With so much good music coming through thick and fast, it’s easy for albums to drop online and go overlooked. No lengthy write-ups as who reads those anyway? We keep it short and to the point because you’re here to listen to the music! Check out our weekly mini-guide below and if you like what you hear, click the links and support the artists.
Demae – Life Works Out... Usually
The debut offering from Demae, who you may know from her releases as Bubblerap or as a member of Hawk House. Released via Touching Bass who describes the album as “a soulful coming-of-age story celebrating black joy, self-empowerment and life learnings.” The singer, songwriter and producer calls on an impressive list of musical friends including Fatima, Joe Armon-Jones, Ego Ella-May and Nala Sinephro as she weaves soothing soul with “new-age Dilla-isms” and mellow jazz. Touching Bass have done it again, with another belter of a debut album that stands toe-to-toe with the best R&B/soul albums out there. The next Bandcamp Friday can’t come soon enough as i’ll be grabbing the vinyl come October 2nd. Listen now!
Future Soul LP’s
Ego Ella May – Honey For Wounds
Buddafly Wolf – Hear, My Dear!
Ruth Orhiunu – …They’ll Say I’m Talking
Richard Spaven & Sandunes – Spaven x Sandunes
We’ve been eagerly awaiting this project from Richard Spaven and Sandunes since it was first mooted early last year. If like me you loved Sandunes remix of Spaven’s track Faded then you’re in for a treat. Sustaining the brilliance of the remix across seven tracks once again her lush electronic flourishes are embraced by his percussive wonders set within a variety of mesmerising moods and grooves. A blissfully perfect a record as you’d expect from two wonderfully talented individuals.
Wonky Logic – 0113
I’ve had this Wonky Logic LP on my “Albums To Listen To” list for a little while, so I’m glad that I finally sat down and gave it a spin. Produced, mixed and mastered in London the Leeds producer infuses wonky hip-hop soundscapes with electronic, future beats, and soul on his ode to the 0113 – Leeds! I won’t bother going on, just hit play, listen and be excited!
Disco Vumbi – Disco Vumbi II
Following outings on such noted labels as Nyege Nyege and Hakuna Kulala, the man known as Alai K. lands on Byrd Out under his ‘Disco Vumbi’ moniker for Disco Vumbi Vol. II. Championed by Resident Advisor in their 2018 list of 15 East African artists you need to hear, they enthused “his exuberant music calls to mind the outdoor parties of 1970s Kenya from which people would return home covered in dust kicked up by furious dancing.” The 7-track record pulls inspiration from an array of genres and styles, hopscotching effortlessly from tribal, electro, and afro-house to create what he calls “dust disco”. Alongside the multi-talented Alai K, you’ll hear Tobby Imani on guitar and Charles Obuya on percussion. If you understand Kiswahili, you will enjoy the stories of Magongo, where Alai grew up, but even if you don’t, it’s still a brilliant listen all the same. You have to hear this…
Felbm – Tape 3
Dutch producer and musician Felbm returns to Soundway Records with the follow up to his 2018 ‘Tape 1 & Tape 2’ LP. Consisting of 14 lo-fi, instrumental sketches written on guitar, with cascading keyboards, vibraphone and drum machine, Feblm traverses jazz, indie-pop, minimal ambient music and Brazilian bossa-nova. Everyone from fans of The Durutti Column, Antônio Carlos Jobim and Baden Powell, will be able to enjoy this. Like his previous LP Tape 3 is a genuinely unique and enjoyable listen from start to finish. Very recommended.
Trevor Powers – Capricorn
Such a wonderful surprise from Trevor Powers. Without any fanfare Powers released his second album titled Capricorn a few months back and it’s every bit as good as his 2018 album Mulberry Violence. Recorded at a cabin near the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho the mostly instrumental LP features gorgeous piano melodies combined with field recordings of nature: wind, insects, rain, birds, frogs, streams, thunder but with their voices mangled and played with. Sublime from start to finish and a wonderful return.
Buckwild – Music Is My Religion
I don’t listen to much hip-hop/rap these days, but when I hear an artist like Quelle Chris, Mick Jenkins, Armand Hammer or in this case Buckwild turning out highly original albums in the genre, I’m all ears. Bronx producer and DITC member Buckwild along with the help of Fred The Godson, Flee Lord, Smif-N-Wessun, and an array of others light up the scene with this dazzling LP. Music Is My Religion is fresh, innovative and a great listen from front to back. Love the artwork as well!
Marlowe – Marlowe 2
Marlowe is a collaborative alt-rap project from North Carolina-based hip-hop producer L’Orange and rapper Solemn Brigham. Their second album Marlowe 2 continues were there 2018 debut left off. L’Orange turns in elite-level production, and Solemn Brigham steps up with a level of penmanship and a lyrical game that puts him in the top echelon of MCs. Their unique blend of quick-fire vocals and dusty breakbeats continue as the Marlowe legacy grows.
Hip Hop LP’s
Open Mike Eagle – Anime, Trauma and Divorce
Compilations
Rhauder & Paul St. Hilaire – Assemblage
End your week with this dope collection of dub techno experiments from Rhauder and Paul St. Hilaire. Assemblage sees Ornaments Music bring together the duo’s EP’s for the label with a little unreleased version as a bonus. Ten enlightening minimal dub journeys with Paul St. Hilaire’s buttery tones as the cherry on the cake. If that wasn’t enough to get you going the record comes printed up on three clear-and-blue-marbled 12-inch vinyl and presented in a natural carton package – nice!
Singles
Morita Vargas – Deysa (Sapphire Slows Remix)
It’s not often that I share remixes on the site, but now and again one comes along and blows me away, Sapphire Slows refix of Morita Vargas’ 2018 track Deysa has that effect on me each time I press play. Flawless from the very first electronic twinkle the track moves with effortless grace, each note floating off into the distance as the hypnotic murmurs that bubble throughout serves as the cherry on top. Sit back, and give this a listen.
morèno – ginza ft Alf4zi
A short but thumping Hindi rap collaboration between morèno and Alf4zi of Mumbai who delivers crisp flows and twisted samples. As debut tracks go this is pretty decent and hopefully morèno will continue to churn out deliciously infectious and catchy tracks like this one.
Necktr – Grow (feat. Esme Bridie & B-âhwe)
The new single from Leeds-based group Necktr is a master class in how to mingle atmospheric jazz and a touch of pop. A slight move away from their earlier neo-soul offerings prooving just how diverse and versatile they can be and has me intrigued to see where they head next. The track features vocalists Esme Bridie and B-âhwe, as well as violinist Jed Holland. Enjoy below!
