5 comments about The Complete Verve Remixed Deluxe Box.

1. If you are not clear on the difference between a "remix" and a "remaster" this may not be the right collection for you.
   
   If your attention is drawn to the terrific collection of Verve artists from the past, this may not be the right collection for you.
   
   This wasn't the right collection for me, and I should have read the Amazon reviews more carefully before hitting the One-Click button. I should have been tipped off when I popped disc 1 into my car CD player and I had to back off the bass (Odd! Never had to do that before!?)
   
   Quickly, I realized I could recognize very little of the original artists' work beneath the new techo beat(s).
   
   I have been purchasing recorded music for 45 years, and this may be the worst purchase of this entire period.
   
   Straight into the trash!



2. Totally Wired? not really... Nu Jazz is getting very big in central Europe right now and this pack sounds great under the Greek sun.



3. I was very disappointed by the sound of the music. I really want Ms. Washington's " Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" and that was a CD Rom Video portion. The rest of the music was awful.



4. This is rated one of my top favorite remix albums eveerrr.... I'm phycho about these albums. It's genius, classic. The epitomy of what I personally am searching for in this genre of music. Haunting, mellow, rythyms and melodys that stay with you. relentless beats, that drill dreamlike into your mind. Very cool. transforming already beautiful old original songs into something more captured.



5. I *LOVE* this box set and it's a great deal for anyone who does not already own a couple of the discs. This series represents a beautiful synthesis of two great kinds of music: jazz that ranges from straight to swing to funky, and electronic music ranging from ambient to hip hop to IDM.
   
   The "bonus" disc is pretty much a waste and it will not be leaving the box again for a while in my house. In other words, if you already have all three, don't bother buying this set.

3 comments about Welcome to Red Hook Houses.

1. THIS ALBUM IS A BANGA! SOME OF MY FAVS ARE "GANG LOVE" "CAB RIDE" "WELCOME TO RED HOOK" AND "144,000." THE ONLY SONG I COULD'VE DID WITHOUT IS AUDIOBIOGRAPHY AND THATS BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN REMIXED A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE ON OTHER HELL RAZAH'S ALBUMS. DEFINITELY BUY THIS ONE!



2. YO HELL RAZAH AND SHABAZZ THE DISCIPLE COME THRU WITH A DOPE ALBUM THAT ACTS AS A GUIDE THROUGH THE RED HOOK PROJECT HOMES. IT HAS SUCH A VISUAL FEELING GIVING IT STYLE AND FEELING OF BEING RIGHT IN MIDDLE OF THE STORY. THE LYRICISM IS STRONG THE ONLY SONG I WISH WOULD HAVE BEEN TRULY REMIXED WAS AUTOBIOGRAPHY REMIX BECAUSE IT JUST DOESN'T FIT THE ALBUM. STILL DOPE ENOUGH TO GRAB IF YOU CAN FIND IT.



3. I would say that this album is good, but nothing spectacular. Sort of "average dope." The beats are menacing, a lot of dark pianos, strings and whatnot. Definitley some bracing beats. Razah and Shabazz spend most of their time describing their environment of Red Hook, hence the title of the album. There weren't any stand out super bangers, but there are definitley some heaterz. There are only a couple cuts that I don't like at all(Gang Love, The Visit), and the rest are nice. But the good songs aren't the type that I'm really really going to wanna listen to. None of the beats really shine from the rest. There isn't a "Maccabee House" or an "Assasination Day" type song that makes you go damn that sh** knocks. Emceeing is solid throughout, but Razah definitley outshines Shabazz. Best cuts: "The Obituary"- Bronze's beat has sparse and subdued drums over a pounding horn and vocal sample. Razah and Shabazz rhyme about past homies. "Apt 7G" has a sick beat. So does "Welcome to Red Hook Houses." And I like "Car Ride(Opening)" even though Razah only spits a quick 12-16 bars after a long buildup. Overall an 8.4/10 for an 84% or B.

5 comments about Old School Rap, Vol. 1-4.

1. Why oh why did the old Rapmasters series I used to rock in high school go out of print? Now that was classic old school hip hop compiled by people who lived through the era and knew from what they chose! This series is a mediocre substitute at best.
   
   Granted, there are quite a few genuine classics on here...Wild Wild West, The Message, The Show, Paid in Full, etc. But there are also a few questionable selections...Ice Ice Baby? Really?!?
   
   On the plus side, the curse words, etc., are not edited out on most of the songs on discs 1,2, & 4, and you do get to hear some of these classics as the artists originally intended. No, I'm not fiendin' for foul language. I just want to hear these songs as they were originally released. Think the chorus of The Roof is on Fire! That just wouldn't be the same with certain swears bleeped out!
   
   And then we come to disc 3. Unlike the rest of the series, which presents these classic, must have hip hop cuts in their full glory, Vol. 3 ruins them by slicing and dicing them into truncated versions. Some genius decided that simply presenting these immortal songs in their entirety wasn't good enough, and they hired the legendary Grandmaster Flash to chop them up and present them mix tape style. You only get the middle of La-Di-Da-Di, for example. The intro and the last verse are missing. On top of that, the CD is only about 40 minutes or so instead of the usual 60-70 minute length utilized in the rest of the series. The one major benefit of authentic mixtapes (or CDs) is that they're much longer than official releases and can present up to 90 truncated songs. Not so here. You get all of the detriments of the format with none of the benefits. A word to the brilliant mind that envisioned this atrocity: When I want a mixtape (or CD) I'll hit up the bootleggin' brotha on the corner. When I'm buying an official release on amazon or from some other major retailer, I expect to get the full length cuts.
   
   If disc 3 had been presented in the same format as the rest of the series, with La-Di-Da-Di, Request Line, I Got it Made, etc., full and intact, I could have seen my way clear to giving this box set 4 or maybe even 5 stars. As it stands, however, no way.
   
   There really should be a comprehensive old school hip hop box set out there, but unfortunately, this isn't it.



2. I'm really disappointed in this set. Whoever mastered it should be fired. Songs are abruptly cut off (Rock Master Scott & The Dynamic 3 - Request Line), they start late.. its a mastering fiasco. The song selection is great but crappy mastering ruined what would be a great collection. For what it cost, I expected it to be perfect.



3. GREAT CD set!! I'm once again living in the 80's!!! My favorites are White Lines, LaDiDaDi, and Joy and Pain. It doesn't get any better than this.....



4. I got the box set for my birthday a couple years ago. All four CD's are pretty good. Some of my favorites are White Lines - Grand Master Flash, The Show - Doug E. Fresh, Childrens Story - Slick Rick, 6 N' The Mornin' - Ice T, Back to the Hotel - N 2 Deep, Freaky Tales - Too Short, and Aint no Future In Yo' Frontin - M.C. Breed.



5. This box set really took me back to the good ol' days of the 1980's. I literally dance all around my room when I listen to the CD's! Each rap reminds me of a fun and special time in my life. This is a great collection! So many of the old school rappers are represented.A+++!

5 comments about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

1. Brought this game for a friend. He loves it. States the graphics are great. Price was great compared to store prices. Game arrived undamaged.



2. ok ok ok you do NOT make a GTA CD box with country music in it i mean come on. Mabye when your playing the game but i dont think its right to have one hole frickin' CD dedicated to country music in a GTA box. Also Radio Los Santos has to share a CD with Playback. Obviously the only reason your gana buy this is because of the great rap and mabye for the old school dance music you might share with your parents... NOT LOL!!!
   Finally they also cut out some of the best songs from the game
   which include "187" Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre, "The Ghetto" (my favorite song) Too Short and many more. Even though they did have did have Slick Rick, Kid Frost and 2pac. There just wasnt enough rap in this box. If they took out the country and had Radio Los Santos have its own CD this would be perfct!



3. That about says it all. Now I respect the quality products from Rockstar, although this isn't one of them. Why again must some of the best songs from the radio station be missed out again? I remember the days of Vice City, singing along to the tracks which were unavailable on the soundtrack when it was released separately. Thankfully not many were missed out and I was available to obtain them another way legally. However a huge amount are missed this time. I don't know if it's down to record companies or the artists not letting their songs be placed on or some random with a distaste for the public but one thing's for sure it certainly is inconvenient. Ah well, there's always next time.



4. Well well well. This is the uber game with the uber sound track right? In some respects it is, 8 discs, better cover art and more songs for almost the same price. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, was a smash success for many reasons, one of them in my opinion was the inclusion of the music. I guess I'm a closet 80's music person since I didn't know much about it, but after that game I was out in the store checking out Flock of Seagulls albums. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a great game but I guess I'm not a fan of the 90's as I thought I was, especially music. The discs are set up like music cds, I miss the D.J. interface that Vice City had for each disc, made it personal in a way and the inclusion/exclusion of certain songs can be maddening. I mean why have "Welcome 2 the Jungle" on the commercials but not the ultimate soundtrack? Sure licensing issues aside, I enjoy the pack but again I guess I found out I'm not a 90's type music guy. The only big disappointment on the disc was K-Rose, the country disc. 99% of the songs were not even close to that decade. . . Not to say I want *gulp* Acky Breaky Heart, but hey, it's the time not the quality of music. Good price for the amount of music but not the same for fans of the Vice City ultimate pack.



5. I can see why you might buy this if you don't own the game and just like the songs on the mix, but if you own the PC version of the game you can just listen to the tracks in the car or extract them to Ogg Vorbis and expand them onto CD if you want to.
   
   So I can't really see why if you own the PC game you'd still buy this.
   
   Having said that, I like the selection, and like the Vice City box set (which you can extract to MP3 from the PC game) it has slightly different DJ chatter, which is always funny.
   
   Just try to behave yourself when you put it in your car stereo. Remember, you're NOT playing the game then. It's real life.

5 comments about Special Herbs: The Box Set.

1. An excellent collection beats!!! Doom's beat making and sense are impeccable and solidly done! Not a complete collection like the title implies but an excellent intro into Doom's Special Herbs series!



2. I was introduced to MF DOOM in Art School and have enjoyed his wit and style for years now. This box set is the perfect companion to any collection of his work and is the only affordable way to own all the herbs. Super chill background music, 70's, 80's lounge and if you have seen the new film 'Grindhouse' you may recognise a few tracks from the 'Intermission' sections. A scholar, a gentleman, the one and only, MF DOOM.



3. This album is pretty good, as you would expect from any madlib, metal fingerz, ect but falls short on the length of the individual tracks. All of the beats are only about half to a third of their original length. But if you do not own any metal fingerz and like hip-hop beats I would highly suggest this cd set. Also you might want to checkout rjd2 or dj shadow.



4. The Special Herbs collections are essentially instrumental-only tunes of what you have heard from MF DOOM / VIKTOR VAUGHN before and then some extra stuff that did not make it to the final cut and of course tunes that MF DOOM had being working on but had no place outside of an instrumental offering. Hence the name, Special Herbs! I would suggest that you search out a full MF DOOM collection and then get these supplements unless you are looking for instrumental-only hip-hop. If you are, then you have come to the right place.
   
   Special Herbs: The Box Set is Special Herbs vol. 0-9. You get all five double albums for the price of two albums. So it is much better value. MF DOOM has done it again. You can play this album from start to end for a full day in your home and never get bored with any of it. It is a masterwork.



5. Overall the CD is okay. The beats are simple but good. Nothing out of the ordinary. simple baseline with layers. Good for background/lounge music or for freestyling wit yer homies. I just found that alot of the tracks were too short. Also you have the titles not matching up with the tracks on the CD. When I originally bought this CD I was looking for "Emblica Officinalis" after sampling the CD at the store I thought that it was not on this box set so I purchased both CD's, volume 0-9 and volume 7-8. Only after I got home and played the 0-9 did I realize that the joints don't match up. All-in-all the cd is dope, a little dark due to the organ samples but still dope. If you want a dope instrumental CD try Pete Rock. I have yet to be let down by the Soul Brother #1

No comments about Power to the Peaceful Festival 2005 (CD + DVD Digi-Pak).

5 comments about The Hip Hop Box.

1. I absolutely LOOOOOVVVVVEEEE this collection! It takes me back to when hip-hop was REALLY hip-hop. We use to stand around and watch boys break dance on the cardboard boxes listening to these jams on tapes!!!!! And every Sunday you could bet money that the DJ would play "Planet Rock" at the skating rink.
   
   Sit back and share the sounds with some friends because you can't listen to this collection without having the desire to say to some friends,"You remember when........"



2. i bought this for my dad, and he loved it...i was also pleased with this purchase



3. The Hip Hop Box is a nicely packaged four disc collection of hip hop music that spans the dawn of popular/ commercial hip hop ("Rapper's Delight" 1979) to the days of the collection's release ("21 Questions" 2003). You have to observe the set as a collection of songs because it fails to be a completely comprehensive guide to hip hop. This is understandable given all that has been done within the genre. However, the omission of artists such as LL Cool J and Eminem (and others) may make some question the set's worth. The Box does a nice job of gathering many hits and a better job of introducing the listener to the genre. Highlights include "The Breaks", "Just a Friend", "Passing Me By" and "Luv 2 Luv U (remix)".
   
   If money is an issue, Hip Hop Gold is a cheaper, two disc set made by the same company (Rhino Records) that has many of the same songs. The Box is uncensored and Gold is, but that does not affect many of the songs.



4. this collection is obviously very incomplete, "but" is very refreshing compared to what is out today(4-cd's can/will never do the job so take it for what it's worth. i tell myself that everyday). so with that said, what is 50 cent doing in this set. at the time this set came out(5/2004) 50 had'nt contributed enough to "real-hip-hop" to deserve a cut on here(and still has'nt). look at him now and compare him to the rest of the greats/legends in this set. also each disc had extra time/space left for extra cuts(a disc can hold 80 minutes). each disc had "at least" 10 min left(so at least 2-3 more cuts per disc). could of been 60 tracks instead of 51. besides all that this is very essential, and so much better than this sorry fake hip-hop being put out now(mike jones, paul wall, 50 cent just to name a few). for real. this along with def jam's 10th anniversary 4-cd boxed set, and tommy boy's greatest beats 1981-1996 4-cd boxed set, as a reviewer said awhile back, is pretty much all you need to remember what "real hip-hop" was and is all about. and to all you rap/hip-hop haters, don't blame hip-hop or even rap, blame those who make it look bad(mike jones, paul wall, 50 cent, and others). rap/hip-hop is very positive(when used correctly). some people just don't understand it(there fault), but don't blame hip-hop(as a whole). it's history. haters... learn about it, study it, listen to it(espeacially the 80's/early-mid 90's)and you'll see hip-hop was and still is positive. please, just don't judge if you don't know. LONG LIVE GOOD REAL HIP HOP!!!!!!!!!



5. I was going to skip writing a review of this important historical collection. Why? Because others have, in my opinion, done it justice already and are probably bigger rap fans than I am. But I couldn't resist remarking on the bitching relating to the missing artists as if those not included were done so as a snub or a purposeful "grading down" of their work.
   
   Look, just about every historical collection can be criticized similarly. Back in the 60's, some important collections of British Rock were released and NONE had the Beatles or Stones among the artists surveyed. Were we to assume that they felt the Beatles and Stones weren't good enough? No. Most of us with no business acumen still figured out that it must have had something to do with licensing and permission. So, a very good collection of Brit-rock might, if it was lucky, include the Beatles with Tony Sheridan doing "Ain't She Sweet".
   
   Let's be real. Those artists that were most bitched about as being absent were not included because permission could not be obtained or the royalty demands for such permission were considered impractical. I don't KNOW this in the sense of having proof, but I'd surely assume it to be true. What other possible reason would there be for having such a stellar collection not including some of the most important artists in rap's history? Lack of knowledge of the subject? Poor taste in rap? Not hardly.
   
   That's one of the reasons why collectors like myself always have respected Rhino's ability to put together collections. They seem to have a knack for getting the necessary permissions to include most important artists covering the era/style they're exploring. But even Rhino must live with gaps.
   
   ed.

5 comments about Xen Cuts.

1. Lets rate the label not the tracks. The label, as it stands, is on the up and up, introducing the best aritsts that jazz-core and hip hop (REAL HIP HOP, NOT LUDACRIS) have to offer. The problem, is that this compilation only lets you get your feet wet in the ocean that this label has to offer. Tracks by Amon Tobin, Saul Williams, Kid Koala KILL the rest of the cd. I would honestly reccommend this compilation to those who are ready to dive into some deeper music, it's the perfect introduction into the world of electrojazz and tru hip hop heads. Heavy and hard, this one carries. Just know that this compilation is mearly a cliff note in the world of the tunes of the ninja. Ninja tune reprazent.



2. Xen Cuts is basically a compilation of music from different musicians from the Big Dada and Ninjatune label. It's a great showcase of all the labels have to offer and is almost like like gourmet dish of different foods to sample before you decide to buy them on your own. The tracks range from trip hop to hard acid jazz (I love Clifford Gilberto's tracks) and some lyrically sound hip hop tracks. With as many musicians as they have, a lot of the tracks are well done. Granted, I would be hard pressed to find all the tracks appealing, the ones that are give birth to a sense of style that each of the musicians have thoroughly developed through the years and deserve the recognition that they get for their respective genres.
   The hip hop tracks are nicely done, the Big Dada Sound track is a highlight just because it features some big name (well, relatively speaking) that all collaborate on one track. It's the perfect high-bass track for any bloke rolling out on the town one evening. The acid jazz tracks are spectacular, especially the clifford gilberto. The tracks leave you drenched in saturation, and push you towards the epiphany of "This is *real* acid jazz". The drum n bass tracks are alright, besides Amon Tobin, it's not really a genre that the labels are known for producing, but some of the d n b tracks are enjoyable. Overall, there are some tracks that pale, while others that embody their respective genre in full. But for the price, it's all good.



3. Live kid Koala cuts! Rare 'Revelution won't happen bwt these thighs' track and many others. Dude, get it. You gotta.



4. Wow, Wow, Wow. My brother brought his copy of this CD when he came to visit us. I rummaged through his things (sorry), found it, and it was love at first hearing. I had never even heard of Ninja Tunes before then. This 3-disc compilation features a variety of artists and their myriad sounds, all coming together for one large party (for clarifications, see the track listing posted on this website).
   Disc One: Mostly hip-hop oriented. Funky, deep beats with better than average raps, sassy feminists, and an oriental flavor (Kid Koala).

   Disc Two: Mostly for jazz buffs. The weakest of the set. Highlights: Gilberto,Clifford; Arc; Up, Bustle & Out; Amon Tobin

   Disc Three: Overlooked tracks. Most tracks are excellent. Pay special attention to the Saul Williams track (and watch "Slam"), Funki Porcini, Kid Koala (" I wonder what kind of bear his wife thinks he is"), Roots Manuva, and the Zen Cuts bonus track. It's awesome.

   Looking forward to another such compilation by Ninja Tunes
   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!




5. Yeah i know, (the price) for 3 cds (just under 50 songs) is great, the packaging is real nice and the names performing are top notch.

   The problem is that i was expecting something really mindblowing and there where some great touches but overall i wasn't that impressed. Maybe its because i had most of the best songs because i had at least 10 of the artists individual albums.

   Cd 1 is strictly for the hip-hop headz. Roots Manuva kills it of on track 2 while the Herbaliser and Latryrx show just why i think they are the most gifted writers in the scene on track 5. Roots Manuva strikes again on Tobins brilliant Saboteur (track 9), and Quannum MC (track 15) is real hot. This is probably the best cd in this collection with Mr Scruff and Kid Koala making decent apperances. Track 7 is my least favourite (by Neotropic?).

   Cd 2 is probably the worst cd. Clifford Gilberto saves it from the dustbin with the amazing Restless and the 10th victim.
   Funki Porcini and Arc are above par with decent tracks as is Amon Tobin. Dj Food has the worst song on this whole album with 'The Ageing Young Rebel' (tRACK 10).

   Cd 3 is decent with Eastflatbush project (Track 11) and my main man Roots Manuva on (track 10). Funki Porcini gets it right again with (track 2), Porcini's 'Ultimately empty million dollars lp' was real poor so this shows he is decent. Finally (track 12) by DJ Food is brilliant. CD3 has many decent but uninspiring songs on aswell as the ones mentioned.

   In conclusion, the is a must get purchase for any Ninja Tune fans and since i purchased a cd recorder i have made a one disc compilation which is great, i advise you to do the same.

   (...) To be honest when i started this review i gave it 3 stars but it deserves 4.
   DJ Krush vs Coldcut, Funkungfusion and DK and DJ Food compilations are also banging but Funkjazztical Tricknology should be avoided. Laters

5 comments about Freestyle Explosion, Vol. 1-5.

1. This is the best collection of 80's Freestyle CD's! I like almost ALL the songs on these CDs and I'm pretty picky..



2. THIS IS AWESOME SET, I REMEMBER IN THE 80'S WHEN I USED TO GO TO THE BEST CLUB IN SOUTH BEACH IN MIAMI , ( CLUB 1235 ) OR IN BROWARD ( CLUB METRO ). I USED TO TAPE THOSE SONGS (EVEN SOME OF THEM DIDN'T KNOW THE SINGER . BUT NOW I DO. ALSO I WENT TO SEE THE FREESTYLE EXPLOSION CONCERT WHERE " EXPOSE, LISA LISA, COMPANY B, INFORMATION SOCIETY, AFRIKA BAMBAATA , CONNIE , DEBBIE DEBB , FREESTYLE , LIME (GREAT GROUP) , AND MANY OTHERS, AT AA ARENA, THAT WAS AWWWWEEEESSOOOMMEEEE. I HOPE I CAN SEE THEM AGAIN. THIS IS A GREAT HIT . THANK YOU FREESTYLE.



3. I confess. I am totally nostalgic. So even though I was a metalhead at the peak of Freestyle's hayday, I got into listening to it a few years after it was popular. Seeing that a LOT of the clubs and radio stations here in NY are playing it a lot I guess I have nothing to be ashamed of.
   I bought this set FREESTYLE EXPLOSION (Volumes 1-5) for my husband's birthday. And who do you think plays it? Me!
   This is a good "starter kit" featuring such freestyle artists like STEVIE B., CYNTHIA, THE COVER GIRLS, GEORGE LAMOND, NOEL, EXPOSE and CORO. There are a few things that stopped me from giving this set the perfect score of "5", instead of a "4".
   1. Where is TKA? They were my favorite fresstyle act. Here, they are represented by ONE track: One Way Love! Where are Tears May Fall, Scars Of Love, Louder Than Love etc.?
   2. They repeat tracks! I am a stickler for detail and work very hard on my personal mixes and repeating songs is a big no-no for me. Well, they play the song Let the Music Play by SHANNON and the song Facsinated by COMPANY B twice! It makes me mad cuz that is space they could have used for TKA tracks!
   3. There are some acts on here that I'm not sure I would consider freestyle. NU SHOOZ was an 80s synthesizer group that had the hits I Can't Wait and Point Of No Return. I like NU SHOOZ but do I think they belong in the ranks with freestyle acts like NOCERA and NAYOBE? No. they would be more at home on a TOTALLY 80s compilation. Same can be said of PRETTY POSION and TAYLOR DANE.
   But I am nit-picking. All in all the FREESTYLE EXPLOSION box set is a good party starter. There are also a FREESTYLE EXPLOSION Volume 6 and FREESTYLE EXPLOSION 7 for sale seperatley. May I also suggest the Tommy Boy collection FREESTYLE GREATEST BEATS Volumes 1 - 10 and TKA's GREATEST HITS. Now all ya need is a keg of beer and your party is complete!



4. They forgot Erotic Exotic ... nuff said!



5. I was just in Jr. High when I listened to these awesome hits! Awww..i remember going cruzin with my eighteen year old cousin and her dates. I was all into aqua net and eye liner and shinny shoes!! I can't belive I found these songs.Perfect. I thought i was supposed to look under "Old school". They are perfectly put together. I can't imagine a better compilation. It does bring back memories. Love this album. I highly reccomend.

4 comments about Mic Mac's Greatest Freestyle Hits.

1. Mic Mac was one of THE freestyle labels and this set really does include all of their greatest. This takes me back to THE days!! I am so happy I found it. A lot of these songs I had on mix cassettes back in the day, I can't believe I have them back in my collection! I am one happy freestyle fan!



2. You get a great collection of freestyle. 6 cds with great songs on all of them and the price is good, too.



3. Nothing but good things to say about this music set. If you like Freestyle then this set is very good because it touches upon many songs. Enjoy it.
   If you like these songs in the longer version's then check out MicMac 12 inch set's because they are great too.
   Hope this help's and Happy Dancing.



4. I am so happy with my cd's it came so fast and was in great shape.. thanks again. i will definately buy from you again..