06 April 2011

DJ Magneto - The Ying To Your Yang.

When I first heard DJ Magneto's Sea Panda Spring Time Love Breaks on this here blog, I almost shat my pants! Having dedicated the last 10 years of my life to creating saixy time mixes/selections or hunting those done by others, it's rare to find a mix where you don't have to skip a single track. This is but ONE of the elements of THE perfect saixy time mixand anyone that rinses the Delegation's Oh Honey on a mixtape gets my vote (pants down!)

DJ Magneto aka Manny Roldan is a self-described 'funk enthusiast, soul lover, dubwise master, sampling freak, burger blogger and taco quality control consultant'. To us here at Themes For Young Lovers, he inspires us to dig deep, represents to the fullest and brings the niceness on the regular.

Be it reggae to funk, disco, soul or hip hop and (sometimes) dodgy 80s cheese thrown in (Kenny Loggins... really?!) we LOVE DJ Magneto. Dude knows his tunes, his mixes are on some needle-eye pum pum shit, and not to mention he's down with DJ Day another TFYL fave who, apart from being a mad producer these days, formed one of the illest DJ crews in the mid 90s: The Innernational Crew with DJ RipOne (who else out there wore the shit out of the actual cassette mixtape 'Rippin Shit Up'?)

Aside from 'helping to keep Portlandia weird'. working, producing, getting married and other thangs life-related, DJ Magneto has held down a residency at the weekly First Friday Super Jam night at the Goodfoot Lounge in Portland which just had it's 10 year anniversary in March! Stellar effort son!

We're working on bringing him to Australia, but watch this space for DJ Magneto's next contribution in helping to increase the world's population: Sea Gator Nuptial Breaks Part 2 but until then peep his special Valentine's Day reggae/lover's rock mix By The Power Vested In Me & Sea Koala Heart Breaks and read on as Magneto lays down some answers to the good ol' Themes For Young Lovers questions - Josie Styles

Name - My name is Manny Roldan also known as my given name 'DJ Magneto' the evil villain sent to earth to make things fun, stylee, big, nice & heavy.

Location - A Mexican guy living in Santa Barbara CA. for the past 7 years but I consider Portland OR. my home.

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - Trying to woo someone... hmmm. Well the first mix I did for my now wife woo'd her so I'm going to talk about tracks in it. It wasn't a blended DJ style mix, it was a disc with tunes on it that I entitled 'Possibly Maybe'. I made the mix a few months into our courtship so I was already hooked, actually it's safe to say WE were already hooked. The tracks that I felt told my wooing story the best were - Gwen Guthrie '7th Heaven', MJ's 'I Can't Help It' and Minnie Ripperton 'Here We Go' as they set my intention for us and my actions. I guess when the songs played they really did all the wooing. Not too fast, not too strong. not too direct and with a high note of fun and possibilities. The track on there that was the most woo'ey was Leroy Hutson 'Lucky Fellow' I think it spoke of confidence in my commitment to feeling good together (gotta thank DJ Day for that album)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the Dom Perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? When the lights go low, the candles are lit, the Dom's on ice and the thermostat is set, Sade Lover's Rock is usually what's on. Don't know what it is about the melancholic key that does it? Maybe it's because I remember that I'm on the up at that moment.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? I just saw THX 1138 for the second time and that's quite the (tragic) love story with lots of context to current life so i'll go with that. They found out that love was what they needed. LUH 3417 and THX 1138 didn't need blue or red pills, nor God's advice to work hard and increase productivity, they just needed a bit of the chemicals each other's presence provided. So my advice to all young lovers out there is: enjoy the simple things in life, like love before our society gets to the point like in the aforementioned movie.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song that you play to ease the pain and get you through? After a heartbreak I would recommend a high dosage of Bill LaBounty's 'Livin' It Up' or 'Lettin' Go' by Janelle Monae, because that will lift your spirits. But if you really wanna remember the good and bad about the loves past, I recommend you play 'Sea Koala Heart Breaks part 2' and put it on repeat.

What song was played during the first dance at your wedding? The song I played for my wife at our wedding was Boris Gardiner's reggae cover of 'You Make Me Feel Brand New'. It really just tells it like it is and I like how it sounds better than the original Stylistic's track. The song she played for me was Roberta Flack's 'The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face' both songs were the inspiration for making my last mix 'By The Power Vested In Me'

Who do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years? I think that Stevie Wonder is responsible for lots of setting up the mood for some baby making time!! It's fun and talks of serious love and nice things.

and finally, What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Cheddar makes it better! I have a high tolerance for cheese so I don't mind riding into the danger zone with my bwoy Kenny Loggins, I Believe In Love, What a Fool Believes etc. I love dropping these right before The Goodfoot (club) closes down, you know it might be the ultimate ice breaker or tipping point if you are trying to go home with that person you've been dancing with. Plus Kenny lives where I live so i'm going to see if I can get a shoutout for my next mixtape. Haha!

Any parting words? I'd like to thank all the people who take things very seriously, you are my yang and make things much nicer for me and people like me... love and respect - DJ Magneto

09 March 2011

Teenage Love

Hip Hop outfit Automatic turn back the clock and reflect on the ups and downs of teenage love.


08 March 2011

In The Middle Of a Lovesick Lullaby

This new single from TV On The Radio is getting it done for me at the moment. Apologies for posting two break-up/unrequited love themed songs in a row, i'll get back on track with some happily ever after lovey dovey business soon enough!

01 March 2011

I'll Not Let Hate Be The One.

Rapper Intuition takes Jessica Lea Mayfield's beautiful Our Hearts Are Wrong and adds a cheeky (unauthorised) verse to it. The result? The perfect soundtrack for when all that love stuff gets a bit complicated.

28 February 2011

By The Power Vested In Me...

Killer new mix from one of our favourite DJs, DJ Magneto. Valentines Day may have come and gone but as you know we're about the love 24-7/365 over here at the Themes For Young Lovers HQ. Soul/Reggae lovers rock is the order of the day here and as per usual with Magneto this is another TFYL sure shot.

DJ Magneto - By The Power Vested In Me Mix Download

Peep the comments for the full track listing.

17 February 2011

I Got The Feeling You Should Be My Baby




Can't get enough of this tune and film clip from Hip Hop duo Grieves & Budo. They'll have an album dropping later this year on the ever reliable Rhymesayers label.

Cosmo Baker's Love Break Three



peep the comments for the track listing

05 January 2011

Dubstep For Young Lovers


Luvstep 2 Teaser from flufftronix on Vimeo.

Great teaser vid for the 2nd installment of Dirty South Joe & Flufftronix's Luvstep series which will be released on Valentine's Day this year. Check the Luvstep site for the down low and be sure to download volume 1 while you're there.

30 December 2010

Tonight Is Your Night


Priceless moment with Danny & Arnie in the 1988 classic Twins

18 December 2010

Now Give Me Just The Kicks Just For Kicks

Yeah sure it's a bit cheesy but it's equal parts clever and Shad who drops in to say hi is my fave emcee doing the rounds at the moment.

01 December 2010

:)

Peeps need to smile more. Love'll help you do it.


You Make Me Smile - Aloe Blacc

When I See You Smile - Aldo Vanucci

Moonlight Lovin'

They don't make em like they used to. Epic.

Isaac Hayes - Moonlight Lovin' (special edit) by (((Belabouche)))

28 November 2010

DJ Neil Armstrong on love jams, fumbling with pantalones & crying to Lionel Richie tunes.

When he's not busy touring the world as a spokesperson for Adidas, DJing at exclusive parties & launches, making ridiculously good mixtapes* & sharing the stage with the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyonce & Puff Daddy, nice guy and humble music fan Neil Armstrong is being a good sport and answering the Themes For Young Lovers questions.

*Be sure to check for his love themed mixtape joints - Warmfuzzy (Themes For Young Lovers All-Timer!), Smoove & Bittersweeet

Name - DJ Neil Armstrong

A/S/L - Older than I look/Male/NYC born and raised

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -

Debarge - I Like It



Lenny Williams - I Love You



Heatwave - Always Forever



You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Ya know, come to think of it... I don’t really play music when that situation is going on?? I’m too busy fumbling with the pantalones....

What is your fave romantic film of all time? When Harry Met Sally, Or
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through?

Bittersweeet Audio Clip

Or if someone else has -

The Softies - Winter Pageant



What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding?

Stevie Wonder - All I do



If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years? Michael Jackson.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I got a bunch of those ...

Journey - Open Arms



Ambrosia - Biggest Part Of Me



REO Speedwagon -I Can’t Fight This Feeling



Lionel Richie - Hello... sniff!



Bonus Vid - A Day In The Life Of Neil


25 November 2010

I'm Not Ready To Kiss & Hug



I'd foolishly forgotten how good The Numero Group releases were, but I was reminded when I broke the seal on my double LP copy of the incredible Home Schooled - The ABCs of Kid Soul comp on the weekend and rediscovered this absolute gem of a tune above.

All of their releases are quality and are well worth checking out. I guarantee you it'll be some of the best music you've never heard.

19 November 2010

Josie Styles Borrows a Cup Of Brown Sugar From Your Favourite Rapper's Favourite Rapper

I'm going to have a new partner in crime soon at the Themes For Young Lovers HQ.. helping me with content and adding a female touch around the place will be Josie Styles.

When I first approached Josie about helping me out with the blog she started running off at the mouth about all these BIG name artists that she was going to get onboard and at the time I was like 'yeah whatevs'... Well pass me a knife and fork so I can eat my words and make way for the first of hopefully many question sessions that Josie Styles will bring to the table -
Maccy

Being one of the world's better cunninglinguists, I am not sure how may people would consider Talib Kweli Greene as a 'ladies man' (especially in comparison to his partner in Black Star rhyming, Mos Def). He only ever does one or 2 love joints per album eg Talk to You (lil darlin'), Never Been in Love, Brown Sugar (raw), Hot Thing and then waxes superb lyrical consciousness in his quicksilver-tongued style (sounds a bit porn related to me!) for the most part.

I was first taken by Kwe's sexy croons on "Brown Skin Lady" from the Black Star album. He came correct on that joint, with ill wordplay and vivid imagery, and of course, anyone who makes reference to Tony Rebel's "Fresh Vegetable" wins me over in a jiffy! "Coppertone? Oh you copyright infringement"!!!

Having spent a bit of time in the USA with Kweli, I can tell you folks that he really is a gentleman and has exceptional taste in music. This is reflected in the artists and producers he chooses to work with and the tunes he drops during his DJ sets (every MC wants to be a DJ right?!)

Aside from completing a relentless worldwide touring schedule, running the Blacksmith Music label (along with CEO Corey Smyth), and helping look after his two children, Talib recently 'rekindled' his Reflection Eternal partnership with producer Hi-Tek. In May 2010 they released RPM, the follow up album to the 2000 debut release Train of Thought. There's a 'love' jawn on that in the form of "Midnight Hour" with UK pop darling, Estelle. Peep the video below and check out Kweli's dapper threads, proving himself to be every bit the quintessential ladies man.

Oh, one thing (and I'm sorry ladies) I should have said before, Kweli is technically 'off the market' after marrying his fiance DJ EQUE last year... now for the saixxy time! - Josie Styles

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
Can I by Eddie Kendricks
Waiting In Van by Bob Marley
Sometimes by Bilal

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo?




What is your fave romantic film of all time?


Love and Basketball


You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through?


What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding?
I Believe (When I Fall In Love) by Stevie Wonder

If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years?

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?

Loving You by Minnie Ripperton

Over the years Talib himself has layed down some killer themes for young lovers business, here are a few choice picks -

Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek) feat Estelle - Midnight Hour

Talib Kweli - Hot Thing

Black Star (Talib Kweli & Mos Def) - Brown Skin Lady

15 November 2010

The Mayor Of Love Town

Mayer Hawthorne won this blogs heart last year when he delivered an entire albums worth of themes for young lovers on the instant classic 'A Strange Arrangement'. Over the course of the past 12 or so months he's kept himself busy by touring the world and also making videos to accompany every track on his debut record, or at least that's what it seems like.

If you're yet to experience what Mr Hawthorne is all about, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of his album and peep the great vids below.

Mayer Hawthorne - Your Easy Lovin' Ain't Pleasin' Nothin'

Mayer Hawthorne - One Track Mind