Turntable Lab NYC hosted a live in-store performance of The Shacks earlier this year, and Danny Akalepse of Big Crown Records delivered a fire opening DJ set before the group got on. The Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band's cover of Dr. Dre's "Xxplosive" was one of the records he dropped, and as soon as we heard it, we knew we had to carry it. From the spot-on steelpan melody to the thick bass work and dubbed-out horn lines, this is a monster of a cover, and flip the record over for another flame emoji x 1000: NYC hip-hop anthem "Burn" by non other than the infamous Mobb. Raw and punchy just like the original, we're loving the theremin layer that adds a crazy twist to the track. Get it!

• music label: Big Crown Records 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 07/18