Review: Milkcrate Mondays has got a red hot 7" on its hands here with DJ Abel and DJ Spinobi taking one side each. The former kicks off by, says the label, "taking an Ocean classic for a trip to Miami." His take on 'Lost' is a funk-laced jam that blends r&b vocals with bubbling beats and jazzy keys into something brilliantly seductive. On the flip side, DJ Spinobi lays down some heavyweight Afro drum patterns and raw rap bars on 'Bay Bunny' while 'PRVNZA VIP' is a more blissed-out island sound with reggaeton undertones and angelic Spanish vocals up top. A real summer weapon.
Review: Japanese talent DJ Koco aka Shimokita is a hardcore 45rpm devotee. They are his chosen tools as a beat-juggling DJ who can do logic-defying things with his grooves. He is a regal on Bloom and already dropped serious heat in January with 'World Famous'. This time he is back with a fresh take on 'Made In New York' which is a 1985 classic by renowned Brazilian funk and jazz pianist Tania Maria. He brings his signature hip-hop flair and creativity with his trusted crew, 45trio, and enlists the dynamic saxophonist King TJ (DA-Dee-MiX) to elevate things further.
Review: Street Corner's FliP Sessions is a great source of beats for hip-hop heads and this eighth volume is no different. It's limited to just 200 copies and features five more exquisite little sketches that are loveably rough around the edges and full of laidback and dusty soul. After the busted breaks of GREENMINDZ, Toby Glider zones you out with lo-fi loops and Beaulemaire brings heavier beats. Side 2 has a more jazz cut from Elusive and star gazing cosmic melody from Shri!. All five of these are delightful little pieces.
Review: Limited white vinyl repress.DJ Soopasoul's last mash-up was an inspired affair that saw him perfectly fuse tracks by Philadelphia Soul legends MFSB and the Beastie Boys. Here he takes a similar approach, placing the rap vocals from the 1995 hip-hop classic 'How High' atop a suitably funky, lolloping beat crafted from clavinet-heavy sections from Stevie's party-starting floor-heater 'Superstition'. It works remarkably well on the A-side vocal mix, and those who'd not heard either track would be convinced that there was no mash-up antics going on. Over on side B you'll find an instrumental mix that showcases Soopasoul's editing skills; minus the vocals, is a fine re-edit of the Wonder-ful jam.
Review: Sampha is now well established as a solo artist in his own right having first risen up via work with SBTRKT, Kanye West, Drake, Jesse Ware and Frank Ocean, amongst others. The British singer, songwriter and producer has since released a couple of well received albums but before then came his Dual EP back in 2013. It found the South Londoner really establish his own voice on a mix of tunes that were recorded in his own bedroom and showcased his style and intent early on. Snap up this bit of history on exclusive orange vinyl.
Review: Izipho Soul and Rena Scott have had a long and fruitful relationship that continues with this new 7". It offers up two new takes on a classic tune from Scott which tells of 'the inevitable frustrations of a long distance love affair.' The original is a big soul number with plenty of golden synths and mid-tempo 80s drums that hark back to the heyday of r&b. On the flip is The Nigel Lowis mix of 'You're So Far Away' which strips away some of the noise and makes the track a deeper, smoother, more seductive soul jam with a rather familiar baseline.
Review: Sevdaliza's debut EP The Suspended Kid was first released in 2015. She put it out on her own Twisted Elegance label and at the time said that "The title is how people responded to me in social situations. I realised that those things that deflect me from social situations - not getting along with your coach or your boss or whatever - it made me realise I had to choose a different path."It is a highly creative work of experimental electronic which has since seen her go on to your 35 countries. Now for the fist time ever the album is pressed up to 2000 individually numbered copies of clear vinyl.
Review: Fresh from making his first appearance on the party-starting Resense series, Shin-Ski (real name Shinsuke Taoka) delivers a rare, four-track "45" featuring a bunch of previously unheard productions from his jam-packed hard drive. He starts as he means to go on with 'On & On', a head-nodding hip-hop club cut crafted from bits of an old soul floor-filler, before smothering another toe-tapping beat with mazy electric piano solos on 'Classic'. Over on the flip, 'Beach' sees the Japanese veteran wrap a boom-bap beat and funky bassline in flanged guitar licks, while closing cut 'That Jazz' more than lives up to its descriptive title. Loose, groovy and musically rich, it should please anyone who loved Guru's classic Jazzamatazz productions.
Review: Bristol producer Sir Beans OBE is also a real wizard on the decks. He has been a featured producer or guest DJ on a number of projects on the AE label before now (including the Truck and Aroma long players) but this marks his first proper solo drop. A-sider 'Part Of It' (feat Kelz) is a classic bit of boom-bap with raw rhymes and punchy drum work cut up with great samples and eerie chords. 'DEF= Defeat Evil Fools' (feat Zaeb Dust, Blaktrix & Medusa) slows it down for a late-night trip with live-sounding drums and more great bars over the top.
Review: German label Oonops Drops is ever more essential if you ask us and tidy 7"s like this prove why (as does their mission to focus is on "sustainability, climate protection and socio-cultural values".) 'Bird's Lament' is a top tier tune from Slick Walk x Sneaky with live drum breaks and serene strings making for a reflective late night vibe. On the flip of this limited edition and clear slice of wax is Avantgarde Vak with the sweet hip hop sounds of 'Keep Ya Eyes Up' then Toshiyuki Sasaki with his sublime 'Toshi's Bonus Breaks.'
Review: Slim Papi is back with a second instalment of his Chateaunuef Du Papi series. Once again it features some fresh hip hop joints packed with great samples and with additional production from Sonnyjim & Poison Zcora. Opener 'David Lynch (feat Crimeapple)' is a deep and sentimental one, while the grooves on 'Rod Sterling' are just as deep with thoughtful bars. 'Harry Dean Stanton' has sumptuous stings with more stream of conscious lyrics and 'Steve Buscemi' is a short but sweet closer. Pressed in small quantities and hand numbered, this is a real collector's item.
Review: Jorja Smith fans have been keen to hear from the contemporary r&b star since her 2019 debut album. Finally she returns with a fresh eight track offering that continues where that album left off. Be Right Back does develop the themes in different ways and ends up being a more broad and diverse collection of tracks that feature often paired back production. Some tunes are just her and a guitarist, others are late night slow jams with gentle beats. Her voice has matured since we last heard from Smith and seems to now have a bigger range and this record is all the better for it.
Review: This is one of the most ambitious 7"s we've ever come across - it is an EP with 11 'tracks' that all play out like a beat tape with interludes crafted by SNDTRAK. It has everything a good beat tape should have - dusty drums, ill samples and a rich sense of soul and storytelling. It moves at pace through the different moods and grounds with gorgeous pianos, sunny vocals, lush strings and mellifluous melodies all grabbing your attention at various points as it plays out. A wonderful and cultural trip through sound.
Review: Second time around for Sneaker Pimps' Six Underground, the lesser-celebrated follow-up to the duo's renowned 'Spin Spin Sugar' single (famous, of course, because of Armand Van Helden's influential 'Dark Garage' remix). While the revisions included here - all initially released in 1996 - did not make as big an impression, all four have stood the test of time impressively. The headline attraction is a pair of Two Lone Swordsmen rubs, which are amongst the earliest reworks Weatherall and Tenniswood laid down under the alias. The vocal and instrumental takes are low slung trip-hop tracks overlaid with heady electronic elements. Elsewhere, Nellee Hooper channels the spirit (and sound) of his work with Massive Attack, and Hull boys Fila Brazillia lay down a typically deep, dubby and slowly evolving downtempo workout.
Review: Brooklyn, New York artist Snips follows up big release on Classic/Defected with a new album on his own label Barbershop Records. This one has a concept that finds the beatmaker drawing solely on gospel samples from his own personal record collection. As such, the record reworks the past into the future and serves as a reminder of the power of gospel to swell your heart and soul. The artist works those samples into all manner of lush frameworks from hip hop to soul, funk to house and there are some club friendly anthems amongst the results such as 'Feed The People' and 'Feel The Spirit.'
Review: Snips is back with a bang on his own label Barbershop Records. This time out he offers up the fresh Nebuer EP which is a project undertaken in which he mixes up sample-heavy house and hip-hop sounds, all in a style with which he has become closely associated. The artist has recently become a father for the first time and so that life event was a big influence on this studio work and each makes a specific reference to the different steps on his journey into fatherhood. That makes this a truly personal work but also one that never forgets the club and so the beats remain heavy, compelling, and packed with soulful flourishes.
Review: Floridian musician Tedi Robinson specialises in what he calls "mellowfunkism" - a smooth, colourful, Prince-influenced take on retro-futurist soul that various draws inspiration from jazz-funk, '80s groove, contemporary R&B and P-funk. It's this attractive, effortlessly soulful trademark sound that's showcased on Robinson's second Six Nine Music "45" as Son of Pearl. Robinson's dazzling bass and smooth vocals take pride of place on A-side 'Wonderful', alongside head-nodding, hip-hop style beats, glistening guitars and twinkling electric piano sounds. Over on the reverse, 'The Other Side of Nowhere' boasts all manner of kaleidoscopic, P-funk-influenced synth sounds, crunchy R&B drums and more elastic bass courtesy of Robinson, whose vocals are once again superb.
Review: As far as contemporary drummers go, Richard Spaven is one of the most sought-after. He is master of progressive and contemporary sounds who has played with all the greats such as Jose James, Gregory Porter, Flying Lotus and The Cinematic Orchestra. He got sit alone here on this new 7" for Fine Line. Opener 'Hoodie Beats' shows off his considerable skills with an airy, floaty grove that is like live and deep drum & bass, then neo-soul vocalists Jordan Rakei joins for the superb 'Nova.'
Barney Artist drops some verses on 'Icarus '88' to bring a real edge and the title track closes in seductive fashion with lingering chords melting your heart.
Review: Emerging from Liverpool, Sticky Dub brings fresh underground vibes with his unique blend of broken beat, UKG, dub, and hip hop. Rooted in Northern energy, his music fuses electronic and urban influences, delivering dynamic club cuts that resonate beyond Mersey shores and with nods to his herbalist lifestyle. Melodic dub basslines meet lively dancefloor beats here, all infused with Sticky's distinct Scouse vocals and insightful lyrics exploring nature and rhythm. His mantra, "never give weapons to a man who can't dance," underscores his ethos of maintaining spiritual balance through music. Sticky Dub's sound is a testament to creativity and cultural fusion which is why he is making waves with every track he releases.
It Takes A Moment To Make Money (original version) (4:11)
Review: Stretch Money delivers a characteristically smooth, polished vibe with 'Take Money 25'. It's a track that has it all - funky rhythms and soulful grooves and superb vocals. It also does what all good hip-hop does in that it manages to blend contemporary style with elements of the classic sound without being too much of an old-school homage. Catchy hooks and rhythmic flow abound on this low-key but feel-good anthem with lyrics that encourage you to stay focused and hustle hard. On the flip, 'It Takes A Moment To Make Money' is just as seductive and soul-fuelled.
Review: Galaxy Sound Co is well known for its super 45 edit series but has also recently turned plenty of heads with their instrumental hip-hop interludes - and that's just what we have here. Up first is 'Loud & Clear', a brilliant boom-bap gem with a sweet soulful piano riff, great work from the classic MC and nice dusty beats. 'NORE' (Buttas remix) noise sup raw beats and squealing piano lines with lively bars that are a snippet from Noreaga's 'SuperThug'. Last of all is 'Cherry Blossoms (Love Notes Mix)' which is a perfect late 90s hip-hop joint that has a sample from 1969's 'Maybe So Maybe No' by the New Holidays, This is a summer gem to keep the long sunny day vibes alive as autumn arrives.
Pain Au Chocalat (with Extra Butter bonus Beat) (3:43)
Review: Galaxy Sound Company has become one of those cop-on-sight labels thanks to is cultured 45rpm edit series. This time, label staple, bedroom B-boy beatmaker and Michigan native Strictlybutters drops a sweet duo of beatstrumentals that skate, stomp and groove with great style. Side A's 'Espresso Con Panna' flips Salt of the Earth's 1984 gospel-funk banger 'Love Light II' into a bass-thumping, sax-smooth hip-hop gem that will enliven any party. The second offer is just as sweet: 'Pain Au Chocolat' is a Detroit-inspired and buttery groove dripping in jazzy Axelrod-esque flair. Pure head-nod gold.
Review: Stylistic Murder Records is back with a special new release that features the legendary Smif-N-Wessun as well as the late Sean Price, whose final verses, captured during his last ever recording sessions, add real gravitas. The stone cold classic, vibe-drenched 'All Time Great' has drums and beats made by Amazing Maze, with extra cuts by DJ Danetic layered in next to dreamy pads and warm, lazy bass. This is golden-era boom bap with a heart-wrenching sense of soul, not least because of it being the last work of the great Sean Price.
Review: Some throwback and retro rap and early hip-hop fin here from Fraternity and Und Brother who join forces to put out this gem from Super Lover See and Casanova Rud. 'Girls Act Stupid-aly' takes up the A-side of the 7" with some playful bars and plenty of scratching, machine drum grooves and melodic hooks. 'I Gotta Good Thing' has some superb flow and plenty of James Brown vocals as well as big horns making it a real party starter.
Review: A limited green version of this vital 7" is well worth copping as Svinkels are the most rock'n'roll group in French rap. They have respect for the old school but also innovate in new school ways. Their fourth album came back in 2021 and had four tunes composed by Djaar One including the original of 'Rapido.' Here he returns to mix the tune in his classic bomb-bap vibe which pays tribute to the golden age and acts like Cypress Hill. An instrumental comes on the flip side but it's that killer A-side that wins this one.
Review: Swollen Members' underground anthems 'Front Street' and 'Counterparts' get pressed up to 7" for the first time here. With production by West Coast heavyweights The Alchemist and Evidence, these tracks highlight the group's raw, uncompromising lyricism on a nice coloured slab of wax. On 'Front Street,' Madchild delivers fierce bars like 'I'm vicious, monstrous misfits, thoughts twisted' while 'Counterparts' features Prevail's sharp wordplay such as 'Two forces combined, poisonous like venomous spines.' These are killer jams for fans of Swollen Members, Dilated Peoples and The Alchemist and they masterfully capture the gritty essence of West Coast hip-hop in two unforgettable tracks.
Review: FlipNJay Record are doing God's work here by pressing up Swollen Members' standout joints 'Fuel Injected' and 'Lady Venom' to 7" vinyl for the first time (they've also pressed 'Front Street' and 'Counterparts' on separate 7"s). These standout singles from the Canadian hip-hop group's early 2000s catalogue helped shape the underground rap scene of the era. 'Fuel Injected' delivers electrifying energy with intense beats, while 'Lady Venom' highlights the group's darker, more brooding lyricism. This limited-edition release features their two biggest hits on one record and is a chance to revisit the raw, gritty sound that propelled Swollen Members to prominence.
Mobbin' For A Hobby (feat Planet Asia & Waz) (2:34)
Closer (2:15)
Trapped (feat Pink Siifu) (2:28)
Intermezzo (0:40)
2night (1:26)
Rings Around Saturn (2:00)
The Maxi-Single (feat Planet Asia) (2:06)
Omnichord (1:40)
Spark Lah (feat Blu November) (2:41)
Outro (2:37)
Trapped (instrumental) (2:27)
Review: Fredfades is a well-regarded modern beatmaker and master sampler who crafts soul drenched and atmospheric hip-hop. For this new record on Mutual Intentions outta Norway he works with Sraw to hypnotic effect. Right from the off, the dusty vibes and lo-fi aesthetic is heartwarming and a perfectly laid back tonic to busy modern lives. Guess like Planet Asia & Waz, Pink Siifu and Blu November add their own character to this spaced-out and stoned late-night listening companion. It might be one of Fred's best yet.
Review: Method Man is a bonafide legend of the hip-hop world and with this one he passed down some of his shine by presenting a debut album from Street Life, a then-new prodigy with a thugged out style on the mic. The album has never before been available on vinyl and it packs a real punch with standout singles such as 'Can't Stop, Won't Stop' featuring Method Man, 'Street Education' plus 'A Star Is Born' featuring fellow Wu Tang associate Inspectah Deck. These are raw beats and even more raw bars with next level lyrical skills from an artists who has also appeared on tracks by the iconic Wu Tang Clan, Method Man and more.
Never Forget (feat Termanology - bonus track) (2:49)
Dollars & Sense (bonus track) (2:56)
Review: Harlem's renowned THC fanatic Sean Pompey aka 10-year hip hop veteran Smoke DZA teamed up with LA producer Real Bad Man for this superb collaborative album back at the start of the year. It was inspired by the fact that weed became legal to be sold on the West Coast and so comes with bars that are heavily steeped in the spirit of the bud. Signature Real Bad Man beats are carriages for silky bars from DZA while plenty of solid guest appearances bolster the already fine collection of tunes. Flee Lord, NymLo and Knowledge The Pirate are amongst those contributing and it is so good to finally have these available on wax.
Review: Mafia Musik is the fourth studio album from Los Angeles rapper D. Savage and it captures his journey from SoundCloud sensation to rap star. Breaking onto the scene in 2016 with '30 Round Clip,' D. Savage has crafted Mafia Musik as a 13-track statement piece filled with high-energy hits like 'Kome On,' 'Dirty Dan' and 'Joker, Pt. 2.' Known for his melodic yet intense style, D. Savage is a prominent figure in the 'plugg' sub-genre who delivers sharp, airy flows that keep the momentum alive. Mafia Musik stands as a powerful foundation and more than signals a promising future for this rising artist.
Gimme The Light (feat Busta Rhymes - Pass The Dro-Voisier remix) (3:24)
Bubble (feat Farenheit) (3:51)
Shake That Thing (3:57)
Esa Loca (feat Tony Touch & ROBB) (3:46)
Punkie (Espanol) (3:31)
Baby Girl (3:40)
Review: Jamaican reggae and dancehall star Sean Paul did a lot to popularise the genre in the UK and US way before the current wave of artists who dominate. Dusty Rock is his seance album from back in November 2022 and it spawned plenty of chart-climbing singles that helped it, and Paul, go on to become a worldwide phenomenon. Of course, the standout single that still gets plenty of hammer is 'Gimme The Light' while 'Like Glue,' 'I'm Still In Love With You' and 'Get Busy' are all bangers, too, on a record full of big hooks, fresh rhythms and big energy.
Review: Throughout is a new and exciting label out of Kyoto that impresses once more here with a brilliantly cool new collaboration between Jungle Brothers' Sensational and the producer Unbuilt. The former has laid down endless amounts of interesting sounds over the years and Poiesis now joins those hallowed ranks. It is aptly described as "a paranoid party-starter cast against a menacing greyscale backdrop of impressive dystopian grandeur." The production from Sensational is on point and a mix of basted and dubbed out while the bars remind of early underground rap greats - like Def Jux rewired through a more contemporary sound.
Review: German pair Session Victim have long been invigorating the deep hose scene with their rare musical skill. They have managed to imbue their sounds with elements of funk, jazz and soul while keeping their grooves fresh and stylish. Their fifth studio album Low Key, Low Pressure is "an anathema to today's fast paced, industry driven musical landscape" in that it is sophisticate and unhurried, not full of obvious singles but instead a coherent body of work that really excels as a long player - not something that can be said of much of today's disposable, Spotify-ready dance music. Across the ten tunes there's a lovely cover, a fine collab with occasional partner Carsten "Erobique" Meyer and playful sounds a plenty.
An Echo From The Hosts That Profess Infinitum (3:01)
Are You Can You Were You? (Felt) (4:43)
A Treatease Dedicated To The Avian Airess From North East Nubis (1000 Questions, 1 Answer) (2:44)
Youlogy (3:54)
Endeavors For Never (The Last Time We Spoke You Said You Were Not Here, I Saw You Though) (2:45)
Recollections Of The Wraith (3:25)
The King's New Clothes Were Made By His Own Hands (2:04)
Yeah You (3:09)
Swerve The Reeping Of All That Is Worthwhile (Noir Not Withstanding) (5:13)
Review: Shabazz Palaces made more fine moves with their classic album Black Up offering up a luxury take on hip-hop "like rich velvet hijabs or gold threaded abayas." Produced by Knife Knights.plcrs at Gunbeat Serenade Studio in Outplace Palacelands, the album originally arrived in 2011 and now gets reissued on red and black smoked vinyl in a lovely spot-varnished sleeve. It's a mix of dubby hip-hop, conscious lyrics and electronic styles with a heavyweight sound that remains ahead of its time with cuts like 'An Echo From The Hosts That Profess Infinitum' a firm favourite with ambient influences and glitchy, experimental textures.
Angela (feat Stas THEE Boss & Irene Barber) (2:59)
Myths Of The Occult (feat Japreme Magnetic) (1:55)
Goat Me (feat Cobra Coil) (4:33)
Well Known Nobody (feat OCnotes) (3:12)
Synth Dirt (2:26)
Take Me To Your Leader (feat Lavarr The Starr) (3:43)
Review: Shabazz Palaces's Exotic Birds of Prey is a new seven-song mini-album that comes via Sub Pop and follows the huge success of Robed in Rareness back in October 2023. It is a rather enchaining listen that draws on many different rap eras and blends them into one new sound helmed by vocalist and producer Ismael Butler. Shabazz Palaces redefines hip-hop across decades here with the album blending the past, present, and future with warped sounds and fine collaborations from the likes of Stas THEE Boss and Japreme Magnetic who help to enrich this sonic journey. This special Loser Edition comes on creamy white vinyl.
Review: Renowned producer Shuko is back with Jazzterfield 3, another masterful blend of hip-hop, soul and jazz that continues his celebrated series in fine style. This third instalment fuses classic jazz influences with modern beats and soulful rhythms and draws on the experiences the producer has gleaned by collaborating with artists like Anderson .Paak, Kanye West and Chance the Rapper. Shuko also brings his own signature style to tracks that are perfect for intimate listening or lively playlists. Fans of golden-era hip-hop with lush jazz textures and soul-infused beats will find Jazzterfield 3 a perfect soundtrack this winter season.
Reap What You Sow (feat Enuff & Jaia Melodies) (3:40)
Time (4:15)
Wu Wu Intermission (5:09)
Play That Back (feat Jaz Wilson) (4:09)
Review: Master keys man Byron The Aquarius started out making hip-hop then in the last few years moved into house music and dropped some super deep and classy jams. Now he gets back to his roots with this new project from Birmingham, Alabama, alongside Shurlock, who started way back in 1990. The album takes its title from the fact both men were always told they would never make it out of their hometown. "Well this project is for those that stop dreaming, and believed that Shurlock, and Byron would never make it in the world of music," they say. It's a superb record with some fine guest bars to boot.
Review: This record marks Sideshow's fifth full-length album in just four years and it comes at a time when his career is gaining significant momentum. Following notable collaborations with MIKE, The Alchemist and Boldy James as well as the release of two albums in 2023-2MM: Don't Just Stand There and Jam-Sideshow continues to build his reputation here with production from Popstar Benny, Alexander Spit, Sideshow himself and others. There are plenty of contemporary edges to this, as well as a subtle undercurrent of respect for the old school, and it is sure to take Sideshow to a whole other level once more.
Review: Given that this is a first release from Simian, it is pretty damn impressive. Title 'Cult' after the Finish word for gold, it lives up to its name as it takes you on a trip through a fine stash of beats crafted between 2010 and 2020. The producer says he feels it is some of his best work and that now is the right time for the world to hear it, with many of them brought to life with added features from the likes of Smuv, One Kind Eye, Kirstoffer Eikrem, Mr Slipz, Illiterate and his right-hand man Chalky. It's laid-back, soul drenched, and perfectly soothing for mind and body
Review: Skyzoo's debut album, The Salvation, released back in September 2009 marked a major moment in his career and was packed with production from top hip-hop talents like Just Blaze, 9th Wonder, Nottz, Illmind, Black Milk, and Needlz. Known for his heartfelt, true-to-life lyrics, Skyzoo quickly earned respect as one of his generation's standout emcees with collaborations across the hip-hop spectrum, from Rakim to Black Thought. He has released numerous albums, including projects with Pete Rock and Apollo Brown, and to celebrate this one's 15th anniversary, Duck Down Records serves it up on navy blue and white marbled vinyl.
Review: Catherine Grace Garner hails from Missouri but is base din LA. It is there that she has made her name as a pop singer and songwriter who first started uploading tunes under the Slater name. Now working under the more stylised alias of Slayyyter, she is back with a sophomore album. It comes two years after her head turning and self titled debut and is another rule breaking mash up of pop, trap, experimental and electronic sounds. Tin pot percussion clatters about over big beats, euro-dance grooves are finished with her own emotive vocals and stadium-sized pop anthems bring lung-busting vocal performances. It's a wild ride, for sure.
Review: Festival favourites and working-class heroes Sleaford Mods hail from the East Midlands and have become the voice of the oppressed and the pissed off. Their gritty, lo-fi, raw and stripped-back music is powered by punky electronic beats and overlaid with bars spat out with real anger and ire. They have churned out plenty of it by now, subtle tweaking the template each time but never losing the visceral appeal. This new album UK Grim - a play on UK Grime? - is more dancefloor focussed than before it with the angst and pitfalls of modern life all addressed. It's another winner, no doubt.
Review: NOIR was Smino's second album and a great progression from the first. It originally came in 2018 under Interscope/Downtown Records and it built on debut BLKSWN with some stylish forays into the worlds of neo-soul, funk, hip hop, and r&b. Across a diverse range of sounds, NOIR features standout singles like 'Z4L,' 'KLINK,' 'LMF,' and "FENTY SEX' and includes guest appearances from the likes of Ravyn Lenae, Dreezy, and Valee. Not only is 'Tequila Mockingbird' our favourite track title on the album but it's also a lovely track that blends classic dub with yearning r&b vocals and jazzy musicality.
Painted Houses (feat Conway The Machine - instrumental) (4:50)
Zelle Transfers (instrumental) (2:51)
Drug Trade (feat Black Thought - instrumental) (1:49)
Harlem World 97 (feat Estelle - instrumental) (2:12)
Review: Independent New York City rapper Smoke DZA and LA beatmaker Flying Lotus are hip-hop heavyweights in their own right but now they come together for their new EP Flying Objects with a bunch of equally high-profile guests such as Black Thought from The Roots, plus Estelle, Conway The Machine, and more. Together they have cooked up a mind-altering sonic trip featuring spaced-out pads and crunchy beats. The bars are hard and speak of the Black experience and the synths are often otherworldly and celestial as they soften the edges of the lyrics. Another great project from both.
Review: Oakland's SNDTRAK dropped his long awaited debut album back in 2021. It was a big hit right off the bat and now it gets a welcome reissue. These are snappy beats with rolling drums, deep hip hop instrumentals that bring the best of the dusty school to fresh new school thinking. Delicate melodies are buried within, soulful vocal smears drift in and out of ear shot and well played bass slowly rotate sunder the tunes to bring languid funk. Sunny and heart aching, heat damaged and stoned, this is a warming soundtrack on many different levels.
Last Dance With Mary Jane (feat Tom Petty/Jelly Roll) (3:01)
Pressure (feat Dr Dre/KAAN) (2:23)
Another Part Of Me (feat Sting) (3:22)
Skyscrapers (feat Method Man/Smitty) (3:00)
Fire (feat Cocoa Sarai) (3:28)
Gunz N Smoke (feat 50 Cent/Eminem) (3:23)
Sticcy Situation (feat KAAN/Cocoa Sarai) (3:10)
Now Or Neve (feat Dr Dre/BJ The Chicago Kid) (2:47)
Gangsta Pose (feat Dem Jointz/Stalone/Fat Money) (3:19)
The Negotiator (2:08)
Review: The arrival of any album by the mighty Snoop is a major moment in hip-hop history but this feel even bigger than usual. With the more than capable hands of Dr Dre on the production tiller alongside Snoop, there's a real royal roll call of talent lining up to guest, from Eminem, 50 Cent, Method Man, Jelly Roll, BJ the Chicago Kid, Jhene Aiko, Alus, K.A.A.N., Smitty, Dem Jointz, Cocoa Sarai, Stalone, and Fat Money. Rather inexplicably, Tom Petty and Sting feature, making this an unusual and memorable moment even within the illustrious confines of his career to date.
Review: Tha Doggfather's iconic 2005 Forest National concert in Brussels is now available on vinyl for the first time ever. This performance is one of Snoop's most talked about over the years and it features legendary tracks of his like 'Gin and Juice,' 'Drop It Like It's Hot,' and 'Murder Was the Case,' all of which bring the party vibes, a hint of nostalgia, and are sure to get everyone on side as soon as you drop the needle on the record. This special double vinyl release includes brand-new artwork, an OBI side strip a gatefold jacket with two pockets making it a beautifully crafted collector's edition.
Aint No Fun (If The Homies Can't Have None) (feat Nate Dogg, Warren G & Kurupt) (4:10)
Review: This newly assembled compilation is a great example of Snoop Dogg's enduring influence in hip-hop. The record features collaborations with fellow legends such as Nate Dogg and Warren G who deliver classic tracks such as 'Never Leave Me Alone' and 'Friends.' While it doesn't introduce new material, the collection serves as a testament to Snoop's vast bay of worth and is a nostalgic journey through his extensive career. The inclusion of both well-known hits and deeper cuts provides a comprehensive look at his collaborations and brings out different sides to his sounds and styles to his bars. It's a fun, essential slab of wax.
'94 Via Satellite (feat Del, The Funkee Homosapien) (4:57)
Do You Want It? (4:05)
Come A New (1:02)
Bumpshit (4:29)
Ya Don't Stop (4:19)
Yeah It Was You (feat Pep Love) (1:49)
Hotel, Motel (1:43)
Fa Sho Fo Real (4:31)
Dirty D's Theme (Hoe Or Die) (5:06)
Times Ain't Fair (4:21)
Review: In 1995, Oakland's Souls of Mischief released No Man's Land, the follow-up to their iconic debut and it didn't disappoint hardcore fans but despite its brilliance, this golden-era hip-hop gem was often overlooked and never received a commercial vinyl release in the US. To this day, it remains without an official US reissue but now that changes this Record Star Day. Get On Down celebrates this classic with a special double LP release presented in a gatefold jacket pressed on eye-catching "Tide Pod" colour vinyl. It's packed with classic hip-hop heat, free-flowing bars and signature soul from this iconic outfit.
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