New Joint – Clew Rock

Clew Rock – “Wind Chillz” (@ClewRock / 2012)

Hazy, horn-laced Ro Knew-produced track from the Chicago emcee.

52 Best Albums & EPs Of 2012 (Part Three) – Apollo Brown & Guilty Simpson / M9 / Showbiz & AG etc.

Apollo Brown & Guilty Simpson – “Dice Game” (Mello Music Group) – This Motown duo definitely weren’t taking a gamble when they jumped in the studio together to record this sureshot collection of rugged bangers. With Simpson injecting his rhymes with a slightly more personal feel than on previous material, Brown ensured his beats matched the tone of the Detroit emcee’s verses perfectly, whether highlighting their hometown (“Reputation”) or pondering the future (“How Will I Go”).

Grand Papa Tra – “Lost In New York” (GrandPapaTra.BandCamp.Com) – Not one for adhering to today’s digital norm of emailing tracks and verses back and forth to complete a project, Swiss producer Tra wanted a more authentic recording experience, so made the trip to NYC to put together this collection of East Coast-influenced cuts with the likes of Sadat X, Mic Geronimo and Royal Flush.

Prose – “Back In The Habit” (Boom Bap Professionals) – Following-up two impressive albums, “Force Of Habit” (2010) and “The Dark Side Of The Boom” (2011), UK emcee / producer partnership Efeks and Steady Rock remained true to their underground roots on this quality EP which featured the witty old-school tribute “The Class Of ’94″.

Fraction & Fresh Kils – “Extra Science” (Math Music Productions) – This album could easily never have happened considering it was a chance encounter at a Toronto Hip-Hop event that led to this Canadian duo teaming-up for this release. Thankfully, the rap gods were obviously smiling on that fateful day, which in turn led to underground fans being blessed with an accomplished, polished display of musical brilliance steeped in soulful, jazzy vibes and masterful lyricism.

Union – “Analogtronics” (Fat Beats) – A mind-bending mix of 80s-style synths, Dilla-influenced beats and space-age imagery, Paris-based producers OJ and Gold delivered a truly unique sonic experience with this collection of intergalactic funk, taking listeners on an epic musical journey amongst the stars with the likes of Talib Kweli, MF Doom and Roc Marciano on-hand to lyrically moonwalk across their sci-fly soundscapes.

Casual & J Rawls – “Respect Game Or Expect Flames” (Nature Sounds) – An unexpected but welcome collaboration, the cocky, Oakland drawl of Hiero’s Casual was the perfect fit for veteran Ohio-based producer Rawls’ well-crafted beats on this thoroughly entertaining album.

M9 – “Magna Carta” (M9Ether.BandCamp.Com) – Easily one of the most gifted lyricists in the present-day rap game, London’s Melanin 9 filled his heavily-anticpated “Magna Carta” project with intricately woven verses packed with gritty street knowledge, political opinion and social commentary. Edutainment, indeed.

Gensu Dean – “Lo-Fi Fingahz” (Mello Music Group) – Texas-based producer Dean celebrated his love of his trusty SP 1200 sampler by using it to craft a quality selection of true-school neck-snappers on this album which featured the likes of Brand Nubian, Large Professor and Count Bass D.

Heavy Links – “The Essence” (HeavyLinks.BandCamp.Com) – Midlands, UK trio Habitat, El Tel and Donnie Propa released their third EP project which, following a successful appearance at September’s Boom Bap Hip-Hop Festival, raised the crew’s profile and widened the audience for their brand of good ol’ fashioned homegrown rap.

Showbiz & AG – “Mugshot Music: Preloaded” (DITC Records) – Released as a free warm-up for “Mugshot Music” proper, this might not have been considered an official album by the Bronx duo, but it was definitely much more than just a mixtape. Featuring some of Show’s best production in recent times and typically self-assured bars from Andre The Giant, “Preloaded” probably wouldn’t have left fans unsatisfied even if it had been the pair’s only 2012 release.

Ryan Proctor

Part Four coming soon – check Part One and Part Two.

52 Best Albums & EPs Of 2012 (Part One) – Roc Marciano / Mystro / House Shoes etc.

With 2012 almost out the door, it’s about that time for magazines, websites and blogs to take the customary look back over the last twelve months to highlight those releases most worthy of recognition for really hitting the sonic bullseye during the course of the year.

Whilst the usual debates concerning the state of Hip-Hop have continued to rage on street corners, social media sites and everywhere else music fans may congregate, inbetween the vast amount of mediocre and downright terrible music that’s come from the mainstream / underground rap worlds during 2012, there’s also been a decent number of impressive album and EP releases from various corners of Planet Rock which have all delivered in terms of quality, creativity and overall dopeness.

As I always say when putting a list like this together, the projects and artists included in this 2012 round-up aren’t the only names and releases that were worth checking over the last year, but they are the ones that spent the most time booming out of my headphones and speakers.

So, in no particular order…

Roc Marciano – “Reloaded” (Decon) – With the release of 2010′s “Marcberg” album transforming Strong Island’s Roc Marciano from respected underground emcee to Hip-Hop cult hero, the former UN member refined his Rotten Apple sound even further on this sophomore solo shot, delivering a relentless barrage of vivid wordplay over melodic, minimalist production.

Nas – “Life Is Good” (Def Jam) - Arguably Queensbridge’s favourite son’s most cohesive and consistent body of work since 1994′s timeless “Illmatic”. Nas might not have chalked-up another universal classic with his latest album, but he did sound more comfortable in his own skin on this project than he has done in a long time, as he reminisced about 90s New York, dealt with parental responsibility and reflected on his recent marriage problems.

Mystro – “Mystrogen” (Don’t Bizznizz) – Having started 2012 amidst rumours of retirement, veteran London emcee MysDiggi laid any such talk to rest with the release of his long-awaited debut full-length, lacing a varied selection of up-beat production from the likes of Mr. Thing and Black Einstein with his witty verses, leftfield life observations and sharp humour.

DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles – “Kolexxxion” (Gracie Productions / Works Of Mart) – The infamous Freddie Foxxx teaming-up with hardcore composer DJ Premier for a full-length project was always going to result in something memorable and “Kolexxxion” definitely lived up to expectations. Bumpy proudly displayed his OG stripes, schooling upcoming artists on the rules of the game and giving his opinion on the state of the culture, whilst Premier crafted an impeccable selection of thoroughbred bangers tough enough to crack concrete.

Keith Science – “Vessels Of Thought Volume II” (Central Wax Records) – A polished collection of instrumentals from the New Jersey-based producer, this album encompassed a number of different musical vibes and emotions, ranging from jazzy optimism to aggressive boom-bap, with each track maintaining its own unique sonic personality thanks to Science’s mastery of true-school Hip-Hop production.

Apollo Brown & OC – “Trophies” (Mello Music Group) – Having built himself a solid reputation as the go-to man for drum-heavy underground production, Detroit’s Apollo Brown tested his talents to the limit by joining forces with legendary D.I.T.C. emcee OC, resulting in a quality concept-driven album full of head-nodding beats and lyrical jewels that contained enough creative chemistry to make the uninitiated think the pair had been recording together for years.

Timeless Truth – “Brugal & Presidentes” (Timeless Truth) – Steeped in Rotten Apple heritage, Queens, NY brothers Solace and Oprime39 paid homage to their city’s traditional boom-bap sound on this EP unleashed at the top of 2012 without sounding like they were simply chasing the musical ghosts of a lost era. The duo’s intense, sample-heavy style and ferocious verbal artillery kept heads salivating all year for the release of their recent full-length “Rock-It Science”.

Del The Funky Homosapien & Parallel Thought – “Attractive Sin” (Parallel Thought Ltd) – Ice Cube’s cousin has faced criticism in recent times for being just a little too off-the wall on some of his solo material, but whether it was a conscious decision or just natural creativity, on this Parallel Thought-produced project the Hiero emcee sounded more focused than he has in a long time. Backed by beats ranging from anthemic West Coast funk (“On Momma’s House”) to breakbeat-driven old-school flavour (“1520 Sedgewick”), Del delivered a potent lession in lyrical excellence that recalled the brilliance of his early critically-acclaimed work.

DJ Format – “Statement Of Intent” (Project Blue Book) – A rejuvenated Format returned to burn on his third album, pulling together musical influences that ranged from old-school New York block parties and 80s electro to golden-era greatness, creating a diverse but ultimately-satisfying musical mosaic featuring the likes of Edan, Mr. Lif and Phill Most Chill holding down microphone duties. An entertaining sonic journey back to the future.

House Shoes – “Let It Go” (Tres Records) – A close friend of the late, great Dilla and a talented producer in his own right, Detroit’s House Shoes pulled together an impressive line-up of Motown talent such as Black Milk and Guilty Simpson plus a few out-of-towners (Roc Marciano, The Alchemist etc) to ensure his official debut album was something to remember. Clearly feeling he had something to prove to the non-believers out there, “Let It Go” wasn’t just the sound of a producer putting together a typical compilation-style album, this was the sound of a man on a musical mission.

Ryan Proctor

Part Two coming soon.

New Joint – Neak / Dave Bovyn

Neak ft. Dave Bovyn – “Slander” (Neak_Undefined / 2012)

Tenth video from the Chicago artist’s album “Love Greater // The Prequel” – the king of purple funk himself Prince would probably be proud of the quality guitar solo on this.

New Joint – Journalist 103

Journalist 103 – “The Foundation” (eOne Music / 2012)

Taken from the Detroit emcee’s “Reporting Live” album.

Dirty Slums 2 Mixtape Trailer – Slum Village

Trailer for the Detroit crew’s forthcoming Mick Boogie-hosted “Dirty Slums 2″ featuring Guilty Simpson, Skyzoo, Joe Scudda and more.

New Joint – Yancey Boys / Frank Nitt

Yancey Boys ft. Frank Nitt – “The Throwaway” (Delicious Vinyl / 2012)

Jay Dee’s younger brother Illa J continues to keep the family’s musical flag flying on this Dilla-produced track from the forthcoming “Lost Scrolls” project.

New Joint – Rediculus / Soul Khan / Sadat X / The Day Laborers

Rediculus ft. Soul Khan, Sadat X & The Day Laborers – “How To Hold A Mic” (Rediculus.BandCamp.Com / 2012)

Dope posse track from the Chicago producer’s forthcoming project “The Morning After - 2012 Remixed And Revisited”.

New Joint – Elzhi / Sourface

Elzhi – “Deep – Sourface Remix” (@SourfaceUK / 2012)

The UK producer gives the remix treatment to this favourite from the Detroit emcee.

New Joint – Yoshi

Yoshi – “Listen Up” (YoshiRaps.BandCamp.Com / 2012)

The Michigan emcee drops some new visuals for this track from his impressive 2009 album “The Talent Show” which is now available as a free download on the artist’s BandCamp page.

New Joint – Thaione Davis

Thaione Davis – “Hypnotize” (ThaioneDavis.Com / 2012)

Rashid Hadee-produced track from the Chicago emcee’s album “The Joys Of Life & Pain”.

New Joint – Simeon Viltz & Mulatto Patriot / Pugs Atomz

Simeon Viltz & Mulatto Patriot ft. Pugs Atomz – “Once Again” (MPTracks.Com / 2012)

Organic, funky vibes from the Chicago duo’s forthcoming collabo album “Ray Elementary”.

Showin’ Respect – Denizen Kane (Typical Cats)

Typical Cats member Denizen Kane performs an acapella tribute to a lost friend entitled “Broken Psalm (For John Vietnam)” at the recent release party for the Chicago crew’s new album “Typical Cats 3″.

New Joint – The OL’ Days

The OL’ Days – “The Old Days” (TheOLDays.BandCamp.Com / 2012)

The Chicago duo reminisce on simpler times with this breezy feel-good track.

New Joint – House Shoes / SelfSays / Fat Albert Einstein

House Shoes ft. SelfSays & Fat Albert Einstein – “Roller Coaster” (Tres Records / 2012)

Taken from the Detroit champion’s recent album “Let It Go”.

New Joint – Visual

Visual – “Pimps Don’t Run” (ISeeItAll.Com / 2012)

The Chicago emcee tackles rap stereotypes on this track from his “Hello Hip-Hop” mixtape.

New Joint – Infinito 2017

Infinito 2017 – “Power Of The (Quality In Quantity)” (Infinito2017.BandCamp.Com / 2012)

Mixx Massacre-produced track from the forthcoming “Quality In Quantity” album which is incredibly the Chicago emcee’s seventy-fifth album under that name.

New Joint – MHz Legacy

MHz Legacy – “Gone” (Man Bites Dog Records / 2012)

Surock-produced track from the veteran collective’s forthcoming self-titled album which features Oh No, Ill Bill, Slaine and more.

New Joint – Typical Cats

Typical Cats – “The Crown” (Galapagos4.Com / 2012)

Quality video featuring plenty of b-boy flavour from the Chicago crew’s new album “3″.

New Joint – Neak / MC ADaD / Rashid Hadee etc.

Neak ft. MC ADaD, Rashid Hadee, Slot-A & Sincerely Yours – “Who Do You Believe In” (@Neak_Undefined / 2012)

Eighth video from the Chicago emcee’s recent project “Love Greater // The Prequel”.