Products

This guy can't lose right now. From killing it around the globe on the ones and twos, collaborating with Armand as half of Duck Sauce, and co-founding one of the biggest indie labels (Fool's Gold), A-Trak is kind of ruling the DJ scene. His latest release on Fool's Gold is "Money Makin'," a collab track with Mad Decent's Dillon Francis destined to tear it up from the club to the stadium and everything in between. Riding a super-catchy electro house beat with chant-able raps, you can pretty much play this in any setting to raise the feel-good energy levels through the roof. On the flip comes the dirty raps of "Piss Test" with Juicy J and Danny Brown holding down mic duties properly. This one might not be as party-friendly, but definitely something to roll too. Includes instrumental and accapella for "Piss Test," and radio edit for "Money Makin'." Comes on limited split colored vinyl. Recommended.

• music label: Fool's Gold 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 09/2012

A-Trak's first solo foray isn't an album, it's a DVD -- and Sunglasses Is A Must has already been getting buzz from every magazine and website across the land. From being the youngest DJ to win the DMC World Championship to co-founding Fool's Gold Recs and becoming Kanye West's tour DJ, young Alain Macklovitch has accomplished a whole bunch in his young life, and now you can see why with your own two eyes. Soundtracked by A-Trak himself, and featuring guest appearances by Kanye West, DJ Craze, Money Mark, Roc Raida, Mix Master Mike, Peanut Butter Wolf, and DJ Qbert, Sunglasses Is A Must is basically a must-see for fans of any stage of the dude's weird career trajectory.

LAB POINTS

• collaboration with Fool's Gold Records (A-Trak's label)
• simple and organic design
• 3 Button in-line Microphone with call/music/volume control
• sound quality is fine tuned by C4 Studios and offers a full-spectrum from the deepest bass to high-frequency tones
• earphone sleeves deliver external noise reduction for clearer sound at safer volume levels
• includes three sets of earphone sleeves for an accurate fit and different levels of external noise reduction

MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW

The Pipe Earphone offers impressive sound quality and overall strength in an organic and ergonomic design. Made from lightweight and highly resilient materials this earphone displays an elegant coherency between the overall design and the individual parts. The 9mm precision-engineered driver provides a highly detailed full-spectrum sound experience from the softest bass to the crispiest high notes.

TECH SPECS

• Driver unit size: 9 mm
• Impedance: 16 ohm
• Sensitivity: 106dB/mW at 1K Hz
• Frequency Respons: 20-20K Hz
• Rated power input: 4 mW
• Maximum power input: 20 mW

COMES WITH

• (3) sets of ear sleeves

LAB POINTS

The limited Fool's Gold edition of the TMA-1 not only comes in the signature Fool's Gold colorway, it also has new features not included on the standard TMA-1! These features include:

• angled stereo plug
• cable lock
• embossed FG logo on cup
• embossed AIAIA & FG logos on inside headband
  
  

Years in the making, the TMA-1 DJ Headphone is probably the most well thought-out dj headphones ever designed. Drawing input from an impressive DJ roster list (2Manydjs, A-Trak, Flying Lotus, James Murphy to name a few) AIAIAI and Danish design firm KibiSi have specifically addressed all the headphone needs of the DJ and more. Plus, the minimalist, modern design in itself is stunning. Lab recommended.

• includes both straight cable with 3 button control and coiled DJ cable
• rich quality sound from high quality audio components
• (2) interchangeable headphone cushions: (1) higher isolation pair for noisy clubs, (1) standard pair for everyday use
• internal speakers are fully protected
• strong, flexible headband
• headphone cord coil for extra give
• detachable headphone cord
• black rubberized finish
• check the Labheads that use the TMA-1

MANUFACTURER's REVIEW

The one-piece TMA-1 headband consists of a strong, durable and flexible nylon material, which provides full flexibility when wearing and positioning the headphones during DJing. The two different cushions can be changed easily with the click release function, so the headphones fit all situations- from a noisy club environment to just being on the road. The speaker is protected by the cushion plate with integrated filter and provides the richest sound that is available today along with the most durable driver technology. Finally, there is a 3mm cotton fiber filter for isolation and the headphone cup out of a resistant ABS material to protect the fragile parts. The 1.7 meter cable has a mini jack connection in both ends as well as a reinforced plug with a 1/8 adapter option. It has a 0.4 meter coil on the wire, which gives extra length and flexibility at the turntable.

The name TMA-1 (Tycho Magnetic Anomaly-1) is taken from Arthur C. Clarke's science fiction novel "2001: A Space Odyssey" and refers to a black Monolith, which is extremely long-lived and reliable just as the TMA-1.

KEY FEATURES

• Transducer Principle: Dynamic, closed - Driver Unit Size: 40mm
• Impedance: 32+/-15% Ohm
• Load Rating: 0.1W
• Frequency Response: 20 to 20.000 Hz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.3%
• Sensitivity: 110+/-3dB Weight w/o
• Cable: 190 Gram

COMES WITH

• 2 sets of earpads
• carrying pouch
• booklet
• 2 sets of cords - 1 straight w/ 3-button mic, 1 coiled
• 6.3 mm stereo plug converter

Following the success of XXX, Danny Brown returns to Fool's Gold for another round of irreverent raps with this die-cut pic disc! If you couldn't tell from the pill shape (or the title for that matter), The Detroit bred MC comes through with some crazy lyrics about going hard on "Baseline," "Witit," and "Shouldn't of." Oh and the Beats go hard too (which you can find instrumentals of on the flip). Limited!

• music label: Fool's Gold 2012

reviewed by suicide bangs 10/2012

Now available as a pic disc featuring Dust La Rock artwork! "Barbra Streisand" is catchy,  driving, and people can sing along to it on their first listen. Win.  Easily one of the strongest dance releases of 2010,  Armand and A-Trak lift the best elements of Boney M's "Gotta Go Home" (which actually takes from Nighttrain's 1971 single "Hallo Bimmelbahn") and add their club-tested drums and flavor for 5 minutes of raw, jumping-up-and-down fun. Everyone loves Ducksauce. Highly recommended. 

• music label: Fool's Gold / 2011

reviewed by nakinboots 02/2011

Ducksauce is keeping dance music fun. Barbra Streisand was all about having a good time on the dancefloor, and Armand and A-trak's follow up, Big Bad Wolf, promises to continue moving people in all sorts of ways. The howling-filled number is kept simple - just raw, simple, and bumping instrumental layered with the "the big bad wolf" chant. No catchy disco sample this time around - nevertheless, the track will remain a crowd favorite for a long time to come. Gesaffelstein delivers a slick techno remix on the flip, making this record a must-have. Hilarious label art also, recommended.

• music label: 3BEAT

reviewed by nakinboots 09/2011

These rubber duck toys were created for Fool's Gold by Celebriduck to comemorate Duck Sauce, the now infamous collab between A-Trak and Armand Van Helden. The design is based off of the duck character created for the duo by Fool's Gold design extraordinaire Dust La Rock, and they've been manufactured in a limited edition of 1000 pieces. They don't squeak, but they will float in the tub. Get 'em quick, these aren't gonna stick around for long.

Fool's Gold celebrates its 4-year anniversary with the release of a super limited-edition (only 2000 worldwide!) set, which includes 4 highly sought after, previously unreleased remixes spread over 2 clear marble yellow LPs with serato control tones on the flip and a pair of exclusive slipmats stamped with the iconic Fool's Gold logo. As far as the music is concerned, the label includes Tony Senghore's wicked take on Lil B's "Freeze(1)," a half-time mix of Kindom's "Mind Reader(2)," a club-ready version of Cubic Zirconia's "afterhours jam" "Night Or Day(3)" and Amen Brother's 808s-and-breaks-heavy remix of DJ Gant-Man's "Juke Dat Girl(4)." Highly recommended!

• music label: Fools Gold

reviewed by Nakinboots 11/2011

Logo crew neck from Brooklyn mainstays Fool's Gold. Medium weight sweatshirt with thick FG logo print and custom neck tag. Simple, effective, and timeless.

• Medium weight
• Thick logo printing
• Standard fit

Fool's Gold Records keeps their ears to the streets (err internet) and release an epic rap compilation highlighting every up and comer you will be hearing about very soon. Label head, Nick Catchdubs, is no slacker when it comes to the rap world and he steadily knows how to pick em. Loosies celebrates Fool's Gold's 5 year anniversary with collaborations featuring Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Casey Veggies, BK newcomers Flatbush Zombies, Cool Kids Chuck Inglish + so much more. A-Trak's "Piss Test" remix gets murked by El-P. The Araabmuzik produced 'Molly Ringwald' features Danny Brown saying wild ish over a SCARY beat. Young Veggies brings the Cali breeze in 'Sauna'. Throughout Loosies the theme sticks to smoothed out Cali vibes and trippy Trap slappers. The compilation comes housed in a limited edition cigarette shaped USB drive with exclusive DJ mix from A-Trak + Catchdubs. Recommended.

• music label: Fool's Gold Records 2012

reviewed by rinse lombardi 1/2013

Basic Fool's Gold shirt, featuring their super classy logo designed by Mr. Dust LaRock.

• Fit: Slim
• Fabric: 100% Cotton

Killer single snatched from Justice's recent Audio, Video, Disco full length. "New Lands" gets the proper 12" treatment here, stacked with big name remixes to make you lose it in every way on the floor. First up, they bring Falcon (as in DJ Falcon of Together fame) out of retirement, who gives "New Lands" a true french touch re-work without losing the proggy stadium rock vibe of the original. Not bad at all. Next up, Fool's Gold boss and superstar DJ supreme A-Trak reworks it with an even bigger breakdowns and buildups, guaranteed to rock the largest of venues, while Ed Banger regular Sebastian opts for a slowed trap vibe on his mix. Also includes a live version of the original. Pressed on thick import vinyl in full pic sleeve.

• music label: Ed Banger 2012

reviewed by suicide bangs 08/2012

Kid Cudi has been making waves recently with his spacey, left-field brand of introspective hip hop, and all the naval gazing has finally culminated in this debut LP, executive produced by Kanye West.  <i>Man On The Moon</i> is an album in the purest since of the word, a completely cohesive statement that barely wavers, despite the fact that multiple producers contributed content to the record.  Additionally, the album is divided into five acts, each containing a handful of tracks.  Many of the beats feature lush arrangements, featuring dense synth patches and orchestral string arrangements ("Soundtrack 2 My Life," and the OMD sampling "Simple As...," for example).  Indie/electronic duo Ratatat earn proper hip hop production credits here, contributing beats for "Alive" and "Pursuit Of Happiness," the latter of which also features indie pop stars MGMT on the hook.  Examples of Cudi's darker, spacier side show up on "Solo Dolo," "In My Dreams," and the little single that could, "Day N' Night."  The album isn't all doom and gloom though, with "Enter Galactic" and current single "Make Her Say" providing some upbeat moments.  The double LP comes packaged in a nice gatefold sleeve with artwork that was, according to the liner notes, painted by Kid Cudi himself.  While it might not be loaded up with club bangers, it's filled with some great new ideas that make for a refreshing listen.  Highly recommended.

• music label: Universal / 2009

reviewed by Hires 09/2009

Fool's Gold debut for Onra! The Parisian beat maker/boogie funkster has been making moves over the past couple years with killer releases on All City and Favorite, and now steps it up with a proper EP on A-Trak and Catchdub's Fool's Gold imprint. On Deep In The Night, Onra flexes modern boogie funk styles with a hip-hop aesthetic. From the opener, "After Hours" with T3 of Slum Village, you can already get a feel for what he's working with. Then comes "L.O.V.E." an instrumental heater sure to move the club, then the cool down joint "Somewhere (Deep In The Night)." The EP rounds out with another vocal cut "V.B.B." with Amalia and Jaykin, and the hard hitting "Hold Tight." Instrumental for "After Hours" also included.

• music label: Fool's Gold 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 08/2012

Fresh material from Treasure Fingers! His unique brand of super-funky-electro-dance has been tearing up dancefloors for years now, and with "Keep Up," the BK-by-way-of-ATL producer shows off a slightly different (yet equally awesome) layer of his musical chops. For the track, hard-hitting 4/4 programming (don't worry - plenty of that on the remixes) is left out in favor of freestyle drums, with Haley Small's sugar-coated vocals and some vocoder funk creating another outstanding TF banger. The remixes don't disappoint either, as Jackson turns in a fully-synthed big room version, and house legend Kenny Dope delivers a classic NYC take on the original, which will be big in all types of dancing-oriented spots for sure. Recommended.

• music label: Fool's Gold 2011

reviewed by: nakinboots 12/2011