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Classic samples on 45. The Whatnauts, Help Is on the Way. Released as a single in 1981, this hard to find 45 is a certified Funk Disco Boogie classic! An infectious bass line over a head nodding drum groove, this is one for the steppers. Instantly recognisable as the sample source for Del La Soul’s “Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)” Hip Hop classic, you might also recognise it for lending a riff or two for Fat Larry’s Band, “Act Like you Know”.

Isaac Hayes. Ike’s Mood. Released as the lead Single from the 1970 album “…To Be Continued” this Soul Jazz classic unwittingly became a huge source of inspiration for the sampling generation. Sampled almost 200 times, the brass section, drums and an unforgettable piano hook have been used to form the basis for classic releases by Biz Markie, Mary J. Blige, Nas and Massive Attack to name only a few.

'Black Samson, The Bastard Swordsman' ist das erste Wu-Tang-Album seit 11 Jahren, auf dem alle 9 lebenden Mitglieder vertreten sind: Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna, U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, GZA und RZA.

Produziert von Mathematics.

Ursprünglich in limitierter Auflage zum Record Store Day 2025 erschienen, ist die Platte nun erstmals überall im Handel erhältlich.

Wu-Tang ist die wohl ikonischste Hip-Hop-Gruppe der Welt. Das Wu-Tang-Logo ist nicht nur das bekannteste Logo in der generationenübergreifenden Hip-Hop-Welt, sondern die große Zahl ihrer eingefleischten Fans, die aktiv Tickets, Platten und Merchandise kaufen, macht das Logo in Bezug auf die Markenbekanntheit zu einer Marke auf Augenhöhe mit den Rolling Stones.

- LP: (Schwarzes 180g Vinyl, Single Pocket Gatefold mit bedruckten Innenhüllen)

After what seems like an aeon of anticipation, Yugen Blakrok returns bolder than ever with The Illusion of Being, a raw, fearless exploration of emotion and resilience. This album is a call to triumph. Through poetic lyricism and experimental soundscapes, this project offers the listener a journey into the heart of uncertainty and the power of perseverance. Created and recorded in a world in flux, The Illusion of Being reflects the artist's evolution as a storyteller and resonates directly with the era that shaped her. Driven by incisive lyrics andsoundscapes blending grunge, trip-hop, and 90s spirit, this project tests the boundaries of alternative hip-hop. Here, rhythm speaks louder than reason, and the acceptance of "Being" becomes the thread that ties each track together. This album captures a bold new chapter in Yugen Blakrok's discography. While rooted in the lyrical mastery and poetic precision that fans cherish, it marks a departure from the familiar, embracing a more unfiltered and experimental approach. The collaborations seem purposeful, and match this intensity: Sa-Roc delivers combative and sisterly energy,Cambatta brings his visceral urgency, while Hannah Allen offers a touch both delicate and impactful. Instrumentally, the arrangements dare to break new ground: wailing electric guitars,enchanting flutes, and hypnotic beats create a striking sonic alchemy. As described by Yugen in three words: Free. Involved. Anti.Free from convention. Involved in the fight. Anti-establishment. In many ways this album is a sonic manifesto. Each track resonates as a call to rebellion, an anthem for those who refuse to bow down. The Illusion of Being is not just a work of art; it’s a statement: for freedom, for community, against oppression. A mirror of our collectivestruggles and a light for those who keep moving forward. It promises its listeners a deeply personal connection, offering a glimmer of hope amidst despair and a soundtrack for their fight.

Originally released in 2005, Street Education is the explosive debut from Street Life - longtime Wu-Tang Clan affiliate and Method Man’s onstage partner-in-rhyme. Executive produced by Method Man, the album delivers raw street wisdom, classic East Coast grit and features production from Rockwilder, Allah Mathematics, Inspectah Deck and Fantom of the Beats. Tracks like “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” “A Star Is Born,” and “What’s Up”
showcase Street Life’s sharp lyricism and his undeniable chemistry with Method Man.

THIS SPECIAL 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ARRIVES IN
TANDEM WITH THE WU-TANG CLAN’S ENTER THE FINAL CHAMBER FAREWELL TOUR, A GLOBAL EVENT
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF ONE OF HIP-HOP’S GREATEST COLLECTIVES.

Originally released in 2005, Street Education is the explosive debut from Street Life - longtime Wu-Tang Clan affiliate and Method Man’s onstage partner-in-rhyme. Executive produced by Method Man, the album delivers raw street wisdom, classic East Coast grit and features production from Rockwilder, Allah Mathematics, Inspectah Deck and Fantom of the Beats. Tracks like “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” “A Star Is Born,” and “What’s Up”
showcase Street Life’s sharp lyricism and his undeniable chemistry with Method Man.

THIS SPECIAL 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ARRIVES IN
TANDEM WITH THE WU-TANG CLAN’S ENTER THE FINAL CHAMBER FAREWELL TOUR, A GLOBAL EVENT
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF ONE OF HIP-HOP’S GREATEST COLLECTIVES.

Originally released in 2005, Street Education is the explosive debut from Street Life - longtime Wu-Tang Clan affiliate and Method Man’s onstage partner-in-rhyme. Executive produced by Method Man, the album delivers raw street wisdom, classic East Coast grit and features production from Rockwilder, Allah Mathematics, Inspectah Deck and Fantom of the Beats. Tracks like “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” “A Star Is Born,” and “What’s Up”
showcase Street Life’s sharp lyricism and his undeniable chemistry with Method Man.

THIS SPECIAL 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION ARRIVES IN
TANDEM WITH THE WU-TANG CLAN’S ENTER THE FINAL CHAMBER FAREWELL TOUR, A GLOBAL EVENT
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF ONE OF HIP-HOP’S GREATEST COLLECTIVES.

The legendary Beatnuts bring the sound of the 90‘s back to the streets -“Street Level”, the iconic debut album, is being reissued and is available in various exclusive formats: a Standard CD, Music Cassette, Black Double Vinyl and a Limited Splatter Double Vinyl.

TWO BONUS TRACKS:
“HELLRAISER“(ORIGINAL VERSION) AND TWO AND “DAWN OF THE DEAD“
Old school flavor, Latin vibes & sample magic - that‘s the unmistakable Beatnuts sound.
With classics such as “Props Over Here”, and With and “Hit Me with That” the Queens duo made hip-hop history.

The legendary Beatnuts bring the sound of the 90‘s back to the streets -“Street Level”, the iconic debut album, is being reissued and is available in various exclusive formats: a Standard CD, Music Cassette, Black Double Vinyl and a Limited Splatter Double Vinyl.

TWO BONUS TRACKS:
“HELLRAISER“(ORIGINAL VERSION) AND TWO AND “DAWN OF THE DEAD“
Old school flavor, Latin vibes & sample magic - that‘s the unmistakable Beatnuts sound.
With classics such as “Props Over Here”, and With and “Hit Me with That” the Queens duo made hip-hop history.

Crane de Poule releases her first EP on vinyl under her label, CDP REC. The title track, Twerk of The Apocalypse, comes in two original versions - one with a bouncy breakbeat vibe infused with hip-hop energy, and the other built on a 4/4 minimal techno rhythm. The vocals were written and performed by Crane de Poule. Reboot and Enzo Leep deliver their own takes on Twerk of The Apocalypse, offering unique and irresistibly catchy remixes. Mastering by TIJN, Illustration and Artistic Direction by Crane de Poule

LA-based producer Real Bad Man and Detroit artist ZelooperZ release their joint album Dear Psilocybin via the pro-ducer’s own Real Bad Man Records. The album marks the duo’s first collaboration, culminating in a full-length project that also features guest appearances from Boldy James, MAVI and a verse from The Alchemist. On Dear Psilocybin, ZelooperZ invokes unconventional production out of Real Bad Man to match his own unpredictable and outlandish delivery, working outside of traditional song structures and existing in a lane of his own. The Detroit multihyphenate, who is an integral part of Danny Brown’s Bruiser Brigadecollective and also an accomplished visual artist, painted the album’s corresponding cover artwork as well.

“I definitely haven’t made anything like this before, it’s a very subtle version of my music as far as tone, ” ZelooperZ explained in a conversation with Real Bad Man for his RBM Radio show. He elaborates on the off-kilter approach to the way he recorded to say, “the album feels like a movie soundtrack for a film about a man losing his mind and getting spurts of memories along the way. ”

Speaking about how the project differs from the rest of his collaborative catalog, RBM says, “It’s trippy and it’s a little different – but the main goal was for it to be authentic to Z and his process. ” That dedication to authenticity rings true across his catalog, drawing back to the foundations of his beginnings as a producer, learning the fundamentals of sampling, experimenting with chords and learning to piece songs together by ear. RBM builds a cohesive production arc around each artist he works with, catered to their strengths as artists, working with a variety of lyrical stylists includ-ing Memphis rapper Lukah, Pink Siifu, Blu, Kool Keith, Elcamino & more.

Real Bad Man is the production moniker of visual artist and designer Adam Jay Weissman. A designer and visual artist first, he made his foray into music through his On High Alert series of imaginative, multi-generational compilations, which have featured the likes of Roc Marciano, ROME STREETZ, Pink Siifu, Maxo and more. In the years since, he’s partnered with some of hip-hop’s most talented and adventurous artists on full-length projects, refining and shaping the trajectory of some of rap’s most exciting independent artists.

Knowledge The Pirate returns with a powerful new statement with his new album, The Round Table, which is now available. The Round Table is produced in its entirety by longtime collaborator and legend Roc Marciano through his Pimpire International imprint.

With roots in New York’s revered ‘90s hip-hop scene, Knowledge The Pirate has steadily built a reputation as one of the genre’s most consistent and authentic voices. A frequent Roc Marci collaborator and key figure in the modern un-derground renaissance, Knowledge fuses golden-age grit with new wave innovation—bridging generations while stay-ing firmly rooted in New York’s timeless sound.

Since his 2018 debut Flintlock, Knowledge has carved a lane entirely his own through his label Treasure Chest Enter-tainment, Inc. With five acclaimed projects under his belt, including the recent 5lbs of Pressure, he continues to deliver unfiltered street wisdom and personal reflection in every bar.

The Round Table stands as a testament to his evolution—an uncompromising body of work laced with Roc Marciano’s signature production and Knowledge’s lived-in lyricism. It’s not just a record—it’s a meeting of the minds, an audio council of kings.

“The Round Table is cinematic storytelling, teaching street knowledge, eating etiquette that will save your life” Knowledge professes. “This album is like an Honorable Elijah Muhammad book; How To Eat To Live. Produced fully by the true creator of the new wave sound, Roc Marciano, you are all invited to a seat at The Round Table; and break bread with the true Godfathers of this new wave rap renaissance.”

Back by demand and dirtier than ever, Apollo Brown & CRIMEAPPLE’s new underground classic This, Is Not That returns with the Dirty Money Edition — a fresh press on cream & green vinyl that bleeds grit and opulence. This updated release includes two brand new bonus tracks, adding new weight to an already no-nonsense body of work.

This, Is Not That pairs Detroit producer Apollo Brown’s signature soul-soaked boom-bap with New Jersey emcee CRIMEAPPLE’s razor-sharp wit and bilingual venom. The result is an album steeped in realness — raw, reflective, and resonant, laced with wordplay that sticks and production that slaps.

Whether you're just discovering the project or stacking your collection, this edition is a must-cop — a celebration of bars, beats, and the beautiful grit of hip-hop.

California and New York aren't the only US cities to have pioneered underground hip-hop over the years. Back in the nineties, southern states such as Memphis, Tennessee were also hotbeds for the fast evolving musical phenomenon. As we push on into the second millenium; from the swathes of short-run, tape-only releases that came out in the 1990's, some are at last being cut to vinyl. Shawty Pimp and the Big Pimpin' Productions crew were brought to international ears in 2014 when his album 'Comin' Real Wit It' was pressed to vinyl and sold out in the blink of an eye. Gyptology Records (a new Europe-based Hip-Hop and Egyptian Archaology styled re-issue label) now present a vinyl pressing of the 1995 sequel; 'Still Comin' Real'. Here are eleven original, raw rap cuts, remastered and restored with love. Available June 2018 for the first time in the format that never goes out of style. Vinyl only for now and in one short-run only, no represses. Produced with the full consent and participation of the artists.

This 15-track project cements BigXThaPlug's status as one of hip-hop's most authentic and compelling voices. Executively produced by Bandplay—the mastermind behind "The Largest"—alongside longtime collaborators Tony Coles, Charley Cooks and others, Take Care offers a raw and unfiltered reflection of BigXThaPlug's rise to stardom. The album showcases his electrifying energy while exploring new sonic territories, all while remaining true to his signature sound.

BigXThaPlug's artistic evolution is evident in his lyricism, a masterful blend of melodic instrumentation and commanding beats. Drawing inspiration from the sounds of '70s and '80s hip hop, Take Care features a powerful tracklist that includes viral sensations "Mmhmm,” and “Change Me,” along with fresh tracks like "Lost The Love," "2AM," and "The Story of X." Throughout the project, he crafts an innermost narrative that speaks to his journey, proving that success hasn't clouded his vision or altered his core values.

The album announcement arrives with a compelling trailer and the launch of pre-orders, igniting anticipation among BigXThaPlug's devoted fanbase. Masterfully directed by creative director TreySoulss, the intimate trailer features his grandmother's voice guiding viewers through precious family footage and pivotal moments, revealing the forces that shaped his meteoric rise. This project not only promises to further establish him as a leading voice in hip-hop's new generation but serves as testament that his success is no fleeting moment—it's the foundation of an enduring legacy.

First Word Records are incredibly proud to bring you ‘I Swear To You’; the stunning sophomore album from Georgie Sweet.

Georgie is a singer / songwriter currently based in Brighton, with a uniquely smooth, soulful vocal tone.

Whilst working on her debut record (‘Misunderstood’), Georgie began a songwriting partnership with multi-instrumentalist Marc Rapson, who is on the boards throughout this project. The duo discovered a natural musical connection instantly, and began working on an abundance of beautiful new material shortly after the release of the first album; writing and creating at Rapson’s home in Hertfordshire at various sessions from 2021 onwards, culminating in this new 12-track album, ‘I Swear To You’.

Despite being one of the UK’s best kept secrets, Georgie’s already been pricking the ears of some highly-respected selectors. The first single from this record (‘Smaller / All That We Were’) received love from tastemakers such as BBC 6 Music's Gilles Peterson (“this one melts”), Jazz FM's Tony Minvielle ("supremely talented”) and Clash Magazine (“exudes soulful grace”), whilst previous material found itself in the crates of legendary luminaries like DJ Jazzy Jeff & DJ Spinna amongst others.

At the end of 2024, Georgie signed to Worldwide Award-winning independent London-based label, First Word Records; although she previously featured before on the label, via the title track of the highly-acclaimed 2021 sophomore album by Children of Zeus, 'Balance', along with Akemi Fox. Prior to this her debut album 'Misunderstood' dropped back in 2020 on Futuristica Music; an independent imprint run by Deborah Jordan & Simon S, on which Georgie also collaborated with acclaimed producers like K15 and Mecca:83.

An all-round creative soul, away from creating music, Georgie also works as an illustrator and animator. However, her lifelong love of music is unquestionable. She’s been a vocalist from a young age, initially working with her musical parents (a producer and professional singer respectively).

With a hugely diverse set of inspirations ranging from Stevie Wonder to Michael McDonald, Hiatus Kaiyote to Chappell Roan, Mac Miller to Sampha, and George Duke to EW&F, Georgie's respect, love and admiration for a wide range of music is clear; from jazz to soul to pop to hip hop.

A nice mix of funk, hip-hop and reggae influences go into the melting pot on the latest SuckaSide, with 'Even After All' proving to be a laid back, blunted jam that's backed up with some hard hitting, sturdy beat manouevres. On the edgier sounding flip, meanwhile, a female MC spits with impressive ferocity while a lovely warm - and somewhat familiar - analogue-edge loop works its magic. Both are key components for use at different points in the jam, some badly needed heavy weaponry that Donald Trump can't withdraw from service here.

Already supported by Don Letts on BBC Radio 6, NTS, KEXP, Radio 3 and featured on Mixmag and Les Yeux Orange. Celebrate marks the beginning of a new chapter in PIEK’s artistic evolution.

Eight years after his debut LP "Despertar" , he returns with a radiant, emotional, and dancefloor-ready album that explores the uplifting power of electronic music. Celebrate is liberating. It’s also spicy, at times irreverent, emotional, and brutally honest. Above all, it’s a celebration and a beautiful journey through decades of dance music, drawing inspiration from 70s Latin and tropical sounds, 80s Disco, 90s Dance and even 2000s R&B and Hip Hop

The Battle of the Year Poland 2025 Official Soundtrack is a powerful compilation created especially for b-boys and b-girls, capturing the energy and raw essence of the Polish breaking scene. Curated to accompany the prestigious Battle of the Year Poland event, this release features exclusive tracks from some of the most respected and influential producers in the country.

The tracklist showcases an all-Polish lineup, including talents such as Oer Beatz (IBE Beat Battle Winner), DJ Plash (Official DJ – Olympic Games 2024 Paris), the legendary DJ 600V, DJ Pablo, and many more. Each beat is crafted to elevate the dancefloor and pay tribute to the roots and future of hip-hop culture in Poland.

This soundtrack is not just a musical release—it's a celebration of movement, rhythm, and community, reflecting the strength of the Polish breaking scene on the global stage.

"Chasing the funky symphonies that filled my head and my dreams..."

December 25th, 2023 - an Instagram post. Stimulator Jones shared half a dozen FIRE tracks from his beat tape archive. We were immediately drawn to the rough hewn boom bap.

"I'd release that", Rob commented.

Hours of material was shared and the result is this: Cool Green Trees (1999-2005). A collection of beats and loops Stimulator Jones created between the ages of 14-20 at home in his basement, bedroom and computer room in Roanoke, Virginia.

You will not believe the profound soulful genius contained within these naive schoolboy melodies.

December 25th, 1998 - 25 years ago to the day and his much-coveted Yamaha SU10 sampler was finally bestowed upon young Stimmy AKA Sam Lunsford: "I immediately hooked up a CD Walkman to the input jack and looped the beginning two bars of Grover Washington Jr.'s "Mercy Mercy Me". I don't know what exactly was so thrilling about hearing two measures of music repeating over and over but it was so infectious and hypnotizing and enthralling to me. I'll never forget that ecstatic rush of making my first loop - an uncontrollable, gleeful smile plastered all over my face." When you hear the pocket breakbeat symphonies featured here on Cool Green Trees, you'll feel the same sense of frisson.

In the wake of his Stones Throw breakthrough - Exotic Worlds & Master Treasures - Stimulator Jones was pegged by many as a 90s throwback artist. However, he literally IS a 90s artist. He's been recording music most of his life and he's now 40. He created the bulk of Cool Green Trees as a teenager. Everything before 2004 was recorded when Sam was still in school. He was in 8th grade when he made the 1999 tracks - he didn't even have his learner's permit. This album is a snapshot of a young man in a simpler time. Things were still mysterious back then and he was flying blind, relying on his ears and having to figure things out for himself: "I had no road map for becoming a beatmaker. I have been collecting music since I was a kid, I am a lifelong digger and seeker of cool and interesting sounds. I was there in the golden age of Hip Hop, and while I may have been a suburban white kid in Roanoke, Virginia, I was tuned in and I bought so many classic albums when they came out. I was attracted to Hip Hop because of the musical and poetic quality. I was hypnotized by the rhythms, partially because I was a drummer. I didn't brag about collecting my breakbeat records or making beats - it was something I did in isolation. It wasn't something I generally wanted to bring attention to and it didn't really score me any cool points. I certainly wasn't flexing on social media about it."

Hell, he can do that now!

Opener "Pharoah Jones" was inspired by Yesterday's New Quintet and Madlib's ability to capture that classic 70s sound whilst playing all the instruments. Sam created this one stoned afternoon by laying down a 2 bar loop and a shaker loop on his Yamaha SU700 sampler. He hung a microphone from the ceiling and played his Yamaha Stage Custom drum kit over the top before adding ender Rhodes and playing his dad's Selmer tenor sax through an Electro Harmonix Memory Man echo pedal. Yes! Up next, "Ghost Gospel" utilises a dope loop from a gospel record and adds some soul-funk drums overtop, whilst working that filter knob. Says Sam: "The loop reminded me of something Ghostface would rap over. The sample was in 3/4 waltz time but I flipped it for a 4/4 groove, a technique I picked up from RZA. "Ill Feeling" uses sped-up pieces from a dusty old funk record and putting them over a classic NOLA drum loop; gain chopping up a slow, bluesy 3/4 time signature and bending it to a 4/4 groove. Classy shit. "Capital Punishment" features drums tapped in live, inspired by MF Doom's Special Herbs series. "Do Not Adjust" consists loops found on a compilation of 70s French music at Happy's Flea Market, a classic Roanoke digging spot.

The sublime, evocative title track, "Cool Green Trees" was created when Sam was still living at home. He dumped samples off his SU10 into the family desktop and arranged them in a demo version of Pro Tools: "This track was sort of my ode to the DJ Shadow style of sample based production. Super spacey, slow, and moody. The heavily filtered drums were inspired by Alec Empire's 'Low on Ice' album. I later added some scratches and sounds from a Spider Man storybook record." "Chill Scratch" snags the final bit of a bossanova record and pairs it with a drum loop before adding experimental scratching run through an Electro Harmonix Memory Man echo pedal. "Poisonous Fumes" was made using a sampler, mixer and a turntable; a kind of mixtape beat collage with added scratches and sounds from various records. Using dialogue from superhero records was a nod to Madlib. "Welcome Aboard The Starship" is dark, downtempo trip-hop with a spooky bent. Sam paired a slow, hard drum loop with a guitar sample grabbed off a psychedelic rock record. To finish, he added various backwards sounds and weird atmospheric effects and a little scratching. Swoon.

Side B opens with "Keep On Runnin", made on a borrowed Roland SP202 sampler. Having always loved the sound of the Lo-Fi filter on those machines, reminiscent of the Emu SP1200, Sam always imagined Del or another of the Hieroglyphics crew rapping over this beat. You can certainly hear why. "Sounds Impossible" sees Sam experimenting with layering multiple kick samples at different volumes to create patterns similar to those heard by Showbiz and Lord Finesse during their God-level 1995 period. "Painted Faces" was made by chopping up a REDACTED record which he had gotten from Happy's Flea Market and paired it with a REDACTED drum loop. By the time Sam recorded "The Knew Style", he had acquired a shitty old 1960s portable turntable off eBay. It didn't function properly when he bought it but his brother opened it up, cleaned it out and got it working: "I remember he told me that there was a bunch of sand inside of it when he opened it up, as if its previous owner had taken it to the beach. I would take that turntable on my Happy's Flea Market digs so I could preview records...that's how I found this loop."

"Chicken Wing Blues Sauce" loops up a classic blues joint and pairs it with some REDACTED drums. A bit of filtering and arranging et voilà! "Kool Breeze", from 1999, is one of Sam's oldest surviving beats, as is "Sexx Bullets". The Roots sampled the same record, leaving Sam frustrated yet vindicated. "Soul Child" was an early SU10 creation, looping a dusty old Soul Children 45 and pairing it with 70s rock drum loops to great effect. "Take Off Runnin" was another loop found digging with a portable turntable. Paired with some boom bap drums it makes for a hypnotic head-nod groove. "Centurian" was intended to be a little beat interlude a la Pete Rock. The sample is from a sun-dappled soft-psych record and it's paired with a Robin Trower drum loop that just happens to fit perfectly. Sometimes you slap things together kind of haphazardly and magic happens. "Bozack" was the first beat Sam made using Pro Tools, his first foray into using chopped sounds instead of loops, an exciting new world. "Church" is beat interlude using a Phil Upchurch loop with the "Long Red" drums - a favourite break of Dilla et al. Sam was really on a tear in late 2004, probably because he was unemployed and phoneless and able to just make beats all day. He made "Splash One" on a borrowed Yamaha SU700 and again was experimenting with tapping the drums in live with his fingers, instead of using a loop or sequenced pattern. Channeling 9th Wonder, Sam used a water splash sound effect from a Batman record as a percussive element, hence the title (also a 13th Floor Elevators reference). The main loop is a backwards portion of one of his favourite Roy Ayers songs.

"Hank" is another fun little beat interlude thing, created on a borrowed Roland SP202 sampler with the fantastic Lo-Fi effect that resembled the Emu SP1200 at a fraction of the price. "73 goatee", from 99, is another of his oldest surviving beats, created in his bedroom with his Yamaha SU10 and his brother's Vestax MR-300 4-track recorder: "This one will always feel special. I can remember having a feeling all the way back then on the night that I created it that this was a solid beat with a catchy loop. There was something in the Fender Rhodes melody that resonated with me emotionally, and I had never heard a producer sample that portion before. I felt like I had found my own unique sound, my own unique loop. It came from an Ahmad Jamal '73. I actually even recorded myself rapping and scratching over this beat way back then, I still have that version in all its imperfect sloppy glory."

Sam explains just how much these tracks mean to him: "They all have immense historical and sentimental value and I'm proud of them. These beats come from an innocent, simple time when I was just figuring out how to craft these sounds. They're something very personal to me. They are the initial part of a journey that I really was taking *alone*. There was no YouTube. I couldn't Google shit. I didn't even know any other beatmakers, producers or DJs in my town that could teach me anything. It was always just me, alone, in a room with some equipment - chasing the funky symphonies that filled my head and my dreams. What I was doing wasn't cool. Most of my peers thought I was a weirdo and couldn't care less. Creating these sounds was an anti-social endeavour. In a sense, I felt like it was me against the world, and all I had to instruct and assist me were the recordings produced by my heroes - RZA, DJ Premier, Erick Sermon, Beatminerz, Showbiz, Diamond D, Beatnuts, Prince Paul, The Bomb Squad, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, E-Swift, Mista Lawnge, DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist, Peanut Butter Wolf, El-P and so many more...I dedicate this collection to them, and to my older brother Joe who has always been a musical and technical guiding light for me.

This was a time before every kid was a self-described producer and beatmaker, before everyone had a DAW, before Kanye and "chipmunk soul", before Red Bull beat battles, before there was any social media beyond chat rooms and AOL Instant Messenger, before Soundcloud, before SP-404 mania, before lo-fi beats to study to, before Splice, before targeted ads for MIDI chord packs, etc. In 99 when I told people that I had a sampler and made beats I was mostly met with bewildered confusion and indifference. Kids and adults alike would wonder why I got this weird machine for Christmas instead of something worthwhile like a Playstation or a mountain bike or even a guitar for that matter because at least that could be used to make "real music". Back then, sampling was still not widely respected as an art form - it was seen as lazy, talentless and unoriginal at best and outright criminal theft at worst. I had gotten respect for playing drums and guitar and things of that nature but this was a step in the wrong direction in the eyes of many."

The cover photo is a picture of Sam standing on his back porch in the latter part of 1998, just before he got his first sampler. He was 13 years old, in 8th grade. His dad took the picture with his 35mm film camera: "I actually wanted to be pointing my dad's .22 pistol at the camera lens but he wouldn't let me. He gave me an old walking cane to use instead. The Tommy Hilfiger puffer jacket came from the lost and found at William Fleming High School where my mom worked as a secretary. I was thrilled when she brought it home because we never spent money on expensive name brand clothing like that - we were for the most part strictly a sale rack, bargain bin, thrift store, yard sale, flea market kind of family when it came to clothes. My watch is some cheap off-brand fake gold department store watch." Mastering for this vinyl edition was overseen by Be With regular Simon Francis and it was cut by the esteemed Cicely Balston at Abbey Road Studios to be pressed in the Netherlands by Record Industry.

I’d clocked this kid coming in to the shop over the last 6 months, quiet, serious, head down, digging through ALL the records, intently listening and then buying and scurrying off… Not the most chatty BUT he did let slip he was making music, and then it made sense, he was in the shop for one reason and one reason only… to find music he could use to make his own music. The kid is 17 this is the start of his musical journey. I suppose its been a Bristol thing for a long time, maybe its the same in other cities but here there’s been people taking other people’s music and bending it to their own will for a long time, making it their’s but also somehow making it OURS, it always seems to sound like its from here… So when ZEE asked if he could play me some music he’d made it wasn’t a surprise that it sounded like it came from here, the darkness, the clever twists and turns, soulful but heavy… I said it sounded like ’Shoegaze Hip-Hop’ which he seemed to like… So here’s three tracks that I hope you dig them as much as I do…. Tom Friend (Friendly Records).

Dark, brooding hip-hop instrumentals that joins the dots between Company Flow, The Bug and Dilla. A killer vibe from tipped new West Country producer, ZEE! Limited gold vinyl copies available in an edition of 100 — don't miss!

“The Rough And The Smooth” was the highly anticipated 2nd album from Outside. Written, produced, mixed and engineered by a 22 year old Matt Cooper, who journeyed through dub, jungle, hip hop and latin rhythms and vibrant, modal jazz. Playing much of the instrumentation including keys and drums, Matt was joined by some of the scene’s finest players from Jhelisa, Imaani, Greg Osby, Cleveland Watkiss, Byron Wallen, Tony Remy and Gary Crosby.

Upon release, ‘The Rough And The Smooth‘ received huge acclaim and was hailed as a masterpiece by the music press from GQ, MOJO, The Face and Mixmag and fans alike, taking Outside to another level.

From the complex funk of ‘Journeyman‘ parts 1 and 2, to the Nu Yorican hit of ‘The 29/8 Steps‘, to the powerfully emotive violin led jungle of ‘To Forgive But Not Forget‘ and the epic jazz and beats fusion that is ‘Moodswing‘, the album was impossible to pigeonhole and influenced a generation of music heads and artists.

Across the Tracks is a collaborative project between underground hip-hop heavyweights Boldy James and producer Williams Conductor. Comprised of ten tracks, the album stays true to their gritty, street-centered narratives, blending slow-paced, hard-hitting bars with Conductor's eerie, sample-laden beats. Boldy's laid-back delivery pairs well with the soulful, moody instrumentals. Tracks like 'St. Juliana' and 'The Ol Switcharoo' stand out, with Boldy's sharp lyricism and Conductor's production shining brightest. The guest features from Boldy's son and sister add some texture to the project as well. The album serves as a good release for fans of Boldy James' storytelling and Williams Conductor's distinct production style. Across The Tracks in bone-colored vinyl is a well-curated offering for those that want more intellectual lyrics in their street rap.

Over the last four years, the German-born and South Korea-based artist Sion has been steadily making a name for himself in the music industry. The Voice Germany Season 10 semifinalist is a self-taught singer, songwriter and producer who can do it all.
 Sion can play guitar, piano, synthesiser, DJ and much more, just name it.
 Early inspirations for Sion include Frank Ocean and Porter Robinson, and his music so far has been a wonderful mix of eclectic soundscapes.
 Now, Sion is back with his best project yet, his third EP ‘Sociavoidance’. The five-track extended play is full of lush vocals, vibrant production, a multitude of different layered textures.
 The genre-defying artist blends elements of indie electronica, hip-hop, alt R&B, glitch pop and more. Thematically, the body of work explores disassociation in the age of the internet, vulnerabilities, social interaction, self-reflection and relationships.
 It’s a heartfelt, genuinely beautiful, experience. Sion is inviting the listener into his colourful, exciting and often unpredictable world on ‘Sociavoidance’.

After decades of DJ-ing and recording for acts in the Dutch underground hip-hop scene (like Osdorp Posse, Def P & Beatbusters, Onderhonden) and being a mainstay of events like Rauwe School and In Full Effect, DJ Daan releases his first solo record. Six atmospheric instrumental tracks sprinkled with some mild turntable action, meant to sit back and chill out to.

KITCHEN FUNK: The Groove Legacy of Funk, Hip-Hop, and House
Founded in 1999 in Lorient by Tabasko and Ramirez, key figures in the Breton underground scene, KITCHEN FUNK fuses hip-hop, soul, funk, acid jazz, and house music into a unique sonic universe. Combining punchy rhythms with captivating grooves, the duo made a name for itself in the 2000s, marked by the excitement of clubs and radio stations.

"LETUGO": A Forgotten Treasure Finally Rediscovered
Among their notable collaborations, "LETUGO," recorded with Karl the Voice, embodies the very essence of KITCHEN FUNK. This powerful track, blending funky vibes and soulful energy, didn't receive the promotion it deserved upon its release.

25 years later, the story takes an unexpected turn. After rediscovering local archives, RAMIREZ and JULIEN LO BONO decided to reissue "LETUGO" on vinyl to mark the project's anniversary. The initiative sparked immediate interest: Breton radio stations picked it up, and the record finally found its audience, proving that KITCHEN FUNK's groove is timeless.

A resounding success with "PUSSY CALL"
Before this resurgence, KITCHEN FUNK had made a lasting impression with "PUSSY CALL", a hit that received critical acclaim on Europe 2, NRJ, and RADIO FG. This success allowed the duo to sign with CHRYSALIS PUBLISHING and then 909 RECORDZ (WARNER FRANCE), confirming their place in the French music scene.

A promising future
And this is just the beginning... Boosted by this renewed interest, KITCHEN FUNK is preparing new projects, supported by Jean Jérôme, a key player in the success of "PUSSY CALL." A return to the stage is in the works, ready to rekindle the flame of funk, hip-hop, and house music for a new generation of enthusiasts.

Black Truffle is thrilled to announce Spilla, the second album from Nantes-based Ensemble Nist-Nah, 48 minutes of music for Gamelan, drum kits, wood and metal percussion instruments, and plucked strings that will surely count as one of the most electrifying records you hear this year. Founded by the Australian drummer/percussionist Will Guthrie in 2019, continuing the explorations begun in solo form on Nist-Nah (Black Truffle, 2020), the ensemble (eight or nine core members with occasional guests) has been consistently active in the half-decade since: composing, rehearsing, recording and touring Europe (with a mass of equipment in tow) to great acclaim. Spilla tracks the continuing evolution of the project since the recording of their first album, Elders (Black Truffle, 2022). The two sides of this record document two different iterations of the group, and the members' compositional input has increased: each side contains one piece by a member other than Guthrie. It has become clearer than ever that Ensemble Nist-Nah is not an attempt at a European Gamelan ensemble but rather a hybrid percussion ensemble that uses instruments from a Javanese Gamelan alongside other percussion to perform original music informed by a variety of South East Asian music but also by everything from free jazz to contemporary hip-hop: while Nist-Nah and Elders both featured traditional Javanese pieces, on Spilla the only tune not generated by a member of the group is by Guthrie’s long-time musical hero and occasional collaborator Roscoe Mitchell.

The two short pieces that open the record could almost be the two sides of a wild 7” selected to show off what the Ensemble can do. On opener ‘Gerak Maju’, intricately skittering open-snare patterns bounce over clanging metal, chiming bell-like tones and deep gong hits, adapting the rhythm-register connections heard in traditional Gamelan musics—where the lowest pitched sounds are heard least frequently—to a cut-up breakbeat straight off Feed Me Weird Things. ‘Strollabout’ then moves into an entirely different realm of meditative repeating patterns, performed entirely on Chinese, Javanese and Vietnamese gongs. The remaining seven pieces, ranging from three to twelve minutes, offer up a wealth of different percussive, compositional and arrangement possibilities. On ‘Ghostly Klang’, two drumkits mirror each other’s moves, bouncing hats and snares across the stereo field in a way that recalls On the Corner and the jittering hi hat patterns of trap, while slow moving melodies on the tuned instruments add a sense of majesty contrasted by scurrying details in resonant wood. The epic closing track presents a take on Roscoe Mitchell’s ‘Uncle’, performed by the Art Ensemble of Chicago on their classic Urban Bushmen live album. Where the Art Ensemble used Mitchell’s dirge-like melody as a jumping off point for virtuosic improvisational flights, Ensemble Nist-Nah rethink the piece as a near-static dialogue between the monumental, slow-moving sequence of unison tuned percussion notes and a textural cloud that grows in richness and intensity from whispering cymbal rolls into a mass of gong overtones and bowed metal.

Beautifully recorded and mixed, Spilla arrives in a sleeve decorated with core member Charles Dubois’ drawings of cymbals and gongs. Against the backdrop of a wider musical landscape dominated by over-produced electronic slop and bland harmonic wallpaper, Ensemble Nist-Nah stands out as a reminder, vital and unpretentious, of the joys and possibilities of human beings playing instruments together.

It takes grindin' to be a king and Houston's Mike Jones' work ethic of "You Don't Work, You Don't Eat, You Don't Grind, You Don't Shine" had his phone blowing up in 2005 with the release of his major label debut Who is Mike Jones? on Asylum/Swisha House/Warner Records. Mike Jones started rapping in the early 2000s and he released a couple of independent albums on his own label Ice Age Entertainment before linking up with Michael "5000" Watts of Swisha House. He recorded the underground single "Still Tippin" with Texas contemporaries Paul Wall and Slim Thug, which appeared on the Swisha House compilation The Day Hell Broke Loose 2. The song, full of southern hip-hop slang and braggadocio, was an ode to the classic car culture in Houston, Texas, and could be heard bumpin' out the trunks of cars nationwide with its heavy bass and classical string loops. Before the release of Who Is Mike Jones? girls would ignore him, but after the release of "Still Tippin" they were all up on him, which led to the release of the single "Back Then" where he shouted out his real cell phone number that played a major part in the marketing and promotion of the album.You could call 281-330-8004 and get his voicemail and leave a message, but sometimes he would answer, which led to spreading the word of Mike Jones' debut album. "Back Then" was also a top-selling ringtone because (back then) you had to buy and download ringtones, unlike today. Mike truly went viral before going viral was even a thing. After dropping the two hit singles, Who Is Mike Jones? was released on April 19th, 2005, and would sell over a million copies that year, leading to certified platinum status. Twenty years later, this Texas Rap classic still holds up with features from other H-Town legends including S.U.C.'s Big Moe (RIP),Bun B, Paul Wall and Lil Keke. Juicy J & DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia added their Memphis touch to the "Got It Sewed Up Remix" and the album ends with a heartfelt dedication to Mike Jones' late Grandmother on "Grandma". Get On Down is proud to present the first vinyl reissue of Who Is Mike Jones? in a limited edition silver and red color-in-color pressing packaged with a full color printed insert tocommemorate the 20th anniversary of this H-Town classic

Xzibit – Kingmaker marks the West Coast legend’s long-awaited return, his first album since 2012. Packed with heavyweight collaborations, Kingmaker features industry icons like Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes, Redman, Royce da 5'9", Ty Dolla $ign, and more. With hard-hitting production and Xzibit’s signature razor-sharp delivery, this album blends raw lyricism with top-tier beats, reaffirming his status as a hip-hop powerhouse. A must-have for retailers and fans alike, Kingmaker is set to make waves across the culture.

DIEMAJIN is the duo of Berlin-based producer DJ DIE SOON (Daisuke Imamura) and Tokyo-based vocalist MA. Their self-titled debut is equal parts scrambled hip-hop, simmering noise and spectral Tokusatsu soundtrack. A set of cursed beats and possessed raps inspired by Japanese sci-fi and supernatural-horror films from the 1960s.
The pair, both originally from Japan, first collaborated live at an event in Berlin organised by Morphine Records in 2019. But the eleven tracks on their self-titled debut were made by swapping beats, sounds and acapellas across the internet. Editing, arranging and degrading them into the collection presented here.

A l’occasion des 20 ans de cet album devenu culte, Record Makers réédite une version spéciale anniversaire limitée (vinyles transparents – 500 exemplaires) qui ravivera la flamme des fans de la première heure, des nouveaux fans et des collectionneurs. "Vive la Vie" est aujourd’hui un album référent pour les amateurs de rap, reconnu par ses pairs lyricistes, c’est un de ses albums qui marquent à jamais une époque, celle des années 2000 et de son rap aux rimes fines et puissantes.



Le 15 novembre 2004 sortait "Vive la Vie" le premier album du Klub des Loosers.



On ne présente plus le Klub des Loosers et son unique membre Fuzati. Pourquoi ? parce qu'on en a un peu honte quand même. Imaginez un jeune versaillais que tout prédestinait à devenir écrivain maudit ou chanteur d'un groupe de pop répétant dans le garage parental le dimanche de 16h à 20h. Le genre de type qui passait ses samedis après-midi à la bibliothèque municipale, ses samedi soir à boire de la bière dans les squats de jeunes où on recense une fille pour dix mecs et où la phrase qui revient le plus souvent est "qui roule un joint ?"

Imaginez maintenant que ce type ait une illumination, au milieu de ces jeunes que tout prédestine à la réussite (HEC, science-po) et qui lorsqu'ils se retrouvent ensemble ne savent pas faire autre chose que de se défoncer. "Nous sommes un klub de loosers".



Comme il n'aime pas trop les gens, Fuzati fondera un klub dont il sera le seul membre. Comme il n'a pas de guitare que le hip hop est son seul ami il se dit qu'il fera ça comme musique. Bah oui c'est sympa le hip hop. Comme on lui a dit qu'il n'avait pas une tête de rappeur et que les casquettes à l'envers lui vont mal il ne montrera jamais son visage et portera un chapeau. S'en suivra un parcours classique de MC underground qui rappe pour la rue (mais aussi les avenues) et représente ses refrés illégalement enfermés derrière les murs des prépas t'as vu. Mixtapes, nombreux freestyles dans l'émission Greckfrite diffusée sur la chaine internet Canalweb, concert à la MJC de Versailles mais aussi dans un entrepôt désinfecté à Dunkerque.



En 2003 Il signe sur le label parisien Record Makers parce qu'on lui a appris qu'il ne fallait pas trop se mélanger avec les gens d'autres milieux. Sortiront deux EP, "Baise les Gens" et "La Femme de Fer" qui sont déjà des classiques pour au moins 32 personnes. La même année sort également l'album de l'atelier "Buffet des Anciens Elèves" auquel il participe avec Tékilatex du groupe TTC, James Delleck, Cyanure et deux producteurs de talent, Tacteel (Lex Records) et ParaOne (Institubes). En juillet 2004 sort le maxi du Klub des Loosers où collaborent MF DOOM, légende hip hop, et Jean-Benoit Dunckel, moitié du groupe AIR.

The Collective Cuts sub-label of Cinthie’s 803 Crystal Grooves makes a welcome return
with a fresh VA package, featuring Willy Mikkelson, Luca Olivotto, Batch One and Roque
(CRP).
Since its inception back in 2020, Cinthie’s Collective Cuts imprint has welcome the likes of
KETTAMA, 9th House, S3A, UC Beatz, Anaxander, Azuni and many more onto the label. Here
the story continues with more dynamic house jams from Cinthie’s coterie of underground
artists from across the globe.
Nashville, USA’s WiLLY MiKK leads with Devastate, laying the foundations for the records
with a classic Hip House vibe, fusing crisp drums, bright stabs and bumpy bass with
choppy hip hop vocals. Small Great Things head honcho Luca Olivotto follows with
‘Passion’, the Berlin based Italian delivers his refreshing disco-tinged House aesthetic via
funky guitar licks, bright chord melodies, ethereal pad textures and shuffled drums.
Batch One’s ‘When U R Free’ follows to open the flip side, merging snaking arpeggios and
bouncy bass notes with uplifting piano lines and a raw, robust rhythm section. Spanish
artist based out of Basel, Switzerland Roque (CRP) then concludes the package with ‘Bring
It Down’, perfectly rounding things out on a deeper tip, raw, reduced drums carry the
groove alongside an amalgamation of chopped vocal chants, dubbed out stabs and tension
building strings.

Swollen Members rose in the underground Hip Hop scene with a series of classic albums that made them one of the genre's brightest stars. Founded by Madchild, Prevail, and DJ Rob the Viking, Swollen Members have stayed independent under their own label Battle Axe Records. The have returned in 2009 stronger than ever with Armed to the Teeth, which features appearances from Talib Kweli and Tech N9NE.

2025 Repress

The Sound of Now...mentioned in 'The Return of Jack Slade' by Derrick Morgan was the sound of 1969/1970 and that sound was the sound of Jamaican Reggae.The look at the time was the Skinhead fashion borrowed heavily from the Jamaican Rude Boy style.
The Skinhead movement started around 1968 and by the following year of 1969 became the style and fashion of many British teenagers.The uniform of the Skinheads consisted of boots,braces and jeans and the upbeat Reggae sound seemed to match the style perfectly.
Never before has a music matched a look more perfectly than that of the Skinhead/Rude Boy and Jamaican Reggae sound.
So stand up and move your feet one more time to the Skinhead Reggae Sound!!!
Hope you enjoy the set....

Born from a virtual encounter in lockdown between two Parisian neighbors, the DJ/producer Prosper and saxophonist Le Marabout, this new playful and joyous project is pulling freely from the Afro, Funk, Disco, Hip-Hop, Oriental and Electro influences of the two artists.
The iconoclastic DJ Romain “Prosper” Coolen, fervent purveyor of no holds barred euphoria on the dance floor, and the versatile saxophonist, composer and jack-of-all-trades Johann “Le Marabout” Guihard offer us a lavish, eclectic, uninhibited, coherent and furiously groovy listening experience.

First single “C’est Vrai“, from their forthcoming album ‘Le Moustache Conspiracy’ (released October 2022) is a banging Electro Afro Funk joint featuring Fou Malade and Niagass, two luminaries of the Senegalese Hip-Hop scene.

Over the bouncing beat and snarling horns, these two juggle lyrics back and forth in Wolof (Senegal’s most widely spoken language), calling out those fake friends who smile in your face before stabbing you in the back.

DJ Quik & JasonMartin (formerly known as Problem), are back with their second collaborative project, Chupacabra. As can be the fear with fan-favorite follow-ups, Chupacabra refuses to copy the formula laid out on Rosecrans yet shares the same soul, steeped in the cores of West Coast G-Funk, but alive and grown up, in a more sophisticated tone. With an album that is LA to it’s core (sans a few tasteful features from artists that would get the nod despite not being from there), Chupacabra provides the sounds to a golden summer in the city of Angels. Like the chupacabra, JasonMartin & DJ Quik are both enigmatic and mystical figures in the hip-hop space. A star-studded list of features include The Game, Suga Free, Jay Worthy, Larry June, Channel Tres, Bun B, DOM KENNDEY, & more. 1xLP, pressed on Blue Vinyl.










j B1 | TWO HI (WAVES) feat Wiz Khalifa, Channel Tres, Free Nationals & George Clinton

Rando Arand is an Estonian electronic music producer from Tallinn. With a strong foundation in sound design, Arand released his debut record on Asphalt Soliloquies in 2017 and has since captivated audiences at clubs and festivals across the Baltics with his unpredictable and unique live sets. Drawing inspiration from a range of genres such as broken jazz, dubtechno, breakbeat and jungle, Arand incorporates modular synth patches into his performances. He has shared the stage with artists like Dorian Concept, Gerry Read and King Midas Sound. In 2019, Arand released the "Alles" EP on Ali Asker's LIITHELI imprint, which focuses on promoting local talent from Estonia's capital. Arand's latest EP, "Aru" (2022), showcases his exploration of a new "Linki" format. In addition to his musical pursuits, Arand was also a host at the underground venue Ulme in Tallinn.

About the album „Child of the Internet”

The new album by experimental sound designer and electronic music producer Rando Arand takes the artist on a completely different path compared to the previously known dance music influenced deep and contemplative instrumental tracks. Featuring several notable guest artists, the album is a sizzling hot record that makes feet tapping and bodies grooving. On the artist’s most listener-friendly work to date, an impressive lineup of Estonian vocalists makes an appearance: Hyrr IV, the lead singer of the indie band Ouu; Jon Mikiver from Elephants from Neptune; actress Mirtel Pohla; alternative pop artist Kitty Florentine; queer artist Helgi Saldo; comedian Maiduk; and hobby musicians Maihe and David.

The conceptual album "Child of the Internet" is dedicated to young kids for whom the internet has been a defining part of growing up. Genre-wise, the album is very flexible, weaving through various musical chapters and styles with the help of numerous musical sketches, touching on both the comedic and the darker oddities that circulate online.

The album features scorchingly hot, electrified synth-funk jams with a nostalgic touch reminiscent of Prince ("Slidin in Yo DM’s", "Refresh"). Kitty Florentine delivers a sensual neo-soul ballad ("Just Scrolling"), filled with soft tones, soulful warmth, and a smooth groove. For more demanding listeners, the record also explores elements of chillwave, glitch, lo-fi hip-hop, techno, house, and breakbeat. Longer tracks and shorter interludes come together like a bouquet of favorite memes or a collection of countless open web browser tabs that we all keep running. At the same time, the album hints at the immense impact the internet has on our everyday lives.

Rando Arand’s latest studio album is an intriguing listen — perfect for enjoying alone with good headphones or as an ideal background soundtrack for a larger gathering with friends.

As we saw with their debut release "Breukelen Story", Masta Ace & Marco Polo once again drop a deluxe edition of their sophomore LP "Richmond Hill". This new version includes 4 bonus tracks not previously available on the album—three remixes (one featuring Talib Kweli) and one brand new song from Ace & Marco.

"Richmond Hill", the highly anticipated follow up to Masta Ace and Marco Polo's "Breukelen Story", is inspired by Marco's childhood in the titular neighborhood, a small town in Ontario, just outside of Toronto. Between interstitials about Marco's passion for hip-hop and cartoons, his struggle with addiction, and the support of his parents, Marco Polo and Masta Ace tackle the issues of the day head-on with clarity, the rapper using his decades-worth of rapping experience to slice through the producer's warm soul samples and crisp percussion. A cinematic journey that explores how the past echoes through the present, the album welcomes guest appearances from notable names from all eras of rap history, including Inspectah Deck, Coast Contra, Blu, Che Noir, Speech of Arrested Development, Masta Ace's longtime collaborators Stricklin and Wordsworth, and many more.



















s Below The Clouds [Remix] (feat. Talib Kweli)

[u] Get Shot [Marco Polo Remix]
[v] Below The Clouds [Roselle Remix] (feat. Blu)



















[s] Below The Clouds [Remix] (feat. Talib Kweli)

[u] Get Shot [Marco Polo Remix]
[v] Below The Clouds [Roselle Remix] (feat. Blu)

2023 Repress

DJ Koze - with his friendly and sometimes slightly melancholic take on the world - is one of the greatest auteurs of club music today, and one of the few internationally active DJs who dares to make music that has relevance beyond the dance floor. During the 70-minute journey on his DJ Kicks - the 50th edition - Kosi
Kos manages to establish a uniform color even though genres alternate in a way that is rarely heard on a mix CD: the stripped down hip hop of Madlib, brutalist Berghain techno, timeless songwriting, floating indie-pop and outlier numbers that oscillate between absurdity andmelancholy. Koze's disregard for the stylistic yoke presents him with an immense challenge. Hence, almost all the tracks are more or less edited, and one is fully rhymed (Session Victim: Hyuwee).Koze rambles on here himself: "I didn't want to kick around ophisticated knowledge, but rather try and weave together some good gems that would make sense to anyone, even people who aren't necessarily music nerds". But this is blabbing that you can count on, also because he approaches the term "mix" from a different angle and doesn't even try to make something fit that doesn't fit: "During the day, I don't need to hear anything that's mixed on the beat. I put the focus on making sure that it works harmoniously - the idea is more to create the impression of a radio show, like people such as John Peel did so uniquely. There is a giant cosmos of music and it runs through my filter".

DCTL is a unit formed by Masafumi Onishi, aka TELLY, the label owner of Troop Music Works, and DJ DUCT, who is renowned for his turntable skills that span a wide range of genres, from Hip Hop and Rare Groove Funk to Detroit Techno and Deep House. The raw warmth of analogue equipment, rough sequences mainly using samplers and rhythm machines, familiar nostalgic samples, and adorable DIY output that clearly conveys that it has been carefully crafted by hand.