Straight to Tape: 1990-1992

One of the most important (and longest-lasting) players in independent hip-hop, Peanut Butter Wolf is best known as the man behind Stones Throw Records. A hugely influential DJ, producer, and label head, he's been making moves for more than two decades now and is at least partly responsible for introducing the world to countless game-changing artists, including Madlib (and all his various incarnations), J Dilla, Dam-Funk, Guilty Simpson, Dudley Perkins, and many more. This compilation takes us back to the beginning, when he was just a young buck growing up in San Jose, Calif., making rap tapes with friends like Charizma (R.I.P.), Quiz One, N.O.T.U., Deshee, Peace Maker, and MC Twan. Despite the low-budget gear and unrefined artists, it's obvious from these recordings that he was definitely onto something big. Many of the songs (especially the funk-heavy, sample-driven instrumentals) wouldn't sound out of place on a brand-new Stones Throw release today. It's fantastic early stuff from an unassuming hip-hop legend. Don't miss "Jamboree," "No Time for Frontin'," "Brother Brother Brother," and "Original."