Reviews (1)

A Hot Dance Banger!! Defines true hip-hop!
Nowadays it's virtually rare to come across a collaboration album that truly defines the true meaning of hip-hop. Many avid hip-hop listeners find themselves scampering through for a so-called "Quality Hip-Hop Album," only to later discover that it's the same old obnoxious rubbish that has been repeated and rehashed over and over again. The taste and yearn for true hip-hop dampens down as fans slowly lose their interest in the genre, wondering if a quality album will ever be released in fair time. Well, fans can look future no longer. Deep Concentration 4 has come to feed the true hip-hop heads what they've yearned for so long, a raw and cut true hip-hop banger. For starters, Deep Concentration Vol.4 contains some of the most dopest underground artists' from around the country with magnificent performances. Some tracks which don't feature an artist are plain out instrumentals which take listeners back to the days when hip-hop was just embracing it's stable form. There isn't a single track on this collaboration album that's a filler or contains filler material, it's all out raw and cut underground hip-hop. This album not only makes as a quality hip-hop album, but also as a hot dance banger as well. Any fan of true hip-hop owes it to themselves to get themselves a copy of Deep Concentration Volume 4. It's an album that'll keep the listeners interested for a VERY long time. Guaranteed! Also a guaranteed must have! ... Read more

Album Details

Bonus Dvd features the Brilliantly Animated Videos to "Mashin on the Motorway" and "Walkie Talkie". ... Read more

Reviews (2)

pretty great remixes, fun videos
i actually don't watch videos on cable, i just don't have the time to wait around for them to show up. as a result, i hadn't seen the videos for "walkie talkie" and "mashin ..." until now. they're pretty good, sufficiently different in style that you'll not be bored, and do justice to the music.

the music itself, a set of remixes, is really well done. i really liked hearing the music thrown in new directions, great job to the teams that did the work.

all in all a blast, definitely good to have for a serious dj shadow fan, but probably not worth $16 or so new. see if you can pick it up used for less.

This is why I walk and talk this Way!
The z-trip remix is good, the six day remix sucks(b-52s sample!), the gdmfsob remix is sketchy, the radio version of walkie talkie is actually better than the lp version(how come every single from the private press uses this beat one way or another?-treach battle beat, six days remix w/mos def, this mix) and mashin on the motorway still sucks(should've been an instrumental). The videos are pretty cool though(dvd! hooray!)so buy this only for a)right thing remix or b)you are a dj shadow completist. ... Read more

Album Details

Rob Swift is a Core Member of X-ecutioners, the Internationally Acclaimed DJ Crew. This is Rob's Second Single from his Upcoming Full Length "The Ablist". ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Nice Work
This album is tight because it takes you away from the monatous of whats out and coming out. Space Travelers venture on some other stuff that'll have you wanting to hear more. I like the album can't wait for the follow up.

Representing the Real
The Bullet Proof Space Travelers come correct with their long awaited full-length release "Built To Last." Spanning the entire spectrum of hip-hop styles, this Bay Area crew (Eddie Def, Cue, Quest, Marz, Eddie K) offers up a seamless mix of rap, electro, and scratching that should appeal to both old school heads and new jacks alike.

What sets this album above the rest is its tight production. The crew obviously got busy in the lab when they put this together and they come out sounding like mad scientists.

Some track highlights include: "F%K-WIT-YER-BRAIN" which captures the kinetic energy of the b-boy circle, while "ATTACK OF THE KILLER SYNTH" hits like a sledgehammer with its skull-crushing beats and some of the illest cuts ever. "HIP HOP ON THE HILL PT.1 & PT.2" goes lo-fi featuring some off the hook ghetto-style rhyming, and "ROAD TO NONE" brings back the mega-mix with a vengeance for vinyl and cross-fader flavor.

All in all, this is a great record and a must have for the crates. Word. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

DJ Shadow brings new meaning to the word "remix"
"Six Days" from the LP "The Private Press" is a weird one. If DJ Shadow hadn't made this song, then god knows who would've! DJ Shadow's songs, like most Hip Hop songs have a message within them. While some are more suble than others, this song's message is pretty obvious (and for an 'old' track, the lyrics are relevant to today's current issues). The Mos Def vocal remix is sublime, the video is bizarre, and the music is as rewarding as ever.

Excellent new single.
This is the second new single from DJ Shadow and recently hit number one on Billboard 's Top 12"/Maxi single sales chart. Otherwise I wouldn't have bought it because I don't know much about the artist so his music is new to me. The first track is the remix and with more guitars and hip hop elements and the rap of Mos Def--- the mix is only(3:51) but very intesesting. The Radio Edit(3:38) and Album Instrumental (4:59) are more trip hop in feel. The best song is the track "100 Metre Dash" which combines elements of drum & bass with actual live jazz elements like the drums pattern. The fault is that there should have been a second remixer to give the song a different vibe than just DJ Shadow. Very good.

A very good single
The CD single consists of 4 songs and the "Six Days" video. Three of the songs are "Six Days" remixes: a radio edit, a full length album version instrumental, and a remix featuring new vocals and music. The latter of the three consists of the woman's voice from the song, with the music from The Private Press' "Walkie Talkie", and added lyrics from rapper Mos Def (I believe). Neither of these three remixes are groundbreaking, but the instrumental is very nice. "100 Metre" is a very cool song that is worth the price of the single. It has a dark tone (like a lot of DJ Shadow's work) that fits in well with the Private Press era music. If you are a fan of the new album, I would check this out. Its a nice single to have.

more hip-hopish six days
In this very first single of Dj Shadow form Private Press you'll find two version of Six days,one of them is featuring Mos Def with more hip-hop rhytms of course. And the other one is radio edit of Six Days. I hope you'll enjoy listening to this song w/ scraches and Mos Def's vocals.

Moreover this single has a new song called 100 Metre Dash, which is also worth listening for times.
I wish there were more remixes of six days w/ different tastes in this single. It would deserve shinny five stars if it had, though. ... Read more

Album Description

1999 collaboration between DJ Spooky and the Freight Elevator Quartet takes electronic aural recontestualization and cultural commentary and mixes it with electroacoustic improvisation and digital savoir faire. 12 wacky tracks. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Experimental music that works.
Its very rare when someone actually concocts enjoyable experimental music. Generally, academia over takes the album, which in turn only makes the album listenable to the hardcore devoted or the most elite of listeners. What I love about File Under Futurism is that actually maintains a balance between sound exerimentation and straightforward music. To me, the results are quite stunning.

Starting off with fast-paced complex title track, the song is a wrap up of drum n' bass breaks, hyper-speed bass playing, cello-driven melody and various other turntablist noise. The results are quite exciting, since it really inspires a sound not heard. From there, the album becomes a playground for all sorts of weird experimentation from downtempo trip-hop, hardcore drill n' bass, post rock workouts, and various sound collages(the track The RCA Mark II Synthesizer was apparently recorded on the first synthesizer ever made). Despite all the genre-hoping, a definitive sound remains creating a cohesive project. Its involving, intoxicating, and otherworldly brilliant. It strikes the perfect balance between listenability and wild experimentation. An essential album for fans of the genre and anyone looking for a forward looking band.

is there anybody out there?
beautiful, and disturbing; I hope Dj Spooky collaborates with Phillip Glass.

If you're a hiphop head strictly, don't buy this!!!
This is not an album for the feint of heart, or for people who aren't the least bit interested in "art-music". Buy "Riddim Warfare", buy something else...

On the other hand, for what this album does, it is amazing. You take an art-minded DJ in Spooky and mix them with a pretty progressive group that is into art-music and electronic stuff. And you end up with a genre bending brilliance, that eventually becomes enmired in your soul. What does a cello have to do with a turntable? What does orange juice have to do with vodka? In time, they just work.

If you're into combining turntablism with 'art-music' (sorry for the term!!!) this is an essential album. If you're just into rap, run away.... fast...!

...apocalyptic dance music for the 22nd century...
The CD starts out unobtrusively with some cello notes, some turntable noise, some vocal samples of "check 1 2... subliminal production... file... futurism..." and *KA-BOOM*! Welcome to the twisted and intriguing world of DJ Spooky and The Freight Elevator Quartet. This was my first Spooky CD ever, and while it isn't as good as the very very brilliant "Songs of a Dead Dreamer", it's still a fascinating listen. Prior to the purchase, I had no clue who either Spooky or the Quartet were, and bought the album based on the cover artwork (see, art direction DOES matter). The album is fantastic on many levels, being very experimental and still keeping some degree of accessibility. The tracks range in style, which what makes the album so interesting - drum + bass, abstract/noise/ambient, down tempo, illbient, experimental... the only downside to the disc is that many of the same samples are used over and over, and by "Infrared" you're pretty sick of hearing those five cello notes looped over and over. But luckily "This Is What Happens" and "Variation On a Freight Theme" shatter the numbing sameness - both live tracks, both preformed by the Quartet, and both hauntingly beautiful. This is chaotic, atmospheric, apocalyptic dance music for the 22nd century. While it's not exactly rave music, it's the type of music that brings to mind scenes of ecstasy-riddled psy-trancers beating each other with glowsticks. Listen if you dare.

Not the best spooky but very interesting and novel idea
I think AP said it best when speaking of this disc. It sounds more like a battle than a colaboration. The two forces seem to be trying to outduel the other and it can become quit distracting at times, but, on a overall tip, File Under Futurism is a wonderful example of what live musicians and technology can create. The beats are top notch for Spooky and he continues to push the limits of what can be defined as music. As for the FEQ, their contributions have proven to me that they are a force to reckoned with. Hell, they even wrote like 3 or 4 songs on this album. The live stuff and track 3 are my personal favorites and I recommend this to anyone looking for a serious sonic assault of calcualted madness. ... Read more

Album Description

6 CDs of essential breakz & beats with Fatboy Slim, HowieB, Freddy Fresh, Lo Fidelity All Stars, Coldcut, Run DMC feat. Jason Nevins, 2 Pac & Notorious BIG, Meat Katie, Coolio & more. 60 tracks in all. 2000 release. 3 standard double jewel cases housed in a 5 x 6 x 3 box. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Innovation Without the Signature Sound
Strength Magazine's Subtext compilation, is overall, pretty good. With guests similar to that of the amazing Funky Precedent mix, Subtext focuses less on the newly evolving West Coast Hip-Hop Jamming sound like Jurassic 5 and the Breakestra, and more on the jazzy East Coast Sound. MC'ing is above par with lyricists like Aceyalone and Evidence and Iriscience from Dilated Peoples. Guest DJ's included J-Rocc and Babu of the World Famous Beat Junkies, and the child prodigy, A-Trak. Many of the tracks were produced by Kut Master Kurt, giving the beats a somewhat unoriginal sound. That, along with the constant interludes, are my only gripes with this compilation.

Nothing extremely special here, but if you like artists such as Dilated Peoples and Black Eyed Peas, you will most definitely enjoy this compilation.

Strength comes strong
Some of the most innovative artists in hip-hop. futuristic sound styles with tight lyrics. The beats and cuts are streamlined and pretty catchy. Tailored for the skaters, who must be years ahead of everybody else with their style. How can you go wrong with Planet Asia, Del and the Prose from Hiero, Aceyalone, and all the others? Its self- explanatory for all the Headz out there.

Subtext
This is a representation of a CD that is ahead of its tyme i think. I'm not feelin this CD that much...none of the mc's seem to be up 2 par here. I was expecting waayyy better contect and beats on here...but i was dissappointed. The beats on here are str8 weak. It might be worth a listen but not a buy. ... Read more

Album Description

The years best underground hip hop compilation hosted by the hottest DJ, Tony Touch.Features 19 hot Hip Hop tracks from the best underground artists. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

This CD is on point!
The artists on this CD are awesome. Real hip hop with out all of the negative rap. The beats are really good too. I reccomend this CD if you are looking for quality underground hip hop music.

a lot of good hip hop, a litlle of tony touch
if you, as myself, went crazy on tony touch's "the piece maker" cd, and want to buy another tony touch cd - this is the wrong place. tony touch is just introducing the songs on this cd - not producing them. anyhow, after the early dissapointment i sat down to listen to this cd and found some real good underground hiphop - amazing tracks by loose cannons, joefinite, drastic meassures and tony arafat, are creating a smooth collection of talents, and a fun cd to listen too. enjoy!

Fat beats, dope rhymes and mad skills.
This CD is loaded with some of the best underground hip hop artists I've heard in a long time. My favs are Drastic Measures (they have that track with Cappadonna), Loose Cannons, Magic Juan (he just did a track on the Beatnuts Album), and Tony Arafat. These guys are on top of the game when it comes to the underground. They put it down the right way.

This is one of the best hip hop joints I've heard in a while
This is a hot project. Brilliant idea to mix hot artists with even fatter ones. I would tell you that this cd is strictly for those that like real hip hop.

Can't mix a good beat
Can't sleep on the streets, eh? Well this 'artist' better get used to it, cause this 'album' blows chow. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Tied with Wave Twisters
The abstract sound of Ancient Termites and DJ Disk may not appeal to non-turntablists and even a lot of turntablists, but it's ingenious anyway. It's obviously not as accessible as the humorous Wave Twisters by Qbert, but Disk creates tracks in a dimension that has never been explored in turntablism. He scratches old pool-hall sounding records on one track and then creates turntable elevator music on another. This album is like nothing else. If you're truly an open-minded music lover, you'll appreciate this.

skilled in skraiping and composing
Modern turnatblists have fairly well proven that their technical abilities can often match those of instrumentalists. The next challenge is musical composition and structure; most of the recent discs have failed to cohere (but of course that may be the postmodernist point of it all). DJ DISK's debut takes the turntablist movement just a bit further, as he lays down several tracks that advance through more than a series of samples. "Exoskeleton" and "Thinking Room Sculpture" reveal DISK's ability to "build" an environment from reverb and wah-wah action, then build a piece of music with "skraiping" and a minimum of plundered samples. The usual bizarre humor abounds as well, in "Elevator Puss Music" and "Bucktooth's Berry Binge". DISK has skills and a mind to match. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

In short, great.
But I am sure you are like me, you like a little bit more exposition to a review. To anyone familiar with Craze, a DJ who I like to claim as a Miamian and a two time DMC world champion, it will come as no surprise that this CD is FAT. It has chunky, funky, Hiphop grooves that are equal parts virtuoso Dj album and musical experiment--far from Luther Campbell and still different than X-ecutioners. Craze samples everything from Doo Wop to Miami Bass, but brings it all into a Hiphop context that most people who like DJ albums will be able to relate to. He is not just a virtuoso turntablist, like some others, but is also able to incorporate and reinterpret samples and styles. If you are a big fan of Craze's D'n'B stuff, this album is probably not for you. Also, if you do not really like listening to Dj's do what they do best, Manipulate wax, this is not for you. But if you like DJ albums that are as much funky bravado as they are technical showcase or if you simply want to own every good thing Craze puts out, this is a great album to pick up. There are 12 tracks on my CD and the last two are kinda short. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Laced with intricate voice-samples and top-notch production, Jedi Mind Tricks use a different kind of force to deliver a record that hip-hop heads can't stop themselves from feeling. From the gritty string-laden "Retaliation" to the creepy piano and bass on "Contra," this one is strictly for the streets and the underground beneath. The pianos and guitar on cuts such as "I Against I" provide a mellow contrast to the record's mainly up-tempo pace. But throughout, the stars of the show are the vocal samples, which have origins in everything from vintage television and film to professional wrestling. The theme is total and complete lyrical warfare. Every rhyme is filled with exploding similes and metaphors that are more than complemented by beats that will never see mainstream radio. But the message isn't about drugs and thugs. Instead the themes are of revolution, survival, and overcoming obstacles in the face of an evil society. --Kenji Jasper ... Read more

Reviews (74)

Don't approach me with this wackness
I stumbled upon a Jedi Mind track on kazaa and now have over 45 downloaded, including all on Violent By Design.

WOW. I can't even comprehend this album. The only album that draws comparison to mind is Enter the Wu. ONly an album of that caliber can capture the true uniqueness of Violent by Design.

If you listen to ANY wu get this album. The low tech beats are so reminiscent of Rza's genius and the way the flows are laced on the beats is very similar. The production is THAT DAMN GOOD. i had my best friend listen to Jedi Mind and he asked me if i was high. THIS ALBUM IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. you need to come in with an open mind and be willing to change your tastes in rap and hip hop to listen to the album.

Some of the tracks have stayed with me, and keep repeating in my mind. "heavenly divine" "speech cobras" "the executioners dream" are mind blowing tracks.

FIVE STARS. NO COMPARISON. JEDI MIND IS THE FUTURE

Superb
Jedi Mind tricks are raw. Lets get that out of the way right now. Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind(producer),Jus Allah(emcee), and Ikon the verbal Hologram(emcee) have released one of the best albums of hip-hop to come out ever. On the complaints that they are too vicous or they dont change their subject matter is just kind of stupid. The album is called Violent by Design for a reason, and for those dissing Ikons emcee skills, i doubt that u have heard the JMT first album, 1997's The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological, and Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness. Back then Jus allah was not an official member of the group, by the way. Anyway, Ikon establishd himself as one of the most talented lyricist ever with that albums release, so he has the skills. But as i said, this album was volent by design, so Ikon displays that no one is better than he at that type of rhyming, not even his mate although Jus Allah keeps up. Lets also say this, there are not many albums that are produced better than this. On the first album, Stoupe set the mood for Ikon (and occasianly Allah) perfect. He takes it a step farther on this release by just making beutifully orchestrated beats that bang hard, while still being able to keep that perfectly set mood and feeling of dread as the rappers deliver their horifying lyrics. All said and done, get this. Now.

Jedi Mind Baby
if you dont like this cd you dont know hip hop eminem, snoop and dre cant produce beats or rap for peanuts. If they ever listen to this cd i hope they realise how bad they are compared to this awesome hip hop. Jedi mind tricks are the best and the cd is DEFINATLEY worth buying.

THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF REAL HIP HOP
If you like rap because of ill beats and ingenious lyrikz then u MUST buy this album and the Psycho Social. They are CLASSIKZ and are on the real-rap-pillar with WU's 36 Chambers. If you don't like this album you should consider switching your music preference to country. AN ESSENTIAL IN A TRUE HIP HOP FAN'S CD COLLECTION.

P.S. You must not download Jedi, every, EVERY song on both of those CDs is ill. Don't dis Jedi like dat. (I download musik and I dont think this about any other artists)

Brutally phenomenal
If you can overlook the bad (tipically underground) sound, although the beats are excelent, underneath you will find the best album of the worlds best underground group. At first, when I got this album a year ago, I wasn't really into UNDERGROUND hip-hop that much. But after listening to the album a couple of times, I was speechless and I felt sorry because of the stuff I've been missing out on. Today, JMT is my best group out there, even though Jus Allah is no longer in the group. There are a lot of 5 star songs like: Sacrifice, Deer Hunter, Retaliation (which are in my opinion must-have underground classics) and a bit weaker tracks (in my opinion) like I Against I, Exertions, Genghis Khan, Blood Reign...Lyrically the album is right up there with the Psycho-Social album, and better than the newest Visions of Ghandi album (which is productionally better than the past 2).
To sum it up: 4.5 stars, only because of the weaker sound on the tracks. pRAPaganda - TRAG representin' Serbia signin' out. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Glad you can't see or read the cover....
Well, this little gem has a very unprepossessing cover and some really pompous liner notes about "the forward-thinking nature, impenetrable integrity, and uncompromising individuality of the Mush artists", but it at least delivers when you play it. Yes, the tracks range from electronic jazz breaks to indie hiphop and alt. rock, but if you like quality variety "Filmstrip" is a great comp. You can be guaranteed to search out more music by several featured artists. I can't give it 5 stars because I haven't heard it often enough to know whether it will last; for the moment it's entertaining. ... Read more