Ill Doots

We love Philly, and we love humans that work for the greater good in a collaborative way. Ill Doots are just that; they share a common place, culture, and similar ideology, and they transcend the term collective in an open source, dynamic community of artists, educators, and musicians. They are from many places, assembled in the great city of Philadelphia, with a shared emphasis on the value of the process rather than the product. With an open flow like this, it is natural that the output takes varied forms. From theater to education to live and recorded music. And so it is that Ill Doots bring their new self-titled album to the world via Ropeadope on July 27th. Check out the first revealed track featuring Ron Draper and Anwar Marshall right here. 

“The movement is about more than the group. It is about the community. It is about living life to the fullest, the way it should be lived, whatever that may entail. Musicians, artists and other creative people are encouraged to join in the lifestyle. “ILL” stands for “I Love Living.” (Jump Magazine)

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.