"Timeless Sounds of Yesteryear"

“A Label” is content where APPLEBUM staff freely deep dive into things, events, and products they endorse with a resounding "This is undeniably good!"

For the momentous first installment, Aoyagi, the online store manager, will introduce two records he actually played when he DJ'd in late January at Kyodo ripple, a place he frequents and appreciates.





"NUYORICAN SOUL – I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun"


In January, I suddenly listened to the entire album that includes this song.

Even though I must have heard it many times, it always sounds incredibly fresh.

Early in 2026, I'm finding myself getting hooked on 90s house again.


I have fond memories of buying a T-shirt in an early APPLEBUM collection that sampled the album cover of NUYORICAN SOUL at a local select shop.


From that album, the track I picked this time is "I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun."





The record I own is the version featuring Q-Tip.
(Incidentally, SIDE : B is an Edit by Armand Van Helden of Runaway.)


The original source samples a song by The New Rotary Connection.

The New Rotary Connection was a soul band that featured Minnie Riperton, whose beautiful soulful voice was captivating, and the original song is also incredibly good.


...If I keep delving into the sampling material and band members, I'll keep getting sidetracked, so I'll stop for now. (laughs)


Intellectual,
Elegant,
Smooth,
Powerful.





To become the person I want to be,
To go to the places I want to go,
To grasp the essence of things,
It heightens my resolve to be true to myself.


It's a timeless classic.





The other track is by the Queen of House, BARBARA TUCKER.


"BARBARA TUCKER – Beautiful People"

Produced by Little Louie Vega, one half of Masters At Work (MAW), who also worked on the aforementioned "NUYORICAN SOUL," this is an undeniable classic.





The moment the intro plays, the atmosphere changes.
It's a song that celebrates "people who are valuable just as they are."

No matter when I listen to it, it always lifts my spirits.


There was also a video in DJ Mag's "The Making of a House Anthem" where she talks about the background and her feelings at the time.





It's still incredibly powerful and amazing. (laughs)


The presence of Masters At Work

What these two records have in common is the presence of Masters At Work.

Comprising Kenny Dope and Louie Vega, they are the greatest unit of all time.

The music they create not only has impeccable musical quality but also tells the story of black culture, carrying strong messages of joy and pride in life.

They are a presence that has strongly and surely influenced APPLEBUM and my personal sensibilities.



"Good music transcends genres, borders, and races."



No matter how many years pass or how many times you listen to it, good music still makes you think, "It's still so good," and you discover new ideas and things you hadn't noticed before.

It made me want to drop the needle on many wonderful records again.


Ah, I want to go to a record store and dig. (laughs)