The first complete photo documentation of Dilla and Slum Village to date circa 1999
This 75 page hand printed book contains 36 exclusive professional photos of J Dilla and Slum Village whilst on tour in Amsterdam circa 1999. It’s a 7 x 9.5″ black and white beautifully printed artbook which was manufactured, edited and overseen by photographer Yamandu Roos. He manages to capture the …
Future Classic: Pablo Queu “The Soul Chapter EP”
This is Pablo Queu’s second official EP, featuring original beats that combine soul and electronic elements, among with jazz, hiphop and blues guitar. The Soul Chapter EP is beautifully cooled out. While still maintaining a tasteful flavour of a bedroom recording, it is able to reach down and pull on …
Forgotten Treasure: Fallacy and Fusion “The Groundbreaker” (2002)
Anyone else remember this one? I suspect quite a few people do. It might be considered a bit of a London thing, but it did make it as far as the leafy lanes of rural Norfolk. I spent a good few years bumping this track on the school bus as …
Future Classic: Big Hongry “Let The Smoke Out EP”
Big Hongry teams up with producer Pas Doo to create this Detroit hip-hop inspired EP “Let The Smoke Out”. Personally, I have never heard of Big Hongry until now, but honestly I have no idea why. This man has bars! Within seven tracks, two of which are interludes, Hongry is …
Future Classic: Kenny Keys “Everything Must Change”
Chicago’s master beat-smith Kenny Keys, known for his work on Eulorhythmics, Beyond Luck, Lyric District and Face Melt, is back and strong with this fresh album release in collaboration with Radio Juicy. In his new release, Kenny Keys seamlessly weaves dusty record chops of both recognizable and rare samples in …
Exclusive Premiere: Darkhouse Family “Solid Gold”
First Word are proud to introduce the new EP from our latest signings Darkhouse Family. The production duo consisting of Don Leisure and Metabeats have previously released music through Fat City and Earnest Endeavours, building up a dedicated fanbase that includes Gilles Peterson, Gaslamp Killer and Lefto. The Solid Gold …
Exclusive Premiere: Fulgeance “Home”
via Cascade Records: “Home” is the first single from Fulgeance’s new album “homecooking”, on Cascade Records after releasing on his own label Musique Large & his latest Ep at ED BANGER records. This track is a futuristic stadium anthem, a dedication to Detroit’s beat scene revealing the particular mood of …
Future Classic: Mala “Mirrors” (Brownswood Records)
via Brownswood: Mirrors is the second album by endlessly influential South London producer Mala. It follows his 2012 Brownswood release where Gilles Peterson invited the producer to soak up Cuba’s music and culture to turn the results into Mala In Cuba. But Mirrors is less Mala In Cuba Mk II …
Forgotten Treasure: The Prunes “Tracks From The Darkside” (1995)
Post from Lexis: “Whenever I’m invited to do a guest session on the great WEFUNK radio show I try to put together a selection that probably hasn’t been done before. And when you’re talking about a show that’s been going strong since 1996 it’s not easy to do something new. …
Future Classic: Débruit “débruit & istanbul”
via ICI Records: Débruit presents a synthetic and rhythmic journey inside the city’s history and future. ‘Débruit & Istanbul’, his fourth album, is set for release through his own multidisciplinary label ICI on 27th May 2016. Artist, producer and musician Xavier Thomas aka Débruit is a musical explorer who imagines …
Forgotten Treasure: Yo-Yo “Total Control” (1996)
Rapper and Ice Cube protégé Yo-Yo was in many ways a pioneer and unsung hero for female rappers in the industry. She has an extensive discography (including one full length unreleased album) but despite disappointing sales, she managed to release a forgotten classic with her album Total Control. This was …
Future Classic: Mark Pritchard “Under The Sun”
via Juno: Given the length of his career, it’s rather surprising to find that Under The Sun is Mark Pritchard’s first under his given name. As critics have pointed out, it’s an overwhelmingly beautiful and poignant set, built around an intoxicating fusion of ambient electronics, soft touch instrumentation, bubbling beats, …