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Spacey soul from Soia – a European singer who works closely here with producer Mez – who served up some great beats on their previous record together! The vibe here is very similar – kind of a mellow take on broken modes from a decade before – with a slowed-down pace that allows for plenty of vocal and keyboard inflections, and a spacey production style that makes all the elements float together in a really beautiful way! At some level, the record's one that might sound best in the smaller hours past midnight – but some tracks also have a more urgent feel that demands rapt attention. Titles include "Habibi", "Hidden In Obvious Places", "Ignite Despite", "Tropical Jinx", "See Me Hollow", "1000 Layers", and "Roaming Deer". CD

Music as lively and colorful as the image on the cover – upbeat work from the second half of the 80s scene in South Africa – music that has a very positive vibe overall, and a sound that's perfect for the mix of keyboards and beats used in the rhythms! The styles here are those which were borrowed – or plundered – by artists in the mainstream up north – but these are the tracks that really made the SA scene back in the day, and have a wonderful blend of synth, basslines, and vocals that often trade back and forth nicely – warming up the music a lot more than you'd expect! Titles include "Crocodile's Rock" by Black Moses, "I Was Born In Africa" by Richie S, "Blackout" by Tools & Figs, "Dayshift" by Dieketseng, "Ximamane" by Joy White, "Chomesa" by Chicco, "Nwananga Washanesera" by Joe Masunga, "Pusa Twala" by Sky Jinx, "Khombora Mina" by Paul Ndlovu, "Johnny Boy" by The Angels, "Don't Follow Me" by Mafika, and "Special Angel" by Babsy Mlangeni. CD

Cube's last truly great full length, from 1992, when he was leaving the gangsta stuff behind and had grown into an incredibly sharp social commentator and ghetto portrait painter. The rhymes, and even the liner note acknowledgements ("Ice Cube wishes to acknowledge white America's continued commitment to the silence and oppression of black men. . .") are wickedly incisive to this day. This could be his finest hour. Includes the singles "It Was A Good Day", "Check Yo Self" and "Wicked", "Gangsta's Fairytale 2", "Dirty Mack" and "Now I Gotta Wet'cha". Production by DJ Pooh, Muggs, Sir Jinx, and others. CD

Yo Yo's first LP with "Stompin' To Tha 90's", "You Can't Play With My Yo Yo" (featuring Ice Cube), and "IBWC National Anthem". The production credits say "Produced by Ice Cube and Sir Jinx... with the funky hip hop punch by Delvon, Tha Funkee Homosapien." CD

Music from Jad Fair & Daniel Johnston, The Frogs, Eugene Chadbourne, Noise Addict, Kimya Dawson & Jeffrey Lewis, Prewar Yardsale, Double Deuce, Diane Cluck, Jeffrey Lewis, Hiperjinx Tricycle, The Babyskins, and more - 20 tracks in all. CD

Tracks from Chris Lum, S.W.A.T., Lawn Chair Generals, DJ Ali, LHK & Alex Moran, Audio Soul Project, Urban Farmers, Djinxx, Rhythm Plate, Fries & Bridges, and more. CD