Hip Hop / R&B Recommendations May 2014

Review: The now firmly established beat-institution, Stones Throw, is simply never out of ideas. The latest ace up their sleeve comes in the form of a much-needed vinyl reissue of US artist Ras G's Raw Fruit series, a compilation of funky-as-hell, sample-laden tracks which have only previously been out on cassette and digital formats. Teaming up with Leaving Records, the original home of the series, they have compiled both volumes into one hell of double vinyl release. Imagine J Dilla after a heavy night on the town and you're not even close to what this guy's capable of. Tracks like "GMO Hoes" and "Hyksos Invaders" are as nutty as they are seductive, combining the more rigid formats of jazz fusion together with electronic improvisation and deranged looping. This is one of our favourite Stones Throw dug-outs in a while and comes warmly recommended.