Crucial Material – Best Releases Of The Week (August 12th, 2019)

Back at it again with your weekly roundup of unmissable albums and EP’s from jazz, modern funk to club-ready releases.

As always we hope you make some nice discoveries and feel free to encourage these artists/labels if you do! Enjoy and have a great week.

NEW ALBUMS & EP’s

Byron the Aquarius “Astral Traveling”

Label: Mutual Intentions
Genre: House / Jazz
Buy: Digital & Physical (via Bandcamp)

After a string of EPs, singles and remixes on labels such as Eglo and Sound Signature, one of our favorite producers is finally putting out his full length LP and where better than on the always excellent Mutual Intentions. A top quality, perfectly balanced debut album showcasing Byron’s many influences, organic grooves to 90s house and back to soulful beats. Astral traveling indeed…
– Selected by Spacewalker

G&D (Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime) “Black Love War”

Genre: Hip-Hop / Soul / fOnk
Label: Someothaship
Buy: Digital & Physical (via Bandcamp)

Georgia Anne Muldrow and Dudley Perkins/Declaime are truly the most prolific and progressive power couple in “fOnk” – their trademark blend of spiritual and free hip-hop, soul, funk. Like all of their solo or joint projects it takes one or two listens to fully immerse yourself in their vibration but once you do you are rewarded! As a listener I feel like every release of theirs challenges me unlike few artists can.
– Selected by Lexis

Waajeed “Ten Toes Down”

Genre: House
Label: Dirt Tech Reck
Buy: Digital & Vinyl (via Bandcamp)

Detroit royalty Waajeed returns with the “Ten Toes Down” EP his first new music from in a almost a year. As with anything the man puts out you can feel the sense of purpose with each kick, snare and synth line coming out of the speakers. Wu-Tang songstress Blue Raspberry under alias Candi Lindsey features on “Heavy” and “Deeper Into Blue” but I must admit “Too Black” is my personal favorite. As always: No Frills. Just Dirt Baby!
– Selected by Lexis

Bas “Spilled Milk EP”

Genre: Hip-Hop

After shining brightest on the DreamVille compilation Return of the Dremers 3, Bas breaks out with a very solid EP. Covering all styles from afrohouse with Ari Lennox (Amnesia) to trading bars with wordsmith JID on the heavy Fried Rice, Bas is really breaking out of his shell and showcasing stupendous versatility. The sultry Nirvana, featuring a great collabo with Falcons, is the standout song on this EP that announces a big Year for Bas who is steadily rising up the ranks.
– Selected by Asma

Vin Gordon “African Shores”

Label: Tradition Disc
Genre: Reggae / Dub
Buy: Digital & Physical (via Bandcamp)

Legendary Jamaican trombonist Vin Gordon has played with them all – Marley, Perry, Studio One, Skatalites, Heptones, Professionals. Now he has teamed up (again) with jazz saxophonist Nat Birchall and producer Al Breadwinner to record a beautiful roots & dub album, recorded, mixed and dubbed as tradition dictates. Essential for anyone looking for new music in that vein and or even an introduction. Sublime.
– Selected by Oliver Brunetti

Koolade “Crewzen Vol.2”

Genre: Modern Funk
Buy: Digital & Physical (via Bandcamp)

Legendary Croatian producer Koolade comes back with his “Crewzen” Vol.2, a 6 track E.P., following up the success of his Vol.1. All G-Funk slappers, no fillers.
– Selected by Walla P

Sp:MC “Vintage / Slugfest”

Label: Sentry
Genre: UK Garage
Buy: Digital & Physical (via Bandcamp)

This is an absolutely essential EP for any self-respecting Garage / Deep Dubstep head. SP:MC is highly respected producer and vocalist with some outstanding releases on labels like System and Tempa. The lead track is reminiscent of the brief but incredible early 2000’s era where producers like El-B, Zed Bias and Horsepower Productions were working their magic on a post-2step sound to create the early foundations of dubstep. Huge shout out to SP:MC for bringing me back there while pushing the sound ffwd!
– Selected by Lexis

Rick Ross “Port of Miami 2”

Genre: Hip-Hop

Love him or hate him Rozay has always delivered quality and is in a solidified situation which allows him to take his time and do what he does best: pick beats. For his new album, Miami rapper Rick Ross proposes a second volume to his debut album and brings back stellar production from Just Blaze, Swizz Beats, Jake One and J.U.S.T.I.C.E League. Classic Rizo bangers (Act a Fool) smooth sleepers (Turnpike Ike) and solid features from Drake, Meek Mill and a posthumous Nipsey Hustle verse makes this one of Ross’ complete albums and a proper continuation of the Maybach Music legacy.
– Selected by Asma

REISSUES & ARCHIVAL

Don Blackman “Just Can’t Stay Away”

Label: Melodies International
Genre: Soul
Buy: Digital & Physical (via Bandcamp)

The London-based Melodies International label, run by Floating Points & Red Greg, have released a new 7inch single featuring the previously under-the-radar early 2002 DIY-boogie gem “Just Can’t Stay Away” from jazz-funk legend Don Blackman. The funky soulful dance floor banger was originally featured on Blackman’s second and final album ‘Listen’, which was issued only on CD format. This is the first time the track has been issued on vinyl, and it also comes with a 14’x14’ limited-edition poster.
– Selected by TJ Gorton

Art Ensemble of Chicago “We Are on the Edge”

Label: Erased Tapes
Genre: Jazz
Buy: Digital & Physical (via Bandcamp)

Art Ensemble of Chicago mark 50 years of “great black music, ancient to future”with a special 2-LP & 4-LP box (w/ additional live recording), dedicated to late co-founders, Lester Bowie, Joseph Jarman & Malachi Favors. Surviving founder Roscoe Mitchell, and long-time colleague Don Moye, lead a wide ensemble, including Moor Mother, Nicole Mitchell & Tomeka Reid, not only celebrating AEOC’s towering legacy, but ensuring it remains “on the edge”.
– Selected by Oliver Brunetti