9/28/2005
Z-trip Review

Z-Trip



Aug. 19 @ House of Blues Sunset Strip



By Ryan McWhorter



Hip hop or mash-ups? A sold-out crowd of devoted Z-Trip (Z) fans packed the Sunset Strip House of Blues, curious as to what the night would entail. Z-Trip was set to headline his first Los Angeles show since the April 19 release of his eagerly anticipated album Shifting Gears – L.A being only the second stop on the long tour schedule.


DJ Goldenchyld got everyone’s blood flowing when he opened the night with some kickin’ beats. Old-school hip-hop favorites Black Sheep immediately followed Goldenchyld, and Andre Titus (Dres) and William McLean (Mista Lawnge) threw down the classics along with some joints off their upcoming album. They closed the set with "The Choice is Yours," leaving the spectators amped for the man of the evening.

Before Z kicked off his set, large screens displayed scrolling text in Star Wars fashion (seemingly the theme music of the night), describing the events Z encountered while producing Shifting Gears. At the height of anticipation, Z strutted onto the stage showering heads with copies of his new 12-inch single.

Z started his set with a few of his renowned mash-ups featuring old-school hits like Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody" and Jackson 5’s "ABC." Playing to the crowd, Z killed the music, shouting out, "It’s just gonna keep getting better and better!" It did. He cranked out funkdafied variations of Radiohead, Tone Loc’s "Wild Thing" and multiple AC/DC tunes, showing first-timers exactly why he is where he is now.Busdriver, speed-rhymer extraordinaire, was the first of many special guests brought out by Z. Fans of Busdriver rejoiced as he performed "Take Two Copies," spitting out the lyrics faster than the speed of sound.

Next up was the U.K.’s own Killa Kela, who grabbed the spotlight as Z took a short break. Kela, beat-box master, wowed the entire venue, mouthing an impeccable rendition of Kelis’ "Milkshake" without using any instruments.

Z then proceeded on with his blend of mash-up goodness. De La Soul, Chic, Devo and Kriss Kross kept the heads bobbing and the hands in the air. The night concluded with Z and Murs (dressed in pajamas) busting out "Breakfast Club" followed by the Z-Trip mix of DJ Shadow’s "Monday." After all was said and done, Z thanked the audience once again and asked fans to "chill" with him at the merch booth after the show, showing his devotion to both current and long-time fans.
9/20/2005
Essential Tunes Weeks 4 - 8
Tag team I'm back again! Here they are...Enjoy!

1. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm Remixed (The Erol Alkan track rules!)

2. Kanye West - Late Registration

3. Bent - Programmed to Love

4. Deep Dish vs. Dire Straits- Flashing for Money

5. Royksopp - Only This Moment (Alan Braxe and Fred Falke Remix)

6. D.O.N.S. feat. Technotronic - Pump up the Jam (Kurd Maverick Crowd is Jumpin' Remix)

7. Mylo - In My Arms Remixes ("12 Import)

8. Johnny Fiasco - South of the Border

9. Dj Shadow vs. Keane - We Might As Well Be Strangers

10. Coldplay - White Shadows (Morgan "Morgie" Page Bootleg Remix)

11. Amerie - Touch

12. Stevie Wonder - Innervisions

13. Rinocerose - Installation Sonore

14. Dj Kool - Let Me Clear My Throat (Classic)

15. Dabry - Hyped Up Plus Tax

16. Greenskeepers - Pleetch (And watch the video for "Lotion" if you get a chance)

17. Dr. Octagon - Return of Dr. Octagon (Just wait)

18. Goldfrapp - Ooh La La

19. Playboy - The Mansion (Mixed By Felix Da Housecat)

20. Weekend Players - Into the Sun (Static Revenger Mix Edit)

21. Prefuse 73 - Surrounded By Silence

22. The Dissociatives - The Dissociatives

23. The Game - The Documentary

24. Jeremy Ellis - Take Your Time

25. Junior Jack - trust It (Jackin' Shit!)

26. The Faint - Wet From Birth

27. The Faint - The Conductor (Thin White Duke Mix)

28. The Cure - Love Song (Virus White)

29. Stardust - Music Feels Better With You (Another classic)

30. Verve - Remixed 3

31. Method Man & Redman - Blackout ("The buta bricks the buta buta bricks")

32. Squarepusher - Budakhan Mindphone

33. Dj Sneak - Buggin' Da Beats

34. M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us

35. Muse Absolution

36. Ulrich Schnauss - A Strangely Isolated Place

37. I:Cube - Can You Deal With That? feat. Rza

38. Frou Frou - Details (Amazing)

39. Hieroglyphics - At the Helm

40. Digable Planets - Rebirth of Slick (Cool like Dat)

-Oh snap!