quick audio picks: 123456
Check it out bro - this dude Andre Legacy is 1/2 Armenian and 1/2 Russian and he's mad tall and has an afro AND he's from Hollywood. And he raps! See that shit is funny and you haven't even heard the music...
expand review yet. He's also got a group called Dyslexic Speedreaders with his boys Dirt Nasty and Mickey Avalon who are both all over this album. Sometimes dude likes to keep it chill ("He Said She Said(1)"), sometimes he likes to go on a "Bender(2)," sometimes he just needs to remind you who he is and what he's about ("It's The Legacy(3)"). I'm saying, dude has mad varied styles - if you don't believe me just check the first and last tracks, "Blow Off My Dick(4)" and "My Dick(5)." (Actually woah, maybe this is a concept album?? ) He also namechecks Flex, Clue and Kid Capri in "DJ Dying(6)" so dude is obv. up on his rap history. If you don't like this shit... you probably aren't cool enough anyway!! Go listen to some French rave bro. Production by Cisco Adler, Beardo and more. 13 tracks. -suicide bangs
The talented trio of Deejay O, Chuck Wild and UTK the INC. (collectively known as the Beatards) definitely know how to get it dummy in the club (if you've ever experienced their Mixtape Riot! party you know what I mean) and their...
expand review latest mix is the proof. If you couldn't tell by the title "Endless Dummer" doesn't take itself too seriously, but keeps it hype for those who enjoy gettin' loose to that new generation of hip-hop-electro-party shit. Flaunting 25 jernts from many up and coming artists these dudes actually hosted at their party like Santogold, Kid Acne, Roxy Cottontail, Vamoose, and Jahcoozi, plus a slew of remixes and exclusives from the'Tards themselves, this mix is sure to turn the party out. A little over an hour long -Motorollah
From the Jones label, who brought you the head crushing classic "Chains & Black Exhaust," we now get this mix by old school Memphis dj Big Moe, live from R.C's Place. Big Moe was a former radio DJ for WJNS in Memphis...
expand review and was known for playing the best in funk & soul from that region. Vaulted in somebody's house in South Memphis for over 30 years, this live concert tape was discovered in 2003. The concert was Joe Perkins & The Memphians featuring Big Moe as the dj, and he delivers a set of both common and rare unknown Memphis recordings. All these tracks are either Stax, Hi Records, or local pressings, and some of the highlights include groups like the Memphians, Wendy Rene, Gene Anderson, The Charmels, The Fabulous Caprices, Smithstonian and Transplant. No tracklisting though, so you'll have to go after that yourself. And best believe, same as with Chains & Exhaust, people in two years are gonna be scrambling both for copies of this disc, and the original cuts contained herein. A great tribute to the Memphis sound, and a valid piece of history. Recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123456
Simon Rex is back... and he's rapping! Hell yeah bros - if you have been missing this man's styles since his departure from MTV, it's your lucky day!! This is the shit right now in Hollywood, and it goes without saying that...
expand review what's cool in Hollywood sets the standard for the rest of the US or maybe even the world. The album has guest spots from Mickey Avalon, Andre Legacy and Tony Potato and was produced by Cisco Adler, DJ Lethal, Beardo, Leggo & Tycoon and... DJ RECTANGLE!!! No idea if it's the real DJ Rectangle, but who else would take that name? The music speaks for itself so just listen to "Droppin Names(1)," "Can't Get Down(2)," "Too Sexy(3)," "Baby Dick(4)," "Too Short Homage(5)" and "Wanna Get High(6)." Real funny shit broskis. 13 tracks. -suicide bangs
As DJ Quicksilva himself says during an interlude on this mixtape: "the mixtape game is fucked up right now." These new "official" Lethal Squad mixtapes are the major labels' concession that mixtapes are good for the business - it's just that they...
expand review wanna regulate them. Can't say I blame them, but the problem is that they don't know how to create a mixtape that people wanna buy. Fortunately, Lethal Squad seems to have a clue. Lots of new and exclusive stuff here, including the new Just Blaze-produced Young Chris single, that Slick Rick/Chamillionaire collab, remixes from USDA, Fabolous, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, an exclusive freestyle from Peedi, the Pharoahe Monch remix of Amy Winehouse's "Rehab," and lots more. This isn't mindblowing, but I think it's a step in the right direction, and it's definitely something to bump this summer. Very interested to see how this pans out... -Chris Lemon-Red
Perks and Mini mix number four, mixed by Dj Pino P. & DJ P.Ivanoff (aliases for sure). This mix is a departure from the Bone Us Beats formula and features "tastes from around the world," including slabs from Turkey, Switzerland, Germany,...
expand review and afar. As is the norm with these P.A.M. mixes, expect that extra-effort that makes their mixes fun. There's lots of strange moments and dialogue in between these delicious, exotic treats. For fans of Andy Votel mixes. One hour and twenty minutes. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123456
LAB SEMI-EXCLUSIVO! This is a super-limited (2,000 copies worldwide) CD-only EP featuring the finest Bay Area rappers over Shadow beats. The majority of these tracks - the Droop-E remix of "3 Freaks(1)," "Turf Dancing(2)," "Dats My Part(3)" with E-40 and "Keep 'Em...
expand review Close(4)" with Nump - were featured on Shadow's The Outsider album, but of course you're copping this for the pair that weren't. "Purple Grapes(5)" is a drum programming masterpiece with the Team, sounding way more like a wild hyphy beat from Traxamillion than something you'd expect Mr. Davis to make. And speaking of Traxamillion, he provides the other bonus track here with his remix of "Turf Dancing(6)." Surprisingly, the remix sounds like something straight out the ATL, but it's infinitely more playable than the heavy-as-shit original. Why am I talking about playing this shit out? You're just gonna keep it in the plastic and sell it on eBay during the hyphy revival of 2035. 7 tracks; 25 minutes. Extremely limited stock. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12345
Nobody was sure if Green Lantern could get over his highly publicized split from the Shady/Aftermath empire, but this new joint should put any and all haters to rest. Packed with a ridiculous amount of exclusives from all the biggest names,...
expand review Alive On Arrival could be the mix of GL's career. It's hard just trying to figure out what to mention first. There's "The Ice Cream Man" with Pharrell kicking a shocking decent freestyle over a hard GL beat. There's Juelz teaming up with Dem Franchize Boyz for the crossover snap music joint "Show You What I'm Workin' Wit." Ghostface and Busta get gully on the unreleased "Blow His Head Off." The list just goes on -- seriously, it goes on for 35 tracks. T.I., Jay-Z, Bun B, Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Dead Prez... you name it. A strong comeback for the Evil Genius. -Chris Lemon-Red
The Lawnchair Generals have only been around since 2001, yet they are some of the most respected producers in the world of house music. They're also the types of producers who slave over their tracks for a very very long time, so...
expand review their releases are few and far between, causing mass chaos whenever a new record drops. Honestly, they have never put out a bad, or anything even close to a bad or mediocre track. Here on Nordic Trax, we are in for a treat, with their brand new mix CD that features all their own stellar tracks. If you've ever seen these boys play, you know this CD is going to be great. Featuring such hits as "Love Could Be," under their Town and Country moniker, as well as "I Go Now" and "I've Been Thinking," the mix keeps its upbeat party vibe going throughout all fifteen tracks. Don't miss out on this already classic mix! -Alison Tara
quick audio picks: 123456
Mestizo & Mike Gao both work at the LA store, so I figured we go back and give them some back catalog shine. It's funny how people's talent are not so evident if you're low-key like these guys (I didn't even know...
expand review about JJ's alter-ego until he was at the store for a year). So it appears that these have quite an underground following, they've come just come off of Japan tour and Shota the Database has been hailing the Lab connection as some sort of miracle. This is their collaborative album from 2005, and features Mestizo on the mic and Mike on the boards, with about half of the album being instrumental. Check the smoky-confident steez: "Redden Rise(1), Save It For Yesterday(2), Mr. Enthusiastic(3), Shattered Glass Girl(4), Mail Order Bride(5)," and "Avena's Lullaby(6)." 19 tracks deep. -the mgmnt
If you can pass up a mixtape with Fatman Scoop mean muggin' on the front, you're a stronger man than myself. And that's just the cover - Scoop also takes on hosting duties for this one, which was put together by two...
expand review of the strongest names in the mixtape game right now, Mick Boogie and DJ Benzi. This one's got a decidedly Lab flavor to it, with an exclusive Kid Sister remix from Benzi and tracks from Sammy Bananas, Uffie, Klaxons, Green Velvet, Chromeo, Kid Cudi, Krames, Wale, Purple Crush and Architecture In Helsinki riding alongside Camp Lo, MJ, INOJ, The Dream, a Chromeo remix of Twista & Kells and Yung Joc. More bang for your buck, too, with almost 50 tracks in all. -Larri Byrd
It feels like the meticulously detailed concept mixtape is dying out -- even just a year ago, the Lab was overrun with them -- but SF's Morse Code and J.Nougat got your fix with another volume of that Hard Crack Candy. Over...
expand review an hour of new candy-centric blends and mashes from the duo, ranging from electro to funk to rap (new and old) to, ummm, Willy Wonka. Artists include: Keak Da Sneak, Bananarama, Foreigner, M.O.P., DJ Tameil, Ike Turner, Flo-Rida, Billy Ocean, Gap Band, New Edition, Fat Boys, Lionel Richie, Roger Troutman and more. 37 tracks; 61 minutes. -Larri Byrd
The long awaited tape from Neil Armstrong, and he's up to a lot of things on here. The main theme is matching up originals with their hip hop sample counterparts and beyond, but he's very busy on the production. The hip hop...
expand review selection is classic east coast stuff and Armstrong keeps it flowing nicely with lots of 4 tracking, quick cuts and doubling up. Not really on the deep funk tip, Armstrong reaches for the dance classics and party joints: Michael, Steely Dan, Steve Miller, Mtume, Isleys, Hall + Oats, etc. The Cleanup Woman/Let Me Clear My Throat section is my favorite. And pay attention to the mixing and dialogue; it gets inventive like going from the "Slow Down" lyric "I've seen ya kind before, you aint original, just a sick mixed up individual" straight into David Bowie's Vanilla Ice sampled tune. Great tape weather you want to examine the technique closely or throw it on the next time you make kool-aid for your friends. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 1234567
Plastic Little are funny as hell, and if you disagree you're probably trying too hard to find fault. If you don't know about P.Lil yet, buy this and watch the enclosed bonus DVD first – it won't take long to convince you....
expand review (Included on said DVD are the videos for "The Jump Off(1)" and "Rap O'Clock(2)," as well as a little live video / documentary type thing.) Anyway, this is technically the debut full-length from the boys and features the aforementioned two tracks as well as King Honey's remix of "Hi Bitches(3)," which either samples Kano's "I'm Ready" or just straight pilfers the instrumental from Tag Team's "Whoomp! (There It Is)." Either way, it's nice. Other highlights include: "Club Banger(4)," "4$ Love Song(5)" and the Diplo-produced, Spank Rock-featuring "Now I Hollar(5)." Oh yeah, did I mention that fucking Ghostface is on this record?? Yep, check "Crambodia(6)." I know lots of people have lots of connects now and it's cool to be blasé about who folks can pull for their records, but that's some impressive shit. Amanda Blank's on a few tracks here, too – equally awesome. 21 tracks total. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
Wall to wall slappers! DJ Spair (of the infamous and award-winning Oakland Faders crew) is the tour guide for this slow cruise through the Bay area, which features just about everyone you'd think it would and then some. Let's face it: Bay...
expand review mixes are a dime a dozen right now, so you need someone like Spair – aka AN ACTUAL OAKTOWN RESIDENT – to do this shit proper. Plus, this one's got a little more flash and scratching than your regular CoolEdit joe schmo blendathon. Major points for including the MySpace phenomenon that is Wolfpack's "Vans Song." Other highlights include E-40 teaming with UGK & Juelz Santana for "White Gurl," The A'z's "Yadddadamean," and the Frontline's "Take That." Plus the ones you (should) already know: Too Short's new one "Blow The Whistle," an awesome edited-down party break version of "Tell Me When To Go," etc. This is for the intermediate-to-advanced Yay listener. 24 tracks; 60+ minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
"Whooooooooo Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid!" It's official now - the Bay is blowing up. When G-Unit's in-house mixtape man devotes a full 75+ minutes to one area (and it's not one of the boroughs) you know it's serious. The tracklist on this...
expand review one reads like a best-of collection for the last couple months of Bay shit (Nump's "I Got Grapes," the Shadow-produced Keak/Turf joint "3 Freaks," E-40's "Tell Me When To Go") but Whoo Kid is Whoo Kid, so you know he's got some of those exclusives too. New tracks from E-40 and his crew (Droop-E, the Mossie), plus bangers from San Quinn, the Federation, Ya Boy and more. Plus it's got that crazy Bay remix of T-Pain's "I'm Sprung" (you guessed it - "Go Dumb"). This is like a primer for the current sound of the Bay, but there's definitely something here for everyone who already knows about ghost ridin' the whip, stunna shades and thizz faces. 24 tracks total. Shaboopalaboopy. -Chris Lemon-Red
indepth
