Empire レコード& CD

Review: Louisiana rapper Curren$y's first project of 2021 is this 10-track album, Collection Agency. It is his 11th solo record overall and yet the quality remains high despite so much output. This time out the wordsmith links with various high profile producers for the beats including Purps, DJ Fresh, Harry Fraud, Rsonist of The Heatmakerz and Trauma Tone. It might last under 30 minutes but this is a killer collection of contemporary hip hop that is run through with the bright, futuristic aesthetic of trap, but maintains nice classic hip-hop beats that get you bumping.

Review: Multi-faceted and Grammy-nominated supergroup Dinner Party returns with new album Enigmatic Society which is packed with fantastic instrumental orchestration. As intricate and opulent as that is, the sleek r&b vocals add extra smoothness with plenty of neo-soul vibes and mesmerising flows. Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington and 9th Wonder turn in great performances, while guests such as Phoelix, Arin Ray, Ant Clemons also bring their a-game to the production of Sounwave, Hi-Tek and Trevor Lawrence Jr. This welcome follow up to 2020's self titled debut muses on Back America, adversity, life, beauty, art and culture with real emotional depth.

Review: The Alchemist and Larry June say they 'followed what felt natural' when writing this one and the results are organic and absorbing. This is the CD version of the pair's new album which finds them combine forces for this smoother than silk outing on Empire that brings the best out of both. The Alchemist is a veteran producer who has worked with a who's who of hip-hop over the years, and June is a Bay Area rapper with a real touch of class to his work. He can rap about anything from gourmet food to art, teaching people how to hustle, or whatever else.