Cuban Link "Chain Reaction" (Vibe Magazine, 2005)

Withstanding Big Pun's immense shadow and Fat Joe's verbal wrath, Cuban Link shines with introspection on his first solo release. Chain Reaction finds the former TS member cleverly moving from the streets ("Talk About It") to the sheets ("My Lady"). Whether spitting alongside Avant's crooning or Jadakiss's rough rhymes, Cuban adapts to each track, especially the grimier ones. "I've been gone for a minute / N!@@as thought I was finished," he raps on "Tonight's the Night," "But the scars that I caught just added more to the image." And that's how he stays a cut above. - Vibe Magazine (September, 2005). I've always enjoyed Cuban Link's music - from guest features to "Flowers For The Dead" and his latest tribute to Big Pun with "Letter To Pun," I still think there's plenty of room for Cuban Link in this industry. That said, having Fat Joe as an "enemy" has never been something I'd recommend, so I hope they eventually reconcile their differences. "In retrospect, I always respect the man that you were / A man of your word that always put his family first / With talent superb all you wanted was to be heard / And You got your chance all of your fans are proud of your work..." R.I.P., Big Pun. Listen to Cuban Link's '05 Chain Reaction below...

Vibe Magazine's album review of Cuban Link's Chain Reaction...

Soul Kid Klik "Invisible Army" (2001)

Soul Kid Klik are a New York-based crew that was formed by producer/rapper/Jazz musician G-Clef Da Mad Komposa in the mid 90's and were Wu-Tang affiliated at one point. The crew - also consisting of Blakspik, Goodfella Mike G, Storm Da Ghetto Mustant, DJ Spinbad and Infamous Mr. Savage - hailed from different boroughs of NY and delivered some impressive tracks that were championed in the underground in 2001. Their album, Invisible Army, was released on CD through Hip-Hop Enterprise, but since the music was championed mostly by vinyl heads, their reissue of the album on vinyl will appeal to their niche audience. You've probably heard "Mortal Combat" and "Desperate Times" on mixtapes, now hear the full LP below and click through to cop the vinyl LP.

Neek The Exotic "Hell Up In Queens" (Album Stream)

Queens, New York M.C. Neek The Exotic returns with a dope new album "Hell Up In Queens". This album is pure Hip Hop at it's finest featuring stellar production by Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest on the title track "Hell Up In Queens", Large Professor produced the very hypnotic track "Bax N Nex", Kwame produced the super catchy track "O.G. Season" that features Hip Hop heavy weight Bumpy Knuckles. Additional production handled by new up & coming producers Kapital who blazed tracks like "Chronic Bars" & "What U Want Me To Be" and others. The hard hitting "Still Fakin' The Funk" features Fredro Starr from ONYX which will be the first music video. Neek also brought along some young new talented artists such as Stoxx, Fame Feddi & Merc The Big Body Benz who are also featured on this album. This is a well thought out and put together album from Neek, who has continued to stay relevant in Hip Hop since day one when he was featured on MAIN SOURCE's 1992 "Fakin' The Funk" from the White Men Can't Jump Motion Picture Soundtrack. He has had a slew of releases since then such as his groundbreaking first 12" single "Exotic's Raw" in 1997 and the 1999 "Backs N Necks" EP featuring and produced by his long time childhood friend and collaborator Large Professor. The Queens Hip Hop duo also released 2010's "Exotic Species" & the 2011's "Still On The Hustle". Neek The Exotic makes a statement on his new album letting the world know that he is still not Fakin' The Funk. The Red Mamba is back and it's gonna be Hell Up In Queens! Listen below...

Kev Brown "Homework" (Album Stream)

After a 13 year hiatus, producer/MC Kev Brown has finally released the sophomore sequel to 2005's influential cult classic, "I Do What I Do.” Entitled, "Homework", "Homework" was composed organically and at his own pace, in the comforts of his own home; hence the title. Kev's trademark sound has been emulated over the last decade by so many artists and his sonic impact is very evident even among his contemporaries. It all started on the Akai MPC2000xl and the rest is history. Kev Brown's debut album was groundbreaking in so many areas. It would be no surprise that Hip Hop would ask for the next installment and he's nowhere near done leaving his mark. "Homework" is a seamless nonstop exhibition of KB's range. Kev raps confidently and wisely throughout the album's 27 tracks. Lyrically, it's personal, introspective, comedic, observatory and witty, delivered in Kev's smooth baritone style. Vocals are equally complimented by instrumentals all produced by the man himself and fluidly morph into instrumental compositions too good to be considered interludes. The album was composed using several different samplers and recording technologies, but the vibe is never compromised. Returning to his roots, this a very "Hip Hop" album. The drums are hard, the recordings are unpolished, samples are obscure, manipulated and unrefined. "Homework" is the perfect game plan for today's climate. And for those who haven't, do your homework on this man!

DJ Total Eclipse "The J Tape" (Mixtape, 2012)

The J Tape was released in 2012 by DJ Total Eclipse of the X-Excutioners and features tracks, mash ups, and remixes from famous artists sporting the J name (J. Dilla, Jay-Z, Jay Electronica). Influenced by the works of the legendary J. Dilla (RIP), Total Eclipse decided to mix Dilla's incredible production with the vocal stylings of Jay-Z, one of the greatest MCs of all time, and Jay Electronica, one of the most exciting artists to arrive on the Hip-Hop scene in a number of years. Total Eclipse recently re-released this mix to his own page, so I thought it was worth revisiting and sharing here below...

M.O.P. "First Family 4 Life" (Vibe, 9/98)

"With First Family, M.O.P.'s harrowing third full-length album (they also released an EP, Handle Ur Bizness, earlier this year), Billy Danze and Lil' Fame step up to get their rep up, with Fame tackling much of the disc's production. Billy has developed lyrically since M.O.P.'s 1994 debut, at times setting aside his gun-clapping escapades to take on more compelling issues, such as the welfare of his "seed" ("What The Future Holds"). "4 Alarm Blaze," an energetic, bang-your-head-into-the-wall masterpiece, balances nicely against the album's more sedate tracks, including the emotion "Blood, Sweat, Tears." With helping hands Premier, Laze E. Laze, and Da Beatminerz, this Brownsville, Brooklyn duo prove that the key to longevity is growth." - Vibe Magazine, September 1998.

You can peep the full review from Vibe Magazine below....

Awon & Phoniks "Return To The Golden Era" (Album Stream)

Unfortunately, this site wasn't up and running when the Virginia MC, Awon, & Portland producer, Phoniks first collaborated on their debut release of "Return To The Golden Era." However, I was surely tuned in for the nostalgic vibes and sound reminiscent of the golden era of hip-hop (the 90s). To celebrate it's 5th anniversary, a vinyl repress is now available - pressed on ultra clear, with gold splatter vinyl ... courtesy of Don't Sleep Records. I'm told the tracklist is slightly different from the original LP: mainly, interludes have been removed and the original version of 'Rule Of The Gun' has been replaced by the remixed version. The vinyl also includes the 'Get Yours' remix for the first time ever on vinyl, replacing the 'Move Back' remix from the original LP. For certain, prices will increase considerably via resellers once these are sold-out, so get in on the ground floor and support independent art at Don't Sleep Records! You can (and should) stream this project in full below...

A Tribe Called Quest, Represent! Represent!

This is an album that is so perfect and so cohesive ... yet, sometimes I oddly forget to mention it amongst my favorite albums of all-time. Maybe ... it's because I felt like that after Midnight Marauders, too? Come to think of it, I don't often place any of Gang Starr's albums in my favorite of all-time either, even though they were my favorite group and I ran "Daily Operation," "Hard to Earn," AND "Moment of Truth" 'til the tapes popped. It seems easier to choose a stand-out like "Illmatic" or "Liquid Swords" or "OB4CL" because that was the bar for that artist. If that comes off wrong or puts shade on their other releases, that's not my intention. When I really sit with it, "The Low End Theory" is 100% on my top list, so is Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth's "Mecca & The Soul Brother" and a new school classic like Blu & Exile's "Below The Heavens." I like my albums sonically consistent. I like life before there was a skip button and artists crafted albums with the cassette tape in mind - no one wanted to fast forward through an album and burn up their batteries, lol. Have me out here with a pencil, skipping tracks manually, looking type crazy. In any event, I miss Phife, may he Rest In Peace, and I don't think there will ever be a group like them again. I do love that Jarobi stepped back in, I got a ton of love for him, and if there are more things from Tribe, I'm totally here for it. Thank you for giving us classics. Keep bouncin'. Postcards are available HERE!