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Apart from the overall trend in the contemporary music industry, the second collection album on the Hydeout Productions label, a rare independent label that has gained a large following among listeners by releasing purely sound=works without any advertising activities, the 2nd Collection is the second 2LP album on the label. It was released on. It is another world of Hydeout, parallel to the Nujabes' albums Metaphorical Music and Modal Soul, with a wider range of works and people. The album is a label collection album, including 'Another Reflection', which is another chapter of 'Reflection Eternal' from the last album 'Modal soul', but also shows the label's direction after Nujabes' second album 'Modal Soul'. This work shows the direction of the label after Nujabes' second album 'Modal Soul'.

Witches brew and cauldrons bubble, as Halloween stirs up an eerie trouble! Step into the world of spooky beats with Lofi Girl's 'Halloween 2024' compilation. Featuring talented artists from around the world, this potion of ghostly rhythms and haunting melodies sets the mood for a night of chills and thrills. Whether you're conjuring up potions or unwinding under the moonlit sky, let the witchy magic of these chilling beats take over your Halloween night!

It’s that time of the day again to relax with a warm cup of coffee, and let your mind slowly wake up to a new day. “Morning Coffee” is a compilation showcasing calming vibes from a multitude of talented artists around the world. Sit down and look outside the window - there’s an endless amount of possibilities today.

Picture disc!

Pink/Red split vinyl seems unplayed. Textured cover with OBI. With inserts. Numbered Limited edition. Original inner sleeve.

It’s midnight again and the deadline is looming! Luckily there is a brand new compilation album “12 Am. Study Session”, and with the help of 26 enchanting new beats from various talented artists around the world, the task at hand feels a lot smoother. Join Lofi Girl in her study - and finish that project together tonight.

As night falls and the world grows still, lose yourself in the mesmerizing beats of the ‘3 A.M. Chill Session’. A captivating compilation blending '80s nostalgia with futuristic vibes, features 27 tracks by 35 artists that transcend time and space. Immerse yourself in hypnotic rhythms and pulsating synths that echo through the night. Take a moment to sit down, absorbing the midnight hours, as you await the imminent dawn, letting the ethereal melodies guide you through a world of escapism and creative inspiration.

The late, great J Dilla is widely regarded as one of the greatest hiphop producers of all time. An innovator who pushed the genre in new sonic directions, the Detroit native born James Yancey crafted
timeless soundscapes for the likes of Slum Village, Busta Rhymes, Common, Erykah Badu, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, and many more. Since his death in 2006, Dilla’s mother Maureen “Ma Dukes”
Yancey has worked tirelessly to further her son’s legacy, and her latest effort is the new posthumous album Motor City. Inspired by Dilla’s beloved hometown, Motor City is a collection of rare and
unreleased Jay Dee instrumentals, hand-selected and sequenced by Ma Dukes. Conceived as a “letter” to her son, Motor City is packaged in a limited-edition mailing envelope, complete with a handwritten
message from Ma Dukes to J Dilla inside. Both CD and vinyl formats also include access to an exclusive mix of the album by Dilla’s close friend J Rocc, a world-renown DJ and founder of the Beat Junkies.

It's rare to see Nassau, Covid and Grace Jones in the same sentence, but they were indeed part of the creative basis for DJ Vadim's brand new album, Feel UP.

As a busy international DJ, this was nothing short of armageddon for Vadim. The skies were darkened, but rather than sink into inactivity and hibernation, DJ Vadim created within himself his own tropical music festival, an alternative universe that would share some kind of kinship with the recordings made at Compass Point Studios, orchestrated by Chris Blackwell for Grace Jones (1980-1982), James Brown, Ac/dc, and many others...

It was a melting pot of world-class musicians, blending reggae, pop, soul and African rhythms and sounds... together creating one of the most influential albums of the period, and it was in this spirit that the inspiration and title of DJ Vadim's new album, Feel UP (literally 'Feel good' / 'Have the strength, the courage'), was born.

Forty years after those sessions at Compass Point Studios, the same quest for discovery took place in Vadim's Barcelona studio. The desire for growth, self-discovery and the creation of new sounds took hold. The dubcatcher with its 80s digital sounds went out and came back with a wide variety of musical tapas.

Inhale, exhale, Feel UP is the soundtrack you've been missing without even knowing it!

Limited edition of 300 copies on black vinyl! Vinyl is close to NM!

Vienna’s 4th studio album, exploring deeper into the world of jazz and electronics. For fans of BADBADNOTGOOD:)

Limited to 500 copies. Legendary Hip Hop Producer and Emcee Large Pro aka The Large Professor returns with his highly anticipated 3rd instrumental album, Beatz Volume 3. Back with his traditional signature Boomp Bap sound, LP brings you more well-crafted soulful Beatz that you can rhyme to, DJ with, skateboard, or even dance to! This album features 10 bangers that are sure to make DJs want doubles to back spin! Large Professor states: "Beatz Vol. 3 was made to lift the spirits. From the youthful "Let It Fly" to the ghetto love story sounds of "Rooftop Love", all of the Beatz on this project were made to make the listener feel good. After learning more about my family history, I had to dedicate the song "Ancestors" to my predecessors who are in the "Friendly Skies". Overall, I want to keep that original Boomp Bap style of hip hop alive for my generation, and the real ones to follow." Large Professor is a founding member of the Hip Hop group Main Source. In 1991 their classic debut album "Breaking Atoms" introduced the world to NAS, who was featured on the track "Live at the Barbeque". Some of Large Pro's production and remix credits include tracks for NAS, Eric B. & Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest, Slick Rick, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Tragedy Khadafi, Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, Big Daddy Kane, Lord Finesse, Akinyele, Masta Ace, Czarface, Cormega and many more. Recent production credits: RawWattage "Eyez" (2020), "Pressure" Soundtrack (2020), The Lox/Westside Gunn & Benny "Think of the Lox" (2021), Al Skratch "Be Original" (2021), Neek The Exotic ft. Large Pro "XtraExotic" (album) (2021), K.McGyver Hemisphere (2021), Papoose "Represent" (2021), Papoose "Cold Winter" (2021) and the "All The Streets are Silent" Motion Picture Soundtrack (2021).

Following the success of Aesop Rock's most recent solo album, Spirit World Field Guide, he returns to deliver the instrumental version of those interdimensional adventures. Aesop has long been celebrated for his talents as a lyricist, but he has continually grown and evolved as a producer as well. While the original Spirit World Field Guide was packed with insightful chapters of firsthand know-how into the terrain, wildlife, and social customs of our parallel universe, the Spirit World Field Guide Instrumentals not only set the tone but also provide the roadmap for you to take your own journey. Welcome to the Spirit World. Explore with intention.

Limited Edition of 100 records on green vinyl. Exclusive run for HHV. On Ol' Burger Beats' new albumWelcome 2 Norway, the Norwegian beatmaker delves into Norway's rich music history and has created a record that might be his most accomplished to date. On the best beat tapes throughout history, a story is told through the samples used, and this is truly the case with Ol' Burger Beats' new album, his first on Jansen Records. Norwegian Ol' Burger Beats (Ole-Birger Neergård) has been a mainstay on the international beats scene ever since his debut album High Rhodes was released in 2014. On that record we were introduced to the Oslo-based producer, DJ, and record collector's ability to create magic from old jazz and soul records. On Welcome 2 Norway, he re-discovers many national treasure, both well-known and forgotten ones. Among other things, he has had free access to the catalog of the legendary Arne Bendiksen's old record label, he’s sampled songs by Norwegian greats Jan Erik Vold, Kåre Virud, and Åse Kleveland, and chopped and pasted forgotten ballads from old-time dance bands, along with some Christian gems from dusty basements. The result is a record that both showcases the venerable history of Norwegian music, and also highlights Ol' Burger Beats' ability to create fantastic instrumental hip-hop tunes from old and dusty classics. The last albums by J Dilla might be the biggest inspiration for this album and are good examples of storytelling through sampling. The title Welcome 2 Norway also refers to Welcome 2 Detroit, a Dilla album that introduced the listener to the various musical styles in Dilla's hometown. In addition to delivering brilliant solo albums in rapid succession, he is also keen to collaborate with other artists on different levels. There are projects where he is the producer–Mind Games from 2017 and Out of Sight, Out of Mind from 2018 – where he works with some of his favorite rappers like Quelle Chris, Pink Siifu, Fly Anakin, Maxo, and Illa J. But then we also have the magical Loft from 2022, where the12 tracks explores the world of jazz together with other jazz enthusiasts like Ralph Thomas and Wendell Harrison, and the very successful albums with the Norwegian rapper Vuyo–All Yours from 2020 and Dialogue from 2021 When talking about the new album, Welcome 2 Norway, Neergård himself says: «After doing a few collaborations with rappers that’ve dragged out a bit, with more emailing and coordinating than music production, this has been an album where I've banged out a lot of beats, and just had some fun again. The samples I've used tell stories from my life over the past few years, and I've been searching for a Norwegian sound reminiscent of the typical soul and jazz samples found in American hip-hop–and I think the result turned out quite unique!»

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".

On Ol' Burger Beats' new albumWelcome 2 Norway, the Norwegian beatmaker delves into Norway's rich music history and has created a record that might be his most accomplished to date. On the best beat tapes throughout history, a story is told through the samples used, and this is truly the case with Ol' Burger Beats' new album, his first on Jansen Records. Norwegian Ol' Burger Beats (Ole-Birger Neergård) has been a mainstay on the international beats scene ever since his debut album High Rhodes was released in 2014. On that record we were introduced to the Oslo-based producer, DJ, and record collector's ability to create magic from old jazz and soul records. On Welcome 2 Norway, he re-discovers many national treasure, both well-known and forgotten ones. Among other things, he has had free access to the catalog of the legendary Arne Bendiksen's old record label, he’s sampled songs by Norwegian greats Jan Erik Vold, Kåre Virud, and Åse Kleveland, and chopped and pasted forgotten ballads from old-time dance bands, along with some Christian gems from dusty basements. The result is a record that both showcases the venerable history of Norwegian music, and also highlights Ol' Burger Beats' ability to create fantastic instrumental hip-hop tunes from old and dusty classics. The last albums by J Dilla might be the biggest inspiration for this album and are good examples of storytelling through sampling. The title Welcome 2 Norway also refers to Welcome 2 Detroit, a Dilla album that introduced the listener to the various musical styles in Dilla's hometown. In addition to delivering brilliant solo albums in rapid succession, he is also keen to collaborate with other artists on different levels. There are projects where he is the producer–Mind Games from 2017 and Out of Sight, Out of Mind from 2018 – where he works with some of his favorite rappers like Quelle Chris, Pink Siifu, Fly Anakin, Maxo, and Illa J. But then we also have the magical Loft from 2022, where the12 tracks explores the world of jazz together with other jazz enthusiasts like Ralph Thomas and Wendell Harrison, and the very successful albums with the Norwegian rapper Vuyo–All Yours from 2020 and Dialogue from 2021 When talking about the new album, Welcome 2 Norway, Neergård himself says: «After doing a few collaborations with rappers that’ve dragged out a bit, with more emailing and coordinating than music production, this has been an album where I've banged out a lot of beats, and just had some fun again. The samples I've used tell stories from my life over the past few years, and I've been searching for a Norwegian sound reminiscent of the typical soul and jazz samples found in American hip-hop–and I think the result turned out quite unique!»

Following the release of Lo-Fi Ghibli in 2022; lo-fi hip-hop covers of classic Ghibli songs, the underground hip-hop producer Grey October Sound and P-vine delight to release a cover album of lo-fi hip-hop arrangements of Japanese City-Pop classics!

After their succssesfully debut for worldwide with "Lo-Fi Ghibli", Grey October Sound is gaining recognition not only in Japan but also in overseas. The album features world-famous city-pop classics covered in lo-fi hip-hop arrangements, including covers of "Mayonaka no Door ~ stay with me" by Miki Matsubara, "Fly-Day Chinatown" by Yasuha and Taeko Onuki's "Tokai", which opened up the recent global popularity of city pop, as well as classic tracks by Tatsuro Yamashita, Mariya Takeuchi and Yumi Arai. The cute artwork with the traditional style of Lo-Fi Girl and city pop is by Rika Hase, who also designed the Lo-Fi Ghibli cover.

Meitei’s 2020 album 'Kofū' was the bold bookend to an expedition, where sounds were first navigated and then subverted in 2018’s 'Kwaidan' and 2019’s 'Komachi'.

All three albums were Meitei’s attempt at immersive storytelling, reimagining moments of Japanese history he felt were being washed away – not least by the unforgiving sands of time – through wistful compositions that stretched across ambient music, hauntology, and musique concrete.

When it came to finalizing 'Kofū', Meitei found he was left with over 60 fully realized tracks, bursting with ideas that fired in divergent, curious directions. Meitei was content with the 13 tracks he had selected. But when it came time to begin his next album, he found that it had been sitting in front of him all along. He realized his work wasn’t over yet.

Meitei sounds right at home celebrating the past he first reimagined in his previous work. The merriment is palpable in its first two tracks of 'Kofū II' – a loop of cheery whistling amidst the clanking of wood leads into strings, cricket sounds and flutes, all united in bustling harmony.

'Happyaku-yachō' is where it comes into focus. Pitch-shifted vocal samples roam around in the crowded sonic field. “My image of this music is that it expresses the vibrant mood of Edo's merchant culture,” says Meitei, “where old Japanese dwellings were densely packed together in a vast expanse of land.” The affair becomes bittersweet as the track leads into the desolate 'Kaworu', a compositional piece lifted from his 'Komachi' sessions – a final requiem to his late grandmother.

The album is bursting with spectral vignettes of wandering samurais, red lanterns, ninjas, puppet theatres, poets, even a vengeful assassin ('Shurayuki hime', known to Western audiences as ‘Lady Snowblood’).

'Saryō' is as elegant and refined as you would expect. It induces stillness in its repetition, with each synth note a brushstroke. It was inspired by a Sengoku-era tea house he once visited, designed by national icon Sen no Rikyū. Meitei tied it to the reaction he felt while poring over the ink paintings in his grandmother’s house. “The decayed earthen walls and faded tatami mats gave me an emotional impression,” he says. “And the cosmic flow of time drifting in the small room. I decided to put my impression of this into music.”

In 'Akira Kurosawa', an appropriately thunderous track, Meitei finds deep resonance in his vast filmography, which drew equally from Japan’s rich heritage and troubled circumstances post-WWII.

'Kofū II' is not a leftovers album, nor is it a straightforward companion piece. In this album, Meitei has his biggest reckoning with the Japanese identity yet. Over the years, he has attempted to peel back what he believes has defined Japan and its people. After seeking answers with three full-length albums, his fourth poses more questions.

If his first three albums inspired a sense of longing – or, perhaps inevitably, fed an irreparable nostalgia doomed to history – 'Kofū II' compels us to reassess our relationship with the past. By constantly looking back, are we ever afforded a clearer present? After capturing the “lost Japanese mood”, where does that leave its country in the modern world? Meitei offers no immediate answers with 'Kofū II'. It forces you to sit with its disparate moods, to meditate amidst the textured fragments.

'Kofū II' will be released on 180g LP, CD and digital format on December 10, 2021 (LP expected to land January 28, 2022) via KITCHEN. LABEL. Both LP and CD format are presented in a debossed sleeve with obi strip and include a 16-page insert with words in Japanese and English from Meitei, printed on premium paper stock with design by KITCHEN. LABEL founder Ricks Ang, and is mastered by Chihei Hatakeyama in Tokyo, Japan.

Without a pandemic, you’d now be listening to an album wholly recorded in Cuba with local musicians. Back in 2020, everything was organised, so that in May 2021 we could get started. Yet, the sanitary measures proved to be a fierce adversary, so rather than giving up entirely we decamped to Dakar in October the same year – a compromise that ended up being a positive event in itself.
Cuba has a long African history. Under mass enslavement and the Transatlantic trade, Africans were forced from their homelands, against their will, taking their music along with them. Merging throughout the centuries, taking on European influences, led to the birth of a distinctive Afro-Cuban musical tradition. Highly percussive, brass-based, simmering, full of danceable rhythms. The spirit etched into thousands of recordings, forever turning towards Africa. The departure point here is not to keep things the same. Rather, a return to the source enacts a loop – much the same as those providing the foundations for hip-hop beats.
The flame when it’s re-lit illuminates everything. Thanks to the Senegalese musicians in Dakar, the Cubans who crossed the Atlantic to join us and my usual family of musicians, this music – a cross-section of covers and original compositions - exists as a homage to Afro-Cuban music. Made in Africa, in Senegal. Three worlds, three languages, three colours. Recorded over 17 days, non-stop, germinating the seed born in Cuba at the end of 2020 so that the most beautiful fruits might be cultivated in Dakar, 2022.
When the world doesn’t seem big enough, we look up to the sky where even the blackness is lit up, where those I loved who are now gone shine as stars, shining as brightly as all the others. Each time I think I’m not going to make it; I recall the star of my mother. Then the path becomes clear.
Pandemic, visa problems, cultural clashes, bank transfers that didn’t go through, a fractured foot – this project sometimes felt like a series of accumulated challenges. The only thing linking us, a shared love for the music, each of us invoking our personal star and all that we have overcome.
In this way, the music is born as a call to our stars.

Limited edition coke bottle green vinyl coloured 180g vinyl gatefold double album from Stella Polaris.

The world’s largest free chill out event, Stella Polaris have been wrapping their electronic blanket of dubby and jazzy slo-mo sounds around tens of thousands welcoming bodies since ’97. An oasis of positivity and top-drawer music beaming out of Denmark, with a record label arm born in 2003.

Fast forward 20 years and their 17th album release, a delectable double album features new material from upcoming artists and exclusive Stella Polaris custom made remixes of well-known artists including: Foster The People (us), Groove Armada (uk), José Padilla (es), Underher (ca/de), Days of May (fr), The 2 Bears (uk), Elvstrøm (dk), Teitur & Mads Björn (dk).

Adam Deitch, Grammy-nominated artist & world-renowned drummer of Lettuce and Break Science, has released his latest Producer album ‘take Your Time’ via his record label Golden Wolf Records. This is Adam’s third full-length Producer album, and showcases the multi-talented musician’s production prowess and beat-making abilities. The record offers a heavy dose of drumming (of course), but the tunes soar to new heights with dreamy electronic beats as the backdrop and genre-spanning undertones– hip-hop, soul, r&b, and funk to name a few. This release is sure to delight both fans of Adam’s multiple other projects and new electronic listeners alike.

Without sampling any breaks or loops, Funky DL has created the perfect audio tribute to arguably the greatest group in Hip-Hop history by remaking the beautiful sounds of A Tribe Called Quest's 1993 classic album "Midnight Marauders". The original album is considered a staple in the linear of Hip-Hop history and is the album that lead Funky DL to pursue his own two-decade career in the world of rap music. DL's new tribute serves as a beautifully presented homage for A Tribe Called Quest and Funky DL fans alike.

As the first-ever album composed entirely of sampled material, "Endtroducing....." is a landmark in the history of electronic music. Its influence reverberates through the years, inspiring countless artists and solidifying DJ Shadow's place as a visionary in the realm of sample-based production.

Each track tells a unique story, from the hypnotic groove of "Building Steam With a Grain of Salt" to the cinematic atmosphere of "Midnight in a Perfect World." Shadow's meticulous craftsmanship shines through, showcasing his unparalleled skill in constructing beats that resonate with both intensity and emotion.

In 2018, Meitei shook the ambient world with the release of his debut album “Kwaidan”, a transposition of Japanese folklore into intricate compositions, capturing what he would coin as the “lost Japanese mood”. The album almost instantly received critical acclaim from the likes of Pitchfork, where it was included in their Best Experimental Albums of 2018, Bandcamp, calling it “different than some of the ambient music that has been coming from Japan in recent years”, The Wire and more. Outside of press, he has also received nods from the likes of Rosalía and has collaborated with contemporaries Anthony Naples, DJ Python, Tourist, Chitose Hajime and more.

Cementing his name in the ambient and experimental world, Meitei has since continued to cultivate devoted fans globally, with monumental follow-up albums as part of his unique musical canon – Komachi, Kofu I and Kofu II, showcasing his immense musicianship in building a unique sonic world of his own.

5 years later and a collaboration between 2 Singaporean labels – Kitchen. Label (Kofu I & II) Evening Chants (Kwaidan), the anniversary sees the highly anticipated special 5th Anniversary Edition of Kwaidan with 2 unreleased bonus tracks. This will come in the long out-of-print vinyl format, with obi strip, 8-panel insert, new colour variant and the first ever CD version.

Mastered by Taylor Deupree, Kwaidan’s 5th Anniversary Edition will be released with 2 bonus tracks on a smoke haze variant LP, CD and digital formats, released via Kitchen. Label and Evening Chants.

There’s no limit to space exploration - the sea of stars is an endless adventure to be embarked on. Join Purrple Cat as she ventures further than ever into the unknown in “Distant Worlds Iii”, the triquel of the well-acclaimed series, and an album full of curiosity and dreamy landscapes. Tranquil sounds are characterised by soft guitars, mellow drums and faraway melodies that call out to you, waiting to be discovered beyond the velvety night sky - where to, next?

Given his noted love of anime, scoring a fantastical retelling of a 16th-century samurai warrior of African descent serving under a Japanese daimyo, must be a dream project for Flying Lotus. But, as we’ve come to expect from the man who brought us the mind-bending 2019 LP Flamagra and his own written, directed and scored full-length surrealist fever dream Kuso back in 2017, Steve Ellison is anything but predictable.

Where his recent work has ventured deep into the hitherto unexplored avant-garde reaches of contemporary electronic music, jazz and hip-hop, FlyLo’s score to renowned anime creators Studio MAPPA’s Netflix original series Yasuke — on which he also acts as story consultant and executive producer — sees FlyLo eschew his digital maximalism with rumblings of traditional instrumentation, sweeping romanticism and widescreen cinematic scope.

Broadening the canvas of show creators LeSean Thomas and Takeshi Satou’s alternative-historical Sengoku period of magic and swordplay, with a soundtrack of Morricone-style epic tones, traditional Japanese percussion instruments and West African percussion, the feudal yet futuristic world of Yasuke is summoned.

The drum-driven drama of ‘Your Armour’ and ‘Your Lord’ simmer with synth flutes, strings and koto, as the bubbling arps of ‘War Lords’ recall the cyberpunk noir of Vangelis’ Blade Runner score, while frequent collaborators Thundercat and Niki Randa, also make an appearance in this parallel universe.

Another spellbinding FlyLo release even without the stylish animations of the show, Yasuke is set to be one of Ellison’s most prized releases.

The man of many practices; beatmaker, instrumentalist, one half of The DarkHouse family (first Word), and proud new father … Don Leisure is a familiar name in the world of beat driven, post hip hop, electronic based music that we now take for granted and is a championing force along with the likes of Samiyam, Eric Lau, Dibia$e and Flako of bringing it into the limelight.

Don is also a well-known procurer of weird and wonderful records from the far stretches of the globe and is no stranger to taking the listener on these journeys with him.

Evidence of this can be found on the highly notable Turkish psych influenced ‘halal cool J’ as well as ‘Shaboo’, a vibrant and textured beat tape inspired largely by Don’s Bollywood actor uncle, Nasser ‘Shaboo’ Bharwani. Both released via the mighty First Word Records.

Don made his Group BraCil debut this year with the lush sunkissed ‘Just Remember’ featured on the Label’s latest vinyl compilation ‘happiness we’re all in this together’.

Sometimes, an album is not just music, but a gateway into the world of a musician. In his latest album ‘The Realisation’, Kinissue leads you personally through his recent experiences. Diverse melodies and accompanying strings convey a range of emotions, from melancholy to enlightening hopefulness. Each song tells a different story about the process of growing up and breaking away from what we take for granted; is there a part of you inside that relates?

After rejoicing pet lovers around the world with his last album, Krynoze is back with the sequel called ‘Take A Paws’. From the tallest Great Danes to the smallest of pups, everyone’s invited to spend some time with their loved ones. Tender pianos, gentle guitars and mellow drums are as inviting as sitting in an empty large field with nothing but flowers, rain, stars, and a bright full moon.

Seoul-based producer softy offers an anecdote to the stifling summer and transports you into a calming autumn morning with his latest album “The Day I Passed”. Dreamy clarinets, guitars, chimes, and jazz-infused pianos trickling like raindrops on the windowpane make for the perfect a.m. playlist. Through a child’s lens, the world looks so impressive, and every day brings something new. The sunrise is a spectacle that goes hand in hand with a steaming cup of cocoa, bundled in a cosy throne of cushions and blankets - what are you looking forward to today?

It's not officially Fall until Chillhop Music releases Essentials Fall.

Providing a fresh new soundtrack for the chilled months ahead, Essentials Fall is a 28 song 2xLP project. Featuring plenty of familiar names like Aso, Blue Wednesday, Ian Ewing, Philanthrope, SwuM, Chris Mazuera, Birocratic, Psalm Trees, Leavv, Nokiaa, as well as new trio Enough Cereals (check out their debut project with Chilhop, if you haven't already). This release confirms a new season is upon us, so spin this one well into winter, as well as the many autumns to come.

Whether you're taking a stroll through nature or reading by the fire. Whether you're enjoying some coffee or baking a pie. Whether you're meditating or picnicking or studying or stargazing. Whatever it is that highlights your life, we hope you enjoy Chillhop Music's newest compilation as a backdrop. One to blast as you put on your hoodie and cozy up for the season.

For those keeping count, this is our 35th (!!!) Essentials release. Maybe we'll do something special when we hit 40. We started this special compilation series back in 2016 with a release for every season of the year. Providing a fresh spin on the artwork every time, each calendar year presents a cohesive world-building storytelling mode and narrative arc. For 2024, our Raccoon returned to the countryside where they grew up and has spent the year catching up with family, reconnecting with old friends, taking plenty of naps, and reflecting on childhood. A time that was so long ago yet feels just like yesterday. As a result, Essentials Fall 2024 is nostalgic and steadily reminiscing on the past while also enjoying the present and all of the exciting things to come in the future.

Chillhop Music closes out the year with Essentials Winter 2020, a seasonal compilation featuring 25 curated tracks meant to soundtrack the cold months ahead.



Beginning back in 2016 and continuing with four releases a year, Chillhop Music’s Essentials series welcomes its 20th compilation in the form of Winter 2020. What better way to end a stressful and chaotic year than with 66 minutes of comfort and relaxation?



The 2xLP features 25 hip-hop instrumentals showcasing the best of Chillhop Music. From lofi to jazzhop to funk and ambient, this curated selection provides over an hour of atmospheric soundscapes and cozy beats.



Wherever you are in the world – whether up north experiencing snowfall or down south with a heatwave – we hope that this compilation helps to close out your year. A tough year for everyone, but we’re happy to still be here, enjoying good music with you.

Nearly a decade after their last album, Lilacs and Champagne picks up right where that record, Midnight Features Vol. 2: Made Flesh, left off. With bizarre excursions into pillowy, sentimental made-for-TV music - and children's choirs incanting the blackest dread-filled music the band has conjured to date - Fantasy World is both transcendent and traumatic. Despite sharing two founding members of Grails (multi-instrumentalists Emil Amos and Alex Hall) Fantasy World only peripherally resembles their core group. Lilacs & Champagne have exaggerated their early record's implications and accelerated their mercurial rearranging of music history by deftly incorporating live instrumentation and samples with equal amounts of deference and disregard. Previously existing primarily in a realm adjacent to instrumental hip-hop (J Dilla, Clams Casino, Madlib), Fantasy World exposes Lilacs & Champagne's deeper lineage as playful tape-collage culture jammers in the vein of legendary sound satirists, Negativland and Severed Heads. It embraces the effect of a child entering a dollar store: the immediate euphoria felt upon discovering the seemingly endless aisles piled impossibly high with novelty toys, utensils, party decorations, and toiletries eventually gives way to the overwhelming realization that they're actually just a tourist in a perilous mountain of colorful garbage. From those mountains, Lilacs & Champagne mold monuments to curiosity and confusion.

As time moves forward, it becomes increasingly clear that the need for emotional expression through artistry is more important than ever, especially in the wake of emerging AI technology that threatens to replace human creativity. Minus & MRDolly's new album, "Giant Stops," is a testament to the enduring power of art to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level. Named in direct reference to arguably one of the greatest albums ever created, "Giant Steps" by John Coltrane, "Giant Stops" pays homage to the rich legacy of jazz while pushing the boundaries of the genre with a contemporary twist. The album seamlessly blends jazz, hip-hop, and electronic elements to create a unique sonic landscape that is both nostalgic and modern. For Minus & MRDolly, "Giant Stops" represents a new chapter in his evolution as a musician, showcasing his growth and commitment to pushing boundaries in his genre-bending style. Taking inspiration from the creative process of Makaya McCraven, the album features dynamic instrumentals backed by a live band, with Minus & MRDolly's signature lyricism and storytelling shining through both the instrumentals and the lended work of guest musician such as Meta_ or Luca Argel. By using this production method the album takes a bold stand for the importance of sampling as an art form hoping to encourage listeners to appreciate the rich history and evolution of hip hop and to recognize the essential role that sampling has played in shaping the genre. As a nod to his Portuguese roots, "Giant Stops" represents a deeper exploration of the artist's identity and a commitment to looking inward to find creative inspiration. With this album, Minus & MRDolly hopes to inspire others to embrace their own unique perspectives and use them to create art that connects with audiences on a deeply emotional level. In a world where technology threatens to replace human creativity, "Giant Stops" is a reminder that the power of art to connect with people on a fundamental level is enduring and will continue to shape our world for generations to come.

ill Records are proud to present the latest project from Hart, as she kicks off 2022 with Moon Jazz. The Sheffield-based producer continues her run of releases, following on from the Little Black Book EP, which emerged in 2020.

While Moon Jazz follows in similar footsteps to its predecessor, this latest offering, as the title suggests, is a more jazz focused affair. The album explores the point where the contemporary and the classic coalesce, as vaguely obscure vocal samples, wandering basslines and woozy horns, blend with electronic elements and hip hop-tinted drum patterns.

Hart’s aim for the album was to examine the relationships between people, art, feelings, moods and music, which she achieved through experimentation within the jazz realm and the formation of a storyboard of samples.

As much as the album is grounded in the worlds of jazz and hip hop, there is still a rich variation of sound that cuts across the entire listening experience. From the short burst of undiluted jazz strains on the intro and the looming bass / pitched down vocal amalgamation on Struttin’, to the multi-layered beauty of Vocabulary and the obscenely laid-back vibe of Cruisin, this is an album that showcases the full breadth of Hart’s dexterity behind the boards.

A new series starting via Grilchy Party to further expand its reach into the instrumental HipHop world. Providing Lush soundscapes and highlighting up and coming producers who may not yet have broken through to the masses. We pride ourselves on being early when it comes to shining a light on talents which may have been overlooked by both the underground as well as the mainstream.The series continues with Grilchy Party Favors vol 2 Letters From Tomorrow.The album combines kerrek’s signature synthesizer and sample based soundscapes with the raw sounds that come from working mostly outside of a computer on vintage samplers. Listeners will find touch points in many of kerrek’s genre spanning set of influences, from Ohbliv and Afta-1 to My Bloody Valentine. The album is a journey through kerrek’s mind and an intimate glimpse into the process of creating an album, staying true to one’s goals, and the struggles that come along with the paths we choose to follow as artists and as people.Vocal interludes, heavy headnod energy, and sublime sample selection puts Letters From Tomorrow in good company alongside any beat tape or instrumental hip hop playlist.

"Following the release of Locations USA in 2017 and a few life situations along the way, The Jazz Jousters have finally completed the second addition to what is aimed to be the five part limited edition Locations vinyl series.

So allows us to reintroduce 'Locations: Russia', as the collective gathered once again to explore the sounds, influences and styles of Jazz music in different regions of the world.

In this session we hear the result of each Jouster as they were challenged to focus on the sounds and styles of Jazz that originated from Russia, and come up with an instrumental in their own style. See what you think of the outcome.

If you're new to these projects check out some of the previous Locations if you like what you're hearing.

As always, keep Jousting!!"

MJM

Nearly a decade after their last album, Lilacs and Champagne picks up right where that record, Midnight Features Vol. 2: Made Flesh, left off. With bizarre excursions into pillowy, sentimental made-for-TV music - and children's choirs incanting the blackest dread-filled music the band has conjured to date - Fantasy World is both transcendent and traumatic. Despite sharing two founding members of Grails (multi-instrumentalists Emil Amos and Alex Hall) Fantasy World only peripherally resembles their core group. Lilacs & Champagne have exaggerated their early record's implications and accelerated their mercurial rearranging of music history by deftly incorporating live instrumentation and samples with equal amounts of deference and disregard. Previously existing primarily in a realm adjacent to instrumental hip-hop (J Dilla, Clams Casino, Madlib), Fantasy World exposes Lilacs & Champagne's deeper lineage as playful tape-collage culture jammers in the vein of legendary sound satirists, Negativland and Severed Heads. It embraces the effect of a child entering a dollar store: the immediate euphoria felt upon discovering the seemingly endless aisles piled impossibly high with novelty toys, utensils, party decorations, and toiletries eventually gives way to the overwhelming realization that they're actually just a tourist in a perilous mountain of colorful garbage. From those mountains, Lilacs & Champagne mold monuments to curiosity and confusion.

The contributions of the late Detroit producer James DeWitt Yancey - better known to the world as J Dilla- to the world of hip-hop can’t be overstated, and nowhere is his legacy more apparent than his work as a member of Slum Village. A founding member of the trio, (Alongside rappers T3 and Baatin) Dilla provided the groups distinctly esoteric, free-wheeling sound, built around winding basslines, quirky drumbeats, subtle low-end frequencies, and classic jazz & soul samples. After the success of Slum’s 1997 studio debut, Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1, the group went to work on their follow up. Though the project was completed in ‘98, label turmoil kept the project on ice until 2000. By the time Fantastic Volume II hit, Dilla was well on his way to his status as a hip hop legend having produced cuts for Common, Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, A Tribe Called Quest and many more. Later works from Slum Village may have had more of an impact sales-wise (in the immediate) but Fantastic Volume II had fans and many critics saying that Slum Village, and Dilla in particular, may single-handedly save rap music. Perhaps that statement is hyperbole but many consider Fantastic Volume II to be Slum Village’s, and J Dilla’s, finest work ever. Ne’Astra now presents the complete Dilla instrumentals from this landmark release.

Introducing 'Planet Sp1200' by Klim. Klim, the producer and beatmaker based in Kyiv, draws inspiration from classic hip-hop, chill music, and boombap to craft music that combines fresh soulful vibes with a hard-knocking style. With over 4 million streams across various platforms, including lo-fi beat staples such as 'Night Café' and 'Butterfly,' Klim returns with fifteen tracks created using the EMU Sp-1200 and Akai S900 samplers, infusing a '90s vibe throughout the project.

Influenced by artists like Pete Rock, Lord Finesse, Jay Dee, George Fields, and Mr. Brown, Klim's music is a reflection of the magic found in everyday moments that surround him. It's a product of the emotions that stir within him, where the world serves as his artistic canvas, and each sound and melody is a heartfelt attempt to capture his experiences and thoughts. In his words, "My music is a bridge between my soul and the world, and I hope it can touch the hearts of others, just as it touches mine". Join Klim on this musical journey, where the past and present harmonize in a symphony of emotions and experiences.

Sp-1200 beats made using postal service. Fredfades and Sraw collaborate through post, exchanging dusty beats for an experimental Hip Hop record. The process of sending floppy discs back and forth, where each producer added element over element on their own Sp-1200, has been on-going for almost 10 years, slowly building a collaborative body of work. The result is Double Density, an LP that oozes with the character of that infamous instrument which laid much of the foundation for the earliest Hip Hop artists and still manages to evoke those raw and visceral sounds of that era. Reinforcing those sounds are the voices of Planet Asia, Pink Siifu and Blue November, who deliver lyrics from US coasts to Scandanavia’s fjords. The duo's collaborative effort swims in a sea of eclectic influences where Jazz, Soul and Hip-Hop thrive in the construct of this unique instrument. The drum machine pops, crackles and hisses on a bed of big bass lines through 12 tracks that go from short instrumentals to fully arranged songs. Taking Hip-Hop back to its origins, everything is stripped bare to its essentials and for every vocal track, there’s its antithesis in the form of an instrumental break. It’s a record that plays with the archetypes of Hip Hop and Rap as something that we’ve lost over the years that begs for revocation. Double Density sounds exotic in the world of today’s gleaming beats.

Bristol don Nicky Soft Touch makes his eagerly awaited return with the follow up to his last TIN release, Lonely City Sampler. Set for release almost exactly one year on, Lonely City Cuts sees Soft Touch continue in his deft explorations of sampling, chopping and rearranging beats using cuts from helter skelter and sidewinder tapes. Much like his previous release, as well as the self-released projects he's shared in the meantime, the LP is centred around a DIY aesthetic, making intimacy and introspection two of its defining features.

Conceived during a stint living in London, the series is imbued with a sense of place. Delivered via raw production techniques, voice recordings and off-kilter, broken garage beats, this positions the release amongst the moody, urban landscapes which provide the backdrop for Burial and Actress' music. On Volume One, this sounds like narling basslines that ricochet around swung percussion, and plaintive ambience that immerses you in its shadowy worlds. On Volume Two, like hip hop interludes, deep house grooves and hyper referential skits.

Late arrival, coming next week.
Black Friday Record Store Day 2022 Original Release. Color: Black. Limitation: unknown. For RSD Black Friday, Pete Rock debuts Return Of The Sp-1200 Volume 2 in an exclusive opaque red pressing Pete Rock is widely recognized as one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time. His name is oft included in the pantheon of the greatest, alongside DJ Premier, RZA and J Dilla. In addition, Pete has one of the worlds most extensive vinyl collections, the sort of collection whose size can only be estimated, and that estimate stands in excess of 100,000 LPs. In 2019 Rock launched his own imprint, Tru Soul Records, with the release of Return Of The Sp-1200 which debuted exclusively on RSD 2019. For Black Friday, Pete Rock goes back to his roots - the Sp-1200 and his vinyl - to debut Return Of The Sp-1200 Volume 2.

Four years in the making, Duct Tape Project is the new brainchild of Tripmastaz in the realms of Trip-Hop and Downtempo. And it's a project that makes perfect sense to anyone familiar with Andrei's background (making Hip-Hop beats since his teenage years), musical capabilities and decades-long experience. Duct Tape Project joins Andrei with a troupe of stellar musicians not only from many different corners of the world but also from acutely distinct genres - Guti, Argenis Brito, Mad Dim, Denis Kaznacheev, Krussia, Damien Vandesande of DOP, Sarkis Ricci, Andrey Orenstein, and vocals by Inga.

Featuring all sorts of live instruments, drum machines, synthesizers and modular systems, Duct Tape Project brings forward a complex work brimming with musicality. Using Hip-Hop, not only its rhythmic structures but also its sampling techniques, as a foundation, Tripmastaz created a vibrant and fascinating ecosystem with enough sonic texture to leave one captivated, enraptured and lost at the edge of words. There are 13 musical compositions in total that explore all things Hip-Hop, Downtempo, Trip-Hop, Chill Pop and Lounge, forming a cohesive and deeply soulful album.

The double LP is available on the main run of regular black vinyl and two limited editions of 30 copies on splatter vinyl and blue marble vinyl.

Exquisitely mastered at Tripmastering and distributed worldwide by another.round, the new sub-division of BRT Distribution.

Certainly one of the core figures in the beat scene of Sofia, Bulgaria, Bojidar Vasilev – Trombobby combines his long-time passion, the trombone, with peculiar beats for a truly contemporary sound. Studied jazz trombone at Conservatorium van Amsterdam, he’s also part of acts like Southwick, Dayo, and Android Ethics. Trombobby has played with and produced for numerous musicians in Bulgaria’s thriving soul, r&b, and instrumental hip hop scenes and also teaches music production at Sound Ninja Music Academy.

Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, TromBobby’s collaborator on Pause vol 1 – Jermaine Holmes began embarking on his musical career at the age of four as a member of his grandfather’s choir of Mount Calvary Baptist church. Jermaine performs as lead singer for Pete Rock and The Soul Brothers, and appears alongside artists like Nicole Bus, Keyon Harrold and many others on albums and stages around the world. Previously he had become an active member of the group The Vanguard since 2012 with popular R&B/Soul artist D’Angelo.

4 years ago Bojidar Vasilev embarked on a journey that’s both solo and packed with friendships. Indebted to Dilla, Knxwledge, and a whole galaxy of influential beat makers, the the fresh-out-of-Amsterdam-studies musician released his debut album Run.

With more than 100k streams on all major DSPs, the world saw TromBobby solidifying his place in the production scene and another example for the rise of the producers as lead artists. While he was already a household name in the Bulgarian r&b / soul and instrumental scene, it was Run that put TromBobby on the path of self-discovery and growth as a musician.

TromBobby’s new approach is a juxtaposition to the Forest Gump inspiration behind Run (2018) and while running did save Forest before, this new record channels his last 4 years of experience and learnings into a more laid-back and grounded destination.

On his new EP, Pause VOL.1, Bojidar, now 27, expands his attitude to beat music with neo-soul, jazz and r&b elements, going beyond sampling and with focus on live instrumentation and vocals as a production element. All that designed to create complex multi-layered music with vast emotional horizons. The take-everything-from-life-and-don’t-stop-for-a-second energy is now transformed. Still there, but somehow matured due to the realization that you really need to focus on certain things in order to achieve your goals.

It is that focus that translated into TromBobby’s ever-growing desire to play more and more instruments. Something that’s not only evident in the album’s artwork and credits, but when experiencing his music live.

On the new record TromBobby manifests the 4 years of exploration and love for collaboration with friends and same-energy people. That leads him to crossing paths with Jermaine Holmes who is an active member of the group The Vanguard since 2012 with artist D’Angelo. Their 2 collaborative tracks “longing” and “tony’s Lament” don’t only cross borders, but genres and sensations.

A big leap forward to TromBobby is utilizing his singing abilities on “box OF Chocolates” and “sunday”. Being fearless is that Run energy that translates into Pause VOL.1 and what’s going to carry on in VOL.2.

The man of many practices; beatmaker, instrumentalist, one half of The DarkHouse family (first Word), and proud new father … Don Leisure is a familiar name in the world of beat driven, post hip hop, electronic based music that we now take for granted and is a championing force along with the likes of Samiyam, Eric Lau, Dibia$e and Flako of bringing it into the limelight.

Don is also a well-known procurer of weird and wonderful records from the far stretches of the globe and is no stranger to taking the listener on these journeys with him.

Evidence of this can be found on the highly notable Turkish psych influenced ‘halal cool J’ as well as ‘Shaboo’, a vibrant and textured beat tape inspired largely by Don’s Bollywood actor uncle, Nasser ‘Shaboo’ Bharwani. Both released via the mighty First Word Records.

Don made his Group BraCil debut this year with the lush sunkissed ‘Just Remember’ featured on the Label’s latest vinyl compilation ‘happiness we’re all in this together’.

2LP comp of those fire L.A. Producer 10"s that came out a decade ago. Includes a 36 page photo booklet from photographer, B+ . Dope. TIP! "Back in 2010 we released a series of 10" records from L.A., the series featured 22 artists across 11 records representing the various generations and approaches that made up the beat scene, both in LA and around the world. On every cover was a snapshot of the city viewed through the lens of L.A. based Irishman, Brian Cross AKA B+. To mark a decade we have compiled and remastered 24 tracks from the series on 2LP and cassette and bundled a 36 page B+ photo booklet inside and included liner notes from author of forthcoming book “Bedroom Beats & B-Sides” Laurent Fintoni."

Limited to 500 copies. Legendary Hip Hop Producer and Emcee Large Pro aka The Large Professor returns with his highly anticipated 3rd instrumental album, Beatz Volume 3. Back with his traditional signature Boomp Bap sound, LP brings you more well-crafted soulful Beatz that you can rhyme to, DJ with, skateboard, or even dance to! This album features 10 bangers that are sure to make DJs want doubles to back spin! Large Professor states: "Beatz Vol. 3 was made to lift the spirits. From the youthful "Let It Fly" to the ghetto love story sounds of "Rooftop Love", all of the Beatz on this project were made to make the listener feel good. After learning more about my family history, I had to dedicate the song "Ancestors" to my predecessors who are in the "Friendly Skies". Overall, I want to keep that original Boomp Bap style of hip hop alive for my generation, and the real ones to follow." Large Professor is a founding member of the Hip Hop group Main Source. In 1991 their classic debut album "Breaking Atoms" introduced the world to NAS, who was featured on the track "Live at the Barbeque". Some of Large Pro's production and remix credits include tracks for NAS, Eric B. & Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest, Slick Rick, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Tragedy Khadafi, Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, Big Daddy Kane, Lord Finesse, Akinyele, Masta Ace, Czarface, Cormega and many more. Recent production credits: RawWattage "Eyez" (2020), "Pressure" Soundtrack (2020), The Lox/Westside Gunn & Benny "Think of the Lox" (2021), Al Skratch "Be Original" (2021), Neek The Exotic ft. Large Pro "XtraExotic" (album) (2021), K.McGyver Hemisphere (2021), Papoose "Represent" (2021), Papoose "Cold Winter" (2021) and the "All The Streets are Silent" Motion Picture Soundtrack (2021).

cxlt. and Nuver invite you on an out-of-this-world getaway with their latest album “A Moment Away”. Cinematic piano, synth and drums finished off with crisp sound design immerse you fully in this strange new environment. As the night progresses, the terrain comes to life with spirits of all kinds, and they call out to each other in a strange language. This is a whole new world teeming with stories, you’re a mere visitor - tread carefully so as not to disturb the creatures hidden in the rocks and undergrowth.

Swedish multiinstrumentalist Goson and international duo Dreamfield collaborate to bring you their latest album “Dreams of Angels”. Listen to a meditative profusion of strings, piano, drums and percussions, mixed with floating guitar layers and vocals that paint dreamy landscapes, as you drift off into a fever dream and arrive in a utopian forest where angels and old gods reside. Feel the warmth on your face of the golden sunlight streaming through the canopy from the heavens above. Neon trails of magic spiralling around the tree barks hint that there’s more to this place than meets the eye. Surrounded by nature, calm your nerves in a tumultuous world and look forward to a peaceful future where dreams come true.

2023 Repress on Black Vinyl.

The third album from London-based multi-instrumentalist, Robohands. ‘Shapes’ fuses elements of jazz, krautrock, hip hop and ambient music. For fans of Khruangbin, Yusef Dayes, CAN, Coltrane and 70s library music moods.

Shapes is the solo project of London based composer, instrumentalist and producer Andy Baxter. His debut LP Green was released on Village Live Records in 2018 and was received with much love and acclaim in the UK Jazz, hip hop and surrounding scenes.

His follow up full-length, 'Dusk’, dropped in 2019, combining soul, funk, Latin & experimental moods. It featured vocalists & musicians from around the world including legendary New York French horn player, John Clark, who has worked with Isaac Hayes, Gil Evans Orchestra, McCoy Tyner, Jaco Pastorius, Ornette Coleman and many more greats.

'Shapes' is inspired by 1970s library music and their legendary composers including Piero Umiliani, David Axelrod, Brian Bennett and co. The album builds on these influences and incorporates modern motifs, contemporary jazz/hip hop drumming styles with a nod to 1990s Mo Wax artists such as DJ Shadow. The theme for the record is future/nostalgia, mixing vintage & modern instruments and production techniques.

Much of ‘Shapes’ was recorded with JB Pilon at Buffalo Studios in Limehouse, London. Due to the COVID restrictions that changed everything in 2020, the remaining parts were recorded in Andy’s flat using a collection of old mixing desk preamps and instruments.

For the heads – ‘Shapes’ features an array of vintage snares, including a 1960's Ludwig Pioneer and a mono, overhead ribbon mic on the drum kit provided extra old school points! The kick drum was re-amped through a huge vintage bass amplifier on a couple of tracks to give it some real character. “My favourite guitar sound achieved on this LP project is a

Sontronics Sigma ribbon microphone in front of a WEM Dominator amp, which you can hear on the track 'Odysea'. The bass sound for all the tracks is a 1973 Fender Precision into an old Altec valve preamp, the one used on most Motown recordings.”

The music of v i v (they/them) is a shuttle for your mind to a state of complete zen. Ultimately, the album you are experiencing is about a personal self-acceptance.

As a label and creative individuals, our team is excited to welcome them to the family and share this beautiful and intimate album with the world.

Tear Dance goes beyond the realm of v i v’s struggles with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The album, which is scheduled for a release on artists’ 30th birthday, tells stories learned so far.

You need to have “Patience” with yourself to understand the “Essence” of life and go through its “Cadence”. That’s why those three songs are placed in that manner in the album, as intro, midtro, and outro.

“In ‘Patience’, you can hear me breathing slowly in the background trying to calm myself down. Mindful breathing is one of the few things that has helped me manage my anxiety. This is the reason why I tried to incorporate breath sounds in most of the songs, to symbolize that I’m still alive and fighting through my struggles. At the end of the song, I whisper to myself that ‘everything’s going to be okay’, hoping that I’d eventually fall asleep. “When The Lights Go Off” is exactly about that – the moment I fall asleep and start dreaming about the magical world of music. Almost all the songs on the album came from my dreams, so I thought it’d be fitting to open the album with this track.”, shares v i v.

“Time” is a collaboration with another Stereofox Records artist – Norwegian producer fnonose.

“Most of my late 20s, I’ve spent worrying about running out of time. This, of course, exacerbated my anxiety, and I kept feeling that time was constantly going against me. I definitely realized in the past year, after we were all forced to slow down by the pandemic, that time is actually on our side, and that we can all learn to calmly move with its flow. The faint ticking clock sound in the background, which used to trigger my anxiety, has now become a part of this lovely relaxing tune ‘Time’ that I’ve had the honour to make with one of the kindest, most talented producer I’ve met on this musical journey, fnonose.”

“Essence depicts how I hear my music ideas and what I feel when I hear them. Everything is stripped down. No fancy gear; It’s just me and the piano in the room. The focus is solely on the sound of the melodies. There’s nothing to cover up the imperfections. I try to capture those imperfections by recording this in one-take, without correcting anything. There’s beauty in having flaws. It took me a while to understand, but now I know how to embrace them. That to me is the essence of life.”

Album’s centerpiece is the pillar of v i v’s and it reveals the most intimate part of artists’ soul.

“Tear Dance tells a story of my younger self, who fell deep into depression and struggled with insecurities and self-doubt. Making music started off as a means to cope with my mental issues, but I quickly realized that that’s where my passion lies. Unfortunately, my family was against the idea of me becoming a musician. I ended up going the usual route of studying something “safe”, just to not disappoint anyone. I felt that I was always entertaining to make people happy, without them seeing the sadness that I’ve carried along with me. In a way, it’s a story about being misunderstood and invisible.”

Album’s last 2 tracks focus on different people in v i v’s life and how one person’s presence in your life can completely change your life.

“‘The Rain in Your Eyes’ is a song about having and showing empathy. It’s about myself no longer feeling invisible. I felt understood because someone could finally see the rain in my eyes and choose to stand in that rain with me. I learned that in life, we don’t have to go through the hard times alone. We can share our burden; we don’t have to act tough all the time. There is strength in being vulnerable, and that’s something we need to be proud about. On this track I’ve partnered with the amazingly talented Imelda Lizal, who has believed in me from day one and convinced me that I had it in me to complete this project. This album wouldn’t have been possible if it’s wasn’t for her. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Mel.

“On the other hand, ‘Cadence’ is a song I wrote for my best friend, who is featured on the track. Her dad had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and she took upon herself to care for him and spend more time with him. As a friend, all I could do is to listen to her when she vents her frustrations to me. I felt so powerless, imagining how awfully painful it must be for her to witness her dad slowly slipping away from her. That’s when this song just flowed out of me. Through her experience, I learned that your loved ones are far more important than chasing after materialistic things, that having regrets is one of the saddest things you can experience in life.”

Birds of a feather, flock together. It is a very old saying; It means that people with the same interests 'move' the same way. Fate, to some, is but a mere theory human beings adopt to try and make sense of the world around them. To others it is something solidified in the belief of serendipity, luck or good fortune if you will. Whatever the listeners personal concept of the term, the results of two musical minds from foreign lands meeting by accident is something I find difficult to believe happened by chance.

During a cold winter in Innsbruck, while snow slept on the early morning streets, something was happening between the four walls of Philanthropes’ top floor apartment, as the rest of the city slumbered. Was it the mix of caffeine, lost love and their fondness of jazz? Or simply the right time and place, that gave way to these artists embarking on this instrumental journey together? I guess that is a question for the listener themselves.

Whatever the conclusion, I’m sure you will enjoy the fruits of their musical labour during those times. Sit down, relax and take flight; let this record give you a time for contemplation, reflection and peace.

-Eugene Saunders New Musical Times

The Content Label presents an evocative album titled Mirror World by Budapest based beat-maker Kovacs the Hun. Born Nándor Kürtössy in northern Hungary, Kovacs is known for his groundbreaking album Five Finger Discount under the name Savages, and his involvement with the musical project Savages y Suefo. Mirror World features a sonic palette of hip hop, jazz, and eerie soundtracks mixed colorfully with experimental treatments and traditional musical influences. Mirror World reflects all of Kovacs’ fascinations — sounds and genres coming together on a collective surface. At times, Mirror World resembles chamber jazz — or, perhaps, ‘free jazz’ — with brushed drums, lurking horns, and cunning keys providing the backbone. Flavored drops of percussion, turntable scratches, or rhythm hints at contemporary roots, but Kovacs presents something that is outside-of-time. He stretches out on the instrumental tracks, displaying moods that move freely from ominous to reassuring. Guest artists add to this bubbling concoction. World-renowned Saxophonist András Wahorn adds instrumentation to the creeping strut of “Manimals” and “Glimpse of Hope”; The Audible One drops quotable verses on “Phoney”; guitarist Márton Süto plays spacious guitar on the worldly “The Countdown”; and the Minnesota based poets & activists, Guante and See More Perspective inject social commentary into “Long March.” Kovacs’ Mirror World is a distinctive statement, not sounding quite like anything else. The album’s ten tracks, impeccably produced and musically proficient, are an adventure in listening. Embark now on a sonic journey. The project is executive produced by Dday One and features original artwork and design by Dckne.

Limited to 600 copies. A one-time pressing with this cover. An exclusive only available at Fatbeats in the US and HHV for rest of the world. For all DJs, graffiti enthusiasts and collectors. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Non Phixion’s seminal LP, The Future Is Now, Uncle Howie Records is pleased to announce the release of a special instrumental edition 2xlp.

Comprised of group members ILL Bill, Lord Goat (f/k/a Goretex), Sabac Red and DJ Eclipse, The Future Is Now remains the group’s sole full length effort, garnering much acclaim among both critics and fans alike. Considered by many as an underground classic, Tfin boasts a production dream team that includes DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Large Professor, who had yet to appear credited together on the same album since the release of Nas’ Illmatic.

With additional production supplied by JuJu of The Beatnuts, Dave 1 of Chromeo, T-Ray and Necro, this special edition instrumental offering is sure to be a treasure for both fans of the group, as well as true school audiophiles the world over. To boot, this release marks the first time the instrumentals have been made available on vinyl in nearly 20 years!

Production aside, the LP jacket will be adorned with an overhauled version of the left half of the never before seen ‘final’ mural illustrated by Mear One. Why just the left half, you ask? Well, Uncle Howie Records will also be releasing an acappella version of the album for the first time—also as a 2xlp—which will feature the right half of the mural, making this a true collector’s edition to reel in the milestone!

This 20th anniversary instrumental edition of The Future Is Now is set for release on March 24th via Uncle Howie Records in partnership with Fat Beats Distribution.

First time, the instrumentals have been available on vinyl since 2003! Production supplied by an all-star line-up of DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Large Professor, among others. When purchased with the acappellas, both album covers will form an overhauled version of the ‘final’ Mear One designed mural, making this a true collector’s piece

2023 Repress on Black Vinyl.

The third album from London-based multi-instrumentalist, Robohands. ‘Shapes’ fuses elements of jazz, krautrock, hip hop and ambient music. For fans of Khruangbin, Yusef Dayes, CAN, Coltrane and 70s library music moods.

Shapes is the solo project of London based composer, instrumentalist and producer Andy Baxter. His debut LP Green was released on Village Live Records in 2018 and was received with much love and acclaim in the UK Jazz, hip hop and surrounding scenes.

His follow up full-length, 'Dusk’, dropped in 2019, combining soul, funk, Latin & experimental moods. It featured vocalists & musicians from around the world including legendary New York French horn player, John Clark, who has worked with Isaac Hayes, Gil Evans Orchestra, McCoy Tyner, Jaco Pastorius, Ornette Coleman and many more greats.

'Shapes' is inspired by 1970s library music and their legendary composers including Piero Umiliani, David Axelrod, Brian Bennett and co. The album builds on these influences and incorporates modern motifs, contemporary jazz/hip hop drumming styles with a nod to 1990s Mo Wax artists such as DJ Shadow. The theme for the record is future/nostalgia, mixing vintage & modern instruments and production techniques.

Much of ‘Shapes’ was recorded with JB Pilon at Buffalo Studios in Limehouse, London. Due to the COVID restrictions that changed everything in 2020, the remaining parts were recorded in Andy’s flat using a collection of old mixing desk preamps and instruments.

For the heads – ‘Shapes’ features an array of vintage snares, including a 1960's Ludwig Pioneer and a mono, overhead ribbon mic on the drum kit provided extra old school points! The kick drum was re-amped through a huge vintage bass amplifier on a couple of tracks to give it some real character. “My favourite guitar sound achieved on this LP project is a

Sontronics Sigma ribbon microphone in front of a WEM Dominator amp, which you can hear on the track 'Odysea'. The bass sound for all the tracks is a 1973 Fender Precision into an old Altec valve preamp, the one used on most Motown recordings.”