TURNTABLE LAB

Bost & Bim
The Bombing: The Very Best of Bost & Bim Reggae Remixes LP

reggae remixes of classic soul, funk, and rock jams

Awesome collection of reworks from French reggae production duo Matthieu Bost and Jeremie Dessus (Bim). They get busy giving a steady reggae skank to twelve classic soul, funk, and rock jams from absolutely legendary artists and manage to pull it off with style and finesse. Check how smooth their version of Marvin's "Let's Get It On(1)" and "Sexual Healing(2)" sounds for starters. Pretty good, no? And how cool are Sting's vocals over a proper dub on "Message In A Bottle(3)"? They even manage to get the Supremes(4), Janis Joplin(5), and Stevie Wonder(6) sounding right over island flavors, but once they hit the Beatles(7) I'm 100% sold on these dudes' skills. Great stuff all around and essential for anyone who dug the excellent Motown Flies Jamaica LPs. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

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current dancehall + hip-hop remixes + acapellas / new vinyl - hip-hop / reviewer recommended / reviewer reccomended / and more

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A Tribe Called Quest
Rare and Unreleased Instrumentals, Vol.2 2LP

instrumentals for classic ATCQ tracks

Volume two of unreleased instrumentals for the golden era hip-hop fans. This double LP compiles 12 more rare and unreleased Tribe instrumentals from People's Instinctive Travels, Low End Theory, and Midnight Marauders. Finally beats for "We Can Get Down," "Rap Promoter," "Excursions," "God Lives Through," and more. Quality pressing too. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

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new vinyl - hip-hop / reviewer recommended / reviewer reccomended / vinyl new arrivals / and more

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Digable Planets
Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) 2LP

repress of a golden era classic

I remember when "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)(1)" first came out and was
all over KMEL in the bay. Barley in high school I thought that Butterfly,
Ladybug and Doodlebug were just ripping off all of the old jazz records they
were sampling from. But by the time the album dropped I was sold. From the
album opener "It's Good to Be Here(2)" to the classic "Nickel Bags(3)" it's
all quality material. With cuts like "Where I'm From(4)", "Jimmi Diggin'
Cats(5)" and "Swoon Units(6)" how can you go wrong? It's just too bad that
they could not keep it up after dropping Blowout Comb.
reviewed by Michu Meszaros

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new vinyl - hip-hop / vinyl new arrivals / hip-hop vinyl / middle school hip-hop

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DJ Twister
Bangers On The Breaks Vol.1 (Lauryn Hill, Flo Rida, Justin Timberlake) 12"

mash ups and blends of disco/funk with contemporary pop

Some how we got volume 2 of this series first, but that one sold so well we knew we needed dig out the first one. This one features blends that involve well-known funk and disco breaks, and leads off with the 90s-tastic combo of Mase (really, Kool And The Gang) and The Fugees, combining the instrumental from party favorite "Feels So Good" with "Fu-gee-la(1)." "Super Low(2)" combines Rick James and Flo-Rida, and then the a-side closes with a combo of "Celebration" by Kool And The Gang and "Give It To Me" by Timbaland. The flip features four more blends built on the same concept, including the combination of Blackstreet and Cameo(4) that works way better than you think it will. Seven tracks, all pretty much sure shots if you're playing for the pop crowd.
reviewed by Hires

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new vinyl - hip-hop / hip-hop vinyl / current hip-hop / mash-ups + blends + instrumentals + acapellas

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Bangers R Mashed
Plate 10 (Michael Jackson) 12"

one drop version of Billie Jean

10th edition of UK crew Nuff Wish's Bangers R Mashed blends series. The big one here is obviously "Afrikan Billie(1)," which combines the vocals from Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" with some dubby one drop instrumentation by Joe Gibbs. The flip features a breaks remix of Albarosie's "Police(2)" that sounds kind of like a relaxed version of jungle. Both sides play at 45.
reviewed by Hires

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current dancehall + hip-hop remixes + acapellas / new vinyl - hip-hop / hip-hop vinyl / mash-ups + blends + instrumentals + acapellas / and more

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Tenor Saw
Ring The Alarm (Dubstep Remix) 12"

massive dubstep version of the reggae anthem

Tenor Saw's dancehall anthem "Ring The Alarm" gets beefed up for your dubstep sets. Whoever produced this piece kept the original pretty much intact and just gave the drums boost and turned up the bass so the subs can shake 'em down (no crazy, wonky wobble stuff - just deep and heavy). Loud pressing on limited, one-sided white label vinyl.
reviewed by snackmaster

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dubstep + grime - vinyl / current dancehall + hip-hop remixes + acapellas / downtempo + electronic + bmore + ghettotech + uk + baile / new vinyl - hip-hop / and more

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DJ Twister
Bangers On The Breaks Vol.2 (Kid Cudi, Michael Jackson, Daft Punk) 12"

well executed blends of Michael Jackson, Kid Cudi, Daft Punk, ODB

We're about a year out from the whole mash-up craze, and you know what? I kinda miss em. It was more a problem of over-saturation and quality control than something inherent. A properly executed mash-up is one of the coolest things you can do as a DJ, and embodies the ideals of golden age hip-hop (if that even means anything these days, idk). DJ Twister aims to take it back with this set of expertly-tailored bastards. The blend(1) of Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" and The Jackson's "I Want You Back" is super timely and fun for everyone, while the MJ vs. The Trammps blend(2) is great if you want to make a less obvious tribute. I didn't think the Kid Cudi vs. Chic(3) blend would work, but it reveals yet another angle of this very unlikely, introspective hit (check the half-time "slow down" part). For the pure adrenaline mash, check the uptempo Nirvana vs. James Brown vs. Beastie Boys. vs ODB blend(4). It's as unruly as a fat kid on a waterslide. Also includes: Daft Punk vs. King Errisson(5), Ne-Yo vs. Herbie Hancock(6), and Sean Paul vs. David Bowie(7). Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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new vinyl - hip-hop / reviewer recommended / reviewer reccomended / hip-hop vinyl / and more

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A Tribe Called Quest
Rare and Unreleased Instrumentals, Vol.1 2LP

instrumentals for classic ATCQ tracks

Essential collection of instrumentals for the golden era hip-hop fans. This double LP compiles 12 rare and unreleased Tribe instrumentals from People's Instinctive Travels, Low End Theory, and Midnight Marauders. Finally beats for "Butter," "Luck Of Lucien," "Push It Along," "Sucka Nigga," "Everything Is Fair," "Clap Your Hands," and more. Super high quality vinyl pressing too. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

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De La Soul
Are You In? 2LP

NIKE commissioned album from legendary rap group

Limited double LP version of De La's 2009 album for Nike's Original Run series. For Are You In?, the legendary hip hop trio lay down their signature rap styles over a diverse set of beats ranging from the mellow and soulful you're used to, to synth-laced uptempo heaters. You'll notice that the tracks kind of meld into each other as the album is designed to flow like a DJ mix (as it's actually designed to be a personal running soundtrack), and it totally works that way with a more relaxed beginning and end, and a more intense middle. Check the cool opener "Mornin' Rise(1)" featuring Raheem DeVaughn, the knockin' beats on "Big Mouf(2)," and "Greedy Man(3)" with Billy Ray, vocoder electro funk on "We O.D.(4)," and the Detroit tinged closer "Forever(5)." Gotta give it up to Pos, Mase, and Trugoy for staying relevant all these years and getting that corporate dough from Nike to make some new material.
reviewed by snackmaster

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new vinyl - hip-hop / vinyl new arrivals / hip-hop vinyl / current hip-hop / and more

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Larry Levan
Don't Leave Me This Way / Acapellas 12"

classic material from the paradise garage

It seems like every week we're getting some mysterious bootleg from out of nowhere that is either straight from the hands of Ron Hardy or Larry Levan. This latest one includes the instrumental version of the essential Garage classic "Don't Leave Me This Way(1)" from Thelma Houston and Gamble and Huff. Stripping away the vocal track and giving shine to the bass line just in time for the first hint of spring. On the flip you get the original disco dj break record. Everything from James Brown shouts to something that seems like it came from the end of the tape of the "Love And Happiness" studio session gets some room.
reviewed by Michu Meszaros

file under:
funk soul disco 12" / funk + soul + latin + disco / new vinyl - hip-hop / funk soul disco / and more

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V/A
Def Jam 25: Serato Control Edition (2 Discs, 2 Slipmats)

classic tracks from legendary label on clear vinyl with control tones + slipmats

To celebrate 25 years in the biz, influential hip-hop label Def Jam (started in 1984 by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons) has teamed up with Serato pressings for a limited edition double 12" pack featuring six classic tracks from the label's catalog with Serato control tones on the flip. Features LL Cool J's "I Need A Beat(1)," Slick Rick's "Children's Story(2)," Beastie Boys "Paul Revere(3)," Jay-Z's "I Just Wanna Love U(4)," DMX's "Party Up(5)," and Method Man & Redman's "Da Rockwilder(6)" on crispy clear vinyl. Also includes a pair of 25th anniversary Def Jam slipmats. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

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Wu-Tang Clan
Enter The Dubstep: Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture Vol.2 2LP

dubstep remixes of the Wu with many guest MCs

There's no doubt that the Wu inspired a whole new generation of rappers, producers, and DJs when they exploded on the scene back in the early 90s. You already know they inspired an amazing set of live funk covers, and now those Shaolin-lovin' MCs have inspired a massive double disc set of dubstep re-interpretations. But it's more than just dubstep remixes of classic Wu tracks (you won't find "C.R.E.A.M." or "Bring Da Ruckus" here). The heads at Frank Radio and iHiphop took it a step further and incorporated the world of indie rappers into the mix (hence the "Wu-Tang Meets Indie Culture" sub-title) to expand and encompass even more underground styles. Talk about cross-pollinating! The resulting tracks are supremely grimey, gully, gritty, etc. with production by some of the hardest dubstep producers including DZ, Scuba, Parson, Dakihm, Baobinga, Rogue Star, and many more laced with verses from deep within the Wu-Tang vaults from Raekwon, Methodman, RZA, GZA, U-God, Masta Killa, (plus a grip of Wu B-teamers) along side guest MCs like MF Doom, Pimp C, Three 6 Mafia, Vast Aire, Ras Kass, Canibus, Casual, and whole lot more. 19 tracks of tough, bassed up Wu-Tang, the likes of which you've never heard before.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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dubstep + grime - vinyl / downtempo + electronic + bmore + ghettotech + uk + baile / new vinyl - hip-hop / vinyl new arrivals / and more

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6Blocc
I Dubs Vol.3 (Hip-Hop Dubstep Remixes) EP

dubstep remixes of reggae and hip-hop, pick

6Blocc's I Dubs dubstep remix series is the bestselling dubstep series at the Lab. I appreciate how 6Blocc doesn't dumb it down, these mashes are challenging and so hardcore. This third volume might be the wickedest yet with remixes of Baby Cham's "Babylon Bwoy(1)," Gangstarr's "Just To Get A Rep(2)," and Million Stylez' "Police And Helicopter(3)." 6Blocc saves the best for last with a ridiculously bass-y "See You Smile(4)," a medley of the Singing Sweet track, some Barrington, and more. Highly recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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dubstep + grime - vinyl / downtempo + electronic + bmore + ghettotech + uk + baile / new vinyl - hip-hop / reviewer recommended / and more

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Edan
Echo Party - Custom Cover LP

old school disco rap, dance, and punk funk rarities mixed and freaked

Limited vinyl copies, each one hand-stamped by Edan himself featuring one-of-a-kind designs! Crazy fresh mixtape project from Edan for fans of old school disco rap/dance and analog effects wizardry. Edan was given access to the back catalog of classic old school labels like P&P, Chocolate Star, Magic, etc. and was asked to make something new out of it - basically whatever he wanted! The result is Echo Party, a funky dubbed-out trip through old school rarities, freaked and funked with plenty of moog, tape echo, turntables, guitar, and even kazoos. Basically Edan kills it in a major way. Only 1000 copies made. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
stones throw shop / indy hip-hop / downtempo + electronic + bmore + ghettotech + uk + baile / new vinyl - hip-hop / and more

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Marvin Gaye
What's Going On (DJ Day Edits) 7"

extended version of a Marvin classic

Limited Japanese pressing of DJ Day's brilliant re-take(1) of "What's Going On." Don't get this confused with a mash-up, Day just gives the classic a serious polish. Instrumental version on the flip.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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downtempo + electronic - vinyl / funk soul disco - 7" / 45s / funk + soul + latin + disco / new vinyl - hip-hop / and more

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Nick Thayer
Yeah Bwoy! (Will Styles) 12"

funky party breaks for the dancefloor

Australia's Nick Thayer and Will Styles continue to kill it on the funky party breaks tip with volume 17 in the Bomb Strikes series. All these tracks will surely get the party started and the b-boys out in force - from the Public Enemy/JB's breaks of "Yeah Bwoy(1)," to the Eric B & Rakim funk breaks cut up "Everybody Ready(2)" and the beefed up "Champ" break on "Flat Top(3)." 3 for 3!
reviewed by snackmaster

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midtempo - vinyl / house / deep house / remixes / downtempo + electronic + bmore + ghettotech + uk + baile / dance + house + new disco + electro + nujazz / and more

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Subscape
Let Me Clear My Throat (Dubstep Remix) 12"

dubstep remix of the party classic

DJ Kool's sureshot party classic "Let Me Clear My Throat" gets dubstep-ified by Subscape on this limited white label 12". Crushing drums, crazy electro synths, and megaton bass to make the place go nuts. This'll go fast like the "Dubblicker" 12" we carried (Aphex Twin dubstep remix). One sided vinyl.
reviewed by snackmaster

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dubstep + grime - vinyl / downtempo + electronic + bmore + ghettotech + uk + baile / new vinyl - hip-hop / bmore/dubstep/baile/bass / and more

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Beastie Boys
The In Sound From Way Out 2LP

Nicely priced import press of this double album of instrumental tracks (not instrumental versions of vocal tracks) spawned from the Check Your Head sessions. This was even hard to find out when it first came out, cool to have it back. At this point in their career, the Beasties could do no wrong. 14 tracks in all.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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downtempo + electronic - vinyl / new vinyl - hip-hop / vinyl new arrivals / downtempo + electronic - all / and more

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GZA
Liquid Swords 2LP

classic Wu-Tang circa 1995

Probably the most-underlooked of the Wu-classics, the elusive Liquid Swords gets the double vinyl reissue. The centerpiece of the album is definitely the title track(1). I have creepy memories of Prince Paul playing this at the Cooler (remember that place?) and a room of 100 doods yelling along like they were at church. One of RZA's simplest manipulations but definitely one of his most effective. There's several singles with varying degrees of success: "Shadow Boxing(2), Cold World," and "Labels," but the album-only tracks cut deep like the bugged-out "4th Chamber(3)" with Ghostface, or the deceptively smooth "Duel of the Iron Mic(4)." As the years pass, this album will only get more obscure, but larger in stature.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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new vinyl - hip-hop / vinyl new arrivals / hip-hop vinyl / middle school hip-hop / and more

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Pure P
On My New York Shit Pt. 1 12"

late 90s nyc style hip-hop remixes

GAMM's Pure P pays homage to late nineties NYC white labels with this new series of hip-hop blends. He leads it off with "New York City(1)" an impressive cut-up crew track over Dre's "Last Episode" featuring famous verses from ODB, Busta, OC, Pharoahe Monch, Nas, Raekwon, and Lauryn Hill. I'd probably get this on the strength of that track alone. Also features a "Love Like This / Sledgehammer" blend(2), and the indy hip-hop styled "All Real(3)" and "Move(4)." This stuff is so convincing, I'm getting 90s North Face flashbacks.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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midtempo - vinyl / dance + house + new disco + electro + nujazz / new vinyl - hip-hop / downtempo + electronic - all / and more

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Souls of Mischief
93 'til Infinity (2XLP)

classic 90s hip hop album

A daunting task reviewing this record, but here's a try. Not to get all textbook, but 93 Til Infinity is one of finest embodiments of youthful expression. This is the Lebron of hip hop records, a young prize pit bull on a chain link leash. Somehow on this album the producers were able to harness the complete wildness of Souls into 14 coherent hip-hop classics. It's what separates NBA from And 1. Ever hear an early Hiero freestyle? It's one of the baddest things on earth, but freestyles don't make a classic record (just axe Supernat). There was magic in the studio, and it's fitting that the Souls give it up to this magic in the albums title track(1). "Anything Can Happen(2)" rivals a young Nas in vivid storytelling, but Nas didn't have to coordinate 4 separate voices. That's finesse, and "That's When Ya Lost(3)" is straight fire. Combine "Lost" with "Let Em Know(4)" and "Live and Let Live(5)," and you have one of the most dynamic openings since, hmm... Midnight Marauders? For kicks, throw in equinox apocalypse Del on a track like "Limitations(6)" and see how wild it can get. This review is starting to get sporadically hectic, precisely the opposite of what the Souls did on this one. If I got paid by the minute, I might try to sort it out. Excellent quality reissue, and I believe the first time available on double vinyl.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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new vinyl - hip-hop / vinyl new arrivals / hip-hop vinyl / middle school hip-hop

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6Blocc
Budda Bye / Vigilante 12"

reggae dubstep remixes

6Blocc is notorious for taking hip-hop and reggae classics and giving them a massive dubstep makeover. On his second release on Moonshine, the L.A. bass beast sets his sights on Johnny Osbourne's classic "Buddy Bye" vocals and slathers em over a sludgy, extremely heavy halfstep beat(1) on for the bass heads. Play this real loud and watch the subs melt peoples insides. Similar ting a'gwan on the flipside but with Buju Banton's verses getting put over a tough slowed-down amen break(2). Plays at 45, limited press.
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
dubstep + grime - vinyl / current dancehall + hip-hop remixes + acapellas / downtempo + electronic + bmore + ghettotech + uk + baile / new vinyl - hip-hop / and more

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Diamond D
Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop 2LP

Supposedly this album was originally pressed in a batch of 500 for promo release. I went to A-1 to buy the repress and Roman put the original under my nose. I asked how much and he hit me in the gut... $150. Now that's that shit. Never mind that collector biz though. It's one of those records whose weight and respect has only grown in the years after it's release. Production credits all go to Diamond as his beats are early nineties at its finest, on the uptown upbeat shit. This LP single-handedly put D on many heads' top 5 producers lists. Hornet style on the classic Benson looped "Yo That's That Shit(1)." Or how bout the Flaming Ember loop on "I'm Outta Here?(2)" The singles "Best Kept Secret(3) and "Sally Got A One Track Mind?(4)" What about the lesser known "Fuck What you Heard, K.I.S.S. or Check On Two?" It's much too much. Almost exact double LP reissue with labels. The original has a sticker. He took a blues break and he broke it.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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new vinyl - hip-hop / vinyl new arrivals / hip-hop vinyl / middle school hip-hop

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Midnight Star
Midas Touch (DJ Platurn + Kat O1O Remix) 12"

smooth remix of the 80's r&b classic

Brooklyn's BSTRD Boots label is back again with the 10th installment of their popular bootleg remix series. This time around DJ Platurn of the Oakland Faders and Kat O1O take on Midnight Star's 80's r&b/boogie classic and seriously spaces it out on a smooth cosmic broken beat tip. Thankfully they keep the melody and bass intact so the vocals fit the groove perfectly, but by switching up the drums he gives a cool modern dynamic to this throwback club favorite. Flipside features the instrumental and a dubapella which is basically just the vocals and synths (no drums). Cool labels design too (made to look like the original SOLAR labels).
reviewed by snackmaster

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downtempo + electronic - vinyl / new vinyl - hip-hop / new school beats - vinyl / downtempo + electronic - all / and more

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Heliocentrics
Distant Star (feat. Percee P & MF Doom) 12"

The heavy sounds of Malcolm Catto's Heliocentrics get invaded by the rapid fire vocals of Percee P and NY's most valiant villian, MF Doom. The track is "Distant Star(1)" which takes the instrumental of the same name from their recent deep funk release, Out There. The combination of modern funk and hip hop is truly a unique hybrid. Don't think jazzamatazz, but more like think dirty rotten funk with articulate emceeing. Manic standup basslines drive the motor, as Malcom chops those beats like a madman, while Percee aggressively grabs each bar and MF sprays a coat of bad urban landscape. It's quite a ride. There's also a shorter "Strange Version" that just keeps the composition more straight forward with the essential instrumentals on the flip. Note: the label lists the "Distant Star - Inst" and "Space Time Girl - Inst"(unreleased) but you also get a secret unnamed inst of the "Distant Star - Strange Version - Inst" with amazing sitar solos. So worth the buy.
reviewed by C'mish

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downtempo + electronic - vinyl / stones throw shop / indy hip-hop / funk soul disco 12" / and more

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Kid Sister
Right Hand Hi (Caspa, Riton, Kim Fai) 12"

uptempo club rap with house and dubstep remixes

Import-only pressing for Kid Sis' first single from her Ultraviolet LP. "Right Hand Hi(1)" is a big club anthem with big credentials - the beat is courtesy of bigtime Swedes Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso, and Chromeo's Dave1 pitched in on the the songwriting. It's definitely come along at just the right time, with uptempo dance/rap hybrids being the sound du jour on Top 40 radio. The remixes here don't slouch either, with Caspa taking first crack at it with a heavy dubstep version. The flip side features Riton(3) taming the original into a more straightforward house version, while Kim Fai adds just a slight electro house touch. As is usually the case when it comes to Fool's Gold/Downtown, the record comes in a great looking pic sleeve drawn by Dust La Rock.
reviewed by Hires

file under:
indy hip-hop / new vinyl - hip-hop / hip-hop vinyl

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A Tribe Called Quest
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm 2LP

Tribe's masterful debut jazz thing album. Surprise favorites like "After Hours(1)" and "Footprints(2)" continually grow on you between the hits "Bonita Applebum(3)," "I Left My Wallet," and "Can I Kick It?(4)". Also Includes: Push It Along, Luck Of Lucien, Pubic Enemy, Youthful Expression, Ham N Eggs, Mr Muhammed, Go Ahead In The Rain, Description Of a Fool. Double album.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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new vinyl - hip-hop / vinyl new arrivals / hip-hop vinyl / middle school hip-hop / and more

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