We’ve known DJ Al Patterson (@vinylathletes) since the olden days of KALX, Berkeley, but we had no idea that he had such an epic record collection. Many of the titles are instrumental versions of your favorite hip hop classics. He’s used his vast knowledge of records to put together a book, Beats to the Rhyme, which chronicles some of the best and rarest instrumental wax. He stopped by Peach HQ for a quick chat.
AP: The book actually started over three years ago. I was really just inspired by other books that I would find online or in specialty shops focusing mainly on things like album covers, funk 45s, Jazz, or “the best of”. But there really wasn’t a whole lot of books focusing on Hip Hop records that I was interested in. And I would get people asking me if a certain record even exists, or questions on how to tell if the record you just found was a bootleg or an original pressing. It’s still surprising to me that a lot of people buying and collecting records still get fooled by bootlegs. This book will kid of help you with bootlegs vs. original copies. I decided to write a book or records that really don’t get talked about too much. The instrumental versions of your favorite album.
GP: How did you get into collecting records?
AP: I really got into records through my father. As a kid he had a huge record collection-Still does. So I was exposed to records at a young age. And I caught the bug myself.
AP: It’s hard to say. There are so many that I like listening to for the production. Pete Rock’s “Main Ingredient” is a good one.
GP: Who is your favorite producer? And who do you think is the most underrated producer?
AP: It depends on my mood really because I enjoy listening to a lot of producer’s work. Pete Rock, Premier, JayDee, The 45 King, Dre, Lord Finesse, Thes One, Q-Tip, Large Professor. Too many.. Most underrated would have to go to J Zone possibly or Fat Jon (Five Deez). Those two never get mentioned in best producer discussions.
GP: What do you think should have been repressed that hasn’t been?
AP: I think music has become accessible more than ever before because of digital downloading. I think the only problem with that you lose the experience of seeing the finished artwork and holding an actual record in your hand as opposed to just flat image on your screen and a digital file on your iPhone. You can practically find any instrumental online now. But to have the actual record is an experience, I think.
