quick audio picks: 12
Previously known as one half of acclaimed undie hip-hop duo Emanon, Aloe Blacc is poised to get some solo shine on his debut release on Stones Throw. Though previously known as an MC, the emphasis in these two tracks is on Blacc's...
expand review soulful vocals (which in their quieter moments invite comparisons to Dwele), over some very engaging productions - "Want Me(1)" is a clipped, frenetic synth-driven banger, while "Arrive(2)" is my favorite here, swathed in gorgeous, swirling atmospherics floating on a bed of skittering, un-quantized hi-hats (ed's note: that was pure, un-quantized Language right there, folks). These two songs manage to sound effortlessly futuristic and original without the least bit of self-indulgence, and they really don't sound much like anything else out right now. I've had the pleasure of hearing a whole CD's worth of unreleased heat from Aloe, and believe you me, there's a lot more where these came from. Recommended if you dig the Sa-Ra/Platinum Pied Pipers soul vibe. Two tracks in all with instrumentals for both. -Language
quick audio picks: 12
Many people consider this their favorite battle record. Simplest, most effective layout. Includes "stop frontin' and use your head" beat. Two of the nicest skratch sentences that include "scratching... what is it; uh... raang.... it's fresh; break it down like this." Hours...
expand review of skratching enjoyment (=less time beating off). Buy 2 copies. Classic. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Damn, the first time I heard about Super Duper was about 4 years ago. We've probably gotten a total of 100+ emails about the release date. What made the original Duck Breaks so great was the ease of use, and almost the...
expand review whole record was usable. If you own it, you probably know the skratch sentences by heart. Duck Breaks was the Midnight Marauders of break records. Super Duper is a solid battle record. As good as the original? I really don't know, that comes with time and usage. The formula is very similar to the original. Simple beat arrangement plus smartly designed sentences. The first side starts with a stripped down skratch beat which is followed by 4 short sections of old school beats linked together by bpms. This is enclosed by the first skratch/beat sentence which is tightly formed with more drum snippets. The side ends with a downtempo electro beat. Side two is probably the stronger side that starts with 2 catchy skratch break beats (The first one is my pick) followed by a true skratch sentence. The next track is a Knight Rider-esque electro beat. The record ends with a marked descending tone section ending in a locked groove. Like I said, don't know if this will live up to the hype, but it's a good record that I'm sure everyone will be using. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
dam-funk's remix of Baron Zen's "Burn Rubber(1)" was easily one of the best tracks from the Baron's recent remix collection, and now it's on 12" with a bonus instrumental version to satisfy your need for synth-drenched funk (which was made out of...
expand review lo fi 80s Cali punk). On the flip, we get James Pants' killer electro remix of "Gotta Get Ridda Rick(2)" (plus instrumental) and the Baron Zen track "Jackyabody," which is basically just a bonus beat section with drum programming from PB Wolf. -Larri Byrd
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GAWD-DAMN! That's all I gotta say. 23 tracks of the heaviest drum tracks I've ever heard, straight from the funk gods at Stones Throw. If anyone knows beats, its these dudes. Don't bother scratchin' your head, going "where is this loop from?"...
expand review I'll tell you - they're all written and performed by Dan Bitney, John Herndon and John Mcentire of Tortoise. If you don't know Tortoise, don't worry. Just know that they are masters and everyone of these tracks is a gem. Anywhere you drop the needle is going to be like the golden sample record at the end of a 3 week digging spree. It's that good. To humor you, check "A Safe Balm(1)," "...As Bond Did(2)," "Crass Jenny(3)" and "Craven(4)." See how the funk just seeps out yo' speakers? Oh, not enough? If you want some slumpy scratch beats, check "Sniper Growl(5)" for that hardness. And I've only mentioned cuts from the first LP (it's a double!). With people like Egon and PB Wolf on the creative team, they wouldn't leave anyone hanging. Whatever genre you're feeling, whether it's funk, disco, jazz, or rock - they got something for everyone here. Only questions left are, "How long before these drums get sampled for a hit?" and "How many copies does Gaslamp Killer have?" I see you. Highly recommended. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
The next volume in Stones Throw's new break series. Whereas the first featured the electro funky beats of James Pants, this one brings in Lootpack's DJ Romes for another round of hard hitting breaks. Romes flexes his funk and hip hop crate...
expand review for most of these, translating everything from Jimmy Castor to "Rock Creek Park," NWA's "Boyz N Tha Hood" to Skull Snap-ish loops, and a whole slew of others for today's ear. Since these are more in the traditional break album form and are meant to be backbones rather than full tracks, I'd suggest two copies if you're planning to rip any routines. Just imagine the possibilities... 12 instrumentals total. -C'mish
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Following the surprise success of Dudley's "Flowers(1)" 7 inch, Madlib and Perkins deliver a full length look into their experimental late night minds. Although unaccomplished as a "singer," years of emceeing as Declaime have honed Dud's vocal phrasing, and he stretches his...
expand review voice, comfortably cracking, whispering, questioning. More unguardedly intimate than preachy conscious, A Lil' Light conveys naked emotion much like Mos Def's "Umi Says." YNQ appears on two tracks yet Madlib keeps production handclapping and straight ahead, especially on Side 4's "Just Think(2)." Side C's lead track "Falling(3)" plays like an open letter to soul searchers, contemplating the ills of Babylon. In interviews, Dudley has expressed the desire to collaborate with Quasimoto and the intros to this album's tracks are often decorated with loops, revved up vocal snippets, and the comfortable smokiness of Madlib's production from that era. Check the lead single "Money(4)," where Madlib's trademark dusty head nod meets D.Perkins' world-weary, layered vocals inna O-Jays style. Not something you'll be playing out (though "Flowers" got some run), but rather taking the dames (or fellas, girls do your thing) home to. 16 tracks on 2 LPs. For a limited time, this release comes with a free CD of the album's instrumentals. -P Gorgeous
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'Nother release off Dudley's Expressions 2012 album, and Stones Throw brings you the exclusive stuff on this single, as always. The "Come Here My Dear Remix(1)" uses the same Madlib beat as the original(2), but adds a guest verse from the timeless...
expand review pine tar thrower Sadat X. Out of all the early 90s guys still lurking around and making albums, Sadat is probably my favorite. I can't really take a full solo album from him, but combine with some other key elements (like Dudley and Lib) and this guy is a power 5-6 hitter. B-side features the exclusive Dudley + Georgia collab track (produced by Ms. G), "All For You(3). -the mgmnt
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"As a vocal muse for Madlib's creations, Dudley is unmatched; he's earned first pick at Madlib's prized beat collections." This is a pretty high standing for Dudley, and luckily for you, Stones Throw once again hooks up the instrumental version so you...
expand review can experience Madlib's top shelf without interruption. These Stones Throw instrumental albums really listen like Madlib albums, so savor it. 14 tracks, double vinyl. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
There was a time when you couldn't walk 2 steps in the Lab office without tripping over someone rushing to answer a page from their wifey. Now with R.Y. replacing Modem and P.G. rolling dolo, the majority of the office is in...
expand review the bachelor camp. Which is why Dudley's "Brainwashedsyndrome(1)" is the only shoulder I have to lean on these days. As he puts it, "this is for my lockdown…sometimes all you need to get by is a girlie." This track exemplifies the magic of the Declaime/Madlib alter-ego at its best; lyrics that are both funny and sympathetic, sung with a catchy melody over one of the Beat Conductor's finest. As a whole I thought the A Lil' Light LP had some of Madlib's strongest work to date, but Dudley just never really did it for me… which is basically my problem with the flip side of this 12", "Moma(2)." Maybe if you're too broke to buy a Mothers' Day present this year you could make a mix tape for her with this song and that Tupac song, I don't know. Both instrumentals are included so it's essential for keeping the Madlib catalog complete. -jms
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With all the obscure Grown & Sexy boogie, electro, disco of (Italo, Space, and funk) I collect, I shouldn't be stunned from this. Fact of the matter is, I'm not only stunned, I'm completely blown away! Say what you want, "C'mish"...
expand review says everything is good." Funk dat, I tell it how it is. This isn't only an obscure electro funk record, it's a special re-issue from the tastemakers at Stones Throw and fully endorsed by PB Wolf himself. I collect kinds of horrid 80's electro funk in the "so bad its good" category such as Cameron Paul's "Don't Mess With Mind" and Richie Weeks' "I'm Your Next Door Neighbor" (you know these PB Wolf?), but I've never heard an album so unique as this. How do you categorize an electro/synth/pop/funk full LP from Omaha, Nebraska? Look at the pic sleeve. He looks all G&S but, it's called Planet Jumper! It's just Insane. Turn it over and you see he's using old school Yamahas synths like the DX-7(which I just bought and love), classic Rolands , classic Casios and EMU's. Throw in his off-the-planet lyrics, swanky singing style, and live guitars and you got a winner. Check "Planet Jumper(1)," "Megamix(2)," "My Money's Kinda Funny(3)," and "Ghost Dance(4)." From the label that brought you Gary Wilson, James Pants, and Captain Funkaho, this falls perfectly in line. Recommended for the dirty funksters. I'm getting two.
-C'mish
quick audio picks: 123
I should probably say that "A Requiem For Leroy(1)" is one of the strongest tracks on Georgia Anne's album, but cot damn if every track isn't pure fire. If a requiem is ever written for me, this is how I want...
expand review it to sound. I can almost picture C'mish pop-locking to this at my funeral service. Something about Georgia rhyming is just so right too. Her transition from sing to spit is seamless. There's no sense of that thing that happens so often when people sing and rap on the same track. You know: "Right now I'm a singer, isn't my voice so well refined?" Followed by: "Oh shit! I'm a rapper too! What you ain't know? I got mad skillz son!" Her understated flow is organic and interchangeable, a rare combination for sure. Another great album cut entitled "Wrong Way(2)" appears on the flip, but the show is officially stolen by the perfectly titled "One For The Fonk(3)" This practically hidden bonus beat is way sicker than any of the shit that you bedroom producers who are probably sleeping on Georgia's album would put as the a-side of your first single, not like it would ever come out anyway. Sorry for that impromptu haterade shower, but you've got to understand that I only have so much hate because I have SO MUCH love. And this music just brings out the passion. Georgia Anne for president! Just kidding. I want her to live. You should buy this because despite all the tough talk, I want you to live too. -Telekinetic Kat
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Stones Throw's first female artist follows up a strong debut EP with this full length album. The cover with its casual, semi-experimental photography evokes some late seventies fusion jazz feelings, while the music itself evokes an updated vision of the fusion...
expand review ideals. What I'm trying to say is that it sounds like a new hybrid of the current R&B scene, mixed with Stones Throw type beats, L-Boogie type diversity, and throwback jazz styles. Georgia holds her own on the boards too with beats on par with anyone in the ST stable. The Telekenetic Kat, who is a good meter for this type of stuff, loves this shit. Check "Melanin(1), Frames(2), Lovelight(3), Speakervision(4)," and "Birds(5)." Pretty deep at 21 tracks. All produced by Georgia Anne herself. -the mgmnt
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If you like the beats on Georgia Anne's recent Olesi album but aren't quite feeling the vocals, then I don't know what the hell is wrong with you. You need help because you have no soul. Seriously, the beats are...
expand review incredible and all produced by Georgia Anne herself, but if you are buying this INSTEAD of the vocal version I really couldn't even get a cup of coffee or tea with you. If you're buying it IN ADDITION to the regular album, we could maybe have a strong and meaningful friendship in the future. There are 14 instrumentals in total. Most of them are on the short side, but all of them are strapped with a Kalashnikov and a rose so listen with caution. Check these tracks for the new shit, check the album for the necessary shit. As a side note, I just had Olesi on master blast while riding the train through the Italian countryside and it was treating me right. The melancholy beauty of leaving new love in Siena on the Eurostar in the pouring rain while having a Nina Simone/Georgia Anne Muldrow soul sandwich with a side of hash really can't be put into words even though I just tried. -Telekinetic Kat
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SPECIAL OFFER: Get a Stones Throw Fan Club 45 free when you purchase this release featuring Madlib "Footwork Size 12 Version" and instrumental.
So the Stones Throw squad is armed and ready for combat in '08, and Guilty's leading their street platoon. The...
expand review dirty Detroit native has been frontmanning their entire ghetto rap faction for some time with a fair share of singles and featured guest tracks, but the time has come for his full length debut album to drop. Will he be able to stand on his own two? Only time will tell. At least, he has the help of some of the Throw's finest producers to back him up on beats - Dilla, Madlib, Oh No, Mr. Porter, Black Milk, J-Rocc, and Babu (damn that's quite a roster!). You might already know the singles, "Gettin Bitches(1)," and "Ode To The Ghetto(2)," but you gotta check the street game come through on "Footwork(3)," the ghetto love vibe on "Kinda Live(4)," the b-team emcee haterade on "Run(5),"
and The ill Madlib beat backing him up on "The Future(6)." For now, he's the only alternative filling the space between average thug rap and intelligeble indie rhymes. It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it. 16 tracks total over 2LPs. -snackmaster
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