Key Restocks

From the same people that brought you the hugely popular Psych Funk 101 comes this master class for those entranced by the funky, heavy psychedelic wonders of the Tropicalia movement and all that it spawned. But as compiler Joel Stones writes in his liner notes: "You won't find Os Mutantes or their maestro Rogerio Duprat on this compilation. There is a reason that the records contained here have never been reissued. Even though you will recognize some of the labels contained here... believe me when I write this: some of the rarest, and best, examples of fuzzy, funky Brazilian psychedelia came out as promo-only 7" records on these labels." Each song contained on this album has never been reissued, and has been restored from the best source possible and remastered for near-perfect sound quality. The 48 page full color booklet contains a wealth of imagery and detailed annotation and liner notes in both English and Portuguese. Artists include Celio Balona, Loyce E Os Gnomes, The Youngsters, Serguei, Fabio, Tony E Som Colorido, 14 Bis, Banda De 7 Legues, Ton E Sergio, Ely, Com Os Falcoes Reais, Marisa Rossi, The Pops, Loyce E Os Gnomes, Piry and Mac Rybell. In addition this enhanced CD, features the documentary What Are Fuzz Bananas?. Highly recommended.

• music label: Tropicalia In Furs / 2010

reviewed by the mgmnt 02/2010

The highly-anticipated new album from LA-based producer Flying Lotus is here! Since emerging on the scene with 1983 in 2006, then breaking ground on Warp Records with Los Angeles in 2008, Steven Ellison (aka Flying Lotus) has become a beacon for the new school beats movement. His influential Brainfeeder label is constantly pushing boundaries with eclectic, forward-thinking releases that shape and mold the scene, while his own work continues to evolve and grow exponentially. Now with Until The Quiet Comes, his fourth full length album, Flying Lotus delivers his most realized and coherent piece to date. Whereas Cosmogramma took us to the farthest reaches of the galaxy and beyond, Until The Quiet Comes brings us back to earth with a very personal and introspective sound rooted in cosmic jazz as much as it is in beats. From the opening notes of "All In," you can already tell you are in for something special. Lush arrangements and free flowing melodies seem to come natural for Flylo with nothing ever seeming rushed or forced ("Until The Colours Come, "Only If You Wanna"). Then come the heavy bump of the beats that work as a perfect counter balance to the mystic vibes ("Until The Quiet Comes," "Getting There," "The Nightcaller," "Tiny Tortures"). Of course Flying Lotus also gets a little help from his friends to fully realize this cosmic vision. Check the A-list guest appearances from Erykah Badu on "See Thru To U," Thom Yorke on "Electric Candyman," as well as Thundercat on "DMT Song," and Laura Darlington on "Phantasm." 18 tracks in all with free download card included. This is the limited Collector's Edition version pressed on double 180g vinyl, with full color inner sleeves and info sheet housed in hardcover gatefold style sleeve with tipped-on cover image. Highly Recommended.

• music label: Warp 2012

reviewed by TKB 10/2012

Four releases deep and Caribou's Jiaolong label is quickly achieving "must buy (without listening first) status" (along Four Tet's Text label). This release sees Les Sins (aka Toro Y Moi) dropping two tracks of high caliber bastard house. Drawing from Chicago traditions and new school electronica, Toro Y Moi ultimately gears these tracks for the dancefloor. Like all Jiaolong releases, expect these to go quick (and never come back). Recommended.

• music label: Jiaolong 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 10/2012

Incredible live recordings from the godfathers of electronic music. This limited edition vinyl features two very different, but equally genius sides of Kraftwerk that need to be heard (especially if you missed out on their recent live shows in NY). "Live in Paris 1976" showcases the softer, more melodic side of Kraftwerk with the two part "Kometenmelodie." Fans of ambient and kosmische soundscapes will freak over these (I know I did), while "Live in Utrecht 1981" gives us the the electro sound that Kraftwerk is best known for. Many classics like "Numbers, Computer World, Pocket Calculator, The Model" and others can be heard here in live form, complete with erupting crowd cheers in between each song. Heavy import pressing on grey vinyl, housed in clear plastic sleeve. Recommended.

• music label: B13 2012

reviewed by TKB 10/2012

For the past 2 years MF DOOM has been living in exile in London. After touring Europe in 2010 he ran into visa issues and was extradited to the place of his birth. This has probably put a damper on the completion of releases like Madvillainy 2 and kept DOOM away from family and friends. Fortunately the seasoned MC is resilient and has proven to be adaptable no matter what life throws at him. With Key To The Kuffs he's picked up the pieces, engaged his ever present sense of humor and given us a snapshot of the cult figure in exile. And with the collaboration of producer Jneiro Jarel he taps into some as yet unseen facets of the Metal Face Villain. The album may be absent from an overarching theme that we've seen on previous releases, but the MC and producer work well together. Jarel takes the opportunity to rein in the tendency to create chaotic beats that might be more at home on Brainfeeder. Instead he leaves plenty of space for DOOM to do his thing while still veering in to off-kilter weirdness from time to time. The real star of the show here is DOOM though. It feels as if this is the first time he's gotten the chance to spit some verses in awhile. He's on point and has more than enough to say, whether it's talking about Frankenfoods, his banishment from the US or referencing the 2010 Icelandic volcano eruption. His vocab is still fathomless and his voiced packed with grittiness that there are more than a few moments where you'll be pressing rewind. Features appearances by Beth Gibbons (Portishead), Khujo Goodie, Boston Fielder and Damon Albarn. Artwork by Stephen Powers aka ESPO. Recommended.

• Music Label: Lex Records 2012

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 09/2012

The Biz Never Sleeps on pic disc for the first time, just in time for Record Store Day! 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 deluxe reissue also includes a bonus musical post card that plays Biz's classic hit "Just a Friend" that actually plays on a turntable. How cool is that?! Recommended.

• music label: Traffic 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 03/2012

This is how you do a re-issue. Ol' Dirty Bastard's Return To The 36 Cahmbers receives the "Dirty Version" treatment, which means a lot of extras in addition to the classic album. First of all, here is the original review of Return To: "The One Man Army Ason has become one of the most misunderstood and maligned artists of our time. All you got to do is give the man a chance cuz he's one of the most human mcs out there. Some people just don't understand the beauty of two straight minutes of making that croaking noise with your throat. Live and uncut when you feel the earth tremble beneath your balls. For real though, this album is a slept on classic like a second round draft pick steal. RZA's production is untouchable on here matching the Dirty style perfectly with the two singles "Brooklyn Zoo" and "Shimmy Shimmy," plus "Hippa to the Hoppa," "Baby C'mon," "The Stomp" and of course everybody's favorite: "Rawhide" with Meth and Raekwon. ODB is for the Children." Now to the other content, the pack includes disc two, which includes various remixes as well as instrumental versions of the tracks on the full-length. The two cds come housed in a custom deluded bill fold wallet, which includes a promotional sticker and a LAMINATED FOOD STAMP CARD! You'll also find a vintage "On Tour" poster and a booklet featuring extended artwork, liner notes, milestones and accolades. Highly recommended.

• music label: Get On Down

reviewed by nakinboots 11/2011

Italo synth-pop classic repressed! This is Mr. Robotnick's most famous album containing his biggest hit "Problems D'Amour" which has been moving dance floors for decades now. The rest of the album doesn't slouch either with other gems including "Dance Boy Dance," and "Hola Macci Kola." Super clean pressing on 180g vinyl, with hand numbered pic sleeves - limited to 500 copies. Considering that this came out in 1984 and he's still doing remixes for people today( including Fool's Gold), I'd say that's pretty damn influential! Do yourself a favor and pick this up while it lasts. Highly Recommended.

• music label: Medical Records 2012

reviewed by Cmish

The third in the popular Disco Not Disco series originally came out on CD years ago and finally gets released on double vinyl! All sorts of leftfield disco rarites, post punk gems, and obscure electro classics get compiled here by Bill Brewster, the co-author of "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life." If you've never read his book, it puts NY's disco boom under a powerful microscope, detailing the makings of the phenomenon. And of course, when you have a new breed of anything, you know there'll be many imitators and mutations. That's just nature of the beast, especially in NYC and thus a sound developed that is "Disco Not Disco." The bands that combine post punk, electro and disco are in the spotlight here, and Brewster's selections frame the spirit of the era so well. For some prime samples, check Delta 5's "Mind Your Own Business," Shriekback's "My Spine Is The Bassline," James White & The Blacks' "Contort Yourself - August Darrell Mix," Kazino's "Binary," Liasons Dangereuses' "Los Ninos Del Parque" and Maximum Joy's "Silent Street / Silent Dub." Driving rhythms, strong vocals, propulsive basslines and stimulating synths can be found of most of these tracks and that's always a recipe for excitement on the dancefloor! Also includes the underground Detroit classic "Sharevari" from A Number Of Names and the Factory records jam "Love Tempo" by Quando Quango! 10 tracks total spread over 2LPs, Recommended.

• music label: Strut 2012

reviewed by Cmish

As Lab customers, you know that when major label compilations advertise themselves as "rare grooves," it's not always true. That is most definitely not the case here. I don't even know where to start with this one. Here's the story: Rhino recently released a 4CD box set with an insane number of rare soul and funk tracks from the vaults of the Atlantic, Atco, Josie & Warner labels. What we have here is the companion set: a super limited edition (5,000 copies worldwide!) custom boxed set featuring 25 of the rarest tracks from the compilation, remastered and pressed in their original 7" formats, complete with their original B-sides. This thing is done proper, with reproduction sleeves and stickers just like the originals, but without the ridiculous price tags. At record shows or on eBay, you could expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $100 for mint copies of these 45s (with the majority here landing in the $20-$40 range), so while the price tag may look intimidating at first, it's actually a true bargain. Not to mention the music itself! Though you may know some of the names here already (The Commodores, Wilson Pickett, Little Richard, The Meters), the tracks selected for the big name artists are certainly not the most obvious or popular in their catalogs. This ain't no best-of. To dissect this thing further would take a very, very long time, but some of the highlights include: Funkadelic axeman Eddie Hazel with a stunning cover of The Mamas & The Papas' "California Dreamin'," The Gaturs' sunny "Cold Bear," Tony Alvon & The Belairs' blaxploitation soundtrack joint "Sexy Coffee Pot," Titus Turner's "His Funeral, My Trial" and The Beginning of the End's classic "Funky Nassau," parts 1 and 2. Comes in a custom-made 45 box with a handle and locking metal hinge. 

• music label: Rhino / 2006

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red 11/2006

Ah, the picture comes together. From Stones Throw: "When Madlib launched his Madlib Medicine Show last year, the original idea was simple: twelve releases, one per month, alternating between original works and mixtapes spanning dierent genres. It took a little longer than planned to hit number 12 - so we ordered up a bonus, number 13 - and, since we figured that there might be some new converts to the fold, we decided to package all 13 albums together. We call this collection The Brick. The Madlib Medicine Show Series is a combination of Madlib's new hip-hop productions, remixes, beat tapes, and jazz, as well as mixtapes of funk, soul, Brazilian, psych, jazz and other undefined forms of music from the Beat Konducta's 4-ton stack of vinyl." In summation: you get all 12 Medicine Show CDs plus a bonus 13th CD, individually packaged and shrinkwrapped together into a "brick". Recommended.

• music label: Stones Throw 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 03/2012

Max Tannone delivers once again. With Kweli and Mos Dub reaching "classic" status among heads, the NY producer releases Ghostfunk, a "mashup" album pairing Ghostface Killah (and few other Wu mcs like Raekwon and Cappadonna)'s verses with vintage Afrian funk, high-life, and psych rock instrumentals. As with his previous projects, the production value is top notch; not off-key or forced at any point, each track sounds original and natural as if it was an album/official cut. Check out "Mighty Agho" ("Mighty Healthy" over "Agho" from Sir Victor Uwaifo), "Make It N.Y." ("New York" over "Make It Fast, Make It Slow" from Rob Kanda"), "Danger 500" ("Daytona 500" over "Danger" from Lijadu Sisters), "Breakthrough Kids" ("Apollo Kids" over "Breakthrough" from The Funkees), and "Funky Criminology" ("Criminology" over "Mondo Soul Funky" from Ebo Taylor Jr.). Recommended.

• music label: Ghostfunk

reviewed by nakinboots 11/2011

No act was more synonymous with the burgeoning downtown NY music scene of the early 80s than Mantronix. The duo of DJ/producer Kurtis Mantronik and rapper MC Tee won club kids over with their 808 beats, esoteric scratching and synthetic sound. With "Fresh Is The Word" they distilled the electro of "Planet Rock" and lyrical agility of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five. Their independently released Mantronix: The Album came out in 1985 on Arthur Russell and William Socolov's Sleeping Bag Records. At the same time Mantronik was performing A&R duties for the label and producing artists like T La Rock, Just-Ice and Tricky Tee. With King Of The Beats: Anthology 1985 - 1988 Traffic has done the hard work of compiling some of the best material that Kurtis Mantronik produced before moving away from hip hop. The Mantronik sound of this period was heavy on the drum machine with samples used more as accents than anything else. The drum programming behind T La Rock's "Bass Machine" sounds like the blue print for southern hip hop. Mantronix's music has been sampled by artists as diverse as the Beastie Boys, De La Soul, The Prodigy, and Beck. And you know that all that they were after were the drums. Limited pressing on red and white vinyl.

• Music Label: Traffic Entertainment Group 2012

reviewed by The Voice 08/2012

To mark their 20 years of existence, Thrill Jockey is going back in their catalog to reissue many of its classics. Tortoise's debut album from 1994 has long deserved a repress (last vinyl one was in 1996) and gets the deluxe, remastered treatment housed in a silkscreened chipboard cover. I always had a softspot for this album cause it proved an alternative to emo-frontmen of the alternative era, and boasted all-star players, abstract album covers, double bass(!), and players rotating instruments. The sound still holds firm today, perfect listening for changing of seasons, strong coffee, and lazy afternoons. Recommended.

• music label: Thrill Jockey 1994 / 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 08/2012

You can forgive Sigur Ros for being hazy on the details of the recording of their sixth album Valtari. It’s either the album they always wanted to make, or the album they almost didn’t make, depending on how you look at it. In 2011, the band started the painstaking forensic task of piecing together a cohesive and magical work from disparate constituent parts. If this sounds unromantic, the results are anything but. Something alchemical occurs when the four members of Sigur Ros are in the room together, and even if Valtari is more a “studio based” album than any of its predecessors (which usually start life as rehearsal room jams), the long hours of experimentation and unsentimental editing have yielded incredibly persuasive results. In English Valtari translates as “steamroller” and there is something right about the title in terms of the process of its creation. The last three tracks of Valtari are like one long slow gorgeous fade out, as the listener, having been softened up by the slightly more “song-y” start to the album, is left with the subtly shifting, deep introspective beauty of the last 24 minutes After that, penultimate track, Valtari is like the far heart of the album; eight minutes that feel like being alone in row boat on a chill day, small irregular waves lapping the wooden hull as a dense fog bank rolls in and ice slowly encases every surface. Below the fathomless green, deep endures.

• music label: XL 2012

reviewed by label 06/2012

Portishead live at the Roseland Ballroom, New York City 1998. They appeared with a full orchestra and performed an amazing show of their gut wrenching classics: "Humming, Cowboys, All Mine, Mysterons, Only You, Half Day Closing, Over, Glory Box, Sour Times, Roads" and "Strangers." A great companion to the two Portishead albums. Deluxe UK pressing, double vinyl.

• music label: Go Beat

reviewed by the mgmnt 12/2011

Instrumental version of Elzhi's Illmatic tribute with all the beats replayed LIVE by Detroit's Will Sessions! Not taking anything away from Elzhi's raps (which are super on-point), but Will Sessions' renditions of these classic beats by Primo, Large Pro, Pete Rock and Q-Tip are just insane and pretty much make the album. The Motor City band has been rocking the live funk for years now (the players are affiliated with Detroit's infamous Funk Night party and record label and have played with everyone from Mayer Hawthorne, Slum village, Black Milk, Phat Kat, etc) and are more than well equipped to rock the funk. On first listen you might even think they are the regular instrumentals, but then the the beat will get extended or flipped and you're like "damn, this is all live!?". DJ Premier himself was even very impressed (see video below)! 10 tracks including "Detroit State of Mind," "Genesis," "One Love," "It Ain't Hard To Tell," "Halftime," etc. plus free download card. Full pic sleeve, pressed on 180g vinyl. Recommended.

• music label: Fat Beats

reviewed by Snackmaster 09/2011

Theo Parrish proves once again why he's one of the top dogs in the Detroit scene. For Sound Signature number 41, Theo represents with two cuts that are equally deep as they are moving. "Feel Free To Be Who You Need To Be" works it out with jackin' percussion and an effected vocal hook that morphs from vocoder to synth melody over the course of the almost 10 minute track. This is the kind of jam to make the dedicated dancefloor citizens lose it to on the floor on the late night tip. "360@1:29on696" showcases Theo's organic production style - at the same time loose and free, while completely coherent, focused and uplifting. Listen and hear why many try and imitate this style.

• music label: Sound Signature 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 05/2012

This one is a must for DJs that spin off of USB sticks and SD cards (or media people always on the move with pics/videos). You already know how easy it is to damage flash devices, and when you're 4-5 hour set for that dream gig is sitting on a few 8, 16, or 32GB drives, key rings are just not the way to go. Constructed of waterproof ballistic nylon, The Magma Digi Stick Case features 4 flexible neoprene USB stick holders, a mesh pocket for SD cards (or business cards, headphone adaptors, etc) as well as a high quality zipper to keep everything secure. Measures 3" x 5" x 1".

Fits most turntables with tonearms that accept screw-in headshells. This includes all SL-1200 models, plus turntables by Stanton, Numark, Vestax, etc.

Face it: drinking and records are two things that just go together. Whether you're blasting the new Hot 97 shit in the sweaty-ass club or lying in bed weeping gently and listening to your scratched up copy of Pink Moon (what?), it's always nice to have a cold brew in your hand. Enter Technics' new headshell replica keychain, which will not only draw stares from dudes who own multiple DMC World Championship DVDs, but also help crack open a cold one for you (and any little filly you might be courting). This thing is heavy duty (literally shit feels like it weighs a pound) and comes attached to a huge keyring, since I guess it's all the rage to have like 50 keys now? (So we can call you the piano man?) Recommended.

Face it: drinking and records are two things that just go together. Whether you're blasting the new Hot 97 shit in the sweaty-ass club or lying in bed weeping gently and listening to your scratched up copy of Pink Moon (what?), it's always nice to have a cold brew in your hand. Enter Technics' new headshell replica keychain, which will not only draw stares from dudes who own multiple DMC World Championship DVDs, but also help crack open a cold one for you (and any little filly you might be courting). This thing is heavy duty (literally - shit feels like it weighs a pound) and comes attached to a huge keyring, since I guess it's all the rage to have like 50 keys now? (So we can call you the piano man?) Recommended.

You know that really impressionable period in your life where you don't really know anything about anything, and you meet a bunch of cool people and they introduce you to a bunch of bands, movies, concepts, etc that you take as gospel, and you're really excited because you look around and are like "this is the golden age of me! Everything is new and exciting!" During this fertile time for me (AKA "college"), I heard the Portishead, Let Us Play!, and Endtroducing albums for the first time and, collectively, they BLEW MY MIND. I admit, this was a corny time for me (snowboarder pants + eyebrow piercing = ugh), but if I hear these albums I'll still bliss out idiotically to them. Fortunately, they're all watersheds of mid/late 90s electronic music production, and have dated well. The full length that established DJ Shadow as "the Jimi Hendrix of the sampler" (what does that even mean) is still an eminently impressive production debut, almost 10 years later. Everyone knows it was made entirely out of samples, but at the core of this album, each track transcends beyond this limitation and becomes something truly new, making it a desert island pick. OK, enough blowjobbing already, here are the songs: "Building Steam With a Grain of Salt" has a crazy drum breakdown, "Number Song" is based off a Metallica sample, "Changeling" is in like 3/7 time, "Midnight In a Perfect World" is a genre-defining masterstroke, and "What Does Your Soul Look Like Pt 1" is the elegant capstone on the whole affair. If you were to ask me if this album is a must-own, I would stamp my fist into an open palm and screech "Yessssss!" 12 tracks total.

• music label: MoWax / 1996

reviewed by the Woodman 11/2005

Back on double vinyl! A daunting task reviewing this record, but here's a try. Not to get all textbook, but 93 Til Infinity is one of finest embodiments of youthful expression. This is the Lebron of hip hop records, a young prize pit bull on a chain link leash. Somehow on this album the producers were able to harness the complete wildness of Souls into 14 coherent hip-hop classics. It's what separates NBA from And 1. Ever hear an early Hiero freestyle? It's one of the baddest things on earth, but freestyles don't make a classic record (just axe Supernat). There was magic in the studio, and it's fitting that the Souls give it up to this magic in the albums title track. "Anything Can Happen" rivals a young Nas in vivid storytelling, but Nas didn't have to coordinate 4 separate voices. That's finesse, and "That's When Ya Lost" is straight fire. Combine "Lost" with "Let Em Know" and "Live and Let Live" and you have one of the most dynamic openings since, hmm... Midnight Marauders? For kicks, throw in equinox apocalypse Del on a track like "Limitations" and see how wild it can get. This review is starting to get sporadically hectic, precisely the opposite of what the Souls did on this one. Excellent quality reissue spread over 2 LPs with pic sleeve.

• music label: Jive 1993 / 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt

Biggies epic triple vinyl follow-up to Ready To Die. Like all of his material from this time, this one has been fairly tough to find lately. Released just weeks after his murder in LA, Life After Death creepily lives up to its name with 24 tracks- a very mixed bag that aimed and connected with all of his fans (rhyme spotters to pop to Stuy hard rocks) at once. Highlights include the Primo produced favorites "10 Crack Commandments" and "Kick In The Door," signature Hahnboy party anthem "I Got A Story To Tell," mega-hits "Mo Money, Mo Problems" and "Hypnotize" and so much more. Some of it came as a shock to me, but after swallowing my high-falutin scruples like a vegan learning to enjoy a Central Park hotdog, I get down with it all- even "Notorious Thugs" with Bone.

• Music Label: Bad Boy Entertainment 1997

reviewed by the mgmnt 08/2005

We're living in the 21st century, and Kanye West is definitely doing something to it. From media frenzies to Twitter rants, the Chicagoan has permanently taken residence in our lives, and most of the time, we don't mind because as a rapper, producer - an artist - he delivers. You've heard the story, how he set up camp in Hawaii and flew in hip-hop's creme de la creme - as well as indie rock and pop names plus Elton John! - to work on new material. And as soon as the first G.O.O.D. Friday tune dropped, we knew <i>My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy</i> was going to be special, and after a few listens, the album far surpasses expectations and is no doubt one of Kanye's finest offerings. "Dark Fantasy," "So Appalled,"  and "Blame Game ," "Gorgeous," and "Hello Of A Life" are creative, meticulous, and genius pieces of work that swiftly move us past West's non-musical shortcomings. Then come "Power," "All Of The Lights," "Devil In A New Dress,""Monster," and "Runaway ," which underscore (again) Kanye's mastery of composing songs that <i>don't</i> sacrifice quality for mass appeal. As you might have read elsewhere, <i>Twisted Fantasy</i> is one of 2010's strongest, something that you'll find yourself going back to year after year.  This is the limited-edition, 3-record version featuring 180g pressing, frameable artwork, and a poster, with fancy tri-fold, red x gold packaging (art direction by Kanye himself). Highly recommended. 

• music label: Roc-A-Fella / 2010

reviewed by nakinboots 12/2010

Nate Dog must be used sparingly, but in proper combination and at lunar eclipse timing, his shit is just right. It's best to do like the video and imagine thick girls sliding down silver poles (Bob Bar Tuesdays) when listening to this song. Between this and the earlier Missin Linx song, ebay bidders set off large coin battles for mediocre David McCallum records. Big party tune. Next Episode Clean, Dirty, Instrumental and Accapella.

• music label: Death Row / 1999

reviewed by the mgmnt 08/2005

17 year old Archy Marshall makes startlingly haunting music as King Krule. From his lyrics - which sound like they were written by someone with many more years under their belt - to his deep and calm delivery there is an inherent sense of tension. The instrumentation of his tunes strikes a warm contrast to the bleak landscape painted by his words. String hits play against simple 808 programming and balmy bass tones on "Bleak Bake." With "The Noose of Jah City" Marshall reaches the most complete realization of his sound. The content is still tortured and painful, but the track has a near pop quality to it. With the beautiful but brief entry of his debut EP one hopes that King Krule gets some more material out there soon.

• music label: True Panther Sounds 2011

reviewed by the Voice 11/2011

Oh yes. Super hype producer of the moment, SXSW must-see artist, and humble MF in general, SBTRKT comes thru with the first single from his acclaimed debut LP release on Young Turks (now finally on vinyl!). The track takes elements of dubstep and electro-pop and fuses them seamlessly with the help of Little Dragon's Yukimi Nagano on vocals. The end result is a no-brainer. Infectious hook, super deep funky bass, and bouncing rhythm, the perfect recipe to party. OVO/Drake (yes, THAT Drake!) on the remix - Recommended.

• music label: Young Turks

reviewed by Cmish 12/2011

Doesn't it seem like it was yesterday that Thingamajawn was coming out on Money Studies? And now the guy's nominated for a Grammy and on TV commercials. They grow up so fast! This CD kind of serves as an early career retrospective, featuring a selection of both early original productions and official remixes that have been released over the last few years. Early cuts like "Newsflash" mingle with productions for other artists (Kano's "Reload It" and, the mother of them all, "Paper Planes") as well as remixes for artists like Hot Chip, CSS and Peter, Bjorn and John. The CD also features a bonus media folder containing MP3s for the other versions of Diplo Riddim (Pantera Os Danadinhos' "Percao" and Vybz Kartel's "Baby"), the Johnny Blaze Remix of "Way More" off of the Florida LP, Diplo's remix of Spoon's "Don't You Evah," as well as the video for "Percao." 15 Tracks total, Recommended.

• music label: Big Dada Recordings 2009

reviewed by Hires

Record Store Day 2012 exclusive! Ahh Empire Records, a fitting reissue for RSD that completes the RSD 2012 soundtrack trilogy. Like Pretty In Pink and Breakfast Club (the other RSD 2012 soundtrack reissues), this is another coming of age flick, only this time it revolves around record store employees in the 90's. That being said the soundtrack has an obvious 90's feel to it with tracks from your favorite alt rock guilty pleasures including The Cranberries, Gin Blossoms, Better Than Ezra, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Cracker, Drill, etc. I believe this is also the first time it has been offered on vinyl (gold see-through even), adding to the nostalgia factor. Limited edition.

• music label: A&M Records 1995/2012

reviewed by Von Bee 04/2012

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

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

This is the first time we've featured our cursive logo on a shirt. The low-key and understated chest logo print in cool mint colorway is designed to grow with your evolving tastes. Printed on super-soft, lightweight tri-blend shirts.

• soft tri-blend shirt
• fitted American Apparel type cut

Limited edition Japan only release from Psychemagik! This one compiles all their previously vinyl-only Heelin' Feelin' Edits on one loaded CD, perfect for the digital DJs sans turntables. The duo has been at the top of the cosmic disco edit game with undeniable jams like "For Your Love," "Ass Nation," "Way Milky," "Boogie Dream," and "Upskirt" that have been rocking floors for a minute now, but this release also includes 2 unreleased cuts that are exclusive to this CD release. Check the sun-drenched "Andalucia" and "Runnin' Pt. 2" - a drum heavy remake of one of Psychmagik's first ever releases. Only 300 pressed so act quick! Recommended.

• music label: Psychemagik 2012

reviewed by TKB 07/2012

It's about time someone did a tribute to Timbaland! And that someone is the Echocentrics, an Austin-based band lead by Grammy award winning producer Adrian Quesada. Fresh off their critically acclaimed debut album Sunshadows, the band returns with live takes on classic Timbo production. It's a funky, latin-tinged affair, that offers a new twist on 5 Timbaland-produced favorites like Jay-Z's "It's Hot," Petey Pablo's "Raise Up," and Tim & Magoo's "Party People." The highlight however, is the bands cover of Aaliyah's "We Need A Resolution" that comes complete with Portugese vocals from Brazilian chanteuse, Tita Lima (instrumental also included). Comes on beautiful colored vinyl with free MP3 download. Recommended.

• music label: Ubiquity 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 07/2012

Proper double vinyl version of Chromatics' Kill For Love. Kill For Love follows up 2010's Night Drive and continues the Chromatics journey into lands of emotive, 80's-inspired rock sounds. Johnny Jewel still handles production duties, and has fine tuned his craft with a careful balance of moody synths, analog drum machines, and melancholy guitars. He's pretty much mastered the sound by now, and with Ruth Radelet adding those smokey, love torn vocals, you've got the perfect soundtrack for a night drive to a secret rendezvous. Highlights include "Lady," "Back From The Grave," "Kill For Love," "These Streets Will Never Look The Same," "Matter Of Time," and "There's A Light Out On The Horizon." Includes 12" x 12" lyric sheet and free download card. Recommended.

• color vinyl note: please note, vinyl color is random: currently ivory and pink are randomly inserted
• music label: Italians Do It Better 2012

reviewed by TKB 09/2012

Deluxe reissue of Chromatics' Night Drive now on limited colored vinyl! This 2010 effort really put Chromatics on the map. The cover of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill(1)" is just an awesome slow burner, while "Healer" and "Tomorrow Is So Far Away" brings the beat to the heat for that extra bump. The killer synthwork from Johnny Jewel paired with Ruth's poetic vocals is seductive and demands multiple listens. And just in case you're not in the mood for words, there's the instrumentals "I Want Your Love" and "Let's Make This A Moment To Remember." Titles sound like Smokey Robinson singles? Not quite, but they are smokey for sure. Also check out "Circled Sun," a hypnotic nu disco track built on subtle layers of guitar, synths, and drums that's full of that after-hours vibe prevalent throughout the album. Double LP, comes with free MP3 download. Highly Recommended.

• music label: Italians Do It Better 2012

reviewed by Cmish

Finally on vinyl! This is the first Com Truise EP from 2010, originally released on AMDISCS as digital-only, but now on shiny, bright blue wax courtesy of Ghostly International. Expect plenty of the retro-synth goodness that Com Truise is known for over 11 tracks loaded with vintage drum machines, shimmery synthesizers, and soundscapes that make you think of beige computers, soft focus lasers and smoke machines. This vinyl reissue features a fresh remaster that bumps better than the original files and it also nearly doubles the tracklist with 4 bonus tracks "Pyragony," "Tripya," "Space Dust," and "Innerfacer." Recommended.

• music label: Ghostly International 2012

reviewed by TKB 07/2012

Debut release from Andres' own freshly minted La Vida label. For those that don't recognize the name, Andres has been killing it for years now as a producer with releases on Moodymann's Mahogani and KDJ imprints to more recently with those MJ reworks on Spills. As DJ Dez, he's also respected as one of Detroit's finest DJ's (he's Slum Village's DJ too) working it behind the decks like no other. So really it should come as no surprise that with his first release on his own label, Andres comes through with that heat! On "New For U," Dez blends soulful strings with a bumping disco house groove to get the party feelin' right. Next up "Drama On The Corner" bumps with deep burning soul loops over tough, steppin' drums, while "Jazz Dance" turns it up one mo 'gin on a feel good jazzy house tip. Detroit represent! Recommended.

• music label: La Vida 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 07/2012

Lab store doods have been sprouting DJ wood over super-duo TNGHT (Hudson Mohawk + Lunice) for a minute now. I must admit it's pretty cool, a great example of a "creative collaboration". Kinda reminds me of old 45rpm rave records played at 33pm (I had this Suburban Base record that I would play at 33 even though it was meant for 45). As a big proponent of negative space, I love all the vacuous pockets on these tracks, just makes the bass POP more. Yeah, this is stoner music at the highest level... put a pillow by the speaker and have that fruity drink within arms reach. Recommended.

• music label: Warp/Luckyme 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 08/2012

Another lost dub gem from the Revolutionaries reissued! The guys at Deeper Knowledge are really hooking up the reggae heads here with an exact repress of Revival Dub taken from the orignal master tapes and housed in hand silkscreened covers (just like the uber-rare originals). This is that OG dub sound, and if you question the heaviness, just take a look at the tracklist - all named after guns! Serious! 10 tracks in all, recommended.

• music label: Deeper Knowledge 2012

reviewed by Natty Professor 08/2012

The definitive MF Doom instrumentals set, period. Special Herbs: The Boxset Vol. 0-9 features the entire 10-volume Special Herbs series - never available on vinyl before - spread over 10 LPs (packaged in metallic silver jackets), and unlike the 3-CD set from a few years ago, the tracks are UNMIXED giving you the chance to enjoy each of the mysterious rapper/producer's creations in its original form. This deluxe boxset also includes a bonus 7" with two more beats from Metal Fingers, as well as an exclusive poster and a download card to get all the cuts in digital format. Needless to say, if you're a fan, you need to act quick. Highly recommended.

• music label: Nature Sounds

reviewed by nakinboots 02/2011

For the most part, growing up in Florida wasn't that great as far as the electronic music scene was concerned. I listened to a lot of Florida breaks / bass and drum & bass until this came out. The album Homework was my first experience with the whole filtered funk house sound. "Da Funk" and "Around the World" were my jams for the longest time. Hearing this stuff led me to finding out about Trouble Men, Le Knight Club, Pepe, Dimitri and other 90's French house producers. Daft Punk was one of those groups that pretty much broke out of the DJ culture scene and into the mainstream like Kenny Dope/Bucketheads with the track "The Bomb." They had videos on MTV. People pretty much forgot about Daft Punk when Discovery came out, even though that might be their best album to date, and now here we are. Do you guys and girls realize that this album is over 10 years old? This is making me feel old now. I was a sophomore in high school when this came out. It's kind of crazy how everyone is getting into house music again now. I guess it's better late than never. With Homework, I wouldn't go so far as to use the word "classic," but I would use the word "standard." This album is a modern house standard. This is not for the kitschy DJ sets. This is real house for real electronic music fans. If you've ever heard "Alive," you already know what I'm talking about. Also, "Teachers," "Burning" and "Revolution 909" have always been slept on jams. Enjoy. P.S. If you have a copy of the 12" single of the live version of "Alive" that came out in 1997, hold on to it. It's one of those records that belongs on your wall. Limited edition 2LP reissue.

• Music Label: Electrospective 2012

reviewed by David Pitts 02/2007

First time vinyl reissue of this 2003 Daft Punk rarities compilation. Over the years Lab heads have been geeking over the Neptunes (where have they gone?) remix of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" and even more so, the almost mythical Slum Village remix of "Aerodynamic." "Digital Love" has always been one of my favorite Daft Punk songs, and I always appreciated how the Boris Dlugosh treats his remix more like a re-edit. 11 more tracks to dig into while we wait for the next Daft Punk tour. Released as part of the Electrospective series. Recommended.

• music label: Virgin 2003 / Electrospective 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 10/2012

Touring for the past year has kept LCD busy, but it didn't stop them from recording a live album on a week's break in London. This Is Happening has earned LCD the credibility as one of the premier bands of the decade; and their 2010 world tour has solidified them as one of the "decade;s best live bands". Putting that reputation to the test, LCD sat down and recorded their first in-studio live recordings. The London Sessions brings the hands-in-the-air sound, humor and thrills of the concert experience to the home listener. The album embraces some older classics ("Daft Punk Is Playing At My House," "All My Friends")  and our favorites ("Drunk Girls," "I Can Change") from This Is Happening, perpetuating the LCD performance and presenting it for the first time to fans with a possible social anxiety disorder. The album was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road and mixed at Plantain Studios, NYC. Recommended. 

• music label: DFA / 2011

reviewed by DFA 05/2011

The long awaited and heavily anticipated debut full length from Alex Frankel and Nick Millhiser better known as Holy Ghost!. And I bet you're wondering if it was worth the wait. After dropping the killer "Hold On" way back in 2007 they quickly became in demand, remixing everyone from Cut Copy and MGMT to Moby. It was easy to see why back then, and this album makes it even easier. From the opener "Do It Again" it's clear that they have spent their time behind the boards honing their craft. There is a ton of surefire dance floor fillers here and the sound does not feel overstuffed with unnecessary bells & whistles. I can easily see most of the tracks being played back live to a room full of head over heels ladies. Holy Ghost! have always seemed to straddle the line between revivalist 80s pop-funk and throw back disco to me. There's touches of Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers as well as Gary Numan and a little "Safety Dance". And speaking of the Doobie Brothers, they even got Michael McDonald to drop guest vocals on one of the songs (Some Children)! With songs like "Wait And See", "It's Not Over" and "Slow Motion" you can bet you'll be hearing a lot of this record for the rest of the summer and beyond. 10 tracks spread over 2LPs, now housed in natural brown covers with 24" x 36" fold-out poster of (pretty much) the entire DFA posse. Recommended.

• music label: DFA 2012
• Vinyl Version is brown cover version
  
• CD Version is white cover version

reviewed by The Voice 08/2011

While his formative years were spent listening to everything from Yes to Photek, Scott Hansen didn't get his hands on an actual guitar or drum machine until he left his native Sacramento for San Francisco in 1995. "Encountering this whole new world at 20 years old was a profound experience," says Hansen, better known by his musical pseudonym Tycho and as the graphic artist ISO50. "At the time, I was just learning the processes of design and music; both felt very similar, and have flowed back and forth for me ever since." As seamless as his two creative outlets have been, nearly a decade passed before the release of Hansen's first proper Tycho LP, Sunrise Projector. And while three striking singles have emerged since then, the sum of all those sepia-toned parts is nowhere near the double-exposed soundscapes of Dive. The product of a prolonged break from IS050's design work and blog, it pays tribute to Tycho's prismatic past (the dense, guitar-guided turning points of "Daydream" and "Adrift") but spends most of its time pointing to the project's not-so-distant future. That can mean any number of things, really, from the halcyon hooks and hopeful horizons of "A Walk" to the expansive, wildly expressive tone poetry of the title track, an eight-minute epic that unfolds like a compressed concept album. Or at the very least, a restless vision of prog-rock - one that's been coated in neon colors and filtered through a thick piece of blotter paper. And then there's "Elegy", a spare curtain closer that pairs a vulnerable crescendo with a fitting bridge to future works. And with that, Dive establishes its position as the most diverse musical statement of Hansen's multi-medium career; the point where his skills as a performer finally catch up with his vaporized vision of a world that doesn't belong to any particular time or place.

• music label: Ghostly International 2011

reviewed by Ghostly 12/2011