It seems of late that hiphop has to be either grimy beats or straight bangers but it is like the soulfulness is missing, but Juju Rogers is breaking that down with his new album From the Life of a Good-For-Nothing on the Jakarta Records Imprint. Juju brings that smooth flow over chilled out instrumentals. This album is a perfect soundtrack for a late night session, Juju Rogers has linked up with some great producers like JuSoul and TwitOne to create a real masterpiece. Highly Recommended!
Let’s have May 5th arrive as fast as possible, the ultra talented Maryland producer Oddisee will drop his new album The Good Fight. Oddisee is one of the best producer emcees out there, I think he is mostly accredited for his smooth productions but his fluid rapid fire delivery needs to be recognized. I remember first hearing Oddisee on Dj Jazzy Jeff’s Magnificent album in 2002 and wanting to hear more. While we wait for May 5th, Oddisee just dropped the first single That’s Love off the new album. The single may be more uptempo than what you are used to hearing from Oddisee but funky arrangement with the horns will get you head nodding for sure. Can’t wait for the album to drop!
I have mentioned Hiatus Kaiyote multiple times on this blog, and with each new release there is something that needs to be said. Well with the new single Breathing Underwater is no different, Hiatus Kaiyote has stepped up game. It is like they have further refined their sound, the composition and arrangement encompasses both simplicity and complexity while elegantly matches Nai Palm’s vocals. The Melbourne group will be releasing their new album Choose Your Weapon sometime soon, but in the meantime keep Breathing Underwater on repeat.
The prolific Ghostface Killah aka Tony Starks is back, linking up with the Canadian group BADBADNOTGOOD to drop their new collabo album Sour Soul. As usual, Ghost brings the raw, rapid fire, lyricism which he is known for and BADBADNOTGOOD supplies the dope soulful jazzy beats. The Canadian group provides live instrumentation to the production and it adds another dimension to the sound. The rawness of Ghost’s lyrics with the live sound is something that I think is missing from hiphop. I think we are so used to having hiphop being produced purely from digital machines that we forgot the live instrumentation possibilities. I am really feeling this album, go cop it!
Back at it, it has been a minute but the music keeps flowing and Kaeyae Alo aka Asha Moyo comes correct. The Canadian songstress links up with the Rotterdam beat makers The Stone Detectives to drop her new single Thoughts. Smooth is the perfect description of Kaeyae Alo’s voice, and it flows over the beat effortlessly. My biggest complaint is that the song is too short, I want a like 10 minute jam of Kaeyae Alo singing. I can’t wait for her to drop more tracks, Check it out the new single.
Let’s just get straight to it, no intros and no background info. If want some dope jazzy mellow beats, download the new J. Vibes EP Late Night Soul. You will not be disappointed, J. Vibes is super talented and comes correct on this release!
The lineup on Shuko’s new album For the Love of It is bonkers, he gets some crazy assistance from the old school likes of Grand Puba, CL Smooth, to the new school greats of Blu, 20Syl, and Talib Kweli, and there are many more. Shuko, the german beatmaker has been steady in his releases, always putting quality ahead of quantity and this album is no different. He loves chopping up some soulful samples layered over some banging drums. The new single Allow Me featuring Pete Philly, Evidence, and 20Syl is a real heater, if this doesn’t get you excited for his album, I don’t know what would. The album drops on the 30th, cop it!
Let’s continue on the UK music tip, the super talented Jay Prince just dropped a new free EP BeFor Our Time on his soundcloud page. I have heard a few releases from Jay Prince and this release is probably his best to date, don’t get me wrong his previous releases are dope but this EP is more refined and highlights his smooth flows with some jazzy and soulful production. Don’t waste anytime and cop this EP!
There is something great about hearing jazz on sundays, the lazy day fits perfectly with the chilled out horns. The eighteen year old beatmaker Sinh from the Netherlands is a real jazz digger, his jazz selections are chopped up and laced with some dope vocal cuts. Sinh’s productions are perfect for Sundays, and in fact any mellow late nights. Go check out his Soundcloud page!
It has been a minute since my last post, I hope you all had a great christmas filled with joy, family, and great food. I had a great holiday, but no time wastin, let’s get to the music. The talented Amerigo Gazaway steps his game up by releasing a remastered version of his groundbreaking 2011 album Fela Soul. He doesn’t just stop there, as a token of his appreciation, he also releases a brand new single called Still Ego Trippin. The timing of the release on New Year’s Eve is perfect, the funky production with the on point rhymes of De La Soul will for sure get your night started. Don’t sleep and download this single. Have a great New Year!
ModulatorSoul 