Back catalogue: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: Sax player Stuart Bogie and drummer Joe Russo founded The Bogie Band, a 10-piece ensemble made up of talented musicians who have played with bands including the likes of The Dap Kings, Arcade Fire, The Budos Band and many more. The collaboration is a fine one that is powered by Bogie's big horns and Russo's powerful drum rhythms. This new one, 'The Struggle' is a battle song that addresses the many often opposing forces at play in society. Great solos by Michael Leonhart and Raymond Jay Mason stand out and on the flip is a special remix of 'Arrival' from the Prophets in the City LP.

Review: vBlack Buffalo's beefy reggae offerings are irresistibly tasty and this new Special Love 7" is a limited offering from the upcoming DJ Moves album. For special love he links up with 'Jah'Mila' which mixes classic rhythms with some crisp drums and steely digital dub aesthetics. The vocal brings a fresh approach as it twists and turns in emotive fashion. DJ Move goes solo for the flip side instrumental and works the mixing board hard, with spaced out effects and plenty of headiness. It's a great taster for the album ahead.

Review: Oscar Jerome, Oscar Worldpeace and Franc Moody have got new music coming on the latest Blue Note Re:imagined compilation this year which is already getting us hella excited. Before we hear what is sure to be a contemporary great, we get treated to a couple of singles from it on this tidy 45 rpm. Jerome Oscar & Oscar Worldpeace go first with '(Why You So) Green With Envy' which fuses jazz styles for across the age with Worldpeace's tight and thoughtful bars. On the flip side is Franc Moody with 'Cristo Redentor' which balances jazz's traditional past with its freshest future.

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: 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.

Review: .Three years on from the release of his hugely successful third album, Big Conspiracy, J Hus continues to make all the right moves. Now a genuine superstar of British music, the London MC has aimed even higher on Beautiful & Brutal Yard, enlisting the vocal talents of none other than Drake on 'Who Told You' (a Latin-tinged chunk of r&b slinkiness), as well as an impressive array of fellow MCs and beat-makers across an album that consciously pulls grime in a variety of accessible, radio-friendly directions. Lyrically, there are naturally some hard-hitting moments, but for every reflection on inner-city life and wider social issues there's a dose of loved-up sweetness and weary reflections on relationships. As a result, it's an impressively balanced and impeccably produced collection.