Back catalogue: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: In 1999, Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon followed up his legendary solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, with Immobilarity. It soon made an impact and reached the Top Ten on the US album charts. Within a month, it was certified gold by the RIAA and helped to cement Raekwon's status as a prominent figure in hip-hop. The album showcased his unique storytelling and vivid lyricism by blending street narratives with slick production. While it received mixed reviews compared to his debut, Immobilarity remains an essential chapter in Raekwon's career. For this year's RSD Black Friday and in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of this landmark recording, it comes pressed as a double LP on a never-to-be-repeated 'galaxy effect' vinyl pressing.

Review: Rakim's latest release finds him embracing his legacy with renewed energy, bringing together a host of hip-hop veterans for a collection that bridges old-school sensibilities with timely reflections. The project feels like a communal endeavor, spotlighting the strengths of seasoned emcees like Kurupt and Masta Killa. Their contributions, especially on tracks like 'Be Ill', resonate with a collaborative energy that reminds listeners of Rakim's deep-rooted influence. Though Rakim takes on the role of producer for the first time, his choices show an appreciation for the genre's classic sounds. The lineup, featuring artists like Planet Asia and B.G., offers stylistic contrasts that highlight Rakim's ear for talent and respect for regional voices. Highlights include the introspective 'Now Is the Time' and 'Love Is the Message', which are rich with lyrical insight and raw delivery. Despite his relatively sparse rapping here, Rakim's presence is felt throughout. His influence in curating this network of artists and his production underscore the powerful role he continues to play as an architect of hip-hop, ensuring that, while his sound evolves, it never strays far from his roots.

Review: V Don and Ransom are back with Chaos Is My Ladder 2, bringing a fresh wave of gritty bars and raw production to the table. Joining forces with Griselda heavyweight Conway The Machine, the album showcases ten tracks where each artist brings their A-game, blending sharp lyricism with V Don's signature, rugged beats. Lloyd Banks makes the sole feature appearance, adding even more depth to an already powerful project. With its dark, immersive soundscape and undeniable energy, this release has quickly caught attention as a potential Album of the Year contender. Each track pulls you deeper, making it impossible to stop at just one listen.

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: Roots Manuva's Run Come Save Me is a quintessential British rap record, showcasing a unique fusion of hip-hop with West Indian influences. Released in 2004, the album - his second - stands out for its inventive production and socially conscious lyrics. Roots Manuva's distinctive flow, reminiscent of DV Alias Khryst and Shabba Ranks, combines with beats that draw from garage, dub and electronica, creating a distinctive sound. Tracks like 'Bashment Boogie' and 'Witness (One Hope)' feature gritty basslines and pulsating rhythms, while 'Ital' offers a classic cipher vibe with compelling social commentary. The album's highlights include 'Sinny Sin Sins,' where Roots critiques religious dogma with incisive lyrics, and 'Dreamy Days,' which contrasts materialism with natural pleasures. His British perspective enriches the album, adding a unique cultural dimension. While some tracks like 'Trim Body' explore avant-garde territory, the overall effect is a powerful, fresh take on hip-hop. Run Come Save Me remains a significant and genre-defining work.

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.

Review: Roughneck Jihad and Symatic are back with their first full-length album, The Decomposition Ray. After their 2022 Simon Bar Sinister EP and the 2018 lathe-cut 7" Wonder, the duo continues to evolve their unique mix of experimental beats and unconventional lyrics. Crafted with a loop station, tape echo, and Cut & Paste Records scratch tools, the instrumentals were passed to Roughneck Jihad for lyrical infusion. The album's artwork is hand-printed by Bethanien's Dust in Belfast, while each of the 150 vinyl records is splatter-pressed with a unique design, making each copy a true collector's item.

Review: Raising Hell originally came in 1986 and became a groundbreaking album that built on the success of King of Rock and went on to sell over three million copies worldwide. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album raised the standard for hip hop as it was packed with hard-hitting hooks, inventive samples, scratches and of course many catchy choruses. Tracks like 'Peter Piper'# with its Bob James sample, 'It's Tricky' which made use of The Knack's 'My Sharona' and 'My Adidas' became and remain classics. However, the 'Walk This Way' bridged hip hop and rock in all new ways and consigned Aerosmith's original version almost to irrelevance.

Review: Run The Jewels 2 - 10th Anniversary Limited Edition arrives as a heavyweight celebration of an album that shook up hip-hop and still resonates today. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl, it's an essential collector's piece for those who understand the uncompromising energy and sharp lyricism that defined its impact. With premium packaging and exclusive details, this edition honours the legacy of Killer Mike and El-P's masterwork, delivering a high-quality experience that's all about paying homage to one of the genre's true modern classics.

Review: RZA has always been an interesting character who has dabbled in many different projects alongside his legendary presence as part of the Wu-Tang Crew. For this new album, he makes his first foray into the world of classical music and fans have already dubbed it a masterpiece. It's an emotional rollercoaster with turbulent moods, beautiful finales, and plenty in between, all of which have been designed as a way of attempting to get people into classical music who might previously have ignored the genre. It will surely work wonders on that front.