Chong Wizard Vancouver-based executive producer whose label history runs from mid-2000s mixtape DJing through the Infinity Stone EP series to curator of rare underground pairings has assembled ten tracks with twenty-three vocal performers and managed to keep the whole project coherent. The features span generations and aesthetics: Tha God Fahim, Denmark Vessey, MidaZ The BEAST, Estee Nack, Open Mike Eagle, Lungs and Phiik, Nolan The Ninja, .tetsuo and Doseone together on a single track, Myka 9, Michael Christmas, AJ Suede, Milc, Brother Tom SOS, Lord Juco, ICECOLDBISHOP, Chris Crack, E L U C I D, and sleepingdogs. Producer albums with multiple emcees tend to end up a confusing buffet; by contrast you'll rarely hear one as coherent as Video Tape Club that doesn't insist but develops like a picture in the darkroom. Every track is named after a film from Kurosawa to "Snake In The Eagle's Shadow" to "Michael Keaton Birdman" and every vocal combination creates its own unique resonance. Mixed and mastered by Ro Data, with guitar on "Snake In The Eagle's Shadow" by Scotty Metz, violin and viola by Katie Jacoby, and bass by Adi Bop on tracks 9 and 10. Artwork by Paul Rentler. Chong Wizard Records is an independent label primarily focused on releasing obscure underground hip-hop albums on limited edition vinyl, CDs and cassette tapes. The radio edits make the project accessible for wider play without diluting the core. This is producer-album craft at its absolute peak.
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