EVERY TAPE PURCHASE INCLUDES DIGITAL DOWNLOAD AND $5 DONATION TO NYC ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT
On this homage to the golden era of mixtapes, Joe Crates pushes listeners down the backstreets of jazz and hip hop, where 90s boom bap and independent rap intersect with 60s hard bop and contemporary soul jazz.
True to tradition, Thick Grooves, Vol 1 blends, cuts, and scratches together tracks using only vinyl, two turntables, and a mixer. However, unlike mixtapes of the 90s, forced to pack as much new flavor into 60 minutes as possible, Joe lets several tracks breathe, with intention. For example, Godfather Don’s pen wizardry on “Piece of the Action" and Shadez of Brooklyn’s youthful expression on “Change” — two tracks you can’t find on digital streaming platforms — run their entirety for old and new heads to nod along to.
Throughout the tape, samples and interludes provide more subtext and situational settings to transport listeners. From an iconic smoke session in KIDS to John Coltrane speaking on the importance of being true to his roots, Thick Grooves is the soundtrack at your local skateshop in the 90s, remixed and presented for today.
GIVING BACK: $5 OF EVERY TAPE DONATED TO NYC-AVP
Hip hop came to life in New York City as a vibrant cultural response to racial and socioeconomic oppression, intended to build community and celebrate Black art and expression. Although it’s inherently inclusive, hip hop has never been free of the pervasive white supremacist and heteronormative belief systems that show up frequently in homophobic, misogynistic, transphobic, and other harmful lyrics. To keep pushing the culture forward, $5 of every cassette purchase will be donated to the New York City Anti-Violence Project. Learn more at
avp.org
released December 7, 2023
Cut and sewn by Joe Crates
Cover art by Jeremy Patterson
Mixed and mastered in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, USA
©️ High Bias Tapes 2023
HBT-001
This tape wouldn’t be possible without the artists who created these songs and the DJs who invented the art of mixtapes. Big shout to James @ Labor Skateshop, Lil Snake Plisskin @ Deep Cuts Record Store, Martin @ Black Star Vinyl – support your local skateshop, record shop, scene, and community.
