Description
The upcoming vinyl reissue of “Dirty Old Hip Hop” by MARC MAC presents VISIONEERS marks a significant milestone with its 20th anniversary edition scheduled for release on May 7, 2026, through the independent label Omniverse. This double 180-gram vinyl LP set reflects the enduring appeal of a project that originally emerged in 2006 and was recognized for its innovative blending of broken beat and nu jazz styles. Offering an immersive listening experience, the reissue includes an insert and an obi-strip to enhance its collector’s value, catering to vinyl enthusiasts and aficionados of genre-crossing electronic music landscapes.
Marc Mac, a pivotal figure in the UK’s electronic scene and known predominantly for shaping the sound of 4hero, brings forward his Visioneers project to revisit and celebrate this seminal work. “Dirty Old Hip Hop” sits at the confluence of jazz-inflected hip hop rhythms and the broken beat movement that flourished in the early 2000s, a period marked by experimentation and the integration of live instrumentation into electronic productions. The album’s character is defined by its reconstructed breaks and grooves, crafted alongside collaborators Luke Parkhouse and Somatik, maintaining a familiar yet fresh sonic identity that resonates two decades later.
Guest MCs Voice and Capitol A contribute vital lyrical textures that soften and complement the sophisticated beats, showcasing the record’s vibrant urban soul and groove. The original release garnered critical acclaim, including a nomination for the Worldwide Award, a testament to its innovative approach within the era’s underground music circuits. Since its debut, the album has maintained a prominent position, ranking third in Broken Beat and Nu Jazz bestsellers, underscoring its lasting influence and desirability among collectors and new listeners alike.
Omniverse’s decision to officially reissue this work for Record Store Day 2026 highlights both the album’s historical importance and continuing relevance within electronic and jazz-fused music circles. The record speaks to fans of artists such as Bugz in the Attic and The Cinematic Orchestra, who also explore the intersection of electronic rhythms and jazz instrumentation. It can further engage audiences drawn to the experimental leanings of producers like J Dilla or the groove-based compositions from the likes of Mr. Scruff, establishing MARC MAC’s Visioneers project as a reference point in contemporary broken beat and nu jazz dialogues.
The vinyl’s 2xLP format ensures an expansive presentation, allowing for dynamic sound separation and a rich auditory palette that interprets the album’s complex layering of beats and melodic elements. As part of a resurgence in high-quality vinyl releases that honor independent label ventures and artist-driven projects, this reissue maintains a delicate balance between archival respect and fresh listening pleasure. By revisiting “Dirty Old Hip Hop,” the reissue invites both long-time followers and newcomers to explore a nuanced chapter in the evolution of British electronic music.
