La Dame Blanche - Bajo El Mismo Cielo

'Cuban singer and flautist Yaité Ramos-Rodriguez, aka La Dame Blanche (French for The White Lady), was born into an impressive musical cauldron.
Daughter of trombonist Jesús "Aguaje" Ramos, artistic director of Buena Vista Social Club, La Dame Blanche creates her very own path, with an explosive mix of hip hop, cumbia, dancehall and reggae.'

I discovered her a few months ago and this write-up is the catalyst for me finally purchasing her newest (2018) album 'Bajo El Mismo Cielo'.  I've gone back to her singles numerous times (see below), and I'm convinced her unique styles will propel her to future success.

Check her out further here:

Bandcamp

Facebook

Discogs

Tracklist

1.  Una Copa Llena
2.  Ave Maria
3.  Mentira
4.  No Da Para Na
5.  Olvidate
6.  Bajo El Mismo Cielo
7.  No Puedo Loco
8.  Dos Caras
9.  El Sumo Sacerdote
10.  Fana

Jesca Hoop - Stonechild

'Good People. Today I get to announce that I have a new record coming out and it is set for release this coming July 5th. The album's title is Stonechild. Yep... Stonechild. I have to say it's a moody little guy and she's definitely on a trip....dressed in something dark and rich. I can't wait for you to put it on.... turn it up and fill your house with Hoop.
Now there are many ways to preorder your copy here:
http://smarturl.it/stonechild

There is a very fine Dinked Edition, limited to 600 copies, coming in a mirror board sleeve, on 180g white and black vinyl, with a signed, numbered, Jesca Hoop scribble print lyric sheet, and a flexidisc featuring non-album track 'Waking Andreas'
Or if you prefer to order direct, you can head to my store, where you can preorder on white and black marble vinyl, CD, download and cassette, plus pick up an exclusive tea towel so you can dry the dishes while you listen to Stonechild.
Well, that seems enough info to be going on with for now.
yours truly
hoop
x'

Hey Douglas - Marşandiz

Hey Douglas (or 'HEY! Douglas') is a project name for the work of Istanbul based DJ, sound artist and sampler E. Yasin Vural. VEYasin produced his first album at 18 and has produced many more inside and outside Turkey, and other projects include Mode XL, with some of those tracks attracting over 7.7m Youtube views.

I first heard about him through another Turkish artist Azat, and have continued to follow his singles and mixes leading up to his newly released 'Marşandiz' (Merchandise) full length.  His music is pretty punchy and dance-club esque, but his Turkish flavor and spin on it produces a lot of interesting results.  Also accompanying his mixing and producing is the addition of live instruments, featuring Trombone & Trumpet: Ekin Eti, Clarinet: Hasan Daglar, Flute: Richard Laniepce, Guitar & Saz: Tolga Boyuk, and Guitar (Randevu) : Alper Sariogl. 

Cool stuff.  His entire album can be streamed from Bandcamp and the $7 price tag seems more than reasonable for the 10 tracks.  Definitely check out his prior releases too if this doesn't immediately grab you -- he's got a very diverse range of stuff.

Home Made Kazoku - Mainichi ga Eiga no you na Hitokoma ～Life Is Beautiful～

Home Made Kazoku ('Home Made Family') was a Japanese hip hop trio of DJ U-ICHI and vocalists Micro & Kuro, both of whom spent much of their youth living in the United States.  Most of their work is a mash up therefore of English and Japanese vocals.  From 1996-2001 they had a former member (HOZE) before their commercial success as a trio, notably gaining much of their notoriety contributing to anime themes like Bleach and Naruto.


'Mainichi ga Eiga no you na Hitokoma ～Life Is Beautiful～' released in 2002, and I'm not positive whether or not HOZE is featured on this, but I'm assuming he was as the album has a prevalent and extensive group rapper dynamic (couldn't find the features listed but some tracks sound like as many as five MC's).  They had one album released previously ('H.M.K.U.'), with the two being their only independent albums.


The group is known for their upbeat and positive stylings of hip hop, and it could be said that this album potentially sounds like a younger and more aggressive version of what their later commercial albums became; the hip hop thread ran throughout their career, but following this album there is a noticeable difference in approach, incorporating more layered pop aesthetics and singing which are all but absent from their independent releases.


This album is incredibly solid front to back, with each vocalist bringing their own flavor to the mix.  I go back to this album all the time and it still amazes me how new and different it sounds both in 2002 as it does today.


The group went on indefinite hiatus in 2016, noting that from then on out the three members would pursue solo careers.

+++++++++++

Adrift - Pure

'The wait is over, our third full-length is called 'Pure' and will be out next spring via Temple of Torturous (Valborg, Imperial Triumphant, Atavismo).
Full-track previews, official release date, pre-orders and shows in support of 'Pure' will be announced very soon, stay tuned!"


Really excited for this new release from Spain's Adrift (or adrift), crazy to realize that their 2nd album 'Black Heart Bleeds Black' came out all the way back in 2012.  All they have up right now is a teaser for the album but this is one worth keeping tabs on through their Facebook for any updates, but I'll try to post their announcements too when more surfaces.

**First single "Pure" and artwork: