The funky Root Down EP by the Beastie Boys – riding high on a mid 90s creative peak! Root Down featuring a trio of versions of the title track and Ill Communication album standout, based on the Jimmy Smith's classic of the same name – and in hindsight, you really have to hand it to the Beasties, not only sampling and celebrating classic early 70s jazz funk, but for their earnest wish to introduce Jimmy Smith to the pop culture kids of the 90s – including a killer remix by the mighty Prince Paul. Also includes some live recordings from the time of classic Beasties tracks like"Time For Livin", "The Maestro", "Somethin's Got To Give", Time To Get Ill", thier punky "Heart Attack Man", "Sabrosa" and "Flute Loop". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic album from Damu The Fudgemunk, and a set that kicks off a whole new series in the sound library universe too – one that has contemporary producers getting access to classic samples from the KPM Sound Library catalog, while also adding their own music to the label too! Here, Damu samples classic sound library funk by Johnny Pearson, Johnny Hawksworth, Yvan Julien, Alan Hawkshaw, and other KPM giants – sometimes serving up instrumentals, but often adding in contributions from guests who include Raw Poetic, Blu, Nitty Scott, and Insight Innovates. Given that the core sounds are right up our alley, the record sounds fantastic – and if you're worried about this not being close enough to Damu's other records, put those fears aside – as the whole thing more than lives up to that legacy too. Titles include "Upload Optimism", "Enchanted Spirits", "Reporting", "Power Of Mind", "God Speed", and the "For Better Or Worse" suite. CD

Edan returns with a new set of his sample heavy wizardry – this time out steeped in late 60s pysch out flourishes, yet still sporting the thickest breakbeats available. His rhyme style is both ridiculous and genius – with tongue twists that pay homage and blast forward simultaneously. Guests include Mr Lif, Insight, and Percee-P. Tracks include "Funky Voltron", "I See Colours", "Torture Chamber", "Promised Land", "Time Outt", "Fumbling Over Words That Rhyme", "Making Planets", "Murder Mystery", "Rock And Roll", and "Smile". LP, Vinyl record album

Follow up to Critical Beatdown with solid, funky production by Ced Gee and Moe Love, and Kool Keith just being Kool Keith – giving it some crazy charm that a lot people just weren't ready for at the time! Their first major label record, which seemed to take forever to come out, we recall a lot of folks being disappointed with this at the time – but there's ultimately a lot of quality cuts here! "Poppa Large", "Chorus Line Pt. 2", "Make It Happen" were favorite cuts from the outset, and with the benefit of hindsight and without burden of expections, other great ones include "Funk Radio", "Stop Jockin Me", "Bust The Facts" and "I Like Your Style" with many other standout moments. It's got a whopping 23 in all, and other tracks include "MC Champion", "Go For Yourz", "Message From The Boss", "Pluckin Cards", "You Ain't Real", "Moe Love On The ! & 2" and "Porno Star". CD