We're just about 3 months into 2014, and the year is already shaping up tremendously well. As such, myself and Joe have decided to offload our favourites of this first quarter (as well as a couple of last-ditch efforts from December), with the second and third to follow before the overall year-end list. It's never easy to mash each of our respective tastes into one comprehensive guide, but at least it makes for an interesting list; it's actually quite heartening to see the likes of C L E A N E R S slot alongside Real Estate, or for Sicko Mobb to cosy up next to Have a Nice Life. As ever, there are a few honorable mentions to be made: Live at the Cairo High Cinema Institute (EEK), 37 Minute Workout (Russell Haswell), What's The Story? Brixton Glory (Big Narstie), Divine Ecstasy (Supreme Cuts), Beyoncé (Beyoncé), Lay-By Lullaby (Janek Schaefer) and Oxymoron (ScHoolboy Q). So, in no particular order, here is a rough idea of where we're at with 2014...


Actress Ghettoville (Werkdiscs)




Sun Kil Moon Benji (Caldo Verde)




Lil B 05 Fuck Em (BasedWorld)



Young Fathers DEAD (Big Dada)




White Suns Totem (The Flenser)





Dean Blunt Skin Fade (Self-released)





Bladee Gluee (Gravity Boys)





C L E A N E R S Real Raga Shit Vol. 1 (Bootleg Tapes)







Have a Nice Life The Unnatural World (Enemies List)





Sicko Mobb Super Saiyan Vol. 1 (Self-released)





Yong Yong Greatest It's (Night School)





Katy B Little Red (Columbia)





St. Vincent St. Vincent (Loma Vista)





Ondo Fudd Coup d'Etat (The Trilogy Tapes)





Lil Herb Welcome to Fazoland (NLMB)





Rick Ross Mastermind (MMG/Def Jam)





D/P/I 08.DD.15 (Leaving)