Hip-Hop News

!!! Early Independent Hip Hop, Electro And Disco Rap 1979-83 !!!

Soul Jazz Records' new Boombox 2 is a new selection of early rap music from the period 1979-83, with barely a household name in sight. Featured here are some the earliest hip-hop records that came out of New York City following the enormous commercial success of the first ever rap record, 'Rapper's Delight' by the Sugarhill Gang, in September 1979.
Artists and producers alike tried to jump aboard the new commercial possibilities of hip-hop. By the end of the year there were 30 hip-hop singles, all released by independent New York labels. The following year there were over 100 more, and so on.
Boombox 2 tells the story of how hip-hop went from its evolutionary roots in the Bronx through DJs Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa through to its second
phase where veteran music producers - Paul Winley, Peter Brown, Joe Robinson and others - all based in Harlem, began to put rap on vinyl for the first time.
Harlem is also where the separate worlds of disco and hip-hop met through the styles and influence of earlier 'uptown' DJs - DJ Hollywood and Eddie Cheba. In similar fashion these veteran Harlem-based producers instinctively tapped into a long lineage of African-American rhythm and blues, soul and disco.
Boombox 2 is a triple-vinyl set (+ download code) LP and double CD pack that features extensive text, exclusive interviews and stunning photography by Jamel Shabazz, Martha Cooper and others.

The ultimate Classic Track is Back on Stock incl. Instrumental & Funky Acapella

einer der dicksten Hip Hop Tracks back on Stock.... incl. Instrumentals

2017 10th Anniversary Reedition of PEDRO WINTER Classic, if we remember correct it was his first release ever.

From late 1964 until late 1968, Loma stood as the subsidiary of Warner Brothers Records aimed directly at the singles market. During its four year lifespan, the label released over 100 singles and a handful of albums, the vast majority of which reflected the collective taste of the men that guided Loma and thereby the evolution of a distinctive artform: soul music.

Viewed objectively, it would be incorrect to compare Loma to the other great R&B repositories of the mid-1960s. It was strictly an adjunct of a bigger label, a commercially-minded operation that threw product at the wall hoping for a hit to stick. But the choices made by those three main participants in charge of the Loma roster-Bob Krasnow, Russ Regan, and Jerry Ragovoy-have gone on to become cherished totems to legions of music aficionados around the globe, for whom chart statistics say little, while a simple 45 with a burnt yellow label can shake them to the very core. What was once regarded as failure has, in the years since, paradoxically become a story of soulful success.

The four volumes of Loma: A Soul Music Love Affair are the result of several years of in-depth research into the Loma vault. This first installment concerns itself with the category that has made Loma such a celebrated imprint to fans: Northern soul aimed strictly at the dancefloor. Acknowledged floor-fillers like Ben Aiken's Satisfied' and Ike & Tina Turner's Somebody (Somewhere) Needs You' nestle with sought-after rarities by The Soul Shakers, Marvellos, and Voice Box. There are classics from The Olympics and Apollas, overlooked gems by The Jammers and Paul Days, an unissued stomper from Bobby Freeman, and the legendarily withdrawn single by Bob & Earl.

With full historical notes on artist and label history and rare pieces of ephemera, Loma: A Soul Music Love Affair is a fresh and invigorating celebration of one of 60s soul's most storied imprints.

From late 1964 until late 1968, Loma stood as the subsidiary of Warner Brothers Records aimed directly at the singles market. During its four year lifespan, the label released over 100 singles and a handful of albums, the vast majority of which reflected the collective taste of the men that guided Loma and thereby the evolution of a distinctive artform: soul music.

Viewed objectively, it would be incorrect to compare Loma to the other great R&B repositories of the mid-1960s. It was strictly an adjunct of a bigger label, a commercially-minded operation that threw product at the wall hoping for a hit to stick. But the choices made by those three main participants in charge of the Loma roster-Bob Krasnow, Russ Regan, and Jerry Ragovoy-have gone on to become cherished totems to legions of music aficionados around the globe, for whom chart statistics say little, while a simple 45 with a burnt yellow label can shake them to the very core. What was once regarded as failure has, in the years since, paradoxically become a story of soulful success.

Volume two of Loma: A Soul Music Love Affair focuses on the funkier, earthier side of the Loma catalog and is once again the result of several years of in-depth research into the vault. JJ Jackson and The Mighty Hannibal bring the boogaloo, Baby Lloyd and Lukas Lollipop offer up some deep soul, and the stratospheric pipes of Carl Hall make us wanna holler. There's the grooving original of Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)' by diva Lorraine Ellison, little-heard rarities from Larry Laster and Roy Redmond, obscure productions by James Brown and Solomon Burke, and a heartbreaking unissued cut by one-time Hendrix sideman Lonnie Youngblood.

With full historical notes on artist and label history and rare pieces of ephemera, Loma: A Soul Music Love Affair is a fresh and invigorating celebration of one of 60s soul's most storied imprints.

From late 1964 until late 1968, Loma stood as the subsidiary of Warner Brothers Records aimed directly at the singles market. During its four year lifespan, the label released over 100 singles and a handful of albums, the vast majority of which reflected the collective taste of the men that guided Loma and thereby the evolution of a distinctive artform: soul music.

Viewed objectively, it would be incorrect to compare Loma to the other great R&B repositories of the mid-1960s. It was strictly an adjunct of a bigger label, a commercially-minded operation that threw product at the wall hoping for a hit to stick. But the choices made by those three main participants in charge of the Loma roster-Bob Krasnow, Russ Regan, and Jerry Ragovoy-have gone on to become cherished totems to legions of music aficionados around the globe, for whom chart statistics say little, while a simple 45 with a burnt yellow label can shake them to the very core. What was once regarded as failure has, in the years since, paradoxically become a story of soulful success.

Several years of in-depth research into the Loma vault provide the content of our third volume. It celebrates the many sophisticated uptown productions on the label, mostly cut in New York under the auspices of Ragovoy, Van McCoy, George Kerr, Richard Tee, and other soul notables. Loma goddess-and Aretha's favorite singer-Linda Jones gets us Hypnotized' while Bobby Freeman spooks with Shadow Of Your Love.' Rarities include soulful items from The Realistics, Bobby Reed, Mary Lee Whitney, and Tommy Starr, along with several unreleased titles, including heart wrenching nuggets by The Enchanters and Carl Hall, and the never-before-heard Bob & Earl gem Just One Look In Your Eyes'.

With full historical notes on artist and label history and many rare illustrations, Loma: A Soul Music Love Affair is a fresh and invigorating celebration of one of 60s soul's most storied imprints.

From late 1964 until late 1968, Loma stood as the subsidiary of Warner Brothers Records aimed directly at the singles market. During its four year lifespan, the label released over 100 singles and a handful of albums, the vast majority of which reflected the collective taste of the men that guided Loma and thereby the evolution of a distinctive artform: soul music.

Viewed objectively, it would be incorrect to compare Loma to the other great R&B repositories of the mid-1960s. It was strictly an adjunct of a bigger label, a commercially-minded operation that threw product at the wall hoping for a hit to stick. But the choices made by those three main participants in charge of the Loma roster-Bob Krasnow, Russ Regan, and Jerry Ragovoy-have gone on to become cherished totems to legions of music aficionados around the globe, for whom chart statistics say little, while a simple 45 with a burnt yellow label can shake them to the very core. What was once regarded as failure has, in the years since, paradoxically become a story of soulful success.

Last but not least, our unprecedented dig into the Loma Record vaults has thrown up a surfeit of soulful goodies for the final volume, many of which are previously unreleased. Northern soul fans will marvel at the dancefloor potential of The Marvellos' I Need You' or The Invincibles' Heartstrings.' Aficionados of the Ragovoy-supervised uptown sound will groove on Carl Hall's Like I Told You' and Ben Aiken's That's All You Gotta Do.' The tracklist also shines light on many unfairly overlooked entries in the Loma listings by the likes of Linda Jones, Billy Storm, The Implements, and The Realistics, and yet more compelling cuts from The Apollas, Teen Turbans, and The Mighty Hannibal remind us just why we love Loma.

With full historical notes on artist and label history and many rare illustrations, Loma: A Soul Music Love Affair is a fresh and invigorating celebration of one of 60s soul's most storied imprints.

Few artists have created a body of work as rich and varied as Prince. During the '80s, he emerged as one of the most singular talents of the rock & roll era, capable of seamlessly tying together pop, funk, folk, and rock. Not only did he release a series of ground breaking albums, he toured frequently, produced albums and wrote songs for many other artists, and recorded hundreds of songs that still lie unreleased in his vaults. With each album he released, Prince has shown remarkable stylistic growth and musical diversity, constantly experimenting with different sounds, textures, and genres. Occasionally, his music can be maddeningly inconsistent because of this eclecticism, but his experiments frequently succeed, no other contemporary artist can blend so many diverse styles into a cohesive whole.

Excellent comp which marked the 30 anniversary of Bob Marley's death in May 1981, this double album collects together highlights from Marley's pre-Island Records recordings. Bob Marley had already established himself as the leading voice of Reggae music before his signing to Island Records in 1972 and his rise to international super-stardom. This is evident from these 20 gems from his earlier recordings made with The Wailers, which many reggae authorities consider to be his finest and purest work. Very much roots-based, they are in marked contrast to Marley's later ones for Island, where his sound was tailored towards the lucrative rock market. These remarkable recordings from the late 60's and early 70's remain as testament to Marley's genius as both a songwriter and a singer. Comprising in the main of titles from his sessions with famed producer Lee Perry, the set features several titles which Marley was successfully to return to in later years, such as 'Trenchtown Rock', 'Lively Up Yourself', and 'Natural Mystic'. The set also contains several sought-after titles and versions as well as his original recording of 'Concrete Jungle', a highlight of his 'Catch A Fire' debut album for Island.

Excellent comp which marked the 30 anniversary of Bob Marley's death in May 1981, this double album collects together highlights from Marley's pre-Island Records recordings.

Bob Marley had already established himself as the leading voice of Reggae music before his signing to Island Records in 1972 and his rise to international super-stardom. This is evident from these 20 gems from his earlier recordings made with The Wailers, which many reggae authorities consider to be his finest and purest work.

Very much roots-based, they are in marked contrast to Marley's later ones for Island, where his sound was tailored towards the lucrative rock market. These remarkable recordings from the late 60's and early 70's remain as testament to Marley's genius as both a songwriter and a singer.

Comprising in the main of titles from his sessions with famed producer Lee Perry, the set features several titles which Marley was successfully to return to in later years, such as 'Trenchtown Rock', 'Lively Up Yourself', and 'Natural Mystic'.

The set also contains several sought-after titles and versions as well as his original recording of 'Concrete Jungle', a highlight of his 'Catch A Fire' debut album for Island.

Bl_ck B_st_rds was voted in Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists as the most notable rap album of all time that was never released commercially, and with good reason. The fact that this excellent album, slated for a 1994 release, did not seen the light of day until 2001 (its first issue - now out of print) testifies to a time when shortsighted industry backlashes against records that inflamed Middle America were in vogue. Elektra Records higher-ups canned the project due to its controversial cover art, which shows a Sambo figure being lynched. This must-purchase concept album is worth the wait. From the jazzy, hypnotic samples on the title cut to Sweet Premium Wine,' a farcical ode to swigging 40-ounce bottles of brew (remember when drinking St. Ides and Old English was trendy), you know you've found rap heaven. Classic headbanger What a Nigga Know' (and the remix featuring partner-in-rhyme MF Grimm) is equally off the chain. Constipated Monkey' and weed anthem Suspended Animation' are testaments to a time in Rap music when experimental beats and obscure sampling ruled the roost. Bl_ck B_st_rds is where Brand Nubian meets De La Soul at the local bodega, heads wear Muslim kufis for kicks, and word to the mutha'' actually refers to themes of pan-Africanism, repatriation, and reparations. It's a place where Sambo-ism doesn't sell. Features artwork and track listing from the original Ready Rock issue.

Comes in 3D sleeve supplied with bespoke '3D Fabreeze Vision' glasses. Pressed on crystal clear vinyl with blue & red splatters to match the lenses of the 3D glasses. Supplied in shrink wrap with '3D glasses supplied' sticker.

Following the almost forgotten 90's Hip Hop tradition of a 2nd 12' from an album with extra tracks or remixes, The Fabreeze Brothers a/k/a Paul Nice & Phill Most Chill return with a single release of one of the most popular cuts from the hugely successful Fabreeze Brothers album, Heroes of the East featuring Paten Locke. Included here are the Clean Martial World Version for the radio plus the Original Version of 'Heroes of the East' featuring some incredible guest scratches by Jorun Bombay that do not appear on the Martial World version found on the album. For extra value for money we've backed this one with the 'Blue Sheepskin Remix' of Fashion Plate which was originally only a hidden track on the CD album. Instrumentals of all 3 vocal tracks are also included to make it a bumper 12' package!

To make this one something a little special for Fabreeze Brothers fans our design wizard Mr Krum has created a 3D sleeve and conceived a crystal clear vinyl design with red and blue splatters to match the lenses of the bespoke printed '3D Fabreeze Vision' glasses. A pair comes supplied with each copy in what must be yet again another first for the Hip Hop vinyl world - again pushing the packaging boundaries following the incredible custom die cut sleeve found on the 1st edition copies of the album. The overall design aesthetic is a nod to Paul Nice's love of the Shaw Brothers martial arts films and when wearing the 3D glasses the Rez Ones photography appears to jump out of the sleeve!

Just before the release of Prince & The Revolution's 1985 classic Paisley Park, the late great Mr. Nelson and group performed a now legendary concert at Syracuse University's Carrier Dome in front of a massive crowd of purple-clad screaming fans. Covering songs spanning a wide swath of his career with a focus on The Revolution era, along with some great early cuts and irresistible b-sides, Flesh For Fantasy is an essential document of Prince's amazing live prowess in the mid-80s. Another classic live broadcast on Egg Raid available on 2CD and 2LP.

Just before the release of Prince & The Revolution's 1985 classic Paisley Park, the late great Mr. Nelson and group performed a now legendary concert at Syracuse University's Carrier Dome in front of a massive crowd of purple-clad screaming fans. Covering songs spanning a wide swath of his career with a focus on The Revolution era, along with some great early cuts and irresistible b-sides, Flesh For Fantasy is an essential document of Prince's amazing live prowess in the mid-80s. Another classic live broadcast on Egg Raid available on 2CD and 2LP.

Few artists have created a body of work as rich and varied as Prince. During the '80s, he emerged as one of the most singular talents of the rock & roll era, capable of seamlessly tying together pop, funk, folk, and rock. Not only did he release a series of ground breaking albums, he toured frequently, produced albums and wrote songs for many other artists, and recorded hundreds of songs that still lie unreleased in his vaults. With each album he released, Prince has shown remarkable stylistic growth and musical diversity, constantly experimenting with different sounds, textures, and genres. Occasionally, his music can be maddeningly inconsistent because of this eclecticism, but his experiments frequently succeed, no other contemporary artist can blend so many diverse styles into a cohesive whole.

Few artists have created a body of work as rich and varied as Prince. During the '80s, he emerged as one of the most singular talents of the rock & roll era, capable of seamlessly tying together pop, funk, folk, and rock. Not only did he release a series of ground breaking albums, he toured frequently, produced albums and wrote songs for many other artists, and recorded hundreds of songs that still lie unreleased in his vaults. With each album he released, Prince has shown remarkable stylistic growth and musical diversity, constantly experimenting with different sounds, textures, and genres. Occasionally, his music can be maddeningly inconsistent because of this eclecticism, but his experiments frequently succeed, no other contemporary artist can blend so many diverse styles into a cohesive whole.

Few artists have created a body of work as rich and varied as Prince. During the '80s, he emerged as one of the most singular talents of the rock & roll era, capable of seamlessly tying together pop, funk, folk, and rock. Not only did he release a series of ground breaking albums, he toured frequently, produced albums and wrote songs for many other artists, and recorded hundreds of songs that still lie unreleased in his vaults. With each album he released, Prince has shown remarkable stylistic growth and musical diversity, constantly experimenting with different sounds, textures, and genres. Occasionally, his music can be maddeningly inconsistent because of this eclecticism, but his experiments frequently succeed, no other contemporary artist can blend so many diverse styles into a cohesive whole.

The Muggs Presents The Soul Assassins (Chapter 1) album was originally released in 1997 and is produced by DJ Muggs. It features tracks from a veritable 'who's who' list of rappers like Dr. Dre & B Real, Mobb Deep, RZA/ GZA & Genius (Wu-Tang Clan), Krs-One (Boogie Down Productions), Goodie Mob plus contributions from his Cypress Hill fellow band members B-Real and Sen Dog.

DJ Muggs is Cypress Hill's official DJ and producer and the leader of LA art collective Soul Assassins. He also produced tracks for Funkdoobiest, House of Pain, Dizzee Rascal, U2, Depeche Mode, Die Antwoord and more.

The apocalyptic grooves on Muggs Presents The Soul Assassins (Chapter 1) steal the show, while the street beats and stark lyrics bring an eerie trip-hop feel to the whole album.

Earning critical praise from the hip-hop community, fans and censors, the Muggs Presents The Soul Assassins (Chapter 1) album reached #86 on the Billboard 200. Highlights of this diverse LP are 'Puppet Master' by Dr. Dre & B Real, 'Third World' by RZA/GZA & Genius plus the hidden gem, only to be found on the European release, 'Runnin' Wild' from the LAArt Soul Assassins crew.

Confunktion Records very own Mr. Confuse returns with a cover version of Shannon's electro classic "Let The Music Play" in true organic funk style with an incredible horn section, screaming Hammond organ sound and soulful vocals by singer Manoo.

On the flip side "Same Old Game" makes you want to move to up-tempo soul with its heavy beat and driving vocals by up and coming soul singer Leo Will.

The 7Inch vinyl version is limited to 100 copies - so make sure you get one quick!

In 1970, The Family Stone were at the peak of their popularity, but the maestro Sly Stone had already moved his head to a completely different space. The first evidence of Sly's musical about-turn was revealed by the small catalog of his new label, Stone Flower: a pioneering, peculiar, minimal electro-funk sound that unfolded over just four seven-inch singles. Stone Flower's releases were credited to their individual artists, but each had Sly's design and musicianship stamped into the grooves-and the words 'Written by Sylvester Stewart/Produced and arranged by Sly Stone' on the sticker.
Set up by Stone's manager David Kapralik with distribution by Atlantic Records, Stone Flower was, predictably, a family affair: the first release was by Little Sister, fronted by Stone's little sister Vaetta Stewart. It was short lived too-the imprint folded in 1971-but its influence was longer lasting. The sound Stone formulated while working on Stone Flower's output would shape the next phase in his own career as a recording artist: it was here he began experimenting with the brand new Maestro Rhythm King drum machine. In conjunction with languid, effected organ and guitar sounds and a distinctly lo-fi soundscape, Sly's productions for Stone Flower would inform the basis of his masterwork There's A Riot Goin' On.
The first 45 came in February 1970: Little Sister's dancefloor-ready 'You're The One' hit Number 22 in the charts-the label's highest showing. The follow-up, 'Stanga," also by Little Sister, made the wah pedal the star. The third release came from 6IX, a six-piece multi-racial rock group whose sole release, a super-slow version of The Family Stone's 'Dynamite," featured only the lead singer and harmonica player from the group. Joe Hicks was the final Stone Flower stablemate; his pulsing, electronic "Life And Death In G&A' is one of the bleakest moments Sly Stone ever created on disc (Hicks' prior single for Scepter, 'Home Sweet Home,' the first released Stone Flower production, is also included).
This long overdue compilation of Sly's Stone Flower era gathers each side of the five 45s plus ten previously unissued cuts from the label archives, all newly remastered from the original tapes. In these grooves you'll find the missing link between the rocky, soulful Sly Stone of Stand! and the dark, drum machine-punctuated, overdubbed sound of There's A Riot Going On. I'm Just Like You: Sly's Stone Flower 1969-70 opens up the mysteries of an obscure but monumental phase in Stone's career.

Legacy Vinyl celebrates the 30th anniversary of Run-DMC's classic third album on a 150gm picture disc vinyl, featuring the "Raising Hell" album cover image. Features the hit singles "Walk This Way", "My Adidas", "Its Tricky", "Peter Piper" & more. Marketing.

Voodoo Jazz marks the first release of Dem Juju Poets on french Radio Krimi Records. Their sound is dedicated to raw Afro influenced dance music. David Hanke aka Renegades Of Jazz, brainchild behind Dem Juju Poets, keeps on with his distinctive Afro sound and delivers a great 45 in two different styles

Over a crazily loose syncopated double bass, lyrical highlights include 'only hip-hop has a culture that hates its old, while the Stones still large and tour the globe' and 'I give them injuries repetitive. I battle myself it's more competitive' Dice is particularly proud to announce that the mastering is done by Anton Pukshansky who was engineer on Eric B and Rakim "Let he Rhythm Hit em", Main Source's "Breaking Atoms",Kool G Rap's "Wanted Dead or Alive" Akinyelli's "Vagina Diner" as well as Percee P's "Lung Collapsing Lyrics" and Nas's "It Ain't Hard to Tell".

On the live circuit in the late 1960s, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band were probably the biggest crowd-pullers of them all. Relentless highenergy
rock, blues, soul and R'n'B, and it was their live performances transferred to records that sold in huge numbers rather than the studio
recordings.
- Released in December 1966, 'Hand Clappin' Foot Stompin' Funky Butt...Live!' peaked at #5 in the Albums Chart and spent an incredible 38 weeks
in the chart.
- 'Hipsters, Flipsters, Finger-Poppin Daddies' immediately repeated the Top 10 feat, peaking at #8.
- The concerts all had an electric atmosphere and the crowd would chant Geno's name - later immortalised by Dexys Midnight Runners 1980 number
one hit.
- 180g vinyl LPs, remastered from the 60s tapes.

The One & Only Dre Album....... check out the Snipez

Dellé ist wieder da. Eigentlich war er nie weg. Denn wenn man einer der drei Frontmänner von Seeed
ist, heißt das, irgendwo auf der Welt auf der Bühne zu stehen oder im Studio zu arbeiten. Sein Debüt
als Solokünstler mit - Before I Grow Old' war ein klassisches Roots-Album und Dellés Verneigung vor
dem Reggae. Der Nachfolger NEO ist ein vielfältiges und vielschichtiges Werk und zugleich
Momentaufnahme eines Künstlers, der in den letzten Jahren nicht nur musikalisch gewachsen ist. "Tic
Toc" ist erste Single und zugleich erste Zusammenarbeit zwischen dem Seeed Sänger Dellé und der
deutschen Reggae Ikone Gentleman. Volle Ladung Patwa von zweien, die es wirklich können.
Shazam Charts, iTunes Charts, Rotationen bei 1Live und TV Auftritte bei ZDF MoMa, SWR und co.
ließen da nicht lange auf sich warten. Seine zweite Single "Marry Me" erscheint Mitte Juni, bevor am
24. Juni dann sein Album "NEO" erscheint

Gentleman & Ky-Mani Marley veröffentlichen zusammen ein Album und gehen diesen Sommer gemeinsam auf Europa-Tour!
Die beiden Künstler arbeiteten zum ersten Mal beim MTV Unplugged-Konzert von Gentleman zusammen und haben danach beschlossen, ein gemeinsames Albumprojekt zu starten. Auch Marcia Griffiths, die früher bei Ky-Mani's Vater und Reggaelegende Bob Marley im Background gesungen hat, ist als Feature vertreten. Zu dritt haben sie Bob's Klassiker "Simmer Down" neu interpretiert. Ebenfalls auf der Singleliste befindet sich - Mama , bezeichnenderweise eine Hommage an alle Mütter, produziert von Supadups, der sich aktuell für einige Drake- und Rihanna-Produktionen verantwortlich zeichnet.

Gentleman & Ky-Mani Marley veröffentlichen zusammen ein Album und gehen diesen Sommer gemeinsam auf Europa-Tour!
Die beiden Künstler arbeiteten zum ersten Mal beim MTV Unplugged-Konzert von Gentleman zusammen und haben danach beschlossen, ein gemeinsames Albumprojekt zu starten. Auch Marcia Griffiths, die früher bei Ky-Mani's Vater und Reggaelegende Bob Marley im Background gesungen hat, ist als Feature vertreten. Zu dritt haben sie Bob's Klassiker "Simmer Down" neu interpretiert. Ebenfalls auf der Singleliste befindet sich - Mama , bezeichnenderweise eine Hommage an alle Mütter, produziert von Supadups, der sich aktuell für einige Drake- und Rihanna-Produktionen verantwortlich zeichnet.