Fads come and go, but Vinyl Ritchie weathers them all, ranking among the longest-standing and best-respected DJs in Vancouver's clubbing history. Way before the hipsters invented the mash-up, Ritchie was playing all over the map, tracing contemporary styles like house and hip-hop back to their roots in '70s-era soul and funk. Working with fellow producer Brian Carson, the nightlife veteran makes his own tracks as Wicked Lester, fast establishing itself as a known commodity in the international breaks and nu-jazz scenes. The DJ recently took some time from his busy schedule to discuss his current fixations.

CURRENT RESIDENCIES
Club-A-Gogo Thursdays at Plaza Nightclub
Big Sexy Funk Saturdays at Shine

MOST RECENT REMIX
"We're always in the studio cranking them out. We've recently done remixes for Dr. Rubberfunk ['Rubber Jam'] and Ed Royal ['In the Moog']."

DREAM GIG
"My dream gig would be to play between sets at a Gwar and KISS concert."

CURRENT TOP 5 CHART
1. Wicked Lester featuring Catlow "In tha Pocket"
2. Wicked Lester "Hallowiener"
3. Slayer Reign in Blood
4. Stanton Warriors "Pop Ya Cork"
5. Pendulum "Slam"

RECORD THAT NEVER LEAVES YOUR BOX
Slayer "Angel of Death"

WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT BIG SEXY FUNK?
"Because everybody is so hip-hop these days, they should recognize where it all comes from: funk. Me and Mat the Alien don't play Top 40 or jiggy or R?&?B or reggaeton or MP3s-we dig hard, and spin the real shit with live MCs. It doesn't get any more hip-hop than that!"

WHAT MAKES THE VANCOUVER SCENE SPECIAL?
"I don't find the Van City scene that special, to be honest with you. There's too many close-minded suckers fakin' the funk!"