Themes For Young Lovers

So Glad That You're Mine.

2011-04-14T13:58:00.007+10:00

Love is sitting in a hospital emergency ward full of weirdos for 4 hours keeping your bonehead boyfriend company after he fractured his shoulder playing basketball.

I've got an amazing girlfriend and this killer Al Green edit by The Apple Scruffs goes out to her.

Al Green - I'm Glad Your Mine (The Apple Scruffs Edit) by The Apple Scruffs

DJ Magneto - The Ying To Your Yang.

2011-04-06T14:18:00.003+10:00

When I first heard DJ Magneto's Sea Panda Spring Time Love Breaks on this here blog, I almost shat my pants! Having dedicated the last 10 years of my life to creating saixy time mixes/selections or hunting those done by others, it's rare to find a mix where you don't have to skip a single track. This is but ONE of the elements of THE perfect saixy time mixand anyone that rinses the Delegation's Oh Honey on a mixtape gets my vote (pants down!)

DJ Magneto aka Manny Roldan is a self-described 'funk enthusiast, soul lover, dubwise master, sampling freak, burger blogger and taco quality control consultant'. To us here at Themes For Young Lovers, he inspires us to dig deep, represents to the fullest and brings the niceness on the regular.

Be it reggae to funk, disco, soul or hip hop and (sometimes) dodgy 80s cheese thrown in (Kenny Loggins... really?!) we LOVE DJ Magneto. Dude knows his tunes, his mixes are on some needle-eye pum pum shit, and not to mention he's down with DJ Day another TFYL fave who, apart from being a mad producer these days, formed one of the illest DJ crews in the mid 90s: The Innernational Crew with DJ RipOne (who else out there wore the shit out of the actual cassette mixtape 'Rippin Shit Up'?)

Aside from 'helping to keep Portlandia weird'. working, producing, getting married and other thangs life-related, DJ Magneto has held down a residency at the weekly First Friday Super Jam night at the Goodfoot Lounge in Portland which just had it's 10 year anniversary in March! Stellar effort son!

We're working on bringing him to Australia, but watch this space for DJ Magneto's next contribution in helping to increase the world's population: Sea Gator Nuptial Breaks Part 2 but until then peep his special Valentine's Day reggae/lover's rock mix By The Power Vested In Me & Sea Koala Heart Breaks and read on as Magneto lays down some answers to the good ol' Themes For Young Lovers questions - Josie Styles

Name - My name is Manny Roldan also known as my given name 'DJ Magneto' the evil villain sent to earth to make things fun, stylee, big, nice & heavy.

Location - A Mexican guy living in Santa Barbara CA. for the past 7 years but I consider Portland OR. my home.

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - Trying to woo someone... hmmm. Well the first mix I did for my now wife woo'd her so I'm going to talk about tracks in it. It wasn't a blended DJ style mix, it was a disc with tunes on it that I entitled 'Possibly Maybe'. I made the mix a few months into our courtship so I was already hooked, actually it's safe to say WE were already hooked. The tracks that I felt told my wooing story the best were - Gwen Guthrie '7th Heaven', MJ's 'I Can't Help It' and Minnie Ripperton 'Here We Go' as they set my intention for us and my actions. I guess when the songs played they really did all the wooing. Not too fast, not too strong. not too direct and with a high note of fun and possibilities. The track on there that was the most woo'ey was Leroy Hutson 'Lucky Fellow' I think it spoke of confidence in my commitment to feeling good together (gotta thank DJ Day for that album)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the Dom Perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? When the lights go low, the candles are lit, the Dom's on ice and the thermostat is set, Sade Lover's Rock is usually what's on. Don't know what it is about the melancholic key that does it? Maybe it's because I remember that I'm on the up at that moment.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? I just saw THX 1138 for the second time and that's quite the (tragic) love story with lots of context to current life so i'll go with that. They found out that love was what they needed. LUH 3417 and THX 1138 didn't need blue or red pills, nor God's advice to work hard and increase productivity, they just needed a bit of the chemicals each other's presence provided. So my advice to all young lovers out there is: enjoy the simple things in life, like love before our society gets to the point like in the aforementioned movie.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song that you play to ease the pain and get you through? After a heartbreak I would recommend a high dosage of Bill LaBounty's 'Livin' It Up' or 'Lettin' Go' by Janelle Monae, because that will lift your spirits. But if you really wanna remember the good and bad about the loves past, I recommend you play 'Sea Koala Heart Breaks part 2' and put it on repeat.

What song was played during the first dance at your wedding? The song I played for my wife at our wedding was Boris Gardiner's reggae cover of 'You Make Me Feel Brand New'. It really just tells it like it is and I like how it sounds better than the original Stylistic's track. The song she played for me was Roberta Flack's 'The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face' both songs were the inspiration for making my last mix 'By The Power Vested In Me'

Who do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years? I think that Stevie Wonder is responsible for lots of setting up the mood for some baby making time!! It's fun and talks of serious love and nice things.

and finally, What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Cheddar makes it better! I have a high tolerance for cheese so I don't mind riding into the danger zone with my bwoy Kenny Loggins, I Believe In Love, What a Fool Believes etc. I love dropping these right before The Goodfoot (club) closes down, you know it might be the ultimate ice breaker or tipping point if you are trying to go home with that person you've been dancing with. Plus Kenny lives where I live so i'm going to see if I can get a shoutout for my next mixtape. Haha!

Any parting words? I'd like to thank all the people who take things very seriously, you are my yang and make things much nicer for me and people like me... love and respect - DJ Magneto

Teenage Love

2011-03-09T10:21:00.000+11:00

Hip Hop outfit Automatic turn back the clock and reflect on the ups and downs of teenage love.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://automatic.bandcamp.com/track/the-teenage-love"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The Teenage Love by AUTOMatic&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

In The Middle Of a Lovesick Lullaby

2011-03-08T15:36:00.009+11:00

This new single from TV On The Radio is getting it done for me at the moment. Apologies for posting two break-up/unrequited love themed songs in a row, i'll get back on track with some happily ever after lovey dovey business soon enough!

I'll Not Let Hate Be The One.

2011-03-01T12:09:00.014+11:00

Rapper Intuition takes Jessica Lea Mayfield's beautiful Our Hearts Are Wrong and adds a cheeky (unauthorised) verse to it. The result? The perfect soundtrack for when all that love stuff gets a bit complicated.

By The Power Vested In Me...

2011-02-28T11:44:00.004+11:00

Killer new mix from one of our favourite DJs, DJ Magneto. Valentines Day may have come and gone but as you know we're about the love 24-7/365 over here at the Themes For Young Lovers HQ. Soul/Reggae lovers rock is the order of the day here and as per usual with Magneto this is another TFYL sure shot.

DJ Magneto - By The Power Vested In Me Mix Download

Peep the comments for the full track listing.

I Got The Feeling You Should Be My Baby

2011-02-17T10:29:00.003+11:00

Can't get enough of this tune and film clip from Hip Hop duo Grieves & Budo. They'll have an album dropping later this year on the ever reliable Rhymesayers label.

Cosmo Baker's Love Break Three

2011-02-17T08:57:00.006+11:00

Love Break Three - The Heart's Final Chapter by cosmobaker

peep the comments for the track listing

Love You Sweets

2011-02-14T10:37:00.002+11:00

Love You Sweets from Quincy B on Vimeo.

Hanging Out For You

2011-02-14T10:10:00.002+11:00

image via kicksoncards

Inside My Love

2011-02-10T11:40:00.004+11:00

Minnie Riperton- Inside My Love (Disco Tech Edit) by Disco Tech

Dubstep For Young Lovers

2011-01-05T12:20:00.001+11:00

Luvstep 2 Teaser from flufftronix on Vimeo.

Great teaser vid for the 2nd installment of Dirty South Joe & Flufftronix's Luvstep series which will be released on Valentine's Day this year. Check the Luvstep site for the down low and be sure to download volume 1 while you're there.

Throw My Cards On The Table

2011-01-02T13:46:00.008+11:00

Mara Hruby "Is This Love" from slick jackson on Vimeo.

Tonight Is Your Night

2010-12-30T18:30:00.005+11:00

Priceless moment with Danny & Arnie in the 1988 classic Twins

Now Give Me Just The Kicks Just For Kicks

2010-12-18T13:08:00.005+11:00

Yeah sure it's a bit cheesy but it's equal parts clever and Shad who drops in to say hi is my fave emcee doing the rounds at the moment.

:)

2010-12-01T18:33:00.008+11:00

Peeps need to smile more. Love'll help you do it.

You Make Me Smile - Aloe Blacc

When I See You Smile - Aldo Vanucci

Moonlight Lovin'

2010-12-01T15:26:00.003+11:00

They don't make em like they used to. Epic.

Isaac Hayes - Moonlight Lovin' (special edit) by (((Belabouche)))

DJ Neil Armstrong on love jams, fumbling with pantalones & crying to Lionel Richie tunes.

2010-11-28T11:45:00.000+11:00

When he's not busy touring the world as a spokesperson for Adidas, DJing at exclusive parties & launches, making ridiculously good mixtapes* & sharing the stage with the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyonce & Puff Daddy, nice guy and humble music fan Neil Armstrong is being a good sport and answering the Themes For Young Lovers questions.

*Be sure to check for his love themed mixtape joints - Warmfuzzy (Themes For Young Lovers All-Timer!), Smoove & Bittersweeet

Name - DJ Neil Armstrong

A/S/L - Older than I look/Male/NYC born and raised

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -

Debarge - I Like It

Lenny Williams - I Love You

Heatwave - Always Forever

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Ya know, come to think of it... I don’t really play music when that situation is going on?? I’m too busy fumbling with the pantalones....

What is your fave romantic film of all time? When Harry Met Sally, Or
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through?

Bittersweeet Audio Clip

Or if someone else has -

The Softies - Winter Pageant

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding?

Stevie Wonder - All I do

If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years? Michael Jackson.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I got a bunch of those ...

Journey - Open Arms

Ambrosia - Biggest Part Of Me

REO Speedwagon -I Can’t Fight This Feeling

Lionel Richie - Hello... sniff!

Bonus Vid - A Day In The Life Of Neil

I'm Not Ready To Kiss & Hug

2010-11-25T13:00:00.000+11:00

I'd foolishly forgotten how good The Numero Group releases were, but I was reminded when I broke the seal on my double LP copy of the incredible Home Schooled - The ABCs of Kid Soul comp on the weekend and rediscovered this absolute gem of a tune above.

All of their releases are quality and are well worth checking out. I guarantee you it'll be some of the best music you've never heard.

Josie Styles Borrows a Cup Of Brown Sugar From Your Favourite Rapper's Favourite Rapper

2010-11-19T16:00:00.000+11:00

I'm going to have a new partner in crime soon at the Themes For Young Lovers HQ.. helping me with content and adding a female touch around the place will be Josie Styles.

When I first approached Josie about helping me out with the blog she started running off at the mouth about all these BIG name artists that she was going to get onboard and at the time I was like 'yeah whatevs'... Well pass me a knife and fork so I can eat my words and make way for the first of hopefully many question sessions that Josie Styles will bring to the table - Maccy

Being one of the world's better cunninglinguists, I am not sure how may people would consider Talib Kweli Greene as a 'ladies man' (especially in comparison to his partner in Black Star rhyming, Mos Def). He only ever does one or 2 love joints per album eg Talk to You (lil darlin'), Never Been in Love, Brown Sugar (raw), Hot Thing and then waxes superb lyrical consciousness in his quicksilver-tongued style (sounds a bit porn related to me!) for the most part.

I was first taken by Kwe's sexy croons on "Brown Skin Lady" from the Black Star album. He came correct on that joint, with ill wordplay and vivid imagery, and of course, anyone who makes reference to Tony Rebel's "Fresh Vegetable" wins me over in a jiffy! "Coppertone? Oh you copyright infringement"!!!

Having spent a bit of time in the USA with Kweli, I can tell you folks that he really is a gentleman and has exceptional taste in music. This is reflected in the artists and producers he chooses to work with and the tunes he drops during his DJ sets (every MC wants to be a DJ right?!)

Aside from completing a relentless worldwide touring schedule, running the Blacksmith Music label (along with CEO Corey Smyth), and helping look after his two children, Talib recently 'rekindled' his Reflection Eternal partnership with producer Hi-Tek. In May 2010 they released RPM, the follow up album to the 2000 debut release Train of Thought. There's a 'love' jawn on that in the form of "Midnight Hour" with UK pop darling, Estelle. Peep the video below and check out Kweli's dapper threads, proving himself to be every bit the quintessential ladies man.

Oh, one thing (and I'm sorry ladies) I should have said before, Kweli is technically 'off the market' after marrying his fiance DJ EQUE last year... now for the saixxy time! - Josie Styles

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
Can I by Eddie Kendricks
Waiting In Van by Bob Marley
Sometimes by Bilal

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo?

What is your fave romantic film of all time?

Love and Basketball

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through?

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding?
I Believe (When I Fall In Love) by Stevie Wonder

If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years?

The Isley Brothers

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?

Loving You by Minnie Ripperton

Over the years Talib himself has layed down some killer themes for young lovers business, here are a few choice picks -

Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek) feat Estelle - Midnight Hour

Talib Kweli - Hot Thing

Black Star (Talib Kweli & Mos Def) - Brown Skin Lady

The Mayor Of Love Town

2010-11-15T09:26:00.000+11:00

Mayer Hawthorne won this blogs heart last year when he delivered an entire albums worth of themes for young lovers on the instant classic 'A Strange Arrangement'. Over the course of the past 12 or so months he's kept himself busy by touring the world and also making videos to accompany every track on his debut record, or at least that's what it seems like.

If you're yet to experience what Mr Hawthorne is all about, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of his album and peep the great vids below.

Mayer Hawthorne - Your Easy Lovin' Ain't Pleasin' Nothin'

Mayer Hawthorne - One Track Mind

Ol' Dirty Bastard Does The Beatles

2010-10-03T11:47:00.001+11:00

It's So Hard To Keep These Thoughts Polite.

2010-10-01T09:10:00.006+10:00

Hip Hop music to watch girls by from Cool Calm Pete circa 2008... What's another word for pirate treasure?

Gitty Up Baby! - Cool Calm Pete

Who's Makin' Love To Your Old Lady?

2010-09-29T10:55:00.001+10:00

Johnnie Taylor - Who's Making Love (scratchandsniff's extended re-rub) by scratchandsniff

Running From Love

2010-09-21T16:49:00.002+10:00

Running From Love (Instrumental) - Freddie Cruger

Gangsta Love

2010-09-20T16:28:00.004+10:00

Gangsta Luv (Mayer Hawthorne G-Mix) - Snoop Dogg

Bumpin' and Grindin' with Friction

2010-09-13T16:00:00.005+10:00

DJ Friction is another artist who without actually knowing it has been contributing to this blog with his killer re-edits of funk & soul gems for the past little bit... see here & here.

With this being the case I thought it would be worth reaching out to him and letting him know that we were digging his work and also seeing if he'd be up for answering the Themes For questions and not only was he up for that, he also whipped up a tidy compilation of some of his go to slow jams from back in the day. Enjoy!

Name - Martin Welzer aka DJ Friction

A/S/L - 40 / Male / Germany

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -

Teddy Pendergrass - Come Go With Me
Isley Brothers - Groove With You
Heatwave - Star Of The Story

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Marvin Gaye - I Want You is always a winner i guess, same goes for Sade

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through?

The Five Stairsteps - Ooh Child

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? I hope i never have to go trough the traditional wedding BS. But it should be something to get the party started like Michael Jackson - Rock With You. If it was just me and my girl we would both wanna hear Teddy Pendergrass - Come Go With Me. That's our song. But at a party i would rather play it as the last song not the first.

If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years? it's so hard to pick just one…my favs would be Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, Barry White, Al Green, Sade...

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I don't know, i actually don't think it's cheesy as i love it so much but The Carpenters - (They Long To Be) Close To You

DJ Friction - the following mixtape is all 70's& 80's slow jams that i like and i haven't even touched Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, The Isleys and other usual suspects that i love too of course. It's not about mixing skills ether, just playing nice slow jams. Recording this reminded me of my teenager years in the 80's when me and my homies made similar tapes that we would play when we where alone with the girls...hahaha.

DJ Friction - For Lovers Only Mix by themes for young lovers

The Jams -

Tavares - Check It Out
Gap Band - Seasons No Reason To Change
One Way - Don't Stop
Alexander O'Neal - If You Where Here Tonight
SOS Band - Weekend Girl
Hall & Oates - She's Gone
Carl Carlton - This Feelin Is Rated X-Tra
Shalamar - You Can Count On Me
D-Train - You're The Reason
Surface - Shower Me With Your Love
Bill Withers - Make A Smile For Me
Tom Brock - There's Nothing In This World To Stop Me From Loving You
Barry White - Midnight And You
Herbie Hancock - Trust Me
Leon Haywood - Long As There's You

It Takes a Muscle To Fall In Love

2010-09-08T15:59:00.009+10:00

Love themed joint off the new M.I.A album which highlights the difficulties concerning matters of the heart and falling in love. Judging by this it sounds like even the coolest people on the planet, do it tough sometimes.

Turn You On, Turn You Out

2010-09-02T16:28:00.005+10:00

The world famous Dimitri From Paris turns out a crackin' re-edit of Prince's I Wanna Be Your Lover by combining elements of the original along with a great live recording complete with audience participation on the vocals.

Prance - I Wanna Be Your Lober Dimitri From Paris Re-Edit by dfp

Turntabalist, Blend King & Total Cheeseball DJ Platurn Runs Us Through Some Of His Fave Love Tunes

2010-08-26T11:00:00.000+10:00

I recently featured a nice little love themed blend with video to match by DJ Platurn of the world famous Oakland Faders and then thought to myself why not get him to come through and let us know some of his fave love jams and artists that create them by answering the Themes For Young Lovers questions and he was down for the cause! and it goes a little somethin' like this...

Name – DJ Platurn

A/S/L – 34, manly Oaklander - California

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo –

Rude Boys – Written All Over Your Face
Aaron Neville – Tell It Like It Is
Mint Condition - Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo?

Air - Moon Safari

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Lots of ‘em, but currently ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’. Next runner up would have to be ‘Scarface’.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Sigur Ros – Agaetis Byrjun

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? Emily King – U & I... love you Mich ;)

If you had to pick one artist or group, who’s music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years?

My generation Jodeci

80’s

Prince

70’s Al Green

60’s

Sam Cooke

50’s Ray Charles

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Too many to name, but if I had to pick... Joe Satriani – Always With Me, Always With You

It's a little known fact, i’m a total cheeseball and not afraid to admit it. Mixtape Evidence

Here are a few Platurn bits & pieces to check out, starting off with a tidy little pissed off lover themed Janet Jackson bootleg with the 7" out now on Bstrd Boots. Cop it here

Your Dancing Feet Are Always On My Couch by Platurn

and lets pretend this is the male response to Janet's track! Platurn teams up with fellow Oakland Fader DJ Enki to form The Blend Kings and lay down this beats & breaks remix of the classic Hall & Oates joint I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)

"I Can't Go For That" (The Blend Kings Beats & Breaks Edit) from Platurn on Vimeo.

Set The Night On Fire

2010-08-23T13:23:00.005+10:00

Nice & subtle extended edit of Al Green's take on The Doors' Light My Fire.

Al Green - Light My Fire (scratchandsniff's extended re-rub) by scratchandsniff

More Jams Than Your Grandma's Pantry

2010-08-17T14:59:00.007+10:00

Clocking in at over an hour is this slow jam megamix by DJ Opus. If you're in the mood for cheesy 80's & 90's slow jams edited and mixed to perfection then you've come to the right place.

Here's what the man himself had to say about it -

A slow jam medley from back in the days when slow jams were love songs and the love songs were classic...

If you feel like they don't make slow jams like they used to, then this one is for you...

Heartbeats by J.Varela aka DJ Opus

Byrd Love

2010-08-16T18:18:00.011+10:00

Sublime edit of Donald Byrd's I Feel Like Loving You Today from the hall of fame themes for young lovers album Love Byrd. It's pretty darn obvious Issac Hayes is all over this production. Smoooth.

Feel Like Loving You Today - Cosmic Boogie Edit by Cosmic Boogie

Geek bonus points - DJ Premier sampled it to great effect on Group Home's 2 Thousand Joint. Check the instrumental

Feeling Like a Million Bucks

2010-08-05T14:30:00.005+10:00

Scrimshire out of the UK does a 4am whiskey fueled edit job of Whitney Houston's Million Dollar Bill adding elements of the original sample that Swizz Beatz flipped - Loleatta Holloway's We're Getting Stronger for good measure.

Whitney & Loleatta - Million Dollar Bill by Scrimshire

Imagine Not Looking Any Further

2010-08-03T13:43:00.001+10:00

In a world where so many god awful mash-ups exist it's always nice when someone gets it right and DJ Platurn of the Oakland Faders crew has gone and done just that. He's matched up Dennis Edwards' Don't Look Any Further with Nu-Mark's John Lennon Imagine cover resulting in a pitch perfect blend for all the young lovers out there. Peep the vid then go cop Platurn's mixtape niceness here.

"Imagine Not Looking Any Further" (Platurn Blend) from Platurn on Vimeo.

Ubiquity Loves You!

2010-07-29T10:30:00.004+10:00

Ubiquity is one of those record labels that never fail to deliver music of the highest quality, whether it's by way of their amazing reissues on the Luv N' Haight imprint or on the Ubiquity label itself which is home to some of the best funk, hip hop & electronic music you're likely to hear.

I was on their website recently and came across these compilations below, they've gone and selected a bunch of love themed joints from their extensive catalogue resulting in two 'all killer no filler' sets of love makin' & heart breakin' tracks. I can't recommend them enough.

V/A - Ubiquity Loves You

V/A - Ubiquity Loves You Too

DJ Day Talks Jnr High Love Jams, Eloping, Pretty In Pink & Tunes That'll Have You Weeping Like a Baby

2010-07-28T11:02:00.014+10:00

I was introduced to the sounds of DJ Day a few years ago by way of his debut album 'The Day Before'. The fact that it was released on one of my fave labels Melting Pot Music was enough for me to pick it up on spec and upon hearing it I wasn't disappointed. It came at a great time as it helped fill a gap in my instrumental hip hop collection that was left when DJ Shadow went hyphy (The Outsider) and RJD2 got behind the mic and did the indie thing (The Third Hand).

Since the release of his debut, Day has gone on to produce some great remixes of Marvin Gaye, People Under The Stairs and Erykah Badu (see below) to name a few, run a great blog - Like a Throttle as well as tour the world with fellow west coast producer DJ Exile, showing off their amazing MPC skills

Day recently took time out from all this busyness as well as working on new business for his eagerly awaited follow up album to answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions, and here it is!

Who & where? - DJ Day, Palm Springs, California

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -

Off the top from past mixtapes, I'd say:

King Crimson - Cadence and Cascade
Outkast - Prototype
Stereolab - The Flower Called Nowhere

I could (and should) make a whole mix of joints, cause there are far too many to name just 3, here's a bonus Jr. High 3: Surface "Shower Me With Your Love", Whistle "Always and Forever" and The Deele "Two Occasions"

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo?

Marvin Gaye I Want You. Solid all the way through. I have a story to go along with this, but it's not fit to print unless I want to end up living alone in a studio apartment.

What is your fave romantic film of all time?

I'm honestly not a big movie dude, but I'd have to go with Pretty In Pink. Who hasn't been Ducky?

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song/album that you play to ease the pain and get you through?

John Coltrane Ballads.

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding?

We eloped to Vegas to escape all this kind of schitt, but if I had to choose, I'd go with the classic "Ribbon In The Sky" (Stevie Wonder). It would probably make me weep like a baby at my own wedding, but it gets no better.

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye?

That's a tough one for sure (where's The Isley Brothers?), but I'd have to go with Marvin on sheer personal experience.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?

Personally, I don't think they're cheesy, but Todd Rundgren's "Hello It's Me" or Ambrosia's "That's How Much I Feel" are neck and neck. I actually got on the mic and sang Ambrosia while I was DJing a few weeks ago. That's how much I feel.

Erykah Badu - Honey (DJ Day Remix)

This Bed's Too Big Without You

2010-07-23T12:16:00.006+10:00

Tony Johns does a tidy little edit job on this Sly & Robbie produced Sheila Hylton lovers rock tune from 1980 which covers The Police's 'The Bed's Too Big Without You'.

Sheila Hylton - Beds Too Big Without You (Tony Johns edit) by Tony Johns

I Want You.

2010-07-15T12:24:00.003+10:00

DJ Friction is prolific not too mention terrific when it comes to the business of doing tasty re-edits of old funk/soul/disco tunes and this re-rub of Marvin's I Want You is no exception.

Marvin Gaye - I Want You (Frico 2010 Re-work) by DJ Friction

Stuck On You

2010-07-11T08:44:00.003+10:00

Really feeling this newie from Pr!nce on the modern soul tip 'Sticky Like Glue'

Just B.Cause

2010-07-07T12:30:00.008+10:00

Check my web history and in amongst Facebook, Twitter, eBay and various adult sites you'll find another site which i visit on the regular called Diamonds In The Dust it's easily one of my favourite blogs as it never fails to deliver something new (not too mention exclusive) for my ears every single time i stop by.

The man behind it all has been high on my list of people to get to answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions for a while now and he recently took the time out to do so.

Name - DJ B.Cause

A/S/L - 39, Male , San Francisco

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
Etta James - Anything To Say You're Mine
Aretha Franklin - Call Me
Barbara Mason - Yes, I'm Ready

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP or song goes on the stereo?
Leroy Hutson - Hutson II (a-side!)

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Hard to choose one but either Amelie, Annie Hall or The Princess Bride

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or record that you play to ease the pain and get you through? I like to listen to tortured ballads when I'm busted up as they help to expel the sad feelings, so something like Otis Redding's "Pain In My Heart" would probably be in the list. Actually though, I like to listen to tortured ballads all the time! Dionne Warwick's "You're Gonna Need Me" might be the move for simple vindictive satisfaction, haha.

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? Kwick - Let This Moment Be Forever (below) or the Etta James track listed above

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Smokey Robinson?

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?
Stacey Q - Two Of Hearts - cheesy perhaps, but no guilty feelings here!

Make sure to swing past B.Cause's blog and load yourself up with all the remixes, blends and edits he's whipped up. For a few on the love themed tip be sure to check here, here and here.

I'm Reaching Out For You

2010-07-06T22:00:00.002+10:00

Slave - Feel My Love (InnerWestSoul Edit) by InnerWestSoul

After The Break-Up

2010-07-06T19:02:00.007+10:00

Came across this killer break-up mix via Meatskull your one stop blog spot for the dopest mixes on the world wide web.

This is another amazing love themed mix by DJ Magneto (peep another one here) this time around he's delivered the ideal soundtrack for when love doesn't go exactly according to plan, which lets face it, is more often than we'd like.

1- The Shadow Of Lo – Chick Corea
2- Baby Come Back – Player
3- Lovers Rock – Sade
4- Move On Up (Break) – The Dynamics
5 – Unbreak My Dub – Jstar
6 – My Demons – Distance
7 – Wasted Time Feat. Vikter Duplaix – Jazzanova
8 – Holding You Loving You – Don Blackman
9 – Love for the Sake of Love – Claudja Barry
10 – Georgy Porgy (Brubekk re-re-Edit) – Toto
11 – Why – Carly Simon
12 – Keep On Movin.. (In My Life Always Edit)- Soul II Soul
13 – Open Your Eyes – Bobby Caldwell
14 – Sensitivity – Ralph Tresvant
15 – All Around The World (Open Hearted Edit) – Lisa Stansfield
16 – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss – PM Dawn
17 – Only Love Can Break Your Heart – St Etienne
18 – No One (Pocketknife’s Songs In the Life of Keys Remix)(Unbelievable edit) – Alicia Keys
19 – Kool and The Gang – Too Hot
20 – I’m Out Of Your Life – Arnie’s Love
21 – “T” Plays It Cool – Marvin Gaye
22 – Blood Is Thicker- Ino Hidefumi
23 – Mona Lisa (Outro Walk On By Edit) – Slick Rick
24 – Dominoes – Donald Byrd
25 – I Just Called To Say I Love You (Things That Don’t Happen Without You Edit) -Stevie Wonder
26 – Overpowered (Radio Edit) – Roisin Murphy
27 – Lettin’ Go – Janelle Monae
28 – I’m Afraid the Masquerade is Over – David Porter
29 – Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) – Gladys Knight & The Pips

Download/Stream

You Are Always On My Mind

2010-07-05T17:59:00.005+10:00

The most talented German I know Herbert Elch aka Tequiero lays down a sweet little love joint for the special lady in his life. Beautiful business and another Themes For Young Lovers sure shot!

thinkaboutlove by Tequiero

Bizarre Love.

2010-06-01T19:23:00.008+10:00

Obviously Yoko Ono has never been short on haters but there's no denying that John Lennon was madly in love with her, no matter how bizarre their relationship may have been and how many people were against it.

In this catchy tune from his 1971 'Imagine' album, their love for each other is captured for all to hear.

Oh Yoko! holds a special place in my heart as I remember singing along to it in the backseat of Mum's ugly ass Audi station wagon on family holidays and it was also featured on one of my fave films (not too mention soundtracks) of all-time Rushmore

I've Been In Love Before But...

2010-05-21T12:08:00.007+10:00

Heavyweight soul from 1980 by Two Tons O' Fun nicely edited and extended by Mark Wayward. BIG ladies with even BIGGER voices.

Two Tons O' Fun - Never Like This (Mark Wayward edit) by Mark Wayward

Why Oh Why?

2010-04-19T10:22:00.012+10:00

The year is 1972 and Dee Edwards is trying to get the attention of a guy that she's a bit keen on, unfortunately for her he's not interested, fortunately for us the resulting tune is an absolute soul belter.

Adidas were clever enough to run with the Pilooski edit on their latest Originals campaign, not the first time they've used a Pilooski edit for an ad either, see here

Simple Mathematics

2010-04-11T17:05:00.008+10:00

+
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Donna Summer - love to love you baby (dj friction re-edit) by DJ Friction

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Heavy Lovin'

2010-04-08T16:10:00.005+10:00

The Revenge have a case of the so hot right nows in the production/remix/edit game and this rework of Marvin Gaye will give you a pretty good idea as to why that's the deal.

Heavy Love Affair (The Revenge Rework) by The Revenge

Love - 70's Style

2010-04-07T13:54:00.001+10:00

Killer 70's slow jam set from Bozack Morris of http://www.black-rap.com/blog/ fame, here's what he had to say -

If you know how I get down, you know I love my slow jams. Two years ago, I began working on this Black Zodiac project which consisted of some of my favourite 70's soul slow jams. Unfortunately I never got around to finishing it, even though it gained some positive feedback in its unfinished form. After two years on the backburner, I never touched it until now. In fact what you hear now is basically the unfinished version. Regardless I didn't want to keep it in the vaults for much longer, so here it is, Black Zodiac, the sounds of 70's love. Nothing fancy, just that good old soul music.

This is your opportunity to take it back to that 70's love groove. So invite an intimate friend over, light up the incense, grow a full set of pubes, play this on the highest volume and enjoy!

Bozack Morris presents Black Zodiac - Listen/Download

So Many Ways... None Of Them Are Easy.

2010-04-03T18:14:00.006+11:00

50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (Pollyn's Re-Edit Remix) - Paul Simon by AOR DISCO

DJ Eleven Pours The Courvoisier, Lays Down The Bear Skin Rug and Talks Love Tunes.

2010-03-23T11:11:00.011+11:00

You know it's a good day when one of the world's illest party and mixtape DJs - DJ Eleven tells you he's down for taking some time out from a hectic schedule to answer a few silly questions for your blog and that's exactly what we have here.

When he's not jet setting around the world or DJing at exclusive parties that you and I will never be on the guest list for i.e. Scarlett Johansson's 21st and Playboy gatherings, he's busy keeping dance floors packed in and around New York City as a member of The Rub DJ Collective (along with DJ Ayres & Cosmo Baker) and more recently he's stepped up his production game with a killer EP that really shows he's spent a lot of time in clubs taking note of what works as it's dancefloor gold! Click on the below pic for a sneak peek and try keeping still!

And now on to the question session!

Name – DJ Eleven

Location – Brooklyn Son! Originally from Oakland CA

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo –
Leon Haywood “I Want’a Do Something Freaky To You”
Pharoahe Monch “The Light”
Ryan Leslie “Rescue U”
and the honorable mention goes to John Legend “Refuge (When It’s Cold Outside)”

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? LPs take way too many trips up off the bear skin rug to flip sides, so I’d put on my playlist of the 60 greatest Bill Withers songs and lay back. Or Darondo’s “Didn’t I” on repeat.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? By far, without question, “The Mack”.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Anthony Hamilton’s ”Comin’ From Where I’m From” album has probably gotten more run than any other record in those times. I love the record because he was able to touch on super deep despair, but still turn around and leave me feeling hopeful at the end.

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? One of my great hopes in life is to never do the traditional wedding mess. But at the party to celebrate the wedding we’d eloped to Bahamas for, we would walk in to The Impression’s “Love Me”. Or “The Theme from Shaft”.

If you had to pick one artist or group, whose music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world’s population over the years? Man, that’s such a generational thing… For folks of my generation, Barry White. For other generations, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Sade, R Kelly, and for the kids born next year, Trey Songz.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?
A week or so ago, I caught myself admitting to my girl that I really love Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved” a LOT! Needless to say, she wasn’t impressed.

BONUS! Eleven was nice enough to pass on this little edit he did for you and yours!

Sunny (DJ Eleven Edit) - Bobby Hebb Listen/Download

Ever Wondered How People Hooked Up Before Myspace & Facebook?

2010-03-19T14:01:00.001+11:00

O-Dub Talks Love Jams, Sans Music Weddings and Nora Ephron Rom-Coms.

2010-03-16T16:29:00.003+11:00

When I first started making a wish list of people to answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions, music journalist, scholar and DJ Oliver Wang aka O-Dub was one of the first names I wrote down as someone who I had to have answer them.

I've been a fan of his for ages thanks to his ridiculously good DJ mixes and more recently his Soul Sides blog which has introduced me to more amazing music than I can even remember over the past few years.

So when I got in touch with him recently and he said he was down to answer the Q's I expected school to be in session with well thought out answers and as you read on you'll quickly see he didn't disappoint!

Name - Oliver Wang

A/S/L - 37/M/Los Angeles

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - OK, so I’m probably way over answering all these questions but I have start off by saying that much as I love “love songs” as a loose genre, when it comes to my personal associations with love/romance/heartbreak and music, everything becomes audio-biographical and as someone who usually tries to talk about music through more of a curatorial perspective, all that pretty much goes out of the window. To put it another way, all three of these songs I included have much more to do with how they’ve been markers in my own life than any kind of “no-brainer recommendations” I’d give to some random person. I mean, if you’re making a mixtape for someone, ultimately, you should pick songs that first and foremost, say something to you before you can hope to have them say something to anyone else.

In any case, I’ll probably surprise some people by not including any soul songs here. In fact, I’m surprising myself by that fact.

1. Joni Mitchell: “All I Want” from Blue. My now-wife turned me onto Joni when we were merely friends but so much of what’s said in “All I Want” captured my sentiments during the time we were transitioning to being “more than.”

What it says to include it on a mixtape: “Hey baby, I’m slightly crunchy, left-leaning, like reading books and newspapers. I have good taste in the classics and don’t trust today’s singer/songwriters because they’re not as clever as Joni. I keep my sentimentality on the d.l. but “All I Want” is perfect because it’s happy, folksy pop won’t be confused with the schmaltz of a power ballad.”

2. Duke Ellington and John Coltrane: In a Sentimental Mood from Duke Ellington and John Coltrane. The gold standard in romantic jazz standards.

What it says to include it on a mixtape: “The inherent melancholy of this song reveals an emotional depth that you perhaps were not aware of when we were flirting at the bar last weekend. I too, like you, have been wounded and you will want to be with me in order to unravel my shrouded past of heartbreak that you will then try to heal.”

3. King Pleasure: Moody’s Mood For Love. My affection for this song predates ever having actually been in love and there’s an innocence in its sentiment that one can only really appreciate at an age where you’re imagining what being “in love” feels like without having actually gotten there.

What it says to include it on a mixtape: “I like Nora Ephron rom-coms too.”

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the Dom Perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? I seriously gave this some thought and to be honest, I’ve never used music as a seduction ritual. I figure those situations are about taking things OFF, not putting things on. But hell, I guess if I were going to try to pull a move like that off, you can’t tell me that Sade’s Lovers Rock would fail, as far as a single album would go.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? This changes as I get older but the last film that I felt really nailed it for me was probably Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. But that feels a bit too “early 30s” for me; I don’t know if I’ve found something that I can connect to now though.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? John Coltrane: “Naima” from Giant Steps. Practically any Coltrane ballad seems cosmically tuned into the resonant frequency of heartache.

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? Unbelievably, I had no music, at all, at my wedding. It wasn’t a conventional ceremony or reception and it just never occurred to either my wife or myself that we should have music. Later on, some of my friends pointed this out and I thought, “oh yeah, I guess that would have made sense” but we loved our wedding even sans music. That said, I turned to my wife and asked, “so what would our first dance song have been?” between the two of us, we decided that we probably would have gone with something seemingly anti-sentimental yet secretly romantic like Rufus Wainwright’s “My Phone’s On Vibrate For You” from Want One.

If you had to pick one artist or group, who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the worlds population over the years? Marvin Gaye with “Let’s Get It On,” no question. When I used to do a college radio show on KALX in Berkeley back in the ‘90s, an acquaintance of mine would call to request this song so he could get his mack on.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I don’t think any song you enjoy should ever be something to feel sheepish about. But if I had to pick a song that seems hopelessly out of fashion today, I’d probably roll with Huey Lewis and the News’: “Do You Believe In Love” Awesome hook. This is one Zooey Deschanel rom-com soundtrack away from redemption.

For further reading be sure to check Oliver's published works archives and as I mentioned earlier if you haven't already visited his audioblog Soul Sides do NOT pass go, do NOT collect $200...

Warm and Fuzzy

2010-03-15T20:15:00.009+11:00

DJ Neil Armstrong delivers one of the best love themed mixes you're ever likely to hear as he combines just the right amount of turntable trickery with a super tight selection of love jams, originally released in 2005 it's always been a mix I've kept coming back to and I can't believe it's taken me this long to pass it on to all you young lovers!

Here's what the man himself has to say about it -

This mix is called Warmfuzzy, like the feeling. It's to "celebrate" Valentine's Day, but if you're as pimp as you think you are, this CD should be good all year round. This is NOT what you want to bump when you're planning your next driveby. It IS the mix you should give your homegirl or emothug on 02-14, it IS something you should listen to if you love ALL types of music and skills. It's even something you should hear if "love" is kicking you in your ass and you're staring at the wall all day cause it seems like you can't find anyone, or your significant other is a trifling, lazy, no good... Oops, I digress...

It should give you hope that this crazy little thing that all these people write, sing, paint, dream and fight about - is something real and worthwhile. To all those on the infinite pursuit, and especially those who have finished their quest, I salute you. Let this be the soundtrack for the big adventure, I'll be right there with you...

- DJ Neil Armstrong

Warmfuzzy - DJ Neil Armstrong - Listen

Peep the comments for the full track listing.

I Like Pants

2010-03-14T12:09:00.007+11:00

Stones Throw recording artist James Pants' style is hard to define, with his music taking in elements of 80’s Soul, Electro Boogie, Early Rap, New Wave, & Post-Punk Disco he's managed to create a unique and fresh sound that has one foot in the past and one stepping forward into the future.

I got at James via email recently and although he's a busy man he was nice enough to find time to roll out some quick answers to the Themes For Young Lovers questions...

Name – James Pants

Location – Spokane, Washington

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - Kleeer – Take Your Heart Away, Maggotron – Pillow Talkin' Baby, Shocking Blue – Love Buzz

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Iasos – Inter Dimensional Music

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Oh man... I should ask my wife. I haven't seen enough. Anything with Jane Birkin in it?

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Bathory - S/T

What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? First dance? Peanut Butter Wolf played our wedding. I think he played EPMD.

If you had to pick one artist or group, who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the worlds population over the years? Definitely Sade or Julee Cruise.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Atlantic Starr – All In The Name of Love

If You Don't Watch Out...

2010-03-04T13:37:00.015+11:00

Boston's DJ 7L of The Bladerunners & 7L & Esoteric fame comes correct with this mix of love themed funk & soul treats.

Love's Gonna Get'cha - 7L Download

Track listing in the comments.

Coming To You, On a Dusty Road...

2010-02-22T16:00:00.006+11:00

Raer records?.. he's got a truckload!

He's a crate digging/mixtape making/DJ/Producer/Emcee who goes by a few different names; The Soulman when he's on the ones & twos, Phill Most Chill when rockin' the m.i.c and Phill Stroman on the credit card he uses to buy obscure records you've never even heard of.

Responsible for some of my fave mixes of all time like 'Neva Stop Diggin' and 'Drugs', he was definitely high on the list of people I wanted to ask the Themes For Young Lovers questions and not only did he come through with the answers he also had a love themed mix ready to go that you can download below!

Be sure to swing by his website and bookmark that bad boy as he puts up mixes and other great content on the reg but in the meantime read on...

Name -
Phill Stroman aka THE SOULMAN (also aka Phill Most Chill)

Hometown -
Living in Philadelphia

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
Marvin Gaye "Come Live With Me Angel"
Joe Bataan "You're Driving Me Right Out Of My Mind"
Steve Parks "Still Thinking Of You"
There are a million of them, really... Marvin has a bunch of them by himself. But the gun's to my head and I gotta pick three, so there you go.

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Something by Curtis Mayfield or Leroy Hutson would be cool... sheeeiiit, I'd like to be able to put on a Vashti Bunyan album. But for real? As the grown African American gentleman that I am, the business would be either of the two Kem albums. Works everytime like Billy Dee armed with two forties of Colt 45. But if I ever ran across a female who was feelin' Jon Lucien's "World Of Joy" on a deep level my wife might be in trouble (just kidding if you're reading this, baby... put on the Kem cd, I'll be upstairs in a minute).

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Uhhh... maybe Truck Turner? The scene where Isaac Hayes picks up his girl from prison and buys her a six pack and a two-piece from KFC then screws her to "You're In My Arms Again" is a classic moment of movie romance for sure.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or LP that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Never really experienced that in the way you probably mean, but oddly enough the song "If This Ain't Love" by Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators got me through a very rough little patch in my life a little while ago. That song goes a little bit beyond just one-on-one love and takes it to a more familial space, which hits home a little more for a family man such as myself. Definitely touched me and gave me some comfort. Also kind of made me realize I had a lot to be thankful for, because I honestly haven't had a whole lot of rough patches in my life, not that affected me to the point where I needed a song or something or somebody else to help me get through it. I'm pretty lucky in that respect, I guess.
　
What song was/or would be your pick to be played during the first dance at your wedding? Didn't do any of that at my wedding... jeez, this is some schitt my wife should really answer, not me. I don't know, she might want something by Maxwell. Me, maybe I'd go with Marvin's "Distant Lover". Would that be appropriate for a wedding? I have no idea. I had a drive through wedding- take a number, get hitched, take some pictures, go home. Worked for us.

If you had to pick one artist or group, who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the worlds population over the years? Probably Luther Vandross. Maybe the Isley Brothers, but Luther had some real baby makers. His version of "House Is Not A Home"... whew. Brings back memories.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? I like a lot of 70's lite rock... that stuff ain't cheesy to me, but a lot of people would probably see it that way. To me cheesy is the Disney movie love themes by Peter Cetera or Celine Dion or whoever sings that stuff. "Superstar" by the Carpenters isn't cheesy at all to me. Carly Simon's "That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" is great, Hall & Oates "Sara Smile", The Eagles "I Can't Tell You Why"... dog, I can go on and on with this schitt.

Lovers & Friends - Soulman Listen/Download

You Can't Be Any Geek Off The Street...

2010-02-20T11:59:00.001+11:00

Doobie Brother # 1 Michael McDonald gets all reminiscent about a love once had on this one from 1982 which was later sampled by Warren G & Nate Dogg on their 1994 smash hit Regulate.

Michael McDonald - I Keep Forgettin' (AC Re-Edit) by Andrew Clarke

The Yacht Rock crew give you their take on how it all went down in this hilarious youtube clip -

Sexual Chocolate

2010-02-19T14:01:00.013+11:00

Not only is J-Live is one of my fave emcees due to his great knack for storytelling and effortless flow it turns out he's also pretty handy on the turntables as shown on this killer mix of love songs that have been sampled by hip hop artists over the years.

DJ J-Live Presents "Chocolate Covered Samples" (Sampled Love Songs) Listen/Download

Full track list in the comments.

PS how hilarious is that Big Daddy Kane pic?!

What You Gonna Do When You Get Out Of Jail?

2010-02-18T13:41:00.009+11:00

Project Tempo rework the classic Tom Tom Club joint 'Genius Of Love' into a slow burner that builds nicely, stays true to the OG and is another Themes For Young Lovers sure shot.

Tom Tom Club - Genius Of Love Project Tempo Re-edit by Project Tempo

Happy Valentines Day.

2010-02-14T22:21:00.012+11:00

Happy Valentines Day! It wouldn't be right if I didn't post something on today of all days, so I searched high and low for a special treat and came up trumps with this amazing love fueled selection of hip hop jams compiled by Oh Word

here's the deal -

Running smooth game is about finding balance. You want to set the right mood for sexy-time without being disgusting. You want to let the girl know she’s special without coming off soft. Pimping ain’t easy. And with that in mind we’ve created this romantic and flirtatious mix of 31 dope love songs that should please hip-hop fans of either gender.

You can use this for your special lady friend come Valentine’s Day. And don’t say we never helped you get laid.

31 Flavors Of Love - Oh Word Download

Full track listing in the comments

Learnalilgivinanlovin.

2010-02-11T16:30:00.008+11:00

Singer/songwriter/drummer/all round nice guy Wally De Backer is one helluva talented man. He took the Australian music scene by storm in 2006 with his incredible sophmore album Like Drawing Blood which he released under his Gotye (“gore-ti-yeah”) moniker and went on to win enough awards to fill up the family pool room including Best Male Artist at the Aria awards, definitely no small feat for a 'bedroom' producer.

3 and a bit years down the track and Wally has just announced that he'll be releasing a 3rd studio/bedroom/barn album and that news will have alot of kids, including myself very excited.

I was lucky enough to get Wally to answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions by way of a dodgy dial up internet connection somewhere in regional Australia whilst on tour with his other band The Basics

Below you'll find some of the best/funniest answers to the questions yet and I don't think there'd be a girl alive who wouldn't be over the moon to receive his 'Mixed Messages' tape.

Name - Wally De Backer aka Gotye

A/S/L - 29/M/Melbourne

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - Kate Bush- Cloudbusting, Iron and Wine- Naked As We Came & Geto Boys- This Dick Is For You. I'd call the tape "Mixed Messages"

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP or song goes on the stereo? Joan As Policewoman's "Real Life". Such a sexy record

What is your fave romantic film of all time? I think Edward Scissorhands is the most romantic film ever

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song or record that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Hmmmm....for wallowing: Kate Bush's Hounds Of Love. For getting back up: The Beatles' Abbey Road

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? Something I can dance to....probably Joe Dolce's "Shaddapa You Face"

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Marvin Gaye, definitely. Heavy D and the Boyz would give him a good run for his money though

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? In My Pants- The Reddings. It's more direct than Wind Beneath My Wings.

Gotye- Learnalilgivinanlovin from Gotye on Vimeo.

Gotye- Hearts A Mess from Gotye on Vimeo.

My World Is So Blue

2010-02-07T20:50:00.010+11:00

Ridiculously good break up track from 1971 by Johnny Johnson. I love the transition from the soft intro to the moment you can practically hear his heart breaking on the record during the change up. Amazing.

Furthermore Johnny really did put the 'break' in this breakup track which was taken advantage of by Blu & Exile on their My World Is... joint.

Love Is Blue - Johnny Johnson Listen/Download

This Dells version is pretty boss too -

Bringin' The Ruckus No Doubt

2010-02-04T09:00:00.009+11:00

One of my fave records from a few years ago was Ruckus Roboticus' Playing With Scratches, an amazing cut & paste affair loaded with samples from childrens records and tasty beats which sort of had an Entroducing..... for kids vibe about it. As with all the artists that have featured on this blog Ruckus is someone who's work I love and who's brain I wanted to pick in regards to what were some of his go to love jams.

I managed to get a hold of the man himself who kindly took some time out from working on new tunes, making mixes (check his latest Daft Punk inspired mix) and remixing other artists (Vampire Weekend, Bloc Party, Killa Queenz amongst others) to throw down some answers to the Themes For Young Lovers questions.

Name - Ruckus Roboticus

A/S/L - 28, Male, Ohio (U.S.A.)

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
1. The Knife "Heartbeats"
2. White Stripes "We Are Gonna Be Friends"
3. Daft Punk "Something About Us" (... only if it was a VERY SPECIAL girl!)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Only one? ... I suppose any of the Portishead LP's are money.

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Shit, I have entire mixes devoted towards healing a broken heart! I suppose my two favorite songs to lift spirits are Mos Def -"Umi Says" and William DeVaughn "Be Thankful".

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? 'Twas "Spit On A Stranger" by Pavement. I know the title is not romantic, but the lyrics are, and it's a sentimental song for my wife & I.

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Hmmm.... Al Green.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?
Again, it's hard to pick just one. I like a lot of cheesey music! Two of my favorite are INXS - "Never Tear Us Apart", and 10CC - "I'm Not In Love". Both have seriously amazing song-writing ... and the production on the 10CC track -- ridiculous!

You Stepped Into My Life...

2010-02-03T10:56:00.010+11:00

This edit of the Bee Gees' 'You Stepped Into My Life' by Rayko is the bee's knees.

BEE GEES + GUITAR (RAYKO EDIT DEMO) by Rayko

Did Home Taping Ever Really Kill Music?

2010-02-02T09:30:00.007+11:00

It's kinda funny when you think that record companies used to be so concerned about home taping destroying music, I guess back then it would've been hard to forecast what was to come with the ease of burning CDs and file sharing and the HUGE effect it would have on the industry.

In hindsight making a cheeky mixtape at home, whether it be for that girl/boy you were trying to impress or for a friend to show them how amazing your taste in music was doesn't seem so bad and in my opinion did more good than harm as it helped spread the word and made people aware of what was out there in a world where the internet didn't exist.

On a side note it saddens me to see just how disposable music has become, with entire generations not knowing what it's like to own a complete LP, cassette or even CD album that you cherish and listen to so many times you know it word for word.

Nowadays you only have to go as far as the iTunes store or worse yet, an illegal file sharing site and with a simple click of the mouse you've got your ears on whatever it is you wanted, but that's the problem for me, it's just your ears and not your hands.

An album becomes so much more in the physical format, first of all you get the whole artwork as it was intended, you know the front and back and not just some shitty low res jpeg, then there's the liner notes which i've always loved reading to check the production credits and better yet the thank you's as I always found it a good way of finding out about other artists, for example say you bought a De La Soul album and saw that they thanked A Tribe Called Quest so you pick up one of their albums and notice a shout out to Black Sheep so back to the record store you'd go and so on and so on.

Getting back to the mixtape topic, I have no doubt the world would be a better place if we all took the time to make a mix for someone so I challenge you to do just that and in the spirit of this blog it would be great for it to be love themed especially considering Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

You get bonus points for using a cassette (link provided just in case you're not familiar with the concept) but if it's gotta be a CD i guess that'll have to do or I guess you can keep it kinda sorta real with this USB Mixtape !

Get your finger on the pause button/right clicker and feel free to post your track lists in the comments section.

You Can Have Your Tits & Ass...

2010-01-25T12:14:00.004+11:00

I'm with The Outlaw 4, Darondo & ZZ Top when it comes to my fave female body part.

The Outlaw 4 - Million Dollar Legs

Darondo - Legs, Pt 1 (Live)

ZZ Top - Legs

From Huwston With Love

2010-01-25T09:55:00.023+11:00

"Australia's answer to Gilles Peterson" That's what I like to call my good friend Huw Ellis. As someone that's spent years around music from his days working for some of Australia's best indie record labels to DJing to running his own amazing label Knowfool as well as writing a column and interviewing all the right people in one of Sydney's longest running dance publications 3d World and more recently shining as a radio presenter with his show Soul Glow on 2ser he does an incredible job of opening peoples ears to 'good music' hence the 'Gilles' tag I've given him.

With all this on his plate it's a wonder he has any spare time to scratch himself let alone return my calls so I was especially stoked when he said he'd take the time to whip up a mix and answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions for the blog.

So without further ado heeeere we go...

Name - Huw Ellis aka Huwston

A/S/L - 27 / Male / Newtown, Sydney, Australia

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -
Al Green - Love & Happiness (Shoes Edit)
Natural Four – Try Love Again
Kylie Auldist – Never Did I Ever Stop Loving You
(funnily enough none of these made the cut today but I started the Q & A before I did the mix and this is just where I was at on an overcast Sunday afternoon)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Erykah Badu – Worldwide Underground (but you gotta program out the Latifah joint at the end). I Included her and Common’s tribute to Hip Hop on the mix because it’s nice like that and that woman is gonna have one talented family. You see – music really does bring people together!

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – so bittersweet. Gets me every time. And I could only bring myself to see it once. A modern masterpiece.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Lonely Soul – Unkle feat Richard Ashcroft – really evokes the tears, especially when the strings come in – POW! That’s the DJ Shadow influence. I steer as far away from anything by Unkle after that album. Yuck. But this is a love blog and now I’ve gone all negative...

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? Good question, so many to choose from, really have to go with a joint choice here and should bring in the missus on this one. I DJ a lot of weddings and there are some terrible choices, mostly really obvious ones, too. Maybe ‘Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing’ by Marvin and Tammi. Best duo ever?

Who's music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Marvin, no doubt. Everyone (meaning rich white people) only knows ‘Let’s Stay Together’ by Al Green and that Barry White is ‘that guy with the deep voice’ but I think Marvin infiltrated popular culture from early on and kept building. But I gotta give a shout out to ?uestlove – his productions or drums or whatever appear like half a dozen times on my mix!!!

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Sting is a very guilty pleasure cos he comes off as such a knob in interviews. Had to drop ?uesto and James Poyser’s cover of ‘Be Still My Beating Heart’ on the mix. The guys is an incredible songwriter, in all fairness.

Themes For Young Lovers blog mix - From Huwston With Love by Knowfoowl

Tracklisting -

Stanley Clarke – Slow Dance
7 Samurai – Without Luv
James Mason – I Want Your Love
Mos Def – Ms Phat Booty (Pure P Mix)
Erykah Badu feat Common – Love of my Life
Joss Stone – Fell In Love With A Boy
Dwele – If You Want To The
Randy Watson Experience – Be Still My Beating Heart
DJ Mitsu The Beats feat Jose James – Promise In Love
Freddie & Linn – Live For Love
Sa Ra Creative Partners – The Bone Song
Final Solution – I’m Ready For Love
As One feat Paul Randolph – I Love You
D’Angelo – Feel Like Making Love
Al Green – What More Do You Want From Me
Amy Winehouse – Love Is A Losing Game
The Four Tops – Your Love Is Amazing
Raphael Saadiq – Love That Girl
Marvin Gaye – I Want You
Floating Points – Love Me (Like This)
Donna Summer – Love To Love You Baby (Frico Edit)
Al Hudson & The Soul Partners - Spread Love
Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes – The Love I Lost (DJ Asparagus edit)
Jose James – Love (Ben Westbeech Remix)
The Foreign Exchange feat Yahzarah – If This Is Love
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Prayer
Mayer Hawthorne – Green Eyed Love (Waajeed Remix)

Miles Gets Open

2010-01-15T10:21:00.032+11:00

The multi talented Miles Bonny (Vocalist/Producer/DJ/Trumpeter) was one artist that I was really keen to get to answer the Themes For Young Lovers questions for a couple of reasons, A. because he's one of my faves and B. A lot of his work, from his own original material to the cover versions he's recorded touches on love themes, so I reached out and luckily enough for me (and you!) he was nice enough to take some time out to do so.

Name - Miles Bonny

A/S/L - 29 /Male/Kansas City, Missouri USA

Name a couple of songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -

Tyrone Davis - In the Mood
DJ Day & Miles Bonny - Still Miles (Still Ray)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the Dom Perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Tom Brock - I Love You More and More an unbelievable and amazingly beautiful little known classic

What is your fave romantic film of all time? None come to mind. I think what happens in the room during the film is more important.

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song that you play to ease the pain and get you through? Al Green is always a good choice to centre oneself.

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? Hmm, what was first?... lemme call her... wow, well, I was DJing along with Joc Max and I think in the spur of the moment it was Omarion "Entrourage" which is a great song and beat along the same lines of Usher’s "Caught Up" I play those two often when I DJ for both the music crowd and the pop crowd. It’s quality.

Whose music do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Of the 3, Marvin Gaye. Marvin gets it going. When I was first really in love, All I listened to was Marvin albums, and I felt them like I had never felt them before. I got it.

You're out in the club and you spot a pretty young thang, what's your go to pick up line you use? How are you doin’? The focus is on her. take it from there. It’s not about the first line, but the follow up. The first line is only a door-knock. The second line is the most important.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Any song I associate with a real feeling of love I inherently do not feel is cheesy, but as far as cheesy songs in general; Wilson Phillips “Hold on” is definitely something I dig. I had that tape. And you can’t go wrong with Boyz II Men "On Bended Knee" or Color me Badd. Ghetto mucho baby!

I Was Blind To Let You Go

2010-01-12T16:10:00.009+11:00

A clever little edit courtesy of the mysterious Big J (?) who takes the Jackson 5 acapella of I Want You Back and places it on top of the Esso Trinidad Steel Band's instrumental cover version.

Best enjoyed whilst sipping on a rum based cocktail with an umbrella in it. hammock optional.

I Want You Back (Big J's Esso Trinidad Steel Band Edit) - Jackson 5 Listen/Download

Your Kisses Taste Like Honey

2010-01-11T23:33:00.011+11:00

LA house music specialist Cole Medina takes an almost flawless Bee Gee's joint and goes and makes it flawless by extending the intro and utilizing the best parts of the original. Classic themes for young lovers business.

Love You Inside Out (Cole Medina Edit) - The Bee Gees Listen/Download

It was also given the female touch by Feist, peep the vid below

Love Is The Drug & I Need The Score

2010-01-03T11:47:00.005+11:00

Love Is The Drug (Prince Klassen Edit) - Roxy Music Listen/Download

Boy You Turn Me....

2010-01-03T11:19:00.008+11:00

Gamm is one of, if the not THE best label when it comes to the business of cheeky musical bootlegs, they enlist the skills of different producers from all over the globe to take old favourites and flip them on their head.

This time around they give us a great little re-working of the Diana Ross classic 'Upside Down' it definitely could've done without the Ol' Dirty Bastard verse in my opinion but apart from that it's another themes for young lovers sure shot.

Upside Down (Collen & Webb Downside Up Remix) - Diana Ross Listen/Download

Spread The Love

2010-01-03T09:57:00.007+11:00

DJ Shepdog takes the vocal stylings of American Seventh-day Adventist a cappella gospel music sextet Take 6 and adds some classic hip hop drums to the equation.

Simple and effective with an important message, being that love is all we need... I couldn't agree more

Spread Love (DJ Shepdog Edit) - Take 6 Listen/Download

Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn

2009-12-30T19:53:00.005+11:00

Book yourself a room in a Formula 1 Motel with that special someone, don a bath robe, dim the lights, run a hot bath and let this mix do the rest.

I'm not going to lie to you this is some seriously moist R&B that's not for everyone so peep the track listing to see if it's for you before committing to the download -

R. Kelly - Sex Me
Jodeci - Forever My Lady
Whitehead Bros. - Your Love Is A 187
H-Town - Knockin' Da Boots
Silk - Freak Me
R. Kelly - Honey Love
Bar-Kays - Anticipation
Freddie Jackson - Rock Me Tonight
Bobby Brown - Roni
Johnny Gill - My, My, My
Bobby Brown - Rock Wit'cha
Atlantic Starr - Secret Lovers
Roger - I Wanna Be Your Man
Zapp - Computer Love
Isley Brothers - Between the Sheets
Keith Sweat - Make It Last Forever
Jodeci - Come & Talk To Me (Bad Boy Remix)
SWV feat. Missy Elliott - Can We
Al B. Sure - Nite & Day
Eugene Wilde - Gotta Get You Home Tonight
Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing
Ralph Tresvant - Sensitivity (Warm & Sensitive Mix)

The Motel Mix - DJ Mel Listen/Download

You Look So Good In The Summertime

2009-12-30T18:55:00.011+11:00

With Summer upon us it doesn't get much better musically than this ode to all the beautiful & lovely ladies out there by Lee Fields & The Expressions.

Maybe it's got something to do with more skin being flashed around but everyone really does look a lot better in the summertime don't they?*

'I know your man is pleased all the way down to his knees' - killer.

*if you're not convinced please refer to the pic above. Daaaaammmmnnn!

Only The Sexy People...

2009-12-30T14:39:00.006+11:00

This smoooooth assssss mix comes courtesy of LA boogie/beats producer Dam Funk. Clocking in at just over an hour and loaded with sweet soul, boogie and electro this ticks all the right boxes for a loved up mix and is baby makin' music at it's finest, silky smooth with just a little bit of bounce for, well... you know!

Beautiful Music 4 Beautiful People - Dam Funk Listen/Download

Cop it and go make some babies already!

I Wanna Be With You Everywhere

2009-12-30T13:47:00.008+11:00

I've got to thank my Mum for playing great music like Paul Simon, Marvin Gaye, Fleetwood Mac etc etc while I was growing up. I still have fond memories of car trips where we'd listen to all the classics mentioned and to this day without even knowing how, still know all the words to the entire Graceland album!

Mr. beer belly, beer belly....

Anyway here we have one of those tracks and one of Mum's faves that takes me back but it's been given a litte re-edit action making a little bit more for the now, I can totally imagine hearing this at 4am in a disco set and losing my ish!

Everywhere (Psychemagik Edit) - Fleetwood Mac Listen/Download

Mr Thing Talks AT-AT's, Grown Men Crying & Spoiler Alert, Spoiler Alerts

2009-10-11T18:19:00.024+11:00

Self proclaimed 'champion nerd', one of the worlds best DJs & all round nice guy Mr Thing recently took time out with our new blog contributer Josie Styles to answer the Themes For Young Lovers Questionnaire.

Who & What?

Mr Thing, 37, seeks woman with understanding of record collecting, car boot sales and record fairs... (with a big house.)

Name 3 songs that you would put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo.

ohhhhhhhhhhh..... ok!

1. The Natural Four - Try Love Again (Curtom)
2. Al Green - I'm Glad You're Mine (Hi)
3. Michael Jackson - I Wanna Be Where You Are (Motown)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the Dom Perignon (or in your case, Whiskey!) what LP do you put on the stereo?

Hard to choose between Al Green's "I'm Still In Love With You" LP or Marvin's "Let's Get It On", but thinking about it ... i'm going with the Reverend Al Green!

What is your fave romantic film of all time?

I have a passionate hatred for romantic films (thank you Pretty Woman etc etc etc) even though I'm a bit of a softy, so no films but I loved the ending of The Office when **spoiler alert** Tim buys Dawn the paint set, it's never really resolved and very sweet!

You've just had your heart broken, what are the top 3 songs that you play to ease the pain and get you through these tough times?

They're all on J.R. Bailey's "Just You And Me" LP, beautiful, lonely-man soul. Could make grown men cry during a break up, it's an incredible album!

What song will be played during the first dance at your wedding (assuming you're not on DJ'ing duty?! Ha!)?

Haha! no way I'm playing my own wedding! no ideas at ALL on that one, you can't plan it without the person you're going to marry I guess!

Who do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years: Ron Isley/IsleyBrothers; Al Green; Barry White or Marvin Gaye?

Marvin Gaye, “Let's Get It On”, simple!

You're out in the club and you spy a PYT, what's the go to pick up line you use?

My club-pulling game is admittedly ultra-weak, and I prefer to know people first. Too many times I've crashed and burned like the Snowspeeders taking on the AT-AT's in Empire Strikes Back ... and you can see from that why I fail!!

What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song?

Hahaha!! It's probably gonna be "For once in my life" by Stevie Wonder.. slighty cheesy but an amazing record. I actually sing along with that!

As well as the above, Mr Thing has been nice enough to provide us with a mix for you and yours, here you'll find a nice serving of love jams as well as enough rare funk & soul joints to have you going 'Who sampled that again?' for weeks!

The Portable Anorak Mix - Mr Thing Listen/Download

If you're based in Australia you can also catch Mr Thing doing what he does best on his October 2009 tour on the following dates in support of his brand new mix CD ‘Strange Breaks and Mr. Thing Vol II’ (BBE/Inertia)

Fri 16th Oct 2009 - Perth @ The Funk Club (early set) / The Manor (late set)

Sat 17th Oct 2009 - Melbourne @ Revolver

Sun 18th Oct 2009 - Brisbane @ Family

Fri 23rd Oct 2009 - Sydney @ Melt

Sat 24th Oct 2009 - Katoomba @ Gearin Hotel

Wild Thing... You Make My Heart Sing

2009-10-11T17:44:00.010+11:00

Spike Jonze's film adaptation of one of the all time classic children's books, 'Where The Wild Things Are' has to be one of the most eagerly awaited movies in the last few years, and anyone who's laid their eyeballs on the trailer knows the deal as to why.

The soundtrack has just been released and they've enlisted Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs fame to team up with a bunch of kids to deliver the musical accompaniment and from the bits i've heard so far it's definitely a winning combo and only helps add to the anticipation of the films release.

With this blog always being about the love, it made perfect sense to feature the following tune -

When I Wake Up In The Morning Light...

2009-10-05T13:56:00.005+11:00

Here we have a nice little remix of the Bill Withers feel good love jam 'Lovely Day' courtesy of DJ Eleven. Adding some classic hip hop drums he gives the track plenty more bounce to the ounce!

For best results bump it in a jeep with the ragtop down and a fly girlie by your side.

Lovely Day (DJ Eleven Remix) - Bill Withers Listen/Download

Mixed Up In Love

2009-08-31T22:42:00.006+10:00

UK beats producer Bullion is definitely a man after this blogs heart as he delivers not one but two essential mixes that hop across many different genres but maintain the all important theme of love throughout.

Tracklisting -

1. Koushik – I’d Like To Get To Know You
2. A Tribe Called Quest – The Love
3. Slum Village – The Look Of Love
4. Dee Dee Warwick – That’s Not Love
5. Odyssey – Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love
6. Arthur Russell – See Through Love
7. Tommy Evans – Me / You
8. Paul White – I’m Soo In Love With You
9. J Dilla – U-Luv
10. Yesterday’s New Quintet – The Meaning Of Love
11. The United States Of America – Love Song For The Dead Che
12. Kenny Rankin – In the Name Of Love
13. Oscar Wright – Fell In Love
14. Esther Phillips – Love Train
15. White Noise – Love Without Sound
16. Feist – The Limit To Your Love
17. Marvin Gaye – God Is Love
18. Jazzanova – L.O.V.E. And You & I
19. Mos Def – Love
20. Frank N Dank – Love (A Thing Of The Past – snippet)
21. Dee Edwards – Why Can’t There Be Love
22. Paul Simon – 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
23. J Davey – Dirty Love
24. Mark Pritchard feat Steve Spacek – Without You
25. Curtis Mayfield – Gimme Your Love
26. Johnny Cool – That’s You My Love
27. Honey & The Bees – Come Get It
28. Rotary Connection – Hey Love
29. John Ellis – People That I Love

Download

Tracklisting -

1. Free Spirits Intro
2. Sweet And Innocent – Express Your Love
3. Iron Butterfly – It Must Be Love
4. The Moody Blues – I Don’t Mind
5. The Manhattans – Follow Your Heart
6. Birtha – Feeling Lonely
7. The Bee Gees – To Love Somebody
8. ELO – Telephone Line
9. Joni Mitchell – Solid Love
10. The Four Tops – Still Water (LOVE)
11. Let’s Kiss Blonde Coeds Interlude
12. Adrian Baker – Is This Love
13. Ned Doheny – A Love Of Your Own
14. Tony Grey – She’s My Love
15. The Koobas – Woe Is It Love My Dear?
16. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – More Love
17. Free Spirits Outro

Download

Edit Love Vol. 1

2009-08-01T13:27:00.008+10:00

Re-edits are all the rage at the moment and have been for a minute now so i've decided to start up a series of posts highlighting some crackers! First up is this brilliant re-edit of Creative Source's 1973 tune 'You Can't Hide Love' by UK production duo The Messengers. Unfortunately for Creative Source this wasn't a hit for them but 2 years later Earth, Wind & Fire had more success as their version was featured on their US Billboard number one album 'Gratitude' and is the one most people would know.

In short this is a killer joint that hopefully now gets some long overdue props.

You Can't Hide Love (Messengers Creative Love Re-edit) - Creative Source Listen/Download

Run The Red Run The Risk

2009-07-31T18:31:00.019+10:00

Toronto's Circle Research make another appearance on the blog (check out their killer MJ remix posted earlier this month) this time around with a nice downtempo beat and catchy vocal sample "stop (stop), look... listen to your heart hear what it's saying" wise words for all the young lovers out there.

Stop, Look... Listen To Your Heart - Circle Research Listen/Download

One half of the dynamic duo recently took time out to answer the Themes For Young Lovers Questionnaire, here's how it goes -

Name - Gil from Circle Research

A/S/L - 30 yrs old / M / Toronto

Name 3 songs that would be no-brainers to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo -

1. Bobby Caldwell - Open Your Eyes
2. Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long
3. Positive K - I Got A Man

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? That depends strictly on the girl... I don't have one of those automatic turntables so it would have to be a cd... on repeat ;)

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Probably When Harry Met Sally or Frankie and Johnny...

You've just had your heart broken, what's the song that you play to ease the pain and get you through? I'm the only one who does the heart breaking ;) The best way to ease the pain is to write a song...

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? Minnie Riperton - Loving You

Who out of the following 3 do you think has played the biggest part in helping increase the world's population over the years, Al Green, Barry White or Marvin Gaye? Nothing's better than dancing to Al Green at the club, then going home to "make babies".

You're out in the club and you spot a pretty young thang, what's your go to pick up line you use? I don't like the idea of pick up lines. I just say what comes naturally.

and finally What's your fave guilty pleasure/cheesiest love song? Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love?

Be sure to swing by the boys Blog and do yourself a favour by subscribing to their podcast, the episodes are always loaded with great tunes and are constantly on high rotation on my iPod.

Lover's Rock

2009-07-31T11:50:00.005+10:00

This love themed mix comes courtesy of Dougie Boom. Check out his Myspace and Blog for some other amazing themed mixes such as his Halloween mix and the new Workout mix all of which are killer, but it was this mix he did for Valentines day that grabbed my attention. I recently got in touch with Dougie and he was nice enough to take time out to answer a handful of the themes for young lovers questions...

Name - Dougie Boom

A/S/L - 29/ Male / Toronto, Canada

Name a track that would be no-brainer to put on a mixtape for that special someone you were trying to woo - I guess anything by Barry White/Love Unlimited. (sounds cliche but...)

You've turned the lights down low, lit the candles and poured the dom perignon, what LP goes on the stereo? Donna Summers "Love to Love You Baby" on repeat or Lover's Rock by Dougie Boom. I couldn't have put it any better :)

What is your fave romantic film of all time? Uhhh romantic???? A movie that could possibly get you laid ...Buffalo '66.

What song was/or will be played during the first dance at your wedding? I dunno. My last wedding i played at their song was Atlantic Starr "Always", which is a good pick.

and now for the mix! peep the track listing!

1) Joe Simon - "Before The Night Is Over" (1977)
2) Hot Blood - "Sex Me" (1977)
3) Starvue - "Body Fusion" (1980)
4) Fern Kinney - "Baby Let Me Kiss You Baby" (1979)
5) Social Disco Club - "4 Love" (2008)
6) Bonar Bradberry - "Beat the Bed" (2007)
7) Imagination - "Body Talk" (1981)
8) Taana Gardener - "Heartbeat" (1981)
9) Sun - "A Love Affair" (1982)
10) Mtume- "Juicy Fruit" (1983)
11) Prince - "If I Was Your Girlfriend" (1987)
12) Aaliyah - "Rock The Boat" (2001)
13) Confection- "Fantasisin'" (2007)
14)Carly Simon - "Why" (1982)
15) Zapp - "Computer Love" (1985)
16) Hall & Oates - "Method Of Modern Love" (1984)
17) Cerrone - "Rendez Vous" (1980)
18) U-Gents- "I Wanna Lust You" (1988)
19) BVSMP "I Need You" (1988)
20) The Trammps- "Sixty Minute Man" (1975)
21) Astrud Gilberto - "Black Magic" (Tangoterje Edit) (2006)
22) A.B.T. - "Luv 2 Luv" (1991)
23) Sylvester - "I Need Somebody To Love Tonight" (1979)
24) Chilly - "Sensation" (1978)
25) Mona Rae - "Do Me" (1981)
26) World Premiere - "Share the Night" (1984)
27) Endgames - "Desire (Extended Version)" (1983)
28) Yvonne Cage - "Lover Of My Dreams" (1982)
29) Royalle Delite - "(I'll Be A) Freak For You" (1984)
30) Too $hort - "I Need A Freak" (1997)
31) Eurofunk - "Manshortage (Instrumental)" (1983)
32) Jeanette "Lady" Day - "Sexy, Sexy, Sexy" (1982)
33) Marcel King - "Reach For Love" (1984)
34) Sunfire - "Never Too Late For My Lovin'" (1983)
35) The System- "You Are In My System" (1982)
36) $tinkworx - "Yinmao" (1999)
37) L'Amour - "Let's Make Love Tonight"(1984)
38) Moodymann "Freeki Mutha F cker" (2008)

Lover's Rock mixed by Dougie Boom Listen/Download

Playing The Fool

2009-07-30T12:35:00.008+10:00

Possibly the most perfect song to listen to after someone has broken your heart ever. From the moment the spoken word introduction kicks in you just know everthing is going to be alright.

Okay, so you're heart broken
You sit around mopin'
Cryin' and cryin'
You say you`re even thinkin' about dyin'
Well, before you do anything rash, dig this...

Hand In Hand

2009-07-29T15:25:00.005+10:00

Sweet little ditty with that feel good summer love vibe. Taken from the group Sun's 1978 album Sunburn which is well worth seeking out if you can find it. The majority of the album is on the disco/boogie tip but it's this gentle tune with it's guitar and falsetto vocal that I love, beautiful stuff.

When You Put Your Hand In Mine - Sun Listen/Download

Here Come The Girls, Girls, Girls, Girls!

2009-07-29T14:22:00.002+10:00

Nice little re-edit by DJ Andy Smith of Portishead fame taking the funk/soul classic Here Come The Girls by Ernie K Doe and sprinkling it with a little bit of Jay-Z's Girls, Girls, Girls. Winner.

Here Come The Girls (Andy Smith Edit) - Ernie K Doe Listen/Download

as a bonus here's a great live version of Jay Z's Girls, Girls, Girls from his MTV Unplugged set backed by The Roots band.

Girls, Girls, Girls (MTV Unplugged Live Version) - Jay-Z with The Roots Band Listen/Download

That Smooooth Ish

2009-07-29T12:08:00.007+10:00

Baby making music mix by Sparkle Motion (DJ Yoda & Tobe$) peep the track listing, download the mix and then run a hot bath.

A Little Bit Of Luther Intro
Alexander O’Neal – If You Were Here Tonight
SOS Band – Tell Me If You Still Care
Roger – I Wanna Be Your Man
Evelyn Champagne King – Kisses Don’t Lie
SOS Band – Weekend Girl
The System – Don’t Disturb This Groove
Bobby Brown – Rock Wit’cha
Taja Seville – Love Is Contagious
Orgasm (Interlude)
Stephanie Mills – Keep Away Girls
Atlantic Starr – Always
A Little Anita (Interlude)
Patti Labelle & Michael McDonald – On My Own
The Gap Band – Yearning For Your Love
The Deele – Two Occasions
Ready For The World – Slide Over
Zapp – Computer Love
Glen Jones – Show Me
The Isley Brothers – Between The Sheets
Keith Sweat – Make It Last Forever
New Edition – Can You Stand The Rain
Play Another Slow Jam (Interlude)
Chaka Khan – Through The Wire

Sparkle Motion presents Slow Jamz Vol. 1 Listen/Download

Love Straight Out Of Chairman Mao's Crates

2009-07-28T19:13:00.006+10:00

Stumbled upon NYC DJ/Author/TV Producer/Legend Chairman Mao's blog the other day whilst blog hopping and damn there are some treats to be had!

Here are two love joints on the 45 tip that I grabbed, but make sure you head on over to see/hear what else is on offer.

Love - Beverly & Duane Listen/Download

One More Chance - Margie Joseph Listen/Download

Up, Down & Round

2009-07-28T12:59:00.007+10:00

ESG (Emerald, Sapphire & Gold) out of South Bronx, New York are looked at as the Queens of the Punk-Funk movement and have influenced more than their fare share of artists over the years. Starting up in the early eighties, the three Scroggins sisters (Maria, Renee & Valerie) went on to release a few albums and EPs and more recently Soul Jazz Records out of the UK have come out with some fantastic reissues and compilations of B-sides & Rarities.

Their tracks take in aspects of disco, funk, punk and hip hop and after listening it's easy to see why they've been sampled to death by TLC, Wu-Tang Clan, Beastie Boys, Gang Starr and heaps of others.

This love themed jam i've chosen to share is an absolute belter that's guaranteed to rock the dance floor.

My Life Will Never Be The Same

2009-07-26T15:32:00.007+10:00

Canadian hip hop/beats production duo Circle Research recently had a go at remixing two MJ love themed classics and although it's a tough ask to improve on pop perfection i'm really feeling their take on 'You Rock My World'

Be sure to swing by their blog to listen to their radio show and to pick up the 'Rock With You' remix too.

You Rock My World (Circle Research Remix) - Michael Jackson Listen/Download

You Can't Have Your Donut and Eat It Too

2009-07-18T21:13:00.006+10:00

Things are going great, you've found that special someone and you're madly in love but then snap! you're forced to move away for one reason or another. You agree to hold out for each other but as time passes by things don't go to plan and the person waiting for you moves on with their life by hooking up with someone else even though you've kept your part of the bargain, ouch! and to make matters worse they say they're still in love with you!

This Sylvers tune from 1972 tells a similar tale with the outcome being that only one can win your love and as a result the heartbreaker must choose between the two.

Only One Can Win - The Sylvers Listen/Download

Late hip hop super producer J Dilla begs to differ with the Sylvers by sampling their tune and going with the Two Can Win title as featured on his Donuts album.

Two Can Win - J Dilla Listen/Download

Love & Happiness

2009-07-06T15:50:00.007+10:00

This is the first post dedicated to Al Green but I can tell you now it sure as hell won't be the last! The man is an absolute machine when it comes to love themed music, with pretty much everything he has ever written revolving around matters of the heart.

The original of Love & Happiness is one of his better known jams but this version by the Shoes crew is a killer re-edit that needs to be heard. In saying that it's not for anyone with a short attention span as this bad boy builds and builds and takes you on a journey that clocks in at almost 10 minutes! Epic.

Love & Happiness (Shoes Re-edit) - Al Green Listen/Download

Can It Be I Stayed Away Too Long?

2009-07-06T12:15:00.010+10:00

I can't be the only blog out there without a Michael Jackson inspired post, especially considering the fact that MJ was prolific in writing so many themes for young lovers over the years... so here's a little something for y'all.

The legendary Roots crew teamed up with long time collaborator Erykah Badu on The Jimmy Fallon show recently to deliver this amazing tribute to the king of pop by covering his 1972 love themed hit 'I Wanna Be Where You Are'

I Wanna Be Where You Are - The Roots feat Erykah Badu Listen/Download

Enjoy!

You, You Got What I Neeeeed!

2009-07-01T23:06:00.013+10:00

Is there a better tale of heartbreak than Biz Markie's 'Just a Friend'? Few rappers do the story telling thing better than Biz and this is definitely one of his finest moments as he recounts the ordeal of his cheating girlfriend that he met on tour.

If you've ever had your heartbroken by some cheating bitch/scumbag you'll be able to relate and if you're lucky enough to have avoided any of that action or you yourself are the cheating bitch/scumbag i guess you can always just sing-a-long! 'Ohhh Baby...'

Watch the video - Here

And as a bonus here is the original love themed joint that Biz sampled for the track.

Oh Snap!

It's Not You, It's Me

2009-06-25T08:52:00.009+10:00

Modern day soul/doo wop! I've only heard 4 tracks so far but i'm going to make the call and say this Mayer Hawthorne record will be the album of 2009. Going by what i've heard it appears the album will be loaded with themes for young lovers and 'Just Ain't Gonna Work Out' (above) has to be one of the best break up songs ever, I love the use of the 'Get Out My Life, Woman' drums especially considering the theme.

The album (of the year) is called 'A Strange Arrangement' and is out on the 9.09.09 through Stones Throw Records. Get excited people!

and here he is performing live in NYC with members of The Roots Crew (peep Questlove on the tambourine!)

Mayer Hawthorne w/ The Roots - Just Aint Gonna Work Out, live NYC from Stones Throw on Vimeo.

We Played Nintendooooooooo...

2009-06-23T20:27:00.011+10:00

This one takes me way back! 1990 is the year and playing kiss and catch at big lunch in the 6th grade was the name of the game.

Thanks to a song by US kid rap sensations Another Bad Creation all I wanted was a girl named 'Iesha' to play Nintendo with... unfortunately this didn't go to plan, maybe because I grew up in the outer suburbs of Sydney, Australia where the name Iesha wasn't all that common, along with the fact that i had an Atari 2600 not an NES.

I must admit I used to be confused about the name choice for the group, and it wasn't until years later when i discovered the whole 'not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good' thing that it made any sort of sense.

Definitely not for everyone but it holds a special place in my heart.

I Can't Wait For You To Operate

2009-06-23T13:33:00.006+10:00

In its original form there's no doubt that 'Sexual Healing' is one of the best love songs of all time. Marvin Gaye has surely played a big part in the world's population increasing over the years and if you were conceived after 1982 it might even be the reason you're reading this post, especially if your parents had a copy of 'Midnight Love' in their record collection.

We all know the original but there have been a bunch of covers over the years including versions by Kate Bush, Michael Bolton, Ben Harper & who could forget Maxamillion! But i really don't think it gets any better than this cracking cover by the Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans... BIG bold & brassy!

Oh baby now lets get down tonight!