Southpaw Chop Japan Vinilo y CD

Review: DJ KOCO AKA Shimokita and Southpaw Chop join forces once more for a tidy new vinyl only 7" under their Funky Soul Brother alias for Southpaw Chop's eponymous label. 'Kiwami' is a raw funk tune with razor sharp hi hats over spy theme-like 60s synths and bi claps. It's brilliantly retro and filled with dance floor drama. On the reverse, Southpaw Chop goes it alone for 'Chocolate Sunday' which his a more deep cut and languid tune that lazes on drawn out funk riffs and cosmic synth explosions.

Review: Over the last decade, Hideo Sasaki has gained a reputation for being one of Japan's premier turntablists and beat-makers, consistently offering up now hard-to-find seven-inch singles that combine "golden era"-influenced backing tracks with raps from some seriously good - and in some cases well-known - MCs. The Far East Quality EP acts as a showcase for the producer's work, gathering together previously seven-inch only tracks and unheard remixes. It's universally excellent, though our highlights include the bustling, string-drenched excellence of 'No Love Lost' featuring Diamond D, the boom-bap brilliance of Large Professor hook-up 'Jewel of the Day', and both versions of 'Laced With Tragedy', Sasaki's collaboration with Tragedy Khadafi.