Guru- "JAZZMATAZZ feat. Angie Stone "Keep Your Worries" b/w "Lift Your Fist" feat. The Roots Virgin Records

By: Ice


Introducing the world to the wonderful sounds of Jazz 'n' Hip Hop with Jazzmatazz in 1993. Now in 2000 he continues where he left off. Guru from the outfit Gangstarr, laces the world with a collective third volume. All three volumes have featured some of the best cats in jazz, from Roy Ayers to Donald Byrd. I am going to bless you with a brief overview of the 12" released off the new Jazzmatazz Vol. 3. This track is not in stores just yet but keep your eye's peeled.

"KEEP YOUR WORRIES" feat. Angie Stone will definitely grow on you. She has a smooth voice and Guru together on this same track is hot. "Potential is infinite, Be wise visualize" uplifting lyrically. The beat produced by DJ Scratch makes the head nod.

Flip the script and you have "Lift Your Fist" feat. The Roots also Produced by the Roots: pump ya fist, put your hands in the air type of track. This is great for the clubs. Heavy bass bouncing smoldering Flipmode feel. Hot to def. Look out for JAZZMATAZZ VOL. 3. I'm sure it's going to have an all-star line-up. The new album will be flooding stores soon.

DeLaSoul- "A O I Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump" TommyBoy

By: Ice


When I first walked in Fat Beats in (LA) the same week of the release of AOI Art Official Intelligence I reached and grabbed for the vinyl threw a dub down and was out. With a fat stack of wax in my hand I went home and slapped it on the tables. At this point I've already been blown away by the way the album cover was layed out. Futuristic DE LA POSTER ala Paul's Boutique (Beastie Boys) only folds 2x's as much with the double vinyl in between. Whew!

Every track is slammin'. From the first song "Say R" that almost sounds like Battlecat produced it. To the Liks and X to the Z on "My Writes" to the club slammin' "OOOH" feat. RedMan. De La have taken this production to a new level. I'm speakin for the mastering on this one here. Things just flow one to another, which enhances the listening pleasure. Other guest on the album include DV the alias Khrist, singin' on "Thru Ya City". You couldn't leave out FLIPMODE with "IC y'all" feat. Busta Rhymes. The sleeper on this album is "VIEW", and skills being dropped on "Set the Mood" feat. Indeed. The hottest joint on this album "All Good" feat. 70's soul sensation Chaka Khan. Surely this will be a radio friendly cut. Then they hit you with the fat B-Boy party jam "Squat" featuring the high-flyin def-defyin' Beastie Boys followed by a little freestyle with "words from the chief rocker Busy B" taking us back to the old school.

Intelligence was demonstrated lyrically all over this album. Talk about hip hop at it's best! I still catch myself in the Daisy Age, and filling potholes, this is simply more classic material. I thought Stakes Is High was a mature album-A.O.I. is the Super Joint of the year! *****

Defari- "L.A City 3 Track White Label 12"

By: Ice


Defari HaeRu born Duane Johnson Jr, and Likwit Crew member, also taught History in LA's Inglewood High School. Defari is a true school LA bred underground B-Boy, who hits us with another slammin' LA Anthem 12" for the summer bumps.

. JOYRIDE- Start off with "I got Turntables, speakers...." HaeRu over a eerie piano-down-beat. This west coast royal crown boasts he's from a loyal town praising his LA streets and urge's all to "get blitzed and Joyride to this" town. "Rocking jersey's like Raiders and Lakers...." There's a tight scratch through out this track (Gangstarr) "Stop, Think for a moment O.K." Clean your ears out on this one.

I Can't Wait (LACity)- Another fat beat with a unique piano praise on a mid tempo bump. Bouncing with the chorus "I can't wait L - A CITY" "for the kids on the street. Defari changes his delivery with this track and follows the same chemistry throughout the track. This beat is Bangin'.

Keep It On the Rise feat. Dilated Peoples- This track has a dark down beat tempo with a crispy snare. Two of LA's best on one track you can't go wrong. These cats deliver on this shit. True LA Hip Hop. I'm not sure who's on production with any of these new Defari tracks. It doesn't list any credits, it's a white label. If you see this 12" COP IT! GET 2 while you're at it.

Black Rob- "Life Story" Bad Boy Records

By: Owen Taylor


After only hearing BLACK ROB'S single Life Story I was curious to see how the album would be. To no suprise the album was fat. Black Rob performs solid on all his tracks never losing the listener. He has a smooth delivery and tight blended beats that keep you in his groove. Puffy Daddy the Don King of rap music has found another star to represent his BAD BOY label.

The double album contains over twenty tracks the my favorite songs were ESPACIO, PO WORLD TOUR with PUFF DADDY and JASMINE. Jasmine was fat because it has this island steel drum sound that keeps your head bobbin.

I thought it was interesting to hear ROB give tribute to two previously released classics done by other artist. Although this is not always common by rappers. He freaked his lyrics and makes you believe he is the original artist. This was evident on his song BR and THUG STORY. Which are remakes of BLACK ON BLACK CRIME by GP WU and CHILDREN'S STORY by SLICK RICK. With the lauching of this first solo album Black ROb is setting up shop to bring us the funk for years to come. I also think PUFFY has found a new HYPE man to KEEP BAD BOY on top. I can't wait to hear new material from ROB and the BAD BOY click.

Tommy Sims- "Peace and Love" Universal Records

By: Owen Taylor


Although I have never heard of Tommy Simms I did appreciate a few of his songs. He has a large range of styles my favorite being his smooth r and b dance grooves. Two of these dance songs really caught my ear #3 A NEW JAM and #4 WHEN YOU GO I predict WHEN YOU go will soon be hitting the r and b and pop charts pretty high.

It's always good to hear new artist and tune in to their style. I was a little thrown off by Sims collection of styles it seems to me like he is influenced by many other artist. Espically #1 WHICH WAY it sounds alot like a Tracy Chapman song. But all in all If your looking for something mellow this cd has it's moments. Im tired of getting Cd's that only have on or two jams on them. This one at least has a few you can get into.

William Orbit- "Pieces In A Modern Style" Maverick Recordings

By: Nick Bates


Being the type that is into almost all genres of music, with the exception of country, William Orbit's "Pieces in a Modern Style" is definitely a sound that I find quite interesting. I would classify this style of music as Ambient Electronica.

Mr. Orbit's sound is very deep, gloomy and moody. I would have to say this type of music that is great for passionate love-making with your significant other, but not for fucking that one night stand; excuse my French.

This type of sound is not for all, but for those who are connoisseurs of fine ambient music, and for those who have an open mind. Take a listen to some of the tracks and you'll see what I mean.

Cypress Hill-"Skulls and Bones" Columbia Records

By: Ice


SO YOU WANNA BE ROCK SUPERSTAR? Well you have no choice once you are in the game. The music industry will pick you apart and this song breaks it down with a ROCK version and a RAP version, same as the disc itself. A double disc with 17 hard edge, heavy banging FUNKY CYPRESS HILL SHIT! Back With the O.G. crew of MUGGS on the beats with some intensity, consistent flow with SEN DOG, back after doing a stint with PUNK ROCK band SX10 and the classic voice of B-Real. The disc starts with the skull disc. Definitely mental, with notable tracks like Cuban Necktie, and What U Want From Me. The first five tracks a HOT. It will definitely grow on you. Be prepared for the Bones Disc cause you're in for a surprise. Their tracks start mellow with a nice down beat and suddenly they're loud aggressive hooks grab you. I wonder why haven't they tried this formula on previous discs. They would definitly be buttering bizkits with they're loud rocking sound. The track "Can't Get the Best of Me" will bang your head with a Rock version of "SUPERSTAR". I like the change, we probably will see them on HEADBANGERS BALL soon.

The Lost Boys LB IV Life

By: Owen Taylor


Queens N.Y. has always been known for it's classic line up of all star rappers. Its only right for one of the younger neighborhod groups to represent. With such groups as Tribe Called Quest, Nas, and LL, coming from the streets of Queens, New York you gotta have game. The Lost Boys are back on top. The Lost Boys will forever keep your necks crackin'. I wish I knew what kind of drum machine they use. The beats never stop bangin'. This crew is al aobut their arrangement. They have smooth deliveries and good chorus. After listening to this album I was saddened to hear that one of the band members passed away. RIP to Freaky Tah. I have been a fan of the Lost Boys since their hit "Jeeps", and the "Benz". I recommend this album for anyone that wants to hear qualilty neck crackin' hip hop. Play it in your car, at home, at the party and I promise you will have it bumpin' full blast. The tightest jams on the album are #4- "Getto Jiggy", #9-"Only Live Once", #14- "Can't Hold Us Down", #15- "Ghetto Life Style".

Femi Kuti "Shoki Shoki" MCA, Barclay France

By: Owen Taylor


The first time I listened to the Femi Kuti Album I played it all the way through. I rarely do this with any album but Kuti's non-stop energy had me going. His album is filled with the wonderful sound of his native African home land. His style is quite interesting because not only is it African its Caribbean, Salsa, Reggae and Jazz all blended together creating a wonderful and cleansing sound. Hearing this album over and over I told myself man I got to take a vacation. You know something exotic, blue water, hot women and watching this band on the beach. That's what I see when I listen to Mr. Kuti. Being Kuti's first album I think he will be a very popular entertainer for years to come. He has a wonderful and pleasant style that will keep you tuned in over and over. Your grandmother will like a couple of jams on this one. What I really see is Kuti bringing together different cultures and backgrounds to listen to his sound. I gotta say it we are blessed to hear a new artist like this. Kuti is teaching us African history and the history of music at the same time. Along with his good singing voice, he is a pretty good sax player. Kuti accompanies almost all of his songs with a saxophone solo. The tracks I liked the most were #3- "What Will Tomorrow Bring", #4- "Victim Of Life", I like to call this one Kuti's rap, and #12-"Black Man Know Yourself" a collaboration with The Roots. Do be surprised if I pull up next to you at a light and you hear me bumping Femi Kuti. Will you roll your windows up or turn your radio down and join the party?

FatJack "Cater To The Dj" Celestial Recordings US

By: Owen Taylor


Aftrer hearing the buzz lately about FatJack I figured that I had to check him out. FatJack's debut album "Cater To The Dj" is shaking the richter scale. Like myself many of you respect the importance of underground hip hop music even though FatJack is not new to the scene he has definitley made his arrival. To me personally its good to see brothers you cross paths with representing. I ran into FatJack a few years ago while he was laying a few tracks for my man Vell Bakardy. You gotta give props to FatJack he definitley has his own style while representing all styles of hip hop from coast to coast. This album is packed with over twenty tracks, the ones that caught my ear were: Number 1 "You wanna What" by Trend, Number 3 "Give Me 5 Feet" by Aceyalone, Number 10 "Had Flow" by Big Arch, Number 15 "Wrong Mc" by JSmoove.

click here to listen to "Track #1"
click here to listen to "Track #3"
click here to listen to "Track #10"
click here to listen to "Track #15"

Faze Action "Moving Cities" F-111/Warner Bros., Nuphonic

By: Nick Bates

With the licensing of Faze Action's "Moving Cities" for the U.S., F-111 / Warner Bros. has been getting there hands on some great tracks. Faze Action has turned out yet another stunning cut with two different mixes; the U.S. album mix and the Sphere Guitar Dub. Of the two, I like the dub mix; it has an atmospheric feel with bangy drum programming, and is great for mixing or just listening. The other side to this release is definitley a treat with mixes by Kerri Chandler and Jerome Sydenham of Ibadan Records. Their renditions of "Moving Cities" are deep and intelligent; very similar to most of their work. I would highly recommend this Faze Action release to any house dj or collector of fine house music.

click here to listen to "The Sphere Guitar Dub"
click here to listen to "The MadHouse Dub"

"Run Dmc" white label promo "Crown Royal"/"Queens Day" Arista

by: djb-ice

KINGS FROM QUEENS. For scores and many years ago, there once was a band that hailed out of QUEENS, NY. A band that not only "BUST THROUGH CEILINGS AND KNOCKED DOWN DOORS...", but definitely paved the way for mc's and dj's to carry on the torch and put hip hop on the map to the masses... Truly no group was more responsible for taking hip hop into the pop mainstream than these living legends. These Hip Hop Pioneer's are approaching their 20th anniversary. Today's ROYAL CROWN belongs to RUN DMC. When I came across the latest 12" CROWN ROYAL / QUEENS DAY feat. RUN, NAS & MOBB DEEP I was eager to get home and put the needle on the record. A white center piece with a basic RUN DMC STAMP nothing special; a little different and something new from ARISTA, RUN DMC's new parent label, which seems to be signing all the old school artists such as Q-TIP, BRAND NUBIAN. I'm just not used to seeing a RUN DMC white label, so this shh is dope.

"FOR THY IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER, with orchestra sound background THE KINGS OF RULAH, THE RULES I RULE." DMC screams with his golden touch as RUN steps in and dominates a dope track. I'm still not sure on the production being its a white label, however I'm waiting for email from my inside sources. "REV RUN BE CLOWN DOWN WHILE YOU KEEP TRYING TO TAKE MY CROWN..."- words from Crown Royal. Nothing has change between DARRYL and JOE still proclaiming to be the KINGS, KINGS of ROCK, RAP. I still haven't seen a combination like these guys. JAY where's the beat! Can't leave out JAY. JAY more than likely did the production. This track has a dramatic side to the production some JESUS CHRIST SUPER STAR sound track type. DEFINITE HEADBANGER FLIPDASCRIPT W/QUEENSDAY.

I now declare QUEENSDAY when the RUN DMC new album is released later this spring!

QUEENSDAY the flipside of CROWN ROYAL. FEAT. NAS AND MOBB DEEP. After I heard MOBB DEEP on NAS's FAMILY track which is a Queens tribute, and now hearing QUEENSDAY it makes me think about the dope mc's who come out of Queens; Shan, LL, NAS AND THE KINGS FROM QUEENS DJ RUN DMC AND JAM MASTER JAY. With a nice little piano touch, female vocal, all with a dope beat; mellow but smooth. NAS starts the track explaining how life is on HOLLIS AVE truly giving praise to his home turf. Verse 2 none other than DJ RUN states that "father and son have in common is love for RUN" followed by MOBB DEEP stepping on mic giving it up to their Q-DOGS. Well I got my money's worth I know you'll get your's, so pick this sshhh up. full length out later this spring! On a scale of 3 b-hits or a blunt were definitly blazing on this one. Honeydipped.

click here to listen to "Crown Royal"
click here to listen to "Queens Day"

"The Roots Come Alive" MCA Records

By: Owen Taylor


Last summer after seeing the roots live in concert I was fascinated by the soul and energy of the performance. The way they captivated the crowd for an hour was unbelievable the group was hot. There were about six other groups in the show. The roots blew everyone away. With the release of their live album THE ROOTS COME ALIVE I find myself at the concert once again. With all the songs we've all heard before the live show may be too much for you true hip hop listeners. I just think it's great to be able to hear this group live in your living room. Im not suprised by the release of this live album. The roots the original hip hop band plays smooth on this album all the way through. The release of this ablum is long over due. Enjoy...

click here to listen to "Track #1 & 2"
click here to listen to "Track #3"