Coalmine Records crafts a gem with ‘Remineded’ [Album]

As much as we love releases from the big acts and the labels that rep them, we gotta give a shout out to all of the independent people out there. They might not have the budgets or the major connections that the dinosaurs in the game have, but they won't that stop them. These smaller and mobile companies alter the playing field by developing a richer relationship with their audiences, which in turn leads to a better understanding of what fans actually want versus what stale sound is sanitized and reheated for the masses. And while Coalmine Records isn't exactly a new kid on the block, they're proof that indie labels can still eat in 2015.

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Following the release of their 10 year anniversary album Unearthed, the dynamic Brooklyn based label has kept things moving with Remineded: A Collection of Old & New Remixes. The aptly titled project revives a number of both old and new hits throughout the label's legacy for a proper reexamination. Where the project succeeds is in its direction and arrangement; everyone from Golden Era veterans like Diamond D and Large Professor and contemporary producers such as The Audible Doctor and Cookin' Soul bring their best beats to remix the likes of Blu, Royce da 5'9", and Sean Price, amongst others. Every track on this tape bangs, but I gotta give a special shout out to two joints in particular that haven't left my head since hearing them: M-Phazes' juicy remix of El Da Sensei's "2 The Death" and Extra P's take on "Kiss The Sky." Whereas the former is a soulful masterpiece jam packed with loose drums and tight rhymes from the Artifacts rapper, the latter is a chilling journey that puts the focus on Blu and his voracious rhyming ability. If you pick up one project this week, make sure it's Remineded.