Back catalogue: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: Say She She are emergent stars of the NYC scene, pooling considerable talents from various parts of the world into a brew which feels wholly appropriate for the Big Apple. Upholding the open-hearted values of the downtown scene, they turn their hand to dexterous disco-not-disco get-down on ‘Reeling’ without ever sounding referential. Meanwhile on the flip they sink down into a more sultry mood, riding dusty, delicate drums and radiant Rhodes as a vehicle for some unreal vocal harmonies and a sound so cosy you could wrap it around you to stave off the winter.

Review: Say She She is the psychedelic soul group from Brooklyn that's exploded onto the scene since their debut in 2019. Receiving critical acclaim for their two albums to date, and the pleasure of touring Europe and North America, the Nile Rodgers-inspired female trio even got a video message of approval from the legend himself. Authentic and organic are two words that fit the classically trained troupe to a tea and, in the great soul tradition, covers are a necessity. Jim Spencer's 1979 attempt at foraying into disco 'Wrap Myself Up in Your Love' wasn't received amazingly at the time, but thanks to the adoration of archive label The Numero Group, the song has seen a resurgence in covers and fans. The original vocal is zany and expressive against some jangly funk guitars, whilst Say She She's rendition hones in on the sultry aspect of the track. Guitars are muted down to transform the song into a lovemaking slow jam, wind passages are introduced and the vocal is subtly powerful and sexy. This 7" contains both Spencer's original track and the interpretation by the trio, pressed on white vinyl.

Review: Brooklyn-based psychedelic soul group Say She She have exploded onto the scene since their debut in 2019. Receiving critical acclaim for their two albums to date, and multiple TV performances, the Nile Rodgers-inspired female trio even got a video message of approval from the legend himself. Organic and authentic are two words that fit the classically trained troupe to a tea and, in the great soul tradition, covers are a necessity. Jim Spencer's 1979 track 'Wrap Myself Up in Your Love' didn't get much attention at the time - his attempt at doing disco wasn't well received - but thanks to the adoration of archive label The Numero Group, the song has seen a resurgence in covers and fans. The original vocal is expressive and powerful against some jangly funk guitars, whilst Say She She's rendition hones in on the sultry aspect of the track. Guitars are muted down to transform the song into a lovemaking slow jam, wind passages are introduced and the vocal is subtly powerful and sexy. This single has both Say She She's cover - as well as the original - on a 7" disc.

Review: Bristol producer Sir Beans OBE is also a real wizard on the decks. He has been a featured producer or guest DJ on a number of projects on the AE label before now (including the Truck and Aroma long players) but this marks his first proper solo drop. A-sider 'Part Of It' (feat Kelz) is a classic bit of boom-bap with raw rhymes and punchy drum work cut up with great samples and eerie chords. 'DEF= Defeat Evil Fools' (feat Zaeb Dust, Blaktrix & Medusa) slows it down for a late-night trip with live-sounding drums and more great bars over the top.

Review: The second analog release from the Japanese hip-hop label Warufuzake, 'Coffee' hears the amusingly-named Soy Ayers helm up production and rap duties for a new release on 7" wax. The track is a playful b-boy-breaksy hip-hop cut that regales the story of men seducing the objects of their affections with euphemistic 'coffee'. Exquisitely illustrated and obi-stripped, we can't wait to hear more from this new venture and wisecracking moniker.

Review: Before recording As Above So Below, her second album, Sampa Tembo decided to move back to her native Zambia after years spent living in Australia. Reconnected with her cultural roots, she set about making an album that brilliantly blends hip-hop and 21st century electronics with native Zambian musical forms and hat-tips to psych, blues and folk. It would be fair to say that it works - and then some - with her chosen lyrical themes and an impressive array of guests (Kojey radikal, Chef 187, Witch, Denzel Curry and Joey Bada$$ included) further enhancing the offering. It sounds and feels like a genuinely landmark album - something that creates something genuinely new and fresh out of disparate musical cultures. In other words, it's a triumph.

Review: SAULT's body of work is almost untouchable. The mysterious collective has turned out plenty of it in the last couple of years with no fewer than four fantastic albums. This one is a complete left turn, though, which ditches the edgy alt-rock, sou land jazz for an altogether more subbed and symphonic sound. It is a soaring astral soundtrack with plenty of wide open spaces, grand arrangements and plenty of uplifting and celebratory sounds drawn from hugely spiritual choral music and contemporary classical.

Review: You can't have missed the hype surrounding Stormzy's new full-length - it's one of the most hotly-anticipated albums of the year. The question is: has it delivered on the promise? Yes - and then some. The grime superstar recorded the set on location with an extended group of trusted collaborators - Ms Banks, Sampha, Black Sherif, Debbie, Jacob Collier and NAO included - and the results are more sonically beautiful and soulful than much of his previous output. The distinctive flows are still there, though the subjects covered are often more personal and thoughtful than some may have expected, but Stormzy sings as much as he raps, and the accompany beats - often laden in strings, jazzy guitar flourishes and warming electric piano - are informed as much by R&B and hip-hop as the grizzled, sub-heavy East London vibes of grime.