Crucial Material – Best Releases of the Week (July 21, 2018)
Every week our heads are spinning from the amount of new music that lands on the “to-listen” pile. The sheer volume of new material to go through is absolutely dizzying to say the least, but it’s always worth it to come across some amazing gems such as these.
So here are our favourite releases of the week. All killer no filler!
The Internet “Hive Mind”
Genre: Soul / R&B / Funk
Label: Columbia
The Internet is one of the most progressive and original Soulful groups out there at the moment, and the Odd Future collective alumni continue their steady growth with this 4th album. Despite also spending some time and creative juices on the solo projects from Syd the Kid, Matt Martians, as well as Steve Lacy, this album doesn’t disappoint at all. It’s definitely a grower but I’m quite sure it’ll be on heavy rotation for the remainder of the year!
– Lexis
Natureboy Flako “Theme For A Dream”
Genre: Electronic / Beats
Label: Five Easy Pieces
Purchase Link
The latest from Berlin-based Natureboy Flako functions like a tripped out Fantastic Planet-like odyssey, filled with tons of bits from library records and old “Switched-On” synth records from the ‘70s. Although references are whimsical, Flako maintains the brood (using the Arturia Minibrute as a guess), and keeps the drums punchy.
– Mike
Buddy “Harlan & Alondra”
Genre: Hip-Hop / R&B
Label: RCA
Young Soul singer & rapper hailing from Compton, California comes out with one of the strongest debuts in recent memory! An album that sounds both modern and mature at the same time. Think, “what would a Raphael Saadiq Rap / Soul record sound like in 2018?”, and that’ll give you an indication of the kid’s talent. The album ”Harlan & Alondra” is named after the cross streets where Buddy grew up in Compton, a city with so much Hip Hop history that a debut album from a young phenom comes with its share of pressure.
– Lexis
Orquesta De Las Nubes “The Order of Change”
Genre: Ambient / Modern Classical
Label: Music From Memory
“Following on from a retrospective compilation of solo work and an album of recent work in 2016, Music From Memory continue to explore the work of Spanish ambient and experimental pioneer Suso Saiz. The subject of Music From Memory’s latest compilation focuses on Suso Saiz’s output as part of the group Orquesta De Las Nubes, formed by Suso Saiz and percussionist Pedro Estevan when the two met whilst studying a course on ‘Techniques of Contemporary Composition’ in Madrid.”
Oscilliations Compilation
Genre: Hip-Hop / Beats / Soul
Label: Strange Neighbor
I must admit a project like this one makes me miss the mid 2000s when a lot of new talents were coming into the beat scene, alternative and future indie Hip Hop and Soul. I was very excited to see the lineup of talent on this compilation curated by Strange Neighbour: Georgia Anne Muldrow, Blu, MED, Jimetta Rose, Dizz1, Mndsgn, Swarvy, Teebs, lojii, Clark and the Community and Nia Andrews. Heavy stuff!
– Lexis
Chance The Rapper “I Might Need Security”
Genre: Hip Hop / Soul
Label: Self-Released
It may not be an album, but four new tracks in one week from the Chicago MC is definitely noteworthy. The standout of the four being ‘I Might Need Security’ featuring the Jamie Foxx sample singing “Fuck you, fu-u-u-u-u-uck, fuck fuck you / Fu-u-u-u-u-uck you, fuck fuck you (Yep, now now) / Fu-u-u-u-u-uck you” for which you won’t need genius.com to figure out. NSFW!
– Lexis
Ohmega Watts “Dropping Gems”
Genre: Beats / Hip-Hop
Label: Self-Released
Here’s another lovely surprise! I hadn’t heard any music from Brooklyn-bred MC and producer Ohmega Watts in a while but this 6 track instrumental EP hits me in all the right spots. Fantastic one for all you hip-hop heads who are in need of trap beats. This is for all the lovers of electronic sounds meeting the boom bap, reminiscent of Waajeed, King Britt, etc.
– Lexis
Jitwam “Purple EP” (w/ K15 Remix)
Genre: Soul / House / Beats / Broken Beat
Label: The Jazz Diaries
Purchase Link
Lowdown grooveman jitwam shares his latest workings with this 4-tracker on The Jazz Diaries. This EP sees him step closer to the dancefloor, calling upon K15 for a Bruk rework of “Desires” We’ve been paying close attention to jitwam for the past couple years now and are always satisfied with his steady flow of material, and this one’s no different!
Zackey Force Funk “Bodyrock Shotgun”
Genre: Modern Funk / Boogie
Label: Mo Funk Records
Purchase Link
True tales of sordid street escapades, drugs and fast women have been long running themes for Zackey Force Funk, and though these themes have been explored to excess in music over the years, his stories are in fact true. “Bodyrock Shotgun” takes listeners into the world of what used to be his reality, looked at through a tripped out funky lens. Walla P sat down with ZFF to gain insight into this latest release, read the interview here.
Jacob Mann Big Band “Greatest Hits Volume 2”
Genre: Jazz / Funk / Big Band
Label: Self-Released
Purchase Link
Get the heck down with the mastermind that brought you Hits Like: “Jill Stein” and “Pete Wheeler”! Jazz Is My Life, This Is My Music. Essentially, the brown note has been found or whatever, (Fb minor is where everyone’s forgotten to look). Besides jamming his tongue firmly in his cheek, Jacob Mann actually pens some pretty killin’ tunes here, and has a lot of fun whilst doing so, and you can get them all as sheet music if you are into that sorta thing. Perfect for fans of Knower and Dringo Starr.
– Mike
DJ Khalab “Black Noise 2084”
Genre: Beats / Afro-Futurism / Global
Label: On The Corner
“Khalab has summoned a futuristic afro-centric soundscape by weaving a poly-phonic tapestry of future bass, jazz and field recordings. The LP’s title track tells hard truths from the mind of spoken word artist Tenesha The Wordsmith. Along with her words the LP’s title has been augmented with a date marking the arrival of an emancipated future.
‘Black Noise 2084’ casts aside the worn and surface level cliché of black music being soul music. Khalab guides us to the beginning of a journey, the journey of rhythms and he takes us within earshot of the voices and spirits that carried them. Soul gained over aeons of terror and forced transportation, soul driving survival against systematic oppression, wholesale against a people. Khalab looks to the noise, the messages, the spirits, and evokes the light of ‘Black Noise 2084’ out of darkness.”
Knxwledge “HEX.PRT12”
Genre: Beats / Beats / Beats
Label: Self-Released
Purchase Link
If you’re a Knxwledge fan you know what to expect by now… I would guesstimate that this is probably the Philly-raised, LA-based producer’s 50th Bandcamp self-release. Another series of R&B and Rap flips that are worth your time and your 8.88$
– Lexis
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