I agree that New Breed releases are often DJ oriented, but there have been some
recent releases on compact disc that should make the listeners out there tremble
with joy.
First up, LOUNGIN is the name of a CD for laid back beat heads, and this thing
is most definitely the mostest. It contains the usual New Breed suspects (Smash,
DJ Hal, Khromozomes, etc) and is unified by a mellow, sorta blunted vibe. All
tracks are quite jazzy in nature, and a few even have live instruments and
soloing. Very recommended.
Secondly, New Breed have started a series of mixed CDs, containing the best of
the twelve inch vinyl offerings mixed up and cut around like Giant Step NYC is
lodged in your CD player. The first one (called "Jumbo Pack") is excellently
mixed by DJ Smash himself, and contains many of his tunes. The mix is no
nonsense, jazzy, and sort of laid back. The second CD in this series (don't know
the name... it's got a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup image on the cover!) is mixed
by I-Cue Productions and is a different story. The New Breed twelves selected
are more on the hip hop side, and I-Cue scratches and backspins his way though
the hour long mix. Both of these are pretty recommended as well.
Check New Breed- definitely a great US label (with lousy US distribution by the
way... how's that weird turn on the Acid Jazz Records story... bad distribution
in your own country!). Plus, Smash (label owner) is one of the nicest folks
you'd ever meet in this industry. PROPS!!!
Michael Donaldson
EIGHTH DIMENSION RECORDS / SOUL POWER MAGAZINE
PS- You've probably noticed that I'm using Eighth Dimension in my sign-off
now... well the Mixed Emotions LP is out and hitting stores, so I feel like a
part of real record label finally!