R.A.P. Ferreira ft. Hemlock Ernst: mythsysizer instinct

November will beckon in the latest album from R.A.P. Ferreira, as he continues to merge the forces of hip hop and poetry into his own distinct sound. mythsysizer instinct is the first peek we have at the new album, with the song featuring vocal assistance from Hemlock Ernst, as well as production from the ever reliable, Kenny Segal. The album, 5 to the Eye with Stars, is up for pre-order now via Bandcamp.

Fatlip & Blu ft. Hemlock Ernst: Good For The Soul

Superb drop here via Fat Beats, as Fatlip and Blu release a surprise new single, Good For The Soul. The track emerged last week, along with hints that a full-length project from the duo might also follow shortly. On this particular joint, Blu and Fatlip have secured a valuable guest spot from Hemlock Ernst. The vocal and instrumental versions are available to download now via Bandcamp.

Hemlock Ernst & Kenny Segal: Back At The House (Stream)

Another successful collaboration for Kenny Segal, following on from his joint venture with billy woods back in March. This time the LA-based producer is lending his craftsmanship to Hemlock Ernst, the rap alter-ego of Future Islands frontman, Samuel Herring, resulting in 11 tracks of intriguing and often introspective hip hop. Back At The House is out now on Ruby Yacht and you can stream it in full below.

Mister and Curt Cataract: Approaching Land (Stream)

Finally, after 12 years of planning and brewing, the new album from Mister and Curt Cataract has been given life. What began as a series of friendly music related exchanges on MySpace, has now evolved into a fantastic full-length project, stretching across the breadth of the Atlantic. I already shared one of the tracks from the album last month, the excellent title track featuring Hemlock Ernst and I am pleased to confirm that the rest of the album follows in the same vein. As well as the stellar appearance from Ernst, there are also equally strong features from the likes of Chris Orrick, MysDiggi and Oliver Sudden. Cataract’s beats are sublime throughout and in Mister he appears to have found the ideal voice for his production. The album is available to stream in full below and there are plenty of physicals to cop over on Bandcamp, including a vinyl edition.

Blockhead: Free Sweatpants (Stream)

Blockhead has been a favourite producer of mine ever since I first heard his work with Aesop Rock on Labor Days. Over the years he has maintained a steady stream of solid solo releases – Music by Cavelight and Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book, being two personal favourites – as well as some excellent production credits for some equally excellent rappers. The one thing I have always wanted to hear from him though was a production album, featuring loads of good MCs rapping their asses off, which is exactly what the New York producer delivered today.
Following on from last year’s Funeral Balloons – his debut release on his new label home, Backwoodz Studioz – Free Sweatpants merges quintessential Blockhead instrumentals, with plenty of strong features from a whole host of talented writers. As if it’s not enough having Tree, Hemlock Ernst, Aesop Rock, Armand Hammer, Homeboy Sandman, Vic Spencer and Marq Spekt involved, Blockhead kicks off the album with a track featuring Open Mike Eagle, billy woods AND Breeze Brewin. The result is as good as you would hope for and more. I spent years waiting for this album to happen and I am happy to be able to say it has surpassed all my expectations. Free Sweatpants is available to stream in full below and you find downloads over on Bandcamp.

Mister & Curt Cataract ft. Hemlock Ernst: Approaching Land

Here comes a video that I’ve been criminally sleeping on, but one that I want to avoid you making the same mistake with, as the full project release date draws nearer.
UK producer, Curt Cataract, teams up with Detroit MC and Passalacqua affiliate, Mister, for Approaching Land. The video above is for the titular track, which also features Hemlock Ernst aka Samuel T Herring (Future Islands) and makes for a fine example of what to expect from the full project, which is due for release on 1 March on Cold Rhymes Records.