Buddy Peace – Whole House Freeze

Beat master Buddy Peace is back with a brand new EP, “Whole House Freeze”. Consisting of 11 tracks in total, the EP is packed full of Buddy’s signature chunky beats and these are super chunky! There is a real bluesy feel to the tracks, cutting up roaring vocals and raw guitar licks, over bone rattling drums, this is definitely one of our favourite Buddy Peace releases in awhile.
All fans of Mr Peace’s previous work will love this, as will all beats and breaks fans. “Whole House Freeze” is up now for Name Your Price release so you have no excuse not to have this in your lives!

Gas-Lab – Chemistry

Check out the new video from Argentinian producer and multi instrumentalist Gas-Lab. “Chemistry” is taken from the forthcoming album “Fusion”, which features an exciting lineup of MC’s, from USA, Canada, Spain, UK, South America and more. Released March 8th on Village Live Records, you can pre-order the album from March 1st.

Your Old Droog – “Help” feat. Wiki and Edan

Brand new track from Your Old Droog, “Help” the track is a rough, raw, upbeat banger featuring Wiki and Edan on both vocals and production. Check out the video and grab the album now!

SJOB Movement – Friendship Train

Cultures of Soul Records unleash a reissue of the rare Nigerian afro-beat overlooked classic “Friendship Train” by SJOB Movement. “Friendship Train” was the second LP by the group and one which saw the group rise to new heights. It’s a masterpiece of African music with it’s fluid afro beat grooves and spaced out Moog synthesizer sounds. Here is an excerpt from the liner notes written and researched by Uchenna:
“Prince Bola Agbana might hardly be the most immediately recognisable name in the constellation of Nigerian music stars, but for a significant portion of the last half-century he laboured in the shadows, dutifully serving as one of the key movers in its development: An in-demand session musician. An early and respected exponent of funk. A catalyst in the retrofit of juju into a modern pop genre. Most of all, though, he is recognized as the founder, leader, drummer and principal vocalist of the SJOB Movement.
SJOB: Sam, Johnnie, Ottah, Bola. For a moment in the mid-1970s, they were le dernier cri in modern Nigerian music, representing the next step in the evolution of afro rhythms, and a new paradigm for the band economy. Their first album, 1976’s A Move in the Right Direction, was a minor sensation and was swiftly followed by Friendship Train in 1977. Then it appeared that the movement stopped moving, and SJOB disappeared from the scene.”

Coming out on LP and CD on March 3rd. The CD comes with a bonus remix of Love Affair by the Sol Power All-Stars from Washington DC. Pre-order your copy of the album here and get the remix of Love Affair via bandcamp.

 

The Natural Curriculum – Frozen Lederhosen

Mancunian hip hoppers The Natural Curriculum are back with a new free track and video, “Frozen Lederhosen”. With Aver and Bill Sykes handling the vocal duties, this adds to the crews ever growing catalogue of quality hip hop.
Check out their bandcamp page for all their previous releases and check out our interview with Aver here.

 

El Michels Affair – Tearz / Verbal Intercourse

With the full length, ‘Return To The 37th Chamber’ dropping April 14th,

El Michels Affair releases another flawless two sider to hold us over. Side A’s cover of ‘Tearz’ is as much an homage to the Wendy Rene sample as it is to the Wu-Tang Clan track. The song starts as a glazed over cover of “after laughter, comes tears”, with Shannon Wise of The Shacks singing Wendy Rene’s timeless mantra.

Halfway through, the mood dramatically shifts and the drums and organ that drive the original RZA sample, take over. A dubbed out Lee Fields taps in like only he can, and the song spirals into outer space.

 Side B finds El Michels dipping into the deeper side of the Wu catalogue with Raekwon’s ‘Verbal Intercourse’. Mixing the grimy, gritty production aesthetic of the original with elements of dubbed out reggae, El Michels Affair once again pushes the definition of a “cover” and truly makes it a tune of their own.
Released on the 3rd of March you can pre-order and listen to the single HERE.

 

Sludge Factorie – Smashed Rats

French label Hello LA focuses on hip hop, left field music and art. Their latest release from Sludge Factorie continues in the same vein with the 8 track album, “Smashed Rats”. Released on limited edition cassette, limited edition hand crafted CD and free digital there is also a very limited poster available too.
Musically Sludge Factorie live up to their name, mixing up hip hop, sludgey drone soundscapes and experimental raps the album is reminiscent of Anticon in their heyday. All fans of left field hip hop and experimental music should definitely check this out, along with the rest of the labels back catalogue.

 

Strange U – #LP4080

Strange U’s debut album “#LP4080” is released on the 10th of Feb, you can pre-order the album on CD and vinyl now from the High Focus website.
This is one of the most anticipated albums of the year for us, we cannot wait to hear whats in store. Fully produced by the good Dr Zygote, the album boast guest spots from Jehst, Fliptrix, Lee Scott, Cappo & Jazz T!
Until you can get your hands on the full length LP, peep the video for “Zuul” featuring Cappo.

 

IBMCs: Worldwide Remixes

The 8th in the IBMCs Worldwide Remixes but the 2nd to get a vinyl release, the latest instalment sees Toronto’s Muneshine remixing a UK classic from Rodney P featuring Skinnyman and Mr 45. With the b-side featuring New Yorks IceRocks remix of George Fields featuring Glad2Mecha and DXA.
The cream 7″ single is limited to 240 copies and can be purchased from the IBMCs website.
The digital release also features the Beatfreaks & Afu-Ra – Worldwide (Kick Back remix) and Language Arts – worldwide (George Fields remix) and is available via the IBMCs bandcamp site. This is a must for all international hip hop fans, don’t sleep!

Daryl Donald – Solitude

Looking for modern, soulful, futuristic instrumental hip hop? Then look no further than Daryl Donald’s new album, “Solitude”.
“Solitude” is an impressive set of instrumental tracks. Mixing chilled out, head nodding beats with neo-soul and jazz creating a unique and entertaining album that will keep your interest for the full duration of its 15 tracks.
For fans of the older trip hop sound or modern future beats this album meets somewhere in the middle and is a top quality release from the Scottish producer. Get it now for name your price release via bandcamp.