TURNTABLE LAB

Egyptian Lover
King of Ecstasy (His Greatest Hits Album) Digi-LP

classic 80s electro

Egyptian Lover has some of the best record covers ever, put out a big pocketful of electro classics, and was even humble enough to come DJ at our small East Village shop last year. This is his greatest hits collection from 1989 (peep the benzo-coupe steez) and comfortably falls into the category of "fucking electro essential." Not only that, when Egyptian Lover put this together, he picked his favorite mixes from the singles, so you're getting full 12" mixes or 12" dub versions. Of course, you gotta have the 12" version of "Egypt Egypt." The 12" dub mix of "Freak-A-Holic" is a huge score, and by all accounts, this was the track that brought the house down during his show at Studio B. The dub mix of "Girls" is begging for a revival, I totally forgot about how dope this song was until EL played it at our store. You even get "Alezby Inn" (Remodeled Vocal Version), one of EL's more pop-like moments. I could probably name-check ever song on here, but I'll just leave you with "My House On The Nile" and you'll know why he's called The Egyptian Lover. 8 tracks total. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
top albums chart / dance classics

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Freestyle
Don't Stop The Rock Digi-LP

classic electro freestyle from a pioneer of the genre

Oh shit, its' Freestyle! They had me ever since we got their Jam Packed 12" of Automatic early this year and more I learn about them, the more intrigued I get. I mean, look at this cover art! They look like a cross between paintballers, motorcyclers, and Scorpion from Mortal Kombat. They basically forefronted the Freestyle movement and helped define the sound with their hard hitting electro beats. Listen to James Pants off Stones Throw and the Lab's Egg Foo Young and you can hear where the influence is coming from. The most famous track here is "Don't Stop The Rock,". The beat and melody is so catchy, you'll probably know it, without knowing you know it! "Automatic" is the tough concept track where they get lost in a world of circuitry and access codes(kinda like when you websurf at night). "Party Has Begun" also sets it off with lots more vocoder funk, while "Freestyle" rocks a more pop feel. Best of all, they all include instrumentals - try finding that on vinyl! Essential for any fan of banging beats.
reviewed by Cmish

file under:
top albums chart / dance classics

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George Kranz
Din Daa Daa Remixes Digi-EP

unmistakable dance classic. 1983 human beatbox

Ed's note: Woodman wrote this before all the Roots/Pitbull hoopla was in effect, which has made "Din Daa Daa" something of a no-brainer compared to the "daring" choice that it was a couple years ago. George Kranz, take your place in the pantheon of safe.

Ed's note #2: this digital release features the rare 45 King mixes!

Jasper and Pete hate this song more than anything. I used to think of this as a novelty break to play at an ether party, but one day I heard a live version of it at A1 and just stood there for 10 minutes, shook (ed's note: does that mean scared or turned on?). It's like the Bobby McFerrin family reunion if they were all coked up and are really excited to see each other. Plus Kranz was a "dance artist" so you can imagine what was going onstage when they played this live. When you play this, you have to keep it til the end when it goes bananas, like Cerrone and the ghost of Falco show up and you have the German Triangle of Power! Frankly, I love this song, but don't have the guts to play it out live. If you do, God speed and God bless.
reviewed by Woodman

file under:
funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / dance classics / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Gucci Crew II
Sally (That Girl) Digi-EP

miami booty bass classic

Don't touch my booty...Lost Miami booty bass nug from 1988. Just hit play and you'll be sold. You need this in your life. As for the remixes here, check The Shocker Mix which turns up the electro and the Acapella(!) which wasn't even on the original single.
reviewed by mgmnt

file under:
top albums chart / hip-hop / dance classics

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Hashim
Al-Naafyish Digi-EP

certified electro classic... it's tiimmmee!

It's a safe bet to call this one of the top 5 electro records of all time. (In fact, Electro Empire ranks it #2.) Hashim worked as a janitor at Tommy Boy for a year and learned the business. In '83, he quit and started the Cutting label (which he is no longer a part of), releasing "Al-Naafiysh" as the first record, and the rest is music history. The individual parts of the tracks have been sampled so many times, serving as building blocks for numerous other electro tracks. Check your favorite early ISP record, and chances are it will have some part of this record. A definite electro landmark. This digital version features SIX different mixes of "Al-Naafyish," including the classic original and radio edit, the short "Just Feel It" party break, the super synthed out "It's Timmmmee!!" mix, a drum'n'bass tinged Bassmint remix, and some HEAVY bonus beats.
reviewed by mgmnt

file under:
top albums chart / dance classics

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James Pants
Cosmic Rapp (Egyptian Lover Remix) Digi-EP

electro remix plus quirky funk and left field tracks

It was bound to happen sooner or later. James Pants meets the king of 808's - Egyptian Lover! The freak-a-holic lover gives the authentic LA electro touch to Pants' "Cosmic Rapp" from his 2007 debut EP. You know the deal - banging drums machines, vocoders, lasers, and those signature Egyptian synth lines you know you love (only thing missing are the heavy sex breaths but I'll let it pass). It don't stop there though. Pants, always one to give you more than you bargain for, throws a mixed bag of tracks at you - from the quirky funk rock of "Looks That Kill" (incredible quitar solo on this), to the drum heavy "Tape Rolls" and even a couple weirdo dubbed out downtempo tracks "A Leaf In The Forest" and "Devilry and Sorcery." Cool minimal throw back graphics too (like those old Sun Ra covers). Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
top albums chart / stones throw - digital / dance classics / reviewer reccomended

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Kenny Dope
Dope Stuff (Best Of Dopewax) Digi-LP

90s nyc dance + house, includes "The Bottle" rmx

Kenny Dope's Dopewax is a legendary underground label to say the least. Since 1990, it has released somewhere in the range of 100 singles, everything from original productions to white label style releases. This comp collects 15 of those highlights from the label's early years, representing diverse genres such as house, electro, and latin dance. If you're looking for that nineties nyc dance sound, look no further. Highlights include Dope's classic remix of "The Bottle," the hard thumping "Jam The Mace," the "Mexican" remix "Chicanos II," the drum track "Bassline II" and my personal favorite "Petey Wheatstraw Returns."

file under:
top albums chart / dance classics / classic dance

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Loose Joints
Is It All Over My Face? Digi-12

classic underground dance-house-disco

"Is It All Over My Face" is one of the most classic underground dance tracks ever. Its winning combination of insanely funky, minimal proto-house percussion, bass and keyboard work (courtesy of leftfield disco genius Arthur Russell) and great sleazy, double-entendre lyrics - "Is it all over my face? / You caught me love dancin'" made it an instant favorite with New York and Chicago DJs like Larry Levan and Ron Hardy, and it has endured ever since. This version contains both the rarely heard "Male Vocal" version which is heavier on percussion, and the sweeter, more widely known "Female Vocal." Like so many of my favorite disco records, this was one those situations where the drummer was paid in coke before the session, instead of afterwards, resulting in an open drum break at the beginning of the track and many moments of spontaneous combustion along the way. In Chicago, dancers scream back "hell, yeah" in response when the DJ cuts out the song after the question "Is it all over my face?" The first time a fellow DJ showed me that trick while I was playing it out in Chicago to a packed house party, and I heard 100 people screaming that back at me in unison, my career fate was sealed. Buy it already - it's an absolutely essential dance classic.
reviewed by Language

file under:
funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / dance classics / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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L'Trimm
Cars That Go Boom Digi-EP

miami booty bass classic

1988 Miami booty bass classic. Essential for your folder titled "bass". One of the best car songs ever too (I see your pimped Hyundai). Remixes here are pretty corn (take heed, the acapella is the remix verison), but the 2008 Boomin is pretty cool with its stripped down electro beat. Bomb status definitely for the original version.
reviewed by mgmnt

file under:
top albums chart / hip-hop / dance classics

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Newcleus
Jam On It Remixes Digi-LP

original, remixes, acapella of this classic electro party rocker

Whoa. I had no idea so many versions of Jam On It existed! This compilation seriously has a version to suit every taste imaginable. Personally, I'd go for the original heavy electrofunk flavor of the "Back In Da Dayz Old School Mix" or the instrumental "Brooklyn Beats version," but if you're into more minimal sounds, check out the stripped down "Jam On Reprogram Version" (I see you minimal man). Also check the "Phuture" and "Simply Phenom" for hella hype techno breaks styles, the "BAD mix," "Boca Smack," and "Jam On The House" version for a more funky house vibe, and can't forget the "South Beach" version if you like your beat with extra cheese. Also features the mad useful "Beats, Sequences, and Elements" and "Accapela" tracks so you can even make your own version.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / dance classics / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Newcleus
Space is the Place Digi-LP

second electro funk full length from the makers of "Jam On It"

Everybody knows Newcleus' electro classic Jam On It and maybe even Computer Age, but Space Is The Place (the group's second album) is almost always slept on. For those willing to dig deeper into Cozmo D and the gang's catalog, there are plenty of electro nuggets worth looking into especially on this album. There's the obvious attempt to recreate their big hit with Let's Jam twhich is alright as an alternative, but tracks like Teknology and Cyborg Dance have something fresher going on. Then you have joints like Why that bring down the BPM's and sound like some new school cosmic boogie funk. Fans of old school synths, drum machines, vocoders, and electro should definitely check.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
top albums chart / hip-hop / dance classics

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Paul Hardcastle
Rain Forest Digi-12

classic electro jam

Paul Hardcastle is my only escape right now from this ridiculous stack of bad mashup cd's we're listening to at the warehouse. Listening to the oh-so smooth keys over the hard electro beat on Rainforest is easing the pain a little and I wouldn't let go of it for anything. Paul Hardcastle's the man. He reminds me of Harold Faltemeyer who did the famous Axel F track for Beverly Hills cop. Just a normal white guy who makes a classic electro song. That's awesome in my book.
reviewed by C'mish

file under:
funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / dance classics / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Raw Silk
Do It To The Music Digi-12

universal classic disco song

This is gonna be really easy, "Do It To The Music." It's that really fucking classic, universally appealing disco shit- even my mom likes this song. It's great warm up stuff and it's also great end of the night make sexy dance time. As far as live drummer shit goes, it's easy to mix in and out of. It's got chicks moaning, and who don't like a little moan in their disco? Basically this record is really good, really classic, really sexy, and really useful. If you don't buy it now, you're a retard. I used to do mail order at another record store and these country dudes would call up, and you'd be like "yo what up you need this 50 cent 'In Da Club' record" and they'd be like "sheet, I don't need that, send me the new Gerald Levert." And you would be like, "are you sure?" and they would be like "yea, just send me Gerald. Can I pay COD? I ain't got no credit card." So then two weeks later when you sold out of 50 Cent, they would call up begging you to get them a copy. Basically I'm saying trust me. I know what the fuck I'm talking about, don't be a country bamma, buy this record- you'll get so much use out of it you'll have to buy it twice!
reviewed by roc

file under:
funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / dance classics / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Sesso Matto
Sessomatto (Idjut Boys) Digi-12

seminal disco break track with Idjut edits

Here's another big money 12inch re-issued for the masses. Upon first listen you're probably gonna feel just like I did, a big SO?! So what's the big deal, an ok record that costs too much money? Wrong! Wrong! Get your ears together fucker, this record is nuts, you just gotta hear it right. I thought for a long time that the Risco Connection shit was overrated, then I finally heard that shit really loud on a decent system and it blew my head off. Same thing goes for "Sessomatto," iPod will do art like this no justice. You gotta crank up the home stereo, get really drunk and wish you were a chapter in that Love Saves The Day book- not just some asshole spending his college food money on records. Double plus plus, you get a lot with this one: a classic break, not in the crappy played out UBB way, but a really classic break that's always been tough to get; a great midtempo track that in the right situations can really move a dance floor; and the perfect song to play at like fashion shows or corporate events where they want music they can ignore. While they ignore it, you can sit back and thank your lucky stars that the Lab brought you this epic masterpiece for a couple bucks instead of the current TSL original price of $125! Also features two edits by the Idjut Boys.
reviewed by roc

file under:
funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / dance classics / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Sparque
Let's Go Dancin' Digi-12

killer West End Disco classic mixed by Larry Levan and Francois K.

The digital realm gets a disco kick in the ass. If you don't know Sparque's "let's Go Dancin," please take a listen. This is a definite West End disco classic, one of the prime sources for NY disco. In their day, their records practically owned dancefloors and they still do today. I roll with a DJ crew that's very into collecting disco vinyl and this track kills it when we play it out. Old or young, ugly or hot, everyone looks good dancing to this. Besides the fact that there's the legendary Larry Levan and Francois K. doing the mixes here with loooong extended dance parts, the track itself is scalding hot! I dare you not to get the hook stuck in your mind, "Let's Go Dancin'! Dancin'! Let's go have some fun! Da da da da da dadda dadda!" After I found the original last weekend, I've begged Snack to sing hooks to other catchy songs just to clear my head of this one - It's a monster. I was sayin' that the song is so powerful, if the government knew about it, they would constantly play it on the air just to make us forget about everything except, "Let's Go Dancin'!" Don't hesistate, this is NY funky Disco at it's best. Note: Mix the dance with the reprise for the ultimate jam.
reviewed by Cmish

file under:
funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / dance classics / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Strafe
Set It Off Digi-12

classic electro party starter

One of the hardest party setter-offers EVER. Really though, if you don't have this already i suggest it's best you add to cart. Here's what we said about the vinyl version: "Y'all want this party started right? Y'all want this party started quickly... right? Kwame, jeri curl, electro dance classic that works in almost any situation. Hip-hop heads, dance heads, investment bankers all can bounce to this. With an intro that just begs for your creative blend, this is a staple for your party rock crate while offering a fresh alternative to your hip-hop set." Plus this digital version comes with the instrumental so you can really get creative. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
top albums chart / dance classics

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Taana Gardner
Heartbeat Digi-12

disco club classic sampled by De La Soul

Another driver's license classic; you ain't got no bidness being on the streets unless you're packin' this one in your crate. Although "Heartbeat" is now regarded a club classic and b-boy record due its early use by MCs like Sweet G, and subsequent sampling by De La Soul (Buddy remix) among countless others, it was really broken by Larry Levan at the Paradise Garage. After clearing the floor 4 or 5 times with the test pressing over the course of a night, the crowd eventually went nuts for what was a comparatively slow (105 bpms or so) record for the Garage dancefloor. The rest is history, and the track is now the #1 seller of all time in the West End catalogue. Of course you know this record: that bassline etches itself permanently into your brain after the first time you hear it, and unless you've been living on the moon (or somewhere else where only Whitey lives), you heard this and hopefully danced to it. And girls like it, too. To paraphrase Prince, women and girls rule the world - buy this record and prostrate.
reviewed by Language

file under:
funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / dance classics / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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The Bucketheads
The Bomb (Kenny Dope) Digi-EP

classic house track. period.

"The Bomb" is as classic as classic gets- just one of those very few guaranteed records. Play it at weddings, play it for kindergarten parties, fuck it, play it in the middle of a jiggy hip hop set. People love this track and always will. It's fun, makes booties shake, and always causes people to try and beatbox the horn solo. Ok, Kenny Dope (Masters at Work) did rip off Chicago's "Street Player" pretty much in its entirety, but who cares? He added that "pumping" house beat that Language hates ("a re-edit is always better than a remix" -whatever Herman Munster) and made it build up for eight minutes before dropping the horn break and then the vocal. I need to say this again: people go nuts over this record. Play it loud, and watch the people eat it up. Recommended.
reviewed by SABO

file under:
top albums chart / dance classics / classic dance / dance - lab recommended

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The Egyptian Lover
Electro Pharaoh Digi-EP

electro funk beats from the West Coast pioneer

When it comes to freaky 808 electro, no can really F with E Lover. Dude was the originator of this shit! On Electro Pharaoh, he's back on the TR-808 and pumping out some serious electro funk complete with the prerequisite vocoder, lasers and heavy breathing action. Check Freaky DJ and you'll see E Lover hasn't lost his touch and has even added some autotune to the repertoire! Also check Scandinavian Summer that gets ectra freaky with a persistent bass line (303?) that sounds almost acid-y, and Keep It Hot Remix and Planet E - E Mix with some of fat as hell drum programming.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
top albums chart / dance classics

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Twilight 22
Electric Kingdom Digi-12

classic electro

Essential electro 101. Electric Kingdom is right up there with Planet Rock as one the foundational building blocks of the electro scene, the only problem is that it's hard to come by. Every DJ needs this in their collection. Instrumental included too. Highly recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
top albums chart / hip-hop / dance classics

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Various Artists
Miami Bass Jams Digi-LP

late 80s/early 90s Floridian bass & electro

Ok, this is definitely some Michna or Sabo territory, but I'll do my best to fill in. Cut It Up Def was a straight-up bass/electro label out of Florida during the late 80's - early 90's. Being from Cali, the only time I've ever come across one of their records was at the vinyl waste dump (aka the Thing in Greenpoint) last year, but the 12" was salty as hell (otherwise I woulda copped). Basically if you love 2 Live Crew, Rodney-O, Luke Skyywalker, Egg Foo Young, scratching over 125BPM electro beats, or even that Bangers & Cash shit - get with this pronto! This UNMIXED comp will expand your love for miami bass with 15 authentic ass-shakin' tracks from artists you prolly never heard of. Check the sickness - "Too Much Bass" by Cha-Os, primitive Apache chop up styles on "Feel The Bass" by Dynamix II, "Miami Skeezer by MC Gemini, and "DJ Wars pt.2" and "Partytime 91" from Jock-D with the ill scratching that could rival Magic Mike. All tracks are hype, crazy, loud and rude - just how you like it. And yes, this is recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
top albums chart / dance classics

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Various Artists
The Octagon of Opposition Digi-LP

heavy electro-bass out of Miami

808 Bass, lasers, vocoders, sick scratches and lots of party raps. That's what your dealing with on anything from Debonaire Records. For the Octagon of Opposition the legendary Miami label drops another collection of electro bass bombs for the dancefloor. Haven't really heard of any of the artists other than Debonaire, but the others come with the heat for sure. Check Omega 2's mean ass arpegios and vocoders on Sonic Beatz III, Imatran Volma's rework of Breezy Beat MC's Shake That Joint, but Debonaire still kills in on his tracks especially Debonaire's VooDoo Show Intro Edit.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
top albums chart / dance+house / dance classics

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