Tag Archives: Hip Hop Oradea

Albums of the Year 2020

Albums of the Year 2020

1. Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes – What Kinda Music

Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes What Kinda Music is a masterful collaboration between two artists of very different disciplines, and one of the most unique and seamlessly original projects of its ilk to date. Moving fluidly through sleek electronica, progressive jazz, vintage hip-hop and so much more, Misch and Dayes take their listener on a ride that is by turns surprising and spontaneous, heady and head-spinning, and nothing less than compelling – a singular vision that fuses the DNA of both musicians with spectacular results.

2. Nas – King’s Disease

King’s Disease sets the stage for a reimagined future while paying homage to legacy, highlighting the prowess of the King’s experience. Through a diverse range of uplifting, hard hitting, and melodic tracks, King’s Disease is a full bodied project that showcases both the battles and the brilliance of life on a pedestal. The title is emblematic of the privilege and responsibility of kingship, acknowledging that not even royalty is immune to suffering.

3. knxwledge – 1988

1988 takes its name from the fact that much of the new record was created that very year, when Knx was an infant. As the story is told, little baby Knx was left alone by his mother for just a few moments and crawled to a family member’s vintage SP–12 sampler. When his mother returned he had already produced his first beats and nearly mastered the machine. These tracks, all produced before nap time while rocking a Nike diaper, were stored over the years on floppy discs, then brought to his studio in recent months where they were finished up, mixed, and mastered.

4. Elaquent – Forever Is A Pretty Long Time

Producer/arranger Elaquent quarterbacks a towering musical treasure on his latest album, Forever is Pretty Long Time – a production that includes creative assists from Oddisee, Chester Watson, Blu, Guilty Simpson, Brainorchestra and more. At any given time, Elaquent offers up astral-traveling, soul-steeped magic for a stellar cast of vocalists to build on. Standout cuts include a starlit ride down the highway called “Social Experiment“; the vaporous opening salvo “Guidelines“; some flavorfully rich afro-futurism in the form of an instrumental piece called “Jollof“; a beautifully gliding touch of neo-soul called “One Week“; and my personal favorite – the stutter stepping navel-gaze that is “Guidelines“.

5. Busta Rhymes – Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath Of God On Busta Rhymes‘ E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front, the bona fide Hip Hop legend warned listeners of the dark times that were to come. It’s as if Busta foreshadowed the events because, in the 22 years since that album, the world has seen its fair share of catastrophic events. With his newest album, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, Busta is back in top form to warn listeners of another impending doom if things aren’t in order. Fast forward to 2020, and Busta has his most honest and true to form album since E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front. On E.L.E. 2, Busta is as loud and bombastic as ever and channels back to a time where he sounded like he had fun making music. He dives into several topics on this album, including the end of the world, black pride, and challenging white supremacy while delivering that trademark Busta Rhymes chaos.

Expand the lifetime of your vinyl records

Expand the lifetime of your vinyl records

We should start with this: you should store your records vertically, never horizontally. When stored horizontally for a long time, your records can warp. Make sure that you store them away from extreme heat, sunlight, or humidity.

In order to keep your records clean, touch them as little as possible. When you must handle your records, try to only touch the edges and inner label. By keeping your hands off as much as possible, you can prevent any excess grease and dirt on your fingers from getting on your records, but if you’re a hip hop DJ you’ll have a reasonable excuse to touch the records.

And after you did a crazy DJ set with your records or after you’ve just listened to your favourite LP while enjoying some drinks, and you would like to expand the life of your records, you should:

Use a carbon fiber brush that can reduce any static electricity that may be attracting dust to the record. You should brush your records before and after each listen. Simply spin the record while you are holding the brush. Just be sure to clean out the brush after every use.

Hama Carbon Fibre Brush

Use a cleaner spray made especially for records. Just Spray your cleaner on your vinyl and use a microfiber cloth to wipe it off until it is dry.

Near Mint – Vinyl Record Cleaner (250ml)

These are the basics steps in order for your records to have a long life and enjoyable sounds!

Grading standards at Vibes On Wax record store

Grading standards at Vibes On Wax record store

VibesOnWax record store has all sorts of vinyl records, CDs, Cassettes and most of them are in different conditions. In order to find out the condition of an item that you want to buy we have to use a system to describe the exact condition of the item that you’re interested in. That’s why we proudly use the Goldmine Standard for grading records:

Mint (M)

Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed. Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.

Near Mint (NM or M-)

A nearly perfect record. A NM or M- record has more than likely never been played, and the vinyl will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback. Many dealers won’t give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record should show no obvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as any sign of slight handling. An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable similar defects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, etc.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

Generally worth 50% of the Near Mint value. A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, not affecting the actual playback as a whole. Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don’t affect one’s listening experiences. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are “OK”. The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. Spindle marks may be present. Picture sleeves and inner sleeves will have some slight wear, slightly turned-up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear, and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation, or cut corner. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint.

Very Good (VG)

Generally worth 25% of Near Mint value. Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time. Goldmine price guides with more than one price will list Very Good as the lowest price.

Good (G), Good Plus (G+)

Generally worth 10-15% of the Near Mint value. A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be played through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present. While the record will be playable without skipping, noticeable surface noise and “ticks” will almost certainly accompany the playback.

Poor (P), Fair (F)

Generally worth 0-5% of the Near Mint price. The record is cracked, badly warped, and won’t play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and writing. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully split, crinkled, and written upon.

And now let’s bring the noise!

Welcome to Vibes On Wax Record Shop!

Welcome to Vibes On Wax Record Shop!
Vibes On Wax Record Shop was founded in 2020 as a result of the enthusiasm of some collectors from Oradea, Romania passionate about Hip Hop culture and music in general. We sell both new and pre-ordered records, as well as used records for which our customers said would prefer to visit the physical store that will open next year on 67 Republicii Street, Oradea, Romania. Until then the materials will be published on a weekly basis on this website and we are sure that there will be something good for every taste. So come visit us!