U.T.K. Rezerectors "Dark Side" (12", 1995)

This U.T.K. Rezerectors 12" was released back in 1994-1995 on Big Boss Records out of New York. The production was done by Paul Williams & K-Dogz. The B-Side single, "Dark Side," has the popular sample from Southside Movement's "Ive Been Watching You," which ironically Snoop Dogg wrote to before Dr. Dre made the beat for "Nuthin But A G Thang." It's also played in a scene from Juice and on countless other tracks. U.T.K. actually stood for "Uptown Kidz," which was 4 artists back in 1992 that had a video single (and 12") for their song "I Got Da Skillz," also on Big Boss Records. In 1992, they sounded like the chart-topping group Kris Kross, but a few years later and they've come back a bit harder and more mature on "Dark Side." "How We Roll" is a confusing blend of both styles - reminiscent of Da Youngsta's, but with a really bad pop-imitation hook on the record. At one point, this was a hard record to find but a quick search found a few copies for $5 dollars, so if you dig it, cop it online for cheap now. You can listen to both tracks from the 12" below (no instrumentals).

The Odd Couple (Ghostface & Cappadonna) "WTC Pt.2" (12", 2002)

A quick drop today: this is the 12" from a spin-off from Wu-Tang Clan: Ghostface Killah & Cappadonna as "The Odd Couple." The production is from Ayatollah and the record is called "WTC Pt.2." The etching on the vinyl references D.Charles (assumed to be Richard Charles Waldspurger) who engineered the session, but there is no label or year attached to it's release. Without much info to share, let's just point to Ghostface, who always comes in super hard on records, "Yo, we million dollar Sinatras..." lol. Not much else to say about this one, a track you've likely discovered on mixtapes in the early 2000s, but now you can enjoy the full vocal and instrumental versions below.

DJ Hush "Manifest Worldwide" (Mixtape, 2012)

Memphis' Kevin 'DJ Hush' Smith put the smack down on this Manifest Worldwide-sponsored Mixtape in 2012. It’s 29 cuts spanning 90 minutes. The cuts are critical and the mixing is seamless... there’s even a couple shoutouts from golden era icons like Sadat X and El Da Sensei. DJ Hush runs through tracks from The Pharcyde, Das EFX, Junior M.A.F.I.A., O.C., Black Moon, Big L, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Brand Nubian, Wu-Tang Clan, Group Home, Artifacts, Nas, Ed O.G., Geto Boys, Gang Starr, Mad Skillz, Mobb Deep, A Tribe Called Quest, Grand Puba, Lord Finesse, Lords of the Underground, Black Sheep, EPMD, Souls of Mischief and Beastie Boys. You can listen below or download HERE.

T-Max "Unsigned Hype" (The Source, June 1995)

"Anyone who listens to demo tapes on a regular basis would likely agree that you can rarely take the track, in the form presented on the demo, straight to the studio for mastering - no matter how good it is. Even if an MC is wicked on the mic, and his tracks are decent, some polishing and fine tuning must still be done. With T-Max, who was born in "War"chester, MA, and now resides in Mission Hill, this is absolutely not the case as he delivers at last four tracks (the one's we heard on the demo) suitable for packaging and sending directly to retailers. And it's not just the polished sound that makes T-Max stand out. His lyrical style, which can easily be likened to Nas (or a less wordy Ras Kass), is more complex than the majority of MCs out now. But it's not so complex that the dialogue is lost in awkwardness. And as for his subject matter, he seems to be capable of swinging a number of ways (II)... With lyrics that are better than 90% of existing MCs with record deals, solid beats and the polished sound of a veteran, T-Max is just waiting to make an A&R's job too easy." - The Source, Unsigned Hype: June 1995. Hit up the tags for releases by the Massachusetts MC, T-Max.

Jim Sharp "Straighten It Out" (Mixtape, 2012)

Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, a mix close to the perfection arranged by the very talented Jim Sharp. A trip through sample heaven (Naughty By Nature, Blackstreet, Biz Markie, Notorious B.I.G., Pete Rock, Wu-Tang Clan, and A Tribe Called Quest, etc) carefully re-edited and put down in a tasteful mix that will make your neck snap. Jim Sharp was trying to recreate the vibe at Ali B’s famous Saturday night Paradise sessions in West London when he put this mix together back in 2012. Jim Sharp did a superb job with this mix, hitting us sample heads with looped drum breaks and samples, while also keeping the dancers moving and recreating the vibe. Peace to the good people at FMF for reminding me about this mix. I'll share Part 2 in a follow-up post soon, hope y'all dig sample mixes, too? LMK.

Wisdom "All-Star Jam" (12", 1996)

This is Wisdom's fresh 12" from 1996 on Emo Recordings. The 12" is mostly known for it's features from Adagio! and Breeze Brewin of the Juggaknots on the track "All-Star Jam." The production is handled by Adagio! producer, Big Cousin (aka The Obvious Wonder), as well as a vocal feature from Adagio! MC, Rayme Supreme. Beyond that, it's released on Emo Recordings, which was home to the bulk of the releases from Adagio! in the mid-90s. As for Breeze Brewin, he'd been down with Adagio! from years prior, so while I'm not exactly sure how Wisdom was originally connected to them, suffice to say, this record was filled with mid-90s flavor and good chemistry in the booth. The beat moves and the MCs each tackle it like a freestyle cipher, bouncing verses off one another. While Breeze is the obvious stand-out on the track, you might also like the B-Side's "It's Rare" and "Angel," as well ... dig into all three of the tracks below. It's unfortunate there are no LP versions.

A Tribe Called Quest "The Love Movement" (CMJ, 1/99)

"It seems like it's been a million years since A Tribe Called Quest's last album. And now, right as the guys have settled into a dope new groove, they go and break up. Sometimes you just can't get it the way you want it. The Love Movement shows ATCQ in an even mellower mode than past boom shots, with a musical formula that never veers far from its center - a minimal drum beat, an amniotic bass pulse and assorted muted keyboards - but nevertheless grooves along, sounding fresh all the way through. The album's opening cut "Start It Up" is a great example of this patent-worthy sound, with Q-Tip rocking an updated version of his lyrical flow, and choppy pacing that jumps over and around the track. "Against The World" and "The Love" tread down a similar path. But there are also vintage ATCQ bounce vehicles here, most notably "Da Booty," "Steppin' It Up" (with Busta Rhymes and Redman) and "Common Ground." The Love Movement isn't going to change the way you think about hip-hop, but it is certainly a nice return to the basics for Q-Tip, Phife and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. It'll also be a memorable parting shot, if it really is their final group effort." - CMJ

The full review in CMJ New Music Monthly can be read below...

Rest In Peace, Robert Diaz aka Pumpkinhead

This news hit me hard. Pumpkinhead was a good man. His sense of humor is what I remember most - outside of the music - he had a hefty, caring laugh and was quick to exchange snaps. I guess that's why he found such a good home in battle rapping. Coming up in the NY underground scene, we crossed paths a lot in the early years, always exchanging pleasant hellos and goodbyes, but it wasn't until I found a home and a community at the world famous Fat Beats that we found time to have grown conversations and dig more into our personal lives, away from crowded venues and loud stages. He'll be missed, for certain, and I know so many of his friends and family will feel a loss that they will carry with them until they meet again. It's been humbling to see the public support and even the bigger publications covering his much-earned impact in the culture. I hope he felt that when he was here; too often we hold that love to ourselves, when it's meant to be shared. Rest In Peace, Pumpkinhead. PH. Robert Diaz ... our friend. In closing, a post from Talib  Kweli saying, "Just finding out I lost a great friend today. RIP Robert Diaz AKA Pumpkinhead. Robert and I went to PS 282 together in Brooklyn, 4th grade. We then reconnected when he became an MC during the indie era of the late 90s. He signed to Makin Records, I signed to Rawkus. Then PH went on to reinvent himself again in the new battle rap era. He LOVED MCing and was great at it. To lose such a great human being so early in his life, man. No words. There is a fraternity of artists who were around for all of this. PH inspired us all. He will live on thru us even though his physical presence will be missed. RIP Robert Diaz." Click HERE to consider making a donation to help his family and honor his memory...