i'm the baddest bitch

Since it was my birthday recently and I hadn't had the pleasure of purchasing records in a bit, a few days ago I headed over to Tweekin' (in the Lower Haight) to get my fix. And I got it-- not only did I grab some great dub techno and some new-ish, amazing stuff from the Circus Company label, I also got my paws on a copy of Norma Jean Bell's I'm the Baddest Bitch (In the Room), one of those sought-after house classics featuring Moodymann, aka Kenny Dixon Jr.

To give some history: Norma Jean (pictured above) was trained as a saxophonist and singer, and at one point was a member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention. She began producing records outright along with Kenny Dixon in the early-to-mid 90s, and became known for a jazzy, Detroit-centric approach to house music. "I'm the Baddest Bitch (In the Room)" was her breakout single, and has become a classic of house music and a favorite of DJs all over.

It is easy to understand why the track and its remixes get so much love-- "Baddest Bitch" is one of the sexiest, catchiest and most well-constructed vocal house track ever put to record. The original's programming gives great nods to past electro and house influences, and the "Bitch Move" mix has an irresistible Garage-y hypnotism that is sure to work people into frenzies. The mix by Kenny Dixon himself is...well, quintessential Moodymann: it stretches the piece out, slows its pace, incorporates extensive saxaphone workouts, and is some smooth, get-down house. The final piece, which eschews the word "bitch," is an exercise in house producers doing downtempo, near-smooth-jazz music, but the track is much too cool and smoky to be placed in the elevator-music house ghetto. Throughout all these mixes, Norma Jean Bell's assertive alto soars in a way that puts other house divas to shame.

This might be one of the best house records you'll ever hear. So get to it:

Norma Jean Bell- I'm the Baddest Bitch (In the Room) (Original Mix)

Norma Jean Bell- I'm the Baddest Bitch (In the Room) (Bitch Move Mix)

Norma Jean Bell- I'm the Baddest Bitch (In the Room) (Moodymann Mix)

Norma Jean Bell- Cause You Belong to Me (Norma & Kenny Mix)

Tomorrow, something new!

a preview

THINGS ARE COMING TOMORROW: and now you know. (see below).

the main mix:



the moodymann mix:


Jive out.

you keep on blessing me

Because it's been delayed so long, I'm just going to forget that I ever wrote that I'd post that mix a while back. Instead, I'll post a newer mix I've been working on sometime later this week.

For now, though, a 1999 track from one of the kings of weird Detroit, Kenny Dixon Jr., aka Moodymann. Always bringing the out the roots of house in his sounds, one of the best examples is found in the track below, "The Thief That Stole My Sad Days." Based around various loops of preachers, church organ, piano, and a gorgeously earnest lead female vocal, the track has a power that can only be called holy. His own synth work and drum patterns are unobtrusive-- the kicks are well-padded but mixed somewhat low, for example-- but add a definite kick to the track. It is difficult to describe any further-- just know that Dixon knows what he is doing, and can teach anyone a thing or two about music history, black history AND how to jam out. Highly recommended, because even if you don't ever play it at a party, it is a great song to start the day.

Moodymann- The Thief That Stole My Sad Days

Tomorrow, a track by Teengirl Fantasy. After that? A Kraftwerk mash-up, a mix, and some other goodies. Sorry again for my sporadic posting this past week.