Review: Kiss Klassics have been producing some high-quality promo double singles for a while now, this double headliner of Nelly and Fat Joe being the eighth instalment in their archival series. Side A was the runaway standout from New York rap legend Fat Joe's 2001 titanic-sized album 'Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.)', 'Whats Luv' with the one and only Ashanti. This marked Ashanti's debut year as an artist, the Tina Turner sample hook becoming the soundtrack of the block party and becoming one of the biggest songs of 2002. Side B needs no introduction. "It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes". No matter what you think of Nelly, 'Hot in Herre' continues to have the world in a chokehold over 20 years later.
Review: Given the critical reception rightly afforded to Tahliah Barnett's superb debut album as FKA Twigs, it makes perfect sense for Young Turks to rustle up a swift reissue of FKA Twigs, the four track 12" that announced her to the pop music world last year. This EP was the first instance of Barnett's ethereal vocals weaved in amidst production work from Arca that was at times floating, others crushingly pressurised. Naturally the effects of the music are heightened when combined with Jesse Kanda's mind bending videos ("Water Me" especially) but late comers to the magic of Twigs will be all over this. Do check "Papi Pacify" as Arca is on some "Cry Me A River" era Timbalaand tip.
Review: Calling all locked-groove stickerers, needle twisters, and/or tonearm weight worriers, prepare your ears and needles for a wonderful trove of breakbeat bullion, ripe for the looping and the zealous hunching over. This modern rare groove emulation by Florence, 'Funky Song', lays down a phantasmically funky original breakbeat, fleshed out and swollen unto the most maximal of proportions. Then, don't forget, there's 'Let's Dance', which reworks Jimmy Bo Horne's 'Dance Across The Floor' for a rare and never-edited-before take on the perseverant, provocative hip roller of a track.
Review: This Record Store Day, Fo’ Clips Eclipse’s 1995 G-funk gem 'Just Be Thankful' resurfaces with a limited-edition 7-inch pressing on blue vinyl - the first time that the title cut and 'Can You Feel Me' have been on wax in some 30 years. Originally produced by Compton legend Tweedy Bird Loc, they blend smooth synths, soulful hooks and streetwise lyricism that epitomises the West Coast sound. 'Be Thankful' notably samples William DeVaughn’s 1974 classic to add a nostalgic touch and confirm the tune as a real bit of cult classic hip-hop history that remains influential decades later.
Show Ya How To MC (feat Def Jef & Grandmaster Caz) (3:25)
Let's Be Clear (feat The UMC's) (3:02)
Review: This release delivers a nostalgic nod to classic hip-hop with its two tracks, both reflecting different eras of the genre. Side A, featuring Def Jef and Grandmaster Caz, revives the spirit of 80s park jams with a laid-back yet funky vibe. Fokis's production and DJ Grouch's cuts make this a true ode to old-school hip-hop, brimming with energy and authenticity. On the flip, 'Let's Be Clear' teams up with Staten Island's UMC's for a 90s-inspired posse cut, with Pro.Grade's uptempo production and rapid-fire rhymes delivering a dose of lyrical firepower. A solid release for hip-hop enthusiasts.
Review: A timeless gem from the mid-80s, this ballad is a magical slow jam of its era with a soulful touch that remains irresistible. Produced and written by the legendary duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song features their unparalleled ability to craft heartfelt melodies and lush arrangements. Its delicate piano-driven sound and tender vocal delivery immediately connect, making it an enduring favorite. Initially featured in the movie Krush Groove, the track quickly outshone its cinematic origins, climbing to number four on the r&b charts and breaking into the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. It introduced the group to a wider audience, transcending their early hip-hop and pre-new jack swing roots. Now released on heart-shaped vinyl, this edition feels like a perfect tribute to a song that's all about emotion and connection.
Review: As you will well know if you are reading this, prog house is back and it has been for ages. As always with any revival, there is good stuff and weak stuff. This EP is very much the corner from Forces of Nature, with authentic 90s soundscapes mixing up lush ambient synth designs, dreamy Italo drums and real musical depth. 'Jupiter' is super smooth and seductive as it cruises at high altitude, then 'Tripping' is a downbeat workout and 'The Bomb' takes you to the heavens on gorgeous melodies while the bass plunges low. 'In Your Mind' is perfectly comedown music to close the EP in style.
Review: A longtime home of lush and late night hip hop excellence, Cold Busted now welcomes Stan Forebee to the label for a tidy little limited edition 7". It features four short and superbly sweet tunes of autumnal instruemtals that will have you wanting to snuggle up by a fire and gaze at their delicate melodies and deep cut beats. The vibe is laid-back and melodic as pianos float by over warped synths and pensive groove worm their way deep into your cerebral cortex. Bastiaan van der Vlist is the man being it all and was young when he first placed classical piano before moving on to jazz, and now he brings all that to this new EP.
Review: Frank Ocean's 'Pink + White' was produced by Pharrell Williams and features some uncredited backing vocals from Beyonce. The track details Ocean's memories of his youth and a time when someone close to him died - someone who had taught him lessons that stayed with him - and so naturally the theme of mortality features a lot. The title comes from the sky he saw while driving with this old friend and it's a gorgeously deep and sultry piece of r&b that comes backed with 'Nights' on this limited edition 7".
Review: The Hot Rox label drops more glowing nuggets of hip-hop goodness with a second offering on 7". These are party-starting b-boy breaks with plenty of big samples and lively beats to get the floor rocking. Ronnie Frazzle's 'The Bronx Rocker' is just that with its hi swinging claps, old school raps and al the bells, horns and whistles you'd expect. On the flip is a DJ tool in the form of the main refrain from the Queen classic, 'We Will Rock You.' A useful weapon for your arsenal for sure.
Review: 'Most Wanted Hip-Hop' is exactly what it says on the tin, offering two high-quality versions of hard-to-find and poorly ripped 90s rap tracks from the golden era. Ronnie Frazzle himself is undertaking work of the utmost importance, restoring and maintaining a physical archive of musical greatness - this being the follow-up to the 2022 disc 'The Doom Sessions', featuring a mix of MF DOOM tracks. Side A is Citizen Kane's 1997 track 'Elements of Mind (Black Rain Remix)', which can't be streamed currently so you are forced to either have it in your collection or scour YouTube for a rip. Sampling their 1996 cut 'Black Rain', Erf's production on this is like butter on a slope for the Canadian duo to slide straight down with these effortless flows. Side B cuts a little deeper, a high-quality pressing of Big Squig's 1995 hit 'Keep it Going', a combination of a Tribe Called Quest interpolation and a 1971 organ jazz number by Isaac Hayes.
Review: Two tracks off the legendary 1993 tape-only release 'The Rhyme Wrecka' EP by Manchester hip-hop Group Freakin' Inglish, featuring Red Venom, on vinyl for the first time. This is a raucous Britcore gemstone, and an important window into a style that should be known to many more hip-hop enjoyers than most mainstream vernacular histories have allowed thus far. Seguing through the interweaving, but toothy, flows of Venom, alongside crewmates Eric-T and Yozzer, using the half-American accents informed by the predominance of gangsta rap at the time, this is still a killer record with a distinctly Northern - Salford to be precise - sound. 'Wrecka' is an apt description indeed.
Jerome Oscar & Oscar Worldpeace - "(Why You So) Green With Envy" (4:49)
Franc Moody - "Cristo Redentor" (5:20)
Review: Oscar Jerome, Oscar Worldpeace and Franc Moody have got new music coming on the latest Blue Note Re:imagined compilation this year which is already getting us hella excited. Before we hear what is sure to be a contemporary great, we get treated to a couple of singles from it on this tidy 45 rpm. Jerome Oscar & Oscar Worldpeace go first with '(Why You So) Green With Envy' which fuses jazz styles for across the age with Worldpeace's tight and thoughtful bars. On the flip side is Franc Moody with 'Cristo Redentor' which balances jazz's traditional past with its freshest future.
Review: The seventh in this series of 7" singles is by Bristol and Avon's Kinlaw and Franco Franco and it is a rare mix of sounds with R&B, Italian rap and twisted basslines all defining the tracks. 'Crocs On The Plough' is industrial and experimental in its production - earth-shattering bass, police sirens, and soot-black synths, but background chords bring light as the vocals are delivered with guttural rawness. On the flip, the OSVMVSM version slows things right down to a crawl and the distorted synths and crunchy textures take on even more otherworld character.
Jorge Ivan Martin - "Yo Tambien" (feat Frank Santiuste - Born74 & Fradinho remix) (4:57)
Fradinho - "Iberica Latina" (4:59)
Review: Eclectic Beats Music is building up a fine head of steam and the sixth outing is a tidy 7" featuring two red-hot Latin broken beat cuts. The opener is a collaborative remix from Born74 and Fradinho who do a superb job of flipping Jorge Ivan Martin's original gem 'Yo Tambien Baile La Conga' into something more contemporary with fresh broken beats, plenty of steamy Latin flavours all finished off in electric fashion with Frank Santiuste's trumpet solos. Flip this one over and you will find Fradinho unearth an easier cut and again update with some compelling broken beats and funk as well as a rich bassline and silky synth solos.
Review: QB Legend Blaq Poet of Screwball fame's all new Blaq Dawn album has been produced in its entirety by Furio and features some old school scratching through done by DJ Clif and DJ Tray. This is dark and menacing hip hop with edgy synths and low slung grooves that keep you locked on. The lyrics are storytelling and the beats cinematic with plenty of scene-setting skits in between the main tunes. Cuts like 'Who Want Beef?!' and 'No Questions' are some of the standouts amongst many here.
Review: It was on October 20th in 2009 that then-rising Fresno rapper Fashawn made waves with his debut album, Boy Meets World. The project showcased heartfelt storytelling as well as skilful lyricism and soulful production exclusively handled by Exile. Fashawn's audio biography remains as relatable and fresh today as it was upon release and so to celebrate its 15th anniversary, Dirty Science Records and Coalmine Reissues present a special edition reissue of this timeless LP. Limited to 100 units, the black double album comes with hand-numbered hype stickers while Frank DeMaria redesigned the artwork and layout using original photos by the legendary B+.
Review: This collaboration between Fashawn and Little Vic is a gritty yet sophisticated journey through life's trials and triumphs. Fashawn, hailing from the streets of Fresno, California, brings an unapologetic realism to his verses, detailing his path from struggle to success. Little Vic, with roots in Long Island, New York, provides a sonic backdrop that perfectly complements Fashawn's storytelling, his production seamlessly blending hard-hitting boom bap beats with live instrumentation. Tracks like 'One Eyed King' and 'Victim' showcase the raw energy and lyrical prowess of Fashawn, while 'Autumn In New York' and 'Spaghetti Western' offer moments of introspective beauty and cinematic atmosphere. With its diverse soundscapes and powerful lyricism, this album is a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of music.
Review: The Loneliest Punk was Fatlip's debut solo album and was originally released in 2005. It now returns on vinyl as it has remained a cult classic that captures the Pharcyde MC at his most raw and introspective. Produced by J-Swift of Bizarre Ride II and Squeak E. Clean, the album fuses quirky hip-hop drum patterns with sharp lyricism and features standout collaborations with Chali 2na from Jurassic 5 and the late Shock G aka Humpty Hump. Long out of print, this latest reissue revives a hidden gem of underground hip-hop that deserves as much spotlight as it gets.
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