All City: Who Dat? b/w Metro Theme

This is a standard offering from the East, but Metro Theme's got a good blend of ruff n' rugged lyricism layed over some jazzy, vibe-y beats. I wasn't really tripping off of Who Dat? but this 12" isn't a bad find. (ARMEE)


Bone: First of the Month remix

It's by Premier. I like it. That's all. Don't start sh*t with me about this one. (RELATIVITY)


EC: No More b/w Mating Ritual

Hey, Chi-town and the Ill State (Illinois) is back in the house and no, it's not a new single by Common. Though it sounds a lot like something out of the boroughs, this single/sampler is kinda tight. No More has a nice jazzy groove to it...I especially liked Mating Ritual's beat...rough with a smooth edge to it. Hear it and you'll know what I'm saying. Lyrically...they definitely should NOT be compared to Common...they're more on that hardcore tip, but not over the top. Highly recommended. (WICKED)


Genius: Cold World

I'm torn...on one hand, I liked this 12" on the album, but I think Geffen should have dropped a B-side on the single, plus done a remix. Cold World is strong...featuring Inspecta Deck along with the GZA and lyrics that you've come to expect and appreciate from the Wu crew. And yeah...I think this was one of RZA's more interesting beats on the "Liquid Swords" LP. (GEFFEN)


Jamal: Fades Em All Pete Rock Remix

Let's face it...the hey dey age of Pete Rock as a remixer is over. I'd never try to challenge his skills about producing his own sh*t...hell, "The Basement" is still one of my favorite albums of 94. But this remix was both: A) unnecessary and B) weak to boot. Every MF freestyle wants to flow over Redman's original mix and then someone decides (Rowdy?) to remix this puppy and the remix just pales in comparison to the original serving. If you don't have this...do not trip. Believe that. (ROWDY)


Patra: Dip and Fall Back

I'm not that into dancehall but this Patra single has got some decent mix grooves that might be of interest to others. Clark Kent, who produced that horrible Mad Skillz song shows that he has his good side too with two decent remixes. (SONY 550)


Real Live: Real Live Sh*t b/w Crime is Money

Definitely on that East coast ruff n' rugged tip, the A-side has a nice, sparse beat laid over by strong lyrics from Larry-O...K Def does a better job with the track than he does with his rhymes, but that's usually the case right? I didn't feel the B-side as much, but I get the feeling that we're gonna be hearing the "real live sh*t" a lot... (BIG BEAT)


Royal Ham: Summin Gotz to Give b/w I Declare War

Produced by Ill Figure Y-Kim...out of the Wu Tang camp, Royal Kham might have some what of lame name (hey, sorry, I call 'em like I see 'em), but the A-side has merit. Ill Figure does a decent job on putting his own twist on the Wu Tang style and while you won't confuse his sh*t with RZA's, Wu fans should like this single. Lyrically, "Summin..." is one big tirade against record labels...which does seem a bit ironic given that he's on Capitol. But then again, GZA was on Geffen when he fired off "Labels." "I Declare War" is tight too...though the chorus could use a remix.

All in all, this is probably one of the better debut singles I've heard in a while. Beats that stomp, lyrics that romp. Check it out. (CAPITOL)


Sunz of Man: No Love Without Hate

I still think that they sound too much like a combination of Gravediggaz with the Wu crew, which really isn't a compliment in my book...but I have to also admit that their production is always good. Supreme does the honors on this one, looping a little of Al Green for the intro. All in all, it's a decent track that doesn't really pull any punches but still serves up a good listen. (WU TANG)


AV8 Records: Cheeba Hawks, Coffee Breaks, Buddha Baboons

Wreck DJs? Move over. Nubian Crackers? Slide to the side. Kenny Dope? Nope. AV8 is putting out some of the best breakbeat singles on the market right now in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, the other similar producers I named put out decent sh*t, and AV8 shares a lot of the same DJs, like Flip Squad and Crooklyn Clan kids and what not, but AV8 beats are better constructed to me. Maybe I'm just tripping, but it's been a while since a breakbeat single has me nodding my head like "Hot Butter "(Buddha Baboons) or "Tic Toc"(Cheeba Hawks) or "Hey Ya Heh"(BBs). Not every DJ is into this, and they only really work in the mix, but I HIGHLY recommend anything off of AV8 for those who dig this sh*t. (AV8)


Bahamadia: Uknowhowwedu

At last...a follow up to "Catchin Wreck" which came out...damn...hella long ago. February? Or some sh*t like that? This time, she smooths it out a bit and while some don't like it...I do. I think this 12" is a great blend of jazzy beats and Bahamadia's tight flow and lyrical style. The only complaint I have is that her shout out section at the end is a LITTLE long. But otherwise, look for this where you can. (CHRYSALIS)


Bounty Killer: Mama Ivy's Last Son

Ok...Celluar Phone was cool, but now Bounty Killer's remix pattern is getting a bit predictable. Sure, Wu Tang fans will probably go ga ga over the Wu Mortal Kombat remix which just loops a bunch of Wu beats. And goes who the EPMD remix samples? Once or twice, sure, it can sound kinda tight and hip hop fans love it. But when you do it too much...you do it too much.


Brand New Heavies: Mind Trips

Brand New Heavies + Supa Star beat = fatness. Sure, it's not that original, but BNH put out so much great live stuff (or have you already forgotten "Heavy Rhyme Experience Part I"?) that I'm cool with them dropping a remix like this. It's formulistic and more of a club cut, but it's all good. (DELICIOUS VINYL) 88bpm


Capleton: Wings of the Morning

Following up his mega-smash "Tour"...Capleton comes with the new single that uses the "Hard to Handle" (Otis Redding) sample that Marley Marl immortilized on "Symphony." And yeah, that M.E.T.H.O.D. Man makes a cameo too. What can I say? Tight. Dynamic Duo and Capleton combine for some good sh*t again.


Coolio: Too Hot

Wait. Don't tell me. They had already made this track way before Red Hot Lover Tone or Milkbone had gotten their hands on it right? *sigh* Once again, hip hop regurgitates its own by flipping on "Too Hot" AGAIN. I'm getting kinda tired of this sh*t and even though I give Coolio dap, I'm just fed up with with all this beat recycling. (TOMMY BOY)


Crooklyn Clan: Funky Relaxation b/w Put Your Hands Up

Even though I give AV8 Records more props for their breakbeat singles (see my review on AV8)...this new Strapped offerring is plenty tight too. Funky Relaxation just gets smooth and ill with a chopped up bassline from ATCQ's "Electric Relaxation". Or go with the Dubtown remix that uses "Bucktown" by Smif and Wessun. The B-side is on that fast tempo sh*t...which means it'll play well at a party. This isn't a crate essential, but it can't hurt. (STRAPPED)


Da Bush Babies: Brooklyn Movements

I'll be upfront. It's ok. No big deal. A typical Salaam Remi beat which means it's nice, but in the way a sweater can be nice, know what I mean? You'll put it on, but it's like same as rocking some zero below Timbos. (WARNER BROTHERS)


Dangerous Crew: Buy You Some

Erick Sermon and Too Short? Ok, so I didn't see it coming either, but I have to admit...I LIKE this single and I usually hate anything that Too Short touches. For one thing, the guitar-loop beat is kinda dope. Not what you'd really expect from either person, but it works...it works. Sermon flows and Too Short represents respectibly. Hey, this 12" is one of life's little surprises... (JIVE)


The D.O.C.: Return of the Living Dead

This is the comeback that never should have been. The truly tragic thing is that if you listen to the DOC, he still has the rhymes. But the damage to his vocal cords just destroys that braggadocio image that he put out so well on "No One Can Do It Better". I feel for him, but it just doesn't work. It just doesn't. (GIANT)


Erick Sermon: Bomdigi b/w Tell 'Em

Yo, I like this single...and I'm not an Erick Sermon fan. In the past, I've railed against his beat recycling, and while Bomdigi is familiar sounding...it doesn't come off as a bite, and the beat just flows...as does the E Double. If he dropped cuts like this more often, I'd give him more dap. Tell 'Em is tight too, both lyrically and production-wise... Altogether, this 12" is quality. Don't sleep on that Tommy Gun remix of Bomdigi either. (DEF JAM) A:92bpm B:89bpm


Fugees: Fu-gee-la b/w How Many Mics?

You should get it b/c it's the Fugees...and b/c Lauryn rips it...but I have to be honest. Neither track was particularly exciting. They have a nice groove to 'em and all that, but it lacks the bounciness of "Nappy Heads" and the mellowness of "Vocab". It's just...there. (RUFF HOUSE)


Hobo Junction EP

Even though I'm glad their sh*t finally came out on vinyl...and that all four cuts have dubs to them...I'm just curious why they picked the four cuts they did. Only "Whoriden" stands out...the other three are ok, but there was better stuff that I think they could have put out. Part of it is that the Hobo's Oakland roots come out stronger on here than it did on Saafir's album and after watching the Hiero's transforms back into Oakland's native sons...I was kind of hoping that Hobo's would go forward instead of relying on some generic Bay Area conventions in music and lyrics. It's not that this stuff is bad...in fact, I think you're not likely to hear sh*t like this anywhere else...but I was left wanting more. (SOUTH PAW)


Illstyle Live! LP

Well, after listening a couple of times...it's ok, but nothing really to trip off of. Conceptually, it's new...an all-live, multi-artist hip hop album, but I wouldn't call it Rap City Unplugged or anything. The best moment has to be Ol Dirty Bastard just going off on everybody, his label, the DJ (Pete Rock) and audience members. The more I listen to ODB whine and screech, I have to wonder if being original just means getting f---ed up before making an appearance somewhere. Really though. (ELEKTRA)


Kapone: Get Down To It b/w No Jurisdiction

Word...if this sh*t ain't Keith Murray with his voice pitched higher, it is the most scandalous case of biting I've ever heard. Kapone sounds EXACTLY like Murray, even down to flow and vocab choice. What's up! Really though... And Erick Sermon producing? C'mon...this sh*t has to be a joke right? It's decent...nothing eye popping, but mostly, I'm just tripping off the similarities. (PENALTY) A:91bpm B:89bpm


KGB: Bless Ya Life

Definitely go with the remix. 4th Disciple flips on a great Al Green sample ("Strong as Death") that just soars through this song on the strings, and then digs in deep with the guitar. And the lyrics are cool...some reflective notes about death and coping. If you've heard their older stuff, you'll be amazed at what a year or two can do. Believe me... (MASCOT) 87bpm


Kris Kross: Tonite's the Night

I'm tempted to say "Whatever"...and hell, I will. Provided, I think Jermaine Dupri has mastered the art of recycling loops better then even the Bad Boys...so so def style and all that, but the lyrics just don't move. It's a party cut but not even a particularly slamming one at that, even if the track's got a nice groove to 'em. As for the KK...*sigh* well, let's just say that Mobb Deep have evolved...Da Youngstaz to some degree, buth Chris and Chris are still dropping the same ol', same ol'. (RUFF HOUSE)


KRS-One: KRS One LP

Short and simple. My favorite album of the year. At least six cuts that are incredibly dope...plus four classics...all on two pieces of vinyl? Hell yeah. I could go on and on, but bottom line, KRS may not have outdid himself, but he sure as hell outdid a lot of other MFs out there with an album that displays talent, cleverness, great beats and the ego of Kris. Ain't nothing like it. (JIVE)


KRS-One: Rappaz R N Danger b/w Wanna-be-MCeez

Look, if you don't have this already, you're SNOOZING. Wake up. Get it. Play it. One of the best one-two punches of the year as far as singles goes. Solid, solid, solid sh*t from KRS that puts most other artists to shame for trying to come with some ego. KRS DEFINES braggadocio which turns some MF off. Hell, I might not buy Nike's b/c of him, but I'll pick up the single, no diggety. (FRONT PAGE) A:88pm B:93bpm


Little Indian: One Little Indian

It's not a bad cut...it's just not particularly good. Lyrically, his flow just doesn't bang and he has a tendency to enunciate a little too much, like he's trying to pronounce everything too much. And even Buckwild's decent remix can't save this single from mediocrity. (PREMEDITATED) 90bpm


Mad Lion: Real Ting remixes

Another solid 12" by Mad Lion with strong remixes by the Blastmaster. The first remix is a bit more dancehall-y whereas the second remix flips on that smooth but rough feel...I liked the second one better, but I have love for all three cuts. Definitely an excellent 12" even if the subject matter is just a tad tired now. (WEEDED) 90bpm


Mobb Deep: Temperature's Rising remix b/w Still Shinin

Loud Records has a great group of artists, but I really can't give much love to how they release singles. They've put out three in the last two months, starting with "Givin Up the Goods", then they paired it with "Temperature's Rising" but a weak remix, now this. Luckily for them, they saved the best for last. The remix is butter, and I'm guessing that it didn't make it onto the album b/c of sample clearance. Who'd ever think Patrice Rushen would become so popular? Really though, I LIKE this original mix. "Still Shinin" has got 'nuff flavor too, especially since it's a new cut. Lyrically, I'm getting a bit tired, but the tracks got a nice bounce to it thanks to the boom-bashing drum loop. (LOUD) A:92bpm


Omniscence: Amazin'

I think this single is ok...but I didn't think it was the mega-bomb like others did. I dunno...the LP mix definitely didn't move me...the 3 Boyz from Newark Ka-Ka Lak mix was better. Omniscence has got some good lyrics, but I can't seem to get with his flow that well. You should probably get this if you don't, but I wouldn't nominate it to my Top Ten either. (EAST WEST) A:91bpm B:87bpm


Pharcyde: Emerald Butterfly

This is really just Slim Kid Tre's track...you'll find it on the CD single, or in my case, on the 45 that Delicious Vinyl released with Running as the A-side. Emerald Butterfly is slow, and...slow. I just couldn't get into the groove...it's not bad, but I wanted something cookin' and it more like an after dinner mint. (DELICIOUS VINYL)


Pharcyde: LabCabinCalifornia

A great album. One of the year's best. I'm not going to get into the details but if you don't plan to buy this album...you're past my abilities of helping you. Outstanding cuts: Groupie Therapy, Y?, The E.N.D. (DELICIOUS VINYL)


Pudgee (w/ BIG and Lord Tariq): Think Big

Far as I know, this single is promo only but it's a sweet one at that. Pudgee's verses are fairly forgettable but BIG drops another fine cameo and Lord Tariq simple sets the mic on fire. Plus, the beat is simple but fat (appropiately enough). Definitely some mix tape type sh*t. Find it...if ya can.


Q Ball and Curt Cazal: My Kinda Moves

First of all, forget the B-side...it's not that its bad...it just pales in comparison to how fly the A-side is. First of all...the beat has got that same quality that "Danger" kicks...hard to explain, but it's tight...that's all you need worry about. And lyrically, it's not sophisticated but it is clever. This 12" isn't that easy to come by apparently, but check for it. You'll be glad you did. (VZQ) 88bpm


RBX: AWOL remix b/w Stepchild: Hangin Around remix

I don't know who did these two, but the B-side basically loops "Award Tour" for an otherwise boring song and while I kinda dig AWOL give its bash on Dre, the remix just pieces together other people's songs...like Bounty Killer does. It's ok...but you get tired of it after a while. This 12" would probably play well at a party, but don't trip now.


Skee-Lo: Top of the Stairs

Say what you will, but I have to give this brother some credit. He's not Nas, but I think his rhymes have a certain earnestness that I can appreciate. This time, Skee comes a lil more serious, which may or may not go well with some who want "I Wish" Part II. The original flips the same Patrice Rushen that EVERYONE's using...but at least they make it a little more subtle than say...Jr. Mafia did. The street remix has a nice bouncey kick to it which I could dig. And he has good remix dubs, which you don't see often. Cool single. (SCOTTI BROS)


Smif N Wessun: Headz Ain't Ready b/w Black Smif-N-Wessun

An interesting single...side A flips the original mix of "Headz Ain't Ready". The story behind that is they, like Total, they used James Brown "The Payback" and Tommy Boy didn't want to put both tracks on the "NJ Drive" soundtrack especially since Total is signed to Tommy Boy. I kinda like it better b/c listening to it, you can see how much more talented Buckshot is compared to the Bad Boy producers. The B-side is equally curious considering that sh*t came out in 1993. ??? Whatever... (WRECK) A:90bpm


Source of Labor: SureShotSingles

Hey, they jacked my sh*t! No, really though, this sampler is from Source of Labor, representing the Pacific Northwest (Seattle) with an interesting single that catches your attention, but can't seem to hold it. For one thing, the vinyl didn't have the names of the song on it. Thanks...that really helps DJs push it. Plus, the A-side was really kinda dull. The Seattle sound on this 12" is similar to what Untranslated Prescriptions came out with, but lyrically, it was much less creative in my opinion. The B-side cut, "Come With Me" was probably the best on the album. A very nice piano loop intro leads into a jazzy track that I could appreciate...something to vibe out too. It won't rock the house, but it'll play well while cruisin. I don't think they mean to, but lyrically, it's a bit more acid jazzy than they might want. The other cut, "SOL Control" is nice too, but just nice. Not much more. Seattle is coming up, but I still think they need time to grow. 206-559-2767


Ten Thieves: Straight From the Slums b/w Black Reign

Word...B-side wins again. Capitalizing on the same formula that made "It Don't Matter" an underground smash, Black Reign kicks the same simple but slammin' combo. I'm fiending to get doubles to this sh*t to go back and forth on. The A-side is ok...just a bit more mellow and lacking the bite of the B-side. My main gripe with this otherwise strong 12" is a lack of radio edits. Too bad 'cause I'd play this sh*t on my show in an instant. (BREAK A DAWN) A:91bpm B:94bpm


3 Steps From Nowhere: Pass It On remix

Well, even Trugoy can't really help this track too much. A slow, groovy track that just doesn't offer much...and lyrics that aren't that different than a lot of other sh*t that's out there. Trugoy flows in for a cameo, but really, it just ain't enough.


Total: No One Else

Once again showing that no producers are better at jacking beats than Bad Boy's own, Poke and Puffy decide to bite BDP's "South Bronx" for this new song which will probably play well in clubs, and I can't say I regret having it, but I'm not tripping. It's a club song. Period. (BAD BOY)


Trends of Culture: Make a Move

After dropping a fairly slept on album in 93, Trends is back with an ok single, but it's no "Valley of the Skinz". Maybe it was just me, but I couldn't really feel the beat or the lyrics that much. We'll how sh*t sounds when the LP drops. Or a remix. (MAD SOUNDS)