Rusko - Jahova

Rusko's Essential Mix 12/13 (BBC's Radio 1) from last Saturday is amazing. These tunes kick you in the gut and it feels great. If you're into dubstep, you're probably already aware of this and though you're not usually feeling dubstep, you might want to take a listen. And don't go easy on the bass, your neighbors will understand...not.

EDIT: Just noticed that the mix with a complete tracklist is also available for download at newmixes.com.

And here's my favorite Rusko tune Jahova from the 2x12" Bablyon: Volume 1 (2007, Sub Soldiers Records). It's a massive dubstep version of Rebel MC's Jahovia.

Rusko - Jahova [320 kbps]

Active Force - Give Me Your Love (Specially Extended Version)

I think it's time to post a straight up boogie tune for a while. Give Me Your Love is one of my all time favorites. Active Force cut their only album (s/t) in 1983 for A&M Records. Give Me Your Love was the single release and a biggish club hit. I used to think the 12" was ultra rare but it turned out that it's not that hard to find it for a decent price. The album was produced and arranged by Michael Stokes also associated with B.T. Express, Brass Construction and Smokey Robinson.

BTW, I just noticed that Give Me Your Love appears on DJ U-Tern's ODL #47 mix Patterns In The Sky. I haven't yet listened to it but at least the tracklist is tight. Listen here.

Active Force - Give Me Your Love [320 kbps]

Wee - Try Me

Numero Group is one of the best reissue labels around. They seem to find a hidden gem after another. Try Me by Wee, originally released on the Owl label trades for as high as $ 900 since it's ultra rare and extremely smooth mid-tempo soul tune. Thanks to Numero this product of the Ohio soul scene of the late 70s, recorded in Columbia in 1977 is available for $ 5. Flipside features a beautiful soul ballad Teach Me How.

Wee - Try Me [320 kbps]

20 Classic Hip Hop Album Covers Recreated In LEGO

20 Classic Hip Hop Album Covers Recreated In LEGO. Laughing out loud...

Rhythm Funk Masters - Afro-American-Arctic

Rhythm Funk Masters released their debut album, Afro-American-Arctic, last year. The title represents the content pretty well. It's a solid blend of afrobeat, funk and some nordic elements. I've been meaning to buy this one for a long time but since it's released only as a CD and I rarely browse through the CD shelves I have kind of forgot to purchase it. Well, today I found it from my local record stores.

I'm actually a bit surprised and disappointed that this record has been slept on by many people meanwhile some mediocre retroactive afrofunk bands have gotten a lot of hype. And these guys are anything but mediocre when it comes to hard-hitting instrumental afrobeat/funk/jazz. They have definitely listened their Fela Kuti records and blaxploitation soundtracks but they aren't simply copying or imitating those sounds. For me the highlights of the album are Nudinuff, a pure afrobeat groover and Bushman, a great tune that's a bit more on the jazzier side like Donny Hathaway's The Ghetto.

Rhythm Funk Masters - Bushman [320 kbps]

Rhythm Funk Master - Nudinuff [320 kbps]