Rest in peace, Heavy D

Sad times in New Jack City today. We lost one of the great ones. While Heavy D may be gone, his music will live on, and you better believe we'll be giving this man a proper tribute at NJC Thursday night.

I can't count the number of times I've been in the record store with DJ Cool It Now when all of the sudden he pops up from the crates smiling wide, waving a freshly picked Heavy D single. Heavy D got around. Not only did he churn out an endless stream of hits during his glorious career, but he also made a cameo appearance on seemingly every New Jack album ever produced. He's even on the Candy Rain single! Does it get any better than that???



Thanks for the memories and the music Heavy D. We promise to keep your legacy alive the one way we know how: by dropping those sweet-sounding platters on the turntables every chance we get.

Behold! The Bell Biv Devoe Poison Cake!

Last month, New Jack City celebrated its birthday in style with a dopetastic throwdown at Langano Lounge. The night was filled with dancing, revelry and precious moments. Most exciting though was this special treat courtesy of our friends Bell Biv Devoe (and on old family recipe). I can say without hesitation that the BBD Posion Cake tasted even more mental than it looks. Thanks BBD! And thank you Portland for bringing your enthusiasm, rhythm and soul to New Jack City each and every month.

New Jack City - One Year Anniversary Party!

Join us as we celebrate the One Year Anniversary of New Jack City! Seems like just yesterday we dropped the needle on Bobby Brown's "Don't Be Cruel" to kick off our first NJC dance night. It's been all good times since then. Here's what we have in store for our big party:

* All your favorite late 80s/early 90s new jack hits and slow jamz!
* Cassingle giveaways!
* The world's first Bell Biv Devoe Poison Cake!
* And oh so much more!

Thanks to all of you who have helped make NJC the greatest night of the month each and every month. And a special thanks to the fine folks at Langano Lounge for hosting us. Please spread the word and let's make this a night to remember.

Warmly,
DJ Human Highlight Film + DJ Cool It Now

 

New Jack City - One Year Anniversay Party!
Thursday, September 8
Langano Lounge (1435 SE Hawthorne Blvd)
9pm FREE 

I Can't Wait Another Minute

Just got word that DJ Cool It Now scored Hi-Five's debut full-length on white hot petroleum wax. This is one of those groups like the Beatles where you just can't imagine them making a bad song. Be on the lookout for some sweet Hi-Five jamz like this one at the next New Jack City...



Well, if that isn't the greatest chorus of all time I'm not sure what is.

Trippin Out

One of the most exciting things about being a professional disc jockey is the hunt for that perfect slab of petroleum vinyul. In between our monthly New Jack City gigs at Langano Lounge, DJ Cool It Now and I work around the clock searching for new jamz to expand the NJC playlist. Our endless search leads us to record shoppes all over Portland, like Mississippi Records, where a few months ago I unearthed the 12" single for Prince Markie Dee's "Trippin Out."

This is one of those albums I picked up based solely on the album cover. Let's just say the Prince knows how to rock a pair of overalls in the customary single-strap style of the early 90's.

Of course last Thursday when I finally got around to playing this track at New Jack City, my mind was blown. Take a look and listen.



OH SH*T!

If that flow sounds familiar it's because Prince Markie Dee is from the Fat Boys. Yeah, it's all coming back to me now. And that's Billy Lawrence blowin' in the background. Wow! I can't get enough of this song.

Johnny Gill: Too hot to handle?

Last New Jack City, things got a little hot and heavy on the dance floor. There must have been something in the air that night because the slow jamz were bringing folks together in ways that would make me blush if I were to attempt to describe them here. Let's just say 9 months from now don't be surprised if a few Ronnies, Bobbys, Rickys and Mikes are born in Portland.

Of course every dance party has an ebb and flow, and on this night, at the height of the slow dance portion of the evening, something very interesting happened. In an attempt to break the thermostat, DJ Cool It Now decided to plop Johnny Gill's "My, My, My" on the turntable. Much to our surprise the floor emptied. This begs the question, is Johnny Gill just too plain sexy? You be the judge...