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Clyde Beats – Hyper Reality 2 [Atjazz Record Company]
“Hyper Reality 2” is the sophomore release from Clyde Beats. The fifteen track lp is a funk deluxe synth filled beat banger filled with tasty grooves. “It’s Time” features vocalist and songwriter Jane Hamilton. The laidback tune combines soothing vocals and warm chord progressions. “Rising Up” is another funked out track that features funk disciple Amalia. “Unconditional” is another head nodder with warped out synth arrangements and lush vocals. “Snapped” is tailor made for rappers Jakka Blades & Manny Marko. If you listen further you’ll appreciate the way Clyde pushes the envelope beyond boom bap. The arrangements are engaging and creative. This isn’t the type of record you would expect to find from the Atjazz label but it’s definitely worth checking out.
https://clydebeats.bandcamp.com/album/hyper-reality-2-an-english-gentleman
Stro Elliot – La Villa [Def Pressé]
DJ/Producer Stro Elliot is the latest Def Pressé member to dive into the vaults of the London based KPM/EMI record library. You may be familiar with Stro’s hip-hop samples through his affiliation with the Roots. The KPM libary spans seventy years of music across a myriad of genres. The arrangement between KPM and Def Presse was a benefit to fellow labelmate Damu the Fudgemunk and his recent projects. Based on this release Elliot came away with some hidden gems with a seventies soul vibe. Specifically they would feel right at home in a James Brown catalog. The opening track “Monday’s Generation” is a prime example. The drum kit snare lays down the beat while the uplifting flute and guitar rhythms round things out into form. “Bamboo” is a mid-tempo hypnotic boom bap tune. The Asian cinematic soundscapes would easily fit into a Wu Tang recording. It must have been a daunting task for Elliot to narrow down his selections. That being said the ten tracks he came up with certainly have hit the mark.
Illa J – No Traffic [BBE Music]
Rapper Illa J has consistently built his reputation as one of Detroit’s premiere MCs with a number of projects over the years. The former member of Slum Village and younger brother of the late great J Dilla has cemented his own place in hip-hop. “No Traffic” is his first release for BBE. The nineteen track lp is well represented by some of Detroit’s veteran MCs along with a number of MCs on the rise. Along the highlights are the cosmic funk of “Off The Tap”. The banger includes fellow lyricists Zay Bcuz and Nicx Rhett. Detroit native Amp Fiddler applies his signature brand of funk and vocals on “Get Down”. UK vocalist Harleighblu adds her distinctive vocals to “Not Ever”. Illa J serves up a heavy dose of mid-west boom bap while showcasing a plethora of talent. As evidence here, real hip-hop runs deep in the Motor City.
Minus & MRDolly – Giant Stops [Jazzego]
“Giants Steps”, the new release from Hugo Oliveira aka Minus & MRDolly is an ode to the iconic Coltane classic. Oliveira doesn’t pay tribute in the form of bebop, instead he blurs the lines of jazz, hip hop and electronics. “Chronography” kicks things off with bubbling chords and a funky bass groove. “A Queda” is an ambient trance of warm chords and simmering cymbals, topped off by the soothing vocals from Luca Angel. “Entretanto” follows the same pattern, this time aided by the seductive vocals of Meta. Oliveira’s evolution as musician is on display here. The compositions are warm and robust and makes for a satisfying listen.
20th February 2023
De La Soul feat. Common – The Bizness [Tommy Boy]
De La Soul – Itzsoweeze (HOT) [Tommy Boy]
De La Soul feat. Chaka Khan – All Good? [Tommy Boy]
De La Soul – Eye Know [Tommy Boy]
De La Soul – The Magic Number [Tommy Boy]
De La Soul – A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays [Tommy Boy]
DJ Mitsu The Beats – Rostrum [Jazzy Sport]
DJ Mitsu The Beats – Dogmatic [Jazzy Sport]
Kid Abstrakt & Leo Low Pass feat Predominance & Phoniks – On Point [Melting Pot Music]
Kai Meara – Glim [XVI Records]
Scrimshire – Unity Gain [Albert’s Favourites]
Bokani Dyer – Resonance Of Truth [Brownswood Recordings]
Wendy Grace – More Than Hope [BBE Music]
Gabriel da Rosa – Diossincrasia [Stones Throw Records]
João Selva – Chuva [Underdog Records]
The Howard Lemon Singers – You Are Somebody [Miles Away Records]
Julius Brockington – Jaded Jackie [BBE Music]
Bright & Findlay – Fireflies [Athens Of The North]
Hormone – Smoothsayer [Dream Chimney]
GemValleyMusiQ – Trade Mark [PSSNGR]
Emile Londonien – Make It Easy [Naïve Records]
Rosie From The Block – Believe In It (Sentinel 793 Remix) [Phuture Shock Musik]
Presence – Future Love (Love From San Francisco Remix) [Pagan]
Minor Invention – Room 131 (Live Edit feat. Marquis Johnson) [4EVR 4WRD]
Marcel Vogel & LYMA – Keep On Stepping [Boogie Angst]
Axis – Flutes [Looking Good Records]
Natalie Duncan – Silver Gun (Lenzman Remix) [Fallen Tree 1Hundred]
London Elektricity Versus Robert Owens – My Dreams [Hospital Records]
Isatta Sheriff & Koralle – Eat The Kiwi Skin [Melting Pot Music]
London born MC Isatta Sheriff teams up with Italian beat maker Koralle. “Eat The Kiwi Skin” is filled with laidback soulful beats reminiscent of their acclaimed 2021 release, “Laid Back”. On “Window Thoughts”, fellow South Londoner MC Lex Amor jumps on board. Amor’s slow emotive tone is an ideal complement to Sheriff’s rapid fire delivery. “For Those Who Love” serenades you with swaying piano melodies and the soothing vocals from Merci. “What You Tellin Me” is classic drum snare boom bap that provides the canvas for Isatta to showcase her unlimited lyrical skills. Koralle’s laid back jazz infused beats have made him a go to producer for a number of hip hop artists. Evidence lies in the number of tasty edits on board here. Meanwhile Isatta has worked with premier talent such as Flying Lotus and Oddisee. If you dig laid back soulful hip hop then this is the lp for you. The arrow is trending upwards for these two.
https://isattasheriff.bandcamp.com/album/eat-the-kiwi-skin