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

Philly Retrospective Volume 7

Hittin' ya with volume 7 of the Philly retrospective series today. There are some underground gems here for you phanatics. Starting off is a classic banger by Lux. As far as I know this was his first official tape. If he did something else earlier than 1994 I'd love to know. Next up is a dark, haunting tune by Tainted Mindz. I'm assuming most of our readers are familiar with the two releases they put out, 'Killadelphia' and 'All In The Flip.' If not, let me know and i'll up them soon. Other favorites on volume 7 include tracks 7,8 and 11. One of these days I'll post The Kartel album if anyone out there wants to hear it. Philadelphia is an endless gold mine for diggers and this compilation delivers in spades.

Download here

01 (4:00) Lux - Boom Box 1994
02 (3:00) Tainted Mindz - Forced To Take It 1995
03 (4:49) Lower Life Forms - Independence Day 1994
04 (2:53) Rahsheed - R.A.P. Featuring Dj Jazz 1998
05 (1:21) The Mountain Brothers - Black Whirlwind 1998
06 (3:58) Preacher Earl & the Ministry - Gunz (Buckshot remix) 1994 (Ny)
07 (4:37) Ram Squad - r.a.w. streets of rage 1996
08 (4:10) Schooly D - welcome to America 1994
09 (4:19) Lost Cawz - Hooks 1994 (Ny ?)
10 (4:59) Cipha - Rock Rock On 1994
11 (2:59) The Kartel - Nothing but Timberlands 1997
12 (4:45) Adagio - Hold Tight 1997
13 (5:02) Ill Advised - Against The Grain 1996
14 (4:26) Black Opz - Urban Legendz 1997
15 (4:22) Da youngstas - Illy Filly Funk 1994
16 (1:36) Chops (Of The Mountain Brothers) - Tough Guy Strut 2003
17 (4:31) The Goats - Mutiny 1994
18 (4:45) F-Mob - Da Underground 1993
19 (3:42) Indikator - Back To Yorktown 1994
20 (5:34) Militant Minister - Killer Endstinct 1994

You'll notice a couple of tracks are from New York, not Philadelphia. That's how it goes sometimes when I'm compiling these regional compilations. I find things out later. In any case, I hope you enjoy the selection!

--Schenectadyfan

Philly Retrospective Volume 4

Got some dope underground from Philadelphia to share today. This one has some dope and rare tracks. Classic east coast boom bap for your ears. I've played this one more times than I can count, and I still keep coming back for more. Give it a spin and you'll see why.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AARY92NX - philadelphia_hip_hop_mix_#04 (1993-1997)

01. (00:06:09) 215 asasinz - guaranteed hot shit 1995
02. (00:03:59) rahsheed - industrypartybumrusha 1997
03. (00:04:02) tyree - flex the style from the know 1993
04. (00:04:17) jamal - situation 1995
05. (00:05:05) choked out - fo' real [pittsburgh 1997]
06. (00:03:21) the kartel - monopoly 1997
07. (00:03:01) tasc4orce - my home town 1994
08. (00:03:51) da fat cat clique - live from fox valley 1996
09. (00:05:05) pure deefunk - emergency 911 [1994]
10. (00:04:13) l.o.d. - i feel it (PA ?) 1996
11. (00:03:51) mel man - knock 'em Off [pittsburgh 1993]
12. (00:03:27) lux - dont give a .... ft. dane dollaz [1996]
13. (00:03:41) munk wit da funk - glamour fortune and fame 1995
14. (00:03:02) schooly d - welcome to funkadelica 1995
15. (00:06:23) ram squad - northside 1997
16. (00:04:31) tracey lee - rugged one 1997
17. (00:03:59) pauly yamz and dj jazz - get paid 1995
18. (00:03:26) the militant mind state - bottom line 1995
19. (00:04:15) last emperor - fo rel 1997

There are a couple tracks from Pittsburgh, PA. Maybe I was cheatin' but I felt like that was close enough. Leave some comments if ya like this one and thanks for reading!

--Schenectadyfan