New releases last eight weeks: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: After the success of Lextended, the mysterious Lex Wolf is back with a second volume of sweet edits of classic dance tracks. Highlights include the clean edit of Smokin' Gang's hip-house classic 'Just Rock', a Latin house remix of the classic 'Conceicao' and a huge mix of the legendary banger 'House Music' at Eddie Amador. All these edits succeed in focusing in on the grooves while keeping the soul and energy of the original. True and proper edits, primed to reign on the dancefloor.

Review: The good work of the small but already mighty Boom Bap Classics label continues here as it introduces another iconic pair of 90s gem that are now available on 45 rom for the first time ever. And those gems are Mad Kap's 'Dopest Verse' and 'Da Whole Kit & Kaboodle' which are both taken from his 1992 debut album which itself remains a timeless classic. The A-side is a lovely one with several MCs at work at once next to some mad scratching, and the flip is more raw and funky. Limited to just 300 copies, this release is a must-have for collectors and fans old and new alike.

Review: Yuki Kanesaka returns with a delicious uptempo remix-cover of Herbie Hancock's thoroughgoing jazz patent, 'Watermelon Man'. In respectful contrast to Hancock's original piece, Kanesaka deploys a to-the-letter rendition of the original's opening Hindewhu whistle hoot - also heard on the mashup B-side - and keeps up Hancock's intended 'mathematical balance' with a nonetheless meatier, dance-ready EQ balance. Legend has it that this was Hancock's first ever song to be composed with commercial success in mind; we're not surprised at its continued proliferation, appreciation and reproduction across the globe - and now in Japan, no less.

Review: Dal Platinum is back once again like a reneged master. His last outings on the fantastic Breakbeat Paradise Recordings came in the form of a remix and a huge Powerhour free download and now he comes correct on a new 7". He kicks off by bringing some crashing breakbeats and funky drumming to a hip-hop classic on 'Breath & Strut', while the melodies are full of soul. On the reverse is a much sunnier sound - 'Peace Dust' is driven by a big bassline with some nice organ stabs and a fiery vocal leading the vibes up top.

Review: More gold from the always in the know and on point 5 Boroughs label. Again here it digs into the vast annals of hip-hop history to come up with some still relevant gems in the form of Rakim and DJ Premier's staple 'It's Been a Long Time.' It is a classic boom-bap joint with lush strings and horns, some old-school scratching and cool bars. As walls, the label serves it up alongside the original sample source on the flip which is Cecil Holmes's languid soul slow burner 'Call Me, Come Back Home'. These plays shift in quick time so do not snooze if you want a slice.

Review: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth are a big part of the history in hip-hop during the early 90s. Hailing from Mount Vernon, New York they released two classic albums and a handful of singles to great success. A regular selection on the very influential MTV Yo-Raps show they quickly gained notoriety for Pete Rock's use of obscure soul and jazz records. Here we have the reissue of the 2017 release that brings their most popular track to the masses once again. 'They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)' blew them up big and was their highest charting record. This 7" features the Altered Tapes remix along with the instrumental on the second side. You would be hard pressed to find another track that is the epitome of the New York hip-hop sound in 1992 then this mega-hit.

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: 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: 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: Fans of UK street soul from the mid-80s you need this one in your life as Heels & Souls Recordings returns with its eighth reissue and unveils some treasures by Elaine Vassell and 3rd Zone. In 1993, amidst the rise of house music, UK soul thrived, accompanied by its DIY street soul sibling as perfectly exemplified here by 'Never Give Up' which boasts a raw, breakbeat-driven groove, blending soulful house, hip-hop, and r&b, while 3rd Zone's 'You Stole My Heart' from 1991, later featured on their 1993 EP No Real Reason, offers a tender yet tough underground vibe. Both tracks showcase the era's spirit, proving that creativity trumps big budgets. Each side includes an alternate version for added depth and diversity.

Review: Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, the mysterious steel pan outfit from Hamburg, have amassed a cult following around the globe. With a slew of classic 7"s and three critically acclaimed full length albums, they set a high bar for themselves, one which they clearly intend on pushing to even higher heights with this new offering. On their fourth album BRSB, Bacao return with more of the same, but more of the same with them is of course inherently different. Covering songs that span genres, and range from mega-hits to underground album cuts, they make them their own with their unique approach to the traditional steel pans of Trinidad and Tobago. While part of the allure of a new Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band album is finding out what covers they choose, it is equally intriguing to see what original tunes they've cooked up alongside these, and this record is foul of standout originals. from 'In The Crosshairs' to 'Grilled' to 'Treasure Quest'.

Review: This is one of those albums that is for the real heads - a deep, dark, moody mix of new soul and hip-hop from the great vocalist you might well have recognised from Roni Size/Reprazent's seminal New Forms album. Released in 1996, it showcases Bahamadia's distinctive flow and insightful lyricism with tracks like 'Uknowhowwedu' and '3 the Hard Way' effortlessly navigating intricate beats and soulful samples to deliver messages of empowerment and introspection. As such the LP embodies the essence of 90s hip-hop in the way it blends jazz-infused production with Bahamadia's smooth delivery. As a pioneer for female MCs, Bahamadia's influence should reverberate through generations.

Review: Maya Blandy's latest single, Lemons, is a vibrant and infectious track that seamlessly blends upbeat urban funk with an acid jazz sound, resulting in a potential pop hit. The song takes a spin on the classic adage about making the best out of life's challenges, presenting it with a fresh and edgy perspective. With its catchy hooks, groovy rhythm, and Maya Blandy's convincing vocals, Lemons is destined to be an instant hit once heard.
The Side-2 is equally as good with 'BIB (Bitch In Black).' This song oozes with soulful vibes, showcasing Maya's mesmerizing vocals against an urban beat backdrop. The addition of a horn section adds depth and richness to the track, elevating its sonic experience.

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: Slum Village's brilliant Fantastic Volume II: Instrumentals is a direct trip into the heart of Detroit's underground hip-hop scene. Originally released in 2000, this instrumental version of their acclaimed album strips away the vocals, allowing the soulful beats to shine in their purest form. Produced by the legendary J Dilla alongside contributions from Baatin and T3, the album's production is a masterclass in sample-based hip-hop, blending jazz, soul and funk influences with innovative drum programming. Each track is a sonic tapestry, filled with lush melodies, gritty textures, and hypnotic rhythms that showcase Slum Village's pioneering sound and Dilla's unparalleled production prowess.

Review: This Is DJ's Choice, Vol. 4 is another showcase of diverse funk sounds from various artists that blend genres and styles into something packed with potency. The whole thing is well programmed so that is plays out like a set, too, with everything from soulful melodies to infectious beats. The album spans funk, jazz, reggae, and electronic music that is perfect for parties or playlist additions alike. The Bamboos's 'Get In The Scene' (feat Ohmega Watts) is a nice lithe sound, The Supersonics brings some big brass energy on 'The Chosen One' and Sharon Jackson & The Soul Destroyers keep it raw with 'Fakin' It'.