Instrumental Hip Hop 214 Items

What happens when an American musician gets stuck in Munich during a worldwide pandemic? A specially concocted audible brew of Crow Bref is stewed to perfection: a collaboration between NorthernDraw & LeoLex, So fresh! You'll say, as it blends together a medley of diverse genres and guest features reaching from London, Berlin, Munich, Oakland and of course special spices from the Rose City.

Crow Bref Is a collaborative album between Portland native NorthernDraw & Munich rapper LeoLex that was recorded in München, Germany from 2020-2022, featuring a kaleidoscope of lo-fi beats and international boom bap rap.

"Los Angeles artist Jay 305 links with producer Girl Talk for their release 'Hard Times Don’t Last.' Jay 305 always releases high quality music and Girl Talk never disappoints."

Number six is in the mix - Another great 4 tracker for tha real heads is out there. Sample based boom bap beats with a remix of Mc Gruffs 'This is how we do'. Not for jukeboxes only!

Loud & Clear / N.O.R.E (Buttas Remix) b/w Cherry Blossoms (Love Notes Mix) by Strictlybutters | Galaxy Sound Co. – GSC 45-038 | Summer time vibes are here & @galaxy_sound_company is back at it with another sure-shot #hiphop donut via @strictlybutters. I got my hands on an advance copy of a limited-run test pressing & it is cut loud! Ya know ya will be boomin’ in ya, boomin’ in ya, boomin’ this in ya jeep!

Galaxy Sound Co. started taking these occasional fire #hiphopinstrumental interlude breaks from their 45 edit series to shine light on the Michigan skateboarder, cyclist, sneaker-head & bedroom b-boy beat maker Strictlybutters. With the 38th donut in the GSC 45 series, he is making his 3rd appearance on the label & it is another banger.

Side A1’s “Loud & Clear” is a straight-up, warm-up boom-bap banger. It effortlessly, teases along by MC royalty with a sweet soulful piano riff rolling along MPC delights. A joyful crowd is weaved through a familiar GWJ break calling you do get up & get down. A2’s “N.O.R.E. (Buttas Remix)” teases with a buttery-soul laced rework of with a snippet from Noreaga’s “SuperThug”. The only fault here being SB only gives us a taste at just over a minute long. More please.

Side B’s “Cherry Blossoms (Love Notes Mix)” is a killer joint in the vein of 90s hip-hop love jams, with the core sample being one of my fav sweet soul songs from Detroit, 1969’s “Maybe So Maybe No” by the New Holidays (Soulhawk Records 1008). SB lets this beat breathe to perfection, rolling fa-la-la-la’s that slide into a sexy outro.

Allow us to present 'Goosebumps 3 - The Final Chapter', as we've assembled once again to venture into the darkness for the last time. Not quite the full squad, but several members of the MJM fam stepped up to the challenge, which resulted in a 25 track deep collection of Hip Hop and experimental horrorcore instrumentals.

Ragoo Records is proud to welcome the outstanding DJ, producer and record collector Biga for Rgt07, the seventh installment of the cassette series curated by the label. "Meltin' Brain Loops" is a dope collection of beats composed in the scorching late May and early June of 2022. These 23 tracks are the result of a couple of weeks of studio time that Biga dedicated specifically to the rhythms. As the producer directly explains, "using exclusively an MPC, I developed the tracks starting right from the drums. I wanted the drums and bass to have a certain kind of groove, only inserting the samples later, just for the joy of studying and for the fun of twisting my workflow out of the comfort zone." While Biga's beats are hosted on side A, side B includes 10 creamy remixes packaged by JayBee Vibes, Astratto, Odeeno, J. Raise, Jr, Hzha, Looppolo, MstkVibes & Loodo, F.o.x, Pentola, Masneo.

The second Jet Set series is back in print and now repressed on colored vinyl. Cold Busted has unveiled the latest offering in the vintage-style Jet Set 7” series. This time it’s from saib., the Moroccan beat-smith behind the exquisite albums Sailing and Around The World. Mixing tempered hip hop beats with jazzy vibes and a lounge sensibility, saib. touches on a style that’s both chill and opulent — fitting for the nostalgic vacation vibe of Jet Set. The bossa nova flavors of “Brazilero” open the single as we calm our nerves with a tropical drink. The title cut then transports the listener through an airport lounge and straight into a groovy seat in first class. Dreams are another form of travel and “Lady Jane” captures that perfectly with its soft vocal, soothing guitar, and rolling beats. And “Jazzy” closes out Jet Set, signaling a cool touchdown and arrival as sax riffs serenade and crisp rhythms vibrate. Another smooth journey from saib. airlines!

Having previously produced for many UK Hip Hop artists under the moniker LG, and as the bass player for The Cromagnon Band - Len’s first solo album is a funk enthused experimentation that weaves an ethereal path through jazz, break beats, folk, hip-hop and otherworldly flavours. Across the 11 track LP, the organic instrumentation sits in tandem with synthesized moments as Len’s musicianship shines through. Drafting in musical collaborators such as Oge for lead vocals on the sublime single ‘We Are Here’, Bert Page (The Cromagnon Band), Nathan ‘Flutebox’ Lee, his past cohort Biscuit (The Speakers Corner Quartet) and many more, the album takes you on a journey through Len’s musical influences while at the same time delivering something that you’ve never heard before. Like a half-developed polaroid picture or a memory faded through age, At Mothers Feet feels like the mind’s eye squinting for clarity, and leaving us unsure if these are our lived experiences or those from a past life

Shuko´s new LP is something different. He and the producer Basti (Kanye West, Joey Badass, Timbaland) spent the last 3 years creating samples, learning vintage recordings and putting their knowledge of vintage soul jazz, 60´s and 70´s composer and r&b music into crafting this 31 track album. What makes this release so special is that you now are able to use those samples for your own music and recreating something new without the hustle and pain of clearing samples. Just visit tracklib, pay a little licence fee and register your new work with them. And even if you are not into creating music, this LP is a perfect soundtrack for a calm start into the day or something you will love to relax to.

High Focus Records is proud to reveal the second instalment in our ‘Producer Spotlight’ series across digital and a Super Limited run of 50 cassette tapes.

Setting the scene with ‘Orla’, swiftly followed by ‘Dice’, ‘Delicacies’ is a collection of exquisite instrumental works from Dublin native Pitch 92.

Having laid the foundations during lockdown #01, all of the original works were written as instrumentals. Designed to keep the listener engaged without the need for a rapper or singer; Pitch worked meticulously, focussing on layering and sample selection to offer up some of his most potent production work to date.

‘Delicacies’ is made up of eight original works and six instrumentals lifted from Pitch 92’s glittering back catalogue. Tracks featuring the likes of Verb T, Manik MC, Ocean Wisdom, Kofi Stone and Confucius MC make up the project which, both new and old, fully lives up to its name.

Introducing Thallus' latest album, "Infinite Layers," a genre-bending space odyssey in sound that is sure to take you on a journey through the vast expanse of the cosmos. The album features 16 intricate tracks, each with its own distinct flavor and texture, making it a true feast for the senses. With its multi-layered soundscapes, "Infinite Layers" is the perfect album for fans of experimental hip-hop music who are looking for something new and exciting.

Limitierte Soli Scheibe. 100% des Erlöses gehen an Brous One.
Die Platte soll die Kosten für seinen Gerichtsprozess decken, die er davon getragen hat, als er sich aus seinem Verlagsvertrag rausklagen musste. Das Cover ist eine wunderschöne Photographie von Christoph Ratter.

5 Beats zwischen Melancholie & Hoffnung, gepaart mit dem sehr eigenen Sound des Chilenen.

Brous One sagt selbst:

"In 2020 I found myself in a legal battle with my ex Label and Publisher. After some bad experiences, I tried to separate ways amicably without effort. It was an upsetting situation, especially considering we released most of my catalog together.

My goal was to be free as an artist and regain my musical rights back. Rights that I gave away in a very questionable contract that I naively signed based on the feeling of trust and friendship.

Long story short: the conflict was unpleasant, it gave me hard times mentally and financially but also resulted in a 7” where I put all my efforts to process the emotions of betrayal, friendship loss, and deception while regaining my creative freedom compassionately.

Check the whole story in my post about it. Appreciate your interest, time, and support."

The Valley Of The Kings Limited Edition Cassette Tape

Two new exclusive tracks " Last Farewell " and "Monk Pharaoh" by Ugly Mac Beer & Mak'One in bonus.

Limited edition of 100 copies

Village Live Records is proud to present 'Monologue', the forthcoming new album by Malik Diao & Fred Red.

Available to pre-order on white vinyl (With Obi), black vinyl (With Obi) & digital at 7PM UK time, Friday 25th November (All copies are hand numbered)

'Monologue' is a collaboration between the Berlin based producer Fred Red and the composer and multi-instrumentalist Malik Diao. With a highly experimental, but still soulful and honest approach to writing and producing music, the duo effortlessly fuses their respective sound aesthetics, culminating in a very distinct experience between jazz, instrumental hip hop, indietronica and world music.

Driven by the desire to create new sound worlds and to take their listeners on a singular journey, Malik Diao and Fred Red rarely rely on the use of samples. Rather, the formation prefers to build sonic sculptures out of Malik’s range of instruments (including various saxophones, flutes, basses, pianos and string instruments) and propelling these through musical time with Fred Red’s very unique and human drum and percussion style.

While they both enjoy making their listeners move to heavy drums and complicated rhythms, the duo also understands how to create quiet and personal moments in their music, with their works often moving from elegiac, even melancholy moments to a pure celebration of their own drives and determinations.

As their upcoming vinyl release, Monologue, features some of their most cinematic music, the duo decided to lean further into their interdisciplinary approach to making music. Releasing the same day as their album, Malik Diao X Fred Red will debut a music video for their track Dighnasty, featuring various collaborators from the worlds of fashion, light and video art and dance.

The Allergies hook up with The Pharcyde's Bootie Brown on their brand-new slab of throwback rap, 'Stanky Funk'. It's a match made in hip-hop heaven, with The Allergies channelling classic early 90's boom bap beat business. Beefed up lo-fi funk loops, neck-snap drums, cuts and rumbling bass lines provide the backbone for a legend to get busy over.
'Never Gonna Let Go' is on the B-side – a funky up-tempo breaks-heavy banger that sees The Allergies twin monster samba samples with roots reggae vocal rips, for full dance-floor destruction.

Edition of 150 | JAPAN IMPORTw/ Photo & Collage Booklet (10,5 x 12,7cm) by Alex Besikian

High Focus Records is proud to announce the First Official instalment in our brand new ‘Producer Spotlight’ series across digital and a Super Limited run of 50 cassette tapes. Following swiftly in the footsteps of lead single ‘I Been Surfing On A Marshmallow’, ‘Echo Of The Hidden Spruce’ is a collection of exquisite instrumental works, taking in a spectrum of styles ranging from soulful lo-fi beats, Ethereal head-nod hiphop to minimalist piano epics from the one-andonly Forest DLG. Sourcing inspiration from the likes of Portishead, DJ Shadow, J Dilla and Mobb Deep, ‘Echo of the Hidden Spruce’ offers an exquisite blend of exclusive instrumental works by Forest DLG, paired with a carefully curated collection of classic instrumentals from the High Focus highlight reel that include collaborations with Jam Baxter, Onoe Caponoe, Fliptrix and Truemendous.

Onda Tapes is proud to present you "Togetherness.", a compilation made with love and affection, showcasing a mixture of different beat-styles around the world. Onda is “bringing different people together”, as is the label’s motto, with this compilation by gathering friends, favourite producers and artists to make a beautiful collection of the “SoundCloud Era” beats from back in the day. It’s like a nascent dream before the label started back in 2017 while listening to all our favourite labels like Dirty Tapes, Paxico Records, Leaving Records, El Sereno Records, Burnt•tapes, Hot Record Societe and maaany many more! But the dream came true!

Sonically, the tape rides to a classic sample based hip hop instrumental album. A variety of moods, dynamics and unique touches of each producer appeared putting their craft and using ethical and sustainable sounds to serve you a very special and energetic project.

Big hug and thanks to all the artists who contributed to make this project happen.

Kill Your Darlings brings together a unique concept where Dutch producer Kid Sublime samples and flips records which are then interpreted by Amsterdam-based band of the moment Radiohop.

Operating within the same local scene, it didn’t take long for Radiohop and Kid Sublime to cross paths. Hot off the press that is the Conservatory of Amsterdam, the former set out to dominate the local underground jazz scene, playing and producing together, sitting in with other bands and frequent visitors of club nights and concerts. The latter has been cheffing up records on a consistent basis for over two decades. Meeting each other at those concerts, they were quick to turn towards the studio to align thoughts: too many good phrases, pockets, and progressions.

Kill Your Darlings is a project that probably a bag full of producers and bands dream of doing, yet we still do not see enough of. Luckily for Kid Sublime and Radiohop, they managed to succeed in conceptualizing this format."

This 6-track EP is the 2nd installment of Lex Luga and is an ode to 90s east coast beats - inspired by hard hitting drums, infamously chopped samples, forgotten loops and all the while stands in direct homage to legends in the music game such as Pete Rock, Wu-Tang and Gang Starr.

Following in the footsteps of his famed brother Madlib, Oh No has become one of the most celebrated independent hip-hop artists of the 21st century. His storied career has included not only rap success but an impressive resume behind the boards, with production credits for Mos Def, Freddie Gibbs, De La Soul, Action Bronson, Talib Kweli, Ab-Soul, and more. An innovator in the art of sampling with a history of exploring diverse source material, Oh No is now back with Good Vibes / Bad Vibes, a new instrumental album deconstructing the work of iconic vibraphonist Roy Ayers. A split collection with two thematically distinct halves, the album is entirely constructed from the early, jazz-centric realm of the Ayers archive. Good Vibes is "light and vibrant, with colorful layers radiating under the sun shine,” Oh No explains, while Bad Vibes contains “dark murky atmospheric tones for the angry moments, those times when it’s necessary to step in the mud.”

To celebrate "Full Cycle"'s 10th anniversary I've decided to share some of the many beats I did at the time I was working on it.

It was such an important moment to me as I was living in Berlin half a year for my art studies. I've never produced that much, probably made 5 beats a day for 6 months.

"Full Cycle" is also the album that helped me to reach Japanese audience thanks to Shing02 who featured on 2 tracks. I contacted FK, as I was a huge fan of his track 'Shades of Nostalgia". He eventually connected me to Takumi Koizumi (ex-Nujabes' manager) who releases my music since then.

Today I've carefully selected some of my favorite joints from that period. Some of them were really close to be part of the LP, some others I've totally forgot but re-discovered when I realized how fast time flies.

I hope you'll enjoy this batch of instrumentals. Get ready for (really) new music in the next months !

Thank you for your continuous support and let me know which track is your favorite.

-Lex (de Kalhex)

aMess pays homage to his multicultural roots in his biggest project yet: ‘Tales from Babylon’. Divided into 3 chapters, the tracklist evolves meaningfully based on his cultural understandings, brimming with worldly elements that sound perfectly in harmony and transport you to new continents - from the Oud of the Middle Eastern desert plains to the djembe and wrist shakers of Africa. Come sit on the rug among the assortment of personal treasures, and play music to your heart’s content against the setting sun.

Two Scents emerges as a noteworthy producer in the jazz-hop scene with ‘Lately’, his debut album with the label, a novel project about self-reflection. Nostalgic, jazz-inflected keys combine with lilting tenor saxophone melodies to guide the listener through their own memories of places, people and experiences. Layers of grainy textures are reminiscent of dusty record players and old letters in boxes. Slip into your thoughts and enjoy the drowsy, late-afternoon tunes on repeat..

On the one-year anniversary of ‘mist, shadows & i’, Kanisan embarks on a deep-orchestral journey with Dario and Claudia Lessing in their atmospheric and mystical album ‘Edda’. Strings and haunting pianos evoke profound feelings, while vocals seep into your soul, tinged with melancholy and bittersweetness. It’s a path with an unknown destination, yet something stirring in the shadows speaks to you and draws you into their gloom - if you haven’t already, you’ll be back for more of this mysterious release.

“Metropolis” takes one to a trip through metropolitan Berlin at night, a melting pot, where cultural exchange is a constant reality. At his backyard studio in Berlin-Neukölln digitalluc captures the fusion of jazz and hip-hop creating a unique sound that values both musical movements. Thereby he invites plenty of fellow collaborators and old acquaintances to bring his concept of organic hip-hop grooves to life. Contributions come from FloFilz, Made in M, Hubert Daviz, Spanish saxophonist Escandaloso Xpósito and Mexican bass player Monno Briceno, just to name a few.

You know, when you've pulled too hard on the lollipop all night and you're left with only two options, the almost controlled landing or the one that fractures what little consideration you have left in humanity and yourself. Welcome to the new Bfdm and the abyss of sensualities it provides. The track which offers the reading line of the opus is that of Johannes Bügeleisen, musician who has scoured the Berlin nights for more than 10 years, remaining at all times and circumstances endowed with a big heart and an immense class. A hymn to languorous afterhours, which is completed by a bathmix of the same song, proposed by another important figure of the Neukölln scene: Leo Zylberberg. The latter offers us a version like a scuba dive where the soap slips out of the hands into the bathtub, always during those blue hours where nocturnal and diurnal are not yet clearly defined.

Hailing from Hiroshima, Meitei, unveils the final chapter of his transformative Kofū trilogy. “Kofū Iii” marks the apex of a musical journey that began in 2020, unraveling an introspective exploration of the artist's psyche while delving deep into the essence of Japanese culture. This latest release invites listeners into the innermost sanctums of Meitei's existence — a passage filled with serenity, self-discovery, and the triumphant conquest of personal demons.

Meitei's journey has been deeply intertwined with his surroundings. His move from bustling Kyoto to the tranquil rural town of Onomichi in Hiroshima wasn't just a change of location but a profound shift in his life. Navigating through the ebbs and flows of mental well-being, Meitei found solace in the quiet, low-key energy of Onomichi, where he began creating his distinctive brand of "ambient" music dedicated to resurrecting ‘lost Japanese moods’.

"Kofū Iii" is not just a collection of songs; it's a window into Meitei's mind, where he reflects on ‘the Japanese mental landscape,’ as experienced during the period of his return to his hometown. This album stands as a testament to Meitei's evolution, from his tentative inner quest to a state of deep healing.

"Kofū” and its precursor, "Kwaidan,” germinated in the solitude of Onomichi, embodying the mysterious, vanishing essence of Japan that Meitei unearthed in the shadows of his hometown. With "Kofū III," this exploration reaches its zenith, weaving musical landscapes that transcend temporal bounds. Each track vividly paints bygone eras and vignettes, all while drawing on the rich tapestry of Japanese literature and mindscapes.

Meitei introduces listeners to the tranquil Hiroshima countryside in 'Reimei,' while 'Hiroshima' reflects upon the city's transformation. It explores Meitei's intricate relationship with the city and contemplates the ever-changing visage of contemporary Japanese progress.

Within the sonic fabric of "Kofū III," "Shisei" brings listeners to Japan's past, when tattoos bore the name "Shisei." Fueled by Junichiro Tanizaki's "Shisei" narratives, the song paints a sensual tale of a tattooed man adorning a woman with a spider tattoo.

Meitei's authenticity shines through in "Kofū III," where complex emotions metamorphose into a kaleidoscopic fusion of lo-fi bliss. In "Yume-jūya," Meitei recounts a peculiar dream and the lingering anxiety it left behind. Also, inspired by the famous Japanese writer Soseki Natsume's "Yume-jūya," Meitei's interpretation offers his own perspective on this comical and bizarre tale.

"Edogawa Ranpo" stands as a mind-bending loop track that pays homage to the genius of the lesser-known Japanese author Edogawa Ranpo, a pioneer of the mysterious and bizarre. This experimental piece melds folklore, electronic rapture, and distortion, echoing Meitei's fascination with Ranpo's work since his elementary school days.

At the core of "Kofū Iii" lies "Heiwa," originally titled "1945," encapsulating Meitei's profound reflection on peace education in his hometown and the weighty significance of acknowledging historical tragedies. Its renaming as "Peace" symbolizes his personal odyssey towards understanding and reconciliation.

As Meitei concludes his Kofū trilogy, global listeners are invited to embark on this voyage to unearth the hidden treasures of Japanese culture and the depths of the human soul. "Kofū Iii" is a meditation on the intangible threads that bind us to our past - a portal to Japan's veiled history, capturing the essence of Japan's elusive spirit through the enigmatic landscapes of Meitei's inner terrains.

"Kofū Iii" is slated for release on December 1, 2023, in 180g LP, CD, and digital formats via Kitchen. Label. Both LP and CD format are presented in a debossed sleeve with obi strip and include an accompanying 32-page booklet. This album is mastered by Chihei Hatakeyama in Tokyo, Japan.

O Samba, it’s time to dance. JIM starts this summer with his Música Popular Brasileira EP debut. He blends old-school Hip-Hop production design with live recordings and Latin American styles and influences. Pachanga is the perfect mélange of a groovy and head nodding beat and catchy Brazilian piano and guitar vibes. Get ready for a warm day at the beach with friends, drinks, and dancing!

An awesome head noddin’ 10 track instrumental beat compilation curated by Grand CRU label founder Kats1r1s. Features tracks previously unreleased on vinyl by Tall Black GUY, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Jneiro Jarel, Afta-1, Birocratic and more. Full pic sleeve.

Limited to 200 hand numbered copies w/ signed art print and digital download.

Akari Raheem is the brainchild of Lito Akari and F. Raheem. Their album ‘Lost in Variations‘ is a collaboration between two old friends equipped with keys, synths, beats and one restriction: no samples.

Everything is connected: using piano as the primary instrument, the album’s recurring themes, interpretations and variations are reminiscent of library and soundtrack music, incorporating the duo’s own touch of the current zeitgeist in jazz and electronic beats.

Lito Akari, with roots in Istanbul and Berlin, where he is part of the Block Opera artist collective, has been successfully releasing beat-based instrumental music for some years now, starting with the vinyl release of his debut album ‘Time Is Only Space And Sky Is Not The Limit‘. Based in Stuttgart (ger), he has worked with influential artists like Dexter and Smoke Trees, to name just a few.

F. Raheem is a composer and producer of contemporary instrumental music living in Basel (ch).

Limited edition of 50 copies

Brooklyn's Deep Fried Music strikes again with this dope 7". Harking back to the golden age of hip hop, this is a double dose of classic boom bap. "international" is a slick, uptempo jazz infused banger and "EL Kamino" combines big horns, big drums and classic rap samples. Get this.

4 tracks of head noddin' beats all crafted on the legendary Sp-1200 drum machine with a host of samples from films, old dusty records, and rap songs laced with hard driving drums. Fans of sample laden instrumental hip hop (ala DJ Shadow et al) will dig it. Out on Brooklyn's Deep Fried Music.

Limited to 50 copies.

They all started small. But it all - the art - has become so big for very few of them. Dexter has: The Stuttgart native has been involved as a producer in the last 13 years on iconic albums by Deichkind, Cro and Casper, he was responsible for three successful Fatoni albums and, together with Max Herre, most recently put together a showcase of the GDR label AMIGA ("hallo 22"). With three instrumental albums of his own and later with the producer supergroup Betty Ford Boys, he led the way for the new self-confidence of an entire generation of local hip-hop beatmakers - fewer service providers, more attention.

The fact that Dexter himself had once started out as a rapper was often forgotten. It wasn't until "Haare nice, Socken fly" (2017) that he released his first rap solo album, and with "Yung Boomer" in 2020 he got to the heart of how his very own Grown-Man Rap works in the field of tension between trap and jazz. The fact that he brought old-school legend Lakmann on an album with Lugatti & 9ine is just one of many proofs of Dexter's exceptional position in the scene.

With his new project, Dexter goes back to the beginnings, more precisely to the era in which he celebrated his breakthrough with "Jazz Files". That instrumental album from 2010 remains a milestone in the genre-defining "Hi-Hat Club" series (Melting Pot Music). "Jazz Files" brought him overnight onto the iPods of favorite rappers and post-Dilla beat nerds, into clubs, festivals and beat fights, and into the collective consciousness of a German rap landscape in upheaval.

From this era comes a hard drive with about 400 beats thought lost, which Dexter was able to rescue a few months ago. Dexter is now releasing 25 of these instrumentals for the first time on the album "BABY STEPS (BEATS 2010-2013)", which will be available digitally and on vinyl from July 14, 2023. The productions flow and push, rumble and clatter, are remastered, but otherwise unchanged Dexter - full of jazz, psych rock and soul. And the artwork? That's by Dexter's kids and was laid out by Dexter's sister.

Family first!

Let your thoughts melt away with the fourth Essentials release of 2022 perfect for cooling down in the warmer months and getting cosy to when the days get shorter! Limited edition, so don't miss out!

"The Russell Exchange", where east meets west. Danish beat afficiando Sofa T takes you on a vivid trip, pairing dusted sounds from India with crackling productions in the vein of masterminds like Madlib or Onra. A big one for the heads!

Sim Nagai loves traveling. Whether these are actual travels to beachy coasts and mountain vistas, or imagined through wishlists and dreams, travel is an inspiration for the Belgian producer's musical activities. Sim's latest album, Equator Hotline, is no different, featuring exotica-fueled beatscapes and transportive vibes. Titles like "Post from Hawaii," "Flute Resort," and "Oceanic Whitetips" are clues to where Sim's head is — but Equator Hotline is also a big step forward from previous releases. The tracks showcase an extra depth, and Sim's knack for lush instrumentation is beautifully amplified throughout the album's thirteen selections. Equator Hotline is like a sonic upgrade on your next flight to parts unknown. Cuts like "Gentle Breeze" are Equator Hotline's bread and butter — on that tune, a sweet vibraphone line glides over a chilled rhythm track as magical bell trees and avian nature sounds tip-toe in the stereo field. It's introspective and calming, transmitting the feel of a lazy getaway. "Catching Waves" also gives the listener something to daydream about — reassuring chords on spacious keys complement a cool hi-hat line and expressive flourishes. The equator itself is breached on "Deep in the Rainforest" as busy percussion playfully accompanies the downtempo drum beat. Electric pianos and bass guitar come together for a stirring melodic motif, giving an emotional spin on tropical climes. Equator Hotline is a musical postcard sent from relaxing, sublime places.