Hip-Hop News

Fresh from flexing his scalpel skills via an impressive double 12-inch for Hot Biscuit Recordings, The Mighty Zaf once more joins forces with regular studio buddy Linkwood for two more tried-and-tested reworks. 'Get Another Love' is particularly potent, with the duo combining elements from a vintage disco-soul workout - glistening guitars, bass, vocals, strings - with a vintage-sounding drum machine beat which alternates between sweat-soaked Chicago-house jack and post-electro swing. 'He Made You Mine', meanwhile, is a straight edit of a slow, loved-up, immersive and horn-laden disco-soul gem that switches from loved-up downtempo loveliness to punchy dancefloor excellence midway through.

Since 2020, 12 Inch Lovers has embarked on an exhilarating journey, characterized by sold-out parties and samplers that have built a loyal fanbase. These samplers consistently find their way to collectors in search of contemporary classics. Samplers 7 & 8 once again constitute a collection of true classics, rare gems, and club tracks that have never before appeared on vinyl.

Sampler 7

For decades, Dan Penn’s mid 60s Muscle Shoals demos were the Holy Grail among southern soul fans, feted by the likes of Rick Hall and Jerry Wexler as being better than the hit versions. When they finally became accessible to all, 40-plus years after they were recorded, they turned out to be just as good as had been stated.

Further acclaim awaits the recent discovery by Soul-4-Real of two more demo masterpieces, written and performed by Dan and Spooner Oldham while working in Memphis at American Studio in 1967-68. The tape box shows who they were intended for, and it’s a real shame that James Carr never recorded either as both would have been perfect for him. At least we got to hear fine versions of “Cheaters Never Win” from Tony Borders and Bobby Boseman in due course. The lovely “I’m Believing In You” seems to exist only in the version you hear here.

New ‘old’ music from Dan is always worth hearing and having. These wonderful performances are no exception…

First Word Records proudly present the second single from Above The Clouds (aka kidkanevil & Magic Manfred), taking on another underground hip hop classic, 'Change'.

'Change' was originally performed by Shadez of Brooklyn, produced by Da Beatminerz and most notably appeared on DJ Premier's legendary 'New York Reality Check 101' mix compilation back in 1997.

This 7" vinyl release follows on from last Summer's MF DOOM cover 'Arrow Root', which received strong support from the likes of Japan's DJ Koco and Philadelphia's DJ Jazzy Jeff.

This new instrumental reinterpretation also features cuts by Leicester-based turntablist, Jon1st - a DMC World Online Champion, as well as being a producer & musician in his own right, collaborating on music with a number of hip hop, D&B and electronic artists.

One of the original First Word roster, UK Producer/DJ and all-round laptop music geek kidkanevil has developed a distinctive and progressive sound over the years, gleefully exploring the beats and bleeps of the electronic music universe to international recognition. Leeds born, sound system bred and raised on a (un)healthy diet of video games and anime, his solo work inhabits the curious space between bass frequencies and otaku culture. But as a devoted teenage backpack rap nerd, somewhere in the back of kid's mind was a lingering desire to reconnect with his first love, hip hop.

Not long after moving to Berlin he joined a studio space in graffiti plastered Kreuzberg, where he met multi instrumentalist wizard Magic Manfred; a disciple of all things boogie, disco, funk and soul. Born and raised in Berlin, and currently a touring musician for many an act, Manfred's musical map joins the dots from piano lessons at four, to starting a band with his teenage friends, leading him to his true calling - the bass - via the club vibrations of his hometown, which introduced him to the world of DJing and production, and a stint studying in the explosive London jazz scene to finalise his Jedi training.

Bonding over their mutual love of '90s hip hop, a friendship and musical kinship developed, coupled with a desire to honour past eras but push things forward, Above The Clouds was born; named after their joint favourite DJ Premier beat, with a touch of irony regarding their basement based studio of a windowless variety.

kidkanevil explains further "We started the project with a few covers, just as a way to get warmed up and in a certain creative headspace, of which 'Change' by Shadez Of Brooklyn was one. We both loved DJ Premier's 'New York Reality Check 101' mix when we were teenagers and this track was a favourite. The elements really lent themselves to live interpretation, and as an instrumental there was space to bring some nice movement with the bass and stuff. Hopefully we found the balance between paying tribute and finding our own pocket. For the final seasoning we hit up the homie and turntable wizard Jon1st to recreate the cuts, of which he did an immaculate job of course.

The b-side 'Urgh' is one of our favourite beats we've made so far; the title is just how it makes us feel! We actually recorded the piano with two iphones as left and right and it sounded kinda cool so we went with it..."

'Change / Urgh' is released on limited 7" vinyl & digital platforms, April 24th 2026.

Repress!

'You got the stuff' is not 'Lovely day' - that much is true. This one's a wigged out, extended, trip into deep space from 1978 that is truly baffling.
Of course, it features Bill singing for the first half of the track but then all of a sudden we're launched into a cosmic wormhole as everything just falls back and the track is stripped of any earthly qualities. People find themselves asking 'this...... this is Bill Withers' as lazer guided synths and rock solid drums pull us into the sonic vortex. Truly amazing. Obviously a nugget like this has not gone unnoticed and has been edited and chopped and sampled deftly by the more sarcastic, left-field oriented crate diggers out there but it has never been reissued legitimately - Until now!

A hugely sought after and collectible gem right here, backed with the wistful slow jam 'Look To Each Other For Love' as per the original 1978 Columbia promo 12" version. This left-field, cosmic classic has been legally reissued by Above Board distribution in conjunction with the legal rights holders - Sony Music Entertainment. This high quality repress features original Columbia pink label Disco 12" artwork and has been remastered from Sony's original sources by Optimum Mastering, Bristol UK.

For decades, Dan Penn’s mid 60s Muscle Shoals demos were the Holy Grail among southern soul fans, feted by the likes of Rick Hall and Jerry Wexler as being better than the hit versions. When they finally became accessible to all, 40-plus years after they were recorded, they turned out to be just as good as had been stated.

Further acclaim awaits the recent discovery by Soul-4-Real of two more demo masterpieces, written and performed by Dan and Spooner Oldham while working in Memphis at American Studio in 1967-68. The tape box shows who they were intended for, and it’s a real shame that James Carr never recorded either as both would have been perfect for him. At least we got to hear fine versions of “Cheaters Never Win” from Tony Borders and Bobby Boseman in due course. The lovely “I’m Believing In You” seems to exist only in the version you hear here.

New ‘old’ music from Dan is always worth hearing and having. These wonderful performances are no exception…

"DUBTERNAL" is an ode to the healing power of instruments.
An ode to human touch in an ever-increasing artificial world.
An ode to that young punk with a guitar on his back, heading to rehearsal space, reminding him that it's always worth pursuing creativity in all forms and shapes."
Egoless 2024

Zwar hatten sich die charakteristischen Merkmale des Afrobeat Mitte der 1970er Jahre herausgebildet, doch Fela experimentierte bis zu seinem Lebensende musikalisch weiter. 'Confusion' zum Beispiel hat nichts Kodifiziertes an sich und wirft alle vermeintlichen Regeln über Bord. 'Confusion' knüpft an Ginger Bakers trippige Produktion He Miss Road an und beginnt mit einem fünfminütigen, frei rhythmischen Dialog zwischen Schlagzeuger Tony Allen und Fela am E-Piano. Voller verzerrter, spaciger Texturen klingt es wie die Ouvertüre zu einem Science-Fiction-Film. Und das ist erst der Anfang. Ursprünglich erschienen bei EMI.

4LP vinyl boxset - pressed on opaque red, green, blue and yellow vinyl housed in printed inner sleeves with disco holes within a hardbound book jacket. The back cover is a Ludo board and the package contains Ludo game pieces, dice and instructions on how to play.

The Best of the Black President is the 13 track guide to Fela Kuti’s massive and manifold creative career. Fela was a musician, arranger, producer, political radical, outlaw and the originator of Afrobeat. This is the first time the complete compilation is available on vinyl. It is a 4 LP set, with updated cover art in a hardbound book jacket and printed inner sleeves. The individual LPs are pressed on red (sides A/B), green (sides C/D), blue (sides E/F) and yellow (sides G/H) vinyl. This edition features a Ludo game board as the back cover and comes with a perforated set of game pieces, dice, and instructions on how to play. Limited edition of 3000 for the world.



The release of this special edition coincides with the 12 episode podcast on the life and legacy of Fela, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, produced by the Obamas and hosted by Jad Abumrad (Radiolab, Dolly Parton’s America). The series features dozens of interviews including Burna Boy, Paul McCartney, Questlove, Ayo Edebiri, David Byrne, Santigold, and President Obama himself. It was initially released on Audible on 9/15/25 and had a wide release across all podcast platforms on 10/15/25

GSQ – Gelatology is a sample-based instrumental hip hop project rooted in crate digging culture, built from jazzfunk, soul, prog-rock and world music sources. The release also launches Gelatology, a new Quattro Bambole
Records sub-catalog dedicated to limited-run, sample-driven vinyl-only releases.

Kiss Klassics turn up the heat a few notches to bring you THE summer anthem of 2022, Edinburgh duo LF System flipped the Silk vocals wonderfully as does DJ Matman on the flip of this cheeky 45 with his edit of the original sample source both stone cold killers!

Superonda’s debut release, Aurora Spectralis, introduces the latest project from Mahatmos, a duo emerging from long-established practices in electronic music, sound design and composition for moving images. Released on 12” vinyl and digitally, the EP unfolds across four tracks of electronic ambient music shaped by atmosphere, con1nuity and restrained propulsion. Ambient textures open a broad emotional and spa1al field, while slow, insistent rhythms provide steady forward motion.
Superonda has created a space for Mahatmos to sharpen their focus on sound as material. Modular synthesis, analogue instruments and live processes techniques are balanced with precision and restraint, resulting in music that moves between progressive and hypnotic forms, informed as much by underground club culture as by cinematic composition.
Mahatmos is a Rome-based duo with complementary and deep-rooted practices. Gianluca Meloni brings a long-standing presence in techno and experimental music scene, with international releases and performances (as Laertes and as part of Modern Heads). Maurizio Loffredo contributes an extensive background in composition, production and sound engineering across popular music and film, with a refined sensitivity to timbre, structure and sonic narrative.
Superonda is a Rome-based label founded by artists engaged in deep sonic research and advanced technical exploration. Operating as an open platform, it connects collaborators working across recording, synthesis and composition, approaching music as a process-driven practice rather than a fixed genre. Each release stands as a distinct exploration, linked by shared sensibilities rather than formal constraints.
The physical edition of Aurora Spectralis is conceived as an extension of the work itself. Alongside a standard black vinyl pressing, a limited run of color and marbled copies has been produced, each one unique. Variability and tactility are embraced as part of the object’s identity, reinforcing the record as something to be experienced gradually, over time.

Mario Biondi is a singer and composer, born in Catania, Italy. In 1988 he had an important opportunity as support act to Ray Charles' Italian dates. His love for soul music helped shape his particular vocal styling that takes its cue from great vocalists like Lou Rawls, Al Jarreau and Isacc Hayes. His first big break came in 2004 with the original release of the single "This Is What You Are". Originally planned for release only in Japan, the cool and irresistible song gets noticed by European radio.

Well-known DJ, Norman Jay begins to feature the song on his BBC1 show playlist and Mario's incredible voice crosses the European continent ahead of the artist himself. His album "If shot up the charts and went triple - platinum. 'This Is What You Are' is one of the most important and iconic Italian jazz vocal tracks of the last decade

DJ Support: Rocky, Yogi Haughton, Nick Welton, Chris Sweet - Northern Soul Rave Patrol, Dean Smith, Dave Hill

'Ghosted Edits Vol 2' the emphasis has been on the less obvious. 'Two Wings' on the initial 'Ghosted Edits' was a superb disco jaunt, whilst 'Follow Him' opted for a swaying jolly down groove with a nice soulful sound. If you dug 'Follow Him' I can guarantee that 'Save The Children' and 'Beautiful People' will be essential purchases for all you disc jockey types, and those of you who jus' like vibes that you can melt into a chair with or sip on yer long drink and spectate from the side of the dancefloor as the DJ builds the room. A stroke of genius from Moton too as they opt to release this latest couple of jams on a seven, and we all know how much the soul boys and gals love a seven.

Got some exciting news from the ECHO CHAMBER RECORDINGS HQ - with a “collaboration” with the fantastic U.K. Latin/Salsa/Mambo outfit : ORCHESTRA MAMBO INTERNATIONAL - to be released on the “Echo Labs” label

AE Productions in association with Sure Shot Recordings and In Effect Recordings are pleased to announce a 10 Year Anniversary Edition of the critically acclaimed Phill Most Chill and Paul Nice album as the Fabreeze Brothers.

The hugely successful first edition which was pressed on colour vinyl and supplied in double fold out sleeve sold out in only 2 weeks from release date and then the 2nd pressing black vinyl edition sold out a little while later but has for years been out of print but is increasingly requested by shops, via email, social media, AE Productions website back in stock requests, etc…

As it has been 10 years since original release back in 2015 at the time of proceeding with manufacturing, it was the perfect opportunity to do a 3rd pressing to mark the anniversary but we had to pull out all the stops for a 3rd run of this incredible album and also make it subtly different again in packaging design from the 1st and 2nd pressings so that each has it’s own particular feel and quality.

With help from the original designer and all-round vinyl artwork supremo Mr Krum we have found some nice adjustments for the gatefold sleeve where the detail from the insert sheet found in the original issues is incorporated into the inside panels of the sleeve. We have also tweaked the hype sticker to mark the 10th Anniversary Edition and updated the vinyl labels so as to work better with the new Splatter vinyl which follows the original red and yellow vinyl but each splattered with the opposite colour.

For something a little extra we have compiled a Limited Expanded Edition Double Cassette Box Set that includes the original album and also a ‘Bonus Tape’ which features all of the remixes, alternate versions, Original Versions of album cuts and bonus tracks found on B-sides of the array of singles and we included for good measure 2 tracks that only appeared on the promotional only LP sampler that ended up being different on the final release. This is limited to cassette just for the non-vinyl heads as all of these tracks already appear on vinyl. The outer box is A5 card in black with gold foil Fabreeze Brothers logo and comes with discography booklet.

‘The Bonus Tape’ from the box set is also available as a standalone cassette release with alternate j-card art work so that it has it’s own flavour and so that anyone that purchased one of the original run of cassettes that sold out before we could even ship any copies, did not need to purchase the main album again unnecessarily and to make it noticeable from the Expanded Edition Box Set version.

This version also has an alternate shell design in keeping with the clear shell with dark liner that was commonplace back in the 90’s and the cassette geeks may note the red text on the spine as was also a common design back then – giving this a pseudonym of ‘the 90’s tape’ during the design process.

We couldn’t stop there so we also have an extremely low quantity Limited Edition Mini Disc version which is the main album plus 8 of the bonus tracks from The Bonus Tape – only missing the 2 least significant alternate versions but clocking in at just a few seconds under 80 minutes – the absolute maximum for the format! Mini Disc???!!! You’re probably asking – yes!

While looking into the cassette duplication options we realised that the duplicator also offers Mini Disc production so we thought that it may be worth doing a very small run just because not only are professionally manufactured Mini Disc’s rare in Hip Hop, they are rare within the entire music industry as they never really took off as a medium to purchase music but ended up as the choice for home recorded Walkman and car use. Indeed, AE boss Mr Fantastic still has his main machine, portable and old discs. Amazingly also, the sleeve artwork transferred brilliantly to the Mini Disc template. They are manufactured using high quality Sony discs using ATRAC 4.5 codec.

All releases are supplied with unique free download codes on cards that are included inside the packaging but also with the Expanded Edition cassette and Mini Disc having 2 cards – 1 for the main album and a 2nd card for ‘The Bonus Tape’. The free downloads are supplied direct from Phill Most Chill’s Bandcamp page keeping it independent.

Wah Wah 45s are very excited to announce a brand new remixes from dub donPrince Fattyfor beloved Afro-reggae outfitSoothsayers.

Love Is Still The Answeris a beautifully uplifting song, written and sung by long time Soothsayers member and collaboratorJulia Bielabout the eternal power of love and its ability to overcome hate. It appears in its original incarnation on the band's recent, critically acclaimed album,Fly Higher.

Mike Pelaconi, AKA Prince Fatty has been part of the Wah Wah 45s and Soothsayers extended family for many years, and here he delivers a typically crowd pleasing mix, in both vocal and dub form, from the world of Rockers Reggae, calling legendary reggae drummerHorsemaninto the studio, and crafting a lush rocksteady remix with a new horn arrangement and stripped back instrumentation.


"In a world that feels more divided and chaotic than ever,Love Is Still the Answer is a reminder that real change can still come from within. We may feel powerless in the face of global turmoil, but when we choose love - actively, consistently, even in tough situations - we reclaim strength for ourselves. This song calls us back to our shared humanity, to the energy that connects us all. It's an invitation to tune into what really matters, and to rediscover beauty where we may have forgotten to seek it." Robin Hopcraft (Soothsayers)

a A1: Prince Fatty Rockers Remix feat. Julia B.

a A1: Prince Fatty Rockers Remix [feat. Julia B.]

[a] A1: Prince Fatty Rockers Remix [feat. Julia B.]

Tha God Fahim's timeless creative instincts have been evident from the moment his art began to circulate. Emerging unexpectedly from the epicenter of trap music, the Atlanta emcee quickly distinguished himself with sharp wordplay and atmospheric production that couldn't be further from the monotonous sounds echoing Around Him. With Just A Few Projects To His Name, Tha God Fahim Was Still A Hungry Young Talent On The Rise when he unleashed Tha Dark Shogunn Saga in late 2016. Among his most memorable early releases, the album kicked off an unprecedented creative explosion, as Fahim cemented his status with more than 50 projects released over the next two years. Followed by an equally compelling sequel released just a few
months later, the overall saga became an important moment in Tha God Fahim's rise, evoking shadowy street corners and smoke-filled hallways. Nearly a decade later, Fahim is expanding this series into a full trilogy with Tha Dark Shogunn Saga, Vol. 3. Reviving the unmistakable vibe of the original projects, the new collection finds our hero back in warrior mode, sharpening his lyrical blade over rich production from Cookin Soul, Nicholas Craven, Fortes, and Fahim himself.

For the first time in over 20 years, BMG have commissioned a new DJ remix of Rapper’s Delight. BMG will release a double sided 12” with the classic 14 mins long version of Rapper’s Delight on Side A, with the brand new Greg Wilson & Ché remix on Side B.

Rapper’s Delight, is widely regarded as one of the biggest, if not the biggest, commercial hip-hop tracks in the history of Hip-hop. It is considered to be, one of THE most influential hip-hop tracks of all time, credited with bringing rap music to a mainstream audience. Artist’s influenced by this track include; Jay-Z & Nas, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg, Run DMC, to name a few.

This iconic track has been sampled over 215 times!

Italian multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and vocalist Alex Puddu is returning with at brand new album "Francia Meccanica" A strong set of songs with catchy hook lines and up tempo groove. Taking us back to the late ’80s and early ’90s disco-house production with refined, sexy vibes that introduces eroticism in both Italian and French. It’s a perfect cocktail mix that pairs seamlessly with Alex’s voice and performance, beats, funky bass, acid sax, and sultry French spoken words. Alex Puddu brings pop disco and retro vibes back in trend — always essential to his style and musical world — and sweeps us into wild French nights blending transgression and romance.

Calibre announces his new album 'Tricklemore Sea', set for release on vinyl and digital on 1st May via Signature Recordings.

A deeply personal and exploratory body of work, the album moves through ambient, shoegaze, electronic, blues and folk, all subtly shaped by the low-end sensibility that has defined his music for decades. It resists easy categorisation, reflecting an ongoing interest in blending bass culture with forms that sit outside it. Following the release of 'They Want You' at the end of 2025, this new project marks a clear shift in tone. Where that record leans into intensity and forward momentum, 'Tricklemore Sea' turns inward, occupying a more introspective space. Featuring entirely his own vocals and production, it carries a more exposed and vulnerable quality.

The album has taken shape gradually, drawing from material written in the years after 'Planet Hearth'. Rather than forming around a fixed concept, it emerges as a collection of pieces connected by tone and instinct. Tracks move between simplicity and abstraction, with piano-led compositions sitting alongside field recordings, improvisations and bass-driven works. Ideas often begin quickly, then evolve over long periods of revisiting and reworking. His voice takes on a more central role throughout, bringing a heightened sense of vulnerability. Lyrics and delivery are often left open, allowing space for interpretation. His process remains fluid and instinctive, with ideas written quickly, revisited over time and combined across different periods.

Moments such as 'Little Blend' carry a quiet melancholia balanced with hope, while 'Free One' reflects on the pressures of contemporary life. The title track considers the scale of human existence within a wider universe, framing individual lives as small but meaningful within something larger. Elsewhere, 'Deflower' and 'Pigeon Luncheon' draw from recordings made in Berlin at the end of lockdown, capturing a sense of movement and return. Older material, including 'Living In Your Head' and 'Hyndsight', is recontextualised and sits naturally alongside newer work. Threads from his wider catalogue remain present. 'Able Son Dub' nods to longstanding reggae influences, while 'Bit Broken Stream' appears here in a downtempo form alongside its drum and bass counterpart from 'They Want You'. Tracks like 'United Pull' and 'Mizzle Mine' lean further into abstraction, using minimal language and space to suggest mood rather than define it.

Over more than 30 years, Calibre has built a catalogue that moves across drum and bass, ambient, dub, techno, house, jazz, soul, blues and folk. His work is marked by restraint, quiet melancholy and a singular approach that continues to evolve. Complete authorship remains central, with all vocals, lyrics and production on both 'They Want You' and 'Tricklemore Sea' created solely by him. This breadth extends into his DJ sets, where he draws heavily from his own catalogue, often performing entirely self-produced material across a wide range of tempos and styles. His ability to move between contexts has seen him play at Boomtown, Houghton and Atonal Berlin, delivering distinct sets while maintaining a clear identity.

With 'Tricklemore Sea', that identity leans toward stillness, introspection and emotional depth. It is a record that prioritises feeling over definition, holding space for ambiguity while remaining grounded in a strong sense of authorship. Each release carries an element of exposure, a moment of vulnerability in letting the work go. At its core, the album seeks to capture something fleeting but recognisable, a sense of beauty that sits just beyond language.

He describes it simply: "The river inside of me flowing into the sea."

2026 Edition, black vinyl.



New 12" from the "Fonk" french master Dabeull, with a lot of vintage synths, 80's sounds and hairy moustache. Vintage Funk from today.

‘Danse Cette Zik!’ by Parbleu is the debut LP from this enigmatic group of musicians and is a multi-cultural fever dream, wherein energized expanses of dynamic disco, futuristic funk, and cinematic jazz fusion are colored over by warming vibes of Caribbean dub, Latin tropicalia, and sunshine Afrobeat. Evocative instrumentals intertwine with breathtaking vocal performances, which move between sleepy-eyed soul serenades, mystical melodic chants, and expressive diva enchantments while pads swell in support—sometimes sparkling like ocean glass, other times raining down like a Morricone symphony.

Pianos and guitars converse via funk flourishes, reggae riffs, and jazz rock solos as blazing fusion synthesizers set the air aflame. Drums move between kinetic dancefloor urgency and islander rhythm relaxation and hand percussions both organic and electronic evoke rainforest ceremonials while basslines revel in 70s fusion fire and Italo synth-funk squelch. And the entire experience has been expertly captured and magically crafted by the sorcerers of sound at the West Hill Studio, resulting in a thrilling adventure of imagined exotica, one equally adept at scoring coastal paradises, filmic deserts, riviera cruises, or nightclubs sweltering in the light of a mediterranean moon.

(Words by Octagon Eyes)

The album has 17 tracks and features many well known musicians that are currently active on the recording and gig circuits. The artwork is very eye catching and the songs comprehensive despite being multi genre. There is a musicians profiles booklet insert in the vinyl and only the front cover can be seen online, the rest of the artwork is appealing to collectors.

Chapter two for Small Edits featuring Chicago edit master Rahaan!

Dope 4 track EP featuring some jazzy downtempo remixes/edits/tracks. MARC RAPSON does a funky head nodding remix of SARAH VAUGHN's "MYSTERY OF MAN", then he teams up with MECCA:83 for "THE EXPANSE". On the flip ALEXIS DAVIS drops 2 killer piano driven jazz hop cuts: "THEME" and "FEEL IT". Limited!