Back catalogue: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: As a powerhouse for new hip-hop, Washington D.C. still stands strong, and it centres on two masterminds known as Raw Poetic and Damu The Fudgemunk. Here the artists present the limited LP version of their latest album, 'Laminated Skies', self-described as a 9 track meander through blossoming feel-good funk, hip hop, chamber music and pop. Fans of Chance The Rapper or

Review: A sonic space opera for hip-hop, jazz and electronica, Raw Poetic's 'Space Beyond The Solar System' is a huge project, conveying the grandiosity - and potential unendingness - of the cosmos' outer reaches. Charting collaborations between Raw and his friends Damu The Fudgemunk and legendary sax player Archie Shepp, this is a playful LP that eschews narrative for pure punk creativity, nihilistically shouting 'sike!' at our assumption that this might be a concept album in favour of skit-heavy freakouts and cloudy movers.

Review: Freddie Cruger was once best known as 3 Foot People but since 2007 he has done great work as Red Astaire. He is a deep digging DJ with a penuche for neo soul, downtempo, hip hop and soul drenched late night beats that ooze lush vibes. His Nuggets For The Needy series is always a treasure trove of such sounds and the third volume is one of the best yet across two slabs of vital wax. The 12 red hot cuts are influenced by classic reggae, hip hop, R&B, downtempo and dub with standouts like the out of print 'Ghetto Hell' and an unheard version of his classic 'Follow Me.'

Review: The legendary Red Astaire aka Freddie Cruger has long been dropping red hot beats. His Biggest for the Needy series is well loved by beat freaks and now he serves up a whole double album of crucial instrumentals on his home label House of Godis. These tunes are infused with the sounds and styles that have defined Red's whole career such as 80s break dancing vibes, boogie and plenty of rap, electro and disco. It's sure to get those rumps wiggling whether digested as a whole album or used by DJs in the club.

Review: Some 30 years have now passed since Warp Records decided to repackage and reissue Red Snapper's first three EPs on one handy collection, the efflortlessly excellent Reeled & Skinned. Effectively the duo's introduction to a wider audience, it did a great job in showcasing their trademark sound - an enticing blend of loose-limbed live drums, double bass, intoxicating electronics and snaking sax sounds. As this anniversary vinyl reissue proves, it's a musical blend that still sounds fresh all these years on. The plentiful highlights include moody theme 'Snapper' (featuring Beth Orton), lightly Latin-tinged punk-funk workout 'Swank', the riotous and aggressive 'Wesley Don't Surf' and Sabres of Paradise's incredible rework of 'Hot Flush' - a jazzy, breakbeat-driven slab of dancefloor deepness that ranks among Andrew Weatherall and company's finest remixes.

Review: Red Snapper return with Barb And Feather, celebrating 30 years since their debut album. Liquidising the band's signature jazz, funk, and electronic grooves into a prostrate puree of vivid, electronically augmentable sound, we once again hear Rich Thair, Ali Friend, Tom Challenger and new addition Tara Cunningham perform a brilliant post-punk-dub-disco dramaturge, mullioned at the midpoint by a cracking instrumental redo of David Bowie's 'Sound And Vision', upheld by a true Balearic trestle. The second half, on the other hand, hears a four-track collaboration with the legendary David Harrow, pushing Red Snapper ever further towards unsnapped chunks of dietetic punk-disco delight.

Review: American great Redman is about as decorated as hip-hop wordsmiths come and that legacy was assured almost from the moment he sealed his debut album, Whut? Thee Album in September 1992. It mixes up East Coast, hardcore and psychedelic rap styles with production taken care of by Pete Rock, Parrish Smith and Erick sermon. Now considered a classic and one of Redman's best albums, it features plenty of humorous lyrics and funky production with booming drums undermining each of the cuts. Vocally, Reedman does it all from lover to fighter and back again. It all makes for a party record with a difference.

Review: Ree-Vo is a powerhouse duo consisting of T. Relly and Andy Spaceland who have carried on the Brsotil trip hop legacy many ears after The Wild Bunch. All Welcome On Planet Ree Vo/Dial R For Ree-Vo is a new eight-track record of fine originals that also features remixes by The Bug, Dalek (Will Brooks), Surgeon and Rob Smith. These are glitchy sounds with paranoid modern production, fixing synths and hefty bass dollops beneath most cuts as well as observational bars and plenty of edgy energy.

Review: A gold vinyl version of PeteStrumentals 2, the long-awaited sequel to his 2001 instrumental debut that was originally released in 2015. Known for his iconic 90s golden age contributions, Pete Rock's craft remains impeccable, even if his mainstream presence has waned slightly and whether working with lesser-known MCs or big names, his beats consistently shine. Great instrumental hip-hop albums often feel like immersive journeys, and PeteStrumentals 2 achieves this with its distinctive horn loops and lush keyboards. The drums, central to Pete's sound, still hit with precision. Tracks like 'Heaven & Earth' begin with experimental textures before settling into a solid groove, showcasing his blend of melodic finesse and rhythmic strength. Pete Rock's evolution as an elder statesman in hip-hop is evident, with tracks paying homage to influences like J Dilla while staking his own claim. The album's atmosphere mixes nostalgia with contemporary beatmaking techniques, featuring samples from David Axelrod, Isaac Hayes and Black Heat, generally reaffirming Pete Rock's status as an enduring hip-hop production great.

Review: Roots Manuva's Run Come Save Me is a quintessential British rap record, showcasing a unique fusion of hip-hop with West Indian influences. Released in 2004, the album - his second - stands out for its inventive production and socially conscious lyrics. Roots Manuva's distinctive flow, reminiscent of DV Alias Khryst and Shabba Ranks, combines with beats that draw from garage, dub and electronica, creating a distinctive sound. Tracks like 'Bashment Boogie' and 'Witness (One Hope)' feature gritty basslines and pulsating rhythms, while 'Ital' offers a classic cipher vibe with compelling social commentary. The album's highlights include 'Sinny Sin Sins,' where Roots critiques religious dogma with incisive lyrics, and 'Dreamy Days,' which contrasts materialism with natural pleasures. His British perspective enriches the album, adding a unique cultural dimension. While some tracks like 'Trim Body' explore avant-garde territory, the overall effect is a powerful, fresh take on hip-hop. Run Come Save Me remains a significant and genre-defining work.

Review: Rodney Smith, aka Roots Manuva, is a titan of Black British music, renowned for his genre-blending production that fuses hip-hop with reggae, dub, and electronic influences. His groundbreaking debut, Brand New Second Hand (1999), marked his entrance into the UK music scene with its introspective lyrics and avant-garde beats, establishing him as a seminal figure. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Brand New Second Hand, a special 2LP edition on smoky vinyl will be released, featuring bonus tracks and a portrait print of Roots Manuva. Despite the acclaim for Run Come Save Me (2001), his debut remains crucial, offering potent dub poetry over beats reminiscent of DJ Shadow's style mixed with Linton Kwesi Johnson. The album stands as one of the first great UK hip-hop records, with a unique sound that continues to influence and define the genre.

Review: Sometime sis feels like The Roots is one of the most underrated yet important groups in hip hop. Musically and lyrically they were always cut from a different cloth. Do You Want More?!!!?! was their second full length and it landed in January 1995 on DGC Records, It was their first outing on a major after the success of their debut and is often talked about as a classic of the genre. This newly remastered trifold, triple vinyl repress has been remastered from the original tapes. It comes with bonus tracks curated by Questlove, plus rare photos, essays by Questlove and Black Thought, and even a track-by-track commentary.

Review: Hip-hop supergroup Run The Jewels aka Brooklyn-based rapper-producer El-P and Atlanta-based rapper Killer Mike return with their fourth in their self titled album series. Once again the American heavyweights call on a big roster of collaborators with DJ Premier, 2-Chainz, Pharrell Williams and Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme all appearing. The tracks remain hard-edged and direct, with cacophonous synths and oversized hits making each track an attention grab. The rhymes are of course on point throughout, with standouts including the machine gun bars of 'Walking The Shadow.'

Review: Adrian Younge and A Tribe Called Quest man Ali Shaheed Muhammad's recently released "Jazz Is Dead" album had the feel of a landmark set: a collection of inspired, all-star workouts that combined live, hip-hop style beats with the effervescent musicality of soundtrack jazz, soul, jazz-funk and Latin jazz. This speedy sequel flips the script, stripping back the guest list to a single guest collaborator: jazz-funk and fusion legend Roy Ayers. From start to finish, the set bristles with sweet female group vocals, mazy Vibraphone solos, ultra-warm electric piano, hybrid hip-hop/jazz-funk beats, and Ayers' effortless musical positivity. While nowhere near as eclectic as its predecessor, "Jazz Is 2" is arguably an even more coherent and enjoyable album - and that's saying something.