L’Orange: Durbin Was a Trap House

Another first glimpse here, thanks to the lead single from L’Orange’s upcoming album. The prolific producer has been steadily releasing collaborative albums for the last few years, working alongside a list of notable artists, but with this latest effort he is switching things by focusing on the instrumental side of his work. The World Is Still Chaos, But I Feel Better is due for release on 3 September via Mello Music Group.

Spectacular Diagnostics: Natural Mechanics (Stream)

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Following on from a couple of exquisite singles, the full album from Spectacular Diagnostics is given life today. Natural Mechanics sees the Chicago producer taking proceedings in a different direction to last year’s Raw Unknown, with a decidedly more mellow and dreamy sound threaded through the duration of the album. Heavier on the instrumentals too, although there are some superb features from Jeremiah Jae, lojii, Pertrelli Purple and Immi Larusso. You can explore the full album below and then check out the vinyl edition via Group BraCil. Shout out to Matt Littler on the artwork.

Elaquent: Bedtime Stories II (Stream)

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Elaquent returns with another fresh beat selection for us, as he delivers the follow up to last year’s Bedtime Stories EP. This second chapter continues in the same vein as its predecessor, offering up five new cuts which are all steeped in that feeling of after-dark enjoyment. You can preview the EP for yourself below and then head to Bandcamp to grab a download.

Telemachus: Wisdom of the Ancients

A nice little release from Telemachus here, featuring some brand new music inspired by Neil Oliver’s book, Wisdom of the Ancients: Life Lessons from Our Distant Past. Released last year, the book delivers lessons from our ancestors, which Telemachus says has provided him with “the perfect balm to the 24 hour news cycles of death and disease”, when combined with his ongoing reconnection with the natural world. The EP is part of a series of audio responses to literature, which collectively fall under the title, Volumes. You can hear the EP below and head to Bandcamp to check the rest of the series. For more on Telemachus’ connection with nature, check out my recent Q&A with his alter ego, Forest DLG.

The Alchemist: Water Bed

Little burst of brilliance here from The Alchemist, thanks to this extract from his recent project alongside streetwear company, BornxRaised. There is also a short film that accompanies the EP(?), made by Jason Goldwatch, who is also the brains behind many dope rap videos that have featured on this blog over the years. The full project, Carry The Fire, is out now on all the usual streaming platforms and there are also picture discs available.

Dolenz: Howzer + EP Stream

Fresh out of the Potent Funk stable, comes this new EP from London-based producer, Dolenz. You can check out an instrumental cut from the project above, and then below you can explore the remaining tracks, which include features from Dabbla and Black Josh. The cuts come courtesy of Matt Frost. Downloads and physicals are available via Potent Funk.

DIRTYTHREE: Moon Groove

Village Live continue their Live & Direct single series, with this laid-back gem from Russian-based producer, DIRTYTHREE. Streams and downloads are available now, plus there is an ongoing Spotify playlist which features all the current singles in the series.

Small Professor: A Jawn Supreme Vol. 3 (Stream)

A new selection of beats from Small Professor, as he continues his run of instrumental releases with A Jawn Supreme Vol. 3. Partly inspired by the current global mood, while also serving as a glimmer of hope for the future, it’s another solid release from a producer who deserves your attention (and money). Check the full tape for yourself below and then head to Bandcamp to cop a download.

Aver: An Ode To Joey Deez (Stream)

For those of you unaware, Joey Deez was one of the co-founders of Village Live Records, alongside Doug Barclay (Remulak). He sadly passed away a few months back, which brought a lot of sorrow to the many people within the scene who were glad to call him a friend. As well as being a hip hop fiend and vinyl junkie, Joey was also a staple part of the Brighton skate and graff scenes, and so when his death was announced, the streets were inundated with tributes. Now Aver is back with his own tribute, an album he has made which draws on a lot of the inane conversations the two of them had over the years, and some of the newly discovered breaks they would send to each other. There are also bits of new music which Aver was working on during lockdown, with fellow Village Live affiliate, Doron Segal. It serves as both a personal memorial for those who knew Joey, as well as an introduction to those who might not have had the pleasure of making his acquaintance over the years. You can listen to the album in all its glory below, and then head to Bandcamp to check out details of the vinyl release, which includes images of the AROE tribute (as above), plus a huge piece that was painted at Brighton’s legendary Black Rock. All proceeds from the vinyl sale will be going to Joey’s family.

Aver & MOVE 78: Middling

New music from Aver and MOVE 78, the Berlin jazz band, with whom the Village Live producer has collaborated with in the past. Last year they released Housecat together and now they’re back with Middling, which is due for a 7″ release on 30 October. In the meantime, you can stream it now in all the usual places.