I generally loathe tagging an instrumental project as a “beat tape” because I feel that it often undermines the work that went into said project. It’s applicable in some cases, though, especially when the producer in question is selling the effort on an actual tape. Like Los Angeles’ Elusive, who you might know for his collaborations with Nocando, Guilty Simpson, Rapper Big Pooh, and Murs.
Elusive’s new release, the awesomely titled Soundtrack of a Ninja, is a dusty, crackling affair littered with deft sample chops (the Marvin Gaye loop on “Luv Theme”!?!) and just the right amount of atmosphere. While you can certainly cop it on cassette, the lo-fi vibe isn’t lost in the digital realm. So go ahead, give it a listen below.
Purchase: Elusive – Soundtrack of a Ninja [Bandcamp]