Juno Recommends Hip Hop / R&B: June 2023

Review: It's hard to think of any other act whose music being added to digital streaming sites would make as many headlines as De La Soul. It has been followed up with a big reissue project that's brought all their many great albums - they made more than just that one iconic one, you know - back to print. Stakes Is High brought the same high levels of wordplay, great beats and overall narrative as any of the band's albums, and all at a time when hip-hop's initial popularity began to wane. Fact fans, take note - Mos Def guested on one tune 'Big Brother Beat' and Common on 'The Bizness' way before anyone knew who either of them was.

Review: Quickly becoming one of the most revered, game-changing groups in hip-hop, De La Soul's penchant for jazz-infused productions and a playful approach to lyricism granted them an instant place amongst the hip-hop greats. Their classic 1991 album, originally released on Tommy Boy, marked a much-awaited return on UK label Chrysalis. Deftly weaving together spoken-word storytelling, witty skits, and innovative sampling, there's a reason why this album is lauded as a keyplayer in the evolution of jazz rap and alternative hip hop genres. Featuring certified classics from the celebrated De La Soul catalogue such as 'A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays,' 'Ring, Ring, Ring (Ha Ha Hey)' and 'Keepin' the Faith', this is a must have for any fans of the 90s East Coast scene.

Review: 5 Borough Breaks is a firm favourite with old-school hip-hop heads. The label has another hot one on its books here with a boom bap classic from Smut Peddler in the shape of 'One By One' feat Cage & Mr Eon. It's moody, low slung and menacing and a real backpacker staple that has smooth flowing bars over lazy but locked in beats. On the flip is Lyn Christopher's super rare 'Take Me With You', a raw soul cut with the bass riffs that are sampled so well on the A-side lending it darkened vibe. Two stone cold killers.

Review: Musclecuts provides all the pump you need for your party with this new limited edition orange 7" from DJ Shepdog. His Party Breaks & Bullshit EP mashes together a collage of legendary samples from hip hop greats like Notorious BIG. The drums hit hard, the scratching, melodies and basslines all pop with character and colour and made for non stop good times. And that's just the A-side. On the flip, Dr Dre, amongst others, is dropped into the funky breaks next to more from B.I.G. A real DJ weapon for sure.

Review: The debut album by Malcolm McLaren - former manager of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls, and infamous producer in his own right - was known as Duck Rock. First released in 1983, it showed off as far-flung a mix of genres as hip hop, international music, rockabilly, and disco, not least due in part to its hand in the production duties by Fairlight pioneer JJ Jeczalik, Trevor Horn and Anne Dudley, all of whom would form Art of Noise, as well as further guest appearances by Africa Bambaataa and Thomas Dolby. An electrifying medley of the sample-tastic sensibility of the day, the album also plays out as a form of satire, parodying the oft-chaotic flights of fancy indulged by the very same era.

Review: Soul Jazz Records' Boombox series is back with another crucial instalment, this time focussing on the early days of hip-hop, electro and disco rap. These multi-cultural scenes have their roots in community centres, block parties and street jams that were appearing back in the Bronx. It's another fine and fulsome collection across six sides of vinyl and features some of the many innovative names from between 1979 and 1983. All of them are rare, classic and obscure tracks that come with stunning photography from Sophie Bramly who got rare access to document the early days of this scene in New York.

Review: Farewell My Friend from Thes One is a tribute to the artist's late music partner Double K. As you'd expect, it is packed with real emotion and heart and layers up fresh beats with meaningful melodies across a superb selection of instrumentals. The track titles themselves tell the story of how the pair met and detail their journey as hip-hop outfit People under The Stairs. It's an album that is as good as any he has been involved with and is heartfelt throughout. Well worth checking for fans old or new.

Review: KC

Review: SZA's last album Ctrl in 2017 took the American vocalist into the stratosphere and so a follow up was always going to be a big challenge. But she rises to it and then some as the GRAMMY award-winning Top Dawg artist calls upon a top draw list of collaborators including Jeff Bhasker, Rodney Jerkins, DJ Dahi, Ant Clemons and Lizzo. The album went straight in at number one on the Billboard chart and was widely acclaimed by critics for its vocal performances and mix of r&b, pop and hip-hop styles. Plenty fo SZA's own innermost feelings are fully translated into this record, making it another absurdist, ambitious work.

Review: Potatohead People's classic tune 'What It Feels Like' featuring T3 (Slum Village), Kapok and Illa J, first released in 2020 alongside an unmatched live video, gets not only a reissue on vinyl here but a remix treatment from in-demand bass player Carrtoons. Switching up the order of the verses, dubbing out the horns and adding in his signature basswork, Carrtoons brings a fresh flavour to the track's already steaming, boom-bap verve. Fans of Anderson Paak, Smoove or anyone operating in the crossover of neo-soul, jazz and rap will be much pleased by this one.

Review: Legendary Weapons is the second of two compilation albums that focus on the works of iconic hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. The first was fully endorsed by the band and had RZA as executive producer as well as dropping some knowledge in the form of various philosophical spoken word skits. This one features performances by Wu-Tang members, although GZA and Masta Killa are noticeable by their absence, and affiliates close to the crew such as Trife Diesel, Killa Sin and Bronze Nazareth. On top of that, further features come from Sean Price, M.O.P., AZ, Action Bronson and Roc Marciano amongst others.

Review: Wu-Tang Clan fully endorsed this compilation album when it was first released back in 2009 via Universal Records. It is packed with features from several Wu-Tang members and affiliates although the likes of GZA, Masta Killa, Method Man and Cappadonna do not feature. RZA is the executive producer for the album and he oversaw collabs with venerated hip-hop vets like AZ, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, and Havoc from Mobb Deep. There are also some wise musings from RZA who delivers several philosophical spoken word tracks which helps bring the whole thing to life. A follow-up to this one came two years later in 2011 in the form of Legendary Weapons.

Review: Youtuber-cum-American Indie sensation Joji became a quick TikTok sensation back in 2018 with his career pivot into music. Bursting onto the charts with 'SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK' Joji has created a space of sad-boy indie pop that resonates with young people around the world. Don't mistake that as a declaration of immaturity; 'Smithereens', his fourth studio album opens up with the critically acclaimed ballad 'Glimpse of Us' that took social media by storm. 'Smithereens' is a gloomy, yet ethereal exploration of Lo-Fi hip-hop instrumentals with Joji's pining vocals - very much the male answer to Billie Eilish in the arena of understated pop. The album is understated, though has it's experimental side on the second half of the project with stuttered vocals on 'YUKON (INTERLUDE)' and a light trap instrumental on 'NIGHT RIDER'. Another minimalist vision of indie fused with hip-hop tropes that extends Joji's dominant influence on the music of today

Review: The latest volume in Soul Jazz's Boombox series, which focuses on the formative years of hip-hop culture, delivers a notably deep dig into some of the innovative and inspired disco-rap, electro and proto-hip-hop records released by independent labels, mostly based in New York City, between 1979 and 1983. It's a genuinely eye-opening affair that boasts a mixture of little-known debut singles from now legendary acts (Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Funky Four Plus One More), inspired obscurities (see 'Get Live '83', a rare recording by a Chicagoan high school band), bona-fide dancefloor gems (Mike T, Sangria, the electrofunk-rap of Silver Star), and deliciously deep cuts. Throw in Soul Jazz's usual exhaustive, expansive liner notes, and you have another essential collection from the quality compilation specialists.

Review: Youtuber-cum-American Indie sensation Joji became a quick TikTok sensation back in 2018 with his career pivot into music. Bursting onto the charts with 'SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK' Joji has created a space of sad-boy indie pop that resonates with young people around the world. Don't mistake that as a declaration of immaturity; 'Smithereens', his fourth studio album opens up with the critically acclaimed ballad 'Glimpse of Us' that took social media by storm. 'Smithereens' is a gloomy, yet ethereal exploration of Lo-Fi hip-hop instrumentals with Joji's pining vocals - very much the male answer to Billie Eilish in the arena of understated pop. The album is understated, though has it's experimental side on the second half of the project with stuttered vocals on 'YUKON (INTERLUDE)' and a light trap instrumental on 'NIGHT RIDER'. Another minimalist vision of indie fused with hip-hop tropes that extends Joji's dominant influence on the music of today.

Note: This LP version is the EXPLICIT version, a CLEAN pressing is also available to purchase...

Review: The second analog release from the Japanese hip-hop label Warufuzake, 'Coffee' hears the amusingly-named Soy Ayers helm up production and rap duties for a new release on 7" wax. The track is a playful b-boy-breaksy hip-hop cut that regales the story of men seducing the objects of their affections with euphemistic 'coffee'. Exquisitely illustrated and obi-stripped, we can't wait to hear more from this new venture and wisecracking moniker.

Review: Pharoahe Monch's Internal Affairs album has not been available on vinyl since its first original release back in 1999 via Rawkus Records. Now the classic record makes its way back into the wider public domain with superb production from DJ Scratch, Diamond D and The Alchemist ad plenty of timeless bars from Canibus, M.O.P., Busta Rhymes, Common and Talib Kweli. It is a golden era sound with boom-bap drums, socially minded lyrics, a mix of darker soul grooves and low-slung joints that sound as good now as ever, not least the iconic 'Simon Says.' An essential one for any hip-hop head's collection.

Review: This is a new, short and seriously sweet album from Oh No - Madlib's bother - who is famed for being an innovator and mad talented when it comes to the art of sampling as well as rapping and beat making. He has a rich history of exploring a wide world of source material and here it is jazz funk great Roy Ayers in the spotlight. This superb instrumental collection deconstructs the work of iconic vibraphonist and is split into two halves each with its own vibe and all constructed from the early jazz-centric realm. Good Vibes is all about light and vibrant layers beaming in the sun and Bad Vibes is more dark and murky for angrier times.

Review: Zero Fatigue collective's Smino is the most prominent member of the bunch at the minute. The American rapper and singer here comes through with his latest LP, coming to an exciting green vinyl 2xLP - a rare feat for modern-day hip hop. Owing much to Kendrick Lamar, but with a decidedly future-facing autotuned vocal aura that could only come from Smino himself, Luv 4 Rent is a mischievous LP with a message, conveyed wittily through cutesy vocal refrains and videogame beats. Still, a much more sinister, uncanny undertone is put across as much by its breadth of styles as it is by its kooky production.

Review: Soul Jazz Records' Boombox series is back with another crucial installment, this time focussing on the early days of hip-hop, electro and disco rap. These multicultural scenes have their roots in community centres, block parties and street jams that were appearing back in the Bronx. It's another fine and fulsome collection across six sides of vinyl and features some of the many innovative names from between 1979 and 1983. All of them are rare, classic and obscure tracks that come with stunning photography from Sophie Bramly who got rare access to document the early days of this scene in New York.

Review: Somehow Soul Sold Separately is actually the first time that the now well-revered American rapper Freddie Gibbs has released an album on a major label. It has a concept too and finds Gibbs using a smart meta-narrative to make the point that selling one's soul for success in the music industry doesn't happen with a single instantaneous flick of the pen. Musically, there are plenty of tunes with Rick Ross, Anderson Paak and Pusha T, and Gibbs also explores more dark and conspiratorial sounds on tunes like 'Too Much', 'Dark Hearted', and 'CIA'. A fine major label debut.

Review: Hip-hop head and dizzyingly dexterous DJ J Rocca is back with another musical celebration of the exit from office of the worst president in the history of the United States of America. This is the 6th such volume of 'Impeach' and it is a tight woven tapestry and skilful mash-up of no fewer than 14 flips of surely one of the most sampled songs in the history of hip hop. Masterfully mixed together and limited to 500 copies, this is a strong sonic statement that will stand the test of time.