quick audio picks: 12
It's funny how an emcees' voice never changes. AG, aka Andre The Giant of Showbiz fame, sounds exactly the same as his early DITC years. Only the backdrop is different here as two of the finest (Dilla RIP) give this vet some...
expand review spanking new shoes. Dilla's "Hip-Hop Quotable(1)" is definitely the standout here. Dilla drops his patented futuristic club bounce track, while AG makes a real showing, borrowing and switching up old hip-hop lyrics the entire way. Definitely, on some old to the new shit. On the flip, Madlib lays down "Frozen(2)" featuring a throwback indy beat that samples carnival sounds. Instrumental and accapella for both. -the mgmnt
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SPECIAL DEAL: Purchase this LP and get a FREE Stones Throw Fan Club
45 featuring two exclusive Arabian Prince tracks not on the album.
With the Innovative Life Anthology 1984-1989 Stones Throw takes it back to the 80's LA hip-hop scene, that special time...
expand review when gangsters were rocking a jheri curl and danced to the electro beat. Arabian Prince is the main focus here - the former producer for N.W.A. (Dre, Cube, Eazy - that N.W.A.) was definitely an influential figure in spreading that uptempo, sex driven, vocoder laced LA electro style though he never quite got the credit or fame as fellow LA producer/DJ Egyptian Lover (who actually gave Arabian Prince his name). This comp will shed some light on many of Arabian Prince's productions that may have been over looked in the past and hopefully give the man the credit and respect he well deserves as a pioneer. Check the heavy robo-funk on N.W.A.'s "Panic Zone(1)," the vocoder raps on "Freak City (2)," the freaky sounds of "Innovative Life(3)" and "Innovator(4),"
the quirky Prince-esque style of "Strange Life(5)," and the tough electro beats of "It Ain't Tough(6)" and "Professor X (Saga)(7)." Ten tracks total spread out on double vinyl. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 12
Many people consider this their favorite battle record. Simplest, most effective layout. Includes "stop frontin' and use your head" beat. Two of the nicest skratch sentences that include "scratching... what is it; uh... raang.... it's fresh; break it down like this." Hours...
expand review of skratching enjoyment ( = less time beating off). Buy 2 copies. Classic. -the mgmnt
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dam-funk's remix of Baron Zen's "Burn Rubber(1)" was easily one of the best tracks from the Baron's recent remix collection, and now it's on 12" with a bonus instrumental version to satisfy your need for synth-drenched funk (which was made out of...
expand review lo fi 80s Cali punk). On the flip, we get James Pants' killer electro remix of "Gotta Get Ridda Rick(2)" (plus instrumental) and the Baron Zen track "Jackyabody," which is basically just a bonus beat section with drum programming from PB Wolf. -Larri Byrd
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GAWD-DAMN! That's all I gotta say. 23 tracks of the heaviest drum tracks I've ever heard, straight from the funk gods at Stones Throw. If anyone knows beats, its these dudes. Don't bother scratchin' your head, going "where is this loop from?"...
expand review I'll tell you - they're all written and performed by Dan Bitney, John Herndon and John Mcentire of Tortoise. If you don't know Tortoise, don't worry. Just know that they are masters and everyone of these tracks is a gem. Anywhere you drop the needle is going to be like the golden sample record at the end of a 3 week digging spree. It's that good. To humor you, check "A Safe Balm(1)," "...As Bond Did(2)," "Crass Jenny(3)" and "Craven(4)." See how the funk just seeps out yo' speakers? Oh, not enough? If you want some slumpy scratch beats, check "Sniper Growl(5)" for that hardness. And I've only mentioned cuts from the first LP (it's a double!). With people like Egon and PB Wolf on the creative team, they wouldn't leave anyone hanging. Whatever genre you're feeling, whether it's funk, disco, jazz, or rock - they got something for everyone here. Only questions left are, "How long before these drums get sampled for a hit?" and "How many copies does Gaslamp Killer have?" I see you. Highly recommended. -C'mish
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When it comes to 80s electrofunk and boogie cuts, there's no one repping it as hard as Dam Funk. With full backing from PB Wolf, Wax Poetics and U-Tern, there's no argument that he is the realness. Don't know any other DJ...
expand review that spins only rare vinyl (absolutely no MP3s), shouts out every playlist with label and year included, and MCs the entire affair with finesse. This may be impressive for the beginner just getting used to the boogie sound, but to a collector (like myself) it's even more insane! Most of the tracks he plays out are impossible to find private presses or well over a hundred dollars on the market. This is his first solo 12" on Stones Throw, officially placing the Dam Funk flag on the scene. Check his signature sound on the title track "Burgundy City(1)." It fuses together grown & sexy boogie synths with that detroit slump, all laid over the funkiest, lo-fi drums you've ever heard. The melodies are dripping with soul and as the back states, "There was no sequencing involved" which would explain the live feel and how there are NO LOOPS used. "Galactic Fun(2)" also uses the lo-fi drums in a throwback Prince fashion, setting the foundation for the funkiest boogie synth lines. The groove creeps in like a kitten and grows to a monster of synth jam. You can tell that everything on here is played by Dam Funk himself, no big studio or hired musicians, just pure funk made resourcefully and soulfully. And for all the beatheads out there that may not be ready for the mature funk style, there's also the drum tracks dub for both songs.. I can already tell this summer is going to be an awesome one; this Dam Funk release will help make it so. Recommended. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
The next volume in Stones Throw's new break series. Whereas the first featured the electro funky beats of James Pants, this one brings in Lootpack's DJ Romes for another round of hard hitting breaks. Romes flexes his funk and hip hop crate...
expand review for most of these, translating everything from Jimmy Castor to "Rock Creek Park," NWA's "Boyz N Tha Hood" to Skull Snap-ish loops, and a whole slew of others for today's ear. Since these are more in the traditional break album form and are meant to be backbones rather than full tracks, I'd suggest two copies if you're planning to rip any routines. Just imagine the possibilities... 12 instrumentals total. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
Deadstock score! Somewhere between Black Elvis and Spankmaster came Dr. Dooom yet another one of Keith Thornton's marvelous alliases. On "Leave Me Alone(1)," we have the rare treat of having Keith's crazywackfunky flow (complete with falsetto hook) over Stones Throw honcho Peanut...
expand review Butter Wolf's beats. It was an interesting time in indie hip hop for sure. Flip side features the Joey Chavez (of ABB and Battle Axe fame) doing his stripped down backpacker remix(2). Instrumentals included for both. (side note - Funk Ass Records is up there for best ever label design. Love how the design "works" with the turntable spindle.) -snackmaster
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'Nother release off Dudley's Expressions 2012 album, and Stones Throw brings you the exclusive stuff on this single, as always. The "Come Here My Dear Remix(1)" uses the same Madlib beat as the original(2), but adds a guest verse from the timeless...
expand review pine tar thrower Sadat X. Out of all the early 90s guys still lurking around and making albums, Sadat is probably my favorite. I can't really take a full solo album from him, but combine with some other key elements (like Dudley and Lib) and this guy is a power 5-6 hitter. B-side features the exclusive Dudley + Georgia collab track (produced by Ms. G), "All For You(3). -the mgmnt
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"As a vocal muse for Madlib's creations, Dudley is unmatched; he's earned first pick at Madlib's prized beat collections." This is a pretty high standing for Dudley, and luckily for you, Stones Throw once again hooks up the instrumental version so you...
expand review can experience Madlib's top shelf without interruption. These Stones Throw instrumental albums really listen like Madlib albums, so savor it. 14 tracks, double vinyl. -the mgmnt
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With all the obscure Grown & Sexy boogie, electro, disco of (Italo, Space, and funk) I collect, I shouldn't be stunned from this. Fact of the matter is, I'm not only stunned, I'm completely blown away! Say what you want, "C'mish"...
expand review says everything is good." Funk dat, I tell it how it is. This isn't only an obscure electro funk record, it's a special re-issue from the tastemakers at Stones Throw and fully endorsed by PB Wolf himself. I collect kinds of horrid 80's electro funk in the "so bad i
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