Page | Text Only

Dazed & Confused (UK) March 2003

MIXTAPE PEANUT BUTTER WOLF

What do you know about PB Wolf? Yes, he's a world renowned DJ/producer. Yes, he knows every funk break out there and yes he owns Stones Throw, one of hip hop's hottest indie labels. But did you know that he has a penchant for karaoke and soulful house? Like his new album, the third compilation in the Badmeaninggood catalogue, he is full of surprises. With an appearance at the Dedbeat festival this month and a tour planned later this year alongside other mixologists from the BMG series, we asked the man to whet your appetites with ten more treats from his capacious crates. TN

SIDE A
Gary Wilson "Chromium Bitch" Cry Baby (1977)
Gary Wilson is the perfect artist. He reminds me of early Prince though his stuff came out first. I tried to reissue his album, but an NY indie label beat me to it. At first I was pissed, but at least it's getting heard, right.

The Specials "I Can't Stand It" Chrysalis (1980)
I was just compiling a karaoke CD for my sister's birthday party and had to put this on. Nobody knew what it was, but I still ended up singing it. It's the song structure by Jerry Dammers that really does it for me. I met him at a music festival we were both playing at in Scotland last year and had to pretend I wasn't excited. That's what I love about this industry.

Dimenzio "Bamba" Artisjus (1981)
A great Brazilian record from Hungary (don't ask) from the early 80s. I heard that a west London broken beat artist recently did a cover of it, but not sure who. I like the synths on this version, but don't like how much I had to pay for it.

Yesterdays New Quintet "Julani" Stones Throw (2001) It disgusts me how slept on Madlib still is. After three incredible albums in three years (as Lootpack, Quasimoto and YNQ) the year end charts come out and his shit still isn't on them. Fuck everyone. It makes me want to quit music and go into psychology or teaching.

SIDE B
Star Quality and Class "Betcha Got A Dude On The Side" R & R (1982) I finally found this in Japan after years of searching. The instrumental version is much the same as Grandmaster Flash's "The Message". If you know which came out first, please email me the answer on pbwolf@stonesthrow.com

Freeway "What We Do" Roc-A-Fella (2002)
I resisted commercial rap as long as possible, but now I feel the major label stuff is better than the indie stuff. There's a lot of innovative rap music in the top 40 at the moment.

Free Design "Umbrellas" (1968)
I bought a beat-up copy for $5 in the early 90s, then spent several years trying to find a better one for less than $100. I put it in a top 10 list recently and the label contacted me to remix it. I'm not sure how to approach it though, it's perfect the way it is.

Jazzy Jeff "Rock Wit U" (Yoruba Soul mix) BBE (2002) I did a gig in Toronto two years ago where they got hip hop DJs to play stuff other than hip hop. I played dance classics, while some of the other DJs played soulful house. The next day, the promoter took me to a record store and showed me a bunch of great stuff. I've been buying Osunlade's (AKA Yoruba) stuff ever since.

Home > Artists > Peanut Butter Wolf > Dazed and Confused "Mixtape"