The Deli, Es-K, & Jansport J - Amparo (Cold Busted)

Reinforcing the global nature of the hip hop community, Cold Busted fam The Deli, Es-K, and Jansport J met in Madrid, Spain, to record an ambitious new project. Convening for the occasion of a Spanish release party for the Es-K album ReCollection, a studio and temporary home was constructed, the ‘Beat Embassy’ brand was formed, and the work began. Inspiration was rampant — collaborations with local MCs and curious visitors added weight to the project as creatives from around the world unified to create shared art. The result is the album Amparo.

The crew spent their days exploring Madrid, making new friends, setting up shows and appearances, and recording the sounds of the city. At night, work commenced in the makeshift studio as Amparo came together. Guests were invited to visit and join in the process, and they came from all over the world. Appearing on the album are Ødyssee (France), Maple Syrup (Russia), Gadget (UK), saib. (Morocco / Germany), Slim Jeff (USA), Wezt MAAD (Spain), and Jay BNDCKS (USA). And the city of Madrid is a featured guest, as well. Every song contains sounds and energy from Spain.

The combination of the creative environment and all this talent yielded a fascinating and immersive album. The spirit of experimentation is palpable, found on tracks like the cosmic jazz workout “Inner Space Travel,” the expressive sample-constructions of “Caña,” and the wistful sonic time travel of “Madrid3am.” Amparo is chock-full of vibes, and the collective journey of The Deli, Es-K, and Jansport J rings true. And it sets the table for future international excursions — the Beat Embassy plans to assemble for another recording session in parts unknown.

Morphosis (Hong Kong Ping Pong Club) – “Super chill, great atmospherics, swung drums. I like it.”
Shantisan (Salted Soul) – “Very relaxed and groovy.”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Wonderful Hip-Hop beats!”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “Cracking selection. Some real gems with a lovely vibe to the whole package.”
Mr. Bristow (Subtek) – “Real nice dusty digging in the crate vibes on this. Great stuff.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z, Nuremberg) – “A relaxed downtempo journey. Nice!”
Rusty / AGFA (Funk Weapons) – “Nice. Laid back and funky, digging this.”
Rolf Aeschimann (Openbroadcast Radio) – “Cool album. Lazy, funky, laidback grooves.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “The Beat Embassy! I like the spirit of this release, and I for sure love the beats.”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “What a fantastic story. The world needs more of this kind of global collaboration between Hip-Hop headz.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Es-K - ReCollection (Cold Busted)

Es-K (Essential Knowledge) was born in Holland, raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and currently lives in Burlington, Vermont. He made waves with his monthly Spontaneous Grooves releases, where a set of instrumental tracks are created in one sitting — 24 editions were released. Since then, Es-K has remained prolific with a plethora of self-released beat-constructions and albums for Cold Busted, including 2016’s acclaimed Passages. Es-K has a workman-like ethos of beat-making, with creative and top notch hip hop soundscapes constantly pouring out of his Vermont studio.

ReCollection, Es-K’s latest offering on Cold Busted, ups the ante with 24 evocative beat-based compositions representing a variety of moods and contexts. From the sparse, slightly ominous opener “Hydrgn” the listener knows this is a different kind of beats record. “Flrn,” for example, is deep and textural, owing influence to futuristic ambient as well as boom bap hip hop. There are also nostalgic, dream-like moments, such as the loping and exotic “Ptssm” and the mutant quiet storm funk of “Mngns.” The titles are indeed code for the elements, and the elements of Es-K’s production are just as varied. ReCollection is a chemistry course of smooth beat concoctions.

Azaxx (Tru Thoughts) – “Really good vibes. Like a meeting between Mo Wax, DJ Cam and Flying Lotus.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “Really lovely instrumental Hip-Hop beats here.”
Spike Deep (Rocka Fobic Music) – “Chilled trip hop mood with breaks. Loving it, will be using it.”
Mr. Bristow (Subtek) – “Some really nice dusty grooves here.”
Rusty – All Good Funk Alliance (Super Hi-Fi) – “Nice selection of beats. “TN” spoke to me the most.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “A magnificent selection of beats!”
Simon Harrison (Basic Soul Radio Show) – “Some heavy tracks here. Loving “Ptssm” & “Mngns”.
Andy Wilson (Ibiza Sonica FM) – “Nice nodders for late night listening. Smokers delights!”
David Bassin (Freefall – KUSF in Exile) – “Mesmerizing.”
MadameFLY (mmRadio) – “These musical fantasies swirl and flow, bumping gently in your consciousness, getting your attention. This collection rewards the vibe-conscious listener.”

Available Now From: Available Now From: Bandcamp, Juno Download, Spotify, And Apple Music.

Es-K & Loupo - Symbiosis (Cold Busted)

Transmitting crucial beats from Burlington, the Vermont-based producers Es-K and Loupo have crafted a smooth, introspective long-player for the Cold Busted label titled Symbiosis. Holland-born Es-K (Essential Knowledge) is known for his monthly Spontaneous Grooves series (where a collection of tracks are created in one sitting) and his vital 2016 album Passages. Fellow VT rhythm-wrangler Loupo is also on the rise, with a recent album on the Melody Soul label named Good Company. This new collaborative release, Symbiosis, is a brilliant meeting-of-the-minds, blending the styles of these two talents over the course of ten tracks. The result is deep and meaningful as well as groovy and ‘headz approved,’ showcasing the duo’s penchant for envelope pushing in terms of atmosphere, melody, and rhythm.

From the opening chords of “Aqua” – reminiscent of expansive works from the likes of Lonnie Linston Smith – Symbiosis sets itself apart in the realm of beat-conscious production projects. Sparkling Rhodes piano, a winding jazz bass line, and an overall pensive vibe lead midway into a funky drum part, which almost seems curiously added as an afterthought. The fusion-istic instrumentation and understated, downbeat rhythm flavor continue throughout Symbiosis, shining on cool cuts like “Road To”, the tough, slow motion stepper “Gavel”, “TwoTone” with its jerky beats and film noir attitude, and “CooLit”’s cosmic quiet storm meditation. Es-K and Loupo are onto something unique and special, and Symbiosis lays out their fruit of their sonic exploration for all to enjoy.

Monk-One (Names You Can Trust / Wax Poetics) – “A Very well-crafted downtempo full length. Overall flow and musicality is on point.”
Kid Loco (Flor) – “Quite smooth and good.”
Adam Warped (Whiskey Pickle) – “Lovely spaced out dopeness!”
Stereo 77 (Plimsoll Records) – “Very nice late-night headphone grooves.”
DJ Nartak (Nightflight & Klassik Lounge shows) – “Excellent stuff. Musically advanced, nice laid back vibes.”
The Funk Hunters (Westwood Recordings) – “This is LUSH! Love it.”
DJ T-Bird (Los Chicos Altos) – “Laid back bump for rooftops & bars.”
Cyprien Rose (Houz-Motik blog) – “Relaxed to the max, good summer vibes.”
Ket Shah / Mucho Soul (Mucho Soul Radio Show) – “This is very good!”
DJ Friction (Bodymovin) – “Real tasty beats & instrumentals. I dig it a lot.”
Eric Tchaikovsky (Night Light Sound System) – “Fantastic Release. All of the tracks are brilliant.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Juno Download, iTunes, And Spotify.

Es-K - Passages (Cold Busted)

​​Es-K (Essential Knowledge) was born in Holland, raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and currently lives in Burlington, Vermont. He starting seriously making beats as a teenager, with his first release coming out on the Cold Busted label in 2011. ​​Es-K is also known for his monthly Spontaneous Grooves releases, where a set of instrumental tracks are created in one sitting, the result being truly 'spontaneous' and diverse. This exemplifies Es-K's prolific and workman-like ethos of beat-making, with creative and top notch hip hop soundscapes constantly pouring out of his Vermont studio.
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​​Passages is Es-K's latest release for Cold Busted and it shows his growth as a rhythm-obsessed music producer. With guitar and occasional keys by friend Max Bronstein-Paritz and a couple of crucial studio collaborations with fellow Vermont beat-maker Loupo, ​​Passages adds extra depth and musicality to Es-K's drum mechanics. The album opens wistfully with "IEV", offering a minute and a half of instrument textures and snatches of percussion before the full beat kicks in. "Monastic" showcases Max's funky guitar contribution, "Elevation" features some deep bass line play, and "Mistakes Made" is filled with melodic layers and melancholic moods. These are just some of the highlights from this twelve track album … Es-K satisfyingly goes beyond the beats throughout.

Kid Loco - “Great beats and moods.”
Poldoore (Cold Busted / Chinese Man Records) - “These beats are dope!”
Shantisan (Salted Soul / One Note Samba) - “This release appears to create a new style: cinematic downbeat. Nice.”
Tim “Love” Lee (Tummy Touch) - “It’s a goodie!’
Rory Hoy (Howlin' Records / Super Hi-Fi) - “Beautiful tunes.”
DJ Pippi (Aluminium Records / Valenostrum) - “Ready to play!”
Stickybuds (Goodgroove Records) - “Another rad release to add to the listening crate! I love the Cold Busted label so much.”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) - “Easy downbeats … deep!”
SimonG (Deep South Audio, New Zealand) - “An excellent collection … serial sublime and slinky.”
Jon Paul Green (The Blend Radio Show) - “Awesome as always from Cold Busted … big chunky beats and blissful melodies.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) - “Deep eclectic rhythms … utter magnificence.”
Adrian Lugo (WEFT 90.1 FM) - “Nice mellow beats … snappy drums, dreamy melodies, and good vibes.”
Jay Scarlett (Sounds Supreme Radio Show) - “Funky as a hot summers day on jerk chicken and grits.”

Available now from Bandcamp, Beatport, iTunes, and Spotify.