Stones Throw

Stones Throw's leading lady is back! It's been a minute since Anika rocked our world with her self-titled debut (produced by none other than Geoff Barrow of Portishead/Beak fame). Now that the dust has settled, Anika emerges once again with another self-titled piece, this time a seductive EP featuring highlights from the album, plus some fantastic new material. Anika's cover of the Kinks "I Go To Sleep" was an instant classic and leads off the EP, followed by new covers of tracks by the Chromatics ("In The City"), The Crystals ("He Hit Me"), and Shocking Blue ("Love Buzz"). Also included are dub versions of previous singles "Yang Yang" and "No One’s There" by Bristol producer Ratman. Pic sleeve, recommended.

• music label: Stones Throw 2013

reviewed by TKB 05/2013

Anika's self titled debut takes me back to when I was first discovering records by groups like ESG and Delta 5. Produced by Portishead's Geoff Barrow, the record does an excellent job of capturing the feel of those No Wave records while simultaneously mining 60s pop. Apparently it was recorded in twelve days, live, with Barrow's current band, Beak. Tracks like "Yang Yang" and "Officer Officer" gravitate towards the punk and dub explorations that were popular at the turn of the 80s. The 60s girl group influence pops up on "Terry" and "I Go to Sleep". One of the standout tunes is "Masters Of War" and its dub version; it's a perfect reverb-drenched ode to our heads of state. The collaboration is political, trashy, dub, punk, funk; a cohesive sound, and an experience in uneasy listening.

• music label: Stones Throw 2010

reviewed by: The Voice 2010

One of the best and most surprising collaborations of 2012 gets a proper 7" release! "Baby" was an obvious highlight off Ariel Pink's Mature Themes, a sweet and sensual cover ballad featuring vocals from Stones Throw boogie maestro Dam-Funk. Check the smooth blend of rock and soul vibes, a perfect jam to rock to with your baby. Flipside features the original 1979 version by Donnie & Joe Emerson which is just as awesome, if not more so. Pressed up on limited edition "baby blue" vinyl as part of Light In The Attic’s 10 year anniversary. Comes in custom LITA juke-box style sleeve in a poly bag with custom die-cut sticker. Recommended.

• music label: Light In The Attic 2013

reviewed by TKB 02/2013

The Ambassador of Boogie Funk returns with four inspired cuts of high grade modern funk. Dam-Funk channels some pretty heavy Prince vibes on "I Don't Wanna Be A Star," his uptempo ode to the music he lives to create. And it's only fitting that he covers Prince's "17 Days." It's one of the most on point Prince covers out there. Dam adds his signature west coast flavor while maintaining the feeling of the original. "Fadin'" and "New Knock" are for the fans that just want that signature Dam-Funk vibe. They each arrive at that point in their own unique fashion, but they're wrapped up in his Ladera Heights haze.

• Music Label: Stones Throw 2012

reviewed by Joey Coco 09/2012

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

If you ever dreamed of taking a time machine to the mid 90s, rocking the mic at some underground show at La Pena in Berkeley and then smoke a bidi, Dave Dub is gonna be your shit! Forced to play shows with stoner metal bands because he was just to far gone for the rest of the hip hop community in San Jose, Dave Dub never really got his due in the 90s. Although there was plenty of communication with the proto-Stones Throw crew Charizma and Peanut Butter Wolf, there was never any official deal, and Dub confined his particular brand of madness to cassette tape only. He disappeared from the scene after 92 and stopped caring about rap entirely. Eventually he headed to Jamaica to ride out Y2K (not a bad idea!) only to return to "San Hopeless." After nearly a decade apart he reunited with his original producer and collaborator, Tape Mastah Steph (who rumor has it that ex-Shipsetian Reals used to be roommates with). Steph convinced Dub to get back on the mic and return to the grit of his roots. The two created The Treatment using the tools they had back in the day - an SP-1200 and a vintage Ensoniq EPS. The results have a definite throwback feel that is reminiscent of the Bay Area underground scene of the 90s. However, Dave Dub's rhymes are more off kilter than the MCs of that era. The beats seem to have been conjured up out of some dark, murky swamp. The psychedelic hip hop of Dave Dub is a trip through the looking glass for any fan the underground West Coast scene.

• Music Label: Stones Throw 2012

reviewed by The Voice 06/2012

Finally, the highly anticipicated mix from the Lab's dirty beat digger Gaslamp Killer! This is his third official mix and I'll have to say, it's a mind ringer. You should know his style by now - dark, swampy funk, with murderous drums and sounds from beyond. Heavy beat brother Kutmah also jumps in on the action, for a straight hour of neck breaking evil breaks. If you're into that late 90's deep funk, eerie Mowax cuts, and spaced out instrumentals, look no further. Tracklist? Sorry, the Killer's M.O. is always a barrage attack, leaving no clues at the scene(I can only name the Flying Lotus and DJ Vadim's Motion Man "Terrorist" instrumental). Definitely something to enjoy while blasted on good headphones. Also, the sick artwork by Shepard Fairey makes GLK look as twisted as ever. Super recommended for the true beat fiend.

reviewed by Cmish 4/08

Unadulterated. First release from the official imprint of the Dilla estate. This single announces the release of an upcoming lost vocal full-length. These two tracks, recorded in early 2000, were produced by Dilla himself and found on 2" tape shortly after his passing in 2006. This first pressing features clear vinyl and the a Jeff Jank / Mason London sleeve with fold-over plastic sleeve (subsequent pressings will be standard). Recommended.

• music label: Pay Jay 2013

reviewed by the mgmnt 04/2013

Rebirth Instrumentals! Double vinyl beats version of Rebirth Of Detroit, a compilation put together by the late great producer's mother, Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey, that paired unheard Jay Dee beats with some of Detroit's finest emcees and musicians. For the most part, these instrumental versions are far superior than the previously released rap versions as they just let the Dilla beats vibe. A great artifact by one of the best that ever did it from the "D". 12 tracks over 2 LPs, housed in gatefold sleeve.

• music label: Ruff Draft Records 2013

reviewed by Von Bee 05/2013

Debut album from The World Famous Beat Junkies co-founder J.Rocc! The accomplished Beat Junkie has accolades for days and is credited with some of the best mixes we've ever carried. And finally, he steps out on his own with a full length of original material, Some Cold Rock Stuf, which is instrumental hip-hop with breaks for days and beats that draw influences from a wide range of electronic, dance, and rock styles. Check "Chasing The Sun" with its dark and melodic tone, or "Stay Fresh" which fuses a shuffling drum break with heavy, ominous bass. "Don't See Your Dream (Tonight)" contains moody psych elements, while "Too Many Clowns" and "Play This" are uptempo cuts that will have drum fiends salivating and b-boys ready to tear the dancefloor up! An impressive outing from one of the best DJ's to ever do it. This release consists of 3 LPs, the album and a mystery disc - with a triple gatefold, double sided poster, and a sticker sheet. 12 tracks, recommended. 

• music label: Stones Throw / 2011

reviewed by nakinboots 04/2011

If you haven't figured out already, J-Rocc mixes are probably the finest in the mixtape game. He's unparalleled when it comes to skills, track selection, and overall listener satisfaction. The Taster's Choice series is rather low budget in production (slim-line with a color-copied covers), but who the hell cares? This is volume one which focuses on Brazilian music. He starts the mix with standards by Sergio Mendes, Cal Tjader, and Jorge Ben. Then with a track labeled simply "Hype Shit" he gets deeper into his collection with Kenyatta, Que 2, Tempo 70, Azymuth, and a track labeled "Classic Shit." The 16 track selection ends with a unlisted 17th track, a belly rumbling boogaloo ending.  Dictated by the music style (and probably the rareness of these records), there's no Beat Junkie trick mixing or blends on this volume, just simple mixes. 60 minutes.

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2006

If you haven't figured out already, J-Rocc mixes are probably the finest in the mixtape game. He's unparalleled when it comes to skills, track selection, and overall listener satisfaction. The Taster's Choice series is rather low budget in production (slim-line with a color-copied covers), but who the hell cares? This is volume three and explores J-Rocc's specialty sweet spot: old school hip-hop and classics. As expected, he absolutely destroys it with mix tricks, blends, and flow. Witness him kill doubles of Chuck Chill Out's "I'm Large" Instrumental (mental note: see if it's available on 12") or listen to him tease out the intros of "Juice" and "The Creator." He then moves into a breaks section starting off with 2 cut and paste classics from Double Dee & Steinski and Cut Chemist & Numark, followed by classics such as "Melting Pot, Let A Woman Be A Man, Tighten Up (a four minute doubled up cover version!), Honey Bee (Wu Tang samples stretched to perfection), DJ Shadow-sampled Buddy Miles break, and finally ending with some mellow comedown tracks (a wicked cover of Sunny and RAMP's "Sunshine"). 17 tracks in all. Recommended.

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2006

J-Rocc's Taster's Choice series is an underground phenomenon, you just may not know it yet. Each volume targets a different genre (previous volumes included Brazilian, classic hip-hop, dance classics etc.); and each genre gets dismantled as J does what only he can do. Number 5 (possibly the final chapter?) in the series focuses on jazz records, and it sounds as if you're sitting in J's room as he masterfully mixes his way through his favorite crates, playing records that you've never even seen before. Dictated by the genre (and probably market value), J keeps the tricky stuff to a minimum and focuses on selection, interesting transitions, and the occasional break blend. 22 tracks, ridiculously deep. Recommended.

reviewed by the mgmnt 08/2007

The return of the Funky President! After a three year hiatus, the Taster's Choice mix series is back sounding fresh as ever with the Live Version #1.3. Once again the resident Beat Junkie/Stones Throw DJ J-Rocc shows us why he's one of the best to ever get down on two turntables, this time focusing on hip-hop styles for the heads. Obviously it is all flawlessly mixed to perfection, with super clean doubles and cutting. No tracklist included, but you can be sure it's all good stuff. 42 tracks, over an hour of music. Recommended.

• music label: Beat Junkie Sound 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 08/2012

Who knew that J-Rocc was into the dark side of the minimal synth world? With Edits Vol. 2 the Beat Junkie takes the razor to 4 tracks from the Minimal Wave catalog. While some may be familiar with the material, one of the best things about this 12" is that it will open more kids' eyes to artists like Deux and Ohama. The tracks have been subtly sliced in order to make mixing them a little smoother, but they are tastefully restrained. J-Rocc avoids the pitfalls of getting too heavy with the edit and looping up sections unnecessarily.

• Music Label: Stones Throw 2012

reviewed by The Voice 08/2012

Get with these official joints straight from the Estate of James Yancey, Pay Jay Productions. Easily one of the most infamous shirts pressed up in Jay Dee's memory. 100% cotton, standard fit.

• 100% cotton
• standard fit

Turn it up! Another incredible collection of Dilla beats released by Mahogani Music (aka Moodymann's label). Lost Tapes, Reels, and More picks up right where 2012's Dillatroit left off and compiles 20(!) Jay Dee beats, many taken from later in Mr. Yancey's career (complete with the signature siren and everything). Not going to highlight any specific tracks this time as pretty much every beat on here is a banger from the get go! Go 'head and click some samples and let the head nodding begin. Definitely a must cop for Dilla fans and beat heads alike. Limited edition pressing, recommended.

• music label: Mahogani Music 2013

reviewed by Von Bee 05/2013

Unreleased Dilla! What more can I say? Not only is Dilla behind the boards on this 10" he takes up mic duties as well. The production is of course on point, but he handles the verbals with equal aplomb. It's vintage material that stands up to the test of time and makes me wonder what else is out there that we have yet to hear. The project is being assembled by long time friend and confident Frank Nitt from Frank N Dank, who has put painstaking attention into maintaining Dilla's vision and energy throughout. This vinyl offering features "DeWitt To Do It" (DeWitt being Dilla's middle name), as well as the return of the Yancey Boys on "The Throwaway" where Dilla's brother Illa J trades verses with Nitt over a vintage Dilla beat.

• music label: Delicious Vinyl 2013

reviewed by Joey Coco 02/2013

2LP reissue of Dilla's lost masterpiece. Available briefly as a vinyl EP back in 2003 on the small German label Mummy, Stones Throw has gone super-deluxe with new packaging and several unreleased tracks. 14 tracks total.

• music label: Stones Throw / 2007

reviewed by the mgmnt 02/2007

Turn it up! Instrumental versions of Dilla's lost masterpiece finally on wax (previously only available on the "Ruff Draft" 2CD set). 10 tracks total, packaged in a plain black sleeve.

• music label: Stones Throw 2007

reviewed by: Snackmaster 06/2007

In one of the biggest stealth moves ever, Jay Dee spent the last decade rising from underground prodigy to deified musical martyr, quietly redefining the sound of hip-hop along the way. The Shining was scheduled as the follow-up to the overlooked at the time/classic in retrospect Welcome 2 Detroit, but as the truncated timing (36 minutes) suggests, BBE and executive producer Karriem Riggins had to piece the project together when Yahweh decided He needed some beats and called Dilla up to the big MPC in the sky. In spite of the circumstances, Riggins has done a good job of making the finished product sound like a coherent album.  The Common/D'Angelo collab "So Far To Go" is about as beautiful a Jay Dee beat as I've heard, definitely some keep-the-instro-on-repeat-and-stare-at-the-clouds shit.  The ladies will also love "Dime Piece," which reuses an old Dwele vocal (from "Angel," I think), but don't get worried, in classic Dilla style, there's some nasty gully grooves to balance the pretty stuff out. Check "Jungle Love" where he swings chains--yes, chains--for the hi-hat, or the brutal instrumental "Body Movin'." Longtime homey Black Thought provides lyrical heat on another crackling beat ("Love Movin'") and Pharoahe Monch finally gets a chance to rip over a Dilla treat on "Love Jones." More beats from the vaults will inevitably be released in years to come, but The Shining is a fitting final chapter to the quiet legend's life.

• music label: BBE / 2006

reviewed by monk 08/2006

Limited edition 12" from Stones Throw containing previously unreleased tracks from Jay Dee's Ruff Draft sessions! While that "vintage material" tag would spell "pass" for other artists, Dilla turns this ish into a double A-side (would you expect anything less?). "Wild" is exactly that - Jay flows over a stuttering, off-kilter beat while a little British kid butchers Quiet Riot's "Cum On Feel The Noize" (correction: Slade wrote it) on the hook (but in a cute way). "Make 'Em NV" appears in a re-mixed and remastered version here, different from how it sounded back in 2003, but it still hits hard. Includes dirty, clean and instrumental versions for both track. Now housed in proper 12" sleeve with screened graphics designed by Jeff Jank.

• music label: Stones Throw 2007

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red 02/2007

The first installment of Karriem Riggins' Alone Together has hit the floor! The jazz drummer and hip-hop producer has worked with artists like Common, Slum Village, Talib Kweli and The Roots, and this collection of beats will show you why. The title Alone Together was taken from a jazz standard written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz that begins with the words, "Alone together, above the crowd." And Riggins firmly plants himself in that space, crafting beats that are uniquely his own. The tracks range from 14 seconds to a little over three minutes, and are the essence of man vs. machine. They stand at the intersection of jazz and hip hop; the jazz that Riggins has been playing professionally since the age of 19 and the beats he's been crafting on MPCs while on tour and at home. Like his longtime friend and fellow Detroit native, J Dilla, he's got beats for every day of the week and more. Recommended.

• Music Label: Stones Throw 2012

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 08/2012

Deadstock find! 18 brand new India-influenced beats make up Volume 4 in Madlib's epic saga. The latest installment in the ongoing Beat Konducta series is exactly what we've come to expect: blunted, half-finished beats and sketches, ranging from :20 to almost 3 minutes(!) in length, all imbued with that unf$%kwithable signature Madlib style. Tracks to check this time around: "Raw Ground Wire," "Club Scene," "Variations," "Smoke Circle," "Another Gateway," "Shah Sound." Recommended.

• music label: Stones Throw 2007

reviewed by Chris Lemon-Red 08/2007

Beat Konducta #6 = the second half of Lib and J.Rocc's heartfelt tribute to their man J.Dilla, and as you might've guessed, uhhh, sh*t is ridiculous. I think on this volume, the genius kicks in around track three - "Lifetime" - and it's a wrap from there. As usual there are 20-something tracks - you could click on pretty much any of them and find something to like, but try these. Check: "Another Bag of Bomb," "Detroit Playaz," "Dillalade Ride," "The Sky," "Another Batch." Then get the whole album, 'cause... damn. Recommended.

• music label: Stones Throw 2008

reviewed by Van Hammersly 12/2008

The final pieces of the Medicine Show finally make it to wax! Filthy Ass Remixes, contains Raw Medicine: Madlib Remixes (#12) and Black Tape (#13), which Stones Throw released earlier on CD. This vinyl was specially made for the Medicine Show Tour, and along with dusty remixes from the mad professor for the likes of Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, AZ, and a slew of other big and small - but on point - emcees, you get ten tracks from the Black Tape. The covers are one-of-a-kind featuring artwork by Jeff Jank and Gustavo Eandi (silk screened by Hit+Run), and the vinyl is limited to 1000 copies only. 21 tracks, total running time is 37 minutes. Highly recommended.

• music label: Stones Throw 2012

reviewed by nakinboots

So cool that this is still around on vinyl. In early 2000, Blue Note invited Madlib to re-imagine its catalog. He put out both a compilation ("Untinted") and this album of reworks and sample-based productions. The result is a perfect blend of Madlib's hip-hop chops and YNQ's jazz thing, definitely one of Madlib's best albums from any alias. Madlib's left-heavy brain is in full effect as the pieces he chooses to sample or re-create are not the ordinary Blue Note bacon and eggs (even the "Song For My Father" is counter-intuitive in its non-hip-hop-ness). I love how he flips "Andrew Hill Break" and tackles something so epic as re-creating "Stepping Into Tomorrow." So many great moments here. Recommended.

• music label: Blue Note 2003

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2013

It's beginning to look like the Madvillainry album just might top Jaylib. If the bootleg that's been floating around didn't confirm it for you, Doom and Madlib's chemistry on this 12" should. The Beat Conductor gets extra dirty on "All Caps," with that chaotic jazz everyone loves him for. As always, Metal Face takes no prisoners with the vocals either: this guy's mind is like an endless wave pool for lyrics. "Curls" relies on some steel drums and loopy organ, a combination that gives the track a "Scooby Doo in the Caribbean" vibe. Although the song is short, Doom's only verse is still full of enough word play to fill an entire Chingy album. The other tracks on here, "The Illest Villains Remix" and "Scene Three" are more like extended intros. Supposedly they won't be included on the album, who knows? They're definitely worth checking out if you're into Madlib's vocal collage productions. As always, instrumentals for both "All Caps" and "Curls" are included, so go ahead and treat yourself.

• music label: Stones Throw

reviewed by Blu Jemz 2005 

Unless Stones Throw gets into porn (Madlib vs. Butt Dentist!), I don't know how they are going follow this up. Without exaggeration, this is one of the greatest meeting of the minds in this whole SP1200 using, dusty records searching, notebook rhyme tagging, state of mind. MF Doom arguably at his amoeba genius prime, mixed with the unpredictable stoned aesthetics of Madlib? Kids in Germany are going crazy over this! Stones Throw has always been soft-spoken and classy in their marketing (which I respect them for), but with this they need to pop in some "boo-ya's!" and "fo dat azz's!!!" Aside from the silliness, I'm here to tell you that this album lives up to the billing, reading like a mesmerizing novel. The inclusion of lyrics in the CD insert (vinyl buyers get it at Stonesthrow.com) is a welcome introduction into the world that is Doom (no more rewinding!); and Madlib, who sometimes is stretched too thin, steps up to this encounter with some of his most textural work. This is X-factor issue #1, you don't know what the hell will happen. Instead of ruining the story, I'll let you explore the audio clips, here are some to nipple at: "Accordion, Raid feat. Medaphoar, America's Most Blunted(3) feat. Quasimoto, Money Folder, Shadows Of Tomorrow Feat. Quas, Operation Lifesaver Aka Mind Test, Figaro, All Caps, Curls" and "Rhinestone Cowboy."

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2005

• 22 tracks in all
• label: Stones Throw

Now with pic sleeve! Madlib steeze. Complete instrumentals from Madvillainy album pressed on double vinyl. Let the music do the talking. Check: "Accordion", "Meat Grinder", "Raid", "America's Most Blunted", "Curls", and my personal favorite "Figaro".

• music label: Stones Throw

reviewed by the mgmnt 01/2012

Limited edition reissue of Mayer's major label debut, now on 7" vinyl! This How Do You Do? boxset features the whole album spread across 12 individual 45's, each with the instrumental version (previously unreleased) on the flip and housed in its own pic sleeve. What's more is the all the covers connect within the included plastic display sheet to create a 4 x 3 mosaic! How cool is that?! The whole thing comes neatly packaged in an individually numbered, black on black hard case. Here's what we said about How Do You Do? upon its original release in 2011: After the critically acclaimed A Strange Arrangement, Mayer Hawthorne releases another modern soul/r&b masterpiece.How Do You Do? is a more polished and mature effort, where the Detroit artist explores more of the retro sounds that made him a phenomenon, with a glossy, modern touch. "Finally Falling" is a fun, more uptempo piece of pop-soul with an addictive hook, "Dreaming" showcases a similar lighthearted approach. "The Walk," with its 60s-inspired backing vocals, awesome horn stabs, and funny lyrics, is Mayer doing what he does best, and "Hooked," a Motown-inspired cut, is another standout. "No Strings," the warm, bubbly lead single produced by the Classixx, rounds out the album, which from the start to end is full of honest, achy, and feel-good moments that'll force you to keep pressing play. Limited edition of 2013, recommended.

• music label: Universal 2013

reviewed by nakinboots 10/2011

Stones Throw alpha operator Peanut Butter Wolf and Minimal Wave Records grande dame Veronica Vasicka partner once again for the second volume of the Minimal Wave Tapes series, an exploration of finely collected DIY, underground electronic music. The diligent research put in here offers to the rest of us previously private or limited releases and, while the sounds comingle with industrial, punk, disco genres, these songs have a stark and bold uniqueness, perhaps attributed to their lower fidelities and amateur genuineness, but mostly to say: the synths, the vocals, the drum machines, etc. on this record just aren't like others you've heard. Contemporary artists such as Los Angeles' Geneva Jacuzzi and technoid globetrotter Felix Kubin share space with tracks from second timers Das Ding and Ohama. Darker and edgier still than the first, a must-have for anyone who enjoys the outskirts of electronic music. Highlights: the grainy synth-driven pop march of In Aeternam Vale's "Annie" (certainly a point of reference for bands like Stereolab and Broadcast), and Hard Corps' hard hitting crowd-stirrer "Dirty".

• music label: Stones Throw 2012

reviewed by A. Tomorrow 02/2012

An absolutely stunning anthology of beat-heavy soul jams and love ballads from Now-Again, the same folks that brought you that awesome Soul Cal comp! Loving On The Flipside contains some of the most incredible baby-making jams this here reviewer has ever heard. The songs contained here, mostly overlooked funk 45 B-sides released between the years of 1966 and 1977, are a potent combination of sweet soul and deep funk - a style of music the label lovingly refers to as "sweet funk." It is the dichotomy of heavy funk rhythms with sweet, soulful harmonies that are at the root of the sweet funk genre, a combo heard through and through on every selection featured on the release. Obviously it is no easy task to find jams of this caliber, so Now-Again actually reached out to New York's Truth & Soul to help find more sweet funk swooners and beat-heavy ballads to round out the release. Thanks to their help, Loving On The Flipside features 21 sweet funk gems from the likes of the Darling Dears, The Equatics, Black Velvet, Black Exotics, Eunice Collins, Symphonic Four, Rhythm Machine, and many others. The double LP version is presented in deluxe gatefold packaging (similar to the Soul Cal comp) with 80 page, full color, perfect-bound book featuring extensive liner notes highlighting the artists featured on the compilation. CD version includes the book as well. Highly recommended.

• music label: Now-Again 2012

reviewed by TKB 10/2012

This has been on heavy rotation in the Lab office ever since we got the promo a few months ago. It's one of those albums you can put on and know that every song is gonna be awesome, no fillers or skippers... basically, it rules. The album compiles the best releases from the Soul Cal label, which means you get the best rare soul and funky soulful disco cuts circa 1971 to 1982. You can bet that each and every song on here is dripping with that vintage soul goodness - the kind that puts a smile on your face and makes it seem like the sun is shining on you (even when the weather sucks outside). Check out some of the office favorites like Record Player's "Free Your Mind," Rhthym Machine's "Put A Smile On Time," Mixed Feeling's "Sha La La," Luther Davis' "You Can Be A Star," or just click on any of the samples - they're all that good! This deluxe release (both 2LP and CD) also comes with an 80 page full color companion book filled with rare photos and details each bands history. Essential purchase for the soul enthusiast. Highly Recommended.

• music label: Soul Cal 2012

reviewed by snackmaster 04/2012

So nice they had to do it twice. Serato teams up with Stones Throw once again to bring you a special set of control discs with exclusive ST cuts you can't find anywhere else! This limited edition set includes a pair of clear Serato control vinyls with the Serato NoiseMap Control Tone version 2.5 on one side and original Stones Throw tracks on the flip (8 total) from the likes of The Stepkids, Peanut Butter Wolf, MED, Jonti, Vex Ruffin, Homeboy Sandman, Steve Arrington, and more. In addition, you also get a pair of Stones Throw logo slipmats. Only 1000 sets pressed so act fast! Recommended.

• 2x Clear Serato Vinyl
• 2x Slipmats w/ Stones Throw logo in Black
• Side 1 & 3 features Serato NoiseMap Control Tone version 2.5
• Side 2 & 4 features exclusive Serato tracks from The Stepkids, Peanut Butter Wolf, MED, Jonti, Vex Ruffin and more (8 total)

Limited edition Dilla x Stussy collab! Stussy teamed up with the J Dilla Estate for this tribute shirt to celebrate Dilla Day 2013. The shirt is based off Stussy's iconic World Tour design, but features the legendary Detroit producer's albums - from Welcome To Detroit to Donuts and even Dilla-produced classics like Fantastic and the infamous Madlib collab Champion Sound. Dilla logo hit on the arm and sprinkled Stussy donut in the center make it official. 100% cotton, standard fit. Turn it up!

• 100% cotton
• standard fit

Limited edition Dilla x Stussy collab! Stussy teamed up with the J Dilla Estate for this tribute shirt to celebrate Dilla Day 2013. The shirt is based off Stussy's iconic World Tour design, but features the legendary Detroit producer's albums - from Welcome To Detroit to Donuts and even Dilla-produced classics like Fantastic and the infamous Madlib collab Champion Sound. Dilla logo hit on the arm and sprinkled Stussy donut in the center make it official. 100% cotton, standard fit. Turn it up!

• 100% cotton
• standard fit

Limited edition Dilla x Stussy collab! Stussy teamed up with the J Dilla Estate for this tribute shirt to celebrate Dilla Day 2013. The shirt is based off Stussy's iconic World Tour design, but features the legendary Detroit producer's albums - from Welcome To Detroit to Donuts and even Dilla-produced classics like Fantastic and the infamous Madlib collab Champion Sound. Dilla logo hit on the arm and sprinkled Stussy donut in the center make it official. 100% cotton, standard fit. Turn it up!

• 100% cotton
• standard fit

Limited edition Dilla x Stussy collab! Stussy teamed up with the J Dilla Estate for this tribute shirt to celebrate Dilla Day 2013. The shirt is based off Stussy's iconic World Tour design, but features the legendary Detroit producer's albums - from Welcome To Detroit to Donuts and even Dilla-produced classics like Fantastic and the infamous Madlib collab Champion Sound. Dilla logo hit on the arm and sprinkled Stussy donut in the center make it official. 100% cotton, standard fit. Turn it up!

• 100% cotton
• standard fit

This is not quite what you would expect from Matthewdavid's Leaving Records and Stones Throw. The former traffics in abstract beats that follow in the wake of Flying Lotus, while the latter has its roots in hip hop but has dabbled in a little bit of everything as of late - save for the house and techno of The Cyclist, however. Bones In Motion may not be the most obvious jumping off point for a collaboration between the two labels, but the tell tale signs are there. The Irish producer uses a combination of elements that will not be unfamiliar; drum machines, samples, synths and a healthy dose of warm distortion. There are minimal exercises in simplicity coupled with dirt covered excursions to the dancefloor. While The Cyclist's contemporaries might aim for pristine productions, it appears he enjoys his sound running in the red through a vintage cassette deck. This will be welcome news to fans of both labels, as it seems The Cyclist embraces the experimentalism with a nod to the past that both thoroughly endorse.

• music label: Leaving Records 2013

reviewed by The Voice 05/2013

One of the best funk comps Stones Throw ever released, back in print! Our original review from 2001 (geez, that was over a decade ago!): Leave it up to Egon and PB Wolf to come up with what is, in my opinion, one of best funk compilations ever. The partial result of cross-country trip that consisted of funk superheroes and bowling, Egon and PBWolf have assembled a deep collection of cleared funk gems. Needless to say these are not your typical UBB funk tracks, these are the dusty backbender ones, long time secrets of collectors. The liner notes are very comprehensive, so check Egon for the in-depth, but I'll point out some of my favorites. Co Real Artists' "What About You" is immediately one of my all-time tracks, I would listen to a whole album of this stuff. Kashmere Stage Band's "Kashmere" reveals the mysterious sample source for "Bear Witness pt.2." Watch for the outtro break on "The Dump" by the Soul Vibrations. What about the bass and drum intro of Bubbha Thomas' "Phantom," that flows into the wickedest of instrumentals - a simply badass track!!! "In the Rain" by The Wooden Glass reveals the source of much of the material chopped up by Madlib on "Six Variations," and stands alone as a beautiful piece of music. And it doesn't stop! The slow, murky break of the aptly titled "Beautiful Day" by Spider Harrison (gotta dig those vocals too)... 18 quality tracks in all, plus 1 bonus track. Double LP gatefold, full linear notes. Highly recommended. 

• music label: Stones Throw

reviewed by the mgmnt 08/2011

Angles Without Edges was one of the albums that cemented Madlib's creative genius and depth of skill. His ease of working in the studio is fully on display. Here's what the mgmnt had to say when it first came out: After releasing what seems like an endless stream of eps, singles and 7"s in the last year or so, we finally get a full length of the Yesterdays New Quintet Madlib. This is like if the rhythm section and the laidback key man just went on a trip and told the band leaders and to fuck off. The sound is led by Rhodes, Arps, and synths, drenching it in a pool of warmth and vibes over lazy day drums. The standout for most will be the cover of "Daylight." Fuzzy, bass heavy and without the vocals of the RAMP version, just as you want it. Madlib shows quite a bit of range in style, moving through tunes as slow and sweet as "Broken" straight into Organic Grooves-ready material like the cover of "Sun Goddess," all of which is kept level with short Pete Rock style interludes. The general feel of the album is so well meshed that it gets hard to find where you left off and which song is the one you like. But that's easy- you like all of them. Or you don't like it at all. 16 tracks total, plus interludes.

• music label: Stones Throw Records ‎2001

reviewed by the mgmnt 2001