CD-Charts Position 1
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Electro: the Definitive Electro and Hip Hop Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Old School
by: Various Artists

Release Date August 09, 2004
The first annoyance is that all the tracks are mixed. Now this isn't surprising as it's what you got on the original 80's Electro's. Only problem is that the mixing on the originals was smooth and actually added a quality to the album. I still remember an excellent transition between Chris the Glove Taylor's Itchiban Scratch to the B Boys Stick up Kid (Street Sounds Electro 7) and that was over 20 years ago (Yes I feel old - but I was at school). On this compilation the tracks seem to have been scratched-mixed in a hurry. Why scratch the beginning of Rockit when the beginning is a scratch???? Some of the scratching also puts the tracks out of time and seems misplaced at times.

Next problem is the length of the tracks. Fitting 24 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Paid In Full

CD-Charts > Music > Old School
by: Eric B. & Rakim

Release Date May 24, 1989
This is another one of these albums which is rated as an all-time classic, then you listen to it, and wonder what all the fuss is about. Paid In Full isnt even a proper album- its just a collection of singles with some cuts of beats'n'scratches by Eric B to pad it out. There's a few great tracks here- I Know You Got Soul is clearly one of THE classic hip-hop tracks of the era, and Move the Crowd is equally good (although there's a better mix on "Hip Hop Don't Stop vol.2"). The title track's also pretty cool. Otherwise, there's not much else here to justify the album's reputation. Rakim's delivery is smooth, but his lyrics aren't too hot- I'll bet Chuck D wouldn't come up with rhymes like

"Fish/is my favourite dish/but without my ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Licensed To Ill

CD-Charts > Music > Old School
by: The Beastie Boys

Release Date April 03, 2000
What more needs to be said about what is probably one of the top five, perhaps top three rap albums of all time. It's just packed to bursting point with beats and ryhmes that are as "FRESH" today as they were twenty odd years ago. If you have any respect for classic old school rap you have to own this album!

CD-Charts Position 4
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What Does It All Mean? 1983-2006 Retrospective

CD-Charts > Music > Old School
by: Steinski

Release Date May 27, 2008
What more needs to be said about what is probably one of the top five, perhaps top three rap albums of all time. It's just packed to bursting point with beats and ryhmes that are as "FRESH" today as they were twenty odd years ago. If you have any respect for classic old school rap you have to own this album!

CD-Charts Position 5
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Solid Gold Hits: Remastered/Parental Advisory

CD-Charts > Music > Old School
by: Beastie Boys

Release Date November 07, 2005
Here we have the definative collection of the best (white) hip-hop band ever and probably in the top 5 of any race along with Wu, Public Enemy and Run DMC.

This is what I would say is probably the coolest best-of I've heard in years, that is chock full of songs that you would instanly recognise and some you probably didn't know were by the Beasties'!

It starts off with 'So What You Want' a rocky rap tune that is one of my favourate songs by this group that instantly shows them as innovators of the game with no fear as they tear through any beat.

The interesting thing I found about this album is you could listen to most of it and not be able to tell when it was recorded because they all still sound fresh as they did when ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

CD-Charts > Music > Old School
by: Gil Scott-Heron

Release Date April 15, 1989
Gil Scott-Heron is one of the great recording artists of the 20th century. It is a shame that most people know almost nothing about him.

He work is almost always interesting and I would recommend (almost) all of his albums. If you are unfamiliar with his work then this compilation album is a very good place to start.

Gil Scott-Heron draws on a wide range of influences: the music of John Coltrane, the blues, the oral traditions of the American South and many others to create fantastic music in a variety of different styles from spoken word/rap to (almost) soul.
He is perhaps best known for his searing political (and personal) lyrics that are often so good that they can be read as poetry. However, he is also an excellent musician and ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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All World

CD-Charts > Music > Old School
by: LL Cool J

Release Date August 25, 2000
LL Cool J is a Hip Hop legend, on Def Jam Records one of the most legendary Hip Hop labels. All World is a collection of some of his biggest and best hits from his first six albums and it doesn't fail to disappoint. You can really see how LL's style has changed over the years from the raw basic beats of the opening 'I Can't Live Without My Radio', to the hilarious 'Big Ole Butt', through to the slicker more soul orientated 'Hey Lover'. This is an ideal purchase for any younger LL Cool J fans who weren't around when the earlier albums were released, and absolutely Essential for the anthems 'Rock The Bells', 'Jingling Baby', 'Around The Way Girl', 'Mama Said Knock You Out', 'Doin' It', and 'Loungin'!!

CD-Charts Position 8
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The Greatest Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Old School
by: The Sugarhill Gang Vs Grandmaster Flash

Release Date February 26, 2008
LL Cool J is a Hip Hop legend, on Def Jam Records one of the most legendary Hip Hop labels. All World is a collection of some of his biggest and best hits from his first six albums and it doesn't fail to disappoint. You can really see how LL's style has changed over the years from the raw basic beats of the opening 'I Can't Live Without My Radio', to the hilarious 'Big Ole Butt', through to the slicker more soul orientated 'Hey Lover'. This is an ideal purchase for any younger LL Cool J fans who weren't around when the earlier albums were released, and absolutely Essential for the anthems 'Rock The Bells', 'Jingling Baby', 'Around The Way Girl', 'Mama Said Knock You Out', 'Doin' It', and 'Loungin'!!

CD-Charts Position 9
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Pieces of a Man

CD-Charts > Music > Old School
by: Gil Scott-Heron

Release Date November 10, 2001
Soul-jazz legend Gil Scott-Heron delivers a fine album here with some of the best tracks of his career.
"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" is mesmeric, sharp, intelligent and innovative. "I Think I'll Call It Morning" is charming, sweet and soulful. "Home Is Where The Hatred Is" is socially aware and tight and the title track is moving and thoughtful.
"Lady Day And John Coltrane" is a sublime peice of tight funky jazz (as opposed to jazz funk know what i mean?).
A very good album. Worth exploring the man's back catalogue.
Intelligent, excellent, soulful music.

CD-Charts Position 10
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The Sounds of Science

CD-Charts > Music > Old School
by: The Beastie Boys

Release Date November 22, 1999
If you only buy 1 Beastie Boys album this has to be it...Full of the old school hip hop with some excellent classics.

Fight for your right, No sleep till brooklyn are amoung the classics on this great double album.