Olas un Bekons

Digital [Big Batch] Cratediggin' With OuB [Day 20]

Added 2020-12-22 13:40:10 +0000 UTC

Hello everyone,

I am back today with few goodies. Would have done these much faster but had some unwanted hype in relation to my personal condition and COVID-19 test I had to take. Turned negative so now I can dedicate my thoughts on the latest batch write-up.

This is the biggest batch thus far and was meant to be a Christmas batch, but I think I will make a separate post bout that in the next few days (will be about 10 of my fave Christmas comps-releases). So today you get some solid muzik from East coast, West coast, South, and some internationals from the UK and Netherlands.

On the one hand, the more stuff, the merrier it gets. On the other hand, it gets much harder to highlight 3 specific ones. I will try to recommend 3 subjective nominations. That does not mean others are wack or better or somehow ineligible to be called 'highlights'. Still, this is how I feel right now bout specific 3.

1) - Beatnuts. Man this is what I love. The great production team of Les and JuJu (Al Tariq was occasionally one third of Beatnuts as well) have done so much to shape the great NYC rap sound of 90's. They have released numerous albums with dope beats and well made lyrics. Their production credits are prolific and a quality. One of those produced albums is featured here (Non-Phixion). GUys have produced and thus helped to elevate/develop careers of these notable artists: MC Lyte, Jungle Brothers, Common, Mos Def, Fat Joe, DJ Honda, Mad Skillz, Stereo MC’s, Chino XL, Non Phixion, Masta Ace, Chi-Ali, Naughty By Nature, Pete Nice, Supreme NTM, Da Youngsta’s, Bas Blasta, Down South, Kid N Play, Kurious, Triflics, Screwball, The Madd Rapper, Nigo, Prince Paul, Shazzy, Da Lench Mob, PMD, No I.D., Soulive, Mondo Grosso, Shinji Takeda, Rhymester. For those who didn't know, they are also considered marginal members of the Native Tongues group.

So what I personally think about these guys? They are legendary, when they started, they were much ahead of their time. And that's great. Helps developing the scene. To some extent their beats, production and records helped to shift into that great first part 1990's NYC sound we all love. Simply legendary! I myself love their early-mid 90's stuff more than the one of late 90's/early 2000's. But nonetheless, all of it is enjoyable if you want to spend an entire day just listening to the Beatnuts. Each their release offers something.

2) - Diversion Tactics. To copy their info from discogs ''Diversion tactics are Zygote, Jazz T, Squeaky and the Chubby Alcoholic hailing from Guildford, Surrey. The crew was formed in January 2000 out of a genuine love for hip hop and a desire to get their music heard.''

As you know I been into the UK hip-hop for quite some time. And DT's are one of those projects I would like to remember for the rest of my days. Their 1st album 'Pubs, Drunks and Hip-hop' was among the first UK rap albums I collected on CD shortly after it's release. The album name sounds kinds unserious, but once you start listening to it, you know this shit is serious. It does not come as surprise, that it was included among Top 50 UK Hip-Hop's greatest albums in 2007 (HHC mag). Well deserved. I don't even know which track to lay out here as preview. Just check the whole album...

In 2010 they dropped their 2nd one on Boot records. It's most notable for featuring Tim Dog and Percee P. I remember sleeping on the release but copping the CD few years later. The album was good, more mature but is still heavily slept on. Jazz T and Zygote has released numerous solo releases in between both albums and after their 2nd. You should check those out as well. Zygote is DT's DJ so his albums are instrumental. Still great! Might include in future batches.

3) I know I have kind of slept on the old school rap lately. So today I include few good vinyl rips. Notables would be Kurtis Blow LP's, Grandmaster Flash LP, The Lover II 12'' , MC Twix (released a bit later than the others, but I don't have any idea who the guy is, but I love the record) and The City Limits Crew.

The latter are among those UK rap pioneers. That dropped few singles and disbanded. In this case, City Limits Crew released two singles that both have that typical raps and electro mashup that were evident around '82-'85. Therefore, they are not as groundbreaking and revolutionary as my 1st nomination. Still, they are crucial to the development of UK rap scene, despite coming from era when many still tried to imitate US accent. I not an expert in linguistics, but I think these guys did the same to some extent. Still, they are a part of history and need to be recognized. In this batch I have included 'Fresher Than Ever' 12'' because that's the one I have in my shelves. Weirdly I don't have the other one. Might try to correct this gap and look into what discogs has to offer.

- P.S. I am sorry for not including any of the other ones. Especially feelin hurt myself bout not mentioning Agallah (guy's been working so hard and dropping great stuff for the last few years).

MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!

Preview tracks are below as always.

For fullies, check down there: