Hip Hop / R&B Recommendations September 2012

Review: Manchester MC Delroy "DRS" Pottinger has been an integral part of the D&B scene since its nascent birth in the 1990s, where he frequently appeared alongside the likes of Blame and LTJ Bukem at Good Lookin' Records events. Here he finally graduates to the big time with an album of his own, naturally on fellow Manc Marcus Intallex's similarly forward-looking Soul:R imprint. With a cast list of big-name producers in tow - Intallex, naturally, but also dBridge, SPY and Calibre - Pottinger showcases his Manc drawl and slick rhymes over tracks that veer from soulful D&B bangers (see "Holding On") and rough wobblers ("Playing With Fire") to deep and groovy hip-hop cuts ("It Aint Easy") and even modern soul ("Habitual").

Review: When veteran hip-hop stoners Cypress Hill announced that they'd been working with British dubstep wobbler Rusko, more than a few eyebrows were raised, yet given the way that hip-hop and dubstep have become comfortable bedfellows in recent times, it actually makes perfect sense. Certainly, Cypress Hill x Rusko should help the 90s rappers find a new audience. There's an on-point, floor-friendly vibe throughout, with B-Real and Sen Dog's in-your-face nasal delivery complimenting Rusko's chest-puffed production style. There's the odd out of place effort- see the autotune-happy Damian Marley collaboration "Can't Keep Me Down" - but plenty of future anthems, not least the dirty "Shots Go Down".

Review: Exceedingly rare and sought after export business right here. Japanese crate digger and beat shredder Muro is known for unearthing the most obscure samples and loops and recreating a narrative that you usually only hear in horror films or nightmares. 1999's horn-tickling "Jam" is no exception and will find favour amongst Dilla and Flying Lotus fans alike. J Rocc's edit is even crazier as it ups the tempo and adds a whole load of glitches along the way. Vibrant but viscous.