Don't Fool With The Dips (feat JR Writer, Hell Rell & 40 Cal) (4:06)
Don't Fool With The Dips (Scratch-a-pella) (0:45)
Review: A-Trak! You may have been introduced to him as a World Champion turntablist, an iconic indie record label owner, half of Duck Sauce, a producer, a festival DJ, a remixer, Kanye's Tour DJ, or former Juicero advocate, but you may not know that he had a hip-hop record label in the early to mid 2000's, known as Audio Research Records. During this time, Trizzy hooked up with arguably 2 of the best hip-hop groups to come out of that era, producing records for Little Brother and the mighty Dipset. One of the very few Little Brother records that 9th Wonder didn't produce, 'Step Off' falls right in line with the LB aesthetic. A-Trak got busy with a bouncy joint that ended up on tons of mixtapes, available only on ARR 12" until now. Same story with the B-side; there, A-Trak teamed up with Dipset for 'Don't Fool With The Dips!' featuring 40 Cal, Hell Rell, J.R. Writer. Now re-released in collaboration with Fool's Gold Records on 7" vinyl alongside new, original artwork by RHEK.
Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Band - "What Can You Bring Me?" (2:45)
Review: You just cannot miss with this superb label which is now up to release number 33 in this series. And the latest is a golden-era classic featuring legendary mic men A Tribe Called Quest and top soul boy Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Band. The A-side features the track taken from A Tribe Called Quest's Love Movement album so is packed with their signature beats and bars. On the B-side, you are treated to the funky original sample source from Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Band which delivers a raw, infectious groove. If you love classic hip hop and funk, and why wouldn't you, this is a great pairing.
Review: We're big fans of these educational 7"s that often crop up, with a legendary hip hop jam on one side and the source of some its samples appearing on the flip. This time out we get A Tribe Called Quest's deep cut 'Sucka N***a' - which is taken from their legendary Midnight Marauders album - with its buttery rhymes and funky bass buried deep within. Jack Wilkins's 'Red Clay' on the flip isn't that much of a deviation. Though it's slower and free from the rhymes, it is a brilliantly effective and emotive cut. More like this please.
Heavy D & The Boyz - "Don't Curse" (DNA edit) (4:41)
Review: You have to liov these 45s that elegantly bridge the lineage between the original and the sampled while also highlighting hip-hop and r&b, showcasing the seamless interplay that defined the 90s. On Side-1, 'Back & Forth (DNA Edit)' gets a UK remix treatment from the legendary DNA crew, amplifying the track's smooth groove and youthful energy, silky vocals and laid-back charisma shining even brighter under the remix's refined production.. Side-2 features 'Don't Curse (DNA Edit)', transforming the posse cut into a sharper, more rhythmically dynamic experience as playful, feelgood verses and the crew's lyrical finesse are elevated by the remix's polished beats.
Review: Milkcrate Mondays has got a red hot 7" on its hands here with DJ Abel and DJ Spinobi taking one side each. The former kicks off by, says the label, "taking an Ocean classic for a trip to Miami." His take on 'Lost' is a funk-laced jam that blends r&b vocals with bubbling beats and jazzy keys into something brilliantly seductive. On the flip side, DJ Spinobi lays down some heavyweight Afro drum patterns and raw rap bars on 'Bay Bunny' while 'PRVNZA VIP' is a more blissed-out island sound with reggaeton undertones and angelic Spanish vocals up top. A real summer weapon.
Review: Aesop Rock were a fixture of the New York underground hip-hop scene throughout the early 90s and began writing and honing his rapping delivery, culminating in his first album in 1997. Daylight came out just a few years later in 2001 to critical acclaim, including later being ranked at number 68 on Fact's "100 Best Indie Hip-Hop Records of All Time" list. The title track showcases the talents of the producer, largely recognized as one of the last links of the 90s New York style of the genre. Being respectful of his roots, Aesop Rock samples in some classic parts of other 80s tracks onto his sublime downtempo jazz foundation for a perfect example of the style known as Conscious. Not to be outdone, 'Nickel Plated Pockets' is the perfect B-side to this EP, bringing a harder sound to balance out things. Included are the instrumentals for each of the three tracks to make this DJ friendly.
Review: This release was deftly crafted by Visceral Grooves in collaboration with Dig. Find. Listen. Sample. Chop. Repeat., featuring the duo of LA artists Sankofa and J. Dankworth. Side A is a killer instrumental hip-hop cover of the Billy Brooks' classic 40 Days, while side B is a slow-burning original composition by the band Aesthetic, lifted from the forthcoming album 'Anesthetic'.
Review: Tokyo-based hip-hop producer Southpaw Chop teams up for the first time with rapper A.G. D.I.T.C. for a fatal coup de grace in the vein of chop-up-chintzy and scratch-sampling hip-hop. "The mood is definitely deadly", goes the pre-chorus of this gangsta rap heater, as D.I.T.C. both muses on an gripes after the many changes seen in his local LA ends, Laurel Canyon. Exchanging cryptic wordplays - Canon for firearm, for example - we har lyrical shots fired ("I drop the clues but it's too deep to mention" / "who put you on billboard, who made you a demon, with a career to kill for") against those contemporary rappers who'd buy careers with drug or blood money, while Chop the main man deftly juxtaposes 50s jazz with psycho strings.
Akiko & Masayasu Tzboquchi - "Love Theme From Sparticus" (feat Mbanja Ritchy aka B-Bandj - Clear Day mix) (4:34)
Review: Tom Browne's 1980 single 'Funkin' For Jamaica' has long been something of an anthem - a hybrid funk/boogie classic that remains a staple in sets of hip-hop, disco and soul DJs alike. Given its ubiquity, covering the song is fraught with danger, but remarkably Japanese producer Akiko and guest vocalist Mbanja Richy have successfully put a new spin on it. Their take is subtly tougher and more synth-heavy, with bilingual French/English vocals, nods to Zouk music and a bassline so squelchy it could have been lifted from a P-funk record. Over on the flip, the pair go mellow, deep and laidback on a pleasingly skewed hip-hop soul cover of Terry Callier's legendary vocal interpretation of Alex North's 'Love Theme' from 'Spartacus'. Inspired stuff all told.
Review: The legendary collaboration between Akinyele and Kool G Rap, 'Break a Bitch Neck,' is one of rap's most famous cuts and not for musical reasons. It is a track which showcases a scorching beat and the incredible synergy between these two New York lyricists but is best known for being one of the most unapologetically sexist and outrageous rap songs ever. It's a hard-hitting and deep hip-hop joint with a super cool break and naughty bars. On the flip, you will find a remix but only the brave will play this one in today's socially conscious landscape.
Review: Times may change and life may evolve, but the Allergies will always be unashamed party-starters whose records are both pleasingly heavy and instantly accessible. By now, you shouldn't need further proof og their skills in this department, but if you do, the Bristol combo's latest "45" is a lesson is dancefloor-igniting goodness. 'Lean on You' is a live and funk-fuelled as you'd expect, with distinctive flash-fried funk-rock guitar riffs, bustling, interestingly slung breakbeats and a fine lead vocal from Dynamite MC. Over on the flip, 'Working on Me' is a more bluesy, cut-and-paste funk breaks number that's guaranteed to get feet moving out on the dancefloor.
Review: Jalapeno remains one of the hottest and most spicy labels out there for hip hop lovers, and now it is The Allergies who bring the heat on a new and limited edition 7". They kick this one off with 'Stanky Funk' which features Bootie Brown and brings some old school cool, plenty of retro organ chords and noodling basslines that will tie the dance floor in knots. 'Never Gonna Let Go' then ups the ante with even more raw and hard hitting breaks next to big vocals and driving brass.
Review: Whether or not Almacks is named after the word that was given to several social clubs in London between the 18th and 20th centuries or not we do not know, but people in those clubs might well have enjoyed getting down to the artist's beats. These new five cuts are all unnamed but all perfect blends of funk, soul, deep house and great samples. Those vocal chops lend lots of r&b loveliness and romance to the dusty, low-slung beats, hip-hop-inspired beats and middle grooves. There is also a bit of broken beat and Afro influencer later on. A heartwarming EP.
Review: It's almost 30 years since Queen Latifah's 'U.N.I.T.Y.' as part of her Grammy Award-winning album Black Reign but it still gets the plaudits it always has. Heat Rock Records now revisits it for a sixth entry into their catalogue. Chicago's Altered Tapes is the man stepping up to remix and he serves up a big, hard hitting breakbeat version laden with sax lines and crisp drumming. An instrumental version on the reverse is more designed for the dance floor and is perfect for all the scratching and juggling needs of any hard working turntablist.
Let The Power Flow (Horny remix instrumental) (3:59)
Review: Nothing is off limits for The Altered Tapes crew who are known for cutting, splicing and cross-pollinating anything they can gets their hands on from the worlds of hip-hop and beyond. Every time they drop a new 7" it sells out in quick time, such is the impact of the blistering beast they design. This new one is another potent weapon in the form of a rework of Snap's classic. 'Let The Power Flow' (Horny remix) is driven by dusty breaks and florid trumpet leads, plenty of mean bars and slick funk lines. On the flip is an instrumental that's just as compelling.
Altered Tapes - "T Turns It Up" (Right On Brother remix) (4:11)
Platurn X Marvin - "PP Lays It Cool" (take A Rest mix) (4:03)
Review: Altered Tapes and DJ Platurn have teamed up for the next instalment in the Heat Rock series, taking on one of Marvin Gaye's most iconic soundtracks. It's already staple, but Side A sees Altered Tapes flipping the original into an even more break-heavy version, turning up the intensity with relentless drums and a sharp, percussive edge. The result is something that'll keep people on their toes, bringing an unmistakable punch to Marvin's already rhythm-driven classic. Meanwhile, Platurn's Side B remix stays a bit closer to the original, offering an extended version that's stemmed out for maximum DJ control. It's a more faithful reworking but still comes with extra flavourimore bounce, more groove, and more of the kind of energy you'd wish the original had packed. Perfect for DJs looking to keep the crowd moving, it's the sort of version you can build a set around, each element carefully considered to bring out the best in Marvin's timeless sound. Whether you're after a break-heavy flip or a DJ-friendly rework, this release has you covered.
Altered Tapes Vs King Most - "I Wanna Vivrant Thing" (The Maestro remix)
ATCQ - "Scenario" (Boombaptist dubplate)
Review: Chicago's Altered Tapes alter two brand new ones for their latest 7", making up for a short AWOL period with two mashups of the utmost rawness and class. First, on the A-side, comes a slick homage to ATCQ's brightest star Q-Tip, who nonetheless, shockingly, only ever scored one hit single in his lifetime, 'Vivrant Thing'. We are reminded of this once again, if only for the fact that it shouldn't have been the case, through Altered Tapes and King Most's raw but relaxed new version. The B-side marks an unusually roomy and reverberative rework of the Tribe's 'Scenario' by their fellow editor Boombaptist, bringing dub effects-laden heat to an already wild tune.
Review: Analog Mutants-aka MC Phill Most Chill and DJ and producer Snafu with DJ Grazzhopper-return with Tittyshaker, a fun and fantastic follow-up to last year's Confidence 45. Embracing a playful vibe as you can tell from the title, they craft a lively, 80s-inspired beat reminiscent of when hip-hop playfully sampled kids' TV tunes. The track has a Sesame Street-like charm, making Phill's cheeky call for the ladies to "shake their titties" feel more like lighthearted fun than problematic. In today's world of Megan Thee Stallion and Ice Spice pushing boundaries, Tittyshaker taps into that same bold energy. The release also features an alternate version on the flip side.
Review: This is a limited edition pink vinyl aversion of a new one from Analog Mutants aka MC Phill Most Chill, DJ and producer Snafu, and DJ Grazzhopper. Tittyshaker is a lively follow-up to last year's Confidence 45. True to its playful title, the track delivers an 80s-inspired beat reminiscent of hip-hop's fun side, when sampling kids' TV tunes was common. With a Sesame Street-like charm, Phill's cheeky request to "shake their titties" comes off as lighthearted rather than problematic. In a musical landscape shaped by boundary-pushing artists like Megan Thee Stallion and Ice Spice, Tittyshaker channels that same bold energy.
Review: In a meeting between generations of broken beat titans, Andrew Ashong and Kaidi Thatham's Sankofa Season rightly earned classic status soon after its release in 2020, and now we're being taken back into the heart of these tracks with a heavyweight remix package from some serious talent. Mala's imperious dubstep touch brings some low-end pressure to 'Low Ceilings' or Shy One chopping up 'Learning Lessons' in her peerless deft style, there's a lot of ground covered by this considered gathering of minds. Special mention goes to Equiknoxx's Gavsborg and Shanique Marie, bringing a sweetly soulful touch to 'To Your Heart'.
Review: Hardcore funk and breaks lovers rejoice - the latest Heat Rock is a real winner. This 7th and final entry into the first series has a pair of world music-influenced bangers on it. The first tune is produced by Bounce Castle from Chicago and is primed for the dance floor with its Bollywood-flavoured vibes and big beats. It's a fresh take on a big tune from QB's Finest. And if you reverse it, fellow Chicagoan Altered Tapes mixes up a Cumbia slash dancehall slash breakbeat version of an iconic song from legendary Wu Tang album 36 Chambers.
Review: The CQQL label has always come at house music from a different perspective than most, and that's certainly true once more on this latest drop, not least because it comes on 7", which is not so often associated with this genre. It is K Wash who steps up here with guest AMIRSAYSNOTHING for a low slung, swaggering cut with bold analogue drums and plenty of hip hop attitude. The mumble rap bars add another layer while snaking leads bring some West Coast cool. After that opener comes 'Protect My Neck' which ups the tempo but keeps the production raw, stripped back and suggestive, with more intimate vocals and ticking hi-hats keeping time.
Review: Prolific Philly rap eccentric Lynx 196.9 teams up for a first-time collaboration with the un-knock-downable legend Kool Keith for an incendiary new mini-album, 'Bandoleros', a concept piece intended as a modern spaghetti Western soundtrack. The rat-helmeted wordsmith and the surrealist vigilante prove an unsurprisingly wicked combo, as both emcees glide suavely over boom-bap centrepieces sampled from various spaghetti film sources, while detailing the blueprints of their various forthcoming jailbreaks.
Review: Few labels are better at saving up big cut-and-paste tunes from the world of hip-hop, r&b, funk and breaks than Heat Rock. Here they come again with more of the goodness, firstly with Nick Nack. His 'And Ya Say' roll deep, with smooth bars flowing freely over the leggy drums. On the reverse, Chicago's Altered Tapes crew offer up their own unique take of hip hop classic 'Still Running' in the form of a shuffling Bossa B-boy flip which has Latin percussion and ass-wigging drums. Both of these are floor-friendly cuts that pack in plenty of heritage.
Review: Connie Price & The Keystones team up with one of New York's finest, Apani B. Fly MC (collabs w/ Black Star, MF Doom, DJ Spinna) & Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. (The Wild Magnolias). 'Uptown Rulers' is the perfect blend of Mardi Gras Indian funk from New Orleans and the flows and cadence from Hollis, Queens. Apani B. gives you a lesson in the blood, sweat, and tears that go into the masking culture, while Bo Dollis Jr. carries on his father's legacy with chants to the ancestors. For the B-side, Professor Shorthair leans further into the origins of hip-hop with a boom-bap backbone and scratches that give a nod to the OG Big Chief, Bo Dollis. Extended intro and outro for all you DJs out there!
Review: The Boom Bap Classics 7"s series was launched in 2022 and sticks to a sturdy format, always billing two double-A-listers of rap stardom from the 90s on reissued vinyl. The choices are always lesser-trodden, and buck expectational trends; even longtime hip-hop heads are unlikely to have heard of Akinyele and Sadat X, solo progeny of the Rochelle rap collective, Brand Nubian. On 'Loud Hangover', rough gangsta rap hewings prove assimilable with boom bap's tendency to show its sensitive side, with an icy yet mournful string hung and suspended a "y'knowwhati'msayin'?" laden farrago. 'Stages And Lights' leans further into emotive dynamism, with Derrick Murphy waxing real on public housing shortages, church pieties and Black culture.
Review: German label Oonops Drops is ever more essential if you ask us and tidy 7"s like this prove why (as does their mission to focus is on "sustainability, climate protection and socio-cultural values".) 'Bird's Lament' is a top tier tune from Slick Walk x Sneaky with live drum breaks and serene strings making for a reflective late night vibe. On the flip of this limited edition and clear slice of wax is Avantgarde Vak with the sweet hip hop sounds of 'Keep Ya Eyes Up' then Toshiyuki Sasaki with his sublime 'Toshi's Bonus Breaks.'
Review: What true head doesn't know 'Flowers'? Produced infamously by Sunship (Ceri Evans), this keystone lintel of the 90s UK garage door frames Leanne Brown's vocal - originally recorded as part of a much slower r&b demo - against a rolling, skippy beat that's all bounce and shimmer. Lyrically, it's a lovesick anthem, filled with longing and the ache of distance, but the groove keeps it light on its feet, providing a crossover appeal with a perma-adhesive sticking power. Though Sweet Female Attitude didn't follow it with another major hit, 'Flowers' has never faded. Tend to your garden, and your blooms won't wilt.
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