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…

DOWNLOAD….

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

DOWNLOAD…

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.

In my opinion it’s almost impossible to ruin the sample source that Omniscence rocked on this joint (It’s not the most obscure record, but exposing samples is not my thing)….In the late 90’s DON SCAVONE rocked over the same loop on “Sketchy Situations”, but to be honest I think Omniscence’s version gets the championship belt….

If your looking for some sure shot single shit to bang in the system this Friday night, you just found it troopers (My Main Man)…

*My only complaint is the off-kilter sanging /singing towards the end of the track HAHAHA..

DOWNLOAD…

Finally got around to listening to this strictly Australian mix by Delta (Digging For A Living)…

WHEW…

If this missed your radar when it first dropped nearly a month ago, I highly suggest swooping it up with a quickness..Be on the lookout for the new DELTA & DANNY DANN THE BEATMAN mixtape in the very near future…

“It was damn near impossible to choose what records to use on this because Australia has some truly CRAZY Music, so I’ve decided to make this the first instalment with more to come in the future. This goes out to everybody who loves vinyl”. – Delta

DOWNLOAD…

This Italian library record comp by SPEED BALL EXPERIENCE will help give your Tuesday evening a power boost….Turn the motherfucking volume up a few notches and catch a crime syndicate zone…

Track 1 – Whole / Raskovich
Track 2 – Sweet Beat / Stefano Torossi
Track 3 – Capricorno / A.Tommasi
Track 4 – Eccitamento / Gianni Mazza
Track 5 – Macero / Narassa
Track 6 – Diatomea / Subelli
Track 7 – Schizzo / Coscia
Track 8 – Polyphony / Sandro Brugnolini
Track 9 – Sospresi Nel Traffico / Gianni.Mazza
Track 10 – Diamonds / F.Bixio
Track 11 – Ambiente Elegante / F.Bonfanti
Track 12 – La Gang / Gianni Mazza
Track 13 – Gospel 71 / Subelli

DOWNLOAD…

“The DJ” by LONE CATALYST (JRawls & J Sands) gets the top ranking spot for the day…

WOW.

These two linked back up out of nowhere and dropped a new video and announced a new album…That’s what you call a proper sneak attack bumrush duke…Please do not sleep, this is high powered, sureshot single status..

MOSS is so criminally slept on that it’s ridiculous….At one point in time it appeared as if his affiliation with DJ Premiers YEAR AROUND label would boost him to new heights, but I haven’t heard much from him as of late (Unfortunately)…

On episode 33 of Cratery with ARCEE, SERIOUS, and KAEWONDER – MOSS pulls out some vinyl treats to rock out with..

“Most of you know MoSS as a producer of quality rap music for artists like Obie Trice, Black Moon, Sean Price, Joell Ortiz, Kool G Rap, Big Shug, Eternia and many others. Some of you might even know that he’s the lone producer signed to DJ Premier’s Works of Mart imprint. Even less of you might know that he accomplished all of this from his home in Brampton, Ontario. What you might not know is MoSS is one of the most savage record nerds on the planet, supplier of rhythms to your favourite collectors and proprietor of 2 record labels (Fading Sunshine and Strawberry Rain), both dedicated to obscure, forgotten foreign psychedelic treasures. He joins us this month for a double header of fuzzed-out greatness, Cratery style.

Session A crosses psychedelic borders from all over the world – Italy, Germany, Singapore, France and of course, right here – Canada. Standout tracks include the Ngozi Family’s “House of Fear” – a supremely rare Zambian psych selection and the UNLISTED starter joint. Don’t sweat the UNLISTED tracks. We know what they’re called and we’re pretty confident we won’t find them either. And no, Sipreano – if you know the song, you don’t win a prize. Download Cratery 33 (session A) featuring MoSS below. Enjoy”.

TRACKLIST:

1. *UNLISTED*
2. Brainticket – Places of Light
3. Mashmakhan – The Family
4. Abel – Searchin’ for the light
5. Ngozi Family – House of Fear
6. New Trolls – C’e troppa Guerra
7. Dionysos – L’age D’or
8. David Earle Johnson – Juice Harp
9. Favourite’s Group – Santana
10. Birth Control – This song is just for you
11. Triangle – Litanies
12. Trifle – New Religion

DOWNLOAD…

WHEW….

My dudes KUFU ONERZ & SHA were on a straight up crushing mission this past weekend…Take a look at these flicks and catch the motherfucking chills troopers…

*Click on the photos for further analysis…GMV CERTIFIED.

*Originally posted 12/1/10…This goes out to you MOBZ ONERZ..

If your growing tired of listening to sensitive busters on the mic, let me take you back to 1997 for a healthy dose of hardcore that will make you clench up your fist……Salaam Remi had a short-lived record label called Norfside…..Out of all the groups he put out, “Major Stress” showed the most potential in my opinion…They released a couple singles, and eventually put out a poorly distributed album in 1997 called “Up Against The Wall”……

Good stuff…….Plenty death threats, boulevard bully rhymes, stick up kid narratives, and very raw production supplied by Mr. Remi……

Here are a couple highlights…..

“Snakes To Burn”…Wow, if this doesn’t get your blood pumping something is fucking wrong with you…HAHA….

“Tell Your Crew”..Even with the off-kilter hook, this song still cooks and has managed to age well…

TRACKLIST (Against the Wall album)…

1.Snakes 2 Burn (4:35)
2.Cook Dat (4:05)
3.Gimme Sum (3:22)
4.Sippin’ Yo’ Mo’ (3:59)
5.Smokin’ & Fu**in’ (4:45)
6.If U Like Dis (3:28)
7.N.Y. Knickelbaggaz (4:51)
8.Crime Related (4:10)
9.Me & My Son (2:28)
10.Luv 2 Bag Ya (3:42)
11.Lighters In Da Air (3:37)
12.A Day In Da Stuy (4:32)
13.My Life’s A Fairy Tale (3:45)
14.Shot’s Landing (4:02)
15.Tell Yo’ Crew (4:16)
16.Reality Check (3:26)
17.1-2-Trees (Extended Mix) (4:32)
18.More & More (4:11)

DOWNLOAD…

God damn….

I pre-ordered the “DUST & GROOVES” book almost five months ago, and I got hit off with another delay excuse from the author Eilon Paz yesterday…What the fuck ?

I’m not sure exactly what type of fuckery is going on, but I suspect that something strange is popping off….If you plan on pre-ordering this book – please just wait until you can find it out on the field or you will end up mad, disappointed,confused, and thoroughly pissed off like me right about now…

If any of the BATTLEFIELD readers know Eilon, please tell him to get his motherfucking mind right….QUICK.

I’m glad that this documentary has finally seen the light of day…Salute to Shane Nicholson for making it happen..

“From 1968 to 1975, gangs ruled New York City. Beyond the idealistic hopes of the civil rights movement lay an unfocused rage. Neither law enforcement nor social agency could end the escalating bloodshed. Peace came only through the most unlikely and courageous of events that would change the world for generations to come by giving birth to hip-hop culture. Rubble Kings, the most comprehensive documentation of life during this era of gang rule to date, tells the story of how a few extraordinary, forgotten people did the impossible, and how their actions impacted the world over.

Rubble Kings is a feature length documentary about the New York city street gangs of the late ‘60s / ‘70s and their influence on hip-hop culture”.

Peep the trailer cuzzo..

*Before you read this excellent article about Ice Cube by RAPPERS EXPOSED, please keep in mind that I believe everyone has the right to grow and expand as artist, but once you display concrete contradictions that alienate your original fan base you will be held accountable..

At one time Oshea Jackson was on the verge of being a catalyst for complete rebellion, now he has been reduced to a non-threatening shell of his former self in my opinion…Truth be told, I stopped checking for him right around the Predator era – too many sappy beats started popping up, wack synth lines, and a personal pet peeve of mine; cheesy sanging / singing on the hooks pretty much made me turn my back……

Regardless, it’s not in me to fully lose all respect for him…He is obviously a smart, half-way funny dude that has accomplished more than most motherfuckers will in their lifetime, BUT AT WHAT COST IS THE QUESTION !!!

Now that I got my personal opinion out of the way, please read this article if you know what’s best for you….It should have been called NO VASELINE PART 2….HAHAHAHAHA

“Burn, Hollywood, Burn

O’Shea has made songs bashing Koreans, whites, Christians, and Jewish people as well as his own people. To this day he has never apologized and even continues to spread his hostility. Ice Cube is a hateful man to whom many people still continue to look as some example for black power.

However, it would be a stretch to believe that Ice Cube’s prejudiced rhetoric stems from a philosophy of black power. His very presence in Hollywood and in the music industry cries the exact opposite. The same Jewish people he has called out, the same white women he hates, and the same African Americans he has bashed are some of the very people who employ him, star with him, and write his scripts. Ice Cube is not only a fake gangster but he’s also a fake revolutionary. Some like to cheer him on as he talks about “the man” in his music but fail to realize that not only is he a part of the system, but also to a large degree he is the system. Who is the top rapper in Hollywood if not Ice Cube? Ice has risen to the top of the music and film industries, which have not yet changed to embrace true equality. The only way he could succeed in them is if he compromised in order to fit in. If Ice was any threat to the status quo, he would be blacklisted and put on the shelf just as others have been in the past.

Even though he rarely puts his own views up for public scrutiny, he has no problem with ridiculing others. For example, anyone who thinks “We are all praying to the same God” should take note of how Cube has portrayed everyone who doesn’t practice Islam. A prime example is Friday, a film written by Ice Cube that included a corrupt, adulterous, weed-smoking preacher played by Berrnie Mac. Just imagine his outrage if an Islamic Imam were shown in such a light”!

PEEP