BY B AO L E - H U U DJ DOLO76 | PHOTO COURTESY THE ARTIST
LOCAL RELEASES
Orlando turntablist DJ Dolo76 has a catalog you’d expect from most DJs. There are, of course, remixes — in his case, reinterpretations of songs by Nas, Cardi B, M.O.P., O.C. and the like. His solo debut last year — the Aliens-inspired Vasquez EP — showed instrumental tracks footed equally in classic hip-hop fundamentals and left-field sensibilities. Dolo76’s next album, however, will bring MCs back into the mix. Slated for a Feb. 4 drop on Loretta Records, Escobarian Hippos will feature mic time by a parade of luminaries from the 407. The guest roster includes Orlandoans MidaZ the Beast, Shinobi Stalin, Niko Is, Okito, TzariZM, MyVerse, JBiz, Tony Madness, Truly Def and Aahmean alongside others like the Artifacts’ El Da Sensei. The first official peek of that album just came with the recent release of lead single “Settle Our Own” with Arizona rapper Maze Overlay. On it, Dolo76 shows his cratedigger cred in a sonic mural crafted with a Yugoslavian record discovered in a Tampa thrift store and his own tight scratches using Pete Rock, Onyx, Pharoahe Monch and Method Man vocals. It’s a sweepingly cinematic setting that makes the song even more than the raps. The single’s now available on Bandcamp, as will be the album on Feb. 4. A new release by local punk label Ripping Records is actually a deep dive into Orlando punk history spotlighting 1990s hardcore group the Petofiles. The 16-track A Touch Too Much compiles recordings from various sessions to essentially be the band’s definitive collection. Half the material here saw obscure release ages ago — the last seven tracks originally released in 1996 as part of a
Orlando turntablist DJ Dolo76’s next album brings MCs back into the mix. Slated for a drop on Loretta Records, Escobarian Hippos will feature mic time by luminaries from the 407
split tape with Chapter 13 and single “Hypocrite” was included in the 1995 Punkin’ Donuts Florida punk compilation. However, A Touch Too Much opens up with a full eight songs that’ve been unearthed and are just now seeing daylight for the first time ever. Raw, fast and rough, this discography is a native snapshot of quintessential hardcore roots. Even more than that, though, A Touch Too Much is an archaeological feat that makes the Orlando music archive a little more complete. It’s on Bandcamp as a name-your-price download.
LIVE PICKS THIS WEEK
Omicron continues to disrupt the calendars, this week postponing the Wu-Tang Killarmy show at the Abbey. So doublecheck the latest listings for anything you’ve planned, and mask hard if you head out. DJ Nigel John’s Funk Omakase: While touchstones like the grand P-Funk peacocks monopolize the popular conception, funk music is not a monolith. And this
new weekly DJ series by Nigel John — one of the city’s most literate, versatile and conceptual DJs — is dedicated to showing the full ambit of the genre. Expect a dizzyingly kaleidoscopic range of prefixes that includes disco, acid jazz, soul, Latin, Tropicália, rock, electronic, psychedelic, pop, Brit, metal, avant, free, Afro, hiphop, Middle Eastern and even yacht. So, just like you wouldn’t ask for a basic-ass California roll at an omakase dinner, don’t go shouting out requests for “Play That Funky Music.” Take the ride, you’re in good hands. (10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, Lil Indies, free) Caravan Palace: This talented French band have carved a bright and lively niche on the dual pillars of swing jazz and modern dance music. It’s a mashup that’s made them reliable global party-starters. This Orlando stop will be the launch of their North American tour, so expect peak opening-night energy. (7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, House of Blues, $29.50-$75.75) Johnny Debt Prestage: He lives down near Lake Okeechobee now, but Jon Prestage is an erstwhile Orlando scene figure with credits in great local bands like So Help Me Rifle and Basements of Florida. Jon’s also known as half of the Prestage Brothers act with brother Ben (himself one of the state’s best-known oneman bands). As his own one-man band under the moniker Johnny Debt, Jon has dedicated himself to being a torchbearer of traditional Florida folk music. Come welcome the dude back and let him take you to the swamp with his old-style country and blues. (5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, Dirty Laundry, free) baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com orlandoweekly.com
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JAN. 19-25, 2022 ● ORLANDO WEEKLY
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