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As the year draws to a close, here’s a little look back at our releases in 2023

BRELSTAFF – URBAN TESTIMONY [The Instrumentals]

In the Spring, we released “Urban Testimony [The Instrumentals]”. Produced by Edinburgh’s Brelstaff, this was the pre-cursor to the full version of the album he recorded with Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC which would follow later in the year.

Several from the album were used by “Focus Beats”, broadcast on both BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 over the summer months, beginning with “Is She” in June.

A mix of lofi hip hop, chilled out electronica and downtempo soulful vibes which is available to stream on Spotify, with full visuals on the album’s Youtube playlist

ANTHONY KANNON & FROST GAMBLE – CAUTIONARY TALES

Following a series of singles over the summer, “Cautionary Tales” by award winning New York State rapper Anthony Kannon and producer Frost Gamble released on October 20th.

An outstanding piece of work documenting the remarkable story of the young MC’s life to date, Bandcamp chose to feature it on the store’s front page “New and Notable” section.

Available of course from Bandcamp, Spotify and all other digital platforms including Apple / iTunes, Amazon, Deezer and Tidal, with a full video playlist also on Youtube.

JUSTO THE MC & BRELSTAFF – URBAN TESTIMONY

Again after a series of singles spanning the summer and autumn, “Urban Testimony” by Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC and Edinburgh producer Brelstaff was released on November 3rd.

Another to be afforded front page billing by Bandcamp on release, the entire album is themed around Justo’s time studying at Clark University Atlanta several years ago. A fascinating depiction of events leading up to, during and after his curtailed time spent there relayed in a brutally honest account of a conflicted mind on a potential escape route through academia straying rapidly on a path to hedonism, the regrets, lessons learned, and ultimately the strength to survive for better days.

In addition to Apple / iTunes, Deezer and Tidal, check it out for yourself on Bandcamp, Spotify andf the full video playlist on Youtube.

TRU TRILLA – XVI : RETURN OF THE GODS

Finally, earlier this month we announced we would be releasing the new album “XVI : Return of the Gods” by New Jersey rapper Tru Trilla on May 31st 2024, this being the follow up to his album “God of Barz” which we also released in 2020.

Over two years in the making, a magnificent mix of hard bars, highest quality lyricism, beats and turntablism includes a stellar cast of producers and guest featured artists including Reks, Lakim Shabazz, Ruste Juxx, Recognize Ali, Skyzoo, Guilty Simpson, NapsNdreds, N.B.S., Julius of Shoe Gang and many more.

A trailer video for the album has recently been published on Youtube, and you can check out its predecessor on Spotify.

We once again thank everyone for their support since we re-launched the label in 2019, and would also like to take this opportunity of wishing you and yours the very best for the holiday season and the best of good fortune for 2024.

Welcome to the real……

TEAM NDR

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Earlier in the summer, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 programme “Focus Beats” included instrumental tracks from our catalogue by Brelstaff, Frost Gamble and Husky Brown.

Broadcast weekly through the night and produced by Reform Radio, it’s designed for listeners to help with focus, study and to chill & relax with the playback facility available online for several weeks via the station’s renowned BBC Sounds.

This weekend the programme again included one of our releases, “High” being the third track used from Edinburgh producer Brelstaff’s “Urban Testimony [The Instrumentals]” album we released in the Spring, and you can listen back to the whole programme HERE

The album was released in the Spring on all digital platforms including Apple/iTunes, and Tidal. It is also available to listen in full at Bandcamp, Spotify and there is also a full video playlist for every track on Youtube

The instrumental album was the forerunner to the full vocal version releasing on November 3rd, a collaboration with Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC.

The vocal version of “High” was released in the late summer, and again is available to stream and download on all of the digital platforms already mentioned, with the official video playing on Youtube.

The next single from the pair is “Sunday”, out October 10th

You can get more information about the artists at their specially designated ARTIST PAGE on this website.

All press, multimedia and radio station DJ enquiries regarding any of our releases can be sent to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR, their contact information is HERE

TEAM NDR

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New Dawn Records are pleased to announce the release today of the new album “Urban Testimony [The Instrumentals]” by Edinburgh producer Brelstaff.

Ten titles fusing chilled, soulful lofi hip hop with downtempo jazz and ambient electronica in an ethereal soundtrack that rests easy on the senses. Music to soothe the soul and help focus with work and study in equal measure.

Originally operating under his born name Daryl Donald, his reputation as one of the most respected emerging beatmakers in this genre grew from 2017 through a series of projects which generated over a million streams on Spotify, and since adopting the new pseudonym has continued to flourish, most notably earlier this year with the single “Cursive” featuring renowned west coast rapper Fashawn.

The instrumental album is the pre-cursor to the full vocal version which we will release later in the year.  A collaborative project with Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC which acts as a narrative documenting his curtailed and turbulent time at Clark Atlanta University, including a fascinating insight and depiction of the trials and tribulations of student life he witnessed there which ultimately led to the crossroads of his life. 

Now available to stream and download at APPLE, AMAZON & TIDAL

Also on Bandcamp & Spotify

In addition there is a full video playlist for every track now on our official Youtube channel.

All media enquiries can be directed to our in house promotional division UrbanElite PR, contact details HERE

You can connect with Brelstaff on Twitter @BrelstaffMusic and Instagram @BrelstaffMusic

As ever we appreciate the support and enjoy the music !

TEAM NDR

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Our first release of 2023 comes courtesy of Edinburgh producer Brelstaff who laces us with his trademark concoction of chilled, soulful, lofi hip hop vibes with further influences of progressive rock, jazz fusion and ambient electronica fused together effortlessly in an ethereal soundtrack that focuses minds and soothes souls in equal measure. 

“Urban Testimony [The Instrumentals]” drops Friday April 28th, while the full vocal version, a collaborative project with Brooklyn rapper Justo the MC will be released by us in the autumn, preceded by several singles.

Videos for every track will appear on our official Youtube Channel upon the album’s release next month, and of course it will also be available to download and stream at all major digital platforms including Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple, Amazon & Tidal.

Meantime we have just published the album Video Trailer and Audio Teaser.

Thanks to the team at UrbanElite Productions for both the artwork and video trailer. All media enquiries about our releases can be addressed to our in house promotional division, UrbanElite PR whose contact information is HERE

You can connect with Brelstaff on his social media platforms. Twitter @BrelstaffMusic Instagram @BrelstaffMusic and Facebook @BrelstaffMusic

Our thanks again to everyone for your support, enjoy !

TEAM NDR