Back catalogue: All genres

Review: The so-far superb Boom Bap Classics label kicks on with a sixth fantastic slab of old school gold. This time once more they offer up underground 90s rap gems in the form of a brilliant neck-snapper from West Coast lyrical don Rasco. His 'Unassisted' is a widely respected cut that finds favour with heads and backpackers and turntablists alike thanks to its hard bars and chord-laced bumping beats. On the flip, 'Take It Back Home' features fellow Californian vocalist Planet Asia who continues in the same vibe and keeps you moving.

Review: Rasco's The Unassisted was a pivotal release in 1997, helping to put independent rap on the map with its raw energy and standout production. Taken from his Time Waits for No Man LP, this 12" single, produced by Fanatic with cuts from D-Styles and Peanut Butter Wolf, quickly became an underground classic. Rasco's sharp delivery and gritty lyricism, paired with that unmistakable 90s sound, solidified his place in the scene. Over the years, Rasco has collaborated with hip-hop heavyweights like Phife Dawg, Evidence, Jake One and Roc Raida, releasing albums with Stones Throw and gaining international recognition.

Review: Reggie Ray's latest release, timed with the Paris '24 Olympics Breaking event, pays homage to street culture with a heartfelt record. With intricate production and a nod to New York '72, it's a fitting tribute to DJ Regal's innovative spirit. The artwork by Optic Intake adds visual depth, resonating with the energy of the FBV Crew and the late Paul Eve's enduring influence. Released by Lexington144 Records, this EP blends nostalgia with contemporary beats, showcasing Reggie Ray's mastery in crafting dynamic, street-inspired tracks. A poignant note honors Eve's legacy, promising future releases from Lexington 144 Records. This release not only celebrates breaking culture but also tells about the enduring impact of its creators.

Review: Eastside Edits is back with yet another infectious disc's worth of funky disco edits for DJs and collectors alike. Welcoming a fresh throng of international talent, this eighth edition hears up-and-coming Indonesian producer Rhework appear alongside renowned UK duo Suckaside. The former's 'Street Sounds' channel the effortless bustle of square-blocked, gridlocked city streets, where steam rises from manhole covers, taxicabs trailblaze yellow light trails, and funk clubs roar as loudly as underground subway systems. Suckaside's B-side is a call-and-responsive version of equal calibre, though it does clock in at a slower tempo.

Review: The Royal Organ Duo is an exceptional name for a project and the music they cook up is no less good either. It comes on Funk Night out of the Us in the form of this tidy 7" and opens up with a new take on a stone-cold hip-hop classic. 'White Lines' sounds the same but different here - the main melodies are intact but replayed on a Hammond organ while the dusty drums are live and jazzy with some extra flourishes added for good measure. The flipside is a deeper cut but one that will still work floors into a frenzy.

Review: Since 2019, Ryozo Band have attracted the attention of fans both in their native Japan and overseas, owing to their deft workings in the realm of jazz-funk and fusion, all tempered by a buzzing affective irreverence. In 2023, they released the 'Utopia' EP, and now follow up said award-winner with yet another, equally affecting EP-form homage to all things felicific and dopaminergic: 'Pleasure'. Kicking off with an impressive, minimalist keyboard exposition, the Ryozo formula soon unfurls as a counterpoint of uptempo wrist-flicked drumming and two horns in unison, overlaid further by sax, trumpet and synth saw. Heavily borrowing from rhythmic and vibeish trends in the current UK jazz scene, 'Pleasure' is a synaptic surge of various sonic serotonins and oxytocins, amounting to what is best describable both as a qualitative and quantitative hedonic calculation in jazz.

Review: Grammy award-winner Tyla broke the internet with her viral track 'Water', becoming the first South African artist in over 55 years to enter the Billboard Hot 100 - as well as the youngest South African of all time ever to do so. The 'Water' challenge swept the internet, earning her top ten placements in multiple countries and nominations for various awards - rightly so, her voice is sultry, the beat is smooth and the hook is infectious. On the other side of the 7" coin is Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Rema with his career-defining breakout hit 'Calm Down', his vocal talent shining through the minimal instrumentation. It's easy to see why the world was entranced, bolstered massively by a remix featuring Selena Gomez that has since led the track to be nominated for several Billboard and MTV awards, as well as holding a long list of world records: Most streamed Afrobeat song on Spotify, Longest charting African song on Billboard, most watched Nigerian music video... we could go on.

Review: Red Snapper return with Barb And Feather, celebrating 30 years since their debut album. Liquidising the band's signature jazz, funk, and electronic grooves into a prostrate puree of vivid, electronically augmentable sound, we once again hear Rich Thair, Ali Friend, Tom Challenger and new addition Tara Cunningham perform a brilliant post-punk-dub-disco dramaturge, mullioned at the midpoint by a cracking instrumental redo of David Bowie's 'Sound And Vision', upheld by a true Balearic trestle. The second half, on the other hand, hears a four-track collaboration with the legendary David Harrow, pushing Red Snapper ever further towards unsnapped chunks of dietetic punk-disco delight.

Review: Some 30 years have now passed since Warp Records decided to repackage and reissue Red Snapper's first three EPs on one handy collection, the efflortlessly excellent Reeled & Skinned. Effectively the duo's introduction to a wider audience, it did a great job in showcasing their trademark sound - an enticing blend of loose-limbed live drums, double bass, intoxicating electronics and snaking sax sounds. As this anniversary vinyl reissue proves, it's a musical blend that still sounds fresh all these years on. The plentiful highlights include moody theme 'Snapper' (featuring Beth Orton), lightly Latin-tinged punk-funk workout 'Swank', the riotous and aggressive 'Wesley Don't Surf' and Sabres of Paradise's incredible rework of 'Hot Flush' - a jazzy, breakbeat-driven slab of dancefloor deepness that ranks among Andrew Weatherall and company's finest remixes.

Review: A gold vinyl version of PeteStrumentals 2, the long-awaited sequel to his 2001 instrumental debut that was originally released in 2015. Known for his iconic 90s golden age contributions, Pete Rock's craft remains impeccable, even if his mainstream presence has waned slightly and whether working with lesser-known MCs or big names, his beats consistently shine. Great instrumental hip-hop albums often feel like immersive journeys, and PeteStrumentals 2 achieves this with its distinctive horn loops and lush keyboards. The drums, central to Pete's sound, still hit with precision. Tracks like 'Heaven & Earth' begin with experimental textures before settling into a solid groove, showcasing his blend of melodic finesse and rhythmic strength. Pete Rock's evolution as an elder statesman in hip-hop is evident, with tracks paying homage to influences like J Dilla while staking his own claim. The album's atmosphere mixes nostalgia with contemporary beatmaking techniques, featuring samples from David Axelrod, Isaac Hayes and Black Heat, generally reaffirming Pete Rock's status as an enduring hip-hop production great.

Review: Rodney Smith, aka Roots Manuva, is a titan of Black British music, renowned for his genre-blending production that fuses hip-hop with reggae, dub, and electronic influences. His groundbreaking debut, Brand New Second Hand (1999), marked his entrance into the UK music scene with its introspective lyrics and avant-garde beats, establishing him as a seminal figure. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Brand New Second Hand, a special 2LP edition on smoky vinyl will be released, featuring bonus tracks and a portrait print of Roots Manuva. Despite the acclaim for Run Come Save Me (2001), his debut remains crucial, offering potent dub poetry over beats reminiscent of DJ Shadow's style mixed with Linton Kwesi Johnson. The album stands as one of the first great UK hip-hop records, with a unique sound that continues to influence and define the genre.