JUST IN - 9th Wonder - The Wonder Years (Duck Down Music)

Reissue Double Vinyl LP £30.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 10th January 2025

Finally back on vinyl, this 2011 release was the first proper full-length showcase for the Grammy Award-winning superproducer. The signature soulful style of 9th’s beats was a sensation in hip hop and R&B--for underground fans and in the mainstream--and he played a leading role in bringing North Carolina to the forefront of American music culture in the 21st century.

Featuring guest appearances by Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller, Raekwon, Masta Killa, Warren G, Marsha Ambrosius, Terrace Martin, Talib Kweli, Blu, Raekwon, Murs, Skyzoo, and more.

Track Listing:

Make It Big (feat. Khrysis) | Band Practice | Enjoy (West Coastin’) (feat. Warren G, Murs & Kendrick Lamar) | Streets Of Music (feat. Tanya Morgan & Enigma of Actual Proof) | Hearing The Melody (feat. Skyzoo, Fashawn & King Mez) | Loyalty (feat. Masta Killa & Halo) | Now I’m Being Cool (feat. Mela Machinko & Median) | Never Stop Loving You (feat. Terrace Martin & Talib Kweli) | Band Practice Pt. 2 | Piranhas (feat. Blu & Sundown of Actual Proof) | Peanut Butter & Jelly (feat. Marsha Ambrosius) | Your Smile (feat. Holly Weird & Thee Tom Hardy) | No Pretending (feat. Raekwon & Big Remo) | 20 Feet Tall (Remix) (feat. Erykah Badu & Rapsody) | That’s Love (feat. Mac Miller & Heather Victoria) | A Star U R (feat. Terrace Martin, Problem & GQ) | Make It Big (9thmatic Remix) (feat. Big Remo)

PRESALE - Derya Yildirim & Grup Simsek - Yarin Yoksa (Big Crown)

Vinyl LP £20.99 Add to basket
Purple Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket
CD £10.99 Add to basket
Cassette £9.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 14th March 2025

Big Crown Records is proud to present Derya Yildirim & Grup Simsek’s latest album Yarin Yoksa. The show stopping intensity of Derya backed by the psychedelic soul of Grup ?im?ek with production by Leon Michels has yielded a stand out record that challenges genre with a broad appeal and a powerful message.

They refer to themselves as “outernational” over international as they say it suggests a sound that’s more inclusive or “beyond borders.” Derya, who sings and plays the baglama, is German born to Turkish parents. Drummer Helen Wells is Berlin-based by way of South Africa while keyboard player Graham Mushnik and guitar/bass player Antonin Voyant are both French. The collective influences they bring to Anatolian music make for a completely unique and fresh sound that both pushes the genre forward and champions its rich heritage. Yarin Yoksa which translates to If There Is No Tomorrow delves into deeply personal pain and collective resistance with a central thread of loss, longing, and hope for change running throughout. The lyrics are poetic and rely heavily on symbolic language, metaphors, and storytelling while the music shifts track to track making each tune stand out on its own but work together perfectly as an album.

“Cool Hand”, the first single released on Big Crown in September of 2024, is a beautiful juxtaposition of intensity and light-heartedness over a thoroughly infectious groove. The message is poetic and complicated, repeatedly declaring “I love you, I’m crazy about you” but ultimately finding a sense of peace through accepting a broken heart. “Direne Direne” is a protest song that embodies the struggle and tireless pursuit of justice encouraging people to resist oppression.

Derya’s lyrics soar over the psych-soul musical backdrop as her story of personal struggle transforms to a universal call for resilience and strength. The slow and weighty vibe of “Yakamoz” lets onto the meaning of the lyrics even to those who don’t understand Turkish. It is a deeply moving song that captures the profound emotions connected to displacement and loss without knowing if you will ever return. The steady groove of the band, along with the anguished vocals paint a vivid picture of the devastation experienced by the protagonist who ultimately realizes that her roots are within her and anywhere she goes is her home.

Nine of the tunes on the album are original compositions but they also take on three Anatollian folk songs with their own inimitable approach. The acapella introduction of “Misket”, a folk song from Ankara/Türkiye, will stop you in your tracks. The tune deals with death and how the living cope and continue a relationship with those who have passed away. Another traditional tune from Sivas that they put their signature sound to is “Hop Bico”, a tune about a playful character named Bico who is a symbol of vitality and spirit. The synth intro grabs your ear from the first note and the earworm chorus encouraging Bico to lead the group in celebration and embrace life through dance has the same effect on everyone who hears it.

The band has taken a big step forward that you can hear on this record. Derya’s passion and authenticity is front and centre and the music is too moving to deny. Yarin Yoksa is sure to captivate the hearts and minds of all those who hear it, and just wait till you hear them play it live…

Tracklist:

SIDE A: 1 Çiçek Açiyor 2 Cool Hand 3 Yakamoz 4 Hop Bico 5 Bilemedim Ki

SIDE B: 6 Yüz Yüze 7 Istanbul’un Kuslari 8 Direne Direne 9 Ceylan 10 Misket 11 Günes

PRESALE - Okonski - Entrance Music (Colemine Records)

Vinyl LP £23.49 Add to basket
Coloured Vinyl LP £23.49 Add to basket
CD £11.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 28th February 2025

After nearly two years, Okonski returns with Entrance Music — an album that finds the trio at the height of their improvisational prowess and celebrating the spontaneous and meditative. On the heels of 2023’s debut Magnolia, pianist and leader Steve Okonski has reconvened long-time musical collaborators (Durand Jones and the Indications bandmate Aaron Frazer on drums and bassist Michael Isvara “Ish” Montgomery) for another session in the spirit of artists like the Bad Plus, Gerald Clayton, and The Breathing Effect. Ultimately Entrance Music serves as an invitation to early hours, where songs linger in the doorway, announcing their presence before returning to the air, in a meticulous drift into the next.

Recorded over a five day session, Entrance Music was one of the first albums committed to tape at Portage Lounge, Terry Cole’s studio in Loveland, OH. “It was a new setup, but with Terry behind the dials it was very familiar,” says Okonski. “I can’t emphasize enough how much Terry feels like a fourth member [of the band] because of the space he’s curating, the energy he is bringing, and the production ideas.” The energy and sound created with the Colemine label head at the helm makes for a listening experience equally at home with ECM or Stones Throw catalogues.

Whereas much of the debut resonates with his time in New York, Entrance Music “feels a little less ‘on the streets at 2 A.M.’ and a little more nature-based…a little more ethereal,” says Okonski. “It’s definitely age, environment, and family — all of that does come through in the music.”

Tracklist:

1. October 2. Vista 3. Lakebridge 4. Wind Or Vertigo 5. Passing Through 6. Summer Storm 7. Dahlia 8. Dusk 9. Penny

PRESALE - Various Artists – Hot Sauce Volume 5 (Harlem Shuffle)

Vinyl LP £19.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

Here is the much anticipated Volume 5 of the HOT SAUCE compilation LPs dedicated to the Trojan related labels between 1965 and 1975.

HOT SAUCE Volume 5 features outstanding original Rocksteady, Boss Reggae and early Reggae tracks including rare songs,overlooked gems, hidden treasures and a couple of hits. The record labels showcased on this fourth volume are Amalgamated, Bread, Downtown, Duke, Explosion, Grape, Harry J Records , JJ Records, Rio, Splash, Upsetter and Techniques.

Particular attention has been paid to the way the songs are sequenced so that the album builds up nicely and gradually, generally starting with the Rocksteady songs on the A side and the 70s songs on the B side.The HOT SAUCE series is a musical journey across Trojan and its labels showcasing early Jamaican Reggae’s diverse musical genres and outstanding artists.

Tracklist:

Side A:
A1. The Soul Leaders & Carib Beats - Pour On The Sauce • A2. Lynn Taitt & The Jets - I Spy A3. The Kilowatts - Real Cool Operator • A4. Sir Collins & The Black Diamonds - Black Diamonds A5. Clive’s All Stars & George Murphy - San Sebastian • A6. Eric Monty Morris - Cinderella A7. Dell Williams - Searching For Your Love

Side B:
B1. Derrick Morgan - I Who Have Nothing B2. Chenley Duffus - To Be A Lover • B3. Lloyd Charmers - President Version B4. Tony Bins - Musical Shower • B5. Annette Clarke - Just One Look B6. The Jay Boys - Del Gago • B7. Desmond Riley - Tear Them

PRESALE - Slum Village – F.U.N (Ne'astra Group)

Coloured Vinyl LP £27.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

The latest full length album from Detroit mainstays Slum Village, F.U.N., has now made its way to vinyl.

The 12-track project is their first album in nearly ten years and includes fresh collaborations with Larry June, Cordae, Eric Roberson, Robert Glasper , Karriem Riggins, Abstract Orches- tra, Sango, Phat Kat, Daru Jones, Earlly Mac, The Dramatics and more. 2015's critically acclaimed Yes! further cemented T3 and Young RJ's ability to effectively carry on the legacy of the seminal rap group, retaining its essence while evolving its sound with fresh new energy.

However, with last year's sold out tour in Europe, and the release of the Larry June and The Dramatics-assisted "Just Like You", it was revealed that the duo was back in the lab together working on a new Slum Village album. F.U.N. finds Slum Village expanding on their signature certain sound, but still staying close to their hometown roots: Young RJ explains- “We wanted to just try something new, so we focused on making Disco-inspired music,” and T3 notes that the record- ing process all “began with collecting old Disco records.” For fans who wonder why the sonic shift, and why the long hiatus between proper albums, T3 says “Slum is still here. We’re still relevant and we’re still trying to push the envelope. Sometimes people put too many rules on music, and without sounding cliche, we wanted to just have fun with [this album].” F.U.N., indeed.

Tracklist:

Side A:
A1. Welcome (feat. Brittney Carte) A2. All Live (feat. Abstract Orchestra) A3. All Live Pt. 2 (feat. Sango, Phat Kat, & Daru Jones) A4. To The Disco (feat. Abstract Orchestra) A5. Yeah Yeah (feat. Karriem Riggins) A6. Just Like You (feat. Larry June & The Dramatics) A7. F.U.N.

Side B:
B1. Request (feat. Abstract Orchestra & Earlly Mac) B2. So Superb (feat. Cordae & Earlly Mac) B3. Keep Dreaming (feat. Karriem Riggins & Fat Ray) B4. Factor (feat. Elijah Fox & Eric Roberson) B5. Since 92 (feat. Robert Glasper)

PRESALE - Gangsta Blac – Breakin Da Law (Now-Again)

Grape Vinyl LP £27.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

The next release in Now Again's Memphis Rap series is Breakin Da Law presented on vinyl for the first time ever. This is Gangsta Blac's first, a swaggering and drawling gangster rap outing from hot and humid South Memphis.

This is part of Now Again Records multiple LP series on the History of Memphis Rap, which attempts to capture Memphis and its underground rap scene as it began to pro-duce some of the most distinctive music of the 90s. This was a unique hip-hop strain - visceral and often vicious. It was a local, low-fi, cassette-tape based movement yet it went on to change the course of rap music. These albums have never been pressed on vinyl - until now. From Skinny Pimp and Carmike to Gangsta Blac and Shawty Pimp, these albums have been relegated to the proverbial bins of history and bootlegged, with unofficial copies still fetching top dollar on the secondary market. These albums were all licensed directly from their original creators, and come on limited edition colored vinyl with artist-approved imagery for their first LP iterations.

You can read the story of the Memphis Rap scene in a 12-page, oversized booklet with notes by Torii MacAdams. It captures the story of Memphis rap starting with the city’s founding and ending with an auto supply shop that sold these albums over the counter, with all points in between.

Tracklist:

Side A:
A1. Intro A2. Comin’ At Yo Ass A3. Let’s Run A Train (feat. Lil Noid) A4. Dedications A5. Side A Outro

Side B:
B1. Ridin Thru The Hood (feat. 211) B2. Gangsta Shit B3. Smokin’ (feat. DJ Paul And Kingpin Skinny Pimp)

PRESALE - Killarmy – Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars (Coalmine Records)

Vinyl 2LP £30.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

For the first time ever, Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars, the seminal debut from Killarmy, has been reissued on vinyl through a collaborative release between Granddaddy Flow Entertainment and Coalmine Reissues. This groundbreaking album from the Wu-Tang Clan's extended family captures the spirit of a post-Desert Storm, pre-millennium era, channeling pro-black ideologies and war metaphors into a raw, cinematic listening experience.

Comprising 9th Prince, Killa Sin, Beretta 9, Islord, P.R. Terrorist, and ShoGun Assasson, Killarmy delivers a militant, unapologetically gritty aesthetic that redefined underground hip-hop. The album’s standout singles include the powerful “Camouflage Ninjas”, an anthem of guerrilla survival; “Wake Up”, a call-to-arms urging societal and personal revolution; and the incendiary “Wu-Renegades,” a battle cry for lyrical supremacy.

Guest contributions from Hell Razah, Masta Killa, Prodigal Sunn, and Streetlife enrich the project, while the production—helmed primarily by the iconic 4th Disciple—provides a hauntingly cinematic backdrop. With somber, ominous instrumentals and razor-sharp beats, 4th Disciple’s work embodies the raw and uncompromising tone of the album.

Originally released in 1997, Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars remains an incredible piece of art that helped cement the legacy of the Clan as the most far-reaching and fabled crew in hip-hop history. Its themes of survival, rebellion, and black empowerment resonate today, making this vinyl reissue a must- have for collectors and fans alike. Experience the militant poetry and dark sonic landscapes of Killarmy like never before.

Tracklist:

Side A: Nuclear
A1. Dress to Kill A2. Clash of the Titans (feat. Street Life) A3. Burning Season A4. Blood for Blood

Side B: Chemical
B1. Seems it Never Fails B2. Universal Soldiers B3. Love, Hell or Right B4. Wake Up (feat. Hell Razah, Prodigal Sunn) B5. Fair, Love & War

Side C: Mental
C1. Wu-Renegades C2. Full Moon C3. Under Siege C4. Shelter

Side D: Physical
D1. Camouflage Ninjas D2. Swinging Swords D3. War Face D4. 5 Stars (feat. Masta Killa)

PRESALE - Elzhi – Elmatic (Coalmine Records)

Vinyl LP £27.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

Between paying his dues at Hip-Hop Shop, building a buzz from his Out of Focus EP, and enjoying more visible success after joining the renowned group Slum Village, Elzhi always had a one-of-a-kind penchant for lyrical wizardry. With multilayered rhyme schemes, uncanny metaphors, and inventive concepts, he persistently had a case as the most gifted rapper in his city — even when Eminem dominated the charts.

But even some of his most dedicated fans knew that he hadn’t crafted a legacy-defining album yet. Such records often come from pain, and in 2009, that’s exactly what he dealt with: his Slum Village groupmate Baatin suddenly died in July, longtime manager and Detroit rap impresario HexMurda suffered a nearly fatal stroke two months later, and he went through a messy public breakup with SV the following year.

In 2011, Elzhi fearlessly took on the biggest challenge of his career: remaking Nas’ GOATed debut album Illmatic in his own name. He enlisted four-piece band Will Sessions to put a live, vibrant spin to sounds originally crafted by producers like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and Large Professor, and demonstrated lyrical wisdom about when to maintain the original spirit of a song and when to switch things up.

He conjures images of the blocks he grew up on with “Detroit State of Mind,” recounts a romance with a woman who had a traumatic childhood on “One Love,” and uses “Memory Lane” to take a nostalgic cruise through childhood connections before the pain from such reflections is too much to bear. The technical proficiency was potent as always, but emotiveness made Elmatic blossom: the wistfulness of his mother’s flowing hair before chemotherapy took it from her, falling in love with a woman he met in the mall, the palpable pride in the peaks and valleys of his city. It was a detailed, refined version of the introspection displayed on Out of Focus. Elmatic proved that Elzhi didn’t just have prodigious talent — he had a city to represent, and he had a story to tell.

Tracklist:

Side A:
A1. The Genesis A2. Detroit State of Mind A3. Halftime A4. Memory Lane A5. The World Is Yours

Side B:
B1. Represent B2. Life’s A Bitch (feat. Royce Da 5’9”, Stokley Williams) B3. One Love B4. It Ain’t Hard To Tell B5. Detroit State of Mind (Remix)

PRESALE - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Pinata (Madlib Invasion)

10th Anniversary Splatter Vinyl LP £30.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

Pinata - 10 Year Anniversary Edition Is Presented In A Green In Clear with Black & White Splatter Pressing Housed In An Variant Cover With A Collectable 24” x 24” Poster.

Pinata, the collaborative effort of famed producer Madlib and rapper Freddie Gibbs, changed the course for these two musical mavericks.

For its 10 year anniversary the project was issued with a fresh variant cover with the pressing being a half speed lacquered version of this hip hop classic..

Tracklist:

Side A:
A1.Supplier • A2. Scarface A3. Deeper • A4. High (feat. Danny Brown) A5. Harold’s • A6. Bomb (feat. Raekwon) A7. Shitsville • A8. Thuggin’ A9. Real • A10. Uno

Side B:
B1. Robes (feat. Domo Genesis & Earl Sweatshirt) B2. Broken (feat. Scarface) B3. Lakers (feat. Ab-Soul & Polyester the Saint) B4. Knicks • B5. Shame (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid) B6. Watts (feat. Big Time Watts) B7. Pinata (ft. Domo Genesis, G-Wiz, Casey Veggies, Sulaiman, Meechy Darko, & Mac Miller)

PRESALE - Curren$y & Monstabeatz - Radioactive (Next Records)

Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

After collaborating on dozens of records over the years, Curren$y and MonstaBeatz teamed up for Radioactive, their second ever full-length project. Both hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, the Jet Life lyricist and producer duo have built a steady catalog including their first acclaimed collaborative effort This Ain't No Mixtape released in 2009. Radioactive features 12 new tracks with additional guest appearances by Jay Worthy, Fiend and DeeLow Diamond Man.

Tracklist:

Side A: A1. News Report A2. There I Go A3. Where the Monstaz Be A4. Pull Up, Hop Out A5. Blade (feat. Jay Worthy) A6. News Report, Pt. 2

Side B: B1. The Groove (Interlude) B2. Fill In Da Blanks (feat. Fiend) B3. Bag Talk (feat. DeeLow Diamond Man) B4. Connecting The Dots B5. Spring Rolls (feat. Fiend)

PRESALE - Ol’ Dirty Bastard - N***a Please (Get On Down)

Yellow And Clear Vinyl LP £40.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

Ol' Dirty Bastard aka Ason Unique, real name Russell Jones, was truly a one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-imitated emcee. As one of the founding members of the Wu-Tang Clan, Ol' Dirty Bastard released his classic RZA-produced debut solo album Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version in 1995. After the release of Wu-Tang Forever in '97, ODB had several run-ins with the law and was in and out of court and jail, but it didn't stop him from being himself. ODB got back in the studio in 1999 to record his second studio album and with a little help from The Neptunes dropped the hit single "Got Your Money." The video for the single was cut with scenes from Dolemite and one scene inspired the name of the album N***a Please which was released on Sept 14th, 1999, and would unfortunately be the last album to be released during Ol' Dirty Bastard's lifetime. The album is full of ODB's lyrical antics backed by a crew of producers including the RZA and Wu-Tang affiliated Tru Master and Buddah Monk along with The Neptunes and Irv Gotti.

Out of print on vinyl since it was released 25 years ago, Get On Down is proud to honor the legacy of Ol' Dirty Bastard with a translucent yellow smoke and clear with smoke-colored vinyl pressing packaged in a gatefold jacket witha 25th Anniversary hype sticker.

Tracklist:

A1. Recognize (feat. Chris Rock) • A2. I Can't Wait • A3. Cold Blooded •
B1. Got Your Money (feat. Kelis) B2. Rollin' Wit You • B3. Gettin' High (feat. 12 O'Clock, La The Darkman & Shorty Shit Stain) B4 . You Don't Want F**k With Me •
C1. N***a Please • C2. Dirt Dog C3. I Want P***y •
D1. Good Morning Heartache (feat. Lil' Mo) • D2. All In Together Now • D3. Cracker Jack

PRESALE - Hyldon & Adrian Younge - Hyldon JID023 (Jazz Is Dead)

Yellow Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket
CD £11.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 4th April 2025

Hyldon, Brazil’s highly revered vocalist, musician and producer, has partnered with Adrian Younge to create a new psychedelic soul album, HYLDON JID023. The duo, highly inspired by Hyldon’s seminal work in the ‘60s and ‘70s, revisits’ the spirit of this epoch while creating a modern-day classic. Hyldon’s unique voice and lyrical depth, combined with Younge’s innovative analogue production, ensures this album will not be forgotten. JID023 is one of the last recordings featuring Hyldon’s long-time collaborator and friend, the late drummer Ivan “Mamao” Conti of Azymuth.

Hyldon, a musical pioneer and early contributor to the “Black Rio” movement is a genius in synthesizing the sounds of MPB, Tropicália and Black American R&B. His unique voice, coupled with his rich arrangements and laid-back grooves set him apart from the contemporaries of the time. In ’75, his remarkable debut album, Na Rua, Na Chuva, Na Fazenda changed the sound of Brazil forever. Hyldon’s earnest and experimental approach in creating that album served as the inspiration for Younge’s production on the new JID023.

Months before Mamão's untimely passing, Adrian Younge and Hyldon invited the legendary drummer to join them at Younge’s Linear Labs studio in Los Angeles. Mamão and Hyldon shared a rich musical history — Azymuth, Mamão’s group, served as the rhythm section for much of Hyldon’s work, including his iconic 1975 LP, Na Rua, Na Chuva, Na Fazenda. Their goal was ambitious: to craft an album that would stand alongside Hyldon’s finest achievements, one that would captivate fans who love his unique blend of psychedelic and soulful “Música Brasileira.” The result is nothing short of remarkable.

Tracklist:

Side A:
1. Viajante Do Planeta Azul 2. O Cacador De Estrelas 3. Olhos Castanhos 4. Jenipapo Robot

Side B:
5. Favela De Rio De Janeiro 6. Verao Nacalifornia (Summertime In California) 7. Um Lugar Legal 8. Nanderuvucu (The Creator God)

JUST IN - Adrian Younge - Adrian Younge Presents: Black Dynamite (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Linear Labs)

Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 10th January 2025

Adrian Younge Presents: Black Dynamite (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the first official release from composer and producer Adrian Younge. The album, inspired by the great blaxploitation soundtracks of the 1970s, is the meticulously crafted sonic 2 accompaniment to the cult classic, Black Dynamite. Younge commands the Rhodes electric piano, Hammond organ, Hohner Clavinet, harpsichord, synthesizer, vibraphone, guitar, bass, flute, sax, cello, and more to craft a singular vision of the era. Recorded and mixed by Adrian Younge at Linear Labs, the preeminent analog studio of Los Angeles, CA.

Tracklist:

A1. Black Dynamite Theme A2. Cleaning Up The Streets A3. Man With The Heat (Superbad) A4. Shine A5. Jimmy's Dead A6. Shot Me In The Heart A7. Black They Back

B1. Gloria (Zodiac Lovers) B2. Anaconda Malt Liquor B3. Jimmy's Apartment B4. Jimmy's Dead (Interlude) B5. Chicago Wind B6. Rafelli Chase B7.Jimmy's Dead (Instrumental) B8. Sir Charles Hughes – Dynomite (Suckapunch Re-edit)

JUST IN - Brownstone - From The Bottom Up (Sony)

Vinyl 2LP £23.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 10th January 2025

'Debut studio album by American female RnB/Soul trio Brownstone. Originally released by Epic Records in Jan '95. Featues the top 10 R&B hits "If You Love Me" and "Grapevyne," plus a cover of The Eagles' "I Can't Tell You Why". Executive production by Michael Jackson. This is a x12 trk, Double Black LP Vinyl. Marketing.

Tracklist:

1. Party Wit Me 2. Grapevyne 3. If You Love Me 4. Sometimes Dancin' 5. I Can't Tell You Why 6. Don't Cry For Me 7. Pass The Lovin' 8. Fruit Of Life 9. True to Me 10. Wipe It Up 11. Deeper Feelings 12. Half of You

PRESALE - Keziah Jones - Alive & Kicking (Because Music)

Clear Vinyl LP £33.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 24th January 2025

Keziah Jones is back with a new concept album entitled “Alive & Kicking” , recorded live in Lagos at Clout Africa Studio. Not only all his classics revisited ‘live in studio” but including 2 brand new singles (studio) “Melissa” & “Rainy Saturday” , his first ones since 2013. And as bonus 2 covers (of Ricky James ‘Below The Funk (Pass The J) & Police’s ‘The Bed's Too Big Without You).

Tracklist:

1.Kpafuca (live At Clout Africa Studio Lagos), 2.Beautiful Emilie (live At Clout Africa Studio Lagos), 3."Dear Mr Cooper" (live At Clout Africa Studio Lagos) , 4."Wisdom Behind The Smile (Cash)" (live At Clout Africa Studio Lagos), 5."Rhythm Is Love" (live At Clout Africa Studio Lagos), 6."Melissa" , 7."Femiliarise" (live At Clout Africa Studio Lagos), 8."Million Miles From Home" (live At Clout Africa Studio Lagos), 9."Rainy Saturday", 10."1973" (live At Clout Africa Studio Lagos), 11."Afrosurrealismfortheladies" (live At Clout Africa Studio Lagos), 12."Hello Heavenly" (live At Clout Africa Studio Lagos), 13."The Funderlying Undermentals" (live At Clout Africa Studio Lagos), 14."The Bed's Too Big Without You", 15."Below The Funk (Pass The J)"

PRESALE - Helen Humes - Songs I Like To Sing! (Concord)

Vinyl LP £33.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 24th January 2025

Jazz vocalist Helen Humes’ second album on Contemporary Records, “Songs I Like to Sing!” was released in 1961 and is conducted by Marty Paich. Backed by musicians including Art Pepper (sax), Leroy Vinnegar (bass), Shelly Manne (drums), Barney Kessel (guitar) and Andre Previn (piano). This new edition released as part of the Acoustic Sounds Series, features (AAA) lacquers cut from the original master tapes by Bernie Grundman and is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at QRP, and presented in a tip-on jacket.

Tracklist:

Side 1: If I Could Be With You | Don't Worry 'Bout Me | Mean To Me | Every Now & Then | I Want A Roof Over My Head | St Louis Blues

Side 2: 1.You're Driving Me Crazy | 2.My Old Flame | 3.Million Dollar Secret | 4.Love Me Or Leave Me | 5.Imagination | 6.Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone

PRESALE - Lightnin' Hopkins - Lightnin’ Strikes (Acoustic Sounds) (Decca)

Vinyl LP £33.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 24th January 2025

Recorded in 1966 for the Verve Folkways label, Lightnin’ Strikes may not have the notoriety as some of Lightnin' Hopkins’ other albums, but this set backed by Jimmy Bond (bass), Earl Palmer (Drums) and Don Crawford (Harmonica) is classic Lightnin’. From the opener, “Mojo Hand” to the ballad, “Woke Up This Morning,” Lightnin’ Strikes showcases classic blues from one of the best there was. Verve’s Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes and remastered 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.

Tracklist:

Side 1: Mojo Hand | Little Wail | Cotton | Take Me Back | Nothin' But The Blues

Side 2: Hurricane Betsy | Guitar Lightnin'| Woke Up This Morning | Shake Yourself

PRESALE - John Lee Hooker - It Serves You Right To Suffer (Acoustic Sounds) (Decca)

Vinyl LP £33.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 24th January 2025

Released on the Impulse! Records label in early 1966, this collection is a mix of new compositions and re-workings of tunes John Lee Hookerhad previously recorded, including a cover of Barrett Strong's 1959 Motown hit "Money (That's What I Want)." Featuring Panama Francison drums, Milt Hinton on bass, and Barry Galbraith on second guitar, the result is some of the best John Lee Hooker material with a band that you're likely to come across. Verve’s Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes and remastered 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.

Tracklist:

Side 1: Shake It Baby | Country Boy | Bottle Up & Go | You're Wrong

Side 2: Sugar Mama | Decoration Day | Money | It Serve You Right To Suffer

PRESALE - Jeshi - Airbag Woke Me Up (Because Music)

Silver Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 24th January 2025

Back in December 2016, Jeshi fell asleep whilst driving home from a party at 5am, and he crashed into a park car, only to be woken up by the airbag exploding in his face. This is the inspiration for album two. The new album is a statement of waking up and levelling up from the last period of his life. This is a new era, and full of energy.

Jeshi doesn’t run away from fire; he runs with it. The East London artist is on a quest to feel alive in every sense. To him, feeling alive means being present in each experience, no matter how challenging. For Jeshi – who has spent the last few years establishing himself as one of the most exciting voices of his generation – this is what life and art are all about. Chaos, then, is not something to shy away from, but where great ideas are born. Jeshi’s electrifying second album, AIRBAG WOKE ME UP is a collection of moment-capturing songs built to ignite reactions and start conversations. His scene-stealing jaunts to stages worldwide clearly influence its live-wire sound, as Jeshi and his cohorts smash through moods and tempos like kids let loose on funfair dodgems.

Tracklist:

BAD PARTS ARE MY FAVOURITE | SCUMBAG | HURRICANE (feat. LEILAH) | YOU SNOOZE YOU LOSE (INTERLUDE) (feat. Chassol) | ALONE TONIGHT | EVERY DOG | SAINT OR SINNER (feat. Sainté) | DEERS IN THE ROAD | LOVE SONGS | DISASTER (feat. Elijah Waters) | STUCK ON LOOP (feat. LEILAH) | DISCONNECT! (feat. Fredwave, Louis Culture & J.Caesar) | CALLED ME INSANE (feat. Elijah Waters) | OVER YOU

PRESALE - The Weeknd - Hurry Up Tomorrow (Island Records)

Clear Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket
CD £11.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 24th January 2025

Hurry Up Tomorrow is the upcoming sixth studio album by the Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd. It is scheduled to be released through XO and Republic Records on January 24, 2025. The album contains confirmed guest appearances from Playboi Carti and Anitta. Production was handled by the Weeknd himself, Max Martin, Oscar Holter, Pharrell Williams, Mike Dean, Ojivolta, Twisco, and Sean Solymar, among others. The album was supported by three singles: "Dancing in the Flames", "Timeless" (with Playboi Carti) and "São Paulo" (featuring Anitta).

It will be also be supported by the upcoming psychological thriller film of the same name. The album serves as the final part of a trilogy, following the Weeknd's previous two studio albums, After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022).

Tracklist:

Fades to Black / Run Away | Wake Me Up | Take Me Back to LA | Dancing in the Flames | Sao Paulo (with Anitta) | Let's End it All | Run Away | Hurry Up Tomorrow

PRESALE - Maribou State - Hallucinating Love (Ninja Tune)

Coloured Vinyl LP £20.49 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £20.49 Add to basket
CD £9.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

Six years after their second album, ‘Kingdoms in Colour’, made them one of the hottest names in electronic music (“The perfect end-of-summer soundtrack.” - Q), Hertfordshire duo Maribou State return with their third full length album.

‘Hallucinating Love’ is worth the wait: it’s ambitious, packed with sublime anthemia, and is injected with restless energy, soaring strings and stunning guest vocals from long-standing collaborator Holly Walker and new friends like MOBO- nominated artist Andreya Triana. It evidences Maribou State’s evolving balance of intimacy and intricacy, as well as their knack for making epic sundown music. Also features collaborations with Gaidaa and North Downs.

Tracklist:

Blackoak | Otherside | II Remember | All I Need | Dance on the World | Bloom | Peace Talk | Passing Clouds | Eko’s | Rolling Stone

PRESALE - Madvillain - Madvillainy Demos (Stones Throw Records)

Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

In 2002, the first demo sequence of ‘Madvillainy’ leaked online. The tracks contained early vocal cuts from MF DOOM, recorded and quickly mixed in Los Angeles at Madlib’s Bomb Shelter studio. The demos may have been unfinished but fans could already understand that this was a hip-hop album unlike any other.

DOOM rerecorded vocals - alluding to the leak on ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ - and Madlib added new beats and changed up the sequence. Leaks could kill an album’s momentum in the early 2000s but the demos only whetted fans’ appetites; when Madvillainy came out in 2004 it was “one of the most anticipated releases in underground rap history,” according to Pitchfork.

Available on vinyl for the first time, the ‘Madvillainy Demos’ are early versions of what is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.

Tracklist:

Do Not Fire! (demo)| Bistro (demo)| One False Move (‘Great Day’ demo)| America's Most Blunted (demo) | Operation Lifesaver... AKA Mint Test (demo) | Figaro (demo) | Rainbows (demo) | Just for Kicks (‘Meat Grinder’ demo) | Fancy Clown (demo) | Shadows of Tomorrow (demo) | Money Folder (demo) | Stakes (‘Supervillain Theme’ demo) | All Caps (demo) | One False Move (‘Great Day’ demo instrumental)

PRESALE - Madvillain - Madvillainy (Stones Throw Records)

Vinyl LP £30.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

The only studio album by Madvillain (MF DOOM and Madlib), widely regarded as one of the best hip-hop albums of all time.

“Inexhaustibly brilliant, with layer-upon-layer of carefully considered yet immediate hip-hop, forward-thinking but always close to its roots.” - Pitchfork

This new version includes upgraded packaging combined with audiophile sound quality for the ultimate listening experience. ‘Madvillainy’ as you've never heard it before. 45rpm 180g audiophile vinyl, cut by Scott Stratton at Bernie Grundman Mastering and pressed at Optimal.

Madvillainy’ has been certified Gold in the US (500k units) and the UK (130k units) and is included in Greatest Albums Of All Time lists by the likes of Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Clash, Complex, The Guardian, NME, HipHopDX and many more.

“Madlib and DOOM are individually at their most refined here, and together, they’ve created one of the most exciting blockbuster alliances in the underground to date.” - Pitchfork

Tracklist:

The Illest Villains | Accordion | Meat Grinder | Bistro | Raid ft. MED | America's Most Blunted ft. Quasimoto | Sickfit | Rainbows | Curls | Do Not Fire! | Money Folder | Shadows of Tomorrow ft.Quasimoto | Operation Lifesaver aka Mint Test | Figaro | Hardcore Hustle ft. Wildchild | Strange Ways | Fancy Clown ft. Viktor Vaughn | Eye ft. Stacy Epps | Supervillain Theme | All Caps | Great Day | Rhinestone Cowboy

PRESALE - Central Cee - Can't Rush Greatness (Sony)

Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket
Transparent Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 24th January 2025

Central Cee, is a British rapper and songwriter from London. He rose to prominence in 2020 with the release of the singles "Day in the Life" and "Loading". His first mixtape, Wild West (2021), debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, while his second, 23 (2022), debuted atop the chart. Central Cee achieved further success with his 2022 single "Doja", which peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and became the most-streamed UK rap song in Spotify history. In June 2023, he released the single "Sprinter" (with Dave), which became his first UK number-one single and preceded their collaborative EP, Split Decision (2023). The song also became the longest-running number-one rap song in the UK, holding the position for 10 weeks. His debut studio album, Can't Rush Greatness, released through Columbia Records is available on Black LP Vinyl, Retail Exclusive Transparent LP Vinyl & standard CD. Extensive promo & marketing activity.

Tracklist:

Full Tracklist Not Released.

Portables: A Visual & Historical Exploration Of 222 Vintage Portable Turntables (Eilon Paz)

Hardback Book £99.99 Add to basket

470-page hardcover book featuring highly detailed photos and comprehensive research on 222 portable vinyl record players. Once considered little more than a children’s plaything or a grade school accessory, the portable record player has gained newfound respect in recent years.

Whatever they may lack in high-end audio fidelity, battery-powered turntables more than make up for it with their convenience and ease of use. Just ask any crate digger: a cult favorite portable like the Columbia GP-3 or the Audio-Technica Sound Burger (or even the Fisher-Price Big Bird model) can be an absolutely essential companion on an all-day vinyl hunt. Portables features lavish, detailed photos of 222 portable turntables from around the world, including rare record players from Japan, the UK, Germany and the Soviet Union as well as the USA, and ranging in vintage from the 1920s to the early twenty-first century.

They’re all gorgeously captured here by photographer Eilon Paz, with accompanying commentary from music historian Dan Epstein. Whether you’re a hardcore turntable collector, an aficionado of cool vintage audio gear, a student of industrial design, or a vinyl lover curious about the wild world of portable record players, Portables will make your head spin—and will soon have you scouring thrift stores, antique malls, and even your grandma’s attic for the portable record player of your dreams.

Common - Resurrection (Get On Down)

30th Anniversary Vinyl LP £35.99 Add to basket

Pressed on multi-coloured swirl vinyl with 30th anniversary wrap- around obi packaged in a gatefold jacket with extended liner notes. Limited to 2000 copies. Get On Down in partnership with Sony's CERTIFIED is proud to present a recut deluxe 30th anniversary coloured vinyl pressing of Resurrection that includes the original album plus 3 “Resurrection” remixes with liner notes by Check The Technique author Brian Coleman and featuring track-by-track commentary from Common and No I.D. all in a beautiful gatefold jacket with a commemorative wrap-around OBI.

Resurrection was released on Oct, 4, 1994. While the mainstream originally neglected the album, it has since received a great deal of critical acclaim and is now on The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums. In comparison to his debut album, Common's musical style evolved lyrically by expressing himself rather than just describing street life. With its Jazz and Hip-Hop flavours, Resurrection furthered the growth of both genres. Overall, the album is commonly perceived as an underrated Hip- Hop classic. Resurrection was produced almost entirely by No I.D., who has gone on to work with heavyweights like Usher, Alicia Keys, and Killer Mike on his Grammy Winning album Michael.

Tracklist:

A1. Resurrection A2. I Used To Love H.E.R. A3. Watermelon A4. Book Of Life A5. In My Own World (Check The Method)
B1. Another Wasted Nite With... B2. Nuthin' To Do B3. Communism B4. WMOE B5.Thisisme • B6. Orange Pineapple Juice
C1. Chapter 13 (Rich Man Vs. Poor Man) C2. Maintaining C3. Sum Sh*t I Wrote C4. Pop's Rap
D1. Resurrection '95 D2. Resurrection (Large Professor Remix) D3. Resurrection (Extra P. Remix)

Question Mark - Be Nice To The People (Now-Again Records)

Vinyl LP £27.99 Add to basket

The last great African rock LP from Nigeria's post civil war underground. Be Nice to the People was recorded in 1977 by Fela producer Odion Iruoje as he chased the runaway success of high school band Ofege. The Western world was in the throes of peace, love and flower power as Nigeria descended into civil war in 1967. The rock scene that developed during the following three years of bloodshe and destruction would come to heal the country, propagate the world-wide ideal of the modern Nigerian, and propel Fela to stardom after the conflict ended in 1970. The members of Question Mark were children when the Nigerian civil war ended and by the time they recorded their only album in 1977 they were college students, chasing rock n' roll dreams as Afro-beat turned to Afro-disco. Theirs is a fiery reminder of a once vibrant scene.

Tracklist:

Side A:
A1. Have You? A2. Be Nice To People A3. Hey Hey Girl A4. Love

Side B:
B1. Oh My Girl B2. Freaking Out B3. Scram Out B4. Mary Anne

John Legend - Get Lifted (Sony)

20th Anniversary Vinyl LP £26.99 Add to basket

This GRAMMY-winning debut solo record merges the essences of soul, R&B, and hip-hop, showcasing standout songs like 'Used to Love U', 'Ordinary People' and 'Let's Get Lifted'. 'The Get Lifted (20th Anniversary) album will be pressed and packaged in a special x2 LP Vinyl edition, combining the original album with the bonus track "So High"[Cloud 9 Remix] featuring Lauryn Hill (currently available on DSPs). Formated as a double black LP Vinyl, celebrating the 20th anniversary of this much-acclaimed album. Marketing activity.

Tracklist:

Side 1:
1.Prelude 2.Let's Get Lifted 3.Used to Love U 4. Alright

Side 2:
1. She Don't Have to Know 2. Number One - John Legend feat. Kanye West 3. I Can Change - John Legend feat. Snoop Dogg

Side 3
1.Ordinary People 2.Stay With You 3.Let's Get Lifted Again 4.So High

Side 4
1.Refuge (When It's Cold Outside) 2.It Don't Have to Change - John Legend feat. The Stephens Family 3.Live It Up - John Legend & Miri Ben-Ari 4. So High - John Legend feat. Lauryn Hill

Salvator Dragatto - Thoughts of You (Colemine Records)

Vinyl LP £24.49 Add to basket
Opaque Vinyl LP £24.49 Add to basket
CD £12.49 Add to basket

First Salvator Dragatto full length LP to be released on Colemine. All members of The Rugged Nuggets (205k monthly listeners / 8.4k followers on Spotify) played on this LP. 60's French Noir Cinematic Soul. Produced by Joey Reina. This record is an homage to the likes of André Kerté sz, Robert Frank, Jean-Luc Godard and René Groebli. Artist has previously released three successful 45s. Thoughts of You, as a phrase, might immediately associate one with feelings of love, endearment, fantasy or even obsession.

These are the very sentiments that lay as cornerstones in Salvator Dragatto’s debut LP for Colemine Records. The allure and drama of black & white photography have always played a vital rolein how Salvator (aka Joseph Reina) not only views the world but how he hears music. Parallels in film processing to his own recording methods started becoming more and more apparent as the record was being formed; Limitations in exposures rivaling limitations in tracks. Film grain and dust sediments rivaling tape hiss and dirty EQ pots. What most would consider to be imperfections, Dragatto leaned into and found inspiration. This record is an homage to the likes of André Kerté sz, Robert Frank, Jean-Luc Godard and René Groebli, who’s works have impacted Dragatto’s world so greatly both visually and sonically. Thoughts of You is an unabashed reflection of the noir. From the powerful thematic horn lines to the gentlest string passages, this record is a collection of themes and vignettes that explore the emotions set upon by black and white imagery.

Tracklist:
1. Thoughts Of You 2. Shadows 3. Precious Time 4. Monsoon Season 5. Rosewood Ave 6. Vignette #1 7. Vignette #2 8. Carried By Six 9. Villano 10. 96 Hours 11. Insomnia

Snoop Dogg - Missionary (Universal)

Onyx Vinyl LP £29.99 Add to basket

Snoop Dogg’s new album, Missionary, produced entirely by Dr. Dre, brings together a lineup of legendary collaborations. Featuring Eminem, Jelly Roll, 50 Cent, Sting, Jhene Aiko, and more, this project is packed with undeniable greatness.

Tracklist:
Side A
1. Fore Play (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid) 2. Shangri-La 3. Outta Da Blue (feat. Dr. Dre and Alus) 4. Hard Knocks 5. Gorgeous (feat. Jhené Aiko) 6. Last Dance With Mary Jane (feat. Tom Petty and Jelly Roll) 7. Pressure (feat. Dr. Dre and K.A.A.N.) 8. Another Part Of Me (feat. Sting)

Side B
9. Skyscrapers (feat. Method Man and Smitty) 10. Fire (feat. Cocoa Sarai) 11. Gunz N Smoke (feat. 50 Cent and Eminem) 12. Sticcy Situation (feat. K.A.A.N. and Cocoa Sarai) 13. Now Or Never (feat. Dr. Dre and BJ The Chicago Kid) 14. Gangsta Pose (feat. Dem Jointz, Stalone, and Fat Money) 15. The Negotiator

Shabazz Palaces - Black Up (Sub Pop)

Gold Vinyl LP £20.99 Add to basket

Like rich velvet hijabs or gold threaded abayas. Luxury as understood by the modest. Shabazz Palaces. If Bedouins herded beats instead of goats and settled in Seattle instead of the Atlas Mountains, this would be their album. Forward thinkers but nostalgic for a sparer time when ancient astronomers only recognized five planets. Hip hop. Black light uses electromagnetic radiation to eradicate microorganisms, but shabazz didn’t come to kill a sound, just to shine their own incandescent lamp on this. Hear. Hard and clear. Fifty thousand years in the making. Honorable.—palaceer pink gators. Produced by Knife Knights.plcrs at Gunbeat Serenade Studio in Outplace Palacelands. It was recorded and mixed in Lixx-alog by Blood.

Tracklist:

1.free press and curl | 2.An echo from the hosts that profess infinitum | 3.Are you… Can you… Were you? (Felt) | 4.A treatease dedicated to The Avian Airess from North East Nubis (1000 questions, 1 answer) | 5.Youlogy | 6.Endeavors for Never (The last time we spoke you said you were not here. I saw you though.) | 7.Recollections of the wraith | 8.The King’s new clothes were made by his own hands | 9.yeah you | 10.Swerve... the reeping of all that is worthwhile (Noir not withstanding)

Digable Planets - Blowout Comb (Modern Classics)

Dazed & Amazed Duo Colour Vinyl 2LP £47.99 Add to basket
Easin' In Clear with Purple Centre Vinyl 2LP £47.99 Add to basket

Reissue of Blowout Comb, the 1994 second album by cult, Brooklyn-based hip hop trio Digable Planets. Like with 1993's debut Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space), 'utilizing the natural' meant creating hip hop that blended jazz with the formidable rap skills of the aforementioned Butterfly, Craig 'Doodlebug' Irving and Mary Ann 'Ladybug Mecca' Vieira. Unlike that debut, it meant broadening to include guests such as Gang Starr's Guru, Jeru the Damaja, and Jazzy Joyce. Following the gold-selling commercial success of their debut, they here set out to prove their artistic prowess.

This is intelligent, alternative hip hop that sounded like party music. Its lyrics are dense with wit, social commentary and politics - and its original inner sleeve was modelled on the newspaper of the Black Panther movement. Its instrumentation includes sax, vibraphone and flute. Its samples - gathered from global cratedigging trips while touring the first album around the world - included Grant Green, Eddie Harris, Shuggie Otis and jazz-funk pioneer Roy Ayers (whose 'We Live in Brooklyn, Baby' became 'Borough Check' here). And yet at the same time its beats are infectious and its spirit undeniable.

Track Listing:

A1 The May 4th Movement Starring Doodlebug 4:56 A2 Black Ego 7:02 A3 Dog It 4:21
B1 Jettin' 4:39 B2 Borough Check 6:56 B3 Highing Fly 1:23 B4 Dial 7 (Axioms of Creamy Spies) 5:47
C1 The Art Of Easing 5:05 C2 K.B.'s Alley (Mood Dudes Groove) 2:06 C3 Graffiti 4:03 C4 Blowing Down 3:51
D1 9th Wonder (Blackitolism) 4:27 D2 For Corners 7:02

Write Lines: Adventures in Rap Journalism (Andrew Emery)

Paperback Book £14.99 Add to basket

Having failed at rapping, what’s next for an endlessly passionate rap nerd? In this sequel to the acclaimed memoir Wiggaz With Attitude, it turns out what’s next is a sometimes controversial career in rap journalism.

Write Lines: Adventures in Rap Journalism tells the tale of hip-hop writing from the inside. From death threats to interviewing Lauryn Hill while she’s in the shower. From calling Jay-Z a c*** to his face, to letting a notorious rapper sleep in his bath, it’s a hilarious, anecdote-studded tale that takes in hip-hop's first-ever magazine and lifts the lid on rivalries, squabbles and how music journalism really works.

Brutally honest, and endlessly opinionated, this story is also a love letter to hip-hop as it changed seismically through the decades. Write Lines charts those changes from the front line through encounters with many of the greats of rap: Chuck D, Missy Elliott, RZA, Eminem, Jazzy Jeff and Gang Starr among them. This is an unfiltered tale of hip-hop that is both heartfelt and scabrously funny.

“With its relatable take on growing up in the 80s, Andrew Emery’s Wiggaz With Attitude marked his card as a vivid memoirist. He might have failed as a wannabe rapper, but the music he loved gained multitudes from his work for Hip-Hop Connection. A pivotal force in the magazine’s 90s/00s heyday, never short of a telling opinion or four, Andrew set a high bar for its other writers to reach. Write Lines is a transportive account of his many travails in that murky world. Packed with eye-watering encounters and witty asides, his compulsive, self-deprecating and brutally honest reflections will resonate widely and change perspectives on rap journalism forever.” - Andy Cowan, HHC Editor & Publisher, author of B-Side: A Flipsided History of Pop.

PRESALE - Blu & Exile - Love (the) Ominous World (Dirty Science)

Vinyl LP £26.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 10th January 2025

With the release of Love (the) Ominous World, Blu & Exile have returned with an album that brilliantly builds on their soulful, reflective foundation with stunning musicality and sharp songwriting. Their shared history as one of hip-hop’s best duos continues to grow, especially as they venture into new territory while embracing and refining what made them special. “This album is our most unique work to date,” Blu says. “We took a different approach with the direction while still staying true to the culture our music has built with our fan base.” That direction is one that finds the two California natives crafting records that would sound right at home on the radio and hip-hop charts. Like “Suga & Butta,” for example, which features recent Def Jam signee Rae Khalil and rising star Ahmad Anwar. Every element of the track is as sweet and smooth as its namesake, from the lyrics to the production. There’s also the raw G-funk banger “Chucks,” a snarling collaboration with West Coast stalwarts KXNG Crooked and Kurupt.

Love (the) Ominous World is a defining moment for Blu & Exile, who are eager to share it with both their longtime fanbase as well as those just catching onto their celebrated discography

Tracklist:

1. Hello LA (feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow), 2. Undisputed, 3. Smack (feat. Fashawn), 4. Homies (feat. Pistol McFly & Cashus King), 5. Suga & Butta (feat. Rae Khalil & Love Anwar), 6. Gold (feat. Nana & Love Anwar), 7. Chucks (feat.KXNG Crooked & Kurupt), 8. Suge Knight, 9. The Ominous World (feat. RBX & Tamara Blue), 10. A Song Called Precipitation, 11. Valley of Kings (feat. Love Anwar), 12. Love Is Blu (feat. Aloe Blacc)

JUST IN - Boogie Down Productions - Ghetto Music: The Blueprint Of Hip Hop (Get On Down)

Vinyl LP £39.99 Add to basket

Pressed on blue ink-in-clear coloured. vinyl in a gatefold jacket with obi, a fold-out lyric insert and two bonus remixes. Limited to 1000copies. Among hip-hop fans, Boogie Down Productions first two albums – Criminal Minded (1987) and By All Means Necessary (1988)– loom very large. And for good reason: they both captured one of the late 1980s most important and influential crews at their highestpowers of lyricism and musical invention. That said, too many people sleep on BDPs third LP, Ghetto Music. Released in 1989, whenthe hip-hop world was truly beginning to explode and reach new heights of sales and exposure around the world, the album is arguablyas powerful as the group's first two.

As on by All Means Necessary, in the wake of the tragic death of the founder, producer, and DJScott LaRock, KRS-One pushed along mightily on the production side, with help from his extended crew. Musically the sound created on albums 2 & 3 was funky, catchy, and continually innovative, giving him the perfect backdrop to build his Edutainment syllabus.

Lyrically there was never a question about KRS-One's power, and on Ghetto Music he continues to impress, teach, and ask important questions. Clear cases in point are two of the album's singles, "You Must Learn" and "Why Is That?" but he gets even deeper on tracks like the anti-police thought-piece "Who Protects Us From You" (still sadly relevant in 2024), "Ghetto Music" and "World Peace." Out of print on vinyl since 2017, Get On Down in partnership with Sony's CERTIFIED is proud to present this '89 classic fresh for 2024 you suckas! Pressed for the first time on double-colored vinyl and packaged in a gatefold jacket with a fold-out lyric sheet and two bonus 2 remixes.

Tracklist:

A1. The Style You Haven't Done Yet A2. Why Is That? (Single Edit) A3. The Blueprint A4. Jack Of Spades (LP Version)
B1.Jah Rulez B2. Breath Contro B3. Who Protects Us From You? B4. You Must Learn
C1. Hip Hop Rules C2. Bo! Bo! Bo! C3. Gimme Dat (Woy) C4. Ghetto Music
D1. World Peace D2. Jack Of Spades (Remix) D3. Why Is That? (Remix).

PRESALE - Confucius MC & Bastien Keb – Songs For Lost Travellers (Native Rebel)

Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th February 2025

South London rapper Confucius MC returns to Shabaka Hutchings’ Native Rebel Recordings for a new project alongside producer and multi-instrumentalist Bastien Keb. Merging unexplored pathways between rap, folk, and jazz into a spiritual triumvirate, Songs For Lost Travellers, set for release on February 7th 2025, is an album unlike any either artist has made previously, possibly unlike any record in existence.

Honest and direct, the duo imbue Songs For Lost Travellers with knowledge and truth from their lived experiences. There is grief hidden in the notes, an inherent sadness that is balanced with an awareness that grief is a protest against the social machinery of remaining numb. The record lingers in a meditative state, unafraid of restlessness and embracing solitude, with the expectation that peace is just as imminent as death.

Neither Con nor Keb bothered much with the professional studio in making Songs For Lost Travellers. Instead, they opted for the raw state of their home recordings and first takes, matching the intimacy of being alone and reflective in their creative energies. Room static on ‘Tell Me Lies’ makes it feel like you’ve entered their apartments. The immediacy continues on ‘Gutters’, as Keb plays guitar while watching the tele and Con hums along to the vocal melody in search of the proper pocket for his verse.

More drawn to Keb’s recent folk recordings on the Songs For Lilla EP than his funk roots circa Dinking In The Shadows of Zizou or the cinematic soul of The Killing of Eugene Peeps, Con leaned into the spacial freedom he heard in Keb’s lo-fi production cobbled from field recordings and voice notes. Both artists placed their families into the tableau; Con wrote ‘Little Man’ for his son, hoping to add a positive contribution to the canon of parental rap songs. Later, his son appears at the end of ‘Paramount’ to deliver a passage from Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. Keb secretly recorded his mum playing saxophone and sampled his cousin playing sax as well. The result is a near-drumless album (save for ‘Toulouse’ and light tapping on ‘It Would Speak’) in which Keb’s raw production (plus a few sessions with Kofi Flexxx on flute) gave Con a liminal zone, unencumbered by beats per minute, to craft melodies that turn his philosophical rhymes into mantras.

Tracklist:

1. Tell Me Lies (feat. Kofi Flexxx) | 2. Fairytale (feat. Kofi Flexxx) | 3. Time Will Come | 4. It Would Speak (feat. Kofi Flexxx) | 5. Little Man | 6. Lemon Zest (feat. Kofi Flexxx) | 7. Question Or Consume | 8. Gutters | 9. Paramount | 10. Bonsai (feat. Mark Millington) | 11. Lattice of Confidence | 12. Eyes To See | 13. Toulouse | 14. Care About (feat. Zemora Amour)

PRESALE - Moonchild Sanelly - Full Moon (Transgressive Records)

Vinyl LP £23.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 10th January 2024

Full Moon is a collection of 12 songs which displays Sanelly's unique sonic fingerprint, joyous attitude, distinctive vocals + genre-bending hits.

Recorded in multiple locations while on the road, Full Moon is an introspective yet kinetic display of her versatility. "I can make any genre, I have fun creating music because I'm not limited," she says. Its club-ready beats oscillate between electronic, afro-punk, edgy-pop, kwaito, + hip-hop sensibilities.

Tracklist:

1. Scrambled Eggs 2. Big Booty 3. In My Kitchen 4. To Kill a Single Girl (Tequila) 5. Do My Dance 6. Falling 7. Gwara Gwara 8. Boom 9. Sweet & Savage 10. I Love People 11. Mntanami 12. I Was the Biggest Curse

PRESALE - Kendrick Lamar - GNX (Interscope)

Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket
Blue Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket
CD £12.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 1st March 2025

Track Listing:

1. wacced out murals 2. squabble up 3. luther 4. man at the garden 5. hey now 6. reincarnated 7. tv off 8. dodger blue 9. peekaboo 10. heart pt. 6 11. gnx 12. gloria

PRESALE - Various Artists - Fania Records: The Latin Sound of New York (1964 - 1978) (Concord)

Vinyl 2LP £34.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 24th January 2025

This collection features sixteen of the most renowned salsa and Latin soul singles released on Fania Records, and its subsidiaries, between 1964-1978, making it the perfect introduction to the legendary catalog. It celebrates the trailblazing label’s 60th anniversary, and iconic artists Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades, Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz and more. Archival images and new liner notes, in English and Spanish, by New York-based music historian Aurora Flores are also included.

Track Listing:

LP1 - Side A:
Pete Rodriguez – I like It (I Like It Like That) | Eddie Palmieri – Café | Joe Bataan – Gypsy Woman | Ray Barretto – Acid
LP1 - Side B:
Héctor Lavoe – Mi Gente | Richie Ray/Bobby Cruz – Aguzate | Cheo Feliciano – Anacaona | Celia Cruz/Johnny Pacheco - Quimbara
LP2 - Side C:
Ismael Rivera – Las Caras Lindas | Willie Colon/Héctor Lavoe – Che Che Colé | Héctor Lavoe – El Cantante | Ray Barretto – Indestructible | Joe Cuba Sextet – El Ratón
LP2 - Side D:
Fania All Stars – Estrellas de Fania | Willie Colón – La Murga | Willie Colón/Rubén Blades – Pedro Navaja

PRESALE - Childish Gambino - Atavista (Sony)

Vinyl 2LP £35.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 10th January 2025

Atavista is the reissue of American rapper Childish Gambino's fourth studio album, 3.15.20, described by Gambino as a "finished version". The album was released on May 13, 2024, five days after 3.15.20 was removed from streaming platforms. It ranges from sweetness and playfulness to dark menace, from vintage soul to dark experimentalism.

Track Listing:

SIDE A: 1. Atavista 2. Algorythm 3. Time feat. Ariana Grande
SIDE B: 1. Psilocybae (Millennial Love) feat. 21 Savage, Ink & Kadhja Bonet 2. To Be Hunted
SIDE C: 1. Sweet Thang feat. Summer Walker 2. Little Foot Big Foot feat. Young Nudy
SIDE D: 1. Why Go To The Party 2. Human Sacrifice 3. The Violence 4. Final Church

PRESALE - A Tribe Called Quest - Hits, Rarities & Remixes (Sony)

Reissue Vinyl 2LP £24.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 14th February 2025

Originally released on June 17, 2003, Hits, Rarities & Remixes from A Tribe Called Quest features some of the groups biggest hits, as well as two previously unreleased in songs in Mr. Incognito and The Night He Got Caught.

Track Listing:

A1 Oh My God (Remix) A2 Award Tour A3 Can I Kick It? A4 One, Two, Shit
B1 Electric Relaxation B2 Mr. Incognito B3 I Left My Wallet In El Segundo B4 Check The Rhyme B5 Lyrics To Go (Tumblin Dice Remix)
C1 Scenario C2 Same Ol' Thing C3 Buggin' Out C4 Bonita Applebum
D1 Jazz (We've Got) D2 Glamour & Glitz D3 Clap Your Hands D4 The Night He Got Caught D5 Peace, Prosperity & Paper

PRESALE - A Tribe Called Quest - Beats, Rhymes & Life (Sony)

Reissue Vinyl 2LP £24.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 14th February 2025

Beats, Rhymes and Life is the fourth studio album from the prolific group A Tribe Called Quest. Originally released on July 30, 1996, the album introduced collaborations with producers that added a new element to the Tribe's sound.

Track Listing:

A1 Phony Rappers A2 Get A Hold A3 Motivators
B1 Jam B2 Crew B3 The Pressure B4 1nce Again (featuring Tammy Lucas)
C1 Mind Power C2 The Hop C3 Keeping It Moving C4 Baby Phife's Return
D1 Separate / Together D2 What Really Goes On D3 Word Play D4 Stressed Out (featuring Faith Evans)

PRESALE - Da Beatminerz - Stifled Creativity (SCHMTCS)

Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 10th January 2025

First album in 20 years from this classic production team. Features KRS One, Ruste Juxx, Ras Kass, Apathy, Mickey Factz, De La Soul, Pharoahe Monch, Corey Glover, Black Moon, Bishop Lamont, Smif N Wessun. Da Beatminerz defined the dark, gritty sound of underground Hip-Hop in the '90s. Formed in 1992 by brothers Walter “Mr. Walt” and Ewart “DJ Evil Dee” Dewgarde, the production duo pioneered Hip-Hop's brooding vibes, a tonal shift that came with the release of Black Moon's classic debut album Enta Da Stage.

As producers of the seminal 1993 project in its entirety, Da Beatminerz set a precedent for hardcore Hip-Hop. Their sample-heavy, gutter tracks laced with heavy basslines, and hard kicks and snares helped reshape the music genre. Da Beatminerz continued to refine their distinct sound and identity with countless classic records for other artists and two albums of their own (2001’s Brace 4 Impak and 2004’s Fully Loaded w/ Statik) over the course of their illustrious 30-year career.

Stifled Creativity is the duo’s first full-length album in 20 years. “We started working on this album in 2009... We had one focus and the focus was to stick to our core sound. We just wanted to bring back our traditional way of attempting a classic album. Everybody has their own type of hip hop that they love. Well, this is ours.” - Mr. Walt

Tracklisting:
Intro-Live from Bushwick General Hospital, Part 1 (feat. Zoi Ellis & DJ Rell) | Seckle (feat. KRS-One) | Product (feat. Ruste Juxx) | Back In Style (feat. Ras Kass) | Champion (feat. Mickey Factz) | Martial Law (feat. Apathy) | Fear None (feat. The Villanz) | It’s All 4 U (feat. Halley Hiatt & Al Skratch) | Can’t Live Without It (feat. Marquee & Monifah) | Live from Bushwick General Hospital, Part 2 | ANTI (feat. Black Moon)| The Birds (feat. Bishop Lamont) | Adore [HER] (feat. Keith Murray) | Where You From (feat. Loaf Muzik) | B-Ville Pioneers (feat. General Steele & Lil Fame) | Cheeba (feat. Stahhr & Camp Lo) | It’s All 4 U [REPRISE] (feat. Halley Hiatt & AZ) | 100 Proof (feat. Ras Kass) | Live From Bushwick General Hospital, Part 3 | My Year (feat. De La Soul, Rasheed Chappell, Pharoahe Monch & Corey Glover)

PRESALE - Fashawn - Carte Blanche (Orena Records)

Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 20th December 2024

This album is a gritty yet sophisticated journey through life’s harsh realities and ultimate triumphs. Hailing from two vastly different worlds, Fashawn and Little Vic bring unique stories and sounds that blend the raw with the refined. Fashawn, raised amidst the gangs and struggles of Fresno, California, brings an unapologetic realism to his verses, detailing the roads that took him from survival to success.

Meanwhile, Little Vic’s roots trace back to Long Island, New York, where he grew up with the influence of the Orena family’s notorious reputation. Known for his lyricism and mastery of the MPC, Vic’s production is the perfect companion to Fashawn’s storytelling, layering gritty boom bap beats with live instruments that add richness and texture. The theme of the album is like a fine dining experience—a nod to elegance—while peeling back the layers to reveal the raw, often darker realities simmering behind the scenes Little Vic’s production flexes between hard-hitting rhythms and delicate, soulful sounds, creating a soundscape that mirrors the rags-to-riches journey both artists represent.

Brought together on the East Coast by executive producer Ricky Grey, Fashawn and Little Vic spent an intense week creating this project, crafting a work that feels as alive and textured as the streets that shaped them. Each track is an experience, serving up an unfiltered taste of both struggle and success, designed to leave listeners both stirred and inspired.

Tracklisting:
Crown Vic (Intro) | One Eyed King | Pearly Gates Feat. Rasheed Chappell | Autumn In New York | 168 | Victim | A5 Wagyu | Mac & Cheese | Capo Feat. Little Vic | Spaghetti Western

PRESALE - Talib Kweli & J. Rawls - The Confidence Of Knowing (Javotti Media)

Vinyl 2LP £28.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 10th January 2025

The Confidence of Knowing by Talib Kweli and J Rawls offers a quintessential hip-hop experience that honors the genre’s classic roots. This album marks the duo’s first collaboration since Rawls produced “Brown Skin Lady” on the influential Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Blackstar album, a hip-hop landmark from 25 years ago. With this release, Kweli and Rawls showcase their artistic growth and maturity, blending masterful lyrics with authentic boom-bap beats to take listeners on a journey through hip-hop’s soul.

Tracks like the introspective “Breath, Eyes, Memory,” the nostalgic “Turnstyle,” and the homage to the Native Tongues in “Native Sons” exemplify their dedication to preserving hip-hop’s essence. Featuring an impressive lineup of guests—including Jimetta Rose, Blu, DJ Rhettmatic, TriState, Coast Contra, Buckshot, Skyzoo, Planet Asia, Phil Da Agony, IDK, Middle Child, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Diani, Solene, and NIKO IS—the album celebrates the depth and diversity of hip-hop culture.

Tracklisting:
Breath, Eyes, Memory | The Confidence Of Knowing | Native Sons | We Outside | To The Ghetto | SWAT | Turnstyle | Shalamar | Pay Homage | Love For Life | Steve Austin | Sing Into The Sky | It’s Workin | One Small Way

PRESALE - .idk. - BRAVADO+INTiMO (Clue No Clue)

Vinyl LP £27.99 Add to basket
CD £14.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 10th January 2025

Each vinyl includes 1 of 6 possible inserts, with some being more rare than others. You won't know which one you've received until you open it, making every order a unique experience for collectors. The album features Conway The Machine, Gunna, Joey Bada$$, and TheARTI$T. .idk. has collaborated with prestigious brands like Dior, TUMI + McLaren, Mercedes-Benz AMG, Nike, and Rolex. Notable performances include Coachella 2023, Colors, NPR Tiny Desk, and the USee4Yourself Tour (2021). Creating a balance between the strength of bravado and the vulnerability of being intimate. A new journey awaits in "BRAVADO+INTiMO" or (B.i.) by .idk. (Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge).

The name itself mirrors the enigmatic creator's duality. This musical journey is less of a narrative in words and more of an exploration of essence and melodic resonance. Through a fusion of soul, jazz, and hip hop, with a futuristic touch courtesy of the electronic leaning sequencer, .idk. crafts a sonic landscape that defies convention. “My goal with this album was to simplify everything.” With a concise 32-minute runtime and a focus on conceptual clarity, "BRAVADO+INTiMO" emerges as one of .idk.’s most accessible and cohesive projects to date. “With B.i., I just wanted to sing over beats that artists like MF DOOM would normally rap over and only rap when it felt the most natural” Drawing inspiration from his collaborations with MF DOOM, .idk. effortlessly transitions between singing and rapping, creating a seamless experience that captivates from start to finish. .idk.’s efforts provide rapping, singing, production, and even creative direction for a very specific language in a world that he governs quite well. BRAVADO+INTiMO (B.i.) provides a new palette for the future of melodic rap while capturing the essence of hip hop’s foundation.

Tracklist:
1. HELLO 2.CELiNE iN THE TRAP (B) 3. TiFFANY (B) 4. KiCKIN! (B) 5. DENiM (B) 6. MiLES TRUMPET (i) 7. CHECK! (B) 8. PAPERCUTS (i) 9.SWiTCH (i) 10. SUPERNOVA (i) 11. SEE YOU AGAiN (B.i.) 12. GOODBi

PRESALE - The Altons - Heartache In Room 14 (Daptone Records)

Sky Blue Vinyl LP £25.49 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £22.49 Add to basket
CD £10.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

After several wildly popular singles out on Penrose Records, alongside labelmates Thee Sacred Souls, The Altons gear up to release their debut album on Daptone Records. With lead vocals shared between Adriana Flores and Brian Ponce the interplay between their unique timbres brings a romantic quality to the music that is absent in many of today's soul offerings. Steeped with moody ballads, soulful, tejano-kissed duets and Bond theme psychedelia–Heartache In Room 14 is poised to be a "must have" album of 2025.

Track Listing:

1.Waiting 2. Tangled Up in You 3. I Try I Try 4. Perdóname 5. Float 6. Where Did She Go 7. Del Cielo Te Cuido 8. Your Light 9. Over and Over 10. Show You Love

PRESALE - Cymande - Renascence (BMG)

Coral Vinyl LP £25.49 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £24.49 Add to basket
CD £11.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

A true return to form and jewel in the crown of their iconic discography, Renascence picks up where their 1974 album Promised Heights left off – a spiritual and sonic follow-up, bringing a fresh modern edge to their iconic sound, which remains foundational to early hip-hop and funk scenes in the United States and UK. Renascence tells the story of a band that never fully got its due back in the day; but are back to take the crown by remaining true to themselves – politically aware, and spiritually positive with infectious grooves.

Track Listing:

Side A:
1. Chasing An Empty Dream 2. Road to Zion 3. Only One Way (feat. Celeste) 4. Coltrane 5. Sweeden
Side B:
6. How We Roll (feat. Jazzie B) 7. Heart of the Willing 8. I Wanna Know 9. Darkest Night 10. Carry the Word