Review: DJ Ryow aka Smooth Current is a Japanese DJ and producer known for his hip-hop and r&b remixes. 'Re:Strain Of Stairs', as the title suggests, reinterprets the song 'Strain Of Stairs' by Japanese rock band The Pillows on the A-side, bringing a loose-hipped drum workout to the ordeal. On the B, meanwhile, Ryow goes all out on a new original featuring Kim Hill, 'Ain't Even Like Me', a song which first debuted online a least four years ago - it's an impressively-made production in contemporary r&b, with exquisite harmonies from Hill.
Konya Wa Boogie Back (Luvraw remix - acappella) (6:16)
Review: Scha Dara Parr's 'Konya Wa Boogie Back' 7" vinyl brings a smooth, laid-back vibe that channels classic West Coast hip-hop. On Side-1, the Luvraw remix, delivering mellow, low-rider energy with its sun-soaked beats, perfect for a breezy summer day. The remix's polished production and easygoing flow highlight the track's relaxed groove, blending hip-hop with subtle r&b warmth. On Side-2, the acapella version strips things back, allowing Scha Dara Parr's vocal cadence and lyrical flow to shine. This release is a nod to smooth, old-school vibes while showcasing the group's timeless style and adaptability. Unique!
Review: Japanese producer Shinsuke Taoka is part of a long-standing Japanese tradition of flipping hip-hop, jazz and soul songs, giving them a completely new lens to analyse them under. Under Shin-Ski, the first track under attack is an unidentified Hip-hop sample of Bill Withers 'Lovely Day' (famously sampled for the soundtrack of The Bodyguard by S.O.U.L.S.Y.S.T.E.M.) for 'We'. Shin-ski takes a Caribbean rap version, injecting it with jazz elements alongside the hot flow from the MC. Track 2 'Her' is a complete transformation of Common's 'I Used to love H.E.R.', an abstract hip-hop titan on its own, now with some gentle keys and a subtle drumline that gives the track a sense of intimacy. Fantastic find here, super limited for a one-off pressing so pick up this 7" whilst you still can.
Review: German label Oonops Drops is ever more essential if you ask us and tidy 7"s like this prove why (as does their mission to focus is on "sustainability, climate protection and socio-cultural values".) 'Bird's Lament' is a top tier tune from Slick Walk x Sneaky with live drum breaks and serene strings making for a reflective late night vibe. On the flip of this limited edition and clear slice of wax is Avantgarde Vak with the sweet hip hop sounds of 'Keep Ya Eyes Up' then Toshiyuki Sasaki with his sublime 'Toshi's Bonus Breaks.'
Review: Jorja Smith fans have been keen to hear from the contemporary r&b star since her 2019 debut album. Finally she returns with a fresh eight track offering that continues where that album left off. Be Right Back does develop the themes in different ways and ends up being a more broad and diverse collection of tracks that feature often paired back production. Some tunes are just her and a guitarist, others are late night slow jams with gentle beats. Her voice has matured since we last heard from Smith and seems to now have a bigger range and this record is all the better for it.
Review: Smoove works his magic once again on Multitrack Reworks Volume 7, delivering standout edits of classic tracks. The Temptations' 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone' gets a refreshing update with crisp drums, rich vocal harmonies, and majestic orchestral breakdowns. On the flip side, Rufus Thomas' 'Do the Funky Penguin' shines with exposed drums and extended guitar riffs, adding new layers of groove. As an extra treat, Smoove presents his extended version of The Magic Disco Machine's 'Scratchin',' revealing a seriously funky bass line and pounding drums. With regular support from Craig Charles on BBC6 Music, this release is hailed as Smoove's best Multitrack Rework yet, offering a fresh take on timeless classics.
Review: This is one of the most ambitious 7"s we've ever come across - it is an EP with 11 'tracks' that all play out like a beat tape with interludes crafted by SNDTRAK. It has everything a good beat tape should have - dusty drums, ill samples and a rich sense of soul and storytelling. It moves at pace through the different moods and grounds with gorgeous pianos, sunny vocals, lush strings and mellifluous melodies all grabbing your attention at various points as it plays out. A wonderful and cultural trip through sound.
Review: Sndtrak has been doing some audacious cut ups over the years, and his flips: Triple Lindy LP made that abundantly clear when it landed earlier this year. It was a lot to digest, so he's opted to pick six of the hottest joints and squeeze them onto this razor-sharp 7". No source material is too classic to be chopped and mutated with his seriously funky touch, whether it's Queen, Rick James or Tom Tom Club getting the treatment. Taking iconic grooves and giving them a sloppy shuffle, he ekes out some utterly insane grooves from these perennial hits and makes them sound like you've never heard before. If you want to please the crowd and bust their minds open in the same beat, this is your weapon of choice.
Review: Solene and J. Rawls team up for a delicious pair of pelagic, coolant nu-soul and house nocturnes, crossing the sparse but oceanic space between genres. On 'Love Moon', the producer and singer respectively cover such intense themes as late-night reflectivity and good company: "nothing glam, it's just you and me..." Solene intones this sombrely, as the last syllable is heard to trail off into a surfactant mist. Meanwhile, 'Can't Catch Me In Love' raises the emotive drawbridge once more, hoisting supporting pillars of kick drum and serene pan flute, as flirtatious gingerbread taunts are heard in the chorus, not to mention musings on past relationship blunders.
Review: Southpaw Chop, a true hip-hop DJ and producer who remains dedicated to the vinyl craft, delivers a standout release with The Canyon/Fantastic Voyage. Known for his work with legends like Large Professor, A.G., Kool G Rap, and Craig G, Southpaw Chop continues to impress with his impeccable production skills. Side-1 opens with 'The Canyon,' where smooth rap lyrics glide over a classy, deep groove that sets it apart from the standard hip-hop fare. 'Fantastic Voyage' follows with a cool, old-school rap flow, making it perfect for anyone seeking unique and timeless hip-hop vibes. Side-2 offers instrumental versions of both tracks, allowing listeners to fully appreciate the rich, intricate grooves that Southpaw Chop meticulously crafts. This release is perfect for those who value authenticity in hip-hop and want to experience the genre in its purest, most refined form.
Review: Smif-N-Wessun, the veteran Brooklyn rap duo, deliver a poignant reminder of their lyrical prowess - a collaboration with the late Sean Price. This track captures some of Price's final verses and proves to be a fitting tribute to his raw, uncompromising style. Over a hard-hitting beat crafted by Amazing Maze, Tek and Steele trade verses with the Ruckus Man, their flows as sharp and potent as ever. Price's presence is undeniable, his gruff voice and gritty lyrics cutting through the mix with a ferocity that will be sorely missed. DJ Danetic's cuts add another layer of dynamism, weaving seamlessly between the verses and enhancing the track's raw energy. The B-side instrumental offers a chance to appreciate the depth of Amazing Maze's production, a head-nodding blend of boom-bap drums and soulful samples. Danetic's cuts take centre stage here, showcasing his technical skills and adding a playful touch to the otherwise hard-hitting track. This release is a collection item for fans of classic hip-hop, a reminder of Smif-N-Wessun's everlasting legacy and a fitting tribute to the late, great Sean Price.
Review: Stylistic Murder Records is back with a special new release that features the legendary Smif-N-Wessun as well as the late Sean Price, whose final verses, captured during his last ever recording sessions, add real gravitas. The stone cold classic, vibe-drenched 'All Time Great' has drums and beats made by Amazing Maze, with extra cuts by DJ Danetic layered in next to dreamy pads and warm, lazy bass. This is golden-era boom bap with a heart-wrenching sense of soul, not least because of it being the last work of the great Sean Price.
Everything's Gonna Be Alright (Jade Versiom) (3:13)
Life Is Cool (2:49)
Review: Sweetbox's 'Everything's Gonna Be Alright' ingeniously intertwines classical motifs with contemporary pop, creating a distinctive sonic experience. The title track stands out, seamlessly blending Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Air on the G String' with modern beats, resulting in a harmonious fusion that feels both timeless and fresh. Tina Harris's soulful vocals add depth, delivering uplifting lyrics that resonate with optimism. This innovative approach not only pays homage to classical compositions but also reimagines them within a pop context, offering listeners a refreshing take on familiar melodies.
Review: FlipNJay Record are doing God's work here by pressing up Swollen Members' standout joints 'Fuel Injected' and 'Lady Venom' to 7" vinyl for the first time (they've also pressed 'Front Street' and 'Counterparts' on separate 7"s). These standout singles from the Canadian hip-hop group's early 2000s catalogue helped shape the underground rap scene of the era. 'Fuel Injected' delivers electrifying energy with intense beats, while 'Lady Venom' highlights the group's darker, more brooding lyricism. This limited-edition release features their two biggest hits on one record and is a chance to revisit the raw, gritty sound that propelled Swollen Members to prominence.
Basquiat On The Draw (feat Conway & Westside Gunn)
The Vibes
Spoils To The Victor
Visionary Riches
They Parked A Bentley On The Corner
The Flyest Essence
Innocent Ambition
Care Packages
Payout (feat Stalley)
Nodding Off
Review: After years of parallel journeys in hip-hop, Apollo Brown and Skyzoo unite on The Easy Truth. It's a collaboration that fuses Detroit's raw production with NYC's lyrical grit, with Skyzoo delivering sharp narratives about ambition, urban struggles, and resilience, while Apollo Brown's beats provide a dark yet soulful backdrop. The LP features guests like Joell Ortiz, Westside Gunn and Conway, digging deep into themes of struggle and survival. This release captures the essence of classic hip-hop, with each track unfolding as a powerful statement on life's hard truths.
Trillselda (feat Benny The Butcher & Rome Streetz) (3:09)
Set In Stone (feat Method Man & JFK) (2:11)
We Got A Problem, Houston (feat Paul Wall & Boldy James) (3:43)
Super Legend (feat NEMS & Smif N Wessun) (3:29)
Outside (feat Millyz, Propain, & Mia Jae) (3:59)
Day In The Life (feat Kota The Friend & Talib Kweli) (3:11)
Focused On The M's (feat Termanology & Flee Lord) (4:10)
Big Shit (feat Lukah & UFO Fev) (3:41)
Generational Wealth (feat Lord Sko & CJ Fly) (2:45)
In Memory Of (feat TF & Cal Wayne) (2:41)
Speak Easy (feat Grafh & Neek Da Skigz) (2:50)
Vegas Lights (feat Smoke DZA & Wais P) (3:39)
Down For You (feat Haile Supreme) (3:20)
All Night Thing (feat Jinell & Sam Jay) (3:25)
Review: This album allows listeners to experience the TrillBurgers owner deliver impeccable bars over Statik Selektah's exquisite, old-school hip-hop beats. In each track, he seizes full command of the beats, delivering deep, trill content with a seamless flow and mastery of wordplay. Despite rap being secondary to him now, Bun has unmistakably maintained his status as a skilled MC. Trillstatik 3 features a diverse lineup of underground and underdog rappers, each seamlessly complementing the energy of the cold beats and contributing to a cohesive flow throughout the album. The verses delivered by Benny The Butcher, Method Man, Smoke DZA, Termanology and Kota The Friend stand out particularly and if you are a fan of authentic, old-school, bar-heavy hip-hop albums, you will really enjoy Trillstatik 3.
Mobbin' For A Hobby (feat Planet Asia & Waz) (2:34)
Closer (2:15)
Trapped (feat Pink Siifu) (2:28)
Intermezzo (0:40)
2night (1:26)
Rings Around Saturn (2:00)
The Maxi-Single (feat Planet Asia) (2:06)
Omnichord (1:40)
Spark Lah (feat Blu November) (2:41)
Outro (2:37)
Trapped (instrumental) (2:27)
Review: Fredfades is a well-regarded modern beatmaker and master sampler who crafts soul drenched and atmospheric hip-hop. For this new record on Mutual Intentions outta Norway he works with Sraw to hypnotic effect. Right from the off, the dusty vibes and lo-fi aesthetic is heartwarming and a perfectly laid back tonic to busy modern lives. Guess like Planet Asia & Waz, Pink Siifu and Blu November add their own character to this spaced-out and stoned late-night listening companion. It might be one of Fred's best yet.
Review: Brazilian rapper Marcelo D2 shares the release of new direct-to-disc album via Night Dreamer. Recorded alongside electrifying live band Sambadrive, the album revisits some of Marcelo D2's most important tracks, mining 25 years of groundbreaking music from the Brazilian legend, and capturing his now timeless 'samba hip-hop' sound in full flow. The aforementioned is an unusual yet compelling sound, marking the voice and style of a torchbearer and innovator, and not the last to be marked by the motto "looking for the perfect beat". Now, in 2024, D2 retells his story from a new perspective. Inspired by the iconic jazz-samba trios of the 60s and 70s, Sambadrive emerged from the improvised and often spontaneous jams that would preface Marcelo D2's live shows. Touring the world and reuniting with producer Mario Caldato Jr., the group dropped in on Haarlem's Artone Studio in October 2022 to record an album of 10 tracks, drawn from four of Marcelo D2's most loved albums.
Review: Method Man is a bonafide legend of the hip-hop world and with this one he passed down some of his shine by presenting a debut album from Street Life, a then-new prodigy with a thugged out style on the mic. The album has never before been available on vinyl and it packs a real punch with standout singles such as 'Can't Stop, Won't Stop' featuring Method Man, 'Street Education' plus 'A Star Is Born' featuring fellow Wu Tang associate Inspectah Deck. These are raw beats and even more raw bars with next level lyrical skills from an artists who has also appeared on tracks by the iconic Wu Tang Clan, Method Man and more.
Review: Mike Flips and Seize join forces here for an album that draws on the magic of classic boom bap. Life Cycles is brought to life with the dexterous rhymes of the talented Outsiders Syndicate MC Nord1kone and makes for an introspective trip that both looks to the past, but also the future. There are some cultured guest spots along the way too from El Da Sensei of the Artifacts crew as well as another Outsiders Syndicate MC in The I.M.F. Arriving on translucent blue vinyl this is a perfect record for those with a love of the old school but who like a little new school freshness with their beats.
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