Search "mato" 76 Items

edbl is back with the brand new album! edbl has recently collaborated with artists such as Yakul's James Berkeley, Jackson Mathod, Kazuki Isogai and Jprk, and is currently enjoying considerable popularity not only in the UK but also in Asia. His new album, his first release in two years, features up-and-coming artists from the UK and South London scenes, including Turt from Summers Sons, Mercury Prize-nominated jazz musician Quinn Oulton and neo-soul singer Iyamah. The band played a show in Japan in March 2024 and the venue was fully packed and the crowd was highly charged. The track 12 'Tokyo' is reminiscent of the session with guest musician Kazuki Isogai at that show.

"Sick Team" is a unit featuring the beatmaker BudaMunk and two highly skilled rappers, Issugi and 5lack. They made a significant impact on the Japanese hip-hop scene with the release of their first album, Sick Team, in 2011. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of its release, their second album "Sick Team II" which was originally released in 2014 has been pressed on vinyl for the first time.

The long-awaited 7-inch version of the classic Japanese Lo-Fi~Jazzy Hip Hop song "yoru WO Matte / RE:Vibe" by Dweet x Kenichiro Nishihara. The hit single "yoru WO Matte" by the smash hit producer "Kenichiro Nishihara" and the remarkable rapper "Dweet" is now available on 7-inch. Inspired by Ahmad Jamal's "Dolphin Dance," this song combines a beautiful piano line with an exquisite beat and is hailed as one of Japan's greatest Lo-Fi~Jazzy Hip Hop songs. Also included on the flip side is "RE:Vibe," a beautiful, gentle track that blends Dweet's positive lyrics perfectly. The long-awaited rebirth after five years of absence of the original 12inch, a masterpiece that is often sold at a high price.

Brazilian Hip Hop, with a golden-era glint and a 20-strong cast is given fresh impetus on Ela Partiu, 24 year old rapper Laiz"s breakout recording on Agogo Records.Glowing with Pan-African collaborations, and rooted in Laiz"s love and appreciation of magical realism, tropicália and Brazilian music old and new - think Tom Zé and Marcelo D2 - Ela Partiu features Sudanese trap-rapper Zeyo Mann, Ghanian percussionist and singer Eric Owusu (Jembaa Groove, Pat Thomas) and produced by young.vishnu & Pachakuti, from the up and coming crew, and Laiz"s label mates, The New Love Experience.

Brazilian Hip Hop, with a golden-era glint and a 20-strong cast is given fresh impetus on Ela Partiu, 24 year old rapper Laiz"s breakout recording on Agogo Records.Glowing with Pan-African collaborations, and rooted in Laiz"s love and appreciation of magical realism, tropicália and Brazilian music old and new - think Tom Zé and Marcelo D2 - Ela Partiu features Sudanese trap-rapper Zeyo Mann, Ghanian percussionist and singer Eric Owusu (Jembaa Groove, Pat Thomas) and produced by young.vishnu & Pachakuti, from the up and coming crew, and Laiz"s label mates, The New Love Experience.

De Herontdekking van de Hemel is het tweede studio album van schrijver, performer en artiest Manu, of voluit: Manu van Kersbergen. Na een eerste succesvolle tournee besloot Manu samen met de muzikanten van producerscollectief .multibeat het meer liedjesachtige materiaal uit de voorstelling vast te leggen. Nederlandstalige, poëtische teksten die worden voorgedragen in een vorm die tussen rap, songwriting en spoken word in ligt. De muziek is volledig analoog opgenomen en ingespeeld door Thijs van Zuphen (bas) Boudwijn Pleij (toetsen) en Aron Smit (drums). Het album wordt gereleast via het eclectische muzieklabel INI Movement. In samenwerking met Productiehuis Melkweg Paradiso ontwikkelt Manu voor het komende theaterseizoen (‘24-’25) zijn gelijknamige muziektheatervoorstelling door tot een avondvullend programma.

Introducing “Psyche Gems”, the Jakarta Records debut LP from LA based Rapper Juicebox & Norwegian producer duo Myeye. Debut LP “Psyche Gems,” a collaborative musical venture sparked by an impromptu Instagram jam session in 2021, is poised to mesmerize audiences. The brainchild of Juicebox, a versatile artist known for his roles as a singer, songwriter, rapper, and one half of the acclaimed group Figmore (with 10.4 Rog), “Psyche Gems” emerged from Juicebox's admiration for Simen Hallset's psych-pop band Gold Celeste (over 20 million Streams on Spotify). After reaching out to Simen, they swiftly connected with Henrik Norbakk, the other half of Myeye, igniting the genesis of the collaborative project. An Instagram jam session in 2021 gave sonic birth to LP “Psyche Gems”. Buttery vocals meet funky, soul-driven beats, meticulously recorded live, then chopped and repurposed to create an experience that transcends sonic definition. From vibrant head-nodding energy to lush beats seamlessly melded with an inimitable vocal delivery, “Psyche Gems” captures the essence of past and present, offering a kaleidoscope snapshot of life reflected through timeless grooves. The album's distinctive sound is characterized by meticulous layering, where each element is meticulously played, chopped, looped, and jammed over until achieving sonic perfection. United by their shared passion for old soul and jazz records, ‘90’s + ‘00’s hip hop, lo-fi indie, and psychedelic music, Juicebox and Myeye seamlessly fuse their diverse influences to craft a musical experience that resonates with listeners on a profound level. "We wanted to create something that inspires, provokes, and sheds light on the truths we all carry inside us," explains Juicebox. "Psyche Gems is more than just an album; it's an infinite journal entry of reflection, a testament to the power of music to illuminate the human experience."

Mvten, the frontman of Oneness, a crew that has gained support from core hip-hop fans in Japan, and Boogie Mason, a leading Japanese beat maker from Shizuoka, have collaborated on the long-awaited 7inch release of a new song!! From the collaboration works of the two artists based in Tokyo and Shizuoka, respectively, the new song "Feel", which was released digitally in 2023 and received high acclaim, and their signature song "True School" have been newly remixed by Boogie Mason himself (only on 7inch) for a physical release on 7inch for club use! Boogie Mason, who has experienced worldwide releases on the US label "No Sabes", has an outstanding sense of melody.

Una Jauria Llamada Ernesto(a Wolfpack called Ernesto)Original Motion Picture SoundtrackDirector Everardo GonzalezMusic by Andrés Sánchez Maher, Haxah, Konk ReyesLabel Plaza Mayor Company LtdCombines true stories to create its titular character, and parallels with the manufacturing of a gun. The two stories’ convergent paths twits in a double helix of violence which leaves one person dead by firearms every 41 minutes.This score is the voice they wanted us to hear. It's the sophistication of the street and the gang. A mixture in which space was given to two young men who belonged to the packs of Mexico City: Haxah, Konk Reyes and the extraordinary experience of Andrés Sánchez, who managed to articulate a sound discourse as a gateway to the world of violence, the need for revenge but also to that of repentance and the desire to return to a starting point when everything could be avoided.Enjoy this atmosphere and let's try together to break the stigma that surrounds our Latin American children.Everardo González - Director

A remix of the popular song "Guilty Luv" by rare lyricist "bron-k" on the mellow side, the remix by "Kenichiro Nishihara" was a bigger hit than the original. This 7inch, which has been difficult to find for a long time, has been re-released in a new guise, coupled with the original. The melancholic and lyrical piano melody is matched beautifully with the heart-wrenching and melancholic vocals. In addition to a remix by Kenichiro Nishihara, the flip side features the original by Loptimist. It will be re-released as a 7-inch single with completely new spec.

A classic in Japanese hip-hop history, released in 2001, is now available on analogue for the first time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its debut!

The first major full-length album from Kumamoto, Kyushu's land of fire, which suddenly swept the scene and made a name for itself in the national arena, is now available on 2LP!

The first major full-length album "upper Jam" was released in 2001 by the core of the Japanese hip-hop world, Gakki Ranger, and received high acclaim from all quarters. The album features 21 thrilling tracks, with the 2 MCs Potemkin & Yoshi using the skills they have cultivated in their live shows to deliver unpredictable lyrical raps, and GP & DJ High Switch a.k.a. HIRO's ear-piercing, thick-boned backing tracks. Guest artists include Ken-1-raw from Volcano Posse, M.O.S.A.D. from Nagoya, Rappagaria, Fukuoka Yutaka from Pink, RYO the Skywalker from the reggae world and many more. It is a timeless classic with an uplifting feel brought about by the combination of unexpected and irregular rapping and the exquisite pauses that are meticulously orchestrated!

The reputation of the Japanese hip-hop production team Grey October Sound is spreading both in Japan and abroad. While they have released quality albums such as "Timeless" and "The Cave," their two lo-fi hip-hop cover albums, "Lo-Fi Ghibli" and "Lo-Fi City Pop," have become hits in record stores around the world. For the third installment of this series, they have set their sights on Japan's world-famous anime songs!

They will be covering songs from "Bleach", "Saint Seiya", "Puella Magi Madoka Magica", "k-on! and "Dragon Ball", all of which are lo-fi arrangements of theme songs and insert songs of high quality, while still showing respect for the originals. The cover of this album was designed by Rika Hase, an illustrator who also created the artwork for "Lo-Fi Ghibli" and "Lo-Fi City Pop".

Limited edition of 200 copies, only available at HHV!

Da Steez Brothaz are back!! "Beat At Mind" their previous release on HHE has been sold out for quite a while now. That EP blew everyone's mind and solidified their position in the boom bap underground.



Now we are back with "Pragmatic", a brand new 12 track LP with features from the Artifacts, Ill Conscious, Ness One and G Roc Gayle among others. Production by some of the finest boom bap producers in the game... Chief Rock, DJ Eagle, Truskull Zerokappa, Raw Mentalitee, Hico a.k.a. Da Funkylooper, Franz Branntwein, MaxOne, Skillz Flav, and more!



Limited to only 250 copies and the album will only be available on vinyl!

WATT's first new album in 6 years, "Meguru Uta", has been released in analog LP format! This is another completely self-produced album, with all raps and beats made by the artist himself. The excellent artwork by nadeneco is also an important key to the album. *limited Quantity*

Released on "Il Manifesto Dischi" in 1996, this is the second album of the band led by Militant A. 13 tracks played by the Brutopop line up as a real backing band, in addition to the presence of Pol G at the console, Eyewitness also on vocals. Recorded by Don Zientara (sound engineer of Fugazi) at the Forte Prenestino in Rome.

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.

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"!!

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.

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.

DJ Tudo e sua Gente de Todo Lugar’s 7th album, breed from Brazilian field recordings and made between 2007 and 2019 in trips around the world - Brazil and 11 other countries. It is a project that should have come out in 2013, but the “Pancada Motor - Manifesto da festa” came out ahead, having as a sequel the two volumes of Gaia Music series. By early 2019, the album was finalized. Pancada Motor is a term derived from the Alagoas traditions like the Samba de Matuto, Cambinda, Baianá and Caboclinha, about their cultural make or their rhythms. Here this name has been expanded to other cultures and rhythms of Brazil. Transformation and Cure are urgent needs for humanity and our relation with the planet, we need to transform our relationship with each other and Mother Earth for our healing as a whole. Artists from many countries and different cultures contributed to this work. It is hard to place an order of greatness and importance but certainly the traditional Brazilian groups were the initial inspiration: Matutinhas do Pontal de Coruripe, Cambinda Palmeirense de Porto de Pedras, Maracatu Nação e Rural de Recife, Caceteira do Seu Rindu de São Cristóvão, Terno de Congo 13 de Maio de Goiânia, Reisado São Miguel de Juazeiro de Norte, Carimbó Raízes de Coremar de Salinas and Queen Dona Neta from Maracatu Cruzeiro do Forte do Recife. Equally fundamental is the contribution of Sérgio Ricardo, legend of MPB (Brazilian Popular Music), and Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux that features the track “Terra para todos (Land for all)”. From Belgium, Rolland Van Campenhout, Steven de Bruyn, Bart Maris, Tuur Florizoone and David Bovée. Alan Bryden and Stuart Brown, BigTad and duo Twelfth day Esther and Catriona from Scotland. From Paris, guitarist Stefane Goldman who has participated in several DJ Tudo’s albums. From London, the percussionist Crispin Robinson, Lopa Kotari and Mariana Pinho. From Rio de Janeiro, the keyboardists Sacha Amback and Marcos Lobato. Lu Dlamini from South Africa. American drummer Marque Gilmore, who was recorded in Stockholm, Sweden. From Istanbul the Zas Player Murat Ertel. Rajasthan musicians met unexpectedly at a casual ride in a hotel elevator in Durban, South Africa. Brasília singer Ana Soares. From Ljubljana, Slovenia, accordionist Uros and Beth. From São Paulo, my brothers and sisters in arms: Gente de Todo Lugar - drummer Gustavo Souza, percussionist and singer Rafaella Nepomuceno, guitarist Rafael Martinez, saxophonists Marcelo Monteiro and Filipe Nader and trumpeter Amílcar Rodrigues. Planetary voices in the track “Nietzsche era triste ....” recorded in several countries. Thank you so much for the music and the affection that you put in this work, the result is nine songs and nine seasons linked to life. Knowing and respecting cultures is an eternal path of transformation, that this work reaches each one as a transforming element, especially in this almost inexplicable moment that we live on the planet.

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.

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.

Rising out of the bong haze, Thai master Juu4e is back with his second solo album for EM Records. Fusing hip hop and trap with a pan-Asian blend of influences and samples from the traditional and pop musics of his native country, as well as the musics of Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and other regions across the continent, “Crazy World (Baka Sekai in Japanese)” is an ambitious and sonically adventurous album alive with unexpected juxtapositions, deft production, irresistible grooves and a joyous heart. A true solo album, all the tracks here are performed/arranged/produced by Juu4e, with the final mix provided by Young-G of stillichimiya/OMK. With a versatile and playful vocal style, Juu4e delivers thoughtful, positive lyrics and intriguing imagery, dealing with issues both local and global, old and new, with themes of celebration as well as social criticism. Featuring a cover of a Taiwan pop classic by Teresa Teng, “Crazy World” is available on Cd/lp, and comes with informative liner notes and English translations of the lyrics. Cover art: Shinsuke Takagi (Soi48/OMK).

Liner notes by Takehiko Sato (Riyo Mountains) + English text & lyrics

Rising out of the bong haze, Thai master Juu4e is back with his second solo album for EM Records. Fusing hip hop and trap with a pan-Asian blend of influences and samples from the traditional and pop musics of his native country, as well as the musics of Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and other regions across the continent, “Crazy World (Baka Sekai in Japanese)” is an ambitious and sonically adventurous album alive with unexpected juxtapositions, deft production, irresistible grooves and a joyous heart. A true solo album, all the tracks here are performed/arranged/produced by Juu4e, with the final mix provided by Young-G of stillichimiya/OMK. With a versatile and playful vocal style, Juu4e delivers thoughtful, positive lyrics and intriguing imagery, dealing with issues both local and global, old and new, with themes of celebration as well as social criticism. Featuring a cover of a Taiwan pop classic by Teresa Teng, “Crazy World” is available on Cd/lp, and comes with informative liner notes and English translations of the lyrics. Cover art: Shinsuke Takagi (Soi48/OMK).

Liner notes by Takehiko Sato (Riyo Mountains) + English text & lyrics

"owls" is Japanese Hip Hop crew united by "green Assassin Dollar" who has been attracting a lot of attention as producer and beat maker for producing songs such as Namedaruma, and "rkemishi", a person who is also well known as member of Fatslide and Manos. Their 2nd album "24k Purple Mist" which has been released as CD in 2020 and this time we present it as vinyl! some Japanese hip hop artists are participate in this album such as Dogma、t2k a.k.a. Mr. Tee（Nerimatherfucker）、Gottz（KANDYTOWN）etc...

Full album from rapper Mista monk produced by Inkswel - featuring super nice guests Illa J, Laneous, Reggie B, Colonel Red, People Without Shoes and Planetsel The son of a mixed-race Zimbabwean mother and white Australian father, Liam Monkhouse aka Mista Monk was born and raised in Katherine, a rural town in the Northern Territory, far from both his African roots and the urban environment most hip-hop evokes. But rap music spoke to the young Monk’s fledgling sense of a mixed race identity, with his hometown being a strange dichotomy of Ocker Aussie and Indigenous culture. These cultural crossroads and their broader implications have informed his lyrics for over a two decades now, culminating in his first solo hip-hop album 'Muti' with prolific producer Inkswel on production duties. Mista Monk represents these crossroads with rhythmic flows and conscious word-play illuminating his world view from the macro of humanity's ills to the miniature of personal identity with nods to fun off-the-cuff flows and cartoon-esque narratives making for a balanced spread of flavours to navigate the vivid sample driven soundscapes provided by Inkswel. He is the founding member of multi-cultural hip-hop band Culture Connect (circa 2000) and currently performs with Afro-Jazz outfit Black Jesus Experience; frequent collaborators of Ethio-Jazz star Mulatu Astatke. Bringing a definitive raw fire to live grooves, hip-hop and Afro-House, Monk brings 20 years experience on the mike and it shows in his commanding stage presence. No stranger to the club and festival circuit in Australia, Monk has held it down down under with artists such as Mista Savona, Digital Afrika, Ganga Giri, Monkey Marc, Combat Wombat, and Laneous amongst many others. Black Jesus Experience have appeared twice at Glastonbury (uk) , and Big Chill Festivals (uk), as well as Azgo (Mozambique) and Bushfire (Swaziland) Festivals during tours to Europe and Africa. Four trips to the motherland have featured numerous tours of Ethiopia with performances with Mulatu Astake at United Nations Africa HQ and solo shows in Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Soundtrack of the radio play Gothrecht. Twelve songs produced by Stippenlift and written by Faberyayo and Stippenlift. Featuring vocals by Georgina Verbaan, Annet Malherbe and Firoza, as well a wide selection of the original score by Betonkust.

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.

After a long hiatus, Tokyo-based french producer Dela comes back with Électrique, a new project paying tribute to hip-hop legends André 3000 and Big Boi, known together as OutKast. This new 7inch record includes three tracks of Électrique : Yosky Wosky Pisky Wisky, Dimanche Matin, and the bonus track Cergy. Known for his laid-back, jazz influenced, dreamy rap instrumentals, Dela introduced his music to the world with his Atmosphere Airlines mixtapes and his albums Changes Of Atmosphere (2008) and
Translation Lost (2011). A student of Q-Tip, Pete Rock and J-Dilla amongst others, Dela’s work foreshadowed today’s increasively popular lofi hip-hop / chillhop movement. Side A features Yosky Wosky Pisky Wisky, a remix of Stankonia’s classic Humble Mumble,
featuring Eykah Badu. Dela changes the mood of the original track, mixing samples and live instrumentation together to turn a salsa-breakbeat groove into a melody infused otherworldly superfunk. On side B, Dela remixes Sole Sunday, a Goodie Mob featuring Outkast track, edited to feature only the two ATLiens and renamed Dimanche Matin. The beat is reminiscent of his early work, layering boom bap drums over a haunting saxophone melody. Also on side B, the bonus cut Cergy turns a Brazilian MPB sample into an ode to Dela’s hometown with the help of live drums, bass, electric keyboards and a few of his friends singing.

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

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).

Sly, Sly Johnson, Sly The Mic Buddah : since the Saïan Supa Crew up until his solo career, the human beat machine keeps on increasing his numerous identities.

From Hip Hop to Soul, then from Soul to Beatmaking: from flow to singing, then from singing to production, Sly Johnson never really changed universe. He has just changed the direction of his musical compass in order to navigate with more flow.

Today, it’s immersed in the mechanics with processors and printed circuits that we find him, under the alias of TAGi, producer-beatmaker who, for the occasion, has joined the services of Steven Beatberg. It’s together, in artistic autarchy with the only presence of softwares, samplers and sequencers, that they have built their pieces in the light of their computer screens, rhythmizing the days by inserting snares or grindings of plugs taken from their sound database.

If records are, most of the time, Hip Hop’s nourishing materials, TAGi et Steven have however not used any samples. Their favourite recordings were not materials to exploit, but an aesthetic from which to inspire, compose, and search atmospheres and melodies, search his arrangements. After three EP dominated by instrumentals, the duo finally chose to realise their dream: to craft a multi-voice album where customized production for each guest would guide the creative process. To put themselves at the exclusive service of artists they particularly love, all different but connected by an uncompromising resistance to the commercial wind blowing on Hip Hop. For each one of them, they have built a title, keeping in mind the precise idea to put to light he or her that will vocally dress the bars.

Rapper Big Pooh, the former member of the Little Brother group (With Phonte & 9th Wonder), the contemporary soul of Lisa Spada, but also the rapist #madeinfrance Pumpkin (worthy descendant of MC Solaar, Fabe …), multi-faceted Georgia Anne Muldrow, the MC Finale, the new rising wave of artists of the Hip-Hop scene in Detroit. Tiemoko from Paris, Saga an MC who follows the pure tradition of the New York Hip-Hop, the very smooth-jazzy Elodie Rama and Dilouya, the producer of the previous record of Sly (The Mic Buddah), are of this casting where men and women share the roles and where TAGi, as soon as the mic presents itself to him, becomes again Sly Johnson for some refrains, choruses or solo rereading of the sublime “Retrograde” of James Blake.

Guided by Hip Hop since the 90’s until today, worked in great detail, YOUARESURROUNDED highlights vintage keyboards on granular rhythms, injecting a lascivious Soul, P-funk, electro futuristic or melancholic in black and white touches on 13 tracks that are as atmospheric as they are emotional.

The substance, the essence, the soul of the Hip-Hop.

After the success of his previous releases, Amsterdam based Joe Kickass sets out to create a worthy follow-up to his ‘Mind Joe’ legacy. It’s been a long time coming but now his second full length album, ‘The Average Joe’ is finally here. Named in celebration of the millions of unique stories that make every individual the person they are, this record gives a little more insight into the man behind the mic. The past years leading up to this release have been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride, with a lot of things happening in Joe’s personal as well as artistic life. All of the different resulting emotions and contemplations are reflected in the diversity and maturity of his sophomore LP.

Besides crafting his own beats, Joe enlisted a small army of talented musicians to contribute to this album. From the nu-soul sounds and vocals of Sacha Vee, via the dusty warmth of Vinyl Frontiers to the boombap vibes of Polish veterans O.S.T.R. and DJ Haem, just to name a few of the influences and collaborators on ‘The Average Joe’. In addition, with trustworthy partners in crime Killing Skills as the executives, every track is produced into perfection. With this second LP, released on gold colored vinyl, Joe is taking Project: Mooncircle back to it’s legendary hip hop roots. The Average Joe kicks ass, indeed.

Gold Vinyl Edition.
Cover with a seam split at the upper edge.
Includes original inner sleeves with small seam splits.

The self-released 2003 album Shitten in the Park (Blunder in the Park) by ECD is as revolutionary as it is gutsy. In a country well known for its tendency to keep hushed on social issues, the late-great ECD defied all means of holding back as he delivered his empassioned anti-war, anti-discrimination, people-positive rush to the airwaves.

This album came at a time of transition for the rapper as he’d just ended his long-running major label contract with Avex-owned Cutting Edge, and there’s a rawness on display across these tracks; an experimental flavour to the sampling as he explores the freedoms of a self-released album. The penultimate track “Hinja no Koushin” (Poor People’s campaign) is a great example of ECD's grappling with different eras and sounds as soul and jazz records are subjected to different sampling techniques, and provide the vehicle for his socially-conscious rap.

Even as his state worsened in the grip of cancer, nothing could separate him from the microphone at protests with his rapping and creative impulses in full flow. Committed to his artistry until the very end, P-vine is excited to be reissuing the album on double gatefold LP for the first time in this deluxe package, and honor a true legend of Japanese hip-hop.

Hardcore rap in Japan / originally released in 2003