TURNTABLE LAB

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top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke - new arrivals / bmore / ghetto / juke

Sweet compilation of soul remixes inna bmore style from Philly's Emynd. Soul and bmore go together like PB & J, and I'm glad to see that Emynd is keeping the tradition alive and well. Experienced DJs know that these type of jams ...   expand review  ALWAYS work to get the crowd amped. Whether its hood kids, hipsters, your standard stripe shirt club goer or even a wedding party, you'll be getting hands up and ass bouncing in no time. It's definitely cool to get a re-up like this. 6 tracks total, all fire. Recommended. -snackmaster

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funk soul disco - new arrivals / top albums chart / funk+soul+disco / funk soul disco - lab recommended / and more

Dam-Funk's long awaited funk opus has landed! Toeachizown is a modern masterwork of the funk ("funk" meaning Boogie, Modern Soul, Electro-funk). The man himself hardly needs an introduction with the string of highly lauded singles and EPs he has released leading to ...   expand review  this album (plus his fame has been steadily on the rise with recent remixes for Animal Collective and Cubic Zirconia and cover shots in the FADER). Completely produced with analog synths and vintage drum machines, Dam successfully brings the essence of funk to the masses while fusing it with his own funky swagger on tracks like "Let's Take Off (Far Away)," "LAtrifying," "Love Is Here 2nite," "Fantasy," and "Keep Lookin 2 The Sky." Of course the heavy G-funk inspired beats bump hard like the title track, "Hood Pass Intact," "Brookside Park" and "Killdatmuthafucka," while other tracks ride smooth and stay fly like "10 West," "Flying V Ride," "Burn Straight Thru U," and "Candy Dancin'" with Mark De Clive Lowe on keys. Dam even gets open on the mic and showcases his vocal abilities (not vocoded) on "Come On Outside" and "Searchin 4 Funk's Future." This is one seriously talented dude. Over 2 hours of original music. Don't miss it! Recommended. -snackmaster

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top albums chart / dance - new arrivals / dance+house

Triassic is not your usual dance EP. The sounds contained within have something very primal and also very magical about them (see the video below that demonstrates this feeling perfectly). The way French Agentinian producer Douster blends the tribal instruments with hard ...   expand review  modern dance beats may catch you off guard at first, but soon you might find yourself bouncing in your seat strangely curious. Then he throws in those squeeky synths and sound effects and you got something very unique indeed. Another interesting release from Argentina's ZZK Records.

-the mgmnt

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top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke - new arrivals / bmore / ghetto / juke

Six new Bmore burners from Kazey & Bulldog. "It's Alright(1)" leads things off with a chopped up James Brown remix, and is followed by baile funk master DJ Sandrinho's remix of "Sweet Harmony(2)," which is a hyperactive party break featuring Tag Team's ...   expand review  "Party Peeeeople!" chant and some heavy funk carioca drum loops. The A-Side gets wrapped up with thumping edit of DJ Khaled's shout-rap hit "I'm So Hood(3)." On the flip you'll find "Big Truck II(4)," which is constructed from the horns from "Simon Says" and snippets of the "Apache" break, followed by "Fo Da Real Gs(5)," which is an old school style Bmore track featuring plenty of gunshots, synth horns and "what!" chants. Finally, there's "We Ballin'(6)," which is a remix of a T-Pain song about... well, ballin'. Six tracks total, solid production all around. -Hires

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bmore / ghetto / juke - new arrivals / bmore / ghetto / juke / top albums chart

Philly's Emynd has been releasing his own bmore tracks on his Cross Faded Bacon label for a few years, but now he's taking things to the next level with this EP from Scott Matelic. Matelic's stuff is right in line with ...   expand review  the heat we've been getting from CFB for years - lots of hype anthems and remixes. Check out the title track, which cuts up vocal samples from Slick Rick and The Notorious B.I.G. over some classic sounding Bmore horns. Emynd lends a house remix to that one, and OGs Scottie B and King Tutt take a turn as well. The original tracks shine here though, check out the double time claps on "Hype" or Scott's bass-filled remix of "Spottieottiedopaliscious" (which comes in both hype and instrumental flavors). Finally, be sure to check out his stripped down version of Marvin Gaye's "Grapevine," which is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Nine tracks total, recommended. -Hires

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / reviewer reccomended / dwntmpo+electronic / and more

"Love and Happiness" has recently been the subject of several successful remixes. It's quite amazing how it translates so easily into downtempo and even house frames, which speaks volumes about Willie Mitchell's original production. This new version is my personal favorite thus ...   expand review  far, but it's more like a re-edit on Ritalin (hyper-attentive) than a remix. Impeccable loops and tasteful dub effects accentuate Al Green's soul grunt; uncontrollable head-nod in effect. About halfway through, the rest of the vocals kick in and it's a beautiful thing. The B-side features an equally hot downtempo overhaul. Recommended. -the mgmnt

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hip-hop / hip-hop - new arrivals / dubstep / baile / cumbia - new arrivals / top albums chart / and more

Bassnectar's own label Amorphous Music teams up with Childs Play Records to unleash Cozza Frenzy, an amalgamation of sound that combines dubstep, electro, hip hop, and all styles of dirty digital bass-heavy music and smashes it all into a collision of wobbling, ...   expand review  intense basslines, and hypnotic hide-and-seek adventures. A work 3 years in the making, this rich and eclectic collection songs features collaborations with artists such as Fever Ray, Zumbi of Zion I, Mr. Projectile, and Capital J. 15 tracks total. -label review

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top albums chart / dstep+grime+baile / dubstep / baile / cumbia - new arrivals / dance+house / and more

Sabo with the eighth entry in his super-popular and also reliable Sol Selectas series. This volume is an unofficial continuation of Sabo and Zeb's recent Global Warmbeats album. It features three unreleased tracks by the duo plus a remix by Om's J-Boogie. ...   expand review  "Pomba Giro" sounds like a summer anthem to me, while "Over The Ocean" is a must for collectors of dubby, reggae beats. Recommended. -the mgmnt

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funk+soul+disco / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended / top albums chart

The first batch of UBB instrumentals was a hit, so here's a huge second helping! Like the first volume, volume 2 features no edits or computer trickery - just straight-up funk tracks recreated live by a tight group of UK musicians (lead ...   expand review  by Mr. Chop) so the sound quality is pretty darn close to the OG (if not cleaner!). You should be familiar with most of these as they are classic jams that have been sampled by numerous hip-hop joints. Check the new instrumental versions of "Give It Up Turn It Loose," "Sport," "Different Strokes," "Hand Clapping Song," "It's My Thing," "T Plays It Cool," You Got What I Need," and "Rock Creek Park." A gold mine for produers looking for clean samples and drums. 14 tracks total. -snackmaster

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funk+soul+disco / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended / top albums chart

The Holy Grail of P&P comps! As a fan of disco, I've spent a deal of my time in NY chasing down most of these songs. Thanks to P&P you can download them all here at once. Their catalogue has always been ...   expand review  a huge target for collectors of rare underground disco jams and these are the some of their most sought after tracks. We've had a bunch of these on comps before, but never as one encompassing set. Some inlcude, Paper Doll's "Get Down Boy(1)" which was released on Prins Thomas Galactic Prism series, Cloud One "Patty Duke" and Foster Jackson's "Feel The Spirit" two famous staples for hip hop, disco and breaks DJ's alike, Clyde Alexander's "Got To Have Your Love" which appeared on Gray Davis' Chocolate Star Album, and Chain Reaction's "Dance Freak" which Lab's own Roctakon used to start his Finding Directions mix. More notable rare jams, include Queen Yahna's "Ain't It Time" which I've been watching on Ebay for a year(always catches 3 figures), Jessie Gould's prudent song, " Out Of Work"(I heard Love On The Run drop this at our last Easy Access party) and L.J. Walters "Hooked On Your Line." Only the finest picks here. Highly Recommended! -Cmish

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended

Has BBE ever put out a weak comp? For his second go-around UK DJ/Collector (of Scratch Perverts fame) exposes 18 more unusual funk-dified moments and unexpected breaks. We're talking wizard level digger's selection here (I recognize 2 names out of the 18 ...   expand review  tracks. Unmixed. Recommended. -mgmnt

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funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended / funk+soul+disco / top albums chart

I must admit that when initially heard about the premise of these Afro-Heat remixes by a pair of west coast djs who shall remain nameless, I was a touch doubtful, but I've been won over by this second release in the series. ...   expand review  The mix of Roy Ayers & Fela Kuti's classic "Black" over "Billie Jean" has all the potential makings of a mashup disaster, but the mix is pulled off with aplomb- skillful re-editing of the original tracks and the fact that both tracks are actually in key help matters. The resulting track should be a dancefloor killer for the right crowd. The conceptual implications of the mix of Fela's "ITT (International Thief Thief)" over Kano's electro classic "I'm Ready" appeal to the critical theory-loving Afro-futurist in me, and the two originals mesh together nicely, creating some interesting musical and ideological parallels (ed.note: vintage-Language!). The third track is a mix of Fela and Earth Wind & Fire. Recommended. -Language

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top albums chart / funk soul disco - lab recommended / funk+soul+disco

Now on digital! I was in Manchester when I first found this record, an obvious low budget affair identified solely as "Afro-Heat". After a quick listen I heard a couple rawdog chop-ups of the bassline from ...   expand review "Another One Bites the Dust" layered with banging afrobeat drums and chants. It only took a couple of seconds of this to realize that here was an obvious straight banging club tool: loud, raw and funky as a French cabdriver. Naturally the record came home to Brooklyn with me, but when I contacted the people who put it out, I found that they're some Yanks. Good news for all of you, but bad for me thinking I had some exclusive British bootleg shit. Oh well, at least I can take solace in the fact that there are very few of these out there, and by the time most people catch on, this aptly named record will be long gone. Aside from the uptempo cuts, there is a classy downtempo mix sunk deep as the second cut on one side, that blends the acapella from Erykah Badu's cameo turn for Rahzel's LP (a lyrical revamp of Maze's "Southern Girl") with some thumping UK style subbass. You guys probably know who did this EP, it's some friends from the left coast but that's about all I can reveal. They promise more episodes in the future, and if they keep it as gully and nasty as this joint I will be the first in line. This is not some play it at home type shit, this is on some 1AM in the club, get the girls going steez. -monk

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funk soul disco - lab recommended / cosmic / funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / and more

Arcade Lovers picks the brightest stars to burn together on this killer new disco track. You have Darshan Jesrani from Metro Area and Daniel Balis from Escort teaming up here, and their combined experience is just plain scary. "Fantasy Lines(1)" is the ...   expand review  single and Lisa Shaw from Naked Music is providing the luscious new vocals. The composition is masterful, and the lyrics, seductive. Although the original has everything a god disco track needs - catchy verses and hook, drum intros, extended breakdowns, they also provide a kick ass instrumental that strongly stands on its own. It's not often that we get good 12"s from Tirk, Metro Area, or Escort for that matter, so personally I'd swoop quick. Not trying to hard sell ya, just lookin' out for my peoples(I'm putting 2 in my bag right now). Highly recommended. -C'mish

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new disco electro / dance - lab recommended / top albums chart / reviewer recommended / and more

Bok Bok and L-Vis 1990 (of Mad Decent fame) have come together to drop a record that will give you a combined sense of dynamic London music scene. The duo uses elements of dupstep, house and everything in between, forming aggressive, bastard ...   expand review  butt movers. These tracks have been getting heavy support by DJs like Drop The Lime, Starkey, Feadz, Shir Khan, and others. 4 heaters! -mgmnt

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dance+house / dance - lab recommended / dance - new arrivals / top albums chart

Another big release for Hyperdub (can the label do no wrong?) with Darkstar's much anticipatee "Aidy's Girl Is A Computer" back with an incredible house remix from Detroit prodigy Kyle Hall. The original mix of "Aidy's..." has been floating around the internet ...   expand review  for months now, finding its way into the sets of all the key players in the game, and with good reason. The track has an undeniable charm to it thanks to those sublime melodies and swingin' garage-ish rhythm. Mr. Hall makes for some seriously deep Detroit business on his remix, extending the mood over a grooving 4x4 with sweet synth solos to boot. Excellent release. Recommended. -snackmaster

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dstep+grime+baile / top albums chart / dwntmpo+electronic / dubstep / baile / cumbia - new arrivals / and more

After several release on Planet Mu, FaltyDL has moved over to Ramp Recordings, bringing his brand of mutant beats to this super-hot label. "Party" uses a familiar Falty theme, weaving soul vocals into a beatscape. "Alphafun" is a dark as night beat ...   expand review  that conjures up nightmares and muggings. -mgmnt

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dubstep / baile / cumbia - new arrivals / dwntmpo+electronic / top albums chart / reviewer reccomended / and more

After several release on Planet Mu, FaltyDL has moved over to Ramp Recordings, bringing his brand of mutant beats to this super-hot label. "To London" is like a hybrid of UK garage and new school beats, it's got a great movement about ...   expand review  it. "Metacognist" is a great piece of head music. Falty twists up samples into an undulating wave, and gotta love those crisp drums. Lastly, "Tom@Ramp" is an abstract 80s electro track. Recommended. -mgmnt

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top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke

Jonny Blaze drops the 2009 edition of the super-popular Kiddie Disco, leading off with a shotgun-bmore version of Lady Gaga's "Just Dance". I'm not up with the current cartoon scene so I can't identify "I Wanna Be Like The Heat." "Little Thing" ...   expand review  is an awesome piece of Bmore funk, looping up horn samples and drum loops. "Miss A" is that "Ahh-Choo" oldies track. "Ice Cream," which samples the ice cream truck song, is a perfect track for the late summer. Lastly, "Swag On The Heat" is a version of "Turn My Swag On." -mgmnt

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top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke

Keep one eye on these Parisians, 'cause as much as we like to pride ourselves on the art of getting dumb, they've picked up the language like a new pair of kicks and are ready to run it. Kazey and Bulldog's Dress ...   expand review  2 Sweat crew is a super team of party rockers which includes Baltimore & Detroit big dogs like Rod Lee, Debonair Samir and DJ Deeon, as well as fresh new club DJ's like Pistol Pete, Dikulous and Zomby. I'm listening to their Bmore edit of Pharaohe Monch's "Simon Says" called "Big Truck" and it's just huge. I know JOTS just released their version, but consider this the suped up steroid version. Same goes for their Bmore version of Lil Jon's "Snap Yo Fingers" called "Snap Yo Balti." Fans of the Crunk King's hit will love the nitro injection this one gets. For the Pharrell and Twista fans, check their "Give It Up," then the insanely potent keys on "Sweet Harmony." Really clever use of breaks here, not your usual loop / "Sing Sing" break combos. Already getting lots of play by reputable gentleman such as Ayres, Scottie B, Orgasmic, XXXChange, Goon & Koyote and Feadz. So next time you see the floor packed with party people, kick 'em in the head with this. -Larri Byrd

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new disco - new arrivals / top albums chart / new disco electro

Apparently the original version of "Gucci Sweatshirt" was recorded back in 2007 and was causin' a buzz on the blogs for a minute and is now FINALLY getting a proper vinyl release on Innovative Leisure. Lazer Sword is two dudes from SF ...   expand review  that bang out some really tough electro-bass-dub-acid-electronica beats to smash your head too (and dance to if you're so inclined). Michu in customer service thinks the track is inspired from $5 bootleg Gucci sweatshirts which have infiltrated every liquor store in the Bay. I don't think it's a bad assumption (shoot I'd buy one for $5!). Anyway, the track slaps super hard in it's original form, but the '09 Electro Remix is something you can really get a good dancefloor going with. The Neon Black Acid Remix is even more pumping and would totally work in an electro house set or even with more techy acid stuff. The 12" rounds out with more heavily freaked beat business on "Jet Black(4)." Super duty tough! -snackmaster

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fool's gold / dance+house / top albums chart

DJ/producer/saxophonist Samuel "P.Nice" Bananas returns to the Fool's Gold fold with his second batch of ultra useful edits and remixes. Whereas the instantly-sold-out High Top Fades EP covered the 80s, Braids & Fades moves forward in time and finds young Sam reworking ...   expand review  some classic 90s jams. On the A, it's Jomanda's "Got A Love For You" getting a Bmore overhaul on "Work Me" and Salt N Pepa's "Shoop" chopped up over sublime squelching bass on "Get Set Go." Flip it over for "Ooh Bop" - an En Vogue rework, my favorite and the most instantly recognizable of the four joints - and "Ladies." Chalk another one up for the Fool's Gold team. -Van Hammersly

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hip-hop / top albums chart

Remaking Dilla's masterful "Runnin" is a daunting task (arguably his most universally loved production), but the relatively unknown Philippians have done a worthy job. They keep the tickled magic feeling of the original and approach almost it like a re-edit. Super-bonus here ...   expand review  as you get the acapella version. If I were to personally select producers for this project, DJ Nu-Mark would definitely be on my list. His brand of west coast boom-bap is perfect setup for "4 Better Or For Worse." Acapella here too kids. -mgmnt

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bmore / ghetto / juke / top albums chart

Whoa. Ayres told me that he and Tittsworth were working on a Bmore battle record with locked grooves like two years ago, but it was getting to the point where I thought the idea had been tossed out. But here it is ...   expand review  on A-Trak's Ammo Records imprint, with a spiffy full-color sleeve by Espo, no less! Oh yeah, and it's really, really good. You could probably do a full Bmore set just rocking doubles of this record. Each side has a section of locked grooves (all at 133 BPM), followed by some longer beats, effects and acapella scraps (60 useful tools in all). Gotta love the nice, crisp, clear acapellas they got here for Bmore classics like "Percolator," "Watch Out For The Big Girl," etc. If you spin Baltimore club and you don't cop this record, I got just three words for you - YOU BIG DUMMY! -Chris Lemon-Red

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bmore / ghetto / juke / top albums chart

Ayres comin' atcha for round two with another huge helping of Bmore club breaks, loops and samples. Think of this as your go-to tool box for Bmore club - this thing has it all. Tons of drum loops, melodies, breaks, and acapellas ...   expand review  are at your disposal for production or live remixes. Like the first volume (which was a certified Lab best-seller), you get 60 loops total at a constant 133BPM for easy mixing and doubles rocking. Recommended. -the mgmnt

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funk soul disco - lab recommended / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk+soul+disco

Wow, the guys behind these UBB instrumentals sure don't waste anytime! Here's volume 3 of the acclaimed series, this time with a decidedly rock slant to the track selection. All the tracks on here are huge classics that need no explaining - ...   expand review  all replayed to be completely instrumental. No gimmicks, just plain replayed tracks in their entirety. The sound quality is pretty damn close to the originals too, if anything a bit cleaner and less grimey, so get those MPC's ready for tons of sampling possibilities. Big tracks on here like "Big Beat," "Cavern," "Dynamite," "Films," "Johnny the Fox," "Uphill Peace of Mind," "Tom Sawyer," and "Jack & Diane." -snackmaster

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top albums chart / dstep+grime+baile

It seems weird to annoint every new Bersa Discos release as "the best Bersa Discos yet," but it's the truth: the Bay Area's fledgling neo-cumbia imprint just keeps getting stronger. For the label's fourth EP, they've enlisted two artists who make their ...   expand review  homes far from Buenos Aires, but who've nonetheless got that special touch when it comes to fiery cumbia remixes. Brooklyn's Uproot Andy - an unofficial associate of DJ/rupture and Matt Shadetek's Dutty Artz collective - takes the A-side with three bumping, dubstep-influenced remixes of Afro-Colombian folk songs by Petrona Martinez ("La Vida Vale La Pena"), Toto La Momposina ("El Pescador"), and Grupo Naidy ("El Botellon"). On the flip, it's the Netherlands' Sonido del Principe infusing rave and electro sounds into their trio of tracks - "Cartagena," "El Principe," "Cumbia de la Barranquilla" - which seemingly sample big-band style 50s/60s cumbias. Whatever the sources, it's murderous stuff. Recommended. -Van Hammersly

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funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk+soul+disco / funk soul disco - lab recommended / top albums chart

The gang at Plimsoll is back with a pair of surprising MJ edits to catch the dancefloor off guard. First up is Space Rangers' totally chopped version of "Thriller." Almost couldn't recognize it from the beginning till those sinister synth stabs kicked ...   expand review  in! Sly & Robbie's dubbed out version of "Billie Jean" goes under the knife as the Onur Engin edit. Extra funky reggae disco vibes on this piece. Killer! -snackmaster

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dubstep / baile / cumbia - new arrivals / top albums chart / dstep+grime+baile

Big tunes! Zomby's gettin' wild with the video game sounds on his latest release on UK's Ramp Records. "Strange Fruit" sounds like the illest level of some NES shooter you never got to play. Either that or some master level Tetris shit. ...   expand review  So sick. "Liquid Dancehall" gets equally rude with that nasty minimal bass rumble coupled with a proper ragga sample drop and spaced out 8-bit bleeps and bloops to take the dancefloor back to the future. -snackmaster

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hip-hop / dance classics / top albums chart

Finally a proper digital version! Planet Rock is the best hip-hop song ever made. Even if it's become a cliche, it's more important than ever now that Williamsburg is threatening to ruin electro by making it a fashion statement. Roctakon likes to ...   expand review  pretend that he likes it, but that wimpy Depeche Mode soundalike shit can't fuck the real deal: bulletproof Arthur Baker drum machines and Kraftwerk synths with that gangster bass line. Bambaataa freaks the vocoded robot voice on the intro, and MC G.L.O.B.E. and company kill the raps and chants. Get on down, let your soul lead the way, shake it now, go ladies, it's a living dream, love like this! Or go for the instrumental and scratch to it if that's your thing. It's the sure shot. -ayres

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ninjay tune / top albums chart

MI discovered Ammoncontact through their EP on Soul Jazz a year or so back, and on that release the LA-based beat making duo of Carlos Nino and Fabian Ammon strung together a quirky and impudent set of samples and live instruments without ...   expand review  sacrificing thump or bounce. This full length sees them tackle the same task, with perhaps a larger ratio of live input. The overall vibe of the album can be gleaned through the song titles, which include "Dreamy," "Healing Vibrations" and "Like Waves Of The Sea." Mostly instrumental and down in tempo, the songs have a loose structure that sometimes sounds like unrelated beats strung together ("Infinity of Rhythm Instrumental," "Good Life to Groove Merchant"), a mood that can confound if you're looking for a steady beat. It will reward on multiple listens though, with interesting textures and sample variations that would get lost in a club setting but are perfect for trudging through the city with the iPod. If you're a DJ looking for something to play out, I give you "Fun Is For Funky," about as simple and Zapp-clapped as these guys are going to get. "Wu Wu Woomp" and "Through the Moon" are cool grooves that would welcome a well-placed acapella, while the title track> with guest Lil Sci gives you an idea of what they can do with an MC. Twelve tracks altogether on this understated and hip LP. -the mgmnt

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hip-hop / top albums chart

LAB EARLY EXCLUSIVO! Amp Live of Zion I embarks on his new Child’s Play label (Om is the parent label). His first single "Gary Is A Robot" featuring Trackademics and Micro Jaxson is a nice slice of post-jiggy-crunk hip-hop. It doesn't sound ...   expand review  forced at all, and I like how they let the instrumental parts breathe. B-side featuring Freestyle Fellowship's Mykah is a bit more futuristic and verbalistic, but what else did you expect?

Amp Live
-mgmnt

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reggae / dwntmpo+electronic / top albums chart

There isn't much that sounds like this. Leftfield may be an understatement. The Jahtari guys take JA music and run wild with it, but somehow they stay tasteful. Definitely some 2.0 shit. Beatheads and dubbers take notice... Jahtari in your area. -mgmnt

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dfa + related / top albums chart / new disco - new arrivals

Third and final Digi-12 to come off Gavin Russom's BMS project. For the uninitiated, Black Meteoric Star is Gavin Russom composing and freaking a minimal analog synth set up (no more than 6 equipment pieces) all the way live in single takes. ...   expand review  Two of my favorite cuts off the full length are featured here. The cooled out synth groove of "Dawn" is a nice contrast to the epic, fast paced jams that comprise most of the BMS sound, while "Dreamcatcher" goes deep into hypnotic layers of synths for super cosmic vibes. -snackmaster

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new disco electro / mad decent / reviewer recommended / top albums chart

Folks have been clamoring for the aptly titled "Suspense Is Killing Me" from London's Boy 8-Bit since big name DJs like Switch, Basement Jaxx, Annie Mac and Crookers started spinning it advance style late last year. Now the Boy is signed with ...   expand review  Mad Decent -- label head Diplo called him "the most unique sounding club music out right now" and dropped the track on his huge "I Like Turtles" mix -- and "Suspense" gets a super official release. Backed with the shuddering, trance-flavored Bmore of "Bulbs Burn Out" and infectious bump of "The Cricket Scores," plus a speaker-rattling "Suspense" remix from Drop The Lime, this one is, as they say, a no brainer. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red

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top albums chart / funk+soul+disco / funk soul disco - lab recommended

Another rare disco classic issued on digital. Not much to say here but, "this track absolutely kills." The original on vinyl has always been too expensive for me, at least a cool hundo everytime, so I might even have to buy this ...   expand review  myself for the CDJ - ugh. Fans of Roctakon might know this jam as the first track on his Finding Directions mix on Money Studies. Yeah, it's that good. -Cmish

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top albums chart / dirty bird

Dirtybird ringleader's first full length LP 

Ok, so 5 years ago Claude Von Stroke was Barclay Crenshaw, a filmmaker who had never made a track before. That’s ok, I’m not annoyed that his first track, ”Deep Throat,” featured on this full length LP, was released as the third ...   expand review  Dirtybird release and sold 11,000 copies, a number unheard of in today’s market. Nope- I’m fine with it. Von Stroke had, and has, a kooky approach towards music, and his playful attitude and good taste have made him a household name around the world in dance music today. This full length showcases the best of Dirtybird as we know it so far. Features some of Justin Martin, Sammy D and Claude’s mega hits, such as “The Whistler,” “Chimps,” “Beware of the Bird” and “Who’s Afraid of Detroit,” as well as some other sleepers. Also includes “Lullaby,” a live recording of a performance recorded in Detroit circa 1999. -Alison Tara

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bmore / ghetto / juke / top albums chart

Folks have been asking after this record for days, and now that Flamin' Hotz has finally dropped the megaton bomb, I don't think those folks will be disappointed. Cobra Kai crew's DJ Krames picked only the most classic tracks to remix on ...   expand review  Cracker Jackin', and all get done up in classic Bmore gimmick style (think old Samir, Jonny Blaze, etc.). A-side features remixes of Daft Punk's "One More Time" ("What More Time"), Us3's "Cantaloop" ("Flip Fantasia") and Willie Hutch's "I Choose You" ("Players Choose You") plus the party break "Work That Pussy." On the flip, Krames goes oldies radio with "A Lollipop," "In His Kiss," "It's My Party" and "I Think We're Alone Now" (OG Tommy James version, of course, nuh Tiffany). 8 tracks total. -Chris Lemon-Red

file under:

funk soul disco - lab recommended / funk+soul+disco / top albums chart

The Truth & Soul guys thought that these tracks were too disco for their own label, so they licensed them out to Chicago's Superbro label. The T&S guys should be proud of this, these two tracks are steaming poo. The youngins continually ...   expand review  amaze us. Top notch. -mgmnt

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reviewer recommended / new disco - new arrivals / new disco electro / fool's gold / and more

After blowing-the-fuck-up with their remix of Kid Cudi's "Day 'N Nite," Crookers and Fool's Gold are back at it with a full length EP from the Italian duo. "What's Up Y'all," yet another electro jackhammer that features up and comer Izza Kizza ...   expand review  on the hook. There's been lots of hype floating around for this one, I wouldn't be surprised if it blows up with all the kids in neon. "Knobbers" features their signature electro/bmore sound combo, and also gets a remix from Fool's Gold alum DJ Gant-Man. UK brokenbeat star Seiji contributes two remixes here, in both booty-bass and acid flavors, their collabo with Kid Cudi, "Embrace The Martian." The original version of that track, which is also included, was originally featured on Kid Cudi's A Kid Named Cudi mixtape. Six tracks total, recommended. -Hires

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new rock / modular / institubes / and more

Second single from the In Ghost Colours album. In the usual Modular fashion, the track gets tricked out with remixes from currently on-fire producers. Tapping into current 80s trends, Calvin Harris goes retro-electro boogie on his version. Similarly the Midnight Juggernauts go ...   expand review  80s with a freestyle meets synth pop take. Lastly, for the straight dancefloor version, cut straight to Holy Ghost's (DFA) crispy new disco take. Strong set as usual for the Modular crew. -mgmnt

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hip-hop / top albums chart

Re-release of Daddy Kev's 2001 production album featuring guest emcees Mikah 9, Busdriver, PEACE, Circus, and Awol One. Three beat interludes makes it complete. LA underground hip-hop at its finest. -mgmnt

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reviewer reccomended / top albums chart / stones throw - digital

When it comes to 80s electrofunk and boogie cuts, there's no one repping it as hard as Dam Funk. With full backing from PB Wolf, Wax Poetics and U-Tern, there's no argument that he is the realness. Don't know any other DJ ...   expand review  that spins only rare vinyl (absolutely no MP3s), shouts out every playlist with label and year included, and MCs the entire affair with finesse. This may be impressive for the beginner just getting used to the boogie sound, but to a collector (like myself) it's even more insane! Most of the tracks he plays out are impossible to find private presses or well over a hundred dollars on the market. This is his first solo 12" on Stones Throw, officially placing the Dam Funk flag on the scene. Check his signature sound on the title track "Burgundy City." It fuses together grown & sexy boogie synths with that detroit slump, all laid over the funkiest, lo-fi drums you've ever heard. The melodies are dripping with soul and as the back states, "There was no sequencing involved" which would explain the live feel and how there are NO LOOPS used. "Galactic Fun" also uses the lo-fi drums in a throwback Prince fashion, setting the foundation for the funkiest boogie synth lines. The groove creeps in like a kitten and grows to a monster of synth jam. You can tell that everything on here is played by Dam Funk himself, no big studio or hired musicians, just pure funk made resourcefully and soulfully. And for all the beatheads out there that may not be ready for the mature funk style, there's also the drum tracks dub for both songs.. I can already tell this summer is going to be an awesome one; this Dam Funk release will help make it so. Recommended. -C'mish

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dance+house / top albums chart / dance - lab recommended / bmore / ghetto / juke - new arrivals / and more

Round two from Nada and T&A, this one features some seriously dark bmore/electro/tech hybrids. "Apocalypse Theme" is full of break beats, vacuum synths and a Misfits vocal sample that unleashes hell in the middle of the track. Dubstep maestros 12th ...   expand review  Planet and Fitch jump on the remix for that one, adding some wobble-wobble bass and syncopated drums to keep things moving. "Drummer's Rock" edges a bit closer to traditional Bmore territory, featuring synth horns and a vocal sample from Kanye's "Good Life." For the last track, Nada enlists his production partner Matt Nordstrom to remix "Inner Midget," and together they turn it into a nice grooving, minimal track. Four tracks total, muy recommendo. -Hires

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bmore / ghetto / juke / top albums chart

This release on T&A Records comes courtesy of Baltimore's own Dave Nada. If you don't know Dave, he's played in a bunch of hardcore bands around the Bmore/DC area, produced with one of the guys from Q & Not U under the ...   expand review  name Rubber Bullets, and now holds it down as a resident at Taxlo with his DJ partner, Tittsworth. The six heavy Bmore remixes here not only feature some sick production from Mr. Nada, but also some original synth work(!) a la Blaqstarr or old Samir shit. A-side has the MC5 remix "Kick Out The Jams," the Biggie-sampling "Where Brooklyn At" and the Queen / Ying Yang jumble "Fat Bottom Girl." B-side wins, however, with remixes of Unk's "Back It Up" and Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "Spell On You," plus "Bonus Beats," featuring crisp Bmore drums and some of that tasty synth. -Larri Byrd

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

When Debbie Deb got it right, she struck freestyle gold. "Lookout Weekend" is her biggest banger and has been covered by giants like Janet Jackson, been on countless mixtapes, and has opened everyone from Diplo to my Puerto Rican neighbors - people ...   expand review  just can't deny its power. Especially if you're working a full time gig (like me) and slaving like the rest of us. The weekend couldn't be more important. This digital release also includes three more of Debbie's finest moments: the freestyle classic "When I Hear Music," and the more slept-on "I'm Searching" and "Fantasy." Oh yeah, did I mention instrumentals for all four tracks?? -C'mish

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hip-hop / dance - lab recommended / top albums chart / dance+house

Hot Cakes' DJ Defkline does it again. Busta Rhymes' "Touch It" gets the wicked booty-breaks treatment, but his version of Chaka Khan's "I Feel for You" steals the show. This electro-enhanced re-edit stays close to the original's feel but adds mounds of ...   expand review  club jumpiness. Your crowd will eat this shit up. -mgmnt

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top albums chart / bmore / ghetto / juke

The UK's Dress 2 Sweat label keeps the realness coming with more authentic club sounds from Bodymore. Okay, Tameil actually hails from Brick City, but if you got releases on Unruly, your Bmore credentials is legit. On the A-side, we got the ...   expand review  extra-hype ode to ass "Back That Thang Up," which splices vocals from Unk's "Back It Up" with the strings from "Back That Azz Up." There's also "Get Silly" on some minimal gun-clapping Lil Jon shit. Flip it over for remixes of Ja Rule ("Body") and 50 Cent/Audio Two ("Get Money"). -Larri Byrd

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dance - lab recommended / dance - new arrivals / dance+house / top albums chart

Is there such a thing as minimal electro? If there is, this must qualify. "Trollsta" starts off sounding like it could be a minimal techno track, but then comes the squelching, unruly bassline just when you let your guard down. ...   expand review   Kind of a weird, hybrid between the two styles, it works very nicely. Knights Of The Round Table and MHM One both contribute subdued techno versions, leaving the door wide open for Egyptrixx to come in and blow everyone out with a huge dubstep take. Four tracks total, recommended. -Hires

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dance - lab recommended / cosmic / new disco - new arrivals / dance+house / and more

NYC's Eli Escobar has been making noise for years now, from his hip-hop productions on Fondle 'Em to his edits on Money Lotion and remixes for everybody from MIA to Britney Spears. You'd think he'd have a solo 12" by now, but ...   expand review  believe it or not this release on Stretch Armstrong's Plant label is it! Eli goes in strong on "Glass House" letting a tough house rhythm slowly build with layers of synth lines that reach a climax with epic strings and pads after the breakdown. The homie XXXChange goes for the "Yoga Mom In A Blender Mix" on the flip that strips down Eli's lush production for a rawer warehouse feel. Check that screeching synth line after the break that'll turn the floor loose. Also includes the "Good Times" (not on the vinyl). Pump it up! -snackmaster