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

Review: In 1994, legendary hip-hop stoners Cypress Hill took the stage at Woodstock '94 and left an indelible mark on the iconic festival. With their groundbreaking fusion of hip-hop and rock, the 'Hill captivated the Woodstock crowd with their electrifying performances and brought all of the raw energy and innovative sounds they are so well loved for. The group's set at Woodstock '94 showcased their ability to command any stage, drawing fans from diverse musical backgrounds as they worked through many of their most well loved hit and in doing so solidified their status as pioneers of the rap-rock genre.

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: 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: Shabazz Palaces's Exotic Birds of Prey is a new seven-song mini-album that comes via Sub Pop and follows the huge success of Robed in Rareness back in October 2023. It is a rather enchaining listen that draws on many different rap eras and blends them into one new sound helmed by vocalist and producer Ismael Butler. Shabazz Palaces redefines hip-hop across decades here with the album blending the past, present, and future with warped sounds and fine collaborations from the likes of Stas THEE Boss and Japreme Magnetic who help to enrich this sonic journey. This special Loser Edition comes on creamy white vinyl.

Review: Bruno Berle hails from the coastal Brazilian city of Maceio, and he charmed the world in no uncertain terms with his 2022 album No Reino Dos Afetos. Berle's music is steeped in the tradition of MPB and Brazilian music overall, but he combines dreamy songwriting with an artful kind of lo-fi production which makes his sound all the more charming. This follow-up record once again finds Berle working closely with Batata Boy, drawn from the same seven-year period of developing ideas while moving from Maceio to Sao Paulo via some recording sessions in Rio de Janeiro. It's diaristic and scrapbook like, but rendered with such conviction it swoops in around your grey matter and carries you off to somewhere very pleasant indeed.

Review: Well, well, well. We did not see this one coming, never in a month of stoner Sundays. he might have become the nation's sweetheart thanks to his unlikely hit show with Martha Stewart in the US but did you ever expect Snoop Dogg to be putting out an album of kids hits featuring him on the mic? It's an actually quite wonderful collision of words that pairs all the big hooks and melodies with a more modern style of production and charming vocal guests spots from Snoop on each tune. Amazing stuff.

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: The Madlib Invazion Music Library Series clocks up its eighth entry here and the honour is given to drummer Karriem Riggins who offers up To The Jungle. He is someone who can play the sticks with real conviction and shows that here across another superb album in this series. It really makes use of the chance given to him to stretch himself and create the sort of music he might not dare to otherwise. It has all been created with a view to be ing given one-stop clearance for use in mim and TV and plenty of this one surely will because it is so evocative.

Review: 20-year scene veteran DJ Unknown has dropped plenty of great albums in his time both in solo mode and with the Tru-Paz band. He is known for his harmonious and soulful sound and for offering up driving beats for MCs to set to work on. He first rose to prominence in Toronto playing a mix of house, rock, reggae and hip hop but is now a full matured beatmaker who excels on his new album Prisoners of Gravity. It embarks on an epic science fiction journey, depicting life in a dystopian Earth and the quest for a purpose beyond its bounds conveyed through a captivating audio-visual narrative with psychedelic undertones. Ambitious in scope and execution, it offers an immersive experience that pushes the boundaries of hip-hop imagination and creativity.

Review: DJ Nappa is a UK hip-hop originator who digs deep into his love of film for this superb new album of instrumentals. Specifically, Midnight Music looks to the world of horror, thrillers and sci-fi from the 1970s and 1980s and turns out some wonderfully inspired joints for We Stay True Records. As such there is an expectedly creepy vibe with eerie pads, slow-motion beats and plenty of haunting vocal samples weaving their way in and out of earshot. It all plays out like an absorbing mind movie full of shadowy corners and menacing moods. Another triumph for man like Nappa.

Review: Tyla is an already hotly-tipped South African singer and songwriter but the release of this new self-titled album is sure to take her to the next level and be one of 2024's biggest and best. It's a fusion of r&b and amapiano - a mix of house, jazz, downtempo and rich melody from her native South Africa - that is topped with her seductive and soft vocals. Channeling the likes of the great Aaliyah, it's been proceeded day the captivating lead single 'Waze' and is full of heart melting moments of tender r&b beauty. It has been two years in the making and was recorded in Jamaica so is pulled with subtle sunshine that makes it all the more perfectly timed.

Review: Sizzling-hot hip-hop duo Blue Lab Beats are on everybody's lips now, thanks at least in part to the announcement of their latest full-length album, Blue Eclipse. Heralding an exciting new era for the duo, these 12 songs reveal the depth and breadth of producer NK-OK, and multi-instrumentalist Mr DM's musical ambition. Throwing back to their debut EP 'Blue Skies', which even pre-dates their involvement with record labels, Blue Eclipse signals a circling back to their origins while also embracing the new; the pair's usual jazztronica remit is lent the utmost contemporary spin, with notes of drill, neoclassical, trap and Jersey bounce - all still prevalent styles - peeking through in these latest productions.

Review: Jay Z's cult fav At Studio One is now available for the first time as a very limited vinyl pressing following its huge success as a download since first release more than a decade ago. This unique album combines Jay Z's famous Black Album acapellas with classic Studio One reggae riddims from the very heart of 1970s Kingston. The result is a seamless fusion where killer backing tracks complement Jay Z's vocals perfectly and create an all new and superb listening experience. If you're a fan of reggae-hip hop blends, this LP is a must-have addition to your collection.

Review: Rapper Larry June teams up with the prolific producer Cardo for a fresh dream-teamed, tinted-windowed beguiler, The Night Shift. Decidedly nocturnal in feel, this album spans hip-hop's moodiest, most crepuscular cross-section into r&b and night-drive music; it's also a guided, chauffeured tour of June's early life, taking scenic detours down his many most personal memory lanes. With a laid-back flow acting as a vocal guide through June's native San Francisco, this is one of the vibiest hip-hop releases you're likely to hear all year.

Review: In 2024 urban and club are often interchangeable terms. Both are also painfully reductive, but that's a point for another time. Los Angeles-based vocalist and producer serpentwithfeet is a case in point, an artist who deftly weaves together sexy and seductive with nightlife energy, proving not only the breadth of each canon but also how much ground they can share. While this may not be unfamiliar, it's relatively new ground for the man with the mic in question, whose previous exploits have often been rooted in gospel tones, nodding to his own upbringing in a religious household. GRIP is musically revelatory in that sense, then, and impeccably crafted.

Review: When Keyon Harrold lists the influences that he turned to during the creation of his rich and evocative new album Foreverland, he cites the likes of Radiohead, Fleet Foxes, Fela Kuti, John Coltrane, and, for a second, he becomes vulnerable; the list is too basic, too serious-music-listener-starter-pack. But, out of that moment of insecurity, he spins an indelible flex: "You are what you eat, and I have a pretty strict diet in dope shit. Taking in Keyon Harrold's career to-date, it's clear that the 'world-class trumpeter' (Essence) and composer is very serious about that diet. He's a jazz musician but in the most expansive sense, working with a list of dream collaborators: generational legends Keith Richards and Diana Ross; rap stars like Mac Miller and Nas; neo-soul icons Erykah Badu and D'Angelo; and modern soul stars Black Pumas and Leon Bridges. His circle of regular collaborators is formidable and includes his music industry mentor Common (who hired him for his first touring gig), his New School classmate Robert Glasper, and GRAMMY winners Maxwell, PJ Morton, Gregory Porter, and YEBBA. Even apart from its compositional intricacies and stylistic innovations, Foreverland is a triumph of resilience and empowerment. "What will be said when you're gone?", says Keyon. "If you're not living life - getting beat up, getting your heart broken, winning, losing - what are you doing? What about your life can people learn from? If you don't put yourself in the ring sometimes, there won't be anything." On Foreverland, Keyon takes life's challenges head-on - and emerges, in both music and in life, with a renewed sense of purpose.

Review: Now enjoying an ever more celebrated status in the hip hop world off the back of his albums with Madlib, Freddie Gibbs is back in solo mode with You Only Live 2wice, his third full-length studio album. It comes after the artist has endured some difficulties in his personal life and the experiences of overcoming those is what influences and inspires the music here. As he rises from the ashes - an idea which is embodied on the album cover - he goes it totally alone on all eight cuts with nary a guest in sight. He bares his soul throughout with the well-received and violin-laced single 'Crushed Glass' sitting next to standout hits such as '20 Karat Jesus' and 'Amnesia.' It's a great return.

Review: Talib Kweli and Madlib, two hip-hop heavyweights, have reunited for the highly anticipated Liberation 2, an expansive album exploring themes of revolution, love, and pan-Africanism, all set against Madlib's jazz-infused productions. Featuring collaborations with Q-Tip, Westside Gunn, and Mac Miller, the album is a global call for unity. Its thought-provoking lyrics and raw soundscapes showcase Kweli's enduring influence and Madlib's production prowess, paying homage to the genre's roots while pushing its boundaries. This album has been on many people's list as a potential hip-hop album of the year and we won't be at all surprised if that's where it ends up.

Review: The second instalment of the Revenge trilogy is another doozy that once again reaffirms the indomitable spirit of the vengeful Gorilla at the same time as showcasing a relentless pursuit of violent justice. Against the brilliantly evocative backdrop of cinematic beats crafted by expert producer The Dirty Sample, Ol' Gorilla Bones is in top form as he spins vivid yarns of gruesome retribution against inept rappers. While revenge remains the central motif across this 16-track album, the duo's horrorcore narrative delves into unexpected realms that range from hockey references on 'Gerry Cheevers' to literary allusions on 'Honest Proposal'. It's a fine sequel full of macabre beat magic.

Review: This is one of those albums that is for the real heads - a deep, dark, moody mix of new soul and hip-hop from the great vocalist you might well have recognised from Roni Size/Reprazent's seminal New Forms album. Released in 1996, it showcases Bahamadia's distinctive flow and insightful lyricism with tracks like 'Uknowhowwedu' and '3 the Hard Way' effortlessly navigating intricate beats and soulful samples to deliver messages of empowerment and introspection. As such the LP embodies the essence of 90s hip-hop in the way it blends jazz-infused production with Bahamadia's smooth delivery. As a pioneer for female MCs, Bahamadia's influence should reverberate through generations.

Review: As a means of celebrating its 20th anniversary, Rostrum Records has assembled a special compilation album chronicling its rich history that was due to arrive for Record Store Day last year. The new long player features exclusive tracks from Mac Miller, Wiz Khalifa, Problem featuring Snoop Dogg and Freddie Gibbs, Innanet James featuring Pusha T and Kallitechnis, Mod Sun featuring DeJ Loaf, Biz Markie, Mike Taylor, Brevin Kim, Rockie Fresh, and more. These never-before-released gems offer a glimpse into the label's diverse and influential journey, showcasing the talent and creativity that have defined Rostrum Records over the past two decades. It's a must-have collection for fans and a testament to the label's enduring legacy.

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: Detroit producer Apollo Brown and maverick Buffalo MC Che' Noir have come together to create a new album that draws on their backgrounds in two of America's mostly famously failed cities. Brown brings his usual soul-drenched and head-nodding beatmaking style - the same vibes that have seen him work with the likes of Ghostface Killah and Danny Brown and become a key part of the scene. Che' Noir on the other hand has worked alongside Benny The Butcher, Kool G Rap, and Fred The Godson and here tells some vital stories that take you behind the curtain and up and down city streets, dodging gunshots, hunting for missing fathers and generally trying to game the system.

Review: D.I.R.T. stands for 'Da Incredible Rap Team' and it is a gritty masterpiece from Heltah Skeltah that epitomises hardcore East Coast rap. Released in 2008, this sophomore album from the Brooklyn duo should sit right up there with earlier peers like Jeru The Damaga such is its lyrical prowess and razor-sharp delivery over haunting production. Sean Price and Rock deliver relentless bars filled with streetwise wisdom and unapologetic bravado that paint vivid pictures of urban life. With guest appearances from fellow Boot Camp Clik members and production from renowned beatmakers like Marco Polo and 9th Wonder, D.I.R.T. is a relentless onslaught of raw lyricism and head-nodding beats.

Review: On his new album 1LB (One Lucky B**tard) Boldy James collaborates with Belgian producer Your Boy Posca to carve a newly distinctive sonic niche within his already prolific discography. Embracing a refined, relaxed vibe with gritty soul samples and eerie 1980s aesthetics, the project seamlessly unfolds to tell a vivid portrayal of a Midwest drug dealer. Limited to vinyl and cassette formats, this exclusive, limited, numbered, clear orange galaxy vinyl version cannot fail to immerse you in a world of atmospheric storytelling. This is one of those evocative albums that stays with you long after it has finished playing.

Review: Waajeed is a top tier talent - a producer, DJ, expert beat maker and label head at Dirt Tech Rack who moved away from his deep house sounds to cook up this masterful hip hop record back in 2006. It now arrives on vinyl almost 20 years later but time has not diminished its quality. It finds the Detroit native, who thrives on breaking conventional boundaries, telling the story of the kidnapping of Patricia Hearst as an emblematic American tale that he pairs with a raw beat framework that taps into the vibes of artists like J Dilla and Slum Village. It is a serious work from a serious artist.