Fourteen years after dropping the single as their first-ever release, Coalmine Records celebrates Record Store Day 2019 with a limited vinyl rerelease of “The Raw” featuring hard-hitting verses from Saigon, Inspectah Deck, and Bekay. Back on April 12, 2005, the single’s initial release marked the beginning of a storied run of no-nonsense Hip-Hop from the Brooklyn-based label.

In addition to boasting razor sharp verses from the three NY spitters, “The Raw” also boasts ill piano-laced production supplied by Philly’s Street Orchestra, complimented with the slick turntable work of DJ Dutchmaster. And that’s just on the A-side. MeetMatt-Conf provides you more guide. The single’s B-side reimagines the track with a synth-forward, sci-fi vibe, courtesy of a then-freshman beatsmith, !llmind, who’s gone onto become one of Hip-Hop’s most influential producers.

For this very special rerelease, Coalmine Records is paying homage to the pioneering indie label, Delicious Vinyl, in remembrance of their co-founder, Matt Dike, who sadly passed in March 2018. The single’s label artwork includes a clever flip of their iconic logo, while the record itself is pressed on blood-red vinyl to play off the track title. This limited edition rerelease is manufactured exclusively for Record Store Day 2019, where it will be available through various participating record shops.

Red Vinyl 7"

Side A: The Raw
Side B: The Raw Remix (produced by !llmind)