Tony Simon is Blockhead, an NYC maker of sample-studded instrumental hip-hop productions on the venerable Ninja Tune label. He has an impressive catalog of solo joints (10 and counting), but is likely best known on first listen for his soundwork for Aesop Rock. He’s on tour behind his moody new outing, Bubble Bath, its title track looping a man's soulful belts and splicing in the odd warped flute, harmonica, vocal chant, or hand drum rhythm over a languid piano riff, swaying bass groove, and down-tempo beat. Eliot Lipp’s soundscapes are a bit more eccentric, funk and hip-hop oriented but with added sound design experimenting, unidentified synth work, and expertly placed samples. New single “Cars” has a definitive early ’80s robotica appeal with modern fuzzed-out textures and layering techniques. by Leilani Polk