Ever eat a delicious sandwich and try to deconstruct it so you can assemble your own version at home? Perhaps you’re the kind of person who not only enjoys something excellent, but also wants to know how it was done. It takes a certain character to want to do such a thing, a personality with a scientific bent, an insatiable curiosity. You’re about to meet someone who is this way with music: Devonne Andre Harris, also known as DJ Harrison.

His newest release is titled, Shades of Yesterday on Stones Throw Records and this two-time Grammy nominated producer and musician revisits songs that he recalls from his youth and tries to recreate them in his own way in his studio in Richmond, Virginia. Listening to the album is fun on two levels: the first is that it’s enjoyable to hear DJ Harrison’s version of songs that are familiar; his unique twist on tracks that you’ve heard a million times will be a fun way to experience them again. But, secondly, he’s also here to hip you to some tunes that you may not be aware of, so - in this way - the album also serves as a mixtape of sorts, functioning as a conduit to some great music that he’s just introduced you to.

The album also sounds great, the special brew that Harris has concocted in his personal studio - or, perhaps better off laboratory - serves as an excellent environment to create a funky, warm and inviting sonic package. Indeed, the particular copy I received is excitingly quiet and well-pressed with plenty of headroom to exploit with your front-end’s volume knob. Use it, you’ll be rewarded with massive amounts of vintage sounds that may kickstart some of your musically nostalgic memories. 

Even though Devonne had just returned to Virginia off of a redeye from California, he was kind enough to talk about his latest release, the musical inspirations of his youthful musical experience that served to inform the album, and to share a bit of his mysterious process working as a one-man show: performing, producing and engineering the new album. 

So, even if you’re not a tinkerer by nature, you’ll still appreciate DJ Harrison’s process and his sincere admiration for the music that has inspired him through his formative days. Who knows, his scientific approach might persuade you to delve deeply into something you’ve always wanted to explore further. If you decide to do such a thing, at least you know you have an excellent album to serve as your backdrop.

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