Elaquent: Forever Is A Pretty Long Time (Stream)

It always seemed like a safe bet to say that the forthcoming album from Elaquent was going to be a winner, and now that it is out in the open, I am happy to confirm the Ontario producer has done it again. In a step away from the instrumental projects he’s blessed us with over the last couple of years, on Forever Is A Pretty Long Time we find Elaquent bringing in a number of artists to accompany him. Kicking off with the lead single, Guidelines, featuring fellow Mello resident, Oddisee, the album also features some great contributions from Chester Watson, Guilty Simpson, Cavalier and Blu. The vocal tracks are mixed in with a few instrumental joys, including one of the album’s highlights, Joloff, along with the stone cold flyness of the Blu assisted, Reminisce, and the G-Funk echoes of Lottery Check, which features Brainorchestra. The album can be heard in full below and you can find downloads over on Bandcamp.

Knxwledge: Learn / Howtokope

It’s been announced that Knxwledge has a new album en route and to coincide with the news, the Grammy award-winning producer has treated us to two singles from the project. 1988 is only the second album from Knxwledge since his official 2015 debut, Hud Dreems, despite having worked on a bevy of high-calibre projects in the meantime, including TPAB and NxWorries. The album is due for release on Stones Throw on 27 March and pre-orders for the vinyl edition are available now.

Lewps Hekla: Rose Gold Ruger Pose (Video)

Check out the latest visual from Lewps Hekla, as he continues to build the hype for his new EP. Rose Gold Ruger Pose is the title track from the project, as Hekla kicks it off with some drums that would not have sounded out of place on Endtroducing, before bursting into a mini future funk heaven. The full EP is scheduled for release on 24 February, so stay tuned for more news on that nearer the time.

Blockhead: Tiny Bubbles (Stream)

A little bonus from Blockhead, with the arrival of two previously unheard tracks that didn’t make the final cut for last year’s Bubble Bath LP. The EP also features the title track from its predecessor and is available to stream in full below. You can also find the EP and the original Bubble Bath LP over on Bandcamp.

Joe Corfield: Prototype (Stream)

A welcome return from Joe Corfield, as he closes his year with a tight little EP featuring some of his new beats. Prototype comes at the end of a year out, which he used to focus on sharpening his production techniques, with Corfield promising much more new music to follow in 2020. You can hear the EP in full below and downloads are available via Bandcamp.

Mr Slipz: December Chills (Stream)

Fresh sounds from Mr Slipz, as he soundtracks winter with a cold batch of beats. December Chills is the first release from Slipz since his 2018 beat tape for Yogocop. You can stream the EP above and it’s also available on Spotify.

Yogi Beats: Jungl

Yogi Beats is due to release his new solo project later this month, following on from the visual mixtape he released last year with JPDL. Jungl is the lead single and makes for a strong introduction, with sample heavy production, including a quite haunting vocal loop. Jellystoned Park is out on 20 December, via Played Out Records. Jungl is available to stream on the usual platforms.

Evidence: Squirrel Tape Instrumentals Vol. 1 (Stream)

“Let me hear you rap on these”, proclaimed Evidence on Twitter this week, as he pushed the new beat tape that was given life earlier this month. Squirrel Tape Instrumentals Vol. 1 is a great blend of heavy drums and soulful melodies, from an arguably underrated top tier producer. As well as the digital release, which you can stream in full below, there are also limited edition vinyl and cassette versions which have been made in three different colours. For more info on all that, check the Bandcamp page.

Blockhead: Bubble Bath (Stream)

We started off 2019 with a stunning album from Blockhead and now we get to draw the year to a close with another one. While Free Sweatpants saw the NY producer uniting with a variety of MCs, Bubble Bath is a return to the instrumental world that Blockhead is perhaps best known to inhabit. It’s also a step forward in terms of his production, as we find added musical layers added to his usual brand of sampling expertise. Bubble Bath is ready to stream in full below, plus streams and physicals are also available.

Liphe: A Portrait of Ourselves (Stream)

A Portrait of Ourselves is the latest release from Village Live, as they reconnect with Liphe for another stunning instrumental project. The Berlin-based multi-instrumentalist and producer has been steadily releasing lo-fi gold for the past few years and this latest album is a beautiful showcase of his talents. The album can be heard in full below and physicals can be found over on the Village Live store.