Review: As long as there is hip-hop, debate will rage as to which album by A Tribe Called Quest is their finest. Of course, they're all superb, but 1993's "Midnight Marauders" - their third full-length - may well be the best of all. That's a big call, but we'd ask any doubters to give it another listen. The New York crew is in particularly fine form on the mic throughout, while the backing tracks, which make great use of crunchy, head-nodding beats and hundreds of superb, hand-picked samples, are amongst the most intricately produced, groovy and deep ever committed to wax. It's one of those hip-hop sets that should be in the collection of any committed music head, and not just rap fans.
Review: The general consensus is that We Got It From Here, Thank You 4 Your Service, A Tribe Called Quest's sixth and final album, is something of a triumph, with many critics hailing it as the best full-length of 2016. It's certainly a fine set, full of their trademark musically rich backing tracks (enhanced, this time round, with a greater reliance on live instrumentation), conscious lyrics and distinctive, on-point vocal delivery. Given their legendary status within hip-hop, it's unsurprising to see a string of similarly high profile guests dotted throughout, with Busta Rhymes, Andre 3000, Kayne West, Consequence, Jack White and Elton John (presumably in sampled form) all lending a hand. Even if you're only mildly interested in hip-hop, this should be essential listening.
Review: In 1991, A Tribe Called Quest released The Low End Theory, a groundbreaking album that solidified their status as hip-hop legends. Building on the jazz-infused sound of their debut, the album featured sparse grooves and expertly chosen bass samples, with jazz bassist Ron Carter contributing to 'Verses from the Abstract.' DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad's minimalistic approach allowed Q-Tip and Phife Dawg's lyrical prowess to shine, showcasing their clever wordplay, humor, and social commentary. Tracks like 'Butter' and 'The Infamous Date Rape' addressed misogyny, while 'Rap Promoter' and 'Show Business' critiqued the music industry. The album's production is consistently smooth, with standout tracks such as 'Check The Rhime' and 'Jazz (We've Got).' The posse cut 'Scenario,' featuring Leaders of the New School, is a legendary closer. The album's influence on hip-hop is undeniable, inspiring future artists like Kendrick Lamar and Outkast. The Low End Theory remains relevant and refreshing, a testament to Tribe's creativity and unflappable style. It's a masterful blend of thought-provoking lyrics and impeccable production, making it one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.
Review: A Tribe Called Quest's Anthology is a masterful compilation that distills the essence of their groundbreaking hip-hop career into one essential collection. Spanning from their early gems like 'Luck of Lucien' to the jazz-infused brilliance of 'The Low End Theory' and the infectious groove of 'Award Tour,' this album encapsulates the evolution and influence of the group over a decade. It's a perfect introduction for those new to their discography, capturing all the highest points of their journey. Tracks like 'Find a Way' from 'The Love Movement' and Q-Tip's solo debut 'Vivrant Thing' add depth and diversity, showcasing their enduring impact on hip-hop culture. Anthology not only celebrates their innovative sound but also highlights why A Tribe Called Quest remains a top listen for any hip-hop enthusiast.
Review: This two-disc compilation serves as both a tribute and a comprehensive dive into the legacy of one of hip-hop's most influential groups. A Tribe Called Quest were instrumental at the start of the 90s for helping the hip-hop genre move into more conscious lyrics that thanks to the members, took storytelling to a new level. Creating some of the most catchy tracks in hip-hop history, the group continue to grow in respect as one of the best acts in the genre of all time. With a mix of career-defining hits, rare B-sides and fresh remixes, this package is a rich exploration of their artistry. Tracks like 'Can I Kick It?', 'Electric Relaxation' and 'Scenario' stand as monuments to their enduring impact, racking up millions of streams and inspiring new generations of listeners. Previously unreleased gems 'Mr. Incognito' and 'The Night He Got Caught' feel right at home alongside anthems like 'Award Tour' and 'Bonita Applebum', highlighting the group's versatility and storytelling prowess. The inclusion of remixes, such as 'Lyrics To Go (Tumblin Dice Remix)' and 'Oh My God (Remix)', adds layers of freshness to timeless classics. The attention to detail in this collection is remarkable. Tracks like 'Jazz (We've Got)' and 'Check The Rhyme' sound revitalised, with crisp production showing their intricate melodies and sharp lyricism. From the playful narrative of 'I Left My Wallet in El Segundo' to the bold swagger of 'Buggin' Out,' every track contributes to the story of a group widely considered to be one rap's all time greats.
Review: The hip-hop legends' fourth album, released in 1996, marked a pivotal shift in their musical journey. The production, led by The Ummahia collective including Q-Tip and the late J Dillaiintroduced a more minimalist and darker tone compared to their earlier, jazz-infused works. Tracks like '1nce Again' and 'Stressed Out' exemplify this evolution, blending introspective lyrics with innovative beats. The reissue offers a renewed appreciation for the group's willingness to experiment and evolve, highlighting a significant chapter in their discography.
Rock Rock Y'all (feat Punchline, Wordsworth, Jane Doe & Mos Def)
Scenario (remix - bonus track)
Money Maker (bonus track)
Hot Sex (bonus track)
Oh My God (remix - bonus)
Jazz (We've Got) (Re-recording - bonus track)
One Two Sh*t (feat Busta Rhymes - bonus track)
Review: Influential and ground breaking American hip-hop legends A Tribe Called Quest dropped their fifth album The Love Movement in 1998. It was the last one with their complete original line up before the passing of Phife Dawg. It continues stylistically from where the previous album, Beats, Rhymes and Life, left off with the group's signature minimalist beats, r&b overtones and jazz-flecked production, all of which was taken care of by The Ummah. The mature vocal themes, laid back delivery and subtle style of the album makes it one of the many classics in their oeuvre. This limited reissue spreads it over six sides of essential wax.
Review: There was a big fuss made when Aaliyah's music finally made it to streaming services late last year, which shows just how in demand it remains over a quarter of a century after it first hit record stores. Her self titled long player was an early and frankly just about unbeatable blueprint for r&b that has more than stood the test of time. With guests posts from Static From Playa and Timbaland she opened up on all manner of subjects from rejection to love, personal anxiety to better times. The slick production still sounds fresh, as does the timeless vocal work.
Review: Here's a chance to cop a pivotal piece of R&B history on vinyl. Aaliyah's second album was released in 1996, when she was just 17, and she was already one of the most commanding artists in modern R&B. Working closely with Missy Elliot and Timbaland on a number of the tracks, she made a significant step on from her debut with a revitalised and forward-leaning sound, and all while finishing drama school and preparing to star in Romeo Must Die. One In A Million is solid gold start to finish, and given how costly original pressings of it can be on the second hand market, this reissue is long overdue so grab it while you can.
Luniz - "I Got 5 On It" (feat Michael Marshall - Tethered mix From US)
Review: Composer Michael Abels and Oscarr winner Jordan Peele have hooked up plenty of times on the big screen before, and this is another hugely successful partnership. Us was released in March 2019 and is an original nightmare that is set in present-day Santa Cruz on the Northern California coast. Lupita Nyong'o and Black Panther's Winston Duke star and the score features many highlights such as a 30-person choir, ten of them kids, on 'Anthem', while plenty of Eastern European instruments, violins and percussion were also employed. 1995 hip-hop anthem 'I Got 5 On It' by Luniz is also included and never fails to stand out.
Review: In 2019, self-described "boy band" hip-hop collective Brockhampton released their most commercially viable album with Ginger, but that same year, creative mastermind and leader Kevin Abstract would begin laying the groundwork for his future solitary ventures. While Arizona Baby marked Abstract's third solo endeavour, it would be the first since his group's signing to Sony RCA, which naturally meant an increased budget, wider distribution and far more attention than any previously released output baring Ian Simpson's stage moniker. Primarily produced by Jack Antonoff (Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey) and Brockhampton's Romil Hemnani, the project would initially be released piecemeal in three chapters, sonically moving from experimentalist hip-hop to increasingly hazy neo-psych r&b and avant-pop, before finally being re-released in its entirety. Unpacking the intensity of his newfound fame, the homophobia still rife within the hip-hop community, as well as delving into the controversial ousting of former bandmate and high school friend Ameer Vann; Arizona Baby covers a plethora of musical and personal ground in its half-hour runtime, while the retrospective lens of Brockhampton's abrupt demise in 2022 adds further depth and an air of interpersonal tragedy to the material's confessional nature.
Review: He may now be a bona-fide global celebrity with a string of books, TV shows and film appearances to his name, but Action Bronson remains a fine rapper - even if we don't hear those skills as much as we once did. If you still need convincing, check out Only For Dolphins, his first album on two years. His love of trash talking, tall tales and classic boom-bap style flows has not changed, but his subject matter is more varied. The beats he raps over have evolved significantly, too. Over the course of the album, there are fewer bog-standard "golden era" type backing tracks; instead, you'll find killer beats that offer nods towards Brazilian samba and MPB, reggae, smoky jazz and Latin music.
Review: Long Island's Aesop Rock takes listeners deep into the everyday moments that blur the line between the real and the surreal on this, his 11th LP. Self-produced, the album's intricate beats and complex structures provide a perfect canvas for his expansive lyricism. Tracks like 'Movie Night' and 'Send Help' explore this liminal space, mixing reflections on the mundane with eccentric, dreamlike imagery. The production pushes boundaries, channeling a sense of both experimentation and coherence, while tracks such as 'Black Plums' evoke a quiet, wistful nostalgia. Aesop balances cerebral exploration with emotional depth, pulling the listener through his introspective world with both precision and spontaneity. Hailing from New York, his work continues to reflect that city's blend of chaos and contemplation, navigating between complexity and raw instinct. The album's guest featuresiLupe Fiasco, Armand Hammer, Open Mike Eagle, Homeboy Sandman, and Hanni El Khatibiadd distinct layers to the project, each bringing their own energy to the sonic landscape. '1010WINS (feat. Armand Hammer)' and 'Charlie Horse (feat. Lupe Fiasco & Homeboy Sandman)' are highlights where the collaborations are seamless, blending each artist's style with Aesop's own. Throughout, the work showcases his most technically accomplished efforts to date, weaving together complex ideas with an instinctive flow that makes for an album as ambitious as it is enthralling.
Review: The tenth full-length from the literal most verbose MC in the hip-hop genre Aesop Rock, has been described as "A concept album about an organization offering lifestyle and industry-specific applications designed to curate a desired multi-experience." Following on from 2020's exceptionally dizzying Spirt World Field Guide, some of the core themes of the absurdist search for peace and tranquillity resurface across Integrated Tech Solutions but in a new guise of app placements, corporate speak and artificial goals that keep the masses confined within digital, monitored bubbles. Predominantly self-produced like the majority of the artist's recent output, the beats fluctuate from eerie minimalism to hallucinatory, overwhelming sonic stews, all dictated by humorous yet reliably virtuosic bars and flow. Ten LPs in and Mr. Aesop (or Mr. Rock) sounds as confident, concerned, curious and crazed as ever.
Review: Aesop Rock x Blockhead's Garbology album was a huge success and so it makes sense that the label now follows it up with a new issue of the instrumentals. It's a tidy package across four sides of coloured vinyl in a nice spot-varnished sleeve. Musically it is a brilliantly mixed bag that takes in myriad niche sounds and styles. The opener is a deep soul cut with pensive chords while 'Jazz Hands' (Instrumental) suspends you in swirling synths and spring-day optimism and 'Wolf Piss' (Instrumental) has heavier, darker beats and more menacing string sounds.
Garbology(gatefold coloured vinyl 2xLP + MP3 download code in spot-varnished sleeve (comes in different coloured vinyl, we cannot guarantee which one you will receive))
Looking For The Perfect Beat (original 12" version) (7:04)
Renegades Of Funk (remix) (6:45)
Frantic Situation (Frantic mix) (3:49)
Who You Funkin' With? (Fetat Melle Mel) (6:21)
Go-Go Pop (feat Trouble Funk) (5:59)
They Made A Mistake (Performed By MC GLOBE & Pow Wow) (5:27)
Review: Afrika Bambatta & Soulsonic Force's Planet Rock is a legendary album in its own right and now Tommy Boy reissues it in limited edition style. Afrika Bambaataa was a pioneering rap force before most people had even heard the word. Raised in the South Bronx, he became a pioneering DJ, rapper and songwriter who put on large block parties that rocked his local neighbourhood. It was alongside Soulsonic Force in 1982 on this record that he cemented his place in the history books as one of the most revered and innovative artists of his time. The album has been a go-to for generations of artists ever since and remains a long-time favourite amongst breakdancers for its body-popping electro beats.
Review: Ladbroke Grove favourite AJ Tracey's highly anticipated third album arrives after a three-year hiatus and reaffirms his place at the forefront of rap. The record explores themes of ambition, resilience and living life to the fullest, reflecting AJ's journey from humble London beginnings to UK rap's pinnacle. Featuring viral hit 'Joga Bonito' and chart-topping track 'Crush' with Jorja Smith, who contributes two very different, equally stunning parts to that single, this is the sound of an artist who is still growing and joining his craft. His wordplay remains sharp and with and fuelled with fun cultural references and is sure to be heard banging from car radios, Bluetooth speakers and plenty in between all summer long.
Review: Nu-school jazz talent Alfa Mist drops another album for the US label Anti, for what has been described as his most fully-realised and emotive project to date. Following up 2021's Bring Backs and a spate of EPs put out since then, Variables leans further into abstract conceptual jazz, neo-soul and hip-hop territory, through uniquely resonant, broken instrumentals and gloomy rap features. The album seems to veer between stressful, beat-centric urgency and blue, sleep-deprived comedown moods. The main throughline, though, is its unparalleled musicianship; there really isn't much topping it.
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