TURNTABLE LAB

Hot Toddy
I Need Love (Morgan Geist Remix) 12"

deep cosmic disco, Morgan Geist on remix

Hot Toddy's standout track from the recent Cosmic Balearic Beats Vol. 2 gets the proper 12" treatment on Eskimo. Hot Toddy is actually Chris Todd of Crazy P and his slow burning disco heater "I Need Love(1)" melts speakers and minds with its grinding pace and deep, mesmerizing bass, and piano/guitar laced climax. As a special treat, this 12" also features a Morgan Geist re-dub(2) that takes the mood deeper by getting rid of the vocals and adding some sick, dubbed-out synth action. Fans of cosmic slow disco, Aeroplane, Mark E, etc. must check. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / cosmic + balearic + rock-ish / metro area + environ + related / dance + house + new disco + electro + nujazz / and more

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Sexual Harrassment
I Need A Freak LP

freaky electro and synth pop album

Everyone knows these guys for "I Need A Freak," but Sexual Harrassment are more than just one-hit wonders if you dig deeper into the full length (and lucky for you, here it is repressed). These guys took electro and synth pop to new levels of sleaze with their freaky as hell synth work and even freakier vocals. You already know the electro classic "I Need A Freak(1)," but the album also features the similarly sleazed out "K-I-S-S-I-N-G(2)" and its instrumental "We Didn't Say It." Then there's tracks like "If I Gave You A Party(3)" which sounds like the blue-print for that lo-fi post-disco style DFA popularized so many years later. Super upbeat party jam with uber lo-fi drums and synths, plus catchy as hell lyrics to boot. "You Are My Sexual Connection(4)" follows a similar kind of punk funk formula with squiggly Prince synths and slap happy bass. Love it! Also includes the pumping disco workout "Exercise Your Ass Off(5)" (pun intended). Super crispy repress with original looking HEAT labels and fancy matte cover.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
new wave + no wave + electro / funk soul disco - albums / vinyl new arrivals / and more

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Arthur Russell
A Tribute To Arthur Russell (Faze Action, Pocketknife, Mark E) 12"

top notch remixes of Arthur Russell classics

Pick! The first 12" from Electric Minds' forth coming Tribute To Arthur Russell was a sleeper hit here at the Lab selling out quietly every time it was restocked, and you can bet this one will do the same (maybe not so quietly). This sampler comes STACKED with top notch remixes and cover versions from the scene's brightest producers. First up is the always on-point Faze Action taking on "In The Light Of The Miracle" with Yam Who and Mary Moore on vocals. This remix(1) is so good it even got our FedEx guy asking who it was when it was playing on th speakers! Deep funky bass topped off with Arthur-esque keys true to the original, an irresistible horn lick and cool vocals create a vibe you just don't want to end. Up next, the homie Pocketknife (of Tamourine Dream/Flagrant Fowl fame) rocks an excellent version of "Get Around To It(2)" with dope live cello by Heather McIntosh and vocals by Joe Worricker that are jaw-droppingly similar Arthur's! This version even gets a rework(3) by editor supreme and recent Lab fave Mark E that turns down the bpms and gets really deep and dark. The Andy Spence (of New Young Pony Club) version(4) of "Arm Around You" rounds of another choice 12" from Electric Minds. Can't wait for the full length! Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
re-edits / cosmic + balearic + rock-ish / re-edits - disco + italo + cosmic + rockish / house / minimal / techno - new arrivals / and more

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Suck UK
Pixel Message Tape - Large

personalize messages and tags

Awesome labeling tape from Suck UK, great for labeling artwork, packages, places (they include "renaming entire streets" amongst their suggested uses) or just putting a message up on your wall. The tape has a matrix of dots, and you use the included marker to black out the dots you don't want visible. The result is an LCD display-like message.

- 50mm wide (approx. 2")
- 50m of tape (164 ft)
- includes marker
reviewed by Hires

file under:
suck uk / various objects

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Ron Hardy
Ron Wants To Ride / Home Phone (Jamie Principle, Loftis) 12"

rare disco and house edits from the master

That's right, two more lost Ron Hardy edits pressed up on mysterious translucent vinyl. No info at all on these things (plain black labels on both sides), but really all you have to know is that these are the work of the edit master Ron Hardy and that they're super duper limited. One side features a never before heard mix of Jamie Principle's freaky Trax classic "Baby Wants To Ride(1)," while the other features an edit of Mach's "On and On(2)," a staple in the early house scene with that infectious "Toot, Toot! Beep, Beep!" sample from Donna Summer. Get it!
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
house / minimal / techno - classics / re-edits - disco + italo + cosmic + rockish / new disco / cosmic / edits - new arrivals / re-edits / and more

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Novation
Launchpad Controller for Ableton Live

innovative USB controller custom designed for Ableton performance

OVERVIEW
The LaunchPad is an innovative USB controller custom designed for composition and performance in Ableton Live. With it 8x8 multi-color 64-button grid and dedicated scene launch buttons, Launchpad is purpose built for triggering and manipulating clips in Live. Empowered with Novation's unique Automap software, it can work to control almost any music/production software. It even includes a special "LaunchPad Edition" of Ableton Live 8 providing everything you need to start producing and performing in Live.

FEATURES
LaunchPad features a 64 button lighted grid and dedicated scene launch buttons that mimic the clip layout of Live. There are also volume, pans, sends, track aiming, solo, and muting available for all 8 channels at one with bi-directional communication between the unit and Live software via USB. The automap feature makes setup easy and also allows you to connect the LaunchPad to other software. You can even link up 6 LaunchPad units at the same time for 384 buttons of control! In addition, the unit comes packed with a special "LaunchPad Edition" of Ableton Live 8 providing all the essentials you need to compose and perform, plus 1GB of Loops from Loopmaster, 500MB of high quality drum samples from Mike the Drummer so you can get jamming right away.

OUR OPINION
The LaunchPad is an excellent controller for Live users. It's simple and intuitive layout works perfectly with Ableton's workflow and it comes at a very competetive price (much more affordable than many other options). It is also considerably smaller than popular units like the APC40 making it easier to transport to gigs. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
all - digital djing / dj equipment - new arrivals / digital djing systems

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G-Shock
LRG X Casio G-Shock Watch - Yellow (DW-6900LR-9CR)

limited watch collabo

Hot new limited collaboration between LRG and G-Shock for the former's 10th anniversary. Comes in BRIGHT yellow with green trim, and packaged in a cool mini-flight case. Of course, it features all the regular G-Shock functionality, like the 200M water resistance, alarm, stop watch, timer, etc.

- Shock Resistant
- 200 Meter Water Resistant
- EL Backlight with Afterglow
- Flash Alert
- 1/100 second stopwatch
- Countdown timer
- Countdown range: 24 hours
- Multi-function alarm
- Hourly time signal
- Full auto-calendar (pre-programmed until the year 2039)
- 12/24 hour formats
- Battery CR2016
- Approx. battery life: 2 years
- Module 1289
reviewed by Hires

file under:
watches / all

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Sue Kwon
Street Level: New York Photographs 1987-2007 Book

street photography of the five borroughs

Beautiful black and white photographs of the streets of NYC circa '87 to '07 from Sue Kwon. The title Street Level prefectly suits this book, as it covers the city's people in their natural environment - on the street. No frills, just real people doing their thing in the best city in the world. Photos of your average sidewalk citizen are paired up next to the world's biggest stars (like Jay-Z, the Beastie Boys, Kanye, Meth, Alicia Keys, Flavor Flav, etc), but they all look equally interesting when placed in front the unbiased lens of Kwon. In addition, the city's rich cultural diversity is well captured in this fantastic book which is divided into geographical sections from Times Square, LES, Chinatown, Little Italy, and Coney Island to Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem, and Queens. Hardcover, 222 pages deep. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
music + culture books / photography books / lab recommended

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Technics
Chicago Record Bag - Red

limited edition slim 12" bag

Slim record bag with shoulder strap and velcro closure. This sturdy bag can hold up to 25 12"s or LPs and features reflective "Tec" logo across the front flap. Limited city edition (this one says "CHICAGO" at the bottom) from Technics and DMC.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
record bags + equipment cases / dj equipment - new arrivals

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Glass Pyramid
Glass Pyramid: Unreleased Archives 1979-89 CD

lost unreleased boogie funk restored

Special expanded CD version. 14 tracks of unreleased 80s funk and soul from... Oklahama City?! Believe it! Check out the incredible synth funk on these lost jams like "Who's Girl Are You(1)," "Time To Party(2)" and "Country Cowboy(3)," plus vocal 80s R&B groovers like "Better By The Minute(4)," "Really Want to Be The One(5)," and even smooth as silk slow jams like "Love Song(6)" and "Back To Lover(7)." Thanks again to the vinyl and tape excavators from PPU for unearthing these gems that would have never seen the light of day. These tracks were actually remastered from the original cassette tapes, but sound just fine on this crispy CD. Cool Digipak cover too. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster


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JBL
Control 2P Compact Powered Reference Monitor (Pair)

compact powered monitor speakers

OVERVIEW
JBL's Control 2Ps are compact powered reference speakers that are perfect as monitors for DJ booths, electronic instruments, AV presentations, entertainment installations and much more. These are powered, you do not need an amp (plug directly into your mixer outs) and since they weigh only 10 lbs each, you can take them with you if you need monitors at your gig.

FEATURES
The CPs offer studio quality transducers for accuracy, and rich bass, a frequency response of 80 Hz - 20 Khz, and 35 watt per channel power amplifier and high sensitivity drivers for exceptional output (115dB max per pair). Balanced XLR, 1/4" and unbalanced RCA inputs allow connection too a wide range of signal sources while the internal peak limiter and overload protection circuit protects the system from damage caused by continuous over-driving. Also features ergonomic side-mounted volume control (simultaneously control L and R speakers), high frequency adjust control allows the user to contour HF response, stereo headphone jack, and wall mount capabilities with optional MTC-2P mounting kit. Includes snap-on pedestals for optimal listening angle or desktop applications. These are a great value for the price. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
monitors + speakers / dj equipment - new arrivals

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2562
Unbalance 3LP

forward thinking dubstep album, pick

Sophomore full length effort for Dave Huismans aka 2562 on the esteemed Tectonic label. I can always tell the strength of a dubstep release by how amped Shota (our resident dubstep aficionado) is on the release - and he was definitely excited about this even before it arrived. 2562's debut full length Aerial garnered all kinds of praise last year, and Unbalanced will probably do the same. He hasn't changed direction in his sparse and deep production style, if anything he's gotten sharper and more detailed in his techniques.
It's this unique style that sets him apart from your typical half- beat-womp-womp dubstep that can get so tired. Check the way he mesmerizes listeners on tracks like "Like A Dream(1)" with its definited acid influence, or "Dinosaur(2)" with its hypnotic syncopation. On "Flashback(3)" 2562 takes an almost techno-ish route with an unclassifiable bounce and deep Detroit keys. Ditto on the title track(4). Also worthy of note are "Narita(5)" with its tribalistic dubstep vibe akin to Shackleton, and "Who Are You Fooling (6)" a complex piece of poly-rhythmic experimentation. Loud, thick triple vinyl. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
dubstep + grime - vinyl / vinyl new arrivals / downtempo + electronic + bmore + ghettotech + uk + baile / bmore/dubstep/baile/bass - new arrivals

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