Are you on the hunt for some rare groove morale in your life?

Look no further trooper, LIL DAVE & PERSONIFY unleash a batch of explosive renditions on this “Got You Covered” mix..No tracklist this time around, but please do not snooze.

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“Philadelphia DJs lil’dave (Illvibe Collective) and Personify (Little Big Things) have joined forces to bring you Gotcha Covered – a genre bending mega-mix of covers songs from the mid-60s to the present. With more than 35 years of DJing and music collecting between them, these fellas dug deep in their collections to pull tracks for Gotcha Covered and spent months mixing, cutting and blending together more than 90 covers spanning Funk, Soul, Jazz, Afrobeat, Latin, Bossa Nova, Boogaloo, Reggae, Steel-Drum Band, Brass Band, R&B and Hip-Hop, to name a few. From the super rare to the under-appreciated and forgotten to the more common cover versions, Gotcha Covered offers up something for the serious digger and the casual listener alike. If you love good music, stop what you’re doing, grab a copy of the mix, and prepare to be taken on a tour of some of funkiest and most soulful covers ever laid down. And sorry – no track listing…gotta do your own homework for this one”.

I’m not sure if you have peeped this beat session by MADLIB a few months back, but there are a few beats on here that will perk your ears up…

PEEP….

Out of all the stuff I have heard from NUTSO over the years, his project with BRAINSPARKER has to be my top choice…I’m not sure if those two will link up again for more music, but I will keep my fingers crossed…

Until then, take a listen to his newest offering “Good As Gone” featuring Blacastan & Shabaam Sahdeeq…

CHECK IN….

If you are an avid HIP HOP BATTLEFIELD reader, you would know about my appreciation for FULLY- G’s slept on classic, “There She Goes Again”….Recently he sent me a Bandcamp page that features 2014 action….

Be prepared for some off kilter, dusted, original stylings…CHIRAQ STAND THE FUCK UP!!!

TRACKLIST-

1.aDuLt swim iNtRo 01:10
2.MoOkNeTo – tHe HiTcHhIkEr 04:02
3.FULLY G – aawWW BaBAe 03:47
4.MoOkNeTo – tHeRe 01:43lyrics
5.BaD hAbItS 03:34
6.nO cHeAtS 02:40
7.sUpAwOmAn 2NiTe 03:14
8.MiSstEeK – tEmPoRaRy sIdEeFfEcTs 02:08
9.FULLNETO 02:37
10.MOoKnEto – bOrN WiT A ShIrT 03:10
11.FULLY G – No bUlLsHiTtA 01:28
12.u NeEk 02:40
13.GoOd dUdE iNtRo 01:37
14.GoOd dUdE 02:22
15.MOoKnEtO – i WaS tHeRe Ni@@a 03:09
16.FULLY G – hElL iN tHe NooN hOuR 02:47
17.MOoKnEtO – a SiNgLe hEaRtBeAt 02:56
18.MOoKnEtO – tHe lAzIeSt sWiNg 01:37
19.MOoKnEtO X CHAMPTHEPOET – MoNoToMiC GoLd 03:30
20.pOvErTy 04:45
21.MOoKnEtO/CHAMPTHEPOET/FULLY G/SANDMAN – tHe oLdEr GoDs 05:16
22.FWEGO – nO ShIrT 03:10
23.FULLNETO aCa 02:12
24.FULLY G – nO BuLlShItTa aCa 01:08

PEEP…..

JAKE ONE is the special guest for Cratery #67….

PEEP…

“His Cratery confession:
“I made a few beats off Cratery. One in particular turned out really dope. It’s definitely a slap. You guys had a few episodes with a couple things I had to jack.”

On avoiding old head syndrome:
“That’s the hardest thing in the world. But I honestly love what the younger generation is doing. I just try to keep what makes me good, but learn from what the younger guys are bringing to the table. Being an old head complaining on Facebook about the state of hip-hop is just not a good look. 20 years from now, the new kids will be reminiscing about how Soulja Boy was the man. It’s all relative to your generation. I just can’t go out like the Chi-Lites making struggle records in ’89.”

His thoughts on his hometown Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks:
“Just stay the course and you’ll be rewarded. To spend almost 30 years watching a team not be successful, and finally we win so dominantly? That’s the best feeling. And the victory felt better cause it felt like Seattle was on. Macklemore becoming the biggest thing in music had Seattle popping and then we win Super Bowl? It just felt good for the city not be purely on some hate shit for once (laughs).”

Why his homie Chan Dogg is integral to the fibre of the music industry:
“Chan Dogg is just a major factor in the game, man. There aren’t too many people that can tell you about Stevie Ray Vaughn guitar solos and James Mason album cuts. Plus he’s a got pretty decent collection of jazz records on Prestige that continues to grow in 2014. He’s definitely keeping it youthful at 50.”

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Regardless of what some people might think of PUTS bar game, you have to admit that they have dropped some impressive beats over the years…

RIGHT?

THES ONE sits down with Oliver Wang for a little Q&A revolving around all things sample related….

PEEP…

BASURA unleashes a mix / compilation that pays homage to the Filipino funk legacy on “FILIPINO FOLKWAYS”….

This is more than music – this is cultural anthropology,archeology, and historical documentation troopers…

TRACKLIST-

DEATH WITHOUT FEAR BALAHIBO
STROKE NG PANLILIGAW CORA ADAJAR AND THE MAMMALS
I GOT YOU (JAMES BROWN COVER) VILMA VALERA
SEXY SEXY SEXY (JAMES BROWN COVER) BOY MONDRAGON
I JUST CAN’T STOP DANCIN’ TIRSO CRUZ III
MAKE IT WITH YOU (BREAD COVER) VICTOR LAUREL
BABY YOU MOVE ME RONNIE VILLAR
EL TOMADOR RONNIE VILLAR & THE FIREDONS
BLUE EYES EDDIE PEREGRINA & THE BLINKERS
SHING-A-LING TIME (LIBERTY-BELLES COVER) HELEN GAMBOA
TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS (HEGALONG) T’BOLI TRIBE (LEMUHEN)
TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS (BAMBOO & DRUMS) T’BOLI TRIBE (LEMUHEN)
PINOY FUNK REGALADO
BLACK BOOGIE STICKY
ISANG HALIK LANG

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“***DISCLAIMER: This isn’t mastered. I’m fully aware that the sound quality of some of the tracks aren’t the greatest, primarily in the first half of the mix (vinyl crackles, bad recordings, etc.), but I did try my best to make them listenable! Keep in mind that some of this stuff came from rare thrashed 45’s from as far back as 50 years ago!!!***

My overall objective in making this was to attempt to expose some interesting musical discoveries and gems from the Philippines to the public. HEADPHONES would be the way to go to enjoy this”.

The BUILT TO LAST crew from France recently laced up a strictly TRU CRIMINAL mix that is worthy of your attention…After one look at the tracklist you should know what time it is..

TRACKLIST-

01.AK SKILLZ – East ta west
02.STREET SMARTZ – Metal Thangz
03.TRAGEDY KHADAFI – C’mon
04.AK SKILLZ – one life ta live
05.GODSUNZ feat TRIGGA DA GAMBLER – Headspinners
06.AK SKILLZ – One thing or another
07.GODSUNZ feat OGC – 1-718
08.FUCK THAT – Brollic
09.STREET SMARTZ – Don’t trust anyone
10.151 PROOF – 151 Excuses
11.GODSUNZ – Baccardi & Smoke
12.CAPITAL LS feat SNOOP DOGG – GREG NICE –
ASU – 2PAC LONS – Bitches
13.SCARCHILD – 151 PROOF – FUCK THAT – Prime Time
14.TRIGGA DA GAMBLER – SMOOTH DA HUSTLER – Retarded
15.NATURE – Let’s do it again
16.FUCK THAT – John F Hennessy

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When I visited Kauai, Hawaii a few years back I was hoping I would stumble across some secret society record shops…Unfortunately after intense research and politicking I was unable to locate any spots that were “holding”…

Next time when I roll out there, I will hit up the other islands because apparently Hawaii has a deep history of funk/soul that many on the mainland are unaware of….

Peep this clip for a boost of Hawaii wax morale…

“…Over the last few years Honolulu native Roger Bong has made it his business to become the authority on Hawaiian records, chronicling his various digging adventures on his fantastic Aloha Got Soul blog and feeding the more voracious US and UK collectors with utterly neglected gems from the paradise isle on a selection of superb mixes.

The music, ignored and inaccessible for so long, is, thanks to Roger finally filtering over the ocean and is feted by the likes of Psychemagik, Floating Points and the hardcore collectors at BBE records for its sun-soaked and gloriously carefree breed of island-tinted soul, funk and rare groove. Heavily influenced by the US and recorded primarily in the 70′s and 80′s, it’s basically impossible not to fall in love with this stuff.

Now, for the first time, Roger has flung open the doors and given us an unprecedented look into the heart of the record digging scene in Hawaii on this lovely film, sharing five of his favourite records and providing an insight into the best record shops and markets on the Pacific archipelago…”

One of the main dudes behind the classic “Ultimate Breaks & Beats” series – Mr. Breakbeat Lou is the special guest on the STONES THROW podcast #87….

Do the right thing and catch a zone troopers…

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My NS Comrade P-SOL assembled this 44 track strictly LORD FINESSE mix a few years back…Somehow I forgot to post it up when it first dropped so without further delay troopers – here it is….

FRESH IS THE WORD..

“P Sol: I made this mix for one reason; I’m a big fan of Lord Finesse. No gimmicks, just a great respect for what he has done for hip hop and music in general. Whether you have been listening to Lord Finesse and D.I.T.C. since the late 80s or if you are unfamiliar with him, I hope you enjoy this mix. Stating the obvious, this is a slim portion of the Funkyman’s discography. More to come”…

TRACKLIST-

01. Intro/Collage
02. Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth – Bad Mutha03. James Brown – The Boss
04. Lord Finesse – Check The Method
05. Grand Puba – Untitled
06. Xperado – All Night
07. D.I.T.C. – Day One
08. Oliver Sain – On The Hill
09. LA Boppers – You Did It Good
10. D.I.T.C. – All Love
11. Lord Finesse – Shorties Kaught In The System (Remix)
12. Big L – Devil’s Son
13. Show & AG feat. Big L, Lord Finesse & OC – Dignified Soldiers (Original/Remix)
14. Mobb Deep – G.O.D. Pt. 3 (Blend)
15. Big L – Street Struck
16. Rasco – Run The Line (Lord Finesse Remix)
17. Pos Neg – No Doubt (Remix Instrumental/Interview)
18. Ahmad Jamal – Ghetto Child
19. Walkin Large – Do That (Lord Finesse Remix)
20. Big L – MVP
21. Debarge – Stay With Me
22. David Axelrod – The Smile
23. Lord Finesse feat. Grand Puba, Sadat X & Large Pro – Actual Facts
24. Lord Finesse – Keep The Crowd Listening (DJ Premier Remix)
25. Ground Floor feat. Lord Finesse – Dig On That
26. Lord Finesse feat. Krs-One – No Gimmicks
27. Interview/Interlude
28. Oscar Peterson – Dream Of You
29. Lord Finesse – Hip 2 Da Game
30. Lord Finesse – Hip 2 Da Game (Buckwild Remix)
31. Minnie Riperton – Here We Go
32. Vinyl Dogs Interlude
33. Lord Finesse – Party Over Here (Remix)
34. Notorious B.I.G. – Party And Bullshit (Lord Finesse Remix)
35. Lord Finesse – Steppin’ Hard Zulu Nation
36. Lord Finesse feat. Percee P – Yes You May
37. Lord Finesse Speaks
38. Lord Finesse – The Funky Technician (P-Sol Blend)
39. Lord Finesse – The Funky Technician
40. James Brown – Blind Man Can See It
41. Gangstarr – Just To Get A Rep (P-Sol Blend)
42. Notorious B.I.G. feat. Sadat X – Come On
43. Lord Finesse feat. OC – Brainstorm
44. Lord Finesse – Return Of The Funkyman

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It would be ridiculous to say that MC REN is a underrated MC (He sold millions of albums and influenced a whole coast), but I do not think he gets the shine that he truly deserves….

Go back and listen to some his verses from the late 80’s to the early 90’s, and try to tell me he wasn’t dropping some of the coldest, boulevard barbarian bars out there…

When he dropped “SHOCK OF HOUR” in 1993 I was disappointed somewhat, mainly because he started rocking over sub-par production that didn’t match his aggressiveness….However on “All Bullshit Aside” he kept it extra gutter..

SALUTE.