We're keeping it moving over here BlackRadioIsBack.com & FuseBox Radio Broadcast family catching up on blog posts over here (partially due to other commitments lately & partially due to needing to be inspired a bit musically)...

We've posted up some pretty fly music mixes, remix projects and mixtapes from UK DJ & producer Chris Read over here in the past and now, he hit us with his latest joint, a collaborative mixtape project with 2 time ITF mix champion Marc Hype for the holiday season called The World's Greatest Christmas Mixtape (humble title, right...heh).

Here's the description from Chris Read below about the project & how it came into being:

When it came to putting together a mixtape at this time of the year, I knew I couldn't do it without getting my friend and 2 time ITF champion, Marc Hype in on the act.

Marc and I first met about this time last year when DJing at the Rap History club night in Berlin and bonded over our love of obscure rap 12s, unusual breaks and, as it turns out, funky Christmas records. So it only seemed right that we collaborate on a Christmas mixtape.

The result of many hours of digging, many more of mix construction and a few email conversations is what we've decided to call 'The World's Greatest Christmas Mixtape', a title we hope will be taken in good humour and a dose of Christmas cheer.

You'd be forgiven for thinking a Christmas mix is going to be a little corny and to an extent you might be right, but what the hell.

If some of our favourite artists of all time (Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Michael Jackson to name a few) can get away with making Christmas records with their integrity in tact, I don't see any reason why we shouldn't give some of those records our loving touch - so that's what we've done; Two mixes taking in some funk fueled Christmas classics, forgotten Funk gems, a little Soul, Hip Hop from the 80s, 90s and beyond, and even a touch of Reggae and Latin all with that Christmas theme.

Merry Christmas - We hope you enjoy!

I've been rocking this heavy for the past week (and that's a VERY big compliment, by this time of year, I'm ready to throw out the window any radio that's playing cloying Holiday Season music) and had to share it with everyone...let us know what you think and hope you enjoy it!

Chris Read & Marc Hype Present: The World's Greatest Christmas Mixtape
Download Link (includes mp3s of both mixes, tracklisting and cover artwork)

Tracklisting:

Part 1: Chris Read – Merry Chrismixx!

1. Chris Read – Merry Chrismixx Intro (Featuring Nat King Cole, Mike Epps, Dolemite, Ghostface, Disco 4, Derek B & Sweet Tee)
2. Lionel Hampton & Sonny Parker – Boogie Woogie Santa Claus
3. Jackson 5 – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
4. Petula Clark – Where Did My Snowman Go?
5. Barry Gordon – Nuttin’ For Christmas (DJ Unite Refix)
6. Elvis Presley – Here Comes Santa Claus
7. Eddie Murphy – Doo Doo Christmas Gifts
8. Mike Epps – Bad Santa Skit
9. De La Soul – Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa
10. Paul McCartney – Wonderful Christmastime
11. De La Soul - Simply
12. Danimal & Lakim – Big Pooh Vs. Santa Claus
13. King Sun D Moet – Christmas In The City
14. Margaret Whiting – Misteltoe Kiss Polka
15. Scoopy – Scoopy Rap
16. Diana Ross & The Supremes – Born Of Mary
17. Sweet Tee – Let The Jingle Bells Rock
18. Ryuichi Sakamoto – Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence
19. Jackson 5 – Up On The House Top
20. Run DMC – Christmas In Hollis
21. Clarence Carter – Back Door Santa
22. Kurtis Blow – Christmas Rappin’
23. Super J – Santa’s Rap Party
24. James Brown – Signs Of Christmas
25. James Brown – Soulful Christmas
26. Bootsy Collins – Winterfunkyland (Excerpt)
27. Bobby Helems – Jingle Bell Rock
28. INT – That Magic Of Christmas
29. Stevie Wonder – What Christmas Means To Me

Part 2: Marc Hype – Jingle Bells ‘09

1. Blondie ft. Fab 5 Freddie - Yuletide Throwdown (Excerpt)
2. Mirror Image - Deck The Halls
3. Dan The Automator - Jingle Bells Remixed
4. Bing Crosby - Happy Holiday (Beef Wellington Remix)
5. Cheech & Chong - Santa Claus And His Old Lady
6. The Soul Saints Orchestra - Santa's Got A Bag Of Soul
7. Harvey Averne Band - Let's Get It Together This Christmas
8. Electric Jungle - Funky Funky Christmas
9. Billy Jackson - Have A Happy Christmas
10. Cold Crew - Rappin' Christmas (Platurn Edit)
11. Thurl Ravenscroft - You're a Mean One, Mr Grinch
12. Elf Elf & Dok-Im - My Christmas Bells
13. Derek B - Chillin' With Santa
14. Jewel T - Bring On The Sleigh Bells
15. Fiona Apple - Frosty the Snowman
16. Martin Mull with The Sondra Baskin Glee Club - Santafly
17. Funk Machine - Soul Santa
18. J.D. McDonald - Boogaloo Santa Claus
19. Pee Pee Dynamite - Groovy Christmas & New Year
20. Al Hirt - Nutty Jingle Bells
21. Mirror Image - O Tannenbaum
22. Billy May Orchestra - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
23. James Brown - Merry Christmas I Love You
24. Martin Mull - Santa Doesn't Cop Out On Dope
25. Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby
26. Tom Waits - Silent Night / A Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis

Chris Read Official Website
Chris Read Official MySpace Page
Chris Read Official Twitter Page

Marc Hype Official Website
Marc Hype Official MySpace Page
Marc Hype Official Facebook Page

We're keeping it moving over here BlackRadioIsBack.com & FuseBox Radio Broadcast family...

We've posted up music mixes and remixes from UK DJ & producer Chris Read in the past here on the website and now, he hit us with his latest joint, a nine track remix EP of music that all consists of music somehow tied into the well known independent Hip-Hop crew from North Carolina, Little Brother.

Chris Read Presents: The Little Brother Show Remix EP features re-works of different tracks by or featuring either MCs Phonte or Big Pooh solo or the entire Little Brother collective.

Here's a description of the inspiration behind the Chris Read Presents: The Little Brother Show Remix EP project from Chris Read himself:

Ever since putting out the Diary Volume 1.5 remix tape earlier this year, I've been wanting to do another remix tape with a more current feel. Whilst there's been something of a trend for producers remixing entire albums in the past few years, the truth is that there's a very small number of modern hip hop acts who've genuinely inspired me, let alone ones that have published acapella albums.

Little Brother, on the other hand, impress me consistently and are one of the few contemporary hip hop acts who I always check for. So I gathered together the limited acapellas that I have obtained over the years and used them (along with a few instrumental skits) to produce this 9 track remix EP.

Much like Diary Volume 1.5, I've tried to keep the style of beats appropriate to the age the original tracks, although it's all post-2003 material so in truth anything goes. The more recent tracks are a pretty accurate reflection of where my beat making sits right now.

I think it's probably pretty clear from what I've said already, but for the avoidance of doubt, I should probably add that this is not an official Little Brother mixtape or release.

It was born simply out of my search for some quality vocals to put together a coherent sounding EP and perhaps more importantly my being a fan of Little Brother.

I sincerely hope it's received that way.

Anyway, enough from me - I hope you enjoy the show!

Grab up The Little Brother Show Remix EP for free download below along with an extra special download from Chris Read and let us know what you think - hope you enjoy everything!

Chris Read Presents: The Little Brother Show Remix EP
Download Link

Tracklisting:

1. The Little Brother Show (Intro)
2. Little Brother featuring Carlitta Durand - Life of the Party (Chris Read RMX)
3. Big Pooh - Strongest Man (Chris Read RMX) *
4. The Download (Interlude 1)
5. Darien Brockington featuring Little Brother - I Need You (Chris Read RMX) *
6. Little Brother - Whatever You Say (Chris Read RMX)
7. The Tour Life (Interlude 2)
8. Little Brother - The Way You Do It (Chris Read RMX) *
9. Hope You Enjoyed The Show (Outro)

* personal favorite tracks

BONUS DOWNLOAD: Chris Read Presents: The Little Brother Show Remix EP Instrumentals

Download Link

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Good Evening BlackRadioIsBack.com & FuseBox Radio Broadcast family!

I've gotten bombarded in the past 2 weeks with various Michael Jackson mixtapes, tributes, remixes, etc. and while going through my regular process of seeing what's really on point, have been kind of underwhelmed.

It was definitely a good look to have UK DJ Chris Read send in a pretty stand up job with his mix over to the BlackRadioIsBack.com family covering not just regular Michael Jackson & Jackson 5 songs in the mix, but putting in some dope interviews, songs that sampled the brother and some other things.

Here's Chris Read's personal breakdown of the background of Chris Read Presents Michael Jackson: The Legacy - Worlds Greatest Jackson Tribute Mix:

I know what you're thinking, the last thing world needs right now is yet another Michael Jackson tribute mixtape?

Believe me, I'm pretty much of the same opinion and I didn't take the decision to do this lightly, but the flood of (in too many cases) pretty half baked tribute mixes, radio shows, podcasts over the past week kind of got under my skin.

It seemed almost as though people were putting more effort into being the first to get something out than they were into a making decent job of it. I'm of the view that if you're going to mark somebody's life's work, the least you can do is pay some respect by putting some proper work into it.

So that's what I did. Just over a week after Michael's passing, I'm pleased to present what I've (humbly) called THE LEGACY: World's Greatest Jackson Tribute Mix! - 60 minutes, 45 tracks, featuring a selection of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5's original works, edits, acapellas and demos accompanied by records that have sampled them, cover versions, tributes and remixes from the likes of Dwele, Dilla, DJ Spinna and Ian Brown amongst others.

All that laced with original interviews and some heavy edits. It's been a labour of love, but I'm feeling like it was worth it.

I hope you enjoy!

Grab up the mix below from the download link and let us know what you think!

Chris Read Presents Michael Jackson: The Legacy - Worlds Greatest Jackson Tribute Mix
Download Link

1. Jackson 5 – Maybe Tomorrow (Loop)
2. Jackson 5 – Ain’t No Sunshine (Loop)
3. Dwele – Tribute to Michael Jackson (Re-edit) (Cover version of Michael Jackson – Human Nature)
4. Nas – It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Acapella) (Original version samples Michael Jackson – Human Nature)
5. Nas – It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Instrumental) (Samples Michael Jackson – Human Nature)
6. SWV – Right Here (Demolition Mix) (Samples Michael Jackson – Human Nature)
7. Jackson 5 – People Make The World Go Round
8. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Appreciate (Acapella) (Original Version samples Jackson 5 – 2,4,6,8)
9. Jackson 5 – 2,4,6,8
10. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Appreciate (Instrumental) (Samples Jackson 5 – 2,4,6,8)
11. The ARE – Walk On (Samples Jackson 5 – Walk On)
12. Michael Jackson Interview
13. Jackson 5 – We’re Almost There (DJ Spinna Remix)
14. The ARE – We’ve Come Too Far (Samples Jackson 5 – We’re Almost There)
15. Cool V – Tribute To Scratching Part 2 (Re-edit) (Samples Jackson 5 – We’re Almost There)
16. Jackson 5 – ABC (Tokya Ska Paradise Orchestra’a Justa Roots Rock Mix)
17. Jackson 5 – ABC (Album Version)
18. Naughty by Nature – O.P.P (Samples Jackson 5 – ABC)
19. De La Soul – Breakadawn (Foncett Power Radio Mix) (Samples Michael Jackson – I Can’t Help It)
20. Michael Jackson – I Can’t Help It
21. De La Soul – Breakadawn (Album Version) (Samples Michael Jackson – I Can’t Help It)
22. Michael Jackson – Heartbreak Hotel
23. Heavy D – Peaceful Journey (Samples Michael Jackson – Heartbreak Hotel)
24. Jackson 5 – It’s Great To Be Here
25. Jackson 5 Interview on Soul Train
26. Jackson 5 – Good Thing Goin’ (DJ Bobo James Remix)
27. Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (DJ Z Trip Remix) (Loop)
28. Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (Acapella)
29. Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (Original Version)
30. DJ Z Trip – Motown Breakdown (Samples Jackson 5 – I Want You Back)
31. Eric B & Rakim – I Know You Got Soul (Double Trouble Remix) (Samples Jackson 5 – I Want You Back)
32. Eric B & Rakim – I Know You Got Soul (Acapella) (Remix samples Jackson 5 – I Want You Back)
33. Jackson 5 – Enjoy Yourself (Loop)
34. Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Cookin Soul Remix feat. Notorious B.I.G)
35. Jackson 5 - The Love You Save (Sunaga T Experience Remix) (Loop)
36. Michael Jackson – Rock With You (Acapella)
37. Jackson 5 – Blame It On The Boogie
38. Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough
39. Michael Jackson – Bad (Acapella)
40. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Loop)
41. Ian Brown – Billie Jean
(Cover Version of Michael Jackson – Billie Jean)
42. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Demo Version)
43. Michael Jackson – History (J Dilla Remix) (Loop)
44. 911 call from the Jackson Residence
45. Zulema – Where You Are
(Cover Version of Jackson 5 – I Wanna Be Where You Are)

Music of Substance Official Website

Hey there BlackRadioIsBack.com & FuseBox Radio Broadcast Family,

Hope that things are going well for you and yours!

My 9 to 5 and other obligations have been running a sis over here a bit ragged, so I'm trying to get back to the at least once a day posting that we had back in the day with the site to hit y'all with the cool music, reviews and such.

Anyway, we have a new free download from UK DJ Chris Read - whose work is known from his 12 year run of the Hip-Hop , Funk & Soul "Substance" club events & spinning for BBC 1Xtra - which is a follow up of the dope "The Diary (World's Greatest Rap Megamix)" late in 2007 called "The Diary Volume 1.5 (20 Years of the Remix)".

"The Diary Volume 1.5 (20 Years of the Remix)" is a megamix paying tribute to iconic Hip-Hop music tracks from last 20 years, each of them being remixed to pay tribute to the prouction style and sampling trends popular at the time of the track's original release. The production sampling styles cover everything from the James Brown influenced style of the late '80s, the jazz sampling trend of the mid '90s and everything in between of DJ Premier and Jay Dee.

Feel free to get the download here (right click and "save as") which includes the music tracks, cover art, tracklisting and let us know that you think...

Hope you enjoy it!

The Diary Volume 1.5 (20 Years of the Remix) Tracklisting:

1 – Chris Read Theme #3 (Intro)
Style References: Mid ‘90s mixtape intros and late ‘90s turntablism.

2. Heavy D – We Got Our Own Thang (Chris Read Remix) (1989)
Style References: The late ‘80s productions of Hurvy Luv Bug, selected 45 King productions and selected output of the Tuff City label.
3. Eric B & Rakim – Let The Rhythm Hit Em (Chris Read Remix) (1990)
Style References: Eric B & Rakim’s “Know The Ledge” and horn sampling early Showbiz productions.

4. Nice and Smooth – Hip Hop Junkies (Chris Read Remix) (1991)
Style References: Early ‘90s remixes by the Stimulated Dummies and selected cuts from the UMCs’ “Fruits of Nature” album.

5. Ultramagnetic MCs – Poppa Large (Daily Diggers Remix) (1992)
Style References: Drums in the style of early Diamond D productions and unconventional digging sources generally.

6. The Whooliganz – Put Your Handz Up (Chris Read Remix) (1993)
Style References: Sampling jazz in the style of Bush Babees’ “Swing It” and bass lines in the style of Beatminerz’ remix of House of Pain’s “On Point”.

7. The Beatnuts – Props Over Here (Chris Read Remix) (1994)
Style References: The mid 90s remix output of Buckwild and Lord Finesse’s “Awakening” LP.

8. Mobb Deep – Survival of the Fittest (Chris Read Remix) (1995)
Style References: Mobb Deep and Q Tip’s productions on Mobb Deep’s “Infamous” LP.

9. Busta Rhymes – Woo Hah, Got You All In Check (Chris Read Remix) (1996)
Style References: The mid to late ‘90s output of a Tribe Called Quest and Ummah productions generally.

10. Beatnuts – Off The Books (Chris Read Remix) (1997)
Style References: Selected mid to late 90s Beatnuts productions.

11. Unspoken Heard – Better (Chris Read Remix) (1998)
Style References: Selected Sound Providers productions and All Natural and Lone Catalyst’s “Renaissance”.

12. Common – Car Horn (Chris Read Remix) (1999)
Style References: Reflection Eternal’s “2000 Seasons” and the late ‘90s jazz sound generally.

13. Jurassic 5 – Quality Control (Chris Read Remix) (2000)
Style References: Cut Chemist, Nu Mark and sampling Funk 45s in general.

14. Jaz O and Immobilaire – Love Is Gone (Chris Read Remix) (2001)
Style References: The much imitated DJ Premier drum sound and DJ Premier remixes of the early ‘00s generally.

15. Jay Dee feat Frank N Dank – Pause (Chris Read Remix) (2002)
Style References: Selected early ‘00s Jay Dee productions. The legacy of the late great Jay Dee, J Dilla, Dill Withers, Dilla Dawg…

16. Kev Brown – Allways (Chris Read Remix) (2003)
Style References: The rising popularity of the soul clap snare.

17. Encore feat. Ladybug Mecca – Real Talk (Chris Read Remix) (2004)
Style References: The mid ‘00s output of Encore, Basic Vocab and Dave Ghetto. More soul clap snares.

18. Floetry feat. Common – Supastar (Chris Read Remix) (2005)
Style References: Erykah Badu’s “Danger” and selected Scott Storch productions.

19. Lupe Fiasco – Kick, Push (Chris Read Remix) (2006)
Style References: Lupe Fiasco’s “Kick, Push” and producers bringing back ‘traditional’ drums in ’06 generally.

20. Little Brother feat Carlitta Durand – Life Of The Party (Chris Read Remix)
(2007)
Style References: Filtered soul in the style of 9th Wonder and minimal drums in the style of Nottz. Everybody bringing back Long Red in ’07.

21. Black Grass feat J Live – Set It Straight (Chris Read Remix) (2008)
Style References: Anyone still putting in the effort in ’08.

22. Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me (Outro)
Style References: The ARE's 'Uphill Piece of Mine' EP and chopped soul on 45.

All tracks produced and engineered by Chris Read except Track 5 (produced by Daily Diggers, engineered by Daily Diggers and Chris Read). All scratches performed by Chris Read except Track 14 (scratches performed by DJ Premier). All vocal production is credited to the original artists / producers.

Bonus mp3 Download:

Chris Read - Tribute to the Adidas Shelltoe (right click and "save as")

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