The 273

The Spot Check. We get artists from around the world to open up the masses of music stored away on their hard drives, have five tracks selected at random, and then attempt to explain away any embarrassing tracks that might have found their way into the selection. Pass or fail? Well, thats your call.

Next up into the spotlight to expose his MP3s for the Random Spot Check is Bristol’s DJ Cheeba. Part of the Solid Steel family, Cheeba has been tearing up clubs and festivals around the world for the last few years, and 2011 is set to see the release of his new set and tour Revenge of the Nerd, so you can expect to see him in a town near you very shortly. You might have seen him in the Becks advert making music on beer taps, but now he’s gonna open his hard drive and let us see his darkest musical secrets (hopefully). So then Cheeba, lets see that first track…
• Koaste

1./ Roots Manuva – Witness (1 Hope) (Modeselektor remix)
Well i suppose statistically Witness had to pop up for someone at some point, I mean who hasn’t got it somewhere in their crates? This version though is a glitchy bass heavy remix from one of the best live electronica acts about, Modeselektor. This track was released as part of the Ninja XX box set and I’ve played it at shows few times with great reactions… One of the most famous UK hip hop vocals over a huge bass line, who could resist nodding your head like bod?

2./ Deep Puddle Dynamics – The Scarecrow Speaks
YES! Luck of the draw. One of my favorite ever rap verses comes at the top of this track courtesy of Sole… Soak it up, this shit is pure, smart and conscious lyricism. I loved the first DPD album and it lead me to get more in Sole and Atmosphere as a result. The vibe of the beat is deep and I’ve used this in a mix tape before. Love it, love it, love it!

3./ Smerins Anti Social Club (feat. Tenor Fly) – Dr Who
I used to share a studio with these guys… an 8 piece ska, funk, festival favorite band who have mass appeal and the uncanny knack to unite a crowd. Top level musicianship, catchy melodies and they all give off the vibe that they are having the time of their lives on stage. They have only recently started recording on a professional level but since doing this single with Tenor Fly have been getting plenty of top level radio play and are set to gain even more fans with every gig.

4./ Depth Charge – Genius of Sci-Fi
To me Depth Charge changed the way i considered music as a teenager. His production was so uniquely ‘trip hop’ it went a long way to kick start the whole genre. Add to this his blatant love of 70′s kung fu movies and its a recipe for incredible headphone music. This track isn’t my favorite of his but generally he can do no wrong for me… If i had to pick one artist who influenced my musical style and love of kung fu, Depth Charge would definitely be it.

5./ Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues
Wowsa… not sure how that got in there. I don’t claim to be a big Cash fan although i do dig his vocal style, lyrical content and delivery. I enjoyed the biopic movie with her off Legally Blond in it too. In fact i reckon i have this track with a future mix tape project in mind as the Beasties sampled it on Hello Brooklyn.

6./ Black Grass – Down and Dirty (feat Micall Parknsun)
Ha ha… a friend of the 273? I used to live in Brighton nearly 10 years ago and would shop in the Black Grass record store and have always been a fan of Catskills. DJ’d on the same bill as Mex a few times too… the club night i help run in Bristol, DOP, even hosted the Cat Skills 10th birthday party. This track came out at a time when Black Grass seemed to be churning out brilliant albums faster than i could play them to death. Packed full of amazing colabs and so DJ friendly, Black Grass was definitely a regular feature of my sets both at home and in clubs. Come back Mex (still the only DJ i know to rock the decks with the mixer to one side like Premo)

• DJ Cheeba Official Website
• DJ Cheeba’s Vimeo Channel
• DJ Cheeba on Facebook

So there you have it. Cheeba even threw you an extra track – thats how confident he was in not producing any duds. Time for you guys to get voting now as you’re the ones who decide. I’m gonna get round to posting some of the results from the previous spot checks soon so you can see how everyone is getting on. K

In The Crates:
• Random Spot Check #11 – Tranzformer
• Random Spot Check #10 – C-Monts
• Random Spot Check #9 – Stig of the Dump