Dabbla & GhostTown: Wave

It’s been a good few years since we last heard from Dead Players and I’m sure I’m not the only one who would happily devour a new album from the trio. There’s been talk of a third installment but so far nothing has emerged. But we have had some glimmer of hope in the shape of a new video from two of the DP conglomerate, as Dabbla and GhostTown put their collective powers to work on Wave. It’s the type of music they both do best and so it’s no surprise that it turned out as well as it did, happily embracing Potent Funk’s self-proclaimed brand of hybrid rap shit. The video for Wave is out now, with stream and downloads available via the usual platforms.

Frankie Teardrop: Street Soda (Stream)

Street Soda is the latest release from Frankie Teardop, or as he maybe more familiar to some of you – GhostTown. Having found a place in many of our hearts with his production as part of Dead Players, as well as other projects like the Laminated Cakes album from Baxter and Ed Scissor, fans have been fiendin’ for something new from Frankie for a while. Now our prayers are answered, as he returns from something of a hiatus with Street Soda. The album is the result of Frankie’s arrival at a new label, which has allowed him to pursue his dream of making a producer album/beat tape, a dream that he has long wanted the chance to make a reality. A couple of the tracks on the album are from his stash, but for the most part this is a fresh batch of beats that mark a departure of sorts from the UK hip hop sounds he’s perhaps best known for on the scene. I spoke to Frankie about the project and he told me that the aim was to make an album featuring the sort of music that he’s been producing for years, but has never really had the means to showcase before. He said the influences on the sound came from US producers like Timbaland and Pharrell, alongside the garage and grime scenes from a little bit closer to home. And that’s exactly what he’s managed to achieve with Street Soda, an album that draws on cross-genre inspirations which come together in a triumphant blend that never seem like strange bedfellows in spite of their varying influences. You can hear the album for yourself in full below.

Lee Scott x Jam Baxter: Who’s Ur M8 + LP Stream

Brand new video from Lee Scott and Jam Baxter, as they kick of the official release of their album, Happy Hour At The Super Fun Time Party Dome Megamix 4000. When Lee first sent me the LP a few months ago, he did so with the warning that it was weird. I like weird, was my reply. And while it might not be your run of the mill rap album, it definitely remains on the right side of weird, complete with drunk style crooning from Lee. It features production from loads of great names, including Sumgii, Drae Da Skimask, GhostTown, Dirty Dike and Jack Jetson, plus there are guest spots from the likes of Jetson, Stinkin Slumrok, Milkavelli, Trellion and Lyza Jane. The whole thing can be heard below and you can see the video for the Dike produced, Who’s Ur M8, above. It was made by Slim Parisoo. Vinyl copies of the album are available over at the Blah store.

Jam Baxter ft. Rag’n’Bone Man & OG Rootz: Mask (Video) + Album Stream

Today sees the release of the latest album from High Focus’s resident hallucinogenics advocate, Jam Baxter. Touching Scenes follows on from last year’s acclaimed Mansion 38 album, which saw Baxter reuniting with Chemo, having scored a previous success together back in 2014 with So We Ate Them Whole. For this album he has chosen to branch out into additional production territory, drafting in some strong names – Last Japan, Sumgii, Sam Zircon and GhostTown – giving the entire project a very different feel to his previous two offerings. It all works brilliantly though, with Baxter’s imagery as dark as ever.

Jam Baxter: Saliva

Hyped to see the announcement of a new album from Jam Baxter. It’s a step away from the MO of his last two offerings, which were produced in full by Chemo, as the first leak demonstrates. Joining forces with fellow Dead Player, GhostTown, the pair deliver a solid lead single with a great video that was shot on location in Spain. Touching Scenes is due for release on 16 November, boasting features from the likes of Kate Tempest, OG Rootz fka Durrty Goodz and Rag’N’Bone Man. The video was made by Spin City Visuals.

Dabbla: Death Moves (Album Stream & Video)

It’s been a long time coming, but yesterday we were finally treated to the full release of the new album from UK favourite, Dabbla. Any regular visitors to my blog will know that I have been championing the album since its coming was announced some months ago. And with good reason because the whole project is a treat for the ears, packed with a standard of lyricism and production high enough to bring the devil himself to tears.
There are plenty of stellar features too from the likes of Rag’N’Bone Man, Eva Lazarus, Illaman, LDZ and Jam Baxter, but the main star is Dabbla who seems to be at his hungriest yet on Death Moves; quite a feat for an MC who has been giving his all to every release since his debut with LDZ.
You can stream the full album below and there is also a brand new video for the title track, produced by Dirty Dike, Pete Cannon and GhostTown. The video itself was made by Obese Aesthetics – the dons behind the hugely successful Psychoville video, from Dabbla’s previous album. You can grab digital/physical copies of the album over at the Potent Funk store.

Dabbla: Spine

Fresh music from Dabbla to liven up your Friday. Spine is lifted from his forthcoming and highly anticipated sophomore album, Death Moves. GhostTown is on hand for the production and Pose.Works are responsible to the video. Keep your eyes on Potent Funk for more newness coming soon, including a whole load of videos he shot on his recent mini-tour of the US.

Jam Baxter & Ed Scissor ft. Chester P & Dirty Dike: Cake Gang

Another sugary high from the recent Laminated Cakes album, as Ed Scissor, Jam Baxter and GhostTown deliver a fresh video for Cake Gang. The track also features the ample talents of Chester P and Dirty Dike. The video was shot by This & That Media. Laminated Cakes is available to buy now over at the High Focus store.

Jam Baxter & Ed Scissor: Excellent Donut

Kaleidoscopic visions in the new video from Jam Baxter & Ed Scissor, which was released yesterday. Excellent Donut is the first segment of a newly unearthed project that the duo have been working on, alongside producer Ghosttown, for the last five years. The full release, Laminated Cakes, features guest verses from Dike and Chester P, as well as the excellent Pipe Smoke, which first came to light back in 2012. The album is available to buy now on all formats via the High Focus store.

Dabbla: Incomparable

Brand spanking new video from man like Dabbla as he continues his reign as the happiest MC in the country. Having said that, Incomparable is a bit more moody than some other tracks on the album, thanks in part to GhostTown’s production which is reminiscent of old Neptunes material. Year of the Monkey is available to buy now.