Hello Swingers and Friends, Lovers and Lotharios. I’ve got the biggest gift to you all courtesy of DJ Action Slacks. She has upped the sharing soul game and has started recording the sets of the parties she hosts. She started with sets at Queer Country Junction and I’m overjoyed to share with you what our sets (hers linked) sound like, and bring a load of the love and happiness that comes with spinning these dusty grooves for our community, be it in Portland or beyond.

I take a listen to this set and hear how in general how much joy sharing music with people excites and delights me beyond my wildest dreams. A short year ago, DJ Action Slacks sat across from me in a booth at The Alibi in Portland questioning why I was so reticent to step out of the shadow and share this part of myself. I’ve been really encouraged deeply by her advocacy to step out and share this love of music.

She ran with a theme of Love with her first set last Saturday Night. I hadn’t cohesively thought of a theme, but we definitely were playing with the same sentiment. I see a lot of the love and joy that I’ve discovered through music and the communal joy it brings to all of us listening back to these gems. I’m so glad that I’ve found a family of friends that support me in bringing this much joy and pride in expression of what has always been a core piece of my identity. It’s highly appropriate that I get to share this set with you at the commencement of so many Pride festivities.

Much love to all of you that have made the transition between 32 and 33 one of the most breathtakingly beautiful days of my life.

1) The Shirelles – “Look-A-Here, Baby” (1958)
2) Chris Kenner –  “I Like It Like That (Pt. 1)” (1961)
3) The Tams – “Disillusioned” (1962)
4) Mary Wells – “Old Love (Let’s Try It Again)” (1962)
5) Marvin Gaye with Martha & The Vandellas “Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)” (1963)
6) Doris Troy – “Bossa Nova Blues” (1963)
7) The Orlons – “Not Me” (1963)
8) The Isley Brothers – “You Better Come Home” (1962)
9) Dusty Springfield – “Do Re Mi” (1964)
10) Dee Dee Warwick – “Do It With All Of Your Heart” (1965)
11) Sarah Vaughan – “1-2-3” (1966)
12) Don Covay – “See Saw” (1965)
13) Chris Bartley – “The Sweetest Thing This Side Of Heaven” (1967)
14) Lesley Gore – “Summer And Sandy” (1967)
15) Maxine Brown – “Let Me Give You My Lovin'” (1966)
16) The Isley Brothers – “Take Some Time Out For Love” (1966)