“In an era where music is often treated as a disposable digital stream—a flickering file in a cloud—Epic’s ‘Lethal Test Pressings’ arrives as a firm, physical reminder of the culture’s tactile roots.” – Folded Waffle
Folded Waffle blog has come through with a review of Epic’s “Lethal Test Pressings”, the first single from his upcoming album, Heater In My Truck II…
Happy New Year from Hand’Solo Records! I hope for a fabulous year for you and your family in 2026. It’s a big year for Hand’Solo Records as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary. We commemorate this milestone with a series of events throughout the year:
I’m most excited about the 30th Anniversary cross-Canada tour happening in August/September. We’re still working out the specifics so there will be more info to follow as it comes together. It’s sure to be a good time! Watch for details here or follow Hand’Solo Records on Instagram.
There will also be monthly 30th Anniversary bundles available on the first of each month. Curated by me, these bundles will be $30 each and only available for that month. You’ll definitely get bang for your buck! With the first release of 2026 being Cold Camp’s sophomore album, Winter Dreamz, at the end of January, I thought it most appropriate to highlight the producer and head of group, The Dirty Sample, with the first bundle. Get both volumes of his Revenge series on vinyl plus a copy of his remix album, Joshua’s Dreamixes, his debut on Hand’Solo Records, for only $30. That’s the same price as what you would usually pay for just one of those records, and it costs you less than what we paid to manufacture them.
Buy the bundle here:
handsolorecords.bandcamp.com/album/joshuas-dreamixes
We’ll also be doing a series of Listening Parties on Bandcamp in the middle of each month. I will select an album from the discography, either a favourite of mine or something classic, to listen to as a group and discuss. Hopefully the artists will get involved to provide some background on the process and the impact the album had for them. The first Listening Party is for the debut release on Hand’Solo Records, the compilation album Bassments of Badmen. Stay tuned for an announcement about this event in the near future.
We also have a great selection of upcoming music that I hope you will enjoy! This includes two new albums from Epic; new albums from Mickey O’Brien, Ultra Magnus, Tachichi, The Dirty Sample, and so much more; a solo album from Guy Albino of Hawd Gankstuh Rappuhs MCs Wid Ghatz that I am most excited to release; and the fourth volume in the Bassments of Badmen compilation series.
Whether you’re a day one fan or a newb to the label, I thank you very much for your support!
Wax meets Max when Sudbury blog Wax Wing interviews Sudbury MC Max Moon ahead of his upcoming release party this Friday. Buy tickets here. Read the interview here or below.
“Lethal Test Pressings”, the first single from Epic’s upcoming Heater In My Truck II, is out now!
Since returning to rap after almost 15 years of semi-retirement, Epic has been extremely prolific. “Lethal Test Pressings” is the first single from his upcoming new album, Heater in My Truck II, his third new album in as many years and the sequel to his 2003 vinyl-only album. On “Lethal Test Pressings”, Epic honours the most sacred of hip hop formats, the vinyl release, and specifically the rare test pressing. Over a chill but groovy drum- and guitar-driven boom bap beat by legendary producer DJ Moves (Hip Club Groove, Len), Epic drops lyrical references to hip hop and Canada delivered in his unique Prairie rap flow. Drop another bomb on them, Epic!
Written and performed by Epic
Produced by Moves
Another Sudbury site, Sudbury.com, provided promo for the upcoming Max Moon release party. Read here or click the image. Get tickets here.
Twice a year PromoGod Underground Sound Off syndicated radio show selects their top 25 song submissions they received in a six month period and release a compilation of these songs. For the compilation that closes out the year, The Dirty Sample’s “The Long Love”, from his beat tape Love Always Wins If You Let It, made the cut. Congrats to The Dirty Sample and thanks to PromoGod!
You can download the compilation here, or by clicking either the cover or tracklist image.
“The track has a dark and moody texture and fits the ice-inspired bars from the emcees.” – Word Is Bond
A quick review of Cold Camp’s “Snow Kings” courtesy of Word Is Bond…
Local paper The Sudbury Star published a great article about Max Moon, his new album (The Grand Howl), and upcoming release party for said album. If you live in the Sudbury area, the place to be on Dec 19 is at The Townehouse Tavern. Get tickets here.
The second single from Cold Camp’s upcoming sophomore album, Winter Dreamz, is out now!
“Snow Kings” rises with the intensity of a storm you can see coming from kilometres away; it’s inevitable, heavy, and darkly beautiful. The Dirty Sample’s production rolls in like a sudden snow squall, the soaring strings, key stabs and boom bap drums creating a backdrop upon which every word feels stamped into frozen ground like boot prints. The verses by Bully Bravo and Chaka Boy proclaim scenes of resilience and royalty born from cold streets, not gold suites, giving the track a regal edge without losing its grit. There’s a calm weight to it all, the kind that comes from weathering winters most people never dare imagine. Cold Camp’s “Snow Kings” stands as an anthem for those who learned to rule the freeze instead of run from it.
Written and performed by Bully Bravo and Chaka Boy
Produced by The Dirty Sample
Max Moon recently did an interview with Indie Music Discovery blog, and here is the posted interview. Check it out below or on their site here.
