Notes from the record bag of a small time DJ
Paul Rudeforth
18 June 2024
First record I bought:
My home town’s local music shop was an odd place, staffed by surly monosyllabic teens, and managed by an older man who referred to every album you bought as “brilliant, one of my favourites!” I’d go in regularly after school to browse the CDs. I asked about a new album they had on display downstairs on the counter, but the manager told me “it’s only available on vinyl.” I took this as an elitist provocation and bought it, despite the fact I didn’t even own my own turntable. My vinyl collecting/DJ origin moment.
First record I played:
I’m in an empty, small town basement bar, 20 years ago, with a handful of friends looking underwhelmed. My big DJ debut. The first record I actually played was “Also Sprach Zarathustra”, the intro music from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Not exactly a subtle and understated piece. In hindsight, opening with such a bombastic number is quite embarrassing, so I will move on to the record that followed. The Dead Prez track was ubiquitous at hip-hop nights around that time, and when I first heard it I went to the record shop, humming the bassline and asking for “that rap song that says ‘hip hop’ over and over”. Not only did they source the record, they kindly refrained from openly mocking me. They surely saved that for after I had left.
Inappropriate record selection:
My first time playing in Sheffield. A friend was running a reasonably upmarket bar in town. He had some faith in me and my DJ friends, so he let us loose on a midweek night where we couldn’t cause too much damage. I was excited to deploy my freshest dancefloor weapon, but this was not the time nor place for such grimy ragga. To say I alienated the crowd would be to put it kindly, but there was one member of the bar staff who came to ask what was playing. Fast-forward some eight years, and we would end up starting our own weekly radio show together. Meeting people can be easy.
Bathroom break record:
Fela Kuti – Colonial Mentality
DJing all night on your own? You better have a selection of lengthy songs in the bag. I’ve recently utilised tracks by Orlando Julius and William Onyeabor for a chance to escape the decks, but as ‘The King of Afrobeat’, Fela is also King of the bathroom break record. The ‘Black President’ album, liberated from my parents some 25 years ago, acted as my gateway to so much African music.
Incite a Conga:
I have to credit this find to a long time DJ partner of mine. Many years ago on one of the first nights we had played together, he put on this calypso carnival anthem and the small but crowded dance floor suddenly broke out into a conga line. I have since played it with similar reactions, my favourite of which was a highly entertaining impromptu limbo competition. As a middle-ager with a dodgy back from years of lugging vinyl around, I was not tempted to join in.
Panic record:
Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth For Christ Choir – Like a Ship
When I got my first regular solo gig, I was ill-prepared for the odd requests that would be sent my way. On a typically low-key mid-week evening, I found myself way out of my DJ comfort zone. A man approached, asking if I could put something nice on, as he was just about to propose to his partner. He gave me a minute while I completely panicked, frantically searching for anything appropriate. I still have no idea why I pulled out this gospel record. As soon as the needle hit the groove, I was plunged into a deep fear that I had ruined this momentous occasion. I only glanced up to see the man go down on one knee… and then I had to look away. I can only hope that love conquered my amateur DJ abilities.
Record I have purchased the most times:
Thanks to a series of compilations by Soul Jazz Records I discovered a love for New Orleans music, and in particular the Allen Toussaint-produced 45s of the late ‘60s. With seminal funk group The Meters on backing, the A-side is considered a classic, but it was the B-side “Trouble With My Lover” that I was so keen to get my mitts on. The first few copies I bought were all in less-than-prime condition, but as they say, “fifth time’s the charm” and I finally tracked one down that sounds great throughout.
Worst condition record I have played:
The Flamingos – I Only Have Eyes For You
Originally a ‘30s movie musical number and since covered over 500 times, this ‘59 doo wop rework remains the definitive version. My copy is in bad shape, but I still played it at my wedding party as the final song of the evening. All the engrained marks and scratches somehow add to the charm, igniting my imagination to the secret history of this 65 year-old record: How many people have owned it, played it, and in what scenarios?
BONUS DISCS
Cover version: Carol Cool – Upside Down
Cover version in an alternate language: Soreng Santi – Kuen Kuen Lueng Lueng
Un-Shazam-able secret weapon: Kaleta & Akoya Afrobeat – The Spirit Of Fela Is Alive And Well! (Guynamukat Afro-Boogie Labour Of Love Remix)
Bargain bin banger: T-Connection – Do What You Wanna Do
Wedding party banger: Luther Vandross – Never Too Much
“Play something that’s not older than me!”: Little Simz – Point and Kill/Fear No Man
Early doors deep cut: Hodges, James, Smith & Crawford – Nobody
Most recent purchase: Prince – Controversy (LNTG Muscle Mix)
Most impractical: Jukebox Mambo 10″ Book Set
Last played: Staple Singers – Slippery People
Always in the bag: Barrett Strong – Money
Last one of the night: Nina Simone – My Baby Just Cares For Me
Please go home now: Smiles – Just a Star
