Journey: Resident DJ SPINNA - EVERY THURSDAY

             It is a gross understatement that Vincent “DJ Spinna” Williams is labeled a “hip-hop DJ.” Indeed, Spinna has an expansive and braggable track record in that genre, yet his work encompasses much more that, even when accompanied by rappers.  Whether on a playlist, in the studio, or in the DJ booth of a nightclub, he is just as comfortable next to Osunlade as he is next to Rich Medina. Labels are a hindrance when classifying Spinna’s work, but one adjective might suffice as the guiding premise: “soulful.” Nearly all of Spinna’s work, characterized by seamless sampling and acrobatic turntablism, embodies the essence of musical expression.
            A veteran DJ since the mid-80’s, Spinna’s rise to stardom began in the mid-90’s.  The Jigmastas, his duo with rapper Kriminul, began releasing a series of 12”s on numerous labels. Before downloads were the raison d'être for modern music, Spinna was backing the careers of many up-and-comers in the heyday of sub-commercial rap on disc. J-Live tapped him for early singles and as one of the few producers on his solo albums. When Eminem mentions “ the underground shit [he] did with Skam, ” he’s referring to a project that featured Spinna’s beats.
            Rawkus Records’ Soundbombing volumes, staples of a period before the “backpackers” vs “thugs” schism, featured his tracks under verses by Talib Kweli, L-Fudge,Grand Puba and more. In 1999, he formed the short-lived group called Polyrhythm Addicts (featuring Apani B, Mr. Complex, and Shabaam Sahdeeq and Tiye Phoenix), a nod to the ethnic and technical inclinations of their producer. Other names that Spinna helped prop up via tracks and remixes were 7L and Esoteric, Sadat X, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Masta Ace and Soulive.
             In 2001, he began releasing a series of Jackson 5 remixes that became international cult phenomenon.  Easily one of the most adept in the world at transforming soul classics, he continued the trend and teamed up with Bobbito Garcia (known for bolstering the careers of The Notorious BIG, Jay-Z, and MF DOOM to name a few) for a compilation of covers and mixes based from the work of Stevie Wonder. The Wonder of Stevie begat the duo’s legendary WONDER-Full live mix sets. Last year’s featured an appearance by Little Stevie himself. 
            Meanwhile, Spinna continues to release instrumental arrangements that transcended genre definition, foraying into house music and neo-soul (just check out his Jiggy Breaks  and DJ Song albums). Especially at the turn of the new millennium, these peripheral music communities became fixated with his soulful arrangements. Ron Trent included a Spinna track on his Abstract Afro Vibes house compilation.  Neo-disco pioneers Tortured Soul have collaborated him on two official remixes. Electro artist Chris Brann’s Ananda Project tapped him for a rehash. The selectors of The Deepsounds Radio show, a flagship of the scene since 1997, are some of Spinna’s biggest fans.  He has also released three solo volumes entitled Compositions, shining examples of his capabilities in the downtempo genre.
            Every Thursday at 10 o'clock, Spinna helms his residency JOURNEY at Santos Party House, recently touted by The New York Times as “the nighclub of the moment.” As expected, attendendants are in for unpredictable and ourtrageously soulful spinning, on an unrivaled sound system, not to mention a house packed with a gyrating, music savvy crowd.  Let’s see where this takes us.