Near Mint US レコード& CD

Review: Boldy James teams up with Montreal-based producer Your Boy Posca on Magnolia Leflore, a five-track EP issued via Near Mint. It's James' whopping seventh release for 2025, and among the leanest from the former Griselda member and Atlanta attention-grabber. Over Posca's dusted, slow-rolling loops, James revisits the same survivalist storytelling that's made him a cult figure in post-boom bap hip-hop; Lead single 'Nancy Botwin' notably dropped one week ahead, and for good reason, setting a severe tone with its ominous, measured pace. And true to neck-protecting hustle culture, the only guest comes by way of one Mike Shabb, who adds a lippy loquacity to 'Clorox'.

Review: Nicholas Craven & Ransom assemble together once more for Deleted Scenes 2. Amongst those who know, Craven is said to be something of a super producer with the ability to really speak through his machines, while Ransom has also been hailed as a true modern king of lyricism. All five of the tracks here hit hard both musically and in terms of the lyrics with evocative bars and smart use of samples from the world of funk and soul to elevate each cut. Let's hope they keep on this collaboration and have more for us in the not-too-distant future.