7x7" vinyl box set companion to Now Again's new CD comp. Not only are most of these tracks previously unreleased, but 8 of the 14 cuts here aren't even on the CD version! Many of the 7"s feature Stones Throw artists' tracks (from the CD version) on one side, with the original sample source on the flip - check out Guilty Simpson's "Before I Die(1)" backed with Egon's re-edit of the Heliocentrics' original(2). Madlib completists will wanna take note of Quasimoto's "Rapp Cats, Pt.3(3)" - I know dude has always been prolific but he's really pounding 'em out lately! Check out Koushik's sitar-and-tabla rag-out "Shooting Stars(4)" and the Truth & Soul remix of Amnesty's "Trouble Will Remain(5)," too. The records are housed in a cool flip-up slipcase (designed by Ligerfeld?), and each 45 comes in its own royal purple sleeve.

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red