Get It On The Eastside, Get It On The Westside.

Which tracks best capture the soul of the city? New York DJ Justin Strauss shares five of his NY classics.

Lou Reed “Walk On The Side” (1972)
“You can almost smell the back room at Max’s Kansas City in the early 70’s when you listen to this song, where Lou and Andy and Bowie and entourage hung out. Produced by Bowie and Mick Ronson in ‘72, it is probably my favorite New York record. Everything about it, from Herbie Flowers bass, to Lou’s lyrics and vocals, ending with that little sax solo. It’s just as good as it gets.”

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five “The Message” (1982) 
“This record was groundbreaking and changed the sound of hip hop forever. Before it most of the hip hop records were party jams, and this one raised the bar by dealing with the real life conditions affecting people of color and their communities in the city in 1982 when it was released. ‘Don’t push me cause I’m close to the edge, I’m trying not to lose my head’. Still hits hard.”

Liquid Liquid “Cavern” (1983)
“99 Records was a small little record store on Macdougal Street, run by Ed Bahlman, who then started to produce and release records of their own that changed the world of music. Liquid Liquid, ESG, Bush Tetras, and others defined the New York Sound. It still does for me.”

Strafe “Set It Off” (1984)
“The label on the record says ‘Mixed with LOVE by Walter Gibbons’. Made in Brooklyn and mixed by the legendary New York disco DJ remixer, Walter turned this into a masterpiece. You could not escape this record anywhere in New York. And you didn't want too. It's like nothing else. Like New York City.”

Disco/Very “Get It On” - Tangoterje re-edit (2006)
“If I had to pick one song specifically about New York this is my choice. A great edit by Todd Terje. Get It On The Eastside, Get It On The Westside. New York I Love You.”