Having moved around like I have, and having relatively mellow tastes like I do has meant that over the years I've played more than my fair share of warm-up sets.  Though there's nothing quick as exhilirating as playing to a packed dancefloor in full form, there's also a great pleasure to be had in building things up at the beginning of the night. 

Why do I love to play early, as people are just getting to the club?  There's generally more freedom, for one.  The early slot is a perfect time to play all the records you might not normally be able to get away with, and it lends itself well to covering a wide variety of styles and genres in a short period of time--a perfect way keep it interesting and hit on the specific tastes of everyone in the room.  And, of course, when you finish the night is still young and you can relax, check out the other DJs' sets, and enjoy the full selection of beverages available at the bar. 

Recently I was in the mood for putting together just such a mix, a typical early-night set.  I was pleased with the results I decided to share them with one of Spain's finest dance music portals, Clubbingspain.  It's been getting some nice feedback so far, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to register and post a few kind words in support of the mix.

It's been some winter.  Warm up to this...

Andrew OdDio - Clubbingspain Mix (The Warm Up)

• The Salsoul Orchestra – “Ooh I love It” (Love Break Groove) – Salsoul
  
• Moodymann – “People” – Peacefrog
  
• Manzel – “Sugar Dreams” – Dopebrother
  
• Kutiman – “Music’s Ruling My World” (DJ Day Remix) – Melting Pot
  
• Manu Dibango v. Masters at Work – “New Bell” – White Label
  
• Incredible Bongo Band – “Apache” – Mr. Bongo
  
• Brownout – “African Battle” – Alternate Take
  
• Syrup – “Sweatshop” – Compost
  
• Lee McDonald – “We’ve Just Begun” (TM Juke Mix) – Favourite
  
• Gil Scott Heron – “The Bottle” (Daz-I-Kue Re-edit) – Bloodfire
  
• Street Choir – “Phone Booth” – Choir
  
• Mouzon’s Electric Band – “Everybody Get Down” – Vanguard
  
• Mach – “On & On” – Remix Records
  
• Pound Boys – “T’s Theme” (Dub) – Bumpin’ City
  
• Peven Everett – “Stuck” (Groove Assassain Pow-er Re-rub) – Soul Heaven
  
• ??? – ??? – White Label
  
• Blood – “Peace in the Nation” – Ibadan
  
• Roy Davis Jr. – “Gabrielel” (Live Garage) - Large

STREAM | DOWNLOAD via Clubbingspain.com | DIRECT DOWNLOAD

[If you have trouble with the download links above, try right-clicking (PC) or Option-clicking (Mac) HERE and selecting "Save As."]

The Scandanavian countries have a long and strong jazz tradition, but like most of the music you'll hear on this site I came to know of it late, and by way of house music.  I think the first points of contact, for me, were the Nuspirit Helsinki releases that came out on Guidance in the late 90s and early 00s.  At that time I wasn't at all clear on what Nu-jazz was, or Broken Beat, or Jazzdance--but I liked what I was hearing, and felt increasingly drawn to less formulaic dance music.  There seemed to be an interesting cross-polination happening between Italy, Japan, Germany, and Finland--and the Nuspirit name showed up elsewhere, cropping up on labels like JCR, remixing artists like Nicola Conte, and making all around wonderful music. 

The early to mid 00s were an interesting time for dance music, with many producers putting aside their old aesthetics and trying for more organic sounds through live instrumentation.  Nuspirit Helsinki shuffled their lineup and started releasing records under the name the Five Corners Quintet.  This was not sample-based nujazz, but live jazz with true jazz sensibility and musicianship.  In 2003 they released their landmark first 10" Trading Eights on the newly-formed Ricky-Tick Records--but they were not alone.  Other groups from surrounding countries, such as Koop (Sweden) and Povo (Denmark), were involved in a similar project to revamp sixties style jazz for the dancefloor.  With one foot firmly planted in the bop, cool jazz, and spiritual jazz tradition and the other taking a big step into the future, this music brought steady acclaim through the rest of the decade--from DJs, music critics, and open-minded dancefloors alike. 

Given the impact of the work of the Ricky-Tick artists Timo Lassey, Five Corners Quintet, Dalindeo, Jukka Eskola we were eager to make them the subject of one of our decade-ending restrospectives, but as they represent just a part of the jazz movement happening up north, we were happy to welcome artists on DNM (Oddjob, Soular Sound), Raw Fusion (A Bossa Eletrica, Povo), and JCR (Koop) into our geographically-defined "Scandinavian Jazz Special."

Scandinavian Jazz Special by OdDio (tracks 1-9), DJ Offbeat (tracks 10-15, 25-26), and Chris Galvan (tracks 14-20)

• 1. Fertile Ground - Another Day (Povo Jazz Rework)
  
• 2. Povo - We Are Povo
  
• 3. Five Corners Quintent feat. Mark Murphy - Jamming (with Mr. Hoagland) (Nicola Conte "For Friends and Relatives" Version)
  
• 4. Soular Sound - Things We Do (Nils Krough Alternative Take)
  
• 5. Hi-Fly Orchestra - Violet (Povo Rework)
  
• 6. Jukka Eskola - Kulo (Studio Live, Take 4)
  
• 7. Dalindeo - Solifer-Lento
  
• 8. Nostalgia 77 - Wildflower (Povo Remix)
  
• 9. Shaun Escoffery - Breaking Away (Koop Remix)
  
• 10. Jukka Eskola - 1974
  
• 11. Dalindeo - Poseidon
  
• 12. Five Corners Quintet - Blueprint
  
• 13. High Five Quintet - Conversation (Nicola Conte New Jazz Club Mix)
  
• 14. Timo Lassy - African Rumble
  
• 15. Auteur Jazz - Two Jaguars In Warsaw
  
• 16. Koop - Never Gonna Let You Go
  
• 17. Jimi Tenor & Kabu Kabu - Black January
  
• 19. A Bossa Eletrica - Consolocao
  
• 20. Timo Lassy ft Jose James - The More I Look At You
  
• 21. Bobby Hughes Combination - Magnificent Mr. Morgan
  
• 22. Povo - Bennie's Groove
  
• 23. Five Corners Quintet - Rich In Time
  
• 24. Timo Lassy - Early Move
  
• 25. Oddjob - Bloodstream
  
• 26. Jukka Eskola - Chip 'n' Charge

LISTEN | DOWNLOAD

Much love, respect, and thanks are due to the people at Ricky-Tick and the other labels and artists featured in this show.

I wasn't going to do a songs-of-the-decade list, but I had some free time and...

My process was the following: I sat here at my computer and made a list of about 125 records from memory, using discogs to verify their release dates.  Though I would’ve liked to, I didn't go through my wax or listen to any sound samples online, mainly as a way of not spending too long on the project. Then I cut the list back to 100, and tinkered a bit, swapping things and making a small number of “political choices” in an attempt to include, in some way or another, all of the artists whose music I've most enjoyed; for example, “well, all three of these Quantic records are great, but I’ve got to have something from Atjazz.” Finally, I organized them alphabetically by year, rather than attempting to rank them. This, too, was a time-saving measure.

The year 2000 caught me just three years into record collecting and deejaying, so these records—in addition to following in some way the larger trends in sounds and styles—also represent a significant evolution in my own tastes.  I've tried to remain faithful to what I listened to and played over the years—but naturally the list also conveys my current interests and inclinations. 

• The Decade in 100 Records •

Atjazz – Harmony – Mantis (2000)

Butti 49 – Chattanooga Nugget – Guidance (2000)

Common – The Light – MCA (2000)

Deltron 3030 – 3030 – 75 Ark (2000)

Femi Kuti – Scatterhand (Zenzile Dub Mix) – Nuphonic (2000)

Herbert – Suddenly – Studio K7 (2000)

Metro Area – Machine Vibes – Environ (2000)

Muro – Patch Up the Pieces – Toy’s Factory (2000)

Scott Grooves – Organ Nights – Spiritual Life (2000)

St. Germain – Rose Rouge – Blue Note (2000)

Suba – Felicidade (Buscemi Remix) – Six Degrees (2000)

Tosca – Orozco – Studio K7 (2000)

Herbert – The Audience vs. Jamie Lidell And The Mysterious Szizlas (Music No Last) – Studio K7 (2001)

Koop – Summer Sun – JCR (2001)

Masters at Work feat. Roy Ayers – Our Time is Coming – MAW (2001)

Mondo Grosso – Life (Vida Soalheira) – SMEJ (2001)

Sean Escoffrey – Days Like This (Spinna Vocal) – Oyster  (2001)

4 Hero feat. Lady Alma – Hold it Down (Bugz In The Attic's Co-Operative Mix) – Talkin’ Loud (2002)

Common – I Am Music – MCA (2002)

Crue-L Grand Orchestra – (You Are) More Than Paradise (Freaks Switching Channels 12inch Mix) – Crue-L (2002)

Gerardo Frisina – Cubana – Schema (2002)

Jazztronik – Rita – Especial (2002)

Nicola Conte – Arabesque (Micatone Vocal Version) – Schema (2002)

Sunaga T Experience - No Reason No Rhyme (Nicola Conte Plays A Mode For Tatsuo) – Readymade (2002)

Tom & Joyce – Queixume (MAW Mix) – Yellow (2002)

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra  – Che Che Colé – Daptone (2003)

Butti 49 – Alan Accelerates (Fenomenon's Snowjogg 87 Remix) –Hi Fi Terapi (2003)

Drumagick – Malta – Schema (2003)

El Michels Affair – Detroit Twice – Misty (2003)

Jazztronik – Future Talk – Flower (2003)

Joe Claussell – Je Ka Jo – BBE (2003)

Moodymann – People – Peacefrog (2003)

Vuca – Bossafrica – Schema (2003)

Beatfanatic – Music – Raw Fusion (2004)

David Borsu – Syncopassion – Almagama (2004)

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble – Running In The Streets (Charles Webster Remix #1) – Deeper Soul (2004)

Gecko Turner – 45.000$ (Guapa Pasea) – Lovemonk (2004)

Kerri Chandler – Back to the Raw – Deeply Rooted (2004)

Kerrier District – Yesco – Rephlex (2004)

Manzel – Space Funk (Dopebrother 7 Inch Remix) – Dopebrother (2004)

Mo’ Horizons – Ay Mi Morena (Chocolate Restyle) – Stereo Deluxe (2004)

Patricia Marx – Menino – Trama (2004)

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings –  I Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Is In – Daptone (2004)

Bugz in the Attic – Once Twice – V2 (2005)

Danger Doom – El Chupa Nibre – Epitaph (2005)

DJ Day – Gone Bad – Melting Pot (2005)

Dusty – Revolver Theme – Jazz & Milk (2005)

Fertile Ground – Another Day (Povo Jazz Rework) – P-Vine (2005)

Hird – I Love You My Hope (Do Right Mix) – DNM (2005)

J-nova – Hey Baby (Jazzanova's Hey Baby Remix) – Sonar Kollektiv (2005)

Jorge Graf – Dis-Ka-Ndombe (Gerardo Frisina Re-Work) – Soundway (2005)

Kerri Chandler – Return 2 Acid – Large (2005)

Louie Vega – Cerca de Mi (Wagon Cookin’ Contigo Mix) – Lovemonk (2005)

Mark E – Scared – Jiscomusic (2005)

Nirobi & Barakas –  Bungee Jump Against Racism (Diesler Mix) – Tru Thoughts (2005)

Pascal Roiux – Don’t Stay Outstay Outside (Patchworks Mix) – Rotax (2005)

Recloose feat. Joe Dukie – Dust – Peacefrog (2005)

Robert Strauss – Spinning Inside Your Love (DJ Spinna Mix) – Freerange (2005)

Sabrina Malheiros – Passa (Album Version) – Far Out (2005)

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? – Daptone (2005)

Slope feat. Capitol A – Komputa Groove (12" Version) – Sonar Kollektiv (2005)

Slow Supreme – African Time – Jazid Collective (2005)

Steve Spacek – Dollar – Sound In Color (2005)

Theo Parrish – Falling Up (Carl Craig Remix) – Third Ear (2005)

Trio Eléctrico – Echo Parcours (V8) – Stereo Deluxe (2005)

Alice Russell – Fly in the Hand – Tru Thoughts (2006)

Antonio Adolfo, Brazil & Brazuka – Luizao – Far Out (2006)

Bulljun & El Barrio – El Barrio Blues – P-Vine (2006)

Cut Chemist – What’s the Altitude – A Stable Sound (2006)

Erik Sumo – The Real Moustache (Uko Barter Transcription Remix) – Pulver (2006)

El Michels Affair – C.R.E.A.M. – Truth & Soul (2006)

Escort – Starlite – Escort (2006)

J Rawls Presents the Liquid Crystal Project – A Tribute To Troy (Turntable Jazz 7 Inch Edit) – Turntable Jazz (2006)

Makossa & Megablast – Like a Rocket – G Stone (2006)

Pevin Everett – Stuck (Groove Assassin's Pow-Er Re-Rub) – Soul Heaven (2006)

Quantic feat. Alice Russell – The Sound of Everything (Watch TV & Senorlobo Reprise) – Lovemonk (2006)

The Beatconductor – Somethin’ Betta – G.A.M.M. (2006)

The Rebirth – Evil Vibrations – White (2006)

Simbad feat. Steelo – Soul Fever – Raw Fusion (2006)

Arthur Verocai – Bis – Far Out (2007)

Azymuth – Wait For My Turn (Spiritual South remix) – Far Out (2007)

Bloodfire – The Bottle – Bloodfire (2007)

The Budos Band – Chicago Falcon – Daptone (2007)

Mike Huckaby – Fantasy – S Y N T H (2007)

Katalyst feat. Steve Spacek – How Bout Us – Invada (2007)

Root Soul Feat. Vanessa Freeman & Mike Patto – Spirit Of Love (Phil Asher's Restless Soul Boogie Mix) – Especial (2007)

Rhythm & Sound feat. Tikiman – Ruff Way (Afefe Iku Remix) – White (2007)

The Quantic Soul Orchestra – Lead Us to the End – Tru Thoughts (2007)

Tony Allen – Ole (A Remix By Moritz von Oswald) – Honest Jon’s (2007)

Audioasis – Sigh Of The Zephyr – Alice B. Toklas (2008)

J.A.M. feat. José James – Jazzy Joint – Face The Music (2008)

Kings Go Forth – One Day – Mr. C’s (2008)

Moody – Freeki Mutha F cker – KDJ (2008)

Rocco – Someday – Real Tone (2008)

Ruben Blades – Plastico (Nauts Ricanstruction) – Vega (2008)

Q-Tip – Gettin’ Up – Universal Motown (2008)

DJ Sprinkles – Brenda’s $20 Dilemma – Mule Musiq (2009)

Bill Withers – Who Is He (Henrik Schwarz Remix) – White (2009)

Mayer Hawthorne – Maybe So, Maybe No – Stones Throw (2009)

Pepe Bradock – Path of Most Resistance – Atavisme (2009)

DJ Offbeat (of Future History of House) and Chris Galvan (of Music Is Everything Podcast) are back with another label special to knock your proverbial socks off, and being that the focus this time around was Osaka, Japan's Especial Records, I had to get involved.  One of the truly pioneering labels of the past decade, Especial puts out house, broken beat, and nujazz of the highest caliber.  If the multi-genre yet always exceptional output of the label wasn't enough (who would expect less from a label run by Kyoto Jazz Massive), they're all vinyl--and very heavy, quality vinyl at that.  Every detail, right down to the impossibly thick color sleeves, sets them apart from other labels. 

Especial Records Special by DJ Offbeat (tracks 1-5), Chris Galvan (tracks 6-13), and OdDio (tracks 14-20)

• 1. Sleepwalker - River Of Love ft Bembe Segue
  
• 2. Sleepwalker - Into The Sun (Intro Edit Version) ft Bembe Segue
  
• 3. Markus Enochson - You'll Shine (Full Shine Mix) ft Demetreus
  
• 4. Masa Collective - Love Is Everywhere (KJM Reconstruction)
  
• 5. Hajime Yoshizawa - Verao No Ar
  
• 6. Hajime Yoshizawa - Open Door
  
• 7. Jazztronik - Cannibal Rock
  
• 8. Da Lata - Change
  
• 9. Hajime Yoshizawa - Secret Flight (West Tokyo Mix)
  
• 10. Reel People - Love is Where You Are (Orto Mix)
  
• 11. Bakura - Mistaken
  
• 12. Opolopo - Life's a Dance
  
• 13. Monday Michiru - A Calamaria
  
• 14. Markus Enochson - Listen For It
  
• 15. Dr. J Presents 1Luv - Above You (Dixon's 2005 Edit)
  
• 16. Hajime Yoshizawa - Endless Bow (Jimpster Remix)
  
• 17. Root Soul - Spirit of Love (Phil Asher's Restless Soul Boogie Mix)
  
• 18. Jazztronik - Madrugada (Roots Mix)
  
• 19. Bakura - Empty Faces (LP Mix)
  
• 20. Jazztronik - Rita

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Much love, respect, and thanks are due to the people at Especial.  Check them out at www.especial-records.com.  Here's to another ten years, and beyond.