Recommended Listening: Mr. Chop, Kidkanevil, Spin Doctor, Stonephace, Del & Tame One

Time is short these days and I'm going to start experimenting with more time effective ways of posting up all the UK Hip Hop news you need. Today is a snow day so I've got time to work things out. You may see more posts like these:

First thing I'd like to tell you to listen to is Mr. Chop's 'For Pete's Sake'. It's basically instrumental reworkings of Pete Rock beats but the beauty of it is that you can play this to anyone and they'll groove to it and all the while you'll be smugly rapping along in your head to 'T.R.O.Y', 'The World Is Yours' and more classics like those. Watch out for the two 7" vinyls actually featuring CL Smooth. Go to www.nowagainrecords.com/mr-chop for more.

If you're feeling brave and adventurous get yourself a copy of Kidkanevil's third album 'Basho Basho'. Hot on the heels of 'Back Off Man, I'm a Scientist' Kid K takes his formula to its extremes and bashes the listener around the head with bass heavy glitch-hop beats of varying tempos that explode out of their calming intros and interludes. Very strange but very good. Keep your eyes on here for more news, it should be out on January 18th on First Word Records.



The self-titled album by Stonephace on Tru Thoughts is another great CD to share with your anti-Hip Hop friends and family. You'll all appreciate something here whether it be the epic melodies, musicianship or just the funky beats. If you like any other Tru Thoughts albums then you'll like this - they are a label you can be a fan of as they have honed their sound perfectly. Listen to them take you through the album on the Tru Thoughts podcast.

Del The Funky Homosapien has hooked up with Tame One and together they've put together 'Parallel Uni-verses' which is produced by Parallel Thought. I've only heard the album sampler, 5 tracks in all, but it's pretty dope if you fancy some decent US Hip Hop. Check 'Flashback' for some history lessons. It's out on Gold Dust Records.

Finally, try to get your hands on a copy of DJ Spin Doctor's 'Doctorin' Detroit'. It's basically just a mix of a load of really decent Motown music - 2 CDs worth of tracks from The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Rick James and loads more! Buy it here from Rap and Soul.

** New Date** The Line Up #1: Jehst, Micall Parknsun, Jack Flash, Kidkanevil Live in Leeds!

A few changes to the details here: Due to a few teething problems the first night will now be 30th October. The line up at The Line Up might change to Sonny Jim, Extra-curricular with Jack Flash, No Change and Defenders of Style.

Forget the usual "if you're in the area" thing - even if you're not get there and get the first train in the morning home. Jehst, Micall Parknsun, Jack Flash with Extra Curricular and Kidkanevil? Be there. 30th October. Leeds. The Vault, 123 The Headrow. Brrrrrap!

'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.

'17 Samurai' - Kidkanevil (free Jehst and DJ Vadim Remix downloads)

Not another Kidkanevil post?! Yup. This time about his forthcoming project '17 Samurai' which is out on First Word on June 29th. It's a remix album of Kidkanevil's past work which features work by Jehst, DJ Vadim, Mr. Thing, Red, TM Juke, Natural Self and Eliphino. Check Transatlantic Sound's website for the full tracklist and more info.

Kidkanevil's third album proper, 'Basho Basho', is set to be released this autumn and we've been told to keep our eyes on www.myspace.com/kidkanevil this summer for exclusive tracks from the forthcoming album as well as more mind-blowing DJ mixes.

For now, you are allowed to hear 2 tracks and another mix:

'Stomp' ft. Justin Percival (Jehst remix)

'When I Dig' ft. Kissey Asplund & Blu (DJ Vadim remix)

'18th Samurai' (Kidkanevil DJ Mix)

Tracklist for mix:

1.Tugboat – Dirt Off Your Shoulder 8bit remix 2.kidkanevil – Tokyorkshire (Airhead & Narow P remix) 3. Zomby – Aquafresh 4. Joker – Psychedelic Runway
5. Aardvark – Four 6. Akira Kiteshi – Pinball 7. kidkanevil – Real Wild (Illum Sphere remix) 8. Fulgeance – I Luv U 9. DJ Vadim - R3 Imaginashun 10. Natural Self – Ghost In The Machine 11. Erk Tha Jerk – Plane In The Air (instrumental) 12. The Cool Kids – Pennies 13. PANTyRAiD – Beba 14. Heralds of Change – Bopgunn (instrumental) 15. Dorian Concept – The F**king Formula 16. kidkanevil – The Profound Truth (Fulgeance remix) 17. kidkanevil – When I Dig ft Kissey Asplund & Blu (DJ Vadim remix) 18. 1000 Names – Roccin On Your Radio 19. kidkanevil – Gotta Be Fresh (1000 Names remix) 20. Nekklace – BUttERFLY (kidkanevil remix demo) EXCLUSIVE!!! 21. J Dilla – Expensive Whip 22. Jay Dee – Off Ya Chest (instrumental) 23. kidkanevil – The Profound Truth (Depeche Rhodes remix)

'Guava Juice Sunshine Mix' - Kidkanevil (free download)

The sun has been with us for a couple of days now and last night may be the last time to enjoy it for a few days at least. So tonight you'll be dragging out the charcoal and the steaks and getting your BBQ on, that's if you haven't already.Here's a summery mix by Leeds man Kidkanevil to help with your evening. It features a healthy dose of slightly wonky Hip Hop, all drenched liberally in audio sunlight.

Thanks to Natural Self for this one:

1. Kankick – Sun Soul
2. Quasimoto – Goodmorning Sunshine Inst
3. Phat Kat – Lovely Inst Mr Beatnick Edit
4. Daru – Iluvyou Inst
5. Keaver & Brause – Laastic
6. Debruit – Echtah
7. Disrupt – SEGA Beats
8. Oh No – Eyes Wide Shut Inst
9. Reflection Eternal – 2000 Seasons Inst
10. J. Rawls – Blue #2
11. Declaime & Flying Lotus – Whole Wide World Inst
12. J Dilla – Yesterday beat tape version
13. Souleance – Manana
14. 9th Wonder – Scars Inst

'Back Off Man, I'm a Scientist' - Kidkanevil (album review)

Kidkanevil, like any good scientist has experimented extensively, has produced a watertight thesis and is ready to prove it to you with ‘Back Off Man, I’m a Scientist’ (out now on First Word Records).

Kidkanevil, it seems, set out to prove that the bonds between modern, westernised music and traditional ethnic compositions still exist. He’s compounded and mixed elements of both and, quite organically, grown a hybrid form of music. Hip Hop is used more sparingly on this sophomore album, allowing soul, funk and electro to have more of an impact on the resulting concoction.

Immediately noticeable is the reliance on rhythm and percussion - a thread that runs throughout the album’s 10 tracks. Multi-rhythmic compositions form more than half of each track, many utilising more primitive drum sounds than the average release. The starkly contrasting electronic sounds probably should be out of place, but this is science, and you can’t argue with science – it works – Kidkanevil probably shouted ‘Eureka!’.

Stand out tracks include the raw soul opener ‘Stomp’ which features the singer of Kidkanevil’s band (Justin Percival of Stateless) and ‘R.I.P.’ featuring Leeds rappers Double D Dagger. ‘When I Dig’ is a neo-soul potion featuring Cali MC Blu doing a mockney accent and ‘Black Bug’ is electro/funk/pop of the purest form (if that’s possible!).

The title’s warning against hostility is absolutely unnecessary; no-one will be confronting him questioningly about this solid release. There should be no decision involved in buying this now, you’ve heard how good it is, go buy it!

Kidkanevil Giveaways

Kidkanevil, Leeds based Hip Hop producer and DJ is having a right generous streak right now. I hit up the Leeds Hip Hop Scene site and found what I'm about to share with you.

This excellent giveaway is in aid of promoting his next album 'Back off Man, I'm a Scientist'. 'Problems & Solutions' (download via that link), his last album features Certified Banger favourites Jehst and Sir Smurf Lil' as well as other MC's and singers.

The other giveaway is 'Back off Man, I'm a Mixtape' (again, click the link to download). Check it out!

Grab these tracks to taste:

Kidkanevil - Def Cert ft. Jehst & Sir Smurf Lil`.mp3
Kidkanevil - 5th Gear ft. Lateef The Truthspeaker & Little Miss B.mp3