Castor started as a doo-wopsinger in New York. He wrote and recorded "I Promise to Remember" in 1956. Castor then replaced Frankie Lymon in The Teenagers in 1957 before switching to the saxophone in 1960. He had a solo hit with "Hey Leroy, Your Mama's Callin' You" on Smash Records in 1966. Castor also played sax on Dave "Baby" Cortez's hit "Rinky Dink." He formed the Jimmy Castor Bunch in 1972 and signed with RCA. As leader of The Jimmy Castor Bunch in the 1970s, and also as a soloartist, he has released several successful albumsand singles. The group reached the peak of their commercial success in 1972 with the release of their album, It's Just Begun, which featured two hit singles: the title track and "Troglodyte (Cave Man)," which was a large hit in the U.S., peaking at #6 in the Billboard Hot 100. The track stayed in the chart for 14 weeks and was a million seller by 30 June 1972, and received agold disc award from the R.I.A.A.
Castor continued the trend in 1975 with "The Bertha Butt Boogie" and later recorded "E-Man Boogie," "King Kong," "Bom Bom," and "Potential." The Castor band includedkeyboardist/trumpeter Gerry Thomas, bassist Doug Gibson, guitarist Harry Jensen, conga player Lenny Fridle, Jr., and drummer Bobby Manigault. Thomas, who simultaneously recorded with the Fatback Band, left in the '80s to exclusively record with them. Castor recorded as a solo performer from 1976 until 1988. He had one of his bigger hits in many years with a 1988 revival of "Love Makes a Woman," which paired him with disco divaJoyce Sims. Castor had his own record label, Long Distance, in the 1980s.
Many of the group's tunes have been heavily sampled in films and in hip-hop. In particular, the saxophone hook and groove from "It's Just Begun" and the spoken word intro and groove from "Troglodyte" (namely, "What we're gonna do right here is go back...") have been sampled extensively.
DJ Format is back with album number three. It's called 'Statement Of Intent' and will be out in March.
It's his first new collection of songs since 2005 and features a dizzying amount of influences and collaborators. Edan, Mr Lif, Sureshot La Rock, The Simonsound and The Nostalgia 77 Quintet all appear on a record that takes hip hop as a base from which to explore a wide range of other genres.
Format has just released a promo video for the LP, so get a taste of the psychedelic things to come below.
Rapper and actor Heavy D, one of the defining voices of hip-hop's late-80s and early-90s golden age, has died. The 44-year-old was taken to hospital with breathing problems, just hours after he wrote to his followers on Twitter, "BE INSPIRED!"
Paramedics arrived at Heavy D's Beverly Hills condo at around noon on Tuesday, after receiving a 911 call from a neighbour. The rapper was conscious and talking, but had collapsed after returning home from a shopping trip. "There doesn't appear to be any foul play," police lieutenant Mark Rosen told the New York Daily News. "We believe it was medically related." According to LA's KTLA News, Heavy was suffering from pneumonia after a recent trip from Europe. He was taken by ambulance to Cedars Sinai Medical Center, where he died at about 1pm. Autopsy results are forthcoming.
Born Dwight Arrington Myers in Jamaica and raised in New York state, Heavy D barrelled into hip-hop history alongside G-Whiz, Trouble T-Roy and Eddie F – collectively known as Heavy D & the Boyz. Discovered by Def Jam exec Andre Harrell, who had helped launch the careers of LL Cool J and Run-DMC, the group's debut album came out on his Uptown Records in 1987.
Although Heavy's 300lb swagger became notorious with the single The Overweight Lover's In the House, it wasn't until 1989's Big Tyme that the Boyz really hit the mainstream. They mixed nimble rhymes with snatches of R&B and reggae, becoming key players in the genre known as new jack swing – and offering a playful alternative to contemporaries such as Public Enemy and NWA.
With 1991's Peaceful Journey, Heavy D & the Boyz went platinum; the singles Now That We Found Love, Is It Good To You and Don't Curse were cemented in hip-hop history. The group gained further prominence by recording the theme-song to sketch show In Living Color, and Heavy later collaborated with acts including BB King, Notorious BIG, and with Michael Jackson, on the 1991 single Jam. After their last album, 1993's Nuttin' But Love, Heavy continued releasing solo albums – most recently Love Opus, released in September this year.
Heavy also became an actor, appearing in episodes of Boston Public and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His film roles included The Cider House Rules, and a cameo in recent release Tower Heist.
Despite his acting appearances, Heavy D hadn't performed live in 15 years when he made his return last month. He joined La Toya Jackson for a rendition of Run at the Michael Jackson tribute concert in Wales, and delivered a medley of hits at the Bet Hip-Hop awards. Just this week, he spoke to DJ Tim Westwood on BBC Radio 1Xtra, saying he prepared for the Bet show by practicing eight hours a day for six weeks.
Hip-hop stars were expressing their sorrow over Heavy's sudden death, writing mini-eulogies on Twitter. LL Cool J, Common, Estelle, Usher, Timbaland, Big Boi and Nicki Minaj were among those who posted messages. "I can't even think right now yall [sic]. Heav was my dude. What a friend. My heart is heavy," wrote Q-Tip.
"U will be missed Heavy D so many laughs we've shared but your Music is Timeless and will Always be Around 4ever," added Missy Elliott. Brandy paid tribute by referring back to the rapper's final message. "I am shocked, overwhelmed, and all of the above at the death of @heavyd," she said. "May you rest in peace!! I love you and I promise to live INSPIRED!"
Firm favorite of mine at the moment I can't this tune outta my head. So Old Skool and in many more ways than 1.
DJ Halo and Chase 1 formed The Criminal Minds in 1985 producing UK Hip Hop and released their now very rare and sort after first EP entitled 'Guilty As Charged' in 1990. 1992 they released one of my all-time favorite Hardcore (breakbeat rave) tunes "Baptised by dub" and now with this new E.P "Regroup The Loops" they have gone full circle back to that UK Hip Hop sound. Wicked!
Released on the FAT-HOP record Label 19/sept/11, fathop005ep Contact ohmage88@hotmail.com for pre-order Facebook Reverbnation
An exclusive free track from up & coming producer EVM (Luke) for you listening pleasure. With his debut E.P "Groove Content" about to be released on Ross Allens Meltdown music, and his music being championed by the likes of Giles Peterson, Huw Stephens & many more this talented beatsmith is certainly one to keep an eye on! Grab "STAY FRESH" for free below.....
You can catch EVM playing alongside The Moodyboyz (Studio Rockers) , Part 2 (New Flesh) , Mau'lin (Ho-tep) and Onoe Caponoe (Audio Doughnuts) at Catch, 22 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch on Thursday 23rd June . Free Entry!
The eagerly awaited MONOKROME book is finally available for pre-order. Packed with black and white sketches, inked line work and mixed media, it boasts a whole number of features…
Top graffiti writers from around the world, including NASH & DOES, REMI/ROUGH, HUSH, ASKER, ITCH, INKFETISH, KILLER GERBIL, DENZ, KOFIE, INKIE, SYSTEM and many more.
Compiled and written by old school UK writer Robert ‘CUTE’ Whitelock
Beautiful graphic design by Aaron Munday at 12 Orchards
Casebound limited edition with cover design by character supremo ITCH
Amazing blackbook work from 31 featured artists and interviews with all of them
224 pages of black and white graffiti designs
Foreward by old school veteran HUSH of ‘FED THE NONSENSE’ crew
Soundbites section, featuring the talents of a mixture of worldwide artists with many different styles, and quotes from a handful of writers.
Check this out - Hipopotam's digitalised a collection of proper old school retro classic handheld electronic games to play on-line. Have all those memories come flooding back and wanting more.
The Dayton Family outa Detroit. This is the video for the newest single off the new Psycho EP released on Psychopathic’s sub label Hatchet House entitled - er... “Cocaine.”
