Review: Village Live has just put out a compilation to make the label's fifth anniversary. Sadly, it was the last project co-founder Joey Deez worked on before he passed away. Now the label serves up an album dedicated to his memory from Aver, who created the first draft of it between finding out about Joey's passing and attending his funeral. It features collages of conversations the two had next to previously unreleased material he made during lockdown with Doron Segal. The result is an album of catharsis and musical therapy, that features both light and dark, hope and despair. The finished album features cuts by Jazz T, Evil Ed and Omas, as well as additional voice messages donated by Kuartz and Matt Smith.
Review: Chris Glasson and Stu Whiffen's Hardcore Listing Podcast has over 1 million downloads and is part of Scroobius Pip's Distraction Pieces Network. Now a first instalment is pressed to vinyl, and features the one and only record don and scratch master DJ Yoda talking on his favourite golden era Hip-Hop albums. The whole thing was recorded in one take and wasn't edited afterward. There are plenty of personal stories included along the way making this a perfect accompaniment to a cosy home listening session.
Review: YES! Any self respecting music fan will no doubt already have fully acquainted themselves with Black Messiah, the long promised new album from soul artist D'Angelo and know that it already stands as one of the long players of the year if not the decade! The real fans have probably been waiting for the vinyl release and it's great to see the correct decision has been made to grant Black Messiah a double LP pressing. Everyone no doubt has their favourites on Black Messiah but it's great to have cuts like "Sugah Daddy" on wax, that one is perfect for the house party situations.
The Darkest Part (feat Raekwon & Kid Sister) (3:46)
No Gold Teeth (2:24)
Because (feat Joey Bada$$, Russ & Dylan Cartlidge) (5:02)
Belize (feat MF DOOM) (3:31)
Aquamarine (feat Michael Kiwanuka) (3:57)
Identical Deaths (2:47)
Strangers (feat A$AP Rocky & Run The Jewels) (4:06)
Close To Famous (2:29)
Saltwater (feat Conway The Machine) (3:22)
Violas & Lupitas (2:20)
Review: It's been 17 years since Danger Mouse's last hip-hop album - the epic collaboration with the late great MF Doom. For the first time since 2005, we have a new one, Cheat Codes, to get stuck into following collabs with Daniele Lupi and Karen O and some production work with Gnarls Barkley and Gorillaz. It is a triumph, too, with tough beats uplifting while the rapper lays down endless bars that are free for choruses. It is a mix of the new school and the old school that is utterly, typically, intoxicating.
Review: A new album that is not a new album. It was written more than 20 years ago but somehow never saw the light of day until now. It is soul and funk-infused hip-hop gem that follows on from Danger Mouse and Jemini's debut LP, Ghetto Pop Life, which itself is 20 years old in 2024. Inspired by the success of that album, Ghetto Pop Life, the duo went out on tour and also wrote Born Again but shelved it until now. The previously unheard record retains the debut's fun-loving, shit-talking innocence while adopting a more introspective tone. Jemini's free-flowing cadence and Danger Mouse's resonant instrumentals create a classic hip-hop record that blends light-hearted topics with personal, poignant lyrics about redemption and relationships.
Review: Never Enough is a much anticipated and long-awaited third album from Daniel Caeser and it comes as a follow-up to Case Study 01. The acclaimed Freudian is in fine form right now having picked up a 2023 Juno Award nomination for Best Traditional R&B/Soul Recording for 'Please Do Not Lean' which featured BADBADNOTGOOD. He also headlined the 2022 Coachella Festival and hit the Billboard Top 20 with his last EP. He reaches new heights here with his thought-provoking lyrics, catchy bars and sensuous r&b stylings.
Cool Breeze On The Rocks (The Melted version) (0:15)
Can U Keep A Secret (1:40)
Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge) (3:25)
Ghetto Thang (3:43)
Transmitting Live From Mars (1:11)
Eye Know (4:08)
Take It Off (1:54)
A Little Bit Of Soap (0:53)
Tread Water (3:50)
Potholes In My Lawn (3:52)
Say No Go (4:22)
Do As De La Does (2:06)
Plug Tunin' (Last Chance To Comprehend) (4:13)
De La Orgee (1:13)
Buddy (with Jungle Brothers & Q-Tip From A Tribe Called Quest) (5:02)
Description (1:35)
Me Myself & I (3:38)
This Is A Recording 4 Living In A Full Time Era (LIFE) (3:15)
I Can Do Anything (Delacratic) (0:45)
DAISY Age (4:42)
Review: The debut album from De La Soul (Trugoy, Maseo and Posdunos) gets another reissue here, pretty much ensuring this longstanding Long Island hip-hop trio never stay out of the limelight. Renowned for its uniquely positive spin on hip-hop amid a harsher world of dark, hardball gangster rap, classics such as 'Me, Myself And I' are known the world over, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a soul who doesn't have so much as an inkling as to how it sounds. While they were labelled as 'hippies' at the time, they've since gone on to influence many hip-hop artists internationally.
Cool Breeze On The Rocks (The Melted version) (0:15)
Can U Keep A Secret (1:40)
Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge) (3:25)
Ghetto Thang (3:43)
Transmitting Live From Mars (1:11)
Eye Know (4:08)
Take It Off (1:54)
A Little Bit Of Soap (0:53)
Tread Water (3:50)
Potholes In My Lawn (3:52)
Say No Go (4:22)
Do As De La Does (2:06)
Plug Tunin' (Last Chance To Comprehend) (4:13)
De La Orgee (1:13)
Buddy (with Jungle Brothers & Q-Tip From A Tribe Called Quest) (5:02)
Description (1:35)
Me Myself & I (3:38)
This Is A Recording 4 Living In A Full Time Era (LIFE) (3:15)
I Can Do Anything (Delacratic) (0:45)
DAISY Age (4:42)
Review: De LA Soul's debut album gets a reissue in multiple formats this year. Among them, the most likely curiosity is this limited edition magenta LP, celebrating the trio's colourful aesthetic - a courageous move to take back in the 1990s, in a surrounding world of hip-hop darkness. Featuring such hits as 'Me, Myself and I', 'The Magic Number' and 'Eye Know', these are playful songs from hip-hop's veritable straight-and-narrow trifecta.
Johnny's Dead AKA Vincent Mason (live From The BK Lounge) (1:31)
A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays" (4:04)
WRMS' Dedication To The Bitty (2:54)
Bitties In The BK Lounge (3:34)
Skit 2 (0:35)
My Brother's A Basehead (3:55)
Let, Let Me In (3:46)
Afro Connections At A Hi 5 (In The Eyes Of The Hoodlum) (4:05)
Rap De Rap Show (2:23)
Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa (4:09)
Who Do U Worship? (2:01)
Skit 3 (0:29)
Kicked Out The House (2:06)
Pass The Plugs (2:35)
Not Over Till The Fat Lady Plays The Demo (2:25)
Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) (4:56)
WRMS: Cat's In Control (0:34)
Skit 4 (0:13)
Shwingalokate (4:14)
Fanatic Of The B Word (4:10)
Keepin' The Faith (4:44)
Skit 5 (0:29)
Review: Quickly becoming one of the most revered, game-changing groups in hip-hop, De La Soul's penchant for jazz-infused productions and a playful approach to lyricism granted them an instant place amongst the hip-hop greats. Their classic 1991 album, originally released on Tommy Boy, marked a much-awaited return on UK label Chrysalis. Deftly weaving together spoken-word storytelling, witty skits, and innovative sampling, there's a reason why this album is lauded as a keyplayer in the evolution of jazz rap and alternative hip hop genres. Featuring certified classics from the celebrated De La Soul catalogue such as 'A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays,' 'Ring, Ring, Ring (Ha Ha Hey)' and 'Keepin' the Faith', this is a must have for any fans of the 90s East Coast scene.
Review: De La Soul is never far away from the conversation about great music but as of late, they have been back in the headlines more than ever as their music finally got added to digital streaming sites. Buhloone Mindstate is a lesser-known but just as good album as the most famous Three Feet High and Rising and was a critical success at the time. The lead single has samples of Michael Jackson's 'I Can't Help It' and Smokey Robinson's 'Quiet Storm', there is a collab with Biz Markie on 'Stone Age' and MC Shortie No Mas appears on many tracks including the particularly standout 'In The Woods'.
Review: It's hard to think of any other act whose music being added to digital streaming sites would make as many headlines as De La Soul. It has been followed up with a big reissue project that's brought all their many great albums - they made more than just that one iconic one, you know - back to print. Stakes Is High brought the same high levels of wordplay, great beats and overall narrative as any of the band's albums, and all at a time when hip-hop's initial popularity began to wane. Fact fans, take note - Mos Def guested on one tune 'Big Brother Beat' and Common on 'The Bizness' way before anyone knew who either of them was.
Review: Dizraeli's fallback bio is "multi-instrumentalist MC, singer, producer from Bristol, UK, distributing explosions that journalists find hard to describe." Well, we'll happily rise to the challenge, if not because it is our job. The Bristol-born artist has found a slow but sure footing in recent years on the UK jazz circuit, and now proffers his latest record Joy Machine to the collective ear. ecorded almost entirely in a single day at the legendary Total Refreshment Centre in London, the album brings together faces both new and old in London's new jazz pizzazz, from Alabaster DePlume to Jonathon Enser (Nubiyan Twist), from Ben Brown (Alfa Mist, Mulatu Astatke) to Daisy George and Joe Downard; the list goes on. A steamy and varied record following the tradition of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, Dizraeli's now patented new album/invention - bound, of course, to deliver on its promiseL: the soliciting of joy - does just that, albeit in a curveball manner. Rather than putting on a pure rictus smile, Dizraeli opts for a sultry sepia sound, one that hardly fails to find joy in the many mournful corners of life (he grieves his dog on 'Greek Summer', and pens a timeless letter to a long-lost friend on 'Abigail').
Review: Richmond beatmaker DJ Harrison is back with his second full length, Tales from the Old Dominion. This album finds the multi-talented artist play every single instrument on it after three heard years of graft. It swallows up a myriad of influences from across the ages such as soul, funk, rock, R&B, hip-hop, all with his own unique collage yet cohesive style. There are forward looking disco cuts, rubbery basslines, heart meltingly smooth neo-soul sounds and spaced-out hip-hop joints for the late night hours. This is a fresh record desire its nod to classic black music.
Review: Krush's eighth - and last - album Jaku is up there with Endtroducing and Donuts in terms of seminal, influential and forward-thinking beat longer players. 10 years since its release and it still sounds as timeless, unique and exciting as it did in 2004. The slick licks of a young Mr Lif on "Nosferatu", the post-apocalyptic tension of "Univearth" the sludgy, swampy cosmic hip-hop of the Aesop Rock-featured "Kill Switch" and the unashamed sax sex of "Slit Of Cloud"..... Do we need to go on? Limited edition, 180g transparent vinyl; even if you already have this in your collection this is a very, very appealing investment.
Review: Stereophonk hit gold with volume one of this series so no wonder it now presents the eagerly awaited Bunch Of Funk Vol. 2. This one features 18 unreleased tracks making their vinyl debut, including two exclusive cuts created in collaboration with the talented Medline. Iconic breakdance figure DJ Marrrtin is known for his hard-hitting breaks played at major events and always makes sure he serves up music that invites listeners to express themselves on the dance floor. Here he infuses a powerful, organic sound that honours breakdance heritage while innovating for future generations.
Review: DJ Motive hails from he charming city of Gifu, Japan, and has spent 20 years crafting a signature blend of Latin, jazz and hip-hop both solo and with DeadBundy. His latest release draws on all that experience to cook up a tasteful soundtrack that will transport you from dawn to dusk. Tracks like 'Sunrise' offer dreamy broken beats and nostalgic samples, while 'Chill On A Lotus' melts vocals and chords into an ambient haze. Jazz drums meet Balearic vibes in 'Howling 2 You' while 'Walker grooves with squelchy synths. This reflective, escapist trip rewards deep listening and is another high class album from sophisticated Italian label Hell Yeah.
Review: DJ Muggs brings his latest instrumental hip-hop tinkerings to Madlib and Egon's Invazion Music Library Series, which allows the two beatmaking legends' friends the opportunity to experiment with the form in whichever way they choose. Taking after the mood and feel of library music pieces, Silver Cloud adds to the many additions to the label to pay homage to the Piero Umilianis and Alan Hawkshaws of yore, albeit through a hip-hop lens. From 'No Time' to 'Calm Down' to 'Fast Arp', Muggs takes a functional approach to beatsmithing, crafting everything from tempo-synced, two-tone moody piano expositions to full-blown lo-fi whackers.
Review: Sample maestro, turntable wizard and genre-blender extraordinaire DJ Shadow unveils his latest album after teasing with hit single "Rocket Fuel" featuring vocals from legendary trio De La Soul earlier in the year. The full length finds the US beat maker in an angry mood, with plenty of anxiety riddled cuts, frazzled synths and raw textures conveying a certain unease with the world around him. There are still moments of his trademark string laced beauty on "Firestorm" and gorgeous instrumentals like "Rosie," but this is definitely the sound of an artist who still has plenty of new things to say.
Review: DJ Shadow has done it all in his career, from groundbreaking debut album Entroducing.... to high-profile collabs with Nas and Run the Jewels and adventurous and alternative explorations of rhythm on more recent albums. His seventh full-length finds him going totally solo once more, looking back at his long relationship with music and 60,000-strong record collection. He explores all sorts of moods and glovers from drum & bass to breakbeat to juke and hip hop, all with a polished digital aesthetic and bright sense of melody. The best tunes for us though, are the more tender and introspective ones like 'Forever Changed'.
Review: The DJ Spinna 1998 Beat Tape vinyl finally arrives having previously only been available on digital after initial release in 2000. It is the this in a series after the 1997 and 1996 beat tapes he dropped back in 2019 and 2017 and again finds Vincent Williams serving essential hip hop beats. They are often depend packed with soul, with jostling kick and raw his interlaced with well chosen samples, curious vocals and cute melodies. It is a perfect soundtrack to a lazy afternoon, or great source material for DJs looking to bring a cinematic sound.
Review: Doja Cat went big on her recent album Planet Her, which was the qui follow up to 2019's well received Hot Pink. It came on Ministry of Sound and saw the American singer, rapper, producer and songwriter collaborate with superstars such as The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Young Thug, SZA and others. This 19 track deluxe version has them all and made for a thrilling ride that showcased her eclectic style, chaotic nature and kaleidoscope take on pop. Across the record Doja raps with flair, switches up her style along the way and manages to range from anguish to soul and back.
Review: Hot Pink is the second studio album from rapper and singer Doja Cat. Previous singles such as "Juicy," "Rules" and "Say So" will already be familiar to fans, while guests over the course of the 12 tracks include big names like Smino, Gucci Mane and Tyga. The artist allegedly quit smoking weed before making this album and the result sure is a versatile record that has plenty of punchy lines - both vocal and bass - and offers a rich array of r&b goodness that is utterly contemporary. This album very much asserts the fact that Doja Cat is a big new presence in the game and isn't going anywhere soon.
Review: After his hugely well received lovers' rock compilations for this label, Sam Don digs deep into the rich world of UK sweet soul on this - typically - excellent new compilation from the wondrous ashes of the North. He comes up with plenty of mega hard to find and expensive musical treasures that have all been painstakingly researched and tracked down. It was a short lived but fertile scene in the underground back in the 90s and if you didn't; know that already you will after one listen through of this - the sounds are highly danceable with silky, low-lit melodies and steamy and seductive vocals for loved up late night dancing.
Left & Right (feat Method Man & Redman - instrumental) (5:14)
Spanish Joint (instrumental) (3:35)
Sugah Momma (instrumental) (1:33)
Brown Sugar (instrumental) (3:08)
Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine (instrumental) (4:07)
Cold World (interlude instrumental) (2:27)
Be Here (feat Raphael Saadiq - instrumental) (4:03)
Review: To commemorate the 20th anniversary of D'Angelo's iconic album Voodoo, Amerigo Gazaway had crafted a masterful tribute that reinterprets several standout tracks from the original. Utilising live instruments like electric guitar, synth bass, clavinet, organ and Rhodes, Gazaway breathes fresh life into these classic cuts while maintaining the essence of their grooves. The result is a woozy, silky update that melds elements of hip-hop, gospel, neo-soul and r&b, creating a rich tapestry of sound that honors the source material. With fourteen tracks, including both vocal and instrumental versions, this project captures the spirit of Voodoo while infusing it with new energy. A highlight of this release is the bonus track featuring Raphael Saadiq alongside D'Angelo on 'Be Here', which further emphasises the collaborative spirit of the genre. Gazaway's reimagining not only celebrates the timeless quality of Voodoo but also showcases his talent for blending classic sounds with contemporary influences, making this tribute a worthy addition to any music lover's collection.
Review: Madvillain is the collaboration of the most dynamic duo from today's hip-hop underground, MF Doom and Madlib. "Madvillainy" has witty, mental lyrics combined with rugged beats fashioned from every possible source material, resulting in a truly unique album pointing the way to hip-hop's future.
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.