{"title":"Main Source","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJoint American\/Canadian hip-hop group, originally composed of DJ\/producer brothers Kevin McKenzie (aka K-Cut), Shawn McKenzie (aka Sir Scratch) from Toronto, Canada, and Queens rapper\/producer William Paul Mitchell (aka Large Professor). Large Professor later left and was replaced by another MC, Michael Deering (aka MC Mikey D).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMain Source is a renowned hip-hop group that has made significant contributions to the music industry. Comprised of talented DJ\/producers Kevin McKenzie and Shawn McKenzie from Toronto, Canada, along with Queens rapper\/producer William Paul Mitchell. Their unique blend of beats and lyrics captivates audiences worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough Main Source experienced a change in lineup when Large Professor departed, they seamlessly integrated MC Mikey D into their dynamic team. With their distinctive sound and powerful performances, Main Source continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop scene.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"fuck-what-you-think","title":"Fuck What You Think","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst official reissue. Curated by Main Source. Limited to 1000 with only 500 available for retail. 180g, white colored vinyl. No black edition planned. Comes with a 10\" booklet and updated artwork. Numbered.\u003cbr\u003eReleased after the founding members of the group broke up, \u003ci\u003eFuck What You Think\u003c\/i\u003e was the final dispatch from Main Source - in Large Professor's place as the lead vocalist of the group was legendary Queens Mc - Mikey D.\u003cbr\u003eThe album set out to prove the group's staying power despite the members changing and like their 1st album, \"Breaking Atoms\"’ it also introduces the first appearance from legendary NYC MC's.\u003cbr\u003eIn this case, members of the LOX - Jadakiss and Sheek Louch - guest appear, before they were signed to Bad Boy Records on \"Set it Off\" which also features Shaqueen, Kool G Raps wife and Lotto.\u003cbr\u003eA lost album of ’90s boom bap, this album is a must own. Scheduled for a release in 1994, the first official retail version didn't make it to the market until 1998. Now this release comes with an updated artwork and a 10\"-booklet.Item Details\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vinyl Me Please","offers":[{"title":"White | LP","offer_id":50453431288139,"sku":"1087925","price":37.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3edc432e-f2e6-425c-bfe5-2d63949bb988_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727171929"},{"product_id":"breaking-atoms","title":"Breaking Atoms","description":"\u003cp\u003eThirty years after its original release, Main Source's debut album Breaking Atoms has lost none of its capacity to surprise or delight. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt remains a prime example of a classically styled hip-hop LP - two DJs, one MC, 11 tracks, no flab or filler. It wasn't a slow burner - it was adored on release and hasn't left the top ten of any serious rap fan ever since. What makes it so special? Perhaps it's in the group's ear for a hook and sample, with Large Professor mounting a whole, celebrated career off the back of this gem. Perhaps it's in the way he manages to balance bragging with more political, thematic tracks such as 'Just a Friendly Game of Baseball' and 'Peace is not the Word to Play' without ever coming across as preachy. Few albums of this length are able to spawn four singles - all of them must-haves - while still having material galore on the album that could have been pressed as a 12\". 'Snake Eyes' 'Vamos a Rapiar' and 'He Got So Much Soul (He Don't Need No Music) could have been singles in their own rights, an embarrassment of riches. Sample- wise, it's all about the skilfully woven mixture of the obvious and the obscure, with a tapestry of samples approach that's just not legally possible anymore. So while you might recognise a snatch of Donald Byrd's 'Think Twice' on the timeless 'Looking at the Front Door', it's layered with elements from Ken Lazarus, Detroit Emeralds, The Third Guitar and more. It's an approach that pays constant dividends and rewards repeated listens. Presented in its original format, this is the essence of Breaking Atoms, one of the best albums in the long history of this genre. An all-time Hip Hop classic, critically acclaimed, and one of the best albums of the genre. Featuring 4 hit singles including 'Looking at the Front Door'. A production masterclass from Large Professor, and the debut of Nas.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"LP.","offer_id":50456790368587,"sku":"1170756","price":67.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":50456793088331,"sku":"1154373","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50456792105291,"sku":"1154371","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/2000x2000bb_a81eed3c-c8d3-4d67-a6ee-20e85409f8dc.jpg?v=1753885525"},{"product_id":"fakin-the-funk","title":"Fakin' The Funk","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen the film \u003cem\u003eWhite Men Can't Jump\u003c\/em\u003e was released in 1992, an EP of music from the film was dropped almost simultaneously. That EP, cheekily titled \u003cem\u003eWhite Men Can't Rap\u003c\/em\u003e, featured a couple of exclusive gems, notably Gang Starr's \"\u003cem\u003eNow You're Mine\u003c\/em\u003e\" and a cut from Main Source called \"\u003cem\u003eFakin' the Funk\u003c\/em\u003e\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe only single borne of that six-track EP was the Main Source track, released in remixed form on Wild Pitch records the same year. No surprise, it was head and shoulders above the rest. Opening with those unmistakable harmonies from Main Ingredient's Magic Shoes, the intro segues into a crisp beat borrowed from Grady Tate's frequently sampled \"\u003cem\u003eBe Black Baby\u003c\/em\u003e\" from 1969. Throw in a sprinkle of Kool \u0026amp; The Gang and you've got a track that would fit seamlessly onto Main Source's masterpiece of an album, \u003cem\u003eBreaking Atoms\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInstead, it's the group's last hurrah, the final collaboration between \u003cstrong\u003eK-Cut\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eSir Scratch\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eLarge Professor\u003c\/strong\u003e before the latter departed the trio. It's fitting that he saves one of his best vocal performances for last, railing at sell-outs with the assistance of his long-term collaborator \u003cstrong\u003eNeek the Exotic\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNever released before on an official 7\", it's a track that has lost none of its appeal, and the remix is the definitive version of this classic.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50464700465483,"sku":"1113991","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Green | 7\"","offer_id":50464702792011,"sku":"1113992","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f432cad5-2af1-4eba-b343-5d71ac18d317_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727278310"},{"product_id":"peace-is-not-the-word-to-play","title":"Peace Is Not The Word To Play","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe'll get to the vocal content in a second, but first it's time to acknowledge what a patchwork tapestry of genius \u003cem\u003ePeace is not the word to play\u003c\/em\u003e is in terms of production. \u003cstrong\u003eLarge Professor\u003c\/strong\u003e being a prodigy on the SP-1200 is well established, but the way he flips parts of MFSB's \"TLC\" and Milly and Silly's obscure \"Gettin' Down for Xmas\" with a sprinkling of Lyn Collins here establishes his credentials in the top tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLyrically, it's a tour de force, with \u003cstrong\u003eMain Source\u003c\/strong\u003e taking exception with the misuse of the word \"peace\" by the hip-hop fraternity. With even the most homicidal of gangster rappers dropping it at the end of tracks at the time, time was overdue for some regulation. The album version makes its point pithily in a single verse, while the remix, included on the flip of this first ever 7\" release, expands on the topic with new verses and some new samples too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a welcome reminder of the time when remixes were remixes - not just the identical track with the latest hot rappers joining in. Most of all, \u003cstrong\u003eMain Source\u003c\/strong\u003e once again walk the fine line between lyrical lecture and head-nodding banger - the rare example of a track with a point to make that can still fill a dancefloor and get necks snapping.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50465971568971,"sku":"2018027","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_9cac05ee_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727299710"},{"product_id":"peace-is-not-the-word-to-play-remix-peace-is-not-the-word-to-play","title":"Peace Is Not The Word To Play (Remix) \/ Peace Is Not The Word To Play","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe'll get to the vocal content in a second, but first it's time to acknowledge what a patchwork tapestry of genius 'Peace is not the word to play' is in terms of production. Large Professor being a prodigy on the SP-1200 is well established, but the way he flips parts of MFSB's \u003ci\u003eTLC \u003c\/i\u003eand Milly and Silly's obscure \u003ci\u003eGettin' Down for Xmas\u003c\/i\u003e with a sprinkling of Lyn Collins here establishes his credentials in the top tier. Lyrically, it's a tour de force, with Main Source taking exception with the misuse of the word 'peace' by the hip-hop fraternity. With even the most homicidal of gangster rappers dropping it at the end of tracks at the time, time was overdue for some regulation. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe album version makes its point pithily in a single verse, while the remix, included on the flip of this first ever 7\" release, expands on the topic with new verses and some new samples too. It's a welcome reminder of the time when remixes were remixes not just the identical track with the latest hot rappers joining in. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eMost of all, Main Source once again walk the fine line between lyrical lecture and head-nodding banger the rare example of a track with a point to make that can still fill a dancefloor and get necks snapping.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50473592488267,"sku":"1112861","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f2be512b-26c2-42b4-a9e1-18424c3b05a1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727429962"},{"product_id":"just-hangin-out-live-at-the-bbq","title":"Just Hangin Out \/  Live At The BBQ","description":"\u003cp\u003eMain Source's paean to the simple pleasures of relaxing with friends is built over two tried-and-tested samples. The dreamy, swoony sounds of Vanessa Kendrick's timeless \u003ci\u003e90% of Me is You\u003c\/i\u003e is ever-present during this stone-cold classic, while Sister Nancy's unmistakeable '\u003ci\u003eBam Bam\u003c\/i\u003e' lends several elements to the mix. Throw in some Skull Snaps and Sweet Charles and you've got the perfect soundtrack for a roll call of Large Professor's nearest and dearest. There are plenty of reasons why so many regard \u003ci\u003eBreaking Atoms\u003c\/i\u003e as an all-time classic album, and the sheer variety of singles lifted from it is chief among them. Large Professor was happy to roam over varied topics at a time when many rappers had a manic focus on one thing. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAnd where better to hang out with friends than at a barbecue? \u003ci\u003eLive at the Barbecue\u003c\/i\u003e is rightly regarded as one of the best posse cuts of all time, and famous for showcasing the debut of one Nasty Nas. While he delivers a dope verse full of quotables over drums from Bob James' oft-plundered \u003ci\u003eNautilus\u003c\/i\u003e, credit is also due to the other guests. Fatal and Akinyele aren't disgraced in this company, and Large Professor tops it off with a rare verse of pure brag-rap. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAn undisputed entry in the pantheon of head-nod hip-hop, this is its first official UK release, and another debut on 7\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50473735586123,"sku":"1112860","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/82fcb037-c431-4d3b-bb16-348874b2195f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727430645"},{"product_id":"think-atom","title":"Think \/ Atom","description":"\u003cp\u003eA year before Wild Pitch Records properly introduced us to the trio of Queens native Large Professor and Toronto's Sir Scratch and K-Cut, the soon-to-be-legendary group self-released their own debut single. Dropping on Actual Records, the 12\" of \u003ci\u003eThink\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eAtom\u003c\/i\u003e was soon a sought after rarity, with scarce originals still fetching upwards of three figures. On it, they only hint at the greatness to come, while simultaneously showing that they'd already mastered the three-minute rap single this is concise brilliance with no flab whatsoever.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEngineered by the late, esteemed Paul C, \u003ci\u003eThink\u003c\/i\u003e is a study in how to turn well-worn samples into something new. The combination of several James Brown snatches, along with bits lifted from Lyn Collins and Jimmy Castor Bunch, could have been tired and almost parodic by 1989, but instead the group weave something interesting from old fabric.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAtom\u003c\/i\u003e is arguably even better, built around a brace of elements from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1967 duet \u003ci\u003eLittle Ole Boy, Little Ole Girl\u003c\/i\u003e. On it, Large Pro gives the first real hints that he'll not just be a super-producer, but a committed MC to watch. Mixing threats with humour, positivity with braggadocio, it's a calling card performance on a track that could have still sat comfortably on 1991's \u003ci\u003eBreaking Atoms\u003c\/i\u003e album.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeavily bootlegged, this is the first official double-sided 7\" release bringing together both these foundational cuts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50475087200587,"sku":"1108265","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/8f516abb-00d3-47d7-b497-07d81e3077e1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727442441"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_f76b8f37_thumbnail_4096_bc8b1b5f-3d05-4ea8-bc51-a831d1b7b817.jpg?v=1727171905","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/main-source.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}