Deluxe 20th anniversary reissue of Nas' classic debut! Columbia has pulled out all the stops to commemorate this landmark in hip hop's history. From remastering the tracks to pressing up the album on 180 gram wax they've taken no shorts. The download that comes with the record includes the entire album plus 10 rare remixes, demos & freestyles. The standout from that collection has got to be the demos. Here's what the mgmnt had to say when we first started carrying Illmatic: What can I say about this album? Easily in the top 10 of all time, there is no way to pick favorites on this album. Not even one okay track on here. Everything is amazing. When this came out in 94, it was one of the most anticipated albums of all time, taking about two years to finally release. And it dropped with ten songs, no filler, blowing the lid off everybody. Nas wrote the deepest street poetry, touched inner thoughts and demons and still shot his way out his momma's stomach, went to hell for snuffin Jesus. Got the best producers in New York (Pete Rock, Large Professor, Q-Tip, Trackmasters, Premier) to turn in some of their best work ever for one of the best albums ever. One of the few albums I can just keep flipping over and over and over to this day. Little known fact: the trumpet solo on the end of "Life's a Bitch" is performed by Nas' father, the accomplished jazz man Olu Dara. 20th anniversary reissue on 180g vinyl, includes free download of the album plus 10 rare remixes, demos & freestyles. Recommended.

• 180g black vinyl pressing
• 20th anniversary edition
• includes digital download of original album plus 10 rare bonus tracks
• music label: Columbia 1994 / 2014

reviewed by Kool Moby 05/2014