The Afghan Whigs, "Matamoros"
The Afghan Whigs wrapped up their first incarnation with 1998's 1965, and Greg Dulli moved on to other projects - primarily the Twilight Singers, but other things like the Gutter Twins album with Mark Lanegan. It wasn't that the band blew up, but they just decided to stop making albums. A reunion gained momentum in the early 2010s, and a new album eventually emerged from the band in 2014. Obviously, Dulli is the most important member, but John Curley rejoined him, meaning half of the original lineup was back. Good enough!
Now, is it a good album? It is, yeah, but it's not as good as their peak stuff. Rick McCollum, the original lead guitarist, in particular is missed here. But it's nice to hear the band (well, half of them) back together, and I think it's probably a better record than 1965.
Cypress Hill, "Hits From The Bong"
B-Real's surreal nasal flow is the most recognizable element of Cypress Hill, but it's really DJ Muggs that is the biggest attraction for me. That flip of "Son of a Preacher Man" is so delicious.
Bohannon, "Save Their Souls"
Hamilton Bohannon worked with a bunch of Motown folks, including Stevie Wonder, and also had a ton of records under his own name. A lot of this stuff lives on through extensive sampling (this, for example, formed the basis for Jay-Z's "Cashmere Thoughts". But beyond serving as outstanding fuel for hip-hop, this stuff is also just killer on its own merits.
Little Simz, "101 FM"
Hip-hop day!
The Aquabats!, "Burger Rain!"
That is not hip-hop, you failed, shuffle.