Another Bozo Meko gem. New re-press of one of the most legendary bootlegs ever, Bambaata and Afrika Islam's "Fusion Beats," a block party and mix tape staple from the day it first appeared around 1984 or so. An important chapter in the cut-n-paste history surveyed in Grand Slam's debut issue, it's a pause-button classic incorporating "The Champ," "Let A Woman Be A Woman (Sally Walks)" and of course the Godfather's "Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved." It sounded so dope at the time, and is obviously a bit crude-sounding now, but will absolutely never fail to make an OG B-Boy smile and wanna bust a move. The flipside is, as before, the live version of "Flash It To The Beat" by the Furious Five. An undeniably major mark in hip-hop history, delivered at the nice price.

• music label: Bozo Meko / 2004

reviewed by gregcaz 08/2005