Coming To You, On a Dusty Road...

Raer records?.. he's got a truckload!

He's a crate digging/mixtape making/DJ/Producer/Emcee who goes by a few different names; The Soulman when he's on the ones & twos, Phill Most Chill when rockin' the m.i.c and Phill Stroman on the credit card he uses to buy obscure records you've never even heard of.

Responsible for some of my fave mixes of all time like 'Neva Stop Diggin' and 'Drugs', he was definitely high on the list of people I wanted to ask the Themes For Young Lovers questions and not only did he come through with the answers he also had a love themed mix ready to go that you can download below!

Be sure to swing by his website and bookmark that bad boy as he puts up mixes and other great content on the reg but in the meantime read on...

Name -
Phill Stroman aka THE SOULMAN (also aka Phill Most Chill)

Hometown -
Living in Philadelphia

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
Marvin Gaye "Come Live With Me Angel"
Joe Bataan "You're Driving Me Right Out Of My Mind"
Steve Parks "Still Thinking Of You"
There are a million of them, really... Marvin has a bunch of them by himself. But the gun's to my head and I gotta pick three, so there you go.

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Something by Curtis Mayfield or Leroy Hutson would be cool... sheeeiiit, I'd like to be able to put on a Vashti Bunyan album. But for real? As the grown African American gentleman that I am, the business would be either of the two Kem albums. Works everytime like Billy Dee armed with two forties of Colt 45. But if I ever ran across a female who was feelin' Jon Lucien's "World Of Joy" on a deep level my wife might be in trouble (just kidding if you're reading this, baby... put on the Kem cd, I'll be upstairs in a minute).

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Uhhh... maybe Truck Turner? The scene where Isaac Hayes picks up his girl from prison and buys her a six pack and a two-piece from KFC then screws her to "You're In My Arms Again" is a classic moment of movie romance for sure.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Never really experienced that in the way you probably mean, but oddly enough the song "If This Ain't Love" by Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators got me through a very rough little patch in my life a little while ago. That song goes a little bit beyond just one-on-one love and takes it to a more familial space, which hits home a little more for a family man such as myself. Definitely touched me and gave me some comfort. Also kind of made me realize I had a lot to be thankful for, because I honestly haven't had a whole lot of rough patches in my life, not that affected me to the point where I needed a song or something or somebody else to help me get through it. I'm pretty lucky in that respect, I guess.
　
What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? Didn't do any of that at my wedding... jeez, this is some schitt my wife should really answer, not me. I don't know, she might want something by Maxwell. Me, maybe I'd go with Marvin's "Distant Lover". Would that be appropriate for a wedding? I have no idea. I had a drive through wedding- take a number, get hitched, take some pictures, go home. Worked for us.

If you had to pick one artist or group, who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the worlds population over the years? Probably Luther Vandross. Maybe the Isley Brothers, but Luther had some real baby makers. His version of "House Is Not A Home"... whew. Brings back memories.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I like a lot of 70's lite rock... that stuff ain't cheesy to me, but a lot of people would probably see it that way. To me cheesy is the Disney movie love themes by Peter Cetera or Celine Dion or whoever sings that stuff. "Superstar" by the Carpenters isn't cheesy at all to me. Carly Simon's "That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" is great, Hall & Oates "Sara Smile", The Eagles "I Can't Tell You Why"... dog, I can go on and on with this schitt.

Lovers & Friends - Soulman Listen/Download

You Can't Be Any Geek Off The Street...

Doobie Brother # 1 Michael McDonald gets all reminiscent about a love once had on this one from 1982 which was later sampled by Warren G & Nate Dogg on their 1994 smash hit Regulate.
Michael McDonald - I Keep Forgettin' (AC Re-Edit) by Andrew Clarke

The Yacht Rock crew give you their take on how it all went down in this hilarious youtube clip -

Sexual Chocolate

Not only is J-Live is one of my fave emcees due to his great knack for storytelling and effortless flow it turns out he's also pretty handy on the turntables as shown on this killer mix of love songs that have been sampled by hip hop artists over the years.

DJ J​-​Live Presents "Chocolate Covered Samples" (Sampled Love Songs) Listen/Download

Full track list in the comments.

PS how hilarious is that Big Daddy Kane pic?!

What You Gonna Do When You Get Out Of Jail?

Project Tempo rework the classic Tom Tom Club joint 'Genius Of Love' into a slow burner that builds nicely, stays true to the OG and is another Themes For Young Lovers sure shot.

Tom Tom Club - Genius Of Love Project Tempo Re-edit by Project Tempo

Happy Valentines Day.

Happy Valentines Day! It wouldn't be right if I didn't post something on today of all days, so I searched high and low for a special treat and came up trumps with this amazing love fueled selection of hip hop jams compiled by Oh Word

here's the deal -

Running smooth game is about finding balance. You want to set the right mood for sexy-time without being disgusting. You want to let the girl know she’s special without coming off soft. Pimping ain’t easy. And with that in mind we’ve created this romantic and flirtatious mix of 31 dope love songs that should please hip-hop fans of either gender.

You can use this for your special lady friend come Valentine’s Day. And don’t say we never helped you get laid.

31 Flavors Of Love - Oh Word Download

Full track listing in the comments

Learnalilgivinanlovin.

Singer/songwriter/drummer/all round nice guy Wally De Backer is one helluva talented man. He took the Australian music scene by storm in 2006 with his incredible sophmore album Like Drawing Blood which he released under his Gotye (“gore-ti-yeah”) moniker and went on to win enough awards to fill up the family pool room including Best Male Artist at the Aria awards, definitely no small feat for a 'bedroom' producer.

3 and a bit years down the track and Wally has just announced that he'll be releasing a 3rd studio/bedroom/barn album and that news will have alot of kids, including myself very excited.

I was lucky enough to get Wally to answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions by way of a dodgy dial up internet connection somewhere in regional Australia whilst on tour with his other band The Basics

Below you'll find some of the best/funniest answers to the questions yet and I don't think there'd be a girl alive who wouldn't be over the moon to receive his 'Mixed Messages' tape.


Name - Wally De Backer aka Gotye

A/S/L - 29/M/Melbourne

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - Kate Bush- Cloudbusting, Iron and Wine- Naked As We Came & Geto Boys- This Dick Is For You. I'd call the tape "Mixed Messages"

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP or song goes on the stereo? Joan As Policewoman's "Real Life". Such a sexy record

What is your fave romantic film of all time? I think Edward Scissorhands is the most romantic film ever

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or record that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Hmmmm....for wallowing: Kate Bush's Hounds Of Love. For getting back up: The Beatles' Abbey Road

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? Something I can dance to....probably Joe Dolce's "Shaddapa You Face"

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Marvin Gaye, definitely. Heavy D and the Boyz would give him a good run for his money though

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? In My Pants- The Reddings. It's more direct than Wind Beneath My Wings.

Gotye- Learnalilgivinanlovin from Gotye on Vimeo.

Gotye- Hearts A Mess from Gotye on Vimeo.

My World Is So Blue

Ridiculously good break up track from 1971 by Johnny Johnson. I love the transition from the soft intro to the moment you can practically hear his heart breaking on the record during the change up. Amazing.

Furthermore Johnny really did put the 'break' in this breakup track which was taken advantage of by Blu & Exile on their My World Is... joint.

Love Is Blue - Johnny Johnson Listen/Download

This Dells version is pretty boss too -

Bringin' The Ruckus No Doubt

One of my fave records from a few years ago was Ruckus Roboticus' Playing With Scratches, an amazing cut & paste affair loaded with samples from childrens records and tasty beats which sort of had an Entroducing..... for kids vibe about it. As with all the artists that have featured on this blog Ruckus is someone who's work I love and who's brain I wanted to pick in regards to what were some of his go to love jams.

I managed to get a hold of the man himself who kindly took some time out from working on new tunes, making mixes (check his latest Daft Punk inspired mix) and remixing other artists (Vampire Weekend, Bloc Party, Killa Queenz amongst others) to throw down some answers to the Themes For Young Lovers questions.

Name - Ruckus Roboticus

A/S/L - 28, Male, Ohio (U.S.A.)

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
1. The Knife "Heartbeats"
2. White Stripes "We Are Gonna Be Friends"
3. Daft Punk "Something About Us" (... only if it was a VERY SPECIAL girl!)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Only one? ... I suppose any of the Portishead LP's are money.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Shit, I have entire mixes devoted towards healing a broken heart! I suppose my two favorite songs to lift spirits are Mos Def -"Umi Says" and William DeVaughn "Be Thankful".

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? 'Twas "Spit On A Stranger" by Pavement. I know the title is not romantic, but the lyrics are, and it's a sentimental song for my wife & I.

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Hmmm.... Al Green.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?
Again, it's hard to pick just one. I like a lot of cheesey music! Two of my favorite are INXS - "Never Tear Us Apart", and 10CC - "I'm Not In Love". Both have seriously amazing song-writing ... and the production on the 10CC track -- ridiculous!

You Stepped Into My Life...

This edit of the Bee Gees' 'You Stepped Into My Life' by Rayko is the bee's knees.

BEE GEES + GUITAR (RAYKO EDIT DEMO) by Rayko

Did Home Taping Ever Really Kill Music?

It's kinda funny when you think that record companies used to be so concerned about home taping destroying music, I guess back then it would've been hard to forecast what was to come with the ease of burning CDs and file sharing and the HUGE effect it would have on the industry.

In hindsight making a cheeky mixtape at home, whether it be for that girl/boy you were trying to impress or for a friend to show them how amazing your taste in music was doesn't seem so bad and in my opinion did more good than harm as it helped spread the word and made people aware of what was out there in a world where the internet didn't exist.

On a side note it saddens me to see just how disposable music has become, with entire generations not knowing what it's like to own a complete LP, cassette or even CD album that you cherish and listen to so many times you know it word for word.

Nowadays you only have to go as far as the iTunes store or worse yet, an illegal file sharing site and with a simple click of the mouse you've got your ears on whatever it is you wanted, but that's the problem for me, it's just your ears and not your hands.

An album becomes so much more in the physical format, first of all you get the whole artwork as it was intended, you know the front and back and not just some shitty low res jpeg, then there's the liner notes which i've always loved reading to check the production credits and better yet the thank you's as I always found it a good way of finding out about other artists, for example say you bought a De La Soul album and saw that they thanked A Tribe Called Quest so you pick up one of their albums and notice a shout out to Black Sheep so back to the record store you'd go and so on and so on.

Getting back to the mixtape topic, I have no doubt the world would be a better place if we all took the time to make a mix for someone so I challenge you to do just that and in the spirit of this blog it would be great for it to be love themed especially considering Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

You get bonus points for using a cassette (link provided just in case you're not familiar with the concept) but if it's gotta be a CD i guess that'll have to do or I guess you can keep it kinda sorta real with this USB Mixtape !

Get your finger on the pause button/right clicker and feel free to post your track lists in the comments section.