was her 90's Dancehall remake with the U-Roy 'Wake the town and tell the people' intro, but I quickly fell in love with her original version on Coxsone records from 1967.  

The original, slower riddum and Dawn's voice have sealed the deal easily as one of the best Reggae 45's I have ever dug up.  

This was early Reggae at it's finest, with a Leroy (Smart) and Rocky track on the flip.  "No No No" chugs along and the piano stabs and guitar riff get me every time.  The Willie Cobbs Bluesy version is quite special too, but Penn's take on it is the one for me."     

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