Head to a Qool DJ Marv set and you'll witness an array of selections that span at least three decades of American music. In a given night, Marv can toggle through renaissance jazz, R&B, golden era hip-hop, funk, and reggae tracks, to name a few, in an astonishingly fluid manner.
A Philly-born New Yorker, DJ Marv's diverse sounds have helped him carve a niche in local and international circles. A veteran beat selector, Marv's had noteworthy stints abroad in Manchester and Berlin, as well as donned the stage with the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, The Roots, Erykah Badu, George Clinton and P-Funk, Busta Rhymes and more — dude's got quite the track record.
With Africa In Your Earbuds #3: REACH, Qool DJ Marv delivers a 52-minute deep house mix inspired by his experiences at Croatia's SunceBeat and The Garden music festivals. He threw us names like Larry Heard, Tony Humphries, Lil Louis & The World, Theo Parrish, Karizma, DJ Spen, and Osunlade as major influences on what he calls his "Africa dipped piece of musical information."
On the title of his mix, Marv explains:
From a multidimensional wide-angle lens perspective, REACH can mean the reach of Africa's rhythms, global, or REACH can mean my hand reaching for yours for the solidarity soul shake. REACH is a directive to reflect and envision, then go for yours with pride. Blood, DNA, or internet wires, we are one - uthando (= affection).
New Yorkers: catch Qool DJ Marv live at Harlem's Red Rooster every Thursday evening from 7pm-12 midnight and every Saturday afternoon from 10:30am-4:00pm. And big up to Underdog for the (always) dope artwork!
Listen and DOWNLOADAfrica In Your Earbuds #3: Qool DJ Marv - 'REACH' below!
Tracklist
Uthando (Shun Tyger Evasion Remix) - Deejay Echo Deep ft Mam Mahlaba (South Africa)
Mirror Dance (Yoruba Soul Remix Featuring Oveous Maximus) - Afefe Iku (Kenya)
Envision (Ame remix) - Osunlade
Prayer Drumz (Drummapella Main) - DJ Sabelo (South Africa)
Wilile (Antonello Coghe & Rancido African Mystery Mix - Mixed By Louie Vega) - Boddhi Satva Pres. Mangala Camara (Central African Republic)
Money (King Britt Mix) - Zaki Ibrahim (South Africa)
Roho Yangu (Feat. Mfalme) (Jihad's Movement Mix) - Morra DeRey & the Heavy Quarterz (South Africa)
Cries of the Son (Zulus at Work Ethnic Time Mix) - Mali the Deejay (South Africa)
Pride (Main Mix) - Osunlade presents Nadirah Shakoor
We Are One (Feat. Hugh Masekela /Louie Vega Eol Mix) - Black Coffee (South Africa)
Wires (The Parrish Mix) - Owiny Sigoma Band (Kenya)