Diego Bernal - For Corners (Free Album Download)

Although Diego Bernal’s smart, sample-based instrumental hip hop/electronic record is only available for free download at this time, it would probably play even better on vinyl. Look at the cover: wasn’t this meant for an earlier decade? Alas, it’s free, so why quibble? For Corners is excellent; in places, it’s a timely tribute to J Dilla’s carefully chopped celebrations of soul and funk 45s, but Bernal’s sample choices are diverse—his pieces sometimes peak in Prefuse-esque glitch when they’re not spooky and as smooth as silk—vinyl crackles included, even if it ain’t vinyl.

—Dominic Umile