Full Circle "Infinite Edges" (Album Stream)

Full Circle consists of the hip-hop duo Still Waters and Bes Kept. Reppin' Toronto, they bring a solid release with this debut album "Infinite Edges." It's 16 tracks of soulful production and tight flows, which is sure to keep me listening and supporting future releases as well. Not much else to say, it's released independently with one feature from UZ, otherwise it's all Full Circle. Check it out below...

DJ Eveready "The Midnight Shift" (Mixtape, 2009)

Peace to the talented DJ Eveready out in Sydney, Australia who put this mixtape together back in 2009. "The Midnight Shift" features a mix of classic cuts and smooth blends from artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Blu & Exile, Jaylib, Big L, Showbiz & AG, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Channel Live, Lords Of The Underground, Das EFX, Masta Ace, Funkdoobiest, Common, Percee P, Copywrite, Y Society, The Roots and more! Check out this throwback mix from DJ Eveready down below...

DJ Neil Armstrong "Original" (Mixtape, 2001)

"If u don't know now u know, cause I have a crush on u but I need one more chance, another chance for u to call Neil big poppa. But warning, f#ck around and I get hardcore on all u playa haters. The 5th rock like the Zulu Nation. But don't call the 900 number asking whose in the house cause you'll be sad & blue when I walk on by. U must release yo delf, cause the 5th is nuttin' to f#ck wit. Cherchez Le Neil and eye know that the ladies won't say no go when I'm zone coasting for the bitties at Bobs lounge till the breakadawn. Let's stay together, cause this for the player in u. Close the door girl, let's get biz. I'm in love with MJ. She's outstanding and got me curious about her sexual healing. But it's been a long time since she's called me. It's all good, I still make loot to make me happy. But life's a bitch, and I'm yearning for her love. It ain't hard to tell though, it's only human nature, cause nobody beats my biz and there ain't no half steppin. Let me slow down a sec, remembering when ice ice baby shined. But now slim shady represents for the next episode. And today is always a good day when you're the flavor of the month cause u know my steez is to be on the next level. Always doin it well and u dare ask, can I kick it? I'm killing it softly with my mindblowing flow. I will always be a hip-hop junkie, whenever I hear someone rhyme slow or quick. And from now till infinity, this is how we chill." Catch it all below... (Updated to Neil's official link).

Marsellus Wallace & Skeme Richards "Cops Crooks & Spies" (Mix)

"A year ago I was approached by Jamison Harvey from Flea Market Funk and asked to do a mix for them. I've always had a lot of respect for what they do, and always enjoyed listening to their mixes as well. I also wanted to somehow include my Butta Brother Skeme Richards. So we got together, and came up with an idea. I would do a mix, and Skeme would dub dialog from his massive VHS collection and lay it on top. Kind of a soundtrack for a movie that never happened. So, that's what we did! With that said, we present to you "Cops Crooks and Spies"." - Marsellus Wallace. Dig in...

Revival Of The Underground EP (Volume 1, 1998)

This is the first of two EPs in a series called "Revival Of The Underground" in 1998 on Smack Entertainment. The NJ label reached out to four acts for this first installment: The Alamo, Red Eye, Ghetto Seals & Rhemslepe. The only act to repeat on Volume 2 is The Alamo, who actually delivered a better track with "Never Judge A Book" on the 2nd EP, but "X Marks The Spot" here is pretty solid too. You might also dig "Do What Ya Wanna Do" from Rhemslepe - otherwise I'll be honest, this highly sought-after (and expensive) piece of vinyl isn't all that impressive (to me!). If for nothing else, I wanna let you hear it for yourself, because it wouldn't be the first time scarcity made someone overspend on something then be a little disappointed later. That said, listen to the Revival EP below...

The Pharcyde "Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde" (The Source, '92)

"Post-Native Tongues hip-hop has spawned a host of groups that are less worried about posing and fronting like the hardest hard rock, slinging cane and shooting cops, than they are about innovating new styles, concepts and making hip-hop fun. The Pharcyde, a group of four young rappers from Los Angeles, combine the quirky, off-beat charm of a Daisy Ager and the sing-songy vocal tones of those down-to-earthlings who reminisced about Tennessee with an intense enthusiasm and energy akin to the Leaders (LONS). While parallels can be drawn between the Pharcyde and their East Coast brethren, don't confuse their similarities with unoriginal flava or lack of mic skills... This debut is packed with soulful pianos and organs that combine with head-nodding basslines that are as much fun as a day at Great Adventure. They exhibit fine mic control on tracks like "Oh Shit" and "I'm That Type" as the foursome kick seemingly bottomless run-on sentence type rhymes." Cont'd below...

"They flow lovely on "Ya Mama," a cut where they exchange "mama" jokes over a futuristic beat. The joint is comedy! On "Other Fish," Tre flips the script over some breezy, calypso-tinged beats as he rhymes about a honey dip who's kicking it to another brother who's living fatter: "I won't play second fiddle / To no man and stand firm on this ... No I won't dis / I'm just on to other fish..." The Pharcyde will inevitably face acceptance problems as their left-handed, yet inventive concepts might be too esoteric for some b-boys. Nasal vocals over tracks that contain much live instrumentation and sparse amounts of scratching may force some to ponder their role in the world of hardcore hip-hop. Sincerity and enthusiasm for the art form hopefully won't be mistaken for happy-rap crap. The question many will have to answer for themselves is whether a trip to the Pharcyde is a step backwards or a leap into the future? Most will just enjoy the bizarre ride." - The Source, 1992.

Snoop Dogg "Doggystyle: The Samples" (Mix)

Last year, DJ Snoopadelic created an exclusive mix for the 20th Anniversary of "Doggystyle." We're now in the 21st year, but again, I wasn't able to post this last year, so let's look back at it: November 23rd marks the 20th Anniversary of Snoop Dogg’s highly-acclaimed "Doggystyle," in which his lyrical realism and distinctive vocal flow forever changed hip-hop and helped define the genre into what it is today. In honor of this date, Snoop has created an enticing mixtape of the samples used on "Doggystyle." Never done before, Snoop offers exclusive commentary about each song and the behind-the-scenes stories that went on during the making of the historic record. The mix offers fans a once-in-a-lifetime experience to hear first-hand, the creative process behind the record.

The Roots Freestyle (On The Go! Video, 1995)

The original, uncut footage of Black Thought & The Roots' on camera freestyle. The video is taken from the 1995 recording of the On The Go Repeat Offender Graffiti Video. It was produced by Stephen "Espo" Powers and Ray Hayes, who also films the video. Peace to MEEZ, and love to Philly. On The Go began in '89 as a newsletter created by ESPO, who partnered with Ari Saal Forman and turned it into an official publication developing a worldwide, cult-like fanbase for niche content with a cross between Hip-Hop, urban lifestyle and graffiti. Peep The Roots' freestyle below...