Robert: Porridge (Stream)

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A strong introduction here from Robert, with the arrival of his debut release, Porridge. The title track offers up an honest insight into prison life and the emotions that come with it, while Rag’N’Bone Man’s vocal support lends the track an even more impassioned edge. The remix is fortified even further thanks to features from Dirty Dike and Skinnyman. Then on the B-side we have Kelly Had a Seizure, which brings in the otherworldly presence of Kool Keith. Both tracks are produced by Sonnyjim and The Purist. Not bad for a debut. The blurb mentions an album too, Orange is the New Black, so I’m intrigued to hear what that has in store. You can hear the full set of tracks below, with physicals and downloads available via Bandcamp.

Dabbla ft. Rag’N’Bone Man: Tweeters

Dabbla ups the levels once again with the latest video from last year’s acclaimed Death Moves album. Ably assisted by Rag’N’Bone Man and backed up with some solid production from Foreign Beggars own, Dag Nabbit, Dabbla once again proves his worth on Tweeters. The video features some epic animation and CGI action from Pose Works. Death Moves is out now on Potent Funk.

AudioActive: Bottega Rooms Crowdfunder

You may remember at the start of the year, I put up a piece about AudioActive, the Brighton-based charity that specialises in getting young people involved in making music. Well now they have a new mission and they are in need of our help. The opportunity to move into and develop a large, currently vacant space in Brighton has arisen, which if successful will lead to the expansion of their resources and in turn the number of young people they are able to help and ultimately embolden.

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.

Button Eyes: Nobody’s Baby (Stream)

Great compilation from genre defying London outfit, Button Eyes, as we finally get all their beautiful songs in one place. Button Eyes first came to my attention with the release of Simple Days and A Fever, back in 2013, which featured vocalists Gemma Williams and Rag’N’Bone Man – still some of my favourite work of his to date – as well Please Don’t Take My Blues, featuring contemporary blues man, CW Jones. Now thanks to Lewis Lindgren (184, Taunton Manor etc.), the man behind the music, we have those tracks alongside later releases like Chemicals and Erase Me. Nobody’s Baby is available to stream below and downloads are available via Western Decadence.

Foreign Beggars ft. Rag’n’Bone Man & Bangzy: Standard

Big tune from the Foreign Beggars family as they celebrate their 2 2 Karma Deluxe release. Standard features a killer verse from Rag’N’Bone Man – “I grew up on Task Force, Skinnyman, Rodney and Roots Manuva/Flew all the way to NY last week and heard man bump Dead Players in an Uber” – as well as some tight production from the always on point, Bangzy. The 2 2 Karma Deluxe edition is out now via Par Excellence and features this new track, as well as a selection of remixes.

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.

Gi3MO: Big Gizzy Is Boss (Stream)

A welcome return for one of Brighton’s finest, as Gi3MO releases his new mixtape, Big Gizzy Is Boss. The project is a selection of previously unreleased tracks from the Rum Com MC, including some absolutely golden features from the likes of Tony D, Micall Parknsun, Inja and Dirty Dike. There are of course appearances from his Boozetown family too, with Ceezlin, Hatter, Dan Dastard and Rag’N’Bone Man all dropping gems. The project was put together by Giz and DJ Choice. It is available to stream below and you can grab a download over on the Rum Com Bandcamp page.

Jehst ft. Ennio Lion & Mr Thing: Smoke Screen

Striking visuals from Jehst as he brings us the latest video from his Billy Green is Dead LP. Smoke Screen is one of more the soulful tracks from the album, thanks in part to the vocal contributions of the enigmatic yet familiar, Ennio Lion. Mr Thing is also on hand for the cuts. The track was co-produced by Jehst and Beat Butcha. The clown action comes courtesy of Mimbo and the video was made in association with Paragon Pictures. Billy Green is Dead is out now on YNR Productions.

Rag’n’Bone Man x AudioActive: Supporting Grassroots Talent

One of the best things about someone from an independent movement achieving commercial success, is that it allows them to shine a light on the scene that helped them get to where they are today (ego permitting). Take Rag’N’Bone Man for example. Ever since he smashed into the charts last year, he has consistently involved his friends and local musical peers in everything he’s done, from taking Rum Committee on tour with him, to playing a very active role as patron of Brighton-based youth charity, AudioActive.