Stilltown Presents Philadelphia: Release Yourself (2010)

All tracks were recorded between 1987-1994

01. Life Is Like A Nike Commercial (Just Do It) (Poison Ladd SLR & Beats In General)
02. Funky-Rye-Men (Ebony Broadcast System)

03. Outstanding (L-Rock)
04. Flex the Style From the Flow (Tyree)
05. Release Yourself (Phill Most Chill)

06. I Ain't Goin' Nowhere (Steady B)
07. Watch 'Em All Take A Fall (Too Def Connection)
08. Flatline (Lyrical Underworld)
09. Ease Back (Jon Doe)
10. Rock Rock On (Cipha)
11. Check It Out (Lord Aaqil)
12. We Give Knockouts (Pure DeeFunk)

13. 45 Confessions Of A Killer (Legion Of Doom)
14. One Straight Binness (Tuff Crew feat. Shujaa & Class)
15. Sound In Your Ears (Tasc 4orce)

16. Kick Dat Stlye (Three Times Dope feat. Ruggedness Maddrama)
17. Checkin' Down the Menu (Ruggedness Maddrama)

18. Beyond the Door (100X)
19. Boom Box (Lux)
20. Mind Over Matter (Tuff Crew feat. Emcee Mechanism)

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Spiega - Forgive Them Father (2010)

It's been a while since I've done a post about an artist without Pittsburgh connections, but today's may be a start of more to come. By now, most hip-hop fans are familiar with the work of Daniel Dumille. When Zev Love X returned to the hip-hop scene as MF Doom, he was part of a New York crew known as the Monsta Island Czars. The most notable emcees included were street legend MF Grimm, Kwite Def, Arron, and Tommy Gunn. Production was handled by Doom and X-Ray da Mindbenda. Each member took a Godzilla-themed alias, Doom as King Ghidra, Grimm as Jet Jaguar, Kwite Def as Kamackeris, Arron as Rodan, Tommy Gunn as Megalon, X-Ray as King Ceaser, and newcomers Kong, Gigan, and Spiega.

The focus of this post is Spiega. His deep, distinctive voice and monotonous delivery make him a unique talent. Unlike many of the groups members, Spiega has yet to release a solo album. However, he made several contributions to Kong's latest album, Shackles Off. Other ventures include his work on the Reavers's album Terror Firma.

I brought these discreet and scattered appearances together for a "best of" type album. Solo songs, group work, and guest features were included.

"Forgive them father, for they know not what they do." - Spiega's personal quote from the liner notes of the album Escape From Monsta Island!

01. True Beleavers (feat. Kong)
02. I Seen It All

03. Now That's Sweet

04. America (feat. Hasan Salaam & Akir)

05. Cross My Heart (feat. Kong)
06. Witchcraft (Remix) (feat. Monsta Island Czars)
07. Ride the Arrow (feat. King Ceasar)

08. Under Pressure (feat. Monsta Island Czars)
09. Broken Safety (feat. Kong & Ikon)
10. Genocide (feat. Billy Woods & Kong)
11. Kill Or Be Killed (feat. Kwite Def, Rio, & Foul Language)
12. Weasal (Do Or Die) (feat. Kong)
13. Die (feat. Megalon, Egyptian Queen, King Ceasar, Loch Ness, & Kong)

14. Witchcraft (feat. Monsta Island Czars)

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Shadez of Brooklyn - When the Sun Goes Down (Compilation)

After many requests, here is a compilation I made featuring most, if not all, of the work done by the Shadez of Brooklyn. The crew that consists of Chocolate Tye, Tee Black, Rev. Al, and Rambo gained some recognition in the mid 90's through Evil Dee's radio show. The group was closely affiliated with Da Beatminerz and much of their work features production from them.

The groups first 12", "Change" was released in 1996. The others, "Calm Unda Pressure" and "How It's Done" came out in 1998. They were all released on Pandemonium Wreckords and are all relatively hard to find for a decent price. Other tracks on this compilation came from mixtapes or other artists' releases. The "Tony Touch Freestyle" comes from Tony's legendary 55 MC Cypher II Tape, while "Everyday Life" was released on Evil Dee's One mixtape series.

You won't find a more complete mix of S.O.B.'z material anywhere else.




























Shadez of Brooklyn - When the Sun Goes Down
01. Change
02. When It Rains It Pours (Survival Warz)
03. Calm Unda Pressure
04. Diamond Mine
05. How It's Done
06. Paradise
07. Wanted Men
08. Hell Yeah, Oh Yeah
09. Drama
10. Tony Touch Freestyle
11. One Life
12. NY
13. Everyday Life
14. War & Position
15. Return of the Mack (Da Beatminerz Remix)

Smoked Out Productions aka Missin' Linx - Puzzle Pieces (Compilation)

Continuing on, I finally bring to you the compilation of Smoked Out Productions (later known as Missin' Linx), which includes Black Attack, Problemz, and features Al' Tariq. This compilation was made to highlight the careers of Black and Problemz. A majority of the tracks on Puzzle Pieces were released between 1995 and 2000.

Black Attack (aka Sean Black) and Problemz were closely affiliated with The Beatnuts and DJ Honda. In 1995, "Neva B4," which was an alternate version of the 12" release "Styles," appeared on Echo Unltd. Underground Airplay Volume IV. This alternate version was a solo track performed by Problemz. Problemz also earned a spot on the Lyricist Lounge compilation with his insightful track "Society." In 1997, Black Attack's "My Crown" appeared on Rawkus Records' Soundbombing compilation. Black's "Verbal Attack" made its way on to DJ Babu's World Famous Beat Junkies Vol. 1 later that year.

The third member of the crew, Al' Tariq, was the most recognized of the members based on his 1996 solo release, God Connections. The album featured Black and Problemz on numerous tracks, as well as heavy production from The Beatnuts and No I.D.

Missing from Puzzle Pieces is the Missin' Linx crew's six-track EP, Exhibit A. Released in 2000, the album was laced with production from Necro, The Alchemist, and V.I.C., along with a feature from Freddie Foxxx on "Family Ties." Although shamefully short in length, the EP has remained a smooth listen from start to finish and is available at most online music stores.

In 2007, Al' Tariq, Problemz, and Psycho Les joined together as Big City to release The City Never Sleeps on Nature Sounds. To preview the album you can check their MySpace here:
http://www.myspace.com/bigcitychedda

Like the title of their 1998 single, Black Attack has been M.I.A. over the past year or two. However, Problemz has continued to work harder than ever, and with the helping hand of DJ Honda, he recently released his debut LP, All Killa No Filla. The album is available on iTunes and has already been receiving rave reviews.

Check out Problemz and cop his new album All Killa No Filla here:
http://problemzsince93.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/problemzz


S.O.P. aka Missin' Linx - Puzzle Pieces

01. Styles
02. Phases
03. My Crown
04. Sametime
05. Kill the Noize
06. Back Up Kid (That's What You Get)
07. Correct Technique
08. Fuk Dat
09. Blaze It Up
10. Aw Yeah
11. Holdin' It Down
12. Verbal Attack
13. Say What
14. Can't Be Stop
15. Rep Da R.I.
16. 5 Seconds
17. Around the Clock
18. Bok Bok
19. Who U Be

Troubleneck Brothers - Released (Compilation)

So I got a lot of good feedback from the Saukrates compilation, therefore I plan on continuing to up similar compilations.

Today I bring you The Troubleneck Brothers. The TNB crew were one of the first to develop that raw street hip-hop sound that we all love to hear. In 1992 they released their first and only LP, Fuck All Ya'll. Their first single, Troubleneck Wreck / Gusto, was released in 1993 on StepSun Music. This 12" showcased a completely different version of the track "Troubleneck Wreck" from the one included on their LP. A year later the crew released the Back to the Hip-Hop / Pure 12" which included multiple mixes of the title track "Back to the Hip-Hop." Also in 1994, the crew pushed their Release Me EP, which was a four-track mix released on vinyl and cassette. A year later, after the crew parted ways with StepSun Music, they released the Maintain 12" under the alias 36Zero on 862 Records. This would be the group's final release, and although they only had a short run, there is no doubt that they put their imprint on the underground scene.

The compilation I bring to you, Released, includes all of the material that the TNB released during this run. A bonus disc was added with different mixes, edits, instrumentals, and acappellas. The group's material is relatively hard to find so don't miss out on any opportunity to purchase any hard copies you come accross.

Troubleneck Brothers - Released

01. Troubleneck Wreck
02. Open Up the Gates
03. Suck My Dick
04. Fuck All Ya'll
05. Hoods Up Caps Down
06. Poets at War
07. Rockin In Harmony
08. Represent (Trouble Version)
09. Troubleneck Wreck (12" Version)
10. Gusto
11. Back to the Hip-Hop
12. Pure
13. Release Me
14. 85 Live
15. But I'm a Lax
16. 862
17. Maintain
18. Lyrical Jasun
19. Irocs

Bonus:

01. Live From Troubleneck Projects
02. Represent (Villain Version)
03. Back to the Hip-Hop (Tony T. Green Remix)
04. Back to the Hip-Hop (Classic Mix)
05. Back to the Hip-Hop (Old School Mix)
06. Back to the Hip-Hop (Album Radio Edit)
07. Back to the Hip-Hop (Instrumental)
08. Back to the Hip-Hop (Acappella)
09. Pure (Instrumental)
10. Pure (Acappella)
11. Maintain (Instrumental)
12. Outro

Comments are appreciated, Smoked Out Productions/Missin' Linx (Black Attack & Problemz) and Gauge the Mental Murderah compilations coming soon!! Feel free to make requests and I'll see what I can do.

Saukrates - Caught Up In Canada (12" Compilation)

For those that are familiar with Saukrates, you know what it is. Those that don't, you have been missing out on one of the illest MC's of the '90s. Coming out of Toronto, Canada, Saukrates never really had the push needed for mainstream success, but on the underground scene he was steadily releasing hit after hit since '94. Many of these singles are nearly impossible to find in these days and times, but his 1996 release, Brick House EP, is still available at record shops online. He also released The Underground Tapes Pt. 1 & 2 in 1999, which included some random unreleased material.

With that being said, I gathered all of his releases prior to those on The Underground Tapes and compiled them into one incredible album that showcases Saukrates in what I believe to be his prime. No instrumentals, acapellas, or edits (unless they are the only version available) are included in this mix. All of the remixes included in the mix are official remixes, many of which were released as b-sides to the original track. Check below for the tracklist, leave comments, and support the artist!

Check out new material from Saukrates here:
www.myspace.com/saukrates

Caught Up In Canada
tracklist:
01. Still Caught Up
02. Skillz ta Thrill
03. Father Time
04. Hate Runs Deep
05. Get Touched
06. Kalifornia
07. Play Dis
08. Rollin'
09. P's and Q's
10. Action
11. Still Caught Up (Remix)
12. Father Time (Remix)
13. Hate Runs Deep (Remix)
14. Play Dis (Remix)
15. Rollin' (Remix)
16. Action (Remix)
17. Keep It Movin' (Remix)

If the tracks show up out of order, then arrange them by track number.