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Mr Kafer – A Past Sense [Melting Pot Music]
Austrian born producer Mr Kafer has made a name for himself by crafting jazzy hip-hop instrumentals. With his third solo album he ventures into new territory. “A Past Sense” contains lush compositions with live instrumentation. In addition he has compiled an array of underrated artists to elevate his work. “B-Stone” is a sublime jazzy hip-hop instrumental that features Franz Bumm on keys. “Green Roses” is a mellow soulful tune aided by Cologne based beatmaker Leavv. Berlin based vocalist Novine’s warm and gentle touch takes the tune to another level. Guitarist Van Nay’s clever phrasing complements Bumm’s blissful keys on “Melange”. If you didn’t know Mr Kafer before then it’s time to get familiar. He’s arranged an album filled with rhythm, harmony and melody. An invigorating release worthy of repeated listens.
The Expert – Vivid Visions [Rucksack Records]
Dublin Ireland hip hop producer The Expert presents an ambitious collaborative album. “Vivid Visions” is a psychedelic hip hop album that was two years in the making. A short turnaround when you consider that the project features a whopping twenty one rappers from across the pond and beyond. The roster contains veterans and newcomers of the Indie hip-hop scene. “40 Winks” has a hazy sublime guitar melody tailor made for rapper/producer NAHreally. “Dreams” has a dreamy seventies soul sample that features LA rapper Blu and Stik Figa of Tanya Morgan.”Remember The Summer” has a laid back soul jazz sample. Chicago rapper/producer Defcee and UK rap legend Jehst take turns trading bars. Defcee is a major contributor throughout the album. The Expert set out to make a left of center hip-hop album that has an easy cohesive listen. This album’s production and clever use of samples evokes Pete Rock vibes. One of the best Indie hip-hop records of the year.
Evidence – Unlearning Vol 2 [Rhymesayers]
“Unlearning Vol 2” is the fifth solo project from rapper/producer Evidence. The former member of the LA based hip-hop trio Dilated Peoples delivers an album filled with laid back beats aligned with introspective lyrics. Not to mention thought provoking interludes. “Outta Bounds” is mellow, dark and gritty. Evidence states his desire to succeed with the following. “They say it’s lonely at the top, I need to know that lonely feeling. They told us skys the limit, so many various ways to get paid and stay driven”. Fellow LA native rapper Blu jumps on board the warped melodic piano driven “Stay Alive”. DJ/Producer The Alchemist drops his signature beats and rhymes on “Rain Every Season”. Evidence demonstrates that real hip-hop is alive and well and I’m here for it.
Ebi Soda – Frank dean & Andrew [Tru Thoughts Recordings]
Ebi Soda return with their third full length release. “Frank dean and Andrew” is a left of centre blend of Jazz, dub and electronica. The Brighton based quintet push the boundaries with an organised chaos of beats, synths and atmospheric horn chords. The opening track “Bamboo” is a moody mid tempo burner with hypnotic horns and hazy reverb. “Location” serenades us with a meandering trumpet solo layered over a slow burning bass groove. “Red in Tokyo” is a banger featuring rapper Jianbo. It’s filled with rugged beats and gritty guitar riffs. You will find traces of drum n bass in “When Pluto Was a Planet and Everything Was Cool”. The swirling horn arrangements build tension with every beat. The mixing and production along with impressive songwriting make for an impressive record. The quintet has made a name for themselves with their live performances. Baes on this record, the audiences will only get bigger.
Mecca:83 – Until Dawn [Rockwell Product Shop Label]
DJ/Producer Mecca:83 aka Rise has been composing beats and rhythms for twenty years. He came on the scene under the guidance of Simon S from the Futuristica label. They share an affinity for laid back Jazzy hip-hop grooves. “Until Dawn”, the sixteen track release, has plenty of that and more. Rise has surrounded himself with a number of talented musicians he’s built a relationship with over the past twenty years. Detroit’s own Guilty Simpson has worked with Mecca:83 in the past. He’s joined by Phat Kat and their gritty lyrics fit like a glove on “Don’t Stop”. “Elevation”, co-produced by Parisian MC/producer Lex (de Kalhex) is a warm and mellow instrumental filled with soft head nodding grooves and atmospheric visuals. Rise has nailed the synergy between jazzy piano melodies and electronic beats. You’re bound to get swept away by the array of blissful compositions presented here. Although it’s been a minute since his last release, this record is worth the wait and arguably his best work to date.
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]
