UK Dubs and Freestyles from Kasha, Grimlok, Joker Starr, Cobane and Double H (free downloads)

Grimlok (pictured) sent over a couple of dubs – one over Lupe’s ‘Dumb it Down’ and the other of Jay-Z’s ‘Run This Town’.

Speaking of Jay-Z Kasha has done a version of ‘Empire State of Mind’ and called it the ‘England Remix’.

Here’s a Joker Starr freestyle over Wu-Tang’s ‘C.R.E.A.M.’.

Double H, a rapper I know little about, sent me a few ‘freestyles’. He takes on The Roots’ ‘Ain’t Sayin’ Nuthin’, a version of ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ and ‘Hottest in the Hood’ by Red Café.

Cobane has done a version of a track which I don’t know – I also can’t really work out what his version of the unknown track is called! Anyway, have a little listen to this Dubstep-ish number.

Evil Ed, K-Delight & The Colony Live in Austria Too!

If you were thinking of going to the last show I posted about (in Vienna, Austria) then you might wanna consider making a weekend of it!

Art Bakery is putting on a UK special of their Urban Legends night featuring Evil Ed, K-Delight, Conspicuous, Cobane, Sir Smurf Lil and Grimlok.

This show is at Cafe Leopold and is on 26th June. Click here for the back of the flyer for more info. Also you can click on the flyer to the left for a bigger image.

'Eyes Open' - Jyager (single review)

There must be no better way to begin a new year than with a massive posse cut. Jehst’s YNR label kick 2009 off in fine style with Jyager’s ‘Eyes Open’. The re-spit version is like a platter of what’s hopefully to come from the label this year. With 8 MCs jostling to ride a heavy beat mainly consisting of a fog horn and a lorry reversing this should crash into the scene with much devastation when it’s released in February.

As well as Jyager you get verses from Jehst, Micall Parknsun, Cobane, Sir Smurf Lil, Kyza, Joker Starr and Dubbledge and production from Cee-Why. If this isn’t enough (it is but…) you also get the original version which introduces Jyager; the latest MC to be paraded out of the YNR stable.

‘Didn’t Wanna Have To Do It’ is a tale about a girl, which to be honest I don’t really have time for. I’m going to play ‘Eyes Open’ again. And again. And again.

‘Eyes Open’ is out on 2nd February 2009 on YNR Productions. Seek it out in the usual places.

'The Get Together' - Evil Ed & Conspicuous (album review)

At 15 tracks deep, coming in at just over 50 minutes, ‘The Get Together’ is no hard slog. I’ve already listened to it a few times today and am beginning again; it doesn’t get boring despite the outwardly conventional Hip Hop template.

Evil Ed is known for having produced for Jehst, Yungun and a whole host of other UK names. His production LP ‘The Enthusiast’ featured vocals from Kyza, the Colony, Doc Brown, Tommy Evans and Asaviour amongst others. Conspicuous (aka Conspicuous the Coroner aka Cons) a member of The Colony along with Willo Wispa, Grimlok and Sir Smurf Lil’, has previously dropped two albums, ‘Backgammon’ in ’05 and ‘The Family Photo Album’ last year.

Cons is on point with some carefully constructed verses that proudly display his rhyming ability (probably the reason why ‘81’s Favourite Son’ was sequenced first). The guests contribute only pure fire too, there are no duff appearances and no-one steals anyone else’s shine. It’s not just ‘BBQ’ that has a brotherly BBQ-ish feel; the whole album is like one relaxed cipher. Ed’s production is of a high quality, there are no hastily looped breaks here, no drums slapped on top of some old soul; this is sampling at its most professional and top that, it’ll keep your head nodding all the while.

Stand out tracks come in the form of UK/US posse cut ‘Ill-Out’ and ‘Big Headed’. The former for its jazziness, cuts, contrasting accents and sick lyrics. The latter for the pianos, Willo Wispa’s inimitable slackness and Mudmowth’s mentalness.

‘The Get Together’ serves as a great follow-up album for both artists. With a multitude of big guests, including some from over the pond, the duo has crafted a comprehensive body of work that should garner many spins by any Hip Hop head fortunate to pick up a copy of this.

Evil Ed & Conspicuous Videos

I also got Evil Ed and Conspicuous's 'The Get Together' album, look out for a review of that very soon. Meanwhile here's two video snippets:

'Time After Time' featuring Cobane, Shameless & Sir Smurf Lil':

'The Night' featuring Willo Wispa, Iceman & Yung Blud:

'Press Ups' - Cobane (video)

I just got Cobane's 'F.Y.I' in the post today, the free lead-up release to his 'Multitasking' CD. 'Press Ups' will be on that second release but meanwhile here's the video:

Check back for a review of 'F.Y.I'