Associated Minds & EatGood Records - The Highball EP (free download)

I haven't actually listened to this yet (I will tomorrow) but thought I might as well put it up anyway. Look at the line-up, it's hardly going to be bad!... I also didn't realise that this was going to be a freebie, which considering that it has tracks from the cream of two of the UK's hottest labels makes this an absolute steal.

P.L.O, Sonnyjim & Mudmowth -Heat (video)

Half a vid here for the Sonnyjim and Mudmowth track that was posted a couple of days ago. I say half a vid, as it's only the Eat Good half of the EG/Associated Minds collabo that is present.

As I mentioned a few days back, this track is taken from a collaborative EP that the 2 labels have put together. The Highball EP, which is "coming soon"...

As you may well be aware already, Eat Good records, and Associated Minds are teaming up to release an EP featuring virtually the whole roster of each of the two labels.

This is the lead track from the Highball EP, featuring Eat Good frontman Sonnyjim, and AM's Mudmowth, fresh from the release of his excellent Sledgehammer Kisses set with Metabeats. The heavyweight production comes courtesy of P.L.O. If this is any indication, the Highball EP is definitely one to look out for...

Mudmowth & Metabeats - Sledgehammer Kisses (Review)

Associated Minds seem to pull out all the stops for Mudmowth releases. His Circus In The Cemetary set from a couple of years ago came out on particularly stylish white vinyl. This joint 'mini-LP' with Metabeats comes in an equally posh embossed digipack. I'm always one of the first to moan when a project that you have to pay for is only released digitally, and I guess this is one way to try and counter that trend. If artists and labels put as much thought into the product as they do the music itself, then they can create something that may persuade people to go for the physical rather than the digital product. Props to AM for leading the way.

But, none of this would matter if the tunes were wack, so how do the 8 tracks onboard here shape up? Mudmowth has clearly come a long way as an MC. I first heard him on Ghost's Seldom Seen Often Heard album, where his featured track was (an admittedly dope) self parody of a Welshman making hip-hop. Whilst this track clearly demonstrated the man's talent, it's almost gimmicky nature didn't necessarily suggest that a great career was in store. These days however, Mudmowth is nothing if not versatile. The lyrical tone shifts dramatically from track to track, through introspective self-criticism to inspirational stories to dark streams of punchlines. The quality of the rhymes holds up throughout, although the cohesiveness of the project does suffer a touch, as you may not always be inclined to play it through from start to finish.

The quality of the production here shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who heard Metabeats' heavily slept on Metaphysical album from 2008. No beat here misses the mark, whether it's the heavyweight neck-snapper of 'Maaad Tight', the RZA-like wails on 'Sledgehammer' or the horns on the intro. Things are also kept interesting with a smattering of live instrumentation, mainly provided by P.L.O. The guitar on Sing Tears being a particular highlight.

Picking out highlights here is really just down to personal taste, due to the consistent quality. For me, Sing Tears, Concrete Buttercups & Life's Never Enough are all vying to be the best track on here, as these are the ones where the songwriting really stands out. Sing Tears is a particularly personal effort, with Mudmowth breaking down his relationship with his father amongst other subjects. An infectious hook is provided by Richie Hayes, and when all this is coupled with Metabeats' plodding keys, the result is a captivating track. Concrete Buttercups is an excellent way for the project to finish. The laidback, soulful, sax laced production allows Mud to put forward a more optimistic view of the world than is on display elsewhere on the album, verse 3 probably being the best:

"There's too many people in this world who are simply existing,

You need to break out of your bubble and really start living.

Because nowadays the only people smiling are the children,

Because when you hit your teens, all that stress starts building.

The British mindstate: wake early, work late.

Man, we're slaves to the wage until we reach our graves.

I know you've all got to keep a little food on your plate,

But some of you people live to work, and it should be the other way."

So what missteps are there? The use of a tongue-in-cheek autotune chorus on Ghost doesn't really work. Satirically using autotune is starting to become a cliché in itself, and the fact that this track's own hook begins to grate after repeated listening ironically emphasises the point it was trying to make in the first place. Mud also has a tendency to slip the odd unnecessarily crass line in here and there, such as claiming on Maaad Tight that he is "fisting Rihanna with her umbrella". But when you have to pick on individual lines, rather than whole verses or tracks, the artist must be doing something right. In the liner notes, Mudmowth says that "it's gotta be an album next time". Damn right, as there is no doubt that as an Mud has the songwriting ability and versatility to hold down a full length project, and that Metabeats status as one of the most slept on beatsmiths in the country will be in danger if he keeps producing Sledgehammers like this.

8/10.

Maaad Tight feat. Sonnyjim & Skamma (Video):

Mudmowth & Metabeats - Let It Breathe (Free Download)

New tune to check here from the Associated Minds camp. This is the second single to be taken from Mudmowth & Metabeats' forthcoming album Sledgehammer Kisses. If you don't remember, the first was the Sonnyjim & Skamma featuring Maaad Tight.

Here, Metabeats brings a dark, bassline dominated track, that Mudmowth rips into in his usual fashion. Download with the downwards arrow on the Soundcloud player below:

MUDMOWTH & METABEATS - Let It Breathe (Dirty) by AssociatedMinds

The album is scheduled to drop on the 28th Feb...

'Fruit Salad' - Metabeats (streaming)

Metabeats' 2007 LP 'Metaphysical' was one of my favourite UK albums of that year, even if I did get onto it a little late. It came out on the excellent Associated Minds label who have an awesome roster and have been dropping some gems over the last year or so.

Metabeats has just dropped this beauty entitled 'Fruit Salad' and it may or not be taken from his forthcoming LP 'Sledgehammer Kisses'. I'll echo the Mayor's challenge: try not to nod! It's impossible! This is on that spacey, futuristic, swinging tip - get involved:

Metabeats - 'Fruit Salad' by associatedminds

'Same Ol' Same Old' - Willo Wispa

One of the most promising rising artists in the UK scene right now is Willo Wispa. The MC who is on the Associated Minds label has recently been picked up by Radio 1 on their 'Introducing' show - one of the best radio shows around and definitely doing good things for underground music. Even though they've spelt his name wrong they've been kind enough to make a player with his track 'Same Ol' Same Old' which is produced by Conspicuous in it:

BBC Introducing in Wales

• Click here for more Willo Wispa goodness

Blaktrix Freestyle (video)

Listen to Blaktrix flow so effortlessly and totally on point over this P.L.O. beat. Another gem from Associated Minds!

'Skullcrackology' - Mudmowth (video)

Wrapped Up 2008

Seriously one of the best ideas ever: 'Wrapped Up 2008': 6 producers, 2 from England, 2 from Wales, 2 from Scotland, send each other a themed vinyl - the theme this time is Christmas. Each producer has to use the vinyl they get to produce a Hip Hop beat - simple! Metabeats and P.L.O. rep Wales, Kosyne and Kelakovski hold down England's corner and S-Type and Jaisu fight for Scotland (not that it's really a battle). Find yourself half an hour, settle down with your laptop and a cuppa and be properly entertained by the masters at work:

Download Metabeats' beat here and P.L.O.'s here courtesy of those kind Associated Minds peeps.

'The Earlier Escapades Of...' - Willo Wispa (EP review + 2 free downloads)

Mentalness. Pure, unadulterated mentalness - well, it's mentalness mixed with mad lyricism. 'The Earlier Escapades Of Willo Wispa' is a 9 track release containing a selection of rare and unreleased material from The Colony member who, in 2009, will drop 'Wot's Willo On?!'.

What's Willo On? A question you may well ask yourself. What ever it is, it makes this guy unconventional and absolutely fressssshhhh! Expect the unexpected - and that's real, not just hyperbole.

'Mars to the Manor' will help you to understand Willo as well as you ever will. It's full of hilarious rhymes that will leave you guffawing for sure.

'2 Pounds' will school you all in the art of having a night out on the cheap. Again - jokes.

Sample these tracks for free, courtesy of Associated Minds then download your set of nine Willo tracks from itunes and get anticipating the album 'Wot's Willo On?!

Mudmowth Interview

"As for calling everyone label mates... that’s too official, we’re all boys. If I do ever marry Lily Allen they’re all in the front row except for Ralph – he’s down front giving up the ring!"

Certified Banger: Yo Mudmowth, how’s it going, what’ve you been up to?

Mudmowth: What’s happening? Everything’s wicked at the moment man, the record’s been selling real well, just got back from a small tour of Denmark and Austria now, the crowds were amazing over there, they love their Hip Hop man. Besides touring and pushing the music just been real busy recording new stuff with Metabeats we got an EP coming soon called ‘Sledgehammer Kisses’, I’ve been doing stuff with P.L.O who produced ‘Skullcrackology’ which is pushing the boundaries, its gonna be a project for everyone into music full stop - we got violinists, guitars everything on there, the stuff we got recorded so far s**ts on anything I’ve ever done so I’m really excited about getting that out! As for my album ‘Breakin Blocks in Legoland’, that’s recorded waiting to be mixed down and features production from Ghost, Evil Ed, Conspicuous, Sam Rockwell (who produced ‘Circus in the Cemetery’ and ‘Broken home’) and others. I can go on all day about how good it is but I’ll just sound like an egomaniac, all I will say is if it had been released this year it would have s**t on everything in UK Hip Hop that came out.

Click here to find out what Mudmowth will be doing at Christmas, what he thinks of Goldie Lookin' Chain and more (including something to do with a midget and some rhubarb).

Associated Minds... Men, Women and Enzymes

Welsh based Hip Hop label Associated Minds have got a new website and they seriously mean business. So far they've not put a foot wrong release-wise what with Mudmowth's 'Circus in the Cemetery' and Metabeats's 'Metaphysical' LP and a load of other top quizzality CDs and 12"s and the website continues their winning streak.

AssociatedMinds.com has been professionally designed by professionals - man like Burning Red and Southpaw Vision deserve props over here (or there) - and it looks like the dog's donuts (except much nicer). It's got everything you need on there to get you really really well acquainted with what they're doing in the land of sheep and dragons.

You can also find news about things like Mr. Shrew's lovely artwork being in a gallery and the fact that Metabeats is making a new album. You can even find quotes from yours truly on their press cuttings section - thanks chaps! You can even join the very same mailing list that Mayor has kindly put me on right here.

It also makes me want to go buy all their things from their shop which is surely a reason to have such a spanky website. Get on o'er there with a hotstep! It's the home of the leaders of the next school!

Since they sent it to me, you might as well reap the benefits too: 'Skullcrackology' by Mudmowth, produced by P.L.O. for absolutely nada. Also check this Metabeats produced track/video by Joe Blow, it's called 'Poetry in Motion':

Mudmowth - 'Circus In The Cemetery' 12" review

You have to chuckle - Associated Minds are hilarious. They're just edging into the scene, loudly mind you, bringing Welsh Hip Hop to the ears of the still London-centric UK Hip Hop listeners. It's just pure comedy value, given that the Hip Hop plus Wales thing that most people think of is Goldie Lookin' Chain's idiotic banter, that their releases are all so RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME!

Mudmowth's latest offering, a shexy white vinyl with dopey-dope-dope artwork, is just so hardcore it's mental. Mudmowth is a tremendous MC who mixes clarity with humour, seriousness and sickness in perfect measures.

Essentially, this release is a 5 track EP featuring labelmate guests Willo Wispa and Ralph Rip Sh** and production by P.L.O., Devize (from Australia) and Sam Rockwell. The overall feeling is of hard, dark but outright bouncy and jouyously heavy Rap music. Next time I get a chance to see Mud perform live, I know my trainers will get stepped upon, one part of my will be body bleeding and there will be a HUGE grin on my face; this is mosh pit inducing stuff.

'Skullcrackology', produced by P.L.O., opens up proceedings and is orientated around live rock drumming, synthy, filthy bass lines and screaming guitars. Mudmowth comes across most vehemently with millions of quotables e.g. 'The only police record you've got is 'Every Breath I Take''. It's great to hear such a brilliant Rock infused track that suits the MC'ing down to a T.

'Return of the Cavemen' is fresh, Devize offers a jaunty beat that somehow has an Australian sound to it - there's something about it that sets it's sound apart from the UK or the US. Willo brings a more chilled out contribution, his style is so lazy and laid back compared to Mudmowth's - it's great to hear MC's who sound different - usually you can't tell when one has stopped and the next has started! ('Shouts to Steve Irwin, Down Under - Literally'!!!)

The intro to 'Circus in the Cemetery' must have been robbed from some bad 80's horror movie and it heralds perfectly what's to come. The title track is menacing both in lyrical content and delivery and the two MC's have come up with a nice concept with plenty of scope for more classic lines. Not my favourite track on here but nonetheless a banger.

'Knuckle Down' is another Devize jobby and the beat is on the lighter side of things whereas the verbals are still gnarly. I like the fact that even though the lyrics are classic battle material the beat is not a doom-and-gloom, dreary sounding backdrop. This track really showcases Mud's overactive mind; I don't know how he thinks up this stuff!

'The Broken Home of Mr. Jones' is a lovely but sad track and the title says it all. Mudmowth takes on the persona of an alcoholic man whose life is in tatters and he paints the picture real well. As Mudmowth says himself: 'The sad thing I know is that half of Britain understands me'. This is an insightful examination of the state of many people in our country.

I can't really say anything I didn't already say in the intro to this review. This is simply brilliant Hip Hop that reveals new treasures on each listen. For the price of a couple of beers this could be yours and if you buy it right off Associated Minds they'll no doubt throw in a load of free stuff; don't be a Mr. Jones - buy this EP!

Associated Minds

Big up to Mayor from Associated Minds, the Welsh Hip Hop label currently impressing fans and journos alike with their roster of artists. He got in touch a few weeks ago and has since provided me with some goodies. And best believe, this is one email and package I was very glad to get!

One of the goodies was 'Metaphysical', the LP from producer Metabeats. This has been garnering great praise from all the big UKHH publications and websites and I only didn't have it because I'm really poor at the moment! It's an awesome album and I may follow this up with a proper review but right now I thought I'd let you look at the proper professionally made videos for two of the albums biggest tracks. 'Live and Let Live' is definitely my favourite track on the album whereas the video for 'F**k with Me' is an absolute killer - big up Ryan Andrews for these:

If those tunes tickle your fancy then get steppin' to somewhere that sells it and buy it! Look out for more mentions of Associated Minds, they're going to do all right for themselves! Here's a taster of what they do (these downloads also available on their myspace page):

Metabeats - Live and let Live
MudMowth - The Most Colourful Years
Beatbox Fozzy - Tuna Fish ft. Willo Wispa