Thursday, September 17, 2009

DJ Shadow - The 4-Track Era Collection

Volume 1: Best Of The KMEL Mixes (1991)
These were among the first all-rap (no R&B, no crossover) mixes to ever air on commercial radio in the Bay Area. Recorded in 1991 on Shadow's Yamaha MT-100 4-Track cassette recorder and mastered to DAT.

Volume 2: Best Of The Remixes & Megamixes (1990-1992)
Culled from the 'Reconstruction' tape series, these tracks showcase Shadow's blitzkrieg cut-and-paste style utilizing the best music of the era. Everyone from Eric B & Rakim to Cutty Ranks and even TKA receive the Shadow treatment, to varied and remarkable effect. Previously heard only by a handful A&R men, and specially mastered for this release via Yamaha MT-100 4-Track cassette recorder.

Volume 3: Best Of The Original Productions (1990-1992)
Throughout Junior High and High School, Shadow was studying and practicing DJ techniques; and by the time his 4-Track cassette was purchased, he had amassed a collection of original breaks and loops. No longer content to just mix other people's music, he decided it was time to attempt his own. The tracks contained on this disc represent the very beginnings of the Shadow's experiments in original song productions.



TRACK LISTING:
Volume 1: Best of the KMEL Mixes
Volume 2: Best of the Remixes and Megamixes
Volume 3: Best of the Original Productions
Bonus Disc: KMEL Mix #4 (1991) 4-Track Bundle Exclusive


Volume 1: Best Of The KMEL Mixes (1991) (1:17:11)
1-1 Part I (38:18)
1-2 Part II (38:53)


Volume 2: Best Of The Remixes And Megamixes (1990-1992) (1:15:12)
2-1 Eric B. & Rakim Let The Rhythm Hit Em (DJ Shadow Remix) (2:39)
2-2 DJ Shadow Best Of The Megamixes (Part 1) (17:17)
2-3 Poor Righteous Teachers Shakiyla (DJ Shadow Remix) (6:08)
2-4 DJ Shadow Bubble Gum Beat (3:42)
2-5 DJ Shadow Best Of The Megamixes (Part 2) (14:23)
2-6 TKA Give Your Love To Me (DJ Shadow Remix) (4:12)
2-7 Cutty Ranks Stopper (DJ Shadow Remix) (2:57)
2-8 Jungle Brothers Jimbrowski (DJ Shadow Remix) (4:25)
2-9 Latee No Tricks (DJ Shadow Remix) (4:02)
2-10 DJ Shadow Best Of The Megamixes (Part 3) (7:26)
2-11 3rd Bass Wordz Of Wisdom (DJ Shadow Remix) (8:01)


Volume 3: Best Of The Original Productions (1990-1992) (1:06:09)
3-1 Shadow T-Mor Beat (1:34)
3-2 DJ Shadow's Theme (Original Version) (2:41)
3-3 Sampler Phone Message (0:16)
3-4 The Source Is Serious Business (5:14)
3-5 Make It Critical (2:05)
3-6 Track The Groove (4:14)
3-7 Rock Lesson (5:14)
3-8 Genesis Beat (2:54)
3-9 Shadow's Legitimate Mix (Alternate Version) (6:34)
3-10 Preacher Beat (2:14)
3-11 Cult Of Brutality (4:06)
3-12 Beat For Paris (4:05)
3-13 UMC's Drop (0:11)
3-14 Ms. Chauncey (3:40)
3-15 Do You Remember (0:26)
3-16 Lesson 5 (4:02)
3-17 Ain't That A Bitch (2:42)
3-18 Reverse Beat (1:42)
3-19 Oras Intro (0:21)
3-20 Lesson 4 (Alternative Version) (8:35)
3-21 Closing Credits (2:50)
3-22 Zen Outro (0:29)


Volume 1: http://rs411.rapidshare.com/files/168340720/DJ_Shadow_-_The_4-Track_Era_Bundle_D1__2008_.rar

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Ten Best Hip Hop Albums of the 00's

So here is my top 10 in a rough order, its not complete just yet, ill put in info soon! But since the decade is now coming to a close it feels like the right time for this! All criticism is welcome, positive and negative so please drop a comment.

10. Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele

Okay, theres alway a lot of debate over whats Ghosface's best album and its usually between Ironman and Supreme Clietele, I even wont bother saying which one i prefer ill leave you to choose yourself. But take Ironman out of the equation and were left with Supreme Clietele and Fishscale, I actually wanted to put Fishscale in this list but didnt want more than 1 album by the same artist so settled on Supreme Clietele!



Best Tracks :
Nutmeg
Ghost Deini
Mighty Healthy
Malcolm

Mighty Healthy



9. Jurassic 5 - Quality Control



Best Tracks :
Quality Control
Action Satifaction
Monkey Bars
Jurass Finish First

Quality Control



8. J Dilla - Donuts

Some of the most soulful beautiful instrumental hiphop ever!



Best Tracks :
Workinonit
Two Can Win
Anti-American Graffiti
Dilla Says Go

Airworks



7. Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liqour

Just when it looked like real hiphop would never get into mainstream music again.



Best Tracks :
Kick, Push
The Instrumental
Daydreamin'
American Terrorist

Kick Push



6. Kanye West - The College Dropout



Best Tracks :
All Falls Down
Jesus Walks
Two Words
Through The Wire
Family Business

Jesus Walks



5. Panacea - Ink Is My Drink

Listen to the very first Song and before you even hear Raw Poetic spit his first verse on the album we're greeted with vocals "Come Along With Me and Share the Ecstasy" over an explosion of pure blissful music by producer K-Murdoc, and believe the message given in the first 5 seconds of the album because that exactly what you're in for!



Best Tracks :
Trip Of The Century
Place On Earth
These Words
Ecosphere

Starlite


4. El-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead

10/10



Best Tracks :
Tasmanian Pain Coaster
Up All Night
The Overly Dramatic Truth
The League Of Extraordinary Nobodies

"Flyentology" feat. Trent Reznor



3. Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein

El-P once again behind the music to another classic



Best Tracks :
Ox Out The Cage
A B-Boys Alpha
Real Earth
Pigeon

Pigeon



2. Madvillain - Madvillainy

Like many stories go, it took me a while to get into this and even longer to realize the Genius behind it. Arguably number 1, This Album Pushed right passed and destroyed all boundaries of what an album should be!



Best Tracks :
Raid
Sickfit (Instrumental)
Fancy Clown
Supervillain Theme (Instrumental)
All Caps

Strange Ways



1. Deltron - Deltron 3030

Dan the Automater + Kid Kola + Del Tha Funkee Homosapien + the Year 3030 = Best hip hop album this decade!



Best Tracks :
3030
Madness
Time Keeps On Slipping
Memory Loss

Things You Can Do