US

Akokán is a Yoruba word used in Cuba meaning “from the heart,” and indeed, every song on the self-titled debut album (March 30/Daptone Records) by Orquesta Akokán feels like a heartfelt gift from the band to the listener. Assembled and led by Cuban vocalist José “Pepito” Gómez, Orquesta Akokán is a big band collective of the finest musicians on the island, both young and old. It features all-original music and was cut live to tape over a three-day session at Havana’s hallowed state-run Estudios Areito. Areito is one of the longest operating studios in the world and where important Cuban records have been made. The album was produced by Jacob Plasse and arranged by Mike Eckroth.‘Orquesta Akokán’ flexes its blazing hot mambo from the first downbeat, with lead-off track “Mambo Rapidito”: a breakneck pace, deft big band orchestrations that dart and weave, rich cascades of piano, all led by Pepito’s soaring, joyful proclamations.José “Pepito” Gómez sang for legendary groups in Cuba before moving to the NYC area in 2008, where he’s continued to perform over the past decade. Intersecting pathways in the music scene led Pepito to Jacob Plasse and Mike Eckroth. Plasse founded Chulo Records (he produced and released the Latin GRAMMY-winning Flor de Toloache album) and met Pepito through his band Los Hacheros. Mike Eckroth is an accomplished pianist, composer and arranger with a deep knowledge of Cuban music. Together they yearned to rediscover the sounds that Pepito knew from his childhood.Pepito assembled the band, with help from Cuban musicians he worked with long ago. It boasts an all-star cast, including pianist César “Pupy” Pedroso from Los Van Van, a saxophone section featuring members of Irakere, and a percussion section featuring members of NG La Banda.Then Pepito, Jacob and Mike flew to Havana for the session that began Nov 7, 2016 (straddling the U.S. election). The Areito sessions were electrifying, a magic energy not only from the historic room, but the musicians all gathered together. ‘Orquesta Akokán’ celebrates the Cuban kingpins of mambo: Pérez Prado, Arsenio Rodríguez, and Cachao. In fusing their distinct styles, the album evokes a sound straight from 1950s Cuba, and shot through with Daptone's distinct sense of soul, attention to sonic detail and songcraft.This is a fascinating next step for Daptone, which released the final album by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and mourned the loss of Charles Bradley in 2017. ‘Orquesta Akokán’ finds the label branching outside its own studios to release its first Spanish language album.

A virtuoso, known for boundary-pushing production (often fusing traditional hip-hop drum programming with sampling and live music) and thoughtful lyrics, Black Milk is respected across the industry for his unique sound, consistency and innovation. Returning to the scene amidst a turbulent political climate, the Detroit-born rapper/producer announces FEVER, his upcoming studio album. Black Milk's sixth solo rap album, and his first since 2014's If There's a Hell Below, FEVER combines pointed and topical lyrics and brilliant musicianship, including percussion from all-star musicians Chris “Daddy” Dave (D'Angelo, Adele, Justin Bieber) and Daru Jones (Jack White), bass by long-time collaborator Malik Hunter and keys and guitar from newcomers Ian Fink and Sasha Kashperko, respectively. Black Milk evolves his production style of fusing electronic, soul, rock and other soundscapes with electronic programming and live music, a method he began experimenting with on his 2010 release Album of the Year. A cohesive 12-track project, listening to FEVER evokes the feeling of scrolling through an endless news feed, finding Black Milk reporting and commenting on the world's problems with empathy, clarity, and wit. Additional vocals from Dwele, Aaron "Ab" Abernathy, and Sudie (a producer / vocalist signed to Black Milk’s Computer Ugly label) serve to juxtapose Black’s heavy lyrical content with airy vibes. FEVER releases via Mass Appeal Records and Computer Ugly on February 23rd.Black Milk explains the concept behind FEVER: “Everybody’s temperature is up right now. The whole world is on edge. This album is my take on the issues I see as the cause for the high temp, and how I’m maneuvering through it.”To accompany the album announcement, Black Milk shares "Laugh Now Cry Later," the lead single from FEVER, which examines the mental and emotional tug of war within social media. “One moment you can be super angry about something and a couple of minutes later you’ll see a meme about that very same issue or some other random event that will make you laugh. We're taking in high volumes of content and experiencing an array of emotions, often times conflicting emotions, all day and night on this social media rollercoaster,” says Black. Flexing his flow over creepily ethereal vocal samples, a frantic bassline, and restless percussion from Chris Dave, Black Milk looks into the cognitive dissonance between horrifying current events in the midst of meme culture. Premiered by XXL, "Laugh Now Cry Later" runs through a litany of pressing issues, ranging from social media fakery, varying levels of consciousness, police brutality and more, as Black Milk chants on the chorus, "I see the whole world different now/You see my whole world’s different now/You’re in the sky, better learn to fly before your spaceship hits the ground."Explains Black Milk, “'Laugh Now Cry Later' is one of the darker songs on the album and represents a shift from my original intentions of making an album with more feel good vibes to letting the darker sounds flow out of me. Of course, between our dismal political and social climate, it was hard to make an entire album of feel-good vibes. I mean, how could I?”Double vinylCustom black and red marbled vinylCollectible poster

Ras G's My Kind Of Blues is a proper sound follow up to the Baker's Dozen styled release.

Night Palms is the first compilation from Hobo Camp. It explores the vibes of Adult Oriented Rock, G-Funk, Jazz, Boogie, and Soul, synthesizing these genres to a form more loaded and laid-back (perhaps on a careless night time stroll, returning from the dispensary or watering hole, to the jacuzzi, houseboat, or waterbed). A smoother approach to funk, similar in production ethos to many classic G-Funk tracks (where producers created or sampled the smoothest yacht-rock and jazz-funk moments to create bass heavy rap), Night Palms takes it one step further, offering original tracks that return more to the inspiratory sources of G-Funk... sonically and chillingly cruising at the perfect tempo. A vibe perpetuated by perfect night-time temperatures, mist, ocean breeze, the sound of flowing water, and the laid-back grooves that seemingly accompany it under the silhouettes of California Palm.Brian Ellis kicks off the compilation with Tides, a drifting instrumental opus of melodic currents that glide and weave in and out of each other. BOY DUDE introduces the first vocal with Modern Day Confusion, a wavy, pitch-bending journey describing the mental woes and issues in modern society. XL Middleton and Ghost close out the A side with Forgot About Each Other, a mid-tempo, keyboard-forward groove, echoing the notions of dying or diminishing love, accompanied by his signature emotive driving keyboard lead. On the B side, Mat/Matix starts it off with the deeply aquatic Bay Breeze, which swings along with textured padding with an epic wet guitar solo by Liam Kevany. Moon B pours Marina Player directly into the harbor with a beautifully mutant and tranquil theme that would seem perfectly-placed in a moody montage scene of a speedboat cruising silkily along the waters at night. Jomeo Pugz ups the ante in Hidden Zone, a drum machine love anthem that describes the nerve- racking and inspiring aspects of new lust, romance, and the possibilities created between two potential mates sharing space together—yet alone. Deregulate by Elegant Borzoi closes it out with sweeping synths, loose grooves, and the subtle and sweet vocal accompaniment of Megan Doherty (of Social Lovers).This LP is dedicated to designer, artist and friend, Trevor Tarczynski (RIP). The title “Night Palms” was a recurring theme in his work, and the jacket cover was created from his archives.- Night Palms is a compilation LP dedicated to Night Palms’ artist Trevor Tarczynski (RIP)- 7 individual tracks written, performed and produced by Brian Ellis, BOY DUDE, XL Middleton feat. Ghost, Mat/Matix, Moon B, Jomeo Pugz, Elegant Borzoi feat. Megan Doherty- Cover/Jacket Artwork by Trevor Tarczynski with layout by Margaux Solano and inner label artwork/layout by Michael Steffen

The Good Is A Big God, by singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Domenico Lancellotti, features contributions from Nina Miranda, Moreno Veloso, Pedro Sá and Sean O’Hagan. Son of composer Ivor Lancellotti, domenico has collaborated with various MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) names such as Adriana Calcanho]o, Marcos Valle, Caetano Veloso and Fernanda Abreu, and also participates in several projects such as Orchestra Imperial, the +2’s (with Moreno Veloso and Kassin) and Ritmistas.A collection of re?ective samba partially inspired by a trip taken to a Brazilian national park called The Serra dos Órgãos, The Good Is A Big God frst began to take shape when Domenico was asked to take part in an artistic collaboration in the city of London during the 2012 Summer Olympics. There, he reunited with Sean O’Hagan after previously meeting during a show that paid homage to Tropicália. Before he took o? for London, Domenico sent O’Hagan a few musical sketches he’d done on guitar, by the time the Brazilian made it to the U.K., O’Hagan had string arrangements to accompany Domenico’s music. Domenico added lyrics to some of these songs once he returned to Brazil and with help from friend and label mate Kassin, and additional assistance from O’Hagan, the record was fnished. One can hear a sense of isolation and oneness with nature when listening to The Good Is A Big God. It’s the type of art that arrives in a calming stream of thought and is a much- needed respite from the rigors of everyday life.