Warehouse Sale - 50% Off

Two wicked drops from Roska on Hot Flush. "Error Code" gets the floor moving with an propulsive riddim that blurs the line between funky and garage. Spacey dubbed out synths take the lead here and send you to the outer galaxies and beyond. "Abrupt" takes a sparser approach, with a simple vocal chop hook backed by precise drum programming for a lean slice of minimalist dancefloor futurism.

• music label: Hot Flush 2011

reviewed by: Von Bee 06/2011

Night Slugs co-founder and Mad Decent representer L-Vis 1990 lends his touch to Mr Mageeka's "Different Lekstrix. The original track is a minimalist UK Funky jacker with hypnotic synths and abstract bass bloops to move the crowd, but L-Vis turns up the intensity adding some heavy wonk to tear down the walls. Another winner from Numbers! Plays at 45.

• music label: Numbers 2010

reviewed by: Von Bee 09/2010

UNO NYC recruits Montreal's cosmic prodigy CFCF for the burgeoning label's 3rd proper vinyl release. On "Cometrue" CFCF gets much more upbeat than his deep cosmic rock outing on RVNG. The track rides a groove somewhere between house and garage, with uplifting synths and vocals to take the dancefloor to a higher level. Fellow Canadian D'eon sprinkles some space dust into the mix, while Physical Therapy gets chilled to the max with deep tribal ambience on the Deep Forest mix. Also includes the introspective dance rhythms of "Looking So."

• music label: UNO NYC 2011

reviewed by: Snackmaster 08/2011

Vinyl EP taken from the Japan-only compilation Inner Films 70s, which features new disco producers remaking seminal film scores. This volume opens with Prins Thomas' outstanding rework of "Gonna Fly Now" (Theme From Rocky, not "Eye Of The Tiger), followed by Japanese producer and Mule artist Foog reworking "Theme From Close Encounters Of The Third Kind." Hideo Kobayashi (not to be confused with the hot dog eating champ) ends the set with a minimal house rework of the Gershwin standard "Rhapsody In Blue." Get your music and film nerdus on simultaneously.

• music label: Inner Films 2011

reviewed by: the mgmnt 05/2011

Another Ashley Beedle presentation, Pulp Disco & The Outcasts is an act on Beedle's Out Hear Audio imprint. For this remix 12", they handed over the original version (spacey, electronica with french vocals), and Beedle (along with studio partner Darren Morris) sprinkled his magic dust and re-cut the track as an umptempo Komische-style burner. What's that mean exactly? Deep bass, lively percussion, spacey synth accents, and a general sense of the unfamiliar. Features two remix versions. Recommended.

• music label: OutHearAudio 2011

reviewed by: the mgmnt 12/2011

Signature winter accessory from 10 Deep featuring sports team scarf-inspired design. And if you must know, the message reads "go hard or go home".

A new mascot for Geoff McFetridge and Yong-Ki's grown skateboard company.

• fit: slim fit similar to American Apparel
• fabric: 100% organic cotton

As the name implies, these jeans ain't for saggin! The Manorexics are from Enjoi's slim fit series and feature 12oz-cotton-stretch-overdye-denim construction, 6 pockets (with a pocket "inside" the back right pocket), creases on the front pockets and back leg opening, and custom panda rivets for the coin pocket. Super comfortable. Perfect for chillin or ripping the street with friends. A bestseller.

Loud three-tone boardshorts from Analog with 22" outseam, 100% polyester 4-way stretch zip fly, anti-rash(yes!!!) lycra facing at inside fly and front rise, blank house key, and anti-slip drawcord. Don't think you can slack on your style just because you're going to the beach - pick these up quick and be ready when summer hits.

Staple pays homage to the Lower East Side by cleverly flipping the West Side Story logo. 50% poly/50% cotton, standard fit.

Mishka draws from standard issue military clothing for this t-shirt - look closely for the BK brand's mission. 100% cotton, standard fit.

In conjunction with Disco Unusual Social Club, a "moving dirty disco party that takes house and disco heads on a musical adventure that's full of Studio 54 glam and old-school chicago house music energy, 101 Apparel produces an awesome line of t-shirts paying homage to underground disco as well as the late 70s and 80s styles. Bumbleebee Unlimited, a studio concept created by Gregory Carmichael and Patrick Adams, fused energetic Disco beats with sped-up vocals (to suggest singing bugs), and songs like "I Got A Big Bee" and "Lady Bug" are "enduring staples in the underground Disco & House scene." 100% cotton, made in USA.

Genius! Art imitating hectic, post-its-everywhere life. Squint your eyes and you can see the graphic spelling out "STAPLE". 100% cotton, standard fit.

You're a sucker if you don't jump on this t-shirt from Enjoi, the brand that has a knack for coming up with the funniest designs ever. 100% cotton, standard fit.

Burlesque celebrates the 2010 edition of Dre Day with this shirt, featuring a 40 that's drinking... a 40. Stoner philosophers should have a pretty good time pondering that one. Slim fit, 100% cotton.

This one pays tribute to the great Sport Magazine, considered one of the greatest sports periodicals of all time. Sadly, they ceased publication back in 2000, but thanks to No Mas you can still enjoy their sweet 80s masthead on this shirt. Slim fit, 100% cotton.

Official joints from DFA's rising disco/house duo Still Going aka new disco superstars Eric Duncan (Rub N Tug) and Olivier Spencer (House of House). Standard fit, 100% cotton.

Crazy psychedelic design on this one from the boys at Rong, looks like something that should be painted on the side of a van. Features the NYC skyline, a couple ladies, a huge snake, and so much more. Slim fit, 100% cotton.

The Backdoor Book is an intriguing look at NY's downtown scene through the fixed environment of the aNYthing store's backdoor. A continuing project conceived by A-Ron, its idea is so simple, yet the very fascinating. Who are these people? Why do you care? What are they wearing? This is the kind of incidental art that stands the test of time. Name check: Neckface, Espo, Terry Richardson, The Virgins, Harold Hunter, The Gonz, Benjamin Cho, Spank Rock, and many otherz. 8.75" x 12", 48 pages, softcover.

LAB EXCLUSIVO: these first batch of books is personally signed by Ryan McGinness. And it's not just a one-liner, Ryan fills up most of the page with doodles and quotes!

Ryan McGinness drops another limited edition book to document his mind spray aka the visual free jazz. This book looks like Ryan's brain threw up, but unlike a commoner's throw-up, Ryan's comes out in expertly splattered vectorizations, pixelations and flourishes. There's no concrete rhyme to the book, it's a mish-mash of snapshots, sketches, and scans from Ryan's studio. 2500 copies. Hardcover, 168 Pages, 216 x 279 mm. Recommended.

In Flagranti switch up it up a bit on the first volume of their Skematics Tracks series. Though they are best known for their dirty disco style, these tracks find the In Flagranti exploring uncharted zones of looped up electro jack, and funky schitzo house. Check "Paroxysm" that seamlessly fuses abstract vocal chops, jackin' drums and flipped detroit style chords and the heavy bumps of "Aspiration." "Consumer Goods" is more familiar IF style, an infectious disco loop topped with dirty effects for freaky late night excursions on the dancefloor. Good to see the dudes venturing in new directions while still retaining that signature In Flagranti grit.

• music label: Codek

reviewed by snackmaster 12/2011

DFA taps Motor City Drum Ensemble for a remix of Shit Robot's "Answering Machine" and MCDE transforms the track into a deep space Detroit thumper, a far cry from the original off Shit Robot's full length Cradle To The Rave. Not to be missed for fans of wide open, spaced-out house grooves and MCDE completists. Also includes a pair of remixes from DFA label mates Planningtorock (who actually rock the vocals on the original version) - the avant minimalist Pizzo mix, and the washed out atmospheric Whisper mix.

• music label: DFA

reviewed by Von Bee 10/2011

The infamous dirty disco duo known as In Flagranti is back! Sasa Crnobrja and Alex Gloor have certainly made their mark on the new disco scene with oodles of sex-charged beats inspired by the sleaze of yesteryear. This EP is a sampling off the new album, Worse For Wear and finds the boys switching it up a bit, introducing lo-fi trash, italo and house vibes. Don't get me wrong though, the disco sleaze is still there (and even grimier than before), but paired with an expanded and evolved sound. "Worse For Wear" sets the tone with cavernous synth bass and dark druggy vocals, while "Prelude To Chaos" keeps it uptempo on the lo-fi punk funk tip. "Peculiar Protagonist" brightens up the mood with a new take on italo-house, and "Latter Day Methods" closes it out off-kilter synth style. Choice material for the freaks. Recommended.

• music label: Codek

reviewed by snackmaster 04/2011

Rounding out All City's LA Series with volume #0 (aka #11) is 2/3rds of the SA-RA Creative Partners, Shafiq and Om'Mas Keith! Shafiq kicks things off with "DNA," an intense workout in cut-up A.D.D. beats, split into three easy-to-digest parts. The track is a melting pot of LA styles, from chopped up hip hop and funk, lo-fi experimental noise, and diced radio vocals, all assembled to make heads nod from coast to coast and beyond. Om'Mas Keith's side switches gears into quirky leftfield r&b territory on "Girl Is A Player." Sounds akin to James Pants and D-F with a hint of 80's Prince. Instrumental included.

• music label: All City

reviewed by Von Bee 09/2011

Sophomore effort from Dayve Hawk aka Weird Tapes, Memory Cassette, and finally, Memory Tapes. Whereas his debut LP Seek Magic was filled with dance-centric rhythms, electronic textures and chill (wave) overtones, Player Piano focuses on Memory Tapes' skills as a singer/song writer creating a full force excursion into dreamy pop rock sounds. Gone are most of the synthesizers and drum machines, replaced by acoustic instruments like guitars, organs, and drums. And though the sound kit has changed dramatically, the mood remains for the most part dreamy and hazy, just with a lot more pop. Highlights include "Yes I Know," "Wait In the Dark," "Sunhits," "Offers," "Fell Thru Ice," and "Trance Sisters." 12 tracks total.

• music label: Carpark

reviewed by Von Bee 06/2011

LAB REVIEW

WaxPo #40 features funk legends the Ohio Players on one cover and soul music icon Smokey Robinson on the other. Inside you'll find interviews with both Smokey and Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner of the Players, as well as features on Javelin, Tortoise, Joe Cuba, Tribe, Gene Paul, Johnny Lytle and more. 112 pages.

Jackpot biznatches! Was going through a distro inventory list, and found some deadstock copies of this classic Money Studies release (yeah, that's right, I'll drop the "c" word). I can confidently say that this is one of the finest mixes that will ever grace your ears; it's the sleeper pick from the MS catalog. A little back-story on this release: Blu Jemz and Roger Yamaha used to sit next to each other in the Lab office... and poof! Limited stock, act fast. 

• music label: Money Studies / 2005

reviewed by the mgmnt 11/2005

In 1968, Terry Riley created one of the first "remixes" known by reworking "You're No Good" by the Harvey Averne Dozen. About Group, a quartet consisting of Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor, drummer Charles Hayward, Guitarist John Cooxon, and Keyboardist Pat Thomas, covers the latin soul number for its lead single, and it enlists two producers to remix it. Theo Parrish's "Translation" consists of a shuffling house groove and new vocals as well as space-y noises that are in line with Terry Riley's noise-funk version, while Mokmix introduces thumping kick drums to little snippets of the original (About Group cover, not the harvey Averne Dozen original) for a minimally-produced dancefloor workout.   

• music label: Domino

reviewed by nakinboots 06/2011

Ras G and the Afrikan Space Program kick off the first in a series of Sun Ra Interpretation 12"s from All City. The Southern California beatsmith channels the spirit of Sun Ra and sends a signal back out to orbit on the deliriously spaced-out "MDU NTR." The track is cosmic jazz on a whole 'nother level, not your typical LA beats release for sure! Flipside contains the original 1971 Sun Ra cut "Nidhamu" from which "MDU NTR" is based on. This is a vinyl only release - sorry digital dudes!

• music label: All City

reviewed by snackmaster 07/2011

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

• music label: 3BEAT

reviewed by nakinboots 09/2011

Part 3 in Rush Hour's retrospective on Anthony Shakir. Of all the Detroit techno legends, Shakir might be the most under appreciated (though still highly respected). Thankfully the Frictionalism comp showcases his output from 1994 - 2009 so a wider audience can witness the fitness. This volume taken from said release features 4 diverse Detroit house/techno cuts to make the floor go nuts. Includes the broken beat techno of "Assimilated," the pumping diva house of "Get A Feeling," plus "For The Lamented" and "Frictionalized." 

• music label: Rush Hour / 2011

reviewed by snackmaster 07/2011

Of all the "Yonkers" remixes floating around, Lil Silva's version is least likely to piss off the Golf Wang leader because, well, it is really good. Starting off with subtle dubstep touches, the young London producer fully unleashes his future bass arsenal at around the 1:10 mark, and the track becomes more vicious and aggressive than Tyler's lyrical attack on B.O.B. (what exactly did he do?). Can't see this whitelabel staying around for too long, so act quick! 

• music label: white

reviewed by nakinboots 06/2011

A couple of remixes from In Flagranti's most recent full length courtesy of DFA's Shit Robot and Moullinex. The title track "Worse For Wear" gets pumped up by Shit Robot who channels the sleazy disco vibe into more of a bouncey throwback house jam. Moullinex take "Latter Day Methods" and add percolating percussion and big shiny synths to the mix for a funky electro house romp. 

Number three from Keep It Cheap is a split 12" from label boss Eric "Dr. Dunks" Duncan and UK disco head "Foolish" Felix Dickinson. Dunks' side reworks Modern Romance's '82 post-punk jam "Best Years Of Our Lives," looping up and re-arranging the best elements of the groove for extended dancefloor pleasure. Mix this in with the Clash, Delta 5, or ESG and watch the floor go off. The flipside slows down the tempo on some wrong speed avant disco business with Dickinson's "Beef" edit for the weirdo set. As usual, these are super limited so don't sleep! 

• music label: Keep It Cheap / 2011

reviewed by snackmaster 02/2011

When it comes to early 80's punk funk, Sexual Harrassment kept it hot and sexy. Sadly the career of these Prince-loving freaks was short-lived, though they did manage to release a 6 track album and the electro sleaze classic "I Need A Freak". To do their tracks justice, Citinite Records has curated this EP of re-interpretations from modern artists that carry the same sex-fueled funk attitude. LA boogie-man Dam-Funk, kicks it off covering "You Are My Sexual Connection" with Lil Kenny on the outer limits of uptempo funk, while UK funkster Jimmy Edgar teams up with G.Rizo for slap bass frenzy on "Exercise Your Ass Off" that'll get you up off your ass in a second. You also get an electrified cover of "I Need A Freak" from Sweat.X, plus an insane, raw dog version of "If I Gave You A Party" from Robert O Dell that will turn any party into an all out freak fest.

• music label: Citinite

reviewed by snackmaster 04/2011

"The late night 4am freeway anthem," this single came with the first PUTS album. Both tracks ("The Cat and Live At The Fishbucket") feature above average lyrics and the standout production and live instrumentation these guys have become known for. Instrumentals included for both, plus a wicked looped up break for the "Bonus Beats" at the end of side 2.

• music label: OM / 2007

reviewed by the mgmnt 12/2007

Debut release from Runaway's new On The Prowl label. The NY duo of Jaques Renault and Marcos Cabral has had releases on every hip label from DFA, Rekids, I'm A Cliche, Chinatown, etc. (even a forthcoming remix on Money Studies), and now they have their on label to do whatever they want on... And apparently what they want to do is wreck the dance floor with deep and minimal house grooves that nod to the old school while looking forward. Take "Poltergeist" with it's dark, acidic bass bloops and seemingly random vocal chops that get taken deeper with old school key stabs. "Don't Block The Box" goes even deeper, with hypnotic layers of synth pads and percussion topped off with dubbed out jungle sounds (Puma growls anyone?) to set your mind adrift while your body takes control. 

• music label: On The Prowl / 2009

reviewed by snackmaster 08/2009

One-sided single from LCD Soundsystem's upcoming LP This Is Happening.  These 12"s were printed up for Record Store Day 2010, and are limited to an edition of 1000.  The song is an awesome bit of vintage LCD, clocking in at 8+ minutes and featuring James' talking/singing style that was also featured on "Losing My Edge," "Yeah" and "Yr City's A Sucker."  Excellent stuff for sure, these won't be around long so act quick.  Recommended. 

• music label: DFA / 2010

reviewed by Hires 04/2010

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

• music label: Mo Wax / 1996

reviewed by the mgmnt 01/2009

LAB EXCLUSIVO: each copy is signed by Andrew Kuo himself.

Friend of the Lab Andrew Kuo creates work that embodies the Lab. His perfectionist / imperfectionist charts remind me both of Peter Seville record covers and the nano-thought processing speed of a record nerd. This first anthology of his work collects a grip of those highly acclaimed graphic charts (as featured in the New York Times) plus his more painterly endeavors. But beyond the musical connection, Kuo's work really taps into the complex post-collegiate life we're all trying to navigate. After examining several of his charts, you'll really get a sense of Kuo, bright mismatched colors and all. Essential for music heads, art lubbers, grid mongers, and all of the above. Hardcover, 12.2 x 11.2 x 1.2", 208 pages. RECOMMENDED.