Album of the Week: Ratgrave “Ratgrave” (Apron Records)
The Ratgrave project came out of the leftfield and appeared on our musical radar last week. Nothing was known from the project other than it being released out of Steven Julien’s (aka Funkineven) always reliable Apron Records imprint. On closer inspection I discovered that Ratgrave was a new project from …
Album of the Week: Makaya McCraven “Where We Come From” (ChicagoxLondon Mixtape)
“I just met these wonderful people” says Chicago’s Makaya McCraven in the opening moments of the album/mixtape, referring to the fact he is on a stage playing with some of London’s finest young Jazz musicians whilst meeting them for the first time. Over the course of the two day ChicagoxLondon …
Album of the Week: The Internet “Hive Mind”
With all of the attention and massive hype generated by 2015’s Grammy-nominated “Ego Death”, it would have been natural for The Internet’s new album – their first for major label Columbia / Sony – to seek new audiences and to try and “crossover” for lack of a better word. On …
Dave Aju & Thatmanmonkz “They Sleep We Love (feat. Foxxee)”
The 36 people who passed in the Ghost Ship Fire on December 2, 2016, in the Fruitvale neighbourhood of Oakland California were just looking to dance, vibe and take part in a communal gathering based on art. Bay Area Warehouse parties are notorious for uniting alternative thinkers and outsiders pushed …
Album of the Week: Children of Zeus “Travel Light”
The Manchester duo of Konny Kon and Tyler Daley known as Children of Zeus have finally dropped their hotly tipped debut album titled “Travel Light”. They built up quite a buzz on the soulful streets following three sell-out singles on First Word and a compilation EP comprised of tracks made by …
Kaidi Tatham “It’s A World Before You” (First Word Records)
Don’t even allow yourself to think for one nanosecond that “It’s A World Before You” is any type of comeback record for Kaidi Tatham. The UK electronic music innovator has played, produced, influenced and collaborated with the Bugz In The Attic and Dego from 4hero for 20 plus years – …
Magic In Threes “Return Of…” (KingUnderground Records)
Magic In Threes release “Return Of…” for the first time on vinyl with KingUnderground, which until now was only available on cassette through G.E.D. Soul Records. via KU: The album is a collection of delightfully smoked out, library music inspired instrumentals following in the footsteps of their highly enjoyable 2011 …
Yazmin Lacey “When The Sun Dips 90 Degrees” (First Word Records)
There is an immediate ice-water through the veins sensation every time the Nottingham-based singer Yazmin Lacey unfurls her raspy, burnt-caramel-sweet voice on the upcoming five-song EP “When The Sun Dips 90 Degrees”. Her lyrical phrasing, part Badu attitudinal but all candid and quotable, carries an unruffled UK “sort it” swag. …
Kiefer “Happysad” (Stones Throw Records)
via STR: Kiefer is a constant in Mndsgn’s live trio, has shared the stage with Moses Sumney and Terrace Martin, and has lent production talents to the likes of Kaytranada and Anderson .Paak. He began playing piano as a child and producing beats at around age twelve, moving from San …