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.

saib. - Jet Set (Cold Busted)

Cold Busted has unveiled the latest offering in the vintage-style Jet Set 7” series. This time it’s from saib., the Moroccan beat-smith behind the exquisite albums Sailing and Around The World. Mixing tempered hip hop beats with jazzy vibes and a lounge sensibility, saib. touches on a style that’s both chill and opulent — fitting for the nostalgic vacation vibe of Jet Set.

The bossa nova flavors of “Brazilero” open the single as we calm our nerves with a tropical drink. The title cut then transports the listener through an airport lounge and straight into a groovy seat in first class. Dreams are another form of travel and “Lady Jane” captures that perfectly with its soft vocal, soothing guitar, and rolling beats. And “Jazzy” closes out Jet Set, signaling a cool touchdown and arrival as sax riffs serenade and crisp rhythms vibrate. Another smooth journey from saib. airlines!

Apostolos Argyris (The Zuzu Club) – “Sunny and refreshing. Just what we need for the summer.”
Al Patterson (Vinyl Athletes) – “I love the feel of this record. Very smooth and heavy at the same time.”
Ohmega Watts (Ubiquity Records) – “Been a fan of saib.’s jazz tinged, mellow tracks for a while now. This Cold Busted series is a welcomed early bday gift!”
Qdup (Fort Knox Recordings) – “Love the laid back beats that make my head nod. Good tunes!”
Michael Moebus (Meem) – “Nice tropical lounge flavors.”
DJ Junior (Eavesdrop Radio WKDU) – “Needed this vibe soooo bad!”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “The nu fused with original beats. We love it!”
Mr. Goju (Migrations Radio Show) – “With Mr. saib. there is no failure!”
David Bassin (Freefall show on KUSF in Exile) – “Where’s my cocktail?”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “A producer who never disappoints. Jet Set is another seriously strong release from saib.”

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

saib. - Sailing (Cold Busted)

Cold Busted has navigated the smooth seas to unearth Sailing, the new album from Moroccan guitarist and beat-flinger saib. With acclaimed releases for Cult Classic Records and Japan’s Introducing! label as well as his 2016 long-player Around The World for Cold Busted, the Casablanca-based producer has steered his sound into warmer waters. Mixing tempered hip hop beats with jazzy vibes and a lounge sensibility, saib. touches on a style that’s both chill and opulent. The album’s opener, “Archipelago,” sets the scene with gentle piano, swirling strings, and beachside sounds that would make Martin Denny proud. “Tropics” pushes the agenda further, featuring delightful vibraphone lines, stand-up bass, and boom bap beats, providing the perfect soundtrack for poolside cocktails. The sleepy crooning of “Blue Memories,” the future-retro sing-a-long of “Mermaid Dreams,” and the guitar/vibes interplay of “Pastel” provide other highlights. Sailing’s twelve songs show saib. as an artist capable of bringing a sunny climate to any listening environment. All hands on decks!

Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) – “Another great Down Beat project. Lovely beats and smooth samples.”
Aja Allsop – (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “Music that simply says stop the fk what your doing and just chill people!” Robert Jan Meyer (Minus 8) (Compost) – “Great easy listening!” Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Such an incredible release - it's beautiful and soulful and will go far. Highly recommended to all music lovers everywhere.” DJ Nartak (Nightflight & Klassik Lounge) – “Pretty cool sun-flooded tunes. Love it!” DJ Nova (Rodon FM 95) – “Delicate round-the-sea rhythms and beats full of Brazilian drops, cinematic and cosmopolitan jazz. You may call it yacht hip hop.” Renegades Of Jazz (Agogo Records) – “Oh how sweet and mellow!” J. Caprice (Juiced Music) – “Every tune is a hit!” Scrimshire (Wah Wah 45s) – “Plenty of beautiful moments on there. I’m really enjoying this.” Pepe Link** (Pacha Mallorca) – “Amazing album. I love the mix between 50 lounge music and hip hop beats. This is essential for my radio show.”

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

saib. - Around The World (Cold Busted)

Historically Casablanca has been known as a global melting pot; a place where cultures mingle and fuse. This quality is evident in the dazzling music of Casablanca-based beat-maker and guitarist saib., who, after EP releases on Cult Classic Records and Japan's Introducing! label, has revealed his debut long-player, the appropriately titled Around The World album for Cold Busted. These tunes showcase saib.'s worldly vibe, tied together with his intricate guitar playing which deftly keeps up with all the styles represented on the album. Hip hop beats form the backbone as saib.'s musical palette skips from jazz flavors to lounge experiments to Asian textures … and sometimes within a single track. Highlights include the dance floor stomp of "Casablanca Funk", "Don't Be Lonely Tonight"'s jazzy sing-a-long groove, the kung fu beats and gentle melodies in "Shanghai Nights", and the dreamy "In The Mountains" which highlights saib.'s exceptional guitar technique. Around The World is indeed a non-stop flight, touching down on all of saib.'s influences and predilections, creating a memorable album along the way.

Opolopo - "Nice sample work and grooves!"
Fort Knox Five - "Solid global-influenced beats. Perfect for our Funk the World mix series."
All Good Funk Alliance - "Really great release … loving all these gems."
Dr Rubberfunk (Jalapeno Records) - "Very groovy … I'm a fan of the tasteful guitar work and the production to match."
Inland Knights - "Tight beats as ever from Cold Busted."
Hippie Torrales - "Hot hot hot!"
Trotter (Royal Soul Records) - "Dope … I love it!"
Rory Hoy (Howlin' Records / Super Hi-Fi) - "Incredible release!"
Stickybuds (Goodgroove Records) - "Nice trip hop style … I like."
Belabouche (Midnight Riot / DiscoDat) - "I love this!"
Danny Massure (Spring Strut) - "Funky and fresh."
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) - "Fresh … nice atmospheres and international samples."
DJ Tomas (Google Play / ForwardEver) - "Globetrotting in every sense of the term. These international music sounds and classic breaks work seamlessly here. Even with a touch of a throwback trip-hop sound, these tracks sound fresh."

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