The Roots - How I Got Over

New LP Oct 20th...

DJ Food - Scratch Yer Hed (Squarepusher Mix)

Cos you can't beat a bit of ninja...

1996, the massive squarepusher mix.


Download mp3

Trends of Culture - Valley of the Skinz

"..She kicked some flow about her mom not coming home till the next night, so you know the rest right?.."

1993 Mad Sounds Records...


Download mp3

Blade - The Comin is Near

For when you need to move the furniture out of the way and show the kids some moves...


Download mp3

Kobalt 60 - Kaos from Order / Concrete Show

Invigorating, released on Music of Life 1991. This doesn't get played at enough weddings....

Kaos from Order:

Download mp3

Concrete Show:

Download mp3

Tam Rock - Listen Closely

"..Boost the track, ease back, give me some room black, I get jock so much you think I had a bozack.."

Listen Closely (Bozack Remix) - Eastside Jeep Mix, Motown Records 1992.


Download mp3

Funky Fresh Few - 24-7

"..Was rhyming before I started shagging and shaving, Still love hip hop when they're filling my grave in.."

UK Release (2003) on Grand Central Records (Still available to buy amazon), this is the Rob Smith "Sun on your back" mix (Not featured on the LP).


Download mp3

Tuff Crew - My Part of Town / Smooth Momentum

Best wishes to DJ Too Tuff from the Tuff Crew, who has recently been diagnosed with cancer.

Two of my fav Tuff Crew tracks, displaying the kind of DJ finesse that doesn't feature enough on hiphop these days...

My Part of Town:

Download mp3

Smooth Momentum:

Download mp3

Madstyle - Run

"..Time keeps on slipping sliding, Hiding behind the bush, SHUSH! They might catch in the act, I can't slack - bloodhounds on my rail, Cut my knee on a tree now I'm bleeding a bloody trail.."

Originally heard this on the Jazzy Jeff Block Party mixtape (Big up to DJ 279, New Year 1994). Released on Moonroof Records, 1993.


Download mp3

Unanimous Decision - Dissapoint Me

"..It's been said before, no ones a colour to the core, We're all mixed with no fixed destiny, and there's a part of me in you and you in me.."

MC Eveready, Bravo, Sheik, Rob G and Dual T made up Unanimous Decision. This track is from the "It Ain't Clever" Ep, released in 1993 on Kold Sweat Records. You can feel the emotion conveyed by Paul T as he gets some things off his chest. This was his last recording before leaving UD.


Download mp3

Samples the mighty (and most underated musical genius ever...) Roy Ayers:

Download mp3

Dirty Diggers - The Haters / Thats Why

"..Until the mike serves a purpose as a therapist's chair, I'm heavily scared and stumble forth unaware, punching the air, a prearranged victory, maintain the love and avoid the void of sympathy.."

Dirty Diggers (Young Max and Pat Stash) released Freakishly Strong in 2005.

For the Haters:

Download mp3

Thats Why:

Download mp3

De La Soul - Held Down

"..When I'm watching the news, and my Daughter walks in and choose, to ask, 'Why were all those people on the floor, sleeping, covered in red?', I told her 'They were looking for God, but found religion instead'.."

De La Soul are the type of artists who consistently manage to amaze with the quality of their lyrics. I could have put up dozens of tracks, but I've started with this track from "AOI:Bionix".


Download mp3

Brand Nubian - Concerto in X Minor

"..I kinda blessed so I wrote this manifesto for life, Co-signed by the others with a knife.."

Taken from the classic "One for All" LP (1990).


Download mp3

I was going to post "Brand Nubian" from the same LP, but I'm not a great fan of it, I just wanted to link it into "rigor Mortis" by Cameo:


Download mp3

Can't mention Cameo without offering up this gem from 1986:




Download mp3

Braintax - The Grip Again

"..Why they want my village?, can't grow corn here, They claim god's hand, but another mans steers, I'm sure of that from the red sea to mount ararat, thinking about packing C4 in my haversack, taking back my self respect and my dignity, maybe if you were living here you would feel some affinity?.."

This is one of the things I love about hiphop, and this is real brain food released by UK legend Braintax, from his Panorama LP (2006). A thought provoking tale about a Palestinian suicide bomber...I doubt this got much radio airplay.


Download mp3

BInary Star - Honest Expression

"..Ultimately, martial art means honestly expressing yourself...it is easy for me to put on a show and be cocky, or I could show you some really fancy movement...But to express oneself honestly, not lying to oneself, and to express myself honestly...Now that, my friend is very hard to do.."

Fantastic vocal sample to start. Taken from an underground classic, "Masters of the Universe" (2000). This track features more truth than 99.99999% of anything released previously, or since. The lyrics are as on point and relevant today as they were about 10 years ago...

"..I ain't hardcore, I don't pack a 9 millimeter, Most of y'all gangster rappers ain't hardcore neither, Whoever get mad then I'm talkin 'bout you, Claim you fear no man but never walk without crew.."


Download mp3

Beastie Boys - Shake Your Rump

"..Now I rock a house party at the drop of a hat Yea...And I beat a biter down with an aluminum bat, A lot of people they be Jonesin' just to hear me rock the mic, They'll be staring at the radio stayin' up all night.."

Featured on the "Paul's Boutique" LP (1989), a release that was pretty much ignored after all the hype/hysteria over "License to Ill 1986".


Download mp3


The boys have also proved beyond all doubt that all it takes is 3 mc's and 1 DJ (especially if that DJ is Mixmaster Mike...)

Stinkin Cold....

"..And when I'm on the mic, I never stutter or stumble
'Cause I'm a Jungle Brother, straight out the jungle.."

Off work feeling rubbish with a stinking cold, healing myself through the power of music...

Grootna - I'm Funky:

Download mp3

Freestyle Fellowship - Inner City Boundaries:

Download mp3

MC Solaar - Caroline (I can, and often do, listen to the horns after the last verse on constant repeat):

Download mp3

United Future Organization - Loud Minority:

Download mp3

Monday Micharu - Hear Between the Silence:

Download mp3

Manu Dibango - Weya

Download mp3

Buari - Karam Bani:

DOwnload mp3

Jazz Not Jazz - Free The Funk

Download mp3

Hustlers of Culture - Stax of Phat Trax E. P.

Just been listening to Med an JRocc's "The What", and had a major flashback to The Hustlers of Culture, UK Style, 1992.

Dug out the "Stax of Phat Trax" EP, dusted it off, and it's on....

The Hustlers of Culture - Funkin Pussy:

Download mp3

The Hustlers of Culture - Crumbs Crikey:

Download mp3

I've got loads more hustlers tracks, I will have to dig them out and give them a listen. Here's the track that kicked this off...

Med & JRocc - The What:

Download mp3

The Wascals - The Dips/Hard Rhymes

"..I got different races in different places, different dips every single time, you never see the same faces.."

After J Swift finished producing the legendary Pharcyde LP "Bizzarre Ride II..", he headed straight back into the studio to work on the debut LP of "The Wascals", a young group very much in the J Swift/Pharcyde vein.

After producing a couple of well received 12"'s the group split and the LP never saw the light of day, only to be finally released in 2007. You can pick this up from amazon.

The Dips:

Download mp3

Hard Rhymes:

Download mp3

Zhigge - Toss It Up

"..We're here to teach a little and Entertain...Course all work and no play is a strain, on the body and the brain cell, thats why we're coming from the heart, can't you tell?.."

A 1992 release, this was Zhigge's big single off a self titled LP that seems to have been largely forgotten (A mixture of good tracks and very bad tracks!).


Download mp3

Bedroom Produksionz - S.E.L.F

"..Everything you get you gotta work hard.."

Released in 1998 by the relatively unknown Bedroom Produktionz.


Download mp3

Mop Top - Move Your Body

"..Whether you like to flow slow or you like it fast, I'm hitting harder than Joe Jackson whipping Michael's ass.."

An overlooked track on the B side of the "I'm Alright" 12" (1996), this features samples from Notorious BIG and Ill Al Skratch, and was sold to me by DJ 279 (Shout out to Simon and Mo @ Jingles).


Download mp3

Storm - Playing The Field

Underground UK hiphop classic from 1991 (featuring DJ Cutmaster Swift - LEGEND). I thought this was a bit hard to find, but I've just seen this for sale at £100 on Discogs. If anyone wants to take mine at that price, then get in touch...

Download mp3

Liberty Grooves - Freestyle Frenzy Vol 2

The short lived center of the UK Hiphop universe that was right on my doorstep, Liberty Grooves was a fantastic record shop/label that put out the much sought after Freestyle Frenzy LP's.

Big Ted used to serve behind the counter, when i can find his "breaking the Silence" 12" I will post it (love this track but can't find it at home anywhere - it's driving me mad!)

MC Serch & OC:

Download mp3

Organized Konfusion:

Downlaod mp3

Mad Skills:

Download mp3

Common:

Download mp3

Dead Prez - Summertime / HipHop

I love this new track (wishing we had the weather to go with it), but I was amazed that this was a Dead Prez song. It's good, but.....It can't touch their seminal track "Hiphop". One of those tracks that when you first hear it, smacks you upside the head and demands your attention (big up to DJ 279, Choice FM, Friday Night Show).


Download mp3

Chords - Luckiest Man Alive

Can't stop listening to the lastest LP from Sweden's finest - Chords - "The Things we do for Things".

Darren Deere - Just Watch Me

"Watch me baby I'm gliding..."

This is incredibly cheesy for me, but as much as I'd love to hate it I can't. One of those tracks that never fails to put a smile on my face.

Produced by Cox and Steele of the Fine Young Cannibals, and featuring a vocal contribution from singer Wincey - previously heard on Monie Love's "It's A Shame", this was Darrens only recorded output (1991).


Download mp3


It also "Borrows" heavily from another favourite of mine (How to Dance - The Fatback Band)


Download mp3

Mental Giants - Akbars Groove

"..We have the lyrical skill to make an MC write out his own will.."

A true underground classic, this track only features on the 1994 Jamalski LP "Roughneck Reality".


Download mp3

Marco Polo feat. Masta Ace - Nostalgia

Marie Queenie Lyons - See and Don't See

My gosh.... When I heard this track from Marie Queenie Lyons only LP (Soul Fever - 1970), I damn near wet myself.

It features very heavily on one of my favourite tracks on the Johnson and Johnson LP ( "The only Way", on "Johnson & Johnson").

Buy "Soul Fever" at Amazon

Buy "Johnson and Johnson" at Amazon


Download mp3


Download mp3

Ill Poetix - What You Waiting For - Jay Large Remix

Pharoahe Monch - Welcome to the Terrordome

Welcome To The Terrordome

Normally I would consider this type of thing incredibly blasphemous, but as usual Pharoahe delivers a top notch performance...

Parallax - Don't Mean Jak

"..I got 7 more styles, So I don't sweat if niggers take one, Cos I can write a rhyme, rip it up and write a next one.."

Pure underground hiphop (1994) from the short lived Parallax.


Download mp3

MC Lyte - Poor Georgie

"..If you love someone you should say it often, You never know when they'll be layin in a coffin, Wake up, it's important that you know,
No one on Earth is promised tomorrow.."

Taken from the "Act like you know" LP (Not as good as "Lyte as a Rock"). Back in the day (1991) you could get away with using such a massive uncredited sample ("Georgy Porgy" by Toto).


Download mp3

Mood - Hustle on the Side

"..Ain't nothing funny about my money, got to have a knot, The kinda knot to turn good into bad cops, Substantial financial security takes more than being hardcore and royalties.."

Definately Mood's best known track, from 1995. Their debut LP "Doom" (1997) launched the career of Talib Kweli, but didn't feature this track.


Download mp3

ATCQ - Scenario (Remix)

"..Makin moves y'all (MOVES Y'ALL!), On and on and on (CHECKA, CHECK IT OUT!!!), To the breaka, breakadawn (WHO'S THAT?!?)
Guess, one of the LONS and A Tribe Called Quest (EAST COAST!) to West.."

The original version appears on the ATCQ LP "The Low End Theory". This remix (1992) features the original A Tribe Called Quest and Leaders of the New School MC's, but completely different lyrics.

This track also features the only recording of Kid Hood (first verse) who was murdered a couple of days after recording his verse.


Download mp3

Shazzy - The Way It Is

"..Another baby cries in the back, his momma's not there, daddies hanging out smoking crack, but what does he care? Kelly's in the bed, her fourth time in labour, 2 kids in in a home and the third they couldn't save her, The family's poor and living on welfare, will it ever seem to me like anyone does care?.."

The first full LP production credit for the SD-50's, on Elektra 1990, Shazzy shows her ability to grab the mic and actually have something to say..


Download mp3

Dj Krush - Meiso

"..Yin for yang I walk on a line, Between ghetto slang and stimulation of the mind.."

Featuring Malik B and Black Thought from the Roots, the stand out track from a disappointing LP.


Download mp3

Chi Ali - Age Ain't Nuthin but a #

"..It's all where your head is at, and I'm mature, Do I have money? Of course, I'm doing tours, But stay out my pocket and that would be splendid, I made my money so I will spend it.."

Chi's finest solo effort, released in 1992.


Download mp3

Groove Garden - Lovers in the Daze

"..Yeah Yeah, You were the man, but now understand, I can't even stand the thought or the talk of you.."

The B Side of the "You're Not Coming Home" 12 (Tommy Boy 1993), I don't think that Groove Garden released anything else? The vocalist ambersunshower went on to have a successful solo career.


Download mp3

Art of Origin - Slow Rollin

"..I lay down a mine like a palestine einstein, and keep you around cos I'm down for a shoe shine.."

A bit of a rarity, the only 12" released by "Art of Origin" (Black Art - 1992). Made up of Chino XL and Kaoz. The group disbanded before an LP could be released, Chino XL went on to release stuff as very under rated solo artist (check out the "Here To Save You All LP), and Kaoz went on to become the House producer Kerri Chandler...


Download mp3

World Renown - How Nice I Am

"..I keep a level head, no way to sidetrack where I'm at, In my Ghetto deep into my raps.."

Utilizing a phife vocal sample from ATCQ's "Check the Rhyme", this is a laid back jazzy track.


Download mp3

Nobody - Shades of Orange (Mex Remix)

"..Along with the notes from this tune, I'm supposed to be doomed,
I'll be compost in June, Dead and buried, Well-read and married, led and carried, To the belief that I will one day be a leaf, Not even the will to live should ever kill to give.."

The original is pretty dire, but the Remix by the MC featured on this track, 2mex, elevates it to another level.


Download mp3

Craig G - Take the Bait

"..MC's are a lake that my raps go fishin in, Approach me wrong, and I'll start cripplin, Cause there's few alive that can really get with it, The rest of em died with a bravery certificate.."

Craig G - You know, the other one from "The Symphony"? This features on the B side of the "Shootin' the Gift" 12" (1989).


Download mp3

Third Sight - Rhymes Like a Scientist

"..I'm in it for the Art kid, I still pack a cartridge, In my automatic, don't panic I still rip apart shit.."

One the best songs that very few people seem to know. "Rhymes like a Scientist" features a very long scratched up intro (The legendary rakim features heavily), and the lyrics don't drop until about 3 minutes in. Check out the 2 LP's these guys have put out, well worth getting hold of.

"Golden Shower Hour" (1998) on amazon

"Symbionese Liberation Album" (2006) on Amazon


Download mp3

Straight Coffee for George - Tired of Working

"..I sit back on the lazy boy reclining, 5 to the am and I'm still rhyming.."

One of the more obscure one's. I have this on a White label Promo, and I can't be bothered to put up the pic. This self titled mini LP didn't make much of a splash, but this particular track managed to stand out for me.


Download mp3

Ultramagentic M.C's - Poppa Large

"..I get in shape and do my physical fitness, Your head's numb, so your brains a miss this, Pick 'em up, eat 'em up, pick 'em up, beat 'em up, Pick 'em up pimplehead, pick 'em up picky.."

Kool Keith demonstrates his skills yet again over the most definitive east coast mix (1992).


Download mp3

Mysterme - Unsolved Mysterme

"..Mystical, Musical, I might confuse a few.."

Mysterme drops the lyrics while DJ 20/20 drops the Lord Finesse and Kool Keith Scratches. This is an underground track that I heard somewhere and didn't know much about and it took me about 5 years to track down. Worth the wait?


Download mp3

Luke Vibert - Sharp AZ

Released on the Headz compilation in 1996 on Mo'Wax Records. This featured on Volume 2 (both volumes released as 3 X LP).

I know that Mr Vibert has been a pretty prolific recording artist, in a variety of guises, but this unheralded track is an under rated gem, and one of my all time favourites.


Download mp3

Organized Konfusion - The Extinction Agenda

"..I'm the poetical poltergeist I heist tracks from the past, And return em to the present time in rhyme form, What was once dead is now resurrected on the record, And the physical words are mere residuals for my bidding, For my disposal to dispose of... who are you kidding?.."

Fantastic LP from the criminally under rated Organised Konfusion. With some top notch production behind them these boys would have been massive.

Extinction Agenda shows of the brilliant lyrical dextrity of Prince Po and Pharoahe Monche


Download mp3

Heavy D - Don't Curse

"..Cursing in my village ain't good for my image.."

Featuring Heavy D, Kool G Rap, Grand Puba, CL Smooth, Big Daddy Kane, Pete Rock and Q Tip. A stunning effort on an otherwise weak LP.


Download mp3

DJ MK - It's All Live

"..I stand unsure in my hand a bloody sword, i can't absorb all the trauma I've endured, as i retrace steps on lawns walked on before where shattered dreams lay fragmented on the floor.
All in all I'm in mental free-fall, but my thoughts soar with the speed of concordes,
i can't make sense of distorted metaphors, that are stuck in my mind like daggers swords and thorns.."

Featuring " Super T, Jehst, Kyza and Harry Love - Released in 2001 and also featured on Dj MK's "Bangers and Mash vol 2" Mix CD.


Download mp3

Katch 22 - Diary of a Blackman Living in the Land of the Lost

"..Too many Big Daddy Kane Sound-a-likes should disappear from around the mikes, UK Rap can't excel if we copy the US, a form of selling out more or less.."

Classic UK LP. Katch 22 (DJ Brainiac, DJ Kill-A-Man Twice, DJ Marga, Huntkillbury Finn) served up a quality LP in 1991 on Kold Sweat records.

Katch Mission:

Download mp3

Diary of a Blackman Living in the Land of the Lost:

Download mp3

Might Ethnicz - Harmony Hall

"..Meta Physical, Audio visual, Non political, Non predictable, MC at the pinnacle.."

Released in 1990, one of the best early UK tunes, it still sounds as fresh today.

Hear the juicy crackle on this one!


Download mp3

The New Holidays - Maybe So, Maybe No

What a record this is. Not hiphop in any way, shape or form, but you can not fail to appreciate the beauty of this one.


Download mp3

Jon Phonics - Passing Spheres

Jon Phonics is an up and coming producer, responsible for the amzing quality of the FREE "Half Past Calm" mixtape. Visit Jon's myspace page to download this quality mixtape and find out what else he is up to.

I've posted another Jon Phonics track, "Passing Spheres". Not strictly hip hop, an instrumental offering that I've been playing to death recently.


Download mp3

Tragedy - Arrest the President

Tragedy was going along with the name "intelligent Hoodlum" at this point in time.

Arrest the President features some classic Marley Marl production.


Download mp3

Chi Ali - Let the Horns Blow

"..I could never be the Ruler, But like Rick I say I'm slick, You're just a backwards Kid..excuse me I meant to say you're a Dik.."

Whooaaahhh...Chil Ali, Dres (Black Sheep), Trugoy (De La Soul), Phife (A Tribe Called Quest) and the Beatnuts. You couldn't make this any better...


Download mp3

Son of Noise - Ill Justice

Son of Noise came about after the demise of Hardnoise. Curoc joined from Gunshot, and I believe that this was their first 12"?

Ill Justice was the better track on the 12.


Download mp3