I purchased this for the Premier produced & EP title, Fastlane. Nothing against Edo. G as he can hold his own on the mic, but his releases has never found a home in my crates. Perhaps Premier has fallen off a little over the last years, but as long he is working magic like this, then… I got to have it !!!

I have just picked this up again, as I lost my original copy during the move last year (how that happened I honestly don’t know).  Apollo Brown is a hip hop producer and this an album of his instrumental productions. It’s pretty much a beat tape as such as it doesn’t really flow like an album. But in saying that, I have listened to this countless times over the last months and I highly recommend it. The CD version has a few extra tracks too, but I opted for the vinyl version of course. Chilled out, spacey, synthy, crunchy beats that arent too experimental, but they still take you away!!! Out on the Mellow Music Group label….

As the story goes…

Back in 1994 K-Def was working on some beats out of the B Room in Marley Marl’s House Of Hits when LL Cool J walked in on his session and said “let’s make some tracks together”. Uncle L had always wanted to rhyme on a track using the famous ESG breakbeat ‘UFO’, so he had Def lay it down with some scratches and then went to town with the mic. Both thought they had a sure fire hit on their hands but unfortunately it was never used.

The DAT tape of the studio session was feared lost for several years before it eventually turned up stuck behind a radiator! Now, 17 years later, K-Def and Slice-of-Spice are proud to present ‘Year Of The Hip Hop’ in all its vinyl glory.

The recording has been restored/touched up by K-Def in 2011. Joe Buck has done a fine job with the artwork and Slice Of Spice have cut no corners with the bright orange pressing, gold numbering and overall mind blowing end product. What suprises me most is how such a dope track can go missing….

It’s great to hear some hip hop producers from the 90′s that still have some petrol left in their creative tank. K-Def dropped a few classics,  but I really think now is the time he is shining, the Night Flight album is a perfect example. The LP conists of 8 track of which 6 are instrumental, they are not dull tracks made for an MC to toast, but more wholesome musical adventures. The standout track for me is the collab with InI’s MC - Rob O,  a remake of Pete Rock & CL’s Escape. The album is available digitally/cd/vinyl on Redefinition. As I mentioned before this is one of the finest Hip Hop releases from 2011.

The last slices in the Paul Nice Signature Seven Series have finally arrived. This time Mr Nice has done a new mix/version of Biz Markie’s  Turn Tha Party Out, which was originally released on Groove Attack in 2001.  The label have also thrown in a little bonus slice which has a full version of Masta Ace’s BK & a free flexi disc of an unreleased Lord Finesse cut.  These were only made available direct from the label and  limited to 200 copies.

Keep your eyes peeled as Slice Of Spice is ready to bombard us with a pile of treats this year from Lord Finesse’s vaults plus the next Signature Sevens Series from K-Def.

A couple of extremely limited pressings from one of my favourite producers, Damu the Fudgemunk on his wonderful Redef inprint. Faster Rhyme for Self catches that early 90′s uptempo vibe. On the other slab he has remixed Colorful Storms, which was originally by Panacea (a group he is a member of with Raw Poetic & K Murdock). Both tracks were pulled from the Damu’s vaults & include the instrumentals . Only a couple hundred of each of these were made available for the public.   

Extra tidy sleeves designed by Redef co-owner Jnota…. woooooooord.

A little scoop from Discogs a few weeks back for €12 including post. I have been after this a while now but wasnt prepared to give 25 notes as the only track on it I love is the Rhinestone Cowboy remix. I got a feeling that Madlib is gonna fire up again this year.

Happy New Year!!!  Geez what a brilliant year 2011 was for music, but 2012 is gonna be even better.

I have just gone with list of recommended releases (top 10 + a few) as its pretty hard to remember what I bagged, but these ones below where on heavy rotation….

Phil Most Chill -  All Cuts Recorded Raw (DWG) …. an incredible bundle (poster, ltd 7″,2xlp and and and) from the good people over at Diggers With Gratitude. I joined their forum this year and can only say good things about it. A wicked  little community of hip hop nerds.

Oddisee – Rock Creek Park LP (Mello Music Group) . .. I never reviewed this as I lost my copy whilst moving (grrrr) and have re-ordered a copy but it hasnt arrived. A stunning instrumental album in the vain of curtis mayfield in 2011. We had this on rotation last night whilst celebrating NYE at home.

Elzhi – Elmatic LP (Fat Beats)… Remake of a classic 5 mic album, detroit style.

Paul Nice Signature 7 Series (SOS)… If you dont know Slice Of Spice records by now wake up and smell the coffee.  Also welcome back Paul Nice.

K-Def – Night Shift Album (Redef)…. Just dropped and has been on heavy rotation. Review to come ….. 

Suffy Daddy – GNAC 7″ (MPM) …. TUNE. Watch the video, pour a glass of cognac & just nod your head. 
 
Med & Kweli – Classic 12″ (Stones Throw) …. As the title suggests. Make sure you check the Kweli & Damu 10″ aswell…..

Damu – Brooklyn Flower (Slice of Spice).. 1st releases on SOS from 2010 but I only picked up a copy recently. It was made for the birth of SOS daughter, limited and not sold in the shops. Damu doesn’t disappoint and has a huge schedule for 2012.

Long Arm – Branches LP (Project Mooncircle) .. Wicked electronic / jazz / downtempo experimental album from a new face from Russia.

Peter Herbolzheimer – Soul Puppets (Sonorama) ..which let me to buy about 5 other albums from him. So Herbolzheimer deserves a spot in there. Big band jazz that is just right.

Special Mentions:
Quantic – Hip Hop En Cumbia EP
Celph Titled & Buckwild – Nineteen Ninety Now (Instrumentals)
Michael Kiwanuka – Tell Me A Tale EP (i still need a copy…holla if you have one spare)
Blu – Amnesia 10″
Paul Nice & PMC – Neva Stop Diggin’ 7″ (DWG)
Damu – Truly Get Urs 7″ (DWG)
Grimm Teachaz – Homefront EP (Chopped Herring)

26 emcees, one for each letter of the alphabet, each spitting rapid fire 4 liners. The green 10″ pressing is limited to 144 copies. I guess you could say Mr Jason has a posse!!!

BIP are a crew out of London & another new name to me even though they have put out the odd release in the last 10 years. The boys have given Nas, Lord Finesse, The Beatnuts, The Pharcyde and a few other icons a little throwback 90s boom bap rerub. It is actually hard to choose the best one as they are all on point. Out now on clear vinyl and limited to 200 copies.