Russell Gunn | The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra

We are honored to announce that trumpeter par excellence Russell Gunn has joined the Ropeadope family. Russell brings a unique perspective as he has developed a deep sense of the history of Jazz while firmly engrained with Hip-Hop sensibility. The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra is a not just a big band - it is a labor of love for Russell and the players, and for over a year they have been carefully crafting the sound and the compositions that make up their new release - Get It How You Live. With a powerful sound, RKJO comes out swinging, adding in signature performances from Theo Croker, Dionne Farris, and Saunders Sermons. The record hits on July 20, and preorder is all set right here. 

‘Get It How You Live is about explaining yourself in an honest way – when you open your mouth it has to be genuine’ (Russell Gunn)

21Soul begins today, and we are both nervous and excited to bring a bunch of fresh new programming to you - first up, 21Soul Radio feeding from our Mixcloud page. Louis and Fabian are trying their hand at the DJ thing, carefully matching up tracks from the Ropeadope catalog for your listening pleasure. Check it here, tell a friend, but most of all tell us what you think! 

• Funny How Time Flies (feat. Robert Glasper & Terrace Martin) by Terrace Martin Presents The Pollyseeds
• A Whiter Shade of Pale by Leon "Foster" Thomas
• From Here: Interlude by Nate Smith
• The Torrent by Shaun Martin
• Mason's Galaxy by Mark de Clive-Lowe
• Loops by The Kandinsky Effect
• Wagtail by Notify
• New Expectations by The Fresh Cut Orchestra
• Mind Meld by The Funk Ark
• Feathers by RC & The Gritz

HUW + RXB

With album titles like Music From The Multiverse and Away From The Many, pianists Aaron Dolton and Richard X Bennett have clearly informed us that they draw from sacred places within as they compose and play their music. Recently the two connected via digital means and began to collaborate. What began as a simple track remix became a full length album of reinvention as they both found common experience and expression. 

It’s like waking up as another person.  Who wouldn't want that. It is me, but it’s not me. (Richard X Bennett)

 I found the existing structures fantastic to work against; composing, editing and then gaining feedback on the changes. (Aaron Dolton)

And so we present to you Wood/Water:  A unique project from two creative minds searching to make beauty from life's challenges, and finding that the process has endless permutations.

The mood: Reflective expression, ambient with a groove. 

Philthy is Philthy

His biography lists Philip Lassiter as horn arranger for the late Prince Rogers Nelson, but as we all know, there is alway a story behind such success. His father was a preacher, and his mother got him started with piano, but it's not about a simple gift of talent; Phil took in the world around him in Dallas Texas and beyond, humble and driven to learn from everyone he met. And learn he did, becoming indispensable as an arranger and producer as well as a sought after trumpeter. 

“Stay humble and hungry - get into the practice of admitting that you don’t have something, and then you can really really grow.’ (Philip Lassiter)

After two solo albums, Philthy has teamed up with vocalist Elliott Yamin to bring us Party Crashers - a heavy hitting funky album with horns that lunch and vocals that grab the soul. With Phil's arrangements and horns, Elliott's old world gravelly vocals, and a cast of greats including MonoNeon, Jason Thomas, Bobby Sparks, Keith Anderson, and Tommy Sims - Party Crashers is your summertime banger. Tune in and shake it, baby.