'The Official Mixtape Volume 1' - Ramson Badbonez & DJ Harry Love (mixtape review)

Coming up under the wing of Task Force can never be a bad thing. First appearing in 2002 on the ‘Mud Fam EP’ and then again in 2003 on ‘Music From The Corner Volume 2’, Ramson Badbonez has had a good start in UK rap life. Along with DJ Harry Love he now brings us an epic collection of verses and concepts over a load of beats from the greats (Premier, RZA, 9th Wonder, Alchemist, Madlib and more).

If Badbonez isn’t one of the most promising MCs on the scene right now then I don’t know who is. He’s interesting, clever and witty, he’s laidback, competent and lyrical - skills which could be generalised as ‘panache’.

Ramson displays a versatility that’s missing in most MCs only on their first mixtape. Concepts, hooks, lexis, on-point delivery, real talk, braggadocio and story telling are all present and correct in the most refreshing way.

Standout tracks for me are ‘Put The Mic Down’ (for the awesome reworking of the RZA’s ‘Liquid Swords’) and the British weather reality track ‘Out In The Rain’ but if you’ve got an hour and a bit you’ll find it’s all of high quality. Rounding off with his version of Slick Rick’s ‘Children’s Story’ is a perfect way to end a release which only leaves me hoping that, with a bunch of instrumentals specifically made for him, Ramson Badbonez will produce a storming debut album proper.

‘The Official Mixtape Volume 1’ also features tracks from various projects already released (aforementioned ‘MFTC 2’, DJ MK’s ‘Above Board’ and Ramson’s own 12 inchers). Buy it now, as usual, at Suspect Packages (and don’t download it).

Recordkingz 'Heavyweight' Coming Soon

The man responsible for sourcing rare vinyl (check his site/store Recordkingz.com) for the likes of Lord Finesse, Just Blaze, Alchemist, JuJu, Evidence, Buckwild, Havoc and Madlib is on the verge of dropping his debut production album 'Heavyweight'.

That man is UK producer Juliano Creator (one half of The Creators who dropped 'The Weight' in 2000) and this album features Mobb Deep, The Beatnuts, Joell Ortiz, Evidence, Little Brother, Guilty Simpson, Craig G and more.

Juliano, as part of The Creators has produced for Phi Life Cypher, Mos Def & Talib Kweli, Phil Da Agony, Consequence, El de Sensei and Diamond D. His success continued with TV music for advertising campaigns including Hugo Boss and Sony, Rare Funk Compilations that he compiled, production and remix credits on hit singles for artists like Nas and Dilated Peoples.

'Rock Ya Shoulders' featuring The Beatnuts and 'Heat' featuring Mobb Deep are the current singles, both on itunes now and 12" in February. Keep your peepers peeled for more info, a review and an interview.