We asked Krafty Kuts to pick his six all-time favourite tracks from his collection and explain what makes them so special...

 

1. Roy Ayers – Searching

The first song you've chosen is Roy Ayers' Searching from his 1976 album Vibrations. Roy Ayers began his career as a jazz player, releasing several albums with Atlantic Records before progressing to a new R&B style.

Perhaps best known for Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Searching is one of his less well-known tracks, what is it about this track you like so much?

I'm a massive Roy Ayers fan and saw him live at the Brighton Centre quite a few years ago and I've been collecting his records for many years. Searching is a very sassy tune that I first heard sampled on an EDOG & Da Bulldog  track called Be A Father To Your Child and I was hooked on the groove. A truly awesome piece of saxophone playing and a great listening tune as well.

 

2. D. Train – You're The One For Me

D. Train was collaboration between James "D. Train" Williams, the lead vocalist and songwriter, and Hubert Eaves III, a keyboardist and producer. You're the One For Me was released as their first single in late 1981 and was an instant success. Most people in the UK are more familiar with the remixed version that charted in 1985. The remix was done by Paul Hardcastle (19), who had previously issued a cover version of the song. Why has this made the cut?

Featuring the amazingly talented Paul Hardcastle on keyboards this just epitomised that wonderful funky 80s disco tinged vibes and flavour. The hooks in this tune are just incredible. I loved this tune as soon as I heard it at a nightclub when I was only 14. It brings back great memories of when we used to breakdance in a crew and my teenage life that was all about learning the roots of hip hop, electro and funk. That era was so cool - graffiti and the whole way of life, music was real from the soul.

3. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)

Your third choice is a stone-cold hip hop classic from 1992. This was their signature hit, a tribute for fallen friends - namely Troy "Trouble T-Roy" Dixon, a member of Heavy D & The Boyz, who died in 1990. Why have you chosen this one?

My favourite hip hop tune ever... full stop! I love everything about this track plus I actually interviewed him for a hip hop magazine I used to write for called Represent. The amazing sax sample is from the very sought after Today by Tom Scott and it sits deliciously alongside the cool rap vocals of CL Smooth. This is just an absolute winner.



4. Nas – Nas Is Like

Another hip hop track, Nas Is Like is the first single from Nas' third album I Am... in 1999. The song is the sixth collaboration between Nas and producer DJ Premier. It was critically well received as it was a change from the more commercial and pop-oriented singles from It Was Written and The Firm. Why have you chosen this?

Another track featured on my Back To Mine comp is timeless. So well produced by the ever reliable DJ Premier but this one just had that magic touch for me. The string hook was insatiable and the beats are tight. I played this every single set when I used top spin hip hop!

 

5. Grover Washington Jr – Mr. Magic

Grover Washington Jr. was an American jazz-funk / soul-jazz saxophonist and is he is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Washington made some of the genre's most memorable hits, including Mr. Magic, Black Frost, and The Best is Yet to Come. I notice a 70s jazz / funk theme running throughout your selections, is this one of your favourite periods of music?

There is definitely a jazz feel to the music I grew up on. I just love great music and sometimes the genre I chilled to or took any influences from was that of an inspirational nature and all these tracks have some meaning behind them, whether they were sampled in a hip hop tune or just a beautiful piece of music to relax to and this being one of them. A very sexy and laidback groove that just works any time any day for me.

 

6. Bad Bascomb – Black Grass

Your final choice is Bad Bascomb's country funk track Black Grass from 1973. Wilbur "Bad" Bascomb is a bass player who has played on numerous jazz and funk recordings. Why do you like this so much?

I love this tune because it is so different from anything else out there. I first discovered it back in the day on Ultimate Breaks & Beats compilation. The break is just insane and perfect to cut up. When I bought two copies that was all I used to practice doing. The groove just stayed in my head but the track was still fresh!

 

Krafty's new compilation features an exclusive selection of his "re-rubs" alongside a mix of tracks from Against The Grain's back catalogue  and you can read more about it here.

 

 

• Krafty Kuts
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• Six Of The Best

Related Links:

• Krafty Kuts DJ Tools iPhone App
• Krafty Kuts DJ Tools iPhone App
• Krafty Kuts Releases New Mix CD
• Issue 59
• Breakspoll Awards Return

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