DJ Meph (dot) Net

Just like the movie Human Traffic, the album Discosis by Bran Van 3000 is one of the most influential albums in my life that completely shaped the better half of my twenties. Bran Van 3000 was a collective of artists and DJs formed in the late nineties by DJ James Di Salvio and E.P. Bergen. Many remember their 1998 hit “Drinking in L.A.”, the autobiographical song about a Hollywood movie producer that got out of the business and started making music. Bran Van 3000 was a phenomenon that was way ahead of their time, and will never be replicated nor defined.

Discosis starts out with “Astounded” featuring vocals from Curtis Mayfield, recorded just before his death. The music video for this song features a couple making out as they move through the city, oblivious to everything around them and completely encapsulated in each other’s embrace. This video I think is a metaphor for the entire album, which is laced with themes of sex, love, inebriation and fantasy.

This album cannot be defined to any particular genre or musical style. They cover everything from soul to hip hop, dance to funk, and pop to rock. This album really captures the modern Bohemian spirit, and makes you want to live free. It dives into your deepest and darkest emotions, tearing you down and lifting you up at the same time.

Collaboraters on this album include hip hop legend Big Daddy Kane and Canadian rockstar Jean LeLoup, as well as Stéphane Moraille, Sara Johnston, Steve “Liquid” Hawley, Jayne Hill, Curtis Mayfield, Youssou N’Dour and reggae artist Eek-a-Mouse.

This is certainly one of my favorite albums of the decade (released in 2000) and of all time. The album was released on Crown Royal records, made famous by The Beastie Boys. Unfortunately, the Bran Van 3000 project fell apart after the Beastie Boys dropped Crown Royal and the company went under.

There will never be another group like Bran Van 3000. Check out the album on iTunes and keep it in your library forever.