Review: France's faves Battle Weapons deliver two heady new edits, only for those ready. On the A comes an ingenious, probably never-done-before, almost laughably why-hasn't-anyone-else-ever-thought-of-this-until-now breakbeat rendition of Peter Bjorn & John's 'The Young Folks'. To be frank, they've not done much besides beef up the backbeat a little, but a simple sprucing up is sometimes all a tune needs. On the flip comes a phattened version of 'Forgot About Dre' mashed up with the Azzido Da Bass UK garage classic 'Dooms Night', also produced to hilariously, surreally arresting effect.
Review: The brilliant Room In The Sky All Stars presents a heavyweight roots reggae slab here with some serious steppers from guests Joseph Cotton, Laylah Arruda, Ashanti Selah and Rivah Jordan. This essential 12" includes two new tracks, each with four mixes that take the original into all new sonic realms. Rico from the renowned OBF Sound System and Dubquake Records does a fine job with his versions which spin out 'ever bless' into worlds of reverb and lyrical worship. 'Mother Nature' is another impassioned sound with swirling Latin vocals and florid melodies.
Review: Some proper sound system business here that deserves to be played nice and loud. El Indio's 'Rise & Shine' was recorded and mixed by Roberto Sanchez at A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio in Spain and is drench din sun. The horns are lazy and convey the feelings of a humid afternoon, while the vocals implore you to give all you can give and keep on rising. Interestingly they were recorded by Douglas Wardrop at Conscious Sounds Studios in London but sit perfectly in the mix. Lone Ark Riddim Force step up on the flip with their own lush dub which has plenty of effects and delay.
Review: The on-point Burning Sounds is a treasure trove for proper dub and lovers rock delights from years gone by. They have been digging in the vaults again and come up with a new 12" which they have pressed on nice heavyweight wax, and the sounds more than deserve that. Hortense Ellis and General Roy's 'Give Thanks' is a crucial rhythm with lazy chords and guitars, DIY percussive sounds and deft little keys with a yearning vocal up top. Lawes Rockers is responsible for the flipside version and as you may expect it's dubbed out and reverb-heavy.
Review: MessenJAH Movement is on a roll after its first three outings and this fourth is just as momentous as it explores conscious dub. The A-side showcases the unmistakable voice of King Lorenzo on 'Down Ya Inna Babylon', which is a heartfelt collaboration years in the making. It's backed by a militant yet soulful MessenJAH Movement riddim and a heavy dub version mixed in-house with stepping rhythms and shiny digital leads. On the flip, Black Swan marks a long-anticipated link-up between Locks MessenJAH and EverestDub, who has been a key figure in Bristol's dub scene since 2008. The track pays tribute to the roots and legacy of Bristol dub and is named after the iconic venue that shaped UK sound system culture.
Review: Prolific Philly rap eccentric Lynx 196.9 teams up for a first-time collaboration with the un-knock-downable legend Kool Keith for an incendiary new mini-album, 'Bandoleros', a concept piece intended as a modern spaghetti Western soundtrack. The rat-helmeted wordsmith and the surrealist vigilante prove an unsurprisingly wicked combo, as both emcees glide suavely over boom-bap centrepieces sampled from various spaghetti film sources, while detailing the blueprints of their various forthcoming jailbreaks.
Review: After releasing two 10" and 12" records in 2019 and 2020, Paris-based punk-jazz duo La Recre are back to complete their EP trilogy with this fresh 45 rpm. '137' brings together the worlds of jazz and electronica with shimmering, skyward and celestial synths bringing mysticism to shimmering jazz drums and warped synths. 'La Lune' is another intense and cinematic sound with spoken words from a spacecraft launch adding grandeur to the cascading melodies and ever-evolving beats.
Review: Lady Wray delivers a powerful two-sider here as she hooks up with Grammy-nominated producer Leon Michels of Clairo and El Michels Affair for another single as they put the final touches to her upcoming album. The A-side, 'Be A Witness,' features Nicole's soaring vocals gliding over deep drum machines and Nick Movshon's funky bass which makes it a smooth mid-tempo groove about destined love and good vibes. On the flip, 'Best For Us' explores love, commitment and perseverance with lush synths and harmonies floating over Homer Steinweiss' tight drumming. They provide the perfect setting for Lady Wray's standout voice and get us excited for the full length.
Review: Five years after her last album on the Big Crown label, Lady Wray is soon to serve up a follow up in the form of Piece of Me. That arrives in January next year and is proceeded by this taster 7" featuring two singles from it. They showcase Wray's take on classic soul: her vocals do plenty of heavy lifting, and the instrumental funk all around her is steeped in the classic traditions, but it all comes with an extra raw edge, an urgency and crispness that brings it right up to date. 'Through It All' is a confessional that is powered by tight drums, where 'Under The Sun' is a more blissed out vibe.
Review: Primetime smooth soul on the long-awaited 7" release of the fourth collaborative work between Lagheads and HIMI, 'Dance'. With impeccable production scooping out a thick copse of luscious basses, watery chorused electrics and glittering twinkles, the track is difficult to compare to any other; HIMI's vocals are fay as they are nimble, sounding sultrily pucklike over the sheer sonic city-soul fabric that is the instrumental piece. The B-side hears a remix by Hikaru Arata of WONK!A fame and fleshes out the latent weight of the track for a jazzier hip-hop version.
Red (feat Joe Peng, Joe Burn & Trafic - X-Amnt 2023 remix) (3:08)
Review: Laid Blak, the Bristol-based collective known for their genre-blending reggae sound, are back with a limited-edition release that's bound to excite fans. This strictly limited Trans Red 7" vinyl features the iconic track 'Red' from their debut album Red & Blak. Originally released in 2012, 'Red' has become a festival anthem, celebrated for its infectious chorus, "My eyes are red, I been burning!" Laid Blak's evolution from a studio project led by DJ Bunjy and MC Joe Peng into a powerful live act is well-documented. Their sound is a vibrant mix of dancehall, roots, ska, and hip-hop, with hints of jungle, bhangra and soul. The first side of this release introduces a fresh jungle remix by DJ Bunjy and DJ Kickback's side project, X-AMNT, offering a new take on the fan-favorite track. With more remixes on the horizon, this limited 7" is not just a collector's item but a celebration of Laid Blak's enduring influence in the reggae and jungle scenes.
Review: Joseph Lalibela's collaboration with Vibronics and the Mafia & Fluxy Band delivers a powerful fusion of roots reggae and dub. Lalibela's vocals, rich and commanding, blend seamlessly with Vibronics' immersive production, while the rhythm section from the Mafia & Fluxy Band keeps the track grounded with a steady, hypnotic bassline. The track's balance between deep, atmospheric soundscapes and spiritual lyricism creates a captivating experience, offering listeners both groove and message in equal measure. This is a must for those who appreciate the timelessness of reggae and the expansive nature of dub.
Review: Kero Uno has been kicking for almost two decades, credited with reviving jazz sensibilities in hip-hop almost three decades since it, unfortunately, fell out of fashion around the turn of the century. K1 introduces city-pop and jazz-hop to two of Kdots biggest tracks, 'Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe' and 'Love', the former of which was put on SoundCloud almost a decade ago now and created nothing but buzz. K1 skyrocketed to fame, having his album crowdfunded by excited fans and catching the attention of Kendrick's own mix engineer Derek Ali. The 'Don't Kill My Vibes' mix flips the 2012 hit into a vibraphone-led synthy jazz slice of heaven, while the 'Love' flip, 'Vinyl Love', is a chill, wavey city-pop banger, with subtle brass and airtight percussion coming together in perfect matrimony.
Review: Jennifer Lara delivered a rather oblique reggae record in the form of 'We Can Make It Work' in 1980 for Uptempo Records, who've today repressed and redelivered it to fresh ears. The Studio One maverick was a mammoth 7" releaser, but few of her records fell happily afoul of the flukily muted vocals heard on this one, which sound to serve Lara's voice in the manner of a wooing, gothic castle-haunting ghost. The subject matter of resuscitating a lost romantic cause helps in this regard: with offbeat bass bubbles and pitch-warped chords, the whole track feels haunted but still jocular, as if the singer-subject remains fixated on something largely dead, but still, on the off chance, revivable.
Review: Two fresh remixes of East Coast hip-hop classics by Large Combo acolytes Suckaside and Big Mac, hitting twicely as hard as a tandem-charge. First up is Suckaside with an improved remix of Ghostface Killah, Jadakiss and Comp's 'Run', which originates from Ghostface's Hidden Darts 2 mixtape from 2003; Suckaside underlays the track with a fresh instrumental composed of the Rocky Balboa theme tune, to unsurprisingly rousing, sumo-flooring effect. Then there's Big Mac with what sounds like a woofing Wu-Tang remix (of an otherwise obscure track), sacrificing the double bass stretchings of the original for a much harder rendition.
Review: This is the debut release by the French duo Last Bongo In Paris, also known as Cleon & Jazzy Pidjay. Both are DJs and producers with a background in Latin funk and jazz-funk, and these influences more than strongly shine on 'Green Season', a release whose priority is heavy breakbeats backed by a whismical, live-instrumental flavour. The title track swims and sways through meandering kazoos and psychedelically-filtered falsettos, while the B-side brings up the flip with yet three more incredible live-but-edited-in-post numbers, plus a really weird, never-heard-before 'Bonus Scratch'.
Review: This is one of a pair of new slabs of wax from Amsterdam's Sound System and label of the same name, King Shiloh. It features an array of modern dub and reggae talents and first up, Lavvosti & Black Omolo offer the modern sheen of 'Red Gold Green'. Kare's 'Better Days' rides the same rhythm but with more stylised and soulful vocal turns that empower with every bar. Jah Works dubs things out with a ton of effects and Tiger Simeon & Brada Jahziel layer in storytelling bars. Brasspect brings a fresh horn-led sound that is romantic and hypnotic and Roots Mechanic pairs things right back to an 80s sounding Jamaica dub vibe.
Review: Lawson Jr'Music is based in Montreal in Canada and is a drummer, singer and music composer who has played all over the world since a young age. He brings a distinctive Afro vibe to his take on hip hop as demonstrated by this masterful new cut on BSide/Lawson Entertainment. 'Let It Go' is defined by its screwy bass down low and the echoing hits up top. Aside from that I'd an empty but atmospheric cut with yearning vocals and melancholic chords. The flispide instrumental allows the slick production to shine.
Review: Jarrod Lawson's latest release pairs his soulful stylings with the dynamic vocals of Raquel Rodriguez in 'Next Move,' a nostalgic yet fresh r&b slow jam. Channeling the feel of classic 90s ballads, the track explores a charged intrigue between two strangers with a blend of innocence and allure. Years in the making, this collaboration reveals each artist's strengths, weaving a groove that feels timeless. Released via Dome Records, 'Next Move' is set to be a highlight of this year, merging retro influences with contemporary energy.
Review: The Leonhart Brass Band, the latest project from trumpeter Michael Leonhart, was born out of the 2020 lockdown, an inventive response to the halt of his 18-piece orchestra performances at NYC's Jazz Standard. Stripped down to a brass-heavy ensemble that could perform outdoors without amplification, Leonhart took inspiration from classic brass bands like Dirty Dozen and Rebirth, blending in hip-hop and funk influences to create a unique sound. The opening track, 'Jabbar', is a tribute to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the basketball icon with a rich jazz background. Centred on an infectious bass riff in C minor, Leonhart's trumpet and Jason Marshall's bass saxophone deliver bold, brassy solos, conjuring the vitality and strength of the track's namesake. Another standout is 'The Iceman', a nod to George Gervin, the basketball great known for his unflappable demeanour on the court. The brass section splits into two distinct groups, creating counterpoint melodies that mirror Gervin's grace and intensity. Stuart Bogie's baritone sax solo, complete with tape echo, adds an unexpected texture, grounding the track in a deep, funky groove. With members from Antibalas, the Dap-Kings, and Red Baraat, the Leonhart Brass Band fuses tight musicianship with an exhilarating energy that carries the weight of New Orleans tradition, while forging its own path in the modern jazz and funk worlds.
Review: Ijahman Levi is getting a lot of love from the Jahmani label out of Jamaica as they are reissuing plenty of his pivotal early works. This ultra-rare original version of 'Chariots of Love' was first released on the Organisation label in 1977. While later recordings exist, including a duet with his partner Madge, this remains the definitive take. A sought-after piece of reggae history, it captures the essence of the times with its soulful vocals and deep grooves. This killer track is now available again for the first time in decades so is sure to fly off the shelves and into the bags of those who know best.
Review: This first release from the Levites on Lion Triumphant brings a fitting tribute to the late Jah Shaka with 'Lion'. The track draws direct inspiration from Shaka's iconic sound system days, particularly through its use of a sample from an early 80s reggae film featuring Shaka himself. The rhythm at the core of the track is a recut of a dubplate that was a highlight of Jah Shaka's sets during the late 70s and early 80s, instantly evoking the raw, immersive energy of his sound system. It's a fitting homage, capturing the spirit of an era while paying respect to a true legend of reggae culture.
Review: Legendary dancehall and reggae artist Barrington Levy started out with a fine run of albums in his early years, and then switched to serving up a steady and solid stream of singles. Some of the most famous ones include "Even Tide Fire a Disaster" and "I'm Not in Love", as well as "You Have It" which is presented here as a nice extended version. It features a pained vocal over a fat and dumpy groove with some tropical percussion and warming chords to help oil the mood. GG's All Stars step up on the flip with a version that is heavy and lazy in all the right ways.
Review: Kiss Klassics is keeping all you party DJs supplied with the best tackle once more here as this time they spotlight a trio of standout tracks from Montero Lamar Hill aka Lil Nas X's debut LP. Montero came back in 2021 and these cuts haven't been available on wax before now. There is the celebratory pomp and hefty distorted low end of 'Industry Baby' as well as the more deep sounds of 'Montero' with its strings, finger clicks and Afro-tinged beats, then the high-speed party pomp of 'That's What I Want' with its epic chorus and summer festival feel.
Limp Bizkit - "N2 Gether Now" (feat Method Man DNA edit) (4:13)
Joe - "Sweet Dreams" (DNA edit) (3:11)
Review: Spanish label Hace Calor returns with a couple more bits of dancefloor fire to get frat parties, student nights and plenty in between all going wild. These two classics take the form of the DJ Premier-produced banger 'N 2 Gether Now' from US shock nu-metal dudes Limp Bizkit, featuring legendary rapper and stoner Method Man. On the flip is 'Street Dreams' by Joe which is an equally huge r&b track that is defined by a sample that was first made big by the late, great Tupac. Specially edited for DJs with a new outro and intro to make their work a little easier, there's no doubt there is one handy weapon to keep in the arsenal.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.