Lord Finesse, one of the great, unsung producers of hip-hop, just delivered a sonic time machine. The SP1200 Project: Sounds & Frequencies in Technicolor is more than just an instrumental album—it’s a testament to the rich, textured sound of hip-hop’s golden era, crafted by one of the Bronx’s finest.

A Response to Over-Compressed Modern Soundscapes

Lord Finesse, a certified legend in beat-making and crate-digging, put this project together as a counter to the heavily compressed production style dominating modern hip-hop. “Sonically, a good amount of today’s hip-hop music sounds like it’s being played under a heavy quilt,” Finesse explains. “Certain frequencies are buried, and they can’t be felt or heard, destroying the vibe and energy of the production—no matter how good it is.”

With that mission in mind, he dove into his archives, unearthing beats that had either been originally crafted for his own projects or for hip-hop royalty like Big L and Grand Puba. Some had never even seen the light of day—until now.

A Production Experience You Can Feel

The result? Sounds & Frequencies in Technicolor is an absolute feast for hip-hop purists. Across 17 tracks, Finesse delivers masterfully flipped samples, hard drum patterns, and an undeniable groove that keeps your head nodding from start to finish. Tracks like “Soul Love,” “King of Diggin,” and “Blacked Out” showcase his production wizardry, while “Get Right” (courtesy of Powerule) is a reminder of the timeless magic that can be found in deep-cut hip-hop gems.

A Must-Have for Hip-Hop Heads

This isn’t just another instrumental album—it’s a masterclass in the art of hip-hop production. Lord Finesse’s ability to blend funk, soul, and gritty hip-hop textures into something fresh yet deeply nostalgic is unmatched. Sounds & Frequencies in Technicolor isn’t just a trip down memory lane—it’s a blueprint for what hip-hop production should feel like.

Go grab a copy of the limited edition vinyl.

Few names in hip-hop production command as much respect as J Dilla. His influence runs deep, his sound is timeless, and his magnum opus Donuts remains a sacred text for crate diggers, beatmakers, and music heads worldwide. Now, thanks to Super7, fans can honor the late, great genius in a whole new way—with a meticulously crafted, limited-edition J Dilla ReAction Figure.

A Collector’s Dream, A Beatmaker’s Tribute

Measuring 3.75 inches, this articulated figure pays homage to the legendary producer’s iconic Donuts album cover, capturing Dilla in his signature pose. But this isn’t just another hip-hop collectible—this is a moment in culture made tangible.

Super7’s attention to detail makes this piece truly special. The figure comes equipped with an Akai MPC 3000, the legendary machine behind countless classics, and a removable chain to complete the look. Encased in full-color blistered cardback packaging, the artwork nods to Donuts’ enduring impact, making this a standout display piece whether you’re a longtime Dilla disciple or a new fan discovering his genius.

Check out the J Dilla action figure here.

The original 100 Breaks by DJ Semantik. The mix features original samples and breaks mix sourced from all original vinyl.

Tracklist

1. DJ Semantik – Intro
2. Donald Byrd – Feel Like Lovin’ You Today
3. George Benson – Changing World
4. Herbie Hancock – Watermelon Man
5. Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Searchin’
6. Roy Ayers – The Memory
7. The Blackbyrds – Mysterious Vibes
8. Detroit Emeralds – You’re Getting Too Smart
9. The Blackbyrds – Reggins
10. The Blackbyrds – Life Styles
11. B.T. Express – Everything Good To You (Ain’t Always Good For You)
12. The Blackbyrds – Summer Love
13. The Main Ingredient – Summer Breeze
14. Boz Scaggs – Hercules
15. B.T. Express – If It Don’t Turn You On (You Better Leave It Alone)
16. B.T. Express – Do It (Till You’re Satisfied)
17. Roy Ayers – Feel Like Makin’ Love
18. Roy Ayers – Sensitize
19. Seals & Crofts – Sweet Green Fields
20. Brothers Johnson – Tomorrow
21. Bobby Caldwell – Open Your Eyes
22. Aretha Franklin – One Step Ahead
23. Bobby Caldwell – My Flame
24. Roberta Flack – Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye
25. Sade – Fear
26. Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway – Be Real Black For Me
27. Soul Mann & The Brothers – Bumpy’s Lament
28. Smokey Robinson – Quiet Storm
29. Isaac Hayes – Ellie’s Love Theme
30. Isaac Hayes – Do Your Thing
31. Isaac Hayes – Someone Who Will Take The Place Of You
32. Isaac Hayes – A Few More Kisses To Go
33. Isaac Hayes – Walk On By
34. Roy Ayers – Everybody Loves The Sunshine
35. Patrice Rushen – Where There Is Love
36. Patrice Rushen – Remind Me
37. Ohio Players – Ecstacy
38. KC & The Sunshine Band – I Get Lifted
39. Ohio Players – Pain
40. Ohio Players – Player’s Balling (Players Doin’ Their Own Thing)
41. Ohio Players – The Reds
42. Les McCann – Vallarta
43. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put A Spell On You
44. Marvin Gaye – Come Live With Me Angel
45. Deniece Williams – Free
46. Grover Washington, Jr. – Black Frost
47. Bob James – Take Me To The Mardi Gras
48. Bob James – Nautilus
49. Herb Alpert – Rise
50. Average White Band – Person To Person
51. Archie Bell & The Drells – Don’t Let Love Get You Down
52. James Brown – The Big Payback
53. Barry White – Under The Influence Of Love
54. Heatwave – Ain’t No Half Steppin’
55. Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band – Sun Showers
56. Manu Dibango – Soul Makossa
57. Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band – Cherchez La Femme
58. Instant Funk – I Got My Mind Made Up
59. The Dramatics – Get Up And Get Down
60. Albert King – I’ll Play The Blues For You
61. The Dells – Free & Easy
62. Caesar Frazier – Funk It Down
63. The Delfonics – Ready Or Not
64. Bobbi Humphrey – San Francisco Lights
65. Bob James – Tappan Zee
66. Luther Ingram – If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Wanna Be Right)
67. Bob James – Storm King
68. Bob James – One Mint Julep
69. Bob James – Look-Alike
70. Roy Ayers – The Boogie Back
71. Michael McDonald – I Keep Forgettin’
72. The Chambers Brothers – Funky
73. Johnny Guitar Watson – Superman Lover
74. Isaac Hayes – Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic
75. Barry White – It’s Ecstacy (When You Lay Down Next To Me)
76. Ray, Goodman & Brown – Another Day
77. Steely Dan – Black Cow
78. Average White Band – Schoolboy Crush
79. Ohio Players – Fopp
80. Bob James – The Golden Apple
81. The Stylistics – Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)
82. Quincy Jones – Body Heat
83. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band – Last Hope’s Gone
84. J.J. Johnson & His Orchestra – Harlem Clavinette
85. Barry White – Playing Your Game Babe
86. Tom Browne – Funkin’ For Jamaica
87. Bobby Womack – Across 110th Street
88. Al Wilson – Moonlightin’
89. Young Holt Unlimited – Soulful Strut
90. Grace Jones – My Jamaican Guy
91. Isaac Hayes – Hung Up On My Baby
92. Ohio Players – Pride & Vanity
93. Abba – Name Of The Game
94. Minnie Riperton – Memory Lane
95. Cameo – Two Of Us
96. Ohio Players – Funky Worm

Few producers have shaped the sound of hip-hop the way Just Blaze has. From Roc-A-Fella anthems to global club stages, he’s lived through the shifts in both production and DJ culture firsthand. In a recent sit-down with DJ City, he spoke candidly about the rise of superstar DJs, the art of rocking a set, and why staying hands-on in the studio still matters.

Blaze’s origin story with turntables goes all the way back to his cousin’s rack system in the ’80s, where he first witnessed the magic of two copies of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” being blended.

“I must have been five, six years old. But it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen.”

That moment set him on a path that would eventually merge beatmaking, DJing, and production at the highest levels.

Today, DJ culture looks very different from when he was coming up. What was once the job of the “guy in the corner that played records” has exploded into Vegas billboards and international residencies. Blaze sees the divide clearly:

“There is a commodity amongst DJs who love DJing for the music aspect of it, who came into it as fans. And you can kind of tell who’s in it for what reason.”

For him, great DJs aren’t defined by genre tags or hype trends but by execution.

“I don’t care what genre you play. I don’t care—as long as it sounds good. I prefer a little bit of everything.”

That perspective reflects his own sets, where hip-hop classics, electronic textures, and forgotten gems can collide seamlessly.

Blaze also touched on ghost production, a reality in today’s high-demand DJ world. Touring schedules often leave little room for studio time, leading many marquee names to outsource.

“That’s one thing I’ve never done… everything that I’ve produced, I actually have produced.”

While he doesn’t knock younger DJs for getting help, his pride in staying hands-on underscores his reputation as both a technician and craftsman.

But the heart of his philosophy comes back to history and storytelling. Technology may simplify the mechanics, but Blaze insists that the real art is in the journey:

“You still gotta learn to count bars. You still gotta learn to count beats. You still gotta learn how to take a crowd on a journey… That’s what differentiates a lot of us.”

He gave an example: anyone can pull songs from a Hot 97 playlist and let software do the beat-matching. But the DJs who stand out are the ones who weave in originals, remixes, forgotten breaks, and unexpected blends that make people say:

“Yo, I ain’t heard that record in 10 years, but he made it work perfectly.”

In a culture where the spectacle often overshadows the craft, Just Blaze reminds us of the essentials: knowing your history, respecting the music, and always keeping the crowd moving.

“Whatever it is that you’re doing, there’s something else that came before that… Things like that are what differentiate DJs.”

That’s the gospel according to Blaze—less about the flash, more about the foundation.

The Beat Academy presents The Battle of The Americas Beat Battle featuring judges Young Guru, Symbolyc One (S1), and Jake One. On Saturday June 21st 24 producers from USA and Canada will go to war in the ultimate team beat battle!

Grab tickets or visit Beat Academy for more info.

Video of The Road to SXSW battle featuring Wondagurl, Rich Kidd, Chef Byer, and more after the break!

DJ Premier explains how Guru and Big Shug designed the Gangstarr logo and how it’s been used throughout all of their albums.  Primo also talks about how Mass Appeal was created with the intention of being a radio hit.

The undisputed king of finger drumming returns. This time David “Fingers” Haynes shows his skill on the Akai MPC Studio while playing live alongside a recording.

Bryan Michael Cox drops a teaser as he breaks down the process of creating a sample based track. Somehow he manages to field a call from his 3 year old son in the process.

All you Mac nerds that though you may have been missing out on the FL Studio fun can now rejoice. Today Imageline announced that FL Studio Mac OS X would be open for public beta. Previously, this had been a private invite only.  This is an experimental version running in a custom crossover wrapper, so don’t expect any official support.

Find out the complete info at Imageline.