Mixmas time is here
Ten years ago at Christmas time, l decided that rather than send cards to friends and family, I would send a CD with some Christmas music on it. I put together a quick mix using songs that were favorites at the time, called it Merry Mixmas, burned a couple dozen CDs, and started sending them out. As an afterthought, I shared an mp3 of the mix with a small online community that I was part of. One of the people in that community was the host of the Back to the Basics radio show out of Hamburg, and much to my surprise, he decided to play the mix on his show.
The response was positive enough that I decided to make another mix the following year, and a tradition had officially begun. Each year I dig and dig to find new (old) songs and samples from TV shows or movies, sometimes adding some of my own creations, and each year I've found enough to put together a new mix.
To celebrate 10 years of Merry Mixmases, this year's collection features highlights from all the previous mixes, along with some new bits. I hope you'll agree that it's the Merriest Mixmas yet. Click the "Christmas" link above to find the listing of songs, along with the link to download it. If you'd rather just listen and be surprised, click on the picture of the band of santas above.
Help make the Merriest Mixmas ever
It may be hard to believe, but this year marks 10 years of Merry Mixmas mixes. To celebrate the occasion, I am putting together a mix that will feature the best songs of Mixmases past. You can help me make this the Merriest Mixmas ever by telling me which song or songs from past mixes you think should be included. I can't promise that I'll include every song that's suggested, but people's votes will definitely have some influence. You can send me your suggestions via email by clicking the "Contact" link above or, if you want to get social about it, by posting on my Facebook page, which is at http://www.facebook.com/deejayriko. And feel free to "like" me, if you like, while you're there.
Rhyme Time
Hey, look - a new mix. It's called Rhyme Time and it's a collection of hip hop songs from the 1980s, plus one new DJ Riko mashup/remix that was done in an old-school style. Given the genre and era, you can be assured there is some foul and/or politically incorrect language, so don't listen if you're easily offended. The tracklist and download links are available in the Tunes section.
"Breaks all Night" redux
Got a new(ish) tune on the site. Years ago I did a quickie mashup of the Boomtown Rats' "Up All Night" with "Roughneck" by Sharaz to use in a mix for a radio show. I've finally gotten around to cleaning it up a bit, and the new version is now available as a standalone track in the Tunes section.
Facebook and Twitter
Merry Mixmas 2010
Has it been another year already? Yes, Virginia, it has. The Merry Mixmas tradition continues with another collection of Christmas music you won't hear anywhere else, depending on where else you listen to music. Follow the "Christmas" link at the top of the page and you'll find the tracklist and download links. Ho ho ho.
Is there an Ecko in here?
There may not be an Ecko in here, but you'll find some of here in Ecko. We're happy to announce that Marc Ecko stores have hired DJ Riko to create exclusive mixes that customers can listen to while browsing the racks. You can hear the mixes at all Marc Ecko stores across the United States. More, and different, exclusive DJ Riko mixes can be heard at all of the Marc Ecko Cut & Sew locations in the U.S. as well. So if you find yourself shopping at a Marc Ecko or Cut & Sew store, feel free to enjoy the tunes.
Thump and Grind
Hey, look -- another full-length mix. It starts off with a new mashup that pits The Cars against the Ultramagnetic MCs and then moves on through a bit of current hip hop, pop and club stuff. It's got some explicit lyrics, so don't play it around your grandparents. You can see the tracklist and find download links on the Tunes page -- just scroll down to the to the "Longer mixes" section.
Tweaking in Tongues
Here's a new full-length mix for you. It features vocals and vocal samples in Spanish, Japanese, German, a made-up language, French, Farsi, Korean and more. And don't worry, there's plenty of English in there, too. You can see the tracklist and find download links on the Tunes page -- just scroll down to the to the "Longer mixes" section.
Rikotones
A bunch of DJ Riko mashups are now available as ringtones. Go here to get yours.
Gilding the Lily
This is the first "proper" non-Xmas mix I've done in two years, so forgive me for the exclamation point above. You can see the tracklist and find download links on the Tunes page -- just scroll down to the to the "Longer mixes" section.
U2 vs Groove Armada
New to the Tunes section is a mashup that was part of another project and now is available on its own. It features U2's "One" with Groove Armada's "Tuning In (Rewritten)"
San Diego gig
I'll be playing mashups at the Air Conditioned Lounge in San Diego on October 14 with the M*A*S*H Up Unit 619. Kipper, Kallao and Adam Gimbel will be spinning as well. It should be fun, so come out if you can. More info can be found at the night's MySpace page.