PRESALE - Skinshape - Umoja (Lewis Recordings)

(Pre-Order) LP Purple Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket
(Pre-Order) SIGNED LP Purple Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket

(Pre-Order) LP Black Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket
(Pre-Order) SIGNED LP Black Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket

(Pre-Order) CD 9.99 Add to basket
(Pre-Order) SIGNED CD 9.99 Add to basket

RELEASES JUNE 19TH

Fifth studio album featuring Malcolm Catto, D'Alma, Idd Aziz and Modou Touré.

Includes the singles Sua Alma, In The End and Afande.

Artwork by Japanese artist Ken-ichi Omura.

Tracklist

1. Sua Alma feat. D'Alma
2. In The End
3. Afande feat. Idd Aziz
4. Kourou feat. Modou Touré
5. Azon De Ma
6. Amigos e Inimigos feat. D'Alma
7. Sun
8. Sudan feat. Idd Aziz
9. Dourle feat. Modou Touré
10. Lehin Ti Aye Ba Iku

PRESALE - Poppy Ajudha / Skinny Pelembe - Watermelon Man b/w Illusion (Blue Note)

(Pre-Order) 7" Vinyl 10.99 Add to basket

RELEASES JULY 17TH

A1. Poppy Ajudha - Watermelon Man / B1. Skinny Pelembe - Illusion

Here we have a 7” featuring two tracks from the forthcoming Blue Note: Reimagined album on which modern artists take on jazz classics. Side A sees the intoxicating vocals of Poppy Ajudah adorn her version of Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man whilst on side B we have South African indie kid Skinny Pelembe reinterpreting Illusion, originally by America pianist Andrew Hill.

PRESALE - Lord Finesse Presents: Motown State Of Mind 7" Vinyl Boxset (Various Artists) (UMC)

(Pre-Order) 7x7" Vinyl Boxset 79.99 Add to basket

RELEASES JULY 24TH

Motown State of Mind is a 7xLP 7” box set of Motown classics remixed by the legendary golden era Rapper, Hip-Hop Producer, and D.I.T.C. member Lord Finesse.

Tracklist

A1 Michael Jackson - I Wanna Be Where You Are (Underboss Remix)
A2 Michael Jackson - I Wanna Be Where You Are
B1 Marvin Gaye - I Want You (Underboss Remix)
B2 Marvin Gaye - I Want You
C1 DeBarge - I Like It (Soul Synopsis Mix)
C2 DeBarge - I Like It
D1 Switch - There’ll Never Be (Solidified Soul Mix)
D2 Switch - There’ll Never Be
E1 Eddie Kendricks - Body Talk (TBG Mix)
E2 Eddie Kendricks - Body Talk
F1 Sisters Love - Now Is The Time (The Mack Revisited Mix)
F2 Sisters Love - Now Is The Time (The Mack Revisited Mix) [Instrumental]
G1 Jackson 5 - Tribute Medley (Underboss Remix)
G2 Jackson 5 - Medley: I Want You Back/ABC/The Love You Save

PRESALE - El Michels Affair - Adult Themes (Big Crown Records)

(Pre-Order) LP Opaque White Vinyl (BCR090LPC2) 19.99 Add to basket
(Pre-Order) LP Black Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket
(Pre-Order) CD 10.99 Add to basket

RELEASES JULY 10TH

Big Crown Records is proud to present Adult Themes, the latest full length offering from El Michels Affair. This album takes the band’s “Cinematic Soul” aesthetic literally and sends the listener on a journey through a whirlwind of moods and energies. With their 2005 debut album Sounding Out The City, EMA spearheaded an instrumental funk / soul movement that inspired a slew of bands and even lead to the creation of a few independent record labels. El Michels has since lent his signature sound to artists from Adele to Dr John, Lana Del Rey to Aloe Blacc, and a who’s who list of others. In 2016 he co-founded Big Crown Records and has since produced the lion’s share of its output. A short stint as the touring band for Wu Tang Clan in 2007 led to the cult classics Enter The 37th Chamber (2009) and Return To The 37th Chamber (2017).

Adult Themes marks the long awaited, highly anticipated return to an album of original compositions from El Michels Affair.

Tracklist

1. Enfant
2. Adult Theme No. 1
3. Kill The Lights
4. Villa
5. Adult Theme No. 2
6. Life Of Pablo
7. Adult Theme No. 3
8. Rubix
9. The Difference
10. Hipps
11. Munecas
12. Adult Theme No. 4

Holy Hive - Float Back To You (Big Crown Records)

LP 'Seafoam Wave' Blue Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket
LP Black Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket
CD 10.99 Add to basket

Big Crown Records is proud to present ‘Float Back To You,’ the debut full length album from Holy Hive.

Homer Steinweiss, the Brooklyn based soul/funk drummer, always had a soft spot for folk music. Paul Spring, a young idealist folk singer traveling the country with his guitar, always had a beautiful falsetto in his back pocket. A family introduction would lead to Homer producing a few solo records of Paul’s, which would eventually lead to the creation of Holy Hive. The two enlisted Joe Harrison on bass and started out recording their first tunes as a group. A tour with soul legend Lee Fields would turn out to have an unexpected effect on their sound as they played their material to crowds of soul fanatics looking to dance. It was this realization that forced the next step in their evolution and gave birth to a sound unique to Holy Hive, a sound that walks a line so perfectly it necessitated a new genre, Folk Soul.

Tracklist

1. Broom
2. Hypnosis
3. Blue Light
4. Oh I Miss Her So
5. Float Back To You
6. Be Thou By My Side
7. Didn’t You Say
8. Embers To Ash
9. Cynthia’s Celebration
10. Red Is The Rose
11. You Will Always Be By My Side Forever
12. Sophia’s Part

El Michels Affair - Reasons feat. Bobby Oroza b/w Hipps

7" Vinyl 7.99 Add to basket

A1. Reasons feat. Bobby Oroza / B1. Hipps

Big Crown is proud to present this must have two-sider from El Michels Affair.

The A side “Reasons” is a collaboration that is sure to get all the Soul collectors very, very excited. Last time Bobby Oroza was in New York El Michels invited him to the studio to cut a tune together. Oroza’s voice finds it’s place perfectly over the track, talking us through the human struggle and still creating that energy that is uniquely his and has become his signa- true sound.

The B side “Hipps” is pulled from El Michels Affair’s recently released modern masterpiece Adult Themes.“Hipps” cuts in with a crushing drum beat and is quickly joined by the unmistakable horn arrangements that Leon has become famous for. In true EMA fashion the arrangement on this piece can’t be touche;, closing one’s eyes and listening will induce anyone to a vivid visual fantasy. It turns out to be something of a chapter from a book, and we recommend you treat yourself to the front to back experience of Adult Themes.

Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band - My Jamaican Dub b/w The Healer (Big Crown Records)

7" Vinyl 8.99 Add to basket

A1. My Jamaican Dub / B1. The Healer

Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band are an enigmatic bunch from Hamburg, Germany. One thing that’s not so shrouded in mystery, however, is their tunes. They have graced the decks of many a DJ from Brazil to Berlin. Here we have a 7” featuring two steel drum covers.

Side A is BRSB's's take on Grace Jones' nightclub classic "My Jamaican Guy". They take the tune to a new height from the first beat, laying down an infectious groove that will get people out of their seats immediately. BRSB has received a lot of praise for their choices of covers. Occasionally reworking hits, but, most notably pulling the album cut gems from artists typically more championed by the underground. Well...here they go again, covering Erykah Badu's homage to the late great J Dilla "The Healer" on Side B.

Mo Fingaz - Gusto (We Stay True)

LP Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket

‘Gusto’ is Mo Fingaz first full-length project; a 15 track collection of beats and compositions produced over the past two years. Lo-fi hip hop instrumentals crafted together with love, analog drum machines, samplers, live instruments and dusty old vinyl. After being sat on these beats for a minute, it finally feels like time to let them off into the ether..

Primarily a project that delivers crisp crunchy boom bap, with heavy doses of jazz and soul, and nods to various other genres throughout. The rhodes-laden ‘Groove Definition’ sets the tone, leading into an interpolation of a classic; one simply called ‘Reggie’. ‘Timecode’ raises up the SP1200 bit-crush levels some more, whilst tracks like ‘Astro’ and the album closer ’Netta’ take things a little deeper. The lead track ‘Gusto’ delivers skippier half-time jungle funk drums, with live bass played by his father and guitar by J-Felix atop the track. ‘Thirty-Eight’ and ‘1991 Broadway’ harp back to classic jazzhop of the golden era, whilst ‘Booooj’ adds a little dancehall swagger into the equation, before the classy string section of ‘Uptown’ swings into play.

This album is unashamedly one to nod your head to, and not one to be sleeping on..

Vanishing Twin - In Piscina! (Fire Records)

Blue 7" Vinyl 9.99 Add to basket

A1. Spice Lever 7 A2. In Piscina / B1. Gunky B2. The Third Door

Limited edition blue vinyl new four track 7" from Vanishing Twin. Cocktail umbrellas and chlorinated fantasies! It’s time to get cool in the pool with Vanishing Twin. Here are four streams of analogue consciousness to super-soak your deckchair daydreams.

Kelly Finnigan - I Called You Back Baby b/w Impressions of You (Colemine Records)

Limited Edition Coke Bottle Clear 7" Vinyl 9.99 Add to basket

A. I Called You Back Baby / B. Impressions of You

On the heels of a successful European tour and new album from his band Monophonics, Kelly Finnigan is happy to present to you this two-sided banger sure to satisfy the funk and soul needs of every DJ. The A-side, "I Called You Back Baby", an answer song to the deep Gloria Barnes soul cut is THE uptempo number from Kelly's album The Tales People Tell. Super funky drums from Monophonics' Austin Bohlman and percussion from Jungle Fire's Steve Haney make the breakbeat on this tune super tough. And after you're done sweating, you're gonna need time to cool off with the one you love. So flip the record over to burn one down with "Impressions Of You", a cut that's already been embraced by the lowrider sweet soul scene. This is a double-barreled sure shot!

The The Shacks / Brainstory - Smile Now, Cry later b/w Runaway (Big Crown Records)

7" Vinyl 8.99 Add to basket

A. The Shacks - Smile Now, Cry later / B. Brainstory - Runaway

A 7” single taken from the forthcoming Big Crown compilation album Dear Sunny…, consisting of covers of Sunny & The Sunliners classics executed by artists on their roster. Here, The Shacks energetically tackle ‘Smile Now, Cry Later’, while Brainstory dramatically reinterpret ‘Runaway’ on the reverse.

The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (Madlib Invazion)

LP Black Vinyl 20.99 Add to basket
CD 10.99 Add to basket

The UK’s cosmic, psychedelic-funk ensemble issue their first album on maverick producer Madlib’s label, Madlib Invazion.

The Heliocentrics’ albums are all confounding pieces of work. Drawing equally from the funk universe of James Brown, the disorienting asymmetry of Sun Ra, the cinematic scope of Ennio Morricone, the sublime fusion of David Axelrod, Pierre Henry’s turned-on musique concrète, and Can’s beat-heavy Krautrock, they have – regardless of the label on which they’ve released their music – pointed the way towards a brand new kind of psychedelia, one that could only come from a band of accomplished musicians who were also obsessive music fans. Drummer Malcolm Catto and bassist Jake Ferguson are the Heliocentrics’ masterminds and producers, and they are obsessive weirdos in today’s musical climate, searching, progressive humans who are often out-of-time with current trends.

They have been playing together for nearly two decades and their collective drive is to find an individual voice. The Heliocentrics search for it in an alternate galaxy where the orbits of funk, jazz, psychedelic, electronic, avant-garde and “ethnic” music all revolve around “The One.” With Madilb’s label Madlib Invazion for Infinity of Now, the Heliocentrics have returned to develop their epic vision of psychedelic funk, while exploring the possibilities created by their myriad influences – Latin, African, and more.

Gang Starr - Jazz Thing (Mr Bongo)

7" Vinyl 12.99 Add to basket

A. Jazz Thing (Video Mix) / B. Jazz Thing (Movie Mix)

Given that Gang Starr recently reformed and jazz is now all the rage, it seems fitting that Mr Bongo has decided to reissue the rare 7" version of the group's 1990 masterpiece "Jazz Thing". It's a wholehearted tribute to the greats of jazz - and the role jazz records have in hip-hop's sample culture - that comes in two distinctively different mixes. On the A-side you'll find the "Video Mix", a bouncy and suitably jazzy DJ Premier production that layers Guru's fine rap flows above loose-limbed drums, smoky horn samples and his own super-tight scratches. Turn to side B for the "Movie Mix" - so-called because it was created for a Spike Lee flick - where Guru's vocal rides improvised horns and an entirely different beat crafted from Kool & The Gang samples.

Eric B & Rakim - I Know You Got Soul (Mr Bongo)

7" Black Vinyl 12.99 Add to basket

A: I Know You Got Soul / B. I Know You Got Soul (Dub Version)

There can be few hip-hop heads who don't know Eric B & Rakim's "I Know You Got Soul", a Bobby Byrd and Funkadelic-sampling beast from 1987 that remains one of rap's most recognizable moments. The rap from Rakim is iconic, but it's the Eric B beat behind - all loose-but-heavy, snare-heavy beats, recognizable guitar licks and chorus-style blasts of Bobby Byrd vocals- that makes the track such a club-ready hip-hop classic. Here it gets the reissue treatment on "45" courtesy of Mr Bongo, with the duo's brilliant vocal version being joined on the flip by the overlooked, delay-laden "Dub Mix". For those who covet alternate versions of classic cuts, this instrumental revision is a must.

Eric B & Rakim - I Ain't No Joke (Mr Bongo)

7" Black Vinyl 12.99 Add to basket

A: I Ain’t No Joke / B: Eric B. Is On The Cut

Mr Bongo's Eric B & Rakim reissue series continues via a fresh pressing of the hard-to-find U.S seven-inch single release of the NYC duo's second single, 1987 gem "I Ain't No Joke". Rakim's distinctive vocals naturally take centre stage on side A, albeit over a sparse-but-strong Eric B beat high on the kind of crunchy drums, headline-grabbing scratches and sampled horn motifs that marked out the duo's best collaborative work. As with the original American single, the B-side boasts "Eric B On The Cut", a quality cut-and-paste affair in the style of Grandmaster Flash's "On The Wheels Of Steel" that's little more than a highly impressive DJ routine.

Kanye West - Jesus Is King (Def Jam)

LP Transparent Blue Vinyl 17.99 Add to basket

A long-awaited release on transparent blue vinyl for Jesus Is King, the ninth studio album from Kanye West which was released digitally back in October 2019 and which coincided with IMAX film of the same name. With a prominent Christian theme, Jesus Is King is certainly the most divisive ye album - and that’s saying something!

Duke Ellington - Money Jungle LP (Blue Note)

LP 180g Vinyl Reissue 30.99 Add to basket

Part of the Tone Poet Audiophile Reissue Series

On September 17, 1962, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and Max Roach gathered at Sound Makers studio in NYC and recorded Money Jungle, one of the most celebrated jazz trio albums of all time. Generational and stylistic differences between the three masters led to fearless music-making of the highest order. The album was originally released on United Artists and featured 7 of Ellington’s indelible compositions including “Caravan,” “Solitude,” and a stunning version of “Le Fleurs Africaines (African Flower).” By going back to the original analog stereo master the Tone Poet Edition presents this classic album with superior sound quality.

Herbie Hancock - The Prisoner (Blue Note)

LP 180g Vinyl Reissue 30.99 Add to basket

Part of the Tone Poet Audiophile Reissue Series

Recorded and released in 1969, Herbie Hancock’s last Blue Note album The Prisoner is a powerful but overlooked masterpiece. A moving tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, this nonet session features some of the most exceptional instrumentalists in jazz including Joe Henderson, Johnny Coles, Hubert Laws, Garnett Brown, Buster Williams, and Albert “Tootie” Heath. Hancock said of The Prisoner: “I've been able to get closer to the real me with this album than on any other previous one.”

Mndsgn - Bed (Fatbeats)

LP Black Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket

Mndsgn as you may or may not guess is pronounced Mind Design and is the alter ego of producer Ringgo Ancheta. He's already released several lovely records for Stones Throw but Bed is something different entirely. Originally issued on limited cassette it explores sleep and the places it takes us and also features a heartfelt tribute to Acheta's deceased cat.

Ted Poor - You Already Know (A New Deal / Impulse! Records)

LP Vinyl 17.99 Add to basket

Ted Poor is a Seattle-based drummer whose adventurous, soulful playing has vaulted him to the stages of some of today's most important musicians and placed him amongst those drummers most in demand. After graduating from the Eastman School of Music in 2003, Ted moved from his hometown of Rochester, NY to New York City where he quickly made a deep impression on its jazz and indie-rock music communities. In his ten years in NYC Ted appeared on dozens of recordings with world-renowned artists.

Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak (Roc-A-Fella Records)

Deluxe Collector's Set 2LP Vinyl 26.99 Add to basket

Includes CD, Poster & Lyric Sheet

808s & Heartbreak is the fourth studio album by Kanye West. It was released on 24th November, 2008, through Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. Conceived in the wake of several distressing personal events, 808s & Heartbreak marked a major musical departure from West’s previous rap records, instead featuring a sparse, electronic sound and West singing through an Auto-Tune vocal processor. His lyrics explore themes of loss, alienated fame, and heartache, while the album’s production abandons conventional hip hop sounds in favor of a minimalist sonic palette, which includes prominent use of the titular Roland TR-808 drum machine.

Despite varying responses from listeners, the album received positive reviews from most music critics, who generally commented on West’s experimentation, and was named one of 2008’s best records in several year-end lists. Four singles were released in promotion, including the hit singles “Love Lockdown” and “Heartless”. 808s & Heartbreak has since been cited as a prominent influence on subsequent hip hop, pop, and R&B music. This was due to a new wave of rappers, singers, and producers coming to adopt aspects of its style and thematic content.

Vinnie Paz - As Above So Below (Enemy Soil)

LP Vinyl 29.99 Add to basket

Vinnie Paz (Jedi Mind Tricks, Army of the Pharaohs, Heavy Metal Kings) returns with his fifth solo album.

Anna Wise - As If It Were Forever (Alpha Pup Records)

LP Vinyl (+ MP3) 22.99 Add to basket

GRAMMY award-winning musician and producer Anna Wise has announced her forthcoming debut album, As If It Were Forever, out via Alpha Pup Records, along with a new alt-R&B single "Nerve," which was written in a single evening.

Anna Wise shares, "I created 'Nerve' with Jon Bap and Nick Hakim in a single evening in Brooklyn, NY. Sometimes words and melodies flow out so fast, it's best to have all your tools ready to catch the ideas before they leave you and tap on the next person's shoulder. I had all my tools ready that night, and I'm grateful. Lyrically, it's about spring cleaning your relationships and not being afraid of letting go. Typical, I know, but it's a lesson I am still learning."

Lizette & Quevin - Grow Forever / Now It's Your Turn To Sing (Big Crown Records)

7" Vinyl 7.99 SOLD OUT

Produced by Leon Michels. Features vocal and guitar by Kevin Martin of Brainstory.

When Lizette and Quevin visited Leon Michels at his home in upstate New York an impromptu recording session gave birth to 'Grow Forever', the first ever song from this top-notch duo. Quevin (aka Kevin Martin) is one third of Brainstory and the man behind the honeyed voice that blessed their hit singles Dead End and Mnemophobia. Lizette is a talented ceramics artist whose voice has a certain 'je ne sais quoi' that is reminiscent of records by Little Ann and Rosie and The Originals.

'Grow Forever' is a mid tempo ballad that will have most collectors buying doubles. Lizette & Quevin trade lines over beautiful chords, fluttering guitar, and crushing drums. The B Side is an instrumental of the track entitled 'Now It's Your Turn To Sing' that we will be using for a talent contest of sorts. We will be inviting people to write and sing their own songs over the track and sent them into us via Youtube, the three best versions will win Big Crown prizes.

Chinese Man - The Groove Session Vol. 5 (Chinese Man Records)

2xLP Coloured Vinyl (+ MP3) 22.99 Add to basket
CD 11.99 Add to basket

15 exclusive tracks from Chinese Man on translucent orange & black splattered double vinyl - download code included.

An exclusive album to mark the 15th anniversary of the CMR label co-composed by Chinese Man, Baja Frequencia and Scratch Bandits Crew! Combining scratch music, trip-Hop, dub and tropical rhythms, The Groove Sessions Vol.5 highlights the artistic spontaneity and creativity in constant boiling of Label artists.

D.I.T.C - Studios Vol.2 (DITC Studios)

LP Red Vinyl 25.99 SOLD OUT
CD 14.99 SOLD OUT



The Diggin In The Crates collective has dropped a new album titled D.I.T.C. Studios Volume 2. The project is produced entirely by longtime member Showbiz.

D.I.T.C.’s latest compilation features 10 tracks. A.G., O.C., Lil Fame of M.O.P., Papoose, Milano Constantine, Cory Gunz and David Bars contribute vocals to the LP.

Jehst - Dragon of an Ordinary Family (YNR)

2xLP Coloured Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket

Reissue of Jehst's 2011, 4th studio album, 'Dragon of an Ordinary Family.'

Limited edition repress on Orange and Purple vinyl!

Roc Marciano - Marcielago (Fat Beats)

2xLP Vinyl 27.99 SOLD OUT

Seventh full length studio album from legendary emcee/producer Roc Marciano featuring Westside Gunn, Ka, Willie The Kid, Knowledge The Pirate, Cook$ with beats by The Alchemist, ANIMOSS and Roc Marci.

Ikebe Shakedown - Stone By Stone (Ubiquity)

LP Vinyl 19.99 SOLD OUT

Ikebe Shakedown’s powerful instrumental soul takes “big unison horns, slinky bass lines, tight little guitar licks—and blends them with tasty grooves culled from '70s-style horn-driven funk (WNYC Soundcheck).” The Brooklyn-based collective is set to follow up their well-received self-titled debut album with the heavier, more mature sound of their second full-length 'Stone By Stone.'

Black Market Brass - Undying Thirst (Colemine Records)

Coloured Numbered Gatefold LP Vinyl 21.99 Add to basket
Black Gatefold LP Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket

Black Market Brass’ sophomore record, Undying Thirst, is a noxious brew of diesel and bleach; a special long-player full of wasteoid rippers for skullduggerous hover-bike gangs peddling fugazi relics and snake oil tinctures. Hellacious guitars, nitrous-charged percussion, a brass section harsher than paint-thinner, and a special batch of short-circuited electronics and synthesizers will leave your head buzzing into the 31st century. Blasting Undying Thirst from your home speaker system is like going over a waterfall in a rusted out oil barrel, long after the sun has boiled the falls dry.

LP is packaged in high quality Stoughton Tip-On gatefold jacket, LP stored in an anti-static innsersleeve, and includes a download card. Pressed at Gotta Groove Records in Cleveland, OH.

Pressing Information: Gold vinyl limited to 1500 copies worldwide and will be gold-foil numbered.

Monophonics - It's Only Us (Colemine Records)

CD 10.99 Add to basket

With a timeless sound that blends heavy soul and psych-rock, Monophonics have built a reputation over the past decade as one of the best live bands in the country. Led by singer Kelly Finnigan, the band of has drawn on their colorful history — both their experiences as veteran touring performers and as individuals growing up in the Bay Area — to create “It’s Only Us,” their fourth release since 2012.

Pressing Information: The first pressing of this album (6000 copies) features a die-cut cover with four different images showing through the front cover. These images will be randomly assigned to each order.

Your Old Droog - Jewelry (Mongoloid Banks)

CD 14.99 Add to basket

Jewelry is the fifth studio album by American rapper Your Old Droog. It was released on December 23, 2019, making it the rapper's third release of the year, following April's It Wasn't Even Close and June's Transportation. The twelve-track project features collaborations with the album's executive producer, Mach-Hommy as well as MF DOOM, Tha God Fahim and Matisyahu. Featuring production by Fahim, Quelle Chris, Edan, Preservation and Cohen Beats. The album is a celebration of his Jewish heritage, labeled a "A Chanukah Celebration" with Your Old Droog stating "I'm no longer going to diminish my heritage for your comfort, some people hate simply for the sake of hating, let them crumble under the weight of that burden...we will celebrate light and life...I'm a Jew in America. This is my story. Shalom"

Afu-Ra - Urban Chemistry (X-Ray Production)

2xLP Gatefold Vinyl 15.99 Add to basket
CD 8.99 Add to basket

AFU-RA comes back with the project "Urban Chemistry" mixing Hip-Hop, Reggae and Soul, produced by Digital Cut, to be released in February 2020 on french X-Ray Production. On this new album, AFU-RA has invited one or more guests on each of the 18 tracks such as Sizzla, Jah Mason, Keny Arkana, Lord Kossity, Big Shug or Mann... Thanks to an exclusive collaboration with the brand Canna, all songs have been filmed in 15 cities in 8 different countries.

Magic In Threes - 3 [Remastered] (KingUnderground Records)

LP Black Vinyl 21.99 Add to basket

The album was previously released digitally in 2016 by the band’s own imprint, G.E.D. Soul Records. Now newly remastered with lacquers cut by the legendary Pete Norman (Led Zeppelin, David Bowie) and released on KingUnderground.

The music would make the perfect fit in movies like the recently released Dolomite revamp, and the now cult classic Black Dynamite. But it doesn’t fit into a blaxploitation soundtrack style box alone. You could imagine iconic rappers like Ghostface or Black Thought using these soundscapes. ‘3’ would even fit comfortably next to classic KPM or De Wolfe library releases from the mid 70’s, just as well as current indie trio, Khruangbin.

mndsgn - Oblique Kitchn [Reissue] (Fatbeats)

LP Vinyl 19.99 Add to basket

Released in 2012 on 30 hand dubbed cassette tapes, "Oblique Kitchen" sautees a medley of mid-tempo rhythms in a frying pan of aromatic loops and stewed softsynths. the cover collage depicts immenent transcedance amidst the faces of absurdity.

Ikebe Shakedown - Asa-Sa / Pepper (Ubiquity)

7" Vinyl 8.99 SOLD OUT

Originally released in 2011 as CD and digital exclusives on Ikebe Shakedown's debut self-titled album, "Asa-Sa" and the B-side "Pepper" are both horn-driven, heavy, Afro-influenced slices of funk best-served on the 7in format. Ikebe Shakedown has kept their signature funk, tight horns and impeccable rhythm through several releases including their most recent album "Kings Left Behind" on Colemine Records which made it to #2 on Billboards Jazz chart.

Sean Price & Lil' Fame - Price Of Fame (Ruck Down Records)

CD 10.99 Add to basket

Sean Price & Lil Fame join forces for 'The Price of Fame' album. The 11-track project features M.O.P., Smif N Wessun, Rock of Heltah Skeltah, Conway The Machine & Guilty Simpson. The album is entirely produced by Lil Fame and contains all unreleased Sean Price verses.

The Professionals - The Professionals (Madlib Invazion)

CD 11.99 Add to basket
LP Vinyl 25.99 Add to basket

The Professionals – Beats by Madlib. Raps by Oh No. Real. Rap. Shit. Featuring Adub, Elzhi, Chino XL.

Madlib is a highly regarded and influential hip-hop producer and occasional rapper, who has left his distinct and stylized sound on classic tracks and critically beloved albums by the likes of MF DOOM (Madvillain), J Dilla (JayLib), Talib Kweli (Liberation), Georgia Anne Muldrow (Seeds), and more. Madlib’s collaborations with rapper Freddie Gibbs (Piñata & this year’s Bandana) are some of the most acclaimed hip-hop records of the past decade, and his various DJ mix compilations (Madlib Medicine Show, Beat Konducta) have earned high praise from a vareity of journalistic sources.

Oh No is a rapper and producer who has left his mark across a wide swath of releases. His 2006 concept album Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms (Which exclusively sampled the works of musical theatre composer Galt MacDermot) was highly acclaimed upon its release, as well as his various crate-digging DJ mix projects (Dr. No’s Oxperiment, Dr. No’s Ethiopium).

He has produced tracks for the likes of Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Aloe Blacc, Talib Kweli, and Prodigy, while contributing guest verses to tracks by Czarface, Apathy, Murs, Little Brother, and more.

Slum Village x Abstract Orchestra - Fantastic 2020 (Ne'Astra)

CD 13.99 Add to basket

"Live jazzy orchestral interpretations of the Jay Dee aka J Dilla produced Slum Village classic Fantastic Vol 2!

On this, the 20th anniversary of Fan-Tas-Tic Volume 2's release, the Abstract Orchestra are proud to pay tribute to this highly innovative hip-hop classic. Across a 2-CD set of studio recordings, the big band applies their own jazzy spin to Dilla's classic productions, with occasional assistance from the surviving members of Slum Village themselves. The end result is Fantastic 2020, a hybrid blend of smooth, funky brass rhythms with boom-bap sensibilities that is just the kind of tribute that an often unsung, but highly influential group like Slum Village deserves, and is a more than welcome addition to any Dilla completist's library.

EAMON - Captive Thoughts (Now-Again Records)

CD 10.99 Add to basket

Platinum recording artist and unapologetic soul singer Eamon is set to release his new album Captive Thoughts on Now-Again Records. After his ambitious and critically acclaimed 2017 album Golden Rail Motel, Eamon's new record feels like an even deeper expression of the lost art of the singer's ability to make the listener feel every single lyric. 'Simply put, I'm singing every note as if my life depends on it' says Eamon through a thick Staten Island accent that hasn't faded since relocating to Los Angeles.

Now-Again Records was so impressed with Eamon's Golden Rail Motel that they approached the singer and offered him a unique deal: he could comb through their vast catalog of songs from the 60's and 70's in order to sample music to create an album of his own. At first working with Stoupe, the producer from legendary hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, Eamon would stay up late into the night sifting through sample upon sample in search of the perfect fit for the album. Eamon then approached his steadfast producers Benj Heard and Snipe Young with seven songs to tackle together. The end result was something fresh and forward looking but also a throwback to the golden era of soul music. While many will remember Eamon for his groundbreaking song 'Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)', the music he has recorded since his comeback from his decade-long hiatus represent the evolution from a controversial kid to a dynamic and respected artist. Captive Thoughts channels Eamon's childhood performing in his father's doo wop group, his immersion in 1990's New York hip hop, his obsession of classic soul music, and the intense lyricism and performances of Golden Rail Motel into one, cohesive album that is capable of moving the listener in unexpected ways. Eamon's voice communicates the highs and lows of being human with his unforgettable style. This record, like the songs it samples, is here to stay.

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Half Manne Half Cocaine(Madlib Invazion)

12" Vinyl 12.99 Add to basket

This exclusive 12 inch release features “Half Manne Half Cocaine” and “Palmolive” from Bandana, the critically acclaimed best-seller from Freddie Gibbs and Madlib.

In addition to full instrumentals for both selections the set includes the Madlib bonus beats “Zebras In The Myst” and “Night Vision” not found anywhere else.

TRACKLIST:

A1. Half Manne Half Cocaine (Vocal Version)
A2. Half Manne Half Cocaine (Instrumental)
A3. Zebras In The Mist (Bonus Beat)


B1. Palmolive (feat. Pusha T & Killer Mike)
B2. Palmolive (Instrumental)
B3. Night Vision (Bonus Beat)

Czarface - The Odd Czar Against Us (Silver Age)

CD 13.99 Add to basket
Green LP Vinyl 25.99 Add to basket

Czarface's Release Debuts On RSD Black Friday In A Never To Be Repeated GREEN VINYL Pressing.

The Variant Cover Is Exclusive For Black Friday And Will Not Be Used On Any Other Issue Of The Release.

CZARFACE, iron clad crime fighter, heroically returns to his lair after two spine-chilling adventures with MF DOOM and GHOSTFACE KILLAH. In his secret hideout, he has whipped up a few uncanny surprises for longtime Czar fans...expect curveball concepts, solo exploits, and noggin nodding neck-snappers alike. 'The Odd Czar Against Us' launches this November for RSD Black Friday on green vinyl, and CZARFACE goes full Voltron, employing every asset in his arsenal, maximizing lyrical efforts from Inspectah Deck & Esoteric and pulsepounding production from in house beatsmith 7L & Jeremy Page. This album stands to be the group's most ambitious and challenging effort to date. Are the odds against him this time, or are they against the underworld? Tune in to find out!.

Elcamino - Elcamino 2 (Air Vinyl)

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Ft. Benny Butcher, 38 Spesh & Rick Hyde

Griselda Records affiliate ElCamino has released his new album ElCamino 2, continuing a busy year that’s seen him drop multiple projects. The seven-track set arrives just a few weeks after 2e teamed up with producer Bozack Morris for the Saint Muerte LP. ElCamino’s latest effort features Benny The Butcher, 38 Spesh and Rick Hyde. Production is handled by DJ Green Lantern, Camoflauge Monk, DirtyDiggs, JR Swiftz, Chris Ruben and Boodeini.

Elcamino - Elcamino Reissue (Anti Gun Violence Co.)

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Since he first appeared on the scene, ElCamino has been steadily building his resume and reputation within hip-hop. Now, there is no debate, he is here to stay. Although the youngest member of the acclaimed Griselda group, ElCamino has no problem holding his own alongside Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine and Benny the Butcher. Hailing from Buffalo, New York, ElCamino is no stranger to the struggle. His music pays homage to his upbringing and brings an element of realism that has been noticeably absent from rap and hip-hop music in recent years. In fact, his first four projects were rorded while ElCamino was on house arrest for a prior run in with the law. ElCamino’s eight track, self-titled debut album ElCamino dropped in late 2017, but it still represents some of his best work to date, receiving praise and acclaim from hip-hop critics. A fan-favorite, ElCamino includes features from the legendary Prodigy and Griselda bosses Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine. With Boodeini, Rowland and Lucky Seven each bringing their signature production, ElCamino’s dark and gritty lyrics jump off the track to paint a vivid picture of his struggle on his road to success.

Herbie Hancock - Directstep (Get On Down)

Limited Edition Gatefold LP Vinyl 28.99 Add to basket

This is a Black Friday 2019 item. Previously Issued On LP In Japan Only. Out Of Print Since The 1980s. Housed In A Deluxe Gatefold Jacket and Exclusive Japanese- Style OBI-Card and Includes A Full-Colour Insert. Throughout the 1970s, legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock engaged in a prolonged period of experimentation across sounds and recording formats, releasing several albums for Columbia that were only issued in Japan. 1979's Directstep was one such album, one that made use of a new form of recording technology called Direct-To-Disc. This method recorded masters in real time to acetate discs, rendering incredibly high fidelity LP pressings, but sacrificing the ability to edit or overdub. A challenge Hancock and his group were more than up to. Directstep utilized other technological advancements as well, incorporating brand new electronic instrument technology such as the electronic wind instrument the Lyricon, the freshly released Propet-5 synthesizer, and of course the Sennheiser Vocoder which would become a key part of the artist’s arsenal during his electro-funk period in the 1980s. Beyond all that, Directstep is an incredibly solid collection of Herbie Hancock material, featuring stirring remakes of Hancock staples Butterfly and I Thought It Was You as well as brand new track Shiftless Shuffle.

Get On Down is proud to present this reissue of Directstep, a gem of jazz-fusion, available on vinyl for the first time in 30 years for RSD Black Friday.

Miles Davis - Miles In Tokyo: Miles Davis Live In Concert (Get On Down)

Limited Edition Gatefold LP Vinyl 28.99 Add to basket

This is a Black Friday 2019 item.

Miles Davis was on the verge of forming one of his most acclaimed ensembles in 1964. It was this year that he travelled to perform in Japan for the first time, bringing with him 3/4ths of the musicians that would form his famed "second great quartet"; Herbie Hancock on piano, Ron Carter on double bass, and Tony Williams on drums. In addition the jazz legend brought along saxophonist Sam Rivers to replace the recently exited George Coleman. Davis and Rivers never developed any major chemistry and frequently found their distinct styles frequently clashing (or perhaps dueling) in their performances. Rivers would ultimately be dismissed from the group at the end of their trip, leading to the arrival of Wayne Shorter, and the inception of the second great quintet. The partnership of Miles Davis and Sam Rivers may have been short-lived, but it did produce the live album Miles In Tokyo. The record is a rare jewel in Miles Davis' discography, featuring high-energy live versions of songs by Rodgers and Hart, Cole Porter, and Richard Carpenter, as well as a restlessly fast-paced take on the Davis staple So What.

This collection has previously only been available in Japan, but is now presented on vinyl for the first time in America by Get On Down, just in time for RSD Black Friday.

Monophonics - Chances (Colemine Records)

Limited Edition 7" Green Vinyl 8.99 Add to basket

First single from Monophonics new album, It's Only Us, on Colemine Records. Chances is an uptempo track that glowingly walks the line between deep, northern and sweet soul. The groups formula that fans have fallen in love with time and time again, is there once again knocking on your cerebral. Sitting atop drums that would make Pete Rock turn his head, the rhythm section is anchored deep in the pocket with a bubbling bass line, quivering vibraphone, shimmery guitar and honey thick horns. It’s all the support that background singers the ‘soul mates’ and lead singer Kelly Finnigan need to exhibit why empathetic lovers should think twice about giving “so many chances.”

Sparkle - Sparkle(Cultures Of Soul) Remastered

Gatefold LP Vinyl 20.99 Add to basket

In a genre that has classically been driven primarily by hot twelve-inches, it can sometimes be hard to find a disco album that delivers the goods from end to end—let alone a disco LP that could be described as “perfect.” Does such an animal even exist? We’re pretty sure it has to, and we can probably think of a few candidates ourselves. Cultures of Soul Records presents Sparkle’s self-titled album which many disco aficionados would put into this category. Sparkle was a female vocal trio from Connecticut, assembled by the producer Harold Sargent, erstwhile drummer of the sterling funk band Wood, Brass & Steel, and creator of manifold drum breaks that would go on to be sampled for decades. Originally released in 1979, the album and the group are fittingly titled as the music is a scintillating, radiant collection of shimmering disco and dazzling funk, performed by Too Much Too Soon—the multiracial R&B band that featured Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken, the writing/production team that would discover Rihanna and power her career to global dominance fifteen years later. Also on hand is musical prodigy Rahni Harris, whose Sargent-assisted club classic “Six Million Steps” is also included on the album. The result is an album that by far exceeds the sum of its parts, delivering a truly transcendent disco experience.

The J.B's - More Mess On My Thing Reissue (Now-Again)

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LP Vinyl + Booklet 26.99 Add to basket

The companion to These Are The JB’s - the long lost, unreleased album by James Brown’s first backing band: the Bootsy Collins led JB’s, that Now-Again issued in 2014. Never-before-heard originals including the band’s mythical demo recording for James Brown, which only made it to a one-off test press on King Records. The full version of the song was recently discovered in Universal’s vault by James Brown detective Harry Weinger and is presented here for the first time ever. Also included is the JB’s powerful medley not presented on Now–Again’s issue of the lost These Are The JB’s. Covers by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder and The Beatles. Contains extensive booklet with full annotation, liner notes by Brown historian Alan Leeds and never-before-published photos.

James Reese And The Progressions - Wait For Me: The Complete Works 1967- 1972 (Now-Again)

2CD 12.99 Add to basket
LP Vinyl + Booklet 45.99 Add to basket

Trombonist, bandleader, songwriter, arranger and producer James Reese never issued an album with his Progressions band, only a series of 45s – some under his own name, some under that of his collaboraors – out of Spartanburg, South Carolina on his Najma label, from the late 1960s until the mid 1970s. He was as ambitious as he was talented, and his ouevre ranges from brutal, deep soul to sophisticated instrumental ballads to jazz-inflected funk. Now-Again’s Egon first discovered Reese’s music on a 24 lock-in in Concord, North Carolina’s legendary record and antique clock repository, Ye Olde Clock Shoppe, in 1999. After he tracked down Reese, he officially reissued two of Reese’s songs on his seminal Stones Throw anthology The Funky 16 Corners. He later issued more of Reese’s music on the Now-Again anthology Loving On The Flipside.

Sourced from rare 45s and multi-track master tapes, Wait For Me: The Complete Works 1967-1972 presents both issued and recently-rediscovered songs in the full-length format, in a cohesive set that shows the brilliance still arising from the American soul and funk sub-strata. Long time Now-Again associate Kenny Dope presents a remix of the song “Throwing Stones,” and Now-Again mastering engineer Jason Bitner presents alternate mixes of various cuts on a bonus second LP, available only to subscribers. Those mixes are also included as part of the 2 CD set that accompanies the vinyl album. Both LP and CD version contain an extensive booklet detailing the trajectory of Reese and his band. Download card for WAV files included with the LP.

Juju - Live At The East 1973 (Now-Again)

LP + Booklet LP 26.99 Add to basket

Now-Again Records Presents Limited Edition Deluxe Reissues Of The Lauded Black Fire Catalog In 2020.

First up in the series, this previously unreleased live session recorded at the legendary Brooklyn venue The East in 1973. Magical, mystical, Afrocentric, progressive, words that could be used to describe any number of musical compositions by Sun Ra or his cosmic brothers and sisters, from John to Alice Coltrane, early ‘70s projects on record labels like Detroit’s Tribe or Houston’s Lightin’ or the interests of one Washington, DC native named Jimmy Gray that centered under one, perfect moniker: Black Fire. Gray spent nearly three decades pushing boundaries as a Black American promoter, distributor and, finally, record label owner. Together with Juju’s leader James “Plunky Nkabinde “ Branch, Gray oversaw sixteen releases on Black Fire Records between 1975 and 1996. These are the definitive reissues of five of the label’s key titles; all were lacquered, most directly from master tape by legendary Los Angeles mastering engineer Bernie Grundman, With this set, Juju and Black Fire’s story burns forth into its fifth decade, its message not tempered, its sound pure. It’s cycle, once again, complete. Each release is packaged in a thick, tip-on sleeve and includes a deluxe booklet with extensive notes on the album, the Black Fire collective, and the musical and cultural revolution they created.

Limited edition, one time pressing

Raphael Saadiq - Instant Vintage (Get On Down)

Remastered Gatefold 2LP Vinyl 30.99 Add to basket

Raphael Saadiq did not rest on his laurels after bringing his famed R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! to a close in 1997. In the coming years he was a highly sought after producer and session musician, leaving his mark on tracks by D'Angelo, The Roots, and Erykah Badu, and briefly formed the supergroup Lucy Pearl with Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, and Dawn Robinson of En Vogue. After nearly a decade of working in the realm of New Jack Swing, Saadiq's interests gradually gravitated towards the burgeoning musical subgenre of neo-soul.

In the nearly two decades since the album's release in 2002, Instant Vintage has never been reissued on vinyl. Get On Down aims to change all that in 2020 with this sterling LP reissue, featuring remastered audio and an intricately re-created Gatefold sleeve of the original, enigmatic cover art.

Ben Pirani and The Means of Production - That’s The Way It Goes / Dreamin’s For Free (Colemine Records)

Limited Edition Hand Written 7" Black Vinyl 8.99 Add to basket

A. That’s The Way It Goes / B. Dreamin’s For Free

Beautiful stripped-down lowrider-soul from Ben Pirani and The Means of Production on Colemine Records, released for Valentine's day.

Kelly Finnigan - Since I Don't Have You Anymore (Colemine Records)

7" Clear Vinyl 7.99 Add to basket
7" Black Vinyl 6.99 Add to basket

A. Since I Don't Have You Anymore / B. Since I Don't Have You Anymore (Instrumnetal)

The incredible uptempo track from Kelly's debut album that feels like its was pulled straight off of some deep and rare Numero compilation, we are proud to present the stand alone 45 of "Since I Don't Have You Anymore" with the instrumental on the flip.

Clear vinyl limited to 1000 copies.

Planet Asia - A.G.E (All Gold Everything) [Air Vinyl Records]

CD 18.99 Add to basket

Planet Asia is in his King Medallions bag this year. After dropping the criminally slept-on Initials On My Jewelry last Spring, the Fresno beast is back with the drip-heavy A.G.E. (All Gold Everything). The album features production from DJ Skizz, DirtyDiggs, Nicholas Craven, and more. Guests include Defari, TriState, Montage One, Stylistik Jones, and more!

KXNG Crooked & Bronze Nazareth - Gravitas (Air Vinyl Records)

CD 18.99 Add to basket

Featuring Snoop Dogg, Ghostface Killah, Planet Asia And Else.

Long Beach legend Kxng Crooked takes a break from his consistently dope Weeklys series to serve up listeners a slab of hardcore Hip-Hop fashioned with lauded Wu affiliate Bronze Nazareth. It's East meets West in a collision of sound. And plenty of Crooked and Bronze's homies come along for the ride, including Snoop Dogg, RZA, Ghostface Killah, Planet Asia, Ras Kass, and many more.

Fred The Godson - God Level (Air Vinyl Records)

CD 18.99 Add to basket

Featuring Benny The Butcher, 38 Spesh, Jim Jones & more.

Fred The Godson gave listeners a couple drums earlier this year on his collab album with Joell Ortiz, "Gorilla Glue." The effort was well-received by fans and critics alike. Be that as it may, Gordo plan's to close out 2019 with more fire. He's linked up with 38 Spesh and his TCF Music Group to release a surprise drop on November 15th titled "God Level." The album includes features from 38 Spesh, Benny The Butcher, Jim Jones, Axel Leon, and more. However, the lead single is a solo aural assault dedicated to getback titled "Retaliation." This litany of intricate punchlines over a hard Hesami beat is the perfect intro to "God Level."

38 Spech x Benny The Butcher - Stabbed & Shot (Air Vinyl Records)

CD 18.99 Add to basket

INCLUDES PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED INSTRUMENTALS!

Air Vinyl is proud to be reissuing Benny The Butcher and 38 Spesh's seminal joint album, Stabbed & Shot. These underground kingpins were both at their hungriest at the top of 2018 and this LP is the proof. Air Vinyl will also be releasing Stabbed & Shot II later in 2020, so this re-release should get fans ready.

Benny the Butcher is as hot as any artist on the planet right now, fresh off of an incredible 2019 with his The Plugs I Met project, the collaborative effort Statue of Limitations (with Smoke DZA), and his Shady Records debut alongside his Griselda brethren Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine, entitled WWCD.

38 Spesh is heading up the Trust movement, and also had a stellar few years, including his Son of G Rap album (alongside Kool G Rap) and songs with Styles P, Jadakiss, Uncle Murda, AZ, N.O.R.E., Kool G Rap, and French Montana. He has worked with several high-profile producers as well, including the likes of DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Alchemist.

Album art by Manuel "Cep" Concepcion

Da Lench Mob - Guerillas In Tha Mist (Get On Down)

LP Coloured Vinyl 24.99 Add to basket

First ever vinyl reissue of this classic, West Coast hip hop LP from the once Ice Cube fronted crew, Da Lench Mob. Originally released in 1992.

The LP is pressed on a deluxe Green and Orange Splatter-coloured vinyl, and features remastered audio and a painstakingly recreated full colour jacket.

Nas - Stillmatic RSD Black Friday Limited Edition Reissue (Get On Down)

2LP Silver Vinyl 27.99 Add to basket

2001 marked the release of Nas' fifth studio full-length, on which made the effort to re-establish himself in the underground style which first brought him to prominence. The title is even a nod to his own roots: Stillmatic, a clear and present reference and sequel of sorts to Illmatic. The move worked perfectly; Stillmatic was hailed by critics as a brilliant return to form, earning rave reviews from rap outlets such as The Source and HipHopDX as well as from more mainstream publications like The Rolling Stone and The Village Voice.

Now approaching two decades after the record's release, Get On Down proudly brings you this deluxe double LP reissue. Stillmatic, unavailable on vinyl since its original 2001 release, is now presented with remastered audio in a silver vinyl pressing exclusively for RSD Black Friday!

Statik Selektah & Paul Wall - Give Thanks (Tuff Kong Records)

LP Vinyl 27.99 Add to basket

During the course of 2019 boom-bap ambassador Statik Selektah has provided the masses with several collaborations with southern legends such as Bun B and Curren$y and now ends the year with a collaboration with the People’s Champ and H-Town O.G. Paul Wall. The extraordinaire producer provides a brand new soundscape for Paul Wall to spit to, his classic boom-bap trademark and soulful vibes characterise these seven songs which also see guest appearances by B-Real, CJ Fly, Benny The Butcher, Nems, Haile Supreme, Termanology and Mia Jae. Delivering this collaboration on thanksgiving the two have given life to an unlikely but incredible collaboration.

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Bandana Beats, Instrumentals LP (Madlib Invazion, ESGN, Keep Cool, RCA)

LP Vinyl 25.99 Add to basket

The instrumentals to the acclaimed 2019 collaborative album from Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, now available on vinyl.

Madlib, the prolific producer and adept sampler with a record collection spanning all genres and eras and Freddie Gibbs, the gravel-voiced braggadocios rapper, a vocal athlete. As a pair, they exude a natural chemistry and craft an alchemical music. Reunited after their widely celebrated 2014 album Piñata, Gibbs and Madlib are back with Bandana, a brand new collaboration for 2019. Bandana includes first single, “Flat Tummy Tea,” which received critical praise upon release from the likes of Rolling Stone, Billboard, Vulture, Pitchfork, FADER, GQ, and more. The album will also include features from Pusha T, Killer Mike, Yasiin Bey, and Black Thought and more.

Masta Ace & Marco Polo – A Breukelen Story DELUXE EDITION (Fat Beats)

3LP Vinyl 36.99 Add to basket

In celebration of the one-year anniversary of their 2018 collaborative effort, Masta Ace and Marco Polo present this limited edition deluxe version of A Breukelen Story featuring 4 non album cuts and instrumentals, 2 of which are unreleased in any form.

Packaged as a 3XLP set on gold vinyl w/ black splatter, A Breukelen Story: Deluxe Edition expands upon the celebrated album of their ever growing catalogs.

The Du-Rites – Mad Dog b/w Cheap Cologne (Ilegalia Records)

7" Vinyl 11.99 Add to basket

Fresh off the release of their first live album (and fourth overall), Soundcheck at 6, The Du-Rites waste no time getting back in the fold with two nasty sides of all new material. The latest 7” is a slight departure from the previous 7” (“Zodiac” b/w “Monster”). Where the personality of incidental vocals dominated that release, J-Zone & Pablo Martin split the difference this time and give us one half that and one half pure dynamite instrumental.

The dynamite instrumental would be the A-Side, “Mad Dog”. It starts with an off-the-wall, polyrhythmic drum solo, before gradually easing into an uptempo and somewhat unorthodox (yet still dance floor friendly) groove from J-Zone. The pocket goes deeper once the bass joins in, and the four car collision of distorted combo organs, analog synths, rolling tambourines and Pablo’s turkey grease Blaxploitation guitars put a spooky Psychedelic spin on The Du-Rites’ trademark brand of funk.

Candid vocals and humor are also a part of The Du-Rites approach, and though the A-Side is strictly for the groovers and shakers, the flip has a little for everyone. Pablo’s rolling funk bassline and honorary band member Bruce Martin’s (no relation) congas anchor a mean and nasty mid-tempo cooker that’s much heavier in feel than the A-Side. J-Zone’s open hi-hat barks throughout play off the rest of the rhythm section for a lock so serious that the guitar and keys only need to leave a tip and the silly banter - a nod to both cheap fragrance and Kool & The Gang’s 1970 classic, “Funky Man” - doesn’t get in the way.

The Du-Rites’ goal is always to expand the boundaries of modern funk without losing the essence of what funk is about. This release stays true to mantra.