Sleestack'z - Ruination / Crystal Clear

Pressed up by Ichiban Records in 1996, this is an incredibly overlooked 12" right here. This is the seldom seen orange label pressing with the sticker. You get two tracks with two different mixes and producers for each one. These joints are ridiculous! Roy Ayers is all over this, as well as Lalo Schifrin. Spearhead X and Straight Roots handle the production. Spearhead X is still holding it down in Atlanta. He has worked/produced for De La Soul, Y'all So Stupid, Mass Influence, Erick Sermon, Too Short, and Illegal. Straight Roots is also still producing and writing, but goes by the name of Nomadic. He's produced lately for Prodigy, Pitbull, Dipset, and Franchize. Now, what's up with the mc's? Drop some info. Also, you can still get this for fairly cheap when compared to other "indy/random" joints, so don't hesitate adding it to your crates. Or simply ask me for a spare copy.

Sleestack'z - Ruination (Spearhead X Remix)

Sleestack'z - Ruination (Straight Roots Album Edit)

Sleestack'z - Crystal Clear (Spearhead X Remix)

Sleestack'z - Crystal Clear (Straight Roots Album Edit)

Mop Top - Forever (Verbal Assault) / I'm Alright / Move Ya Body

"It's the crew with the dreadlocks called the Mop Top!" I copped this record many years ago in Savannah, GA. I remembered the name from appearances on the Stretch & Bobbito Show. This record doesn't disappoint. DOPE BEATS! Mid 90's steez. Brooklyn in the house! Released in 1996 on Break A Dawn Records. The posse joint, Forever (Verbal Assault) features Big Grei, Nine, Diablo, Freestyle & Inner Soul. KRS ONE is sampled at the end while Spin One scratches the Show & AG "Next Level" verse "showing all these corny motherfuckers what hip hop’s supposed to sound like". I couldn't agree more, Andre. Check for the nasal white guy impersonation when dude says "got white people saying 'damn right that's good flavor'."

The B-side gives ya two NOGGIN NODDERS. "I'm Alright" hits you first. The dude kickin' the second verse drops it heavy on "female savages." Spin One blesses you with another scratched hook coupled with a Slick Rick vocal sample. "Move Ya Body" is another HEATER. Again, with a scratched vocal this time sampling Biggie Smalls. When the AL Skratch sample comes in, "nobody move nobody get shot" during a verse, that's when I tend to move my body, well, raise my drink up and wave it side to side while nodding in accordance. Good stuff.

Buddha Stretch is credited with production while co-production credits on "I'm Alright" go to Caleaf Sellers and Will-Do. Many people are familiar with Break A Dawn's other releases from Ten Thieves. I personally like this record better than either of those. Anyways, enjoy the clips and judge for yourself.

Mop Top - Forever (Verbal Assault) feat. Big Grei, Nine, Diablo, Freestyle & Inner Soul.

Mop Top - I'm Alright

Mop Top - Move Ya Body

DNA - Bronx Criminal County / 2 Ounces & A Dream / My Shit Iz Tight

Blessing you with another Bronx BANGER! Very little is known about this group, DNA (Devon, Noah, Allah). JR Ewing gave them some shine on one of his mixes and for good reason. This a seriously dope record released by Red Zone Recordings. A definitive mid-late 90's indie/underground NYC 12". All three tracks are ill. On the A Side, "Bronx Criminal County" is produced by Garth "Dread" Mitchell. On the hook, Havoc's "criminal mind thirsty for recognition" is sampled.

The B-Side comes at you with "2 Ounces & A Dream" featuring Boo & Reality of Hedkrak. Dudes are rapping about coming up in the dope game. Nice piano. Was anything ever released by the Hedkrak crew? They round out things with "My Shit Iz Tight." The subject matter is self explanatory. And another smokin' beat. Production on this side is handled by, I believe, the artist themselves, D. Gray & N. Tillman for DNA FUNCTION and M. Marcelle for SPADES Entertainment. Recorded and mixed at Da Cave, which also sounds familiar.

On a side note, are there two 12"s released by this crew? I've also seen on want lists this same record, yet a track "Nowhere to Run" replaces "2 Ounces & A Dream" and the date is 1997. On the Bronx Criminal County intro they call out '96. Just wondering.

DNA - Bronx Criminal County

DNA - 2 Ounces & A Dream
What I believed was crackle is simply the piano sample. Heh.

DNA - My Shit Iz Tight

Earplay Entertainment EP

Pressed up in 1996 by Earplay Entertainment out of Brooklyn, this may be their first and only release. The intro by Oliver Twist repping BX is way too short, but utilizes a familiar sample and instantly validates the officialness of this record. After that, Khenya steps up with some r&b crap. NEXT! The final joint on side A is a track that some of you may have heard, HitMan's "Die 4 My Iggaz." Coming from Brooklyn, he's letting cats know that he's down for his team and not droppin' dime on his fam. On the B side we get a female mc, Dezert Storm, boasting a familiar steez; a woman that's about lyrics rather than material items. I skip over most female mc's, but "Operation Dezert Storm" is brief and she runs over the track nicely. Strictly Homicidal ends it on a high note letting dudes know they're out for the cream on "Just Imagin'." Check the flute and the whistle that comes in every so often. Smokin'!

One of the biggest surprises about this 12" is the production. DOPE BEATS! All songs are produced and mixed by CINQUE Coleman with co-production credits going to Akin "Ock" Jackson on the Khenya joint.

Oliver Twist - Earplay Intro

HitMan - Die 4 My Iggaz

Operation Dezert Storm - Dezert Storm feat. CINQUE

Strictly Homicidal - Just Imagin'

Holler at me with any info or drop a line and let me know if you're diggin' it. Peace.