Fat Beats US Vinyl & CDs

Review: El Michels Affair have made their name on their connection to Wu-Tang, kicking off with the essential Enter The 37th Chamber tribute back in 2009. Now Fat Beats are devoting a run of 7" releases to some of the strongest joints from that album, where iconic beats from the wider Wu-Tang universe get rendered as smoky, jazz-funk master pieces which sound so good rolling at 45 rpm on their own side of wax. On this particular entry, ODB's 'Shimmy Shimmy Ya' gets the treatment, with a children's choir-rap evocation of the lead hook that will turn heads on its own. On the flip it's Raekwon's 'Incarcerated Scarfaces', which sounds utterly essential played out by a live band.

Review: A classic New York hip-hop sound with refined lyricism and sleek production. Side-1 features 'Below The Clouds (feat. Talib Kweli - remix)', a standout reimagining from Masta Ace's newest album out this year. The track blends introspective verses with a soulful beat and Kweli's contribution elevates it further, creating a thought-provoking yet head-nodding experience. On Side-2, 'Get Shot (remix)', originally from Masta Ace's 2018 album, gets a polished rework. The remix offers a smooth, groove-filled reinterpretation that complements Ace's storytelling strength while keeping the vibe laid-back yet engaging.