Slow Jams

My Story

Some time back in 1992, I was in 8th grade, I created my first Slow Jam Mixtape. Full disclosure: It wasn’t your traditional DJ mixtape (I figured out how to make those later and will convert those in the near future), but more along the lines of full songs fading out and into each other. And sometimes near the end of a side, the full song might not fit! Armed with a Radio Shack Realistic mixer, 2 Sony carousel CD players, 2 old stereo turntables, and 1 stereo tape cassette deck (taken from my parents stereo system) to record onto, I began piecing together songs — shoutout to my older brother for his huge collection of music! No fancy computer or laptop, music programs or even a 4-track, I would begin filling up a 90 minute, sometimes 120 minute tape. Any time I messed up or got interrupted, I would have to start all over again. I must’ve been frustrated on my first tape as I listen back and clearly screwed up a transition to Boyz II Men on Side B but must’ve been too tired to start over again. Also probably why I made a second version of the first slow jams tape with different songs sprinkled in.

Fast-forward to 2020. I’ve been meaning to convert these tapes digitally but could never find the time. Well, because of social distancing, staying at home and encouragement from my wife, I’ve finally started the conversion process so I can share these tapes online. 12 tapes total made from 1992 – 1998/1999. Some are love songs, some are heartbreak songs, and yes the titles I gave these are very corny (I sense judgement). Listening to them again made me appreciate the music even more because quite simply, at the risk of sounding old, they really don’t make them like this anymore.

Enjoy the songs, enjoy the memories. Thanks for listening.