There are three pillars of the independent Hip Hop scene: in the east you’ve
got Definitive Jux, in the Midwest
you’ve got Rhymesayers, and in the
west you’ve got Stones Throw. Helmed
by deejay and former producer Chris
“Peanut Butter Wolf” Manak, the label has released no shortage of
critically adored material over the last decade. The label is home to the likes
of MF DOOM, Percee P, the late J Dilla,
and of course the man who is the true face of the label: the ultra-prolific Madlib. To no surprise, the quirky
producer dominates the compilation.
Stones Throw Ten Years is a 25-track
compilation to best represent everything the label has released: from the well-known
Madvillain to the obscure in Gary Wilson. The obvious unfuckwitable
material is present, Jaylib (Madlib and Dilla) The Red, PB Wolf and Planet Asia‘s “In Your Area,” Madvillain‘s
“America’s Most Blunted,” Lootpack‘s
“Whenimondamic” and Oh No‘s Dilla-produced “Move Pt.2.” As
mentioned, Madlib the bad kid is all
over the album. Of course on the aforementioned Jaylib and Madvillain
tracks, plus his alter ego Quasimoto‘s
“Low Class Conspiracy,” his pseudo-band Yesterday’s
“New Quintet’s “Sunrays,” his production on Medaphoar‘s “Bang Ya Head,” Dudley
Perkins‘ “Falling,” Wildchild‘s “Knicknack,”
Kazi‘s “A.v.e.r.a.g.e.” and his own
instrumental straight from the bombshelter, “The Payback.”
The Madlib contributions
certainly aren’t the only ones that bang. Dilla
has another great contribution from Donuts
(“Two Can Win”), “My World Premiere,” the early 90’s banger from PB Wolf and late partner Charizma is here too. Plus other gems
in Koushik‘s dreamy “Be With,” Homeless Derelix “Survivin’ The Game,” M.E.D. & Cut Chemist‘s “Blind Man,”
and Funkaho‘s bangin’ “Bootay.”
While certain songs aren’t my drink of choice (the insanely weird “Gary’s
In The Park,” Aloe Blacc‘s “Arrive” for
example), the inclusion is understandable and appropriate as it does represent
a branch of the label. But why they chose to include a lackluster remix of Madvillain‘s phenomenal “Figaro” is
beyond me. Even more puzzling is the omission of Rasco‘s “The Unassisted,” most likely the best song the label has
ever put out. Is the blood that bad to omit such a song?
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Regardless, Peanut Butter Wolf Presents
Stones Throw Ten Years is must have material for everyone. Most definitely
for the die-hard fans and Stones Throw
completists, and even more for the folks who don’t know a Stones Throw from a glass house.
