Reviews (1)

DJ Food: UMMMMMMMM UMMMMMMM Good
This album was a venture for me because I wasn't really into techno, but after hearing a few tracks I must say I ROCKS. I would recommend this to any of you hardcore tech heads out there. I like to listen to this when I am at work to keep me from getting to bored. It gets 2 thumbs up. ... Read more

Album Details

Five Mixes of Title Track - Dan's Radio Mix, Dan's Groove Pt.1, Jan's Big Funk, Brand New Harvey's Mix, Doble's the Way it Should Be Mix. ... Read more

Album Description

Japanese release featuring all five tracks from the U.K. CDsingle for 'Naxalite' ('Naxalite' (Main Mix), 'Free SatpalRam' (Russell Simmins Remix) and the Pusher Sound Mix, UrbanDecay Remix & Silver Haze Mix of 'Culture Move'), plus twoNOT on it, live vers ... Read more

Reviews (1)

south asia's answer to rage against the machine
these guys are all about the post-colonial anger and they do it well...the same spirit as rage against the machine, but in a more reggae/dub style (you'd swear the guy was caribbean and not south asian when you heardit...they've got a solid message wrapped in beats and rhythm...an excellentbuy... ... Read more

Amazon.com

On this record, the Brand New Heavies play their funky, jazzy British soul behind some of the finest MCs of the early '90s. Sadly, only Gang Starr survived the next few years as a viable allstar, but these tracks document a golden age of hip-hop writing. Gang Starr's Guru declaims; Brand Nubian's Grand Puba is laid-back and playful; Masta Ace is agile and crisp. A shimmery, techno-edged guitar riff brightens Kool G. Rap's street-real "Death Threat," while Black Sheep play verbal Three Stooges on "State of Yo" and Pharcyde get all Little Rascals on the comic "Soul Flower." As Puba says: "The bass player's real, and the drummer's real/It ain't just a simple loop so don't get souped."--Suzanne McElfresh ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Who Makes The Loot?
Grand Puba. Also, Kool G Rap ( yes, he can curse up a storm even against a semi-funky live beat), Ed OG, Black Sheep and even Masta Ace (the track, with its KRS 1 sample, grows on ya).

Jamalski and Tiger come off, unfortunately, like those annoying drunk guys at a dope house party who pin you against the wall and breath their stinky breathe in your face, while talking a whole lotta nothing. Fast forward past their booty tracks, please.

The fratrockish, Brit-funk beats, honestly, are nothing to write home about, but the novelty of a live band mixing it up with some real-life hip hop cats is enough to make this a must-have CD for your hip hop collection.

A little known gem
One of my favorite albums. I've played it so many times and it only gets better. Interested sounding rappers [not like Mace] rap over some fantastically simple funky riffs. Just try to be depressed listening to the Pharcyde with 'Soulflower' and you'll be dancing round you're house by the end of it. Anyone with even a remote like of Hip Hop or funk MUST by this album, because there isn't a chance of a sane person regretting it.

This CD grooves! -- don't let EXPLICIT scare you away!
I have listened to this CD very often for the last 6 years. One of my all time favorites. Good for those who aren't sure they like rap -- a jazzy background, and smooth (but edgy) lyrics and rhythm.

Classic mix of funk and hip-hop
This CD is still one of my all-time favourites. There's something about the (still rare) mix of live instrumentation and rap that really blows up the funk. The whole is more than the sum of the parts. And how did they talk that hype lineup of MCs into the studio anyway? There's something magical about the whole project, and you can hear it in EVERY track.

If you can't remember what it was about Gangsta, 'Death Threat' has stood the test of time as an evil classic: "Bodies are thrown off boats, and doin' dead-man floats, Straight down the river, with a bullet inside his muthaf**kin' liver". Compare 'Soul Flower' to the mix on 'Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde' to hear what the Heavies bring to the table.

Holds its own with the best of The Roots and Digable Planets. ... Read more

Album Details

Japanese Exclusive Release featuring all the UK Singles Remix Tracks. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very sweet
I got this not too long ago, and this is pretty cool. I like the LP version, Dub Pistols Club Mix, and Don't Stop the most. All tracks rule, except the Robbie Hardkiss Mix, which I had a bit of a problem with. Otherwise, it's sweet.

4.5 of 5 stars ... Read more

Reviews (6)

what the
DJ Cam's effort on this was very mediocre.Although I must say I am highly impressed with artists such as Shadow and Krush.This guy just doesnt seem to click into anything.Not funky enough to be dancey, not trippy enough to be meditationally deep.It just sits in the middle as one of those definate back ground albums and I for one never expect music to be in the back ground so this will be heading stright back to the second hand shop I bought it from.Was worth seeing hes worth.

...Cam(e) back to attack...
After displaying a different vibe with the live studio mix of K7's Dj Kicks, Cam revisits that Jazz Vault that was prominent on his "Mad Blunted Jazz" album. rase1bannon made mention in a review of Cam's "French Connection" that Cam is not as "groundbreaking" as Krush or Shadow. I would venture to say, that what makes Shadow "groundbreaking" is how he took the baseline from Metallica's "Orion" and used it in "The number song". Well if "Friends and Enemies", "Essences"(of any part), or "Hip Hop Pioneers" does nothing for you, then at least wonder how a guy from France watches "Interview with the Vampire" and takes the opening theme and makes it into one of the Hardest yet most beautiful tracks "Twilight Zone". Pretty "groundbreaking" really.

question
hi, is there anyone who knows what DJ cam contained the samples in TWILLIGHT ZONE? the orchestra on the dirty beat, please tell me

abstract hiphop?
The growing world of abstract hiphop is producing some great material, but to qualify as hip hop, it must be hiphop, and that means it has to be real. Dj Cam's"Substances" seems to forget that at times, vergingmore towards ambient and triphop. While the fusion of arabic music,hiphopinstrumentals and jazz produces some fresh results (check out "lostkingdom")underground hiphop headz might find the whole album toodetached from the raw beats and street philosophy they're used to.

Damn! If you like trip hoppy stuff, you'll love this!
This album is so nice. It's a fantastic, mellow, and beautiful set of songs that combine jazzy and trip hoppy music into some cool stuff. If you like Portishead, Massive Attack, Hooverphonic, etc. you will go nuts forthis! ... Read more

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring Bonus Tracks. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

EVERYTHING THE HEAVIES TOUCH TURNS TO GOLD!!!!
WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN A CD FULL OF BNH REMIXES??? THEY CONTINUE TO BE ONE THE MOST POWERFUL GROUPS IN THE ACID JAZZ REVOLUTION.

great remixes and some awesome new stuff too
This collection of remixed BNH hits and some new songs is great for fans of their music. Most of the remixed songs are from the Brother Sister album but with a twist that makes buying this CD worth it. The vocals of Jan Kincaid in "Keep Together" are a refreshing change from the female vocals we're used to. The new songs are great too. If you're looking for a CD you can groove to, definitely check this out. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Molotov es la Reata!!!
Molotov is quite honestly one of the most talented bands in the history of Mexican rock. In this album, I get the feeling the band just set out to do what no other band had done in terms of social and political criticism. As far as the language and expressions they use, it's just what Hip-Hop has been about in the U.S. for so long: say what's on your mind, and let the censors go f''k themselves. This album's complete power might be incomprehensible to people outside of Mexico or who don't understand the lyrics 100% (homophobic ?!?! "que por unos cuantos varos, todo el mundo te ha ensartado"...the whole song is a an attack on the typical she-snakes that inhabit this planet...aprende español cabron!!) This album should be required listening in high school Spanish 101...

some great and some not so great songs
When Molotov puts together a good song, it's great (or example: Gimme the power, que no te haga bobo jacobo, voto latino, puto). These songs are great musically and lyrically. Unfortunately, while they sing intelligently about the evils of intolerance in Voto Latino, they express blatantly homophobic attitudes in Porqúe no haces más allá. It's a shame that a band with such great potential and such great songs also produces such unenlightened lyrics at times. Still, it's worth it for the good songs.

This album is a real ORGASM.
This an album you don't want to miss. I just attended the WATCHA TOUR CONCERT San Diego CA and after listening to this band I definetly had to attend their second show in LA. All I can say is that MOLOTOV'S DONDE JUGARAN LAS NINAS ESTA DE POCA MADRE. ... Read more

Album Description

The first single from his 1998 album 'Angels With DirtyFaces'. A double A-side, Pt.2 has 'Money Greedy', 'BrokenHomes' (Hip Hop Mix) and '360 Degrees'. Colorful picture CD.Slimline jewel case. 1998 Island release. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Weird trip hop...
This is kinda weird music. Nothing like the peaceful and soft music that comes from Massive Attack or Alpha. "Money Greedy" is a track that has quite some energy in it - it's almost danceable. But I'm not really into Tricky's voice. It's almost like he's trying to be scary and mean. "Anti Histamine" is an experimental track, with Tricky and Martina Topley-Bird on the vocals. I think the female singer saves this track. Without her, it would be a little bit too dark and sinister.

"Broken Homes" is a beautiful one, and the best one. There is Tricky, and a childrenchoir, but the best is the ethereal, almost fragile voice of P(olly) J(ean) Harvey. She sings in a totally beautiful way, way different from her own full-cd's like "To Bring You My Love" or "Is This Desire ?". "Girl" from "Dance Hall At Louse Point" with John Parish comes close. Make sure you go for the original version of this song - "Hip Hop Mix" ( with Martina Topley-Bird ) is not as good. ... Read more

Album Details

Orishas Are a Ground-breaking Cuban Rap Group Composed of Four Young Rapper/Singers. They Incorporatie Traditional Cuban Rhythms Into their Sound, which Can Be Compared to American Groups Such as Gang Starr and a Tribe Called Quest. Included on this Album is a Fine Version of Compay Segundo's 'el Chan Chan' Re-worked Here as '537 C.u.b.a.' ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Learn about Cuba, feel like a cuban!
Represent: Cuban hearthbeat, real rithm and cuban music; 537 C.U.B.A: homesick and neverstopping sadness for the live and the people left behind. You will fall in love with this CD. It will make you dance and think. This guys have mixed the sound of salsa, cuban rumba, authentic "son", soul, reagee and hip hop really good. I hope will listen to more of them.

Excelente
Este disco es excelente. La mezcla afro-cubana con el hip- hop moderno hacen de este disco uno de los mejores en su categoría. Ojalá podamos conseguir nuevos trabajos de ls Orishas pronto. Lo recomiendo 100%. No se defraudará ni se arrepentirá de comprar este disco.

All throughout Cuba!
I flew in to La Habana 3 weeks ago. I was picked up at the airport by my best friend Timo and two of my cuban friends, Cicci and Fernandito. My Yunta Timoteo interupted me to say, "Yo money...you GOT to listen to this!"
"A lo Cubano" was kickin in the cassette player of the Peugot we rented for our trip across Cuba. From Habana to Camaguey, I found that all Cubans were well aware of the group ORISHAS and was accepted by young and old. Every song on this CD is a smash hit, with a fusion of Afro-Cuban Rythms, Reagge Riffs, Salsa Sounds, clever Gangster Hip Hop Beats and even some soulfull Son. They pay homage to thier Gods', thier country and most of all thier way of life. They tell it like it is. What it's like to be Cubano. It's real life cuban culture. They REPRESENT CUBA and LA MUSICA! What I liked the most is that they recognize they're Mexican, French & English fans by including some of thier colloquial slang in ORISHAS masterful compilation. These guys have obviously been influenced by other cultures and their fusion has proved thier success. It's serious, funny, sad, mad, and upbeat all at the same time. Since I've been back in the YUMA (USA) I've turned it on to many of my friends. Everyone who hears it thumpin on my stereo always asks, "Who are those guys?" Even though it's mostly Cuban Spanish, It easily crosses over to mainstream American Hip Hop with a Heavy Yoruba flavor. I have not been able to stop listening to it. It's only a matter of time before they are recognized everywhere. I see a Grammy in thier future. Defenitly for New Latin Artist. I hope to catch them in concert somewhere. Get the CD! You wont be sorry.
Que Bolaa...Asere?

Fine Potential
On my way out of L'Habana a few days ago, I caught a cab at 4:30 am from the Parque Centrale to Jose Marti Int'l Airport when suddenly the cabbie's cassette player began to thump this heady rap. I was completely enthralled. On learning that I'm Nigerian, the driver sped me forward to Cantos para Elewa and Cantos, certainly, is the finest cut on this really fine album by one of Cuba's leading young acts. I don't speak Spanish, so, maybe 537 Cuba will do something for those who understand it. It just reminds me of the Buena Vista Social Crap. I think that Orishas are in their finest form when they side-track speakeasy guitar [which any trio in any of L'Habana's million restaurants can furnish you any given evening of the year], tack down to bare percussion and speed-drag their delivery. Searing.

A LO CUBANO
THIS IS A GREAT CD. THIS GUYS ARE REALLY GOOD, THEY TAKE ME BACK TO MY ROOTS, JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES AND IT'S LIKE YOU'RE WALKING IN HAVANA. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM IN CONCERT. thanks. ... Read more

Album Description

UK compilation showcases the acid jazz act during it'searly and most credible period. 15 tracks including thehits, 'Stay This Way', 'Dream Come True', 'Never Stop' andthe raw funk of 'Sphynx' and 'Put The Funk Back In'. 2001release. Standard jewel case. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Fun-Da-Mental's debut, Seize the Time, arrived in 1994, a period when hip-hop's revolutionary sounds and African American identity politics were being applied to all sorts of ethnicities (e.g., the Irish B-boys in House of Pain). Representing Britain's South Asian community, Fun-Da-Mental used Public Enemy-style sounds and agitprop to express their own political protest. Too often, though, the music came across as simple-minded preaching over a groove-deficient sonic mush. Fun-Da-Mental were out of the action for a while as the likes of Talvin Singh and Cornershop established a U.K.-based Indian new-music movement, but they return with Erotic Terrorism. While the lyrics can still sound as tired and oppressive as the regimes they attack, the group's embrace of electronica and traditional Eastern styles make the music infinitely more listenable this time out. After all, the first step in making people understand is getting them to listen. --Roni Sarig ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Musical/Political Manifesto and Masterpiece
Bottom Line: An amazing blend of Indian, Pakistani, jazz, rock, funk, folk music, samples, and spoken word pieces.

Fun-Da-Mental are black and Asian English lads. I mention this only because it is so significant to their music and politics. Fun-Da-Mental's music is a shouted demand that we realize that racism and oppression is still very real and its perpetrators have no intention of stopping. Their message is on the trajectory of Ghandi, Malcolm X, and Bob Marley: stand up, demand your freedom.

"Oh Lord!" Is built around the samples "Repression is of the devil" and "Devil would like a word." The message is clear: racism and oppression is the evil that plagues us. This message is set to a very catchy hard-edged tune with north-African styled horn, heavy drums and guitars.

"Intensely absolutely there" - is the chorus of "Demonized Soul." The frustration and anger with social repression is expressed through massive jungle drums and punk vocals. Possesses all the energy and fury of true British punk.

The rhythm of "GODevil" is catchy with spoken lyrics joined by south-Asian instruments. Between politically-charged verses, the song returns to the Ministry-like chorus: grating guitars, thundering drums and screamed: "Sin will merge with your reality." Those unafraid to get within the din will discern a layered sonic attack of voice, guitars, drums united for the purpose of winning through its message about racial oppression.

A song of pure adrenalin, "Ja Sha Taan" samples Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. They very effectively overdub the vocals to make them almost fierce. A high-pitched cry creates an eerie wail that sounds like a cry to action. Further layers of sound are added: a tabla-styled rhythm line, drones, and western drums. The power of vocals, electronics, and drums blast forth in a wall of sound that stay true to the spiritual heart of the song, while generating an ecstatic dance anthem.

"Blood in Transit" is bodily noises set in a crude melody blessfully only 1:23 long.

After that brief intermission, "Repent" returns to music. Based on a tribal drum rhythm with a minimum of electronics, "Repent" tells the story of white colonial oppression through samples of a black preacher:

"White folks haven't even acknowledged that they done you wrong
They have not REPENTED for what they did to your fathers."

The drum beat is so infectious and so superbly mixed with the preaching that the song cannot be denied from entering into your soul.

In the style of 70's funk comes "Deathening Silence." Lyrically the most complex of the songs on the album, it tells the story of how cries for justice fall upon the deaf ears of an apathetic culture.

"And in the vastness there I saw,
Specks of dust creating laws,
Writing poems that lost ones never shared,
Spirits only dared,
Disturb the sound of deafening silence."

Fun-Da-Mental sees the message of culture and the media as a deathening silence of non-acknowledgement.

Industrial-metal fans will love "Furious." It's a song which, well, is pretty furious, directed at our complacent society:

They believe it's a myth, it's internal death,
Lost children need strength but have no belief,
Their beliefs easily taken, no need for a thief,
Furious, Furious.

Very heavy and loud, with lyrics shouted rather than sung. Nawaz concludes the song speaking:

"Wherever fascism exists as a form of government, it deserves to be fought, whether it is Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Atheist."

"See I A" speaks against war, how civilian causalities are only "dust on ants' feet," to the perpetrators of war. The music is a unique blend of American folk and south Asian rhythm. The tempo is a slow blues crawl. A banjo plays rhythm guitar to the vocals while percussion lays down a syncopated Asian beat.

"The Distorted C" is nice blend of techno and classical Indian. Based on a Bhangra rhythm, synths add a secondary techno rhythm. On top of that is added long strokes of Indian strings, violin-like in sound. They mix readily forming a short but danceable mid-tempo song.

"One Ness" is another track based on a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan song. Delightfully mellow, the vocals are kept true this time, adding only synthesizer accompaniment. The blend of classical and modern works very as Nusrat's organic vocals play off the high tech chords. A soothing, beautiful song. The beauty makes Nawat's after-song comments all the more compelling:

"Changes? Think there's been a lot of changes? Nah, the changes that have come have come from the pure stubborn love and sacrifice of many, many black people. Just for that little bit of change. You can still see racism, you can still see it people's eyes. It just doesn't balance out: that amount of struggle for that amount of change. And I'm sure people are just accommodating. That's not change. Accommodation is not change."

"Sliced Lead." opens with vocals from a south Asian love song then switching to light electronics and a rock backbeat. Whispered vocals sing to the backbeat with instrumental interludes of harmonium, sax, and another south Asian vocal sample. It's as close to radio-friendly song as is on this album; club-friendly too. I can see people dancing to this.

"What bothers me is that bad things happen and no one does anything about them."

That's how the final song, "Tongue Goes Cold," begins, read by a female child. It is followed by a funk bass rift layered with funkier electronics and jazz percussion. The half-spoken, half-sung lyrics are like beat poetry.

"Oblivious to what it is,
Keep it curious,
Grown to a medical specimen,
Paranoid, mad, careless deviance."

Erotic Terrorism ends with a series of samples from various sources - news, politicians, preachers, and activists. It culminates with Nawat calling for a vision of people looking at all us, finally, as one race - the human race.

While many won't be able to stomach the politically charged message, Erotic Terrorism is an incredible example of how one can set the struggle against racism to some superb music.

COMPLETELY CAPTIVATING
I love the passionate lyrics, and vocals, and EVERYTHING! This music is awesome, this album is awesome, and i recommend every other cd of the band.

Beautiful, Intense, and HARD
The images on the insert of this CD say it all.With the Universal Declaration of Human Rights overlaid on the images.No excuses.No hidden messages."Your brain is an instrument of torture or protest."Fun^da^mental's incredible hard driving rich exquisite mix of Asian, hard, fusion, and punk is difficult and wonderful.Buy this CD if you can take it.sadhya ... Read more

Reviews (1)

These extreme jazzy breaks are very suited for relaxation...
The tracks on this cd are extremely suitable for relaxation. Nice and slow basslines are mixed with funky sound effects and awesome vocals. If you like drum and bass or breakbeat music in general this is "a must have"! ... Read more