Ok, getting a mix from America's foremost (and nearly only) dubstep label is hella cool. However, I am more excited about the "hidden" bonus disc within that features the entire Lo Dubs catalog, unmixed and remastered(!). You get 12 full length tracks...
expand review from 6Blocc, Starkey, South3ern, Solvent, Bombaman, DZ, and Morcheeba... all on CD for the first time. As for the first disc, the mix features 17 tracks including the label's previous releases, future releases, and exclusives. Similar track credits as the before, but with the addition of Nadja, XI, Hoodz, Pacheko, and Cardopusher. If you're a dubstep fan, this is really a no brainer, and I'll drop the "recommended" for yall. -the mgmnt
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Fans of Bmore club music, get ready - Mr. LaCrate has teamed up with Debonair Samir to make Gutter Music Vol.1. If you liked the Hollertronix/Milkcrate "Bmore Gutter Music" CD we carried a while back, consider this a followup, with some new...
expand review artists and serious club staples. Check "Pssy Mind (1)" for a taste of the dirtiest rhymes spit by Verb. He ain't no Spank Rock, but hey, change is good. His delivery has mad charisma and when it comes to dirt, he takes it there. Also check "Supahead(2)" featuring a super chopped Amanda Blank sample and the E-40 "U & Dat - Gutter Remix(3)" which was previously only available as a promo. Both are hype like BLAM! And of course, It wouldn't be complete without Debonair's classic tracks, "Sirens(4)," "Samir's Theme(5)" and "Say Na(6)" that were only available on vinyl. Get it jumpin' and have at. -C'mish
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17 more unmixed Bmore club tracks from Titts, Ayres and the extended fam.
This volume rounds up many of the tracks from T&A's recent vinyl EPs, including Dave Nada's "Kick Out The Jams(1)," "Where Brooklyn At?(2)" and "Spell On You(3)," A-Trak's...
expand review Stevie-flipping "Sir Duke(4)" from Ultimate T&A, and Million Dollar Mano's popular "They Know(5)" from The Chedda EP.
It's also got new tracks from Tittsworth (a remix of M.O.P.'s "Ante
Up(6)") and Ayres ("Angel of Death(7)" - Slayer!!) plus Top Billin' and DJ Eli. Another useful no brainer for digital DJs. 17 tracks; 55 minutes.
Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Another unmixed, DJ-friendly collection from Mr. Ayres. I don't need to tell you how huge Baltimore shit is right now (just check the Lab's top selling records), and outside of the Unruly dudes, Ayres & Titts & Bamabounce have been making some...
expand review of the best club remixes around. This CD collects up a grip of rare, unreleased and previously available tracks from the boys, especially handy to CD DJs, Seratonians and those who missed out on the first pressings of Tittsworth's self-released EPs. My favorite track here is still Tittsworth's remix of The Jeffersons theme song(1), but there's other strong contenders: Ayres' Luda-jacking "Broke Ass Home(2)" has quickly become a staple for a lotta DJs and Bamabounce's mixes of Kelis' "Bossy(3)" and Three Six's "Poppin' My Collar(4)" are pretty damn hot too. For goofy Bmore fun, it don't get much better than Tittsworth's ultra-retarded Milli Vanilli remix(5). A bargain and a half right here. 12 tracks in crisp CD quality. (P.S. Look out for a Money Studies release from this pair in the near future…) -Chris Lemon-Red
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Not for the easily offended! (But you could tell that from the cover.) It's the debut EP from Bangers & Cash, the new project from MC Spank Rock and producer Benny Blanco, and it's about as dirty as you'd expect a Spank...
expand review Rock tribute to 2 Live Crew to be. The live show favorite "Shake That(1)" sounds just as good on record, but how could a track that samples 2 Live's "Fuck Shop" and Splack Pack's "Shake That Ass Bitch" not be? "B-O-O-T-A-Y(2)" pulls sources from no less than three different tracks, but guest vocals from Santi of Santogold really makes the track; same goes for the hoodrat track "Loose(3)" and the guest spot from Amanda Blank, who just sounds better every time she gets on the mic. "Pu$$y(4)" gets a little too dumb for my taste, but "Bitch!(5)" overcomes its subject matter with an epic beat from Benny and a sample from NWA. And if you think the cover is nasty, you should see the back and inside. -Larri Byrd
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Please note, the tracklisting on the Vinyl and the CD are significantly different! Benga has been a major player (along with his buddy Skream) in the dubstep scene since the genre was formed. For his massive debut full length (on none other...
expand review than the much respected Tempa label), Benga has proved he not only has bass for days, but also a versatile, progressive style that can push the dubstep sound forward. From the jazzy, smoked-out intro track "Zero M2(1)," you can already tell Benga's got style that surpasses the usual dubstep fodder. But just when you think it's gonna be a smooth ride, he hits you with the roughness! "Night(2)" is a bass anthem of epic proportions - with it's howling bleeps and pulsing sub bass, this thing is sure to wreck. And there's a lot more where that came from. "E Trips(3)," "Crunked Up(4),""The Cut(5)," and "26 Basses(6)" continue the merciless barrage of low end sounds to shatter a sound bwoy dead. For real, this kid is straight nasty with it! Also features the surprising "Someone 20(7)" with a hybrid sound more akin to new disco and breakbeat to round things out nicely. Recommended listening for all the bass fiends out there. 14 Tracks total. -snackmaster
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Now available on CD, including all the remixes! Transatlantic connex! It's Texas legend vs. current Parisian club smasher as Devin meets up with TTC's Teki for 33Hz's "Paris, Texas(1)." Both MCs bring their usual swagger, and I know this will shock you...
expand review but Devin rhymes about weed and girls. But the real clincher here is the smooth-as-shit 33Hz beat, which sounds like it coulda come out of either rapper's hometown with its surging keys and vocoders. Curtis Vodka's synthy, housed out remix(2) is cool, but Architecture In Helsinki(3) pull a nice trick out of their hat with their quirky and minimal (yet irresistibly melodic) style. In Flagranti(4) turn in the strongest remix of the bunch, tossing the original's vocoder'ed hook over a strutting new disco beat with a killer bassline. Also includes a grimey electro remix from Max Pask(5) and a bunch more. 10 tracks total. -Larri Byrd
Fabric gave Diplo free reign on this mix, as he compiles and mixes 26 tracks, many which have been crucial in his sets for the last couple years. Hollertronix-defining stuff like The Cure, Cybotron, Debbie Deb, Hashim, Aphex Twin, Cajmere, MIA, Outkast,...
expand review and Le Tigre. He also reveals some new secret weapons, constantly amazing me how all over the place he is while maintaining his sound. Packaged in a metal case. -the mgmnt
Just as Diplo killed it on MIA's Piracy Funds Terrorism mix that dropped before her debut, he does it again with Brooklyn's own Santogold, mixing up jams off her recent debut album. Expect to hear exclusive blends and mixes of her singles,...
expand review masterfully executed by Diplo himself. The styles flow smoothly from everything under the sun: dirty south, club, classic cuts, dance tracks, dancehall, dubstep, reggae and more. What's also cool is that although she's signed to a big label like Downtown, this is a Mad Decent pressing. So props to Diplo for making this happen. Expect to hear shit from Santi (duh), XXXchange, Ratatat, Richie Spice, Three 6 Mafia, B-52's, Kid Cudi, Switch, Radioclit, Benga, Tony Matterhorn, Skream, Warrior Queen, Barrington Levy, and more. The mix is 75 minutes, perfect for the summertime jams. -C'mish
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LAB EXCLUSIVO! 300 copies only! Holy chit, could this be any more perfect for the Lab? Not only is it wall-to-wall juke, but it's also totally unmixed and Serato-ready, plus the title is a pun on an office favorite (Jock Jams megamix...
expand review anyone?) and the artwork's got plenty of curves. DJ Benzi has this shit down to a science - this time, he brings us 18 DJ-friendly juke edits from his Chi-town cousins, Chi Boogie and DJ Rashad, aka the Ghetto Teknitianz. You can tell these guys are Chicago natives 'cause the juke is strong within them, and it's no problem for them to flip any track large or small into some hype shit for the dancefloor - all at exactly 160bpm. The remix of Kanye West's "Flashing Lights(1)" is especially sick, putting those jacking house keys back into context and double-timing that hazy female vocal sample. Gucci Mane's "Pillz(2)' was always awesome, but I could never find the right time to drop it in a set - Rashad and Chi solve that problem with their sick edit. I could really footnote every track here, but just check these for yourself: T.I.'s "Top Back(3)," Soulja Boy's "Crank Dat(4)," Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls(5)," Project Pat's "Good Googly Moogly(6)," Lloyd's "Get It Shawty(7)" and "Yo Hips, Yo Thighs(8)," a nasty remix of 50 and Justin Timberlake's "Ayo Technology." 19 tracks; over 1 hour total. Highly recommended. -Larri Byrd
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
It's a Menage A Trois of BASS! NYC's heavy bass champion, Drop The Lime gets buckwild on 3 decks against Brooklyn's sweetest bass girls in over an hour of heart-racing mixes and rugged beats. The DTL side makes my head spin with...
expand review all the tricky mixing he's doing here. If you've ever been blessed enough to see him perform live or DJ at the infamous Trouble & Bass parties you'll know exactly what I mean when I say, "He's a Bass Monster!" Dude gets so into it, it looks like he's raping his tables! When he gets that crazy look in his eye, it can only mean one thing - DROP MORE BASS! His side is forty minutes long of pure madness. The Syrup Girls also have insane side of the mix. I used to watch Star Eyes do D&B sets at Eclectic in Frisco back in 2000 and I would always would walk out drenched in sweat(literally). Her and Siren are still killing decks today and for those that aren't experienced, here's your chance. Their side, "For All The Dirty Cougars" is a lil' over half an hour of grime, club, dance remixes, and of course bass. No tracklist this time. Just trust, they're not NY's finest wrecking crew for nothing. -C'mish
With fire beats by the youngster and mixing from DJ Dee Squared, this new installment in the 51:51 mix series is Party Dwizz for reals. Get in your Wu-Tang stance, throw this one on and go hard with "Hands Up Thumbs Down,"...
expand review "Salt Pepper Ketchup," "D-Wizz Anthem" and 23 more sounds straight from Philly's dancefloors. It's not really ghettotech, it's not really Bmore, it's just party music. Full disclosure: the sound on certain tracks here is a little fuzzed / blowed out AT TIMES... but it's all for that grimy raw realness, ya heard? 25 tracks; 60 minutes. -Larri Byrd
Title kinda says it all on this one! DJ Gant-Man and Traxman go to work, mixing almost 50 tracks from the extensive catalog of legendary Chicago label Dance Mania, including plenty from Slugo, DJ Deeon, DJ Funk, Waxmaster, DJ Nephets and Jammin'...
expand review Gerald. This is from 2003, but the "classic" nature of the mix means it hasn't really aged at all - if you're wanting an AUTHENTIC mix of Chicago house, juke and ghettotech, look no further. Tracks include: "Every Freekin' Day," "Whores In This House," "Where Da Rats?," "Shake What Ya Mama Gave Ya," "Move Yo Big Booty," "Feel My MF Bass," and lots more. 78 minutes total. -Chris Lemon-Red
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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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Debut album from Ms. Santi White, featuring the singles "L.E.S Artistes(1)" and "Creator(2)" plus production from Switch, Diplo ("Unstoppable(3)"), the late Disco D ("Shove It(4)"), Sinden, Freq Nasty and a guest spot from Spank Rock. Need I say more? More audio picks,...
expand review if you need 'em: "I'm A Lady(5)," "My Superman(6)" and Switch & Sinden's remix of "You'll Find A Way(7)." 12 tracks; 41 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
Skepta might be most infamous for ripping the mic on many a grime track with the likes of Wiley, JME and the Boy Better Know Crew, or being behind the boards on production, but for the 4th Rinse mix cd, the multi-talented...
expand review individual gets behind the decks and back to his DJ roots for a rare set. As you'd expect, it's a grimey affair with an ample dose of testosterone driven energy thanks to uber-tough beats and rude flows - and just like he is on the mic, Skepta is NASTY behind the decks! The selection keeps it hype all the way through with a skillful blend of vocal tracks, instrumentals, and heavyweight anthems (Benga's "Night" appears once again - I think it's been on EVERY Rinse mix to date). Features tracks from Frisko, JME, Wiley, Double S, Skream, Benga, Coki and plenty from Skepta (of course). About 1 hour long. -snackmaster
This one's a bit of a detour from the usual grimey, bass heavy mixes you'd expect from Rinse. In fact, Supa D's mix is a sound unlike anything I've really heard (till now). There is a new rhythm that is consistent throughout...
expand review the entire mix, but I couldn't put my finger on it. After inspecting the liner notes though, I found that this is a new sound emerging out of London called "funky." But not like you traditional James Brown or Meters kind of funky. This new "funky" is a warm and soulful dance sound - upbeat and lively - kind of like a combination of house, broken beat, UK garage, R&B, and reggae, with just a touch of grime (check the funky version of Benga's "Night" for a good example). This is basically the UK's version of funky house, and if you are up for something new to shake it down to, this isn't a bad choice. Features tracks from Apple, Perempay & Dee, Naughty, Tadow, Fuzzy Logic, Doneao, and a gang of others you probably haven't heard of. About 70 minutes long. -snackmaster
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Long-running Sao Paolo duo Tetine (aka Bruno Verner and Eliete Mejorado) link up with Soul Jazz for a debut album - only 10 years in the making! - that's crammed with every manner of new wave, punk, electro and baile funk sounds....
expand review If you snoozed on the single, here's your chance to get the sexcellent baile banger "I Go To The Doctor(1)" featuring funk star Deize Tigrona. It's the catchiest song on the album (and unfortunately the shortest too) but that's where the bonus CSS remix(2) comes in handy, with Cansei drummer/covert musical genius Adriano Cintra killing on the production end. There's more funk on "Melo Do Carrao(3)," hushed vox from Eliete on the sinister "Russian Roulette(4)," synth-pop on "Let The X Be X(5)" and the squiggly, almost spoken word single "A Historia Da Garca(6)." 15 tracks; 69 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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WMD! After 5 seasons, HBO finally shows some goddamn respect to the best show on television with deluxe foil packaging, a 60-page booklet and all the versions of Tom Waits' "Way Down In The Hole(1)" that you could ever want. (I'm partial...
expand review to the DoMaJe cover(2) from last season personally.) The CD has 35 tracks from through the years, including every important piece of music from the series, classic cub tracks like Rod Lee's "Dance My Pain Away(3)" and Technics' "My Life(4)," local rap from Bossman(5) and Mullyman(6) and tons of dialogue bits for your next Bmore mixtape. Oh yeah, and the closing music ("The Fall(7)")! The booklet holds tons of pictures and quotes, plus essays from series producer (and ex-Baltimore Sun reporter) David Simon, writer George Pelecanos and Jeff Chang (yes, that Jeff Chang). Don't be a Rawls - cop this now. 35 tracks; 79 minutes. -Larri Byrd
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A dope Baltimore-only companion to the Wire soundtrack, Beyond Hamsterdam offers up 11 slices of Bmore club and rap. There's club classics from Rod Lee(1) and DJ Technics(2), DoMaJe's version of the theme song ("Way Down In The Hole(3)"), plus recent Charm...
expand review City hits like "Ayo(4)" by Bossman and "Projects(5)" by Tyree Colion. But my pick has to be the slightly lesser known "When You See Us(6)" from the Get 'Em Mamis, plus Mullyman with "The Life, The Hood, The Streetz(7)." The series is almost over for good, so you better have something on hand to console you when those final credits roll... 11 tracks; 43 minutes. -Larri Byrd
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