Albums
January: 18 albums you need to hear this month
That's the month sorted then
Duke Hugh 'Canvas' (Rhythm Section International)
Sometimes it’s the subtlest things that bring the newness. These nine tracks by Dutchman Duke Hugh are quite gentle and unassuming on the surface, but the way they seamlessly blend so many things together is impressively unique. There’s plenty of the bassy, slo-mo stoner house South London’s Rhythm Section imprint is known for, but also gorgeous folk guitars, elegant live bass, soundsystem-testing sub bass, jazz structures, late 90s-style breakbeat-edit science, rays of Balearic sunshine and – most importantly – hooks galore, to the point you’ll be humming these tunes after one listen. On paper, this is just a pleasantly diverting bit of background music, but crank it up and you’ll realise it’s a serious artistic achievement. Joe Muggs
8/10
