vinyl + cds

Snoop's solo debut, re-released for the first time on double vinyl. A hard find in the original, this remastered version was very necessary. Rediscover some early Snoop classics on this album like, "Gin and Juice," "It Ain't No Fun" (early Nate Dogg), and "What's My Name" on the album that only seem to get better with time. Also includes: "Doggy Dog World," "Tha Shiznit," "Lodi Dodi," "Murder Was The Case," "Gz And Hustlas". Recommended.

• Music Label: Death Row Records 2002

reviewed by the mgmnt 08/2005

The Madvillainy remix album is back! Madvillainy 2 The Madlib Remix was previously only available as part of the Madvillainy 2 Boxset and a small batch of white label pressings (which flew out of the Lab with the quickness), but now it finally sees a proper reissue complete with full pic sleeve and comic book. The original Madvillain was one of the illest collabs of all time, with MF Doom arguably at his amoeba genius prime, mixed with the unpredictable stoned beat aesthetics of Madlib. For the remix, Madlib revisits the project and gives fresh beats to the classic collab effort (apparently he made it for personal headphone listening right before a 10 hour flight to Tokyo). Obviously dope! This double LP vinyl version also comes with a free digital download of the entire album. Recommended.

• music label: Stones Throw 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 05/2012

Another meeting of the minds on wax. Burial and Four Tet are two names that need no introduction. Both have been at the top of their game for awhile now, and when they put their heads together, you can bet the result is gonna be something brilliant. "Nova" is their third collab 12" ("Moth/Wolf Cub" came before, and the first was with Thom Yorke) and once again the duo exceed expectations with a track that is melodic, ethereal, driving, and deep, all at once. Does this complete the trilogy? Only time will tell. Limited copies, pressed on one sided vinyl. Recommended.

• music label: Text Records 2012

reviewed by TKB 05/2012

For the third installment in their Healin' Feelin' series Psychemagik drop two sultry cuts ready to heat any dance floor up. Leading things off "Way Milky" gets its spunk from some especially funky bass playing. It's all topped off with some sweet piano action and plenty of space effects. On the flip we take a slight detour from the space mission with some Balearic, Gibb brothers inspired, blue eyed soul. This is Psychemagik at the top of their edit game getting ready to ease you into summer.

• Music Label: Psychemagik 2012

reviewed by The Voice 05/2012

Debut release from the Mister Saturday Night crew! Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin have been holding down Brooklyn for a minute with their Mister Saturday Night loft parties (and the Sunday Best parties before that), bringing a host of international all-stars to our great borough including Motor City Drum Ensemble, Theo Parrish, Caribou, and Pearson Sound to name a few. After many great parties, it only makes sense that a record label would follow so here it is! The first installment comes courtesy of newcomer Anthony Naples. Naples gives the world a taste of the Brooklyn house flavor with three tracks that do a great job of capturing the vibe of the MSN parties, especially with the deep bumps of the title track "Mad Disrespect." Gotta love those warm chords and soulful vocal chops. "Slackness" is a stripped down percussion work out that takes it deeper, while "Tusk" closes it out - bringing back those deep dreamy chords one more time for positive dancefloor vibes. Limited hand stamped copies.

• music label: Mister Saturday Night 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 05/2012

When I was in high school, I thought I was some sort of stoned philosopher. Talking about reptilian minds and shit, I used this album as my portal to higher consciousness and advanced stonerism. I worshipped the fuck out of this record, so much so that I camped out by the Twin's tour bus, because my friend Stang made me miss his first appearance in DC. Anyway, usually whenever I travel back to that phase, most things make me want to vomit. Floor scrubbing jeans, check. Phillies blunts shirts, check. H-cut ecstasy, check. Rocking clothes with 8 Balls on em, check. Dirty rave boderline-hippy chicks, check. BUT, the thing about this album is that I still worship it. From day one, I declared this one of the records I would take onto that mystical desert island, and I still would (along with the Queen is Dead and Loveless, so tacky). In my mind it's the best electronic album ever. The first track "Xtal" is as close to heaven you'll get through a walkman. "Ptolemy" is breakbeat driven lush. "We Are the Music Makers" is my dubby buddy. Some tracks are outright strange, and will rewire parts of your brain. 13 tracks spread over 2LPs on a limited edition grey area pressing. Recommended.

reviewed by the mgmnt

Everybody's Freaky Under Natures Kingdom - or EFUNK is Soul Clap's much anticipated full length debut on Wolf+Lamb. The Boston duo has been making the rounds in the house circuit for a minute now with their funk and r&b dipped brand of smooth and sexy house grooves. On EFUNK they let those influences fly even higher than before with an album comprised of proper "songs" (not just house beats) featuring a myriad of guest vocalists. It's an impressive range of styles - from the sexy Zapp-informed "Ecstasy" with Mel Blatt, weirdo electro grooves a la Egyptian Lover on "Allezby Inn" with the Genevan Heathen, playful funk on "The Clapping Song" with Baby Prince, or smooth r&b flavors like on "Take It Slow" with Franceska - but the strong points still lie on what Soul Clap do best. Check "Let It Go" featuring Roldy Cezaire or "Trouble Trouble Trouble" for that Soul Clap sound that is proven to move dancefloors. 13 tracks with funky pic sleeve.

• music label: Wolf + Lamb 2012

reviewed by TKB 05/2012

It's been a minute since Mark Evetts (aka Mark E) decided he was done with edits and samples. He was at the top of the re-edit game with cult releases on Golf Channel, Jisco, Under The Shade, etc., when he decided to throw it to the side and focus on completely original productions. That is when he made the jump to Ghostly/Spectral with the Stone breaker album in 2011, which is where "Oranges" is lifted from. The track was an obvious highlight from the album, but for some reason it only made it to the CD/digital version until now. Spectral finally gives the vinyl fans what they've been wanting here in all its chugging, dreamy, synth heavy glory. Paired with the original mix is the a brand new space dub that takes the track to higher heights. Recommended.

• music label: Spectral Sound 2012

reviewed by TKB 05/2012

It's been 2 years since Lazer Sword's first album, and it sounds like the SF-based duo has really grown into their own. Memory is Lando Kal and Low Limit's sophomore effort (released on Modeselektor's Monkeytown imprint), and has a much more mature and serious sound than anything they've previously put out. Taking a hint from the cover art, which seems like an homage to Cybotron's Enter, it would seem these dudes are going deep into the roots of techno and electro, with a healthy helping of bass. Personally I think it is a welcome shift in focus from the glitch-hop wobble to something much more subsstantial. Check the industrial strength electro on "Pleasure Zone," or "Point Of Return," the heavy ghetto tech pressure of "Missed A Spot," of the forward riddims of "Better From U" and "CHSEN" with Machine Drum. Impressive work for the headphones and the warehouse. Recommended.

• music label: Monkeytown 2012

reviewed by snackmaster 05/2012

Third release on Caribou's (aka Daphni aka Dan Snaith) currently hot Jiaolong imprint (De Noya 12" is essential). J Greenspan, better known as the vocalist for Junior Boys, embarks solo for the first time, dropping two instrumental tracks. "Crown Princess" is a super-refined piece of synth music: part new disco, part detroit techno. After every listen, this 10 minute track attaches to your brain cells and sprouts new connections and appreciations. "Guu" takes the same refined approach, but with a darker vibe that references Chicago techno. Once again, it's a slow reveal with multiple brain pop moments. Not for the lazy.

• music label: Jiaolong 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2012

Beat Electric coming through with the sweet boogie reissue. The SF-based blog is known for shining light on the deepest boogie and modern soul gems so it comes as no surprise that for the first release on their newly minted label, they go for the gusto with a proper repress of Carmen's sought-after '84 groover "Time To Move." The track is super catchy and infectious, a guaranteed floor mover that features a tough boogie beat with a hint of Freestyle influence. It's no easy catch in the field, often catching loot on the bay when it pops up so get with this legit repress (not a bootleg, recorded from the master tapes) while you can! Includes the 7" vocal & instrumental, and extended 12" instrumental. Recommended.

• music label: Beat Electric 2012

reviewed by snackmaster 05/2012

First ever full length LP from the good people at PPU. UKU KUUT's "Vision Of Estonia" 7" is an all-time favorite among heads here at the Lab, so we were stoked to see a whole album of material come to fruition. If you dug the 45, you'll love the LP as it is stacked with the same kind of laid back leftfield beats and lost 80's boogie grooves. Here's what the PPU had to say about it: PPU's first long-play LP highlights some of the early beginnings of one of our favorite producers, UKU KUUT. Written and recorded at UKU's home studio in Los Angeles and Stockholm between 1982 & 1989. Some tracks co-written with Maryn E. Coote, famous jazz vocalist who had her beginnings in 1960s Soviet Union. "That's my MOM" recalls UKU, "I remember when I was little, sitting under the mixing board at her sessions". Growing up in studios, UKU's love of music production began early, and over the years he has amassed a vast collection of domestic and soviet electronic gear. In true PPU style this LP is a mix of UKU KUUT's raw cassette demos, forgotten masters and unreleased magic. 10 tracks with full pic sleeve. Recommended.

• music label: People's Potential Unlimited 2012

reviewed by TKB 05/2012

Step into Toro Y Moi's time travelling DeLorean and go back to the late 2000's. That's what's happening on June 2009, a retrospective of work from before Chaz Bundick's rise to fame in the indie music scene. The production contained on these five 7"s actually pre-date his 2 full lengths and give us a glimpse of Toro's early experimentation with music software and sampling (from June 2009, duh). The slick synths and technical wizardry of his later efforts is swapped out for a hazy lo-fi glow that ties all these tracks together stylistically. Lots of fuzzy guitars on here too, plus the mellow emotion driven vocals with naive melodies make for a great listening with your significant other. 10 previously unreleased tracks spread over 5 x 45s, each with their own cover art. Also includes a free digital download, postcard, and stickers. Recommended.

• music label: Carpark Records 2012

reviewed by TKB 05/2012

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

Leave it to Numero Group to dig up that long lost soul you wish you knew about sooner. Here they've unearthed some true soul gems from Cleveland's Love Apple. Apparently the entire recorded catalog of this soulful trio had been collecting dust in a coverted dairy barn for almost three decades until being re-discovered. The band consists of three extremely soulful ladies who pour out their hearts on the mic, while Lou Ragland holds down guitar and Tony Roberson hits the drums. Needless to say the recordings have a gritty lo-fi quality to them, but it only adds to the appeal when you sit down and soak in the Love Apple vibes. Six tracks of pure soul bliss on heavyweight vinyl, housed in old school brown paper Boddie sleeve. Recommended.

• music label: Numero Group 2012

reviewed by Extravagant Traveler 05/2012

Due to a surge in popularity since its usage in the Drive Soundtrack (11 million Youtube views and counting), Kavinsky's "Nightcall" has been reissued on France's Record Makers. It's interesting how film can elevate a song you already know in your conscious (and vice versa). I remember carrying this single when it first came out, and it barely got a buzz. Personally, I couldn't get over the villainous cyborg vocals (but after watching the film, my feelings changed). Also features "Pacific Coast Highway" and dance remixes by Dustin N'Guyen and Jackson. Recommended.

• music label: Record Makers 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2012

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

Here we have the much hyped and much lauded debut from NYC duo Sleigh Bells on loud, thick 180g vinyl. Treats scored a big 8.7 on Pitchfork (along with a best new music stamp) and if that doesn't mean anything to you, try taking a listen to some of the sound samples above and see what the buzz is all about for yourself. There's something about that raw energy and the unexpected blending of styles they seem to pull off so well that really strikes a chord and makes this album stand out from the glut of indie releases. Is it punk/noise? Overdriven pop rock? Club beats or Electro? Derek Miller's production is a bit of all these things, held together by Alexis Krauss' catchy vocal hooks and is just the right kinda sound for this post-post-music world. 11 tracks, pressed up by Mom+Pop and M.I.A.'s NEET label.

• Music Label: Mom + Pop Music 2011

reviewed by suicide bangs 04/2011

Another sureshot 45 from Detroit's Funk Night Records via Motor City heavyweights, Will Sessions. These guys are killing it from every angle - funk, jazz, fusion, hip hop... Apparently they can do no wrong! On this one they go for a tough reinterpretation of BR Gunna and Phat Kat's "True Story." These guys are masters at giving hip hop beats a real live feel. On the flipside things get heavy heavy on "Dub Rock," a track based off the Black Milk cut of the same name. Two sides of fire right here, well recommended!

• music label: Funk Night Records 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 05/2012

Will Sessions do it up for the jazz heads. The five piece band from Detroit might best be known around these parts for their amazing live renditions of hip hop classics (see Elmatic or Mix Takes) and their smokin' funk originals (check those Funk Night 45s), but on 2010's Kindred the band showcase their talent for jazz fusion styles. With super influential jazz labels like Tribe coming from Detroit, it only makes sense they would do a tribute to the pioneers of the sound. This really sounds like a rare record from the 70's full of lush spiritual and free jazz moods, together with powerful drums at times. Check the sound on the uplifting "Redirections," "Omniverse" or the driving "Polyester People" and "Seven Miles." The title track "Kindred" even features Tribe Records veteran Wendel Harrison! Excellent stuff from start to finish. Recommended.

• music label: The Few

reviewed by Extravagant Traveler 05/2012

This is the album that started it all. A minor success at the time, Soundpieces has developed quite a following over the years through the continued success of group members Wildchild, Romes and particularly Madlib. It's a Madlib Invazion for all 24 tracks which include "Answers," "Whenimondamic," "The Anthem," "Questions," "Weededed," "Crate Diggin," and lots more. Guests include the Alkaholiks, Defari, Declaime, Medaphoar, Oh No, and Dilated. 17 tracks in total spread across triple vinyl, includes single sided 7" with "Bone Marrow."

• Music Label: Stones Throw 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2008

Record Store Day 2012 exclusive from Fool's Gold Recs! They went ahead and gave Danny Brown's full length XXX the deluxe vinyl treatment, complete with bonus 7" and pressed up on white vinyl. As for the music, here's our original review of XXX from 2011 - If you're reading this you probably already know what's up. Danny Brown brings what you've been wanting: real life raps with a dark sense of humor (like a modern day Devin the Dude, but from Detroit). You've probably been bumping "Radio Song" and as you can expect it lives in its own universe on here. Of course one has to be down with the dude's voice, which is on the B-Real nasally tip. Most of the subject matter touches on drugs and barely scraping by. You either love this dude or you hate him. Production duties handled by top talent like Frank Dukes, Squadda Bambina of Main Attrakionz, Paul White, and DJ House Shoes. 19 tracks total over two LPs with bonus 7" featuring acapellas for "Die Like A Rockstar," "Blunt After Blunt," "Lie4," and "I Will."

• music label: Fool's Gold

reviewed by The Voice 04/2012

Jazz meets hip hop done right by the Robert Glasper Experiment on Blue Note Records. According to producer/pianist Glasper, Black Radio is the much needed slap in the face jazz has needed for some time now. After putting this on here in the office, I'd say his attempt to revitalize jazz and inject some energy into the genre is quite successful, especially when you take into account the list of high profile guest artists he has on this piece! The featured artist list is like a who's-who of top neo soul and conscious hip hop artists including Erykah Badu, Bilal, Shafiq Husayn (of SA-RA), Lupe Fiasco, and Yalin Bey aka Mos Def. Add these voices over work of Glasper along with saxist/vocoderist Casey Benjamin, bassist Derrick Hodge, and drummer Chris Dave and you have an undeniably fresh sonic landscape that may very well be a future classic. Features many outstanding originals, as well as surprising covers of Sade, David Bowie, and even a vocoder version of Nirvana's "Teen Spirit."

• music label: Blue Note 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 05/2012

The title track from Tycho's 2011 full length gets a proper 12" release along with a couple fresh remixes. In its original form, "Dive" is a brilliant piece of driving dreamy goodness that makes you feel like you are running through the clouds. It skillfully blends shoegaze, indie, electronic, and balearic into something you can put on repeat over and over again. For the remix, Keep Shelly In Athens slow it down to a crawl for a euphoric down beat variation, while Memoryhouse drop most of the drums and draw the focus on those lush textures. Housed in a beautiful pic sleeve.

• music label: Ghostly 2012

reviewed by TKB 05/2102

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

Double LP pressing of Odd Future's latest album for Record Store Day 2012. Domo, Tyler, Hodgy, Left, Syd and the rest of the Wolf Gang have had the internets buzzing for a minute now, and with The Odd Future Tape Volume 2, the LA crew solidifies their place in the pantheon of irreverent, no-fuck-giving rap groups. The album delivers a great overview of what Golf Wang is all about - the majority of tracks being held down by clever, youthful raps, balanced out by a couple smooth joints featuring resident singer Frank Ocean. Also check the 10+ minute posse cut closer "Oldie" that features the whole crew (including Earl Sweatshirt) doing what they do best. 18 tracks over two LPs with bonus CD version included. Comes in 2 different covers, shipped randomly.

• music label: Odd Future Records 2012

reviewed by suicide bangs 05/2012

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

Let me take this as a moment to say The Cure sucks bad now. Coming from a diehard fan, please stop making music. Robert, your voice has turned into an eternal whine, and please change le whack stylez! You look like you belong at The Gathering of the Juggalos, not the pinnacle of new wave history.

That being said, this Record Store Day 2012 release is pretty awesome. For Disentegration fans, Entreat (live recording from Webley 1989) is an essential compliment to the masterpiece. Disentegration is so well-produced (some may say over-produced), this stripped down version really cuts to the core of the black mascara and puffy high tops. Entreat has quite a discographic history (import-only release, released as bonus CD, RSD 2010 Euro-only release), but this marks the first time that it's been available in the US in its full 12 track glory, replicating Disentegration's tracklisting (the original Entreat only had 8 tracks). Recommended.

• music label: Rhino Records 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2012

MC5's "Kick Out The Jams" is one of the most iconic songs of proto punk out there. You've probably heard it even if you think you haven't. The hippies didn't know what hit them when the MC5 took the stage in 1969. On the flip is Afrika Bambaataa's cover of the same tune. Originally released on Afrika Bambaataa And Family's Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere) it's almost a novelty a this point. The sound is pure 80s gated reverb and hair metal guitars. Limited edition pink and white marbled vinyl.

• Music Label: Rhino 2012

reviewed by The Voice 04/2012

So this maybe the first time an internet meme has made it to 7". Jimmy Fallon's ode to Tim Tebow over Bowie's "Space Oddity" is undeniably catchy and pretty well done. The flip side sees Fallon jumping into Jim Morrison's shoes to cover "Reading Rainbow" in a very Doors-ish style. Say what you will, Fallon does a pretty impressive job of impersonating these rock gods.

• Music Label: Warner Bros 2012

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 04/2012

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

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

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

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

One of the rarest White Stipes tracks repressed just for Record Store Day! "Hand Springs" was originally released back in 2000 as a split 7" with the Dirt Bombs. The record was only available as a free giveaway with Multiball, a fanzine about pinball (yes, pinball!) with only 2000 pressed. Obviously this is a tough record to come by, so this is a very welcome repress expecially with another White Stripes cut on the flip, "Red Death at 6:14." Pressed on cherry red vinyl.

• music label: Third Man Records 2012

reviewed by Von Bee 04/2012

Sacred Bones returns to Record Store Day with the second installment of their Todo Muere series. The comp features tracks that are either unreleased or have seen a very limited previous release. They run the gamut from the synth heavy cuts of War and Led Er Est to the more guitar driven psyche of Crystal Stilts. Many of you will be checking for the dirgey "A Minor" from The Men and the exclusive Psychic Ills demo "Mind Daze." The later tune plods along in a stoney haze as heavily chorused guitar leads the way. The label provides an expertly curated experience for the listener, highlighting obscure tracks from their extensive catalog.

• Music Label: Sacred Bones Records 2012

reviewed by The Voice 05/2012

Red Astaire returns to the label that made him famous. When the needle drops, you'll be warped back to early 2000. Two b-boy style, bouncy breakbeat tracks inhabit the A-side while the B-side conceals two signature Red mashes. Black Moon's "How Many Emcees" gets an age-approriate smokey beats rework (Walt would nod in approval), and Bob gets a modern dub seaweed wrap. Loving the red vinyl pressing too, recommended.

• music label: GAMM 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/2012

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

Special 4LP repress of The Cosmic Game for Record Store Day 2012. This album was originally released back in 2004 and found Thievery Corp on top of their game with a host of very impressive host of guest artists. By this point TC had fully mastered the downtempo, world, lounge, ragga hybrid style they are famous for and on top of that, they had the clout to get big names like David Byrne, Perry Farrell, and The Flaming Lips up in the mix. Highlights include "Warning Shots," "Revolution Solution," "Amerimacka," and "Sol Tapado." Pressed on clear swirl vinyl, limited to 500 copies worldwide.

• music label: ESL Music 2004 / 2012

reviewed by Extravagant Traveler 04/2012

When The Unabombers dropped their Saturday Night Sunday Morning back in 2002 it was a tribute to their highly successful basement club, the Electric Chair. These days the Mancunian duo heads the Electric Elephant festival in Croatia. And just as eclectic as that festival is, this mix shows just how ahead of the curve they were. Mixing different styles and genres with ease was not as common place back then. The duo moves easily through house, hip hop, boogie and funk, stringing together the disparate strains of dance music. Double CD includes mixed and unmixed versions. Double LP commits some of the best & most collectable cuts to wax.

• Music Label: Electric Chair 2002

reviewed by The Voice 05/2012

Rush Hour shines light on The Burrell Brothers, prolific producers of deep house music who recorded under a myriad of aliases for Nu Groove during the late 80's/early 90's. Anyone into vintage house sounds, especially the deeper side of things (a la Larry Heard or Fingers Inc) would do well to check this compilation out! From Rush Hour: Recording under different aliases, the Burrell Brothers were the backbone of Nu Groove Records. This New York label started in 1987 and took inspiration from Trax Records, both musically and aesthetically. This compilation compiles the absolute best of the Burrell's output and in doing so gives us a valuable insight to the much overlooked roots of New York house music! Recommended.

• music label: Rush Hour 2012

reviewed by snackmaster 04/2012

The Soundway-Quantic-Edits connection has been crucial like a Metta elbow to Harden soft jawbone. I love me some afro-funk but some of Phish-style jam versions could use an editor's touch. Enter Miles Claret (aka Hide & Smile) to trim down the 30 minute plus "Ahyewa" into a digestable DJ version. Quantic cleans up the b-side with two more patented edits of lost afro-funk gems which doesn't need any additional fluffery from yours truly. Limited to 1000 copies, includes MP3 coupon. Recommended.

• music label: Soundway 2012

reviewed by the mgmnt 05/12

This is the debut album from French singer-songwriter Soko. Intimate, lo-fi, crazy, sexy, funny, tear-stained, heartbreaking, often all at once, Soko's songs have already touched people around the world, earning her a massive global following. At one mega-gig in Australia, she had 15,000 people singing along with her. Since her teens, Soko has been on a rollercoaster journey. From a stockpile of over 100 songs, she has now finally whittled them down to a selection of 14. Aptly-entitled I Thought I Was An Alien, it's full of love and loss and worry -- the kind of fundamental, life-dictating human feelings, which are so far beyond rational explanation, they really ought to be kept under lock and key. Like one of her absolute heroes, Daniel Johnston, however, Soko has the rare ability to sing openly about those feelings, in a way which is utterly compelling, sometimes devastating, but also, completely uplifting. Like innumerable bedsit troubadours of her generation, Soko started out with just her voice, her acoustic guitar, and GarageBand. After moving to Paris, her early demos were picked up by radio stations in Denmark, Belgium and Australia, making her too much of a new pop thing, without her own consent. In 2007, her music was used in a Stella McCartney show in Paris. Soko played gigs with Daniel Johnston, MIA, Babyshambles, Adam Green, Jeffrey Lewis, Seasick Steve and many others. Feeling under pressure, perhaps, she went from home studio recording to trying to record her songs in a proper studio, working with producers who would hire session musicians to play the other instruments. Soko's acoustic playing, too, has grown up from the punky thrumming of before, often arriving at the complex, fluid picking of the "old '60s folk dudes" she's been listening to, such as Roy Harper, Michael Hurley, Davey Graham, Karen Dalton and Jackson C. Frank. In 2008, Soko moved to Los Angeles. Amassing more recorded versions out there, she soon realized she needed someone to help her sift through it all, and make sense of everything she'd created. In late 2010 she was eventually introduced to Fritz Michaud, who had her instant admiration, having worked on the late Elliott Smith's final album, From A Basement On The Hill, which is one of her favorite albums. Having asserted her control over her music, Soko realized that rules are made to be broken, and allowed others -- close friends, this time -- to add their expertise. When she sings of a rootless existence, always sadly moving on with her suitcase and her guitar, you know that this is her existence -- and it really is. I Thought I Was An Alien finally introduces a truly singular talent, at her point of fruition. Includes a bonus CD version of the album.

• music label: Because Music 2012

label review

It's a super collabo! Honest Jon's really got something special here with Erykah adding some catchy Baduizms over Rocket Juice & The Moon's (aka Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz, Flea of RHCP, and afrobeat legend drummer Tony Allen) brilliant instrumental groove. The result is re-dubbed "Manuela," and it's only available on this 10" so don't miss it! On the flip, Mark Ernestus of Rhythm And Sound gets down on the wicked dub mix. Comes in custom silk-screened sleeves, recommended.

• music label: Honest Jon's 2012

reviewed by Extravagant Traveler 04/2012

It's real tough to pigeon hole Nicolas Jaar. On the one hand, he's very capable of producing in the realms of deep house (check his Wolf+Lamb stuff or the reworks Nina Simone and New Order), and on the other, he's able to deliver leftfield electro, downtempo beats and ambient soundscapes with aplomb. Talk about a versatile producer! Anyway, Space Is The Only Noise focuses on the latter style, a 13 track excursions to the heights of introspective headphone music. The album is a perfect balance of moody ambient pieces, and extended beat-driven passages, and a bit of experimental weirdness. When you're in the mood for this kind of thing, it's one of those albums you can just throw on and play all the way through without having to skip any tracks. Allow it seep into your sub-conscious and you will recognize - it's that good! Highlights include "Colomb," "Keep Me There," "Spectres Of The Future" and "Too Many Kids Finding Rain In The Dust." Oh did I mention that this is his full length debut? Recommended.

• music label: Circus Company 2012

reviewed by TKB 04/2012

Vintage electronic sounds from Cameroonian musician Fransis Bebey compiled. Though many know Bebey for his classical guitar compositions and pop songs (which were hits in Africa and French speaking countries), few are aware of his musings with electronic music in the '70s. This compilation from France's Born Bad Records shines light on the era from 1975 to 1982 where Bebey was experimenting with early drum machines, keyboards, organs to totally control his compositions. During this time Bebey embraced the technique of "sound on sound" recording with his new instruments (recording several tracks, sequentially juxtaposed on the same track) and the result has to be heard to be believed. Check out the awesome lo-fi synth groove of "Savannah Georgia" and "Divorce Pygmee," or the cooled out afro vibes of "New Track" and "Fleur Tropicale" for a taste. This album features 2 LPs worth of Bebey rarites making it a true gem of a record for African music lovers and fans of early electronics. Recommended.

• music label: Born Bad Records 2011

reviewed by Extravagant Traveler 04/2012

Out of the dystopian reality of late 1970s France came a creative and irreverent spirit. Artists like Lizzy Mercier Descloux and Henriette Coulouvrat pushed he boundaries of post punk while experimenting with new technologies that were appearing at the time. Along with those new technologies came a vision of a utopian future. One free from the disillusionment of the cold war and France's dismal economic state of affairs. While things may or may not have changed for the better the music that was produced from these circumstances is just as powerful today as it was back then. With the sounds of new & cold wave continuing to make their presence felt it only makes sense to turn towards the originators of these genres. Includes a fold-out color poster with bands info and unreleased photos. Limited to 500 copies.

• Music Label: Born Bad Records 2008

reviewed by The Voice 05/2012

Super tuff reggae soul tunes on limited edition 45. London's Booma Rockers deliver the heavy heavy sound on "Soul Food," with Ghanaian saxophonist and vocalist Teddy Osei and some of the meanest breaks we've heard around these parts in awhile. Flipside features "Booma Rock" with its bouncing reggae funk vibe and vocals courtesy of Jean Manix. Both were originally released on Rude Boy Records back in the early 70's, and have remained out of print till now. Only 1000 copies pressed, with free download card included!

• music label: Soundway

reviewed by Extravagant Traveler 04/2012