'17 Samurai Vol. 1' - VA - Kidkanevil (album review)

Featuring enough boundary blurring styles to please the real music fan as well as names to attract a disparate listenership the lastest release from the excellent First Word Records is '17 Samurai', an album of remixes of Kidkanevil tracks. True to Kidk's original design this selection of reworks will take you on a rollercoaster of emotion through unchartered soundscapes.

'17 Samurai Vol. 1' is too distracting as background music - the only thing to do is to don some Kidkanevil-esque headphones (preferably over a beanie and a hoody), find a darkened room and actually listen to this hour long audio spectacle.

This LP sees UK Hip Hop star Jehst take on the non-rap track 'Stomp' featuring Justin Percival's dulcet tones whereas Mr. Thing walks more familiar laid back Hip Hop territory on 'Def Certificate' featuring Jehst and Sir Smurf Lil' on vocals. DJ Vadim tackles 'When I Dig' featuring US rapper Blu with a handful of synths and a fresh outlook making the once percussion heavy 'Back Off Man, I'm a Scientist' album cut a new entity. TM Juke also offers his version of 'When I Dig'.

First Word's Andy H, genius live beatmaker Red and newcomers Airhead and Narrow P all tackle 'Tokyorkshire' each adding their own touches to great effect - in Andy H's case it's converted to jump up dubstep. 'Black Bug' is also a popular choice as base track with Leeds Hip Hop producer Eliphino, Natural Self and Michael Fakes all pitching in with their interpretation.

With most areas of modern electronic music utilised here this LP is noit limited in its appeal, OK, so the pop chart botherers won't get it but, secretly, that;s what we all want isn't it?

'17 Samurai Vol. 1' is out now on First Word Records and can be bought as a download or on CD.

'U Can't Lurn Imaginashun' - DJ Vadim (album review)

Every artists needs inspiration and if DJ Vadim’s source is globetrotting then we will allow him his carbon footprint. ‘U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun’ is the title of Vadim’s latest album, and it’s pretty fitting really. Without fitting into the pretty awful category of ‘World Music’ DJ Vadim has crafted an album representative of many genres and cultures.

You’ll be glad to know that overall there is a Hip Hop focus; it’s just that all the other elements make this fresh and different. The rappers list consists of the gorgeous Yarah Bravo, La Methode, Pugs Atomz, Juice Lee, Big Red and Chicagoan singer/rapper Wes Restless all of whom add their unique voices to great effect – these aren’t just your average rappers. The roll of singers drafted in for the soulful, R’n’B numbers is jam-packed and multi-cultural too.

Whatever style he tackles, be it Ska, Reggae, Electro, Soul, Folk or Rap, DJ Vadim comes up with rose-smelling Hip Hop every time. ‘U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun’ seems to be available now on BBE Records at all the usual places; itunes, Amazon… etc.

'Hidden Treasure' - DJ Vadim (single review)

If pot pourri is indeed summer in a bowl, as Joey said, then DJ Vadim’s ‘Hidden Treasure’ single is August on wax. The title track bounces as much as any ska track produced by a Hip Hop DJ should – and that’s a lot. Sabira Jade throws in sweet vocals and Kwasi Asante adds in those necessary dubby Jamaican adlibs. The 12” also features Vadim’s own uptempo stomper of a re-rub.

The vibe continues with the awesome ‘Soldier’ – if this doesn’t get your crew singing at the BBQ then I’m not sure what will. Big Red and 5Nizza (from Russia) provide the French raps and reggae vocals. You get the instrumental too so a D’n’B remix is in order - that I’d love to hear.

‘Saturday’ is a subtly tongue in cheek poke at the auto-tune squad. At least I hope it’s not entirely serious, it makes me grin anyway. Pugz Atomz kicks some well worn lyrics over a Westcoast-style backing as the auto-tuner gets buck wild. One for the drop top – whilst you laugh, the girls will flock!

‘Hidden Treasure’ was released on April 27th on BBE. It comes as a 12” or a download.