4 must-listen new albums from Larry June, 2 chainz & The Alchemist, Traxman & more

This week’s releases showcase the unexpected fusion of veteran talents and creative collaborations across genres. Larry June, 2 Chainz, and The Alchemist deliver a masterful hip-hop alliance, while Chicago footwork pioneer Traxman returns with his long-awaited third volume. London’s Confucius MC and Bastien Keb offer an intimate jazz-rap meditation, and Trinidad-born poet Anthony Joseph presents an Afrofuturistic journey through jazz and spoken word.

Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist – Life Is Beautiful

The unlikely pairing of Bay Area’s Larry June and Atlanta’s 2 Chainz comes together seamlessly under The Alchemist’s expert production. This 11-track collaboration marries June’s laid-back West Coast delivery with 2 Chainz’s charismatic Southern flow, all wrapped in The Alchemist’s signature jazz-influenced soundscape. The trio’s chemistry shines throughout the 37-minute runtime, demonstrating how geographic barriers dissolve in the face of authentic artistic connection. Their upcoming Tonight Show performance signals the mainstream recognition this creative partnership deserves.

Traxman – Da Mind of Traxman Vol.3

Chicago footwork legend Cornelius Ferguson, better known as Traxman, returns with his first volume in the seminal series since 2014. Curated with Planet Mu artist Sinjin Hawke, this collection spans tracks dating back to 2005, showcasing Traxman’s revolutionary approach to sampling and production. As a founding member of G.E.T.O. DJ’z and a Dance Mania veteran, Traxman’s influence on electronic music is undeniable. This release serves as both a historical document and a testament to his continuing innovation in the footwork genre.

Confucius MC & Bastien Keb – Songs for Lost Travellers

Released through Shabaka Hutchings’ Native Rebel Recordings, this intimate collaboration between South East London’s Confucius MC and multi-instrumentalist Bastien Keb transcends traditional genre boundaries. Recorded in a home setting, the album incorporates family contributions, including saxophone parts from Keb’s relatives and appearances by Confucius’s son. Their lo-fi approach to production complements the deeply personal narrative, exploring themes of grief and temporal reflection through a unique blend of rap, folk, and jazz sensibilities.

Anthony Joseph – Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back

The Trinidad-born poet and musician’s ninth album represents a pinnacle of Afrofuturistic expression. Fresh from winning the T.S. Eliot Poetry Prize, Joseph collaborates with vocalist Eska and producer Dave Okumu to create a seven-track journey through space and time. The album weaves together themes of diaspora, identity, and cosmic exploration, particularly evident in standout tracks like “Satellite” and “An Afrofuturist Poem.” Joseph’s academic background and literary prowess inform his innovative approach to combining jazz instrumentation with surrealist poetry and Caribbean rhythms.