Mariah & The Machine - "All I Want For Xmas Is A Dog"
Run Winston - "Wonderful Christmas In Hollis"
Review: Get ready for the ultimate holiday mash-up here as this fun 7" brings together two festive anthems that will light up your turntables, and the party. First, Mariah and her Machine deliver a cheeky twist on 'All I Want for Christmas is a Dog' by reminding us that owning a canine is a lifelong commitment. On the flip side, Winston puts a fresh spin on Run-D.M.C.'s 'Christmas in Hollis' by giving it a vibrant Queens New York makeover. With ill reindeers and Jam Master Sleigh, this record is sure to deck the halls and add some serious holiday cheer to your collection.
Love Is The Message (feat Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King & Snoop Dogg) (5:04)
Review: Hip-hop icon Rakim is son to return with a new album G.O.D.'S NETWORK (REB7RTH), but before that come some teaser singles and this one of them. 'Be Ill' perfectly sets the tone with Rakim's raw rhymes and head-nodding production complemented by standout features from Kurupt and Masta Killa. On 'Love Is The Message', the American great slows it down with soulful vibes and enlists the late Nipsey Hussle plus Planet Asia, Snoop Dogg and more for a heartfelt anthem. This single and the ensuing LP celebrates Rakim's enduring hunger as an emcee and producer and proves that many years after he made his mark, he still has the skills to pay the bills.
Top Of The World (feat Barrington Levy & K-oS - FNJ 7" edit) (5:00)
Gunfinga (feat Kardinal Offishall) (5:01)
Review: FlipNJay Records is in a fine run of form right now and here it keeps that going with the first-ever 7" vinyl release of the Rascalz's timeless anthem 'Top of the World' featuring Barrington Levy and K-os. This Canadian hip-hop classic from the late '90s is paired with 'Gunfinga' featuring Kardinal Offishall on the B-side. Both tracks, produced by DJ Kemo, highlight the golden era of Canadian hip-hop and come housed in original artwork by Dedos that reflects the vibrant spirit of the time. This tune takes you to the heart of Rascalz, Kardinal, K-os and '90s Vancouver and Toronto hip-hop.
Review: Flip N Jay is back here with new beats from Redlife which arrive on 7" vinyl for the first time. Emerging from Toronto's thriving underground, Redlife delivers streetwise lyrics that draw on the raw essence of the city's various neighbourhoods. Their hard-hitting sound and authentic storytelling have earned them a strong reputation within Toronto's hip-hop scene and here they collaborate with local legends including Saukrates on the iconic 'Yagga Yaw Yaw'. A must-have for hip-hop enthusiasts, this release cemented Redlife's status as one of T-Dot's finest and this 45 preserves the spirit of Toronto's streets and Redlife's undeniable legacy.
Review: Rose Noir's debut Beat Tape 01 was first released on Daddy Kev's Alpha Pup label and soon made waves in the LA beat scene. Known for championing groundbreaking artists like Flying Lotus and Ras G, Alpha Pup set the stage for Rose Noir's unique sound. Now you can cop a piece of this legacy with a limited-edition 7" featuring standout tracks from Beat Tape 01. There is noodle jazz-funk on 'Cowboy', low-slung backpacker beats on 'Differentak', stoned synth swirls and glitchy grooves on 'High' and lovely loose, broken beat tumbles on 'Bambino'.
Review: In 1999, Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon followed up his legendary solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, with Immobilarity. It soon made an impact and reached the Top Ten on the US album charts. Within a month, it was certified gold by the RIAA and helped to cement Raekwon's status as a prominent figure in hip-hop. The album showcased his unique storytelling and vivid lyricism by blending street narratives with slick production. While it received mixed reviews compared to his debut, Immobilarity remains an essential chapter in Raekwon's career. For this year's RSD Black Friday and in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of this landmark recording, it comes pressed as a double LP on a never-to-be-repeated 'galaxy effect' vinyl pressing.
Now Is The Time (feat BG, Hus Kingpin & Compton Menace)
Love Is The Message (feat Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King & Snoop Dogg)
God's Playground (feat 38 Spesh, Fred The Godson & Skyzoo)
Pendulum Swing (feat KXNG Crooked, La The Darkman, Canibus & Chino XL)
International (feat Kool G Rap, Tristate & Joell Ortiz)
Sign Of Se7en (feat Prodigy (Of Mobb Deep), Method Man, X-Raided & Big Twins)
Review: Rakim's latest release finds him embracing his legacy with renewed energy, bringing together a host of hip-hop veterans for a collection that bridges old-school sensibilities with timely reflections. The project feels like a communal endeavor, spotlighting the strengths of seasoned emcees like Kurupt and Masta Killa. Their contributions, especially on tracks like 'Be Ill', resonate with a collaborative energy that reminds listeners of Rakim's deep-rooted influence. Though Rakim takes on the role of producer for the first time, his choices show an appreciation for the genre's classic sounds. The lineup, featuring artists like Planet Asia and B.G., offers stylistic contrasts that highlight Rakim's ear for talent and respect for regional voices. Highlights include the introspective 'Now Is the Time' and 'Love Is the Message', which are rich with lyrical insight and raw delivery. Despite his relatively sparse rapping here, Rakim's presence is felt throughout. His influence in curating this network of artists and his production underscore the powerful role he continues to play as an architect of hip-hop, ensuring that, while his sound evolves, it never strays far from his roots.
Hold My Hand Up (feat David Harrow - Tight Chest EP) (4:59)
ModSnap (feat David Harrow) (4:19)
Lucky Strike (feat David Harrow) (4:28)
Tight Chest (feat David Harrow) (4:55)
Review: Red Snapper return with Barb And Feather, celebrating 30 years since their debut album. Liquidising the band's signature jazz, funk, and electronic grooves into a prostrate puree of vivid, electronically augmentable sound, we once again hear Rich Thair, Ali Friend, Tom Challenger and new addition Tara Cunningham perform a brilliant post-punk-dub-disco dramaturge, mullioned at the midpoint by a cracking instrumental redo of David Bowie's 'Sound And Vision', upheld by a true Balearic trestle. The second half, on the other hand, hears a four-track collaboration with the legendary David Harrow, pushing Red Snapper ever further towards unsnapped chunks of dietetic punk-disco delight.
Review: Some 30 years have now passed since Warp Records decided to repackage and reissue Red Snapper's first three EPs on one handy collection, the efflortlessly excellent Reeled & Skinned. Effectively the duo's introduction to a wider audience, it did a great job in showcasing their trademark sound - an enticing blend of loose-limbed live drums, double bass, intoxicating electronics and snaking sax sounds. As this anniversary vinyl reissue proves, it's a musical blend that still sounds fresh all these years on. The plentiful highlights include moody theme 'Snapper' (featuring Beth Orton), lightly Latin-tinged punk-funk workout 'Swank', the riotous and aggressive 'Wesley Don't Surf' and Sabres of Paradise's incredible rework of 'Hot Flush' - a jazzy, breakbeat-driven slab of dancefloor deepness that ranks among Andrew Weatherall and company's finest remixes.
Review: Nearly three decades of intertwined history have led Brooklyn rappers Rock and Ruste Juxx to their first full-length collaboration. Crownsville is a raw amd reflective rap with hints of record born of loss and legacy. With roots in the Boot Camp Clik and close ties to the late Sean Price, the pair channel their Brownsville and Crown Heights origins into a gritty, 33-minute showcase. Opener 'Crownsville' begins things on an icy, creeping and stark note, as we cruise the backstreets of the frosty city so named. 'Black Out', meanwhile, leans into soul-tinged pride. Vinny Idol's production on 'Vehicular Manslaughter' and the grimy 'Crash Ya Whip' raises the stakes early, shortly before a spectral boom-bap tribute, 'Sean Lives On', follows a touching skit from Bernadette Price.
Review: Raising Hell originally came in 1986 and became a groundbreaking album that built on the success of King of Rock and went on to sell over three million copies worldwide. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album raised the standard for hip hop as it was packed with hard-hitting hooks, inventive samples, scratches and of course many catchy choruses. Tracks like 'Peter Piper'# with its Bob James sample, 'It's Tricky' which made use of The Knack's 'My Sharona' and 'My Adidas' became and remain classics. However, the 'Walk This Way' bridged hip hop and rock in all new ways and consigned Aerosmith's original version almost to irrelevance.
Close Your Eyes (& Count To Fuck) (feat Zack De La Rocha)
All My Life
Lie, Cheat, Steal
Early (feat Boots)
All Due Respect (feat Travis Barker)
Love Again (Akinyele Back)
Crown (feat Diane Coffee) (3:40)
Angel Duster (4:56)
Blockbuster Night (part 2 - feat Despot & Wiki - bonus track) (2:38)
Review: Run The Jewels 2 - 10th Anniversary Limited Edition arrives as a heavyweight celebration of an album that shook up hip-hop and still resonates today. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl, it's an essential collector's piece for those who understand the uncompromising energy and sharp lyricism that defined its impact. With premium packaging and exclusive details, this edition honours the legacy of Killer Mike and El-P's masterwork, delivering a high-quality experience that's all about paying homage to one of the genre's true modern classics.
Review: RZA has always been an interesting character who has dabbled in many different projects alongside his legendary presence as part of the Wu-Tang Crew. For this new album, he makes his first foray into the world of classical music and fans have already dubbed it a masterpiece. It's an emotional rollercoaster with turbulent moods, beautiful finales, and plenty in between, all of which have been designed as a way of attempting to get people into classical music who might previously have ignored the genre. It will surely work wonders on that front.
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