Deluxe Editions-VinylCD-alpha

Limited edition 10" vinyl release from 6th Borough Project in conjunction with their LTD mix for Kolour Recordings. The idea behind the mix was that 6th Borough would hand pick selections from the LTD back catalog for a strictly limited release on physical CDs only. In the same vein, this 10" would gets a super limited release as well featuring one 6th Borough cut from the mix, plus another track exclusive to the vinyl. As per usual, Graeme Clark (aka The Revenge) & Craig Smith (the duo behind 6th Borough) craft lush slo disco tunes that flip samples in the most jazzy and hypnotic of ways. Check the steady bumps of "Without You" and deep burning "When The Hate Is Gong" for a taste. Pressed up on clear 10" vinyl, housed in numbered sleeve. Edition of 500.

• music label: Kolour LTD 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 04/2012

ABBA's "Voulez-Vous" was originally composed in the Bahamas and the backing tracks were recorded in Miami at Criteria Studios. This makes it the only ABBA track to be recorded outside of Sweden. The extended dance remix was originally released as a promo and is the only ABBA song to have been officially released in this form. Limited edition blue, sparkling vinyl.

• Music Label: Polar Music 2012

reviewed by The Voice 04/2012

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• 04.17.12

BOO-YAO! BBE has been teaming up with Al Kent over the past few years to put out some mind blowing compilations of lost disco heaters, but this one takes the cake! For their latest collaboration, the label has compiled all 5 volumes(!) of Kent's Disco Demands series into one massive 5 CD set (and you know if anyone has enough rare disco gems to fill 5 CDs worth of material, it's Al Kent). Along with impossible to find original cuts the compilation features a ton of exclusive re-edits that Kent has made a name for himself with. Here's what he had to say about the release: "The Disco Demands series started sometime in the early 2000s - I couldn't give you an exact year because it didn't feel like a big deal, so I never noted it. I simply wanted to put out a compilation of some records I really liked and maybe make a little of the money back I was spending on them. Buy some food and stuff. There's always been Disco comps around of course but there was rarely anything that strayed too far from the standards; the same songs kept appearing over and over again, or the comps would feature records you could pick up anywhere for little money. I've never seen the point in that. I gave up judging a record on its value or rarity a long time ago but surely there's more to disco than Exodus, Martin Circus, Mass Production and all those Salsoul, West End and bloody Prelude records. So it was a nice surprise to find that there were other people out there who thought the same way. Volume 1 was pretty straightforward - just some nice records, with the only edit being an instrumental of "Disco Socks"; a strange, thinly veiled reference to the disco sucks movement. Then on Volume 2 I included a few of my edits and introduced the cover up concept to the disco world. That caused a bit of controversy, which of course I loved. And so it continued for five volumes. What we have here then is the full series, give or take one or two cuts, all remastered, many re-re-edited, with lots of nice naked pictures to boot." 45 tracks spread over 5 CDs and housed in individual sleeves with sexy cover art. Must-have release for the disco heads, RECOMMENDED.

• music label: bbe

reviewed by The Voice 01/2012

Amy Winehouse always seemed to have a soft spot for The Specials. She even jumped on stage during The Specials performance back in the summer of 2009 and made history. This 7" features two great Specials ska tunes covered by Amy Winehouse and recorded live; "A Message To You Rudy" is from the 2008 Rock In Rio Madrid show, while "Monkey Man", backed by Jools Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, was recorded live on Later in 2007. Limited edition mango vinyl.

• Music Label: 2SKA 2012

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 04/2012

Here is the first posthumous album (of many, we're guessing) from Amy Winehouse. Lioness: Hidden Treasures contains unreleased tracks and demos the late r&b-hip-hop-soul-jazz singer recorded before her 2002 debut, Frank, up to 2011. Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson, as well as Winehouse's family, went through a slew of material to compile 12 songs, with "Body And Soul," a duet with Tony Bennett and Amy's final studio recording, being one of them. Also included are "Like Smoke" - a duet with Nas - "Valerie('69 Version)," "The Girl From Ipanema," "Our Day Will Come," "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?," and many more that capture the pain, loneliness, humor and other emotions that fueled her art. Pressed on 180g heavyweight vinyl, gatefold cover with insert, highly recommended.

• music label: Universal / 2011

reviewed by nakinboots 12/2011 

Rest in peace, Amy Winehouse. The British singer's acclaimed blend of r&b, hip-hop, soul, and jazz - fueled and hindered by her well-publicized personal demons - lives on, however, and this special-edition colored vinyl collects 10 tracks from her catalog. There are two versions of "Valerie," a cover of The Zutons track which first appeared on Mark Ronson's Versions album, as well as "Rehab," "You Know I'm no Good," "Back To Black," "Tears Dry On Their Own (sampling "Aint' No Mountain High Enough"), and "Love Is A Losing Game" - from Back To Black - which showcase the perfect chemistry between the British talents. Rareer tracks like Frank outtake "Fool's Gold" and "Best For Me" are also included, and another standout is Winehouse's powerful, achy cover of The Shirelles' "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow". Not only is this LP a pleasure to listen to from beginning to end, most of the tracks are proven dancefloor weapons for DJs. Recommended.

reviewed by nakinboots 08/2011

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• 051112

Remastered version of 2001's Danse Manatee from Animal Collective (originally released under the Avey Tare, Panda Bear and Geologist alias) on limited vinyl. This was the group's second album, and saw a very small pressing (only 1000 original copies were made) on Catsup Plates. The sound here is very experimental and out-there, even for Animal Collective standards, as it was the first time Avey Tare and Panda Bear collaborated with Geologist on an album. The group was into heavy improvisation and noise at the time, especially exploring extreme frequencies at the time to see how high and low they could go. Check "A Manatee Dance," "Another White Singer," "Essplode," "Running The Round Ball," "Throwin The Round Ball," and "In The Singing Box" for a taste. Very psychedelic indeed...

• music label: Fat Cat

reviewed by Von Bee 09/2011

2004 album from famed NY freak folkers, Animal Collective reissued for the first time domestically! Sung Tongs was Animal Collective's breakthrough full length, featuring a much more stripped-down and harmonized sound (compared to their prior releases) that was is still very psychedelic and experimental, and garnered much praise from the critics and fans. It is a sound that would be explored further on following releases and fully realized on the highly regarded Merriweather Post Pavillion. Includes "Who Could Win A Rabbit," "Leaf House," "The Softest Voice," "Winters Love," "Kids On Holiday," "Visiting Friends," "College," "Good Lovin Outside" and more. 12 tracks, remastered and spread over 2LPs. Recommended.

• Music Label: FatCat Records 2011

reviewed by Von Bee 08/2100

If you've been waiting for Animal Collective to return to their experimental roots, then wait no more. They deliver two sides of formless, fluid jams. Snippets of what may or may not be future songs float in and out of the mass of sound. There is no real song structure here, just pure free form experimentation. According to the stick on the front, "The music on this record was originally created for an installation by Animal Collective and visual artist Danny Perez at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City on March 4, 2010. A computer program designed by Stephan Moore played and panned the music in a 36 channel surround sound system spanning the length of the spiral ramp in the museum's lobby." Comes with a 24 x 36 fold out poster of the Max/MSP program used for the installation and card containing a MP3 download code. Recommended

• Music Label: Domino 2012

reviewed by The Voice 05/2012

Now-Again Records presents an important document of India's little know psychedelic rock period. Obsession collects a wealth of rare and unreleased psychedelic rock and funk from the various incarnations of the Atomic Forest. The Atomic Forest's mix of blistering, fuzzy rock and synth-lead funk inspired collectors the world over to fork over thousands of dollars for original copies of their solitary release, Obsession '77. Part of the interest certainly stemmed from its liberal doses of searing fuzz guitar. Part of it sprung from the oddity of it all: India, a country that had, quite literally, churned out tens of thousands of albums during psych- and hard-rock's heyday, only produced this one, lonely psychedelic album? Part of it sprung from the album's rarity: unknown for years, Obsession '77 suddenly became a top want on every global-rock collector's short-list. Now, packaged in a paste on CD Sleeve with O-Card a, this ungodly fusion of funk and psychedelia is available to all. Includes 44 page booklet with Egon's extensive liner notes and annotation, story behind their genesis are, never before seen photos, and ephemera. Recommended.

• music label: Now Again Records 2012

reviewed by: Now Again 01/2012

As Rolling Stone put it, SMiLE is the "most famous unfinished album in rock & roll history". Originally intended to be the follow up to Pet Sounds, label "back room" business shelved SMiLE. Collecting and compiling the sessions that the Beach boys recorded between the summer of 1966 and 1967, Capitol/EMI - with full participation of original band members Al Jardine, Mike Love, and Brian Wilson - presents this 180g "approximation" of the legendary unreleased rock album. A must for fans, the double LP features full album/sessions, bonus mixes, gatefold packaging, inner sleeve art, lyrics, and 12" x 12" booklet created for the original release. The artwork is inspired by Beat-Pop artist Frank Holems' original 1967 art and booklet design intended forSMiLE. Recommended.

• music label: Capitol

reviewed by nakinboots 11/2011

Super deluxe 180g double LP pressing of "Check Your Head." Best Beastie's album ever? I guess you can debate it, but there's no arguing that this one is definitely up there. I can go on about it, but better yet read what we said about it when we got an import pressing a couple years back: "Out of print for a while now, we jumped at this UK repress of my favorite Beasties album. That's right, fuck Paul's Boutique and Wesleyan College. The Beasties live the American dream here, picking up instruments and playing skater thrash band, badass black funk-rock band, and crafty city rappers, all at the same time. I'm not quite sure there's anything else quite like it. Even though I've gotten tired of the aging cult of Beastie, I still put this on when I want to get hyped up for heated recreational sports sessions (that's right chall!). Every track is standout, but if I have to assign those pesky blue numbers, it would go something like this:  "Jimmy James, Gratitude, Somethin's Got To Give, Stand Together," and "Groove Holmes." Double vinyl. Recommended." Worrd.

• music label: Capitol / 2009

reviewed by the mgmnt 04/2009

Beastie Boys, Santigold, and Major Lazer on the same track? That's a triple win for sure! Major Lazer (aka Diplo & Switch) gives a monster electro-dancehall bounce to the Beastie's hit "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win." Obviously this version is designed to fully mash up the dancefloor. Also includes the Major Lazer dub on the flip. Oh yeah, did I mention it's on bright yellow vinyl? Don't miss it!

• music label: Mad Decent 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 03/2012

Now available on remastered, 180g vinyl! Nice and loud double LP pressing of Ill Communication complete with perfectly reproduced artwork. This album caught the Beasties in top creative form - experimenting with the music, but still keeping the quality high and their feet grounded, no matter what style they attempted. It not only contains some of their hypest crossover tracks ever like "Sabotage" and "Sure Shot," but also the super funky Q-Tip collabo "Get It Together" and the hard Biz Mark collab "Do It." Jazzy breakbeat groovers like "Root Down" and "The Scoop" are also present as well as some of their early instrumental jazz-funk-fusion noodlings ("Ricky's Theme" and "Sabrosa") and tracks that hark back to their punk rocker days ("Heart Attack Man"). 20 tracks total, worth every penny.

• music label: Capitol / 2009

reviewed by Snackmaster 07/2009

You probably already own the original AND 20th Anniversary Edition of Paul's Boutique (and whatever came in between), but here is something is really, really, really special. Really. Limited to a thousand copies only, this 7" boxset concentrates on the rarer takes of "High Plains Drifter," "Shake Your Rump," "Hey Ladies," "Shadrach" and other killer cuts from Paul's Boutique. Live, demo, and instrumental versions make up the 8 COLORED 7-inches, and if you're a real Beastie Boys head, act quick because this will go FAST. Features a cice illustrated version of the original album work, highly recommended.

• music label: Paragon

reviewed by nakinboots 12/2011

The 'Nuts eponymous debut album, now on gatefold double vinyl! Psycho Les and JuJu killed it with the jazzy, funky loop-based production on their self-titled full length (often referred to as "Street Level") back in '94. The creation of these beats is what really hits me most when I listen to the album now. Thick man... these guys have got some of the best loops around right here. Production values stay high throughout, while the lyrics stay gutter - strictly on some drinkin, smokin blunts, shootin people and f-in bitches type stuff. The difference between them and most though is that they actually make you laugh at the same time! Not only that, this is perfect layin' in the cut music - beats so smooth it doesn't even matter what they say. This thing got heavy, heavy rotation from me in the summer of '94, and there's lots of favorites on here. Props Over Here, Hit Me With That, Lick The Pussy, Let Off a Couple, Superbad, Get Funky, Ya Don't Stop, Are You Ready, etc. 17 tracks spread over two LPs.

• music label: Relativity 1994 / 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 08/2005

Deluxe, remastered triple vinyl reissue of Biz Markie's Goin' Off, complete with bonus remixes, original 12" versions, demo versions, and instrumentals. Biz released the album in an era of Boogie Down Beef and "hard" MCs. With hit tracks like "Pickin' Boogers," "Making Music With Your Mouth Biz," "Vapors," and "Biz Is Goin' Off," he quickly out-shined many fellow rappers - his playful, down to earth steez triumphed over tough talk. Not to mention he killed the beat box genre with "Making Music..." (wish I could do that). This special edition is for the real-deal collectors and hip hop fanatics. A lot of the added material is ultra-rare (where else are you going to get the "Nobody Beats" demo version?) and unique. A perfect twist to your next mixtape or show...

• music label: Traffic

reviewed by C'mish 12/2011

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Proper remastered re-issue of Biz Markie's classic, The Biz Never Sleeps. Originally released back in the golden era of hip-hop (1989 to be exact) this one found Biz really living up to his reputation as the "Clown Prince Of Hip Hop." No one is having fun with hip-hop these days like Biz was back then! His style was not only charismatic and playful, but equally skillful and creative as well. Just check the style on hits like "Just A Friend," "Spring Again," and "Me Versus Me" or album cuts "I Hear Music," "Mudd Foot," and "A Thing Named Kim." Funky-ass production duties are handled by his cousin Cool V, Paul C, and Biz Markie himself! This 2012 reissue also includes a full size poster featuring alternative album art for the album. Recommended.

• music label: Traffic 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 03/2012

Another incredible afrobeat gem repressed by the good folks at Soundway. Ifetayo is the only album ever released by Black Truth Rhythm Band, a super rare and sought-after piece originally released in 1976. The group was led by Oluko Imo (who would would eventually play in Fela's Africa 80 band) and are rooted in super heavy afro vibes. Just check the shakin' funk grooves of "Umbala," "Ifetayo," the tropical flavor of "Aspire," or the deep rhythms of "You People" and "Kilamanjaro" for a taste. Pressed on beautiful 180g vinyl with bonus 7" featuring a non-album bonus cut. Not to be missed for fans of afro sounds! Recommended.

• music label: Soundway

reviewed by: Extravagant Traveler 01/2012

The Blue Rhythm Combo from Barbados produced some of the heaviest funk records to come out of the Caribbean in the early '70s - crossing the local Spouge rhythm with a heavy dose of American styled funk and soul. Their singles on the Merrydisc label have long been sought after by DJs for their unique musical blend and tight-as-a-whip rhythms that stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the best party funk to come out of the United States. This release brings together six of their heaviest tracks from the early to mid-'70s, culled from their releases on the famed Merrydisc label and a later single on WIRL that showcases their later and more soulful sound. This is as close to Caribbean funk as you'll get without catching the plane and going there yourself! Top quality pressing over three 45s, recommended.

• music label: Jazzman

reviewed by Jazzman 02/2012

My head nearly exploded when our man in the trenches called me up and said that he was at the record plant picking this up.  A few months ago Snackmaster asked me if we could get Candido's "Dancin' and Prancin'" and I told him I would look into it.  Originally released on Salsoul back in 1979, the record captures the funky spirit of disco at that moment.  Somehow we were able to get this sought after gem and get hooked up with a super extended edit of the O'Jays "I Love Music"!  The solo bongo-drum intro to this Gamble and Huff burner was performed by none other than Bill Cosby.  Seriously.  If all that was not enough, you get the super useful cut and paste edit "I Luv Musik" as well.

• music label: white label

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 12/2009

The curatorial wizardry of Chocolate Industries releases true magic on “Personal Space: Electronic Soul 1974 - 1984”, their new collection of incredible finds, gems of unheard, private-issue soul from the 70s and 80s, all with an emphasis on synthesizer, sequencer, and drum machine usage. Setting itself far above most recent reissues, it’s a compilation that explores the creation of an identity amidst what was a new age of sounds. Unique atmospheres, moods, emotions, are pioneered by circuitry, a prime example being the Makers’ “Don’t Challenge Me”. Lulling the listener into its call-and-response of synthesized composition and sultry vocals, the track has been melting ears around here. Jeff Phelps, Key & Cleary, Starship Commander Woo Woo’s “Master Starship” (basically, THE jam) further highlight these uncharted territories of emotional weirdness… a wholly new kind of soul music prime for introspection, mind-wandering and thoughtfulness (thoughtlessness). Highly recommended, a must-have for anyone who’s been digging anything from Stones Throw, Now Again Records, etc. Also of note, awesome packaging is just always a plus, with a beyond choice photo from NASA gracing the comp’s cover.

• Music Label: Chocolate Industries 2012

reviewed by A. Tomorrow 05/2012

In the awkwardness meter, The Cocteau Twins land somewhere a bit more awkward than Kate Bush but ions cooler than Enya. It's the stuff you only listen to in private unless you're a real hot alternative chick with holes in her striped stockings. Checkout "Carolyn's Fingers" and you'll know right away if you're a Cocteau fan or not. Personally, I love this weird shit... it's ethereal and entrancing... the melodies sink into your subconscious and weave themselves into your mind matter. The wiki mentions something about "mouth music"... weird. I don't have to sell this to fans: it's a 18 track comp of their prime years (1982-90) pressed in deluxe 4AD packaging. So if you ditched you're CD collection, this might be a nice re-entry. Recommended.

• music label: 4AD

reviewed by: the mgmnt 02/2012

12" companion to Cut Chemist recent afro-breaks mix. He's isolated and edited some of the mix's finest moments into full tracks, and as usual, he looks out for the DJs with additional beat versions... four selections in all. I don't really need to sell you on this, do I? Limited edition orange vinyl. Recommended.

• Music Label: A Stable Sound 2010

reviewed by the mgmnt 10/2010

20-years old and as potent as ever... Here is the 20th Anniversary Edition of Cypress Hill's self-titled debut. The album, available in red vinyl, features audio remastered from the original source tapes, and is a no brainer. Check out the OG Lab review of the Golden Era classic: "There's always the classic records that you know that are the shit, but pass on for the underground single that you say would be great on a mixtape but actually you get sick of in 2 listens and throw it in the back crate. Then when you finally do buy the classic record, you find that it makes your life just that much better. For all you mtv youngins, this album is from the good ole' days when Mr. B-Real, Sen-Dog and Muggs were keepin it solid like Ashford and Simpson. So powerful, it made white-boys think that they looked cool in afros... So powerful, it caused teary-eyed inter-preppie rumbles over the ethics of inhaling weed smoke at my high school... So powerful the ugly mo-fo scored the slut n' butt named Elektra. I think the beats on here are some of the most napped-on (rugged slang) from the golden era. "Pigs", "How I Could Just Kill a Man", "Hand on the Pump", "Real Estate", "Stoned Is the Way of the Walk"... When we get older, this shit will be like the White Album was to our parents." Recommended.

• music label: Get On Down

reviewed by nakinboots 08/2011

Record Store Day Exclusive! Daft Punk's Translucence 10" is easily the coolest looking of the RSD releases. The duo teamed up with Disney Records to release 4 tracks from the Tron soundtrack on pic discs made to resemble the Tron discs from the movie (you know the ones they throw at each other in the arena). Too cool, plus the music is awesome as you'd expect from Bangalter & Homem-Christo. You get the epic theme track "Derezzed," "TRON Legacy," "End of Line" and "Castor" which was previously only available on the special edition bonus CD. Comes in three randomly shipped colors (orange, blue, and yellow - sorry we cannot fulfill any color requests). Act fast 'cuz these are super limited, recommended.

• music label: Disney 2011

reviewed by snackmaster 04/2011

Third installment in Stones Throw's Direct-To-Disc series comes from their resident modern boogie funk expert, Dam-Funk! Dam comes through with Master Blazter, his live band comprised of Computer Jay and J1 (RIP Jovan Coleman), and delivers an amazing set recorded straight to the vinyl as it happened on August 19th, 2011 - no computers, tape or digital gear used at all! This limited vinyl pressing features 6 tracks from the session including "Killdat," "Burn Rubber," the uptempo "It's My Life," "Mirror," "We're Through" with James Pants, and the smoothed out ballad "I Wanna Thank You." Get it on vinyl while it lasts as this will NOT be released on digital or cd formats. Comes in hand-stamped white jackets, recommended. 

• music label: Stones Throw / 2011

reviewed by snackmaster 11/2011

Dam-Funk's long awaited funk opus has landed! Comprising of 29 tracks (spread over 5 volumes!) packaged together in a slick box, Toeachizown is a modern masterwork of the funk ("funk" meaning Boogie, Modern Soul, Electro-funk). The man himself hardly needs an introduction with the string of highly lauded singles and EPs he has released leading to this album (plus his fame has been steadily on the rise with recent remixes for Animal Collective and Cubic Zirconia and cover shots in the FADER). Completely produced with analog synths and vintage drum machines, Dam successfully brings the essence of funk to the masses while fusing it with his own funky swagger on tracks like "Let's Take Off (Far Away)," "LAtrifying," "Love Is Here 2nite," "Fantasy ," and "Keep Lookin 2 The Sky." Of course the heavy G-funk inspired beats bump hard like the title track , "Hood Pass Intact ," "Brookside Park" and "Killdatmuthafucka," while other tracks ride smooth and stay fly like "10 West," "Flying V Ride ," "Burn Straight Thru U," and "Candy Dancin'" with Mark De Clive Lowe on keys. Dam even gets open on the mic and showcases his vocal abilities (not vocoded) on "Come On Outside" and "Searchin 4 Funk's Future." This is one seriously talented dude. Over 2 hours of original music. Don't miss it! Recommended.

• music label: Stones Throw / 2009

reviewed by snackmaster 12/2009

• revised softcover edition with 16 pages of new content
• special pack includes colored 7" vinyl (random color, only 500 pressed)
• side A: Geno Jordan: You're a Peachtree Freak On Peachtree Street (Tom Noble Edit)
• side B: IZ Army: Brainwash (Army of Shadows Edit)
• Chosen by Amazon as the Entertainment Book Of The Year
• Selected by the Village Voice as one of the 10 Best Books of The Year

You might be wondering about the title How To Wreck A Nice Beach and how it relates to that awesome lookin' vocoder on the cover. Well it's actually how the author misheard a vocoder-rendered phrase "HOW TO RECOGNIZE SPEECH," an easy mistake when trying to make sense of this crazy voice altering device! In this book, Dave Tompkins shares the incredible story of the vocoder - from how it was invented (by Bell Labs in 1928) to its usage by the military to guard from eavesdroppers during WW2, all the way to the 70's when it used by musicians and today when it is the ubiquitous voice of pop music. See this unlikely machine pop up in context next to JFK, Kubrick, popular science fiction, Nazis, and of course its musical context from Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Freestyle, Kraftwerk, Egyptian Lover, Cybotron, Afrika Bambaataa, Roger Troutman and Zapp. The history of the electronic voice (talk boxes, auto-tune, and even artifical larynges are covered as well) is traced in fascinating detail with tons of awesome photos & illustrations and entertaining personal anecdotes. I actually had the pleasure of sitting in on an interview with Dave Tompkins the other night (for the Mad Decent podcast) and let me tell you - this guy knows his stuff! 350  pages. Highly Recommended.

First time vinyl reissue of Deerhoof's 2004 album on the occasion of their latest album Deerhoof vs. Evil. The 11 tracks are conceptually based on the namesake character featured on the cover. From what I gather, the character is a psychotic milk man that lures beings into his fantasy world. Whatever the story, this album bursts with Deerhoof's typical volume, zeal, and creativity. Check the title track, "Desaparecere, C, Milking, Dream Wanderer's Tune," and "Song Of Sorn." Limited pressing of 1000 on colored 180g vinyl. 

• music label: Polyvinyl 

reviewed by the mgmnt 07/2011

DFA's second label comp nearly triples the first with this 3 disc set packaged in a box sleeve (very nice design). The first two discs feature songs from your favorite DFA 12"s plus unreleased material from LCD Soundsystem, Juan Maclean, Rapture, Delia Gonzalez, Pixeltan, Black Dice, and Joy. Rarities include an unreleased Liquid Liquid track, and promo-only Rapture tracks. The third disc is a mixed version by Tim Goldsworthy and Tim Sweeney featuring 9 tracks drawn from the first two discs, plus 3 additional tracks. This has got kool X-Mas present written all over it.

• music label: DFA / 2004

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2005

In the world of disco, it's seldom that you'll find an artist like Arthur Russell.  Here's a little background on this leftfield disco master: He studied cello, then Indian Music at the Ali Akbar Khan School in SF, accompanied legendary beat poets like Allen Ginsberg, worked with large bands with musicians like David Byrne, and went to produce some of disco's finest works. In 1979, he produced one of Sire Records' first hits, Dinosaur's "Kiss Me Again," along with Loose Joint's "Is It All Over My Face?" before starting his own label, Sleeping Bag Records. Twenty years after its initial vinyl release, Dinosaur L's avant-disco album 24 --> 24 Music gets the deluxe reissue treatment as a deluxe four-LP box set. It's a pristine repress of their first album, as well as a collection of Russell's other works for Sleeping Bag and captures all the creativity and energy of Russell's earliest works with dance music. Listen to "Clean On Your Bean #1" and hear how modern the production is. The reverbed slap bass intro, the new wave horns, the eerie chords, and the addictively strange hook is the envy of many producers today. The line in his hit "Go Bang! (Thank You Arthur Edit)" summarizes the energy of the early 80's disco/new wave scene, "I wanna see all my friends at once, I'll do anything to get a chance to Go Bang! I wanna Go Bang!" Pure genius. Also check his more experimental jams "#7," "#3 (in The Corn Belt)," for a taste of his wilder side. Also includes the "#5 Go Bang! (Francois K Mix) and "In The Corn Belt (Larry Levan Mix)" where you have two key NY DJ's giving their unique versions. There's more to be had once you've worked your way through the Dinosaur L material. Russell recorded and produced under a plethora of aliases for Sleeping Bag. One of his projects with the legendary Nicky Siano, Felix, gets represented with two versions of their killer "You Can't Hold Me Down," as well as "Tiger Stripes." And Russell's own Indian Ocean sees a proper vinyl pressing of "School Bell / Treehous," the first time since its original release in 1986. Each of the four 12"s is housed in its own LP sleeve, within a hand pulled, screen printed outer box. Liner notes come courtesy of Tim Lawrence (Russell biographer and author of the acclaimed disco history Love Saves The Day) and there are previously unpublished photographs by Janette Beckman. Pretty much a must have for any fan. Highly recommended. 

• music label: Sleeping Bag

reviewed by The Voice 10/2011

Ultra-rare DJ promo pressing (MW 063 DJ). Single sided. Limited stock.

• music label: Mo Wax / 1996

reviewed by the mgmnt 01/2009

Original MoWax deadstock copies (MW 058). Limited stock.

• music label: Mo Wax / 1996

reviewed by the mgmnt 01/2009

It's a match made in disco heaven. P&P Records is synonymous with the original disco sound (of Harlem to be exact), and who better to dig through the archives and compile and mix the best jams from their massive catalog? The one and only DJ Spinna! Ya'll should be familiar with Spinna's undeniable talent as a selector behind the decks, and this release is even more proof of the skills. For the mix version, Spinna runs through 21 P&P joints - from soulful groovers, uptempo movers, to disco breaks galore - all mixed and cut up to perfection. Seriously, this is how you do a disco mix people! Contains tracks from Cloud One, Ahzz, Karisma, Little Scotty, Queen Yahna, Louise Murray, Mary Clark, Marta Acuna, Golden Flamingo Orchestra, and many more. The double LP version contains 8 unmixed, full length versions of tracks from the mix that also happen to be some of the rarest P&P cuts from the catalog (check the insane unheard funk of the Michael Campbell and High Voltage joints, or the smooth chillout grooves of Cloud One). And if that wasn't enough, it's pressed up on bright pink vinyl! Disco heads will not want to miss this, recommended.

• music label: Five Day Weekend 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 04/2012

The first and only single from Dominatrix, now on hot pink 7" vinyl. "The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight" was an experiment in synth-pop from Stuart Argabright (of Ike Yard / Black Rain fame) along producer Ken Lockie, vocalist Claudia Summers and keyboardist Peter Baumann (of Tangerine Dream!) released on Arthur Baker's Streetwise imprint back in 1984. Aside from being considered one of the first "Freestyle" records to achieve mainstream success, the track also crossed over to many underground NYC scenes - from B-boy circles to bondage circles - no easy feat by any means! Today the track still gets love on the dancefloor in almost any kind of set with its catchy hooks, bullet proof drum programming, and freaky, poppy synths. Features the uber-rare "Beat Me Sratch Me Scratch Me Beat Me" Mix by Kool DJ Red Alert on the flip (previously only available on hard-to-find UK and German 7" pressings). Recommended.

• music label: Get On Down 2012

reviewed by TKB 05/2012

How long has it been since we first got wind of Doom x Ghostface collabo? It finally happens, and the duo's first official release, "Victory Laps(1)," is out on limited-edition pic disc with Serato control tone on the flip. Madlib's remix(2) of the song was previously available as a part of the Doom x Akomplice boxset (on red cassette), and this 12" contains instrumentals to both versions. Act fast, highly recommended.

• music label: Serato Pressings 2011

reviewed by nakinboots 11/2011

Bitches ain't shit but hos and tricks, lick on the nuts and suck the dick. Ahhh, quality shit. My earliest memory of this record was when Dr. Dre was on the Arsenio Hall show (woof! woof!) and performed G Thang. It was the world's introduction to the new G-Funk sound and a young skinny, almost goofy lookin Snoop. For those who have forgotten, let me recount side A. Intro, Dre Day, Let Me Ride, The Day the Niggaz Took Over, Nuthin But A "G" Thang, Deez Nuuuts!!! Easily one of the hypest sides ever with a production sound that has yet to be matched, even by the doctor himself. Got to give a shout to my friend Shwan on this one, cause we used to roll in his gold stick shift Mercedes with the car phone with the cord, and blast this shit and pretend we were hard. Classic like fruit roll ups at lunch.

• music label: Death Row 1992

reviewed by the mgmnt 07/2008

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

Eli Escobar returns to Money Lotion for a stunning set of disco edits guaranteed to work the floor and make 'em sweat! Lab already heads know Eli is deep with the disco and house selections, and here the respected NY dj showcases his sharp editing skills starting off with an excellent edit of Pockets' "Come Go With Me." The intro gets extended with some nice production tactics for easy mixing and builds up smoothly into those beautiful, uplifting vocals. Already worth it for this one alone, but there's more! On the flip, Eli tackles Colonel Abrahams '85 club classic "Trapped," flipping the arrangement for maximum club impact while his edit of Loleatta Holloway's "Catch Me On The Rebound" turns up the tempo to set the floor on FIRE. Super limited edition of  500 in custom handscreened covers designed by PH. Recommended!

• music label: Money Studies / 2010

reviewed by snackmaster 04/2010

Remastered reissue of Elliott Smith's 1994 debut LP. Roman Candle was recorded on a 4 track recorder in teh basement of Smith's girlfriend, and was initially intended to be a 7" release.  However, once the folks over at Cavity Search Records heard the tracks they knew that they had something special and so they decided to release it in its entirety.  The original sound on the record was pretty lo-fi, but this remastered version has some pretty clear sound, more comparable to the releases that came later in Smith's solo career. I'm sure there's some die hards out there that'll turn their nose up at the cleaner mastering, but if you're an Elliott Smith fan you owe it to yourself to hear this. 9 tracks total on quality 180g vinyl, packaged in a pic sleeve with lyric sheet. BONUS: Each copy of this LP includes a coupon redeemable for a free, high-quality download of the entire album from the Kill Rockstars website.

• music label: Kill Rock Stars / 2010

reviewed by the mgmnt 07/2010

Recalling his first encounter with Fela Kuti's music, ?uestlove, the curator of this 6-LP boxset, mentions how delighted he was to discover such "rhythmically funky" African music. Further, in reference to the first Fela song he heard, "Sorrow Tears & Blood," ?questo is amazed at how intertwined the afro-beat master's life was with his music, something akin to the story of hip-hop. The Roots drummer goes to to accept and embrace the influence of Kuti's sound in hip-hop, soul, and r&b, and as he cites specifics - "whether it's his melodic structure, the counter guitar parts clashing against each other, the syncopated slow rhythm, the strong horns" - he explains why he chose Expensive Shit, Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense, Beats Of No Nation, Sorrow, Tears & Blood, Fear Not For Man, and Everything Scatter for this boxset; because they contain songs that were sampled and covered most. If you're unfamiliar with Fela Kuti's music, this release is the perfect place to start, and for fans and collectors, this is an opportunity to own some of the Afro-beat records in a well packaged set. Contains 1986 concert poster, color booklet with detailed liner notes, lyrics, and photos. Recommended.

• music label: Knitting Factory

reviewed by nakinboots 03/2011

Record Store Day Exclusive from UK indie rock outfit Florence & The Machine. They went ahead and pressed up the anthemic single "Shake It Out" back to back with a punchy downbeat remix full of tweaked vocals from Canadian singer/producer The Weeknd on this sweet little 45. Comes in full pic sleeve, limited to 3000 copies.

• music label: Fairfax Recordings 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 04/2012

Here's where it started, the debut album from Steven Ellison aka Flying Lotus, back in print on splatter grey vinyl! Before blowing up on Warp or running his Brainfeeder label, we already had a feeling that Flylo was destined for big tings. Check our original review from 2006: Out here in LA, this Flying Lotus guy has been receiving a lot of hand to hand, word of mouth type hype. I don't even keep up with this kind of stuff, but his name has been in the right conversations for a minute. You know something's got to be pretty good when people are saying "Stones Throw intern" and "you need to check this out" in the same breath. His sound basically fits in with the whole Los Angeles underground future soul thing (SIC, Sa-Ra, Dilla, PPP, Ubiquity sound, etc), but taking it even more into the cosmic mind feckery through instrumentals like "1983." I like where this is going; no half stepping on the outer space ish with this guy. Strap in, float around, talk to Hal, cause there's 10 tracks of this stuff. "Pet Monster Shotglass" is one of my favorites, if nothing else for onomatopoeia of it (sounds like a drunken little buddy from the muppets). Aside from the space shit, Brazilian influence pops up more than once, sometimes only in name, like "Orbit Brazil," and later in style with "Unexpected Delight" featuring Laura Darlington on some very pretty vocals. This is one of those records that can kind of be whatever you want it to; pay attention and get lost in the subtle complexity of his wrap around sound (z o n e o u t), or just leave it on in the back and get some work done. Includes a Daedelus remix of "1983," and I guess I should mention that he descends from the Coltrane line. Recommended.

• music label: Plug Research 2011

reviewed by the mgmnt 2006

This digger / jazzhead favorite gets reissued for the first time on vinyl by Light In The Attic (on a roll recently). In this reissue, the label stayed true to the Impulse high design ethos, with the original heavy gatefold cover, additional Downbeat linear notes, and sparkling 180g vinyl. Diplo was the first one to tip me off to this international gem, so we'll refer to his original Record Check review:

"In the country of Hungary, they still have traveing Gypsies snd shit. The go around on Vespas and play sitars now, but they are still all about the free spirited musicianship and mack mode, as Gabor demonstrates. It is the kind of music that sll the hot English girls that over did the mascara had sex to in the sixties. Just cool type shit. Like you gotta be sitting in a cafe' with a goatee and a sunglasses on to really feel the effects. Gabor has some very listenable records on Impulse. I love his stuff, very melodic with his hungarian ethnic music steeze coming though somehow. He is usually playing guitar real well, but here he picks up the sitar and can't stop getting loose. This record is a jazz dance super sitar Bernard Purdie on drums type record, with a bunch of spiritual Krishna song titles. I ate Krishna food at a rainbow gathering once so I can bob my head to this record and Rasa on the regular. You don't even know rock and roll until you have heard "Paint it Black" on a sitar."

• Music Label: Light In The Attic 1967/2010

reviewed by the mgmnt 08/2010

In 1977 Gary Wilson famously released a uniquely bizarre and personal album titled You Think You Really Know Me, full of electro-funk, proto-new wave, noise collage, and avant-garde jazz. Despite the fact that the album's fans included Beck, Questlove from The Roots, Simpsons creator Matt Groening, and Stones Throws' Peanut Butter Wolf, widespread fame and notoriety eluded Gary Wison until the 2002 re-release of his debut album. Soon after media outlets like Pitchfork, The Village Voice, and The New York Times were talking about the lecherous outsider artist, remarkable as much for his idiosyncrasies and DIY aesthetic as his edgy and creative music. More than the perverted musings of a peeping tom, Gary's music is an honest reflection of ourselves - at least of that part of ourselves that loved our childhood pets more than we loved our parents, that worried if we'd ever make it to second base, or that really knows how often we floss. Equal parts Prince and Pee Wee Herman, Joe Jackson and Charlie Brown, Gary's songs celebrate our inner ickiness, silliness and grooviness, the romance and randiness of born-losers from Endicott or Anywhere. Rather than alienating us with their creepiness, his lyrics and melodies ultimately make us feel more comfortable being who we are....more comfortable being human. Like ignoring the downfall and ruin of your hometown or clinging to the rotting corpse of your prom date that you've been keeping in your closet, on Electric Endicott Gary makes a choice, as many of us often do, to inhabit and mythologize, a time and place where he was the king or the charming jester, and Karen, Mary, and Linda were his fair princesses. 15 tracks pressed on 180g vinyl with deluxe gatefold pic sleeve. Also includes a download card for a free copy of the album in high quality digital format.

• music label: Western Vinyl 2011

reviewed by: Western Vinyl 02/2011