DJ Ragz - Jazz Hop

I don't know what it is, but recently I've been finding some random music on my iPod. I guess having 30GB of capacity can do that sometimes. But still, I almost feel like the dude in Memento when it comes to these things.

DJ Ragz latest mixtape, Jazz Hop is the current example of this. It started playing when my iPod was on shuffle. I can't find it on any of my computer hard drives, and I don't remember any friends sending it to me via email. So I listened to the first few seconds to try to figure it out. The mixtape starts out with shout outs from such DC-area dudes line Storm The Unpredictable, DJ Dirty Hands, and Tamu. I'm like wait a minute....this cat is from DC? (Okay, so Northern VA, but he gets a pass.)

The mix is old school hip-hop, with even older school R&B, and jazz. I'm talking George Duke, Marlena Shaw (anything with California Soul is a winner IMO), mixed with Gang Starr, Main Source, Tha Alkaholiks, and Dj Shadow. As with any good disc jockey, Ragz makes it all work together, and the result is seamlessly blended into one of the most chill mixtapes that I have ever had in my possession.

Again, I don't know how I got this thing. I'm sure that it's not by legal means. But this thing is worth a purchase at $10 (shipping included). Tracklisting after the jump.

1. George Duke-Foosh-The Aura Will Prevail
2. David T. Walker-Lay Lady Lay-Plum Happy
3. InI-So What you say-Center of Attention
4. People Under the Stairs-Acid Raindrops Inst.
5. Bobbi Humphrey-Just a Love Child-Blacks and Blues
6. Bobbi Humphrey-Harlem River Drive-Blacks and Blues
7. Tom Scott and the L.A. Express-Bless My Soul-(self Titled)
8. Blue Mitchell-Daydream-Funktion Junction
9. Gerald Wilson-California Soul-California Soul
10. Ador-Let it all Hang out-12 single
11. Marlena Shaw-California Soul-The Spice of Life
12. Gang Starr-Check the Technique (remix)-
13. Donald Byrd-Think Twice-Stepping Into Tomorrow
14. Main Source-Looking at the Front Door
15. Ramsey Lewis-Kufanya Mapenzi-Funky Serenity
16. Eddie Harris-That is Why Youre Overweight-That is Why Youre Overweight
17. Dj Shadow-Midnight in a Perfect World-Entroducing.....
18. Pieces Of a Dream-Pop Rock-We are one
19. Roy Ayres Ubiquity-The Memory-Vibrations
20. Freddie Hubbard-Keep Your Soul Together-Keep Your Soul Together
21. Joe Farrell-Too High-Penny Arcade
22. Alkaholiks-All Night-Likwidation
23. Deodato-September 13-Prelude
24. The Ramsey Lewis Trio-Bold and Black-Another Voyage
25. Blue Mitchell-The Message-The Last Tango=Blues
26. Mike Longo-Bitchin-The Awakening
27. Mccoy Tyner-Festival in Bahia-Inner Voices
28. Laks-Is It? (Inst.)-12 Produced by Big Tone
29. Roy Ayres Ubiquity-The Black Five-Mystic Voyage
30. Weather Report-Young and Fine-Mr. Gone
31. Jazzy Jeff-Da Intro-The Magnificent
32. Bob James-Look-A-Like-Lucky Seven
33. George Duke-You and Me-From Me to You
34. Grover Washington-Tell me about it now-Paradise
35. Ramsey Lewis-Do what you wanna-Another Voyage
36. Cal Tjader-You Keep me Hangin On-(Self Titled)
37. Deodato-Juanita-Very Together
38. Gato Barbieri-A John Coltrane Blues-Yesterdays
39. Gato Barbieri-El Arriero-El Pampero
40. Pharoah Sanders-Thembi-The Best Of..
41. Stanley Turrentine-Sister Sanctified-Cherry
42. Krs-One-My Philosophy-A Retrospective
43. Bobbi Humphrey-Please Set Me at Ease-Fancy Dancer
44. Gap Mangione-Diana In the Autumn Wind-Sing Along Junk
45. Bobby Hutcherson-Montara-Montara
46. Jazz Addixx Oxygen-Oxygen Mudd, Ragz, Boom (Feat. Primo the Cinematic)
47. Jack McDuff-The City Bump-Fourth Dimension