TURNTABLE LAB

Aaron Lacrate
B-More Gutta - The Digi-EP

unmixed Bmore from the breakout Hollertronix/Milkcrate collabo

This EP was the unmixed companion to the hugely successful (at least with us & youse guys) Hollertronix & Milkcrate collab CD, originally available only on vinyl and now expanded to 11 tracks for this deluxe digi-edition. It features all the Amanda Blank and Spank Rock vocal cuts, and the best of Low Budget and Aaron LaCrate's production tracks. XXXchange (Spank Rock's producer) made two of the tracks here, killing with that oldies radio sound on "Gutta Music" and going minimal on "Grit City." Low B's got that "Crazy Eyes Killa" Larry David track on here, and Aaron LaCrate comes through with the classic breakbeat formula for "Blow" and "Get Um Girl." Amanda Blank, "the Kelly Bundy of rap" indeed. Recommended all the way through.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke / spankrock related

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Daedelus
Make It So (XXXchange + Samiyam Remix) 12"

Daedelus introduces psyche-style harmony vocals to his mix on "Make It So(1)." Cool track, but the remixes steal the show. First with XXXchange's future-rock rework(2), then Moonstar's awesome analog breakbeat workout(3). Beathead on the rise, Samiyam (frequent Flylo collaborator), does the stuttering, grainy LA thing on his mix(4), and for good measure we get an instrumental version of the Moonstar remix. When remixes come together like this, it's a wonderful thing.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - vinyl / ninja tune - vinyl / new school beats - vinyl

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Diplo
Decent Work For Decent Pay Digi-LP

a nice collection of Diplo's early tracks and official remixes

Doesn't it seem like it was yesterday that Thingamajawn was coming out on Money Studies? And now the guy's nominated for a Grammy. They grow up so fast! This collection kind of serves as an early career retrospective, featuring a selection of both early original productions and official remixes that have been released over the last few years. Early cuts like "Newsflash" mingle with productions for other artists and remixes for artists like Spankrock, Black Lips and Claude Vonstroke. Also features the other versions of Diplo Riddim (Pantera Os Danadinhos' "Percao" and Vybz Kartel's "Baby"). 12 Tracks total, Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke / dance+house / mad decent / and more

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Fully Fitted
Re-Edits (XXXchange, Pase Rock, Amanda Blank) EP

remixes by the Fully Fitted crew

Led by Spank Rock producer XXXchange and featuring the talents of Amanda Blank, Pase Rock (Five Deez), !!!'s Tyler Pope, and Sylvia of Kudu, the Fully Fitted crew has been steady infiltrating clubs this year, and the takeover can only get stronger with this, their official debut release on Money Studies. Leading off with an intro from French rap clown prince The Genevan Heathen, the EP hits the ground running with a remix of DJ Class' blazing, "Rump Shaker" horn-sampling "Roll It(1)" with Pase on vocals (instrumental also included). XXXchange's dirty south / French electro hybrid "100 Million(2)" is sure to blow some heads; ditto for his rework of house favorite "He Not In(3)," which features insane original synth work and even some dancehall flavoring. And that's just the A-side! Every wondered how Paul Simon would fare in a grimy Bmore club? Chipset & Devlin give you the answer on the much anticipated "50 Ways(4)," which has literally been years in the making and now features a verse from fellow Spank Rock associate Ms. Blank. (Got the instrumental for that one, too.) The terrifying trio of XXX, Devlin & Darko round things out with the extra hype party break "New Day(5)," and "Shake It(6)," which transforms DJ Blaqstarr's "Shake It To The Ground" into a Rong-style slow burner. Pic sleeve designed by PH. Definitely recommended.
reviewed by el generico

file under:
baltimore - vinyl / new electro + electro rock + rave

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Heartsrevolution
Ultraviolence (Spank Rock) 12"

NYC electroclash duo Heartsrevolution get a little Parisian love on Kitsune with this 12". "Ultraviolence(1)" features some slick futuristic Bladerunner sounding synths layered underneath some distorted vocals. The track really gets taken to another level when Naeem from Spankrock lends his words to the beat(2), creating a cool back and forth duet with the original. Frenchman Vitalic aces the remix(3), spreading the vocals out and adding some huge drums. Also features remixes from Kitsune alumni Chateau Marmont(4) and Streetlife DJs(5).
reviewed by Hires

file under:
new electro + electro rock + rave

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Pase Rock
Lindsay Lohan's Revenge Digi-12

b-more dance anthem about lohan's vj

We've been getting calls about this single since December (seriously) and now it's finally here! "Lindsay Lohan's Revenge" is a Bmore-infused, XXXchange/Pase co-produced club banguh with guest shots from Spank Rock and Santi from Santogold. Oh yeah, and it's all about Lindsay Lohan's vagina. ("Take yo paaaaanties off / show ya baby rat!") Even the most jaded hater will crack a smile for this one. Ms. Amanda Blank shows up on "Sexy Motherfucker," sounding icy as always and trading verses with Pase, remixed by DJ Eli. It doesn't subtract or add much, but the main mixes and amazing, Lohan-tweaking pic by Parra make this a must buy. First release on Fully Fitted, the new label from Pase, XXXchange, Darko and the Spank Rock crew. Includes instrumental and acapella versions of "Lindsay Lohan." Highly recommended.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
new disco electro / top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke / spankrock related / and more

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Spank Rock
Rick Rubin Digi-EP

their big dada debut from 2006

The first real Spank Rock single on Big Dada (congrats dudes), and it's definitely one of my favorites off the album- rassberry lips nintendo beat from XXXchange and Najeem doing the super fast thing- watch for the New Edition breakdown. Includes a couple remixes, both by XXXchange, one of em featuring tourmate Pase Rock. I guess this cover is supposed to be a cheeky riff on the packaging for Rap Snacks (google image search it if you dont know), which is kinda funny, but I would have much rather seen a close-up butt shot of DJ Double R.
reviewed by mgmnt

file under:
top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke / spankrock related

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Spank Rock
Sweet Talk 7"

The Spank Rock onslaught from Big Dada continues, this time with the most recent single, "Sweet Talk(1)," getting the limited 7" treatment. Supposedly there's only about 1000 of these (one time pressing), but with the 12" already out and about, the reason you need this is for the otherwise-unavailable B-side. XXXchange's take(2) is more like a brand new song than a re-edit, completely eliminating all vocals and replacing 'em with mo' sax and mo' flute, courtesy of the Youngblood Brass Band's Anthony Barba. The resulting track sounds more like an electro version of something from the Daptone roster than anything Spank Rock's done. And that's not a bad thing.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
ninja tune - vinyl

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Spank Rock
Sweet Talk Digi-12

the feelgood Spank Rock single

Tap that ass. "Sweet Talk" is probably the most accessible Spank Rock track since "Put That Pussy On Me," and should continue Spank's meteoric pace. The final breakdown is straight pop-genius (watch out Len!), that's my summertime shit. The Kalbata Remix returns to Spank's grimier roots with a crunchy bass sound. Also includes the demo version of "Primetime."
reviewed by mgmnt

file under:
top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke / spankrock related

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Spank Rock
YoYoYoYoYoYo 2LP

Finally! The debut from these Lab-affiliates-Big Dada-hotshots is finally upon us, and it's basically as awesome as everyone was expecting. Including almost all of the tracks released on wax in the past year: "Backyard Betty(1),Far Left(2), Rick Rubin(3)" and "Sweet Talk(4)," plus a whole grip of new ones, YoYoYoYoYo expands on Spank & XXXChange's signature Baltimore bastard sound, while bringing new regions and genres into the fold, like Screw music on the syrupy closer, "Screwville USA(5)." If you've liked what the boys have done in the past, there's no way you could be disappointed with this one. The only downside? No "Put That Pussy On Me." 12 tracks total.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
ninja tune - vinyl

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Spank Rock
YoYoYoYoYoYo CD

Finally! The debut from these Lab-affiliates-Big Dada-hotshots is finally upon us, and it's basically as awesome as everyone was expecting. Including almost all of the tracks released on wax in the past year: "Backyard Betty(1), Far Left(2), Rick Rubin(3)" and "Sweet Talk(4)," plus a whole grip of new ones, YoYoYoYoYo expands on Spank & XXXChange's signature Baltimore bastard sound, while bringing new regions and genres into the fold, like Screw music on the syrupy closer, "Screwville USA(5)." If you've liked what the boys have done in the past, there's no way you could be disappointed with this one. The only downside? No "Put That Pussy On Me." 12 tracks total.
reviewed by the mgmnt


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Spank Rock
YoYoYoYoYoYo Digi-LP

debut album from lab affiliates

Finally! The debut from these Lab-affiliates-Big Dada-hotshots is finally upon us, and it's basically as awesome as everyone was expecting. Including almost all of the tracks released on wax in the past year: "Backyard Betty," "Far Left, Rick Rubin" and "Sweet Talk," plus a whole grip of new ones, YoYoYoYoYo expands on Spank & XXXChange's signature Baltimore bastard sound, while bringing new regions and genres into the fold, like Screw music on the syrupy closer, "Screwville USA." If you've liked what the boys have done in the past, there's no way you could be disappointed with this one. The only downside? No "Put That Pussy On Me." 12 tracks total.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke / spankrock related

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Spank Rock
YoYoYoYoYoYo Instrumentals 2LP

Naeem's cool and all, but a lot of the appeal of Spank Rock is in XXXchange's beats. Big Dada knows this, and has unleashed this double vinyl collection of all the instrumentals from the debut Spank Rock album, YoYoYoYoYoYo. 12 tracks in a promo style sleeve. Limited edition.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / ninja tune - vinyl

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Spank Rock
YoYoYoYoYoYo Instrumentals Digi-LP

instrumentals version from xxxchange

Naeem's cool and all, but a lot of the appeal of Spank Rock is in XXXchange's beats. Big Dada knows this, and has unleashed this collection of all the instrumentals from the debut Spank Rock album, YoYoYoYoYoYo. 12 tracks in all.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke / spankrock related

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Spank Rock & Benny Blanco
Bangers & Cash Digi-EP

extra nasty miami bass styles from Spank & crew

Not for the easily offended! (But you could tell that from the cover.) It's the debut EP from Bangers & Cash, the new project from MC Spank Rock and producer Benny Blanco, and it's about as dirty as you'd expect a Spank Rock tribute to 2 Live Crew to be. The live show favorite "Shake That" sounds just as good on record, but how could a track that samples 2 Live's "Fuck Shop" and Splack Pack's "Shake That Ass Bitch" not be? "B-O-O-T-A-Y" pulls sources from no less than three different tracks, but guest vocals from Santogold really make the track; same goes for the hoodrat jamm "Loose" and the guest spot from Amanda Blank, who just sounds better every time she gets on the mic. "Pu$$y" gets a little too dumb for my taste, but "Bitch!" overcomes its subject matter with an epic beat from Benny and an NWA sample.
reviewed by Larri Byrd

file under:
top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke / hip-hop / spankrock related

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V/A
Well Deep: Ten Years Of Big Dada Digi-LP

indy hip-hop with UK focus plus Diplo, Spank Rock, MF Doom

Seems like only yesterday I picked up my first Big Dada 12" - it was Ab Rude & Tribe Unique's "My Experience." I remember flippin' out on that record 'cause it sounded like nothing else in the crate (took a minute to soak in, but when I finally did I knew they were on some other). That was back in '97; fast forward 10 years later and Big Dada is STILL pushing boundaries and changing the rules of this thing called hip-hop. To celebrate a decade of forward-thinking music, Big Dada has put together the "Well Deep" compilation which is, like the title states... DEEP. The comp features over 30 tracks from a wealth of artists that have contributed their talents to the label over the years. It's all here - from their biggest tracks to date like Diplo's "Diplo Rhythm," Spank Rock's "Sweet Talk," King Geedorah (aka MF Doom)'s "Anti-Matter," Roots Manuva's "Witness (I Hope)," and Wiley's "50/50" and "My Mistakes XXXchange Remix," to abstract indie rap styles of Bigg Jus' "King Spitter" and Busdriver's "Beauty Supply & Demand," UK and French rap from TY with "Wait A Minute," New Flesh's "Stick & Move" and TTC's "Dans Le Club," and even unreleased and under the radar jams like Diplo's "Now's The Time," NMS' "Super Pretzel Diplo Damage," The Majesticons' "Fader Party," and Part 2's "Hard Times." Damn that's a lot of music! Impressivo to say the least.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
top albums chart / hip-hop / ninjay tune

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Various Artists
Ed Rec Vol III Digi-LP

new and exclusive tracks from the kings of French electro

The long awaited Ed Rec III comp is here, in all its French touch glory. You know the deal - fresh So-Me art on the outside and a whole mess of new and unreleased tracks from the Ed Banger fam on the inside. Mr. Flash's "Over the Top" mixes anthemic rock with a solid four on the floor, laced with lavish synths and even a solo! SebastiAn follows suit with "Dog" but bests Flash's hardness with an all out barrage of metal/hardcore sound in his own signature chopped style. (This is what I imagine would be playing during a bad trip.) Don't get me wrong - I'm quite a fan of hardcore music, but this one could turn the breakdance circle into a mosh pit. Feadz' production for Uffie on "Robot Oeuf" is cool, but his real killer is "Back It Up" with Spank Rock. Justice's live performance of "Stress" kills with its orchestro/electro blasts, full of all the lasers, pizzicato strings and timpani rolls you like and then some. Fave of this collection is Medhi's track "Pocket Piano" - it's got a classic disco feel to it with rhythmic piano and congo patterns giving it life. Ed Banger art maestro So-Me rounds out the comp with with "Decalcomania," a reflection of what his graphic work would be if it played sound - a solid, driving banger.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
new disco electro / top albums chart / dance+house

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