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Search Result for Genre HIPHOP
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2LP
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M 3001LP
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$32.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/16/2018
Double LP version; gatefold sleeve. DJ Jazzy Jeff's M3 is a memoir, love story, how-to manual and manifesto all in one. As a renowned DJ and producer, DJ Jazzy Jeff's career spans decades, genres, and generations. M3 is a reflection of that existence and his "declaration of independence". In the final installment of his Magnificent series, DJ Jazzy Jeff celebrates unhindered creativity. While staying true to his b-boy roots with classic boom bap drums, Jeff infuses a myriad of sounds that have influenced his production work over the years. The result is a cohesive mix of hip-hop, R&B, funk, jazz and house. For M3, DJ Jazzy Jeff brings extraordinary artists together to present a multigenerational perspective on life, love, the current state of society, and the music industry. The Trinity, comprised of Grammy and Oscar award-winning MC Rhymefest, Philadelphia MC Dayne Jordan, and multi-talented artist Uhmeer, serves as M3's primary storytellers. With three distinct styles, the trio is a group with an unprecedented flow and magical delivery. The Trinity lays bare the foundations of real hip-hop with tracks including "The Beginning", "Scars", and "Where You At." Things lighten up with feel-good tune "Skater's Paradise", and a tribute to womankind, "Stronger Than Me". And M3 wouldn't be complete without a few soulful voices. Singer/songwriter Aaron Camper provides his sultry sound to "Midnight Escapade" and "The Way We Cool", while Maimouna Youssef lends her soulful harmony to "Child of God," and Masego adds his signature trap-jazz flair to "2Step." For DJ Jazzy Jeff, M3 represents creative freedom and a feeling of empowerment that he hopes will "inspire fellow artists to maintain their independence and take charge of their own destiny".
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CD
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M 3001CD
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$15.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/16/2018
DJ Jazzy Jeff's M3 is a memoir, love story, how-to manual and manifesto all in one. As a renowned DJ and producer, DJ Jazzy Jeff's career spans decades, genres, and generations. M3 is a reflection of that existence and his "declaration of independence". In the final installment of his Magnificent series, DJ Jazzy Jeff celebrates unhindered creativity. While staying true to his b-boy roots with classic boom bap drums, Jeff infuses a myriad of sounds that have influenced his production work over the years. The result is a cohesive mix of hip-hop, R&B, funk, jazz and house. For M3, DJ Jazzy Jeff brings extraordinary artists together to present a multigenerational perspective on life, love, the current state of society, and the music industry. The Trinity, comprised of Grammy and Oscar award-winning MC Rhymefest, Philadelphia MC Dayne Jordan, and multi-talented artist Uhmeer, serves as M3's primary storytellers. With three distinct styles, the trio is a group with an unprecedented flow and magical delivery. The Trinity lays bare the foundations of real hip-hop with tracks including "The Beginning", "Scars", and "Where You At." Things lighten up with feel-good tune "Skater's Paradise", and a tribute to womankind, "Stronger Than Me". And M3 wouldn't be complete without a few soulful voices. Singer/songwriter Aaron Camper provides his sultry sound to "Midnight Escapade" and "The Way We Cool", while Maimouna Youssef lends her soulful harmony to "Child of God," and Masego adds his signature trap-jazz flair to "2Step." For DJ Jazzy Jeff, M3 represents creative freedom and a feeling of empowerment that he hopes will "inspire fellow artists to maintain their independence and take charge of their own destiny".
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LP
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GET 51300LP
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$25.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/9/2018
2014 RSD Black Friday release. "Pressed on special Christmas-themed colored vinyl! Re-issue of the 1987 Profile Records holiday compilation on colored vinyl, with songs by Run-DMC, Dana Dane, Sweet Tee, The Showboys, The Surf M.C.s, Spyder-D, and more. Leading off with the Run-DMC smash, 'Christmas In Hollis,' this classic Christmas compilation features some of the hottest rap artists of the era, celebrating the holidays, hip-hop style. Highlights include Dana Dane's 'Dana Dane Is Coming To Town,' Sweet Tee's 'Let The Jingle Bells Rock' and even the Surf M.C.s' 'A Surf M.C. New Year,' adding a California surfer (and, ahem, Beastie Boys rip-off) twist to the proceedings. Not to be overlooked is the classic front and back cover artwork, featuring a gift-wrapped B-Boy. It remains an essential, evergreen (pun intended) holiday album to this day."
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7"
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GET 769EP
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$11.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 10/19/2018
"1994's 'Flava In Ya Ear' captures one of those moments in Hip Hop that can be called career defining for nearly all involved. Of course this was Craig Mack's biggest selling single, landing at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hitting Platinum status. Issued as a 12' ? the Remix Dirty version of the song is easily one of the most famous posse cuts, with notable contributions from Busta Rhymes and Notorious B.I.G. And to bring even more fire - the cut also features Rampage and LL Cool J. This was also one of the first releases from Sean Combs and the Bad Boy imprint, setting the stage for years of success to follow. Get On Down presents this special collectible 7' edition in loving memory of one of Craig Mack's greatest achievements as an artist."
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2LP
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RP 006LP
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2LP version. "As the first Asian-American solo rapper to perform at Lollapalooza and Coachella, and to release a greatest hits record, Lyrics Born has broken through countless barriers to cement his illustrious career. Now on the cusp of acting appearances in acclaimed films as Sorry To Bother You, and the upcoming Always Be My Maybe, he will be the first Asian-American solo rapper to release a 10th album -- a record of funk and soul woven into classic, boom-bap hip hop called Quite A Life. Quite A Life features a legendary line-up of guest musicians, including the heavily buzzing artist Aloe Blacc ('Brooklyn In the Summer', 'I Need a Dollar', Avicii's 'Wake Me Up'), Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Gift of Gab (of Blackalicious), Galactic, and Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5)."
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LP
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GET 51290LP
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"Too $hort's legendary 1992 effort Shorty The Pimp is back in effect on vinyl thanks to the hip hop preservationist at Get On Down. Though many don't consider this to be one of Too $hort's strongest releases, the project did move well over 80,000 in its first week of release landing at Number 6 on the Billboard Top 200. Taking the title from the incredibly rare 1973 Blaxploitation film, Too $hort does what he does best on Shorty The Pimp: funk beats, boastful braggadocio, a few conscious rhymes and layers of straight up pimp talk. The lyrical content can certainly be considered comical and entertaining. Shorty The Pimp is also a stand out project for producer Ant Banks who did many of the beats for the project, his first works with Too $hort with many more to follow over the next decade. Oddly enough, one of the best comments on Shorty The Pimp comes from a random guy on the internet who commented on his experience listening to the release, 'I ran my car into a tree after listening to 'It Don't Stop' Definitely made for cars with the booming systems!'"
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CD
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RP 006CD
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"As the first Asian-American solo rapper to perform at Lollapalooza and Coachella, and to release a greatest hits record, Lyrics Born has broken through countless barriers to cement his illustrious career. Now, on September 14th, on the cusp of acting appearances in acclaimed films as Sorry To Bother You, and the upcoming Always Be My Maybe, he will be the first Asian-American solo rapper to release a 10th album -- a record of funk and soul woven into classic, boom-bap hip hop called Quite A Life. Quite A Life features a legendary line-up of guest musicians, including the heavily buzzing artist Aloe Blacc ('Brooklyn In the Summer', 'I Need a Dollar', Avicii's 'Wake Me Up'), Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Gift of Gab (of Blackalicious), Galactic, and Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5)."
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7"
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NMG 5766EP
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"You'll fall in love with Slum Village all over again with these collectible 45 issues of the J Dilla produced cut 'Fall In Love' first issued on the group's Fantastic Volume II."
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LP
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GET 51329LP
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"The development of hip-hop during the 1990s is partially indebted to the styles that were cultivated on the West Coast, more specifically in the state of California. When one thinks of the California hip-hop scene invariably the G-funk of Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, and Los Angeles comes to mind, but to ignore the equally impressive San Francisco bay area scene is a travesty. It was in this environment where Earl Stevens, better known by his stage name E-40, came up in and developed his following. Alongside regional staples such as Too Short, Spice 1, and Ant Banks, E-40 was among the first West Coast rappers to sign with a major label, and scored a Billboard-charting hit record with 1995's In A Major Way. His flamboyant attitude, mixed with a driven, DIY spirit, would lead to further Billboard-charters, as well as collaborations with top-tier names of hip-hop, from California peers like Tupac Shakur, Too Short, and Keak Da Sneak, to underground legends like Tech N9ne, Bun B, and Danny Brown, to modern MCs like 2 Chainz, YG, and Juicy J, to even the company of comedy trio The Lonely Island. While E-40's break into the mainstream came with 1995's In A Major Way, he had recorded on numerous EPs and features, as well as a studio album through his own self-run label Sick Wid It Records. That studio album, 1993's Federal, would also serve as his solo debut, and paint a picture of things to come for the bay area rapper. With it's stark and aggressive sound, over top of beats that sampled classic funk and soul staples like Isaac Hayes, Sly & The Family Stone, and The Ohio Players, Federal put E-40s skills as an MC on full display, as well as promising things in the following years. Not to mention solid guest spots from his fellow Californians B-Legit, Kaveo, Little Bruce, and various others."
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7"
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NMG 5767EP
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"You'll fall in love with Slum Village all over again with these collectible 45 issues of the J Dilla produced cut 'Fall In Love' first issued on the group's Fantastic Volume II."
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7"
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BC 054-7
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"Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band return with another instantly classic 45 guaranteed to be all over DJs set lists. With their sophomore full length coming in September, they treat us to another bomb of a two sider. Side A is a cover of the Dr Dre hit 'XXplosive' done up in proper BRSB fashion, smashing drums and steel pans playing the lead and bass lines. They take this one into new territory by adding synth parts and dubbed out horn lines playing Nate Dogg's infamous vocal hook melodies. Side B takes on one of NYCity's grimiest Hip Hop club anthems, Mobb Deep's 'Burn'. We decided to do this tune and demoed it out long before the unfortunate passing of Prodigy. Unfortunately, he will never get to hear this cover, and that has been one of the nicest things in covering some of these more current Hip Hop tunes. Rest In Peace P. BRSB manages to do it again?..a version equally as raw and punchy as the original. Pans bang out the iconic riff from the original, theremin ushers in the changes, and the low rubble of the synth bass is sure to crush the subwoofers."
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CD
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AR 111CD
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RSN, producer, DJ, and musician from Athens, Greece, delivers Strange Eyes, his fourth album and his debut on Agogo Records. The album includes 13 songs influenced by electronica and trip-hop sounds. Hip hop beats with fat bass-lines in addition to effected melodic guitar, Hammond, and atmospheric analog synths create an ideal soundtrack for the album Strange Eyes. RSN collaborated with exceptional vocalists and musicians under his executive production. From 2009 until now, he participates as a DJ in the well-known British band Belleruche, a world-class band in the turntable soul scene with many concerts in Greece and abroad (Serbia, Turkey, Russia, Switzerland, France, England, Ukraine, etc.) All these years he has appeared in major festivals all over the world next to great names, such as The Wailers, Charles Bradley, Kid Loco, Zaz, Waldeck, amongst others, while he has opened the live shows of top artists, including Alpha Blondy, Wax Tailor, DJ Krush, Parov Stellar, and others. Features Thaliah, Polina Leshnevskaia, Kid Moxie, Kathrin DeBoer, and MC Yinka.
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LP
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AR 111LP
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LP version. RSN, producer, DJ, and musician from Athens, Greece, delivers Strange Eyes, his fourth album and his debut on Agogo Records. The album includes 13 songs influenced by electronica and trip-hop sounds. Hip hop beats with fat bass-lines in addition to effected melodic guitar, Hammond, and atmospheric analog synths create an ideal soundtrack for the album Strange Eyes. RSN collaborated with exceptional vocalists and musicians under his executive production. From 2009 until now, he participates as a DJ in the well-known British band Belleruche, a world-class band in the turntable soul scene with many concerts in Greece and abroad (Serbia, Turkey, Russia, Switzerland, France, England, Ukraine, etc.) All these years he has appeared in major festivals all over the world next to great names, such as The Wailers, Charles Bradley, Kid Loco, Zaz, Waldeck, amongst others, while he has opened the live shows of top artists, including Alpha Blondy, Wax Tailor, DJ Krush, Parov Stellar, and others. Features Thaliah, Polina Leshnevskaia, Kid Moxie, Kathrin DeBoer, and MC Yinka.
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CD
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LL 037CD
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"The Midnight Hour is Black excellence: an ode to the cultural sophistication that the Harlem Renaissance established for its people. The Midnight Hour is comprised of Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge, alongside a tight rhythm section and a full orchestra. The album has features from CeeLo Green, Raphael Saadiq, Masha Ambrosius, Bilal, Eryn Allen Kane, Karolina and more. Adrian and Ali began working on this album back in 2013, but put the project aside as they would score the hit Netflix series Marvel's Luke Cage (the two even perform in an episode of the upcoming second season). The Midnight Hour is a soul/jazz/hip hop album which continues the conversations started by yesterday's jazz and funk pioneers; those that created the bedrock of samples for hip hop producers in the 80s/90s. The Midnight Hour is sophisticated hip hop that fans will enjoy, capturing their jazz rhythm section, and a full orchestra, to analog tape. One of the seminal compositions, 'Questions' originally began as an unfinished Midnight Hour demo with Cee-Lo Green. However, Kendrick Lamar heard the track and wanted to sample portions for his GRAMMY-winning album To Pimp a Butterfly (the song ultimately made it to Kendrick's 2016 compilation Untitled Unmastered as 'Untitled 06 | 06.30.2014.'). The full, completed version of 'Questions' is now the lead single on The Midnight Hour. 'So Amazing' is a reimagining of Luther Vandross' 1986 single. Ali and Adrian took Luther's original vocal stems and composed new music, as if they were in the room with Luther originally. This transcendental recording is something that really makes The Midnight Hour special."
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LP
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NMG 17753LP
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"An underground classic in every sense of the term, Slum Village's 1998 production Fantastic, Vol. 2 was a breath of fresh air for hip-hop heads when it finally hit shelves in 2000, earning heavy acclaim and artistic clout for the trio of T3, Baatin, and the late production legend J Dilla. Fantastic, Vol. 2 featured vibes and lyrics harkening back to the classic sounds of De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, smooth and infectious production that would go on to set a blueprint for the 00's arrival of neo soul, and top-shelf guest appearances from Q-Tip, D'Angelo, Busta Rhymes, and many more. Now, upon the 20th anniversary of the album's completion, Ne'Astra Media Group is proud to bring a whole new collection of long lost tracks from the Fantastic, Vol. 2 sessions to you. Produced between 1996 and 1999, The Lost Scrolls Vol. 2 (Slum Village Edition) features 11 unreleased demos and remixes featuring the classic Slum Village lineup. Tracks that have never previously been heard and might not have ever seen the light of day otherwise. Featuring a never-before-heard freestyle from J Dilla, a newly discovered remix of the single 'Hold Tight' featuring Q-Tip, a long-lost Kurupt-guesting track 'Talk About Hoes', a posthumously discovered Baatin solo cut, and numerous other unearthed gems of underground hip-hop."
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2LP
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RP 005LP
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"Pressed On Double-Colored Vinyl (Disc One In Purple / Disc Two In Yellow) Bonus cuts feature production by DJ Shadow, DJ Z Trip, and The Herbaliser. Includes DL card for the entire album, plus a brand new track from Lyrics Born's upcoming album Quite A Life. More than 20 years after its initial release, Latyrx The Muzapper Mixes has stood the test of time and with this reissue is sure to enter the pantheon of certified Bay Area classics. Latyrx, the duo consisting of lyricists Lyrics Born and Lateef The Truthspeaker initially partnered while at UC Davis in the early 90s driven by brothers-in-beats-and-rhymes Blackalicious and DJ Shadow. This was the earliest incarnation of the Solesides collective. Partially by design, and partially out of necessity, Latyrx -- and the Solesides crew as a whole -- became trailblazers. Lyrics Born Remembers, 'We really wanted to explore. New styles, new subject matter, new textures, new vocabulary. It came down to even wanting to do words in the English language that you had never heard in a rap song before. It was all about pushing.' This double LP edition features the entire A and B side from the original Muzappers Mixes vinyl release along with a second LP containing material not found on the original issue including the cuts 'Storm Warning', 'The Wreckoning', 'Watch Out' and 'Ocho Puntos.' As an extra special feature, the D side rounding things out with an untitled and unreleased bonus cut."
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Cassette
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PJ 015CS
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"When Ruff Draft saw its initial release in 2003, J Dilla possessed production skills on par with anyone in hip-hop -- technically and creatively. 'At the top of his game,' says longtime friend and collaborator, Karriem Riggins. After years of building while modestly deferring to others of both greater and lesser notoriety, Dilla finally completed the first solo endeavor on his own label, entirely on his own terms. The significance of such an autonomous success often gets overlooked, and partly accounts for why Ruff Draft is one of the lesser-referenced entries in Dilla's oeuvre. 'It's a mysterious little project,' says his mother, Maureen Yancey. 'But out of his entire career, that was the happiest time.' Prior to recording the EP, Dilla found himself at a crossroads. Estranged from his label, MCA, and separated from the mother of his youngest daughter, frustration abounded both personally and professionally. Dilla spent parts of 2002 and 2003 working on an album for MCA that featured his rapping over contributions from other producers with whom he had connected and whose music he respected. At the time, he was known primarily for his beats, yet reviled for his MCing by most anyone not from his hometown of Detroit. The project was to be an intentional freak of the industry. The project would go on to spur his collaborative album with Madlib, Jaylib, and would first showcase the template that he would take to his greatest heights with 2006's Donuts. The Stones Throw reissue of Ruff Draft from 2008 featured remixes of the songs from the album, done without Dilla's involvement. This version of the album takes Dilla's recently discovered mixes of the album and restores his vision for the project. 'Straight from the mothafuckin' cassette,' as he phrased the sound he was going for on the EP's intro."
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LP
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PJ 016LP
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"When Ruff Draft saw its initial release in 2003, J Dilla possessed production skills on par with anyone in hip-hop -- technically and creatively. 'At the top of his game,' says longtime friend and collaborator, Karriem Riggins. After years of building while modestly deferring to others of both greater and lesser notoriety, Dilla finally completed the first solo endeavor on his own label, entirely on his own terms. The significance of such an autonomous success often gets overlooked, and partly accounts for why Ruff Draft is one of the lesser-referenced entries in Dilla's oeuvre. 'It's a mysterious little project,' says his mother, Maureen Yancey. 'But out of his entire career, that was the happiest time.' Prior to recording the EP, Dilla found himself at a crossroads. Estranged from his label, MCA, and separated from the mother of his youngest daughter, frustration abounded both personally and professionally. Dilla spent parts of 2002 and 2003 working on an album for MCA that featured his rapping over contributions from other producers with whom he had connected and whose music he respected. At the time, he was known primarily for his beats, yet reviled for his MCing by most anyone not from his hometown of Detroit. The project was to be an intentional freak of the industry. The project would go on to spur his collaborative album with Madlib, Jaylib, and would first showcase the template that he would take to his greatest heights with 2006's Donuts. The Stones Throw reissue of Ruff Draft from 2008 featured remixes of the songs from the album, done without Dilla's involvement. This version of the album takes Dilla's recently discovered mixes of the album and restores his vision for the project."
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2LP
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TEG 78508LP
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2018 repress. "The self titled record called The Beatnuts, or more affectionately referred to as Street Level, is the full length debut album by the Queens trio. It was released on June 21, 1994 by Relativity Records just a year after their impressive debut EP, Intoxicated Demons had turned the Hip Hop world on its ear. The cutting edge production is supplied by Juju and Psycho Les themselves, with contributions from V.I.C. and Lucien (A Tribe Called Quest). It features guest appearances by Grand Puba (Brand Nubian), Miss Jones and DJ Sinister (The X-Exutioners) amongst others."
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2CD
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PJ 015CD
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"When Ruff Draft saw its initial release in 2003, J Dilla possessed production skills on par with anyone in hip-hop -- technically and creatively. 'At the top of his game,' says longtime friend and collaborator, Karriem Riggins. After years of building while modestly deferring to others of both greater and lesser notoriety, Dilla finally completed the first solo endeavor on his own label, entirely on his own terms. The significance of such an autonomous success often gets overlooked, and partly accounts for why Ruff Draft is one of the lesser-referenced entries in Dilla's oeuvre. 'It's a mysterious little project,' says his mother, Maureen Yancey. 'But out of his entire career, that was the happiest time.' Prior to recording the EP, Dilla found himself at a crossroads. Estranged from his label, MCA, and separated from the mother of his youngest daughter, frustration abounded both personally and professionally. Dilla spent parts of 2002 and 2003 working on an album for MCA that featured his rapping over contributions from other producers with whom he had connected and whose music he respected. At the time, he was known primarily for his beats, yet reviled for his MCing by most anyone not from his hometown of Detroit. The project was to be an intentional freak of the industry. The project would go on to spur his collaborative album with Madlib, Jaylib, and would first showcase the template that he would take to his greatest heights with 2006's Donuts. The Stones Throw reissue of Ruff Draft from 2008 featured remixes of the songs from the album, done without Dilla's involvement. This version of the album takes Dilla's recently discovered mixes of the album and restores his vision for the project. 'Straight from the mothafuckin' cassette,' as he phrased the sound he was going for on the EP's intro. The CD issue is buttressed by unreleased tracks and includes the music from the EP as it was originally released, the alternate version that Dilla had for the project and complete instrumentals. Author Ronnie Reese expands upon his original liner notes to further tell Dilla's story, in a booklet complete with never before published photographs from the Ruff Draft photo session. This CD issue features first Dilla's original sequence of the EP and then presents Dilla's alternate sequence, with tracks unreleased in 2003, as well as instrumentals. Author Ronnie Reese expansively details Dilla's trajectory at this crucial point in his career, in a booklet complete with never before published photographs from the Ruff Draft photo session."
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2LP
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PJ 015LP
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Re-released post-RSD 2018. "When Ruff Draft saw its initial release in 2003, J Dilla possessed production skills on par with anyone in hip-hop -- technically and creatively. 'At the top of his game,' says longtime friend and collaborator, Karriem Riggins. After years of building while modestly deferring to others of both greater and lesser notoriety, Dilla finally completed the first solo endeavor on his own label, entirely on his own terms. The significance of such an autonomous success often gets overlooked, and partly accounts for why Ruff Draft is one of the lesser-referenced entries in Dilla's oeuvre. 'It's a mysterious little project,' says his mother, Maureen Yancey. 'But out of his entire career, that was the happiest time.' Prior to recording the EP, Dilla found himself at a crossroads. Estranged from his label, MCA, and separated from the mother of his youngest daughter, frustration abounded both personally and professionally. Dilla spent parts of 2002 and 2003 working on an album for MCA that featured his rapping over contributions from other producers with whom he had connected and whose music he respected. At the time, he was known primarily for his beats, yet reviled for his MCing by most anyone not from his hometown of Detroit. The project was to be an intentional freak of the industry. The project would go on to spur his collaborative album with Madlib, Jaylib, and would first showcase the template that he would take to his greatest heights with 2006's Donuts. The Stones Throw reissue of Ruff Draft from 2008 featured remixes of the songs from the album, done without Dilla's involvement. This version of the album takes Dilla's recently discovered mixes of the album and restores his vision for the project. 'Straight from the mothafuckin' cassette,' as he phrased the sound he was going for on the EP's intro. It is buttressed by unreleased tracks and is presented in two versions: LP one is the EP as it was originally released; LP 2 is the alternate version that Dilla had for the project. Author Ronnie Reese expands upon his original liner notes to further tell Dilla's story, in a booklet complete with never before published photographs from the Ruff Draft photo session."
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CD
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RP 003CD
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"A crucial founding member of the Northern Cali-birthed Solesides / Quannum collective -- which included DJ Shadow and Blackalicious, among others -- and one half of the groundbreaking Latyrx duo (with Lateef The Truthspeaker), Lyrics Born opened a lot of ears and minds with his 2003 solo debut, Later That Day... On this very open-minded and chiefly self-produced long player, Lyrics Born and his crew (including Joyo Velarde, on vocals; guitarist Tommy Guerrero and Germany's funk masters Poets of Rhythm) bring it from the funk side, boasting a warm soul stew instead of colder drum machine-based beats and chopped samples. As shown since his earliest days, the incredibly versatile Lyrics Born mixes his flow up depending on the track, from tongue-twistingly fast to conversationally mundane, and concepts are usually at the forefront -- 'Cold Call' is an amusing take on telemarketers, featuring Gift of Gab; 'Before And After' is about friends growing apart; 'Bad Dreams' is a groovy apocalyptic shaker. The infectious 'Callin' Out' rides the party train and 'Stop Complaining' timeshares between funny and serious. 'Do That There' features DJ Cut Chemist with liquid cuts that work around LB's verbal floor routine. And even after all of the other musical fireworks, the album's crescendo most assuredly comes on track eleven, 'The Last Trumpet': operatically dramatic and powerful, with Lyrics Born and Latyrx-mate Lateef trading verses like 'the only action / we can profit from / is movement towards / the positive / progressive thought / that's rooted up / in consciousness' at breakneck pace."
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2LP
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RP 003LP
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Re-released post-RSD 2018. "A crucial founding member of the Northern Cali-birthed Solesides / Quannum collective -- which included DJ Shadow and Blackalicious, among others -- and one half of the groundbreaking Latyrx duo (with Lateef The Truthspeaker), Lyrics Born opened a lot of ears and minds with his 2003 solo debut, Later That Day... On this very open-minded and chiefly self-produced long player, Lyrics Born and his crew (including Joyo Velarde, on vocals; guitarist Tommy Guerrero and Germany's funk masters Poets of Rhythm) bring it from the funk side, boasting a warm soul stew instead of colder drum machine-based beats and chopped samples. As shown since his earliest days, the incredibly versatile Lyrics Born mixes his flow up depending on the track, from tongue-twistingly fast to conversationally mundane, and concepts are usually at the forefront -- 'Cold Call' is an amusing take on telemarketers, featuring Gift of Gab; 'Before And After' is about friends growing apart; 'Bad Dreams' is a groovy apocalyptic shaker. The infectious 'Callin' Out' rides the party train and 'Stop Complaining' timeshares between funny and serious. 'Do That There' features DJ Cut Chemist with liquid cuts that work around LB's verbal floor routine. And even after all of the other musical fireworks, the album's crescendo most assuredly comes on track eleven, 'The Last Trumpet': operatically dramatic and powerful, with Lyrics Born and Latyrx-mate Lateef trading verses like 'the only action / we can profit from / is movement towards / the positive / progressive thought / that's rooted up / in consciousness' at breakneck pace. Presented for its 15th Anniversary as a 2-LP set, on colored vinyl, housed in a gatefold jacket with in-depth liner notes by renowned author and journalist Jeff Chang (who also helped found the Solesides movement in the early '90s), plus a 11"x17" poster of the amazing cover art, this is a perfect way to re-introduce this classic to a new era of fans -- present and future." Clear green vinyl.
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GET 51284LP
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"Spice 1 is an undisputed West Coast legend, who first hit the scene after the N.W.A. and -- closer to home -- Too $hort explosion of the late '80s. As history showed, he continued that bloodline with finesse and authority. His nasal flow is menacing and strong, and fans have been consistently captivated by his 'hood tales since his self-titled debut in 1992. If you want thematic range with your MCs, Spice isn't that dude -- he is all about crime tales and the perils of ghetto life. And he attacks that storytelling sweet spot with each new cut. Spice 1 boasted four singles by the time it was all said and done, and breezed to Gold status on the strength of cuts like the catchy 'East Bay Gangster'; the heartfelt tales and truths of 'Welcome To The Ghetto'; and the thick, grooving 'In My Neighborhood.' He even produced the alcohol-themed '187 Proof,' another of the album's singles, and the hands-down cleverest vocal outing on the LP. Sonically, the backdrops on Spice 1 range from plunky, keyboard-bassline funk to deeper, fuzzy '70s samples -- and he sounds strong on top of both. "Break Yourself" is fueled with an electro-funk drive; '1-800 Spice' brings reggae flavor; and 'Peace To My Nine' gets chunkier, with a well-placed P-Funk 'One Nation Under A Groove' sample. Presented here on official retail vinyl for the first time since its initial release 26 years ago, Spice 1's debut holds the test of time and carries the California gangsta flag with pride. Some colors just don't fade."
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GET 51325LP
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"The Alkaholiks, like their LA peers Cypress Hill, had three important things going for them -- lots of charisma, top-shelf rhyme skills, and a sound that perfectly straddled both East and West Coasts. Their deep funk and hard-as-nails beats and overall production put them in a perfect position to make an impression with fans, no matter where those fans were. The group boasted a triple threat of MCs -- E-Swift (who also produced), Tash and J-Ro -- and they packed a strong punch with their 1993 debut, 21 & Over. It will surprise no one from names of the group and the album, but drinking takes up a lot of time here, including classic tracks -- which doubled as album singles -- like the rolling, ultra-funky 'Make Room' and the hilarious 'Only When I'm Drunk,' the latter fueled by the classic block-party break 'Seven Minutes Of Funk.' One lesser-known element of the group's debut was the introduction of the now mythical producer and MC Madlib, who produced the dusty 'Mary Jane' and the ridiculously funky, churning 'Turn Tha Party Out' (under the name The Loot Pack, with DJ Romes). Both tracks are dope as hell, and perfectly fit the group's sound, showing that they also had an ear for up-and-coming talent. An interesting old-school angle on the album is that several tracks feature LA legend King Tee on production and vocals ('Last Call'; 'Soda Pop' and 'Bullshit'). Tee was an early supporter of the trio who helped to oversee the album for Loud Records after they appeared on his banging 1992 single 'Got It Bad Y'all.' There's not a bum track in the bunch here, and younger rap fans just getting hip to them will undoubtedly be asking where the Alkaholiks have been all their lives."
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