DJ Shadow And Cut Chemist Put Their Own Spin On Afrika Bambaataa's Original Vinyl Collection
By Katie Karpowicz in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 25, 2014 9:30PM
When a DJ is approached about building a live set around another DJ's vinyl, it's not usually an enticing offer, DJ Shadow explained before his and Cut Chemist's set at House of Blues Tuesday night. But when that collection is Afrika Bambaataa's, you embrace the offer with open arms.
Earlier this year I was reminded that the revolutionary Bambaataa's earliest albums have surpassed the 40-year mark, which in turn means that hip hop itself is nearly just as old. Bambaataa helped define the genre's original sound in the 1980s and last night's attendees had the pleasure of hearing the records that would help build up to that movement.
Split into two sets, Shadow and Chemist, both well respected hip hip DJs in their own right, first channeled Bambaataa's oldest vinyls treating the crowd to a history lesson about 1970s and '80s East Coast R&B, disco and pop music. Ancient clips of performances from the era, shots of New York city and flashes of animations reflecting the culture helped further absorb the crowd into the set. Despite the fact that some of the more famous record covers from Bambaataa's personal collection flashed across the screen as well, I couldn't help but want to dig through the crates myself curious as to the hidden gems they no doubt hold.
The second half focused on hip hop's birth and evolution. Grandmaster Flash was paid his obvious dues. Shadow deemed "The Message" one of the most important records of the last 50 years while Chemist added his own percussive beats over the mix with the drum machine dating back to 1967, the same model Flash used in his early recordings.
It was a concert experience unlike any this writer has ever experienced. The two turntablists could easily pack a venue that size with sets featuring their own collections and productions. But last night's set felt more special, more unique for reasons that don't need explaining. Without those dusty crates DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist fingered through for the duration of the nearly two-hour set, their careers might never have existed.
On the ride home, our cabbie's radio blasted Jennifer Lopez's agonizing new single and it became clearer than ever in a single moment that it's a lucky thing some artists are still willing to bring the classics, the roots, to life again.