Playlist (with links):

0. Intro – a word from LibraClassic!
1. Grace Jones – Pull Up To The Bumper (01:42)
2. First Choice – The Player (John Morales Acapella Dub Mix) (5:27)
3. Candi Staton – Young Hearts Run Free (M&M Mix) (14:30)
4. Loleatta Holloway – Love Sensation (18:45)
5. Sylvester – I Need You (Dim’s Maxi Disco Blend) (23:50)
6. Tata Vega – Get It Up For Love (RMX John Morales) (28:41)
7. DC LaRue – Cathedrals (Original) (33:22)
8. Ashford & Simpson – Bourgie, Bourgie (Joe Clausell’s Classic Remix) (37:24)
9. Loose Joints – Is It All Over My Face (MAW Edit) (40:10)
10. Candido – Thousand Finger Man (Original) (46:30)
11. Diana Ross – The Boss (Dimitri From Paris Mix Edit) (49:56)
12. First Choice – Love & Happiness (Original) (56:00)
13. Two Tons O’ Fun – Just Us (Womack Rework) (56:10)
14. Skipworth & Turner – Thinking About Your Love (1:05:20)
15. First Choice – Love Thang (Original) (1:10:01)
16. Skyy – First Time Around (M&M Mix) (1:13:30)
17. Shades Of Love – Keep In Touch (Body To Body) (1:18:28)
18. Chaka Khan – I Know You, I Live You (1:22:55)
19. Imagination – Burnin’ Up (1:26:01)
20. Jean Carne – Was That All It Was (M&M Mix) (1:30:40)
21. MFSB – Love Is The Message (Danny Krivit Re-Edit) (1:35:28)
22. Chic – Sao Paulo (1:45:18)

Total Runtime: 1:50:11

Hey, everybody! As you probably saw – there was no House mix for January…and for a very special (but sad) reason. This month we’re going to deviate from our usual program (there will plenty of that from here on out) due to the death of a dear friend, Patrick Willoughby. Some may know him, but many have encountered him. Patrick was a major influence for DJs in NYC from the late 70’s all the way through the 90’s. Most known for his amazing work as buyer/manager of Barry’s Records & Tapes, which was located at 119. E. 23rd St. in NYC until it was torn down in 2003 – he also managed other music shops throughout Brooklyn. In honor of his life, this mix is all classics! Patrick loved the divas that delivered, so artists such as First Choice, Grace Jones, and Chaka Khan will feature heavily in this mix.

Barry’s Records & Tapes – 119 E. 23rd Street just before it was torn down in 2003

There are tasteful edits in this mix by Dimitri from Paris, Danny Krivit, Joe Clausell and of course – John Morales for a little updated flavor. Patrick Willoughby was a devout Buddhist – but he was also a highly influential taste maker. He literally told New York DJs what to buy for three decades! He was so influential in curating music for the DJs here in New York that labels/distribution companies such as Mercury, Elektra, and Columbia have awarded him silver and gold plaques for his outstanding sales. There is literally nothing in this mix that Patrick hasn’t curated…while I was still in elementary school! He was my unofficial mentor and even casually hearing him talk about his adventures in the music biz taught me quite a bit. I know this is selfish, but I had so much more to learn from him.

RIP Patrick Willoughby

While this mix is missing many elements that Patrick would have loved (there’s no Phyllis Hyman, no Regina Belle, Vanessa Williams, etc. – a lot of stuff is missing), I hope I at least did him some kind of justice.

I agonized for weeks about what to put in this mix. This is easily one of the most important mixes I’m going to do this year so selection was paramount – I mean, when I tell you I agonized over what to put into this mix…then one morning I found just one record on the floor (it had somehow fallen out of my bookcase) – it was First Choice’s “Armed and Extremely Dangerous” album…so I grinned and said, “okay” – so look for plenty of First Choice in this mix, including “Love & Happiness” off that very album! Yes, I went into the vinyl for this mix (vinyl that was, ironically, partially curated by Patrick!)

Til later, Patrick – lemme know if you like the mix. 🙂

Enjoy the mix folks and download it at your leisure! If you remember Patrick and would like to say a few words, drop a comment here or on Facebook!