WU-TANG CLAN Enter the 36 Chambers (BMG) cd 18.98

WU-TANG CLAN Iron Flag (Columbia/Loud) cd 16.98
Back again, with a burst of gunfire and the sound of sirens, and thankfully they didn't wait 3 years this time. And as far as we're concerned they're still at the top of their game. It doesn't hurt that the majority of the 'Clan are wicked lyricists and fucking great rappers, but the RZA is still there, pulling loops out of his ass and coming up with some of the best tracks in Wu-Tang history. Track 5, 'Uzi (Pinky Ring)' is worth the price of admission alone, shuffling old school Eric B and Rakim drum loop, with stabs of SOUL POWER funky horns and reverbed minor key far away guitars, and some super cool modulated scratching. I (Andee) heard this track in the middle of a megamix on L.A. radio at 2 in the morning, between lots of stoned rambling, arguing and some really bad mixing. I knew it was Wu-Tang but I didn't know there was a new record and of course the DJs didn't back announce the tracks (they never do.). The rest of 'Iron Flag' measures up pretty nicely, with a surprising amount of meat, not a lot of filler. LOTS of horns, some not-offensive soul diva vocals, wah wah guitar, strange loops, and just a generally great production. The only weak moment is the pointless Flavor Flav track. It seems like he does the same rap in the same song on any record that'll have him. But that's a small complaint for a record this good. The WU is back! 'Ya'll Been Warned.'
RealAudio clip: "Uzi (Pinky Ring)"
RealAudio clip: "Ya'll Been Warned"

WU-TANG CLAN Legend Of The Wu-Tang: Wu-Tang Clan's Greatest Hits (BMG) cd 16.98
Wu Tang. Greatest hits. What else do you need? If you're too lazy or too stupid or just too out of touch to already own all these records, you can pick this up and play like you made yourself a mix cd from your old lps! This is classic shit!

WU-TANG CLAN The W (Loud) cd 16.98
The Wu is back! After over three long years since their last collaboration as a group when they released "Wu-Tang Forever." Where "Forever" was maybe a little epic in proportions, spanning two cds or 4 lps, "The W" (no, the title is not a reference to George Bush the younger) is more of a honed and strangely unified object. On the one hand this album is still chock full of kung fu madness, messed up production and lovingly half-baked raps as their previous forays. There are even a few incredibly retarded rhythm tracks here taken directly from the Sensational recipe book. Yet on the other hand they're somehow firmly rooted in this world by way of an impressive cast of cameos by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Redman, reggae crooner Junior Reid, Nas, Busta Rhymes and even Isaac Hayes.
RealAudio clip: "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)"
RealAudio clip: "One Blood Under W"
RealAudio clip: "Hollow Bones"
RealAudio clip: "Redbull"
RealAudio clip: "Gravel Pit"

WU-TANG CLAN The W (Loud) 2lp 17.98
The Wu is back! After over three long years since their last collaboration as a group when they released "Wu-Tang Forever." Where "Forever" was maybe a little epic in proportions, spanning two cds or 4 lps, "The W" (no, the title is not a reference to George Bush the younger) is more of a honed and strangely unified object. On the one hand this album is still chock full of kung fu madness, messed up production and lovingly half-baked raps as their previous forays. There are even a few incredibly retarded rhythm tracks here taken directly from the Sensational recipe book. Yet on the other hand they're somehow firmly rooted in this world by way of an impressive cast of cameos by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Redman, reggae crooner Junior Reid, Nas, Busta Rhymes and even Isaac Hayes.

WU-TANG CLAN Wu-Tang Forever 2cd 23.00
Two discs of the new Wu! Rap's state-of-the-art. Includes America OnLine propaganda. Ugh.

WU-TANG CLAN Wu-Tang Forever 4lp 21.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Eight sides of the new Wu! Rap's state-of-the-art. Includes America OnLine propaganda.

WU-TANG KILLA BEES The Swarm (Priority) cd 15.98
New WU!

WU-TANG PRODUCTIONS PRESENT: KILLA BEEZ The Sting (Koch) 2cd 17.98
Another stab at success for the Wu-Tang's second stringers, and surprisingly it's not a total bust, it's actually pretty cool. It's all about the RZA, it always has been and it always will be. No matter how good the rapper, it's the loop and the beat that make the sound distinctly Wu-Tang. That still holds true here. While some of the rappers do shine, most of them are pretty by the numbers. Not bad, just sort of same-y. But the awesome production manages to pull this out of the pass pile and making this definitely worth checking out. Plus there's a bonus Wu-Tang track that smokes, with all the big hitters, which, while it makes this disc even more worthwhile, it does make the other lower tier Wu-Tangers pale just that much more in comparison. Just check out the sound clips.
RealAudio clip: "Killa Beez"
RealAudio clip: "Take Up Space"
RealAudio clip: "Woodchuck"
RealAudio clip: "KB Ridin'"

X PLASTAZ Maasai Hip Hop (Out Here) cd 16.98
Included on the end of the Bongo Flava compilation (see AQL #216), X Plastaz are one of the biggest names in Tanzanian hip hop -- hence the release of this disc, a closer examination of their music. You'd never know to listen -- unless you can speak Swahili and Haya -- but the music of X Plastaz is steeped in social and political activism. Criticizing corrupt politicians, speaking out against violence, theft and unemployment. And while the Tanzanian hip hop scene in its infancy certainly owed much, if not imitated directly, the hip hop music coming out of the U.S., the Bongo Flava groups take just as many cues from dancehall, Indian film music and -- in X Plastaz case -- traditional Maasai chanting. The latter is what makes X Plastaz stand so far out from the Bongo Flava crowd: including in their crew a Maasai warrior on vocals. The Maasai are rural people, who still live in tight knit villages and follow age old traditions long since foresaken by the modernized urban Tanzanian population. Further, the Maasai are seen as backward by the urban Tanzanians. So along with being looked down upon by older, more conservative Tanzanians for partaking in this "degenerate" musical form, they stand apart from their young, urban counterparts. Pretty damn punk rock when you consider it. As a bonus, two videos of X Plastaz are included on the disc.
MPEG Stream: "Masimu Kwa Msimu"
MPEG Stream: "Ushanta"

X-ECUTIONERS X-pressions (Asphodel) cd 15.98
Formerly known as the X-Men (name changed for obvious reasons), this Brooklyn quartet of world champion turntablists breaks out with first album. On their very own label, Audio Soul, a subsidiary of Asphodel.

XASTHUR / LEVIATHAN split (Profound Lore) lp 23.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
The good news: we just got a handful more of these already out-of-print "vinyls" in stock! The bad news: they're more expensive, due to coming from a different supplier. But if you didn't get one already, get 'em now, 'cause they're just gonna be even more on eBay later...
It had to happen. It needed to happen. And now it finally has. Two of the most important, and musically creative black metal one-man-hordes in the new wave of west coast black metal (NWOWCBM?) team up for the ultimate NWOWCBM one two punch. Xasthur from Southern California and Leviathan from right here in SF are blackened brothers, both exploring similar themes of hate and misery, darkness and death, but coming at 'em from completely different sonic angles. Xasthur is more about mood and atmosphere, with thick swaths of fuzzy riffery, galloping drums, rumbling bass and agonised howls of despair, all dense and dark and claustrophobic. Leviathan is much more technical and a lot weirder, but no less moody, with ultra complex and bizarrely arranged parts, insane drumming, buzzing riffery, and hints of doom and progrock mixed into his bleak and blackened metalscapes. Obviousy absolutely essential!!
On clear vinyl only and housed in a printed inner sleeve!! And of course VERY VERY LIMITED!!

YING YANG TWINS U.nited S.tate Of A.tlanta (TVT) cd 16.98

YO LA TENGO Here To Fall Remixes (Matador) cd ep 7.98
The leadoff track from Yo La Tengo's latest album, Popular Songs, gets the remix treatment from three of the band's favorite hip-hop beat makers. De La Soul, RJD2, and Pete Rock all take their turn remixing "Here To Fall". While we usually aren't the biggest fans of rock bands going the remix route, especially the HIP HOP remix route, luckily Yo La Tengo have always managed to pull of whatever they wanted to do, no matter how unlikely, or seemingly ill advised, and this is yet another example, with all the remixers totally and reverentially respecting YLT's aesthetic while making something new and fresh out of an already great song. De La Soul and RJD2 give more of a break beat groove to the song not adding any of their own vocals which we appreciate, while the Pete Rock remix is for sure the most up front hip-hop one of the bunch. We also know how much these artists mean to Yo La Tengo, as James McNew gushed with excitement about how excited he was to meet Pete Rock, De La Soul and RJD2 the last time he was in town and came to hang out on Irwin's radio show on KUSF. There are few bands you can just blindly trust everything they put out into the world, and YLT are one of them.
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (De La Soul Remix)"
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (RJD2 Remix)"
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (Pete Rock Remix)"

YO LA TENGO Here To Fall Remixes (Matador) 12" 11.98
The leadoff track from Yo La Tengo's latest album, Popular Songs, gets the remix treatment from three of the band's favorite hip-hop beat makers. De La Soul, RJD2, and Pete Rock all take their turn remixing "Here To Fall". While we usually aren't the biggest fans of rock bands going the remix route, especially the HIP HOP remix route, luckily Yo La Tengo have always managed to pull of whatever they wanted to do, no matter how unlikely, or seemingly ill advised, and this is yet another example, with all the remixers totally and reverentially respecting YLT's aesthetic while making something new and fresh out of an already great song. De La Soul and RJD2 give more of a break beat groove to the song not adding any of their own vocals which we appreciate, while the Pete Rock remix is for sure the most up front hip-hop one of the bunch. We also know how much these artists mean to Yo La Tengo, as James McNew gushed with excitement about how excited he was to meet Pete Rock, De La Soul and RJD2 the last time he was in town and came to hang out on Irwin's radio show on KUSF. There are few bands you can just blindly trust everything they put out into the world, and YLT are one of them.
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (De La Soul Remix)"
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (RJD2 Remix)"
MPEG Stream: "Here To Fall (Pete Rock Remix)"

YO MAJESTY Futuristically Speaking... Never Be Afraid (Domino) cd 14.98
Two Live Crew meets Le Trim with the politics of Bikini Kill - Hell Yeah! These three bold and brave women from Florida have created that hip-hop record we always wished existed. Tearing down the often misogynistic and homophobic content of the modern hip-hop scene without a sense of fear or apology and all the while creating tracks that are so damn fierce and on fire. Crunk meets riot grrrl in such fun and pleasing ways! With their super dirty mouths, pumping infectious beats and a spirit that can't be denied it was confusing to find out that some of them identify as being Christians, but that all seems to be irrelevant as their music is so bumping and it's own beast. Their live shows are already legendary, known for playing without their shirts on as they shake their large and in charge bodies with no shame in their game. They've already gained big name fans likes The Gossip and CSS and what makes them so great is that they are equal parts full on fun and full on fire. They don't come off as preachy or uptight, quite the contrary, their songs aim to empower and shake a whole lot of booty in the process and they succeed with flying colors!
MPEG Stream: "Club Action"
MPEG Stream: "Never Be Afraid"
MPEG Stream: "Blame It On The Change"

YOUNG BLEED All I Have In This World Are My Balls And My Word (No Limit) cd 15.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Young Bleed is one of rap-empire-builder Master P's many proteges, and possibly the best. Heavily layered, sing-song rap kind of in the Bone Thugs/Crucial Conflict style, with lots of amazing grunting and sampling (harpsichord, banjo...). Addictive.

YOUNG BLEED My Own (Priority) cd 16.98
At last a follow-up to one of our favorite rap albums of 1998. No longer on No Limit though, so Young Bleed has to do without the trademark "Unghh"'s of Master P. But his trademark southern drawl and his bayou backdrops of banjo, old piano, and swampy atmosphere
are in full effect.

YOUNG BLEED Rise Thru Da Ranks (West Coast Mafia) cd 16.98

YOUNG SMOKE Space Zone (Planet Mu) cd 14.98
Avid readers of the aQ list will no doubt remember our obsession with Chicago's Footwork scene, also known as 'jukin', we've reviewed records by DJ Nate, DJ Roc, as well as that kick ass Bangs & Works comp, and we played those records to death in the store, each a brilliantly twisted collection of footwork jams, which for the uninitiated is a mutant strain of hip hop that is weirdly skittery and maddeningly repetitive, the music a nonstop barrage of layered loops and repeated vocal fragments, skeletal 808 rhythms, stuttery handclaps, definitely the sort of thing that has some people nodding along and shaking it, while others are tearing their hair out. It's obviously designed for the dancefloor, so stereo listening is a whole different experience, but like those DJ Nate and DJ Roc records, there's definitely something to this stuff that transcends the dancefloor. Never more so than on Space Zone, the debut from 18 year old Young Smoke aka David Davis, who doesn't rely so much on sampling old spacey funk jams, but instead creates his own spaced out atmosphere using a bunch of self made samples from a battery of synths, and has created a seriously futuristic slab of footwork, channeling old cheesy soundtracks, John Carpenter, Tangerine Dream, all sorts of retro futurism into his twisted spaced out sound. On the surface, there's definitely a similarity to those other footwork jams we've reviewed in the past, but Young Smoke's sound is definitely much more composed and musical, still repetitive, and looped, each song essentially a single melody, and a single beat, looped and layered, but check out the opener, the title track, which is a dreamy chunk of almost bubblegum electro, with vocodered vox crooning "Welcome to the space zone" over lazer beam blurts and sci-fi squiggles, all wrapped around a groovy 8 bit skitter. It's the perfect introduction for sure, but it's not all bubblegummy, the second track "Warning", begins with a cascade of kosmische synths, which gives way to a buzzing klaxon, and a robotic voice repeating the word "Warning", while all around, booming bass and stuttering beats swarm around dense swirls of tangled almost psychedelic synth melodies, which leads right into "Futuristic Musick", which wraps a tinkling ghostly melody and shortwave squelch around a churning muted pulse, soon adding some swoonsome synth swells, the drums tribal and abstract, very cosmic and cinematic, and check out the closer, "Heat Impact" which sounds like some eighties action flick theme sliced and diced and transformed into a wild blast of alien hypno-groove stutter-funk.
By now it should be apparent, that this stuff is not all that far removed from all the retro-futurism and kosmische synthscapery that's all the rave these days, give a listen to the samples and you'll see what we mean, it's just that here, it's funked up a bit, wedded to hip hop skitter and electro-alien-stutter, which makes for some serious future dancefloor destruction, but also some big time headphone bliss out.
MPEG Stream: "Space Zone"
MPEG Stream: "Warning"
MPEG Stream: "Futuristic Musick"
MPEG Stream: "Destroy Him My Robots"
MPEG Stream: "Heat Impact"

YUKMOUTH Thug Lord: The New Testament (Rap A Lot) cd 17.98

YUKMOUTH United Ghettos Of America (Rap A Lot) cd 17.98

YUKMOUTH United Ghettos Of America Vol. 2 (Rap-A-Lot) cd 15.98

Z-TRIP All-Pro Soundtrack (Decon Media) cd 14.98

Z-TRIP Live: Los Angeles, CA 2003 cd 14.98
This sold like gangbusters last time we had it, and we ran out pretty quick. Well, it got repressed so we have some more. As always, not sure how long they will last. But folks who missed out last time get one more chance! For most AQ customers, DJ Z-Trip needs no introduction. Nor does this new live, limited edition (natch) cd from Z-Trip need much of a description! He's the man, what can we say? Along with DJs Jester and Q-bert, Z-Trip is one of AQ's favorite turntablists, always delightfully mashing up the hip hop with classic rock (and doing it *live* not on a computer, as he points out in his liner notes, and as you'll hear on this cd). Sure it's a gimmick, but it works! Plus he's playing this stuff 'cause he loves it. Here he provides 74 more minutes of 'Uneasy Listening' for fans, "to hold you over 'til the major label album drops" as it says on the back of the cd. Sure sounds like a party. Janis Joplin, Outkast, Tool, Black Sabbath, Rush, Run-DMC, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Joan Jett, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, and a zillion other disparate artists all feed into the Z-Trip blender as he shows off his ADD DJing skills at mixing the beats and riffs. Cutting stuff up the way he does, you'll actually hear more classic rock in the 74 minutes of this cd than you would over the same span of time on a radio station like The Bone, ferchrisakes! Z-Trip was kind enough to bring some by the store himself when he was just in town on tour, and he told us he didn't make a whole heck of a lot of 'em -- this is definitely not gonna be in print for long, so be quick or be deadly bummed you didn't get this rockin' Z-Trip document.
MPEG Stream: "track 3"
MPEG Stream: "track 4"
MPEG Stream: "track 7"

Z-TRIP & DJ P Uneasy Listening, Volume One cd 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
DJ Z-Trip and the rest of the Phoenix-based Bombshelter crew excel at mixing rock music into the hip hop subgenre of turntablism. Z-Trip has for years been performing his Monsters of Rock set, and you may have already heard him grind a little Black Sabbath into the hip hop on the famous track "Rock Star" from Return of the DJ, Volume 2. He does it so well and knows exactly how simultaneously sacrilegious and succesful his mixes are. On Uneasy Listening, you hear Sir Mix-a-lot with the Eagles, Naked Eyes and Public Enemy, Herbie Hancock and The Tubes, and most brilliantly -- Metallica with Midnight Oil. it goes on and on, with Ratt, Newcleus, Kansas, Cyndi Lauper, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Eurythmics, etc. Hip hop and breakbeats anchor the entire album, as well as assorted Yoda and other Star Wars samples. It's so entertaining and enlightening, you'll find yourself playing it for all your friends. Sure, it's a gimmick and a little hooked-on-classics-y but it's GOOD, just as good if not better than our other favorite turntablist storytellers Kid Koala and DJ Jester.
As we said before, Uneasy Listening is super rare, we only know of a couple stores to whom Z-Trip brought the disc, and he will not be making any more after the thousand are gone. This is the last batch we'll ever have.
RealAudio clip: "sample 1"
RealAudio clip: "sample 2"
RealAudio clip: "sample 3"
RealAudio clip: "sample 4"

Z-TRIP & RADAR Live at the Future Primitive Soundsession, Volume Two cd 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
It's always heartening when the standout record of the week is a local production. The Future Primitive Soundsession has proved itself a turntablist event par excellence, consistently scheduled once every couple of months for the past year and a half, featuring heavyweight scratchers from all over the country. The Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Beat Junkies and the Cut Chemist are regularly scheduled, as well as the Bombshelter crew from Phoenix. It's simply one of the best parties in town; you'll find people of all shapes, sizes and races enjoying the music. This cd features Bombshelter talents Z-Trip and Radar who unashamedly make use of their '70s and '80s metal record collections (Pink Floyd, Boston) to delirious effect. Will appeal to hip hop AND rock lovers (imagine that!)

Z-TRIP / TERRACOTTA TROUPE / DEL Dynasty/Monster (Revolg) 12" 6.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Shingo does it again. The local via Japan producer/rapper has brought together Del and the amazing DJ Z-Trip for an excellent hip hop party. Del raps on the straight up hip hop Dynasty track, while Z-trip offers a remix of Dynasty that strips out everything but the super loopy bass and heavy percussion. Shingo raps on the distortion-guitar-laced Monster, and the record also features instrumental versions and some bonus Z-trip breaks for scratching with. The packaging is excellent, as with all of Shingo's productions. Remember his first cd that came gorgeously packaged like a hardcover book, then there was his video that was made of cardboard not plastic (it still works), now there's this 12 which comes in a clear vinyl sleeve and includes a sticker sheet so you can apply the circle labels yourself to the record, plus stickers of a cartoon version of Del, and other characters. So cute, so good.

Z-TRIP, DJ , & TOM C. Monkey Breaks (Primeight) lp 12.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
This is a breaks record from Z-Trip (he of AQ-favorite song "Rockstar") and should be useful to DJs worldwide.

Z-TRIP, DJ / SKYJUICE (Ubiquity) 12" 5.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Yay, Ubiquity's second release in their new split 12" series is another winner. You ought to remember the awesome Z-Trip from the last track on "Return of the DJ II" compilation (the one where he messes with Judas Priest and Black Sabbath and makes them sound like helicopters). Note that Skyjuice is one half odf the local duo Bugs.

Z-TRIP, DJ AND DJ EMILE Best Friends (The Long Lost Bombshelter Mix CD) cd 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
BACK IN STOCK!
Awww. Best friends. And they're into Star Wars too!
There's a pair of Stormtroopers in the cover photo as well as in the considerably more saucy pics inside (we can assume they're supposed to be Z-Trip and DJ Emile) and the disc art is of the Death Star, but that seems to be the extent of this release's Star Wars-iness. However, just as Star Wars fans are a somewhat obsessive breed, so too are fans of DJ acrobatics. If you count yourself among those legions (either specifically a fan of Z-Trip or of turntablism in general) then you know that the resurfacing of this long-lost mix is definitely a reason to celebrate. AWOL for eight years, these recordings have finally been rediscovered, remastered and released on cd. A very welcome, truly Z-Trippy release following his last, remarkably un-Z-Trippy (i.e, non-DJ, non-sampled) major label album Shifting Gears. Spine-tinglin' and ultra funky! Yes, this is why we dig him (and DJ Emile's sure no slouch either, going toe to toe with best bud Z-Trip in the Bombshelter)!
MPEG Stream: "track 6"
MPEG Stream: "track 25"

ZEPH, DJ s/t (Wide Hive) cd 11.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Bay Area hiphop turntablist action from DJ Zeph with additional beats & scratches from fellow DJ's Quest (Live Human), Imperial, and others. There's lots of live playing from local jazz cats, with flavors like flute, sitar, and trombone in addition to upright bass, drums, and electric piano, etc. Several tracks have lyrics from local rapper Azeem (Spearhead), but most are funky instrumental grooves. Live Human fans take note.
RealAudio clip: "The Movement"
RealAudio clip: "Get This"

ZEPH, DJ s/t (Wide Hive) 2lp 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Bay Area hiphop turntablist action from DJ Zeph with additional beats & scratches from fellow DJ's Quest (Live Human), Imperial, and others. There's lots of live playing from local jazz cats, with flavors like flute, sitar, and trombone in addition to upright bass, drums, and electric piano, etc. Several tracks have lyrics from local rapper Azeem (Spearhead), but most are funky instrumental grooves. Live Human fans take note.

ZION I Deep Water Slang V 2.0 (Raptivism) cd 14.98
We raved and raved about these local boys' debut a few years back. And it still stands as one of the best local hip hop records, hell hip hop records period, in recent memory. So we were pretty excited about the prospect of a new record. A lot has changed in three years, some not for the better. The bones of what made the first record are still essentially in place, weird loops and samples, killer flow, and fucked up beats. But gone are the super damaged, off kilter, hiccupping loops, and in their place is a more 'smooth' and booty-bumpin' top-down boomin' system sort of sound. Not that I'm complaining, I was bobbing my head just listening to it on my computer. But it definitely makes it less weird and warped and more accessible. This time around the vocals seem more high pitched and whine-y. In fact, my housemate thought i was listening to some Anticon record. Which is actually a good thing! We love Anticon! The worst change comes in the form of the dreaded female "diva" vocals which are ALL OVER the record. They sort of thematically tie the songs together, but end up adding a horrible, weak R+B sheen to the whole thing. But nitpicking aside, this is a pretty wicked record. Not as good as their first maybe, but definitely better than the new Fabolous, the new Eve, and about a million other records all over MTV that don't hold a candle to ZION I.
MPEG Stream: "The Drill"
MPEG Stream: "Warriors Dance"

ZION I Mind Over Matter (Ground Control) cd 15.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
This is the hip hop record of the year without a doubt. Fuck that Common record (yawn). This record even manages to outshine the completely excellent Dead Prez record. Hard to believe that a record this fucked can sound so good. Even the bad bad cover art can't keep this record from shining. Stuttering hiccupping beats, bizarrely off time loops, smooth but rapid fire vocal delivery. This is the first record in a while to take the 'old skool' formula, nothing but loops and beats, and turn it inside out, making it completely off kilter, but still keeping it funky and totally catchy.
RealAudio clip: "Revolution (B-Boy Anthem)"
RealAudio clip: "Critical"

ZION I Mind Over Matter Instrumentals (Nu Gruv Alliance) 2lp 15.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
The instrumental version of one of Andee's favorite hip hop records of the year. Removing the vocals just makes the music seem even more amazing. Stuttering hiccupping beats, bizarrely off time loops, smooth but rapid fire vocal delivery. This is the first record in a while to take the 'old skool' formula, nothing but loops and beats, and turn it inside out, making it completely off kilter, but still keeping it funky and totally catchy.

ZION I True & Livin (LiveUp) cd 15.98