1. Review from Rick @ DustyGroove.com 2. Official Press Release for "Tha Afterset: Beats, Breaks & Grooves" 3. The Official CD Liner Notes written by James Porter 4. Review by Ryan J. Flemming 5. Review by Cheryl Thompson (www.musosguide.com) 1.) Sweet, smooth, and jazzy stepping tunes from Chicago's DJ Inc -- an underground producer who's been crafting homegrown tracks for Chicago steppers for years! The set's got a really nice unpretentious feel -- mostly just beats, basslines, and focused jazzy riffs on guitar, sax, and keys. DJ Inc's been opening up his sound a lot over the years -- getting past the mechanical feel that can sometimes hurt a steppers set, and working in warmer and more classic-styled sounds. Titles include "Not Often", "The Funky Bum", "Dig Em Smack", "Bubbles & Smoke", "Welcome Back", and "Ordinary Joe's Beat". Rick - DustyGroove.com 2.) Official Press Release Contact: D. J. I. N. C. 1634 E. 53rd St Suite 217 Chicago, IL 60615 Email: djinc99@hotmail.com Tel.: 312-806-0954 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE D.J.I.N.C. Releases Third Rhythmic "Afterset" Music Series CD CHICAGO, Illinois - November 11, 2003 - Chicago disk jockey And premier music producer, D.J.I.N.C., will release his third Rhythmic music series (12-track music compilation) titled, "Tha Afterset: Beats, Breaks & Grooves." This music series serves as an ongoing contribution and personal ode to... 1) the Chicago Steppers Scene and 2) the next generation of Hip Hop Beat Diggas. Recognized for his unique talent of incorporating Acid Jazz, Neo Soul, steppers' cuts and rare grooves into regular mainstream DJ sets that normally consist of mainstream Hip Hop, Club and House music, D.J.I.N.C. says, "Though there are many more uncovered rare grooves and breakbeats out there, part of my own contribution to the culture is my interpretation of enjoyable listening, Hip Hop & Jazz inspired instrumentals." The formidable disc jockey has been working in the field since his high school days, and states that he got into it simply because he loves music, and that the natural progression from music connoisseur was to becoming a music maker. He begins the creative process with a pre production, then goes into Chicago's Studio 20-20 to do post production working with a number of musicians to achieve the final result. "Chicago is big on 'Stepping'," says D.J.I.N.C. "And, my music is partly constructed to sound like breakbeats and/or a DJ backspinning some breakbeats or rare groove records. I, ultimately, present the final result to the consumer and public for their listening pleasure, hoping they enjoy it. 'Tha Afterset' production includes the troupe of musicians who work with me in programming beats and arranging the music. My tracks reflect a smooth jazzy style that allow couples to step." The disc jockey says that Chicago, like the rest of the world, is big on Hip Hop, and that the younger generation enjoys it. However, he adds that, being from Chicago, 'stepping' has been passed onto them (younger generation), so they are also able to step to the smoother melodic Hip Hop joints as well. As such, his tracks reflect the 4 on the floor rhythm and timing found in that style of production. ==== About D.J.I.N.C. D.J.I.N.C. has served as a professional disk jockey over 16 years, performing for clubs, private promoters, weddings, schools and other companies and organizations. He has also performed at such high profile entertainment spots as; Slick's Lounge, The District, Sinibar, The Sharkbar, Liquid Kitty, Isaac Hayes, The Red Dog, Club Inta's, Dejoie's, The Lush Life and The Warehouse. Additionally, he is the Assistant Director for the Still of The Night Record Pool, and provides mixes for the Saturday edition of "Rap House," co-hosted by Shan the Archeologist & Deka Derse on WKKC 89.3 FM (Kennedy King College Radio). His past music releases include; "Tha Afterset" (1996) and "Tha Afterset Sessions" (1999). Notably, "Tha Afterset Sessions" scored a number one Chicago Stepper's hit with the selection titled, "Tha Bubby Duck," which helped secure an overseas licensing deal with SVEK Records in Sweden. D.J.I.N.C. has also been featured in "Rolling Out Magazine," "DMA Magazine," "New City" and "The Chicago Defender." 3.) James Porter's Liner Notes ...it was on a friday night...i was way too tired from the workweek and was going to lay my burdens down on saturday night, but an old friend of mine from my jimmy's woodlawn tap days wanted to get it out of his system that night, so away we went...down on the drag, the usual variety show was going on...for an ethnic neighborhood they said was gentrifying, there was still room for everybody...and i do mean EVERYBODY...the well-dressed buppies lined up six deep at some upscale dance club, waiting for mr. doorman to remove that velvet rope so they can get in...they were all oblivious to the punk rock band playing in the backroom at that taco stand next door - the owners of that joint probably think joey ramone is a slain mafia leader, but they know this makes more money than the mexican band that was here previously, so they let the kids make their noise...right upstairs, hipsters are schmoozing at an art gallery; down on the corner, a bunch of 12-13 year old kids are playing empty buckets like bernard purdie plays drums...these bucket kids somehow managed to scam a few free polish sausages from a sympathetic vendor...everybody in the neighborhood is racing to their destination, rushing to get through the night...you see, whatever they were up to since ten p.m. is just the opening act. the main attraction, around one-thirty a.m., is the AFTERSET. where no one has to hustle for what they want 'cause they know they'll get it eventually. where you can kick back with friends while you look on in admiration at the fine little-piece-of-leather that just strolled over to the bar area. where you can "mellow down easy," as little walter once sang, without having to go home and sleep. where you can reflect back on what went on that week and especially that night and conclude that these moments are whatever you went through to get there. and this is the soundtrack. dance music played by human BEINGS and not MACHINES. laid-back without being wallpaper music. continuing the chicago soul-jazz tradition of ramsey lewis and young-holt unlimited but with that acid-jazz flavor. yeah, the crate diggers looking for samples will enjoy it, but i guarantee: after the umpteenth hip-hopper uses the sound of dj, inc for a breakbeat, you'll still be heading back for a taste of the original. music like this never ages. especially not with sonny seals pouring his soul sauce all over the proceedings. i've been waiting for a record like this ever since mfsb broke up. ---james porter (6/03) 9-03 [DJ I.N.C.]: AS YOU CAN SEE, HERE ARE MY LINERS. I KNOW IT MAY LOOK [Different] WITH THE DESCRIPTIONS OF FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE CITY, BUT THIS ALBUM YOU SENT ME IS WAY TOO EVOCATIVE TO JUST WRITE THE COLD, HARD FACTS. THIS IS GREAT MUSIC, MAN! HOPE I DID IT JUSTICE, AND I HOPE I DIDN'T TAKE TOO LONG. THANKS FOR THE MUSIC, AND I HOPE THE AFTERSET NEVER ENDS! PEACE - JP. ====== 4.) Review by Ryan J. Flemming DJ I.N.C. Presents Tha Afterset: Beats, Breaks & Grooves By Ryan J. Fleming Put on your dark brown fedora with the colorful peacock feather, the loose fitting suit with the complimenting vest and the slacks with the sharp cuffs. To complete the ensemble, you are going to need two more things: wing-tipped alligator shoes, and DJ I.N.C.’s latest release Tha Afterset. Now you are ready to go out and Chicago step. Chicago’s own DJ I.N.C. has been in the game for over 16 years and has made himself a name in Chicago working on such radio stations such as 89.3, WKKC and has a well-known Chicago Stepper hit entitled Tha Bubby Duck. Tha Afterset: Beats, Breaks & Grooves is the third album by DJ I.N.C. produced by Dusty DJ Inc. This album is a direct reflection that they are more Chicagoans stepping that Robert Kelly. Beats, Breaks & Grooves is a 12-track collection of dance floor smashes that are sure to expose your two left feet. The CD opens up with the track entitled Welcome Back This opening track has a bouncy bass line that is layered over some sensual vocals which are provided by Valencia. Accompanied by some saxy handiwork by sax man Sonny Seals, Welcome Back sets the tone for the rest of the CD with a rich contemporary jazz sound that is transposed for the dance floor. The next song which is dubbed Bubbles And Smoke is more of the contemporary jazz/dance flavor. Bubbles has a taut bass line, with a lively guitar line, tugging back and forth to grasp your ear’s attention, and the conga work by Jose Rendon will make you reminisce about Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues. Moving on to the track named Dig Em’ Smack, this features Marqueal Jordan on the saxophone, and once again to make sure you don’t lose the beat on the dance floor, there is a prominent, and chunky bass line. DJ I.N.C. does not pull away from his pleasant formula of sax, precise percussion and enticing bass, until towards the conclusion of the CD with the track entitled Hitmaker. With Hitmaker, DJ I.N.C. was able to put his special brand of 1970’s type soul grooving on his track. Other honorable track mentions are P.O.O.H., Seal’s lounge and two versions of Nott Often which features the vocals of Alissa. DJ I.N.C.’s Afterset is just another prime example that you can find some good music beyond the mainstream. So when you get tired of stepping in the name of love, how about stepping to Tha Afterset: Beats, Breaks & Grooves? When it comes to good combination of stepping music with contemporary jazz, this Chicagoan is the truth. No bull. ==== 5.) DJ I.N.C. By Cheryl L. Thompson DJ I.N.C. presents: Tha Afterset: Beats, Breaks & Grooves (Dusty DJ Inc., 2003) This album is born out of Chicago, Illinois' Hip-hop and jazz scene. Tha Afterset… is a laid back and to the side 12-track comp. production, no doubt one of the freshest downtempo, rare grooves set to hit the streets in some time. DJ I.N.C. has been a professional DJ for over 16 years as such this is a technical album as much as it is an entertaining one. Each track is rhythmic yet smooth, funky yet jazzy; thankfully there's more than enough soul to go around. The thing that makes this album standout is the players in Tha Afterset… namely, Marqueal Jordon's flamming saxophone on Dig_Em Smack, Tha FunkyBum, and Not Often, and the funky, acid jazz contributions by Sonny Seals (Saxophone), Marz (Bass, Percussion), Rodney Gibson (Guitar) to name but a few. There are various other players on the album as well. DJ I.N.C. is giving us a store front window view, if you will, of the Chicago `Stepping' scene, which is reflected in the rhythm, beats and timing of the album; funky enough to step to yet chill enough to relax to. Aaliyah put it best in Back & Forth when she sang, "jazz personality, G-mentality" because Tha Afterset… is just that and more. Easily the backdrop to an evening at home but if need be the soundtrack to any Hip-hop or acid-jazz fan's musical repertoire. DJ I.N.C. is one of those artists who may not be signed to a major record label producing commercial, mainstream music but the world is a better place because of that. This album succinctly lives up to its title; you'll definitely hear beats, with tight Hip Hop-like breaks, and some sweet jazzy grooves. Undeniably "Tha Afterset..." is a rare groove and timeless gem. Cheryl Thompson www.musosguide.com