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A stunner from Georgia Anne Muldrow – a record that makes us love her even more than before – and that's saying a lot, given the love we've shown her over the years! The cover's got the feel of some dusty old record, and many of the tunes do too – some wicked 70s soul elements that are layered in nicely by Madlib, who produced the whole set – and comes up with this great blend of older warmth and that contemporary crispness that usually makes Georgia Anne sound so great! The lyrics slide wonderfully into the grooves – and although the set's often laidback, it's got a mighty punch that's undeniable – as you'll hear on tracks that include "Husfriend", "Kneecap Jelly", "Seeds", "Wind", "Calabash", "Kali Yuga", and "The Birth Of Petey Wheatstraw".

A stunner from Georgia Anne Muldrow – a record that makes us love her even more than before – and that's saying a lot, given the love we've shown her over the years! The cover's got the feel of some dusty old record, and many of the tunes do too – some wicked 70s soul elements that are layered in nicely by Madlib, who produced the whole set – and comes up with this great blend of older warmth and that contemporary crispness that usually makes Georgia Anne sound so great! The lyrics slide wonderfully into the grooves – and although the set's often laidback, it's got a mighty punch that's undeniable – as you'll hear on tracks that include "Husfriend", "Kneecap Jelly", "Seeds", "Wind", "Calabash", "Kali Yuga", and "The Birth Of Petey Wheatstraw".

The second chapter of Erykah Badu's New Amerykah – recorded for the most part, quite incredibly, during the same period and with the same collaborators as the mind-altering, murky and righteous hip hop funk experimentalism that was Part One – some months that must be among the most dizzyingly creative in Badu's career! We're reluctant to call Return Of The The Ankh a lighter listen than its predecessor, but, it's a less dense and outwardly experimental batch in the sonic realm – the emotionalism and the head nodding warmth is at the forefront, yet she's as uncompromising and real as ever. The sound is still innovative, unique and her own on all fronts, but the songs chosen for Part Two are ones you want to approach and embrace from the opening seconds – there's not as much of a tripped out overall vibe and you don't need to acclimate from a distance – these songs pull you right in! Includes collaborations with James Poyser, Shafiq Husayn, Ta'Raach, Karriem Riggins, Madlib and Georgia Anne Muldrow. Includes "20 Feet Tall", "Window Seat", "Agitation", "Turn Me Away (Get Munny)", "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long", "Love", "Out My Mind, Just In Time" and more.

A built-to-last effort from MED, hence the title – a classic hip hop styled set with sharp rhymes and great production – straight up hip hop on Stones Throw that's straight up solid! As long as we've welcomed verses from the rhymer formerly known as Medaphoar, it's actually kind of a shock to think about it and realize that Classic is only his second proper album. It's a strong one – no filler whatsoever, with production by Madlib on 10 of 14 tracks – plus Georgia Anne Muldrow, Oh No, Alchemist and Karriem Riggins on the remaining joints. Guests include Talib Kweli, Oh NOo, Planet Asia, Kurupt and Aloe Blacc. Includes "Int'l", "Where I'm From" feat Aloe Blacc, "Too Late", "War & Love" feat Oh No, "Classic" feat Talib Kweli, "Get That" feat POK, "JWF", "Roll Out" feat Planet Asia & Kurupt, "Blaxican", "Outta Control" feat Hodgy Beats, "Flying High", "Medical Card", "1 Life 2 Live" and "Mystical Card".

Mos Def's first for Downtown after a weird few years on Geffen that saw many a bumped street date, the hit & miss New Danger, and finally, the semi aborted release of the controversial True Magic – back with a top shelf, excellent album in 2009's The Ecstatic! It may not be Black Star or Black On Both Sides, but The Ecstatic is absolutely strong stuff, and to be honest, much better than we would have expected – even if we knew he had great hip hop left in him! The beats are compelling, unpredictable, and steeped in abstract global funk that would sound at home on Stones Throw – some of the beats are literally Stones Throw, given Madlib's Beat Konducta and Oh No's Oxperimental sounds to be found. If we weren't already loving it, Slick Rick drops an unforgettable guest appearance on the the moody "Auditorium", Georgia Anne Muldrow does her inimitable thing on "Roses", and Talib Kweli rhymes on "History". Mos rhymes skillfully throughout, and with an infectious immediacy, as if he dropped records this tight all the time. Sadly, he doesn't, so this one's all the more rewarding! Other tracks include "Twilite Speedball", "Revelations", "Pretty Danger", "Quiet Dog", "The Embassy", "Wahid", "Priority" and more.

The second chapter of Erykah Badu's New Amerykah – recorded for the most part, quite incredibly, during the same period and with the same collaborators as the mind-altering, murky and righteous hip hop funk experimentalism that was Part One – some months that must be among the most dizzyingly creative in Badu's career! We're reluctant to call Return Of The The Ankh a lighter listen than its predecessor, but, it's a less dense and outwardly experimental batch in the sonic realm – the emotionalism and the head nodding warmth is at the forefront, yet she's as uncompromising and real as ever. The sound is still innovative, unique and her own on all fronts, but the songs chosen for Part Two are ones you want to approach and embrace from the opening seconds – there's not as much of a tripped out overall vibe and you don't need to acclimate from a distance – these songs pull you right in! Includes collaborations with James Poyser, Shafiq Husayn, Ta'Raach, Karriem Riggins, Madlib and Georgia Anne Muldrow. Includes "20 Feet Tall", "Window Seat", "Agitation", "Turn Me Away (Get Munny)", "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long", "Love", "Out My Mind, Just In Time" and more.

A promising EP from the team of tight west coast playmakers MED & Blu – with Madlib holding down the production – and released y MED's own Bang Ya Head label! It's one of those situations in which somewhat divergent styles meld brilliantly – with MED's no nonsense rhyme style, the always creative Blu right there with him, and Madlib delivering jazz funk backdrop and inventive beats. Guests on the EP include Black Spade and Jimetta Rose – plus one remixed track that's produced by Georgia Anne Muldrow. Includes "Burgundy Whip" with Jimetta Rose (plus instrumental and acapella versions), "Belly Full" with Black Spade (plus instrumental and acapella) and Georgia Anne Muldrow's Gee-Mix of "This Is Your Life" (plus instrumental).