Newselph’s released his If It Ain’t Broke, Remix It album one week ago and it’s on time for holiday playlists. It was just two years ago when Newselph’s last album The Art Of Living came out during the pandemic. producer’s ’90s hip-hop aesthetic has guest appearances from Dres of Black Sheep, Jarobi from A Tribe Called Quest, Sadat X from Brand Nubian, Chris Orrick of Ugly Heroes, Sareem Poems, Dre Murray and James Gardin amongst the rest. He reworks 10 songs from his Illect Recordings label mates and launches each one into a new rap rhythm stratosphere. Sivion’s “The Best” is removed from its creaky vinyl sample origins and is redressed in a busy funk groove. A preference for warm guitars and hard snares prevails and Newselph’s touch owes its style to R&B as well as various boom-bap heroes. The overarching sound evokes the human connectedness of a band more than a computer.  IIABRI delights and is a reminder of how recycling songs is an unshakeable standard of hip-hop. 

Producer Newselph shares “Mad Men” remix featuring Sintax The Terrific and Evitan which is Dres from Black Sheep and Jarobi from A Tribe Called Quest. DJ Just Because adds scratches to the Golden Era-esque track originally recorded by Midcentury Modern/Sintax The Terrific. Newselph’s version adds thicker beats,  a murkier landscape and the sounds of a crowd. Their collective love for New York’s prime rap era is heard in the shoutouts to Slick Rick,  the Force MDs and fat shoelaces. The single is on the tracklisting of the Canadian producer’s upcoming If It Ain’t Broke, Remix It coming out December 9th. 

Sareem Poems kicks off 2020 with “I Don’t Know” produced by Newselph. The emcee has questions about urban economic struggles, segregation and the need to observe someone’s heart to truly know them. He doesn’t present the typical politician promises of knowing all but is willing to admit he has questions around a number of issues. The duo collaborated on their full-length 88 To Now album that was released last year. 

Sareem Poems and Newselph offer “This Is Life” the second single from their upcoming album and it has appearances from James Gardin and Macklyn. Newselph’s soulful production plays host to a mini gospel experience as Poems and Gardin share their joy for everything from love to Marvin Gaye. Macklyn sings the freedom-loving refrain on the song that ends with Poems’ final words.