Wednesday Roundups #20: 10 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time

Stream releases from Drumwork Music Group, Gabriels, MELONYX, Tony Allen & Adrian Younge, The Musalini & 9th Wonder, Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon, Stu Bangas & Chino XL, AJ Suede, Little Dragon, and Grip.

Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!

The twentieth outing of Wednesday Roundups returns.

It might be challenging to prioritize your music listening when so much new music is available. Shatter the Standards provide a weekly summary of newsworthy releases on streaming platforms. Drumwork Music Group, Gabriels, MELONYX, Tony Allen & Adrian Younge, The Musalini & 9th Wonder, Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon, Stu Bangas & Chino XL, AJ Suede, Little Dragon, and Grip were the artists with new albums or projects last week. Watch for weekly music drops every Wednesday for suggestions of lesser-known albums.

Here are your roundups for today!

Various Artists — Conway the Machine Presents — Drumwork: The Album (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

Conway the Machine’s creative vigor continues unabated. Earlier this year, he graced his followers with an album entitled Pain Provided Profit, crafted in collaboration with Jae Skeese. Another solid effort soon followed this, Won’t He Do It. A compilation project featuring the collective talents of the Drumwork team was next on Conway’s agenda. The result was Drumwork: The Album, a twelve-track ensemble piece that showcases an impressive roster of artists whom Conway has brought under his label’s wing, including Jae Skeese, 7xvethegenius, Goosebytheway, SK Da King, and Shots Almigh. The album is further enriched by contributions from industry stalwarts such as Benny the Butcher, Rome Streetz, 38 Spesh, Heem, El Camino, D. Smoke, and Bangladesh.

Gabriels — Angels & Queens (Soul/Funk/Pop) [Listen]

The musical group Gabriels finally launched their debut full-length album titled Angels & Queens. Composed of Jacob Lusk, Ryan Hope, and Ari Balouzian, this record is a culmination of eighteen months spent tirelessly touring multiple cities — immersing themselves in diverse cultures and gathering life experiences that have served as sources of inspiration. This British-American trifecta has successfully disseminated their message of hopefulness and affection around the globe.

MELONYX — Soul Glow (R&B) [Listen]

Soul Glow marks the debut album release from Georgia Copeland and Nadia Latoya, who form the soulful tandem known as MELONYX. Crafted under the deft hand of celebrated producer Joe Buhdha — also based in Nottingham — it encapsulates numerous discussions between Georgia and Nadia throughout their friendship and collaborative work.

Tony Allen & Adrian Younge — Tony Allen JID018 (Jazz) [Listen]

With every subsequent release, Jazz Is Dead continues its mission to celebrate iconic musicians whose creative prowess has significantly impacted jazz music across various generations and geographies. Their latest endeavor involved collaborating posthumously with Tony Allen, who achieved fame primarily through his role as drummer for Fela Kuti’s Africa 70 band before moving on to Egypt 80. Jazz Is Dead takes immense pride in contributing to Tony Allen’s legacy — inviting audiences to delve into his revolutionary genius, which reshaped global perspectives on rhythm.

Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon — I’ve Never Really Been Better (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon persists on his gradual rise to success with I’ve Never Really Been Better, distributed under Jewelry Rap Productions incorporating contributions from U’nik Flow and Denzel Davon.

The Musalini & 9th Wonder — Don & Eye 2 (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

9th Wonder furnishes a vibrant backdrop for Jamla Records’ recent signee — The Musalini — in their joint project titled Don & Eye 2, featuring guest appearances from Shabazz Palaces alongside Curren$y, among others.

Chino XL & Stu Bangas — God’s Carpenter (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

Chino XL disciples will recognize features typical to his style — densely-layered wordplay delivered via his unique vocal style. After an eleven-year hiatus, appropriately titled God’s Carpenter, his latest output exhibits Chino at peak performance backed by Stu Bangas’ consistently raw production.

AJ Suede — Ark Flashington (Hip-Hop) [Listen]

AJ Suede shows no signs of slowing down persisting with Ark Flashington — marking this year’s third release featuring collaborations with Brainorchestra and Sleep Sinatra.

Little Dragon — Slugs of Love (Alternative) [Listen]

Little Dragon entices audiences back onto dance floors through their new album Slugs of Love, aided by guest performances from Damon Albarn and JID.

Grip — Still (5 & A F*** You) [Hip-Hop] {Listen}

Grip’s Still (5 & A F*** You) exemplifies hi’s ability to surpass previous artistic achievements post signing up with Shady/Interscope — expertly juxtaposing boom bap/trap sounds while retaining elements reminiscent of his earlier 5 & A F*** You tape sans any collaborations.