Review: Boogie Down Productions' 1989 release stands as one of hip-hop's most important but often overlooked albums. While many celebrate the group's early work, this record delivers a unique blend of lyrical depth and musical innovation that makes it just as essential. KRS-One, continuing to shape the group's sound after the tragic loss of Scott LaRock, crafted a sonic landscape that's both funky and thought-provoking. The album features powerful tracks like 'You Must Learn' and 'Why Is That?'. where KRS-One tackles issues ranging from education to religion with unflinching clarity. The anti-police anthem 'Who Protects Us From You' remains painfully relevant today, highlighting the album's ability to speak truth to power. 1989 was a transformative year for hip-hop. Amidst a genre explosion, the album's lessons were a revelation, challenging listeners to think critically and embrace their own potential. The infectious beats and KRS-One's wisdom left a lasting impression, creating an album that wasn't just entertaining, but educational. For younger fans, this reissue offers a chance to discover a foundational moment in hip-hop's history, underscoring the genre's ability to both entertain and enlighten.
B-STOCK: Obi-strip missing, sleeve slightly torn but otherwise in excellent condition
Review: ***B-STOCK: Obi-strip missing, sleeve slightly torn but otherwise in excellent condition***
Boogie Down Productions' 1989 release stands as one of hip-hop's most important but often overlooked albums. While many celebrate the group's early work, this record delivers a unique blend of lyrical depth and musical innovation that makes it just as essential. KRS-One, continuing to shape the group's sound after the tragic loss of Scott LaRock, crafted a sonic landscape that's both funky and thought-provoking. The album features powerful tracks like 'You Must Learn' and 'Why Is That?'. where KRS-One tackles issues ranging from education to religion with unflinching clarity. The anti-police anthem 'Who Protects Us From You' remains painfully relevant today, highlighting the album's ability to speak truth to power. 1989 was a transformative year for hip-hop. Amidst a genre explosion, the album's lessons were a revelation, challenging listeners to think critically and embrace their own potential. The infectious beats and KRS-One's wisdom left a lasting impression, creating an album that wasn't just entertaining, but educational. For younger fans, this reissue offers a chance to discover a foundational moment in hip-hop's history, underscoring the genre's ability to both entertain and enlighten.
Review: In the early 1990s as gangsta rap rose in popularity, KRS-One remained committed to socially conscious lyrics and the culminated in the hard-hitting 1992 album Sex and Violence. This fifth and final studio release from Boogie Down Productions, produced by KRS-One, Pal Joey, Kenny Parker, D-Square, and Prince Paul, delves into the darker aspects of American urban life. While singles like the intense 'Duck Down' and funky 'We In There' garnered attention, tracks such as 'Drug Dealer,' 'Ruff Ruff,' 'Questions and Answers,' and 'How Not To Get Jerked' stand out. Featuring an intro skit about a DJ's vinyl panic, this reissue by Get On Down and Sony Music's CERTIFIED brings the album back to vinyl, with a great splatter-coloured pressing.
Lady Bug (John Morales & Frank Of Sunshine Sound mix) (9:54)
Lady Bug (Larry Levan mix) (6:42)
Review: With its eccentric, helium-fuelled vocals, insatiable bassline, bold pianos and swirling strings, Bumblebee Unlimited's "Lady Bug" remains one of Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael's greatest productions. This special reissue ignores the duo's original 1978 mixes, instead showcasing the '79 reworks released on RCA. On the A-side you'll find John Morales and Frank "Sunshine Sound" Trimarco's peerless, 10-minute "Disco Mix"- a rework that successfully showcases each individual musical element contained within Adams and Carmichael's similarly epic original production. On the flip, you'll find the lesser-celebrated but equally memorable Larry Levan remix, in which the legendary Paradise Garage resident wisely put more emphasis on the heavyweight bassline and relentless disco drums.
Black Nostaljack (Aka Come On) (radio edit) (4:03)
Black Nostaljack (Aka Come On) (feat Run & Kid Capri - Kid Capri mix Tape remix) (3:51)
Review: Bronx titans Camp Lo came out strong when they arrived in the late 90s on Profile Records. Of the many sure shots on their debut LP Uptown Saturday Night, 'Black Nostaljack' was a cool, funked up party jam to get every nodding their approval. It's a classic kind of hip-hop, like an East Coast version of People Under The Stairs, and it sounds super fresh on this 7" from Get On Down. As well as the original version on the A side, the flip features the jacked up 'Mix Tape Remix' from Kid Capri, which turns the heat up good and proper if you need to get the crowd freaking.
Review: Seminal funk album from Lyn Collins. Released in 1972 on James Brown's People Records, everything about this is immaculate and of its time. Not just home of one of the most important breakbeats of our time but home to entire collection of immaculately delivered soul and funk gems; from her cover of "Ain't No Sunshine" to the deep yearning reflection of "Never Gonna Give You Up", this is Lyn at her finest. If this album isn't in your collection yet, now is most definitely the time.
Review: Common's Resurrection celebrates its 30th anniversary with a special edition re-release that reminds us, as if we needed reminding, of how good the Chicago rapper's groundbreaking 1994 album really was. Known for its introspective lyrics and socially conscious themes, the record solidified Common as a key figure in the golden age of hip-hop and blends jazzy beats, soulful samples and of course his powerful storytelling. It touches on topics like identity, love and struggle and tracks like 'I Used to Love H.E.R.' became iconic anthems that influenced future generations of artists. As a poet and rapper in the hip-hop landscape, there are few finer than Common.
Review: Get On Down are a trusted destination for classics cut to 7" - the kind of weapons it's always handy to have in quick and easy reach when you're ready to set the party alight. On this occasion, we're tracking back to Cypress Hill's 1991 debut, which, let's face it, is loaded with heat from start to finish. Skipping past some of the more obvious picks, we kick off with the P-funk sampling freakery of 'Psycobetabuckdown', which has more than enough juicy hooks to get everyone wiggling. Likewise, DJ Muggs was keeping the pressure up with the sweet licks that power 'Something For The Blunted', albeit a short interlude before we get into the eternal 'Latin Lingo' on the flip. For life long Cypress heads and good time hip-hop DJs of all stripes, this is an essential nugget of funk.
Review: DM is the ultimate powerhouse rapper from Yonkers, a dominant force in hip-hop with his many high-energy anthems and unique attitude. His third album came soon after his sophomore effort, Flesh of My Flesh..., and only six months after his debut, It's Dark and Hell is Hot. This rapid-release strategy kept him at the forefront of the fast-evolving rap scene and years on it still stands up. The There Was X is a fine example of his powerful presence with Swizz Beatz-produced tracks continuing the same intense energy with all the usual gritty lyrics and fiery delivery.
Review: A major departure from Les McCann’s earlier acoustic jazz and soul jazz outings, this exquisite 11-track record by the Kentucky pianist, vocalist and composer was the first in his discography to extensively feature electronic instrumentation, making it a favourite sample seep of producers such as Madlib and J Dilla. Following a studio-driven will by McCann to expound a deep, introspective and dynamic fusion sound, the record’s cosmic outcries - guaranteed by its use of ARP Odyssey and Fender systems - serve to transcend the expectations of the soul jazz genre. At times it sounds predictive of motorik kosmische, as on ‘Let’s Gather’, and even the raunchier wah-inflectors, such as ‘The Dunbar High School Marching Band’, carry an huge re-verbiage, reminiscent of the ambitious abysses of space.
Gettin' High (feat 12 O'Clock, La The Darkman & shorty Shit Stain)
You Don't Want F**k With Me
N***a Please
Dirt Dog
I Want P***y
Good Morning Heartache (feat Lil' Mo)
All In Together Now
Review: Happy 25th Anniversary to the late great Ol' Dirty Bastard's second studio album, a chaotic masterpiece that captured the unrestrained genius of Russell Jones during a turbulent phase in his life. Amid arrests, personal struggles and Wu-Tang Clan's shifting dominance, ODB (so named because there is no mother to his style) delivered an album steeped in unfiltered emotion and unpredictability. The recording sessions have since become infamous for their bacchanalian energy and they truly birthed a wildly unique record. Tracks like 'Rollin' With You' and 'You Don't Want To F* With Me' showcase his raw, unbridled id. Though messy and polarising, this one remains a daring and unforgettable work.
Review: In the encyclopedia entry for psychedelic soul you're sure to find some mention of Shuggie Otis, and this is the album that cemented his sound. 'Strawberry Letter 23' is undoubtedly Otis' 'Albatross', a universally adored anthem that ploughs a furrow straight to the heart, but it grows in stature even more when you hear it in context on the 1971 album it was first released on. With George Duke lending his inimitable touch on keys amongst the ensemble of players, this is a true treasure of funk and soul with the spark of inspiration to look beyond genre conventions. Beyond the big hit, this is an album of abundant riches which rightly gets a repressing to reaffirm Otis' status as a legend in a league of his own making.
Review: In 1999, Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon followed up his legendary solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, with Immobilarity. It soon made an impact and reached the Top Ten on the US album charts. Within a month, it was certified gold by the RIAA and helped to cement Raekwon's status as a prominent figure in hip-hop. The album showcased his unique storytelling and vivid lyricism by blending street narratives with slick production. While it received mixed reviews compared to his debut, Immobilarity remains an essential chapter in Raekwon's career. For this year's RSD Black Friday and in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of this landmark recording, it comes pressed as a double LP on a never-to-be-repeated 'galaxy effect' vinyl pressing.
Review: One of the most iconic groups of the eighties music scene was Run-DMC, no question. They blew up the world of rap with their raw, swaggering beats and impactful lyrical insights, which often came with a tag-team delivery between numerous band members. Their self-titled album remains a high water mark for the band, and the genre at large, with singles like "Rock Box" and worldwide smash "King Of Rock" still resonating today. This landmark album was the first rap full-length to achieve Gold status, and the band kept the pressure on with two even bigger follow up albums in the years after.
Review: Run-DMC's vital Down With The King album is now a hard to believe three decades old and so Get On Down mark the occasion with this special red & clear vinyl 7" real of its title tune for its 30th Anniversary. The album - their sixth at the time - marked a superb comeback for the band having already hit massive sights with the previous platinum album Tougher Than Leather. Gangsta rap had rather pushed the group to the sidelines but this one brought them back to the fore with its catchy melodies and crunchy beats as well as superb bars. On the flip here is the low slung and classic boom-bap sound of 'Come On Everybody.'
Review: As the '70s dawned and Motown relocated to the West Coast, the era of their honey-toned '60s girl groups came to a resounding halt. The Sisters Love were the antithesis of the traditional Motown group and came to the label from A&M, armed with a lot of funk, sass and attitude.
Paired with some of Motown's finest writers and producers - Hal Davis, Gloria Jones, Pamela Sawyer, Paul Riser and Willie Hutch - they got off to a rousing start with the gritty "Mr. Fix-It Man" and went into high gear for the UK only release "I'm Learning To Trust My Man".
Motown had them playing arenas with The Jackson Five (probably not their smartest move!), issued the odd single and scheduled more but Sisters Love's anticipated breakthrough didn't happen.
In 1980 New York DJ Danny Krivit pressed up an extended eight-minute re-edit of "Give Me Your Love", an old B-side from a 1973 single! That song was somewhat of an underground classic but the Krivit mix brought in a whole new legion of fans amongst the rare groove crowd, both in the US and the UK.
Sisters Love had long been rumored to have recorded a complete album for the Motown subsidiary MoWest. Get On Down Records combed the vaults with Motown's help and the result is the original 10 cut album, plus a bonus cut, "Give Me Your Love."
'94 Via Satellite (feat Del, The Funkee Homosapien) (4:57)
Do You Want It? (4:05)
Come A New (1:02)
Bumpshit (4:29)
Ya Don't Stop (4:19)
Yeah It Was You (feat Pep Love) (1:49)
Hotel, Motel (1:43)
Fa Sho Fo Real (4:31)
Dirty D's Theme (Hoe Or Die) (5:06)
Times Ain't Fair (4:21)
Review: In 1995, Oakland's Souls of Mischief released No Man's Land, the follow-up to their iconic debut and it didn't disappoint hardcore fans but despite its brilliance, this golden-era hip-hop gem was often overlooked and never received a commercial vinyl release in the US. To this day, it remains without an official US reissue but now that changes this Record Star Day. Get On Down celebrates this classic with a special double LP release presented in a gatefold jacket pressed on eye-catching "Tide Pod" colour vinyl. It's packed with classic hip-hop heat, free-flowing bars and signature soul from this iconic outfit.
T Rock - "Fie It On Up" (feat Tear Da club Up Thugs & La Chat) (4:21)
Pastor Troy & T Rock - "Big Mouth Big Talk" (3:52)
What's Going On (skit) (1:20)
Gangsta Boo & Juicy J - "D-Suckin'-H" (4:02)
Lord Infamous - "Don't Make Me Kill" (feat Killa Klan) (4:27)
Crunchy Black & T Rock - "Don't Trust 'Em" (4:25)
Three 6 Mafia - "Who Run It" (4:45)
La Chat - "Project Hoes" (feat Project Pat & T Rock) (3:55)
Tear Da Club Up Thugs & Koopsta Knicca - "Da First Date" (5:05)
La Chat - "Hoes Can Be Like Niggaz" (3:05)
Outro (skit) (3:38)
Review: Memphis crew Three 6 Mafia are one of the most vital forces in Southern rap, still reigning supreme more than 30 years since they formed. Back in 2000 they helped define the sound orbiting the group and their label with the Hypnotise Camp Posse compilation, bringing in all their different collaborations and configurations and other MCs riding on beats from DJ Paul and Juicy J. Gangsta Boo especially shines on the likes of 'We Ain't Playin' while Lord Infamous tears it up on 'Don't Make Me Kill'. This is the real deal, from the razor-sharp beats to the deadly flows from the extended Three 6 family, now pressed up on a double 12" with an insert.
G-2000 (feat Badwayz, Al Block, Hellkilla & Zu) (4:13)
Don't Trust Her (feat Badwayz) (4:35)
At The Studio (feat Quint Black) (2:51)
Review: After declaring his retirement in 1996 with Gettin' It, it turned out that Too $hort couldn't really stay away from the game. In 1999, he returned with Can't Stay Away, his 11th studio album and one recorded in Atlanta with Southern influences folded into his signature West Coast Bay Area sound. Produced by Jazze Pha, Jermaine Dupri and Erick Sermon and with features from 8Ball & MJG, Scarface, E-40 and others, it's another example of Too $hort's versatility. It also introduces his Nation Riders, a collective of up-and-coming rappers signed to his new label, in a record full of pimp tales and classic $hort storytelling.
Buy You Some (feat Erick Sermon, MC Breed & Kool Ace) (5:16)
Pimp Me (4:19)
Baby D (1:23)
I Must Confess (6:19)
Never Talk Down (feat Rappin' 4-Tay & MC Breed) (5:09)
So Watcha Sayin' (2:54)
I've Been Watching You (feat Parliament Funkadelic & About Face) (7:14)
Gettin' It (feat Parliament Funkadelic & Bonecrusher - remix) (6:16)
Review: In 1996, after 14 years in the game that started with him and Freddy B selling tapes out of the trunk of their car in East Oakland, Too $hort announced he would be retiring On May 21, 1996, he released his 10th studio album Gettin' It with the lead single of the same name featuring Parliament Funkadelic. Retirement was more of a hiatus as Too $hort got back in the game in 1999 with the appropriately named album Can't Stay Away. Though this album was initially intended to be his swan song, Too $hort returned in 1999 with Can't Stay Away. Gettin' It allowed him to go out on a high after earning his 6th Platinum record, but now they're back again and as well as having Parliament Funkadelic contribute to two songs, Ant Banks and Shorty B offer laid-back Bay Area funk along with some G-Funk contributions by Colin Wolfe, L.A. Dre, and Spearhead X. A real classic.
Keep Bouncin' (Street) (feat Snoop Dogg, Will I Am, & Fergie) (2:15)
Pimpin' Forever (4:41)
Money Maker (feat Pimp C & Rick Ross) (4:04)
Strip Down (3:44)
Nothing Feels Better (4:17)
Sophisticated (3:57)
Playa (4:05)
16 Hoes (feat Jazze Pha & Bun B) (3:51)
Baller (feat David Banner) (3:35)
Sadity (feat Kurupt & Daz) (3:34)
I Want Your Girl (feat E-40, Dolla Will & Mr Fab) (3:24)
It's Time To Go (3:32)
Shake It Baby (3:27)
Review: The brilliant Blow the Whistle album by hip-hop legend Too Short returns as a special reissue here and is pressed up to striking gold double vinyl. Originally released in 2006, this album features classic tracks like the title anthem 'Blow the Whistle' which is a great showcase of Too Short's unmistakable flow and raw lyricism. Elsewhere the record fuses classic West Coast hip-hop vibes and more club-ready beats with some big-name guest spots such as 'Keep Bouncin' (Street) (feat Snoop Dogg, Will I Am, & Fergie)' and 'Money Maker (feat Pimp C & Rick Ross').
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