Uncommon Records has a deeper back catalog than many may realize and now that we are all rightfully self-isolating we called on Uncommon cover art guru, DJ Jazzpants to guest a blog for us showing off 5 deeper cut albums that you can stream while you’ve got some time do deep dives.

In its 16 years of existence Uncommon Records has released some incredible albums. Attempting to pick just 5 for people to check out is incredibly difficult, so I decided to cheat a little by setting up some ground rules to make it easier for myself.

The first was only one album from an artist mainly because I wanted to offer up a bit of the variety of style and emcees who have released albums on the label. Another one that I debated on, but feel it is important, I won't include any projects I did graphic design for; even though I love these albums, my feelings and perceptions of them are often tied into the process of creating the covers. The order listed will be chronological because I am not a monster no matter what people may say. Now as to how I chose the releases, it comes down to which ones are my favorite, the ones I keep coming back to again and again; this is the most logical way to do it. So without further ado, here we go my favorite releases on Uncommon Records and ones that you should check out now or earlier.

Starting off the list is is the rapper whom if aliens came down and said “pick one emcee from Uncommon to save the world in a display of skill” - Masai Bey. On C87 , Bey is joined by BMS and as they trade verses it becomes evident that they could do this for days and day and that is why I love it. It is two emcees showing just what can be done on the mic and how easily it can seem while at the same time making people realize they could not do this. Bey offers up quality projects whenever he releases something, case in point The Panacea Goldmind, another album Uncommon released.

Karniege & Uncommon Nasa - From the Left (2008, 2018)

Recently the 10th Anniversary version of Karniege and Uncommon Nasa's From the Left was unleashed on the world and it still sounds as amazing as when it was first released in 2008 or at least as it did when I heard it 2009. This is the classic New York MC/producer collab album that makes you want to punch babies and crunch up your face in that way that only grimy rap music can do.

Agartha Audio (DigDug) - The Hollow Earth (2010)

Agartha Audio aka DigDug owns arguably the two most unusual albums on the label. The first being Tales from the Cafetorium and the other, the one on this list is The Hollow Earth. Released under the Agartha Audio moniker, The Hollow Earth is a work of wonderful work of conspiracy theory science fiction beauty. Rarely are producer albums this successful at capturing a coherent message no matter who is the featured vocalist. I am not going to discuss this project much because I have written about it before and if I do not stop myself I will end up with more words than you are willing to read.

Short Fuze & Uncommon Nasa - Lobotomy Music (2010)

If I were to only pick one album to encapsulate what Uncommon Records means it would be Lobotomy Music by Short Fuze and Uncommon Nasa (yes I know only one from an artist but now they are known as Guillotine Crowns so I am using that loophole.) This is the album that made me realize that whatever Uncommon Records releases is and will be quality. No words I offer you will be able to explain to you just how much Lobotomy Music has and continues to inspire me and Fuze and Nasa bring the same chemistry and impact whenever they work together whether they are Short Fuze and Nasa (see Toxicology Music) or Guillotine Crowns.

Atari Blitzkrieg - Technicolor Crime Scenes (2013)

The final album on the list is one that is a bit harder to conjure up a description and put my finger on why I come back to it year after year. On Technicolor Crime Scenes, Atari Blitzkrieg created a soundtrack to a horror movie that I didn't know I needed. It's that creepy but beautiful movie that makes you uneasy and look behind you when you are watching it and afterwards it just sticks with you and makes you look at the world a little differently.

There you have it, my top 5 release on Uncommon Records that you need to check out if you haven't. Each project offers something a little different and shows you a bit more of what the label is about and what they've been doing as it prepares to get its driving license. The wonderful part is all of these are available for you to stream at most streaming services as well as being on the Uncommon Records Bandcamp for FREE (Pay What You Want) digitally. Enjoy everyone and be safe.

Top 5 Uncommon Releases To Dust Off and Stream on Spotify While Isolating