[Mixtape] V/A - "Counterstrike 2: A Decade of UNKUT"

Robbie Etterson's brilliant hip-hop site UNKUT was definitely one of the reasons I wanted to get into this blog game, and it still remains one of my favorite sites. A few years ago Robbie got together a gang of dope underground rappers and producers and released the Unkut mixtape "Counterstrike". But now, on the 10 year anniversary of the sites incarnation, Robbie definitely steps it up with "Counterstrike 2: A Decade Of UNKUT", featuring 20 tracks with exclusive material from a lot of my favorite artists and producers. Some of the most interesting is the first Real Live material in years (K-Def and Larry-O for those not in the know), an Amed produced Milano banger, Grand Daddy I.U., Omniscience, Beneficence, $amhill, Craig G/Agallah and several others. This is a definite must hear if you love underground hip-hop, in the true school end of things, and is available for free download and CD and possible tape editions will pop up as well. 

Executive produced by Robbie Ettelson, mixed by Crate Cartel's Discourse, artwork and design by BURN Crew and (C) by unkut.com 2014. Click here to read more, check out the tracklist, etc.. Download or stream below and MEGA props to Robbie for this one; you're da fucking man!!

DOWNLOAD @ ZIPPYSHARE

[Classic Sessions] "Ill Style Live 1995" LP

The updates has been rather slow lately, so I thought to bring back a true classic underground tape for y'all. The "Illstyle Live" compilation was released on Elektra in 1995, right before Sylvia Rhone took over Dante Ross' position as the main A&R of the hip-hop section of the label. This was a true shame, as it resulted that numberous dope underground projects got completely shelved and still remains that way. The most known example is of course the InI/Deda albums that Pete Rock produced, but also lost gems like Omniscience LP debut which only made it to the bootleg market (and which I will post soon). Also the original Juggaknots' mini album, releases from Lin Que, Supernatural, 8-Off, and more. Luckily, the live sessions that was the basis for the label's "Illstyle Live" compilation, was somewhat of a special night highlighting what the label could and should have been if it wasn't for Rhones. 

It was a special night, with the Elektra artists giving respective performances of stand-out joints from their forthcoming releases, with DJ Pete Rock handling much of the DJ duties. I understand most dedicated hip-hop fans are well aware of this, but for those who don't, you're definitely in for a treat; and The Lost Tapes will also strive to bring you as many studio versions as possible of these gems. Originally known as a promo vinyl release, the good folks at the impeccable T.R.O.Y. Blog, managaed to get their hands on a very rare CD promo which they brought to their readers. This is the version I'm bringing here as the sound quality is so superior, but all props to "dirt_dog" from the T.R.O.Y. blog. Enjoy fellow hip-hop heads; oh and the Ol' Dirty Bastard 22 minutes set at the end is fucking priceless!

01. "Intro"
02. Daddy D - "Luv On A Dub"
03. Omniscience - "Amazin'"
04. Juggaknotz - "I'm Gonna Kill You"
05. Lin Que - "Let it Fall"
06. 8-Off - "Ghetto Girl"
07. Deda Baby Pah - "Blah Uno"
08. Coz - "No Place Like the Hood"
09. "Interlude"
10. Supernatural - "Natural Diaster"
11. Das EFX - "Real Hip-Hop"
12. Ol' Dirty Bastard - "Freestyle" / "Brooklyn Zoo" / "Shimmy Shimy Ya"

V/A - "ILLSTYLE LIVE" [1995]