Tuesday, April 30, 2019

People Without Shoes - Thoughts Of An Optimist LP - 2019






"Headed by the rapper TempOpmet, the group People Without Shoes has previously released 2 twelve inch EP’s but saw the release of their first album “Thoughts Of An Optimist” get aborted in 1995 due to their former label going bankrupt. Now, for the very first time, Taha Records and JTLM Records in association with IteM records are very proud to give to this forgotten gem a new renaissance with an exclusive limited graffiti spray paint stencil art on 3 different covers and an ”Obi-like” press sheet strip." IteM Records




Limited edition of 500 copies...
Order 



Album Review : Da Youngsta's - No Mercy - 1994



LP - 1994 - EastWest Records  


From The Source - November 1994 - Scan courtesy of Frederic Thecle 








Monday, April 29, 2019

Independents Day - Winter 1997


From Hip Hop Connection - Winter 1997 



DJ Obsolete - The Mandela Effect II LP - 2019


LP - 2019 - Village Live Records 



 Here is DJ Obsolete's 2nd LP, "The Mandela Effect II" featuring US MC's like Jake GHNM, Brian Burns, Hahyeem, Finsta, Rellik & C.O.X, E.T.E.L and MC Gels. 






Available on vinyl (300 copies), Cassette (50 copies)
Orders 


Hype : J-Live


From Hip Hop Connection - December 1997 





Grown Man Rap Show - Episode 211 - Tribute to Maceo Parker




Hosted by veteran DJ Toast and broadcast live every Sunday night 10pm-12 midnight (ET) from 91.5 WRPI (Albany NY), Toast brings you 2 hours of the best in vintage & contemporary true school Hip Hop.  

This is Episode 211 - Tribute to Maceo Parker - DJ Toast - originally aired on April 28, 2019




Gang Starr “Step in the Arena” (1990)
Fred Wesley & The Horny Horns “Four Play” (1977)
Digital Underground “Packet Man” (1990)
Rawcotiks “Hardcore Hip Hop” (1996)
Das EFX “Mic Checka” (1992)
Method Man & Redman “Cheka” (1999)
Big Daddy Kane “Somethin’ Funky” (1987)
James Brown “The Payback” (1973)
King Tee “Payback’s a Mutha” (1988)
Tha Alkaholiks “Make Room” (1993)
Redman “Blow Your Mind” (1992)
Das EFX “Brooklyn to T-Neck” (1992)
Erick Sermon “Safe Sex” (1993)
Low Profile “How Ya Livin’” (1989)
3rd Bass “Product of the Environment (Project Remix)” (1990)
Redman “Rated R” (1992)
MC Shan “Words of a Freestyle” (1988)
Cool C “Hilltop Scope” (1989)
Craig G “Smooth” (1989)
Chill Rob G “Court Is Now in Session” (1989)
Spoonie Gee “The Godfather” (1987)
Maceo & The Macks “Soul Power ‘74” (1974)
Big Daddy Kane “Get Down” (1991)
Salt ‘N’ Pepa “A Salt with a Deadly Pepa” (1988)
Tuff Crew “No Sellout” (1991)
Maceo Parker & All the King’s Men “Maceo” (1970)
Marley Marl “The Symphony Pt. II (Extra Crispy)” (1991)
Pete Rock & CL Smooth “Ghettos of the Mind” (1992)
Gang Starr “Form of Intellect” (1991)
Maceo & All the King’s Men “Better Half” (1970)
Stetsasonic “DBC Let the Music Play” (1988)
Maceo & The Macks “Cross the Tracks (We Better Go Back)” (1975)
Kid ‘N’ Play “Do This My Way” (1988)
Maceo & The Macks “Parrty Part 1 & 2” (1973)
Gang Starr “Who’s Gonna Take the Weight” (1991)
James Brown “Cold Sweat” (1967)
Sweet Tee “I Got Da Feelin’” (1987)
The Jaz “Buss Da Speaka” (1989)
Fred Wesley & The Horny Horns “A Blow for Me, A Toot to You” (1977)


Props to DJ Toast 

Ron B - Stitch By Stitch / Live Entertainer 7" - 2019


7" - 2019 - DWG 

"Our second release requires no introduction, Ron B's 'Stitch By Stitch' has been a mainstay of every hip-hop collector's 'wants list' ever since featuring on DJ Ivory's 'Hear No Evil Vol. 2' mix back in 2003. It is arguably the most sought after hip-hop 12" in existence and has maintained it's high price over the years, featuring in Discogs 'monthly most expensive' list no less than NINE times over the years, something surely no other hip-hop record can match?  We have it on 7" with full picture sleeve in two colorways, pink and black, with the pink copies being exclusive to the Boogie Down Barnes webstore" - djshaker (DWG Crew)


A - Stitch By Stitch 
B - Live Entertainer





Order your copy Here  


Social Deviantz - Essential Mental Nutrients LP - 2019


LP - 2019 - DWG 


"Originally released on CD and cassette in 1996 on Sugar Shack Productions out of Vancouver, Canada, Social Deviantz debut LP has gone on to become highly sought after and with good reason. Those in the know will tell you that this is one of the finest hip-hop albums to drop in 1996 and that's saying something in a year that gave us Stakes is High, ATLiens, Illadelph Halflife, The Score, Reasonable Doubt, Ironman, and Ridin' Dirty amongst others. 

Essential Mental Nutrients is hip-hop born out of youthful hunger and adversity, as well as a healthy appreciation for sampling and getting high, the very best type of hip-hop. Not the hip-hop of lazy established artists but the sound of a young trio eager to make a name for themselves in a city that, at the time, hadn't figured out how to monetize the hip-hop sound, much to the discontent of its many talented artists. DJ Junya's jazz influenced samples remind us very much of 93 'Til Infinity and set the perfect soundscape for MC's A-Train and Fatbone to weave their weed infused tales of growing up alienated by a city in a constant state of flux. As A-Train himself puts it so eloquently "Vancouver: Terminal City, part-time playground for the rich, where hippies go to be yuppies and yuppies go to be hippies... and promoters at bars and nightclubs were saying "rap isn't music" well into the nineties, while a slow-motion heroin apocalypse dovetailed with a massive influx of bad construction and foreign investment to produce the glittering world-class Olympic-level alienation we have today".

Not only is this a great record musically, it is almost certainly our most professionally crafted release to date. The audio has been remastered by Grammy nominated sound engineer and longtime friend of the group, Greg the Stuntman, at Suite Soundlabs in Vancouver and sounds incredible, even if we do say so ourselves. It has also been pressed on 180g black vinyl to enhance the audio further. The same level of detail has been applied to the artwork too, with the original sleeve artwork recreated from the original images by former Sugar Shack owner and renowned Vancouver artist, George Vergette. Lastly, group member A-Train has put together a collage of photographs and commentary for our first ever printed inner sleeve. All in all a beautifully crafted end product." - djshaker (DWG Crew)




From Terminal City Magazine - May 1997 


300 copies only (with 100 split between the group and distribution).



Sunday, April 28, 2019

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Interview : Masta Ace in The Hip Hop Spot - 1993




"Here's an interview of when Masta Ace came to "The Hip Hop Spot" on 90.3 FM WBAU the second time!! He was promoting his album SlaughtaHouse and we were talking about how record companies used to service College radio first before serving Commercial radio!! But at that time it was changing and College radio was being serviced last!! Riz was in the building but he didn't go in that night!! This interview was around 1993" - WildMan Steve 





Video : The Legion - Three The Bronx Way - 2019





New video delivery by Molecules, Dice Man and Chucky Smash, "Three The Bronx Way" produced by the French-based producer Venom (Marvel Records).


Friday, April 26, 2019

Album Review : De La Soul - Stakes Is High - 1996


LP - 1996 - Tommy Boy  


From The Source - July 1996 - Scan courtesy of Frederic Thecle 






Video : Truth feat. Tragedy Khadafi - TNT (Large Professor Remix)





Here is the video for "TNT Remix" recently dropped by the Queens emcee Truth. It is produced by the legendary Large Pro and featuring Tragedy Khadafi. His last project "The Fight For Survival" is still available on Vinyl via Fat Beats, Tuff Kong or Get On Down . 



Thursday, April 25, 2019

Lin Que - Let If Fall - 1995


12" - 1995 - EastWest Records America  









Interview : Book of Rhymes Podcast Ep 01: Black Moon




For the first episode, the team of Book of Rhymes Podcast is kicking it off with the legendary hip-hop group, Black Moon. They discuss 'Enta Da Stage', Duck Down Records and the impact that their music had on the culture.






Kardinal Offishall in Pound Magazine




From Pound Magazine - June 2001 - Scans courtesy of Tim Burton 




Remix Session : Positive K & LG - Good Combination (Kan Kick Remix)




For this 'Remix Session', here is a track from the b-side of DJ Babu's 'Comprehension' mixtape released in 1999 by Fat Beats. This is the remix version produced by Kan Kick a.k.a Kan Kick Da Funky Asthmatik, remix of a track named 'A Good Combination' which was originally released on vinyl by Positive K & Easy L.G on First Priority Music in 1989. The Remix is mad dope and deserves to be listened again and again ... 






Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Microphone Check : Heather B - Ain't I A MC ?



From The Source - July 1996 - Scans courtesy of Frederic Thecle 




Starving Art Clique - Starving Art - 1998




If there is an album who deserves a proper release on vinyl, it could be certainly that one, "Starving Art" which was released on CD by the Baltimore-based group Starving Art Clique in 1998. 
Starving Art Clique consisted of Christopher "30 Fingaz" Gittens also know as Cleptomaniac, Robert "Hawaii" Russell, and DJ Joe "Guess Who?" Davidge. 

The album is composed of 12 tracks featuring other local artists like Dutchess, Oddessy, Cabral Cartel and Hoe and was released on Overkast Records which was owned and managed by Joe Davidge. All the tracks were  produced by Guess Who? and Shane "The Doctor" Faber.





"On the self-produced album, both 30 Fingaz and Hawaii exhibit a lyrical density and maturity that belie their age. They engage true life with wordplay and metaphor for a result that works on several levels, and Guess Who? complements the duo's lyrics with beats and sounds. Instead of the typical stripped-down bass and drums that producers usually place beneath "reality" lyrics, Guess Who? swirls horn lines and piano around the griminess of the rhymes in way that is jolting but effective." - Press Sheet






I had already blogged something about the vinyl EP a few years ago but nothing about the album. It was the good opportunity to talk with Christopher Gittens who gave me more info about it. 


30 Fingaz : "My real name is Chris Gittens,  but in the rap world, I'm known as Cleptomaniac.  I was born in Brooklyn, New York City. I was born into a music loving Trinidadian family. I was always around music. We eventually moved to Baltimore County where I later met Robert Russell (Hawaii) in Highschool. I had already known Joe Davidge who was the producer of the Starving Art album through my older brother Hoe. Hoe went to school with Joe Davidge, and Lamont Morraigne'el (Joe's business partner). Joe made beats, and I liked his beats. Even though I was a child,  Joe and Lamont saw something promising in my rhymes. I introduced Hawaii to Joe and EL (Lamont), and we started to discuss a project.  Although Hawaii and I were already making music, we hadn't done anything serious. We started the starving art project about a year and a half before it was actually released. It took so long because there was a constant clash of creativity between Joe and myself. I wanted to go with more of a ruff and rugged sound (hardcore hip-hop) if you will. Joe on the other hand worshipped A Tribe Called Quest and I think he wanted to sound like them. Me and Hawaii did not. We were street battle rappers. But because of Joe's heavy personality, along with the fact that him and EL were funding the whole project, we eventually went more of Joe's direction instead of really a group effort. Hence the Starving Art album is really Joe's creation. We just performed it. Joe gave me the concepts, and I wrote the songs, and Hawaii filled them in. 

Guess stars included Dutchess & Oddessy, Mekalicious, Cabral Cartel, and Hoe. Hoe and Cabral are my brothers.  Oddessy and Dutchess went to school with my older brother. We brought Mek in just to have an "out of town" guest on a track (I don't think we really needed him). After the project, Hawaii and I technically still had another project to do according to the contract, but, we were not willing to do another project without full creative freedom. Joe attempted to employ us again for a reunion album, but we declined because we never made any money off of that album. If there were to be a Starving Art reunion album, it will be without Overkast records."



Monday, April 22, 2019

MILLENIUM - Kaos Theory + Bonus Album Most Thorough (2LP) - 2019


2xLP - 2019 - Smoke On Records 


A1 - Intro 
A2 - Kaos Theory 
A3 - Run Run Run 
A4 - Fantasia 
A5 - She's Leaving With Me 
A6 - How Far Will You Go 
A7 - The Remedy
B1 - Interlude 
B2 - Gunpoint 
B3 - All Up In The Game 
B4 - Wish You Was Here 
B5 - Everclear 
B6 - Street Wars 
B7 - Ga-mingh Technique
C1 - Love 
C2 - Too Hot 
C3 - Trust No 1 
C4 - Respect My Shit 
C5 - No Retreat No Surrender 
C6 - Gangsta Gangsta 
C7 - 3 In The Morning w DC Scorpio
D1 - Honorable Mention 
D2 - Lust 
D3 - Broke Nigga 
D4 - Too Hot The Sequel 
D5 - She's Leaving (RMX) 
D6 - U Think I Dont Know 
D7 - Most Thorough
D8 - Out






Pre-Orders 


Original copies of Millenium's Kaos Therapy album from 1998 are also available on CD (Sealed - 20 copies) and on Tape .  




Album Review : O.C - Word Life - 1994


LP - 1994 - Wild Pitch  



From The Source - November 1994 - Scan courtesy of Frederic Thecle 





Video : Da Flyy Hooligan - PinRolls II - 2019




Video of Da Flyy Hooligan's last single "PinRolls II" produced by DJ Flash, off his last "FYLPM II" album which is still available for pre-order via GourmetDeluxxx .



Kick A Dope Verse! Presents Jazzy Village vol. 3


K7 - 2019 - KADV! 






1. ak420 - moonlight 
2. ill'j a.k.a. mad kid - jazzy j 
3. seize - butterfly 
4. ziekefons - eigen wereld 
5. diza xl - da message for smokey 
6. vandolizm - daily operation 
7. astronomik - pluvious 
8. al da jazzmatic - wegotdajazz 
9. kay large - industriilor 
10. mike flips - action 
11. franz branntwein - lovestory 
12. lowmeek - doinit 
13. lipp der funkverteiler - detective finesse 
14. egitbeatz - milkshake 
15. beatmaschine - ftm 
16. jaz93 - full of thoughts 
17. dabe92-13 - erse 
18. ruckus - representin 
19. ruff-t - cream 
20. khaderbai - you bedda listen 
21. oilix - spill the jazz 
22. maffyn - memories 
23. someslow - no religion 
24. axion117 - falling down


available on limited Black cassette (25 copies) , limited Pink cassette (25 copies), and limited White cassette (25 copies)

Orders  
Shipping date : May 5th 2019



Mass Vinyl Compilation CD - 2019






1 - 24/7 - Hi Tech 
2 - Book Of Life - Hi Tech 
3 - Padlock - Shok Therapy ft. Hi-Tech, Jedi, Spectrum 
4 - SOS - Shok Therapy ft. Jedi, Matrix 
5 - The Techs Technique - Hi Tech 
6 - Weak Minds - Hi Tech, J Treads 
7 - Book Of Death - Ei8ghtrak, The Hermit, Hi Tech 
8 - Money - Ei8ghtrak Ft The Faculty 
9 - Dont Mean Jak - Parallax 
10 - Bleeding Hate - Parallax 
11 - Book Of Life Part 2 - Hi Tech 
12 - 4 Degrees For The Streets - Hi Tech, Mischief, Smoogie, Vision 
13 - Heartless - Hi Tech 
14 - Drame - Hi Tech 
15 - Where Y'a At - Hi Tech





Orders   



The Eaze Up Show Presents - A Tribute To Fondle 'Em







1 M.F. Doom feat. Kurious - Questionmark
2 MHz - World Premier
3 Lord Sear - Alcoholic Vibes
4 Siah and Yeshua Dapo ED - Glass Bottom Boat
5 The Cenobites feat. Bobbito - Kick A Dope Verse (Battered Baby Seal Remix)
6 Cage - Agent Orange
7 Juggaknots - I'm Gonna Kill You
8 Scienz of Life - Powers of Nine Ether (Distorted Views of Life)
9 J-Treds - Make It Happen
10 The Boulevard Connection - Haagen-Daz Feat. DJ Kaos, El The Sensai, Tame 1
11 Mr. Live - Relax Y'Self
12 Mizchif - Place For A Wife
13 Lord Sear - My Hindu Love
14 Breeze, Q-Unique, Godfather Don, J-Treds and M.F. Doom - Fondle 'Em Fossils
15 Arsonists - The Session (LP Version)
16 Cashless Society - Blaze tha Breaks
17 KMD - Popcorn
18 Rok One feat. Kwest, L-Fudge & Shabaam Sahdeeq - Ninety Degrees A Piece
19 Cloudkickers feat. J-Treds, Pumpkinhead, Yeshua Dapo ED and - Truly Gifted Ones
20 Da Nuthouse - Synapsis
21 Yak Balls - Flossin'
22 Siah - Repetition
23 M.F. Doom feat. Tommy Gunn - The Finest
24 M.F. Grimm - Bloody Love Letter
25 The Cenobites - I Was Forgotten
26 Arsonists - Flashback
27 Siah & Yeshua Dapo ED - The Visualz
28 M.F. Grimm - Do It For The Kids
29 MHz- Absotively Posolutely
30 Jakki The Motamouth - The Chosen
31 Megalon - One In A Millon
32 The Cenobites - Pull The Trigger & Step
33 KMD - What A Niggy Know
34 Juggaknots - Clear Blue Skies



Props to DJ Jazzywhut! for the upload !