Slim’s Pickings 2022 Pt. 2

Following on from last week’s continued roundup of some of my favourite releases from 2022, I’m back with what I thought was going to be my final selection. The original plan was to cover 30 EPs and albums, but as time has gone on my mind has decided to trigger more musical memories from the year. Add to that the fact that the last breaths of 2022 brought us a few more releases and I realise now that I could easily do a top 40 (shout out to 80’s Sunday evenings on Radio One). So without further ado, here are my next ten choices, and as usual they arrive in no particular order beyond the sequence my memory brought them to the surface. The third and final instalment will follow shortly.

Wish Master x Illinformed: Coldharbour Tales (Stream)

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I somehow let this one slip through the gaps last month, but better late than never and it definitely hasn’t lost any of its appeal in the interim. Wish Master continues to position himself as one of the most prolific and consistent MCs of his generation, with another strong collaboration, this time alongside the equally prolific, Illinformed. Coldharbour Tales is a distinctly Bristolian album, from the title itself to the guest stars that Wish and Illinformed have enlisted for the event. Features from the likes of Axel Holy, Upfront, Datkid, Eric the Red and Flying Monk, keep the Bristol flag flying, as well as appearances from Verb T and Gee Bag, which push beyond the city walls. You can experience a taste of the album for yourself below, then head to Bandcamp for all your digital and physical needs.

Axel Holy & Jack Danz: God Comflex

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A hell of a collaboration here, with the arrival of the new EP from Axel Holy (aka Baileys Brown) and Jack Danz. The two artists move in similar circles musically, both in terms of sound and company, so this is a no-brainer on paper and in reality it hits even harder. Contributions from Badhabitz and Mr Fix only add to the EP’s strengths. You can check out a preview of God Comflex below, with streams and downloads available from the usual spots.

WISH MASTER x Illinformed – Got Em Shook/Got Em Scared ft Axel Holy

Back to the UK now, with news that Wish Master and Illinformed have an album on the horizon. They have already let loose two singles from the project, including this latest cut, Got Em Shook/Got Em Scared, which also features a welcome verse from Axel Holy. The album, Cold Harbour Tales, is due for release next month.

Datkid & Skinzmann: Sleepless in Pinhoe (Stream)

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The long-awaited collaboration from Datkid and Skinzmann was finally given life this week. Sleepless in Pinhoe is the perfect partnership, with Datty’s mettlesome and often brutally honest lyricism, sitting comfortably atop Skinzmann’s suitably rowdy production. Features come from the usual suspects, including Axel Holy, Wish Master and Wyatt Earp. You can catch a preview below and then head to the Split Prophets Bandcamp to cop a download. Stay tuned for more from Datkid coming soon.

Ded Tebiase ft. Wish Master, Axel Holy & DJ Madhandz: Queen Camel

Struggling to keep up with the flurry of releases from Village Live, as they continue to gift us gems from their new compilation album, Village Live is Five, but had to share this new video from some of my favourites. Bristol very much in the building, with Ded Tebiase reigniting old successes as he joins forces with Axel Holy once more, along with Wish Master and some supreme cuts from DJ Madhandz. The video was made by Max Kelan Pearce Productions. Village Live is Five is available to pre-order now.

Axel Holy: Let It Go

Another superb track from the new Axel Holy album, which saw its full release on Friday. Baileys Brown’s alter ego is transported into an animated world in the video for Let It Go, thanks to the ample talents of Monsta Art. The track is produced by Jack Danz, I’ve got a proper post about the album en route, but for now enjoy this video and check the full album, Wonderworld, on all good streaming platforms.

Axel Holy: Rah Nah

Let’s keep the levels raised with this next one, as the latest single from the forthcoming Axel Holy album is given life. For those still unaware, Axel is the rap alter ego of veteran UK producer, Baileys Brown, and soon he is releasing his debut full-length under that guise. This latest track, Rah Nah, is a self-produced banger, which looms up out of the shadows and gives us further insight into Holy’s world. The album, Wonderworld, is due for release on 29 May via Split Prophets Records.

Axel Holy: Wonderworld Intro

Axel Holy kicks off the run-up to his debut LP, with this introductory track which welcomes us into this new but familiar world. Familiar because Holy is the rap alter ego of Bristol production don, Baileys Brown, who has already surfaced on a number of tracks over the years, including Baileys own Still Fresh LP. Wonderworld is his first official Axel Holy rap album though, with production handled by a select few kings from Baileys’ own circles. He also handles some of the production himself too, as you will hear in this video. I’ve been lucky enough to hear the album in its full glory and I can confirm it is an album worthy of the Baileys Brown pedigree. More news on that when it drops on Split Prophets Records. The video for Wonderworld Intro was made by Max Pearce.

Ded Tebiase & Ash The Author: APEX (Stream)

It’s great to be able to share the full album from Ded Tebiase and Ash The Author with you, having had it in heavy rotation for the past couple of weeks since it found its way into my inbox. If you’re familiar with Tebiase’s 2017 Landspeed LP, then you will no doubt also be familiar with the strength of his creative partnership with Ash, thanks to their initial collab, Yeah.