Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Embarking on a reissues campaign of lo-fi hip-hop pioneer Nujabes' earliest material, Hydeout Productions share a new edition of the storied producer's second record, Modal Soul. In contrast to his debut Metaphorical Music, Modal Soul is the full-length that really took the world by quiet storm. Laid down after both the solo debut and the release of two Samurai Champloo soundtracks, Modal Soul marked a return to source, and is another testament to what Nujabes did best. Most hip-hop fans will preconsciously, instantly recognise the central, flourishing piano movement of the opener 'Feather', which sticks to the four-bar formula whilst inviting fellow rappers Cise Starr and Akin to wax freely, the central theme being lightness of being: "drifting away like a feather in air / Letting my words take me away from the hurt and despair". The maudlin mood is kept throughout, with cumulative standouts such as 'Reflection Eternal' having also inscribed themselves in collective memory, and more swung experiments like 'Sea Of Cloud' showcasing Nujabes' slowly but surely disclosing a skilful abstraction of breakbeat roots.

Review: Hydeout Productions turn their attention once more to the ever-influential lo-fi hip-hop pioneer Nujabes (Jun Seba). Seba's simple formula for cooking up stirring beats - sampler-driven loops, piano overlays, and reverberative flows from guest rappers over and above - has proven timeless so far. His debut LP Metaphorical Music evinces the artist's mastery from the jump, with no letup on quality and handicraft thereafter. Through these serene beats, with enduring features from English-speaking compatriots Cise Starr, Shing02 and Substantial guesting, we're left to wonder what exactly the titular conceit is. Research hardly does the trick: despite the name, these are free-floating, proto-cloud rap sonic phosphenes, not overt concepts. The vibe of relaxation is present throughout, and Nujabes' emphasis on the instrumental despite the rap features are also evident, with floaty beat-centric breakdowns and abrupt easings of flow, present throughout.