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Bonde do Role are officially the biggest thing to ever come out of Curitiba, Brazil (except maybe Wanderlei Silva). The Diplo-produced "Gasolina(1)" is gonna be on their debut LP this Spring on Domino / Mad Decent, but we figured it was about...
expand review time they had something proper for DJs. It wasn't intended this way, but the CD is a nice overview of where Mad Decent is at right now. The original "Gasolina" (which Diplo stretched out for the bonus beats and extended 12" mix) is easily the catchiest track Bonde's come out with yet; somehow it came together in one afternoon with Marina and Diplo collaborating on the lyrics. Unruly Records' Scottie B & King Tutt represent the Mid-Atlantic with a textbook Bmore remix(2) (nevermind that these dudes wrote the textbook…). Buraka Som Sistema slay on their mix(3), fusing their Kuduro styles with Bonde's bastard funk (and it's even got a verse from one of the best young MCs out right now, Petty). London transplants Radioclit round this thing out with a vicious electro rework(4) which has already been getting some UK radio burn. That wolf on the sticker pretty much says it all. Obviously recommended! -Chris Lemon-Red
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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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More crack! DJ Benzi curated the now-infamous We Got The Remix mixtape last year, and now he's hand-picked a few of his favorite remixes from the project and pressed 'em to wax for you non-Serato using heathens. Nick Catchdubs' remix(1) was one...
expand review of my favorites, tossing the acapella from "Re-Up Anthem" over a slowed loop from Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" ... so clever, that Catchdubs! Diplo flips the acapella chanting theme from Coming To America for his remix(2) of "Queen Bitch" ... it ain't club material, but I could see it fitting on a mixtape. The Disco D-produced "Double Down(3)" makes a comeback here, since we've been sold out of the Killah Kuts version for like a year - if you don't remember, it's got Vybz Kartel and the beat is made ENTIRELY OUT OF GUNSHOTS. (Insert Kevin Federline joke here.) On the flipside, Les Biches (what up, Krudmart!) remix "Drop It(4)" with a decidedly electro slant... and whaddayaknow, chuggling computer bass sounds nice under the Re-Up Gang. Ghislain Poirier's mix of "Stuntin' Y'all" falls off-track at times, but in the club it wouldn't be noticeable - everyone would be busy with that trademark Bounce Le Gros bass. Super unofficial pressing! Probably won't be around once Star Trak gets wind of this. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Straight up: this is the best track from CSS' album and I'm really happy to see it getting a proper single release. Their first single was nice and dancey and all, but this is the realness! CSS are no joke and "Alala(1)"...
expand review shows their harder side, perfectly contrasting the shimmery disco guitar and synths from "Let's Make Love" with buzzsaw guitars and a thick-as-fuck beat. I can't get enough of that little noise in the chorus – sounds like the girl from The Grudge! Maybe I'm a bit biased, but Bonde do Role's remix(2) basically rips shit up. Gorky and Pedro throw some baile drums under the dark, spooky keyboard sound from the original track and then proceed to chop the hell out of Lovefoxxx's vocals ("b-b-b-b-bitches!") while fading effects in and out of the mix. Awesome shit, and infinitely more mixable than the original version. Princess Superstar contributes a remix(3) as well, and the girls are kind enough to tack the acapella on the end for you lunkheads. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Deize Tigrona is one of Rio De Janeiro's meanest funkeiras, has been for a minute now too. She's probably best known 'round these parts for her guest spot on Edu K's "Sex-O-Matic," but "Bandida(1)" is all about Deize, front and center, straight...
expand review wrecking a punked-out baile funk beat from Diplo. These two make a good team, I'm hoping for more collabs in the future. Flipside features another nice guitar sample on "Me Chinga(2)," this time produced by DJ Rafael. -Larri Byrd
Restocked with official packaging. Diplo has been all over the place lately, and one of his most recent trips was an assignment to cover the emerging Baile Funk scene in Brazil. The only way I can describe this is a hybrid hip...
expand review hop/ miami bass/ electro funk/ house sound. Kinda like Hollertronix if it was based in Rio. Apparently the kids down there are nuts for it and it causes the same kind of spontaneous club combustion that we see with Go Go in DC, B-more club in B-more, Grime or whatever you wanna call it in the UK, etc. Anyway, this is a 35 minute mix of the stuff Diplo was able to dig up down there, with a little extra flavor thrown on top. Interesting to say the least. -the mgmnt
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Another piece in the Tony Allen remix project from Honest Jon's, though to be honest (ha!) I doubt there's much of a Tony original to be heard in this track from Diplo. "Fuji Ouija(1)" is one big slab of pawrty music with...
expand review a kuduro rhythm, addictive rave synth progression and hyperactive vocal sample triggering from the dinosaur. UK vets Newham Generals are up next with "Tetsuya's Theme(2)," a nasty piece of instrumental grime centered around some Afro-folk beats. Flip features two cuts of incredible percussion by Elewedu of Agege - "Boys & Girls(3)" and "Thank You(4)" - recorded in Lagos, Nigeria. A-side plays at 45; B-side at 33. Recommended. -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
Blaqstarr had a good 2007 (signed with Mad Decent, int'l touring styles, beats for M.I.A. and Young Leek) but it sounds like he's got some mindblowing shit lined up for 2008. Lots of new classics ("Supastarr," "Shake It To The Ground") and...
expand review unreleased tracks on King of Roq, the mixtape/album which was self-released last summer in an edition so small that it barely made it out of Bmore. Most of the songs are laced with the man's inimitable vocal styles, and all have that patent pending bizarre minimal vibe. The best new bits are the re-teaming of Blaq and Woodie from Dru Hill (aka RoqStarrz) on "Let's Go," plus genuinely strange tracks like "Allday" and "I Wanna Touch." I've heard this likened to a Bmore version of Stankonia, and while I don't think it's quite on that scale, it still proves Blaqstarr will be a force to be reckoned with for a while yet. As if that needed proving. 31 tracks, 63 minutes. Recommended. -Larri Byrd
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Now available on CD at the nice price! Mad Decent's most loaded release to date. Diplo called in the Justice League of remixers for this one. If you heard Blaqstarr's Supastarr EP, you know he's not your typical Bmore producer. No gimmick...
expand review tracks here, just dark, crazy original production. "Shake It To The Ground" has been begging for remixes from the start, with its minimal beat and 17-year old Rye Rye's crazy flow. Current remix king Switch and NYC's Santogold team up for a fucking bonkers kuduro-flavo(u)red mix(4), which interpolates... well, you'll know when you hear it. Drop The Lime's remix (2) has been getting tons of play - I used to think this dude was all Kid606, but this is hot as hell and totally ready for the club. All this, plus the original(3) and a dirty, bassy mix from SF's Claude VonStroke(1).
-Larri Byrd
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The seventh volume of the landmark Hollertronix 12" series introduces us to the Boogie Down Bottle Nose Dolphins, a new tag-team consisting of Diplo and NYC's DJ Eli Escobar (who also has a Money Lotion release in the works). Always one...
expand review step ahead, this series introduces us to the next manifestation of the Bmore edit with six stone cold party tracks for the brains and ears. The strange concoction "Betty(1)" is our immediate favorite here, and helps us remember why this series is so jocked. Diplo then follows up his classic "Goldigger" remix with a remix of the new Kanye-Daft Punk track "Stronger(2)." Lastly, unpredictable as ever, Eli digs into the Trax vault for a remix of Ralphie Rosario's "You Used to Hold Me(3)." DJ Eli, whose known amongst his club DJ brethren for his edits, delivers the no-brainer club bangguhs to earn those paychecks. First up, check the Dolphins' remix of "DANCE(4)" by those French doods, then a riot-causing MJ remix(5), and finally a Diplo remix of "Groove Is In The Heart(5)." Need we say more? Recommended. -the mgmnt
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A major shake-up in the Hollertronix saga! Not only has the series jumped ship from Money Studies over to Mad Decent, but Diplo has handed over the production reins to fellow Philadelphian DJ Sega and Baltimore's DJ Blaqstarr. The Venom-style logo on...
expand review the label is no mistake either -- just like on his Rockstars vs. Clubheadz mixtape, Sega flips the most unimaginable nu-metal and rock tracks into some HEAVY club thumpers. As one who always had a soft spot for the original, Sega's flip of Papa Roach's "Last Resort(1)" definitely hits the spot. (The "don't give a-- WHAT?!" with Lil Jon tossed in is perfecto.) Also sick is "Bodies Hit The Floor(2)," which blends the guitar licks from AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" with Drowning Pool's ultimate meathead rock anthem. Along with more metal on "Dig(3)," we also get the hype "Fuck Um!(4)," a little Busta on "Woo-Hah!(5)" and Blaqstarr with a very excellent (and very Blaqstarr-y) edit of "Smack My Bitch Up(6)." Highly recommended. -Larri Byrd
If you're feel that hard, soulful Bmore of DJ Blaqstarr, you gotta peep these shirts available from his tour. Nice flip of the Black Flag design here that graced his "Shake It To The Ground - Remixes" CD. Limited stock, act fast. -C'mish
Recently saw Diplo on Myspace holding a night cam to his face saying somethin' like, "Are you ready? You wanna party with the big boys?" Pretty much won the Hammy award for that one. Don't matter though. Dude's been killing it with...
expand review his label, putting on the likes of Blaqstarr, Rye-Rye, Sega, South Rakkas, etc... Here's the official crew shirt from Hollertronix #8, flipping the logo of a metal band which shall remain nameless. I mean I'd tell you, but I can't give everything away...Standard fit -C'mish
Just in! You know the name by now. Diplo's been putting on some sick acts this past year and it's just gaining more momentum: Blaqstarr, DJ Sega, South Rakkas, etc...Eye catching design by Mr. Catchdubs. Standard fit. -C'mish
LOLKRANG! Mishka made this one for Diplo & Switch's recent tour, and we got the leftovers. This shirt inspired Snackmaster's awesome Krang costume this Halloween. Printed on soft grey standard fit tees with a 4-color print on front and pink/black tour dates...
expand review on the back. 100% cotton. -Larri Byrd
Limited edition collab between Mad Decent and WOWCH - only 100 of these were made, and we've got the last of 'em. The dragon on the front is actually a huge iron-on, but you'd never know it from the texture. The back...
expand review features a "Mad Decent x WOWCH" hit on the neck. Printed on lemon yellow American Apparel style shirts. -Chris Lemon-Red
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First single from M.I.A.'s new album - do I really have to keep writing? Produced by London's Switch, "Boyz" sounds bigger and more set on party-starting than anything off of Arular, and that's a good look for ol' M.I.A. It's a bit...
expand review more tame than the excessively weird early leaker "Bird Flu," but considering this is Switch producing a pop record, I'd say it lands right where it needs to be. Okay, I've filled enough space, you can add this to your cart now. A-side features the main version, B-side has the instrumental and acapella. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Perhaps surpassing his "Missy Thing" booty from a few years ago, Om Records' Fred Everything takes on M.I.A.'s "Bucky Done Gun" and turns out three hot house remixes. The main remix features M.I.A.s vocals over some tough house beats before the track...
expand review really drops and turns into one full of swirly keys and acid. Also includes an instrumental as well as another, tougher remix with the vocals in tact. -Alison Tara
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Now available on vinyl! Let's forgo all the philosophizing and speculating, and instead just say that Kala is another monster album from M.I.A. Sorry, haters - with Switch, Diplo, Blaqstarr and Timbaland behind the boards, there was basically no way Ms. Arul...
expand review was gonna catch a sophomore slump. For those who never visit the DM section, London's Switch (aka Dave Taylor) is just about the biggest dance producer / remixer around at the moment, and his signature "fidget house" style mixed with M.I.A.'s jumble of influences makes for some seriously unique "pop" music. Totally wasn't expecting the Bolly-disco sound on "Jimmy(1)," or the flat-out weirdness of "Bird Flu(2)" and lead single "Boyz(3)." (M.I.A. also seems to have picked up a fondness for regurgitating lyrics, spitting up some gems from the Modern Lovers and Pixies on various tracks.) Switch's production makes up the bulk of the album, but some real gems come when Maya branches out. "Mango Pickle Down River(4)" is virtually just a remix of Aboroginal kiddie rappers Wilcannia Mob's "Down River," but with a song that fucking awesome to start, it doesn't matter much. Blaqstarr brings his trademark minimal spookiness to "The Turn(5)," and the M.I.A. / Switch / Diplo power trio really tears it up on the Bmore-ish "XR2(6)." Timbaland left his collab with M.I.A., "Come Around(7)," off his solo album - dunno why, it's pretty hot and his album was shit anyway. This one is not. 12 tracks; 47 minutes. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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This one gets the... hooooly chit! Look at that tracklist - it's like they custom built this 12" for the Lab. I'm gonna go out on a (short) limb and say this is the best M.I.A. single to date. In addition to...
expand review the already banging original version(1), we get Blaqstarr's remix(2) with Rye Rye, Diplo's remix(3) with Bun B and Rich Boy, Scottie B.'s ultra weird Bmore club styles(4) and the DFA(5) getting down like usual. Even Adrock from Beastie Boys(6) couldn't help but get in on it with a reggae-tinged mix of his own. There's a mix here for everyone (8 in total!) so drop it at your next gig and *boom boom boom boom* take the money. Also includes instrumental and acapella. Recommended. -Larri Byrd
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This one gets the... hooooly chit! Look at that tracklist - it's like they custom built this CD for the Lab. I'm gonna go out on a (short) limb and say this is the best M.I.A. single to date. We get Blaqstarr's...
expand review remix(1) with Rye Rye, Diplo's remix(2) with Bun B and Rich Boy, Scottie B.'s ultra weird Bmore club styles(3) and the DFA(4) getting down like usual. Even Adrock from Beastie Boys(5) couldn't help but get in on it with a reggae-tinged mix of his own. There's a mix here for everybody; drop one at your next gig and *boom boom boom boom* take the money. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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The full length Piano Overlord project from Scott Herren aka Prefuse, and we did it up deluxe for you with the cd housed in a super jewel box (needs to be seen) and all the Piano Overlord remixes included. If you haven't...
expand review been following the singles we've released (both of which are now out of print), this is another guise for the prolific Herren, where he played all instruments- primarily Rhodes, busted Wurlitzer, and drums- for all the songs, and rearranged them in his studio in Spain. We think it's some of his best work, landing favorably between the Prefuse and Savath & Savalas styles. Lush and live sounding but with a slight production edge- check tracks like "Springs Arrival(1), Agoraphobia(2), Walk Home(3)" and "Stay Home(4)" for the goods. Bonus tracks on the CD include the unreleased alternate take(5) of Diplo's remix, Blu Jemz' "Keyboard King(6)" vocal mix, the Adventure Time "Sleepy Keys(7)" remix, and Count Bass D's vocal mix(8). -the mgmnt
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