Reviews (3)

progressive melodiesand forward -thinking
A compilation of today's finest techno producers incorporated as an intelligent mix with just the right balance of melody and beat. Never switching into total overdrive, this mix from the brilliant Beyer is somewhat removed from his reputation for speed and power live.However, this is definitely no wimp-out and displays Beyer's ability to incorporate both power and melody into a very listenable and enjoyable set.Hopefully, in the not-too-distant-future, he can play San Francisco, a town with a good house-progressive scene, but sadly, starved of serious techno.

A Mellow Side of AdaM BeYeR
My initial response when I first listened to this CD was... hmmmm. I have heard Adam Beyer before and I was expecting to hear some hard-hitting techno beats. This album seems to convey a mellower side of Adam Beyer, because his live sets are hard as hell. All in all though, this CD is good enough for a rating of four stars.

Adam Beyer's- Stockholm Mix Session
This cd is point on!!Mixing is very smooth and the programing is perfect!If your into deep chuggin techno, this is the cd for you.This is how techno is meant to sound!

CD HIGHLIGHTS-
Jeff Mills-The Deep, Damon Wild-Barely Legal, Adam Beyer-Brazen Displays. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As a member of the X-Ecutioners, Rob Swift has made a name for himself as a particularly progressive turntablist. Embracing his technique as a vehicle for expression like any other artist, Swift solidifies this bold vision on his solo debut, The Ablist. Exhibiting a jazzy, freestyle DJ aesthetic with roots in rap, hip-hop, and urban soul, Swift produces a unified sound emphasizing his turntable skills without ever abandoning the premise of actual song form. Swift scratches and spins his way though 13 stimulating compositions, enlisting the aid of rappers, singers, and other instrumentalists. While this recording maintains many of the old turntable traditions, The Ablist also points the way toward viewing this DJ as a thoroughly modern musician. --Mitch Myers ... Read more

Reviews (9)

As with all Rob Swifts Cds, if you like Turntablism buy This
Rob Swift proves again and again that he has what it takes to consistently evolve as a musician and thus, hands in yet another exercise is turntable dynamics, that fully explores the many aspects of turntable trickery. It would have been easier to deliver an album of precise Hip-Hop scratching & Mixing to please everyone. But instead he goes a lot further and produces a broad album with the turntable being the primary instrument. Sublime scratching ("Dope on Plastic"), beat heavy underground Rap ("Night Time"), A very interesting excursion, with Beat juggling coupled with a keyboard melody ("Two Turntables & a Keyboard"), Silky smooth vocal R&B ("Turntablist Anthem"), The sample-scratched unparalleled brilliance ("All this Scratching is making me Rich"). Its certainly heartening to see that something different has been tried here (and is so brilliantly realised), because it manages to earmark itself a totally distinguished album, from all the other (admittedly fantastic) turntable albums out there.

All this scratchin's makin me rich
A really good album of progressive hip-hop. Not only does it got great DJ'ing but the MC'ing is pretty good too. This is not the best album ever made, but I bought it and I listen to it reguarly. I especially dig his ability to experiment, like the turntable vs. keyboard deal. It's just too bad the DJ'ing on that song wasn't a tad better in some parts. Great concept, and works part of the song, but on some parts the beats don't seem to really flow right... All in all though, this is one of the better hip-hop albums I own and I highly recommend it to fans of underground hip-hop. I can't wait to hear more from him.

A good offering from a master turntablist
Rob Swift, DJ extraodinare from the X-ecutioners, gives us the latest in turntablism. Even though I was expecting more instrumentals, I wasn't really disappointed since the MCs that come show up go well with Mr. Swifts tight production skills- speaking of which, the MC best track, in my opinion is "I'm Leaving", which has one of the dopest guitar loop I've ever heard ( which perfectly compliments the somewhat melancholy subject of leaving your girl ), too bad it's only two and some odd minutes long. Other highlights are "all that scratching is making me rich", which is him on the ones and twos and various others on drums, guitar, and horns, each instrument taking turns over the scratches that Rob Swift deftly manipulates. All in all, a good solid offering of the DJing aspect of hip-hop.

Such the best CD ever had
WOW, As I heard it the first time I didn't believe what my ears told me. I 'm impressed of it, best scratching

Greetings from Germany

Dope
Another set of dope tracks from Rob Swift. However, like some of the other reviewers, I wasn't quite into some of the songs on this album. Low areas for me were the more freeform works (Something Different) and the appearances of Gangis Kahn. I was also surprised by the turntable/instrumental collaborations other than "All That Scratching..." in that they were rather dull. But there are jewels on this that pull this up to the level of 5 stars for me. Personal favorites include the Musica Negra remix, Dope On Plastic, Night Time, Modern Day Music, All That Scratching Is Making Me Rich and What Would You Do.

Bottom line, the highlights of this album have kept this in my stereo and I can't give it less than a 5. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Worth its weight
San Francisco underground at its rawest.This gritty mixtape brought to you by DJ Serg is a well balanced effort featuring such names as Rasco,Hobo Junction,Peanutbutter Wolf, and Planet Asia.Some of these songs can only be found on vinyl so its nice to have them all together on one album.Fat beats and skillfully worded raps are blended together making for a tight collection worth checking out. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Ahhh...Shhhhh....More Premier Imitations...
Why oh why must this M-Boogie cat keep perping like he's got some mad skillz or sumthing? I mean c'mon???Some independent label, a place where one guy (Matt Boogie) keeps putting out stuff he thinks is REAL hip hop?I mean my man, Clyde Gantt and even Gentle Jones do ROCK the M-I-C.Does anybody but me get tired of some no talent Premier imitation DANCE MUSIC DJ who decided he couldnt make money in that switch to hip hop?I mean Im all for catz gettin' therez but man this guy is just wack as can be.

My review of this "compilation" goes a little sumthin' like this...Bad sound, too many wack MCs and one WACK DJ making a low budget mix tape and overchargin' us hip hop headz is b.s.Matt Boogie, go back to mixing your dance records (I can search for you in allmusic.com under Matt Therialt) and stop frontin' like you a hip hop mogul cuz you ain't. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

wake up to the wake up show!!!
Man forget about all the commercialized garbage that's degenerating the culture of hiphop!!! If you want full relief from that putrid garbage stealing radio time or if you're already an underground head, then check out any Sway and Tech freestyle CD (I just happen to only have this one so far)... Sway and Tech rep the underground to the fullest exposing some of the game's best emcees (Chino XL, Crooked I, Juice, Supernatural, etc...)

Everyone on this CD is talented. A couple rappers in this may obviously outshine others, but no one is close to coming off badly on this (not even DMX or Sauce Money)...

Every track on this CD is great' but the best of the best are :

"Chino XL and Crooked I" - Chino comes off sick but he's actually outshined (a real rarity)... Crooked I is just NASTY as hell in that track.

"Supernatural" falls victim to Sway and Tech changing topics for Supernat to freestyle about' ranging from b-boys to cavemen to mathematical equations for solving angles of triangles

"Eminem and Akinyele" use their crazy antics to make the listener crack up to death...

"Chino live" is a live concert where Chino is freestyling and actually has to STOP every couple lines because the crowd is reacting so much...

"Supernatural vs. Juice" was the PERFECT way to end this freestyle compilation... a 12 minute battle where both MCs are spittin some great lines, but Supernat stole the show...

in other words if you want to declare yourself a hiphop head, then GET THIS CD or any sway and tech compilation! they'll help you avoid [stuff]like puffy, nelly, and ja rule

I'm Out... Mind Power!!!

know what you are getting all up into!!
the sway and king tech wake up freestyle series is not simply rap or hip-hop. it is not slick, it is not mtv. it is not the cd for "bumpin'". it is a goldmine for fans of the art and poetry of hip-hop. bordering on modern day beatnik poetry readings with turntables serving as the bongos and finger-snaps. everybody who is anybody seems to show up and improvise. with the hype and bs parked outside the only thing remaining is raw talent if it exists. it's amazing that fluffy top 40 mcs like eminem and jay-z are actually very talented rappers. you wouldn't even guess it by watching their videos. here you get to be a fly on the wall and see stars being artists and not fashion plates. don't expect the slickness of an OUTKAST or DR. DRE album, do expect fairly simple beats and some off the cuff (and hook) freestyling. after all isn't that what it's all about?

p.s. this was the last worthwhile cd of the series, volumes 1-6 are all essential listening. i suggest starting here and working your way backwards (#3 is probably the best along with #6 (this one))

Sway and King Tech, a.k.a. the Masters of Hip-Hop.....
The new Sway and King Tech album by far blows just about everyone else out the water....fresh beats, ill rymes, and everything under the sun is up in this album.....definitely one to buy...listening pleasure for all of the HIPHOPHEADS....

HIPHOP IN PUREST FORM!
This album is srtaight up ty-ighhtt. A must buy for HipHop heads worldwide. What can I say, this the illest an emcee could get,this is ALL freestyle, the MAIN aspect of a TRUE MC!OnePeace

More of the Same Brilliant Wake Up Show Vibe
Sway and King Tech are two former rappers who now with DJ Revolution host the Wake Up Show, a nationally syndicated radio program. For years they have been the bridge between main streem and underground hip-hop. Many prominent artists of today, including Eminem, were first discovered on the Wake Up Show. A key portion of the show is the Wake Up Show Freestyle. Freestyle is in essence rapping without lyrics in front of you. It is the test of every true rapper who claims to be the illest. The ability to rhyme off the top of one's head is truly an incredible feat and the majority of rappers on this alblum are true masters of the freestyl flow. While there are a few clunkers with questionable rhyme schemes as well as content that seems to be concieved of long before the freestyle session (*cough* DMX) the better part of it is fairly awe inspiring. This alblum is most certainly not for the new generation of hip-hop heads who value loud booming base and uninteligible lyrics about money and gold chains over any sort of actual skill. Rather it is for the true hip-hop purist who can appreciate both the flow and the freestyle as true forms of modern art. The bottom line is that this album sounds far more like a poetry reading than your proto-typical bass thumping hip-hop record. If that is your thing then by all means neccessary pick up a copy of Wake Up Show Freestyles Vol. 6. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

spooky tramples on already broken ground
The god of the turntable, the intellectual genius of the underground finds himself in a holding pattern here. As always, this is great listening, but it does not provide the aural challenge of The Freight Elevator Quartet disc, nor does it rock the joint like Riddim Warfare. Enjoy but don't expect too much. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Come out, come out, DJ Faust, wherever you are
OK, Faust may be the finest turntablism practitioner there is. Yes, 'Man or Myth?' hinted at a breadth of vision sufficient to create a masterpiece, an album weighty enough to transcend the rather severe limitations of the genre. Unfortunately, this isn't it. Many of the tracks are mind-bogglingly good. Some of the scratching is not to be missed. But the "concept"--dividing the record into constituent "elements" of Fire, Wind, Water, and Earth--seems an afterthought at best, and a tired one at that. It provides no coherent framework for the material, and you will have abandoned the project on grounds of tedium long before reaching its finest moment, 'The Phoenix', the last of 25 tracks. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The best of the 5 volume set
Even though you SHOULD have all 5 volumes of the Shiggar Fraggar show, if you had to pick just one, this is it. Some of the best live or recorded DJ junk ever.

Strictly for the Hardcore DJ Fans!
I truly recommed this CD for the HARDCORE Turntablist fans. Qbert and Co. will have you hooked to this CD from the first second of the CD till the last. Shortkut throws down on track 9! Disk (although the needle jumped on him *HAHA* also threw down on 14. (it's time to practice!) ... actually, 14 is one of my favorite tracks of the CD! I was cracking up at what UB says when the needle jumped *HAHAHA*... My favorite track of the CD has to be the bonus track (20) ... I won't say anything about this because i don't want to ruin any surprises.

Turntablism at its finest, not for the general public
Let me just say that the ISP's are turntable gods... this album is beyond great, the fact that its a live recording without studio production trickery gives some definite reasons to consider the turntable as an instrument. All the tracks were set up as a radio show, with all of the goofy dialouge contributing to the overall feel of the album. My favorite cut is 9, kcat-fm... where you find all the dogs. With scratching done by Qbert, Shortkut, Disk, and Toadman you cant go wrong... and emcee UB can sing too! Also the bonus track by Qbert is phenmomenal, do yourself a favor... BUY THIS NOW! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Fresh Breath in an otherwise stagnet world
Bomb records. most people haven't heard of this label unless they hail from the bay area or they are a fan of the fine art of dj'ing, by listening to the return of the dj albums. in this collection, some of the most innovative dj's you've never heard take center stage and show some skills. in this compilation, you should find some names that might be known, like the invisble skrch piklz (mixmaster mike, dj q-bert), peanut butter wolf, j-live and dilated peoples. to those that have picked this up, now look deeper to tracks by faust and shortee and dj z-trip. these cats are elevating the game and bringing true freshness to the game of hip hop. DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT think that this is a techno album. the dj's in this set are dj's. they are the backbone of hip hop. anyone who thinks that a dj with a beat machine is a producer, think again. check out bomb anniversary collection and learn what the lost art of turtablism is all about.

although this is a solid effort from beginning to end, the presence of the track fascination by morganics is throwaway. this is simply a bad beat box impression with a british emcee who just doesn't undersdtand what he is saying. this is the only reason that this gem didnt' get five stars. check it out. if you call yourself a hip hop fan, you'll like it...unless you think that swizz beatz or mannie fresh (ruff ryders, cash money) are talented. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

it's gettin' foggy...
just saw these guy's in boston last monday and what i want to know is, where the hell was everybody else! i know it was a monday but what else did you have to do that was so freakin' important...well the small crowd added to the intimaticy of this wonderful group...they played as though hundreds of people showed up instead of the ten plus...you could easily tell how wholeheartedly devoted they were to their unique sound (which any discription would fall far short from what was being produced, so i won't try)...please check this fantastic group out, you won't be disappointed...Greenn#3

A warm and murky trip through the Fog.
Take a little trip through the mind of Andrew Broder aka Fog. Apparently someone forgot to clue Mr. Broder in on the fact that music has genres, walls that should be left up, and bridges not to be crossed. Maybe he knows exactly what he's doing. Maybe he's watching Beck's genre-blending antics rocket him towads success and stardom and Fog has decided to follow. But for some reason I don't think so. Fog is a million times more sincere. He wears his heart on his sleave and it looks good there. The album has a beautifully cohesive feel from beginning to end, it makes you feel as though you are walking through the Fog.

Some highlights of the album:

"A Word of Advice" opens the album with MF Doom guest MCing and giving you some words of wisdom on how to live your life.

The albums first single "Pneumonia" is a tale of Fog's brush with the disease itself. Beautiful lyrics telling of silverfish, casserole quality, and revelations of life. This track would be a top 10 single in a perfect world.

"Check Fraud" is the albums next single, Broder explains this track as being about "the guilt of being wealthy". Japanese flute scratches abound.

A burst of guitar and scratched drums open "Truth & Laughing Gas" and get the second half of the album of to a flying start. This is one of the most perfect meldings of guitar and turntables accomplished to date.

The albums closing tracks of "Ghoul Expert" and "And Stay Out" showcase Broder's penchant for writing anthemic rock ballads on par with Radiohead. Fog harmonizes lovley melodies with himself and lets you slowly emerge from this murky world and back into you own.

Another amazing release from Ninja Tune and definitely a contender for album of the year. My only complaint is why did Ninja Tune remove two tracks from Fog's original independant release of the album? These tracks, "Heartcrusher" and "Just A Boy Growing Up", are beautiful pieces of the album and deserve to be heard. Let's hope Ninja releases them in the future.

not for those expecting more ninja tune fanfare
It's hard to accept what we don't understand. if exprimental music is what you are interested or you enjoy all means of music, this is for you. Andrew's Fog is very dope, featuring mf doom???? and dose one!!!! If you are a Cloudead fan, an anticon fan, or a fan of out there music than listen. but it's definitely not recycled bossa nova trip hop, which ninja tune has been known to release. It's beyond definition.

KOKOPELECTRONIC IS A WHITE HEAD!
Sometimes, mainstream heads, just need to be POPped. Kokopelectronic, reviewer before or after this, has a large white head, that talks of mainstream performers and tries to compare them to artists that are more embedded in the head. This artist cannot be POPped. He lurks deep inside your mind, with a copious amount of puss. The texture of this puss is solid, with critical IDM beats and beautiful atmospheric scratching.

With a hard squeeze or listen, this album, will grow and expand on your head, but definitely, cannot be POPped. Beware of all white heads, they provide the deep murky simulacra that we all have to trudge through, to find the truth...

fog delivers a decent album
against my better judgment, i picked up the fog album. my reasoning was that maybe they just picked a bad single and that the rest of the album would be better. and it is. moving between bizarre guitar samples, leftfield beats, and lots of crazy sounds, fog creates a world of noise that appeals to both the indie and the leftfield crowd. pneumonia really was the only possible single from the album that can stand on its own, so i don't blame ninja tune for releasing that. however, the rest of the album seems to be so much better. fans of kid koala's scratch records and other leftfield bands will enjoy this romp through sound. it does require your full attention to appreciate it, and shouldn't be listened to at work, or while trying to concentrate on something else. a true listening piece. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As the home of Black Star and Company Flow, Rawkus has made a name for itself as the label for any late-1990s discerning hip-hop fan. But DJs have come to know Rawkus as the home of some of the underground's best singles--tracks that were available only on vinyl until the label started the Soundbombing series. Soundbombing II opens with Beat Junkies J-Rocc and Babu working their magic on Eminem's "Any Man"--and while it's a strong track from the wack-minded MC, it's clear that the men behind the wheels of steel are hosting this party. That's not to imply that the MCs aren't doing their part--Mos Def is the best part of a great track on "B-Boy Document"; his partner in Black Star, Talib Kweli, busts out with his other crew, Reflection Eternal, and the sultry-voiced Bahamadia on "Chaos"; Medina Green displays a nice flow on "Crosstown Beef" (produced, incidentally, by De La Soul's Posdanuos); and Dilated Peoples drop their science over minimal backing on "Soundbombing." There's more (from Company Flow, Grand Puba, Sir Menelik, Common, and Sadat X, among others), and it's consistently interesting, if not consistently overwhelming. --Randy Silver ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Awesome
You will never get bored of this album. The beats, the flow and the mix are all top drawer. It takes a lot to get my head banging when I'm driving (or any other time) but this disk is so dope I find myself rapping like I'm a badass and banging my steering wheel with a passion. Its consistantly brilliant and I haven't yet found anything comparable. Mos Def, Dilated Peoples, High and Mighty; Their albums are excellent in places but I always find my finger hovering over the f-fwd button. Never with this one though. I recommend the dirty version, however.

AMAZING!
Want to talk about talent? Rawkus has got it! What a label! There's not one bad track. We're talkin REAL DJ's. They're one of the most talented labels I think. PROPS TO J-ROCC AND BABU! Please, keep the hits comin!

If you like the N.Y. underground style rap, you'll love this
Rawkus records is the best rap label out there. I got Lyracist Lounge and this one and they're the best 2 rap albums in my collection. What's best is it's got the hottest djs scratchin over beats at the beginning of almost every song. I haven't heard this good an album in a long time

Mix tape fans, cop this sh**!!
Even if you've never heard a mix tape/CD in your life, this CD is must buy! It is a classic from start to finish. It can and will give mainstream heads a whole new respect for underground hip-hop. But when the underground consists of artists like Cocoa Brovas, Mad Skillz, Common, R.A., Mos Def, and Talib Kweli, respect is essential! For all of you Eminem fans like myself, he still holdin' it down with has fabulous freestyle. I love all of the songs, but "1999" has the greatest classic feel of all the songs. It is the flagship which has graced the skies of BET(Video Vib, Rap City, etc.) and MTV(Yo!), bombarding listeners with lyrical darts a la Common and Sadat X and Talib Kweli, telling you not to sleep in this album! Take their advice, and get yours in the 1-9-9-9 by getting "Soundbombing II"!

REAL HIP-HOP IZ MAKING A COME BACK
Put it in your cd player and let it play. You won't even have to worry about fast forwarding. It's blazing hot. Hard knock beats and bomb lyric's. This cd is "REAL HIP-HOP". ... Read more

Album Description

After the Wake up Show Mix Archives series, DJ Revolution arrives with a new project, a breaks album, certainly one of the most impressive of the last past years.

An incredible succession of breaks gathered by Revolution across the world, from rare funky soul, hard funky drum breaks to classic samples like Herbie Hancock and the Bar-Kays plus incredibly hard to find library music on labels like KPM and Selected Sound.

Listen as Revolution destroys and then rebuilds some of these rare gems...The signature cuts and blends that people have come to expect from one of the world’s sickest DJ’s are all here too.An essential instrumental album for all hip hop, electro and breakbeat fans. ... Read more

Album Description

Limited edition French pressing of the DJ's 2002 albumalong with a bonus CD (packaged in a paper sleeve)featuring two non album tracks, 'Six Days' (Bad CompanyMix) & 'Right Thing/GDMFSOB' (KZA Mix). A&M. ... Read more

Album Description

The debut Gonervill album fuses futuristic beats with soulful song structures to produce what they call "Organitronic Instro Hip-hop" music.This album features DJ Eddie Def (Space Travelers, El Stew), drummer Brain (Primus, Praxis, El Stew), bassist Extrakd (El Stew), with guest guitarist M.I.R.V. (Limbomaniacs). ... Read more

Reviews (2)

an unearthed gem on this one
i havent heard the rest of this, but mr. lif's- 'ol crew is beyond amazing. this song alone is worth the price of this album.

the good hip-hop comps are usually better than most albums
... on account of your average lp's hit or miss quality. this falls into the 'better than most' comp category, on account of bombs from the legendary Biz Markie (featuring more than nice production from Paul Nice), the ever intelligent J-Live and the comfortable pairing of Pete Rock and Groove Attack's own Grand Agent. There are better comps, but as a good overview of where underground hip-hop is at right now this is maybe the best place to start. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An earful of Spinna
DJ Spinna shows why he is one of the most prolific producers on the scene today by way of "All Mixed Up", his extensive catalog of remixes. There aren't many Hip Hoppers included on this project apart from notables De La Soul and Mos Def. The rest are DJ Spinna's remixes of club hits and R&B cuts which include the likes of Les Nubians and the sublimely soulful Terranova. Spinna provides a diverse body of work (which is plenty) and keeps the beats heavy and energetic. There are two CD's included here. The first is DJ Spinna's own mix, as he seamlessly meshes each cut into the other without compromising the continuity of songs. The second is unmixed with fewer of the tracks listed. Regardless, a very good project top to bottom. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Bomb
Yet again a great mix by DJ RECTANGLE! This CD proves again that he knows exactly what he is doing when it comes down to it! This CD is deffinatly should be at the top of your "must have" CD's - Even if you don't userally listern to this stlye of music this one is definatly worth a listern!

SO STOP READING THIS AND GO AHEAD AND BUY IT! NOW! ... Read more

Album Description

The latest installment in the Under the Influence series is DJ mixed by the X-ecutioner's turntable master, Rob Swift.This journey through classic soul, funk and hip hop features tracks by DJ Quick, Marley Marl, Davey DMX and Rob Swift.

Rather than creating yet another mix CD based on current dance floor hits and trends, Six Degrees sheds light on a different aspect of DJ culture with Under the Influence.In this series, the most influential contemporary mixmasters reveal their personal favorites and sources of inspiration.Under the Influence combines the top picks from famous record crates along with tracks and musical collaborations from the featured mixers themselves. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

rare beats
looking for god rare beats+some history scratch turntable music get this cd one thing that I loved on this cd no master digital s..t pure record sound straight from turntable ... Read more