Review: Elusive former Odd Future wordsmith Earl Sweatshirt celebrated the ten year anniversary of his seminal 2013 major label debut Doris back in August to a sold out crowd down the road from our offices in KOKO. Directly after the show had finished, the mass would march down to the Jazz Cafe for an exclusive club night where teasers were unveiled of the long-gestating collaborative album with esteemed, multi-generational hip-hop producer The Alchemist. Already streaming while vinyl currently sits on the presses, Voir Dire offers a reliably hazy, laid back yet subtly esoteric collection of forward thinking, muted bangers; breathing with the same sonic ambivalence of a project such as Madvillainy, while the mainstay features from Sweatshirt alumni MIKE and Vince Staples aid in grounding the work within the ever-expanding tapestry of Earl's output.
Review: Once known as the technical wunderkind of alt hip-hop collective Odd Future, the ascension of Earl Sweatshirt to incomparable outlier status as a wordsmith very much in his own lane, has been a muted spectacle to behold. Celebrating the tenth birthday of Doris (his acclaimed major label debut released in 2013) earlier this year in front of a sold out KOKO just a stone's throw (no pun intended) from our offices, the anniversary show was immediately followed by a mass exodus down to Camden's Jazz Cafe where a limited club experience teased material from the much-pondered collaborative project with legendary producer and long-time Earl affiliate The Alchemist. Currently available to stream while vinyl continues to be pressed, Voir Dire exudes a lackadaisical, dare we say positive demeanour across its brief half-hour runtime, with Earl unpacking his fading twenties, preparing for his encroaching thirties and delving into the shift in perspective that comes with fatherhood. Brimming with both artist's trademark flourishes of drugged out, apathetic delivery and chopped, screwed and warped jazz and soul samples, the subtle coalescing of styles results in a work that's equal parts enlightening yet understated, while long-time collaborators/friends Vince Staples and MIKE both offer standout appearances.
Review: Crooked Man aka the legendary DJ Parrot is also Earth Angel and here he is back with a second project on Foundation Music following the release of two singles with the renowned new jazz singer Lady Blackbird. Here he goes back to his roots in Sheffield in the 1980s when Black music forms were fast emerging on the scene and having a huge influence on the fledgling electronic movement. The music in this record taps into that with sounds that mix up street soul, boogie, heavy bass and some great songwriting from Crooked Man with originals, versions and expansive dubs all featuring.
La Mujer Serpiente (with Lido Pimienta & Oliwa - album version) (3:55)
Quiero Que Mami (with Verito Asprilla) (4:25)
Limones (with Oliwa, Numu & Semblanzas Del Rio Guapi) (5:46)
Dei Dream II (3:43)
Selam (with Etsegenet Mekonnen - dub) (3:17)
Salta La Cuerda (with Huaira) (4:18)
Song Of The Wind (2:07)
Selam (with Etsegenet Mekonnen) (4:02)
Waves (2:27)
Review: Earthtones land on Wonderwheel here with their first full-length album. The title encapsulates a message of unity and hope for humanity and aims to emphasise our interconnectedness and the universal bond of love. Rooted in Folkloric Futurism, Earthtones merges global folk traditions with modern technology inspired by pioneers like Mr. Fingers and Kevin Saunderson. Analog synthesisers, vintage drum machines, and folk vocals create a truly unique sound that celebrates the past and the future, spirituality, feminism, and peace. Highlights include '??sanyin' featuring Maikel Alberto Salazar and 'La Mujer Serpiente' with Lido Pimienta.
Review: Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer edbl aka Ed Black's new album 2010 Mixtape is another wonderful journey through an array of hip-hop styles, great songwriting and standout production skills. Following his edbl and friends series, this project highlights his love for hip-hop and features a host of UK artists from the alternative r&b and soul scenes. With mellow grooves, jazzy chords and vibey keys, 2010 Mixtape pays tribute to the great influence those styles have had on edbl's own sound. Named after the year he discovered hip-hop, the album features tons of highlights such as collaborations including Guvna B on 'Symbols,' Manik MC on 'Arcades' and KinKai on 'Too Much Shit To Do', all of which bring with soul.
(Baby Can We) Lift This Up? (feat Hemi Moore) (3:57)
Table For Two (feat Tilly Valentine & Bran Mazz) (3:12)
The Way Things Were (feat Isaac Waddington) (3:38)
Breakfast In Bed (feat Joe Bae) (2:27)
Review: edbl is a dynamic producer based in South London who is synonymous with a mellow, soulful sound and collaborations with over 60 different artists. His acclaimed work South London Sounds played a pivotal role in establishing his popularity in Japan and Asia not least his signature track 'The Way Things Were' featuring Isaac Waddington. This all new long player compiles carefully selected songs that take in some superbly smooth and soulful tracks. Highlights include the jazzy flute-infused 'I'll Wait' and the beautifully vocal-driven 'Table For Two,' which sure do solidify edbl's status at the forefront of the global music scene.
Review: This album emerged as a live show experience only back in 2022 but now finally it arrives on vinyl. It's a cracking coming together of legendary Boston MC, Edo. G and New York City MC and producer Fokis and it draws on the classic era of boom bap but brings it right up to date. Importantly, the mic work is right on point - it is packed with thought-provoking lyrics that take in a wide array of subjects such as social justice, private struggles, inequality and more. Add in crips drums and smooth samples and you have a real doozy that has been rather slept on if you ask us.
Review: Egyptian Lover has been kicking out the jams now for a full four decades. His famously hardware-driven sound is pure bay-popping perfection and has seen him define and redefine electro many times over. Staying true to his signature 80s west-coast electro sound, his new album 1987 echos classics of his like 'Egypt, Egypt' and Thebes of them all, 'I Need a Freak', by blending signature Roland 808 beats with Kraftwerk and hip-hop influences. He's a veteran at this stage, but he still moves a floor like few others can.
Review: .El Michels Affair is nothing if not prolific. Fortunately, the band leader, composer and musician is also hella talented. This is one of his most famous and iconic albums in a discography that is full of them, not least because of course it tackles some of the most iconic source material in hip-hop, namely Wu-Tang Clan's seminal Enter The 37th Chamber. He flips it into an instrumental tribute to the world of the great band and no matter what format it appears in, it plays sells out. Cop this latest reissue now and sink into its lush orchestration, sweeping grandeur and elegant grooves.
Review: Cinematic soul maestro El Michels Affair unleashes his latest collaboration with Roots co-founder and lyricist Black Thought, bowling full speed ahead into the next phase of his career. Glorious Game is an album-length ode to "the game", an ephemeral concept loosely denoting the group practice of ladder-climbing in hip-hop; the divine hustle; life itself. Through bright soul-tinged electronic beats, instrumental contributions from session artists, and introspective lyrics, the pair once more prove themselves able to convey a complex sonic world.
Review: The instrumental version of the underground classic Glorious Game is a collaboration between El Michels Affair and Black Thought which showcases Leon Michels' signature "cinematic soul" sound in all its considerable glory. Since the release of Sounding Out The City in 2005, Michels has consistently pushed musical boundaries and has produced for many top names. In Glorious Game, he merges soul-tinged, bottom-heavy beats with Black Thought's deeply personal lyrics and, inspired by hip-hop's sample-based production, crafts new compositions that sample and reinterpret his own work to create dynamic, loop-driven instrumentals. The album is released on Big Crown Records which marks a debut partnership which will be interesting to follow.
Review: 'Glorious Game' is the latest addition to the LP pile by hip-hop / soul artist El Michels Affair, wh has teamed up with The Roots' Black Thought here for a comprehensive meditation on the state of the hip-hop scene in the early 2020s. Coming to a variety of formats, this version of the LP is a standard vinyl version; also check out the limited edition 'sky high coloured' version featured on our site.
Review: Elmiene's latest offering presents a smooth, immersive listen, blending soulful electronics with subtle, emotive melodies. Opening with the tender 'TLC,' the release quickly establishes its intimate mood, which is carried through tracks like the lush 'Light Work.' 'Crystal Tears' shifts to a more ambient space, while 'Ode To Win' builds a contemplative, understated momentum. The release really comes alive on the second side with 'Sweetness' and 'Until It's Dust,' where the production deepens into something atmospheric and hypnotic. 'Dark Out (Season of Thieves)' adds a touch of brooding intensity, and 'Anyways' closes on a contemplative note.
Bad Guys Always Die (From The Wild Wild West Soundtrack) (4:34)
Guilty Conscience (radio version) (3:23)
Guilty Conscience (instrumental) (3:22)
Guilty Conscience (A Cappella - edited) (3:17)
My Name Is (instrumental) (4:33)
Just Don't Give A Fuck (A Cappella) (3:32)
Just Don't Give A Fuck (instrumental) (4:11)
Review: Wow, 20 years has gone by since Eminem changed the game with his "Slim Shady" LP. To mark the occasion, this anniversary edition is freshly expanded with 10 bonus tracks that include rarities, a cappella versions, freestyles and instrumentals. It was the iconic rapper's major debut that didn't dampen down his raw spirit and attitude. Anthems like "My Name Is" still bang, "97' Bonnie & Clyde" finds him at his vengeful and most bile-filled best and just about everything else confirms his reputation as one of the most pointed and dangerous lyricists in the game.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.