Brycon is a producer from San Francisco who has been releasing music for years. Most recently, he’s collaborated with artists such as Dregs One and Equipto on different projects. While he’s worked with a lot of different artists over the years, he’s also put out some solo instrumental projects over the years. His most recent solo release is serving as a fundraiser for People’s Breakfast Oakland, Lobster Toes.

Lobster Toes is a pretty straightforward release on paper. With 13 tracks clocking in about 19 minutes, you can be pretty sure that this is a beat tape. You wouldn’t be wrong to think that, either, but at the same time you’d be underestimating how much Brycon could accomplish in those 19 minutes. He’s largely working within the classic soul-sampling style of hip hop production, but he still finds a lot of room for variety and depth. This could be the dub/Afro pop influence on “The Ojeleye Factory,” or the vibraphone driven “Pardon Our Dust,” or it could slow lament of a track like “Count Your Breath.” The point being, while Brycon isn’t giving a fully developed instrumental album, he’s also not just dumping a bunch of random half-baked beats, either. There’s still plenty of soul and sophistication to the project, so much so that you really get transported somewhere for nineteen minutes. I know that first time I listened through, I was so engrossed that I was genuinely surprised that the end came so soon, which is always a good sign.

If you’ve got the means, and you like some well-made instrumental hip hop beats from a veteran producer like Brycon, pick up Lobster Toes. You’ll get to support People’s Breakfast Oakland, and get some head nodding goodness as well.