... 12-inch, Vinyl record

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

Distinctive, bedroom studio-made hip hop from Kweku Collins – doing his own thing in both style and practice – and delivering one of the best independent hip hop records of the mid teens! There's a lot of layers here you could pick apart, and find something brilliant in each one. In the vocals realm he rhymes, sings, and speaks his mind in a raw, poetic, purely introspective way. On the production front you can feel he deeply he's absorbed myriad underground rap and soul styles over his still young life, but he filters it all through a unique, original lens all his own. We really get the feeling this is the dawn of a tremendous talent! Includes "Stupid Rose", "Vanilla Skies" feat Taylor Bennett, "Ego Killed Romance" feat Jamilla Woods, "Everever (Oasis1)", "Ghost", "Death Of A Salesman", "1:30 Curbside", "Outsiders", "The Last" and "The Rain That Wouldn't Save". LP, Vinyl record album

A set inspired by the Marvin Gaye album of the same name, but delivered here in a very contemporary spirit – handled with lots of fantastic production from Terrace Martin – who moves between a mix of hip hop and some of the cosmic jazz touches that have become his strength in more recent years! Guests include a lot of heavyweight talents – Kendrick Lamar, Kurupt, Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Wilson, Snoop Dogg, and others – and titles include "What You Won't Do For Love", "Expectations", "Here My Dear", "Call Me", "Makings Of You", "Koo Koo Cyco Loco", "Hey Girl", "Show Her The Way", and "Cheat". LP, Vinyl record album

Great cuts from the old school – pulled together from the earliest days of hip hop – at a time when the boundary lines in the music weren't so fully formed! These days, the difference between hip hop and club cuts is huge – but back in the South Bronx scene at the start, there was a lot more interplay between styles – as 70s funk served as the blueprint, disco singles expanded the format, soul vocals gave some structure, and live rhymes and DJ work provided all of the spontaneous elements that made the music so unique – coming together with amazing energy that really reflected the street-level sounds of the New York scene! This ultra-hip collection brings together all those amazing strands from the early years – in a set that's one of the best historically important Soul Jazz titles we've seen in years – from the excellent track selection right down to the very detailed notes. There's plenty of rare cuts here you're not likely to have in your collection – and titles include "Body Rock" by Neil B, "Positive Life" by Love Bug Starski & The Harlem World Crew, "At The Place To Be" by Mr Sweety G, "New Rap Language" by Spoonie G & The Treacherous Three, "We Are People Too" by Master Jay, "Equidity Funk" by Mistafide, "And You Know That" by TJ Swan, "Searching Rap" by Bon Rock & The Rhythm Rebellion, "Willie Rap" by Willie Wood & The Willie Wood Crew, "Rhythm Rap Rock" by Count Coolout, "On The Go" by Black Bird & Kevski, "Philosophy Rappin Spree" by Super 3, "Move Your Body" by Bramsam, and "One More Time" by Sugar Daddy. (Funky Compilations, Hip Hop) LP, Vinyl record album

Atmosphere's signature sound full force – but also featuring some of their most experimental material to this point! Slug bounces along melodically, tortured and true to his nature, yet he comes off a little (just a little) more optimistic this time and he recites more than just tales of love lost. He STILL is at his tightest when weaving wonderful heart-wrenching stories instead of bragging, yet I don't think you hear the name Lucy once on this album. Sean Daley, the philosopher? – maybe we'll see more and more of that in the future. ANT's production is sounding much much better since God Loves Ugly – these beats pound just a little harder, seemingly influenced by punk and classic rock, thankfully without coming anywhere near classifiable rap rock. There still is a whole lotta soul in there, which is very nice, yet he still ain't afraid to pitch the formula, say sample some off kilter scatting or a ripping metal guitar. Tracks include "Bird Sings Why The Caged I Know", "Cats Van Bags", "National Disgrace", "Liquor Lyles Cool July". "Good Times", "Keys To Life Vs 15 Minutes Of Fame", "Reflections" and more. 2019 deluxe edition F Side bonus tracks: "Say Shh", "DMFD", "On The Battle Field", "Quiet Pimpin". LP, Vinyl record album

A Native Tongues classic from 1991 – one that sounded great way back when, and has held up beautifully over the years – and rightly considered amongst the greatest hip hop albums ever! Wolf In Sheep's Clothing is playful rap at it's best, with funky and and funny cuts galore – but the title is apt, as the wit is pretty sharply barbed – especially when they're skewering hardcore and gangsta cliches. It's as brilliant as ever. Includes the massive "Flavor Of The Month", "Similak Child", "Pass The 40", "To Whom It May Concern", "Butt In The Meantime", "Strobelite Honey", "Are You Mad?", "Blunted", "For Doz That Slept" and more. CD

Maybe not the first album from Childish Gambino, but a set that certainly showed the world that the hip hop side of Donald Glover was ready to overtake his role on screen! The album's rock-solid all the way through – as much a contemporary soul experiment as a hip hop masterpiece – and the expansive vision here shifts beautifully between high-minded concepts and tunes that are very down to earth – a balance that not only elevates the role of Glover/Gambino, but also the role of mainstream hip hop as well! Titles include "Dial Up", "The Worst Guys", "Telegraph Ave", "Sweatpants", "Worldstar", "Crawl", "Shadows", "Death By Numbers", "No Exit", "Zealots Of Stockholm", "Flight Of The Navigator", "3005", "Earth The Oldest Computer", and "Playing Around Before The Party". LP, Vinyl record album

An impressive blend of jazz and hazy hip hop beatcraft from Kiefer – his best yet! We dug Kiefer's earlier Kickinit Alone a lot, too, but Happysad feels like a next level effort. Jazz piano really stands out as the leading light in the sound here – it's the real thing, too – without overshadowing the mesmerizing beats and bass. The disparate elements come together in such a fluid way that he reminds us a bit of 70s era Herbie Hancock (for real!) in the way he can bring genres together so seamlessly. Still largely the work of Kiefer alone, with some help on just a couple tracks – and the titles include"Dope Nerd", "Temper", "What A Day", "Highway 46", "Highway 41", "Magnetic", "Socially Awkward", "Thinkin Of", "Agoraphobia", "FOMO", "Memories Of U", "Upwards" and "AAAAA". LP, Vinyl record album

The new album from Outkast and the soundtrack to their film Idlewild! Outkast has been daring haters for years to pounce at will – and they really take that approach to the next level by making what is far and away their oddest project in midst of the most scrutiny they will probably ever receive. We're lacking a bit of perspective in that we haven't seen the movie – but the best stuff probably makes it worth picking up. Idlewild continues the tag team style of Speakerboxx/Love Below in that the duo rarely appear together on the same tracks. The single "Mighty O" is the most notable expection, in that both rappers do their thing on it – and 3000 is actually rapping! The rest of the album, surprisingly, has a fairly coherent flow – with little touches of the 1930s vibe and atmosphere ( the setting of the film) – as envisioned by forward looking hip hoppers. It's a daring set of tracks with strong moments – and lots of additional singing by Sleepy Brown and others. Tracks include "Mighty O", "Peaches" feat Sleepy Brown & Scar, "Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry 'Bout Me", "N2U" feat Khujo Goodie, "Morris Brown" feat Scar & Sleepy Brown, "Chronomentrophobia", "The Train" feat Sleep Brown & Scar, "Life Is Like A Musical", "Hollywood Divorce" feat Lil' Wayne & Snoop Dogg, "Buggface", "PJ & Rooster", "Greatest Show On Earth" feat Macy Gray. "When I Look In Your Eyes", "Dyin' To Live" and "A Bad Note". CD

The new album from Outkast and the soundtrack to their film Idlewild! Outkast has been daring haters for years to pounce at will – and they really take that approach to the next level by making what is far and away their oddest project in midst of the most scrutiny they will probably ever receive. We're lacking a bit of perspective in that we haven't seen the movie – but the best stuff probably makes it worth picking up. Idlewild continues the tag team style of Speakerboxx/Love Below in that the duo rarely appear together on the same tracks. The single "Mighty O" is the most notable expection, in that both rappers do their thing on it – and 3000 is actually rapping! The rest of the album, surprisingly, has a fairly coherent flow – with little touches of the 1930s vibe and atmosphere ( the setting of the film) – as envisioned by forward looking hip hoppers. It's a daring set of tracks with strong moments – and lots of additional singing by Sleepy Brown and others. Tracks include "Mighty O", "Peaches" feat Sleepy Brown & Scar, "Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry 'Bout Me", "N2U" feat Khujo Goodie, "Morris Brown" feat Scar & Sleepy Brown, "Chronomentrophobia", "The Train" feat Sleep Brown & Scar, "Life Is Like A Musical", "Hollywood Divorce" feat Lil' Wayne & Snoop Dogg, "Buggface", "PJ & Rooster", "Greatest Show On Earth" feat Macy Gray. "When I Look In Your Eyes", "Dyin' To Live" and "A Bad Note". LP, Vinyl record album

The debut full length from Pete Rock & CL Smooth – and a bonafide hip hop classic if there ever was one – one of the best ever! Pete Rock's trademark mix of heavy soul, jazz & funk beatcraft pretty much set the bar to a level that's been impossible to top ever sense. On top of being a front-to-back perfect album, Mecca & The Soul Brother has one of the great singles of the era, in "They Reminisce Over You (TROY)". What more can be said, really? An absolute essential! Tracks include "They Reminisce Over You (TROY)", "Return Of The Mecca", "Straighten It Out", "Soul Brother #1", "Lots Of Lovin", "Skinz" featuring Grand Puba, "The Basement" featuring Heavy D, Robo-O, Grap & Dida, "Anger In The Nation", "If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right", "Can't Front On Me", "It's Like That", "On And On", "Wig Out", "Ghettos Of The Mind", and "Act Like You Know". CD

The debut full length from Pete Rock & CL Smooth – and a bonafide hip hop classic if there ever was one – one of the best ever! Pete Rock's trademark mix of heavy soul, jazz & funk beatcraft pretty much set the bar to a level that's been impossible to top ever sense. On top of being a front-to-back perfect album, Mecca & The Soul Brother has one of the great singles of the era, in "They Reminisce Over You (TROY)". What more can be said, really? An absolute essential! Tracks include "They Reminisce Over You (TROY)", "Return Of The Mecca", "Straighten It Out", "Soul Brother #1", "Lots Of Lovin", "Skinz" featuring Grand Puba, "The Basement" featuring Heavy D, Robo-O, Grap & Dida, "Anger In The Nation", "If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right", "Can't Front On Me", "It's Like That", "On And On", "Wig Out", "Ghettos Of The Mind", and "Act Like You Know". LP, Vinyl record album

Soundtrack LP featuring mostly Wu or Wu produced tracks, and lots of nice spoken dialogue bits of Forrest Whitaker reading from the book of samurai wisdom. "Cakes" by Kool G Rap, "Samurai Showdown" by the RZA and "East NY Stamp" by Jeru & Afu Ra were the cuts to us, also includes tracks by Masta Killa, Sunz of Man, Tekitha & North Star. LP, Vinyl record album

The stand-out cut here is the break dance track "Son of Beat Street" with lots of cutting by Jazzy Jay. Also includes Treacherous Three "Santa's Rap" with beatboxing by Dougie Fresh, Rockers Revenge "Battle Cry" produced by Arthur Baker, and some club cuts by Juicy, Tina B and others. LP, Vinyl record album