Chris Read

Classic Hip hop Edits

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Official Gas-Lab remix to the single "My Journal" featuring talented Philly singer/musician, SOUL.  This remix will be featured on the upcoming Gas-Lab and Traum Diggs album, Jazz Hop. 

Traum Diggs feat. SOUL- My Journal (GAS-LAB Remix)

Wax Poetics and WhoSampled Presents:
Notorious BIG 'Ready to Die' 20th Anniversary Mixtape mixed by Chris Read

For tracklisting, please visit Wax Poetics:

http://www.waxpoetics.com/music/mixtape/wax-poetics-whosampled-present-notorious-big-ready-die-20th-anniversary-mixtape-mixed-chris-read


Notorious BIG 'Ready to Die' 20th Anniversary Mixtape mixed by Chris Read

Track list and more info at Wax Poetics:

http://www.waxpoetics.com/music/mixtape/a-tribe-called-quest-peoples-instinctive-travels-the-paths-of-rhythm-25th-anniversary-mixtape/


A Tribe Called Quest ‘People’s Instinctive Travels’ 25th Anniversary Mixtape mixed by Chris Read

Taken from the Illa J (https://soundcloud.com/realillaj) album,  out Oct 2nd on Bastard Jazz Recordings. 

Buy Album (LP / CD / Digi / Deluxe):
https://illa-j.bandcamp.com/album/illa-j

LP, CD, Digi, Deluxe

Illa J - Never Left

Sometimes all I need is a beat,a chord and a couple of verse`s...I just love making hip hop! I hope you like what I did and don`t forget to press the Repost button if you wanna help me out with spreading my music...

P.S. Any MC`s or Rappers out there? I encourage you to use this beat if it inspires you! PM me and i`ll send you the beat without the acapella right away!

Straight Outta Ideas

Purchase LP, CD, Digi or Vinyl Deluxe Pack --> https://illa-j.bandcamp.com/album/illa-j

From deep musical origins in Detroit, rapper/singer/songwriter Illa J has been slowly navigating his way through the oft-turbulent waters of Hip-Hop since the tender age of 13, when the young John Yancey aka Illa J wrote his first rhyme alongside his brother, the late great J Dilla. After his brother’s passing in ‘06, he began teaching himself piano, bass and taking vocal lessons while finding himself touring the world and recording a slew of Dilla-related projects, notably being an active member of Slum Village until 2014. His first solo album, '08s Yancey Boys and the Frank Nitt 2013 collaborative album Sunset BLVD were both released on seminal label Delicious Vinyl. Feeling the need for a change creatively as well as geographically, in 2012 John moved to the future music hotbed that is Montreal ultimately making the connection with Canadian producers Nick Wisdom & AstroLogical aka Potatohead People (whose acclaimed Bastard Jazz debut album Big Luxury in Spring 2015 featured Illa J on two hit singles). The success of their initial collaborations inspired the team to dive into the studio and embark on Illa J's new self-titled solo album, and present an entirely fresh sound of his own.
 
The album Illa J, produced without any samples by Potatohead People alongside a few groundbreaking co-producers, showcases a more mature and at-ease Illa J who is equally comfortable on top of an electronic boogie-inspired beat (“Universe”) as he is getting grimey over a trunk rattling G-Funk joint (the Kaytranada co-produced “Strippers”). On tracks like the sparse, Rhodes driven “Cannonball” (co-produced by Montreal’s Noo Bap), and the early 90s Spiritual / Acid Jazz inspired “Sunflower”, Illa flexes his muscles through both song and rhyme. And of course being true to his roots, the classic Detroit boom-bap sound is ever present on joints like “French Kiss”, “Perfect Game” (quite possibly Rap’s only ode to bowling), and “Never Left”, a touching tribute to his brother and a call-out to abusers of Dilla's legacy.  Vancouver mainstay MC Moka Only contributes invaluably to the cohesive sound of the album as well, providing signature smoothed-out vocal choruses to tracks like “She Burned My Art”, “All Good Pt. 2” and “Who Got It” (co-produced by Mosaic). Dropping Fall 2015 on Bastard Jazz Recordings, Illa J is a brilliantly-produced, diverse, and long overdue solo effort from Yancey.


Buy LP, Digi, CD

Illa J - Sunflower feat.  a l l i e

Illa J - She Burned My Art Ft. Moka Only

It was 25 years ago that De La Soul released their classic sophomore LP 'De La Soul Is Dead', challenging the hippy label that followed the group after the success of their groundbreaking debut '3 Feet High & Rising'. 

To celebrate the anniversary of such a remarkable album, our buddy Chris Read has put together this dope mixtape featuring original sample material, remixes and album cuts. 

Listen up and enjoy!

Artwork by Leon Nockolds
Words by Alice Price-Styles

Tracklist:

1. Jimmy Spicer - 'Money (Dollar Bill Y'all)' (sampled in 'Bitties in the BK Lounge')
2. Chris Read - 'Theme #3' (Scratchapella)
3. De La Soul - 'Intro'
4. Funkadelic - 'I'll Stay' (sampled in 'Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa')
5. De La Soul - 'Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa'
6. Funkadelic - 'Mommy What's a Funkadelic' [Extract] (sampled in 'Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa')
7. Stevie Wonder - 'Hey Love' (sampled in 'Talkin' Bout Hey Love')
8. Freda Payne - 'The Easiest Way To Fall' [Loop] (sampled in 'Talkin' Bout Hey Love')  9. De La Soul - 'Talkin Bout Hey Love'
10. White Lightnin' - 'That's No Lie' (sampled in 'Fanatic of the B-Word')
11. De La Soul - 'Fanatic of the B-Word'
12. Lee Dorsey - 'Get Out My Life, Woman' [Loop] (sampled in 'Fanatic of the B-Word')
13. Chuck Jackson - 'And That's Saying A Lot' (sampled in 'Afro Connections at a Hi-5')
14. De La Soul - 'Afro Connections at a Hi-5'
15. De La Soul - 'Pease Porridge'
16. Edna Wright - 'Oops Here I Go Again' (sampled in 'Pass The Plugs')
17. The J.B's - 'Pass the Peas' [Extract] (sampled in 'Pass The Plugs')
18. De La Soul - 'Pass The Plugs'
19. Eric B & Rakim - 'Eric B Is President' [Loop] (sampled in 'Pass The Plugs')
20. Tom Waits - 'Diamonds on My Windshield' (sampled in 'Oodles of O's')
21. Biz Markie - 'Nobody Beats The Biz' [Extract] (sampled in 'Oodles of O's')
22. De La Soul - 'Oodles on O's'
23. Lafayette Afro Rock Band - 'Hihache' [Loop] (sampled in 'Oodles of O's)
24. De La Soul - 'Rap De Rap Show'
25. Lou Johnson - 'The Beat' [Extract] (sampled in 'Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)')
26. The Whatnauts - 'Help Is On The Way' (sampled in 'Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)')
27. The Honey Drippers - 'Impeach The President' [Loop] (sampled in 'Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)')
28. De La Soul - 'Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)'
29. Taana Gardner - 'No Frills' (sampled in 'Bitties In The BK Lounge')
30. De La Soul - 'Bitties In The BK Lounge'
31. Lou Donaldson - 'It's Your Thing' (sampled in 'Bitties In The BK Lounge')
32. Bob James - 'Sign of the Times' (sampled in 'Keepin' The Faith')
33. Aerosmith - 'Walk This Way' [Loop] (sampled in 'Keepin' The Faith')
34. De La Soul - 'Keepin' The Faith'
35. The Mohawks - 'The Champ' [Extract] (sampled in 'Keepin' The Faith')
36. Instant Funk - 'I Got My Mind Made Up' (sampled in 'Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays')
37. Mighty Ryeders - 'Evil Vibrations' (sampled in 'Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays')
38. De La Soul - 'Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays'
39. Young Holt Unlimited - 'Light My Fire' (sampled in 'Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays')
40. Tower of Power - 'Ebony Jam' [Loop] (sampled in 'Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays')
41. De La Soul - 'What Yo Life Can Truly Be'

De La Soul 'De La Soul Is Dead' 25th Anniversary Mixtape mixed by Chris Read

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of De La Soul's fourth studio album 'Stakes Is High', our buddy Chris Read couldn't resist cooking up yet another stellar mix of tracks from the LP, alternate versions, and original sample material.

Listen up and enjoy!

Artwork by Leon Nockolds
Words by Alice Price-Styles

Track list:

1. De La Soul – ‘Intro’
2. Milt Jackson & The Ray Brown Big Band – ‘Enchanted Lady’ (sampled in ‘Dinninit’)
3. De La Soul – ‘Dinninit’
4. Jan Hammer Group – ‘Peaceful Sundown’ (sampled in ‘Dog Eat Dog’)
5. De La Soul – ‘Dog Eat Dog’
6. Aretha Franklin – It Only Happens (When I Look At You) (sampled in ‘Long Island Degrees’)
7. De La Soul – ‘Long Island Degrees’
8. Craig Mack – ‘Get Down’ [Loop] (sampled in ‘The Bizness’)
9. De La Soul feat Common – ‘The Bizness’
10. Commodores – ‘High on Sunshine’ (sampled in ‘Sunshine’)
11. De La Soul – ‘Sunshine’
12. Bayete – ‘Free Angela’ (sampled in ‘Sunshine’)
13. Ahmad Jamal – ‘Swahililand’ (sampled in ‘Stakes is High’)
14. De La Soul – ‘Stakes is High’ 
15. De La Soul – ‘Stakes Is High (Jay Dee Remix)’
16. James Brown – ‘Mind Power’ (sampled in ‘Stakes is High’)
17. De La Soul feat Mos Def & Truth Enola – ‘Stakes is High (Remix)’
18. Walter Wanderley – ‘Summer Samba’ (sampled in ‘Supa Emcees’)
19. Jimmy Spicer – ‘Adventures of Super Rhyme’ [Extract] (sampled in ‘Supa Emcees’)
20. Doug E Fresh & Slick Rick – La Di Da Di [Extract] (sampled in ‘Supa Emcees’)
21. De La Soul – ‘Supa Emcees’
22. Wilson Pickett – Get Me Back On Time, Engine #9 [Extract] (sampled in ‘Supa Emcees’)
23. De La Soul feat Mos Def – ‘Big Brother Beat’
24. Kurtis Blow – ‘These Are the Breaks’ [Extract] (sampled in ‘The Brakes’)
25. De La Soul – ‘The Brakes’
26. James Brown – Funky Drummer [Loop] (sampled in ‘Betta Listen’)27. De La Soul – ‘Betta Listen’
28. Jeff Beck – ‘Come Dancing’ [Loop] (sampled in ‘Down Syndrome’)
29. James Brown – ‘Talkin Loud & Sayin Nothing’ [Loop] (sampled in ‘Down Syndrome’)
30. De La Soul – ‘Down Syndrome’
31. De La Soul feat Truth Enola – ‘Pony Ride’
32. Lou Donaldson – ‘Who’s Making Love’ (sampled in ‘Wonce Again Long Island’)
33. De La Soul – ‘Wonce Again Long Island’
34. Malcolm McLaren – ‘Hobo Scratch’ (sampled in ‘Baby Baby Baby Baby Ooh Baby’)
35. De La Soul feat Jazzyfatnastees – ‘Baby Baby Baby Baby Ooh Baby’
36. Chico Hamilton – ‘A Rose for Booker’ (sampled in ‘4 More’)
37. Jungle Brothers – ‘Jimmy Bonus Beat’ [Extract] (sampled in ‘4 More’)
38. De La Soul feat Zhane – ‘4 More’


De La Soul 'Stakes Is High' 20th Anniversary Mixtape mixed by Chris Read

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of A Tribe Called Quest's stellar sophomore LP 'Low End Theory' our buddy Chris Read has crafted an exclusive mix of tracks from the album, alternate versions, and original sample material.

Listen up and enjoy!

Artwork by Leon Nockolds

Tracklist:

1. Chris Read – ‘Theme #3’ (Scratchapella)
2. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Scenario (Remix Instrumental)’
3. Heatwave – ‘Star of a Story’ (Sampled in ‘Verses from the Abstract’)
4. Q Tip Interview Extract (Taken from the movie ‘Beats Rhymes & Life)
5. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Verses from the Abstract’
6. Grant Green – ‘Down Here on The Ground’ (Sampled in ‘Vibes & Stuff’)
7. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Vibes & Stuff’
8. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Jazz (We’ve Got)’
9. Five Stairsteps – ‘Don’t Change Your Love’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘Jazz (We’ve Got)’)
10. Jimmy McGriff – ‘Green Dolphin Street’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘Jazz (We’ve Got)’)
11. The Shades of Brown – ‘The Soil I Tilled For You’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘Excursions)
12. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Excursions’
13. Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – ‘A Chant For Bu’ (Sampled in ‘Excursions’)
14. The Last Poets – ‘Time Is Running Out’ (Sampled in ‘Excursions’)
15. Dr. Lonnie Smith – ‘Spinning Wheel’ (Sampled in ‘Buggin Out’)
16. Phife Interview Extract (Taken from the movie ‘Beats Rhymes & Life)
17. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Buggin Out’
18. Jack De Johnette’s Directions – Minya’s The Mooch’ (Sampled in ‘Buggin Out’)
19. The New Birth – ‘Keep On Doin’ It’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘Rap Promoter’)
20. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Rap Promoter’
21. Weather Report – ‘Young and Fine’ (Sampled in ‘Butter’)
22. Chuck Jackson – ‘I Like Everything About You’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘Butter’)
23. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Butter’
24. Gary Bartz – ‘Gentle Smiles (Saxy)’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘Butter’)
25. Cannonball Adderley – ‘The Steam Drill’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘The Infamous Date Rape’)
26. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘The Infamous Date Rape’
27. Jackie Jackson – ‘Is it Him or is it Me’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘The Infamous Date Rape’)
28. Average White Band – ‘Love Your Life’ (Sampled in ‘Check The Rhime’)
29. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Check The Rhime’ 
30. Minnie Riperton – ‘Baby, This Love I Have’ (Sampled in ‘Check The Rhime’)
31. Biz Markie – ‘Nobody Beats The Biz’ [Extract] (Sampled in ‘Check The Rhime’)
32. Lafayette Afro Rock Band – ‘Hihache’ [Loop] (Sampled ‘Check The Rhime’)
33. Funkadelic – ‘Lets Take It To The People’ (Sampled in ‘Everything Is Fair’)
34. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Everything Is Fair’
35. Willis Jackson – ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘Everything is Fair’)
36. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Skypager’
37. James Brown – ‘Funky President (People It’s Bad)’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘Show Business’)
38. The Fatback Band – ‘Wicki Wacky’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘Show Business’)
39. Aretha Franklin – ‘Rock Steady’ [Extract] (Sampled in ‘Show Business’)
40. A Tribe Called Quest feat Lord Jamar, Sadat X & Diamond D – ‘Show Business’
41. Paul Humphrey – ‘Uncle Willie’s Dream’ (Sampled in ‘What?’)
42. A Tribe Called Quest – ‘What?’
43. Brother Jack McDuff – ‘Oblighetto’ (Sampled in ‘Scenario’)
44. Jimi Hendrix – ‘Little Miss Love’ [Loop] (Sampled in ‘Scenario’)
45. A Tribe Called Quest feat Leaders of the New School – ‘Scenario’
46. BONUS TRACK: Simba & Milton Gulli – ‘Scenario (Chris Read Rap Renaissance Remix)’

A Tribe Called Quest 'Low End Theory' 25th Anniversary Mixtape mixed by Chris Read

https://casualconnection.bandcamp.com/album/casual-connection-archive-bulk-pack

Download

Regulate (Casual Connection Rework) **Download**

Buy / Stream the album 'Colo(u)rs Of The World: https://BBEmusic.lnk.to/clrswrld
Buy / Stream the new single 'Drum Roll': https://bbemusic.lnk.to/DRNandE

Renowned crate digger, respected producer and talented DJ, Chris Read has been releasing and compiling music on BBE for some years, both as a solo artist and with electronic soul outfit Maylight. Created alongside Chicago rapper and vocalist Pugs Atomz, 'Colours Of The World', started life when the latter was in London recording and touring with BBE label- mate and mutual friend DJ Vadim's group The Electric. Initially collaborating on just two tracks which were both featured on Chris Read's 2015 retrospective 'All Night', the pair continued to work remotely after Pugs returned to his native Chicago, enlisting several guest vocalists and musicians from the area.
A true hip hop renaissance man, Pugs Atomz has travelled the world several times over, always making a big impression thanks to his energetic stage performances, forward-thinking attitude and highly relatable lyrics. Mix-tape maestro and curator at whosampled.com, Chris Read's beat-making credentials simply cannot be overstated. 'Colours Of The World' lays out solid boom-bap beats while making use of obscure jazz fragments to create dazzling sonic mosaics; smooth, sumptuous and soulful throughout. Pugs' dextrous flow switches seamlessly between classic rap styles and more abstract, 'OutKast-esque' vocal acrobatics. Made in the image of progressive, life-affirming 90's hip hop and containing a unique blend of UK/US influences, 'Colours Of The World' is almost as nostalgic as it is original.

Chris Read & Pugs Atomz - Nice and Easy feat. Wes Restless & Juice Aleem

Hypnotized (Casual Connection Rework)**Download**

The Episode (Casual Connection & J Squared Rework) **Download**

Cali Love (Casual Connection & JSquared Rework)**Download**

Blow Ya Mind (Casual Connection Rework) **Download**

Join the BBE Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/yfBFX

Founded in 1996 by Peter Adarkwah, Barely Breaking Even (BBE Music) started life as a London club night, taking its name from the eponymous Disco record by the Universal Robot Band.

The label grew from the vibrant early 90's club scene with its first release, Stop & Listen compiled by Dr Bob Jones in 1996, opening the door to iconic series' such as All Back To Mine & Late Nite Tales.

A tonne of releases followed, ranging from Disco to Funk, Jazz to House. In the year 2000, the label celebrated Masters at Work's 10th Anniversary with a mighty box set that featured near 80 tracks.

A year later BBE Music spawned the Beat Generation Series of artist albums, notably introducing J Dilla (Welcome 2 Detroit) & a young Will.I.Am's first solo outing, alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, Madlib & DJ Spinna, all of whom contributed to this seminal set of long players.

A quarter of a century and well over 500 titles later, having worked with Mark Ronson, Roy Ayers, Questlove, Hugh Masekela, DJ Premier, Dimitri from Paris, Joey Negro, Kon, RZA, Laurent Garnier, Black Coffee, DJ Shadow, David Rodigan and John Morales among many others, BBE Music looks to the future, celebrating its rich heritage while continuing to release a bounty of fresh titles.

The label’s most recent projects include an expansive reissue series from pioneering Nigerian label Tabansi, new imprint ‘Batakari’ in association with Boddhi Satva and the critically acclaimed ‘J Jazz’ Japanese Jazz multi-album project, not to mention the recent landmark 500th label release: a brand new version of 'Barely Breaking Even', featuring Leroy Burgess, Patrick Adams and Louie Vega.

In 2021 BBE Music is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the label is offering up some special projects, from the 20th Anniversary edition of J Dilla’s ‘Welcome 2 Detroit’, through David Bowie tribute album ‘Modern Love’, to a special new ‘Worldwide’ compilation from old friend Gilles Peterson. BBE Music will also be looking to the future with more exciting original artist projects, plus merch collaborations events and more...