quick audio picks: 123456
Super deluxe 10th anniversary edition of AIR's first proper album from '98. You might've listened to this back when it first came out, but it's definitely worth a revisit. I know my ears were a little more biased a decade ago and...
expand review weren't really in tune with the Frenchies, but in '08 I'm pretty sure we're all much more familiar with the "French Style" and can really appreciate what these dudes were doing. Nicolas and JB (aka AIR) were definitely ahead of their time, combining elements from Burt Bacharach and Serge Gainsbourg, ambient, lounge, new wave, disco and lots of synthesizers, into one unique musical style paving the way for similar-minded artists like Sebastien Tellier. Just take a listen the masterfully crafted chill moods -"La Femme D'Argent(1)," "Talisman(2)," "All I Need(3)," and "Sexy Boy(4)," "Le Voyage De Penelope(5)," and "Remember(6)." The whole album really goes down real easy - it's that smooth. This limited edition set also contains a bonus CD loaded with rarities, remixes, demo versions, and radio sessions as well as a DVD with an hour long documentary on the band entitled "Eating, Sleeping, Waiting and Playing" by none other than Mike Mills. All this in a fancy 12- page hard cover booklet with full liner notes, lyrics, and original artwork. Recommended. -snackmaster
I've never seen blogland so geniunely excited about a DVD release. Something about Bad Brains elicits a pure, gutteral response from music nerds and past generation skaters; and plus, no more shoddy bootleg VHS tapes from Bleeker Bobs or Kim's. This official...
expand review DVD captures the best of three Bad Brains perfomances that happened on 3 consecutive days in 1982, beginning on Christmas Eve. Bad Brains live proves to be worth the hype, with the thrash banshee HR singing like the devil's child and incredible intensity from the band. The footage is much better than I expected with multiple angles shot with professional cameras. CBGB's is well lit during the performance, allowing you to see in detail the '83 crowd sans security crew, as they freely wander the stage and go dumb. Awesome. 22 songs plus interviews. -mgmnt
Finally, a documentary on the original architects of hip-hop - the producers. Through interviews conducted by Mathematics, legendary producers such as Marley Marl, Primo, Pete Rock, RZA, Kanye, Just Blaze, Havoc, Swizz Beatz, Alchemist, Trackmasters, Easy Mo Bee, 45 King, Prince Paul,...
expand review Salaam Remi, Ski Beats, D-Dot, and Rocwilder tell the story of the producer first hand with tons of inside anecdotes, tidbits, and words of wisdom. Learn the details of Marley Marl's crucial discovery of sampling kicks and snares from old James Brown records, RZA's first drum machine (which was actually a stolen 606 courtesy of ODB!), David Banner's theories of production, Alchemist's theories on success and lasting in the game, and more. This is a truly insightful DVD and necessary viewing for anyone producing beats or thinking about getting into making beats. It's kind of like breaking bread with all these great producers in your living room. 66 minutes long. Recommended. -snackmaster
A documentary searching for answers to the still-unsolved murders of Tupac and Biggie. The film is directed by Nick Broomfield, a British documentarian who has become well-known for investigating the stories behind high profile celebrities (his previous work includes "Kurt & Courtney"...
expand review about the death of Kurt Cobaine, and "Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam") and stirring up heaps of controversy along the way. It follows Nick as he explores all possible avenues of information, interviewing sources like Biggie's mom, Tupac's dad, people they used to hang with, anybody related to the cases, crooked cops, gang members, and even Suge Knight himself (while in jail!). He makes a definite case for certain theories (Suge Knight did it), but I don't know what the hell to believe now- how do you trust a crooked cop? Quite surprising, nonetheless. Bonus features included additional scenes edited from original theatrical release, and director commentary. -the mgmnt
DVD release of the 1994 MTV Unplugged performance and the 1998 MTV Live performance. Unplugged songs: Human Behaviour, One Day, Come To Me, Big Time Sensuality, Aeroplane, Like Someone In Love, Crying, Anchor Song, and Violently Happy. MTV Live songs You've Been...
expand review Flirting Again, Isobel, Human Behavouir, Bachelorette, Joga, and Pluto. Region 1 encoding. -the mgmnt
The newest project from Mochilla brings the heat of Brasil straight to your tube via the lens of B+ and the Mochilla crew. If you ever wondered what vacationing in Brasil is like, how about with funk drum legends (Paul Humphries...
expand review and James Gadson), LA DJ giants (Madlib, Babu, J-Rocc, and Cut Chemist), along with legendary Brasilian percussionists (Wilson Das Neves, Derf Reklaw, and Joao Parahyba)? This is the follow up to their Keepintime project which was I first saw opening up the DJ Shadow show in SF, but this time the jam is much more epic. Join the whole crew as they tour through Brasil, go shopping for the rarest of Brasilian records, inside practice sessions, Madlib beat making live, J-Rocc rocking his patented mix style, and the legends of Brasil and Funk dropping heavyweight gems in personal interviews and photo shoots. The climax is of course the Brasilintime jam where everyone is riffing and jamming with each other. The bonus disc includes more jams including exclusive footage of Madlib killing a trap set like a true jazzman. A must have for true beat heads and wax fiends everywhere. 2 disc DVD with more than 2 hours of footage. -Cmish
In comparison to the other dancehall dvds we've gotten lately, this one is by far the most "professional" in terms of both the video production and the performances. Whereas the other dvds are the typical soundstystem shows that you get in Jamaica-...
expand review outdoor venue, 30 guys on stage passing the mic constantly, selectors on the mix and super raw energy- this one is an actual stage show with live band and a legitimate "lineup" of performers. What you lose in rawness and spontaneity, you gain in a really well put together dvd. The sound, visuals and editing are way higher quality than I expected, and the performers are all in top celebrity mode, running through concise sections of their hits while dipped out in the craziest 1988 gear. Yellowman comes on last and rips everything- best dance moves, best outfit (the one piece grey worker wear), best tunes (minus his opening "Ooh Wee" set), most x-rated, and of course, best in-between song chatter. The guy's had stage charisma in a full nelson for about 25 years. His set lasts almost 40 minutes, wrapped up when he brings out all the performers at once for one last tune. Frankie Paul is real good in this one too, highlighting his set with covers of "Don't Go Changing" and "Head To Toe;" Pinchers kills the crowd with his big tune "Agony;" Lt Stitchie takes the fashion award with a bright blue sequined Robin Hood thing going on (doing hits like "Wear Yu Size"); Major Mackerel pops off pretty good; General Trees is super hype; and you even get a pre-Snow white guy deejay named Dominic. Approximately 1 hour, 50 minutes. Region 1.
Coldcut expands on their Sound Mirrors project with a plethora of new media for the fans. The project comprises of a DVD of selective new directors, displaying a whole new interpretation to their music and an entire new CD of remixes....
expand review First off, this package is top notch. It includes a booklet with the entire backstory on the project and all the directors involved: Smugglin Peanuts, Clay Lipsky, Ocean Monsters, etc... Expect only the best of the best After Effects masters and animators. Shit is mind blowing. Also, features an exclusive video directed by Ne-0, "The State Were In". The remix CD has the hottest dance producers doing interpretations of Cold Cut classics like "True Skool", "Everything Is Under Control", "Walk A Mile In My Shoes" and more. Remixers: Spank Rock, Switch, Henrik Schwarz, Tiga, Daedelus, Solid Groove, etc. Perfect for astral travelling, getting inspired, and kicken' back with the crew.
Remixes:
True Skool - Spank Rock BBC Soundsystem Remix
Everything Is Under Control - Coldcut Theory 0.1
Everything Is Under Control - Qemists Remix
True Skool - Sway Remix
Man In A Garage - Snap Ant Version
Etuc - DJ Kentaro Remix
True Skool - Switch Remix
People Hold On - Casuals Remix
Walk A Mile In My Shoes - Tiga Remix
Etuc - Solid Groove Dub Mix
The State We're In - Coldcut Bassass Mix
Man In A Garage - Nick Franglen )Lemon Jelly) Remix
Man In A Garage - Daedelus Hydraulic Remix
Walk A Mile In My Shoes - Henrik Schwarz -C'mish
Thorough video compilation from positive hip-hop frontman Common. This DVD features high quality, full length videos from Common's entire career (even from when he was called Common Sense). You get the early classics like "I Used To Love H.E.R.," "Soul By The...
expand review Pound," and "Reminding Me Of Sef," to more recent joints like "The People," "Go," "The Corner," "Driving Me Wild" with Lily Allen, "Geto Heaven Remix" with Macy Gray, "I Have A Dream" with Will I Am, "I Want You" with Alicia Keys making a cameo, "The 6th Sense" with Bilal, and "Love Of My Life" with Erykah Badu. Also features some live footage like a freestyle from MTV's spring break, a freestyle with Will I Am, and a live rendition of "Southside" with Kanye West. 22 videos total. -snackmaster
Loaded DVD release of this 2007 biopic on Joy Division's late lead singer, Ian Curtis, from acclaimed music video director Anton Corbijn (Nirvana, Depeche Mode, Metallica). This 2-hour b&w film (starring Sam Riley, who could have fronted a JD tribute band if...
expand review he wasn't already an actor) was Corbijn's first feature film and drew rave reviews from critics around the world. This "Miriam Collection" edition features a full-length audio commentary and additional conversation with Corbijn, a "making of" featurette, production still gallery, extended live performances from the film, plus three Corbijn-directed music videos from Joy Division and The Killers. Fans of Curtis will obviously want to check out this account of the man's oft-mythologized life, but even film fans who may be Joy Division n00bs should take note -- main man Roger Ebert said Control "works simultaneously as a musical biopic and the story of a life." -Chris Lemon-Red
This DVD collects all of Daft Punk's music videos from the "Homework" album. You get all the classic vids like "Da Funk" directed by Spike Jonze, the unforgettable "Around The World" video directed by fellow frenchman Michel Gondry, "Burnin" by Seb Janiak,...
expand review "Revolution 909" by Roman Coppola, and "Fresh," which was directed by Daft Punk themselves. Audio commentary is available for all the videos along with the "Making Of's" which feature big name remixes (Armand Van Helden, MAW, Ian Pooley, etc. ) of the various tracks. In addition, you also get to check out Daft Punk rock it in LA, doing a live version of "Rollin' & Scratchin'" from 9 different camera positions. Can't wait to see their upcoming Electroma movie. -snackmaster
I love it. The human attention span has gotten so small and pop culture keeps changing at such an alarming rate(Gnarls who?). This is the next evolution in crack to help you keep in step with it all. When I say all,...
expand review I'm not exaggerating either, it really does cover everything. From Japanese beatbox kings, to New York art militia Faile, streetwear game with none other than Lamaur and Dauley, MC/DJ culture with Tes(who's about to have a new release on Ed Banger), the Street Jewelry game, skateboard stuntman Billy Rohan, videos by D128 and more. Dap gives it to you all in well edited bitesize documentaries, so there is literally no fast foward time. Consider it your secret multivitamin of everything hannenin' under the sun and in the grimeiest parts of the street. Its a playa's best friend. -C'mish
It's the next edition of Dap, the ultimate trend hunter video mag. If you're too busy, to be keeping up with new hip hop artists, streetwear companies, designer sneaks, street artists and youth culture in general I'd suggest this 40 min concentrated...
expand review blast. This could be the future of mags as we know it. As photography is quickly puching away art, the same might be said with video. Who wants to see static pretty photo shoots when you can watch the artists talk themselves? This isuue covers the Patta clothing from Amsterdam, the futuristic hip hop of Mickey Factz, a behind the scenes at a Rocksmith photo shoot, art of Raza Uno, Hip Hop of Tanya Morgan, BKRW & street culture, Collette, Morning Breath design which is on our floor(I blogged them last year), and the photography of Kareem Black. Also comes with some exclusive Dap and Rockmith stickers. -C'mish
The sequel to the best selling Deep Crates DVD goes even deeper than the first to give you the real-deal history behind digging for samples and making beats. You get first hand accounts from founding pioneers in the game on how beat...
expand review digging culture began and evolved - from Marley Marl's crucial discovery of sampling live drum kits to create his own beats to the real story behind Pete Rock's T.R.O.Y. - it's all thoroughly covered on DC2. Check the all-star line up - Marley Marl, 45 King, Pete Rock, Ced Gee of Ultra Mag, Grand Wizard theodore, Jake One, DJ Muro, K-DEf, Domingo, J-Zone, 88 Keys, King Of Chill, DJ Doc, Tony D, Moss, Marco Polo, Easy LG, Lord Digga and more. In addition, you get exposed to worldwide dig spots frequented by the most elite DJs and producers, studio tours, production tactics and exclusive uncut interview footage. 90 minutes total. Recommended. -snackmaster
Clocking in with a running time of 200 minutes, this super DVD is manna for the Def Jux fan. It features a one hour film following the Revenge of The Robots tour throughout North America and Europe, a Def Jux label documentary,...
expand review music videos from El-P, RJD2, Mr Lif & Murs, plus a bunch of bonus material (behind the scenes and more). You also get an additional audio/multimedia CD with an RJD2 megamix, 3 exclusive live tracks and the Devolution interactive game. Whoah. -the mgmnt
Ghettotech has been taking over the DM section as of late. How can you deny such proclamations as "ass and titties... you need soap and water"? Add visuals to the equation with this DVD documentary from DJ Godfather (premiere Ghettotech artist and...
expand review head of the Databass label). Through interviews and live footage, this DVD really gets into the story and significance of ghettotech, its DJs/producers, and the city itself; successfully illuminating this mysterious genre. The documentary also focuses on the club scene surrounding the genre, getting into such subjects as booty dancing and "gettin yo jit on." The visuals are augmented by a second audio disc featuring a 48 tracks mix of Godfather. Japanese import. Recommended. -the mgmnt
Revised edition of the infamous "Brainfreeze" live mix - Shadow and Cut Chemist's insane Double Dare stunt of a mix in which the two catch wreck on strictly rare funk 45's. New DVD features scenes from the Future Primitive 45...
expand review sessions in Frisco, home footage of rehearsals, highlights from supporting DJ's Dante, Nu-Mark, and Z-Trip, never before seen interview with O-Dub, Chemist and Shadow detailing the origins of the Freeze phenomenon, full audio commentary from Chemist and Shadow, and plenty, plenty more. Over 1.5 hours of viewing time plus deluxe packaging. -the mgmnt
Get your vinyl fetishes rejuvinated, 'cause it's the latest and grandest chapter of the Shadow and Cut Chemist trilogy. While Brain Freeze and Product Placement took place in small intimate settings, this is the straight Hollywood Bowl we're talking about. The showdown...
expand review is documented in crisp digital sound, with 17 cameras, and three audience mics, which makes this their biggest production yet. It also comes beautifully packaged with a double packaged DVD, three-fold inner package including a 40 page booklet of production pictures and behind the scenes by B+. The bonus features and snippets also take you into the studio with Cut and Shadow, documenting their entire production from the inital phone call to laborious mixing and scratching sessions. The original red die-cut versions of the Hard Sell Mix CD is already sold out indefinitely. So I'd swoop before this one follows suit. -C'mish
After a couple years, and numerous bootlegs, Shadow & Cut Chemist have finally issued some legitimate items to the public at large. This set includes both the Product Placement DVD and the original Product Placement audio CD. The DVD is all you...
expand review could hope for- extremely well made, quality filming techniques and cleverly put together. The 60 minute Product Placement routine is presented by splicing together the best moments of shows from at least 7 different cities (LA, SF, NYC, Tokyo, London, Manchester, Glasgow, etc), which makes for a much more interesting document than just a straight set in one city. They also pepper the performance with footage of off-stage action, record store hunting (hello Makoto and Weekend Records!), Keb Darge being a crazy motherfucker, Tokyo hotel room record trading, and more. I'm impressed. That would probably be enough, but they also include a second performance montage: Around The World In 14 DJs, which is basically footage of all the guys who opened up for them. Shortkut, Nu-Mark, Dante Carfagne, Z-Trip, Skatemaster Tate (!), Egon, Marvski, Keb Darge, etc all playing strictly 45s! True nerds can also watch the whole thing with commentary from Shadow & Cut (it's actually quite amusing); and don't forget that the package also includes the Product Placement audio cd. Quite a bargain. The DVD is Region 1 (NTSC) encoded. Bonus product placement: Cut Chemist sweating through one of our logo t-shirts in Glasgow! -the mgmnt
Quality CD/DVD combo from Prime Cuts' DJ Souljah, themed for the warm weather and perfect for the sweatbox that Lab HQ has once again become. On the DVD, Souljah runs through 21 high-quality (i.e. not taped off TV) music videos from the...
expand review likes of Kanye, Nas, Swizz Beatz, Jeezy, Rich Boy, Prodigy, The Game, Mike Jones, Three 6 Mafia, Young Buck, Jibbs, Unk, Mims, Collie Buddz, Bone Thugs, Akon, Bow Wow, T-Pain, Juelz Santana, Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and even more if you can believe it. The mixtape has a few of the same artists / tracks, but switches it up for the most part - more of that East Coast / Dirty South rap and RNB that you've come to expect from Souljah. Hours of enjoyment, and it won't cost you much either. -Chris Lemon-Red
Another quality CD/DVD combo from DJ Souljah representin' Prime Cuts this time focusing on old school hip-hop joints. For the Level 01 DVD Souljah goes through through 16 of the best east coast music videos of yesteryear from the likes of Jay-Z,...
expand review Nas, Biggie, Craig Mack, Black Moon, Smif N Wessun, Beatnuts, Fat Joe, Gang Starr, Mobb Deep, ATCQ, Raekwon, Wu-Tang Clan, ODB, MOP, plus a rare old school interview with ODB from 1995. Also includes a bonus mix CD which is actually a collab with DJ Envy and MDY and runs through hip hop party joints int the same vain. This combo pack keeps it mad real. A good look for chillin' out with the homies in the summer. -snackmaster
Another quality CD/DVD combo from DJ Souljah representin' Prime Cuts this time focusing on old school hip-hop joints. For the Level 02 DVD Souljah goes through 15 of the best west coast music videos of yesteryear from the likes of Snoop, Dr....
expand review Dre, Lady Of Rage, MC Ren, 2Pac, Warren G, Ice Cube, NWA, Pharcyde, Eazy-E, Cypress Hill, The 'Liks, Bone Thugs(!) plus an MTV tribute to Eazy-E from 1995. The bonus mix CD is actually a collab with DJ Envy and MDY and runs through mostly hip hop joints in the same vain. Also includes a special 10th anniversary mix by Souljah, Envy, and MDY featuring current hip-hop party tracks. Get your 5 out, your Dickies creased and your Chucks crispy. Wessiiiiiide! -snackmaster
New and acclaimed documentary that takes a look at rapping in the same way that many have examined dj'ing. We haven't seen it yet, but it's getting rave reviews, like one from the Village Voice that calls it "the most lively and...
expand review informative movie about hip hop since Wildstyle." Includes new and archival footage with a list of luminaries like Mos Def, Black Thought, Bahamadia, Freestyle Fellowship, Lord Finesse, Craig G, Jurassic 5, Pharoahe Monche, Supernatural, Planet Asia & many more. Special Features includes over 45 bonus minutes of exclusive freestyles, deleted scenes, additional interviews and more. -the mgmnt
Loaded DVD release of Vice's acclaimed documentary on Iraq's only heavy metal band, Acrassicauda. (And I'm not just saying "acclaimed" either - Rolling Stone and Huffington Post wrote about this shit!) The bonus features here include the 45-minute follow-up featurette "Heavy Metal...
expand review In Istanbul," 30 minutes of additional and deleted footage, 3 live performances from the band, and an 8-page booklet which includes Vice's original article on the band, "No War For Heavy Metal." In all, there's nearly 3 hours of material here. The skinny on the film itself: "In the late summer of 2006, as the insurgency escalated and gripped every corner of the city, filmmakers Eddy Moretti and Suroosh Alvi traveled to the Red Zone in Baghdad to meet and interview the only heavy metal band in Iraq, Acrassicauda. Heavy Metal In Baghdad is the story of that band and its members, following them from their beginnings under the dying days of Saddam's rule to the present day. The filmmakers have collected glimpses into the struggles of Acrassicauda as they try to stay together and stay alive. Their story is the untold story of the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of young Iraqis, young lives that have been distorted and displaced by years of continual warfare in their homeland." -el generico
Finally someone has stepped up and made a documentary on Detroit's deeply rooted and massively influential techno sound. Not an easy task by any means, but very necessary and well executed by director Gary Bredow. For anyone interested in techno or rave...
expand review music (it's making a comeback people) and its roots, this is a must see. Through indepth interviews from the creators of the sound - Juan Atkins (Cybotron), Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson - the film drop knowledge on the origins of techno and why the sound could have only come from Detroit . Think of it as a non-cheesy "Behind The Music" for Detroit Techno music. Also features a gang of producers and DJs who were influential in shaping and spreading the techno sound - Carl Craig, Richie Hawtin, Jeff Mills, Eddie Fowkles and more. Of course the soundtrack is on point with the classics like Inner City's "Good Life," Rhythim Is Rhythim's "Strings Of Life," cuts by Aux 88, Cybotron, Mayday, Model 500 and more. Get edumacated. Recommended. -snackmaster
If you're into dancehall and at all curious about all the dances popping off from JA or just want to see the best dancers in action, this DVD is the jump. Wacky Dip, Willie Bounce, Oh My Swing, Scoobay, Over The Wall,...
expand review and much more - all that shit is demonstrated for you with super clean camera work and easy to follow instructions. But while that stuff is useful info if you want to learn how to line dance in Brooklyn, the documentary aspects of this DVD are where it's really at. They have extensive footage of the late great Bogle, the top dance originator in Jamaica for years, doing a bunch of his signature moves in the street (with crew), always beer bottle + cigarette in hand. Dude was weird as hell - check him in the skin tight outfit, studded neck collar and fisherman's hat- but one thing you gotta realize about Jamaica (and especially Jamaican entertainers) is that the weirder you are, the crazier you dress, the more fashion you can break, the more respect you get. And this video gets pretty deep into that, into what makes certain guys like Bogle, John Hype, Ding Dong, Ice and them the trendsetters for the whole island. You also get a section on the Dancehall Queen contest (ass shaking champ), live footage from the "Passa Passa" party, and much more. Hats off to the production crew here for making a video that manages to be both professional quality and a legitimate shot of Jamaican dancehall scene at the same time. Hosted by Ding Dong, who was famous as a dancer before breaking through as an mc with "Badman Forward, Badman Pull Up." Over 100 minutes. -mgmnt
In 1966, ten New York artists and thirty engineers and scientists from Bell Telephone Laboratories collaborated on a series of innovative dance, music & theater performances, 9 Evenings: Theater & Engineering, held in October at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York...
expand review City. The artists were John Cage, Lucinda Childs, Oyvind Fahlstrom, Alex Hay, Deborah Hay, Steve Paxton, Yvonne Rainer, Robert Rauschenberg, David Tudor and Robert Whitman. Archival material has been assembled into ten films, each of which reconstructs the artist's original work and uses interviews with the artists, engineers and performers to illuminate the artistic, technical and historical aspects of the work. Variations VII, performed at 9 Evenings, was the next to last in John Cage's series of indeterminate works he had begun in 1958, which made increasing use of electronic equipment and systems. This DVD documents the only complete performance of Variations VII and also presents a stereo audio recording of the full 85 minutes of the performance. Comes in a glossy fold-out DVD digipak. Running times: film - 41 minutes, audio track - 85 minutes. Playable in ALL regions. -Chris Lemon-Red
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