Hip Hop/R&B charts

Review: Dilated Peoples dropped their 'The Platform' on 45rpm via Capitol Records, a promotional release only back in 2000 that has never officially been reissued since. King Underground change that with this new 7". It takes us back to a powerful moment in the history of hip-hop when the underground acts began to make their mark on the mainstream - a seismic shift that still has an impact today. On this one the Los Angeles-based group pairs mighty mic work with killer beats and plenty of positive messages that whereat odds with the gangsta sounds of the day.

Review: Eric B & Rakim remain two of hip hop's most love characters. Their wordplay and beat making was second to none back inter prime and has barely been bettered since. For that reason reissue slick this will always be in hot demand. This one focuses on the pair's 'Eric B For President,' a golden era great from 1986 that now comes on 7" after being an elusive find for hip hop heads for many years. This particular tune was Rakim at his most raw and direct best. The rap hero lay down the foundation here of what he would build his whole career on.

Review: KingUnderground Records present the instrumentals version of Lewis Parker's sought after hip-hop record 'Frequency Of Perception' - a record that continued to cement Parker as a stalwart of the 90s hip-hop sound, think Tribe, Slum Village, The Pharcyde et al. The prolific UK-born hip-hop legend proves to be as tapped into the feel of a pocket as he was when he came on the scene in the 90s. The attention to detail and the intent in the sequencing and production on Frequency Of Perception is best noticed when listening front to back. The whole album touches on dynamics in line with the iconic sound that Parker built his reputation on for decades; all while finding new ways to tell stories by further exploring instrumentation. Lewis remains consistent in his craft, continuing to cook up beats and productions with classic techniques and fresh ingredients. There is no sense of reaching - the productions exude an attitude that reaps a true passion for his craft.