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An unassuming 10” EP that houses the most addictive re-edit affair you’re likely to hear in a long while. Male harmonies, butter-like disco strings, rough percussive elements and a b-line that just keeps on and on - may not seem like anything out of the ordinary, but coupled with cleverly placed ‘real’ tape edits, it comes together to create one of the most uplifting dance floor experiences in a long while. All the cuts on this EP are more than worth your time but it’s “Piece Of Mind” that’s going to be one of the sounds of 2007, hands down. 5 out of 5. Update Magazine

Finally, the long-awaited repress of the very first Firecracker release. A true event - and by that we mean the whole package is an event; the music, the artwork, the heaviness of the vinyl - it's the complete package and no mistake. The initial run was only 500 and since then copies have been shifting for silly money - if you could even find them to buy - but now the rest of us can get down to three more of the deepest, warmest house and jazz-influenced grooves around with the profoundly-talented Linkwood and Fudge Fingas at the helm. Those Scots have got it going on... Sublime. Phonica

A much needed reissue of this ace little 10" from Edinburgh's Firecracker crew originally released back in '04. Linkwood family head up the A-side with a wicked Moodymann styled slack soul heads cut for the floor with 'Miles Away', a superbly velveteen homage to detroit beatdown styles with deliciously burnished horns and lights-down-low soul vox from Compost rec's Joseph Malik, butter stuff. Family friend Fudge Fingas contributes the irresistible vibes of 'Gettin' together' on the flip, a slow burning floor trak strictly for the heads with some perfectly studied classic soul edits woven into a loving homage to the Motor city more soulful side. Linkwood does the solo thing on final track 'fate' with a heady swirl of piquant keys and patchworked rhythms lending a fresh and psychedelic twist to the proceedings, brilliant stuff. Boomkat

At long last we've managed to procure some copies of this cracking wee ten inch from the Firecracker Recordings crew over in Edinburgh. Usually we wouldn't even utter the words cracking and Edinburgh in the same sentence but the Firecracker guys have been carving out a reputation for producing some of the sickest Detroit style house out there. Think Theo Parrish on opiates, slow motion jazz and disco infected house music with a bizarre psychedelic twist. The sleeve art looks fresh and it's all impeccably produced. Expect to hear more from these guys in 2008! Rubadub, Glasgow

Finally repressed the second release on the frankly awesome Firecracker label straight outta Scotland. Once again it's that man Linkwood who steals the show with the jazz house stepper 'What's Up With The Underground' which is a killer in its original and beats forms, but don't overlook Fudge Fingas's 'Escape' which more than holds its own (as do all his tracks on the three Firecracker releases to date). Bristolian-voxed fuzz funk finishes the whole thing off on The Complainers' 'Bacon Rolls'. Stunning artwork, real attention to detail, great music = one of the best labels around. Release number four now, please... Phonica

Pick. The first Firecracker re-issue flew out of here (and even warranted its own blog post). This is the equally in-demand second EP, reissued with the same incredible sleeve (seriously, this some of the nicest cover art I've seen come through the Lab), and the music to match. Championed by such bigwigs as Gilles Peterson, Domu, Danny Krivit, Derrick May, Ron Trent (who all had to get their copies at London's Vinyl Junkies shop, the only place that had them), this record explodes with creativity and energy. Highly recommended. Turntable Lab

Succumbing to massive demand, Firecracker records have repressed their legendary second EP, a part of the highly sought after 10" trilogy. Between the three artists involved here, Linkwood, Fudge Fingas and The Complainers, are enough ideas, samples and restless dancefloor energy to fuel a small city if only someone could work out a way to harness such a thing. If you've heard the other two 10"s in the series you'll know what to expect, if not, it's probably the most potent brew of funk, soul, disco, house and even electro this side of Moodymann and has rightfully found a spot in the box of everyone from Gilles Peterson to Derrick May since it's initial release in 2005. Boomkat

**linkwood3deckmix2004**
**linkwoodblackmagicritualset2003**
**firecrackermixtape(L.W._vs_H.O.T.)2005**
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