A native of San Francisco, Mista-B discovered vinyl culture in 1993 and began digging records in 1996. Influenced by Shortkut and Swift Rock, he enter in the international turntablist scene. In the early 2000s, he became a member of the collectives 4onefunk and later Scratchpad. Then he developed his own DJ training program, eventually taking full-time at the university starting in 2020. As insatiable digger, the filipino-american is part of the Love Talkin collective, with which he shares his passion for Japanese and Asian music… Here is his borderless selection!

5150 Illegally Insane / Ghetto Blues 12 inch (ARRogant Records - 1995)

This is a real 1990s Bay Area underground mob hit that the heads know. Hailing from Marin County in the Bay Area, this track was something that Bay folks would bump if they had bass in their car rolling in a Mustang with triple gold Daytons.  

Onra / Nobody Has to Know” 2xLp (All city - 2018)

This is an LP that can be played from start to finish. Onra really stylized the whole Future Funk style before it was hijacked by other dance music scenes. This album really hits because Onra is using his production style with a lot of soul and new jack swing sounds. It is really sonically enjoyable. I imagine rolling at night with the ear buds or out loud in the whip. 

Anri / Circuit of Rainbow 7inch (For Life Records - 1989)

Anri really had a late 80s vibe similar to a Janet Jackson or even Paula Abdul with this 7. Circuit of Rainbow is a festive track that you can get down to on a summer day. Groove a-go-go just has that late 80s/90s sound adjacent to the new jack swing / pop music of the time.

Rysuenkei/Hitomitoi / Talio Lp (Victor - 2021)

Talio is a modern jazz fusion album with hints of Japanese city pop with superb musicianship. The LP can be played from start to finish that creates a stylish vibe even if you are not ready for it. A good amount of tracks go by fast and feel like a good old recording session jam. Hitomitoi graces your ears on a good amount of tracks that are just an audio delight.

Sharon Cuneta / Sixteen Lp (Sunshine - 1982) 

This LP is mostly ballads but the vocals of Sharon Cuneta are just soothing. If you are in your feelings, this is for you. Some personal favorites are “Give me Your Love” to the stepper “Love on Your Mind.” 

Masta Plann / Bring Dhat Booty 7inch (Universal - 1993)

Much respect to one of the Philippines first hip-hop acts. This 7 just encompasses the rawness of hip-hop from the early 90s from sampling, drum machine loops, and raw scratching. It’s really a party jam but a fun classic. It's taken from the eponymous album, also released on cassette.

Premiere / Somethin’ About You Remix Ep (Alien Records - 1997)

A trio Pinoy group from the Bay Area did this limited EP release for Japan only. There are remixes for “Something about you” which a lot of Fil-Ams (Filipino Americans) from the 1990s know about. The treats are “We Got It” from the movie “A great white hope” and a cover of “No Diggity” which was released in Japan only.

Ruby Ibarra / Circa 91 Lp (Beatrock Music - 2017)

I consider this LP a Fil-Am Hip-Hop Classic and a must have. Ruby just showcases ultimate lyricism in both Tagalog and English effortlessly. You feel every lyric dropped in each track which ranges from identity, belonging, to social and systematic issues. Beats are just raw and “Us” is a modern Fil-Am Hip-Hop classic. Other favorites are “Someday” and “Here” but you can honestly listen to the whole LP without lifting up the needle.

Follow Mista-B / Photo header by snic aka snik (c)