‘If you got to pay for things that you’ve done wrong…I got a big bill coming at the end of the day’  – Gil Scott Heron

Gil Scott Heron’s album ‘I’m new here’ was released this month on Xl Recordings and has already been referred to as one of the albums of the decade! Yesss…with a 13 year gap in-between albums, one of the last few living veterans in the game has dropped a short but unforgettable Lp which gets better and better with every listen. At 28 minutes you may be wondering what all the hype is about but with tracks like ‘Running’, ‘Me and the Devil’ & ‘Where did the night go’ it may take you hours of listening to get the full scope of what the man is actually saying. Check the videos…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Powerful stuff indeed…

The album is quite different to his previous recordings and should reach out to a new generation of listeners due to its ‘electronic’ undertone. Its big sounding, atmospheric, moody and defiantly an autobiographical exposure into the mans life. The interludes reflect this and are spoken with a tone which have no regret. At present it’s available to stream from his website which can be found here.

Xl Recordings have done a marvelous job delivering the deluxe edition package and it should really be bought on wax for maximum effect. Fold out 2-LP heavyweight vinyl with beautiful pictures on the back, middle and sleeves. It also contains 2 removable and frame worthy pictures, how nice! The bonus disc contains spoken interludes, live and unreleased tracks. If you only buy one album this month make sure its this one and then file it under ‘Classics’ in your collection.

***** Highly Recommended

Doom returns with the goods on Lex Recordings with ‘Born Like This’. Production is split mainly  between MF Doom and Jake One and of course there are beats from Madlib and JDilla, Lightworks from ‘Donuts’ makes a reappearance. Partners in rhyme on this album include Ghostface Killah, Raekwon the Chef, Slug and even Kurious Jorge. Currently, Doom is on another level to his peers, while most rappers seek the limelight, the whole nine yards, Doom like Ghostface, just relentlessly drops on us his idiosyncratic blend of Hip Hop, off kilter sensibility and leftfield musings.

His flow, cadence and timing are impeccable. Doom is an anti-hero, his raw style needs no cushions, this is a rapper you either love, and if you don’t, you don’t love rap music…simple. Doom ‘Born Like This’ is out now on Lex Recordings…get it!

We are currently working on a video for the new Karl Hector & The Malcouns EP scheduled for May 09 release, we have had them play for us many times in the past and they will be returning to play for us in Whelan’s, Dublin & Cuba, Galway in May (Thu21 & Fri 22). We can never stress to people how good and influential The Poets/Karl Hector/The Whitefield Bros music is to us here at ChoiceCuts whether it’s live or recorded, it’s always dope to us. We want to pass on news of this re-release via Egon on Now & Again Records for those who may have missed out the first time round

Described on the Stones Throw website as ‘a wear-your heart-on-your-sleeve, hypnotic, defiantly psychedelic funk album that is as modern as it is grounded in the great musical traditions from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.’ We feel this sums it up pretty well and urge you to buy it as this is music ‘in the raw’, something rare in this day and age.

Out since just before Christmas, we have had this playing consistently, another excellent addition to Hypnotic’s back catalogue, tracks like Mars, Venus, Sankoffa and Fire all jump out instantly….this will be on rotation until the official LP drops this summer!
Expect to see Hypnotic get an official worldwide release through Honest Jons in May this year, this will all coincide with the eventual release of the new Gorillaz LP which they feature on with  Tony Allen, Mos Def and of course Mr. Damon Alburn..

We were in London to see them play for Broadcasting in Cargo and it was an exellent show, keyboardist Dele from Egypt 80, Elmore Judd on rhythm section and Baaba Maal on vox for good measure..and surprise surprise there was an impromptu cameo from Damon himself..

some photo’s here

expect the boys to be doing some ChoiceCuts shows in the coming months..

Click here to view the embedded video.

the classic ‘War’

A new series of projects on the Strut label..sees Studio One’s finest root vocalist and the voice most instantly recognisable on Massive Attack outings..Horace Andy plus dj/producer/remixer extraordinaire Ashley Beedle (X-Press 2, Black Science Orchestra)

The album focuses on dancehall and dubstep fusions that form fresh roots vibes for the legendary Horace to grace with his unique and harrowing vocals..

check the interviews from the studio for an insight into the project..

sly, robbie & amp

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Series 1 is Amp Fiddler v Sly & Robbie
Series 2 is Horace v Ashley
Series 3 is Mulatu Atatske v Heliocentrics
Series 4 is Jimi Tenor v Tony Allen