Review: Bloomy Meadows & Inkswel - The Passion (Inner Tribe Records)

When it comes to 'Synchronicities', Inkswel is pretty good at spotting them as he's done it so often and next off the rank is Bloomy Meadows along some names you'll also recognise who want to join in on 'The Passion'.

From the Inkswel/Andre Espeut album 'Synchronicites' (see review HERE) we know that Inkswel is so good at weaving  modern soul, hip-hop, broken beats, some jazz, house and more.  This project with Bloomy Meadows stays true to hip-hop culture throughout the 11 tracks.

UK hip-hop is back even if there's an International supporting cast of that's raided Inkswel's 20 odd year contact book - check this lot out; US legends Lyrics Born and Abstract Rude along with Reggie B (USA), People Without Shoes (USA), Küf Knotz (USA - who we know from 'Glow' - see review HERE), Level Mtindo (Africa), Leonard Charles (NZ), Taiaha (SA), Erin Buku (SA - who we know from 'Listen' - see review HERE) and Kultar Ahluwalia (SA).

At times it's a bit of an ode to ATCQ/Souls Of Mischief/West Coast hip-hop cool and the younger me wouldn't find the potty mouth instances irksome but that's just a small gripe as these guys are more than passionate about their art.

'Passion' is a much over used and mis-used word but not in this case. 

BUY LINK: https://bloomymeadows.bandcamp.com/album/the-passion

Artist: Bloomy Meadows & Inkswel 

Title: Synchronicities

Release date: 3rd October, 2025

Label : Inner Tribe Records

Catalog Number : ITRLTD09

Format:  Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Inkswel & Andre Espeut - Synchronicities (Compost Records)

With a cover that looks very William Morris (that's the English textile designer, poet, artist, writer and socialist associated with the Arts and Craft movement at the end of the 19th Century) [and not the plumber], Inkswel and Andre Espeut combine artistically and soulfully on the album 'Synchronicities'.

We know from the singles, 'Dangerous Times' (see review HERE) and 'Downtown Love' (see review HERE) that soulfull hip-hop beats are what these guys excel at and with their super guests Abstract Rude (Project Blowed), flautist Han Litz ('Callin' 4 U') (Ed. is there some flute revival going on in late 2024? Where's the Flutestrumental mix?), Leonard Charles (multi-instrumentalist/producer) and between them, 'Synchronicities' is an album of eight tracks that fuses modern soul (sometimes R&B), hip-hop, broken beats, some jazz, house and more.

We first came across Inkswel at the time of fellow antipodean invasion to Europe of Fat Freddie's Drop, The Black Seeds, Joe Dukie et al and twenty years on, the synchronicisation with London based Andre Espuet (pronounced 'Esporr') gives this project a fusion that's like a Fat Freddie's Drop as the song writing is very heartfelt and crosses the pop boundary like 'Yesterday's Gone', 'Uprinsing' and the most FFD, 'Street Soul' and 'Play With Fire'.

I don't know what coincidential occurance happened to create 'Push N Pull (Synchronicites)' but I think the this is the peak of the meeting of the musical minds; shame about the 'sharp' ending.

Obviously comparisons with Inkswel's past collaborations with Colonel Red (see 'Holders Of The Sun' review HERE) or further back to his more hip-hop rooted 'Super Foods' release (see review HERE) that included some of the big name acts that are still get us excited now like DJ Nature, Linkwood and Tom Noble (who has just released his long awaited album, 'House Of Spirits' - see review HERE).

I wonder at the timing of the release as it seems more summer sound but at least it will keep us going through the winter months.

PS. Props to PECUE for the artwork and recommend a vist to the William Morris Museum, Forest Road, Walthamstow, London E17.

Artist: Inkswel & Andre Espeut

Title: Synchronicities

Release date: 29th November, 2024

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT6044

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Inkswel & Andre Espeut - Downtown Love feat. Abstract Rude (Compost Records)

This ain't rude, it's focused 'Downtown Love' with Abstract, Inkswel and Andre Espeut.

I said in the review of the single, 'Dangerous Times' (see review HERE) that, "this pair are perfect partners to sooth us with this modern soul room and the album, 'Synchronicites', indicates how well these two pair up." Well, you know the old saying that two's company, three's a crowd?  Not in this case when Inkswel and Andre Espeut are joined by West Coast rapper 'Abstract Rude'

Mr. Rude, aka Aaron Pointer, is either best know for his work on Netflix or back in the day with the Freestyle Fellowship members Aceyalone & Myka 9 or even DJ Vadim on label's from Alpha Pup to Big Dada - but what you can say is, he's always spot on.

And that's the case with 'Downtown Love' a bouncey soul track that's give you that uptown feeling.

Really looking forward to hearing this new album coming out on the 29th November.

Artist: Inkswel & Andre Espeut

Title: Downtown Love feat. Abstract Rude 

Release date: 8th November, 2024

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT6044 / Digital / Bandcamp