Mellow T - Pressure - 1995

12" - 1995 - Rugged Route Records 

Here is a 12" still in my wantlist... I think there is no chance to find it in a record store and it seems this record hasn't been for sale online for a long time...

To do a quick recap, Anthony Brownlee a.k.a Mellow T from Hartford Connecticut was signed by Columbia and released his first single "Keep It Real" produced by Greg Nice (from Nice & Smooth) in 1993. 

Mellow-T was discovered by Raymond Pouncey, the executive producer, in a talent show that he held. Mellow T was in an original group that he put together named The Little Rapscals.

This single "Keep It Real" was supposed to be part of Mellow-T's album entitled "The Best Kept Secret" produced by Greg Nice, Phat Kat and Tony Dofat, but unfortunately it was shelved...

The connection with Phat Kat happened with the help of Greg Nice and the connection with Tony Dofat happened with the help of Faith Newman who signed Nas at the same time and introduced Raymond Pouncey to Tony. 

In 1995, Mellow T was back with a brand new single titled "Pressure" which came out on Rugged Route Records. The 3 tracks of the wax were produced by Greg Jenkins a.k.a DJ Bizzy G and Boo Bass Bottom. I've never listened to the other tracks but I have to admit that "Pressure" is dope ... check the video !!!

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Darc Mind - What Ever Happened To The Art - 2019

LP - 2019 - Dope Folks Records 

"We are excited to announce our Pre-Order for our 98th release, Darc Mind "What Ever Happened To The Art" LP!!!!  Queens, New York's Darc Mind consists of MC Kevroc, and producer X-Ray.  Originally signed to Loud records in 1995, Darc Mind released the "Visions of Blur" track for the "Soul in the Hole" Soundtrack, and a promo only 12" for "Outside Looking In." They were set to release their debut LP in 1997 when the entire project was shelved.  Dope Folks has released several tracks from the Darc Mind/X-Ray vaults including 2011's Legion of D.U.M.E. EP, and the two Darc Mind "Antediluvian" EPs (There are less than 50 copies of Antedulivian vol.2 in stock), and now in 2019 we are proud to release their brand new full length LP "What Ever Happened To The Art?"  " - Dope Folks Records 

   

350 vinyl copies only (50 Colored, 300 standard black)

Pre-Orders  

Single Review : CNN - Illegal Life / Stick You - 1996

12" - 1996 - Penalty Recordings 

From Elements - Issue #7 - July / August 1996 

D.I.T.C. - Day One / Day One Remix 7" - 2020

7" - 2019 - D.I.T.C Studios 

"Day One is the debut track from DITC. Originally released in 1997 and produced by Diamond D, the track features verses by Diamond D, Big L, A.G, Lord Finesse and O.C. Originally taken from Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s “Tell Me”, the track looped Oliver Sain, “On The Hill” The remix by Showbiz was never released as a single and for the first time is available." - D.I.T.C

Pre-Orders : HHV / Fat Beats 
Release Date : January 31st 2020

DJ Davito feat Sadat X, Rustee Juxx, Nems & DJ JS-1 - Triflin' Love 2012

Mixtape : Pete Rock & CL Smooth 'The Main Ingredient' 25th Anniversary Mixtape

"This month marks the 25th anniversary of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's second (and final) full-length LP, 'The Main Ingredient.' Following in the footsteps of 1992's 'Mecca and the Soul Brother,' the album comprises tracks built from densely layered samples, frequently previously unsampled jazz fusion cuts mixed with crisp drums and short vocal snippets plundered from well-known '80s/'90s hip-hop tracks. Use of a number of go-to tracks defines the sound of the album and the presence of vocal samples from Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane in particular is a key ingredient in the album's sonic palette. In celebration of the album's 25th year, we've partnered once again with WhoSampled to present this mixtape of album tracks, alt versions, interview snippets, and of course original sample material, mixed by Chris Read." - Wax Poetics 

1. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – I Got A Love (Remix)
2. Chris Read – Theme #3 (Scratchapella)

3. Ramsey Lewis – Sun Goddess (sampled in Escape)

4. Pete Rock & CL Smooth Interview Extract
5. James Brown – Escape-Ism [Loop] (samped in Escape)
6. Brethren – Outside Love [Loop] (sampled in Escape)
7. Biz Markie – Take It From The Top [Extract] (sampled in Escape)

8. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Escape

9. George Benson – Face It Boy, It’s Over (sampled in In The Flesh)

10. EPMD – You’re a Customer [Loop] (sampled in In The Flesh)

11. Steve Miller Band – Fly Like An Eagle (sampled in In The Flesh)

12. Big Daddy Kane feat Biz Markie – Just Rhymin’ With Biz [Extract] (sampled in In The Flesh)

13. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – In The Flesh

14. Ahmad Jamal – The Awakening (sampled in It’s On You)

15. Brethren Outside Love [Loop] (sampled in It’s On You)

16. Tom Scott – Never My Love [Extract] (sampled in It’s On You)

17. EPMD – Strictly Business [Extract] (sampled in It’s On You)

18. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – It’s On You

19. Jeanne & The Darlings – Soul Girl (sampled in Get On The Mic)

20. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Get On The Mic

21. Big Daddy Kane feat Biz Markie – Just Rhymin’ With Biz [Extract] (sampled in Get On The Mic)

22. Little Feat – Fool Yourself [Loop] (sampled in All the Places)

23. Donald Byrd – Spaces and Places (sampled in All the Places)

24. Biz Markie – Vapors [Extract] (sampled in All the Places)

25. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – All the Places
26. Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Searching (sampled in Searching)

27. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Searching

28. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Searching (Remix)

29. Jonny Pate – The Look of Love (sampled in Searching (Remix))

30. George Benson – Face It Boy, It’s Over (sampled in I Get Physical)

31. Big Daddy Kane feat Biz Markie – Just Rhymin’ With Biz (sampled in I Get Physical)

32. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – I Get Physical
33. Tyrone Washington – Submission (sampled in The Main Ingredient)

34. KRS One – Sound of Da Police (sampled in The Main Ingredient)

35. Albino Gorilla – Psychedlic Shack (sampled in The Main Ingredient)

36. Big Daddy Kane feat Biz Markie – Just Rhymin’ With Biz [Extract] (sampled in The Main Ingredient)
37. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – The Main Ingredient
38. Milt Jackson & The Ray Brown Big Band – Enchanted Lady (sampled in Carmel City)
39. Hugo Montenegro – Dizzy [Extract] (sampled in Carmel City)
40. Detroit Emeralds – You’re Getting A Little Too Smart [Loop] (sampled in Carmel City)
41. Spoonie Gee – Spoonin’ Rap [Extract] (sampled in Carmel City)
42. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Carmel City

43. Bob James – Nautilus [Loop] (sampled in Sun Won’t Come Out)

44. Harvey Scales – Sun Won’t Come Out (sampled in Sun Won’t Come Out)

45. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Sun Won’t Come Out

46. Stan Getz – Keep Dreamin’ (sampled in Tell Me)

47. Run DMC – Beats to the Rhyme [Extract] (sampled in Tell Me)

48. Pete Rock & CL Smoooth – Tell Me

49. Detroit Emeralds – You’re Getting A Little Too Smart [Loop] (sampled in Tell Me)

50. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Worldwide

51. The Cannonball Adderley Quintet – Capricorn (sampled in In The House)

52. A Tribe Called Quest – Verses from the Abstract [Loop] (sampled in In The House)

53. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – In The House

54. Keni Burke – Risin to the Top (sampled in Take You There)

55. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Take You There

56. Young Holt Unlimited – Bumpin On Young Street (sampled in Check it Out)

57. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Check It Out

Beat Factory Rap Essentials Volume 1 - 1996

2xLP - 1996 - Beat Factory Music Inc.  

From Elements Magazine - Issue #8 - Winter 1996 - Scan courtesy of UBC

Daniel Son and Futurewave - Moonshine Mix 2 - 2019

LP - 2019 - Wavgodmusic  

01. Intro

02. Low Tide

03. Cheap Scopes feat. Flee Lord

04. Don’t Spill feat. Rome Streetz

05. Kimura Combo

06. Real Quick feat. Asun Eastwood

07. Pray 4 Me

08. Kip Raines

09. Fine Eating

10. Use 2 feat. Family Gang Black

11. Cobra Venom feat. Estee Nack

12. Sardines
13. It’s Facts

Pre-Orders : Vinyl / CD 
Shipping Date : Around February 2020

Kane And Able ! - Big Daddy Kane

From Hip-Hop Connection - August 1993

Les Bonmots - Les Bonmots LP - 2019

LP - 2019 - Am Apparat

This one is for my German peeps... Les Bonmots is a group from Bremen (Germany) which consists of Hast, Pest & Yustus. They recently dropped their self-titled EP on the independent record label named Am Apparat. To be honest I don't speak German, but between the flows of the MCs and the quality of the productions, I have a good feeling about the full LP. 

I wish most of the current groups from the young generation could sound like this !!

Check the videos : "Kalamari" & "Skizzen Im Kopf"

Pre-Orders  
Release Date : December 7th 2019

Video : Ketch P - Top 10's & Buff's - 2019

Detroit-based emcee Ketch P is back after a 6 years hiatus with a brand new video of his last single titled "Top 10's & Buff's", produced by Foul Mouth and from his last project "Gift Certificate". Shot by Swigz Sinatra & Effects by Envysion Ent.

A.D.O.R. - THE CONCRETE (25th Anniversary Edition) - 2019

2xLP - 2019 - HHE  

"A.D.O.R. first came onto the scene in 1992 with "Let It All Hang Out" produced by his old friend and fellow Money Earnin Mount Vernon resident Pete Rock, who by 1992 was already an acclaimed producer and cited as one of the best in the biz. It was an instant classic and a hit in the summer of 1992, was driven by Pete Rock's irresistible horn loop and the tight flow of A.D.O.R.'s rhymes.

A.D.O.R. toured with major acts and made television appearances building on the buzz created by "Let It All Hang Out". In 1994 he followed up with a second single, "One for the Trouble", produced by K-Def and the legendary Queensbridge producer Marley Marl. "One for the Trouble" signaled that plans were underway for a debut album on Atlantic titled The Concrete. Despite his successful run at the major label, A.D.O.R. was let go from his contract with Atlantic in 1995 without The Concrete being released, reportedly because of disputes over creative decisions, even though promotional items were released and the catalogue number 82443 was assigned to the release.

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Concrete, the album will be released on double vinyl with 3 bonus tracks and it will be released as a trifold edition!" - HHE 

A1 - Penetration (Interlude) 

A2 - One For The Trouble 

A3 - Life Flow 

A4 - Ill At Will 

A5 - Day 2 Day

B1 - Off The Top (Interlude) 

B2 - Let It All Hang Out 

B3 - The Voice (Interlude) 

B4 - Keep It Real 

B5 - From The Concrete

C1 - The Kid Is Crazy 

C2 - Here Comes Da Wreck 

C3 - Heart And Soul 

C4 - Day 2 Day (Diamond D's Mecca Mix) 

C5 - The Last Word (Interlude)

D1 - One for the Treble (Sam Sever Mix) (Bonus Track) 

D2 - Let It All Hang Out (Pete Rock Mix) (Bonus Track) 

D3 - See the Light (Bonus Track)

HHE teamed up with vinyldigital.de and they will have an exclusive run of 100 copies on Blue/Red/White coloured Splatter vinyl. HHE will have a run of 100 copies on Blue/Red/White coloured Striped Vinyl available and black copies will be limited to 300 pieces total.

Pre-Order : 2xLP / CD 

Release Date : December 30th 2019

Natural Elements - 1999: 20 Year Anniversary - 2019

LP - 2019 - HHE 

"Natural Elements acquired a record deal with Tommy Boy Records in 1998, the same year they released their first single "2 Tons/Live It Up" under their indie division called Tommy Boy Black Label. The situation would soon turn out not to be ideal as Tommy Boy continually shelved their debut album due to not knowing how to market and promote them. Issues between the group and label would soon lead to Natural Elements leaving Tommy Boy. The debut album was ultimately never released in spite of the hype it accumulated. In an interview, Mr. Voodoo stated "The Tommy Boy situation was hectic. We was supposed to have an album out in 1999. First, halfway through the album our A&R was fired. We still were still on and finished the album but they kept sitting on it. We were like let us go but give us our masters. So we got 'em. A whole fuckin album that no one may ever hear." The group eventually took a small hiatus and disbanded due to personal issues.

Kings Link Recordz released a compilation of tracks from those sessions in 2009 on CD only but this time around HHE will commemorate the legacy of Natural Elements by dropping it both on vinyl and CD. All the tracks have been fully mastered for both vinyl and CD as always and the artwork has been redone in the colours of the NY Knicks to represent their hometown to the fullest. The tracklist has been mildly redone, with a shuffled tracklist and the classic previously unreleased "Life Ain't Fair" track was added to the tracklist instead of "MTV".

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the album, it will be released on double vinyl as a gatefold edition!" - HHE 

HHE teamed up with HHV.de and they will have an exclusive run of 100 copies on 3 Striped colour vinyl. HHE will have a run of 100 copies on Blue/White/Orange coloured Splatter Vinyl and black copies will be limited to 300 pieces total.

The CD headz won't be left in the cold and there will be a press of 500 copies total as well.

Pre-Order : 2xLP / CD

Take It Personal (Ep #55 : Speak Ya Clout) with DJ Premier

"I can tell you all the reasons why you should listen to our DJ Premier interview, but we're talking DJ Premier! When the G.O.A.T. talks, you just listen.

DJ Premier goes in-depth about the new album. We talk plenty about Guru, their relationship, the misunderstandings and the family bond. We collabos with Nas, Pete Rock, De La Soul, Q-Tip, Bun B, K-Rino. We discuss the artists featured on One of The Best Yet, as well as those who weren’t on the album but felt they should be. There was nothing off-limits and DJ Premier opened about Solar like we've never heard before. Of course, we had to have a little fun, so, we made Preem choose his best work outta Livin' Proof, The Sun Rises In The East or Hard To Earn.

Episode 55 also features plenty of '19 music with Gang Starr, Benny The Butcher, Murs, Pharoahe Monch, Brother Ali, Little Brother, Diamond D, DJ Shadow, Apollo Brown, Meyhem Lauren, Westside Gunn, Rapsody, Freddie Gibbs, Him Lo, Skyzoo & Pete Rock, Black Moon, Big Shug, Ghostface Killah, Supastition, Darc Mind, Your Old Droog, Elcamino, Apathy, Ras Kass and much more." - Take It Personal Radio  

1. Apathy - Still Gutter

2. Meyhem Lauren - Return of Dat Hard Shit
3. Conway - Tito's Back feat. Benny & Westside Gunn
4. Westside Gunn - Kool G feat. Conway & Benny

5. Benny The Butcher - Crowns for Kings feat. Black Thought

6. DJ Premier - Headlines feat. Conway, Westside Gunn & Benny

7. Big Shug - Still Big

8. Gang Starr - Lights Out feat. M.O.P.

9. Him Lo -Wu Lo

10. Rapsody - Ibtihaj feat. D'Angelo & GZA

11. Murs & 9th Wonder - Super Cojo Bros feat. GC & Cojo

12. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Education feat. Mos Def & Black Thought

13. Th1rst3en (Pharoahe Monch) - Palindrome

14. Apollo Brown - God Help Me feat. Black Milk, Ketchphraze & DJ Los

15. Kanye West - Follow God

16. Pusha T - Coming Home feat. Lauryn Hill

17. Diamond D - Survive or Die feat. Fat Joe, Fred The Godson & Raekwon

18. Gang Starr - Bad Name

19. Gang Starr - Take Flight (Militia Pt. 4) feat. Big Shug & Freddie Foxxx

20. Masta Ace & Marco Polo - E.A.T. feat. Evidence

21. Skyzoo & Pete Rock - Eastern Conference All-Stars feat. Westside Gunn, Conway, Benny & Elzhi

22. Gang Starr - Hit Man feat. Q-Tip

23. Brother Ali - De La Kufi feat. Talib Kweli

24. Diamond D - The Three Kings feat. Erick Sermon & Havoc

25. Black Moon - Black Moon Rise

26. Ghostface Killah - Me, Denny & Darryl feat. Method & Cappadonna

27. Griselda (Westside Gunn, Conway & Benny) - Dr. Bird's

28. 38 Spesh - Never Seen A Man Cry feat. Benny & Conway

29. Little Brother - Sittin Alone

30. Ras Kass - The Long Way feat. Everlast

31. Clever 1 - Unlicensed To Carry

32. Smoke DZA & Benny - Drug Rap

33. Elcamino & Bozack Morris - No Smoke feat. Benny

34. 38 Spesh & Big Ghost Ltd - Purple Lotus

35. Gang Starr - From A Distance feat. Jeru The Damaja

36. Apollo Brown - Can't Lose feat. Phat Kat, Royce Da 5'9 & DJ Los

37. LEX & G.S. Advance - Sweep The Leg

38. Your Old Droog - World's About To End

39. Brother Ali - Red feat. Evidence

40. Brother Ali - Situated feat. Pharoahe Monch

41. Darc Mind - Don't Stop

42. Supastition - Someday Soon feat. Blueprint

43. Murs & 9th Wonder - Tony Robbins Pocketbook

44. Westside Gunn - Gunnlib

45. Westside Gunn - Thousand Shot Mac feat. Meyhem Lauren, Hologram & Conway

46. Stu Bangas - Carbon Fiber feat. Apathy

47. Smoke DZA & Benny - Smoked And Butchered feat. Styles P

48. O.C. & Lil' Fame - Jugganots

49. DJ Shadow - Drone Warfare feat. Nas & Pharoahe Monch

L The Head Toucha - Too Complex / It's Your Life 7" - 2019

7" - 2019 - Red Line Music Distribution Inc  

"In 1997 "Wor Town" Massachusetts native L The Head Toucha blessed the mic on his first solo independent Hip Hop classic: "Too Complex" & "It's Your Life" Double A Sided 12" Single, produced by The Vinyl Reanimators (DJ Shame, Sean C & Joe Mansfield).  This release was featured in the Sure Shot Singles section of The Source Magazine's April 1997 issue. A monumental achievement for an indie Hip Hop artist! "Too Complex" was also featured on the DJ PREMIER album "Haze Presents: New York Reality Check Hip Hop 101" (Payday Records).  Now available for the first time ever on 7" Transparent Red colored Vinyl exclusively distributed by Red Line Music Distribution, Inc. Quantities are extremely limited so please reserve your copy today!" - Red Line Music Distribution Inc

From The Source - April 1997 - Scan courtesy of Frederic Thecle 

An original '97 L The Head Toucha Hype sticker for the first 100 Pre-Orders !!

Pre-Order 

 Shipping Date :  Around February 7, 2020 

Nit Wits - Then There's Nada - 1995

From Elements - Issue #2, July 1995 - Scans courtesy of UBC 

Mad Props to Kemo for the track !!  Peace 

Mix : S4BZ Presents Trials & Tribulations - 2019

Serch4beatz is back with a brand new indie Hip-Hop selections titled "trials & tribulations", dedicated to all the people going through hard times, be it mental, spiritual or physical. The tracklist features artists like Plado, Citizen Kane, Bad Influence, Dirty Treats, The Nonce and more ... not enough time to do the tracklist fellas sorry ... Enjoy ! 

Interview : Group Home in Elements Magazine - 1995

From Elements - Issue #4 - Nov/Dec 1995