Jon Phonics - Mutual Attraction / Sat Nav

Following on from the freebies Run For Cover and AM that dropped last month, Chakra Sounds drop another two free instrumental tracks from versatile producer Jon Phonics. Sat Nav is a low tempo, spaced-out synthy effort, but the clear winner is Mutual Attraction which possesses an outrageously smooth bass-line. Enjoy.

Jon Phonics Run for Cover/AM

Following his well received and highly anticipated second LP Half Past Calm 2 Jon Phonics returns with a combined instrumental and video realese. Run for Cover/AM are two uptempo electro beats that bang harder than a steriod enhanced pornstar snorting viagra. Layered vocal samples and 8-Bit accents provide an intense backdrop for the heavy hitting drums on Run For Cover. Synths take centre stage on AM also accompanied by a powerfull drum pattern with more variations than you can shake a stick at Jon Phonics keeps it vibrant and interseting throughout. Chakra Sounds will be pressing a hand numbered screen printed limited edition 7 inch in january/early febuary so get your free MP3 and video combi before its available on wax. Expect more stank funk from the interantional beatsmith next year with tracks featuring UK legends Jehst, Verb T and Jyager.

'Trading Standards Remixes' - SonnyJim (review)

Is this SonnyJim's best release to date? Somewhere between maybe and probably. 'Trading Standards Remixes' is a choice selection of 10 tracks from more than twice that amount of tracks originally on the mixtape, and that's with two new tracks which aren't remixes. Listening to this you get the impression that this is no afterthought, rather the mixtape was the taster and this is the actual album.

10 tracks is a good thing in my books, not too long, not too short and with the variety on offer here there is no chance of boredom whatsoever. With sounds ranging from Lotek's Reggae remix of 'Mission Statement' to Kelakovski's signature sound gracing his version of 'Dynamite' featuring Verb T and Metropolis to the stripped down but straight up Hip Hop of Sivey's remix for 'Next Generation (love that bass!) this truly is a remix album, not just a load of acapellas over beats that sound the same as the originals. Shears brings the muddy and lethargic funk on opener 'Triumph of the Little Guy' and M-Phazes provides his big sound the the huge line up of Jehst, Cappo and SonnyJim on 'God Complex. Jon Phonics is as moody as ever with his hybrid of real instrumentation and synths on 'On All Cylinders' and Kelakovski takes a different direction with 'Stack Ps' - I'd say it's closely akin to Dubstep. Musn't forget Kosyne's feel good vibes on 'Running Late' on which The I.R.S and Sonny really smash it.

The new tracks are 'Just Spit' featuring Unfriendly Neighbours with punchy production from Wizard and 'Dunbar's Number' produced by 184.

'Trading Standards Remixes' is available from all over including Play.com, Tesco, Amazon and itunes as a digital download but the CD can be bought for a mere £5 from the Eat Good Records website.

According to the press blurb 'this is the first in a slew of SonnyJim releases set to drop this year. Be on the lookout for the 'Psychonaut' LP out on Australian label Obese Records in October 2010. Also SonnyJim/Sleaze EP 'Working Mnemonics' and SonnyJim/Apatight LP 'Magnum Opus' will be coming soon.'

Recommended Listening: Scorzayzee, Jon Phonics, Blacastan, Abstract Soundz, Sandman, Screaming Soul, & Northern Hostility

Have been really busy of late with this and that, whatnot and stuff and as you can probably tell Certified Banger really took a back seat. Doesn't mean I haven't been listening to music though does it? No. Here's some stuff I've been listening to that you might want to turn your ears to:

Sandman's 'Code of the Road Runner' is some refreshing Dubstep/Dub/Reggae inspired UK Hip Hip which features Ghetto Priest, Farma G, Seanie T, Stig of the Dump and Skrein amongst others. The album is available for just £5 at Bandcamp.

Sandman is also a part of the Screaming Soul crew alongside Ghetto Priest (who has worked with Asian Dub Foundation). Screaming Soul is made up of a whole host of musicians (read more at Bandcamp) and their album 'Ghost In A Shell' is more of the Dub/Dancehall/Reggae/Hip Hop goodness (with less emphasis on the Hip Hop) that can be found on Sandman's LP. This album is also available for a fiver - a bargain as this is a superb collection of tracks suitable for the current weather.

What else have I been checking out? Oh yeah, Abstract Soundz (a producer) dropped an absolute gem from out of nowhere featuring a whole host of interesting MCs who I'll definitely be on the look out for. The release is just called 'Abstract Soundz presents...' and it features a whole host of accomplished and funky productions, rappers such as Brotherman, B'Tol, Chalk MC, Louis Vines, Equis (who's French), Skunkadelic, Tom Long, Kaos, A Kid and The Ruby Kid and the sublime vocals of Eva Lazarus - don't be put off if you don't recognise some of these names - they are all worth listening to. Download it for free here.

Over to the US now with Blacastan's 'The Master of Reality' mixtape - proof that decent artwork and packaging has a huge effect on a potential listener. Basically, the CD is presented as a mini vinyl LP in the cut and paste style of Black Sabbath's 'Master of Reality' album complete with a Vertigo style CD. The tracks are raw, gritty, street rap and the stand out tracks for me are 'If You Only Knew' which perfectly interpolates Henry Mancini's 'The Windmills of Your Mind' and 'Martyrs' which samples Simon and Garfunkel's 'The Boxer' - a track which I've been brought up on. Not sure how you'd get hold of one of these as they're limited edition but I'm pretty sure a quick internet search would turn up a download - try it now.

Jon Phonics has a new thing out, 'Half Past Calm 2' , which you can get for free by simply signing up to get mail outs from YNR Productions by clicking here. It's a fairly dark affair in the vein of the recent work of M9, Triple Darkness and the like and it features T-Bear, Nasheron, M9, Masikah, Verb T, Kashmere, Fliptrix, Cyrus Malachi, Micall Parknsun, Kosyne and newcomer/one to watch Kal Sereousz. Check Jon's exceptionally crafted, blazed-out beats.

I was rather excited to ear-peep Scorzayzee's mixtape 'Raging Bull' because he is such an engaging and entertaining MC and I really wasn't disappointed. Right from his 64 bar romp over De La's 'Babyphat' at the beginning I was hooked and you will be too. Download it for free now. Simples.

Lastly is yet more proof that Yorkshire, especially the West side of said county, is where it's at right now, especially if you're into heavy, unadulterated old school-influenced rap. Northern Hostility, the crew consisting of scores of MCs, producers, DJs and smaller crews, have put together their 'Bad Language Mixtape' and it's pretty good. Verbal Contact, Alphabetix and Defenders of Style all contribute to this free download.

'Prolusion Plus' - Delusionists (review)

Delusionists have swollen their portfolio since they released 'The Prolusion'. Now it's back; bigger and better than before - kinda like Hercules' Hydra (and if you don't know Greek mythology - bone up).

'Prolusion Plus' adds 6 tracks to the original release, omits 1 weak link and contains remixes of a couple of the original tunes (which I reviewed way back when).

Opener 'Who's That?' benefits from an alternative beat before a new banger from the boys and Jon Phonics kicks in: 'Digital Connects' is a celebration of Hip Hop's online community and with lyrics like "Oh Word? you never heard the fly chatter of a bonafide nutter on the Certified Banger?" you know you need this in your life. Love this track - salutations to all those who get mentioned beside me.

Old favourite, and the track that did a lot for them on the interweb, 'Trunk Rattle' is up next followed by 'The Low' which premièred on the 'On The Radar Vol. 5'. Kelakovski lends his signature production sound on the operatically chorused '12 Letters' - this, along with the Jon Phonics track, is a great new sound for Delusionists.

'Work' is a gloriously hazy instrumental track which updates the famous 90s Hip Hop sound and they've added the Slim Pickens produced 'The Movement' to the package. Tom Caruana comes up with a remix of 'Supa Lyrical Excursion pt. 2' which is as dope as you'd want it to be. They've also thrown in Ed Strong's minimalistic spaced-out remix of 'On The Radar' exclusive 'Parallel Worldz' (check the other remixes here).

Are Delusionists the mystery saviours of real Hip Hop from the UK? It's a very strong possibility. All in all this is a terrific new package of music, perfect for Delusionists beginners and fans alike. The download is only £4 and for a beautifully crafted CD version it's only going to set you back £6. Even better, since you read about this here, if you type in CBFAM when asked for a promotional code on the download, you'll get 25% percent off! How's that for goodness? Click here to be whisked away to the magical, mythical place where all this purchasing can happen.

'Half Past Calm 2' - Jon Phonics - Coming Soon!

Here's the blurb, no point in me re-hashing it (there usually is):

Jon Phonics' debut album for YNR Productions, Half Past Calm 2, will be available exclusively from Monday 3rd May via the brand new YNR Productions website. Produced entirely by Jon Phonics and featuring exclusive tracks with YNR artists Jehst, Kashmere, Verb T & Micall Parknsun, plus extended fam Melanin 9, Cyrus Malachi & Nasheron of Triple Darkness, Obba Supa, 9 Planets, SonnyJim, Kosyne, Ramson Badbonez, T-Bear, Fliptrix & More.

The album will be available in a limited edition run of 300 x hand printed 4-ply fold out covers, screen printed by Brixton Basement Press (Some of the process can be seen in the video trailer below) and also a free download from the YNR website for a limited time only.

Take some time to check out this trailer an prepare yourself for what's to come from one of the countries illest producers doing it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSpylJXegWs

'Half Past Calm 2' - Jon Phonics Coming Soon!

'Jonathon's Beats and Pieces' - Jon Phonics (free download)

Jon Phonics has put together a bit of a mixtape for your ears in 2010. It's kind of a snippet mix a la J Dilla and you can check out a whole host of the tracks here on youtube before you use up some minutes downloading the thing for free. It's full of squelchy and fairly wonky Hip Hop inlcuding the strangely titled track above which apparently features YNR newbie Jyager - holla if you hear him because I can't!

'The Kinesis Thesis' - K.I.N.E.T.I.C. (album review)

Solid, real Hip Hop is on the menu with K.I.N.E.T.I.C.'s sophomore LP release. With always-reliable production from Jon Phonics plus more dope beats from ones to watch JJ Malone and Vintage (who enlists Chemo's co-production help on 'Leave It All Behind' this album will keep you involved for its 47 minutes.

With lyrical performances as powerful as 'Love Has Never Lived Here' (an honest look behind the doors of K.I.N.E.T.I.C.'s childhood home), it's obvious his Energy Man suffix doesn't just adhere to the kind of hyped up Hip Hop displayed on opener 'Let's Go' - electricty runs through whatever topic is tackled.

Overall the album documents the elements that contribute to the MCs place in life - the city ('In The City'), soul destroying 9 to 5s '(Leave It All Behind'), upbringing and Hip Hop itself ('Memory Lane'). The bluesy 'Don't Be Silly' tells a tale of changing attitudes to love as a result of heartbreak - an attitude sadly adopted by many, resulting in an endless cycle of messy relationships.

'The Kinesis Thesis' is released digitally on Monday November 16th.

The Basement Sessions Podcast

Check out the Basement Sessions podcast featuring these most excellent tracks and artists:

1. J.Rawls & John Robinson f. Rashad - She's So Brilliant
2. Son Of A Queen - King
3. Krate Krusaders f. Kasha & Logic - Stronger
4. Percy Filth f. J.Sands & K.Skills - That's Why
5. Amanda Diva - Heart Strings (UK EXCLUSIVE!)
6. Sonny Jim - CrazyIllMadRowdy (Produced by Jon Phonics)
7. Wio-K f. Ty & Serocee - An Ting
8. Alphabetix - What's The Name
9. d. C. & Pennbannekar - The Come Up (UK EXCLUSIVE!)
10. Marco Polo & Torae f. Masta Ace & Sean Price - Hold Up
11. Akrobatik - AK B Nimble
12. Roots Manuva - 2 Much 2 Soon
13. Big Cakes - Soul
14. yU - Marvelous (O.G. Mix) (Produced by Kev Brown)
15. Amor Jones - Nothing Good Comes Easy
16. Art Of Fresh - Come N' Get Some
17. Kyza - Wild Orchid
18. Sleaze - Success
19. Nova Infinite - All Of My Life (UK EXCLUSIVE!)
20. IV f. Junclassic - Please Don't Go Away (UK EXCLUSIVE!)
21. FS Green - Rusty Beat

Check out The Basement Sessions on their website and on Sensei FM and stay tuned for more podcastage with the first official CErtified Banger podcast.

'Oxymoron' - Cambatta & Jon Phonics (video)

Cambatta - "Oxymoron" from DJ Nice on Vimeo.

'Oxymoron' - Cambatta & Jon Phonics Out Tomorrow

This is out tomorrow - our boy (and 'On The Radar' artist') Jon Phonics has gone transatlantic on his hook-up with Cambatta on the track 'Oxymoron' - which sounds like a pretty interesting subject to delve into. The track and video are out tomorrow - I'll be checking for that.

'Crazy Ill Mad Rowdy' - SonnyJim & Jon Phonics (free download)

More Jon Phonics + Eat Good Records artist ahoy! This time Mr. Phonics has hooked up with head honch SonnyJim on 'Crazy Ill Mad Rowdy' which features one of those joyous premo-esque scratched choruses. SonnyJim? Well he just does his thing - you know what to expect - quality hungry lyricism.

This is NOT a track from Jon Phonics' 'Chronicles of the Calcium Kid'; that was an all-live project he did for uni and he is considering dropping it on bandcamp, so watch this space! He also may have a 'Half Past Calm Style' free download album out for download very soon.

'Agency Scum'/'Bad Mannaz' - Redbeard (free downloads)

Now this is original stuff - Redbeard rapping about working for a recruitment agency - you've never heard that before! Over a Kelakovski beat Mr. Beard chats about timewasting, breaks, steel toecaps and high-vis vests as he works at a warehouse, a factory and an office - top stuff.

The second free track taken from Redbeard's forthcoming 'Tha Bearded Wonda' LP is produced by Jon Phonics and features S.K. and Sam Stealth and it's called 'Bad Mannaz'. Phonics keeps the beat menacing during the verse before it explodes into some dirty bassline in the chorus. S.K. brings his unique madness to the mix.

Redbeard - 'Agency Scum'

Redbeard - 'Bad Mannaz' ft. S.K. & Sam Stealth

The dirty versions of these two tracks can be heard at Redbeard's Reverbnation page.

Jon Phonics New Album Artwork Preview

Take a look at the cover for the forthcoming release from UK Hip Hop producer Jon Phonics; 'Chronicles of the Calcium Kid'. There's not much more I can tell you right now but if 'Half Past Calm' and his other recent production work is anything to go by it should be a good un.

If, somehow you did miss the free download of 'Half Past Calm' then click here. It features M9, TB, Sir Smurf Lil', Cyrus Malachi, Verb T and Mr. Drastick amongst others. Click here to check out the interview I did with him and click here to see all the features he's had here before!

'On The Radar' Series - 60+ Free UK Hip Hop Tunes

Haven't bigged up these for a while, neither have I done a post with all three:

Click the images to download over 60 tracks of free and exclusive UK Hip Hop featuring music from: JVF Clique, Jay Madden, Chris L, Assa, Jut, Dan Bull, Mrs. Pez, Jimmy Crack, Skrimshank, Remus, Krate Krusaders, Antidote, Pro P, TLG, Chima Anya, The Three Amigos, Naive, Grit Grammar, Dan Bull, Joker Starr, MasterSystem, Asaviour, Apa-Tight, Dabbla, Miss Tofelees, Gouki P, Antiheroes, Reklews, Lowercase, Chattabox, Sober, Simple Samples, Circle Makerz, King David, Cipher Jewels, Reggiimental, Reain, Ramson Badbonez, Yosh, Vee Kay, Joe Blow, Metabeats, Dialect, Delegates of Culture, Stylah, Jon Phonics, Kasha, Jee4ce, Profisee, Capitol 1212, Mr. ShaoDow, Cheif Wigz, Brutal Artistry, Cyclonius, Baron Samedi 15. Judgement Day ft. SonnyJim, Kosyne, R.C. & LKC _ JC, Ozmosis, Miss Tofelees, Stoney, Pockets, Pro P, Zoo Mark, Slippa, Mr. Loop, Bane, Jonny Alpha, E Hustle, Jehst, Kyza, Queens English, Klashnekoff, Skandal, Loudmouth, Jay Large, Grimlok, Reps, Late, Size8, Spee 69, Beit Nun, Truth, B'Tol and more:

Free Jon Phonics, Ramson Badbonez, Foreign Beggars, Infinite Livez

UK Hip Hop producer Jon Phonics has been busy on his Uni project and has created this instrumental gem: 'Passing Spheres'. It's somewhere between Breaks, Jazz and Hip Hop and it's reet nice. I'm not sure whether the title refers to some strange case of excreting 3D shapes or not.

Ramson Badbonez dropped his latest free download, it's called 'Yeah (Da Reminda)' and his brutal lyricism is choice, he kicks off with "Here's a reminder: Saw off your hand with an angle grinder" - ouch. Last week's track was 'Play It Back' with M.A.B. - laid back and very 90s-ish.

The second track off The Early Man's forthcoming EP 'Alpha' (which features MC Kombo) is 'Slinky' - a track on which mad-cap Infinite Livez shares mic time with UK Hip Hop heroes Foreign Beggars and it sounds EXACTLY like you'd expect it to! The Early Man's production is futuristically funky and 'Slinky' is available to you for free - now buy the single on May 25th!

Certified Banger Presents 'On The Radar Vol. 3' Out Now!

The third in the series of free to download compilations compiled by Certified Banger. What more is there to say?

Well actually, loads. Representing the UK and 100% supported by all artists involved ‘OTR Vol. 3’ is 21 tracks deep and features bare exclusives.

Reain (aka Wha’s His Face) has recorded an exclusive track entitled ‘On The Radar’ over one of RJD2’s finest beats. Yosh and Vee Kay have offered an up-front exclusive taken from Yosh’s forthcoming EP. The guys over at Don’t Talk To Strangers give you all the chance to get 2 tracks previously only available on a limited pressing of 200 CDs (‘When Planets Collide’ by Bane & Jonny Alpha and ‘Leafs’ by Chief Wigz).

Delegates of Culture offer you a chance to sample their soon to be released LP ‘Bad Guys’ with their track ‘Grip’. Mr. Loop brings some never-heard-before vibes with ‘Grown Man Music’ featuring Yosh, Slippa and Zoo Mark and Krate Krusaders grant you the opportunity to download their Ramson Badbonez featuring track ‘Incredible’ for the first time.

JVF Clique, Mr. Shaodow, Dialect and Stylah also provide special tunes from soon to be released projects. Elsewhere Joe Blow and Metabeats, E Hustle, Kasha, Baron Samedi, Ozmosis, JC and SonnyJim, Jee4ce and Capitol 1212 and Profisee give away tracks from previously available EPs and albums.

‘On The Radar Vol. 3’ features artists from up and down the country including Northern Ireland, South and West Yorkshire, London, Manchester, Birmingham and Cambridge – Certified Banger fully represents the talent this country holds. If you don’t recognise the names on here, there’s all the more reason to download this – you need to hear these tracks and then you need to find out more.

In a time when so much music is given away for free it’s good to remember that these guys need to eat too. ‘OTR Vol. 3’ is intended to be a signpost that points towards the places where these MCs and producers sell their wares. Check these tracks out, then buy the albums, EPs and 12”s that these artists put out.

1. On The Radar - Reain
2. Incredible ft. Ramson Badbonez - Krate Krusaders
3. The Siesta ft. Yosh - Vee Kay
4. Say Yeah - Joe Blow (prod. by Metabeats & cuts by Stagga)
5. I’m Gunna - Dialect
6. Grip - Delegates of Culture (prod. by Toe)
7. Fear The Future - Stylah (prod. by Jon Phonics)
8. Black Rhyme - Kasha (prod. by Vivid Imagery)
9. The Positive Pessimist - Jee4ce (prod. by Whys)
10. I See ft. Profisee - Capitol 1212
11. The British Are Coming - Mr. ShaoDow
12. Leafs - Cheif Wigz (prod. by Brutal Artistry)
13. Rise To The Top - Cyclonius
14. Cannibal Rights - Baron Samedi
15. Judgement Day ft. SonnyJim, Kosyne, R.C. & LKC – JC
16. Tomorrow’s World - Ozmosis (prod. by Miss Tofelees)
17. Manchester ft. Stoney - Pockets (prod. by Pro P)
18. Grown Man Music ft. Zoo Mark, Yosh & Slippa - Mr. Loop
19. When Planets Collide - Bane & Jonny Alpha (prod. by Brutal Artistry)
20. Phenomenal - E Hustle
21. Drugs Need Kids - JVF Clique

Certified Banger Presents 'On The Radar Volume 3' Coming Soon!

'On The Radar Volume 3' is on it's way, it's due to digitally drop on Monday 6th April. If you are a blogger or similar who wants to have it early to review just drop me an email and I'll let you know the secret link. If you just really want it and you won't be reviewing it but you will be passing it on to your friends, send me an email too! Check out the video promo to hear some of the tracks.

Guerilla links are going up right now at undisclosed locations on the web so if you really want it early, you can find it! (Clue: Check the tracklisting and find those artists on facebook and myspace)

1. On The Radar - Reain
2. Incredible ft. Ramson Badbonez - Krate Krusaders
3. The Siesta ft. Yosh - Vee Kay
4. Say Yeah - Joe Blow (prod. by Metabeats & cuts by Stagga)
5. I’m Gunna - Dialect
6. Grip - Delegates of Culture (prod. by Toe)
7. Fear The Future - Stylah (prod. by Jon Phonics)
8. Black Rhyme - Kasha (prod. by Vivid Imagery)
9. The Positive Pessimist - Jee4ce (prod. by Whys)
10. I See ft. Profisee - Capitol 1212
11. The British Are Coming - Mr. ShaoDow
12. Leafs - Cheif Wigz (prod. by Brutal Artistry)
13. Rise To The Top - Cyclonius
14. Cannibal Rights - Baron Samedi
15. Judgement Day ft. SonnyJim, Kosyne, R.C. & LKC – JC
16. Tomorrow’s World - Ozmosis (prod. by Miss Tofelees)
17. Manchester ft. Stoney - Pockets (prod. by Pro P)
18. Grown Man Music ft. Zoo Mark, Yosh & Slippa - Mr. Loop
19. When Planets Collide - Bane & Jonny Alpha (prod. by Brutal Artistry)
20. Phenomenal - E Hustle
21. Drugs Need Kids - JVF Clique

Check out the title track from Reain:

Louis Den Beat Cypher 12th February

Alright chums? This looks good doesn't it? If you're in or around Birmingham that night you should get yourself there - what could be better than cramming into a small room with a load of Hip Hop heads, some MCs and some producers?

Click the image to see it properly.