Example - Impulses EP (Houston 1997)

Here's an extremely dope EP out of Houston, Texas. DJ Cipher and Dekay(who would later become known as the rhyming half of the BBE duo Nicolay and Kay) formed the group Example and in 1997 dropped only limited copies of this gem of a record. I first heard the track "Slow Motion" on DJ Eli's Night Train radio program on WKCR. I had no idea who this group was or what this record was until about a year ago. Thank you internets, T.R.O.Y. forum, and Crates Of Ag for making me aware of this ill piece of work.

We've already introduced you to "Slow Motion" with the sample for it here and The Moaning comp and mix here. Other stand out cuts on this are "Recollect", "7-26-96", and "Strive". But really, there's nothing wack on here at all. "Recollect" is on some serious summer time, feel good, anthem status, so don't sleep on that one.

Click the links in this post to see what these cats are up to now and click the highlighted tracks for previews.

01. i.e. intro

02. 7 - 26 - 96

03. The Strive

04. Slow Motion

05. Endless

06. Recollect

07. E.T.A.

08. i.e. outro

Freshly ripped from vinyl at 320kbps:

[mediafire link]

[megaupload link]

--Verge

The Kartel - Players Only Live Once (Philadelphia 1997)

Here it is, in response to popular demand. Today I'm bringing you a flawless album by 'The Kartel' out of Philadelphia. This is one of my all time favorite east coast groups. Sometimes when I am using tracks from albums for regional compilations like my New Jersey series, I tend to listen to the full album less after awhile. This generally occurs for a variety of reasons. However in the case of The Kartel, it's not for lack of continuity. This album is well done from start to finish. What you'll find is tight vocal skills and chemistry with clean production. It's the type of mid 90's east coast hip hop that has us all coming back for more, over a decade later. My own favorite tracks are probably, well 1-13. I hope you dig this classic Philly release as much as I do.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=00KG9DPG

01 1:00 Intro
02 3:00 Verbal Animosity
03 4:04 Money Talks
04 1:09 Interlude
05 3:31 Quadruple
06 3:20 Monopoly
07 2:59 Nothing But Timberlands
08 2:23 The Prophet
09 4:12 NFC
10 3:50 The Game Of Life
11 3:37 Reprcussions
12 0:36 Players Only Live Once
13 4:17 Bonus Track

Production was done by 'Groove Da Moast'. They recorded at Rhythm Central Studio in Philadelphia. I do not know if the album came out on wax as well, but the cd was released in 1997.

--Schenectadyfan