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With Spank Rock's Big Dada debut officially blowing the fuck up, Aaron LaCrate and Amanda Blank take it all the way back to last year with this CD single featuring remixes of "Blow," the hottest joint off of Milkcrate's B-More Gutter Music...
expand review mix. The main, unblended mix of "Blow(1)" (which was co-produced by LaCrate and B-More legends Debonair Samir and Scottie B) was never released on CD, so it's dope to have a clean digital version, but that's just the tip of the iceberg here– you also get remixes from 45 King(2), Hollertronix's Low Bee(3) and DJ Equalizer(4). Amanda Blank's "Get Um Gerl(5)" is included here too, another standout from the Gutter Music mix. Of course, the real reason you wanna cop this is to hear NYC bunny/promoter extraordinaire Oxy Cottontail's debut on the mic for "Oxy's Anthem." No sound sample for you! Cop this and hear for yourself. 8 tracks total. -Chris Lemon-Red
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A Guy Called Gerald's landmark electronica album from 1995 finally gets reissued (last issue appears to be 1997). Although it's technically a drum and bass album, the music really transcends genre tags. There was nothing that really sounded like this at the...
expand review time (Goldie's album came out later that year). Gerald weaved-in vocals in an intelligent way (rather than the pitched-up norm), used alternative drum kits (lots of afro-percussion), and helped pioneer both the dark and atmospheric styles (that directly inspired such acts as Burial). Checkout: "So Many Dreams(1), Alita's Dream(2), Finley's Rainbow(3), Cybergen(4), Cyberjazz(5)," and "Life Unfolds His Mystery(6)." Recommended. -the mgmnt
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Now available on CD! Cosmic jazz stunner. This is one of those upper-crust albums that easily holds down a spot in any seasoned selector's late night top ten - it's simply that timeless. From the first swirls of the title track(1), this...
expand review thing just carries you away - probably the closest legal thing to a big bong hit of Cali power skunk there is. Each tune is built on a different hypnotic string bass groove that bores into your mind. "Shiva-Loka(2)," "Stopover Bombay(3)," it's your pick. The tamboura (that's the metallic buzz that signals exotica in any B-movie) never lets up, and when Alice Coltrane flings some harp over it (or piano, in the case of "Something About John Coltrane(4)"), you've got a powerful mystic brew indeed. Recommended. -monk
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The Revola label is on top of its game with their Brazilian reissue CDs (Edu Lobo, Son Imaginario, etc). This is the last album Astrud Gilberto released on Verve, and because of the dynamics of the time (she released 3 albums in...
expand review 1969, Brazilian craze was dying down), it got buried in the shuffle and has practically earned the "lost" status (you rarely see it on vinyl). What is interesting about this particular album is it finds our songstress departing from her bossa past, and doing the pop-rock-kitsch thing. Purists might scoff, but with that sweet voice and some funky-esque backing, how can you go wrong? "Beginnings(1)" is quite an introduction to the album with its crisp, breakbeaty jazz backing and Astrud's fresh sound. If you're a fan of "Light My Fire" covers, you definitely have to check the version(2) here; it's all about Astrud's delivery. The other upbeat songs here include a surprising cover(3) of the Bee Gee's "Holiday" and "Let's Go(4)," the only track here that hints of bossa. The second half of the album slows down with ballad-esque tracks like the Beatles cover "Here There and Everywhere(5)," the perfectly poppy "Think of Rain(6)," and Nilson's "Don't Leave Me Baby(7)." It gets a little sappy at times, but just imagine Astrud is in your room, and you're straight. 11 tracks in all. -the mgmnt
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The best Bmore producer ever to come out of Houston! Bird Peterson drops his first album since 2001, after spending the past couple years DJing and dominating MP3 blogs with his much circulated club remixes (like the "Wu Tang" joint and that...
expand review crazy Weezy / Black Sabbath mash). Bird's production skills are top notch, and he really lets 'em loose on this album, tossing so many styles in the mix (dubstep, electro, Baltimore, etc.) that you'll be too busy rewinding to notice the dearth of uncleared samples. (Okay, he does get away with a nasty Mohawks bite on "Junkyard Champ(1)"...) Peterson's also got some MCs backing him up this time: Philly crew 215 the Freshest Kids wrecks on "Broke The Block(2)," and Mugsy Flowz (ha ha) out of San Antonio pops up a few times, sounding best on the speedy "Bills(3)." Also worth checking: the 8-bit thumper "Nerdout Wizard Music 1978(4)." In addition to the 10 album tracks, you get five bonus cuts, all remixes, from the likes of Ninja Tune's Yppah(5), Vyle, Beeper City, Cousin Cole(6) and Vex One. 15 tracks; 64 minutes. -Larri Byrd
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Three new tracks, six remixes and a "classic" single for under $8? That's some bang for your fading yankee dollar from three of my four favorite Brazilians. (Right now #4 is a tie between Anderson Silva and Adriana Lima.) "Marina Gasolina(1)" is...
expand review nothing new to Lab heads, but the remixes from Peaches(2) and Fake Blood should be. Besides that's just the appetizer, the real goods here are new tracks like "Miami Beach(3)" (hilarious... it's in English!), "Contaminada" and the bumping, minimal "Cagado(4)." There's also a pair of remixes each for their two previous singles - my picks are CSS' mix of "Office Boy(5)" and the Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Ya version of "Solta O Frango(6)." 10 tracks; 37 minutes.
-Larri Byrd
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LAB EXCLUSIVO! While supplies last, all orders will receive a promo-only 7" of BDR's new single, "Office Boy," featuring remixes from CSS and Architecture In Helsinki! The vinyl version of With Lasers will be released in a few weeks.
To say that Bonde...
expand review Do Role's debut has been "long-awaited" would be a huge understatement. It's been 2 years since we dropped their first EP on Mad Decent and the kids are all grown up now, migrated over to Domino and swapped out message board love for NME praise. The band probably recorded 40 demos for this album, but the final product is a streamlined beast with just 12 tracks, clocking in at 30 minutes. Really, when's the last time you heard an album where every track could be a single? The Diplo-produced "Solta O Frango(1)" and "Gasolina(2)" are here, and so's the new single, "Office Boy(3)" (stupid fun - "buh-buh-buh-buh-buh-boy"). But what you know about "Quero Te Amar(4)," with the heavy vocoder action and throwback Miami bass beat from the Lab's own Eggfooyoung? Or the evil metal opener/closer combo, "Danca do Zumbi(5)" and "Bondallica(6)," with Chernobyl from Comunidade Nin-Jitsu SHREDDING on those finger-tapping guitar solos? London production duo Radioclit even turn in a couple tracks: the kazoo-driven "Geremia(7)" and chopped-up electro-baile "Divine Gosa(8)." All this is to say nothing of the amazingly fun vocals that Marina, Pedro and Gorky provide. I read an article this morning comparing them to Brazil's Tropicalia artists of the 60s/70s, and while I don't know if that's totally on point (Marina would Manic Panic her hair before she put flowers in it), there's something important going on behind all this silliness. Do I even have to say... Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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There's a party I go to sometimes where all these gorgeous Brazilian women are packed into this little spot, dancing to tune after tune of incredible music that I have never heard before. I mean, no party filler, no hits you've heard...
expand review a million times, just a world of great music that happens to originate in the southern hemisphere planet of Brazil. This mix CD was put together by the three DJs who select the songs for the night, Sean Marquand, Claudio Medusa and Greg Caz, who some might know from his contributions to the TTL review crew, and I can vouch that it's a fair representation of how they get down (...if anything about this set can be called fair, I mean it's really un-fair to tantalize me with these great records I have no chance of finding). The mix eschews pure samba and batucada to focus on fierce sweet and sour melodies and funky orchestrations that groove for days. This is the kind of stuff you wish would make a comp but never does. Records you might find if you dug hardcore in Sao Paulo. OK, I've heard of Gilberto Gil, Azymuth and Tim Maia. You seen their Brazilian releases around anywhere though? Didn't think so. How about Trio Esperanca(1)? Maybe Os Diagonais(2)? Uh huh, now you're getting the picture: these are special records. The disc flows like sugar from a diner dispenser, right from Cassiano's Mayfield-esque opening cut(3) through to a Tim Maia jam that bumps like Cutie Pie(4). Breakheads check out Carlos Dafe's offering(5). Blends are unobtrusive and right on, letting the songs breath. I like this CD a lot. And the party? Well you're going to have to get the CD for that info. -monk
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They've done it again! Greg Caz and Sean Marquand, resident selectors at the great Brazilian Beat party and two of NYC's top spinners of South America's sexiest soul, have put together the long anticipated sequel to their necessary Baile Funk mix. There's...
expand review no weak spots in this collection of searing hot Brazilian funk, and in fact, if you get the impression that these guys could go on for days with this heat, you're probably right. The mix presents a feast of hooks, beats, grooves and melodies, as well as a collector's attention to obscure b-sides and forgotten album tracks (detailed in the informative liner notes). Picking highlights is as simple as hitting the "random" button on your CD player, but I'll try to narrow things down to a couple of my favorites. Os Incriveis get things popping right from the jump with their wicked dedication to Herbie the Love Bug(1), a cut that demonstrates the fun and funky elements that remain constant throughout (and really, how could you go wrong when the Love Bug's involved?). A few minutes later the boys turn up an unusual groover from legend Claudette Soares before moving on to "A Festa(2)" by Silvio Cesar, a slinky, mesmerizing cut. Breakbeat heads will not be disappointed either. Drum master Chico Batera has you covered with "Oxossi(3);" or perhaps the Boogaloo Combo(4) is more your style. The One Way/Al Hudson-esque jam "To Parado Na Tua" and Jorge & Olivetti's "Aleluia(5)," which could be a Rodney Franklin outtake, showcase a slick '80s West Coast funk feel that rounds out the summertime vibe of the set. I'm running out of room, and I haven't even mentioned the devastating Tim Maia jam(6), Wilson Simonal's amazing Bacharach cover, or the ridiculously rare Jorge Ben and Azymuth cuts. This is a mix that anyone could enjoy, and an absolutely essential chapter for fans of Brazilian funk. -monk
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The Chromatics are on fire lately and are popping up everywhere I look - DJ Dixon's Body Language mix, the After Dark CD, and the Italians Do It Better 12's, etc...I see what's going on. Ruth Radelet is actually a...
expand review powerful mage and we're all quickly falling under her spell. If those releases weren't powerful enough, they go ahead and give us the NIGHT DRIVE SOUNDTRACK! Whether this is a real soundtrack to a movie is unclear, and frankly, I don't give a damn. Sure it would be awesome to see the beautiful Ruth Radelet starring in a film, but I'm just happy to hear more of her music. "Night Drive(1)" is the only track I've seen appear on another comp. That means 9 tracks of all new material! Sweet for you (and me -Ed.). Now you have tons of new music to make-out to. The cover of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill(2)" is an awesome slow burner especially good for the fireplace, while "Healer(3)" and "Tomorrow Is So Far Away(4)" brings the beat to the heat for that extra bump. The saucy synthwork with Ruth's poetic vocals is magically seductive and will have you demanding multiple listens. And just in case you're not in the mood for words, there's the instrumentals "I Want Your Love(5)" and "Let's Make This A Moment To Remember." Sounds like Smokey Robinson singles? Not quite, but they are smokey for sure. Highly Recommended. -C'mish
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A lost Brazilian glam/psych curiosity from '73, the one and only album from this side project of Os Mutantes' Rita Lee and friend Lucia Turnbull. Originally recorded for Philips (and never officially released), these tunes were recently unearthed by some expat Brazilians...
expand review in Europa, professionally remastered and issued in a strictly limited edition (500 hand-numbered copies each for CD and vinyl). Early tracks like "Festival Divino(1)" have a sweet acid/folk boogie feel, buoyed (or maybe lifted) by Rita e Lucia's breathy dual vocals. Meanwhile the latter part of the record lets loose a bit with Cilibrinas' rock tendencies - check the rollicking garage glam sound on "Nessas Alturas Dos Acontecimentos(2)," zippy girl group vibes with "Minha Fama De Mau(3)," and "Gente Fina E Outra Colsa(4)." And for Mutantes fans, there's a nice treat in the form of two unreleased bonus outtakes, "Hoje E O Primero Dia Do Resto...(5)" and "Mande Um Abraco Para A Velha(6)." 12 tracks, 48 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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LAB US EXCLUSIVO. New album from French rap supastar Dabaaz featuring production from some of Disque Primeur / Institubes' most trusted names. A-Trak scratches all over an obscure Clipse sample for "Regardes Les(1)," Drixxxe tinkles the ivories on the jaunty, piano-driven "En...
expand review Plein Effet(2)," and Para One puts down a nasty, squelchy beat on "Le Da(3)." If you slept on Dabaaz's "Open Bar" single last year, you get the remix(4), just another of many dope Drixxxe productions here. (Feeling the "Whisper Song" update on "La Plus Belle Ce Soir(5)" - pretty sure I heard him say "Durex.") I can't understand a word this dude is saying and I still dig this album. Check the samples. 12 tracks; 46 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Over at the top secret Mad Decent HQ, we got LOTS of shit cooking for the near future – but none of it was quite ready yet by the time we hit the road for the Diplo / Bonde do Role /...
expand review CSS tour this summer. Solution? We contacted PH and the Money Studies mafia and worked up a likkle collab to hold people over 'til the winter. The tracklist got a little wacky somewhere in the process, so when you're listening to this and going "Sweet goddamn, what is this??" be sure to come back to this review for the answer, 'cause I'm about to give ya the lowdown. First up, we got a pair of mixes that Diplo originally released via iTunes: they're the namesake of the compilation, and Mad Decent Radio is no joke. Conceived as "NPR for the streets," the first mix focuses on Baltimore and the second on New Orleans, and both combine the music of the region with interviews from key players in the scenes. (It's hard to explain without hearing, but trust me, it's cool.) Next up is A-Trak's remix of Bonde do Role's "Melo do Tabaco(1)" – DID YOU KNOW HE IS KANYE WEST'S DJ? WELL, HE IS. Here's where the confusion comes in: Dama Estrela's "Tipicou(2)" got left off the tracklist by accident, which really sucks 'cause it's a FIREBALL of a kuduru track. Then we got the new Diplo production – the upcoming Jungle Fever Riddim – with Dr. Evil (aka Leftside) providing the vocals for "Mary Jane(3)." Diplo adds some effects and rewinds to Wilcannia Mob's "Downriver(4)" for the Mad Decent edit – if you ain't heard these kids, you gotta. Aboriginal rap from like 9 and 10 year old kids in Australia, and they burn the house down. The other unlisted track on here is a top secret sneaky preview of Bonde do Role's next single, "Gasolina(5)." That's all I'm saying – you'll be hearing more about that one soon enough. Just like the first series of Money Studies mixtapes, this is a one-time limited pressing, so buy now or cry later. Remember when you slept on the Second Cousins CD?? -Chris Lemon-Red
Money Studies kicks off its new "Lost Masters" reissue series by resurrecting this impossible to find mix from Diplo and fellow Philly record hoarder Tony Tripledouble. Originally self-released on CDR in an edition of less than 500 (plus a few handmade cassettes),...
expand review AEIOU 2 is over an hour of the finest and rarest breaks drawn from Diplo & Tripledouble's extensive collections of psych, funk and obscure soundtracks. Some of the breaks in this mix have gone on to achieve classic status - still no tracklist to help you out, but now it comes in a full-color digipak designed by PH. And if you ever wanted to hear Diplo skratching, right here's the spot. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
Back after a short absence -- diggin's hard work! -- DJ Soul Punk returns to his roots with a follow-up to his first unmixed breaks comp. Just like Volume 1, this disc contains 16 rare hard rock tracks filled with nasty breaks,...
expand review some of which you'll recognize and some you'll just want to chop up and keep for yourself. Features songs from Nazareth, Deep Purple (not "Smoke On The Water"), Montrose, Sorcery, Pentagram, Zipper, Free, Hard Stuff, Dog Soldier, Humble Pie, Captain Beyond and more. 77 minutes total. -Larri Byrd
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If you have been checking our blog, you know we've been riding Egyptian Lover hard recently (no-homo); but it's totally justified. Dude has some of the best record covers ever, put out a big pocketful of electro classics, and is humble enough...
expand review to come DJ at our small east village shop. This is his greatest hits collection from 1989 (peep the benzo-coupe steez) and comfortably falls into the category of "fucking electro essential." Not only that, when Egyptian Lover put this together, he picked his favorite mixes from the singles, so you're getting full 12" mixes or 12" dub versions. Of course, you gotta have the 12" version of "Egypt Egypt(1)." The 12" dub mix(2) of "Freak-A-Holic" is a huge score, and by all accounts, this was track that brought the house down at his show at Studio B. The Dub Mix(3) of "Girls" is begging for a revival, I totally forgot about how dope this song was until EL played it at our store. You even get "Alezby Inn" (Remodeled Vocal Version)(4), one of EL's more pop-like moments. I could probably name-check ever song on here, but I'll just leave you with "My House On The Nile(5)" and you'll know why he's called The Egyptian Lover. 8 tracks total. -the mgmnt
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"At first I didn't really understand remixes. If I squinted into the air I knew I could hear old songs with added beats piping out of radios, but I didn't know why or how that happened. After I made Let It Die...
expand review with Gonzo and Renaud, they made some banging remixes that clued me into the fist-pumping glory that acoustic songs can possess if supplied with the backbeat savvy." Feist pretty much nails it right there, as this collection of remixes really gives the songs from her Let It Die album new life. There are no less than four remixes of her best song, "Mushaboom" - I'd recommend the funky Mocky mix(1) or the Postal Service's microhouse-y take(2) over K-Os' break-laden version(3). (There's also a bumpin' clubby mix from the aforementioned Gonzo and Renaud, aka VV.) Also worth listening: the Jane Birkin collab "The Simple Story(4)," Gonzales' "Lovertits(5)" and the Do Right mix of "Gatekeeper(6)." Secret club heat - the VV mix of "When I Was A Young Girl(7)." 15 tracks; 60 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Girl Talk is a motherfucker. His Night Ripper mash up CD takes every jukebox favorite, radio jam, billboard hit, and wedding DJ request and mixes it into this hellspawn of a PARTY mix. Love it or leave it, this is the definitive...
expand review ADD blend style and the hype factor is reaching critical levels! Here's a sample of the artists in the blender...
2 Live Crew, 2Pac, 50 Cent, 69 Boyz, ABBA, Paula Abdul, Aerosmith, Amerie, Annie, Arrested Development, David banner, Rob Base, Bel Biv Devoe, George Benson, Beyonce, Black Box, Black Crowes, Black Eyed Peas, Black Rob, Black Sheep, Chris Brown, Boredoms, Boston, Bow Wow, Boyz II Men, Breeders, Bun B, Busta, Candyman, Mariah Carey, Cassidy, Chicago, Ciara, Diplomats, Dinosaur Jr, Dr Dre, Jermaine Dupree, Elastica, Missy Elliot, Eminem, Emotions, En Vogue, Fabolous, Fall out Boy, Fatman Scoop, Fleetwood Mac, Folk Implosions, Foo Fighters, G-Unit, Game, Garbage, Genesis, Al Green, Peter Gunz, Hall And Oates, Sophie B. Hawkins, Honey Drippers, Hum, Donnie iris, J-Kwon, J Fad, Jay-Z, LCD Soundsystem, LL Cool J, Lady Sov, Lil Jon, Lil Wayne, Manfred's Mann's Earth Band, Marky Mark, M.I.A., madonna, Main Ingredient, Mobb Deep, NIN, Nirvana, Noreaga, Notorious BIG, Pharcyde, Pharrell, Pilot, Pixies, Positive K, Salt-n-Pepa- Juelz Santana, Seals And Croft, Kanye West, Three 6 Mafia, Ying-Yang Twins, and many many more...
Did I mention its only 41 minutes long? -C'mish
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Italians Do It Better are killing it right now with the releases, and this one is no exception. "Beatbox" features 9 icy smooth disco-pop tracks from the power duo of Glass Candy (Johnny Jewel is on production duty lacing the retro-future synth...
expand review driven beats up proper while Ida No serves up the sexy smooth vox like no other). If you liked their stuff on "After Dark" or picked up the Miss Broadway 12" you pretty much need to get this one too. Checkout their fantastic cover of the Kraftwerk classic "Computer Love(1), sweet and funky soul on "Rolling Down Hills(2)," modern italo action on "Digital Versicolor(3)," and the future-pop gems "Etheric Device(4)" and "Beatific(5)." Excellente! Recommended for sure. -snackmaster
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