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Over at the top secret Mad Decent HQ, we got LOTS of shit cooking for the near future – but none of it was quite ready yet by the time we hit the road for the Diplo / Bonde do Role /...
expand review CSS tour this summer. Solution? We contacted PH and the Money Studies mafia and worked up a likkle collab to hold people over 'til the winter. The tracklist got a little wacky somewhere in the process, so when you're listening to this and going "Sweet goddamn, what is this??" be sure to come back to this review for the answer, 'cause I'm about to give ya the lowdown. First up, we got a pair of mixes that Diplo originally released via iTunes: they're the namesake of the compilation, and Mad Decent Radio is no joke. Conceived as "NPR for the streets," the first mix focuses on Baltimore and the second on New Orleans, and both combine the music of the region with interviews from key players in the scenes. (It's hard to explain without hearing, but trust me, it's cool.) Next up is A-Trak's remix of Bonde do Role's "Melo do Tabaco(1)" – DID YOU KNOW HE IS KANYE WEST'S DJ? WELL, HE IS. Here's where the confusion comes in: Dama Estrela's "Tipicou(2)" got left off the tracklist by accident, which really sucks 'cause it's a FIREBALL of a kuduru track. Then we got the new Diplo production – the upcoming Jungle Fever Riddim – with Dr. Evil (aka Leftside) providing the vocals for "Mary Jane(3)." Diplo adds some effects and rewinds to Wilcannia Mob's "Downriver(4)" for the Mad Decent edit – if you ain't heard these kids, you gotta. Aboriginal rap from like 9 and 10 year old kids in Australia, and they burn the house down. The other unlisted track on here is a top secret sneaky preview of Bonde do Role's next single, "Gasolina(5)." That's all I'm saying – you'll be hearing more about that one soon enough. Just like the first series of Money Studies mixtapes, this is a one-time limited pressing, so buy now or cry later. Remember when you slept on the Second Cousins CD?? -Chris Lemon-Red
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DJ Eli is the DJ's champ. Most every big name club DJ has some of his remixes in their arsenal. And for good reason: Eli's remixes are unparalleled. Sometimes he'll build a completely new song from a popular acapella, sometimes he'll use...
expand review just the right amount of editing and extra drums to give a classic track some extra punch in the club. The latest volume in our Money Lotion series (for the working DJ!) features six of Eli's most requested remixes: "Juicy(1)" (Eric B & Rakim's "Know The Ledge"), a massive edit of Cassie's "Me & U(2)," "Voices(3)" (The Police's "Voices Inside My Head"), a slow-burning new disco take on Feist's "One Evening(4)," "I Will Be With You Again(5)" (U2's "New Year's Day") and "If You Need A Friend(6)," an edit of the Lab best-seller "The Promise" by When In Rome. This is the first time any of Eli's "whitelabel" remixes have been pressed on wax, and Money Lotion volumes are known for selling out anyway, so get 'em while they're hot. Limited pressing, Recommended. -the mgmnt
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The seventh volume of the landmark Hollertronix 12" series introduces us to the Boogie Down Bottle Nose Dolphins, a new tag-team consisting of Diplo and NYC's DJ Eli Escobar (who also has a Money Lotion release in the works). Always one...
expand review step ahead, this series introduces us to the next manifestation of the Bmore edit with six stone cold party tracks for the brains and ears. The strange concoction "Betty(1)" is our immediate favorite here, and helps us remember why this series is so jocked. Diplo then follows up his classic "Goldigger" remix with a remix of the new Kanye-Daft Punk track "Stronger(2)." Lastly, unpredictable as ever, Eli digs into the Trax vault for a remix of Ralphie Rosario's "You Used to Hold Me(3)." DJ Eli, whose known amongst his club DJ brethren for his edits, delivers the no-brainer club bangguhs to earn those paychecks. First up, check the Dolphins' remix of "DANCE(4)" by those French doods, then a riot-causing MJ remix(5), and finally a Diplo remix of "Groove Is In The Heart(5)." Need we say more? Recommended. -the mgmnt
Guest design from Miami's finest and creator of Battlezine enterprises. Double logo sleeve print. The gold color combo rocks too. 100% Cotton, Standard fit.
-the mgmnt
The Second Cousins are Blu Jemz and Roger Yamaha. They haven't done shit since their classic Money Studies mix "Rush," so the real reason I printed these up was cause I like the logo we made for them. Don't judge this shirt...
expand review by these internet pics, it's much better looking in person, check the close-up shots for a better detail. Hats off to our awesome screen-master that got the overlapping print just right. Soft cotton body, smaller fit than beefy tee, but not as small as American Apparel (aka just right). -the mgmnt
Aaaah, the last of the limited edition TTL / Moneystudies shirts leftover from the recent WMC party down in Miami. If you weren't there for the craziness, cop one now and wreak havoc wherever you go. Made in BKLYN, standard fit. -C'mish
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The full length Piano Overlord project from Scott Herren aka Prefuse, and we did it up deluxe for you with the cd housed in a super jewel box (needs to be seen) and all the Piano Overlord remixes included. If you haven't...
expand review been following the singles we've released (both of which are now out of print), this is another guise for the prolific Herren, where he played all instruments- primarily Rhodes, busted Wurlitzer, and drums- for all the songs, and rearranged them in his studio in Spain. We think it's some of his best work, landing favorably between the Prefuse and Savath & Savalas styles. Lush and live sounding but with a slight production edge- check tracks like "Springs Arrival(1), Agoraphobia(2), Walk Home(3)" and "Stay Home(4)" for the goods. Bonus tracks on the CD include the unreleased alternate take(5) of Diplo's remix, Blu Jemz' "Keyboard King(6)" vocal mix, the Adventure Time "Sleepy Keys(7)" remix, and Count Bass D's vocal mix(8). -the mgmnt
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Debut release from the new Money Studies series for the working dj, Money Lotion. The idea is to give you guys the best quality remixes and mashups (stuff that will actually kill in the clubs), drawn from the wide pool of inventive...
expand review djs that Money Studies rubs shoulders with. This first record comes from the infamous Roctakon, the original Lab reviewer who shat on everything, the blog pirate, and one of the best all around club djs we know. Seriously this guy is the guru to a whole generation of Lab employees, he holds residency at a bunch of the top clubs in NYC (those "it" celebrity places that change every six months), he's got super wide music knowledge and dude can dj his ass off. Who else do you want handing you club tested beauties like this? The Roc goes mostly B-more with this one (it's ok people, he's from Maryland), injecting 80s joints with Sing Sing et al, the combination of which is a lightning bolt headed straight for the pelvises of those girls over there by the bar. "Sunglasses At Night"? Hell yes(1)." The "I Don't Want To Lose Your Love" joint(2) is ridiculous too, then you get 2 versions(3,4) of the Cars "Just What I Needed" plus Stevie Knicks and "One Winged Dove" or whatever it's called. -the mgmnt
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Back by popular demand... Scottie B returns to the Money Lotion series (our first return visit), and this time he brought friends. Chavy Boys of London are the new Bmore supergoup featuring Scottie and Shawn Caesar (co-founders of the legendary Unruly Records)...
expand review and Scottie's longtime collaborator and Bmore guru in his own right, King Tutt. The Boys run wild on this one, remixing party rap classics(1), bhangra beats(2), a well-known dubstepper(3), an even better-known pop idol(4) and that shouty guy from Atlanta who seems to end up on a lot of Bmore tracks. In addition, all the tracks switch over ON BEAT, meaning you can spin single tracks or let the whole side run continuously. Forget the fakers and half-steppers - this is true club music done right, and it doesn't get more hype than that. -Larri Byrd
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Can't remember the last time EVERYONE at Lab HQ was this geeked about a Money Studies release, but maybe it's no surprise - there's something here for everyone. Secret Hangout is the new series from Money Studies, drawing inspiration from the old...
expand review Mo'Wax "Headz" comps by coming with only the strongest tracks and most unique artwork from our motley stable of DJs and producers. To give it our own twist, we've divided the EP into two distinct sides - one with killer club-ready jams and one with heady downtetmpo beats. The club side leads off with the debut of Pocket Checkers (aka Blu Jemz and Ter Kahn) and their insanely catchy electro party starter, "2 O'Clock(1)." (Already a hit in LA, where Jemz kills it nightly.) People have been walking around the office singing the sample from this one for months, and we still don't know what it's from. Eggfooyoung brings the solid "Up It(2)" (a Miami bass / electro / Bmore crossbreed), but I know most of you will be skipping directly to "Young M.D.(3)" by my boys Snack & C'mish. Yes, it's a crazy Bmore edit of the "Doogie Houser, M.D." theme song, complete with Fabo acapella snippets, ambulance noises and the subtle sounds of Doogie tap-tapping into his primitive blog at the end of every show. (Snack & C'mish spent a week watching Netflix'd Doogie DVDs before making this track, just to get the true Spirit of Vinnie Delpino.) The downtempo side starts off PROPER with an instant classic from LA's Gaslamp Killer. "Dagasse(4)" is downtempo like you haven't heard in a while, full of tough drums, dark tones and a mean bass loop. Blu Jemz returns with the afrobeat / future-soul jam "Turn Away(5)," and Hefty's Eliot Lipp turns up to unveil his new electro style on "Slow & Smooth(6)." This is the best-looking Money Studies release in a while too - comes in a nice matte pic sleeve with illustration by Noah Butkus and art direction by PH. If you made this far into the review, I guess I don't have to tell you that this is highly recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
The full length Piano Overlord project from Scott Herren aka Prefuse, and we did it up deluxe for you with the cd housed in a super jewel box (needs to be seen) and all the Piano Overlord remixes included. If you haven't...
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Can't remember the last time EVERYONE at Lab HQ was this geeked about a Money Studies release, but maybe it's no surprise - there's something here for everyone. Secret Hangout is the new series from Money Studies, drawing inspiration from the old...
click for more
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