OMG Vinyl... Because Records Sound Better

Five Rap Records That Are Well Worth Your Attention

Mitchell Nature — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:21:04 +0000

I’ve been listening to a ton of rap music this year, it just seems to have gotten a LOT more exciting lately. I wanted to take a quick moment to spotlight a number of releases that are available on vinyl right now. Try to enjoy.

Danny Brown “XXX” 2xLP – This is easily one of the best mixtapes of 2011, if not THE best. Fool’s Gold finally got around to issuing a vinyl version, eliciting excitement everywhere. Some call it maniacal weirdness, we call it genius. Get the gatefold-packaged 2xLP for $20 via Fool’s Gold.

[See post to listen to audio]

Big K.R.I.T. “K.R.I.T. Wuz Here” and “Return of 4eva” 2xLPs – Another killer set of previously-digital-only mixtapes, these two albums represent KRIT at his best. If you’re somehow unfamiliar with him, do some studying, the dude just may singlehandedly revive the southern sound (think UGK). You can get the 2xLPs for $17.97 each at UndergroundHipHop.com.

[See post to listen to audio]

El-P “Cancer For Cure” 2xLP – El-P is in the middle of one of the most successful career resurrections to ever happen. He’d put out a few mediocre albums, then things got pretty quiet on his end. Now, he’s back with his best record yet, plus he’s got heavy hands in another of the year’s best records (see below). This is a gatefold-packed 2xLP for $18 from Fat Possum.

[See post to listen to audio]

Killer Mike “R.A.P. Music” 2xLP – As mentioned above, El-P is on fire right now. He produced the entirety of Killer Mike’s new album, and the results are spectacular. You may know Mike from a handful of Outkast cameos (he’s definitely got the sound down), but his fusion with the caustic, head-knock style that El-P brings out another style completely. Somewhere between Outkast, NWA, and Def Jux, this one is bound to be a future classic. Get the 2xLP for $25 via Amazon.

[See post to listen to audio]

Madlib / Freddie Gibbs “Shame” 12″ – Last, we’ve got a new 12″ from one of the most exciting new duos on the planet, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib. This may not trump the astounding first single, but it’s still top-notch and unbeatable by almost anything else. I cannot wait for a full album. Get this vinyl for $11.95 (and hear samples) at Stones Throw.

Pye Corner Audio “The Black Mill Tapes Volumes 1 & 2″ 2xLP

Nude Mutant — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:21:18 +0000

Deep electronics from the incomparable Type label: two properly baked slabs serving as the official vinyl issue of Volume 1 and Volume 2 of The Black Mill Tapes. Pye Corner Audio doesn’t seem intent on flaunting any sort of public persona behind their music, and we’re content to let the sounds speak for themselves. Immersive zones that shift from bleary-eyed beats to drones caked in crackle and hiss. Well worth your time and attention. Pick up a copy on 2xLP at experimedia.net.

Ash Borer “demo” LP Preorder

Nude Mutant — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:45:20 +0000

UPDATE: This is still available at pesanta.bigcartel.com.

Could we possibly announce any other record that is more worthy of your hard earned money? This incredible demo from Ash Borer is now available on vinyl, featuring an all new mix mastered from the original source. This is one of very few releases we can recall in the past several years that has literally blown us the fuck away. The swirling and cathartic blackness that this group conjures is like nothing else out there right now, and likely never will be. The vinyl comes in a letter-pressed sleeve and you can pre-order now at psychicviolence.bigcartel.com or at bisaufsmesser.com.

Sleep “Dopesmoker” 2xLP

Nude Mutant — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:42:29 +0000

Shame on us for not writing this up yet. When this release was announced, there was some valid speculation on whether or not another version of Sleep’s legendary album was really necessary. After hearing the remastered version, we are both in agreement that it was, indeed, necessary. This is louder than you’ve ever heard the album before. There is more clarity and depth to the recording on this version, without sacrificing any of the sludge and red-eyed haze that makes it so spectacularly heavy in the first place. I would go so far as to say that even if you already own the Tee Pee version, as I do, that this is still a necessary purchase. The entire internet agrees. I will not attempt to explain the myriad of ordering options available, just make sure you pick this up - southerlord.com.

The Haunting Presence “s/t” 7″ EP

Nude Mutant — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:29:11 +0000

It’s good to see the Black Twilight Circle spreading. Hells Headbangers, never ones to miss a good signing, have gone ahead and put this self-titled EP of curdled, blackened death ~~from 2011~~ onto 7″ of vinyl. ~~Previously available on home-dubbed cassette, and not exactly easy to get ahold of,~~ now’s your chance to pick this up at shop-hellsheadbangers.com. Two new exclusive tracks, and limited to 300 (I should read better).

“Eight Trails, One Path” LP

Nude Mutant — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:44:47 +0000

Another RSD exclusive surfaces in the internet distro broth. Eight Trails, One Path is a fine collection of (you guessed it) eight guitar-based pieces from all of your favorite guitar-based musicians. I’m talking Six Organs of Admittance and Lee Ronaldo here, just to name a couple. The greatest thing about this album is that it possesses that all-too-rare quality of compilation albums – every track is a stunner. No joke, give it a listen. Then order it from our friends at experimedia.net.

M.F. DOOM “Operation Doomsday” 2xLP

Nude Mutant — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:37:49 +0000

Another version of M.F. DOOM’s Operation Doomsday has surfaced, but who’s counting? Fact of the matter is, if you do not own this album, it’s an egregious error on your part and should be rectified immediately. This silver embossed jacket looks as good as any bootleg version to add to your presumably inadequate collection. Pre-order now at undergroundhiphop.com.

Plankton Wat “Spirits” LP

Nude Mutant — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:23:40 +0000

Another Sweat Lodge Guru favorite on vinyl! This time Thrill Jockey has pressed up a new album from the incomparable Dewey Mahood (he of too many bands and side projects to even be named). Dewey is a psychedelic conjurer of the finest pedigree; his prolific output is matched only by the high quality of each release he puts his name on. The pre-order for Spirits is available right now at thrilljockey.com.

Mpala Garoo “Ou Du Monde” LP

Nude Mutant — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:13:23 +0000

Mpala Garoo’s Ou Du Monde is easily one of Sweat Lodge Guru’s most requested cassette tapes. Of course, we blew through our copies long ago, but lo and behold, the ever astute Aguirre Records has gone and given the world a vinyl pressing of this subliminal album. This is, obviously, highly recommended. Here’s what we wrote about it when we released it:

Music crafted for the sunny and tropical paradises of our minds. Seasonal temperament is shared via magnetic vibes; we can all exist in the same balmy and tropical headstate no matter what our physical locale may be. Pure vibrations that ebb and flow on the appeal of tidal moons.

Pick up a pre-order at aguirrerecords.com.

Hooded Menace “Never Cross The Dead” 2xLP

Nude Mutant — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:07 +0000

UPDATE: How awesome is this album? Pretty awesome. Repress available now at doomentia.com (including a limited B&W package).

Happy Friday night everybody. Never Cross The Dead vinyl is now available stateside. We could go on and on about how deathly terrifying and gruesome this album is, but if you don’t know that already, than you’ve missed the point long ago. Exclusive colored vinyl (limited to 100) or not-so-exclusive black vinyl is available from allthatisheavy.com, and more black vinyl can be found at shop-hellsheadbangers.com. Act accordingly.

[See post to listen to audio]