Review: Hip-hop artist Shing02 (Shing Annen) is a longstanding fixture of chill hop, and is notable for his cross-cultural focus, having been born in Japan but growing up in Western cities. With a precise, multilingual emceeing style few of his contemporaries can match, he's also known for his involvement with Nujabes and the soundtrack for Samurai Champloo, we're happy to see he's still hard at it. 'Real With You' is a collaboration with contemporary lo-fi hip-hop/chill-hop artist 14? and is a bright and serene wonker, lyrically dealing in themes of going with the flow, revisiting memories and letting go.
DJ Deviant & Swamburger - "Get On The Floor" (3:33)
DJ Deviant - "Where's The Party" (3:47)
Review: DJ Deviant and Swamburger join forces for a double-sided serving of feel-good hip-hop and r&b on this 7" release. 'Get On The Floor' is a surefire party starter, its infectious beat and catchy hooks practically demanding movement and setting the tone for a night of good times. The track is a vibrant blend of classic hip-hop elements and contemporary production, with DJ Deviant's cuts and scratches adding a layer of turntablist flair. On the flip, 'Where's The Party' sees DJ Deviant flying solo, keeping the energy high with a smooth groove and feelgood vibes that are reminiscent of 90s r&b classics. The ever enduring appeal of hip-hop and r&b in full effect.
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: DJ Ryow aka Smooth Current is a Japanese DJ and producer known for his hip-hop and r&b remixes. 'Re:Strain Of Stairs', as the title suggests, reinterprets the song 'Strain Of Stairs' by Japanese rock band The Pillows on the A-side, bringing a loose-hipped drum workout to the ordeal. On the B, meanwhile, Ryow goes all out on a new original featuring Kim Hill, 'Ain't Even Like Me', a song which first debuted online a least four years ago - it's an impressively-made production in contemporary r&b, with exquisite harmonies from Hill.
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.
Incognito - "Freedom To Love" (Atjazz Astro remix) (5:25)
MRMILKDEE & Jill Rock Jones - "2 Positions" (Sean McCabe Cosmos dub) (5:22)
Harold Matthews Jr & Sean McCabe - "Metronome" (Turbojazz remix) (6:16)
KV5 & Kaidi Tatham - "Shook Up" (5:03)
Review: Reel People Music breaks new ground, in more ways than one, with the launch of fresh compilation series Broken, Deep & Dope. A spin-off from acclaimed compilation brand Soulful, Deep & Dope - introduced back in 2015 - this new series sees the much-loved independent imprint pushing further at the boundaries of soulful music. All with that customary Reel People feeling. Broken, Deep & Dope 2024, the series' first instalment, unleashes 20 superlative examples of the soulful 'bruk' (broken beat), nu beat and nu jazz sound that has so innovatively informed contemporary dancefloors around the world since its inception back in late '90s West London.
Review: This superb remix of Yuji Ohno's soulful gem 'Fairy Night' feat. Sonia Rosa, which is the ending theme for the anime Lupin the Third Part III from 1984, is now released as a 7" single to mark the 40th anniversary of its original release. The 45 rpm features two tracks: Side A showcases DJ Taro's fresh city funk remix, while Side B presents the classic 1984 version by Yuji Ohno. This limited release offers a rare opportunity to enjoy Sonia Rosa's sweet, evocative vocals through both the original and contemporary renditions which are subtly different but both equally excellent.
Review: 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 party-starting floor-heater "Superstitioun". 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 Hip Hop vocals, is a fine re-edit of the Wonderful jam.
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: Somewhere between a sauerkraut connoisseur, an ancient Athenian philosopher, and a crate-digging obsessive (we'll assume this is the threefold meaning of the nominal pun until we're course-corrected) Saukrates returns with a new single 'Driftin'' via Love Touch Records. This new limited 7" is indeed as, perhaps even more so, delicious as a jar of pickled cabbage considered in Socratic dialogue. The Juno-nominated Canadian icon is here heard teaming up with producer Gil Masuda, who provides a neo-eighties synthfunk bomb over which Sauks flaunts his singing chops (this is a surprise delicacy, as Masuda is not often heard since his 2006 Big Black Lincoln project). Bursting pianos glide over huge gated digi-snares on this gem, the featureless version of which also appears on the B-side.
Review: After a year of energizing live performances, Say She She releases their vibrant cover of the Jackson Sisters' classic 'I Believe In Miracles.' With Sergio Rios of Orgone behind the fresh, funky production, this track is irresistibly danceable. On Side-2, 'C'est Si Bon,' is a French discodelia anthem from their acclaimed sophomore LP Silver. It's a bi-lingual, joy-inducing track that compels listeners to dance. This 45 features two crowd-pleasing tracks that promise to ignite any dancefloor. With its infectious energy and stellar production, this record is bound to become a favorite for vinyl enthusiasts and partygoers.
Review: Say She She's latest festive offering becomes even more irresistible with this special opaque dark purple vinyl edition. The A-side reimagines Marvin Gaye's 'Purple Snowflakes,' wrapping cascading piano lines and delicate harmonies in a mood that's equal parts nostalgic and otherworldly. On the B-side, their first original holiday tune, 'This Wintertime,' evokes warmth and intimacy, celebrating the simple joy of togetherness. Pressed on this stunning coloured vinyl, the release pairs perfectly with its timeless sound, offering collectors and fans alike something truly special for the season.
Review: Say She She bring soulful magic to the holidays with two tracks that effortlessly combine tradition and originality. Their cover of Marvin Gaye's 'Purple Snowflakes' brims with soft, tumbling melodies and an understated psychedelic charm, while 'This Wintertime' radiates with the heartfelt warmth of their first original Christmas tune. Lush harmonies and thoughtful arrangements define both tracks, reminding us of music's power to connect and uplift. This festive 7" single captures the spirit of the season in Say She She's signature style.
Jim Spencer - "Wrap Myself Up In Your Love" (4:03)
Review: Brooklyn-based psychedelic soul group Say She She have exploded onto the scene since their debut in 2019. Receiving critical acclaim for their two albums to date, and multiple TV performances, the Nile Rodgers-inspired female trio even got a video message of approval from the legend himself. Organic and authentic are two words that fit the classically trained troupe to a tea and, in the great soul tradition, covers are a necessity. Jim Spencer's 1979 track 'Wrap Myself Up in Your Love' didn't get much attention at the time - his attempt at doing disco wasn't well received - but thanks to the adoration of archive label The Numero Group, the song has seen a resurgence in covers and fans. The original vocal is expressive and powerful against some jangly funk guitars, whilst Say She She's rendition hones in on the sultry aspect of the track. Guitars are muted down to transform the song into a lovemaking slow jam, wind passages are introduced and the vocal is subtly powerful and sexy. This single has both Say She She's cover - as well as the original - on a 7" disc.
Jim Spencer - "Wrap Myself Up In Your Love" (4:04)
Review: Say She She is the psychedelic soul group from Brooklyn that's exploded onto the scene since their debut in 2019. Receiving critical acclaim for their two albums to date, and the pleasure of touring Europe and North America, the Nile Rodgers-inspired female trio even got a video message of approval from the legend himself. Authentic and organic are two words that fit the classically trained troupe to a tea and, in the great soul tradition, covers are a necessity. Jim Spencer's 1979 attempt at foraying into disco 'Wrap Myself Up in Your Love' wasn't received amazingly at the time, but thanks to the adoration of archive label The Numero Group, the song has seen a resurgence in covers and fans. The original vocal is zany and expressive against some jangly funk guitars, whilst Say She She's rendition hones in on the sultry aspect of the track. Guitars are muted down to transform the song into a lovemaking slow jam, wind passages are introduced and the vocal is subtly powerful and sexy. This 7" contains both Spencer's original track and the interpretation by the trio, pressed on white 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: 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: Japanese producer Shinsuke Taoka is part of a long-standing Japanese tradition of flipping hip-hop, jazz and soul songs, giving them a completely new lens to analyse them under. Under Shin-Ski, the first track under attack is an unidentified Hip-hop sample of Bill Withers 'Lovely Day' (famously sampled for the soundtrack of The Bodyguard by S.O.U.L.S.Y.S.T.E.M.) for 'We'. Shin-ski takes a Caribbean rap version, injecting it with jazz elements alongside the hot flow from the MC. Track 2 'Her' is a complete transformation of Common's 'I Used to love H.E.R.', an abstract hip-hop titan on its own, now with some gentle keys and a subtle drumline that gives the track a sense of intimacy. Fantastic find here, super limited for a one-off pressing so pick up this 7" whilst you still can.
Review: The second Shuggy Edits 7" to hit the shelves in 2024, and the fifth overall, this esteemed edits series by the otherwise mysterious Shuggy nonetheless makes for one of the most in-demand around. This time we've two further funk and soul come bombastic hip-hop edits to contend with: first up is a version of Baby Huey's 'Hard Times', a tromboning 1971 strut by the American singer whose sole LP for Curtom Records was instrumental in the development of hip-hop; Shuggy lends the a harder, steeple-high, needlepoint edit-edge. This is further teased out on the B-side, whose 'Harder Times' hears a phat breakbeat and brass bass parp further teased out to frighteningly formidable effect.
Review: Shuggy's It's A Soul Thing featuring Alvin Worthy offers a captivating blend of soul and urban vibes. The vocal mix on Side-1 exudes catchiness and hipness, with smooth vocals delivered over a backdrop of sleek instrumentation. The track boasts a great horn section that adds depth and texture, contributing to its overall urban feel. On Side-2, the instrumental version showcases the band's excellent playability, with a groovy arrangement that allows the instrumentation to shine. Overall, 'It's A Soul Thing' is a standout offering from Shuggy, blending soulful vocals with tight musicality to create a track that is both infectious, enjoyable and a lot of fun.
Review: Paul Sitter and Tony Lavrutz's collaboration on Eu e Meu Amor plays like a breezy stroll through sun-drenched sounds and smooth rhythms. Their work here pulls effortlessly from bossa nova and tropicalia, but without leaning too heavily on nostalgia. The production is tight and warm, with layered guitars and whispered vocals that could easily soundtrack a lazy afternoon. It's not overly flashy, but it doesn't need to be; the charm is in the simplicity, the way the melodies unfold and gently stick with you long after the record ends.
Review: The Jalepeno label is a famously fiery funk outlet that serves up more of that dance floor heat here. It comes from Skeewiff's One Sample Short Of A Lawsuit EP back in 2000 and gets pressed to its own tidy 7" here. As the title of that EP suggests, this is music that mashes up the past with a serious of sizzling samples over driving rhythms. 'Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya' is real horn led b-boy stuff with crashing breaks, and on the flip is 'Man Of Constant Sorrow' with its nagging and iconic vocals over a more country-fried funk beat.
Review: An impressively retro-feeling "breaksoul" choice from London label Digga Please?, once again delivering on their promise to bring the finest in funk, soul, disco, rap, b-boy breaks and "all that good shit". First released in 2004 on the iconic Freestyle Records, 'Get It On' is a bona fide cut & paste classic, its break-do backbeat and slippery funk vamps harking a filtered Rhodes line; here an obscure r&b libretto sings demonstratively, warning us of an incumbent detailing of her preferred mode of frisking: "this is how we like to get it on!" The record then segues into a timeless Gil-Scott Heron sample and breaks-tastic track slathered in sax, attesting to a so-called coolness that can be tapped by anyone willing to ease into it: "hipness is not a state of mind, it's a fact of life".
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: Smoove AKA Jonathan Scott Watson brings us Bizarre Cut 'N' Paste Ride for the most recent Wack Records release. The producer is known for using his cut up style of east coast flavor. On the A-side, 'Bizarre Cut 'N' Paste Ride' uses Pharcyde tracks and edits them seamlessly like a DJ would. Focusing in on the original instrumentals, he creates a jazzy sound with them. 'Summer Cyde' expands upon this theme while using the all-time classic 'Passin Me By' in the mix. This is like having a dub plate of Pharcyde cuts to your own personal bag. Sounds like these will never get old.
Review: Jonathan Watson aka Smoove sees his version of "one of the greatest posse cuts of all time" - or so say reissuers Wack Records - re-pressed for the masses to hear. One half of the British funk and hip-hop edits duo Smoove & Turrell, the former of the two made, but never released, this wicked remix of Heavy D & The Boyz's 'Don't Curse' sometime in the late 2000s. Now released as though it were an official posse cut, it comes backed by a flip of Kool G's 'Rich & Famous', equally bouncy and decadent as they come.
Review: Smoove works his magic once again on Multitrack Reworks Volume 7, delivering standout edits of classic tracks. The Temptations' 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone' gets a refreshing update with crisp drums, rich vocal harmonies, and majestic orchestral breakdowns. On the flip side, Rufus Thomas' 'Do the Funky Penguin' shines with exposed drums and extended guitar riffs, adding new layers of groove. As an extra treat, Smoove presents his extended version of The Magic Disco Machine's 'Scratchin',' revealing a seriously funky bass line and pounding drums. With regular support from Craig Charles on BBC6 Music, this release is hailed as Smoove's best Multitrack Rework yet, offering a fresh take on timeless classics.
Review: Smoove returns with his label Wack Records and delivers two killer cuts straight from the heart of Motown. Utilizing original multitrakcs from the home of Rick James and The Supremes, Smoove gets his swirv on and delivers two uptempo hip-hop bangers, curveball-tinged with the instrumental backings of Motown. On the A, 'Empty World', we hear an attention-grabbing Nas mashup ('Life's A Bitch'), while the aforementioned artists are equally as well fused on the much more positive B-side.
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: Sndtrak has been doing some audacious cut ups over the years, and his flips: Triple Lindy LP made that abundantly clear when it landed earlier this year. It was a lot to digest, so he's opted to pick six of the hottest joints and squeeze them onto this razor-sharp 7". No source material is too classic to be chopped and mutated with his seriously funky touch, whether it's Queen, Rick James or Tom Tom Club getting the treatment. Taking iconic grooves and giving them a sloppy shuffle, he ekes out some utterly insane grooves from these perennial hits and makes them sound like you've never heard before. If you want to please the crowd and bust their minds open in the same beat, this is your weapon of choice.
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: Solene and J. Rawls team up for a delicious pair of pelagic, coolant nu-soul and house nocturnes, crossing the sparse but oceanic space between genres. On 'Love Moon', the producer and singer respectively cover such intense themes as late-night reflectivity and good company: "nothing glam, it's just you and me..." Solene intones this sombrely, as the last syllable is heard to trail off into a surfactant mist. Meanwhile, 'Can't Catch Me In Love' raises the emotive drawbridge once more, hoisting supporting pillars of kick drum and serene pan flute, as flirtatious gingerbread taunts are heard in the chorus, not to mention musings on past relationship blunders.
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: Producer Soul Supreme is back with another 7" record, delivering two new phat'uns to that subsection of fans who prefer things on the wonkier side. Following earlier, acclaimed tributes the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, J Dilla and Mos Def, the new 'Dues and Don'ts' b/w 'Fraud Fades' 45 features two, all-original jazz-funk groovers by the Amsterdam-based keyboardist and producer. The former track burns slowly, carefully building up around a harpsichord improv, Herbie Hancock style, coming heavy-set by a thick and booming drum backing that soon enough late-blossoms into a cinematic, stringed soaring-on-high. The latter track pays complementary homage to the funk drum breaks of yore, with the central drum line around which the track is built echoing Serge Gainsbourg or Clyde Stubblefield, albeit making conspicuous its own electronically sequenced, not entirely live-performed, feel.
Taking The Stand (feat Damu The Fudgemunk - Thes One remix) (3:33)
Taking The Stand (4:08)
Review: Alongside the wicked new 7" 'Dues And Don'ts / Fraud Fades', Amsterdam producer Soul Supreme simultaneously drops another 45 - of no less import - this time enlisting the fiduciary flows of American producer and emcee Thes One. 'Taking The Stand' includes both the original vocal number and the instrumental on the flip side, with Thes One musing on life's (in)justices, trials and negotiations as Supreme the wunderkind himself segues through wildcard turntable scratches, knocky drum hits and blue-note piano hits.
Review: Southpaw Chop, a true hip-hop DJ and producer who remains dedicated to the vinyl craft, delivers a standout release with The Canyon/Fantastic Voyage. Known for his work with legends like Large Professor, A.G., Kool G Rap, and Craig G, Southpaw Chop continues to impress with his impeccable production skills. Side-1 opens with 'The Canyon,' where smooth rap lyrics glide over a classy, deep groove that sets it apart from the standard hip-hop fare. 'Fantastic Voyage' follows with a cool, old-school rap flow, making it perfect for anyone seeking unique and timeless hip-hop vibes. Side-2 offers instrumental versions of both tracks, allowing listeners to fully appreciate the rich, intricate grooves that Southpaw Chop meticulously crafts. This release is perfect for those who value authenticity in hip-hop and want to experience the genre in its purest, most refined form.
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: 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.
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