Wednesday Roundups #9: 10 Albums/EPs You Should Listen to In Your Spare Time
We're back for our ninth roundups.
Welcome back to Shatter the Standards!
The ninth 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. B. Cool-Aid, Larry June & The Alchemist, Maysa, Morgan James, Ric Wilson, 38 Spesh, Justin Garner, Tasha Angela, Mychelle, and Estee Nack & V Don were among 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!
B. Cool-Aid — Leather Blvd (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
B. Cool-Aid, comprising rapper Pink Siifu and producer Ahwlee, presents a more intricate and multi-dimensional experience in Leather Blvd, their first full-length album since the 2017 LP BRWN. This transcends the typical expectations of a "duo album." Collaborating with DJ Harrison, the frontman of the jazz/hip-hop ensemble Butcher Brown, they create unique, live-instrument compositions to which Ahwlee adds his signature sample-rich touch. A diverse array of vocalists joins them, from pioneers to contemporaries, such as Ladybug Mecca from Digable Planets, V.C.R, Liv.e, MoRuf, Denmark Vessey, Quelle Chris, Nita Darling, Big Rube of Dungeon Family, Jimetta Rose, Devin Morrison, Foushée, and more. The outcome is a sumptuous, collective album that delicately balances jazz rap and neo-soul influences. While paying homage to the '90s-era albums that inspired B. Cool-Aid, Siifu, Ahwlee, and their talented comrades succeed in crafting a distinct sound.
Larry June & The Alchemist — The Great Escape (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
San Francisco-based rapper Larry June has gained traction rapidly in recent years, boasting a prolific collection of albums, mixtapes, and EPs that would challenge anyone to keep count. For the first time, Larry and Alchemist have teamed up for a full-fledged project, showcasing their undeniable chemistry. With Alchemist's smoky, mesmerizing beats, Larry complements the vibe with effortlessly relaxed verses, perfectly in sync. The Great Escape is another stellar entry in Alchemist's seemingly unending series of exceptional albums produced solely by him. It has the potential to attract new fans to Larry as well. This album is an excellent starting point for those who have yet to explore his extensive discography.
Maysa — Music for Your Soul (R&B) [Listen]
Hailing from Baltimore, the Grammy-nominated Jazz/Soul songbird Maysa has unveiled her eagerly anticipated 14th solo studio record, Music for Your Soul, under her Blue Velvet Soul imprint. This 19-track collection boasts collaborations with Kirk Whalum, Noel Gourdin, Frank McComb, and Chris Walker. Featured singles include I Don't Mind, Whatever, a rendition of Stevie Wonder's Make Sure You're Sure, and Just Stay. Additionally, the album contains fresh interpretations of Phyllis Hyman's You Know How to Love Me, and Brenda K. Starr's I Still Believe.
Morgan James — Nobody’s Fool (R&B) [Listen]
Morgan James has unveiled Nobody's Fool, an R&B record with a 90s flavor, showcasing collaborations with renowned artists such as Raphael Saadiq, Memphis sax virtuoso Lannie McMillan, producer/songwriter duo Sam Watters and Louis Biancaniello, three-time GRAMMY-nominated songwriter Ryan Shaw, and Doug Wamble—Morgan's longtime musical partner and spouse.
Ric Wilson, Chromeo & A-Trak — CLUSTERFUNK (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
Ric Wilson, Chromeo, and A-Trak have joined forces to create a new endeavor called CLUSTERFUNK. A-Trak, the Canadian DJ, introduced Chromeo, his fellow Montrealers, to Ric Wilson's music during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Motivated by contemporary social movements, the artists collaborated with the Chicago-based rapper in California to produce a project infused with socialist and communist themes, blending funk, soul, and hip-hop. King Louie, Felicia Douglass from Dirty Projectors, Stic.man of Dead Prez, Kiéla Adira, and Mariame Kaba. are featured on the project.
38 Spesh — Gunsmoke (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
38 Spesh ignites the fire with his latest EP, Gunsmoke, consisting of eight tracks. Hailing from Rochester, New York, the rapper kicks off the project with Outside, featuring Harry Fraud and Flee Lord, then sustains the momentum with Dark & Grim and Crowned King. Ransom lends a hand on Randolph & Mortimer, and Che Noir supports 38 on Chris & Snoop. Additional appearances include Klass Murda and the late Fred The Godson.
Justin Garner — A Man and His Vices (R&B) [Listen]
Justin Garner released his debut album, A Man and His Vices, which is three years in the making, via his Twitter page. He stated, “We suffer primarily not from our vices or our weaknesses, but from our illusions. We are haunted, not by reality, but by those images we have put in their place.”
Tasha Angela — Who I Am (R&B) [Listen]
Vocalist Tasha Angela presents her ten-track collection titled Who I Am. The audience is initially guided through familiar terrain with the preview singles Love Is My Condition and Space and Time, then exploring new music that reveals her artistic development and depth. Embracing vulnerability and crafting a relatable love story, Tasha Angela addresses relationships with oneself and others as a recurring theme throughout the album.
Mychelle — It’s Not You, It’s Me - EP (R&B) [Listen]
Hailing from Hackney, R&B/Soul vocalist, composer, and guitarist Mychelle has unveiled her latest EP, It's Not You, It's Me, under Jorja Smith's independent label FAMM. The intrinsically poignant and moving EP offers a glimpse into Mychelle's self-perception. Throughout the five tracks, she documents her internal struggles with self-esteem, arising from emotionally draining friendships and romantic experiences.
Estee Nack & V Don — BRAP (Born Rewards & Penalties (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
As anticipated, Estee Nack and V Don have delivered their joint album, BRAP (Born Rewards & Penalties). With V Don responsible for the entire production, the 11-track release includes guest contributions from The Hidden Character, Primo Profit, Rigz, and Eto. Please give it a listen above, and be sure to add the project to your preferred streaming platform.
Bonus: Royce da 5’9” — The Heaven Experience - EP (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
As the Allegory, Royce da 5'9"'s prior album, celebrated its third-anniversary last month, the renowned Detroit wordsmith resurfaces with The Heaven Experience, his third EP. Entrusting the production helm to industry veterans, Royce focuses on ascending the lyrical ladder, elevating his status further within the echelons of Motor City's finest.
Bonus: Zelooperz — Microphone Fiend (Hip-Hop) [Listen]
The unconventional Motor City lyricist, Zelooperz, veered into an R&B/soul-tinged direction with 2022's Get WeT.Radio, followed by the concise Might Not Make It EP in January. Now, he's back with his most comprehensive work since Van Goghs, the album Microphone Fiend. A collaboration-rich endeavor, it features multiple tracks produced by Dilip, 454, Chuck Inglish, Zelooperz himself, and more. The project hosts a trio of guest appearances, including Young Coco, 454, and R&B vocalist Jessie Robbie.
Bonus: London Brew — London Brew (Jazz) [Listen]
Owing to the genre's penchant for spontaneity and reinterpretation, jazz compositions seldom remain unaltered. Countless exceptional jazz recordings have emerged as reactions or adaptations to the works of others, and that's precisely the approach London Brew has taken with their eponymous debut album. This ensemble comprises some of the UK jazz scene's most luminous talents—including Nubya Garcia, Shabaka Hutchings, Tom Skinner, Theon Cross, Dave Okumu, Benji B, and others. While drawing inspiration from Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, the album is also a reflection of London itself—its ingenuity and its challenges. Far from being a covers or tribute album, this entirely fresh creation (peppered with some Miles samples) perpetuates the essence of one of Miles' most cherished pieces.