quick audio picks: 12
Follow me into the depths of scratch history, as I illustrate what's truly behind this wax. I'm gonna move fast, so try to keep up. Ricci Rucker, now known as the scratchmaster / producer extraordinaire for labels like Sound In Color and...
expand review O.X., released this badass mixtape back in the day named "Braille" under the moniker Alias or Aliosity. The mix took the scratch world by storm. In a time when Qbert was the only reigning king, it was lonestar Alias that stepped up and called him out to battle. Although the battle never went down, he went on to start up San Jose's own Transmission Radio (as Ricci again), a show which featured only scratch artists and freestyles, making it the rawest scratch hour on the planet. Besides "Braille", this collaboration with London's Supreme is the only other Aliosity release in existence. The result is two sides of hard breaks, instrumentals and samples you've never heard and never will again. Shit, I never even knew sealed copies were still out there. A true gem. Big up to Glen (Excess) for keepin' Stylus Wars and the music alive. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
It's just plain truth that D-Styles makes some of the best skratch records. He says it right in the first track: "There are many imitators but we are the true creators. We're back." It's bout time he takes some credit. The first...
expand review track is yet another electro variation that you're sure to find challenging. The second beat is a sinister downtempo drum break and bass combo. Sweat it before it comes out on video. The side ends with a really fast, unskippable drum snippet section, and unskippable "get fresher than this" unskippable combo, and a Texas Instruments a through z alphabet. Check out the end when the voice goes "say it... terror" and then bust into an locked electro beat. That gets my vote as one of the baddest skratch record moments. Second side features 2 more impressive beats the first I think is looped from a Depth Charge track and the second is studdah step electro track, watch for the randomly placed rolls. Wicked. The side ends with D's famous "Cut like a guillotine" sample combo'd with "ahhh" (unskippable) and second fast, unskippable drum snippet section. Recommended. -the mgmnt
The second record by D-styles. Some dark-ass where your momma wouldn't go beats. A lot of nice skratch samples and our favorite drum snippet samples. This is quickly becoming the new standard for break records. Well put together, and a whole lot...
expand review of those electro beats that everyones gettin into. Get it now and understand later. -the mgmnt
Oh snap, the advance copy of this one has been causing a big stir. Now you know why. Side one starts off with some neck bobbin' downtempo electro beats. Our favorite's the second track with an electro bassline of EPMD's "You're a...
expand review Customer." Next up, D-styles patented skratch sentences. As usual, his senteces are intelligently put together so that every noise can be utilized allowing for multiple noise combos. Our favorite part: "Devastate... itch... fresh" and D-Styles' famous "bust this, bust that." One of the sentences consists of sped up on-beat skratch noises; we're not quite sure what to make from it, but you know people are going to be making some crazy shit from it. Side two has a some dark hard hitting electro beats that change tracks on beat (one continuous changing beat). And for all those late night stone sessions, there are two never ending looped beats at the end of each side. Never have to say: "damn I was feelin that shit, why'd it have to end?" Honestly this (and the Unearthed 3) is one of the tightest break records to come out in a while. If you liked Black Market or Sqratch Fetishes, or even if you didn't, you'll like this instrument. Got Gagball? -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 1
The last record to come out under the affiliation of the ISP (they're retiring the name). D-Styles' records have been money ever since Sqratch Fetishes. This one is no different as he delivers a mixed bag of skratchable beats. Side one starts...
expand review off with some old school drum machine beat, the second beat sounds like some heavy spy shit; the flip starts with a dirty downtempo electro beat, then a more traditional drum only loop, then some "donnn-da-donnn" hard electro. The side ends with a slow, one bar, heavy electro kick and snare locked beat (the other side ends with locked tone). As with D-Styles other records, the skratch sentences are strategically set. A couple of video game sound sentences and one of the best drum snippet sentences to come out in a while. Solid as usual, a front crater. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
No one makes these things quite like D-Styles. New battle record featuring 4 beats: 2 downtempo and 2 uptempo (1 with a halftime chop). The large skratch noise section features a hefty amount of live instrument samples, and some excellent analog drum...
expand review sounds. Wax Fondler stabs again. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
More scratch ammunition from the names you can trust. D-Styles (aka Wax Fondler), Flare, and Mr. Henshaw hook it up with five raw and dirty scratch beats (on the half-speed, double-time scratch tempo) for hours of cutting pleasure. The last of them...
expand review is an endless loop in case you get stuck on a pattern and don't wanna flip the record. In addition you get 7 skipless scratch sample sentences (featuring classic samples like "fresh," "aah," and one drum kit) so what are you waiting for? Get doubles and funk shit up! -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 12
Split battle record from godfather D-Styles and Dirtstyle's newest producer, Mr. Henshaw of the First Power Crew. Includes 8 beats, 3 skipless scratch sections, and 3 locked grooves. For the scratch illuminati. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Damn. Break records have come a long way since Bionic Booger and Super Duck Breaks. This is the newest installment of the ever-popular Utility Phonograph Record series from Ricci Rucker, and it's the most forward-thinking volume yet. It's specifically designed for the...
expand review Controller One turntable by Vestax, making it possible to scratch like a true instrument when utilizing all of the table's pitch control functions. The Controller One has foot/hand settings alongside a powerful motor that can change the pitch in perfect increments to match notes, like a true synth. That's where the locked grooves come in. Over 80 tonal, arpeggio, and synth kits and 15 drum kits and electro beats, all locked on both sides. It's finally the answer to those who can't stand searching for notes in triplets for scratching melodies, 'cause now you can make them yourself. Since the whole record is made of locked grooves designed for musical compositions, I strongly recommend it for the intermediate to expert level scratch DJ's. Skipping could be a problem for novices. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
How nasty is Toad on the cut? Dude is up there with D-Styles, Ricci, and Q for sure. I've been waiting for a long while for him to drop something new ever since Flatulent Boy Confesses and Get 'Em and now the...
expand review time has finally come with Rough Interrogation Breaks. As the title suggests, this shit is hard and dirty (just how you like it). You get 6 filthy scratch loops for you fiends to get your all night sweat-lodge scratch sessions on. Most of the beats are at the 70 - 80BPM range so you can get that double-time cut on. Also features 3 drum sentences and a few skipless sample sentences. Must have scratch record for the heads. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 12
You, Dungeonmaster, have been called upon for a very important mission. Whether or not you accept this challenge could mean the loss of a loved one, or even the fate of the whole world. The journey will be filled with treacherous paths...
expand review through dark canyons with eyes peeking out around every corner. Finally, when reaching the top of Stylus Hill, you will be confronted by the "Evil Eye-Emerge" waiting to deliver your doom. Good thing you will be equipped with the newest addition to the D-Styles catalogue: Needle Jackers Vol.1, featuring Beatslut & Bukkake Blaster Master. You'll find these two allies will help you find your own courage and inner spirit. (They give you special beats and a whole side of locked samples.) Practice steadfastly and truly and mabye you will stand a chance. Good luck and godspeed, my son. -C'mish
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