Why Oh Why?

The year is 1972 and Dee Edwards is trying to get the attention of a guy that she's a bit keen on, unfortunately for her he's not interested, fortunately for us the resulting tune is an absolute soul belter.

Adidas were clever enough to run with the Pilooski edit on their latest Originals campaign, not the first time they've used a Pilooski edit for an ad either, see here

Simple Mathematics

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Donna Summer - love to love you baby (dj friction re-edit) by DJ Friction

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Heavy Lovin'

The Revenge have a case of the so hot right nows in the production/remix/edit game and this rework of Marvin Gaye will give you a pretty good idea as to why that's the deal.
Heavy Love Affair (The Revenge Rework) by The Revenge

Love - 70's Style

Killer 70's slow jam set from Bozack Morris of http://www.black-rap.com/blog/ fame, here's what he had to say -

If you know how I get down, you know I love my slow jams. Two years ago, I began working on this Black Zodiac project which consisted of some of my favourite 70's soul slow jams. Unfortunately I never got around to finishing it, even though it gained some positive feedback in its unfinished form. After two years on the backburner, I never touched it until now. In fact what you hear now is basically the unfinished version. Regardless I didn't want to keep it in the vaults for much longer, so here it is, Black Zodiac, the sounds of 70's love. Nothing fancy, just that good old soul music.

This is your opportunity to take it back to that 70's love groove. So invite an intimate friend over, light up the incense, grow a full set of pubes, play this on the highest volume and enjoy!

Bozack Morris presents Black Zodiac - Listen/Download

So Many Ways... None Of Them Are Easy.

50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (Pollyn's Re-Edit Remix) - Paul Simon by AOR DISCO

DJ Eleven Pours The Courvoisier, Lays Down The Bear Skin Rug and Talks Love Tunes.

You know it's a good day when one of the world's illest party and mixtape DJs - DJ Eleven tells you he's down for taking some time out from a hectic schedule to answer a few silly questions for your blog and that's exactly what we have here.

When he's not jet setting around the world or DJing at exclusive parties that you and I will never be on the guest list for i.e. Scarlett Johansson's 21st and Playboy gatherings, he's busy keeping dance floors packed in and around New York City as a member of The Rub DJ Collective (along with DJ Ayres & Cosmo Baker) and more recently he's stepped up his production game with a killer EP that really shows he's spent a lot of time in clubs taking note of what works as it's dancefloor gold! Click on the below pic for a sneak peek and try keeping still!

And now on to the question session!

Name – DJ Eleven

Location – Brooklyn Son! Originally from Oakland CA

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo –
Leon Haywood “I Want’a Do Something Freaky To You”
Pharoahe Monch “The Light”
Ryan Leslie “Rescue U”
and the honorable mention goes to John Legend “Refuge (When It’s Cold Outside)”

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? LPs take way too many trips up off the bear skin rug to flip sides, so I’d put on my playlist of the 60 greatest Bill Withers songs and lay back. Or Darondo’s “Didn’t I” on repeat.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? By far, without question, “The Mack”.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Anthony Hamilton’s ”Comin’ From Where I’m From” album has probably gotten more run than any other record in those times. I love the record because he was able to touch on super deep despair, but still turn around and leave me feeling hopeful at the end.

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? One of my great hopes in life is to never do the traditional wedding mess. But at the party to celebrate the wedding we’d eloped to Bahamas for, we would walk in to The Impression’s “Love Me”. Or “The Theme from Shaft”.

If you had to pick one artist or group, whose music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years? Man, that’s such a generational thing… For folks of my generation, Barry White. For other generations, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Sade, R Kelly, and for the kids born next year, Trey Songz.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?
A week or so ago, I caught myself admitting to my girl that I really love Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved” a LOT! Needless to say, she wasn’t impressed.

BONUS! Eleven was nice enough to pass on this little edit he did for you and yours!

Sunny (DJ Eleven Edit) - Bobby Hebb Listen/Download

Ever Wondered How People Hooked Up Before Myspace & Facebook?

O-Dub Talks Love Jams, Sans Music Weddings and Nora Ephron Rom-Coms.

When I first started making a wish list of people to answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions, music journalist, scholar and DJ Oliver Wang aka O-Dub was one of the first names I wrote down as someone who I had to have answer them.

I've been a fan of his for ages thanks to his ridiculously good DJ mixes and more recently his Soul Sides blog which has introduced me to more amazing music than I can even remember over the past few years.

So when I got in touch with him recently and he said he was down to answer the Q's I expected school to be in session with well thought out answers and as you read on you'll quickly see he didn't disappoint!

Name - Oliver Wang

A/S/L - 37/M/Los Angeles

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - OK, so I’m probably way over answering all these questions but I have start off by saying that much as I love “love songs” as a loose genre, when it comes to my personal associations with love/romance/heartbreak and music, everything becomes audio-biographical and as someone who usually tries to talk about music through more of a curatorial perspective, all that pretty much goes out of the window. To put it another way, all three of these songs I included have much more to do with how they’ve been markers in my own life than any kind of “no-brainer recommendations” I’d give to some random person. I mean, if you’re making a mixtape for someone, ultimately, you should pick songs that first and foremost, say something to you before you can hope to have them say something to anyone else.

In any case, I’ll probably surprise some people by not including any soul songs here. In fact, I’m surprising myself by that fact.

1. Joni Mitchell: “All I Want” from Blue. My now-wife turned me onto Joni when we were merely friends but so much of what’s said in “All I Want” captured my sentiments during the time we were transitioning to being “more than.”

What it says to include it on a mixtape: “Hey baby, I’m slightly crunchy, left-leaning, like reading books and newspapers. I have good taste in the classics and don’t trust today’s singer/songwriters because they’re not as clever as Joni. I keep my sentimentality on the d.l. but “All I Want” is perfect because it’s happy, folksy pop won’t be confused with the schmaltz of a power ballad.”

2. Duke Ellington and John Coltrane: In a Sentimental Mood from Duke Ellington and John Coltrane. The gold standard in romantic jazz standards.

What it says to include it on a mixtape: “The inherent melancholy of this song reveals an emotional depth that you perhaps were not aware of when we were flirting at the bar last weekend. I too, like you, have been wounded and you will want to be with me in order to unravel my shrouded past of heartbreak that you will then try to heal.”

3. King Pleasure: Moody’s Mood For Love. My affection for this song predates ever having actually been in love and there’s an innocence in its sentiment that one can only really appreciate at an age where you’re imagining what being “in love” feels like without having actually gotten there.

What it says to include it on a mixtape: “I like Nora Ephron rom-coms too.”

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the Dom Perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? I seriously gave this some thought and to be honest, I’ve never used music as a seduction ritual. I figure those situations are about taking things OFF, not putting things on. But hell, I guess if I were going to try to pull a move like that off, you can’t tell me that Sade’s Lovers Rock would fail, as far as a single album would go.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? This changes as I get older but the last film that I felt really nailed it for me was probably Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. But that feels a bit too “early 30s” for me; I don’t know if I’ve found something that I can connect to now though.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? John Coltrane: “Naima” from Giant Steps. Practically any Coltrane ballad seems cosmically tuned into the resonant frequency of heartache.

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? Unbelievably, I had no music, at all, at my wedding. It wasn’t a conventional ceremony or reception and it just never occurred to either my wife or myself that we should have music. Later on, some of my friends pointed this out and I thought, “oh yeah, I guess that would have made sense” but we loved our wedding even sans music. That said, I turned to my wife and asked, “so what would our first dance song have been?” between the two of us, we decided that we probably would have gone with something seemingly anti-sentimental yet secretly romantic like Rufus Wainwright’s “My Phone’s On Vibrate For You” from Want One.

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? Marvin Gaye with “Let’s Get It On,” no question. When I used to do a college radio show on KALX in Berkeley back in the ‘90s, an acquaintance of mine would call to request this song so he could get his mack on.



and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I don’t think any song you enjoy should ever be something to feel sheepish about. But if I had to pick a song that seems hopelessly out of fashion today, I’d probably roll with Huey Lewis and the News’: “Do You Believe In Love” Awesome hook. This is one Zooey Deschanel rom-com soundtrack away from redemption.

For further reading be sure to check Oliver's published works archives and as I mentioned earlier if you haven't already visited his audioblog Soul Sides do NOT pass go, do NOT collect $200...

Warm and Fuzzy

DJ Neil Armstrong delivers one of the best love themed mixes you're ever likely to hear as he combines just the right amount of turntable trickery with a super tight selection of love jams, originally released in 2005 it's always been a mix I've kept coming back to and I can't believe it's taken me this long to pass it on to all you young lovers!

Here's what the man himself has to say about it -

This mix is called Warmfuzzy, like the feeling. It's to "celebrate" Valentine's Day, but if you're as pimp as you think you are, this CD should be good all year round. This is NOT what you want to bump when you're planning your next driveby. It IS the mix you should give your homegirl or emothug on 02-14, it IS something you should listen to if you love ALL types of music and skills. It's even something you should hear if "love" is kicking you in your ass and you're staring at the wall all day cause it seems like you can't find anyone, or your significant other is a trifling, lazy, no good... Oops, I digress...

It should give you hope that this crazy little thing that all these people write, sing, paint, dream and fight about - is something real and worthwhile. To all those on the infinite pursuit, and especially those who have finished their quest, I salute you. Let this be the soundtrack for the big adventure, I'll be right there with you...

- DJ Neil Armstrong

Warmfuzzy - DJ Neil Armstrong - Listen

Peep the comments for the full track listing.

I Like Pants

Stones Throw recording artist James Pants' style is hard to define, with his music taking in elements of 80’s Soul, Electro Boogie, Early Rap, New Wave, & Post-Punk Disco he's managed to create a unique and fresh sound that has one foot in the past and one stepping forward into the future.

I got at James via email recently and although he's a busy man he was nice enough to find time to roll out some quick answers to the Themes For Young Lovers questions...

Name – James Pants

Location – Spokane, Washington

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - Kleeer – Take Your Heart Away, Maggotron – Pillow Talkin' Baby, Shocking Blue – Love Buzz

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

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Oh man... I should ask my wife. I haven't seen enough. Anything with Jane Birkin in it?

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Bathory - S/T

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? First dance? Peanut Butter Wolf played our wedding. I think he played EPMD.

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? Definitely Sade or Julee Cruise.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Atlantic Starr – All In The Name of Love

If You Don't Watch Out...

Boston's DJ 7L of The Bladerunners & 7L & Esoteric fame comes correct with this mix of love themed funk & soul treats.

Love's Gonna Get'cha - 7L Download

Track listing in the comments.

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