mercredi 15 décembre 2021

Put that shh on wax! vol.2

 

Buck 65 baseball cards


11 - Buck 65 - Weirdo Magnet (1996)

Another one in the "if it happens everybody will freak out" category.

Classic Buck 65, incredible 2-tape albums that has been later reissued and remastered for a very different tracklist (half of the original tape tracks are not on the cd, some of the tracks on the cd reissue were unreleased.. wtf?). Ok, there's an existing vinyl EP with tracks off this album that was released by Hand Solo, but still, it's only 4 tracks off a 40 tracks double tape. We. Want. More.

Is it doable? Well it probably has a cost. Also: is Warner Canada still owning the rights of this? If so it'd be problematic. But at the same time it didn't stop Richard to release Vertex, another classic, on his own, without Warner in the equation (by the way, this Vertex record has... 30 minutes of music on each side. I'm impressed the pressing factory even allowed it). So if he did it once, why not twice? 


12 - Orko - Eyemagedon (2002)

Look, Orko has an incredible backcatalogue with almost none of it on wax, that's such a shame.

Eyemagedon is my favorite of the lot, which really means I think it's the most consistent from start to finish. But really, he should do a 4LP anthology, Dereliks-style. So much dope material over his career, and unfortunately so little vinyl releases. 

An important factor: it should be definitely remastered from the original DAT though, because even official cds sound quality are sometimes uneven. But this one is long overdue.


13- Riddlore - compilation, including "Iz Hip Hop Dead?"

I mean.. even only "Iz Hip Hop Dead" on a large 12'' at 45rpm is fine with me. This anthem MUST be issued at some point on vinyl, I can't believe how many wack albums have been reissued and this one iconic track is still only available on a cheap cd-r. 

Beside that one, Riddlore has a deep catalogue of dope songs, from his classic "Everything You Need To Know..." album, to the more recent "West Wing" and anthems like "I Smell Smoke", or "Can U Love A Villain" -the Goodriddenz version, not the 1988 12inch version . 

There's definitely room for a nice vinyl release filled with great tracks and no fillers. Plus Riddlore is still around releasing music, so I guess he wouldn't be against it?


14 - Nextraterrestrials - The Coda Quota (1999)

This project revolved around Ottawa producer Kelron Magnanimous who invited a big batch of other artists from the canadian underground (Supreme Being Unit, DJ Moves, Fritz Tha Cat from the infamous "In Search of Divine Styler Magazine", Paul The Apostle from Governor Bolts, etc etc.). 

It's an understatement to say it was overlooked, although the tracks are pretty solid, in the same abstract/futuristic vein of S.B.U.. 18 tracks long and very few things to throw away, this would made a great reissue. The recent reissue by Chopped Herring of the Bomb Shelta Association 'Rebirth' album kind of give me hope that some of those obscure canadian releases may find a second life one day.

Typically, if the guy was from NYC it would have happen already..


15 - Komadose - Beta One (2002)

...Which makes me think of this album. The bostonian answer to Can Ox' The Cold Vein, sort of.

This is probably the closest thing you'll encounter as far as "El-P-type beat". But although the influence is heavy you can't deny they're really good beats, not pale imitations. 

Interestingly this is also one of the first appearance of K-The-I??? on a record.

To be honest I thought this one would've happened a long time ago, but maybe it's too much of an obscure record, or maybe just that the Ozone/DefJux/late90esNYCdystopian/scifihiphop sound revival hasn't kicked yet.


16 - Bedouins - Vol.1 "The Missing Link" (1998)

I already shared that great forgotten tape from the San Jose scene, with the few details that I knew about it. Tapemasta Steph on production and twins MCs Mozam and K-Swift. Probably the only christian rap album I'll ever wish someone reissue. 

The only concern would be for the sound, once again. Would need a decent remaster. I'm not so sure it'd sell too well but I know I'd buy two for sure.


17 - Inoe Oner - Master Relm (1998) / Da Governmentz Greatest Hitz (2002)

They're both great, underrated albums from the LA Project Blowed scene.

If you're not familiar, think Global Phlowtations collective, LA Project Blowed, Adlib/ Zagu Brown/ Sach. Minimal, dark, muddy, even though it's not thug rap or dystopian rap, it got a really distinct vibe to it, pretty far from your classic backpack hip hop.

Master Relm was supposed to be released on wax around 2005/6/7, something like that, by a friend of mine who eventually changed his mind and put his money on a common release, the Inoe/Thavius Beck split 7'' picture disc. That last one was a pretty bad commercial failure and my friend didn't put another dime into releasing a vinyl. To this day I'm still regretful about having him change his mind, because Master Relm really deserved a reissue. When Beetbak did a cassette reissue years later it brought the memories back, and the fact that a remaster already exists might help a possible vinyl reissue one day (?).

Da GG Hitz is another one that's very dope and would deserve a reissue. It features production by Adlib/Thavius Beck and the beats are incredible and really match Inoe's flow.


18 - Eyedlmode - Fogville (1995)

Ok so this one is supposed to be reissued by Key System Recordings eventually. They actually mentioned it like 2 years ago, and had me super excited, until they finally drop this other masterful "To Whom it may Concern" reissue. 

Don't get me wrong, it was probably a better strategy to get any money back and fuel the label, but I'm still regularly checking out their twitter/fb to see if anything new is popping, just in case.

Remember when you thought The Nonce was like the westcoast answer to ATCQ and no one seems to really pay attention and then all of sudden a flurry of reissues happened (super deservingly btw)? 

Well, Eyedlmode is like the Bay Area answer to The Nonce (or something like that).

If you didn't checked Fogville and their self titled EP, both only released on cassette, it's about time to enjoy the soothing vibes from these gems. Perfect albums to chill to. The world needs to know. My crates need this one badly.


19 - Moka Only - Carrotts & Eggs (2009)

Ok Moka has a trillion albums. Seriously, I've never seen such an incredible discography for an hip hop artist. The problem is, it's hard to have people following everything you put out when you release 4 albums a year. Even if you're dedicated, at some point, you kind of give up, drown under a pile of beats.

So Carrotts & Eggs for me is the most consistent of the lot but it was just overlooked by most people, because, well that was one of the 6 albums released by Moka in 2009 (and he had 3 in 2008, 2 in 2010, etc etc.).

Moka also has an interesting trajectory as a producer. Over the years he developed his identity as a beatmaker and made these kind of J Dilla-esque beats. It's pretty pregnant on this album and it's for the better. There's a whole funky vibe throughout Carrots & Eggs that will make you nod , sit back, relax, then start cooking some vegetables. 

If there was one to pick among his 73 albums (that's the actual count), this is the one!


20 - Ka Auditron Ba - The Final Conflict (1998)

This album has an interesting backstory and has been brought to our attention by the homie Jibs' Thisisforthehustlers blog. This is the Kemetic Suns never released, testament LP. 

Although it sounds like a compilation of demos with very heterogeneous audio quality, there's a lot of good/great tracks among the 21 tracks/ 93 minutes of music offered, easily enough to make a dope vinyl reissue.  The main issue here would be to be able to master it so that it feels somewhat coherent soundwise, because the differences of volume between each of these demo is a bit bothering.

Again, I really hope someone will try to make it happen because although it's still a bunch of demos at various states of development, it sounds promising.


To be continued in part 3...

samedi 4 décembre 2021

Put that shh on wax! vol.1

 

This pic has been taken to illustrate a reissue 
that might never see the light of the day. 
Bonus point if you get the song reference

These last years (let's say 10 last years), hip hop vinyl reissues have blown like never before, particularly the ones focusing on indie-rap. Lots of factories began to put out offers for super limited pressings, and so a batch of newborn one-person labels have seen the light of the day all at once, with very varying results as to the final products. 

I'm not too interested to discuss which ones are the best, the worst, who has the nicest artworks or the craziest price tags.

The interesting part of this, as an avid collector myself, is the wide range of albums being put out, with now micro-labels even specializing in niche markets, like mob music or such. Lots of never heard before materials are reissued, lots of quality, and more and more great albums of the late 90es-early 00es that wasn't put on vinyl for various reasons are now released, one by one. 

I started my micro-label in 2002 as the realization of a teenage dream and with in mind the 'business model' of labels such as Subversiv*Rec in Germany or 24/7 in Sweden. I was so broke back then that I only released a handful of releases in the span of almost 20 years (with a 7 years gap in between), with very limited success (aka I lost money on most of them) even though I always took it as a hobby more than a business.

One thing I always had was a list of the albums I loved, that were never released on vinyl and that I might one day put out on my label. A good chunk of them thankfully has seen the light of the day on other labels ever since (for instance Sach "Seven Days To Engineer", or more recently the Atban Klann one), but still some of them are ignored. Maybe it's too much of a commercial suicide? Maybe the sound quality is too bad? Maybe the artist are asking for too much?

I decided to put some of that list out, by pointing the feasability of such reissues. Probably because I know I won't be able to do it myself, and also because I'd secretly hope that it would kickstart having some of them released in the future.

It'll take a few posts to put the full list, here's just the first 10.  You're more than welcome to post your dream LP reissues in the comment section.

(And, like always, sorry for my half ass english :))

So, in no particular order:


01- Awol One & Daddy Kev - Souldoubt (2001) + Number 3 On The Phone (2002)

Awol One might be one of my all time favorite mc and this is my favorite album of his, so needless to say this one is ranking high on the list. Although he did worked with other producers none of them was a match like Daddy Kev. Awol is charismatic, doesn't really sound like another mc. His style is of writing is at the same time straight forward and subtle with a twisted sense of humor. Punchlines for ages. I just love it and I think it did age pretty well.

This one seems relatively doable, and would deserve a full 2LP reissue with maybe bonus beats at the end from the Shit That Never Dropped EP (same era).

I know he released a 12'' for 'Rhythm', but for this personal classic, a 12'' with 3 tracks ain't nearly enough.

For the little story, a few years ago I came close to do that reissue, but it folded when the guy that was supposed to fund it suddenly disappeared for no reason whatsoever. I was too broke to make it on my own. Needless to say I was pretty bummed.

Number 3 On The Phone, same combination, would be another one worth seeing a 2LP reissue.


02 - Noggin Nodders - Demo 93-94 (1993/2019) 

I just posted it. This demo is great and the world needs more Motion Man, period.

Kutmasta Kurt released it on tape recently so he probably has the masters ready somewhere. With the batch of rare and unreleased stuff put out by Threshold Recs I still have hopes this might happen one day.

Edit 09/2022 -> This one was finally released on vinyl in the summer of 2022! 


03 - 99th Demention - RSP Student (1998)

There's only 2 99th Demention albums and they're both very good. RSP Student is this crazy concept album where the members of the groups are students in a retarded class. Super far from today's woke standards but also pretty hilarious. Z-Man is still one of the most charismatic MC ever AND he makes the best album covers.


04 - Log Cabin - LA Experimental (1995)

.. Because, what the hell. Basically, the unicorn, the Himalaya of the list. 

The thing is, 1/ nobody seems to be really sure who has the masters of this (although I had one lead that led to a certain producer that recorded these sessions, but basically the connection was never made with him - ok that sounds like a pile of crap that I made up, but it's not) 2/ we're not even sure if the sound quality is good enough to do a proper reissue, let alone a vinyl reissue 3/ some of the people that made this tape no longer talk to each other, and it seems not very likely that they would be willing to talk to each other again, even if it just meant to split the money on this. So, a tricky reissue to release, with not a lot of money to make at the end for anyone involved (realistically), unless you put a crazy price tag on each copy, which is still an option, especially these days.

Also, it's worth noticing that one of the best track of this legendary tape is not even on the original demo for what I know (by the way, where the hell that track come from? Is there a full Miscellaneous Minds demo somewhere? Even watching this episode full of Log Cabin insights couldn't give us a clue). 

So why bother? Because, well, that's thee legendary Log Cabin tape, the sort of unique blend between the crazy lyrical styles of LA Project Blowed and the super nerdy/out there content of, let's say, Anticon or some of the Shape Shifters. Tracks about short people and mentally freebasing off of these brainwaves! I mean for the sake of the westcoast underground hip hop history, a reissue should be made; even as a cassette reissue with a crappy sound, just so it doesn't disappear forever with our disk drives and crappy blogs.


05 - Knowself & DJ Moves - Pseudo Freedom In The Age Of Manipulation (1999)

Probably the outsider of the list. I love Knowself's completely abstract style, his voice, delivery and how Moves productions absolutely match this guy's style. Like Awol and Kev, they fit perfectly

This album is probably his most 'traditional' (or 'easy to figure' for a new listener), it features production and raps by Sixtoo, Kunga219, Tachichi... I'm not sure if too many people care about Knowselfs music the way I do though, but this one is undeniably a grower.


06 - Hip Hop Kclan - Kclandestine Kclassix (2000)

A compilation of classic HHK material (mostly Ellay Khule & Pterradacto), including many gems such as "Y'All Ready For This" and "Massive Meltdown" amongst many others. Top notch emcee performances recorded over pretty good beats.

This one should be a no-brainer, except for the sound quality. I'm not sure if the original DAT are still available for a remaster but you can't really put this out on vinyl without a serious cleaning. If so it would be an instant classic.


07 - Sub Contents - Demo EP (1996)

This one I would have love to see it happen. Straight dope. A true classic from the San Jose scene, the first demo cassette by Dave Dub & Persevere, produced by Fanatik. Only 7 tracks but all classic ones with a dark edge. 

I reached out to Fanatik, he was interested, but lost the original DAT over the years and I didn't find a satisfying tape rip that was worth putting on wax. Chances are, it won't see the light of the day, or if so probably as a very lo-fi project.


08 - The Dereliks - Change For The Bus Ride Home (2003)

This was a sort of compilation released on cd by Sublevel Epidemic. San Jose again. A beautiful album with the slickest beats. Plus a real 'mainstream/ 90es backpacker rap' appeal.

Believe me, a lot of people have tried to make it happen over the years. I tried twice myself (early 00s then recently), know a fellow label head that tried in the meantime, and am pretty confident other labels have tried to do it as well. Hen Boogie was always reluctant. 

But good news: they recently announced they were putting a 4LP anthology of Dereliks material, so I guess it'll finally happen, hopefully in 2022.


09 - 2Mex - B-Boys In Occupied In Mexico (2001)

Another ShapeShifters classic. I'm not sure why this is not on vinyl already. Ok there's a 12'' out off this album, but come on, we're talking about the most consistent 2Mex album by a guy who have a big fanbase. Beats by Omid, Mums The Word, a batch of solid guest MCs, beautiful songs... and an iconic cover. This would be an instant cope.


10 - Dark Time Sunshine - Believeyoume (2009)

My favorite album by both Onry Ozzborn and beatmaker Zavala, from Portland OR. 

I'm a fool for dark, menacing beats and this one has plenty. Another great MC/ beatmaker combination right there. Unfortunately it came out in a period were the vinyl renaissance hadn't happened yet, and certainly not for this kind of hip hop. But it definitely deserve a reissue now.


To be continued...



dimanche 7 novembre 2021

Noggin Nodders - Demo 93-94

 


And now for our new series "This needs to be released on vinyl", introducing the great and overlooked Noggin Nodders demo from allegedly 1993 or 94.
Noggin Nodders is Motion Man, one of my favorite emcee with its so distinctive voice/delivery and producer Kutmasta Kurt. 
Although the rip quality is not super good you can still appreciate 8 solid tracks with no fillers. I'm surprised it wasn't picked over the Uneven Pavement demos by Threshold Recs to be reissued.
Hopefully it'll happen one day.

Late Update - The music is probably from 93-94 but as for the tape itself it seems it was discreetly released by Kutmasta Kurt in 2019. It's supposed to be a sort of deadstock from the mid 90es found in a basement but my opinion is that it's more a 'fake old' release. Still it's really well made, hard to find and more importantly the music is awesome, so... 

Edit 2 - I've been super lucky to cop a copy from a japanese shop last week. My copy is numeroted 15 out of 40 on the front cover. Another guy on discogs said the original Threshold Recs newsletter said it was 50 copies.. he also confirmed it was released on april 2019. Anywayyy.. I replaced my precedent rip by a much better one from my own tape. Enjoy!



A
Noggin Nodder
Call For Back Up
Playin Big
Fantasy Isle

B
Patternologyst
De Da Da Dey
Camouflaged In The Streets
Luscious Lady


samedi 11 septembre 2021

Knot Tight 3-tape batch

 


I had a request about those Knot Tight albums.
They were ripped and shared a couple of years ago on Chaz's facebook I think, and since I couldn't find the link again, here's a re-up.
They were a SF group related to SFSM. Members were Po'em, Gee and DJ (a guy called DJ or an anonymous DJ? I don't know).
They did 3 albums on tape only, only Circumference is clearly dated from 1995, the two others are The Near Future and As Is, year unknown.

In another news, this Freestyle Fellowship deluxe reissue is up from pre-order:

.. and Bored Stiff's Ghetto Research got a proper vinyl reissue (with Rappers.. crazy this one wasn't on the 2007 cheap bootleg):

Enjoy!



3 Albums:
 - Circumference (1995)
- The Near Future (?)
- As Is (?)

dimanche 4 avril 2021

A bunch of "hard to find" stuff

Yep, those are not necessarily the most stand out albums, but some people have been requesting them, been intrigued by them on discogs, and they're rather difficult to find. So here it is...


A while ago I posted an album by a group called Ill Nature.
Well The Illuminatives is the latest version of Ill Nature. This album was released in 2002, and again shared by K.P.. 






I've shared their second album a while ago, here's the third and final lp from this New Mexico group.






This album from 2000 features several emcees from the la2thebay fam (Tommy V, Maleko, Nebula from Araknophobix, Rashinel from Hobo Junction...).




Another gift from KP, this is a solo album from a member of the Blueprint Krew (who did that great self titled tape in 99). This one was out prior to the collective lp (98).




Red Tide was from Tampa, Florida. They had this album in 98, also available on Atak, then released a 12" two years later.




Finally, I'm adding a few ones that are available through the artists' bandcamps and such:

First Of, Please check this great album by San Diego's Joosik Energetik called "Bar Codes On Tenni Shoes". The cover for some reasons makes me think of Tyler The Creator... and the album is great.

You can cop a deluxe edition through spotify and Amazon, I think:




I don't know how I stumble upon this other group -might be through an old japanese indie rap mailorder- but anyway, here's the Houston, Texas answer to Anticon than nobody ever heard of. 
They're called Freedom Sold, and they had two full length released on vinyls in the early 00es. 
I don't if the punk rock/ hardcore aesthetics of the covers discouraged the distribution companies but even though I've been looking hard for that kind of music back then, I only discovered them very recently.

Here's their bandcamp, they're still selling LPs:



.. And speaking of Anticon/Mush-sound alike groups, did you ever heard of Florida=Death, from Connecticut? 

They're you go, this track in particular really sounds like Why?... 
They also made a vinyl, that is floating in my collection, somewhere:


That's all for now... tbc.

Debris - Division By 5 Chariots


This one was sold back in the days on Atak (like most of what is on this blog btw).
Kaliyuga Pro made me a rip and scans from his tape. There's one track produced by Mr Dibbs, but other than that, I have absolutely no idea who are those guys. It was released in 1999 by Amnesia Wind Recordings.


A
Division By 5 Chariots
Commercial Break
Turntable Metabolism
Zenjoriki
Mucho Bravado

B
Strange Arm People Pt.1
Strange Arm People Pt.2
Vitamin Thought

 

mardi 30 mars 2021

VA - Anticon sampler

 


This is a short promo sampler cassette released by Anticon in 2000 with some skits by DJ Anna, Sole and Jel.



Usephasan - Chemistry Teraqueous EP


Another cassette EP, this time by Usephasan (now known as Bil Basmala or Autolect) released in 1997.
It's pretty much like the vinyl EP except you got a bonus mix on the flipside by DJ Kyd Mixx.


A
Intro
Fore The Lov
Suspended Animation
Bad As B.R.O.T.H.E.R.

B
20 min. Mix featuring DJ Kyd Mixx

 

VA - Highground - Free Music


Now it's a relatively rare item, a promo cassette filled with 25 unreleased tracks from Highground / Full Time Artists members. No tracklist, no other info.
It's not the best one from the HG catalogue but worth a check.




 

Plado - Try To Read My Mind EP

 


Here's another nice 4 tracks EP from Plado (Twisted Mind Kids) from Stockton, CA.
Released in 1997. It's a pretty good one.


A
Try To Read My Mind (Remix)
Michelle

B
Nada
Try To Read My Mind (Original)

New Moon - Detox cassingle


New Moon was this group from San Jose comprised of Style Misia, DJ Fresh and both guys from Bash Bros (Left and Piseas). This is a cassingle from 1999.


A
Detox

B
Basic Instinct