| On a long enough timeline, everything will get re-released on CD. That’s good news for those of you who like old-school hip hop but were not ambitious enough to buy it at the time. While many of today’s MCs are content to drop albums full of filler, a flashback to the late ’80s will remind you what it is all about.
Sony has just reissued the RUN-DMC catalogue in deluxe edition packaging. From their early self-titled album in 1984 to Tougher Than Leather in 1988, each record has bonus tracks and commemorative essays. More importantly, they give you a chance to revisit tracks like "Run’s House," "My Adidas" and "It’s Tricky" – rap and rock have never sounded so good together.
In an equally good move, Universal records has reissued The Source, On the Strength and Ba-Dop-Boom-Bang by Grandmaster Flash. This comes right on the heels of the deluxe-editions of Paid in Full, Follow the Leader and Gold by Eric B & Rakim this summer.
In the can’t-win-’em-all category, Canadian rap hero Maestro Fresh Wes and Orange records have released a career-spanning retrospective called Urban Landmark 1989 to 2005. While it’s great to hear the hits like "Drop the Needle," "Let Your Backbone Slide" and "Conductin’ Things," his work with Gowan doesn’t fare so well. Plus, he spends way too much time talking about his "conducting stick," if you know what I mean.
SOUL, BEATS & BREAKS
Artists with new releases on the way
October
John Arnold
Avant
Baby Anne & Jen Lasher
Roy Ayers
Blockhead
Boards of Canada
Dangerdoom
Diplo
DJ Irene
DK7
Doc Marten
Eternia
Funkservice International
Warren G
The Game
Al Green
Richie Hawtin
Isley Brothers
Jedi Mind Tricks
Sander Kleinenberg
Lil’ Flip
Sheek Louch
Meat Beat Manifesto
Ninja High School
Omega One
Purple City
Sadat X
Markus Schultz
Skalpel
Slum Village
Smitty
Think Differently
Trick Daddy
Bill Withers
November and December
AFX (Aphex Twin)
Ashanti
ATB
Bonobo
Boozoo Bajou
DJ Clue
Ginuwine
Tom Green
Greyboy
Jamie Foxx
Floetry
The Fugees
Ghostface Killah
Ja Rule
Jagged Edge
Kardinal Offishall
Lil’ Wayne
NMS
Nelly
Ne-Yo
N.O.R.E.
One Self
Owusu & Hannibal featuring Morgan Geist and Up Hygh
Gilles Peterson
P-Love
Pharrell
Public Enemy
Radio City
Roots Manuva featuring Damon Albarn
Juelz Santana
Wumpscut
The Zen Society |
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