De La Soul: Buhloone Mind State (LP & 2xLP)

"Fuck being hard, Posdnuos is complicated!"

It feels like the summer of 96 all over again! Yes I know this was released a year earlier but I slept on this for a good twelve months before I really started to 'get it'. I put this down to all the Soul Assassins, Ice Cube and generally up tempo, aggressive stuff I was listening to at the time - This LP is like a chilled out July afternoon.

Luckily I now have two versions of this on wax, the original UK Big Life edition and a far superior double vinyl bootleg edition (which is what the LP really deserved).

The highlights are many but if I have to pick then the incredible I Be Blowin' featuring Maceo Parker just slays it (as does the vocal version I Am I Be) and the jazzy Patti Dooke (featuring Guru on the hook) really sets the tone for a classic De La LP. Sadly, there last with Prince Paul.

Masta Ace Incorporated: The INC Ride (12")

The summer is here!!!

Well okay, we've had three days of good weather so that counts in my book and there is no better summer jam than Ase Ones INC Ride!!

This 12" is practically nailed to my turntable as soon as June hits! Featuring the a super smooth Isley Brothers sample this is just the tune to be bouncin' along to in your Caddie/Ford/ Hyundai (delete as appropriate) as your arm gets sun burnt!

The only thing I don't like about this 12" is the piss poor 'No Ends' Remix. Oh and the lack of an acapella. Other than those minor gripes this is straight FIRE!