Warm weather hit the North East this weekend like a mid-coital slap from a big breasted girl riding on top. As these things usually go, the sunshine forced me to lift the self-imposed winter reggae ban in favor of some irie shit. This was the specific irie shit I chose for the occasion.
The title pretty much says it all – this is a collection of obscure British dancehall singles released on the Unity Sounds label in the mid-late 80s. Deceptively simple digital production dictates the sound, these producers amply demonstrate how some bass and Casio drums can go a loooong way. The singing and the toasting is not too shabby either. Parallels to early electro Hip-Hop are easily apparent, as are the influences on later permutations of ragga. As usual with these things, versions are included.
It’s been awhile since some of us gave a f*ck about Jay and our interests may never completely return but here’s a 20-track compilation to reminds us of why he was once the man. Thanks to HipHoppin for the assist. –Philaflava
01 04:38 Jay-Z ft. Beanie Sigel – Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)
02 03:19 Jay-Z – U Don’t Know
03 04:06 Jay-Z – Can I Live
04 03:54 Jay-Z ft. Jaz-O & Amil – Nigga What, Nigga Who
05 03:54 Jay-Z – A Million & One Questions (Remix)
06 05:25 Jay-Z – Say Hello
07 05:36 Jay-Z ft. Beanie Sigel & Scarface – Some How Some Way
08 03:48 Freeway ft. Jay-Z & Beanie Sigel – What We Do
09 03:47 Jay-Z ft. Mecca – Feelin It
10 02:53 Jay-Z – Public Service Announcement
11 02:53 Jay-Z – Dear Summer
12 04:48 Jay-Z ft. Beanie Sigel & Scarface – This Can’t Be Life
13 04:25 Jay-Z – Dead Presidents 2
14 04:00 Jay-Z – So Ghetto
15 03:50 Jay-Z ft. Memphis Bleek & Freeway – 1-900-Hustler
16 04:53 DMX ft. The Lox & Jay-Z – Blackout
17 02:27 Jay-Z – Early This Morning
18 04:01 Scarface ft. Jay-Z & Beanie Sigel – Guess Who’s Back
19 02:48 Jay-Z – If I Can’t Do It (Freestyle)
20 03:56 Jay-Z – Never Change
I found this great mix of Zapp and Roger stuff over on DJ B.Cause’s erstwhile Diamonds In The Dust blog. Here B.Cause compiles a number of their well known staples and throws in some more obscure cuts and guest turns for good measure. The bulk of it leans towards the mellow, so the mix is more suited to sparking a joint than to sparking up the dance floor.
B.Cause’s own description:
I’ve had it in my mind to do this project for a long time, but it just kept getting pushed back…of course I picked an opportune time amongst the hectic holidays to put the deadline on myself – doh! Regardless, I’m really excited and proud to present this new mix, as Roger and Zapp have always inspired so many with their unique and pioneering brand of futuristic funk. You will hear most of the staples as well as plenty of lesser known rap choruses and interludes, and your usual assortment of blends and cuts that were probably over-scrutinized in the process of creation. Rest in peace Roger & Larry, & much respect to the entire Troutman family.
Here’s a new mixtape featuring some of Philaflava’s forums finest talent. About half the songs have vocals, and the rest are instrumentals. Artists include: Captin Planit, DeffEnders, chump change, dirtybird, Can-U, Tack-Fu, Godamus Rhyme, ardamus, elohim, still illiterate, and The Red Scare. –Philaflava
Download
A mixtape compiling all sorts of Redman freestyles, bootleg remixes and rarities. Dubs and blunts sold separately.
UPDATE: Courtesy of Rake, here’s the official site for this mixtape: http://funkfromhell.blogspot.com/ Aside from other things, it has that datpiff player thing that lets you preview individual tracks.
Our compilation champion True King/Apex cooked up another one to hold you over until the Random Axe collabo finally sees the light of day. Let me axe you sumthing, anyone else looking forward to Sean P over Black Milk for an entire album? –Philaflava
No this ain’t the Mack 10 album, this is the newest compilation compiled by True King. Check it out as The Paper Route sports a few obscure gems, underground classics and get money anthems. –Philaflava
Everyone that lives in other regions of the world thinks they know DMV now because they downloaded a few Wale mixtapes and heard about Diamond District. No disrespect to those artists at all (who’ve definitely gotten a dope buzz in the scene) but, just like cities such as L.A., New York, Chicago, and etc., there is more than enough talent to go around. For the older heads, some of you will remember such artists as Nonchalant, Questionmark Asylum, or even Section 8 Mob. If I were to mention Opus Akoben, you may know who I’m talking about but most of the time you either know them from living in DC or being overseas in France (where they were popular). Funny thing is, previous articles in the City Paper about the hip hop scene in DC being overshadowed by go-go but until over the past decade or so the two have been merged together more than ever; this doesn’t include the remakes of popular hip hop songs but the actual go-go based production (i.e., Best Kept Secret) and go-go based bands with a hip hop feel (i.e., Mambo Sauce). With that said, here’s an older mix of DMV shit that I made for those who want a taste. You’re welcome, bitches. –Ardamus
Father Scott Unlimited – “Sweet Potatoes”
Flex Matthews – “ROTY”
Head-Roc feat. Noyeek The Grizzly Bear – “Tarzan”
The Insurrection – “Exquisite Fck U”
Mr. Cliff – “Hypnotichronic”
OSV – “What Does It Mean?”
Panacea – “Classic”
Poemcees – “Glasses”
W. Ellington Felton – “Dear Kanye”
Young Raven ft. L. Blev and Dre Carnegie – “Round Here (pt. 2)”
I’ve been on a Jacka kick lately because the only album I’ve been listening to this break is “Tear Gas,” so I asked the good folks @ Philaflava if anyone could make a best of mix and the great Ackbar responded with this freshly made compilation. Check it out and if you haven’t picked up Tear Gas you need to. –Philaflava
01. Rain feat. The Jacka, AP.9, Husalah & Rydah J. Klyde
02. Dopeman feat. Husalah & San Quinn
03. Aspen feat. The Jacka
04. Never Blink feat. The Jacka, J Stalin & Dubb 20
05. From The Hood feat. Traxamillion, Husalah, The Jacka & San Quinn
06. Rapper’s Island feat. Bad Business, Mac Dre, J-Diggs & Rydah J. Klyde
07. Thrones And Crowns feat. The Jacka
08. Not Tha Same feat. The Jacka, Berner & Fed-X
09. Starz feat. The Jacka & Ampichino
10. Cuttin’ It Up feat. Husalah & B-Luv
11. Drama I Been Through feat. Cormega, Husalah, The Jacka & Fed-X
12. Please Don’t Depend On Me feat. The Jacka & Messy Marv
13. Underworld feat. Rydah J. Klyde & A-Wax
14. No Surrender, No Retreat feat. The Jacka, C-Bo, Husalah, AP.9, Fed-X & Rydah J. Klyde
15. Zestways (Coke Remix) feat. The Jacka, Husalah & Andre Nickatina
16. Slap N Da Trunk feat. Husalah
17. 20 Bricks feat. The Jacka & Laroo T.H.H.
18. Get My Money Up feat. AP.9 & Rydah J. Klyde
19. More Crime feat. The Jacka
20. Sleep With Da Fishes (Boom Clack) feat. Husalah
Our big brothers, big compilation. Don’t sleep on the Best of Sounds Like The 90s and if you have been you can catch-up on all 12 volumes below. –Philaflava