Rob Swift, Roc Raida, and Total Eclipse, also
known as The X-ecutioners, have mixed the latest Sequence Mixtape Session, Scratchology.
The album features such DJ pioneers as DJ Jazzy
Jay, DJ Cash Money, Pete Rock, DJ Premier and Grandmaster Flash.
"The purpose of this mixtape is to educate
people about the history of scratching and the scratch songs that have influenced
us," explain The X-ecutioners. "It is by no means a comprehensive
compilation, as there are many songs and artists vital to the history of scratching
that are not included on this CD. However, it is a great introduction to scratching,
its evolution, and the progression of Hip Hop from its origin to the present
day."
The X-ecutioners said that the CD is being dedicated
to the late Jam Master Jay, who helped bring turntablism to the a wide ranging
audience.
Scratchology features 18 songs and is
scheduled to hit stores April 8th.
Below is the track listing with comments from
The X-excutioners.
1. Intro – What Is A Scratch? – The X-ecutioners
2. The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The
Wheels Of Steel
(w/ Jazzy Jay Intro) – Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five
"The first scratch-oriented song ever recorded. Here, Grandmaster Flash
gives us a taste of what he was famous for — blending different styles of music
together through scratching. "The Adventures…" is a good example
of what DJs like Flash would do at the neighborhood parks of New York City during
the early stages of Hip Hop culture." – Rob Swift
3. Military Cut (Scratch Mix) (w/ Grand Mixer
DXT Intro)
Grand Wizard Theodore
"Composed by Grand Wizard Theodore, the inventor of the scratch. The story
goes that he was in the bedroom practicing when his mom stormed in and told
him to turn it down. He stopped the record with his hand and heard himself moving
the record back and forth in the headphones. When his mom left the room he realized
what he was doing and that he could incorporate it with his blend. We hear him
doing ‘baby scratches’ here — so-called because they were the first scratches
ever created." – Rob Swift
4. Rock It (Grand Mixer DXT Intro) – Herbie Hancock
f/ Grand Mixer DXT
"The song that bridged jazz and scratching and introduced scratching to
a new audience. The definitive scratch record of its era. Its popularity and
complexity helped set the tone for a new generation of DJs." – Rob Swift
5. Like This (Full & Fresh) – Mixmaster Gee
& The Turntable Orchestra
"An underground gem. A lot of people don’t even know this record exists.
Mixmaster Gee introduced back scratches (making the sound that you are manipulating
go in reverse) on this song. He also rhymes on it, which set the trend for songs
that actually talked about the DJ and how nice he was (see DJ Jazzy Jeff and
Fresh Prince, Cash Money and Marvelous Marv) He also describes the tools he’s
using, ‘two turntables and a mixer in my hand.’ And the credits read ‘Mixmaster
Gee and the Turntable Orchestra’ another first. A DJ using musical terminology
to describe scratching." – Rob Swift
6. 2-3 Break (w/ Dr. Butcher Intro) – Rob Swift
f/ DJ Klever & DJ Melo-D
"A tribute to the early era of scratch music. The original ‘2-3 Break’
by Chuck Chillout was in many ways the final scratch song of that era. It utilized
all of the different styles and approaches of the time and combined them into
one. This updated version is a tribute to the era of Grand Wizard Theodore,
Chuck Chillout and all the early greats. DJ Klever and DJ Melo-D are featured
here." – Rob Swift
7. Ugly People Be Quiet – DJ Cash Money &
Marvelous Marvin
"The first song I heard totally assembled around a DJ. The MC was rhyming
about Cash Money and hyping up his dope scratches. Cash was the only DJ to hold
the New Music Seminar and the DMC titles together — the two most prestigious
competitions of that time. He made me want to be a DJ." – Total Eclipse
8. Product Of The Environment (Remix) – 3rd Bass
"One of the purest Hip Hop songs I heard back then. The energy between
the two MCs and DJ Richie Rich is incredible. Rich and Scratch from the Supermen
were big influences on me before I got down with The X-ecutioners." – Total
Eclipse
9. One For The Treble – Davy DMX
"Along with Pete Rock and DJ Premier, Davy DMX really made it clear to
me that a dope DJ is one who can cut, produce dope beats and rock a party at
the same time. Davy D also incorporated live instruments. His use of a guitar
player here predicts the live music fusion many turntablists, including The
X-ecutioners, use today." – Total Eclipse
10. Shut Em Down (Pete Rock Mix) – Public Enemy
"Pete Rock introduced styles of scratching that I had never heard before.
The gallop (or ‘open fader’) scratch he does at the end of this song blew my
mind when I first heard it. Pete Rock’s influence on NY area DJs began with
‘In Control,¹ the radio show he did with Marley Marl on WBLS in the early
90’s." – Total Eclipse
11. DJ Premier In Deep Concentration – Gang Starr
"One of the first cuts that made me want to make DJ songs. The way Premier
cuts different phrases to create a mood really inspired me. At the time this
song came out, the importance of the DJ was fading and there weren’t many DJ-oriented
songs, so for Premier to make a song like this at that time was a very powerful
statement. He took a stand for DJs" – Total Eclipse
12. Interlude – The X-ecutioners
13. Dilated Junkies – Dilated Peoples f/ The
Beat Junkies (Babu, J-Rocc, Rhettmatic & Melo-D)
"Babu is one of the best examples of how a modern day DJ can function within
the context of a Hip Hop group. On top of that, he’s got one of the dopest DJ
crews ever, as this track will show." – Roc Raida
Editors note:(The Beat Junkies, along with The X-ecutioners and the Invisibl
Piklz, helped establish the present era of DJing, which began in the early 90’s)
14. Interlude – The X-ecutioners
15. Felonius Funk – D-Styles f/ Melo-D, Babu
& DJ Qbert
"A dope-ass turntable track from a guy who’s not only a technical genius,
but soulful as s### too! Also a member of the ISP, D-Styles is one of the DJs
who is helping to take the art to the next level." – Roc Raida
16. Premier’s X-ecution – The X-ecutioners f/
DJ Premier
"What can I say? It was an honor to work with one of the all-time greats.
Premier is a legend — nuff said! We were taking other peoples phrases and turning
them into lyrics about ourselves" – Roc Raida
17. I’ll Kick Ya Ass – Roc Raida
"A track from my EP with Wayne O on Fatbeats – just me f###### around on
a hard-as-hell beat." – Roc Raida
18. Razorblade Alcohol Slide – DJ Qbert &
D-Styles
"During the 90’s, the ISP crew helped elevate and popularize scratch styles.
The majority of today’s popular scratches can be heard on this record. The DJ
world looked to the Piklz to see what new scratches would be invented next.
They also should be credited with being the first DJs to educate the public
on actual technique through video tapes, how-to seminars, etc." – Roc Raida
