Back in stock: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: Released 35 years ago, The Cactus Album marked a significant moment in hip-hop, presenting a unique blend of styles from its members, Pete Nice and MC Serch. Unlike their contemporaries, the duo expressed their identity authentically, sidestepping exaggerated stereotypes often associated with white rappers. Their chemistry is palpable in tracks like 'Steppin' To The A.M' and 'Words Of Wisdom', where intricate samples and sharp lyricism shine through. The album's standout, 'The Gas Face', shows their ability to tackle complex social issues, addressing racism in a way rarely seen among white emcees at the time. Tracks such as 'Brooklyn Queens' and 'Monte Hall' illustrate their knack for catchy yet thoughtful content, while DJ Richie Rich's contributions on the turntables enhance the album's overall sound. Despite the group's eventual split due to personal differences, their influence remains significant. The lasting legacy of The Cactus Album lies in its authentic representation of hip-hop culture, paving the way for future artists like Eminem. Even amid interpersonal strife, the duo's collaboration produced a timeless work that resonates even today.

Review: Bran Van 3000's The Garden is their fourth studio album and another subtle evolution of their signature genre-blending sound. Rooted in prog-rock grooves and boogie flair, the album explores romantic and reflective territory without losing the collective's playful spirit. On the album, which arrives as a special for this year's Record Store Day, James Di Salvio is joined by longtime collaborators and fresh talent alike to create a lush collaborative soundscape that's rich in emotion and rhythm. The tracks all exude soulful vocals, brass-laced arrangements and global sonic textures, which help to make The Garden is a mature yet adventurous chapter in BV3's musical journey.

Review: New York emcee Hassaan Mackey (Rawkus 50) delivers sharp, unfiltered lyricism, packing rhymes with onomatopoeia and raw street wisdom. Set to blackout beats by Detroit producer Apollo Brown (The Reset, Brown Study, Gas Mask, Clouds), we've the ideal backdrop here: deep bass set to the the crackle of well-worn vinyl. The result is a record on which we're given much more than our Daily Bread. Lyrical picturebooks of faded spirit photographs return like plasmic ghosts, each booing line steeped in a mood of eerie reckoning. Atonement lingers in every note, experience weighs heavy, yet a fierce hope burns through.

Review: The Loneliest Punk was Fatlip's debut solo album and was originally released in 2005. It now returns on vinyl as it has remained a cult classic that captures the Pharcyde MC at his most raw and introspective. Produced by J-Swift of Bizarre Ride II and Squeak E. Clean, the album fuses quirky hip-hop drum patterns with sharp lyricism and features standout collaborations with Chali 2na from Jurassic 5 and the late Shock G aka Humpty Hump. Long out of print, this latest reissue revives a hidden gem of underground hip-hop that deserves as much spotlight as it gets.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


Madvillain is the collaboration of the most dynamic duo from today's hip-hop underground, MF Doom and Madlib. "Madvillainy" has witty, mental lyrics combined with rugged beats fashioned from every possible source material, resulting in a truly unique album pointing the way to hip-hop's future.