Review: Detroit beatsmith Apollo Brown is in a class of his own and makes instrumentals like few others. This is his first new record in eight years and is another masterclass in sampling that has made him a favourite with fans, peers and critics alike. He often has a concept for his albums and for this one it is about peace and balance and as such it has something of a more organic feel that previous works. There is melancholia in the air on 'Clouds' and uncertainly but hope to 'Nervous Goodbyes' while 'Escapism' has an electronic synth sound that comes with a textbook drum break over the top.
Review: Detroit producer Apollo Brown and maverick Buffalo MC Che' Noir have come together to create a new album that draws on their backgrounds in two of America's mostly famously failed cities. Brown brings his usual soul-drenched and head-nodding beatmaking style - the same vibes that have seen him work with the likes of Ghostface Killah and Danny Brown and become a key part of the scene. Che' Noir on the other hand has worked alongside Benny The Butcher, Kool G Rap, and Fred The Godson and here tells some vital stories that take you behind the curtain and up and down city streets, dodging gunshots, hunting for missing fathers and generally trying to game the system.
Review: The names Apollo Brown and Planet Asia evoke a rarefied set of expectations. The raps are as hard as galvanized steel. The syllable placement is meticulous and intricate. The beats bang: simmering in a soulful but warped inferno. They are maestros of raw and unalloyed hip-hop: full of as much grit and craftsmanship as anyone to ever incinerate a microphone or master an MPC. After all, high standards are essential. Sardines is curb-checking minimalist hip-hop: sharp, efficient, and well-executed as a guillotine chop. No wasted bars or rhythmic excess. Just poetic verses and night-time vulture vibes. Apollo sums it up best: it's "dirt, grit, mud, sticks, stones, all that. Leave your boots on." The title's name is a flip on their revered first album. Like sardines, anchovies are a love it-or-hate it proposition. It's not for everyone, but if it's for you, it's laser targeted to your interests.
Review: A bold fusion of Afrobeat, funk and jazz on the debut LP from Blvck Spvde & The Cosmos, marking an exciting addition to Mello Music Group's catalogue. The album is steeped in legacy, with powerful rhythms and expansive arrangements, with tracks like 'Doom' revealing an intense, layered sound, while 'What You Won't Do' reinterprets a classic with introspective depth. All in all, there's a balance of forward-thinking jazz with hints of raw, soulful energy as the ten-piece ensemble capture the feel of St. Louis' live scene and a spirit that's truly timeless.
Basquiat On The Draw (feat Conway & Westside Gunn)
The Vibes
Spoils To The Victor
Visionary Riches
They Parked A Bentley On The Corner
The Flyest Essence
Innocent Ambition
Care Packages
Payout (feat Stalley)
Nodding Off
Review: After years of parallel journeys in hip-hop, Apollo Brown and Skyzoo unite on The Easy Truth. It's a collaboration that fuses Detroit's raw production with NYC's lyrical grit, with Skyzoo delivering sharp narratives about ambition, urban struggles, and resilience, while Apollo Brown's beats provide a dark yet soulful backdrop. The LP features guests like Joell Ortiz, Westside Gunn and Conway, digging deep into themes of struggle and survival. This release captures the essence of classic hip-hop, with each track unfolding as a powerful statement on life's hard truths.
Review: This release sees acclaimed producer Apollo Brown team up with Journalist 103 and DJ Soko to form The Left, a project that paints a vivid sonic portrait of Detroit, highlighting a journey through the city's soul and rust-riddled soundscapes that evokes a sense of urban grit and resilience. Brown's production is masterful, layering lush piano melodies over haunting samples and dusty drums. Journalist 103's narrative wordplay adds another dimension, his insightful lyrics weaving tales of struggle and triumph against the backdrop of Detroit's urban landscape. DJ Soko's cuts provide the finishing touch, adding a dynamic energy that keeps the momentum flowing. With guest appearances from Detroit heavyweights like Guilty Simpson, Finale, and MarvWon, the reissue is a powerful and evocative tribute to the Motor City, a must-listen for fans of hip-hop and anyone who appreciates soulful, cinematic soundscapes.
Review: As far as reflective storytelling goes, Philmore Greene's new album is as good as it gets, and one that shows off his vibrant hip-hop mastery. The Chicago lyricist weaves deeply personal narratives throughout these joints and layers them with sharp social commentary, as all good hip-hop mic men should. His tunes offer a raw yet polished perspective on life's trials and triumphs backed by rich, soulful production. Greene's intricate wordplay and commanding delivery shine from introspective moments to bold declarations. Importantly, the album balances emotional depth with head-nodding groove and in all, it solidifies Philmore Greene as a compelling voice in hip-hop who is both authentic and artistic in all new ways.
Ignore The Man To Your Right (feat Homeboy Sandman) (2:54)
Taken By The Night (3:19)
The Damning (part 3) (1:58)
The Lineup (2:07)
Kicking Glass (2:01)
Kind Of Like Life (2:33)
Revenge & Escape (part 4) (1:29)
I Was Invisible Nothing (3:01)
Death Valley (2:26)
Starry Eyed Balcony Walkers (3:44)
Macabre (part 5) (1:36)
Review: The Night Took Us In Like Family is the first collaborative album from American producer L'Orange and cultured rapper Jeremiah Jae. The Mellow Music label originally released it back in 2015 and it performed well with some fine guest appearances from Gift of Gab and Homebody Sandman. The album is rife with beautiful storytelling from Jae who delivers his ideas in a gangsta rap style but the first-rate beats are more soulful, giving rise to a style the pair called 'noir hop'. They are louche, lo-fi and drawn from the golden era of boom-bap with plenty of smart samples.
Do It All (feat Diamond District, Uptown XO & yU) (3:33)
That Real (3:34)
Let It Go (4:08)
American Greed (3:21)
The Need Superficial (3:01)
Way In Way Out (2:47)
Maybes (3:44)
Another's Grind (feat Tranquill) (4:13)
Set You Free (3:37)
You Know Who You Are (feat Olivier St Soul) (3:48)
Think Of Things (2:44)
You Know Who You Are (feat Olivier St Soul - acoustic - bonus track) (3:57)
Review: This new album from cultured hip-hop mainstay Oddisee explores influence, inspiration, perception and reality. Each song was crafted outdoors, "where I could observe real-life interactions as the basis for my lyrics," he says. In hip-hop, reality often reflects the artist's personal experience, but People Hear What They See aims to expand that lens by portraying realities beyond Oddisee's own. For example, overhearing congressmen and lawyers on the Supreme Court steps inspired 'American Greed,' while watching a couple argue over the phone sparked "Maybes." By grounding each track in observed moments, "I hope listeners can visualise these worlds through the melodies and stories within each song."
Review: Open Mike Eagle's 'A Special Episode Of' dropped back in February of 2015 and now almost a decade on it gets a vinyl pressing on maroon and bone butterfly-splattered 12". The California talent is known for bringing a sense of humour to his work without ever compromising its musical integrity. The six tracks here find him linking with the likes of MC Paul Barman and Milo and tapping up Gold Panda and Exile for production duties. It's a storytelling out with crisp drums and stripped-back beats that are run through with soulful synths and string samples.
The Cursse Of Hypervigilance (In Politics, Romance & Cohabitation)
Insecurity
Smiling (Quirky Race Doc)
Leave People Alone
A Short About A Guy That Dies Every Night
Protectors Of The Heat (feat Hemlock Ernst)
Insecurity: The Moor The Marry Her (part 2)
Dive Bar Support Group
Drunk Dreaming
Reprieve
Review: Open Mike Eagle may not have all the answers, but he asks some of the smartest questions in hip-hop. On Hella Personal Film Festival, he teams up with British producer Paul White for a psychedelic blend of soul-funk, booming drums and introspective storytelling. Recorded in London, the album continues where Dark Comedy left off-witty, anxious and deeply reflective. Eagle dissects modern life's absurdities, from social media addiction to racial microaggressions and uses that to craft surreal yet painfully real vignettes. With guest features from Aesop Rock and Hemlock Ernst, these tense anthems explore vulnerability with a cutting sense of humour.
Review: On Signature, Joell Ortiz's raw lyrical prowess converges with L’Orange's time-honed production chops, resulting in a pure collaborative bombshell. L'Orange crafts beats exuding an undeniable vintage charm, which mesh delectably with Ortiz’s frank flows and delivery; most notable among these fusions is ‘In My Feelings’, detailing Ortiz’s upbringing as a young Brooklynite in search of purpose, then reflecting on his self-actualisation since those day ones. Not all is peachy, though: ‘Masked Up’ draws compelling metaphorical parallels between music industry rejection and harder street hustling, and L’Orange’s hazed-out stomper of a beat wickedly complements these harder-than-nails travails.
Review: Brooklyn don Joell Ortiz is back with one of his most potent partnerships to date. L'Orange is the kind of hip-hop producer who knows how to bridge the gap between sample-rooted nostalgia and head-twisting innovation, and so we're gifted with a full suite of beats that shock on first listen before burrowing their way into your subconscious before the second bar is finished. It's the perfect backdrop for Ortiz to lay down his crystal clear street tales, delivered with the perfect blend of venom, humour, sensitivity and stubbornness - gifts hard won on his rise to the top of the rap pile and deployed to devastating effect on this album.
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.
Raheem DeVaughn & Apollo Brown - "Roll Up" (feat Ro Brown)
Chris Keys - "Stir Crazy"
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