Hip Hop — All Formats  

Greatest hits compilation from one of the true greats! Tracks include "Zulu Nation Throw Down", "Planet Rock", "Looking For The Perfect Beat", "Frantic Situation", "Unity Part 7", "What Time Is It", and "Funk You".

Sweet beats from Damu – and a cut that's heavy on a moogy sample from Jean-Jacques Perry – one you'll recognize from a famous track, but used much differently here – in a really moody way!

Sweet beats from Damu – and a cut that's heavy on a moogy sample from Jean-Jacques Perry – one you'll recognize from a famous track, but used much differently here – in a really moody way!

10 hip hop instrumentals from one of the originators, DJ Mark the 45 King. Includes a bonus double copy with the same tracks, so you can get busy on the 1's and 2's. Includes "Killer Strings", "Overture", "Mad Fat Beat", "Sexy Lady", "Greedy Beats", "Magic Dust", "Pop Up", "TV Tune", "Coyote" and "Pyramids".

Group therapy is Nas, B Real, KRS One and RBX, with production by Dr Dre.

A beautiful testament to the T-909 drum machine – and almost more of a book than a drawing! The package comes with two totally cool color flexi-disc, and a 20 page booklet that features exceprts from Joe's larger treatise on the rhythm phenomenon – with some great phtos and drawings too! Schoolly D narrates the beats, with cuts by DJ 7L!

An offshoot of the 4AD rock scene from the UK, this number sampled Rakim from "Paid In Full" to great effect – and it made quite a bit of sense that the track was issued on 4th & Broadway in the US (probably also a legal move, so that the label wouldn't sue 4AD for copping a sample from one of their artists! The record features a bit of scratching by CJ Mackintosh, with a bubbly beat that made it huge on both sides of the Atlantic.

Produced by Frankie Cutlass.

Nice one! 14 tight independent hip hop joints all with the crisp, soulful vibe that's Spinna's hallmark, even if he didn't produce all of them, though he was responsible for many. As with some other popular compilation/mix series you get one disc of the tracks in their full versions, unmixed, and another with Spinna getting to work on the 1's and 2's for a continuous set that flows like hot butter over popcorn. Spinna's deep hip hop roots show through nicely with tracks by the Jigmastas and 7L & Esoteric saddling up next to nice instrumentals by Spinna himself as well as 88 Keys and Kingsize. With "Lyrical Fluctuation 2000 (Spinna mix)" by the Jigmastas, "3ree6ix5ive" by Old World Disorder, "Take A Look" by the Domecrackers, "Across The Globe" by the Jay I Geez, "Precision" by Kingsize and 9 more slices of underground niceness to keep your head boppin', packaged beautifully in a really nice foldout cardboard sleeve in a slipcase!

Hip hop, street soul, and lots lots more – a really revolutionary selection of music from the legendary Celluloid Records – a label that was virtually a genre unto itself! Celluloid was a key force tying together the New York downtown scene at the start of the 80s, and the postcolonial music world of Paris – and as a result, they always operated with a culture-crossing style that few other companies of the time managed to hit – merging together sounds in really unlikely ways, and often coming up with fresh new styles in the process! The label's known for crate-diggers for its hip hop releases – and to world music fans for its electric Africa work – but they also were on the forefront of New York No Wave, avant jazz, and post-punk – and somehow found a way to integrate both young new talents, and older experimentalists who still had plenty to offer. This package finally does Celluloid justice – and goes way past the few simplistic comps of the label's work over the years – training the skilled Strut ear to the whole thing, and also serving up the full story of the label in the process. Titles include "I'm The One" by Material, "Day Tripper" by Shockabilly, "Tele Apres La Meteo" by Fredinand, "Disco Rough (long version)" by Mathematiques Modernes, "Electrique Sylvie (full length version)" by Modern Guy, "Mean Machine Chant/Mean Machine" by Last Poets, "Abele Dance ('85 rmx)" by Manu Dibango, "Change The Beat (French & English)" by Fab 5 Freddy, "The Escapades Of Futura 2000" by Futura 2000 with The Clash, and "Downing Street Rock" by Winston Edwards & Blackbeard. 26 tracks in all!

The long awaited sides C & D in Madlib's incredible blend of Bombay soundtrack-styled funk, blunted Eastern beats, and all round stunning Middle Eastern accented hip hop instros! This time out Madlib, er, Beat Konducta is conducting beats, strings & things from India and/or otherwise East – but the way in which the beats bluntly thump is quintessential Madlib – you know it and love it from the first beat! 'Lib really breathes fresh life into this approach – going miles deeper than anyone out there doing the Bollywood-hip hop hybrid – coming up with a sound all his own. Amazing! "Get It Right", "More Rice", "Indian Bells", "Club Scene", "Duel", "Organ Stroll", "In The Cave", "Malfunction", "Victory", "Smoke Circle", "Raw Ground Wire", "New Bombay", "Shah Sound", "Another Getaway", and more.

Remix by Stretch Armstrong.

Collection of songs various crew members that have produced and/or was featured on, and released as a limited edition picture disc! Includes Beat Junkie-related cuts including material ffrom Babu’s Duck Season series, the Visionaries’ albums, D-Styles’ prolific solo debut and more. Includes "Live From Master Control" by DJ Babu feat Rakaa Iriscience, Phil Da Agony, Evidence, Krondon, Planet Asia, Akil, Chace Infinite, & Chali 2na, "Talkin’ Handjive" by Rhettmatic & Shortkut, "Blessing" by Visionaries, "Felonious Funk" by D-Styles feat Melo-D, Dj Babu, & Q-bert – plus the instrumentals on the flip.

The Fat Boys, before they became known as such, with production by Kurtis Blow, and some nice early beat boxing from Buff.

Raw crackling hip hop funk beatcraft at its deepest from mighty Madlib – working in his Beat Konducta style for this third entry in the epic Madlib's Medicine Show Series! Beat Konducta In Africa is a hazy hip hop instrumental set from 'Lib (lest you thought it might be a funky compilation of rare African material) with some additional mixing from J Rocc – based on rare African vinyl. The sound is pure Madlib/Beat Konducta heady hip hop funk – recognizable as being spun from and inspired by African material, and impeccably so, with that instantly identifiable, exploratory Madlib sonic stamp. He looks far beyond Afrobeat and funk sources, with some raw funk rock beats, psych, garage and more with some trippy vocal samples – and he's building up from blueprints records originally pressed all over Africa – Zambia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Botswana and Ivory Coast. But too much mention of the source material risks making this sound like a compilation or a mix set, when it's Madlib all the way! Titles include "Motherland", "Raw Introduction To Afreaka", "Warrior's Theme", "Street Hustler", "Afritonic" (Pts 1 & 2), "Tradition", "Blackfire", "Obtaive", "Mtima", "African Bounce", "Freedom Play", "Natural Sound Waves", "Unika (Outro)" and many more. 37 tracks on the vinyl version.

A celebration that's a decade in the making – compiling some of the best material from the producer-centric series of hip hop albums on BBE/Beat Generation – timeless boombap from Jay Dee, Madlib, DJ Spinna, King Britt, Marley Marl, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pete Rock and others! The 2CD compilation features sets compiled and mixed by DJ Spinna and Mr Thing – which not only feature stellar beats by the producers at the helm, but rhymes and vocals from the likes of Talib Kweli, Slum Village, Jill Scott, Bahamadia, Guilty Simpson and many more. One thing we appreciated from the get-go with albums in the Beat Generation series was the effort to make records that were built to last – and as much as 10 years later, it holds up really well! The 2CD version features sets deftly mixed by Spinna & Mr Thing, and a sprawling set list that includes "Stop" by Madlib, What It Do" by Madlib feat Talib Kweli, "Are You Ready" by DJ Jazzy Jeff feat Slum Village, "Hummin'" by Marley Marl feat Roy Ayers & Edwin Byrdsong, ""Live Us Sold" by DJ Spinna feat Abdul Shylon, "Galactic Soul" by DJ Spinna, "Transcend" by King Britt feat Bahamadia, "Give It To Y'All" by Pete Rock feat Roc Marciano & Trife, "African Rhythms" by Jay Dee, "Lay Me Down" by Will I Am feat Terry Dexter and many more.

"Victory" features Mos Def and Sizzla. "Fallen Soldierz" features Dead Prez.

Why these guys never got over bigger is beyond us! Between A Rock And A Hard Place is filled with dope rhymes, timeless beats, and a mellow, tuneful vibe that's as strong as just about anything we can think of from that fertile early-to-mid 80s scene. Titles include "Lower Da Boom", "Cummin' Thru Ya F**kin Block" feat Redman, "Drama", "Dynamite Soul", "C'Mon Wit Da Git Down" (plus the remix feat Busta Rhymes), "What Goes On?", and "Wrong Side Of Da Tracks". A couple of bonus tracks on this 2013 CD version: "Dynamic Soul II (Lip Service Remix)" feat Mad Skillz and "It's Gettin Hot (Remix)".

MC Breed's crew steps out on their own, with production by Breed, Warren G and DJ Slip, and guest spots by MC Eiht and Bushwick Bill lets you know this LP's got a very street level approach. Includes "Caps Get Peeled", "Things In Tha Hood", "Digga Bigga Ditch", 'Roll With The Clan", "Hands On My Nine", "You Can Get The D!ck", "Pass The Hooter" and more.

A track that doesn't need to get remixed, is revisited ina number of different forms. AS you'd expect the "classic", "bonus beats", "Zulu funk" and "instrumental" mixes don't differ much form the original, and it gets a little down south flavor for th e"whoomp" mix and a ragga vocal for the "ragga easy" version.

Classic beats and lyrics from one of our favorite mid-90's groups that never quite made it commercially. The Buckwild remix features some dope verses from Busta Rhymes in his pre-"Put your hands..." days.

With Biggie.

The debut from Mad Skillz, with production by The Beatnuts on "The Nod Factor" and Large Professor on "Skillz In 95".

Produced by Shawn J. Period and Stretch Armstrong.

Rare single by Bam and the Soulsonic Force off the Beat Street soundtrack.

Another round of funky Ape Breaks from producer Shawn Lee – some of the most solid break tracks we've ever stocked – all nice and simple, with the drums, riffs, fills, and skits laid out in an easy to use way! The BPM's of the tracks are all nice and slow too – 100 bpm or less – making for a tasty batch of funky tracks that have a nice almost-classic sound. Tracks include "Mayfair", "Honky Tonk", "The Duck", "Hit Me", "Barney Miller", "Fish Break", "My Left Foot", "Ruff Stuff", and "Dead Beat".

A solid duo instrumentals project from Georgia Anne Muldow and DJ Romes – working together as Blackhouse – and delivering one of the best records yet on the prolific Mello Music Group label! Georgia's a restless creative spirit, and true to form, the beats and production she delivers for Blackhouse are quite inspired. In some ways, it's a bit of a departure from her unique twist on dusty funk and soul beats that we've come to expect – and the crisp cuts of Lootpack DJ/producer Romes have a lot to do with that! Overall, the record is a trippy mix of leftfield hip hop and fonkie/spacey soul beatcraft – and a largely instrumental one – albeit with some hypnotically looped bits of vocals from Georgia and others. Titles include "Fonkie Journey", "Blackhouse", "Soundoff", "Somali", "Rap Hit", "G.R.O.O.V.E. Me", "Lectrivunkin", "Shana's Beat" and more.

One of the best debuts in the history of hip hop – and one of the most important albums the genre ever produced! Criminal Minded is landmark for a number of reasons. Among the biggest is, of course, that it was recorded with the late great DJ Scott La Rock – and he was soon to fall prey to the very street violence that BDP documented with such raw brilliance, courtesy the lyricism and delivery of KRS-One. Importance aside, though, Criminal Minded is simply a great, timeless record that no true fan of gritty classic hip hop should be without. The track list alone is a full chapter in the hip hop book of legends – with tunes like "Poetry", "Elementary", "South Bronx", "Super-Hoe", "Bridge is Over", and the "P is Free" remix. Also includes "Criminal Minded", "Dope Beat", and "9mm Goes Bang".

The funky titans are at it again! "Deuces Up, Double Down" is a killer new track from the group – an original tune written by drummer Miles Tackett, with a heavy scattershot beat at the bottom, and lots of loud, fast, honking horns over the top. The guitar player's licking away at the cut too, and the whole thing's a delightful romping funky groove – offered up here in an extended mix! The 12" also includes a great cover of "Humpty Dump", the scratchy guitar groover originally cut by The Vibrettes – plus "Humpty Dump" bonus beats.

With the title track, "Good Groove", "Power Move", "Bad Young Brother", "We Got The Juice", 'All City", "Rock The Beat", "Human Time Bomb", "Get Down" and "Success".

A great set of archival DJ Shadow instros from the early-to-mid 90s – from back when his primary means of production was the Akai MPC sampler – along with his endless arsenal of vinyl and limitless creative inspiration! This is formative, but essential material for fans of classic Shadow. It's a superior follow up to the 4 Track Era compilation, and a solid blueprint for his very best work to come! This is all previously unreleased, and it was produced from 1992 to 1996 – which is the period that beat heads and leftfield hip hop production historians outta know culminated in the release of the classic Endtroducing album. That said, this is not a set of Endtroducing leftovers – it's strong, original and legacy-building instrumental work from a crucial period – assembled by the man himself! 24 tracks on the CD. Includes "Intropy (Original Version)", "Vee In Detroit", "Alright", "Don't Try It", "Falling Up", "Aye", "Britty But Magic", "Atmospheric Disturbances", "Quickstep", "Freddi's Popcorn", "From The Old School", "Mystical With Solo", "Fast Rap Fanfare" and more.

Ed OG's nice debut, with a slightly jazzy touch on the production and literate, intelligent lyrics. We really couldn't get with "Bug A Boo", but besides that, this first LP's solid from start to finish, from the days when that wasn't so uncommon. Drop the needle on this and head back in time to a day when backpacker wasn't necessarily a derogatory term, a beat wasn't a straight loop of a common sample, and rhyme skills included being able to follow the beat, which was typically at least a little bit funky. With the now classic "Be A Father To Your Child", plus standout tracks like "I'm Different", "Speak Upon It", "I Got To Have It" and "Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto". 12 tracks in all, also includes "Gotta Have Money", "Feel Like A Nut", "She Said It Was Great", "Dedicated To The Right Wingers", 'Let ME Tickle Your Fancy" and "Stop (Think For A Moment)".

Legendary hip hip figures Phil Most Chill and Paul Nice team up as The Fabreeze Brothers! "Power Man & Iron Fist" kicks off with Bruce Lee vocal snippet on the art of fighting – and all business from there – with the raw beat, no nonsense rhymes, terse scratches and some unpredictable changes that play like a history of classic rap! Also includes a clean version and essential instro. The flip "Phyllis Diller" might be titled for an iconic comedienne, but it's no joke – another salvo from pair of true school hip hop's illest killers!

Timeless Detroit hip hop from Fatt Father on this limited single for Funk Night – featuring Guilty Simpson & Phat Kat and tight production by Black Milk! On one side is tight, beat heavy contempory Detroit underground hip hop gem – led strongly by Fatt Father and supported by Motor City mainstays guilty and Phat Kat – plus stellar Black Milk production. That last facet gets the spotlight on the B-side instrumental.

A Sugar Hill party in one sweet little package – 2CDs worth of music that features some of the biggest hits from the Grandmaster Flash generation, plus a few surprising bits from later years too! The package features a whopping 23 tracks in all – one disc that mostly hovers around the early Sugar Hill years, and another that takes off a bit in different directions. Cuts include "Freedom", "New York New York", "Scorpio", "The Message", "It's Nasty", and "Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel" by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five; "Internationally Known", "We Don't Work For Free", and "Beat Street" by Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five; "Showdown" by Furious Five Meets Sugarhill Gang, "Flash To The Beat" by Grandmaster Flash, "Message II" by Melle Mel & Duke Bootee, "White Lines" by Grandmaster & Melle Mel, "World War III" by Melle Mel, "Step Off" by The Furious Five, "Sign Of The Times" and "Vice" by Grandmaster Flash.

Tight hip hop from the superhero team of Inspectah Deck with 7L & Esoteric – mostly produced by 7L, with a most welcome guest producer in the legendary DJ Premier – and it's a strong statement from the underappreciated Wu Tang gamer and the ever-creative DJ 7L! On the production tip, 7L pays homage to classic Wu without copying it – and utilizing both classic and completely leftfield samples in a fresh, funky way. The rhymes by Deck and Eso are top shelf, too – with a guest list that includes Roc Marciano, Oh No, Ghostface and others. Includes "Air 'Em Out", "Cement 3's" feat Roc Marciano, "Czar Refaeli" feat Oh No, "Rock Beat", "Savagely Attacked" feat Ghostface Killah, "Marvel Team-Up", "It's Raw" feat Action Bronson, "Let It Off", "Word War 4", "Poisonous Thoughts" feat Mr. Mfn Exquire, "Shoguns" feat Cappadonna & Vinnie Paz, "Hazmat Rap" and the DJ Premier-produced "Let It Off".

Thumpingly playful, spacey and funky beatcraft from the J Dilla archives – a packed couple sides of short, instantaneously addictive material – great stuff that does the Dilla legacy proud! Lost Tapes, Reels & More is Dilla at his most insistent – with one memorable beat heavy blast after another. There's a lot of sampled vocal bits on this one, too, but beyond that, this is Dilla as beatmaker and producer – and in peak form! A very worthy release on Moodymann's Mahagoni label. 20 short(ish) tracks on 2 sides: "I'm Back Nick", "Dilla Beats II", "Token Jazz Hour", ""3 Round The Corner", "Here We Go Again", "Sessions 4", "73 Soundtrack", "Videogame 1", Clap 4 Me", "Aahhh", "Licking", "Still Laffin", "Go Get Em" and more.

Probably the best track off the second Mantronix LP. The 12-inch version fills out the trademark Mantronix sound with more syth and effects and the Freestyle dub is the more spare version. And then everything drops out but the bass kick and high hat on the 'bonus beat' version.

Mos Def's first for Downtown after a weird few years on Geffen that saw many a bumped street date, the hit & miss New Danger, and finally, the semi aborted release of the controversial True Magic – back with a top shelf, excellent album in 2009's The Ecstatic! It may not be Black Star or Black On Both Sides, but The Ecstatic is absolutely strong stuff, and to be honest, much better than we would have expected – even if we knew he had great hip hop left in him! The beats are compelling, unpredictable, and steeped in abstract global funk that would sound at home on Stones Throw – some of the beats are literally Stones Throw, given Madlib's Beat Konducta and Oh No's Oxperimental sounds to be found. If we weren't already loving it, Slick Rick drops an unforgettable guest appearance on the the moody "Auditorium", Georgia Anne Muldrow does her inimitable thing on "Roses", and Talib Kweli rhymes on "History". Mos rhymes skillfully throughout, and with an infectious immediacy, as if he dropped records this tight all the time. Sadly, he doesn't, so this one's all the more rewarding! Other tracks include "Twilite Speedball", "Revelations", "Pretty Danger", "Quiet Dog", "The Embassy", "Wahid", "Priority" and more.

Niceness from Parisian producer Onra – a mix of spacey, cosmic soul bounce and a wavering, fading in and out flow to the beatcraft that's sinks in and doesn't let go! There are strains of 80s electro funk & soul that are totally intergral, but with a splintering, broken beat vibe that's more modern. This is one of those records that's hard to describe the appeal of without making it sound like other albums, but the thing is, this one's much better than most! Highly recommended. Includes "My Comet", "My Mind Is Gone" by Oliver Daysoul, "Rock On", "Hight Hopes" feat Reggie B, "Moving", "Wonderland", "Jeeps", "Liab" and more,

Classic level NYC hip hop from Oxygen – featuring Dr Becket and a Emskee of Good Peoples – on a timeless 45 from the hungry Boro Records! "Process" has a solid funky beat and some jazzy soul keys in the mix – with production by Freqnik & WDRE that bears the influence of the jazzy soul beats of classic east coast hip hop – the kind that'll sound fresh forever – and quite refreshing in the here-and-now post-millenium underground! "Guillotine" is just as great – on a rawer funky sample tip.

Volume 9 in the Paul Nice Drum Library series of heavy, hard-to-find drums compiled from myriad resources – drums, drums and more drums for the funky beat connoisseur! More than 20 drum breaks on 2 sides of wax.

A lost piece of QB history, PHD was the duo of Poet and Hot Day Dante. Like Mobb Deep who'd make a much bigger impact shortly after these guys debuted, PHD peddle in your face east coast gangster-isms. A hard to find album, with mostly raw funky beats and even a nod to the old school with the big beat sounding "Snakes In The Grass" and the instrumental cut up "I'm Hot". 12 tracks in all, including "I'm Flippn'", "On The Dark Side", "Life On The Edge", "Set It Off" and "Do It Any Way You Wanna".

Featuring vocals from Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Mr. Lif and cuts by DMC champ DJ Craze, this track has a much straighter beat than some of the more abstract electronics you might expect from Push Button. Plus the b-side "Breaker's Delight" a squishy electro track, ripe for your moonwalking pleasure.

The Alone Together project from producer, beatmaker and instrumentalist Karriem Riggins – who's a brilliant jazz drummer, when that's what he wants to do – and he's also a beat-heavy hip hop production guru when duty calls! Alone Together finds Karriem wearing his hip hop instrumentalist hat, and he wears it very well – in a way that reminds us a bit of fellow Detroit-raised maestro J Dilla. Karriem's pedigree as a live drummer informs his MPC 3000 experimentation very nicely, too – as he holds an insistent jazzy soul beat underneath boundless sampler atmosphere. Alone Together has 34 tracks in all: "Round The Outside", "Moogy Foog It", "Orbitz", "Forward Motion", "Esperanza", "Africa", "Double Trouble", "Ding Dong Bells", "Belle Isle Reprise", "Tom Toms", "Because", "Boy Is Doin It Right", "Back In Brazil", "Live At Berts", "Voyager 5000", "Matador", "Bring That Beat Back (Next Time)", "J Dilla The Greatest" and more.

Banquet of Sarcasm has that noisy distorted underground sound, but with a little more energy and a little less abstract/off-beat vocals. Mr. Complex and D-Story of the Arsonists are featured on Three Men In A Bar.

A great full-length set from Dandy Teru – a producer who's been making a fair bit of waves in the underground in recent years – finally stepping into the limelight here himself! Teru's got a great ear for a crispy beat and cosmic keyboard line – often fusing the two together in a trans-spatial way that creates a nice undercurrent of older soul and funk, yet which still retains a really contemporary vibe! This approach works really well for the range of talents helping Dandy out on the set – including Ty, Moka Only, Rita J, Quiet Dawn, Count Bass D, Tchad Unpoe, and Sarah Gessler – all different voices that help shape the sound of the record, and really unleash the variety in Teru's approach. Titles include "Fragile Things", "Below", "Wake Up Now", "Burned", "Waters", "Clouds Catcher", and "Rwvnll" – plus a few remix tracks too.

Rare promo only 12", with three different mega mixes of Tommy Boy's best from the early days, with 3D (Ralph D'Agostino, Tommy Musto and Tommy Sozzi) dropping bits of "Renegades Of Funk", "Play That Beat", "Looking For The Perfect Beat" and more in a continuous mix of electro classics.

Another nice breaks record from Stones Throw. Ten tracks, all heavy on the drums. Most of the tracks are straight beat tracks, some original, and some from Gang Starr, MC Lyte, T La Rock, etc. A couple tracks have added vocal samples.

This sequel to Breakin was pretty bad, with an even more tenuous relationship to hip hop, but the soundtrack was saved from total ruin by George Kranz "Din Daa Daa", that has gone on to be subsequently sampled, and is a pretty fat 80s dance track on its own. The rest of the LP has that mid-80's-breakdance-movie sound including Ollie & Jerry's "Electric Boogaloo." Also includes "Radiotron" & "Stylin, Profilin" by Firefox, "Gotta Have The Money" by Steve Donn, "Believe In The Beat" by Carol Lynn Townes, and "Oye Mamacita" by Rags & Riches.

First volume in this series from WBLS jock Mr Magic. All the big early Profile hits from 1981-84, 12 tracks in all: Word of Mouth "King Kut", with the Profile big beat sound, Disco 4 " We're At The Party", Pebblee-Poo "A Fly Guy" (an answer to the Boogie Boys "Fly Girl"), Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde "Genius Rap" and "AM/PM" – their best cut by far, Fresh 3 MC's "Fresh", Run-DMC "Jam Master Jammin' (rmx)" and "King Of Rock", Masterdon Committee "Funkbox 2", Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic 3 "It's Life (You Gotta Think Twice)", Spyder D "Buckwheat's Beat", and Dana Dane "Nightmares".

The follow up to Herbie's groundbreaking hit album Future Shock. There's some rehashing of themes here, with the remake of "Rockit" called "Hardrock" here – basically the same number with some heavy guitar added and a few different solos – plus similar numbers that continue the electro feel, but also add in a peppering of Bill Laswell's world music interest. The album's worth it alone for the presence of D St on a few tracks – and titles include "Hardrock", "Metal Beat", "Karabali", "Junku", "People Are Changing" and "Sound System".

Astral soul, spacey hip hop and funked out grooves from Ms One & The Gang – aka Georgia Anne Muldrow and a stellar roster of guests, as well as alter egos and pseudonyms for both Georgia and fellow traveler Dudley Perkins – including Stacey Epps, Black Milk & Big Pooh, Ms One (Georgia), Eagle Nebula (Georgia & Dudley) and more! Georgia Anne Muldrow produces the set, which works well for a unique, cohesive flow – and also shows her depth in the production realm as well as anything she's done – from hazy, laidback funk, to more of a P-Funk inspired propulsive chunky vibe, to some straight up cracking soul beat hip hop. A funky interstellar ride – and one of her better projects to date! Titles include "Return", "Mr President", "To Dance" and more by Georgia Anne Muldrow, "Motivation" by Stacy Epps, "Dearest Daddy" by Ms Dezy, "Magic Walk" by Mortonette Stephens, "Million Man" by Maryetta Moore, "2 MC" by Black Milk & Big Pooh, "Drunken" by D-Moe & Declaime and more. 21 tracks in all!

A great collection of classic genre-straddling material from the 80s glory days of Celluloid Records – those pioneering singles that melded old school rap, electro, punk and world beat into club grooves like no others! Bass heavy funk, world weary caustic post punk, crisp electro, and extended 12" grooves all in the same package – it's an era that can never be replicated, but, thankfully can be anthologized! 21 tracks on 2CDs: "Escapades Of Futura 2000" (original 12" version), "Wild Style Extended" by Time Zone (original 12" version), "Get Movin" by Last Poets, "Why Is It Fresh?" by D ST (original 12" megamix 2 version), "Zulu Groove" (original 12" version) by Shango, "Change The Beat" by Fab Five Freddy (original 12" version), "What I Like" (original 12" French rap version), "Pata Piya" (original 12" version) by Manu Dibango, "World Destruction" (original 12" version – Bill Laswell rmx) by Time Zone feat Afraka Bambaataa & John Lydon, "Crazy Cuts" (original 12" long version and original 12" dubversion) by D ST and more!

Steinski's great production is still in full effect here, but the track has more of a "samples and scratches meet dance beat" sort of groove – in the vein of stuff by Cold Cut or Bomb the Bass. There's a bubbling bass-y uptempo groove, with lots of scratching and humorous effects, but no real vocals.

A great full-length set from Dandy Teru – a producer who's been making a fair bit of waves in the underground in recent years – finally stepping into the limelight here himself! Teru's got a great ear for a crispy beat and cosmic keyboard line – often fusing the two together in a trans-spatial way that creates a nice undercurrent of older soul and funk, yet which still retains a really contemporary vibe! This approach works really well for the range of talents helping Dandy out on the set – including Ty, Moka Only, Rita J, Quiet Dawn, Count Bass D, Tchad Unpoe, and Sarah Gessler – all different voices that help shape the sound of the record, and really unleash the variety in Teru's approach. Titles include "Fragile Things", "Below", "Wake Up Now", "Burned", "Waters", "Clouds Catcher", and "Rwvnll" – plus a few remix tracks too.

A solid duo instrumentals project from Georgia Anne Muldow and DJ Romes – working together as Blackhouse – and delivering one of the best records yet on the prolific Mello Music Group label! Georgia's a restless creative spirit, and true to form, the beats and production she delivers for Blackhouse are quite inspired. In some ways, it's a bit of a departure from her unique twist on dusty funk and soul beats that we've come to expect – and the crisp cuts of Lootpack DJ/producer Romes have a lot to do with that! Overall, the record is a trippy mix of leftfield hip hop and fonkie/spacey soul beatcraft – and a largely instrumental one – albeit with some hypnotically looped bits of vocals from Georgia and others. Titles include "Fonkie Journey", "Blackhouse", "Soundoff", "Somali", "Rap Hit", "G.R.O.O.V.E. Me", "Lectrivunkin", "Shana's Beat" and more.

Once Puba left the group, we were all ready for this sophomore effort to just fall flat. But Sadat X and Lord Jamar aquit themselves nicely on the mic, and the beats are head-noddingly satisfying too, no doubt due to Dante Ross's guidance. And they don't let up on their hardcore 5% stance either. Includes the classic singles "Allah U Akbar", "Love Me Or Leave Me Alone" and "Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down", plus "Travel Jam", "Steal Ya 'Ho", "Steady Bootleggin'", "Black Star Line", "Meaning Of The 5%", "Ain't No Mystery", "Pass The Gat", 'Allah & Justice", "The Godz. . .", "Bran d Nubian Rock The Set" and "Black & Blue".

The first post-Tommy Boy De La Soul album – and it's a winner! We've been on board with De La throughout their long career – anyone with open ears must know that even their spottiest records (and this is NOT one of those) feature at least a handful of treasure tracks. Grind Date is easily the best later De La Soul album, and brevity is as key to the album as the group's proven longevity. 12 tracks, 49 minutes, no skits. Two songs in you'll find the stellar "Verbal Clap", one of J Dilla's finest productions ever, with precise on beat rhymes by De La. Other highlights include "He Comes" with Ghostface, a soulful track that would sound just as great on Ghost's Supreme Clientele. Is Grind Date the new sound for the mid 00s? Will it blaze trails and be co-opted by the next hot producers? Are the lyrics as solid as they could be? Probably not in each scenario, but that's not the point – these guys are consummate musicians, molding their rhyme schemes to the tracks with focus and precision. Most critics will say this is De La's best album since Stakes Is High. We'll say it's better! Featuring production by Dave West, J Dilla, Madlib and 9th Wonder – plus guest appearances by Yummy, Ghostface, Carl Thomas, MF Doom, Common and others. Other tracks include "The Future", "Much More" feat Yummy, "The Grind Date", "Shopping Bags", "Days Of Our Lives" with Common, "Come On Down", "Rock Co. Kane Flow" featuring MF Doom and more.

The great second Eric B & Rakim album – benchmark hip hop of the first order! Following up Paid In Pull, Follow The Leader completes one of the great one-two punches in hip hop history – bring in a richer, fuller, more skillfully creating sound, without sacrificing the dense, hard hitting, sparely funk greatness of the debut. Includes the awesome title track, plus "Lyrics Of Fury", "Microphone Fiend", "The R", "Musical Massacre", "No Competition", "Just A Beat", "Eric B Never Scared", "Put Your Hands Together", "To The Listeners" and "Beats For The Listeners".

Funky instrumental hip hop from Es-K and "Sixfingerz on this limited double A-side single on Cold Busted! "Heatwave" by Es-K is stormer with unstoppable drums, jazzy soul sax and organ in the mix. Side AA features "The Props" by Sixfingerz – with a bit of a funky fusion vibe to it – and it's another one with a nice and heavy beat.

The Kurtis Blow-produced debut album by The Fat Boys! We'll say it: respect is due to The Fat Boys – so put the pop culture novelty status, fat comedy cliches and Disorderlies debacle aside. If you're a child of the early 80s, there's a reasonable chance that The Fat Boys were the first rap group you ever heard – and that alone makes them no joke if you ask us. Another thing: the best of their cuts are pretty damn nice, holding up as well some of the best rap circa '84 – and this debut album indeed features some of their best cuts! Includes "Stick 'Em", Fat Boys", "The Place To Be""Human Beat Box", "Can You Feel It?", "Stick 'Em" & "Jailhouse Rap". Limited 2012 vinyl version is remastered – in comes in a pizza box! Limited 2012 picture disc vinyl version is remastered – in comes in a pizza box!

Tight hip hop from the superhero team of Inspectah Deck with 7L & Esoteric – mostly produced by 7L, with a most welcome guest producer in the legendary DJ Premier – and it's a strong statement from the underappreciated Wu Tang gamer and the ever-creative DJ 7L! On the production tip, 7L pays homage to classic Wu without copying it – and utilizing both classic and completely leftfield samples in a fresh, funky way. The rhymes by Deck and Eso are top shelf, too – with a guest list that includes Roc Marciano, Oh No, Ghostface and others. Includes "Air 'Em Out", "Cement 3's" feat Roc Marciano, "Czar Refaeli" feat Oh No, "Rock Beat", "Savagely Attacked" feat Ghostface Killah, "Marvel Team-Up", "It's Raw" feat Action Bronson, "Let It Off", "Word War 4", "Poisonous Thoughts" feat Mr. Mfn Exquire, "Shoguns" feat Cappadonna & Vinnie Paz, "Hazmat Rap" and the DJ Premier-produced "Let It Off".

The third set of hip hop jazz instrumentals from J Rawls & The Liquid Crystal Project – blending breezy 70s soul jazz inspired keys and horns with the head-nodding beat aesthetic of the most timeless hip hop – working as strongly on the jazzy side here, if not more so! Producer & DJ J Rawls once again works with fellow producer and keys player B Jazz along with drummer Rob Riley, Charles Cooper and Eddie Bayard on sax, plus guest trumpeter Pharez Whitted (the horns really bring some incredible depth). It's wonderful stuff! The electric keys lend a smoothed out finish, though still with a jazz funk vibe, while the bass, drums and beats carry a hip hop-reared insistence. Get it! Includes "Nematic Surprise", "A Tribute To De La", "Stand Up", "A Tribute To JC", "Friedrich And Otto", "Ghetto", "195", "A Tribute To Tribe", "The Equinox", "The Maier-Saupe Story", "Jazzy Bobby", "Where Is The Love", "Work" and more.

A stellar nstro from Damu The Fudgemonk – on a cool flexi 45 soundsheet! "Yes We Can" has crackling, heavy beat underneath a killer bassline, some sampled vocal atmosphere, keys and horns. All in all, this is a top notch jazz, funk and soul steeped instrumental – and one with a gritty, crackling vibe that's served well in the flexi- format!

A stellar nstro from Damu The Fudgemonk – on a cool flexi 45 soundsheet! "Yes We Can" has crackling, heavy beat underneath a killer bassline, some sampled vocal atmosphere, keys and horns. All in all, this is a top notch jazz, funk and soul steeped instrumental – and one with a gritty, crackling vibe that's served well in the flexi- format!

The second in DJ Nu-Mark's Broken Sunlight series of 10 iinch singles – joined by Tiron & Ayomari on "Feel The Way About It" – plus J-Live & Luscious Beats on "Tonight"! "Feel The Way" starts on a laidback funky tip, with a loosely thumping beat under keys and a guitar line. Soulful rhymes by the guests and heavier bass groove is the track progresses. "Tonight' is timeless hip hop win with J-Live & Lucious Beats.

A great set of archival DJ Shadow instros from the early-to-mid 90s – from back when his primary means of production was the Akai MPC sampler – along with his endless arsenal of vinyl and limitless creative inspiration! This is formative, but essential material for fans of classic Shadow. It's a superior follow up to the 4 Track Era compilation, and a solid blueprint for his very best work to come! This is all previously unreleased, and it was produced from 1992 to 1996 – which is the period that beat heads and leftfield hip hop production historians outta know culminated in the release of the classic Endtroducing album. That said, this is not a set of Endtroducing leftovers – it's strong, original and legacy-building instrumental work from a crucial period – assembled by the man himself! 22 tracks on the 2LP version. Includes "Intropy (Original Version)", "Vee In Detroit", "Alright", "Don't Try It", "Falling Up", "Aye", "Britty But Magic", "Atmospheric Disturbances", "Quickstep", "Freddi's Popcorn", "From The Old School", "Mystical With Solo", "Fast Rap Fanfare" and more.