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.
Copy Cats (feat Prince Po From Organized Konfusion) (3:45)
Don't Do Drugs (3:23)
Medieval (feat The Pharcyde) (4:53)
Bush Boys (3:25)
Here We Go Again (4:20)
I'ma DooMee (Love Letter) (3:06)
Knuckle Sandwhich (2:03)
Review: The reissued Ghetto Pop Life remains a special release to DM + Jemini's fans that showed their ability to bridge the gap between hip-hop's mainstream and underground scenes. The duo's collaboration defies conventional hip-hop politics, focusing instead on delivering a leftfield album that blends playful beats with clever wordplay. Danger Mouse's production acts as a counterweight, crafting soundscapes that draw from hip-hop's history while avoiding regression into old-school tropes. The album's standout tracks, such as 'Born-a-MC' and 'The Only One,' feature infectious hooks and cinematic tones that capture the essence of a guilt-free block party vibe. 20 years later, this album still holds up very well.
Review: After more than a decade, Phili star Freeway reunites with Seattle super-producer Jake One for their second full-length collaboration. Known for his timeless, versatile beats that always somehow resonate with both underground and mainstream audiences, Jake One's production provides the perfect backdrop for Freeway's gritty lyrics here. Next to those two, the record features an impressive lineup of guest appearances including Black Thought, Jadakiss, Conway the Machine, Sauce Walka, Peedi Crack, Scholito and Symba. Together, they deliver a powerful, cohesive project that highlights the enduring chemistry between Freeway and Jake One with hard-hitting beats and sharp, memorable rhymes.
Review: "Ruff Draft", originally released in 2003, is a sought-after album that remains the elusive key release in J Dilla's catalogue. This has freewheeling, in-your-face synthesizers, and an uncharacteristically sample-heavy approach that is as banging as it is experimental.
Review: "Donuts" is J Dilla's instrumental masterpiece and perhaps the finest record he ever made. This is half soul mixtape, half beat CD and 100% genius from the sorely missed hip-hop legend.
Where Do We Start!? (feat Byron The Aquarius & Sol Goodman) (3:52)
All It Takes (feat Bessi) (3:53)
Peace Of Mind (feat Sol Goodman) (3:26)
Genesis (feat Melonyx) (4:44)
Review: J-Felix's latest project The Mint Experiment (Volume 1 and 2) finds him drawing on the many different genres that have inspired this hip-hop beat making over the years. His signature funk laced sound is detailed with elements of soul and jazz here as he mixes up analogue synthesis, live instrumentation, and experimentation with tape cassettes. There are no samples used on this one and instead the artist works with a diverse group of musicians and producers to cook up a fresh and modern sound that is well informed by the classics. It's an effortlessly cool and feel good album.
Place Of Refuge (feat Garth Trinidad - intro) (0:38)
Hot Sauce (feat Andra Day & Aloe Blacc) (1:44)
WSTT Story To Tell Radio (feat Estelle - interlude) (1:35)
Cut The Line (feat Joss Stone & Kardinal Offishall) (3:22)
Better Half (feat Mumu Fresh & Camp) (1:35)
This Is A Love Story (feat Mayda Del Valle) (1:28)
Voicemail (feat Dave Chappelle - outro) (1:49)
Hot Sauce (single edit) (3:26)
Hot Sauce (instrumental) (3:16)
Cut The Line (single edit) (3:06)
Cut The Line (instrumental) (2:59)
Better Half (single edit) (3:06)
Better Half (instrumental) (3:05)
Review: Hailed as a "music guru" by Rolling Stone and also highly praised by the great Questlove who called him "the most creative mixtape producer of all-time", US beatmaker J.PERIOD is a rich musical storyteller. His music always manages to connect cultures, eras and styles in his own signature way and he has done so alongside the likes of some real legends - Nas, The Roots, Kanye West, Q-Tip, Common and Mary J. Blige, and has appeared on the Billboard #1 album, The Hamilton Mixtape. Now he is back with the second part of his Story to Tell album and it is packed with names like Joss Stone, Aloe Blacc, and Mayda Del Valle and arrives on lovely blue vinyl.
The Changing World (feat The Koreatown Oddity) (3:37)
Keep On (Yeah) (2:07)
Flawless (Smoothed Out) (feat Frank Nitt) (2:47)
Flawless (Smoothed Out) (feat Budgie) (2:07)
All I Wanna Do (feat Steve Arrington - remix) (5:10)
Pajama Party (FeatThe Egyptian Lover) (3:36)
Go! (5:48)
Dancing With The Best (4:06)
The End (NTP) (3:20)
Review: As the lynchpin of The Beat Junkies and a staple part of the Stones Throw legacy, J.Rocc has been diligently digging since his youth in the early 80s. While his long and winding career has taken in ample mixtapes, production stints, breaks collections and more besides, he hasn't released so many of his own standalone beats. That makes A Wonderful Letter a cause for celebration, as Rocc pens a love letter to Los Angeles through a tapestry of tracks which show off his skills as a studio wizard as well as a deck technician. Just listen to lead single 'L.A. Anthem' featuring LMNO and Key Kool and you'll understand all you need to about the angle Rocc is working on this, his second full-length album.
The Changing World (feat The Koreatown Oddity) (3:33)
Keep On (Yeah) (2:07)
Flawless (feat Frank Nitt - Raw) (2:47)
Flawless (feat Budgie - Smoothed Out) (2:09)
All I Wanna Do (feat Steve Arrington - remix) (5:10)
Pajama Party (feat The Egyptian Lover) (3:36)
Go! (5:45)
Dancing With The Best (4:07)
The End (NTP) (3:18)
Review: DJ and producer J. Rocc debuts a new trip down memory lane in LP form, reminiscing on his comeup in the LA underground music scene. 'A Wonderful Letter' is quite literally a love letter to the City of Angels, expressing his thanks for the community found there - not to mention the machinations that led to his signing with Stones Throw, as well as various collabs with J Dilla and Madlib.
Review: Beatitudes is an album of ten instrumental hip-hop tracks inspired by 20th century gospel recordings. Produced by one J Rocc (known as the acclaimed DJ and turntablist for Madlib's many shows), the album is a departure from the artist's smudgier, beatsmith affairs. Each track is as smooth as a baby's forehead, and/or as pleasing as a wild fig dropped into one's mouth by an attentive servant on a hot Verona day. Gospel samples whirl around like ghosts, haunting each beat, which in turn sound wonkier than an array of unoiled see-saws. The album's cover is an homage to the mysterious cult artist known only as Harvey, known for designing many surrealist-religious gospel album covers from the 1960s onwards.
Review: This Record Store Blanc Friday, US label Madlib Invasion serves up a CD version of this most classic of albums from Jackson Conti aka the one and only beat making behemoth Madlib with Mamao. Sujinho landed in 2008 and since then has often been heralded as one of the best few projects Madlib has ever been involved with. It is a smooth fusion of hip hop, jazz, Latin and soul that, on vinyl, has fetched eye watering high prices until now. A new reissue has landed on wax as well as this CD.
Review: GRAMMY-Award nominated reggae artist Jah Cure has already assured his musical legacy but that won't stop him coming through with more great albums. Undeniable is an 11-track long player filled with this artist's trademark sense of passion, romance and heartfelt songwriting. The sounds are a contemporary take on reggae with a fresh edge as well as a nod to the originators. The first single 'Everything' featuring Ghanaian star Stonebwoy has already pleased fans. The two collaborators hook up to great effect as they layer up soulful hooks that lament a love gone bad.
Review: Madlib and Karriem Riggins are Jahari Massamba Unit. What started out as a friendship became a collaboration between two guides that push the boundaries of modern music. 'Yhwh Is Love' is their latest full length that has many excited about their joining. 'Stomping Gamay' for example, shows off their flare of fusing a new direction by linking the past. We have yet to hear of a Jamaican jazz fusion labeled genre but this would be the bookmark for the example. 'Massamba Afundance' includes a more Latin flare to things including some light Rumba influences. There is certainly a Big Band flavor attack on many of these programs. The result of the union Jahari Massamba Unit is plenty of upbeat measures in taking fusion and urban music to a higher level. This LP is sure to transcend cultural backgrounds.
Periculum (Danger!) (feat MidaZ The Beast & DJ Grazzhoppa) (2:45)
Ceasare (feat Rell) (3:03)
Lamentations (feat Ke Turner) (3:09)
Exitus (outro) (0:47)
Review: Jamil Honesty x HxlySmxkes launched their The Rufus Buck Project back in 2020 as a way of reflecting their frustrations and anger. It continued song messages to fight for freedom and the pair themselves call it riot music, with Baltimore's Hxlysmxkes cutting the beats while Jamil's MC work is pure truth and power. Now comes this deluxe edition that features the original tunes as well as three full extra jams featuring guests such as Midaz The Beast, Ke Turner and Rell and some mad scratches from DJ Grazzhoppa. An eight-page booklet is also included on this limited and essential long player.
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