Letting it all hang out to those mixtapes...

www.mixcloud.com/top_the_cat/

Sunday Guest Host - topthecat

Well it finally happened. After months of jumping in and offering up my suggestions to their already carefully thought out playlists, those poor saps, I mean, lovely people at PunkChicken HQ have finally offered me my own guest slot. And for my chosen theme, I thought I would introduce you all to the world of the Ninja Tune record label.

Starting out in the early 90's by Coldcut as a way to get out of their obligations to the soulless big label they were signed to, it became the label of choice for cut up hip hop, trip hop, experimental electronics, turntablism, jazz, breaks, bass and all the rest of that good stuff from around the world. Over the years, they created offshoot labels such as Big Dadda, Ntone and Counter to help diversify into more straight up hip hop, techno, folk, blues, garage rock, jungle, dancehall and more. 

They have created and released their own software, Vjamm, for dejaying and remixing. First out on floppy discs (remember them, kids?) and then more recently on your smartphone. Plus their Solid Steel weekly DJ sets are broadcast and syndicated around the world showing off turntable talent from clubs and bedrooms alike.

Still run independently and still putting out quality music after over 25 years, this is 30 of my personal favourites.

Much love, yeah?

topthecat (All of that and I never once shoehorned a shameless plug for my own mixcloud.com/top_the_cat  DJ sets in.... I must be losing my delicate touch!)

Getting down to those mixtapes...

www.mixcloud.com/top_the_cat/

The Isolation Tapes Part 12 - I heard it on the radio, Vol 9

I'm not sure how many more of these I will end up making... I mean, I will still be aimlessly throwing my mediocre mixtapes in to the online void, but the whole 'Isolation Tapes' thing as a title is pretty much redundant now. I will still be playing my favourite tracks I've heard, or artists I've been introduced to, from BBC6Music's playlist though, as they still consistently play the best selection of music around. As always, a mix of jazz, breaks, soundscapes, hip-hop, funk, blues, electronica, and a few others that really don't fit in to any discernible mould. But yeah might do one more after this to round off on an even number, but feel the need for a change soon.... Dunno' why I'm writing all this shit though; just press play and get on with it yeah?

Where were you on the 1st of March, 2024?

I mean, you weren't at the Cask & Craft with the good people of Boldmere, were you?

It's a good job I recorded this set for you then, isn't it?

Just shy of five hours of the finest in Friday night party music to get you shaking like only we can!

There's funk & soul from Gil Scot-Heron, Cymande and The Salsoul Orchestra, some hip-hop from The Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Danny Brown, disco from Say She She and Penny Goodwin, electro swing from Parov Stelar and Vonobox, some dub styles from Prince Fatty, Horseman, Bob Vylan, and Greentea Peng, Latin vibes with iLa & Natalia lafourcade, Nia Archives, and DJ Marky, 90s beats from The Chemical Bros, Mi7, Dee Pattern, and 187 Lockdown, and some heavy breaks from High Contrast, Ratty & Tango, Sub Focus, and Jaguar Skills, A luscious track from local artist, Rosie Tee, plus a metric shit ton more!

Anyway, see you at the next one, yeah?

Getting down to my own mixtapes....

Fuck all ya'll!

www.mixcloud.com/top_the_cat/

Following the success of the last DnB night in October, I was asked to go back and do a Christmas night too and it went pretty well.... I played for just over four hours to a decent crowd, until about the last half an hour when the place just emptied - the curse of the Xmas party crowd! Every type of break you can think of was thrown in the mix from old as fuck, to shiny and brand new, with the last few an excuse to go hard as fuck for the couple of people that were left! On the plus side, I've been asked to come back again and start doing these more regularly, so watch this space...

Just a few hours to go until the cultural highlight that is The Session at the Cask & Craft, Birmingham UK, kicks off...

For those of you that can't join us tonight, we're only going to live stream it too!

Go to https://www.mixcloud.com/live/Top_The_Cat/ from 7pm (GMT) to see what all the fuss is about and you can have your own little slice of fun from your living room, bedroom, office, or if your out and about, it will also work from your phone!

Sexy socks and Martni Rosso optional....

Well that was a night to remember... A full house from pretty much start to finish. Every time we thought it was going to start slowing down, more people came through the door, including some who had specifically come to see me play!

All in, just under five hours of jazz, funk, soul, disco, house, break beats, jungle, and the finest in uneasy listening for the good people of Boldmere.

If you couldn't be there, enjoy and i'll catch you at the next one yeah?

Calling all Christmas junglists!

Forced into a works party with people you don't like?

Tell them you've got somewhere better to be and join us for a night of drums, bass, and craft beer!

I know we normally hold The Session on a Friday, but when there's a chance to cash in on a well-known marketing trope, well, who am I to argue?!

So, for the first time on a Saturday, join us at the Cask & Craft in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, for an intergalactic night of space funk, interstellar soul, cosmic hiphop and planet sized breaks so heavy, that they have their own gravitational pull!

May the fourth be with us all!

I'm thinking this is the last one I'm going to do of these for a while now. Feel the need to get in to something else for a bit....

Not that I'll stop listening to BBC6Music and picking my favourite tracks & artists and dropping them in a mix, but I just think it might be time to retire the Isolation Tapes and see what else is out there. But if I'm going out, then I'm going with a bang!

Plenty of breaks, drums, and bass, from dancehall, drum & bass, electro, to old school 90's house, ska, blues, Latin jazz, soul, and some funky fresh hip hop. Plus, as usual, a few little snippets of something you can't really describe but it wouldn't be one of my mixes without them!

You on it yet or what then? Last chance and that, yeah?

Oh yeah, back once again...

A night of funk, soul, hip hop, jazz, breaks & beats of all sorts, plus the finest in uneasy listening for the most discerning of music, craft beer, and cocktail fans!

Get on it it, yeah?

Cask & Craft Boldmere - Live Mix 5th October 2023

Got a shout out from Craig Charles on BBC6MUSIC for my night tonight.... I mean, it's a shame he failed to mention the venue or even the location!!

Nearly time to get your dancing shoes back on again....