RJD2: The Colossus – 2010 – Album review

RJD2: The Colossus – 2010 – Album review
HIGHLIGHTS: The Glow
SOUNDBITE: “Ain’t no time for pride these days”
RATING: 2.5/5
This week’s guest album review style comes courtesy of gratuitously offensive print mag Heat although, because their music review format is actually quite dull, we’re using their film review format instead to take a closer look at the latest full-length effort from RJD2. Or Ramble John Krohn as his mum knows him……READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

BASEMENT FREAKS: 'Disco Life' EP released 22 February 2010

BASEMENT FREAKS: Disco Life EP -
Big G’s back and he’s used the ‘D’ word! Despite this, the EP’s not as disco as you might fear. Then again, if you actually like disco, it might not be as disco as you hope. Life’s a funny old game isn’t it…?
(PRESS RELEASE) Basement Freaks is actually Greece’s George Fotiadis, who…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

T BIRD & THE BREAKS: Piano Joint – 2010 – Single review

T BIRD & THE BREAKS: Piano Joint – 2010 – Single review
RATING: 5/5
The band with more members than the state of Texas continues an ongoing campaign to deliver one slice of funk every month. It’s a turnaround time which, on the evidence of these drops, doesn’t seem to be causing them any creative problems – indeed - this is the best one yet. Lest the name itself fail to provide a sizeable hint as to what you’re likely to hear, let me describe Piano Joint simply as…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

FREEWAY & JAKE ONE: ‘The Stimulus Package’ album news + tracklist + ‘Hands On’ video + free ‘The Beat Made Me Do It’ mixtape

FREEWAY & JAKE ONE: ‘The Stimulus Package’ album news + tracklist + ‘Hands On’ video + free ‘The Beat Made Me Do It’ mixtape
Back in the day it used to be so easy. When you think about it, the recipe is so straightforward it’s hard to see why so few manage it these days. What am I on about? Taking one decent rapper and one decent DJ/ Producer and actually getting them to work together of course. Jake One’s 2008 drop White Van Music was one of the year’s better hip-hop releases and the Freeway track How We Ride was one of the better tracks on it. Expectations are high for The Stimulus Package then, released 15 February this year. In the meantime check out Jake One’s bad man wagon on the Hands On video – he’s so G he rolls in a hatchback. Better than a white van though…oh yeah and have a free mixtape…READ/ WATCH/ DOWNLOAD THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

CANDICE MONIQUE & THE OPTICS: ‘In My Soul’ – LP news and tracklist

CANDICE MONIQUE & THE OPTICS: ‘In My Soul’ – LP news and tracklist
Bit too soul-y/ jazzy for my tastes (gahhh – now I said the ‘J’ word!) but hey jazzbos are people too right? Slick production and a singer with class - if you hanker for the days of Galliano and the Brand New Heavies you’d best get your wallet out innit?

(PRESS RELEASE) Candice Monique is a talented & unique vocalist, songwriter and poet whose individual vocal and lyrical style fuses…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

DJ MOAR feat. RAASHAN AHMAD: ‘Love’ + Video

Easy now! French funkster DJ Moar – i.e. he of the Tribute To B-boys breaks EP last year has hooked up with Crown City Rockers MC Rashaan Ahmad for the reggae-tinged summer vibery of…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS: ‘I Learned The Hard Way’ LP released 4 May 2010 + Tracklist

SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS: ‘I Learned The Hard Way’ LP released 4 May 2010 + Tracklist
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings are the most authentic sounding deep funk band in the world and that’s not up for discussion. In fact they’re so authentic sounding I couldn’t believe they didn’t perform in black and white last time I saw them. I Learned The Hard Way is unleashed on 4 May this year. Let’s hope that what they ‘learned’ was…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

’Wu-Tang Clan: Return Of The Wu & Friends’ released 16 January 2010 + Tracklist + Free download ‘Clap (2010)

’Wu-Tang Clan: Return Of The Wu & Friends’ released 16 January 2010 + Tracklist + Free download ‘Clap (2010)
DJ Mathematics puts together a compilation of sorts (presumably because RZA can’t be arsed) including some exclusive tracks including Clap (2010) – DOWNLOAD HERE. The question is – will it be more Iron God Chamber (which is included, incidentally) or cast iron clanger (as the free download would suggest)…Wu knows? Full press release below tracklist……DOWNLOAD/ READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

MANMADE FEATURE FUNK Vol. 4

Manmade's Feature Funk series has been a regular drop over the last year or so, with each volume tending to have a different sub-generic slant (last time round it was mostly disco-tinged) and throwing up some big bangers in the process. There have, however, previously been hints that the label has had an itch to go to the big beat/ breakbeat-house cheesefest ball and on this one…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

BREAKESTRA: Posed To Be b/w Come On Over – 2009 – 7” review

BREAKESTRA: Posed To Be b/w Come On Over – 2009 – 7” review
RATING: 5/5
So good they released it twice…must have been the thinking behind this seven inch since A-side nineties-underground-hip hop-throwback Posed To Be already appeared on the B-side of the Joyful Noise twelve inch back in the autumn where it doubly pleased the monkey by…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

FOREIGN LEGION: ‘Night Moves’ to be released April 2010

FOREIGN LEGION: ‘Night Moves’ to be released April 2010.
The long awaited third LP from Bay Area hip-hoppers Foreign Legion seems to have had its release delayed more times than Sting’s sperm but is allegedly now due in…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

SPACEFLIGHT ORCHESTRA: Step One (J-Boogie remix) – 2009 – review

SPACEFLIGHT ORCHESTRA: Step One (J-Boogie remix) – 2009 – review
RATING: 3.5/5
It’s chill or be chilled time as J-Boogie has a fiddle with trippy hippie breaks merchant Spaceflight Orchestra’s downtempo track Step One. It ambles along dreamily enough incorporating a sizeable dub-like bass line absent from the original, some highly agreeable vocals from a vocalist who, as luck would have it, happens to be named Alma The Dreamer and something a bit more iffy that might best be described
…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM

THE ONE & NINES: The One & Nines EP - 2009

THE ONE & NINES: The One & Nines EP - 2009
The One & Nines do super-tight old school RnB and I don’t mean as in ‘before Timbaland’ - I mean as in ‘before funk’. Consequently if you’re down with those Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings slow-ies you might want to check them out. Admittedly those with…READ THE REST AT MONKEYBOXING.COM