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We're not always the biggest Digital Underground fans, but Shock G/Humpty comes close to the funky goofiness of their earlier hits – with a definite Parliafunkadelicment edge (it samples "Aqua Boogie", but without the heavy sound that drowns a lot of the later west coast hip hop production.

Digital Underground's first album of P-Funky, hook heavy, party rockin hip hop for Tommy Boy! The first two albums by Shock G and the rest of the crew are classics, even if they don't get enough always get the props – possibly because the well the well of P-Funk samples wasn't necessarily the freshest waters, and also because the "Humpty Dance" was such a crossover smash, but few through a party like Digital Underground at the dawn of the 90s, and it's fresh and funky all these years later. Titles include the hit "Doowutchyalike" and the mega hit "Humpty Dance", plus "Freaks of the Industry", "Doowutchyalike", "The Way We Swing", plus "Sex Packets", "Street Scene", "Packet Man", "Underwater Rimes (rmx)", 'The New Jazz", "Rhymin On The Funk", 'The Danger Zone" and "Packet Reprise".

Sublime work from one of the coolest funky combos around – a group who aren't content to just hit the same funky styles as other outfits – and one who really stretch strongly in their pursuit of new sounds! The set's definitely funky – especially on the drums – but there's also this amazing interplay between the horns, weird sounds from the organ, and cool extra touches on auto harp and ukulele – which gives the music these exotic elements that are simply mindblowing! The set's a stone smoker from the start – instrumental, but in ways that let the Menahan Street Band open up way more than when working with a singer – showing us that they've got some of the freshest ideas in the contemporary funky underground. Titles include "The Crossing", "Sleight Of Hand", "Three Faces", "Keep Coming Back", "Seven Is The Wind", "Driftwood", and "Ivory & Blue".

A download-only version of the Numero Omnibus – no vinyl, but a beautiful booklet, and download code for all 90 tracks in the 45 collection! The price is high, but you get a hell of a lot of value for the package – the digital version of a funky 45 collection to rival longtime collectors – a heck of a bargain when you consider it that way! Each song is unique to the set – rare soul and funk gems that have not appeared on other Numero compilations or 45s – presented here as a unique collection that continues Numero's tireless digging of the American soul underground of the 60s and 70s. The book features a page on each single, with details on the song, photos, and more – all in glorious color, and wrapped up in a hardcover emblazoned with gold text!

The Beasties' masterpiece – and one of the original nightmares for sampling opponents everywhere – the cut & paste hip hop classic Paul's Boutique! The Dust Brothers unapologetic way of weaving very famous samples with soul, funk and film score obscurities would steal the show if not for the infectious, boisterous rhymes of the Beastie Boys – they couldn't possibly have cared less about alienating the massive frat boy fan base built with License To Ill, and it's a joy to behold. It's one of those mindblowing pop transformations on par with the Beatles (who the Beasties and Dust Brothers were so brazen to sample several times on this album) and the Beach Boys on the pop maturation scale from earlier hits to later artistry – even if the wild lyrics and deft back & forth rhymes by the Beasties are the antithesis of maturity. From classic rock dinosaurs to soul and disco classics, from the Jaws score to "Dueling Banjos", it all finds it's way into the beatcraft – and both mainstream pop and underground hip hop are better now because of this record. Tracks include "Hey Ladies", "Shake Your Rump", "High Plains Drifter", "Shadrach", "Johnny Ryall", "Eggman", "Car Thief", "What Comes Around", the "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" suite and more.

Digital music in a physical realm – a great little project that collects together a range of groundbreaking sounds from the online music scene – then puts them together in a well-presented compilation! The music here is all pretty darn fresh – a wicked batch of 21st Century soul, hip hop, nujazz, and more – all the sort that might have been issued on labels like Compost or Sonar Kollektiv a decade ago, but which hardly makes it on record these days! Yet thanks to the great efforts of Heavenly Sweetness, these grooves are getting some great exposure – almost like catching a great slice of Gilles Peterson's radio show. 2CD package features both volumes 1 & 2 – 29 titles that include "Drum Talking" by Mo Kolours, "Grandma" by Bobby Blunt, "Fall In Love" by Badbadnotgood, "Hold On" by KRTS, "Una Peripecia" by Buddy Sativa, "Journey Through My Mind" by Bug, "Conflict Of A Man" by Erimaj, "Kalimba Song" by Abjo, "Controlled Feelings" by Opolopo Voltage, "Where You Gone" by INT, "Journey To The Shore" by Dopegems, "Muscles" by Bonnie Banane, "Freak Out" by Natronix, "YBMJ" by Monkeyrobot, "Dealing" by Up High Collective, "Paintball" by Monster Sneaker, and "All Matter" by Modlee & Vlooper.

A collaborative effort between Black Spade & Nato Caliph – on a limited edition cassette! Force Majueure features appearances by Count Bass D, Shorty Live of the Alps Cru, and scratches by DJ Crucial and DJ Alejan. Sharp, solid and smart hip hop from the St. Louis underground scene – with a timeless vibe. Another fresh release from F5 – a superior force in midwest indie hip hop! Includes "Distance Unlimited", "FrankenHop" with Shorty Live "Impression X", "The Best Part", "Coitus Magnetic" feat Teresa Jenee, "Complete" with Black Spade and "Distance Unlimited" (SP Remix) with Count Bass D.

Music found online, then collected here in one sweet little set – a great illustration of the way that in the 21st Century, internet sound files have come to represent a whole new level of digging! All the cuts here were issued digitally first, and are making a wax debut here – as a brilliant testament to the rich new sounds bubbling out there online – from fresh Neo Soul to warm jazzy grooves to some sweet cosmic beats! There's a vibe here that's every bit as great as the first volume – and the track selection is sublime – like having one of the world's few tastemakers hip you to the coming sounds of the next generation. Titles include "Where You Gone" by INT, "Journey To The Shore" by Dopegems, "Muscles" by Bonnie Banane, "Freak Out" by Natronix, "YBMJ" by Monkeyrobot, "Dealing" by Up High Collective, "Boomboxin" by Moodprint, "7th Week" by Roux Spanna, "Paintball" by Monster Sneaker, and "All Matter" by Modlee & Vlooper.