http://sbtv.co.uk/big-narstie-pain-is-love/http://twitter.com/bignarstiehttp://youtu.be/v-MLeG_dagw Long standing grime solidier, Big Narstie, steps up with his new mixtape, featuring 22 tracks available as a free download of 320kbps mp3s. On #Pain Is Love, the MC showcases his skills over a wide range of both grime and rap beats. Some are originals, some freestyles over popular industry instrumentals and a load of refixes. Theres a kooky array of sampling choices on here, which nod to both the...

Money Mark is now signed to Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records, and his new home suits him well. The Beastie Boys' unofficial fourth member explores a more soulful side here, with hints of the Beach Boys and Johnson himself also coming to the surface. In fact the Beach Boys' bassist Carol Kaye features on 'Pick Up The Pieces', one of the standout tracks along with 'Black Butterfly' and 'My Loss, Your Gain'. At all times there's a relaxed, lightly groovy atmosphere - making 'Brand New By Tomorrow' ...

Posthumously even more prolific then when alive, Bad Boy unearths another pair of Biggie Smalls tracks and adds new life (no pun intended) into them. ‘Running…’ features additional wordology from Busta, Snoop, Nate Dogg and Fabolous over street smart grooves and rhymes. ‘Want That Old Thing Back’ is a far more laidback offering with Ralph Tresvant adding the soulful harmonies and Ja Rule the fresh lyrics.3 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Lewis Dene...

Two twelves in as many weeks for the Houston rapper that’s previously traded verses with Diddy, R-Kelly and Mike Jones. With both lifted from his upcoming ‘Get Money, Stay True’ album, ‘I’m Thrown’ seeing the H-Town man sounding reminiscent of Warren G in his ‘Regulate’ prime, and Jermaine Dupri offers lyrical assistance. ‘Break ‘Em Off’ featuring Lil Keke is still climbing the US charts, and whilst the edger of the two will struggle to cross the Atlantic.4 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Lewis Dene...

Stand by for the next big R&B anthem. This amazingly simple record is cut from the same cloth that gave us 'I Like The Way You Move' by Outkast, and combines dance instruction in the best tradition of those '50s call-and-response records from the likes of Cab Calloway and Ray Charles. 'Cupid Shuffle' is set to become one of the year's biggest US radio hits, and will likely fair extremely well when it reaches these shores. Dance mixes are also planned, so you won't be able to escape this year...

North London’s Nutty Boys return to form with fellow North Londoner Sway, and a bit of female chat from Baby Blue. ‘Sorry’ has you hooked right from the off, with Suggs sounding in fine fettle, as he works his way around infectious riffs set on a ska rhythms. Rappers Sway & Baby Blue join the party and give ‘Sorry’ a cheeky boost. Sway: ‘What’s all this madness man, you told me you was a Madness fan, so all I did was introduce you, and you walked off hand in hand. Stop getting hot under the ...

Seems I'm not the only one with a penchant for Omari's mid-'80s dancer 'After Loving You', as XS Night uses the little-known boogie classic and does an Eric Prydz (albeit in a far less commercial way) to make a filtering chunky dancer that will work with both cool and commercial DJ alike.4 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Lewis Dene...

West Coast RnB act ‘Livin Out Loud’ come with the third UK single ‘All That Really Matters’ from their album What About Us? The track’s radio edit features ‘Hit Maker’ remix team 5AM, who have recently had top 5 chart success with their mix of the Lemar single ‘Not That Easy’. Other artists they have worked with include Usher, Kelly Rowland, Mario, Donell Jones and Christine Aguilera. Club wise the remixes come from M J Cole, Karl Tuff Enuff Brown, Ray Paxon & Groove Professor plus GE (Gary ...

After the success of their Channel U - Best of British nominated ‘Keep Holding On’, UK urban collective Nu:Starr come with their new release ‘Candi Treat’. RnB producer Kayo produces the single’s urban cut and for the dancefloor there’s an explosive remix from the UK’s top breakbeat personality, Angel Farringdon. Early support has come from both side of the water with top US Breakbeat tastemaker DJ Icey giving the Angel Farringdon version spins stateside, whilst in the UK Jay Cunning has recentl...

Ah the tales of plucking virgin cherries. “It ain’t nothing like the first time, I’m trying tell you I can blow your mind. Baby if I touch you here and kiss you there, gonna fall in love shorty, you best beware,” harmonises the soulful chorus over an IIsley’s inspiredsimple summery breeze of a groove. The third single from his current ‘New Joc City’ opus is clichéd beyond belief, but Marques Houston and Trey Songz wordy raps (with a real Snoop Dog infection to them) that make this the current Am...

I Monster’s “Daydream In Blue” is one of those records that’s almost impossible not to like. Compiled and recompiled on a score of albums in recent years it’s the epitome of laidback cool and the perfect chilled bar groove. Now re-sung by Nubian songstress Jill Scott and intertwined with Lupe Fiasco’s ghetto fabulous rhymes, the nu-classical string underscore have never sounded brighter on a record that still sounds like a lost Rotary Connection master.5 Out Of 5Reviewed By: Lewis Dene...

UK producer Emmanuel is certainly getting the recognition he so rightfully deserves, as well as getting loads of national & pirate radio play in his home country, he's also getting props from the United States, now that is a force to be reckoned with. 'Flirtin' is his most commercial cut to date & it features the vocal talents of Terri Walker & Rodney P, pulling it off big time over a huge bombastic groove, creating a song full of hooks that's got hit written all over it. Watch this ...

The pairing of Ben 'Hundred Strong' Dubuisson & New York City's Alison 'Diva Blue' Crockett is a marriage made in soul heaven. As soon as the needle hit's the groove & the low slung percussive break emanates from the speakers, 'Dream On Delay' oozes class, working subtle keys & vintage strings around Alison Crockett's from the gut velvet tones, resulting in a slice of modern day soul supremacy. London's Break Reform are up first on the remix front, adding a lush warmth & drifting...