International Hip Hop Vinyl 143 Items

Limited to 150 copies!
Featuring production by Adlib Swayze, Devaloop, Plusma, Loop.holes, khaderbai, Trazy, rzuma, Mecca:83 aka Rise, BBZ Darney, Jazzquarterz, Spaze Windu, Snares, Mr.Käfer, JoDu, Chang Kee Jazz, Korea Michi, Leavv & AK420.

Yo-Sea and HIYADAM’s single “Dreaming City” was a summer hit in 2020 - a relief to many spending a lot of their days propped up against walls, dreaming of the outside. The light, crisp star-gazing production of the a-side enveloped by Yo-Sea’s bouncing R&B vocals link up with HIYADAM’s style in natural harmony. Ever the collaborator to expand his horizons, the b-side of this 7” features a joint single with Taeyoung Boy on “ON Mission” where together they flex their trap intuitions, and call out to Travis Scott fans from the shores of Japan.

The Silhouettes Project a new platform for up and coming Hip-Hop, Soul and Jazz artists from the UK. It is not a record label or management team, it is a community project. The Silhouettes Project provides an open space - a recording studio and live venue located within the Total Refreshment Centre in Hackney, London - where MCs, singers, musicians and producers can connect and create.The Silhouttes Project was founded by community organisers/artists Asher Korner (aka Kosher) and Jaden Osei-Bonsu (Eerf Evil) in 2019. When they told us about the project and played us some of the music we were instantly hooked and joined the collective as label partner. The art direction is executed by Sergio „SagaUno“ Alferez, an acclaimed designer and illustrator from Medellín, Columbia.Starting in September, we release a new single each Thursday from artists like Kofi Stone, Summers Sons, Enny, KeepVibesNear, Manik MC, Lex Amor, Louis The Hippie, Summer-Pearl, Joe Beard and many more.

Here is the story of the Silhouettes Project as told by its founders Jaden and Asher: „We started The Silhouettes Project in February 2019, to shine a light on the new generation ofunderground Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Soul music in the UK. Community is everything to us, and wewanted to show that with a proper support network, access to professional facilities, and theencouragement of a family of artists, our community could produce something incredible. We felt a joint frustration that the current music scene in the UK only had structures in placeto support talent of a certain genre whilst overlooking a buzzing alternative Hip-Hop culture.We wanted to unify artists who are making ground-breaking music but who are in need of asolid structure to work within - artists who we felt deserved more recognition. This led us tothe name ‘The Silhouettes Project’, as we wanted to shine a light on those artists in theshadows. The journey started by embarking on a collaborative album project which allowed us to bringtogether more than 30 artists on a single tape and to create a network of incredibly talentedartists of the same calibre. The album took more than a year, working almost every day at theRoot 73 studio, a community space in Hackney. We knew from the first few sessions that wewere on to something, and the energy around the project kept it moving. As artists ourselves we understood that the creative process can be challenging and sometimesisolating, especially when there is no clear support network to fall back on. This led us to bringour efforts into the physical realm by organising a series of free live music events for all ofthese artists to come to, showcase their work alongside our house band, and connect witheach other. These events take place at The Total Refreshment Centre in Dalston, anunderground studio complex and warehouse space, which gave the events an intimatecommunity feeling and the people a sense of belonging. There is a desperate need for spaces in which people can come together and develop theircreative potential, especially with the consistent withdrawal of funding from the arts sector inthe UK and with the constant threat of gentrification which has seen the closure of countlesscommunity and grassroots creative organisations. As we grew as a brand and organisation, webegan to fully understand the importance of what we were doing. From the studio sessions tothe events, we saw the impact on people’s outlooks on their own careers, we saw them growin confidence in performing and collaborating and even taking their own initiative to utilise thenetwork provided for them. We heard their feedback, we felt the excitement in theatmospheres at our events and studio sessions, and we saw the community grow every timewe brought it together.“

Japanese import / Gatefold / First time on vinyl / Limited run

An independent label ‘’Hydeout Productions’’ releases the best compilation album for the first time.

Including from Nujabes’s fresh and passionate works only found in his early works to more emotional and metaphorical works which became the basis of his later success.

Limited sampler. Onuitgegeven materiaal en b-sides van Brihang, Bombataz, NTREK en Uberdope worden gecompileerd op de allereerste 'Fake Sampler 01'.

The 2021 album, produced by Muro, Olive Oil and others, is now available in analogue format! Twigy has always been at the forefront of the scene with his unique sense of language and original style of freaky flows, and his latest album Waking Life, his eighth solo album, is now available on LP! Twigy has been on the scene since the late 80s, at the dawn of hip-hop, and has collaborated with various artists such as Beatkicks with Bladehead, Microphone Pager with Muro, Lightning and Lamp Eye's 'Testimony', and has left behind a body of work that has had a huge influence on the expression of Japanese rap. Released 10 years after his last album Blue Thought ('11), Twigy's latest is a collection of minimal and mellow tracks that have been stripped down to the bare essentials, including "Illminati" by Olive Oil and "I Told You" by Microphone Pager ally Muro. The album features 10 tracks in all, including "Illminati" by Olive Oil and "I Told You" by Microphone Pager ally Muro, with sharp and sharp rapping on minimalist and mellow tracks.

The Drummer of "fox capture plan" and "the Junejulyaugust", Tsukasa Inoue's solo debut album is now available on LP!! Tsukasa Inoue is known as a member of the modern jazz-rock piano trio "fox capture plan" and the evolutionary rock group "the Junejulyaugust", as well as a support drummer for "jizue". This is an analog LP version of his solo debut album 「evolvǝ」, originally released in April 2022 from Playwright. Ohga (Rap), Kie Katagi (pf/jizue), and Madoki Yamasaki (Vocal) are participating as guest musicians. The album features songs based on hip-hop and breakbeats, to which he is devoted.

Coming after many years of songwriting, beatmaking, MCing, live performances and collaborations, this new album by Banda Maje co-founder Tonico 70 connects the dots between past, present and future, presenting him as a fully-rounded artist rather than just a rapper, and one aware of his own many facets. Co-produced with Peppe Maiellano, Banda Maje’s other founder, Antonico offers an intimate portrait of Tonico 70, who has put his ‘tough-music-smuggler’ persona aside to let his soulful side shine through, giving us a warm, funk-inspired and very original take on the so-called ‘Napoli power’ sound.

Includes comic book!

The Dishonest Few is Prop Dylan, Henry Bowers, Follow Him To The End Of The Desert, Soulsaga, Logophobia and DJ Lo-Kut.

Special performances by Esoteric, Phonetik, Son Of Light and PH (Pumpkinhead).

We are excited to announce the exclusive release of Fight Vol.1 by Stonam on apple red vinyl.

Pre- sale is now live and orders will be shipped on January 22, 2021

Stonam (formerly Royce Birth) is a multi-genre recording artist that believes “the music makes
the person” and not the other way around. Consider him a playlist in human form (without the
‘skip ad’ button). With influences ranging from Stevie Wonder, Common, George Clinton, David
Axelrod, John Coltrane, Feist, Mos Def and many more to add to this list.
Born in Toronto, Stonam started on the hip hop scene, and eventually progressed into areas of
jazz, indie, R&B and pop. Sometimes altogether as a melting pot. Sometimes individually.
What’s the common purpose? That it is all soulful.
Set to release his next creation, “Fight..Vol.1”, due in November 2020. The album sums up the
story of the perfect comeback, while the message is “we are ALL fighters”. Through life, love,
labour, and values that we stand for.
The mission for this artist, is creating ideas that can still mean something 30 years from now.
Made for your headphones only.

If and Only If is the latest project by Canadian indie hip hop stalwarts and long-time collaborators, soso and Maki.

Over a period of two decades, soso and Maki have been charting their own unique course, operating at the edges of the hip hop genre to develop a distinctive and personal body of work that helped define the prairie hip hop ethos.

On If and Only If, their first album in seven years, Maki has crafted a delicate and evolving backdrop for the contemplative lyrics that established soso’s reputation as one of the most unique voices in alternative hip hop. Drawing from noise, drone and other forms of electronic music, Maki sets the tone for an album imbued with the pressing political issues and social tensions that have characterized the past five years. The album was certainly not rushed. It is well-considered, deliberate in pace and intent. This is winter walking music.

This collaboration by Tokyo producers/musicians Shintaro Sakamoto (Yura Yura Teikoku, Mesh Key) and Videotapemusic, was the first of two EM Records 12"-only "tribute releases", in support of the film "Bangkok Nites", produced by Kuzoku. Based on samples from Dao Bandon [em1131cd/lp], Hongthong Dao-udon [em1142cd/lp] and Phairin Phonphibun [em1147cd/lp], Thailand and Tokyo dreamworlds meet in these songs.

"Transcendent Hawaiian vibes, in a mind meld suffused with Thai stick" - Japan Blues

2021 repress. New mastering/cutting at D&M, Berlin.

We live in divisive times. Multiculturalism rises hand-in-hand with racial tensions, and politicians seem powerless to even bring people within earshot of their convoluted message. It's time for a different perspective. On his second studio album, More Arriving, Sarathy Korwar blasts out his own vibrant, pluralistic missive for the world to hear. This is not necessarily a record of unity; it's an honest reflection of Korwar's experience of being an Indian in a divided Britain. Recorded over two and a half years in India and the UK, More Arriving draws on the nascent rap scenes of Mumbai and New Delhi, incorporating spoken word and Korwar's own Indian classical and jazz instrumentation. This is a record born of confrontation; one for our onfrontational times.

Roméo Johnny Elvis Strauss Van Leaken has made "Morale" a place where each of us can find him in order to listen to his stories. Between self-mockery, references and reflections, we are able to find in this place neat and humorous lyrics, however, not to be taken lightly. The atmosphere is soaring but doesn't prevent us from discovering the failings and the ambition of the young Belgian rapper : "Brussels is coming!"

Hiphop artist "pes" releases his first new song in 10 years, "Chillin'"! A limited edition 7inch, superb chill-out tune by the producer "Matt Cab" x "pes"!!

Favorite Recordings presents an exclusive collaboration between French producer Bruno ‘Patchworks’ Hovart (Voilaaa, Mr President, Taggy Matcher, …) and Australian NYC-based rapper and poet Nelson Dialect. The two artists met two years ago after Nelson’s gig in Lyon and, of course, they discussed and seriously planned to collaborate one day, both having an everliving love for early nineties hip hop. Then came the quarantine and Covid-19 with Patchworks locked in Lyon, Nelson Dialect in NYC: it seemed to be the right time to do it. A few months later and they finally drop Blue Benz, the result of their long distance collaboration, coming as a beautiful 7inch filled with proper Jazz & Soul Hip Hop vibes. On A side, « Blue Benz » reminds indeed the best feelings of the nineties hip-hop with its infectious slapped bass rhythm and subtle Rhodes chords, all fiiting perfectly with Nelson Dialect’s serious flow! On B Side, « Jazzy Blue Benz » offers an alternate take on the same groove, focusing more on the electric guitar gentle slides with a more percussive beat and horns arrangements with a proper NYC jazz feeling. From Adelaide, Australia, Nelson Dialect now lives in New York working with Bronx label Red Apples 45 started by AG of Ditc and Ray West. Making music since he was 16, he has received critical acclaim for his work with producer Must Volkoff and their most recent album Magnetism. Before moving to New York, Nelson toured extensively in Australia supporting some of the biggest international Hip Hop acts including Mobb Deep, Lupe Fiasco, Ghostface Killah, GZA, RZA, Pharoahe Monch and DJ Premier among many more. He just released a new album Opal Mind with French producer NuTone.

Circa 2022, Ozo's new songs, stronger-thanever brotherhood and the potent emotional impetus behind Marching On further cements the legacy begun with the band's 1998 self-titled debut. With musician/producer David Garza (Fiona Apple, Sparta) producing in Bpre-pandemic 2020 at El Paso's Sonic Ranch, Ozo were honored with esteemed musical guests who contributed to the 11-song album including B-Real (Cypress Hill), Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno, J.J. FAD (of "Supersonic" Fame) and Lisa Lisa (Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam.)

Everyone knows the iconic Hip Hop anthem »Jump Around«. What about giving it the ultimate cover version twist by Japanese Jazz Trio Nautilus plus international artists Luvit from Japan, Flip (Texta) from Austria, Spax from Germany and MC Yinka from Greece who are spitting their rhymes in four different languages over it plus vinyl digger and producer Glueset who edited it to the perfect version? It took more than one year to get this project finished!

The flip side starts with the original version of »Rokucho«, a beautiful traditional Japanese song with dilla-esque beats by experienced Japanese singer Anna Sato and drummer Toshiyuki Sasaki from Nautilus. After that their song gets remixed by Berlin based duo Slick Walk (Merse & DJ Robert Smith) who give it a mysterious chopped up and laid back treatment to full effect.

McGyver is back in 2020 with "CARPE ORBEM" (Latin translation: Seize the World) following up on his 2019 album “MadmatiC”. His bilingual (English and Dutch) rhymes and unique harsh vocal sound, over hardcore boombap beats, topped by live instrumentation and killer scratches prove that there’s not one single artist like him.

This combination creates a stand alone record which conceptually revolves around the classic "The World is Yours" by NaS. Madmatic LP (2019, featuring production by
K-Def, Figub Brazlevic and others) already referenced to this classic once, but now McGyver returns to show the world a bigger picture and capture it while doing so - with even one of NaS - Illmatic’s original producers: Large Professor, on board.

The new project, produced by Djar One and Kesta AKA Kool Kest, is a bundle of 2 limited edition items:
a 45 single with the two highlighted tracks, "Cheer Song" and "Let me wander", and the 10 tracks CD album !!!
The bundle has only 200 copies

The work of Malcolm R & Waseem started with “Peace, Love, Unity and having Fun”, the Hip-Hop motto according to Krs-One. Malcolm R, involved in the social processes of his country of origin (Chile), moved to Munich Germany to pursue better education. By participating in Munich’s Rap scene he got to know Waseem and DasDing (DSDNG), a collective of Mc’s, Dj’s, B-Boys/Girls. Waseem, also an activist, invited Malcolm R to join the collective marking the starting point of their first projects together. From that moment on their common work flourished with the necessary spirit and resources to produce their first professional work in the form of “The Motherland EP”, which refers to the search for justice and to the roots of these two Afro-Latinamerican MC’s. Malcolm R & Waseem also feature some local and international musicians/activists, giving this project a wider spectrum to the perspective of people looking for a better future - in their motherland or as immigrants.

The work of Malcolm R & Waseem started with “Peace, Love, Unity and having Fun”, the Hip-Hop motto according to Krs-One. Malcolm R, involved in the social processes of his country of origin (Chile), moved to Munich Germany to pursue better education. By participating in Munich’s Rap scene he got to know Waseem and DasDing (DSDNG), a collective of Mc’s, Dj’s, B-Boys/Girls. Waseem, also an activist, invited Malcolm R to join the collective marking the starting point of their first projects together. From that moment on their common work flourished with the necessary spirit and resources to produce their first professional work in the form of “The Motherland EP”, which refers to the search for justice and to the roots of these two Afro-Latinamerican MC’s. Malcolm R & Waseem also feature some local and international musicians/activists, giving this project a wider spectrum to the perspective of people looking for a better future - in their motherland or as immigrants.

The work of Malcolm R & Waseem started with “Peace, Love, Unity and having Fun”, the Hip-Hop motto according to Krs-One. Malcolm R, involved in the social processes of his country of origin (Chile), moved to Munich Germany to pursue better education. By participating in Munich’s Rap scene he got to know Waseem and DasDing (DSDNG), a collective of Mc’s, Dj’s, B-Boys/Girls. Waseem, also an activist, invited Malcolm R to join the collective marking the starting point of their first projects together. From that moment on their common work flourished with the necessary spirit and resources to produce their first professional work in the form of “The Motherland EP”, which refers to the search for justice and to the roots of these two Afro-Latinamerican MC’s. Malcolm R & Waseem also feature some local and international musicians/activists, giving this project a wider spectrum to the perspective of people looking for a better future - in their motherland or as immigrants.

Malcolm R (Aka El Indio Jiux) is a MC hailing from Iquique Chile. Inspired by Oldschool HipHop and Jazz, he started playing the sax and rapping with a very early age and released his first mixtape "Técnicas de supervivencia" in 2014, recorded by Patricio Cabezas member of the group "Cerro" and in 2017 the mixtape "InI speech" recorded by Leinad Producciones. In 2021 he released “The Motherland EP” alongside Waseem a political activist and rapper from Munich, Germany. His raps deal with the social problems of present-day Chile as well as injustice, inequality and racism undeveloped countries are facing worldwide. His goal is to mobilize people and make these problems visible to those who can’t see this, or just ignore them on a regular basis.

Now in 2022 he releases his first full length album “Drapetomania” via German label Pigeon Records. For the album he has been working with the Chilean producers Agresonido from the Reclaf Crew, Oscar Guerrero from the group Bajo linaje and Crenshett from his hometown of Iquique and the Munich producers L One from the ATP Crew, Tony Crisp and DJ Rude Teen from ArOzA Crew.

The album title derives its name from Drapetomania, a supposed mental illness that was hypothesized as the cause of enslaved Africans fleeing captivity. Slave life was so pleasant, the official view was, that only the mentally ill would want to run away. The title shell implicate that the people of Chile are not free yet and need to stand up for they rights. They live under a flag that does not represent the majority of the country but discriminates them on economical and racial basis. His music is characterized by straight forward lyrics, very frontal messages with heavy pan-african political content and hard beats.

Malcolm R (Aka El Indio Jiux) is a MC hailing from Iquique Chile. Inspired by Oldschool HipHop and Jazz, he started playing the sax and rapping with a very early age and released his first mixtape "Técnicas de supervivencia" in 2014, recorded by Patricio Cabezas member of the group "Cerro" and in 2017 the mixtape "InI speech" recorded by Leinad Producciones. In 2021 he released “The Motherland EP” alongside Waseem a political activist and rapper from Munich, Germany. His raps deal with the social problems of present-day Chile as well as injustice, inequality and racism undeveloped countries are facing worldwide. His goal is to mobilize people and make these problems visible to those who can’t see this, or just ignore them on a regular basis.

Now in 2022 he releases his first full length album “Drapetomania” via German label Pigeon Records. For the album he has been working with the Chilean producers Agresonido from the Reclaf Crew, Oscar Guerrero from the group Bajo linaje and Crenshett from his hometown of Iquique and the Munich producers L One from the ATP Crew, Tony Crisp and DJ Rude Teen from ArOzA Crew.

The album title derives its name from Drapetomania, a supposed mental illness that was hypothesized as the cause of enslaved Africans fleeing captivity. Slave life was so pleasant, the official view was, that only the mentally ill would want to run away. The title shell implicate that the people of Chile are not free yet and need to stand up for they rights. They live under a flag that does not represent the majority of the country but discriminates them on economical and racial basis. His music is characterized by straight forward lyrics, very frontal messages with heavy pan-african political content and hard beats.

Malcolm R (Aka El Indio Jiux) is a MC hailing from Iquique Chile. Inspired by Oldschool HipHop and Jazz, he started playing the sax and rapping with a very early age and released his first mixtape "Técnicas de supervivencia" in 2014, recorded by Patricio Cabezas member of the group "Cerro" and in 2017 the mixtape "InI speech" recorded by Leinad Producciones. In 2021 he released “The Motherland EP” alongside Waseem a political activist and rapper from Munich, Germany. His raps deal with the social problems of present-day Chile as well as injustice, inequality and racism undeveloped countries are facing worldwide. His goal is to mobilize people and make these problems visible to those who can’t see this, or just ignore them on a regular basis.

Now in 2022 he releases his first full length album “Drapetomania” via German label Pigeon Records. For the album he has been working with the Chilean producers Agresonido from the Reclaf Crew, Oscar Guerrero from the group Bajo linaje and Crenshett from his hometown of Iquique and the Munich producers L One from the ATP Crew, Tony Crisp and DJ Rude Teen from ArOzA Crew.

The album title derives its name from Drapetomania, a supposed mental illness that was hypothesized as the cause of enslaved Africans fleeing captivity. Slave life was so pleasant, the official view was, that only the mentally ill would want to run away. The title shell implicate that the people of Chile are not free yet and need to stand up for they rights. They live under a flag that does not represent the majority of the country but discriminates them on economical and racial basis. His music is characterized by straight forward lyrics, very frontal messages with heavy pan-african political content and hard beats.

Lunatika, The Hague's latest 'trap' or 'drill' rap sensation, for all heavy 'banteng' soldier man-boys' (and, sure, all the lady-boys too!) man drill and bass, whipping and kicking and booming, 'all dem a' Holland's 'Dirty Mud West Coast Sound' incl. quite some reggae dub and N.O.L.A. bass influences, I dare say, 'respect due to all'... Part 1/2. Mastered by Guy Tavares.

19 tracks feat. Noah23, Icon The Mic King, Lady Daisey, Chefket and many more, rapping in English, Spanish, Dutch, Bosnian, German and other languages.

Based on the principles of the Native Tongues and the Soulquarians they craft soulful, laidback and jazzy hip-hop evoking feelings of summer sunsets, small gatherings of people, Soul-food and inner- city living. It’s easy to hear the influences of early De la Soul and Common on some of their songs, while others would fit in the LA beat scene of Flying Lotus or in the more introspective landscape of Nujabes.

New album by this Spanish rap duo. G-Funk, Talkbox, catchy melodic choruses and double tempos.

New album by this Spanish rap duo. G-Funk, Talkbox, catchy melodic choruses and double tempos.

The long-awaited LP release of the debut album by the young and talented members of the super JAM POP band "lagheads"!! The music is based on the jazz, fusion, and R&B style of performance that is in the lineage of instrumental groups such as Snarky Puppy and Vulfpeck. The songs with guest vocalists have a fun sound that swings in a J-Pop direction. "だきしめたいよ feat Himi (DJ Mitsu The Beats Remix)" is also included!!

"This intense Parisian drum-and-keys duo fuses the sound of melancholy ‘70s library music with hip-hop rhythms and a heavy dose of psychedelia. Émile Sornin (Forever Pavot) and Cédric Laban (Forever Pavot, Isaac Delusion) made a name for themselves on the French indie pop scene, earning tens of thousands of fans. For them, La Récré is a place where they can explore raw grooves and play with roaring delays and heavily reverbed keys." - Bandcamp Daily

Unstoppable elders of the L'Entourloop collective, King James and Sir Johnny, are proud to present on June 10, 2022 their long-awaited third and new album entitled "Clarity in Confusion". Featuring Alborosie, Promoe, Degiheugi, General Levy, The Architect ...

It is now official, 2022 will mark the return of the tireless seniors of the collective L'ENTOURLOOP! After a break to devote themselves to the creation of a new album and a new live show that promises to be exceptional, they are back on the road, more determined than ever!
The success of their last albums "Chickens in Your Town" (2015) and "Le Savoir-Faire" (2017), with their unique "Banging hip-hop inna Yardie Style" never cease to seduce sound-system, vinyl and French classics fans, all over the world.

Kid Sublime returns with his second album on Jazzy Sport with the Dutch Rap album: “Dosty Vingers" ! Kid flexes his lyrical muscles and showcases his skills as an emcee on this double album , backed with his soulful, raw and gritty beats. Lyricaly Kid’s style is witty, playful and alot of bragging and boasting. Talking about his hood De Baarjes in West Amsterdam, staying on the grind , slanging beats for rappers , his lovely wife , tours in Japan , getting paid and his favourite booze. Although most people won’t understand Kid’s lyrics, they sure will feel his vocal delivery and raw beats.

“Dosty Vingers" is an album for the real heads and Hip Hop connaisseurs.

Record includes a download code for the instrumental versions

Featuring underground hits including How About Some Hardcore, and M.O.P., whose Ante Up was a worldwide hit.Real hip-hop with raps by Lil' Fame and Billy Danze matched with rockin' sampled beats by Kazahaya.

Never colonized, Thailand has remained purely itself across the years even while developing, evolving and selectively adopting international influences; the same can be said of Thai popular music, and can be clearly heard in previous releases of Thai music on EM Records. Perhaps the exception to this instinct of “pattana” (Thai for development or evolution) has been the luk thung genre, which, despite great forward leaps in the 1960s and 1970s, has been stagnant since the 1990s. New Luk Thung is here, however, as Juu and his friends update the luk thung genre with keyboards, drum machines, and samples from luk thung classics. Contemporary hip hop and trap are fused with luk thung and ramwong elements, as well as the traditional Isan/Lao instruments khaen and phin. Ex-biker Juu has been musically active since the 1990s as a respected rapper, musician and producer, relocating from Bangkok to the musically rich Isan region. His lyrics, in Thai, English, Khmer and Japanese, deal predominantly, humorously and punningly with ganja. New Luk Thung features 10 new tunes, recorded 2017-2019, produced by Juu and Young G (stillichimiya). Vocal guests include G. Jee, Chinza DOPENESS, Dengaryu, MMM, Big Ben, Mr. Maro and Young-G. Songs here include a tribute to Dao Bandon’ s 70s luk thung classic “Man on a Water Buffalo”, a theme song for the mystery group OMK (One Mekong), a cover of a hit from a 1977 film, and other new treats. Available on vinyl and CD with English translations of the lyrics and Soi48’ s liner notes. Cover art by Shinsuke Takagi (Soi48).

A download code is included. 150 copies.

Jahmal Padmore’s debut solo album, Esparonto, arrives via Telephone Explosion Records on May 28th, 2022. Padmore has been honing his producing, songwriting, and drumming skills since 2007, working with artists like Mstrkrft, The Carps, Just John and Brendan Philip. This extensive studio & collaboration experience has primed Jahmal for a standout debut, one that encompasses the diversity of his past musical work. Esparonto is a stunning collection of ten post-Afropunk R&B tracks that are languid, sexy and wry.

There is an undeniable sense of self-reflection that runs throughout Esperanto. Lyrics about distant regrets, ego detachment, and unconditional self-love are reoccurring, sung through Padmore’s signature lyrical croon. “... I can’t give you the things you need, without forsaking a part of me,” sings Padmore in the chorus of album opener Sorted, perfectly encapsulating the overarching vibe of Esperonto. Guitarist Benja’s foggy haze of abstract jazz chords provide a welcoming and warm atmosphere required for such deep contemplation.

Esperonto kicks it up a notch on the more hip hop-leaning tracks. Operator (ft: Matthew Progress), Ingestion (ft: Keita Juma) and Pretty are all rife with energy, with the latter taking the cake as the song most likely to be stuck in your head for the next 10 months, at least! The classic combination of a sample pack-worthy beat and a massive chorus are at work here. The song begins with the lyrics “I can’t help it if god made me pretty,” setting the hook for a stadium-sized chorus where Padmore proclaims “My ego gets me high/My ego tells me who I really am.” A follower of spiritual guru Ram Dass, Padmore appears to be one step closer to his goal of enlightenment, and is not ashamed of it.

The album closes with “So Cold,'' its most delicate track and a perfect come-down after such tireless self-evaluation. The epic crescendo sees Padmore repeatedly announcing “I’ve lost myself.” It’s clear that he has shed some unnecessary facets of his personality and is ready to move forward. Recording at Telephone Explosion’s Studio Z, the trio of Padmore, Benja and OBGMs drummer/keyboardist Colanthony Humphries began with lengthy jam sessions which eventually became the cores of each track. Padmore plucked the most progressive bass and percussion

elements from the sessions and added samples to create Esperonto’s uniquely live aesthetic. The album was then mixed by Louis Cremades at House Of Balloons (The Weeknd) and mastered by Kevin McPhee at East End Mastering.

Esparonto’s title is drawn from the name of the constructed language that Polish ophthalmologist L.L. Zamenhof created in the late 1800s. On this album, Padmore constructs a musical language all his own, with songs firmly rooted in R&B that expand to include elements of jazz, ambient, house, hip hop and pop. After years of holding space for other artists and productions, Padmore’s thrilling debut is a clear proclamation from an artist who is ready to step out of the shadows and into his own light.