dj daddy dog - vibe with the tribe

The world of the DJ has increasingly become divided with the growth of the art form. While DJs tend to do a little bit of everything, there has been a growing division between so called turntablists and regular DJs, who stick to simpler mixing, scratching, and rocking parties. For whatever reason, the average hip-hop fan tends to dismiss turntablists and is more likely to cop the latest Whoo-Kid mixtape than peep Q-Bert's latest creation. Outside of the X-Ecutioners, turntablists don't get much shine outside of their tight-knit communities of fellow DJs and fans. DJ Daddy Dog and his fellow 5th Platoon DJs are poised to change that with their voracious venture into the mixtape world. Though they have already gained worldwide respect for their accomplishments in the battle circuit, the 5th Platoon refuses to be pigeon-holed. From rocking parties to dropping dope old-school soul mixes, the 5th Platoon has slowly, but surely, been building a bridge between the commercial hip-hop world and the turntablist sub-culture. DJ Daddy Dog's latest, "Vibe with the Tribe," delivers on all fronts by providing dope music that any hip-hop fan can appreciate it while lacing it with his own unique flair.
One would think that a "Best of" mixtape featuring A Tribe Called Quest would have been done by now, but ATCQ has been neglected in the mixtape scene. Possibly looking to right this oversight, Daddy Dog has taken it upon himself to collect all of ATCQ's gems and feature them on one convenient CD. On "Vibe with the Tribe" you'll find all of your favorite ATCQ jams, from the classic "Scenario (Remix)" to ATCQ's latest appearance on the "She Moves" remix. Daddy Dog made sure not to exclude any jam from all of ATCQ album's and beyond. The content alone would make this mixtape worth coping, as you'd be hard pressed to find a better collection of ATCQ songs on one CD.
The fact that Daddy Dog collected all these tracks, making sure to include every ATCQ jam, would have been enough justify his name on this release, but Daddy Dog doesn't stop there. The mixing between tracks on the CD is superb. You won't find any annoying gunshots or sinister laughs to transition between tracks, instead Daddy Dog crafted the track listing as a DJ would approach a party, making sure tempos match up and keeping a consistent vibe from track to track. On top of all this, Daddy Dog adds enough scratching and beat-juggling to ensure the mix has his own signature sound. To be clear, Daddy Dog's turntable tricks never take away from the music or distract the listener. Daddy Dog manages to do what every DJ strives for by giving the music his own personal touch, but still making sure to keep the focus on the music itself.
If all this wasn't enough, included on this mix are two beat juggles from Total Eclipse and Precision of the X-Ecutioners and a DJ Daddy Dog blend of "1nce Again." For those not familiar with beat juggling, the basic premise is performing tricks and scratches using two copies of the same record. Both juggles included are impressive and give the mostly straightforward mix a nice turntablist touch. DJ Daddy Dog's "1nce Again" blend is also on point, mixing the vocals with instrumentals of "Scenario (remix)" and other classic tracks.
A "best of" A Tribe Called Quest would probably earn high marks based on its content alone, but DJ Daddy Dog's personal touch on "Vibe with the Tribe" make it one of the best mixtapes this reviewer has heard. To put it bluntly, the only reason "Vibe with the Tribe" shouldn't be in your collection is if you completely hate A Tribe Called Quest, and if that's the case you really shouldn't consider yourself a Hip-Hop fan.
Music Vibes: 10 of 10 Mix Vibes: 10 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 10 of 10

dj daddy dog - leaders of the old school

"Leaders of the Old School" is an interesting title for DJ Daddy Dog's latest mixtape, but not because it appropriately describes the content found within. Instead reading the word "leader" on an old school mixtape just reminds me how the world of mixtape DJs lacks any true leaders. I'm not calling Daddy Dog a copy cat by any means, as both his previous tapes and those by fellow 5th Platoon members show that the crew has a true love for music of the past, whether it be hip-hop or soul. But outside a few DJs who do their own thing, most mixtape DJs just jump on the latest trend. Old school tapes seem to be this year's hot trend as every DJ has dropped at least one tape full of late 80's and mid 90's jams. Because of this old school explosion, Daddy Dog's mix isn't as impressive as it would have been a year ago but its still good and a cut above what most DJ's have to offer.
"Leaders of the Old School" features 34 cuts from hip-hop's earlier days. What Daddy Dog brings to the mix is his unique blends and most importantly his super-precise mixing skills. You won't find any annoying sounds used by lazy DJs to mask their lack of mixing skills, instead the mix is built with care and tracks are blended into each other the same way they would be at a party. Though only three blends are included, Daddy Dog's mixes of "Top Billin," "You Know I Got Soul," and "Mona Lisa" keep the track's original vibe. While Daddy Dog does his job well, with only three blends and mostly behind the scenes mixing the mixtape fails to emit a truly unique identity. Sure you'll be guaranteed smooth mixes and good overall song selection, but these qualities are those of any good DJ and aren't enough to give listeners a true feel of what makes Daddy Dog unique. It may seem a bit contradictory to point out Daddy Dog's impeccable mixing skills and then say the mixtape lacks a unique identity, but "Leaders of the Old School" fails to make Daddy Dog stand out among other DJs. The inclusion of dialogue from the movie "Juice" on "Juice Interlude" is a step in the right direction as was the "I Do Damage" intro, but the tape would benefit from a few more similar interludes to remind listeners of who the man behind the boards is.
As with any old school tapes there will be obvious conflicts when it comes to song selection. For one, I would have liked to see some Public Enemy in the mix as to me they were one of the most relevant groups from that time period. Besides the exclusion of Chuck D and Flavor Flav, the only other major complaint is that the tape is too focused on east coast music. King Tee makes a brief appearance with "At Your Own Risk," but that's where the diversity ends. Among those missing are tracks like the Geto Boys' "Mind Playing Tricks," Scarface's earlier solo work, N.W.A., and the always overlooked D.O.C. Even Philly's Schoolly D and Fresh Prince should have earned a place somewhere in the mix. Though I wish some of these tracks were included, the quality of music Daddy Dog includes is top notch through and through. From the party rocking "Jinglin' Baby" and "Saturday" to the lyrical onslaughts of "Live At The BBQ" and "Know The Ledge," the music included is definitely diverse but could benefit from a more bicoastal approach.
Overall, "Leaders of the Old School" is the tape to buy if you're looking to fix your itch for hip-hop's years past. Daddy Dog's mixing skills are on par with the best and his song selection can only be faulted on a personal level. With that said, in a mixtape world full of DJs who try overshadow the artists, Daddy Dog's backstage approach is commendable but next time around he might want to add more of a personal touch to his mixes - either conceptually or through more interludes and blends.
Music Vibes: 8.5 of 10 Mix Vibes: 8.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 8.5 of 10

dj graffiti - bling free vol.2

It's hard to put a critique on a "mix tape/CD", when all it is is a simple compilation of some of the best new hip-hop out there. So how does one judge a good mix?
There's a lot of ways to go with "Bling Free Vol. 2: Wake Up", the new mix from Michigan's DJ Graffiti. First off, song selection. What you want in a good mix is not only what's hot, but what's next. You trust in your DJ to give you the next shit, and DJ Graffiti does this with a wide selection of artists, including Blackalicious, Royce Da 5'9", People Under The Stairs, Talib Kweli, Mr. Lif, and many, many more.
Overall vibe of this? Just look at the title: Bling Free. To this writer, that means quality hip-hop where the egos, for the most part, are in check. The same can be said for DJ Graffiti, whose actual turntable skills are present on this CD. What I also liked about this is that he doesn't shout over every song. I know who you are, you don't need to tell me your name as if this was Kindergarten class, any DJ who does that should go back to school and learn when to shutup. Graffiti's skills are in his DJ'ing and blends, as well as a mind to know what will move people.
A lot of people will not by a mix tape/CD if there isn't some exclusive material, and this CD is not short of the goods. Here, you have brand new material from One Man Army, Obie Trice & Bango, Slum Village, Finale, and Graffiti himself does a little something with MC Lyte.
The mixes are done well, the sound quality is excellent, and it's the kind of mix you wouldn't mind letting your friends borrow... if you weren't too busy playing this over and over. No my brothers and sisters, you have to buy your own.
Music Vibes: 8 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 8 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 8 of 10

dj greenlantern & big mike - the champ is here

Despite being one of the game's most gifted lyricists, LOX member Jadakiss has yet to receive the same degree of commercial notoriety in which his peers like Eminem and 50 Cent have been given. Thoroughly respected in both the industry and the streets, Jadakiss has one solo album under his belt thus far, the somewhat disappointing "Kiss the Game Goodbye." The album was a letdown because listening to it gave fans the impression that Jada was abandoning his core following, opting to craft radio- friendly tunes rather than continuing to bring the same verbal grime exhibited by the LOX. His fans have stayed loyal nonetheless, and anticipation for his sophomore effort "Kiss of Death" is reaching Mount Everest heights. With early press saying it is the defining record for the career of the self-proclaimed "Black Babe Ruth," "Kiss of Death" is shaping up to be one of the summer's biggest releases.
Jadakiss has always kept his ear to the streets, and has been known to grace various mixtapes with exclusive freestyles, and even "Best of Jadakiss" editions. With that in mind, DJ's Green Lantern and Big Mike have joined forces to present "The Champ is Here," a disc packed with cuts from Jada's new album, freestyles, and newly recorded blends. Needless to say, combining the talents of two of the mixtape scene's hottest DJs with the always- reliable verses of Jadakiss equals audio pleasure, and "The Champ is Here" consistently bangs from track 1 to track 24.
Attacking the Scram Jones serviced trumpets and booming percussion heard on Terror Squad's current heater "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah," "40 Bars of Terror" is a no-holds-barred vocal exercise showing Kiss in top form, while "Professional Hood Shit" and "The Passion of Kiss" equally impress. The mixtape's title track, and remix for Jadakiss's single "Time's Up," samples from Will Smith's Muhammad Ali portrayal with Green Lantern placing Jada's words on top of a simple, yet pounding, drum arrangement. Here 'Kiss spits pure fire:
"Ya'll know the Champ is in here
he took it from crack to rap
now he puts out two anthems a year
and I just wanna rock for a century
and then chase the book with the documentary
If you can't do nothing other than flow
life's a bitch like the mother from Blow
let's go"
Both Green Lantern's and Big Mike's usual ad-libs can be heard throughout this disc, which becomes annoying at times but is to be expected. Green Lantern makes his presence felt strongly on two choice cuts, blending instrumental favorites with past Jadakiss verses. "Right Where Stand [GL Mix]" takes Kiss's verse from the blazing Gangstarr song "Right Where You Stand" and positions it over the emotional piano keys of Noreaga's "Bloody Money Pt. 3." This results in a perfect match, and the additional appearance by Prodigy only strengthens this track. The classic beat from O.C's "Time's Up" is paired with Jadakiss's "Time's Up" on "Times Up ['93 Shit]," making for pure hardcore rap music at it's best.
If "Kiss of Death" meets the potential shown by it's featured songs found here on this mixtape, 2004 may actually be the year that this Ruff Ryder kisses his competition goodbye. "What You So Mad At Now?" finds Kiss detracting his many haters over a fast-paced and bass-heavy beat, while the amazing "Clear It Out" shows a more serious side of Jadakiss as he delivers honest narratives about being pushed to the edge. The real crown jewel of this mixtape and quite possibly "Kiss of Death" is "Why," a brilliant showcase of deep introspection that is easily the best song of Jada's solo career to date. Mobb Deep's Havoc, going against form to construct a beautifully hypnotizing backdrop sprinkled with pianos and xylophones, provides the soundtrack for Jadakiss to drop some truly thought-provoking prose covering everything from politics to the rap world to his own life. The nicely sung hook by Anthony Hamilton adds to the overall mood, but it's Jadakiss that makes this song such a masterpiece:
"Why do niggas push pounds in powder?
Why did Bush knock down the Towers?
Why you around them cowards?
Why Aaliyah have to take that flight?
Why my nigga Dee ain't pull out his Ferrari?
Why he take that bike?
Why they gotta open your package and read your mail?
Why they stop letting niggas get degrees in jail?
Why you gotta do 85% of your time
and why do these niggas lie in 85% of their rhymes?"
Simply put, Jadakiss is one of the best MC's in the game today. Whether he ever reaches the levels of fame he so deserves is to be determined, but DJ's Green Lantern and Big Mike have offered up a great case as to why he should. With the only setbacks being the irritating voice-overs of both disc jockeys, this mixtape is a must-have for any supporter of real lyricism and straight-up dope hip-hop. Compared to the rest of the CD's being spread out on street corners, "The Champ is Here" is definitely the one to beat, flexing audio muscle devoid of any weaknesses. Take one listen to "The Champ is Here" and hear for yourself why 2004 should be the year of Jadakiss.
Music Vibes: 8 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 9 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 8.5 of 10

dj kemo - kemomatic mixtape

As one half of the seminal Vancouver hip-hop institution The Rascalz, authors of such veritable Canuck-hop classics as "Dreaded Fist Of The Northwest" and "Gunnfinga", Kemo has long been regarded as one of the true North's foremost sonic alchemists, forging disparate elements of calypso, dancehall and vintage East Coast boom-bap into compact, muscular, indubitably funky barnburners. While his ominous presence in the Canadian rap circuit has endured the northern urban scene's tenuous attention span, he has, like so many of his peers, found great difficulty crossing over to Yankee shores. With his Canadian comrades gaining considerable momentum on high-profile recordings of late (Tone Mason on Talib Kweli and AZ's new records, DJ Agile and Jully Black on Nas' "Heaven", Kardinal Offishall and The Black Jays on Green Lantern mixtapes and the new Method Man disc), Kemo has decided to go for self and unleash this, a delectable smorgasbord of recent productions that in a just world will please his rabid Canadian fanbase as well as raising his worldwide profile considerably.
Starting the proceedings is a certified banger off the new Frank N Dank record- "Just Roll" (recently renamed "Wit' F N' D" on the actual LP) percolates with a distorted, Chromeo and Daft Punk-esque electro bassline, hypnotic rhythms and Frank N Dank's hook-heavy, lethally infectious delivery. Kemo switches gears as he helms a battle-rap slumper on Concise's uproarious "Rock The House" before showcasing his chameleon-esque versatility on Jah Fus' dancehall number "Holla My Name", which compensates for Jah Fus' contrived Mr Vegas meets Mad Lion deejaying style with a thudding, sinewy bassline and insistent synths. Kardinal Offishall blesses a SUBLIME mid '90s sounding production with his Pharoahe Monch gone ragga delivery, making for a truly captivating listen on "Big Man Bizness" while fellow Toronto visionaries Kamau and Yaseen wax philosophical poetry atop a hypnotic symphony of bass and plucked strings on "R U Satisfied".
Ultimately, while its lofty artistic ambitions do work to its advantage, the diversity of this offering also proves to be its undoing. On Andres' "Show U Love", Kemo appears to be stretching himself too thin- the track is decent enough as a journey through Brian McKnight adult-oriented r'n'b, but feels awkward sandwiched between the lively philosophizing of "R U Satisfied" and the uptempo reggaeton of Don Primo's "Oh". Additionally, the track sounds incredibly dated, like a throwback to some Montell Jordan album that dropped a few years ago and nobody cared about. The salsa of "Ritmo Sano", featuring Andres, Vago and Che Pablucci, sounds like Ozomatli gone wrong. Elsewhere, Kemo's remarkable versatility makes for highly listenable results- his dancehall resume should benefit from the manic, frenetic hyper-bhangra of Souljah Man's "Overthrow" while the video-game blip-driven genius of The Rascalz' "Who Dem" and the White Stripes sampling banger "A.M.P. Army" stand as testament to his tremendous ability as a boom-bap artiste.
As the album closes with Kemo's self-indulgent dive into turntablism and musical eclectica (peep the gnarly techno basslines and robotic new-wave synths, the jungle breakbeats, the stuttered percussion of Michael Jackson's "Thriller", an interesting listen, I guess), one can't help but applaud his ambition- an effort to assert himself as a jack of all trades. Displaying similar artistic intentions as contemporaries like Saukrates and Solitair, who have contributed tracks to such diverse artists as Big Black Lincoln, Ivana Santilli, Glenn Lewis, Redman and Method Man, Kemo has crafted a comprehensive audio argument for his case as a beatmaker. Now if only that new Rascalz album would drop already.
Music Vibes: 8 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 8 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 8 of 10

dj premier - australia/new zealand tour mixtape 2004

Over half a decade ago now (7-8 years, something like that) I heard my first DJ Premier tape courtesy of my man Ron. I don't remember the exact scientifics of how it ended up in my hands though. It was probably something like, "Hey Flash I know I owe you a few bucks, so hold onto this 'til I can pay you back." The other time this happened, I ended up with a Gravediggaz tape that had a song not released in the U.S. under an alternate name - I think "Niggamortis" instead of "6 Feet Deep." I was afraid to take it out of the shrinkwrap though cause I figured he'd be mad if he came up with the loot and I had, so I never touched it (and still have it buried in a box of stuff packed up from my dorm room somewhere). The second time I fared much better, as he hit me off with a "Crooklyn Cuts" Primo tape he picked up on a recent visit to the East coast. After listening to it, I honestly never cared if he paid me back or not - it was some of the freshest, rawest, most uncut pure hip-hop I had ever heard. The trademark "Premier, P-P-P-Premier" line echoed in my head for weeks, as did a sample of The Lady of Rage doing the same from her "Necessary Roughness" album.
It's been a long time Primo, I shouldn't have left you. Even though you did me a solid with the "Haze Presents NY Reality 101" mix CD a few years back, I haven't gone out of my way to cop any more Premier mixes that couldn't be found in regular retail outlets. "Australia/New Zealand Tour Mixtape 2004" convinces me that was a huge mistake. Right from the start, Primo is picking nothing but the choicest quality cuts. He sets the tone right with the Prince Paul track "Politics of the Business" where Chuck D and Ice-T talk (literally talk, they do not rap) about how shady the music industry is. From that point you know it's on, as Primo is only going to show love to those who DESERVE IT, cause the man doesn't play politics. In rapid succession, the songs blaze up your ears lovely: Royce Da 5-9's "Hip Hop," M.O.P.'s "Whut the Fuck" and SK's "The Streets" are each scratched into the mix with Primo's tricks and served to you hot and fresh. If they don't get you amped, you probably don't have a pulse.
If you're not familiar with a DJ Premier mixtape yourself, you should know that Preem' only likes to choose the grimy shit, the rugged underground shit, the stuff that's not exactly going to tear up the charts on BET or MTV. That doesn't mean the music's any less fat mind you. Raekwon's "King of Kings" featuring Havoc from Mobb Deep is some of the hardest hitting boom and pound to be found in rap. It's stripped raw, hella heavy, and neither Havoc nor Raekwon are taking any shit lyrically or musically. He can go from big names to lesser known ones at the drop of a hat though, as he follows up with the Encore song "Zigga Zigga" and gives those who don't know the "Layover" rapper yet a chance to get down with his Hieroglyphics sound. Primo also puts on one of the few Bravehearts songs I can respect, "Twilight" featuring Nas, although unfortunately my CD player doesn't seem to track it well (maybe there was a flaw in the burning).
There's no let down in the quality of the music though. The twelve inch bootleg only Ghostface song "The Drummer" can be found here, alone with the Obie Trice remix to "The Set Up" featuring everyone from Redman to Lloyd Banks and Jadakiss. It just don't stop 'til the casket drop. The underrated Kardinal Offishal spits on the beautiful and haunting flute loops of "Kemotherapy" and brags "I create 9/11 with every mic I touch" and manages not to offend me cause his rap and beat are so fat. From the little heard 54th Regiment on "Recognize the Name" to the name that's MUCH more recognized in Biz Markie on the song "Chinese Food," it's all good. The latter half of this CD has to be my personal favorite, as Primo touches all the bases from underground gems like Immortal Technique's "Industrial Revolution" to the thugged out G-Unit song "G'd Up" to the Mobb Deep hotness of "Gangstaz Roll" to giving the Westside Connection dap on "You Gotta Have Heart." You can't front on the scope of his choices, from North to East to West, except that even though Preem' hails from Texas there are no Southern rappers getting love (how 'bout at least one Devin the Dude song in here). Still it's good to know that after all these years, DJ Premier, P-P-P-Premier hasn't lost his golden touch in making New York's hottest mix tapes going.
Music Vibes: 8 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 8 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 8 of 10

dj spliff & bluesteel - all eyes on me

At a time when mixtapes are not only turning new MCs into stars but the DJs who deliver them jumping into the spotlight as well, now is as good a time as any for new blood to circulate throughout the street's true retail market. Enter DJ Splif and DJ Blue Steel, two fresh talents hailing from Brooklyn and ready to make noise with their first mixtape, "All Eyes On Me". Hosted by Maino, a newcomer with heavy buzz generating throughout his Brooklyn borough, "All Eyes On Me" is nicely packaged listen that offers exclusive freestyles, remixes, and several album cuts from the big releases currently dominating the urban charts. Bringing together the best rookie MCs in the New York scene on one tape along with heavyweights such as Jadakiss, M.O.P., and Mobb Deep is a common formula for popular mixtapes, but DJ's Splif and Blue Steel turn a formulaic approach into a consistently entertaining disc.
With current albums by Jadakiss and Lloyd Banks resting comfortably at the top of Billboard's throne, "All Eyes On Me" includes select tracks from both to bring some star power into the mix. The concrete-hard "Shoot Outs" from Jada and Styles P. keeps the grittiness on track, while Jada's "By Your Side" smoothes the mood out with its airy rhythm and addictive vocal sample. Lloyd Banks gets introspective on the serious "Southside Story," provides textbook driving music on the undeniable "I'm So Fly," and holds his own lyrically alongside Eminem and 50 Cent on "Warrior Part II". The all-star lineup continues with Twista inspiring new verses from Mobb Deep on "Got It Twisted Remix", while Brownsville's resident champions M.O.P. bring it back to their basics on the DJ Premier-laced "Murder". Even a brief moment of R&B is injected into All Eyes On Me, in the form of the 'first lady of G-Unit' Olivia's upbeat and romantic collaboration with 50 Cent, "Cloud 9".
The real strength that DJ Splif and DJ Blue Steel provide "All Eyes On Me" with is the solid group of new rappers represented. Ali Vegas resurfaces with "Live From France", and DJ Kay Slay's super-lyrical protégé Papoose contributes a tight freestyle over the instrumental for M.O.P.'s classic "How About Some Hardcore." Queen's next big star Grafh services dizzying metaphors and his off-kilter flow on the frantic "Food", while the game's most promising novice rapper Saigon keeps his well-deserved hype heightening with his "DJ Sickamore Freestyle" with 'middle finger u' bars:
"If I could diss all of these rappers then I would make me a hit
If I shot one of these niggas it would make me the shit
Let's see, who could it be
they already got the DJ from Run-D.M.C.
They got B.I.G., already got 'Pac
who wanna be the next biggest nigga in hip-hop
Who mad cuz their record ain't do too well
I got some 4-5 shells that'll boost your sales"
While "All Eyes On Me" allows many young guns to fire off shots, the disc's main attraction is Bed Stuy, Brooklyn product Maino. Armed with a brolic sense of confidence and a clearly polished flow, Maino impresses nicely throughout his five tracks. He attacks J-Kwon's "Hood Hop" beat with ferocity, doing the hot instrumental the justice J-Kwon definitely was not able to do. "Dear Diary" pairs Maino's brutal honesty with a haunting blend of piano keys, and "Tear Da Club Down" could incite riots courtesy of GQ Beatz fierce backdrop and Maino's violent hook. "All Eyes On Me" definitely serves as a great first impression for Maino, and leaves listeners anticipating his next moves.
With no Skip button usage necessary, DJ Splif and DJ Blue Steel have blessed the streets with pure heat, making a name for themselves that should only get bigger with each new mixtape they drop. If you reside in the New York City area, seek this disc out, especially for its sound quality and lack of steady DJ shouting over the songs. If you aren't a New Yorker, keep your eyes and ears open for the names DJ Splif, DJ Blue Steel, and Maino, because bigger things should be in their respective futures.
Music Vibes: 8 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 8 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 8 of 10

odub - vol.9 mixtape

Before hip hop exploded on the internet, Oliver Wang was posting a lot on the Usenet, had his own radio show, and was doing some freelance work. Today, his work can be seen in a number of publications, both offline and on, and his radio show continues to gain fans. His mix tapes have always been a personal favorite, and after hearing them off and on over the years, he has released one of his best.
Before hip hop exploded on the internet, you had to buy your mix-tapes the old fashioned way: on the streets or at your local hip hop mom & pop store. These days, you can find the sloppiest DJ's releasing tapes that sound like 8th generation Salvation Army cassettes, with duct tape over your mom's Hall & Oates album. Let's say the art of the mix tape has weaked over the years, especially when people like Doo Wop, DJ Clue?, and Funkmaster Flex were consumed by the mainstream. Oliver Wang, known to many as O-Dub, knows that a good quality mix tape is about actual "mixing" and not yelling over the top of your lungs, giving shoutouts to your barber. O'S DUB VOLUME 9 is one of the best mix tapes I have heard in awhile, because it has all the right elements: lots of new material (and the occasional "soon-to-be classics), nice blends, and a few surprises here and there.
Let's face it, if you can't blend two songs right, even in this cut-and-paste world, forget it. O-Dub only plays what he likes, and this double tape has some great material, including Ripshop's "Crabfakers", K-Otix's "World Reknown", 7L & Esoteric's "State Of The Art", Dilated Peoples' "Triple Optix (Remix)", Breakestra's "Getcha Soul Togetha", Joey Chavez's "Worldwide II", and Lyrics Born's "Always Fine Tuning". One song I had ignored before was Q-Tip's "Lets Ride", but within the mix it sounds like classic Tribe. The overall feel of the four sides is great, you just want to drive all day and night listening to this. What took me offguard, and what made this tape become a "must-have" item, is his mix of Lyrics Born's "I Changed my Mind". At the end, a blast from the past comes in the form of Y'All So Stupid's "Van Full Of Pakistans", the title track from one of my favorite hip hop albums of all time. It is mixed in within "I Changed My Mind", but it's one of those "what comes around goes around" things that makes you go damn, I remember that.
O's DUB VOLUME 9 works as a great sampler tape, for all those times you wanted to hear a record but didn't want to spend the bucks on the 12". O-Dub may not be known as a mix tape master, but his tapes have always been worth the hard time he puts into it. Before you make a fool of yourself, buy a copy and learn how to do it correctly.
Music Vibes: 8 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 8 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 8 of 10

odub - f.o.s.s.i.l. vol.1

Oliver Wang has been releasing his own series of successful mix tapes for some time, and now he's moved on to a new territory: real estate tapes? Not yet, but who knows, maybe that's in the works. Instead of giving us the latest in hip hop, O-Dub digs deep into his collection and comes up with 71 minutes of some of the finest funk, jazz, and soul to ever be placed on one CD.
What makes this CD different from O-Dub's past mix tapes is that this is very old school. Not old school hip hop, but we're talking back in the days of your uncles and aunties, when you could find leftover weed in the gatefold of the album covers. This is the original old school definition of a "mix tape", a simple collection "From O-Dub, Select Songs I Like" (F.O.S.S.I.L.). There are a few spots where O-Dub does show off his turntable skills, but in this case the skills he presents are in the selection of records. Or basically, his skills of digging in the crates and coming up with the choice cuts.
There is an overall theme to "Soul Symphony", but you'll have to take a listen to find out. If you're familiar with the works of Quannum (DJ Shadow, Blackalicious, and Latryx), you will hear some of these sounds in their original form, such as "Look Of Slim" by Thre Sounds, "Bring It On Down" by Bobby Franklin's Insanity, "Attica Black" by Ron Carter, and "She" by Charles Kynard. By listening to these songs in their original form, one can examine how they were dissected and taken apart. One of the more interesting tracks is Richard Roundtree's "Lovin'", a laid back soul track which was put to good use when used by DJ Shadow as part of his first Solesides 12", "Entropy".
Even if one was to remove the Quannum connection with these tracks, O-Dub has managed to create a solid mix that you could use at your next party, get-together, or record digging adventure. If a friend asks you where you got the songs, you can lie and said that you did it. After the party, you can ask for his forgiveness and hope he'll come back with another quality compilation. He probably will, since he knows you'll need help the next time out.
Music Vibes: 9 of 10 Tape Vibes: 10 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 9.5 of 10


kev brown - i do what i do



onyx - all we got is us



consequence - dont quit your day job



dj muggz vs. gza - grandmasters remix



dj premier & mr.king - kings of hip hop



ohene - inner city soul



politic live - adaptation



prodigy - return of the mac



redman - red gone wild



devin the dude - waiting to inhale



talib kweli & madlib - liberation



x clan - return from mecca



sage francis - human the death dance



rza - afro samurai



domingo - the most underrated



8ball & mjg - ridin high



black milk - popular demand



hell razah - renaissance child



wisemen - wise men approaching



timbaland - shock value



ultramagnetic mc's - best kept secret



!!! - myth takes



adult - why bother



aesop rock - none shall pass



afghan whigs - unbreakable



air - pocket symphony



america - here and now



antibalas afrobeat orchestra - security



joseph arthur - lets just be



asian dub foundation - best of (time freeze)



charles aznavour - colore ma vie



bad plus - prog



devendra banhart - smokey



bjork - volta