sQuare productions lost a good friend on Friday when Tim Haslett, the one-time music buyer for Other Music Harvard Square, was found dead in his apartment in Michigan, where he was studying for his degree in African-American studies. Haslett was, without a doubt, the very seed for Speaking In Code.
He literally introduced thousands of people, including us, to labels like Kompakt, BPitch Control and was a tremendous fan of Monolake, all of whom were filmed for Speaking In Code. It’s not a coincidence. I tried to put my grief into words, but nothing will suffice. I worked side-by-side with the man for over 5 years. He is, was, totally hilarious, thoughtful, and amazing.
Others have written about Tim, including Boston DJ scholar Wayne Marshall (who is holding a listening party of Tim’s favorite music this Monday), Boston legend Teep and even super-talented writer/editor Joe Keohane, who briefly worked with Tim as a writer at Boston’s Weekly Dig. There is, I am sure, many more lamentations to come.
From his early days (in 1986) at Boston Beat–where he would sell a kid named Armand Van Helden records, to Biscuithead, where he became friends with Edan, to Other Music and then to Twisted Village, where he would talk ceaselessly about Dubstep. He was so much more of course. Yet there would be no Basstown, no sQuare productions, no Kompakt in the U.S., without Tim. The popularity of Ellen Allien is on him. DJ Screw would be a no-name in Boston without Tim. The list, honestly, goes on and on and on and on.
We kept some of the signage from the old record store, which we would post next to the product itself. Many of them Tim wrote himself by hand. Here’s a sampling:
“DJ HELL’s internationally renowned INTERNATIONAL DEEJAY GIGOLO label sees its first domestic release in the form of a rollercoaster mix by Montreal’s DJ Tiga (who’s released records on the label). He flies through the GIGOLO catalogue, pulling out stone-cold electro jams, creating a monstrous, unceasing label history and a mix that is off-the-chain. ESSENTIAL.”
Jeff Mills - The Sun
“The Voigt brothers KOMPAKT label delivers another peerless compilation that defines the State of Melodic, cleantech-house. Newcomers like Lawrence, who pushes the limits of the Cologne sound. Familiar names such as the modernist, Schaeben & Voss and others make this collection indispensible. Can they do any harm?”
Autobianchi - All Around (Everybody’s Kissing)
“Just when you thought ELLEN ALLIEN’s Bpitch Control label had reached an explosive peak, Allien returns with a grimy, crunchy, techy floor burner. This 12″ crackles like a downed power line in a rainstorm. Amazing Berlin macro-house - PLAY VERY LOUD”
Ellen Allien - Erdbeermund
“SMITH N HACK is already one of the best electronic records of 2002. The ambidextrous ERRORSMITH & SOUNDHACK from Berlin record their tribute to disco hero Hamilton Bohannon (”Let’s Start The Dance”), but this is an edit-heavy, sandblaster of a record. From the heart of Berlin’s underground, a MASSIVE record.”
Smith N Hack - To Our Disco Friends (from the Playgroup mix CD)
Of course, Tim was an unmatched scholar of hip-hop, of English folk, of Nikki Sudden, of Detroit techno, &c. He taught many, many people about the value of being a selector. About being particular to what you listen to, because music is so, so important. He was also an intellectual, with an endless knowledge of philosophy, the African diaspora and coffee.
His influence is literally everywhere. I am sure, when Pan-Pot plays in Boston this coming Tuesday, he’ll be there somehow.
Pan-Pot - Live at Private Party Studio Martin Bucharest
Thank you, Tim, you will be missed. But know that your legacy is tangible … and completely, assuredly, immortal. Know that.
There will be a memorial service Friday, March 21st at the Friends Meeting, 5 Long Fellow Park (off Brattle, near Harvard Square) at 3PM.
Jeff Mills - The Sun:
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Autobianchi - AllAround (Everybody's Kissing):
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Ellen Allien - Erdbeermund:
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Smith N Hack - To Our Disco Friends:
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Pan-Pot - Kent Private Party @ Studio Martin:
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