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Beautiful 1972 album from Astrud, and the first of her career made up predominantly of her own compositions. (She was also the producer, while Deodato contributed the arrangements.) The sharp samba-funk of tracks like "Take It Easy My Brother Charlie(1)," "Zigy Zigy...
expand review Za(2)" and "Gingele(3)" showed that Gilberto was much more than a novelty, with instrumentation and arrangements on par with Brazil's much more respected songwriters of the time such as Jorge Ben. The non-Astrud composed tracks like "General Da Banda(4)" and "Make Love To Me(5)" aren't too shabby either. Comes in a glossy reproduction sleeve. 10 tracks total. -Larri Byrd
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Heavy dub sessions from the Chicago duo of Peabody & Sherman, aka bassist Curtis Ruptash and percussionist Phillip Hertz. For their new "Playdate" incarnation, they entered the studio with musicians from Chi-town and Brooklyn (including members of Chin Chin and Chimp Beams)...
expand review for some one-take dub explorations, which come out sounding suitably jammy yet surprisingly sharp. A-side features the guitar of Chin Chin's Jeremy Wilms on the flute-y remix to Channel U's "Red Sky(1)" and the original "Lonesome Cowboy(2)" (the latter of which also has some mean melodica by Chimp Beams' Yusuke Yamamoto). Flip it over for more P&S / Chimp Beams collabo (this time it's Marihito Ayabe on MPC, turntable and Rhodes) with the perfectly titled extended jam "Drifting(3)" and a remix of "Wine(4)" by Ayabe's Brooklyn / Oakland group, Long Dist. -Larri Byrd
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Two tracks of stormy tribal pop from Apache Beat, two gals and three fellows from NYC who have been getting a lot of looks from both sides of the pond lately. "Tropics(1)" is a dense slice of rhythmic post-rock with haunting synths...
expand review and raspy female vocals that'll require (many) repeat listenings. The flip features the soaring "Your Powers Are Magic(2)" - while not as catchy as "Tropics," it's just as satisfying a listen, as the band toys with a quiet-loud dynamic and singer Ilirjana lets her delivery wax and wane with the music. Limited to 500 hand-numbered copies. -Larri Byrd
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Man, I can't remember the last time I liked a "rock" album this much.
(Like the WHOLE ALBUM. Imagine that!) If you're not familiar, the Mountain Goats are basically one Mr. John Darnielle, and even if "acoustic" and "folky" are apt...
expand review adjectives for most of his (hundreds??) of songs, the sum total of the music feels like a lot more. For the skeptics who have been listening a while, yes, the sound is far removed from the boombox recording days, but you gotta think of those as sketches and these as full-on paintings. And dude is Bob Rossing it! Except instead of happy mountains and clouds, Heretic Pride is rife with swamp creatures, chicks in Marduk t-shirts and Lovecraft-style paranoia. Of course in typical Darnielle style, the raw, jittery "Lovecraft In Brooklyn(1)" has the album's lol moment when he blurts out "woke up afraid of my own shadow...
like, genuinely afraid!" I could go on, but just check out the great opener "Sax Rohmer #1(2)" - if you like that, proceed to the title track(3), "How To Embrace A Swamp Creature(4)," "New Zion(5)" and "Autoclave(6)." Nice subtle production once again from John Vanderslice and Scott Solter. And did I mention it comes packaged with a code that gives you access to a free high-quality MP3 download of the full album? 'Cause it does. Obviously recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Two new tracks produced by that dude from the Bay, Spinnerty - easily one of the most underrated DJs we stock here at Lab. (Did you hear his "I Feel An Urge" mixes from last year??) "The Worst Way(1)" is my pick...
expand review here, with Spinnerty remixing SF band Dem Suite. Winter is the perfect time for moody downtempo, and this is right up my alley right now with some off-kilter drums and powerful, surging bass. The flip finds Spinnerty on his boom-bap steez for "Feels Like Rain(2)," with vocals from Dem Suite's singer and a guest verse from Animate Objects' Czar Absolute. A nice find, if I do say so myself. Definitely recommended. -Larri Byrd
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This gem of a seven has sold out in moments every time we've been able to get ahold of it, and for good reason. "Mr Chatterbox(1)" is like the best Bob Marley song you've never heard: uptempo rubberband man instrumentation, a playful...
expand review flute piping away, catchy chorus from Bob, and pure Wailers energy. This version is also a rare alternate take, popping off with the "hey Bob, yuh wanted in the studio" intro chatter. B-side is the instrumental version, featuring a great double-time drum & bass breakdown that lasts forever. -the mgmnt
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#1 of 2 different new 45s for CSS' undeniable "Off The Hook(1)." (Even Sizzle liked it when he was still here, and he only likes metal and house.) This actually sounds like a re-mixed version of the track from the album -...
expand review I can't put my finger on the difference, but the whole mix just sounds cleaner and the drums more crisp. The previously unreleased B-side, "Poney Money Honey(2)," is a totally new sound for CSS - mellow, slinking guitars and (gasp) soft-spoken vocals from the usually krazy Lovefoxxx. I want more! Comes in a stickered pic sleeve featuring CSS' silent bass assassin, Carolina. -Larri Byrd
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Are you ready? Cause this is the Souuth....Rakkaas....Crrrreew!!! The newest producers to hit Diplo's Mad Decent label. Despite the generic promo cover, don't be fooled. This is the label that brought you Blaqstarr and Bonde Do Role, remember? And the Rakkas...
expand review are here because they rock! Originally from Southern Canada, but now operating out of Orlando, SRC is mostly known for their banging dancehall riddims (Clappas, Red Alert, Bionic Ras, Chinkuzi, etc.) and their wide range of styles (they've worked with Beenie Man, Elephant Man to even NSYNC!). This is their first EP premiering their blends to the public, so do not sleep. Everyone from Snackmaster and I to Cosmo Baker have been hooked on their infectious styles since the promos were dropped off a month ago. The whole album is pretty much on fire, but if you want the hand picked selections, check the dancehall/80's house flavor of "Mad Again(1)" feat. New Kidz, which uses the keys from Inner City's "Good Life" to make a hard-to-resist hybrid. I never would have thought it possible, but SRC is big on surprises and they pull it off with a bang! Also check the Sesame Street Pinball "Number" song being cleverly flipped on "Twelve(2)" feat. the hype vocals from Geefus(from Stone Love) & Ninja Kid, The Jackson's addictive "Can You Feel It?" riddim on T.O.K.'s "Carry Feelings(3)," the female pop sound of Sandy Smith ft. Geefus on "When You Play Dancehall(4)," the old skool break mixed with Josh Wink's "Higher States Of Consciousness" on Kid Foreigner's "Hotter Than Them(5)" ft. Bigga Boss, the new dancehall feel of Capleton's "Real Hot Remix(6)" and Mr. Vegas, Alozade and Hollowpoint on the "Under Mi Sensi - Retro Mix(7)." I know our dancehall section has been lacking tremendously since there's no Frogman's to keep stock on all the new Jamaican 7"s, but this should make up for some of that (although I miss those Reggae Gold covers and promo posters!) Whoo! Very Recommended. -C'mish
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I'm actually kinda glad this single has taken so long to drop: "Day N Nite(1)" was one of my favorite songs of 2007, but since it's not officially released until... well, right now, I can put it at the top of my...
expand review 2008 lists too! Cudi, along with his man Dot Da Genius on the beat, has crafted one of the best slo-mo stoner rap anthems in recent memory. Not to be outdone, Cudi's labelmate's Jokers of the Scene get this one prepped for the dancefloor with their surging raved out remix(2). The flip features another slumper, "Dat New New(3)," with a nice flow from Cudi and guitar loop / wet drums beat by Dot. This might be my favorite release on Fool's Gold yet. Includes instrumentals for both tracks, plus dirty and clean mixes for "Dat New New." Recommended. -Larri Byrd
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This single dropped in France back in 2005, but with Para One blowing up and Dabaaz's album finally ready, we're thinking it's still a safe bet. Proceed directly to the B-side here for the Para One-produced "Le Da(1)," which is bound to...
expand review grab you whether you appreciate its farting, off-kilter electro beat or Dabaaz's swaggering Frenchy flow. Disque Primeur's own Drixxxe gets behind the boards for the A-side, "Explose(2)," a fireworks-sampling beast of a track which firmly places Dabaaz on the same Euro-crunk level as his countrymen, TTC. (And I mean that in a good way.) Includes instrumentals for both tracks. -Chris Lemon-Red
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