WESTSIDE GUNN レコード& CD

Review: Chicago-bred, now Brooklyn-based beatmaker DJ Rude One is by now a firm part of the underground hip-hop scene He made his biggest impression with 2016 LP ONEderful which picked up critical acclaim and plenty of fans as well as shining a light on new names like Westside Gunn who have also become stars in their own right. They link up again here on this new 45rpm 'Supreme Trunks'. It's a low-slung beat with spacious drums and minimal detail apart from an edgy synth loopy that marries with the slow, purposeful mic work. Limited to just 400 copies, this is a real treasure.

Review: Buffalo rap icon WestsideGunn gets the reissue treatment courtesy of Hoffstein on this tidy 7", which brings the DJ Daringer-produced 'Rolack's' back in reach. On the A side we get the vocal and instrumental, which finds the man known as Alvin Worthy flowing in his distinctive, tightly-wound style over a warm and soulful beat from Daringer. The instrumental lets the beatsmith's cuts fly, and there's plenty of them. On the flip things get darker as 'Over Gold' strikes a noirish tone before 'Free Ike Free Kiki' slows down and freaks out in a haze of low-slung brilliance.