Review: Beautiful Shibuya-esque hip jazz from Wa Yo Set, the dazzler jazz-funk band and fan favourite of the Urban Discos roster since 2020, when the quartet released their debut record, Boogieback. 'Don't Let Me Down' is their latest single for the label, and is rather like nothing we've ever heard before, overlaying a raspily swung vocal rap flow from MC KZ against a superbly improvised arrangement mixing snappy drums, classical guitar, double bass and alto sax. On the B is the similarly speedy 'Konyawa Boogie Back', an instrumental cover of the J-pop duo Halca and Yucali's 2009 chart smash.
Luniz - "I Got 5 On It" (feat Michael Marshall) (4:17)
Review: The Street Knowledge "45 series" appears to have been set up to educate heads on original 1990s hip-hop jams, or at the very least deliver fresh pressings of some seriously classic cuts. This inaugural release begins with Warren G and Nate Dogg's 1994 heater "Regulate", a deep and seductive number that makes great use of samples from Michael McDonald's teary blue-eyed soul classic "I Keep Forgetting". Flip to the B-side and you'll find Luniz 1995 hit "I Got 5 On It", a cut that's been bitten, reworked and re-made umpteen times in the 24 years that have passed since it was first released. As this reissue proves, the Oakland duo's original version is still streets ahead of the rest.
Review: A sophisticated blend of electronic, funk and soul, originally released in 1991 and back here in 7" form. Side-1 features 'Try My Love,' an underground jam that highlights Washburn's ability to blend these genres into a classy, enjoyable track. Side-2 presents the 2024 Boogie Back remix of 'Try My Love,' which smoothes things out and transforms the original into a melodic disco groove. This remix adds a fresh, modern twist while retaining the soulful essence of the track.
Popular (feat Madonna & Playboi Carti - explicit edit) (3:58)
Starboy (feat Daft Punk) (4:07)
Review: American superstar The Weeknd really went big with the guests on 'Popular', his dynamic r&b and pop hit from 2011, by enlisting none other than Madonna and Playboy Carti. As a breakout hit from his mixtape era, it showcases his seductive charm and magnetic presence, drawing listeners into his world of late-night escapades and hedonistic pleasures with infectious beats and smooth vocals that exude confidence and swagger and set the stage for his meteoric rise to fame and influence in the years to come. Flip it over and on the back of this Kiss Classics 7" you will find the equally effective 'Starboy' featuring Daft Punk.
Review: Two remix-mashups come courtesy of Hoffstein under the pseudonym 'Westside Doom', dedicating some well-known MF Doom acapellas to some new instrumentals. The producer behind these cuts is Eets, who lends murderous, xylophonic moods to Doom's '2 Stings', while an even slower instrumental, full of lolling strings and warring ambience underpinning Westside Gunn's alto raps.
Review: Buffalo rap icon WestsideGunn gets the reissue treatment courtesy of Hoffstein on this tidy 7", which brings the DJ Daringer-produced 'Rolack's' back in reach. On the A side we get the vocal and instrumental, which finds the man known as Alvin Worthy flowing in his distinctive, tightly-wound style over a warm and soulful beat from Daringer. The instrumental lets the beatsmith's cuts fly, and there's plenty of them. On the flip things get darker as 'Over Gold' strikes a noirish tone before 'Free Ike Free Kiki' slows down and freaks out in a haze of low-slung brilliance.
Review: Westside Gunn's latest project, Hitler Wears Hermes 8, shows his adeptness as a curator rather than a central figure. The confrontationally prolific Buffalo rapper strategically incorporates dynamic guest appearances throughout both halves of the album, allowing them to shine while he takes a more subdued role. Gunn's writing exhibits moments of brilliance throughout. The album's smart sequencing and near-uniform excellence of guest verses highlight Gunn's skill as an A&R, with interludes further enhancing the album's atmosphere. While each half of the project leans heavily on collaborators and mise-en-scene, the overall result is a supremely competent yet somewhat forgettable addition to Gunn's discography. Notable moments include standout tracks like 'TV Boy,' where Gunn's delivery shines amidst grimey production, and collaborations with Mach-Hommy, showing their chemistry.
Review: Winfree's 'Friday Night,' a catchy 7" on Six Nine, delivers a fresh take on soul with a modern twist. Side-1 features the T-groove remix of 'Friday Night,' blending a slamming slow groove with funk and electro complete with vocoder work that nods to Zapp. Side-2's 'The Way She Makes It Bounce' dives into early electro sounds, perfect for low-rider music enthusiasts, channeling the spirit of Roger Troutman. This release captures the classic vibes while infusing it with contemporary elements, making it a track to check out for fans of both old-school and modern funk. Both sides, needless to say, are proper party starters.
Mobb Deep - "Shook Ones" (Wipe The Needle remix) (3:53)
Jay-Z - "Ignorant Shit" (Wipe The Needle remix) (3:47)
Review: Gamm has more recently become synonymous with jazz, Latin, disco and soul edits but right now is on admission to go back to its roots. And they are hip-hop from the golden era. Wipe The Needle does a superb job of harking back to that legendary time in the 90s when dusty drums and crispy claps were all we wanted to hear. First up he tackles the iconic 'Shook One's by Moby Deep and flips it into a slow motion groove that is deep as you like. On the flip, Jay-Z's 'Ignorant Shit' (Wipe The Needle remix) is more defined by the original bars, but the beats are just as sick.
Review: The accomplished London musician and producer Wu-Lu serves up a new EP on Warp that is actually more like an album here. It is 30 minutes of well rounded sound files with narrative that takes and more nuanced, personal approach than his breakthrough, anti-gentrification anthem 'South' and much loved LP, LOGGERHEAD. The big energy of those is replaced here by a series of diary entries that all take inspiration from growing up in Brixton. These of death and loss feature as do the general struggles of life while poet and artist Rohan Ayinde and award-winning author Caleb Femi also guest.
Review: The bright idea of British producer Tom Carauna, this mashed-up Wu-Tang/Fab Four was first released in 2011, and followed a legacy of infamous acapella reshakes of rap works by the named East Coast hip-hop collective. Retreading the bread-crumbed trails of producers Cecil Otter and Swiss Andy's 13 Chambers, which did the same for the punk band Fugazi, a profusion of rock-rap shred-spits followed, most of which kept Wu-Tang in tow whilst varying the rock greats providing the instrumental versions. Carauna returned to source with 'CREAM', a special selection from the original LP now culled by Tea Breaks; the tune combines elements of the already rather Tangy beat with the core piano riff from 'And I Love Her', proving an incendiary combo.
Review: Mid-90s East Coast hip-hop classic 'CREAM' is one of the best Wu-Tang Clan tunes if you ask us, but we never thought it might get mashed up with a Beatles tune. That's what we have here on the Tea Breaks label, which flips it into a lush, soul-drenched hip-hop sound with low-slung drums and Raekwon & Inspector Deck delivering the bars. On the flipside is an instrumental that strips them away and allows the introspective melodies and laid-back, golden-era beats to shine. Two heady tunes for sure.
Review: This split single pairs two hip-hop legends for a compelling blend of styles. On Side-1, 'What's Happening', unites Method Man and Busta Rhymes over a soulful piano-driven beat, delivering charismatic flows and undeniable energy. Their chemistry crackles as the track bridges classic Wu-Tang grit with Busta’s rapid-fire dynamism. On the Side-2, an exclusive mix of 'Back In The Game' collides with the instrumental of 'House Of Flying Daggers', creating a hypnotic reimagining. The intricate production layers cinematic depth under sharp lyricism, offering a fresh perspective on both tracks. This release shines as a celebration of lyrical mastery and innovative production, giving fans of both Wu-Tang and boundary-pushing hip-hop plenty to savor.
Review: Taken from the album Black Gold, this 7" single comes on limited edition white vinyl and offers up the superb 'What's Happenin'' featuring Method Man and Busta Rhymes on the A-side. It's a beat-driven workout with funk in the drums. The B-side offers an exclusive and rather more stripped-back mix of 'Back in the Game' with Ron Isley, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, GZA, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah all seamlessly blended with the instrumental of 'House of Flying Daggers.' It's not often you get so many iconic collaborations all on one record which is why it is such a big hitter.
Review: The funky and physical beats of 'What's Happenin' are originally from the album Black Gold with Method Man and Busta Rhymes. It's a dusty gem with kilelr bars and a real hip-hop masterpiece. The B-side offers a stripped-back exclusive mix of 'Back in the Game' which blends Ron Isley, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, GZA, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah with the instrumental of 'House of Flying Daggers.' Combining so many legendary artists on one record makes this an essential release. Pressed on green vinyl with only 100 copies available, this is sure to prove a collector's item.
Review: Waajeed is a top tier talent - a producer, DJ, expert beat maker and label head at Dirt Tech Rack who moved away from his deep house sounds to cook up this masterful hip hop record back in 2006. It now arrives on vinyl almost 20 years later but time has not diminished its quality. It finds the Detroit native, who thrives on breaking conventional boundaries, telling the story of the kidnapping of Patricia Hearst as an emblematic American tale that he pairs with a raw beat framework that taps into the vibes of artists like J Dilla and Slum Village. It is a serious work from a serious artist.
Playing Games (feat Bryson - extended version) (2:22)
Drunk Dialing Lodt (2:14)
Come Thru (feat Usher) (2:58)
Potential (2:51)
Fun Girl (1:49)
Tonight (2:55)
Me (2:15)
Like It (feat 6lack) (2:51)
Just Might (feat PARTYNEXTDOOR) (3:26)
Stretch You Out (feat A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie) (2:21)
Off Of You (2:05)
Anna Mae (2:17)
I'll Kill You (feat Jhene Aiko) (2:59)
Nobody Else (3:51)
Playing Games (bonus track) (2:24)
Girls Need Love (feat Drake - remix) (3:51)
Review: "Over It" is the debut album from the US's latest r&b sensation, Summer Walker. Lead singles "Playing Games" and "Come Thru" have already done well in the charts, while the remix of Walker's "Girls Need Love" featuring Drake is another gem amongst many here. Further collaborations with the likes of Usher, Bryson Tiller and 6lack also enrich this album, which is a contemporary take on classic r&b. Smoochy, romantic bedroom grooves and plenty of heart-aching vocals from the Atlanta talent will make you nostalgic about teenage love. Honest reflections on relationship woes crop up often and lend the album an air of depth and credibility that make it all the more essential.
Toxic Tropic (feat Anthony Joseph/La Reyna) (3:18)
Light (4:02)
Di Yo (feat Flavia Coelho) (4:10)
Vanse Carnival (4:39)
La VI A Bel (2:51)
An Lot Soley (feat Ballake Sissoko/Vincent Segal) (4:38)
Soul Tropical (3:43)
Don't U (4:24)
Night In Madinina (3:05)
Kle (feat Ballake Sissoko/Vincent Segal) (4:19)
Review: David Walters's new album Soul Tropical on French label Heavenly Sweetness is perfectly titled. It is a lush collection of soul so tropical you feel as if you're dancing deep in a steamy jungle as the music uplifts and truly nourishes. It draws on his family heritage in the West Indies and finds David once again singing about this famous string of sun-kissed islands across 13 joyful cuts. These are tracks with rich arrangements and plenty of world instruments making a fusion of disco, zouk, Caribbean, Afrobeat and funk that make a lasting impression. An essential album as summer approaches.
On My Mind (11:59 PM) (feat Chevy Jones & Bishop Lamont) (3:43)
In Case Some Shit Go Down (feat Mike Jones & Frank Lee White) (3:30)
I Need A Light (feat Nate Dogg) (4:38)
Get You Down (feat B-Real & Side Effect) (3:47)
I Like That There (feat Bishop Lamont) (3:55)
Gorilla Pimpin (4:10)
Make It Do What It Do (3:51)
Chronic Break (0:27)
All I Ask Of You (feat Frank Lee White, Bishop Lamont & Chevy Jones) (3:27)
Ahh (feat Frank Lee White, Bishop Lamont & Chuck Taylor) (4:11)
Review: Warren G's 2005 album In The Mid-Nite Hour delivered more of his already by then well-established signature West Coast sound with smooth G-funk beats and laid-back flows. He will always be known for his classic track 'Regulate' but Warren G continued to fuse hip-hop with funk, soul and r&b influences throughout the following years, not least with this record. Standout tracks like 'In Case Some Sh*t Go Down' and 'I Need a Light' feature collaborations with Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg and they perfectly capture that timeless West Coast vibe. The album blends some witty, pithy storytelling with his signature infectious grooves and stands tall as a testament to Warren G's talent as both a rapper and producer while keeping the G-funk legacy alive.
Review: Music Is My Life is a fourth much anticipated new album from Natasha Watts, who has long been a key presence on the contemporary UK soul scene. It is now almost 15 years since Watts first broke through onto the scene and she still finds plenty of new ground and conveys heart rending emotions with her work. This new album is said to be full of her signature gritty, mature, and well-rounded soul and another showcase of her unique and beautiful voice, which is what has made her such a leading independent artist over this last decade plus.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.