Review: Polish producer Latarnik and American vocalist Anthony Mills collide on this new album for Polish label Astigmatic to explore lo-fi hip-hop, soul, dub and experimental electronics. Mills's falsetto vocal brings great Neo-soul warmth to Crack Rock with emotionally charged tones soaring over the production which ranges from sugary and 80s-tinged disco and boogie on 'Crack' to deep, seductive and gooey on 'Passive Lover' which is a more romantic sound. Latarnik's work is often minimal yet immersive which creates space for Mills' voice to shine and is delivered in equal parts spoken word, chant and soulful croon. The hypnotic, slow-burning soundscapes that result are both intimate and confrontational, ready to make you dance but also often just to feel. Unapologetically raw and deeply human, this one lingers long after the final track ends.
Review: Hardcore Philly rappers Da Buze Bruvaz, aka Him-LO and Clever One, have been coming up strong on their Grilchy Party label in the past couple of years. A lot of their work has been with Lord Beatjitzu, who once again mans the buttons on this vinyl pressing of the CDr release, complete with kung-fu movie iconography emblazoned on the cover and some hard as nails beats to back up the drunken, lyrical devastation from the duo on the mic. This record serves as a companion piece to the Bruce Li album the three-strong team have got coming in tandem with this joint, so cop both and get yourself up on the real deal coming straight out of Philly.
On Point (feat Predominance & cuts By Phoeniks) (2:50)
Keep It Jazzy (feat vsteeze) (3:46)
Wonderful Thing (feat Tab One) (3:21)
Young Dreamers (interlude) (2:59)
Sempre Sonhando (feat Kamau) (2:39)
Flowers (feat Awon) (3:13)
Beautiful Day (4:17)
Chill & Relax (feat Rain Bisou) (3:25)
Humanity (2:56)
Believe (feat Hvmble) (3:20)
Review: Kid Abstrakt represents the timely and true 90s jazz-rap sound in the present day, consciously carrying on the legacy of the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and The Pharcyde. Still Dreaming is his latest album in collaboration with beatmaker Leo Low Pass: it's a 12-piece, feature-packed gem full of warm lo-fi-isms and reminiscences. To further help introduce you to Abstrakt's world, memory and nostalgia is central to the project; the highlight 'Young Dreamers' opens with hm revisiting the same playground in which he used to play as a child, now treating it as a fitting backdrop over which he can rap. Ultimately, jazz, lo-fi and boom-bap all collide on this album for a heavy dose of ear-injectable post-90s nostalgia.
Lift Up Your Head (feat Troy Berkley & OBF) (4:48)
Way To Be Happy (feat Las Ninyas Del Corro) (3:30)
Fi Di Yut (feat Blackout JA & Tippa Irie) (3:20)
Mumbai 808 (feat Manudigital) (3:49)
Saga (feat Killa P, Flowdan & Big Red) (3:58)
Downtown (Befour Steppa) (5:29)
Review: Reggae, dub, hip-hop and dancehall are known for their use of film samples, but that trend has been magnified with this most recent compilation from the infamous L'Entourloop collective. With around 30 tracks split across two sides - one dedicated to dub/reggae and one to hip-hop - there are myriad contributions from Ken Boothe, Bounty Killer, JuJu Rogers, Degihuegi, Dope St. Jude, Killa P, Flowdan, etc., all culminating to tell a filmic epic, gunslinging story.
Lift Up Your Head (feat Troy Berkley & OBF) (4:48)
Way To Be Happy (feat Las Ninyas Del Corro) (3:30)
Fi Di Yut (feat Blackout JA & Tippa Irie) (3:20)
Mumbai 808 (feat Manudigital) (3:49)
Saga (feat Killa P, Flowdan & Big Red) (3:58)
Downtown (Befour Steppa) (5:29)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Reggae, dub, hip-hop and dancehall are known for their use of film samples, but that trend has been magnified with this most recent compilation from the infamous L'Entourloop collective. With around 30 tracks split across two sides - one dedicated to dub/reggae and one to hip-hop - there are myriad contributions from Ken Boothe, Bounty Killer, JuJu Rogers, Degihuegi, Dope St. Jude, Killa P, Flowdan, etc., all culminating to tell a filmic epic, gunslinging story.
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.
Review: Ill Bill, Danny Boy, Slaine, DJ Lethal, and DJ Eclipse return with their second full-length for Fat Beats Records, plotting hardcore hip-hop plans before a raw, no-frills execution. Ill Bill, formerly of Non Phixion, brings his signature dark lyricism; Danny Boy made his name with House of Pain; Slaine cut his teeth in La Coka Nostra and Boston’s unctuous underground; DJ Lethal’s production chops span from Cypress Hilly boom-bap to Limp Bizkit era chaos; and DJ Eclipse, a key figure in NYC’s pirate radio scene, downs anchor on the crew’s sound. Production comes from DJ Premier, Statik Selektah, and DJ Lethal himself, ensuring a retentive grittiness, while guest spots from Vinnie Paz and the late Sean Price help the crew hammer hone a collective lyrical point.
Element Of Surprise (feat U-God & Masta Killa) (3:08)
Az The World Turnz (feat Raekwon) (3:24)
Wu-blood Kin (feat Ghostface Killah & 12 O'clock) (3:07)
I Want It All (4:16)
Review: To mark the quarter-century anniversary of the release of La the Darkman's classic Heist of the Century album Coalmine Music have assembled this special 25th Anniversary Edition across two slabs of wax. The Brooklyn native has never officially repressed this one since first releasing it but it is one of the Wu-Tang Clan affiliate's finest hours. It has the same dark soul sound you would expect of anyone who has had anything to do with that collective along with some gritty production, killer boom-bap rhythms and heavyweight rap features like Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Havoc and Masta Killah.
Review: Steve Lacy is an LA-based songwriter best known as guitarist for The Internet as well as producing for Kendrick Lamar amongst others. After releasing his debut solo album Apollo XXI in 2019, he returns with a sophomore effort which expands on his broad-reaching vision of psychedelic soul. Like a modern day Shuggie Otis he knows how to bridge the gap between disparate musical camps, displaying a powerful pop instinct while keeping things kinked and quirky throughout. Lead single 'Bad Habit' is a sweet, sentimental anthem that should appeal to all and sundry, and it's a perfect gateway into an album brimming with future classics.
Review: Perhaps the most striking moment on Kendrick Lamar's GNX comes early, with 'Squabble Up.' Opening on a sparse beat laced with an almost claustrophobic bassline, the track bursts into intricate lyricism, with Lamar delivering rapid-fire verses that bristle with urgency. It's an audacious statement that sets the tone for the album: introspection wrapped in cinematic production. Then there's 'Heart Pt. 6,' a deeply layered piece where ghostly synths and rolling drums frame Lamar's contemplations on legacy, loss, and identity. The interplay of Lamar's voice, alternately tender and defiant, with the productionicourtesy of Sounwave and Kamasi Washingtoniis nothing short of riveting. GNX doesn't provide easy answers; instead, it invites you to sit with its questions, its moments of chaos and its flashes of hard-won clarity.
Review: It is hard to believe this classic album from Kendrick Lamar is already a decade old. He has gone on to reach even higher heights since this one despite what an accomplishment it was. It marked his major label debut back in 2012 and was a deeply personal reflection by Compton, CA-born rapper about, well, life, has grown to command a much wider gravitas today than it did upon its first release. Back then, it had enough pop appeal to hype up the mass of its listeners, while also intelligently working enough ironic political commentary about the nature of American hood experience into the lyrics, to have the effect of wisely 'nudging' the average popular international music consumer to wake up and listen up. This is an album about deep and open psychic wounds gashed across the social fabric of the USA, told through the isolated perspective of just one kid.
Review: There is so much killer hip-hop out there right now it is a real delight. It is fair to say that much of it is of an old school bent - boom bap drums and silky soul flurries, but that doesn't make it any less essential. Coming back for a third album here is legendary beat maker and MC Large Pro aka The Large Professor. His highly anticipated long player is rich in signature sounds that can be sung to, danced to or skated to. All 10 cuts are gold standard bangers and take in highlights such as the young energy of 'Let It Fly' to the more sleazy ghetto sounds of 'Rooftop Love.'
Review: Laufey's debut EP, Typical of Me, introduces listeners to her gorgeously reminiscent sound, blending classical and jazz influences with modern flair. With deeply resonant vocals and delicate soundscapes, Laufey transports listeners to a bygone era while infusing her music with contemporary elements. Tracks like 'Street By Street' show her lo-fi, soulful style, earning praise from the likes of Billie Eilish and Willow Smith. 'Magnolia' captivates with its heavenly acoustic guitar and heartfelt lyrics, while 'Like the Movies' and 'I Wish You Love' exude warmth and innocence reminiscent of a romantic past. Throughout the EP, Laufey's vocals evoke legendary singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, bridging the gap between generations. "Someone New" seamlessly blends jazz flows with modern beats, offering relatable lyrics for the younger generation. The EP culminates with the playful 'Best Friend,' showcasing Laufey's dexterity and promise as an artist. At just 21 years old when this was written in 2020, Laufey demonstrates remarkable skill and maturity on Typical of Me, setting the stage for a bright future in music. With its honesty, prettiness, and intoxicating warmth, the EP is a confident debut from an artist destined for greatness.
Review: Noa Lauryn is a soulful r&b artist known for her honest lyrics and feel-good energy. She crafts neo-soul influenced by Jazmine Sullivan, Anderson .Paak and Mahalia and blends acoustic and electronic sounds backed by her jazz and hip-hop-rooted band, The Incredibles. Coin Collection is a wonderful window into her sound that will appeal to fans of the likes of Fatima and D'Angelo. It has lush drums and whimsical chords with romantic melodies and super smooth, emotive vocals from Lauryn. Some cuts ride raw like 'Bubble' while 'Head On (feat Josimar Gomes)' are deep, empowering grooves.
Aint About Me - "Watching Tarot Card XVI Come To Life" (3:03)
Dreamcastmoe & Shungu - "Don't Let Me Down" (1:16)
Iman Houssein - "Their Eyes" (3:22)
Qur’an Shaheed - "Thrive" (6:29)
Makaya McCraven - "Crash Course" (4:24)
CoS - "Ayy Thank Full" (3:08)
Trian Kayhatu - "OK Dan" (3:17)
Regal86 - "Parado En La Esquina" (3:46)
Abrahamblue - "Joanna" (3:45)
DJ Spinn - "Synthshot" (3:18)
Igor Jadranin - "NUB" (1:57)
Shlundee - "Acid 2 Acid" (6:16)
LB Aka Labat - "Ca Chauffe Tonton" (5:20)
Elisa Bee - "A Sun That Never Goes Down" (5:28)
Pippin - "Ro" (2:27)
Review: Compilation maestros BBE are back with another gem, this time from Belgian DJ and tastemaker Lefto. His The Beauty is Inside is a 19-track gem from across the musical spectrum with sounds from all over the world. It shines a light and shows respect to everything from Ethiopian singer Alemayehu Eshete to South African singer and actress Patience Africa via Spanish composer Pedro Ruy-Blas. All these original tracks are from up-and-coming artists who Lefto feel deserve a bigger platform. It makes for a fascinating listen and serves up plenty of red hot talents.
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