Backwoodz Studioz Vinyl & CDs

Review: Doseone teams up with New York prodder Steel Tipped Dove for a sharp-edged, forward-charging record, playing talents of both back at full voltage. After not quite finishing another ShrapKnel record, Doseone felt a creative jolt in the other direction, after which knife-tip moment he would reach out to fellow artists Dove and Fatboi Sharif. Such redirections often cause the creative process to loosen, and here was no exception, with APNC going from a stagnant entanglement to blistering rollout. Within weeks of receiving the first beat pack in late 2023, dose had recorded five tracks; and by Spring, the end was in sight. Though not typically down for guest spots, Dose called on a tight circle of kindred spirits - Open Mike Eagle, M.Sayyid, Billy Woods, Fatboi Sharif, Myka 9, and Andrew Broder on turntables - whom all lend the project extra scratchy, verbal dimensionalities. The result is a taut, unsentimental record that marries Dove's vivid, shape-shifting production with Doseone's most surgically precise writing in years.

Review: It marks five years since the release of Hiding Places, the groundbreaking collaboration between billy woods and Kenny Segal. In 2019, this partnership was unexpected; both artists had extensive solo careers yet had not deeply collaborated outside their respective coastal scenes. Kenny's recent projects included jazzy instrumental albums and production work for artists like Self-Jupiter and Open Mike Eagle, while woods had just released a solo project with Blockhead. This fifth-anniversary reissue returns to the iconic house cover and includes a gatefold with fresh artwork from Musgrove. Musically, the album remains a compelling exploration. Segal's lush soundscapes gain a new intensity, while woods' writing achieves a directness rarely seen in his work. Featuring contributions from artists like ELUCID and Self-Jupiter, Hiding Places offers a surreal yet poignant experience, likened to a child's game that is both humorous and harsh.