PARRIS & VANUCCI: Disco Of Love EP – 2010

PARRIS & VANUCCI: Disco Of Love EP – 2010
Disco breaks? Smooth rap vocals? Synth bass? Big horns? I think it’s safe to say that wherever you are and whatever time it is, it’s going to be ladies’ night when any cut from this comes on and never more so than on the very large title track. Not that I’m complaining about such a shameless attempt to boost the numbers of females on the dancefloor you understand - but what to call such a project? As luck would have it, the surnames of Robin Parris and Aldo Vanucci, when combined, contrive to sound exactly like an international cosmetics/ fashion giant - what were the chances? Then there’s the artwork – the perfect simulacrum of…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

ROGER MOLLS: Rewind LP – 2010 – Release details + tracklist = Hiphopology video

ROGER MOLLS: Rewind LP – 2010 – Release details + tracklist = Hiphopology video
I’ll be the first to admit that the name ‘Roger Molls’ isn’t exactly redolent of the mean streets of the Bronx (and I’m sure Roger wouldn’t be too far behind me) but that’s because he hails from France, a country with a highly respectable hip-hop tradition nevertheless. ‘Rewind’ finds Molls hot on the trail of fellow French beat maestro, Wax Tailor, as well channelling the spirit of RJD2’s debut LP …LISTEN/ WATCH/ READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

SOULSHAKER Vol 7: 2010 – release details + tracklist

SOULSHAKER Vol 7: 2010 – release details + tracklist
Having sorted out the latest volume in their Let’s Boogaloo funk, soul and boogaloo series, it was only right for the Record Kicks label to turn their attentions to their other ongoing series – Soulshaker – to further explore the wildly different world of funk, soul and afrobeat. Once again it’s a tastefully put together cross-section of the current scene featuring many familiar names. Highlights include…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

DJ SHEPDOG vs. MR BLENND: ‘Everyday Wig’ + ‘Everyday Champion’ – free downloads

DJ SHEPDOG vs. MR BLENND: ‘Everyday Wig’ + ‘Everyday Champion’ – free downloads
The thing about making vocal bootlegs or mash-ups is that you need to get your vocals from somewhere. Sometimes a record co. will lob a producer a free vocal stem if they think the remix will boost sales of the original but mainly they come from officially released acapellas. But the thing about that is that not as many people officially release acapellas as you might think…DOWNLOAD/ READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

UGLY DUCKLING: The interview – 2010

UGLY DUCKLING: The interview 2010
Underground legends Ugly Duckling have been delivering consistently excellent, funky, sample-based hip-hop since the early nineties and have a discography totalling no fewer than four studio LPs. The three-man outfit comprising of two MCs (Andy Cooper and Dizzy Dustin) and one DJ (Young Einstein) are favourites with club DJs for bangers such as ‘Just A Little Samba’and ‘Turn It Up’ and also justly famous for their upbeat live performances which have garnered them a hugely loyal fanbase. Having toured the world extensively over the last couple of years promoting their last LP ‘Audacity’, UD only recently returned to their native Long Beach, California. They were probably expecting a rest or something but monkeyboxing was hammering on their doors (or at least their inbox) having heard the rumour (largely started by UD themselves, on their own website) that there was a new LP in the works. Run to ground, UD were actually good enough to give us the 411 on the trials of touring, the new album, and Dizzy’s record label Kamikazi Airlines as well as – er – Andy C’s encounter with the hounds of hell in England, and why Einstein had to be carried onto the plane in Ireland:
…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

COMPETITION: WIN free entry to PLAID vs. RED SNAPPER @ Koko 20 Nov 2010

COMPETITION: WIN free entry to PLAID vs. RED SNAPPER @ Koko 20 Nov 2010
Soundcrash Promotions are falling over themselves with generosity yet again! They’re offering free entry (plus one) to a night of bacchanalian beat craziness (alright – it might be a bit more chill than that) on 20 November at London’s Koko with entertainment ably provided by the likes of Plaid, Red Snapper, and Luke Vibert, Ninja Tune’s newest
…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

ORIGINAL DOPE: New label to release Ruthless Rap Assassins and Blade LPs

ORIGINAL DOPE: New label to release Ruthless Rap Assassins and Blade LPs
The brand new Original Dope label is Hip Hop Connection editor Andy Cowan’s highly laudable project to that, “classic British rap and lost American standards” aren’t – well…lost. The first two drops are UK emcee Blade’s ’93 debut (and hip-hop’s first double LP) The Lion Goes From Strength To Strength and Ruthless Rap Assassins’ Killer Album…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

LEISURE ALLSTARS feat. Lady Chann: ‘Friday Night’ remixes by Tom Central & El-Jay

LEISURE ALLSTARS feat. Lady Chann: ‘Friday Night’ remixes by Tom Central & El-Jay
So good they didn’t just let Mr Benn get his hands on it. Yes, the massive hip-hop/ dancefloor banger from the summer gets a couple more re-rubs from Tom Central (hip-hop meets dubstep territory) and El Jay (dubstep meet DnB territory) – both respectable enough but still both ten-thirty to Mr Benn’s it’s-four-in-the-morning-and-I-ain’t-even-close-to-stopping rude-skanking ‘Saturday Morning retox.’ Talking of rude – these aren’t available on wax any more than the original release. Anyone want to…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

DJ ANGELO: Ape To Gentleman Mix - 2010

DJ ANGELO: Ape To Gentleman Mix - 2010
Regular readers will have seen the monkey plugging DJ Angelo’s trio of hip-hop mash-ups over the last year. No need to wonder about what he’s been up to recently though, since you can stream his funked-up mix for male grooming blog apetogentleman.com (and download it – by clicking the down arrow icon) here:
…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

PETE ROCK & C.L. SMOOTH: Exclusive UK show 2010

PETE ROCK & C.L. SMOOTH: Exclusive UK show 2010
Two of the most respected names in hip-hop from back in the day hit UK shores this September to school (or rather re-school) everyone as to how it’s done. Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth (for it is they) will be supported by UK legend Jehst, 1Xtra’s DJ Sarah Love, DJ Matman and the whole damn thang is hosted by Big Ted - who’s obviously moved on a bit since Playschool. Ho, ho, ho. Also, there’s a possibility that monkeyboxing might be running a free entry comp for this towards the end of November so keep your eyes peeled innit! Press guff below…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

KAMIKAZI AIRLINES: ‘Now Boarding…’ Mix CD – Free download

KAMIKAZI AIRLINES: ‘Now Boarding…’ Mix CD – Free download
You know what? I don’t think this has had enough props yet. For one thing, it slipped under my radar and I keep an eye out for this type of shit! The short version is that MC Dizzy Dustin of Ugly Duckling set up his own hip-hop label a couple of years back and this mixtape showcases twenty three tracks from the talent including Dizzy’s own side project, Blown Celeb. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of Blown Celeb and The Argyle Pimps (among others) – it’s high time you clicked the download link…DOWNLOAD/ READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

ALDO VANUCCI: Prohibition EP – 2010 - Review + Free download + video

ALDO VANUCCI & FEATURECAST feat. THA LIKS: Prohibition – Free download + video
Not content with simply releasing one of the biggest bangers of the year (bootleg or otherwise) Plymouth’s ‘fourteenth best DJ’ – the one and only Aldo Vanucci – now offers the Prohibition EP for free download. Essentially a vocal from Tha ‘Liks over a fat break and a Dixieland sample – what’s not to like? The vinyl version release has been kicking off the monkey’s sets since it came out and if the huge old school hip-hop original mix doesn’t float your boat (and god only knows what kind of boat you have if it doesn’t), there’s also the DnB mix and a couple of others that the kids might be more down with…cop it here:…FREE DOWNLOAD/ WATCH/ READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

COPYWRITE: The Life And Times Of Peter Nelson - 2010 – Album details + tracklist

COPYWRITE: The Life And Times Of Peter Nelson - 2010 – Album details + tracklist
I remember Copywrite. Wasn’t he the guy who made an appearance right at the end of RJD2’s debut Deadringer? It was a while back - must have been because it was before the kids started rapping over housey/ trancey/ synth-y shit and calling it hip-hop. Back when the underground released stuff that counted instead of the steadily diminishing returns (both lyrically and beat-wise) of recent years. Mind you, that was back when RJD2 made good music too… A lot of claims have been made in press releases about ‘returning’ to the mid-nineties era in recent drops because of the quality of that era’s output. By and large though, the new has been little more than pale shadows of the old. Whether this is any different remains to be seen…but we live in hope. RJD2’s back on production duties for three tracks here though so maybe, just maybe……READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

BASEMENT FREAKS – Something Freaky – Album details + tracklist

BASEMENT FREAKS – Something Freaky – Album details + tracklist
So new a genre that people are still quibbling over what to call it, the bass-heavy combination of hefty, generally uptempo breakbeats coupled with funk, soul, disco and old school hip-hop samples and stylings has nevertheless been around in fledgling form for a couple of years. Indeed, some might even argue it’s the remnants of the late-nineties phenomenon that many were pleased to call ‘big beat.’ Now, with at least two websites running with the ‘nufunk’ tag and another imminent one going with ‘ghettofunk’ (terms which, in the ever amusing genre-name wars, both used to apply to related but slightly different sub-genres) it seems to be coming of age. Not least of the signs of this rite of passage is the existence of these websites themselves and also the fact that the genre has begun to spawn full-length albums.
…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

GHETTOFUNK.CO.UK: New blog

If this blog turns out to be as dope as the holding page seems to promise...it's going to be be very dope indeed. Ghettofunk.co.uk looks all set to be a nexus for a genre that's been burgeoning over the last few years. Call it 'dirty bass driven funk' (they do) or call it nufunk, just don't call it funky breaks (even though it's funky and based around breaks) and for christ's sake nobody mention 'big beat'. Oh wait - that's torn it......READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM