[ | | | 6 interested person(s) ]

Been really into listening to Larry Levan lately (maybe you noticed from the "rotation" section..anyone actually take note of that?). Levan (July 20 1954 - 1992) was a legendary DJ who mixed disco, house and garage and is widely quoted as being "the greatest modern DJ" (I think Kool Herc among others might have something to say about that).

Levan was the legendary DJ who for more than 10 years held down the legendary Paradise Garage in NYC. Many of today's most successful producers and DJs credit their first exposure to Larry's music at the Paradise Garage as a launching point for their interest in doing what they do. I am only now beginning to learn about this rich tradition of music which Levan created. Lets just say while many see Olympia as a mecca for indie music etc. you don't get much exposure to hip hop, house, disco and the emergence of the DJ.

Levan really is one of seminal names in DJing who mixed multiple genres (much like the stuff I am into today). He would take samples from anything from gospel, reggae, Philly soul and Euro-disco to rock. Maybe the highest compliment came from Adam Goldstone in saying that Levan "blurred the boundaries of music, race, sex, sexuality, and changing thousands of people's perception of music, sound and the world around them."

Mp3: Joubert Singers - "Stand of the Word" (Levan Remix)
Mp3: Grace Jones - "Pull Up to the Bumper" (Levan Garage Remix)
Mp3: Inner Life - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Levan 12" Mix)
Mp3: Chaka Khan - "Tearin' It Up" (Levan Mix)

Buy: Head over to eMusic and pick up some Levan records here. Get some hardcopies here.

Learn more:

6 interested person(s)

K said... @ 11/18/2006 04:05:00 PM

haha. too funny chuck. great minds think alike.

Anonymous said... @ 11/19/2006 07:38:00 AM

The link Mp3 Grace Jones gives "The download limit has been reached for this file."

Can you put it avalaible again?

Thks.

Matthias said... @ 11/20/2006 05:24:00 PM

damn all links are down :(

can you please re-up them?

K said... @ 11/20/2006 07:02:00 PM

ill see if i get the chance.

Anonymous said... @ 12/29/2006 08:08:00 AM

Re Herc.... I think you'll find that lots of the original hip-hop djs used to cross the bridge to hear Levan on Saturday nights....

SLC Library Boy said... @ 1/10/2007 08:36:00 AM

Man! I missed out...I'm an obsessive Larry Levan collector and need these!!!

Post a Comment