New releases last two weeks: Hip Hop/R&B

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: Hailed as a "music guru" by Rolling Stone and also highly praised by the great Questlove who called him "the most creative mixtape producer of all-time", US beatmaker J.PERIOD is a rich musical storyteller. His music always manages to connect cultures, eras and styles in his own signature way and he has done so alongside the likes of some real legends - Nas, The Roots, Kanye West, Q-Tip, Common and Mary J. Blige, and has appeared on the Billboard #1 album, The Hamilton Mixtape. Now he is back with the second part of his Story to Tell album and it is packed with names like Joss Stone, Aloe Blacc, and Mayda Del Valle and arrives on lovely blue vinyl.

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: 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: 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: 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.