New releases last eight weeks: All genres

Review: Drunkenstein is back on his 7" saga grind with this slow burning banger 'Beat Down Life Up' on the A-side, chopping out a downtempo breakbeat over a seriously groovy yet purposefully monotonous psych-tinged guitar line; the instrumental cut flirts with the jazz-funk meanderings of library music yet retained within the confines of boom-bap subtlety. On the B-side, we get a sleepy remix of Fatlip from The Pharcyde's 'Here Comes The Lip'; smothering the MC's fluid bars under a reverberating break and off-kilter organ samples, with some ever-so-slight dubs applied towards the backend to add another layer of drugged out despondency at odds with the animated yet distantly delivered bars.

Review: Metronomy mark their signing to Ninja Tune with a new single that comes not long after their Posse EP Volume 1, a collection of tunes all made in collaboration with up-and-coming artists like Biig Piig, Spill Tab, Sorry, Brian Nasty and Folly Group. This one is another collaboration, this time with Pam Amsterdam. 'Nice Town' deals with the lead singer's own battles such as "internal versus the external or, intangible versus the tangible." It is a delightfully snappy dance-pop ditty with great and tight synth sequences, old-school rap vocals and nice broken early electro beats. Metronomy and Alain Ogue add their own remixes to a great label debut.

Review: Dal Platinum is back once again like a reneged master. His last outings on the fantastic Breakbeat Paradise Recordings came in the form of a remix and a huge Powerhour free download and now he comes correct on a new 7". He kicks off by bringing some crashing breakbeats and funky drumming to a hip-hop classic on 'Breath & Strut', while the melodies are full of soul. On the reverse is a much sunnier sound - 'Peace Dust' is driven by a big bassline with some nice organ stabs and a fiery vocal leading the vibes up top.

Review: Second time around for Sneaker Pimps' Six Underground, the lesser-celebrated follow-up to the duo's renowned 'Spin Spin Sugar' single (famous, of course, because of Armand Van Helden's influential 'Dark Garage' remix). While the revisions included here - all initially released in 1996 - did not make as big an impression, all four have stood the test of time impressively. The headline attraction is a pair of Two Lone Swordsmen rubs, which are amongst the earliest reworks Weatherall and Tenniswood laid down under the alias. The vocal and instrumental takes are low slung trip-hop tracks overlaid with heady electronic elements. Elsewhere, Nellee Hooper channels the spirit (and sound) of his work with Massive Attack, and Hull boys Fila Brazillia lay down a typically deep, dubby and slowly evolving downtempo workout.

Review: Snips is back with a bang on his own label Barbershop Records. This time out he offers up the fresh Nebuer EP which is a project undertaken in which he mixes up sample-heavy house and hip-hop sounds, all in a style with which he has become closely associated. The artist has recently become a father for the first time and so that life event was a big influence on this studio work and each makes a specific reference to the different steps on his journey into fatherhood. That makes this a truly personal work but also one that never forgets the club and so the beats remain heavy, compelling, and packed with soulful flourishes.

Review: This project, which translates to "The Way of Music" in English, is a collaborative initiative spearheaded by Groh, founder of the esteemed Polish hip-hop label JuNouMi which was established in 2002. It marks a fusion of talents between Polish and Japanese artists and commenced with Twardowski crafting music using samples from Japanese albums followed by the inclusion of MCs KANETSUGU and Prykson Fisk. DJs 1an from Tokyo and DJ Eprom from Warsaw joined the ensemble while the design, handled by Magorzata "Mauko" Korczak, explores Japanese Shod? calligraphy. This 7" release marks the start of a new Polish-Japanese collaborative series with more to come.

Review: Fans of UK street soul from the mid-80s you need this one in your life as Heels & Souls Recordings returns with its eighth reissue and unveils some treasures by Elaine Vassell and 3rd Zone. In 1993, amidst the rise of house music, UK soul thrived, accompanied by its DIY street soul sibling as perfectly exemplified here by 'Never Give Up' which boasts a raw, breakbeat-driven groove, blending soulful house, hip-hop, and r&b, while 3rd Zone's 'You Stole My Heart' from 1991, later featured on their 1993 EP No Real Reason, offers a tender yet tough underground vibe. Both tracks showcase the era's spirit, proving that creativity trumps big budgets. Each side includes an alternate version for added depth and diversity.

Review: Fresh from high-profile collaborative sets with Metro Boomin (2020's Savage Mode) and Drake (2022's Her Loss), 21 Savage has finally delivered a new solo set for the first time in six years. We say solo set; as is the way with blockbuster hip-hop and r&b albums, the set contains a strong cast list - Metro Boomin, Doja Cat, Travis Scott and Young Blud included - while thematically it offers insight into the UK-born, Atlanta-based MC's journey across the pond and eventual rise to stardom. His rhymes are more honest and "real" than ever before, while the luxurious and expansive musical backdrops combine punchy trap beats with carefully selected samples, sweeping orchestration, and the kind of big-studio production associated with rap and r&b's most high-profile artists.

Review: Great hip-hop has often been defined by collaboration and Chemistry by 9th Wonder and Buckshot is a testament to that. The album, released on June 21, 2005 through Duck Down Music as a part of the label's "Triple Threat Campaign", showcases the seamless synergy between 9th Wonder's soulful production and Buckshot's sharp lyricism. Each track shows off their undeniable chemistry, with smooth beats and introspective rhymes that captivate from start to finish as muse on everything from introspective reflections to social commentary, all with precision and depth. With its cohesive sound and thoughtful lyricism, Chemistry is a must-listen for fans of both artists and the genre as a whole.

Review: Unfairly labelled as a novel curio when they first emerged, the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band is a genuine expression of Mighty Mocambos man Bjorn Wagner's love of Trinidadian steel pan music. Their tracks - often, but not always, quirky cover versions - combined authentic funk instrumentation (drums, bass, guitar, horns) with the timeless and distinctive sound of steel drums. BRSB, the combo's fourth album, is another summery and effortlessly entertaining treat. Highlights include the inspired 'Love For The Sake of Dub' (an organic interpretation of Claudja Barry's slo-mo disco classic 'Love For The Sake of Love'), the breaker-friendly cheeriness and heaviness of 'Grilled', a wonderfully woozy and dubbed out stroll through the 'Stranger Things Theme', and the summer sunshine of 'Champion's Walk'.

Review: Tyler Daley is a UK hip-hop mainstay and the vice of the brilliant Children of Zeus. Here he branches out with his own solo album, Son of Zeus - see what he did there? It comes on the band's home label of First World and bares plenty of their signature sonic hallmarks - dusty, undercooked production, lazy hip hop beats, and gorgeous vocals that sit somewhere between neo soul, golden era boom-bap from Tribe and something else a little unique. It's a warm world where yearning bars, lush harmonies and hooky melodies all float around the stripped back but bumping beats. Superb stuff.

Review: .Often considered to be one of the biggest commercial flops in music recording history, Standing In The Spotlight was the 1989 debut solo album from Ramones bassist Dee Dee Ramone. Released under his rap moniker Dee Dee King, the bizarre project served up an amalgam of old school hip-hop, late 50s garage rock and even doo-wop, all blended together in chaotic fashion, and led by Dee Dee's new gangster bravura. It's been noted that the hip-hop-centric attire seen on the cover was adorned by Dee Dee at his last few Ramones shows shortly before departing, which drew major ire from his bandmates. Tapping Marky Ramone to oversee percussion samples, and even enlisting Debbie Harry (Blondie) to provide backing vocals on 'Mashed Potato Time', and, 'German Kid', with the latter featuring vocals sung in both English and German (nodding to Dee Dee's growing up as an army brat), the album was crafted with every earnest intention of launching Dee Dee's solo career. Conceptually inspired whilst in rehab and used as a project of focus when embracing his newfound sobriety; the sheer enthusiasm and fearlessness of Standing In The Spotlight grants it a pass and a place as a truly absurd offshoot oddity from a vital member of the one of the defining punk bands.

Review: While rooted in the quintessential sound of the late 1950s and early 1960s, UK jazz ensemble The Jazz Defenders explore fresh territory while honouring their jazz heritage on their third album, Memory In Motion. Tracks like 'Chasing Fantasies' and 'Fuffle Kerfuffle' showcase their swing jazz finesse, while 'Meanderthal' and 'Snakebite Playfight' infuse soulful grooves akin to 1960s jazz legends. Collaborations with UK rapper Doc Brown on 'Rolling On A High' and the uptempo funk of 'Net Zero' add modern flair, while introspective moments like 'Take A Minute' and the closing 'Enigma' offer a serene balance. Memory In Motion celebrates jazz's legacy and innovation, blending tradition with contemporary influences for an immersive listening experience.

Review: Jurassic 5's Quality Control album from all the way back in 2000 is a sonic manifesto that embodies their signature blend of old-school hip-hop vibes with a fresh twist. The album showcases the group's tight-knit chemistry and impeccable flow, delivering razor-sharp rhymes over hypnotic beats that are now well-known as their signature. With its infectious groove and insightful lyrics, Quality Control is a testament to the group's mastery of the genre and their commitment to delivering high-calibre music that is also full of timeless tunes that not only celebrate the art of hip-hop but also serve as a reminder of the importance of staying true to one's craft.

Review: KLIM is a producer who hails from Aviv and is based in Ukraine. He grew up on the classic hip-hop of New York and Detroit and it shows in his crisp boom-bap beats. There have been an eye-watering amount of them to date with over 40 albums to his name. Each one comes laden with soul and this new one, Planet SL1200, which no doubt named after the hardware he used to make it, is another doozy. The short, sketchy tracks convey great vibes and ride on compelling beat work that cannot help but encourage you to zone out and daydream.

Review: There's been rather a lot of noise about Jaguar II, Victoria Monet's much-delayed full-length follow up to 2021's Jaguar mini-album. The hype is, in many ways, understandable - it did recently scoop the 'Best R&B Album' award at the GRAMMYs. More importantly, it's also very good, with the decorated songwriter-turned-pop star confidently serving up retro-futurist gems who's punchy 21st century r&b beats come cloaked in musical motifs that frequently offer nods to black American music of the 1970s, 80s and early 90s. The plentiful highlights include Lucky Daye hook-up 'Smoke', the dancehall-fired excellence of 'Party Girls' (featuring Buju Banton), the Fugees-esque beauty of 'How Does It Make You Feel', and the glossy disco-soul dreaminess of 'Hollywood', where her young daughter Hazel and Earth, Wind and Fire both play starring roles.

Review: OT The Real and AraabMuzik team to great effect here on Zombie, a gripping listen and fresh take on hip hop that is also a great indicator of their collaborative prowess. The album pulsates with raw energy, blending OT The Real's lyrical finesse with AraabMuzik's signature production mastery, from start to finish. There are all sorts of haunting melodies and hard-hitting beats that captivate with dark and hypnotic atmospheres always luring you in further. As two prominent figures in the hip-hop scene, OT The Real and AraabMuzik deliver a relentless sonic assault that leaves a lasting impression here and shows they likely have plenty more to come.

Review: Back in 1991, PT House's debut album Big World introduced Soweto rapper Nelson Mohale (who was later known as Dr House) to South Africa's burgeoning house and kwaito scene. Collaborating with producer Danny Bridgens, known for his work with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Margino, the newly formed pair fused US and UK hip-house influences with local flavours and always imbued their music with a positive outlook for the future. Now reissued for the first time on Afrosynth Records, the small but well-formed four-track record remains a bold testament to their vision and has more than stood the test of time with its vibrant energy and forward-looking spirit.

Review: Aussie soul boy and soothing crooner Jordan Rakei is a profile songwriter, producer and vocalist who has put out plenty of great records in recent times. They have made him a firm festival favourite over on these shores and as such he was tapped up back in 2021 to make his entry into the esteemed Late Night Tales series. As per the MO, he takes a deep dive into his record collection to soundtrack a session back at his once the sun has gone down. It's classy and sophisticated from front to back with jazz, soul, folk, deep house and plenty of his own tracks all adding up to something beautifully escapist.

Review: The reissue of Pete Rock & CL Smooth's Main Ingredient reminds hip-hop heads what a timeless masterpiece it really is. The record has a sure place in hip-hop history and has since it was originally released in 1994. The album showcases the duo's famous and unparalleled chemistry, with Pete Rock's soulful production and CL Smooth's smooth lyricism blending seamlessly on tracks that continue to resonate with listeners and very much capture the essence of 90s hip-hop while still remaining relevant today. 'Sun Won't Come Out', 'The Main Ingredient', and 'Get On The Mic' all demand to be played loud and proud

Review: In 2024 urban and club are often interchangeable terms. Both are also painfully reductive, but that's a point for another time. Los Angeles-based vocalist and producer serpentwithfeet is a case in point, an artist who deftly weaves together sexy and seductive with nightlife energy, proving not only the breadth of each canon but also how much ground they can share. While this may not be unfamiliar, it's relatively new ground for the man with the mic in question, whose previous exploits have often been rooted in gospel tones, nodding to his own upbringing in a religious household. GRIP is musically revelatory in that sense, then, and impeccably crafted.

Review: Shabazz Palaces's Exotic Birds of Prey is a new seven-song mini-album that comes via Sub Pop and follows the huge success of Robed in Rareness back in October 2023. It is a rather enchaining listen that draws on many different rap eras and blends them into one new sound helmed by vocalist and producer Ismael Butler. Shabazz Palaces redefines hip-hop across decades here with the album blending the past, present, and future with warped sounds and fine collaborations from the likes of Stas THEE Boss and Japreme Magnetic who help to enrich this sonic journey. This special Loser Edition comes on creamy white vinyl.

Review: fabric's prestigious presents series is back with another superb entry, this time from Shygirl whose mix marks the start of the legendary London club's 25th birthday celebrations. She is one of five artists seeing up mixes this year and includes some fine and extended versions of some of her recent club favourites as well as forthcoming music from the likes of Danny Daze & Jonny From Space, plus some well-known modern classic cuts from Eliza Rose, Florentino, Jacques Greene and Hudson Mohawke. It's a wild ride through Shygirl's unique sonic landscape that comes on bright acid yellow vinyl.

Review: As a means of celebrating its 20th anniversary, Rostrum Records has assembled a special compilation album chronicling its rich history that was due to arrive for Record Store Day last year. The new long player features exclusive tracks from Mac Miller, Wiz Khalifa, Problem featuring Snoop Dogg and Freddie Gibbs, Innanet James featuring Pusha T and Kallitechnis, Mod Sun featuring DeJ Loaf, Biz Markie, Mike Taylor, Brevin Kim, Rockie Fresh, and more. These never-before-released gems offer a glimpse into the label's diverse and influential journey, showcasing the talent and creativity that have defined Rostrum Records over the past two decades. It's a must-have collection for fans and a testament to the label's enduring legacy.

Review: WHODINI's Open Sesame album is a perfect example of the best of 1980s hip-hop. It showcases the group's pioneering blend of catchy beats, slick rhymes, and infectious energy. Originally back released in 1987, the album features iconic tracks like 'Funky Beat' and 'Rock You Again (Again & Again).' With its innovative production and charismatic performances, 'Open Sesame' solidified WHODINI's status as one of the most influential groups in the genre. From start to finish, the album exudes a sense of excitement and creativity, leaving a lasting impact on hip-hop music which means it might sound of its time but it remains a classic and an essential listen for any fan of old-school rap.