TURNTABLE LAB

Adele
Adele vs Mick Boogie: 1988 LP

Adele hip-hop blends, pick

Mick Boogie, author of such great mixtapes as Broiled Salmon (Ghostface) and Brooklyn Soul (Jay-Z vs. Marvin), brings his hip-hop blend skills to this excellent Adele remix album. Adele's 19 is undeniable; chubby white newcomers don't win Grammies (she did). Dubsteppers have targeted Adele several times with remixes, but this is the first hip-hop style remix I've heard. It's super crisp and refreshing and can be summed up on "Day Dreams(1)" which is blended with Slick Rick beats. Throw in Boogie's blend tricks, and it's an instant scratch-off winner. Boogie goes as far as adding emcees, check "Chasing 1988(2)" with Nas samples and original lyrics by 6th Sense and "First Love(3)" with Naledge. I also like how Boogie maintains the classic blend style using Al Green drums on "Melt My Hear(4)," the Sucker MC's break on "Tired(5)," and even some Long Red on the dowtempo-version of "Make You Feel My Love(6)." 9 tracks in all, recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl / and more

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Animal Collective
Summertime Clothes (Dam-Funk, L.D., Zomby) 12"

indie pop with synth-pop and dubstep remixes

One of the most accessible and danceable tracks from Animal Collective's acclaimed Merriweather Post Pavilion LP. Rising star Dam Funk contributes a retro sounding remix(1), taming all of the wild aspects of the original(2) and turning them into a fantastic, grooving pop track. Leon Day, aka LD, brings a psychedelic, dubby electro sound(3) to the record by layering the reverbed vocals over a spastic drum machine. Finally, the sometimes-reclusive dubstep producer Zomby breaks everything down into a blunt, sparsely arranged dubstep track(4) that uses a great, lurching triplet bassline. Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl / and more

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BLK JKS
Mystery (Osborne Remix) 12"

feelgood dance remix of South African band

South African buzz band Blk Jks never became the smoldering meteorite that all the music critics predicted, but they still kick ass and aren't things better when they can still be classified as "underground"? And what's more underground than a 12" remix single by Osborne with a silkscreened type-only cover on indy label Secretly Canadian (headquartered in Indiana)? Osborne(1) has that power to create music that is uplifting and spiritual. He definitely draws a lot of inspiration from Body & Soul-style deep house and it shows here. An unlikely combo here, but it's great feelgood shit. Also includes an instrumental version(2). Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / house / minimal / techno - reviewer recommended / dance remixes / and more

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CSS
Donkey (with FREE MP3 Download) LP

BONUS: Included with the vinyl version of Donkey is a coupon for a free high-quality MP3 download of the full album.

Two years since they made big waves with their eponymous debut, Lovefoxx and her band of Brasileiras (plus drummer/producer Adriano Cintra) are back at us and sounding all growed up. Gone are the dirty, frenetic dance-rock sounds of "Alala" and "Meeting Paris Hilton," replaced with the plonging Hot Chippyness of "Believe Achieve(1)" and Pixies-esque guitar on "Rat Is Dead (Rage)(2)." The result is a cleaner and catchier vibe throughout, which works nicely on tracks like the bouncy new wave "Beautiful Song(3)" and synthed out "Let's Reggae All Night(4)." There are a couple throwbacks, including opener "Jager Yoga(5)," where Lovefoxx sounds more energetic than on the rest of the album as she sneers, "We didn't come into the world to walk around / we came here to take you out." Tell 'em girl. End result: new sound, same awesome CSS. 11 tracks. Recommended.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / new electro + electro rock + rave / vinyl - sale

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Dimitri From Paris
Night Dubbin': A Dubbed Out Collection Of Classic 80's Dance Music 3LP

classic 80's dance dub mixes compiled

DFP and BBE strike again! You should already know about Dimitri From Paris' infallible disco selection from BBE's Disco Forever comp (or the fact he has been DJin disco and house for 25+ years), but this time the Frenchman shares his love for the 80's dub mix over 3LPs of unmixed(!) vintage dance goodness. The selection focuses on the B- sides of classic 80's R&B boogie, funk, and electro disco 12"s, where the remixer took control and dubbed out the track to make it easier (and more fun) to mix and groove to on the dancefloor. This was a crucial point in dance music as legends like Francois K, Larry Levan, Tee Scott, Shep Pettibone, John Morales & Sergio Muzibai (M&M), and others took influence from the Jamaica's dub producers and boldy stretched the boundaries of traditional club music by stripping down vocal versions and rebuilding the arrangements with then-new methods and techniques. This is a sound that has influenced so much of today's dance music, it's great someone has finally put together a proper compilation - and who better than DFP? Enjoy the sounds of "You're My Number One Dub(1)" by Radiance (M&M mix), "The Key Dub(2)" by Wuf Ticket (Francois K mix), "You Don't Know Special Remix(3)" by Serious Intention (Paul Simpson mix), "Somebody New Dub(4)" by Jamaica Girls (Larry Levan mix), "Groove It To Your Body Instrumental (5)" by Michael Wilson (Francois K mix), "Steppin Out Jam Dub(6)" by Cloud, and "Changes Remix(7)" by Imagination remixed by Dimitri himself. Obviously Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / and more

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DJ Eli
Money Lotion, Vol.4 EP

DJ Eli is the DJ's champ. Most every big name club DJ has some of his remixes in their arsenal. And for good reason: Eli's remixes are unparalleled. Sometimes he'll build a completely new song from a popular acapella, sometimes he'll use just the right amount of editing and extra drums to give a classic track some extra punch in the club. The latest volume in our Money Lotion series (for the working DJ!) features six of Eli's most requested remixes: "Juicy(1)" (Eric B & Rakim's "Know The Ledge"), a massive edit of Cassie's "Me & U(2)," "Voices(3)" (The Police's "Voices Inside My Head"), a slow-burning new disco take on Feist's "One Evening(4)," "I Will Be With You Again(5)" (U2's "New Year's Day") and "If You Need A Friend(6)," an edit of the Lab best-seller "The Promise" by When In Rome. This is the first time any of Eli's "whitelabel" remixes have been pressed on wax, and Money Lotion volumes are known for selling out anyway, so get 'em while they're hot. Limited pressing, Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / baltimore - vinyl / and more

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El Guincho
Alegranza LP

Domestic version of the phucking phenomenal sophomore album from one Pablo Diaz-Reixa, originally issued in miniscule quantities on the Discoteca Oceano label in early 2008. El Guincho makes completely addictive, semi-indescribable music - think beat-centric psychedelia, something like Animal Collective if they hailed from Barcelona not Brooklyn. (For what it's worth, the man himself describes it as "space-age exotica.") Stacked with convulsive Afrobeat percussion and obscure samples from diverse sources like Esquivel ("Fata Morgana(1)") and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop ("Costa Paraiso(2)"), Alegranza can make a claim which increasingly few records can these days: that it truly doesn't sound like anything else around. Tunes to check: "Palmitos Park(3)," "Prez Lagarto(4)," "Buenos Matrimonios Ah Fuera(5)." 9 tracks; 40 minutes. Recommended.
reviewed by Van Hammersly

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Elliott Smith
From A Basement On The Hill 2LP

My vinyl dreams have been answered. One of my all-time favorite albums gets reissued on heavy double black crack. Elliot Smith is definitely an artist best heard through the warm analog sounds of needle to rca-cable to cheap speakers (drinking a tall-boy of deli special). Highly recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / various rock + everything else

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Elliott Smith
New Moon 2LP

Far from the tomb-raiding compilations we've come to expect after great artists pass on (usually a few gems in a pile of trash), Kill Rock Stars' new double-vinyl Elliott Smith collection is a goldmine in plain sight. All 24 songs here were recorded between 1994 and 1997, and any Elliott Smith fan will tell you that's primetime right there. Fragments and low-fi versions of some of these tracks have been circulating online for years, but this is the first time anyone's assembled the whole picture (and filled in the gap with liners that include insightful first-person accounts). "Angel In The Snow(1)" is a beautiful track that could've easily been on the self-titled album, except that it appeared on a limited edition magazine giveaway and not many people ever got to hear it. Ditto for "See You Later(2)," which was on a cassette compilation limited to 300 copies. (Imagine owning that, then watching him on the Grammies.) The demo version of "Miss Misery(3)" is interesting, but the quiet and haunting "Going Nowhere(4)" totally steals the show here. "Big Decision(5)" is probably the best known track here, full of emotive vocals and amazing finger-picking. "Fear City(6)," "Either/Or(7)" and "Almost Over(8)" are worth hearing, too. In fact, this whole thing is worth hearing. It's great. We don't buy this shit to mine for breaks, nahmeen? Sometimes good music is good enough. 24 tracks; 73 minutes. Recommended.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / various rock + everything else

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Eno / Moebius / Roedelius
After The Heat (180g) LP

Excellent reissue of the 1973 collaboration between Brian Eno and Moebius & Roedelius (the former two are better known as the German experimental duo Cluster). The notable standout is "Tzima N'arki(1)," which contains backwards vocals that are partially composed of the chorus to Eno's "King's Lead Hat." Eno's vocals also appear on "Broken Head(2)" and the anthemic "The Bell Dog(3)." Of course, the album also features cuts that flirt more with ambient and experimental concepts, like "Oil(4)" and "Foreign Affairs(5)." Also, don't miss "The Shade(6)" which sounds like it could be a Wyndham Hill cut until the Ratatat-esque guitars come in towards the end. 10 Tracks total, high quality 180g vinyl. Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / various rock + everything else / funk soul disco - albums

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Fever Ray
Seven Remixes (Crookers, Martyn, CSS) 12"

excellent remixes of 1/2 of The Knife

Fever Ray, aka Karin Dreijer of The Knife, quietly released one of 2009's freshest albums. The 12" remix series is equally impressive, tapping some of the scene's top producers. This particular single truly has something for everyone leading with a blazing Crookers club remix(1) (jump-up siren house), followed up by a minimal rework by Marcel Dettmann(2). Dubstep boundary pusher Martyn remix(3) battles Crookers for top remix honors. Martyn's version is closest to the original in spirit, but replaces the original percussion with a haunted snares and chords. CSS(4) end the single on a strong note with synthy rock version. Four for four, recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / dubstep + grime - vinyl / new electro + electro rock + rave / and more

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Grizzly Bear
Live On KCRW 7"

record store day exclusivo

Record Store Day Exclusivo! This one was pressed up just fr Record Store Day (one of our favorite holidays, natch), which is this Saturday, April 18th. Featured here are two reverb-drenched tracks, played live on the venerable LA radio station KCRW. First up is "While You Wait For The Others(1)," a track taken from their highly anticipated, upcoming LP Veckatimest. The flip features a nice version of "He Hit Me(2)," originally recorded for the Friend EP. Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / warp - vinyl

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Grizzly Bear
Two Weeks (Fred Falke Remix) 12"

There are few phrases that get me as excited as "Fred Falke Remix" so when this 12" showed up I was, to say the least, glad to see it. "Two Weeks(1)" is the lead single from Grizzly Bear's upcoming LP Veckatimest, and on it's own it's a pretty nice slice of indie-pop. Those background vocals are kinda nuts, right? Well, Fred Falke decided to take that and turn it into an updated version of an 80s new wave cut(2) (I can definitely hear little hints of When In Rome and Pet Shop Boys in here). It's big and dramatic, and there's something about the way Daniel Rossen's falsetto lays on top of those big major chords that feels like summertime to me. Remember what Jacques Lu Cont's Thin White Duke remix of Mr. Brightside was in 2005? This is 2009's answer to that, use it wisely. Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / warp - vinyl

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Grizzly Bear
While You Wait For The Others 7"

popular indie track, features a cover by Michael MacDonald

7" single for one of the stand out tracks from Grizzly Bear's acclaimed LP Veckatimest. "While You Wait For The Others(1)," is a nice jangly pop cut, with some seriously nice vocal harmonies that have become one of Grizzly Bear's hallmarks. The flip features another version of the song with none other than former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald taking lead vocal duties(!!!). McDonald's version might take some getting used to, but it's nice to hear his classic warble over the original instrumentation, especially when he really starts to belt it at the end. Plays at 45, recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / warp - vinyl

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Hollertronix
#8 EP

A major shake-up in the Hollertronix saga! Not only has the series jumped ship from Money Studies over to Mad Decent, but Diplo has handed over the production reins to fellow Philadelphian DJ Sega and Baltimore's DJ Blaqstarr. The Venom-style logo on the label is no mistake either -- just like on his Rockstars vs. Clubheadz mixtape, Sega flips the most unimaginable nu-metal and rock tracks into some HEAVY club thumpers. As one who always had a soft spot for the original, Sega's flip of Papa Roach's "Last Resort(1)" definitely hits the spot. (The "don't give a-- WHAT?!" with Lil Jon tossed in is perfecto.) Also sick is "Bodies Hit The Floor(2)," which blends the guitar licks from AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" with Drowning Pool's ultimate meathead rock anthem. Along with more metal on "Dig(3)," we also get the hype "Fuck Um!(4)," a little Busta on "Woo-Hah!(5)" and Blaqstarr with a very excellent (and very Blaqstarr-y) edit of "Smack My Bitch Up(6)." Highly recommended.
reviewed by Larri Byrd

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / baltimore - vinyl / downtempo + electronic + bmore + ghettotech + uk + baile / and more

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Jane's Addiction
Nothing's Shocking (180g) LP

We had a review of this in the Lab archive, but it talked about "when I'm not listening to beats or hip-hop, I would listen to this..." Funny, in the late nineties, the DJ world was so immersed in a hip-hop bubble: buying doubles, wearing 6 panel hats, and being generally repressed. Premier-produced albums took the place of really good rock albums and you only could listen to The Smiths in the privacy of your own room. We'll the bubble is burst and hip-hop is pretty much a goner, and this is what I am talking about. 180g pressing of this 1988 alt-rock c-c-classic. F Smif N Wessun, I'd take JA anyday... Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / various rock + everything else

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Jane's Addiction
Ritual De Lo Habitual (180g) 2LP

For the first time, available on 180g double vinyl! The last real Jane's Addiction album. By this time in their history, the band could not stand each other, so they recorded each of their parts separately. The only track they recorded together in the studio was "Three Days(1)." Unsurprisingly, this song is known as Jane's finest moment, an updated "Stairway to Heaven." Imagine if they had created the rest of the album together. The cream of this album is definitely the second half, set off by the salvo of "Three Days," "Then She Did(2), Of Course(3)," and "Classic Girl(4)" which forms one of most pleasing triplets of songs, a comedown from the heights of "Days." Also includes: "Stop, No One's Leaving, Ain't No Right, Obvious," and "Been Caught Stealing(5)." Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / various rock + everything else

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JD Twitch
10 Inches of Fear 10" w/ FREE Mix CD

RVNG enlists one half of infamous Glasgow duo Optimo for perhaps their most ambitious release to date. This is actually a double-deck release comprised of one 10" and one 60-minute mix. The "10 Inches of Fear" feature four Twitch re-edits from the catalog of seminal anarcho-punk label Crass Records by bands like Flux of Pink Indians(1), Honey Bane(2), The Mob(3) and Zounds(4) - all licensed and approved by the artists, no less! The accompanying 22-track CD - "60 Minutes of Fear" - is an extension of the idea, featuring jams from Twitch's formative musical years: "The mid to late 1980s was the period when I really started to buy a lot of records. I was particularly obsessed with (mainly) American bands like Sonic Youth, Big Black, Swans, Butthole Surfers, Flipper, etc. etc." In addition to those artists, the mix also features tracks by Crass, Sun City Girls, The Ex, Minutement, Husker Du, Black Flag, Screamers, Fatal Microbes, Poison Girls and more. The whole thing is presented in a hand-screened sleeve and includes a big 20"x20" fold-out poster with a "personal punk rock history compiled by Twitch." Only 1,500 pressed. Recommended.
reviewed by Van Hammersly

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / and more

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Jimi Hendrix
1983 (A Merman I Should Turn To Be) 12"

If it's a previously unheard of 12" from an ultra-famous artist in a neat hand-screened jacket, you know the Slowtospeak fellows are at it again. This time the initimitable Mr. Hendrix getting the boot - the A-side holds the intensely psychedelic, shape-shifting, 13+ minute "1983... (A Merman I Should Turn To Be)(1)" from Electric Ladyland, while the flip features the brief "And The Gods Made Love(2)" and a bizarre "previously unreleased" track "Third Stone From The Sun(3)." Get 'em while they're hot. Recommended.
reviewed by Van Hammersly

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / various rock + everything else / funk soul disco 12" - A-J

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La Roux
I'm Not Your Toy Remixes (Jackbeats, Data) 12"

synth-pop with electro remixes

The La Roux full court press is on... are these guys the next Human League? In typical Reagan-era fashion, here's a deluxe gatefold import single. In addition to the original version(1), you get a tasteful fidget remix(2) by Jack Beats of Cheap Thrills and an electro-rock remix(3) by DatA. Four stars on presentation, recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / new electro + electro rock + rave / rock + new wave + 80/90s / and more

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La Roux
La Roux (with FREE MP3 Download) LP

debut LP from the UK synth-pop duo

BONUS - Each copy of this LP includes a coupon redeemable for a free high-quality download of the album.

It certainly has been a meteoric year for La Roux. What started last year with a 12" on Kitsune has now blown up into a self-titled LP that has already been certified gold in the UK (along with two top ten singles that featured some huge remixes), now finally seeing release here in the good old US of A. In case you've been sleeping, La Roux is comprised of Elly Jackson on vocals and Ben Langmaid on synths, and when you put 'em together you wind up with a duo that has a serious knack for writing catchy-as-fuck synth-pop. "Bulletproof(1)" is probably the catchiest of the bunch, and should translate to most dancefloors exceptionally. "In For The Kill(2)," which was remixed by Skream to wildly popular results, and "Quicksand(3)" are also danceable standouts. "Cover My Eyes(4)" is a great mid-tempo ballad, while "As If By Magic(5)" and "Fascination(6)" are both dripping with new wave pop sensibility. Honestly, all of the tracks here are really well crafted, the album never really falters. It's rarer and rarer to find an album without a skipable moment these days, but this is one of em. Pressed on 180g vinyl and packaged in a gatefold pic-sleeve. Highly recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / new wave + no wave + electro / and more

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LCD Soundsystem
45:33 2LP

45:33 was originally commissioned by Nike for iTunes as a "work out" mix, but this shit is so good that the DFA decided to put it out on CD and LP. The "mix" isn't a mix in the traditional DJ sense of the word, but rather an epic disco-movement played live by James Murphy and Co. It starts off with a lonely synth line that slowly builds in tempo then eventually grows into a full on groover that erupts into various rhythms and styles eventually climaxing, then breaking down into an ambient drone. You'll recognize some tunes of the Sound Of Silver album for sure (like "Someone Great" and others) but the way it is all presented is fresh and unique. You should see the list of instruments that James Murphy plays on this thing too - everything from vintage drums, guitar, all kinds of synths, vocoder and the glockenspiel. Very, very impressive. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / dfa + related

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Leo Zero
Dub Psychedelic Vol.2 (David Bowie, John Lennon, The Police) 12"

recommended edits of David Bowie, John Lennon, Police

Leo Zero, aka Leo Elstob of cult Balearic band A Mountain Of One, delivers the second volume of his highly in-demand Dub Psychedelic series. I particularly like the direction of this series cause it edits known tracks rather than the super-obscure. On the a-side, Leo offers two re-edits(1,2) of David Bowie's "Moonage Daydream." Moreover, these aren't wimpy looped intro edits either, Leo is in deep concentration, splicing, re-arranging, and dubbing. On the flip, Leo gets into John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "How Do You Sleep(3)" and then an extended dub version(4) of The Police's "Spirits In The Material World." Highly recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / various rock + everything else / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / and more

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Little Boots
New In Town Remixes (Drop The Lime, A1 Bassline) 12"

synth pop darling gets both hype and cosmic remixes

New remixes for the opening track from Little Boots' recently released Hands LP. Drop The Lime(1) leads things off with his signature brand of hyper-bass, speeding up the original and bombarding you with kicks and synths until you're gasping for breath. A1(2) goes the bassline route, keeping the tempo fast and the floor moving with syncopated synth chords and looped vocals. The flip side slows things down a little, with NYC's The Golden Filter(3) concocting a nice cosmic synth-pop version, while Glasgow's Den Haan(4) puts a nice vintage italo sound on it. One item of note, the labels are switched on this one (for a second I thought DTL had pulled a U-turn and started making laid back synth pop), so keep that in mind. Not hating on the uptempo stuff, but the B Side really murders it here, recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / new electro + electro rock + rave / rock + new wave + 80/90s / and more

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Lizzy Mercier Descloux
Fire / Mission Impossible 12"

nyc no-wave via paris, great soundtrack cover

Frenchie Lizzy Mercier Descloux was one of the cult figures of NY's early 80s no wave scene. This is EP is an excellent Lizzy primer for the uninitiated. It features two of her biggest tracks, the slamtastic "Fire(1)" with its perfect marriage of rock drums and new wave synths (not to mention the perfectly accented vocals); and her truly memorable cover of "Mission Impossible(2)." Flip features part two(3) of "Mission," and "Funky Stuff(4)." Not the easiest songs to come by on vinyl, great to have it on a loud 12". Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / and more

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Men & Women
South America (Eliot Lipp & Cousin Cole Remixes) EP

Fancy pic sleeve debut 12" from this duo of Bklyn weirdos -- two dudes, despite the name -- on their own War & Moon label. Brad Frost and Jamie Granato (aka Rezound, ex-Lab audio dude extraordinaire) make some beautifully hazy, trance-inducing left-field disco, if you wanna call it that, on the 12-minute "South America(1)" using only guitars, drum machines and heaps of effects. The result is hard to describe, but very easy to get lost in. The remixes from Hefty's Eliot Lipp(2) and Cousin Cole(3) of Tambourine Dream fame get this beast tamed for the dancefloor, but I'll keep this one in the collection for at-home listening purposes. Also includes another M&W original, "Flowing Blood(4)." Recommended.
reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Michael Jackson
Beat It / P.Y.T. 12"

MJ classics on 12"

Esssential MJ hits. You can't call yourself a DJ unless you got these songs in your bag. Especially nice to have "P.Y.T.(1)" on 12" since usually you have to cue it from the middle of the Thriller LP (you all know ladies go nuts for this). "Beat It(2)" on the other side.
Obviously Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
bestsellers / 80s + 90s

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Michael Jackson
I Am Love / The Lady In My Life 12"

two seldom heard Michael Jackson songs

One of the silver linings of MJ's recent passing is that everybody really got into some of the man's more obscure tracks. Sure, "Billie Jean" was the most played song last week, but for the whole of that weird weekend you could turn on the radio and hear any selection of the man's more obscure album cuts and joints from back in the day. With some supremely eerie timing, Slow To Speak has compiled two of those lesser known MJ tracks here on this 12". Side A features "The Lady In My Life(1)," originally released on Thriller, while the flip features The Jacksons' "I Am Love(2)," taken from Dancing Machine. Just like every other Slow To Speak release, this one is very limited and the cover is silk screened and very snazzy looking. Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / 80s + 90s / funk soul disco 12" - K-Z

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Michael Jackson
I Can't Help It / Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Todd Terje, TnT Remixes) 12"

I Can't Help It / Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Todd Terje Remix) 12"

Todd Terje re-releases his now classic remix of "I Can't Help It(1)" (first appearing on a GAMM 12" in 2005). As an added bonus, the b-side features the TnT (Tim Goldsworthy and Tim Sweeney) remix(2) of the demo version of "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough." Highly recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / 80s + 90s / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / house / minimal / techno - reviewer recommended / and more

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Michael Jackson
I Love MJ Edits (P.Y.T., Get On The Floor, Forever Came Today) 12"

top notch MJ edits, pick

I know there's been a flood of MJ edits and remixes lately, but seriously these ones are really worth checking out. London's Kay Sputnik goes the tasteful route with his MJ edits, keeping the originals intact and using simple but effective cuts and dub outs to extend the grooves in all the right places for better mix-ability and dancefloor impact. Check the extended pleasure on his edit of "PYT(1)," "Dance WIth Me(2)," and two sublime versions of "Forever(3,4)." Quality stuff thats been getting tons of play from DJs like Theo, etc. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
bestsellers / 80s + 90s / house / minimal / techno - reviewer recommended / dance remixes / and more

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Michael Jackson
Leave Me Alone / Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough 12"

timely reissues of two Jackson hits

Timely reissue, featuring MJ's quintessential disco song "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough(1)." It's one of those "can't fail" tracks (God knows Jackson has a lot of those), one that works in every venue with every crowd. Also features the curious single "Leave Me Alone(2)," which was a bonus track on Bad, and was never released as a single in the US despite charting at #1 in Spain and Ireland, and at #2 in the UK. Despite its popularity, Jackson never performed it live. After his death, the song charted in the UK once again, at #66. Kinda goes without saying, but yeah, this one's recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
bestsellers / 80s + 90s

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Michael Jackson
Off The Wall (Pic Disc) LP

MJ's debut solo album on pic disc

Do I really need to sell you on this? Michael's classic debut solo album from '79, produced by Quincy, and loved by all - now on fancy pic disc (featuring the original album cover art). All your favorites are on here "Rock With You(1)," "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough(2)," "Working Day And Night(3)," "Off The Wall(4)," "Get On The Floor(5)," "I Can't Help It(6)," etc. Limited stock, these will go fast. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
bestsellers / 80s + 90s / rock + new wave + 80/90s / vinyl new arrivals

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Michael Jackson
Sunset Driver / Shake A Body (1978 Demos Vol.2) 7"

rare MJ outtakes/demos

What the hell? To follow up the Michael Jackson 1978 Demos 7"s, is "Sunset Drive(1)" a funked out dancefloor jammer that didn't make it on the Off The Wall album(my opinion one of his best). When first listening to this, it blows your mind how good this is and it's a MJ track that you don't know! It has all the energy of his high powered staples like, "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough," and "Working Day and Night" but is the first appearance on wax. On the flip is a demo recording of "Shake A Body." if you can't guess what that evolved into, just check the sample. Thank the heavens for this, it's a true godsend for MJ fans. Highly Recommended!
reviewed by C'mish

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / 80s + 90s / funk soul disco 12" - K-Z

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Munk
Back Down Remixes (Cut Copy, L.U.C.A.) 12"

disco and house remixes

Solid remix suite for the German musical entity known as Munk. Cut Copy dominates the A-side on this one, with one remix that utilizes that synth-pop/new disco sound(1) they're lauded for and a "Jackmaster" remix(2) that channels classic house sounds. There's already lots of hype on those two, don't be surprised if they make it into the standard rotation at your local hipster dance night. On the flip, London's L.U.C.A. brings a great vintage disco sound to the track(3) (it's all about the stringa, man) while Munich's Migumatix goes for a Chicago house take. Comes in a pic sleeve, recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / rock + new wave + 80/90s / and more

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New Order
Brotherhood (180g) LP

1986 album, lab pick

At the Lab, I have a folder with every review written for the site. There's definite themes that emerge when you read the older ones. Let me set this one up. The Lab starts as a hardcore turntablist site selling dj equipment and battle records. We start a section of the site called "The Goodz" and start introducing non-turntablist stuff like Gangstarr singles. That section becomes our fastest growing section and we quickly morph into a site known for hip-hop and funk. Along with the hip-hop comes the sense of "keeping it real", but certain records (such as Aphex Twin, Bjork, and this one) don't fit into this schema. Therefore, we had to overcompensate in our reviews to keep the "realness" intact. Funny thing is, these type of records always flew off the shelves (a reflection of that emo-loner that is the proto-lab-head). So check out this vintage review and see if you catch the themes: "Read recently an interview with Bobbito recalling a past interview he did with Premier. He played him a Smiths or Cure song and Premier knew what it was, he followed by saying he saw them in concert. You might be asking, what the hell is this doing here? We'll are fans of all types of music. This has been one of my favorite records for a long time. I've been contemplating getting it for the site, but not until now, did I find it appropriate. Brotherhood marks the shift of New Order from the dark strains of Joy Division, captured perfectly in the comedic "Every Little Counts(1);" and hammered out by their biggest hit and asiatic anthem "Bizarre Love Triangle(2)." I always marveled at the booty-bass beat of "All Day Long(3)." This is New Order at its finest, sounding a bit indy with a twist of electronica. Obviously this selection is not for most, but if you are open to it, I'd recommend it." ...see what I mean? Highest quality 180g pressing, recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / and more

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New Order
Technique (180g) LP

1989 album, their best?

This is the album that New Order fans act like they don't like. As in: "I prefer their early, formative stuff like Brotherhood or Power Corruption Lies." With its Versace-style cover, slick production, and the super-aggro opener "Fine Time," it's easy to dismiss this as where they crew lost it post-Substance. BUT, what I've come to learn is that this might be the true New Order fan's favorite album. Cause once you get passed the presentation (although the Saville artwork is proving to be timeless), this might be New Order at its modern best: cooled out and mature, super-emotive, and technically capable. Once you get past "Fine Time," the triplet of "All The Way(1)", "Love Less(2)", and club hit "Round and Round(3)" might be their strongest ever. Who can make broken love sounds so fucking cool? The other aspect that makes this such a great album is that it's such a smooth listen. After the heights of "Round," you'll barely notice that you've gone through "Guilty Partner(4), Run(5), Mr. Disco(6), Vanishing Point(7), Dream Attack(8)"... repeat. It's like morning sex with a model, eating breakfast, breaking up, smoking cigs, and having make-up sex... then breaking up again. Highest quality 180g pressing, recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / and more

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New Order
Temptation / Hurt 7"

Record Store Day reissue 7" of a New Order classic

Reissue little-hole 7" of one of New Order's best tracks, pressed up for Record Store Day which occurred not too long ago. "Temptation(1)" is one of those great classic party songs, everyone who's got a soul goes nuts for that falsetto vocal line and the "Up, down, turn around!" lyric. The flip side features "Hurt(2)," which was the b-side on the original 7" that was released in 1982. Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended

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Po Po
Kill Tonight (Red Vinyl) 7"

A rock record from Mad Decent!? Believe it. Popo are the latest to put out a record on the Philly label, and even though it might not be showing up in your DJ set anytime soon, it definitely doesn't disappoint. "Kill Tonight(1)" has a lo-fi garage sound, reminiscent of 90s indie rock. On the flip, "Feel Good Song Of The Year(2)" approaches hazy lo-fi pop, definitely a hint of My Bloody Valentine or Suicide in this one. Of course the packaging is dope as hell too, the eyes on that lady are cut out, and it's pressed up on clear red vinyl. Plays at 45, recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
bestsellers / new rock

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Radiohead
2 + 2 = 5 (180g) 12"

Special 180g 45rpm pressing released on 12" vinyl for the first time (previously CD EP releases). Check tracklisting for further details. Limited edition. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Radiohead
Creep (180g) 12"

Special 180g 45rpm pressing released on 12" vinyl for the first time (previously CD EP releases). Check tracklisting for further details. Limited edition. Recommended.

reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Radiohead
Drill (180g) 12"

Special 180g 45rpm pressing released on 12" vinyl for the first time (previously CD EP releases). Check tracklisting for further details. Limited edition. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Radiohead
Fake Plastic Trees (180g) 12"

Special 180g 45rpm pressing released on 12" vinyl for the first time (previously CD EP releases). Check tracklisting for further details. Limited edition. Recommended.

reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Radiohead
High & Dry (180g) 12"

Special 180g 45rpm pressing released on 12" vinyl for the first time (previously CD EP releases). Check tracklisting for further details. Limited edition. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Radiohead
In Rainbows LP

Not sure if you heard, but Radiohead put out a new album a few months back and it's pretty good. In case you didn't already steal it from the intarwebs -- or if you did and you'd like something better than 160kbps MP3s -- here's the official vinyl version, pressed loud on heavy wax with full lyrics and liners. Check these tracks: "15 Step(1)," "Weird Fishes / Arpeggi(2)," "Reckoner(3)," "Bodysnatchers(4)," "All I Need(5)." Pitchforkian cheekiness aside, In Rainbows is the follow-up "rock" album that everyone's been wanting from Radiohead since OK Computer dropped, easily surpassing Hail To The Thief and barely even comparable to the more electronic- and ambient-leaning Kid A. 10 tracks; 42 minutes. Recommended.
reviewed by Larri Byrd

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Radiohead
Karma Police (180g) 12"

pecial 180g 45rpm pressing released on 12" vinyl for the first time (previously CD EP releases). Check tracklisting for further details. Limited edition. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Radiohead
My Iron Lung (180g) 12"

Special 180g 45rpm pressing released on 12" vinyl for the first time (previously CD EP releases). Check tracklisting for further details. Limited edition. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Radiohead
No Surprises (180g) 12"

Special 180g 45rpm pressing released on 12" vinyl for the first time (previously CD EP releases). Check tracklisting for further details. Limited edition. Recommended.

reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Radiohead
Paranoid Android (180g) 12"

first time on vinyl

Special 180g 45rpm pressing released on 12" vinyl for the first time (previously CD EP releases). Check tracklisting for further details. Limited edition. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Radiohead
Pyramid Song (180g) 12"

Special 180g 45rpm pressing released on 12" vinyl for the first time (previously CD EP releases). Check tracklisting for further details. Limited edition. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Radiohead
Street Spirit (180g) 12"

Special 180g 45rpm pressing released on 12" vinyl for the first time (previously CD EP releases). Check tracklisting for further details. Limited edition. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl

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Ratatat
Loud Pipes 12"

The latest Ratatat album keeps on bringing the incredible single action. "Loud Pipes(1)" is generally considered the finest track off the Classics LP, and in one listen, you'll know why these guys are so hyped. If you don't want the good feeling to go away, let the record play to the Outtakes version, where the guys extend the groove for an additional 3 minutes (but I want the 30 minute version!). On the flip E*Rock offers up a remix of "Kennedy(2)," plus you get the non-album track "Goose." Recommended for "Loud Pipes" for sure.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new rock

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Roctakon & Eli
Money Lotion, Vol.7 EP

dj edits, very limited

Lab club jocks Roctakon and DJ Eli split sides on the people's champ Money Lotion, now on its seventh release. Roc reveals two of his highly sweated Material Girl remixes (1,2) on the A-side, while Eli gently places a Stevie Nicks rework(3) on the b-side altar, complete with drumapella for mix tricks(4). Super-limited pressing of 500 with silkscreened covers. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / 80s + 90s / house / minimal / techno - reviewer recommended / dance remixes

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Saint Etienne
Only Love Can Break Your Heart Remixes (Richard X, Air France) 12"

new remixes of downtempo classic

Saint Etienne's 1990 "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" crossed over from synth-pop hit to downtempo classic with a string of excellent remixes by producers like Masters At Work and Andrew Weatherall. This 2009 remix single attempts to re-create the magic with two similarly aimed reworks. Richard X(1) re-fits the original vocals with balearic-downtempo beat to great success, but really, it's really hard to F up with such cooled out vocals. On the flip, Air France (Swedish buzz producers who recently appeared on Acephale) take it back to 1990 with their mix of "Spring(2)," sounding like Nellee Hooper in his prime. Also includes Richard X's instrumental mix and his bonus remix(3) of "Girl VII." For fans of the original, recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / and more

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Serge Gainsbourg
Histoire De Melody Nelson (180g) LP

First time domestic reissue of this classic from B-Music and Light In The attic. This deluxe version features glossy gatefold packaging and extended linear notes and a 1971 interview with Serge. Here's our original review: "There are many reasons to add this album to your collection, not the least of which is the incredible covered cooter proudly displayed by Jane Birkin (aka Jane B). Damn those hippie girls from Blow Up. Fans say this is French rebel icon Serge Gainsbourg's masterpiece. And it's got beats. Although broken into a few different movements, Histoire De Melody Nelson is a singular piece of work held together with Serge's gravel lyrics, a recurring tar-pit bass and the story of Melody Nelson. The album is book ended by "Melody(1)" and "Cargo Culte(2)" which both utilize the album's centerpiece- that haunting bass that you will recognize from the Beatnuts' "Superbad." En Melody(3)" also deserves mention for the great intro and controlled spazz guitar work (sampled by De La). Serge was a legend- banned in many countries for his blatant sexual and political messages, loved by women despite having a "head like a cabbage," always centered in controversy and usually producing interesting work. In Serge's later years, he attended an awards show and told Whitney Houston "I want to fuck you" on live TV. ODB would be proud." Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / various rock + everything else / funk soul disco - albums

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Silver Apples
Contact (180g) LP

cult classic psyche album from 1969

The sophomore Silver Apples album. Although this came out only a year later than the debut (1969), you can immediately notice the rapid musical progress. The lead single and album opener "You & I(1)" sounds the closest the band came to a traditional rock song (and it's awesome). You can tell they became more confident in their vocals like on "Gypsy Love(2)." But the fundamentals have not changed a bit. The band quickly goes back to their old wizardry ways with songs like "Water(3)" and "You're Not Fooling Me(4)." "I Have Known Love(5)" is one of the coolest UNKLE samples I've encountered, and "Confusion(6)" might be the coolest banjo song we've carried. 9 tracks, high quality 180g pressing recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / various rock + everything else / funk soul disco - albums

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Silver Apples
Silver Apples (180g) LP

cult classic psyche album, drums!

1968 cult classic album from psychedelic electronic music duo Silver Apples. Group member Simeon Coxe is known for creating and playing his own custom synthesizer called The Simeon (along with an arsenal of various oscillators). Along with drummer Danny Taylor, they created a truly unique blend of psyche rock, kraut, and electronic experimentalism. Diggers were especially drawn to this album with its sparse electronics and pronounced drums (the vocals aren't bad either). This is one of those albums that you turn to when you're bored of music. It bursts with creativity and newness (although its approaching 40 years). Check: "Love Fingers(1), Whirly Bird(2), Misty Mountain(3), Oscillations(4)," and "Program(5)." 9 tracks, all of them are good. High quality 180g pressing too. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / various rock + everything else / funk soul disco - albums

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Skeletons & The Girl-Faced Boys
Git LP

Ghostly has always done one thing exceptionally well, and its find these unknown, avantgaard pop bands that just ring an air of brilliance about them. Skeletons has had a few names over the years, but one thing is always true - they deliver some seriously great tunes for your ears. The first time a friend of mine played me "Y'all Thinks Its So Easy(1)," I wondered if I was listening to some Outkast b-side that never got play time. Boy, was I ever wrong! Moving onward in the album, I found fun-as-fuck clips like title track "Git(2)," a Radiohead-esque "While We Were At The Movies(3)," and an funk stomper in "You'da Been Better Off(4)." There's really no shortage of styles and eccentricies on this album, so its in your best interest to just trust me when I say "you won't hear anything like this for quite some time." Recommended.
reviewed by minimal man

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / ghostly + spectral - vinyl /

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Smashing Pumpkins
Obscured / Soothe / Mayonaise (Acoustic) 12"

accoustic b-sides and rarities

The hard stuff is great and all, but give me the soft, introspective version of the Pumpkins any day. Slow To Speak seems to agree with me, so they pressed up this collection of B-Sides from the Siamese Dream era. "Obscured(1)" and "Soothe(2)" originally appeared as B-Sides of "Today" and "Disarm," respectively, and were later included on the compilation album Pisces Iscariot. The real gem here is a live acoustic version of "Mayonaise(3)," featuring a laughing Billy Corigan and, at one point, the sound of a truck starting and pulling away in the background. Just like all the other releases from Slow To Speak, this one features a spiffy looking silk-screened cover. Plays at 45, recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
bestsellers / various rock + everything else

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Stone Roses
Fools Gold / What The World Is Waiting For 7"

limited brit-pop 7" celebrating the song's 20th anniversary

"Fools Gold(1)" was the Stone Roses big breakout single, released in 1989. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the single, Silvertone has released it in its orginal form (a super limited 7"). You might know the track even if you think you don't, the drums and bassline were famously sampled by Run DMC for "What's It All About?" The b-side features "What The World Is Waiting For(2)," a crisp indie-pop track that could pass for new today (funny how the cyclical nature of music works). Limited pressing, recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / various rock + everything else / and more

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Stone Roses
S/T (20th Anniversary Remastered 180g Edition) LP+7"

seminal brit-pop album from 1989 w/ bonus 7"

With most of these seminal brit-pop albums of late eighties / early nineties, I listen to them today and nearly gag at the sound of the pompous front man with brit accent. However, the Stone Roses remain above it all despite their annoying accent... timeless and classic (proof: Man U plays "This Is The One" before every home game). Maybe it's cause these guys could really play their instruments, or that the drummer wore a floppy hat, or the great modern art covers, or that they jumped ship prematurely, leaving us wanting more. If any band from this time period gains music immortality, I'd bet Stone Roses would be in the top 3 (maybe Oasis and Blur, definitely not in the running: Suede, Pulp, Supergrass, Happy Mondays). This is the definitive vinyl reissue: housed in gatefold, embossed matte sleeve, numbered, and featuring a bonus white label 7" featuring "Pearl Bastard." Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / various rock + everything else / and more

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The Apples
The Power / Killing (Snap, Rage Against The Machine) 12"

Israeli funk outfit The Apples follow-up their impossible cover of Rage Against The Machine, with this even more impossible cover(1) of SNAP's "I GOT THE POWER." And that's no reviewers joke. But like their version of "Killing In The Name of(2)" (which is also featured here, bonus!), they manage to create something really memorable (verses some over kitschy garbage). B-side features the original track "Upskirt(3)" and an awesome and lengthy scratch sample section for DJs that still cut-that-shit-up-homey. On sheer boldness... recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / various rock + everything else / funk soul disco 12" - A-J

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The Rub
Party Medleys, Vol.1 EP

Another clever and useful piece of wax from The Rub dudes, who present four well-made and totally diverse medleys "for Serato DJs to keep in their bag, that can be used at any tempo when the DJ needs to play a real record." It's also good for unexpected crashes/reboots and beginner DJs, or bathroom/beverage breaks. The medleys are mixed quick, NYC party style, but with intros and outros to each medley for mixing. The medleys are: 80s(1) with Prince, MJ, Rolling Stones and Hall & Oates; House(2) with Stardust, Robin S and Nightcrawlers; Crunk(3) with Lil Jon, Lil Scrappy and Luda; and Dancehall(4) with Shaggy & Rayvon, Shabba, Cutty Ranks and Mr. Vegas. Recommended.
reviewed by Larri Byrd

file under:
bestsellers / 80s + 90s / mash-ups + blends + instrumentals + acapellas

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The Slew
100% (Kid Koala) 2LP

hard turntablist rock from Kid Koala + Wolfmother

Aww yeah! The homie Kid Koala from Montreal is back with Dynomite D and the rhythm section of Wolfmother(!) to breathe some much needed freshness back into the turntablist music scene. The Slew project is much harder and more rockin' than any of the other Kid Koala projects you've heard in the past (though still just as, if not more fun!) thanks to the raw cutting of wailing guitars and vocals from deep blues rock records and live drums and bass. The end result sounds like the channeling of Jimi Hendrix' spirit through the modern DJ turntable and really has to be heard to be believed 100% rocks hard from beginning to end, but check these highlights for a taste - "100%(1)," "Problem Child(2)," "You Turn Me Cold(3)," "Robbing Banks Doin' Time(4)," "The Grinder(5)," "Shackled Soul(6)," and "Battle Of Heaven & Hell(7)." Also of note: the album was mixed down by Beastie Boys producer and engineer Mario Caldato Jr who says he hasn't heard anything this crazy since Paul's Boutique. Whoa. Definitely catch the live show if it comes through your city.
Recommended.


reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / new rock / downtempo + electronic - vinyl / and more

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The Smiths
Meat Is Murder (Remastered 180g) LP

reissued 180g version of an 80s rock classic

Meat Is Murder is the album that turned The Smiths from a really good band into a really great band. Morrissey and Johnny Marr started injecting more political commentary into the writing, they famously forbade the other members from being photographed eating meat, and the band branched out their sound quite a bit as well. From the aggressive alternative rock on "The Headmaster Ritual(1)," to the rockabilly sounds of "Rusholme Ruffians(2)," the wistful ballad that is "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore(3)," and the funky bass on "Barbarism Begins At Home(4)" - probably the most club worthy track out of all of them. Of course, most Americans know if for "How Soon Is Now," but because this reissued version is of the original UK release, that track isn't included here. Even without that song, this one is required listening and a nice lead in to the more polished sounds that were still to come on The Queen Is Dead. 9 tracks total, recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / various rock + everything else / and more

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The Smiths
The Headmaster Ritual / Oscillate Wildly 7"

record store day exclusive

What a beautiful 7". For this particular review, I was going to write about how Johnny Marr is the star of these two tracks. "Headmaster Ritual(1)" starts off with shimmering and undulating waves of guitars and bass, but once Moz rips in (yes, he kinda rips here), you quickly forget about the other dood. What planet is Moz' melody from (planet prep-school poetry class)? And did you know he is part coyote? The b-side "Oscillate Wildly(2)" is probably the most deserving of the 7" format. This instrumental has always served as an intermission where I'd get all these epiphanies about life and music. Enough sick ducking, I'm waiting for Woodman to email me, telling me how lame my Smiths review is. Limited edition from Record Store Day, so act quick. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / various rock + everything else / and more

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The Smiths
The Queen Is Dead (Remastered 180g) LP

remastered 180g version of an 80s rock classic

This is it, the big one. The Rolling Stone five star all time great Smiths album. I don't really believe in this kind of stuff, especially with this band. BUT, if your going to leave the house to DJ, or if your going to throw a record on the turntable, this is probably the one to have. I mean really you should have most or all of their discography in your iPod, but if you don't, this is a great place to start. "Bigmouth Strikes Again(1)," is probably the most played Smiths "club" track. "Cemetry Gates(2)," is one of their greatest and most talked about tracks, "The Boy with the Thorn In His Side(3)" is the "Morrissey Night" Fave. There's also "Some Girls(4)" (if you don't have the live "Some Girls" track it down it's amazing) and the title track(5) - for whatever reason when the English sing politics it sounds so fucking cool, but when we (Americans) do it we sound like total douche bags...
"Franky Mr. Shankly(6)," is a personal fave of mine about a record executive asshole they had to deal with. "I Know Its Over(7)" and "Never Had No One Ever(8)" are the two least talked about tracks and both are fantastic - you start to hear Morrissey developing the sound that would emerge in his solo stuff, more moody and broody. "Vicar In A Tutu(9)," another short jingle jangle song that I would again urge you to track down the "Rank" version of. Which leaves us with "There is a Light That Never Goes Out(10)." Perhaps the greatest song that's ever been recorded? For real, this is THE Smiths song, if you only own one Smiths song, this is the one you should own, so if you only own one Smiths album, a real crime id say, but if you do, this is the one to own. I can not really put this song into words, play it over and over if you've lost a love, or found a love, found a friend or lost a friend, like so many of us have this bitter sweet summer. If you love music of any kind this album will not collect dust, a must for everyone...
reviewed by Roctakon

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / various rock + everything else / and more

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The Time & Space Machine
The Time & Space Machine Volume Two LP

Wicked. Richard Norris (half of Lab faves Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve) delivers this album of psychedelic re-edits, packaged in a banging sleeve. Tracks range from "full on, ten minute guitar freakouts to lysergic acid folk to warped sunshine freakbeat... and aural head trip for the weird and wired." Indeed, recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / downtempo + electronic - recommended / bestsellers / various rock + everything else / and more

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V/A
Forge Your Own Chains: Heavy Psychedelic Ballads And Dirges 1968-1974 2LP w/ FREE Fan Club 45

heavy psyche comp by Egon and Stones Throw crew

LAB EXCLUSIVO: purchase this LP and receive the corresponding Stones Throw Fan Club for free.

This is as close as record digging gets to "grown and sexy." Now Again strikes again with a 15 track compilation of heavy psyche compiled by label head Egon. There's been numerous bootleg psyche comps that have trickled to collectors over the years, but this official compilation wipes the slate clean and allows even the newbie to get deep into this nerdus genre. Here's what the label has to say:

"Those of us birthed into record collecting by the Hip Hop midwife revered Jimi Hendrix as well as James Brown. We searched for albums by Mulatu Astatke and Power of Zeus with the same fervor," Egon writes in his introduction to the comp. Forge Your Own Chains showcases music from all corners of the world: Colombia, Nigeria, Sweden, South Korea, Thailand and Iran. The focus is on melody, driving rhythms and accessibility. Not one song is included on this compilation because it is from a "rare" album. Certainly, many of these songs do spring from albums that exchange hands for many thousands of dollars and many of these songs have never seen reissue. But these songs are all beautiful in their own right and work to form a coherent album. Psychedelic records, long the mainstay of older, grizzled collectors and seemingly quaint, are, in the hands of Egon and those of his generation, giving up new ghosts.

15 tracks in all, includes detailed liner notes. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / various rock + everything else / stones throw - vinyl / and more

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V/A
Strange Breaks & Mr. Thing Vol.2 2LP

top notch rare groove comp

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 tracks. Features 18 tracks spread out across 2LPs, packaged in a snazzy looking gatefold pic sleeve. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
funk soul disco - reviewer recommended / bestsellers / various rock + everything else / funk soul disco - comps / and more

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Wolfmother
New Moon Rising (Yacht, Riton) Pic Disc 12"

Australian hard rock with disco and house remixes

New single from Australian hard rockers Wolfmother, off their upcoming LP Cosmic Egg. "New Moon Rising(1)" features Andrew Stockdale's signature howling vocals, and a nice extended drum break during the second verse. Yacht reworks the track into an uptempo new disco number(2), adding some nice psychedelic vocals at the end. The flip features two remixes from Riton(3,4), the first a bouncy disco number and the latter an uptempo house dub. Four solid tracks, and pressed on a snazzy pic disc to boot! Recommended.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
bestsellers / new rock / new disco / cosmic / edits - reviewer recommended / dfa + related / and more

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Young Marble Giants
Live At The Hurrah LP

live recording of new wave band

Of the thousands of promo CDs that have come through the Lab, the Young Marble Giants Colossal Youth was one that stuck. Maybe it was the sticker on the cover that proclaimed that Kurt Cobain was a fan, or the stark B+W cover with cool type that always indicates a great new wave album. As me and Frogman got deeper into the album, so did other music nerds (XXXchange even sampled it for one of his remixes). It was like finding the last cold beer at a house party. The band only managed to release one album and a couple of singles in the early eighties, so this live recording is as good as gold for YMG fans. It documents back to back shows in November of 2008 at NYC's legendary Hurrah Club, home to early punk and no-wave shows. Surprisingly, the sound quality is excellent. High quality Italian pressing, 15 tracks in all, recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
bestsellers / new wave + no wave + electro / various rock + everything else / and more

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