Juno Recommends Hip Hop / R&B: May 2023

Review: Vince Cartier has picked out a couple of r&b classics and taken them into his studio for a smart and subtle edit job. Up first is the silky smooth and timeless 'Whats Up' with its crunchy breaks and lavish chords topped off with that smoky, seductive vocal line. On the flip is the more potent and punchy 'Say I' with its empowering female leads, big drums and bright chords. This is a sweet 7" that cannot fail to get that dancefloor vibing with some golden 90s energy.

Review: Few people can be said to be a true hip-hop head lest they've heard 2014 Forest Hills Drive by J. Cole. The heartfelt, orchestrally-tempered album was released way back in 2014 (duh) and hears the rapper sing and speak eloquently of his bittersweet coming-of-age - telling many stories of his first loves, his adolescent angst, and his intentional avoidance of the wrong paths. Now lovingly reissued just in time for its 10th Anniversary, we're glad to hear the LP that helped establish Cole's romantic, reminiscent side won't stay out of the limelight.

Review: Spring Records is one of those labels that played a key part in the early formation of hip-hop but doesn't seem to get spoken about too much. It was in 1979 that the label first dropped a hip-hop and rap-style record by The Fatback Band. The next decades saw them drop plenty more tunes but without major success in the mainstream. Now though looking back those tuners tell a story which is what is captured here on Dollar Bill Y'all: Spring Records And The First Decade Of Hip Hop. It's a great look at the now titanic genre's first ten years and features some landmarks by King Tim III, Jimmy Spicer, DJ Hollywood and Ice T amongst others.

Review: DJ Bacon hails from Australia but his masterful studio cut-ups and smart-fingered edit work has got him a reputation all over the world. He cooks up hip fusion sounds that collide different eras and genres into all-new dancefloor dynamite. After a steady stream of top singes recently he now goes long on new album Safari Scars which sees the veteran blending African rare groove samples with 90s rap vocals in his own inimitable style. It draws on 35 years of hip-hop love and takes inspiration from the likes of Public Enemy, The Native Tongues, Wu-Tang Clan, ICE-T, Beastie Boys and Rick Rubin.

Review: Richard Roberts and Andrew Harber kicked off Letherette back in 2008, soon signing to Ninja Tune and Ho Tep before settling into a steady groove with their own label Wulf. That's where they return to for this short and sweet 7", digging into their track 'Woop Baby' for an extended mix trip on the A-side. It's a choppy, funkified joint with low-slung bass and diced up soul vocals which will get any downtempo situation locked in hard. Switching things up on the flip, 'Mash' leans towards a Motown strut with resplendent horn hooks and more soul than the bottom of your shoe. Just check those vibraslap hits.

Review: US rap royalty Nas's 'Ultra Black' features producer Hit-Boy and was released in mid-summer 2020 as the lead single from his thirteenth album, King's Disease. Lyrically, Nas pays homage to all things Black as he draws on his black heritage and African-American culture while the beats remain deeply laidback with jazzy chords up top. In an interview at the time with NME, the rapper said the song "represents love" although some interpreted the lyrics as a diss towards singer and rapper Doja Cat. This 7" features the vocal version and an instrumental.

Review: Legendary UK hip-hop group The Mouse Outfit appear for the first time ever on 7" vinyl here, following hot on the heels of a heady production and recording session with multi-instrumental talent One-Only and drum & bass remixer Shift Ops. 'Sunrise' lyrically speaks of new beginnings, of cleansing the mind of negative influences and entertaining new relationships. This flirtatious intent is continued on Shift Ops' version, which, despite being drum & bass, retains the original laid-back, airy and romantic vibe of the A.

Review: This is an indie exclusive version of Heroes & Villains, the long-awaited new album from Metro Boomin that comes with a special insert. It is a widescreen and cinematic long player that will not leave fans wanting as big names like Chris Brown, Travis Scott, The Wknd, 21 Savage, John Legend and Don Tolliver feature. The 15 tunes flow well despite the many different names on it and intricate yet accessible beats define much of the rhythms. There are dramatic and dark moments next to moments of real hope with plenty of humility from Metro along the way.

Review: Atmosphere is a partnership between veteran rapper Slug and seasoned producer Ant and their new album So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously finds them open up in a more gentle approach than they have in the past. There is confidence and reassurance in the opening cut that sets the tone for an album of consciousness. There's a sense of panic to the likes of 'In My Head' that resolves in 'Still Life' with plenty of inventive rhythms and rhymes throughout. Playful percussion brings a different vibe to the mid-section and drums on 'Holding My Breath' and 'Bigger Pictures' are great foundations to allow the bars of Slug to really shine through.

Review: This is a deluxe reissue on nice heavyweight black vinyl via Music on Vinyl of En Vogue's first-ever album Funky Divas which was a true favourite of the 1990s. It's a rich array of hip-hop and r&b styles with its scores of hit singles securing it staple status across the Western world. The album's playful fusions of funk and new jack swing - as well as of course some extremely on-point style and corsage from members Terry Ellis, Dawn Robinson, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones - rendered this a girl group great. Cop this latest pressing and you can expect rock novelties like 'Free Your Mind' amongst many more.