Album Review: Timeless Beat Music with Rustybeatz13 and Harry Gray's The Color Purple (Instrumental Tape)

I vividly remember being in my early 20s when I got exposed to the golden age of hip hop and beatmaking. Coming from a rather heavy background as a teenager, this felt new and very exciting at the time, with J Dilla, DJ Premier, and Pete Rock topping my weekly selections. The tight and off-kilter beats and groovy energy are impeccable. Today, we travel back in time with a brand-new project that made me feel that same way.

The Color Purple (Instrumental Tape) is a collaboration project created by DMV-based artist Harry Gray and Russian producer Rustybeatz13. Across 12 lush beats, the duo pays homage to the golden era of beatmaking, capturing the spirit and emotional texture of J Dilla's Donuts while carving out a sound that’s distinctly their own.

Listening to The Color Purple (Instrumental Tape) for the first time felt warm and homey. A perfect remedy for the gloomy vibe that's out there where I live. I absolutely love how the tape leans into soul roots and the lush vocal chops weaving through every track. A subtle but powerful common thread that ties the whole project together in the most beautiful way possible.

The tape opens with "Tell 'EM", a song that feels like a Sunday - warm, unhurried, and free of any lingering negative energy. With a scent of nostalgia, it gives a good sense of direction of what's ahead - and clear evidence that this cross-continental collaboration is a match made in heaven.

Having to listen to the full tape a number of times, I think what people will appreciate is that while there's a common thread, Harry Gray and Rustybeatz13 keep spicing things up throughout the The Color Purple (Instrumental Tape) sonic journey. From the very first listen, "I Love You" had me locked into a stank face, driven by hard-hitting 808s that bring a contemporary edge to their sound. From here on, I realized there's so much complexity in that tape. It was a project I knew I wanted to showcase on Stereofox. The follow-up, "Fade Away" taps into the timeless feel of Brock Berrigan (always a win in my book) before the duo delivers an outstanding reinterpretation of one of the finest songs ever written, Solange’s "Cranes in the Sky".

And now it's time for my personal favourite on the tape. One of the most seductive vibes on The Color Purple (Instrumental Tape), "Hello Friend" is the kind of track that heats up a room. A certain add to any sexy selections you've got going there. The guitar is an absolute masterpiece!

If you love instrumental hip-hop, dusty grooves, and soulful energy, The Color Purple (Instrumental Tape) is all you need right now. The release is a thoughtful exploration of soulful hip-hop and goes beyond the limitations of a tape. It is a pure and heart-gripping experience.