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- Stones Throw Records
The six albums we feature below are not your typical hip hop records. But, then again, Stones Throw Records is not your conventional hip hop label. Founded by DJ Peanut Butter Wolf in 1986, the label is well known for being the home of hip hop maverick Madlib and his army of pseudonyms. However, the label offers more - listen to the albums below and check out the playlist of the label's top tracks.
Angles Without Edges (2001)
Yesterday's New Quintet
Yesterday's New Quintet finds renowned producer Madlib masquerading as Malik Flavors, Monk Hughes, Ahmad Miller and Joe McDuffrey. Together, the five introduce one of the more unusual jazz/hip hop fusion LPs. Yesterday's New Quintet adds another dimension to Madlib's persona. And the experiment proves equally provocative as he slathers you in the funky warmth of "Angles..." soft, gilded folds.
Ruff Draft (2007)
J Dilla
The lo-fi "Ruff Draft" marked something of a departure from James D. Yancey's previous production work for the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Common, De La Soul, and The Pharcyde. Where previously he was known for his laid back, progressive beats for the above artists, Dilla introduced lurching rhythms, distorted samples and synth bleeps into his work. The record has become a collector's item in hip hop circles and this 2007 reissue from Stones Throw adds some bonus cuts and a second all-instrumental set of tracks of this pivotal work by the sorely missed hip-hop innovator.
Shine Through (2006)
Aloe Blacc
SoCal native Aloe Blacc - one half of mainstay indie rap duo Emanon - has evolved into a true Renaissance man with his solo debut, "Shine Through". Dubbed "the indie R. Kelly" by critics, Aloe integrates an amazingly broad spectrum of influences. His sound often forays into the digital R&B realm, but always grooves with a tinge of Latin and the pulse of hip hop. A new album from Aloe Blacc is expected soon.
Old Money (2009)
Omar Rodriguez Lopez
The Mars Volta guitarist packs many ideas into his first instrumental album for Stones Throw. "Old Money" is perhaps the most accessible of Omar Rodriguez Lopez's non-Volta projects. If you're not familiar with his output, this record provides the perfect entry point. The album's ten tracks range from the progressive and psychedelic to the downright funky.
Olesi: Fragments of an Earth (2006)
Georgia Anne Muldrew
The debut album of the only female vocalist signed to the Stones Throw label. What first draws you into this record is Muldrew's Simone-like vocals. After those initial few seconds you become lost in sea of off-kilter beats, looping rhythms and disjointed melodies. A truly precocious talent, she manages to meld together the surreal aspects of jazz to hip hop beats ("jazz hop", if you will). Reviews were mixed, with critics divided over its dope-friendly rhythms. Whatever their view, there is no doubting the record's progressive use of beats; "Olesi..." is never boring, always exciting.
Innovative Life: The Anthology (1984-89) (2008)
Arabian Prince
An overlooked slice of 80s electro hip hop from one of the genre's pioneers. During that decade, Arabian Prince helped define the electro sound through his work with World Class Wreckin' Crew and Egyptian Lovers (he would later become a founder member of N.W.A). Born K.R. Nazel, he grew up in thrall to the Sugarhill sound, peddling his mixtapes to classmates before moving on to DJing in his own right. This new collection introduces his work to a new generation, educating listeners about the ways in which he influenced hip hop.
