'The Official Mixtape Volume 1' - Ramson Badbonez & DJ Harry Love (mixtape review)

Coming up under the wing of Task Force can never be a bad thing. First appearing in 2002 on the ‘Mud Fam EP’ and then again in 2003 on ‘Music From The Corner Volume 2’, Ramson Badbonez has had a good start in UK rap life. Along with DJ Harry Love he now brings us an epic collection of verses and concepts over a load of beats from the greats (Premier, RZA, 9th Wonder, Alchemist, Madlib and more).

If Badbonez isn’t one of the most promising MCs on the scene right now then I don’t know who is. He’s interesting, clever and witty, he’s laidback, competent and lyrical - skills which could be generalised as ‘panache’.

Ramson displays a versatility that’s missing in most MCs only on their first mixtape. Concepts, hooks, lexis, on-point delivery, real talk, braggadocio and story telling are all present and correct in the most refreshing way.

Standout tracks for me are ‘Put The Mic Down’ (for the awesome reworking of the RZA’s ‘Liquid Swords’) and the British weather reality track ‘Out In The Rain’ but if you’ve got an hour and a bit you’ll find it’s all of high quality. Rounding off with his version of Slick Rick’s ‘Children’s Story’ is a perfect way to end a release which only leaves me hoping that, with a bunch of instrumentals specifically made for him, Ramson Badbonez will produce a storming debut album proper.

‘The Official Mixtape Volume 1’ also features tracks from various projects already released (aforementioned ‘MFTC 2’, DJ MK’s ‘Above Board’ and Ramson’s own 12 inchers). Buy it now, as usual, at Suspect Packages (and don’t download it).

Recordkingz 'Heavyweight' Coming Soon

The man responsible for sourcing rare vinyl (check his site/store Recordkingz.com) for the likes of Lord Finesse, Just Blaze, Alchemist, JuJu, Evidence, Buckwild, Havoc and Madlib is on the verge of dropping his debut production album 'Heavyweight'.

That man is UK producer Juliano Creator (one half of The Creators who dropped 'The Weight' in 2000) and this album features Mobb Deep, The Beatnuts, Joell Ortiz, Evidence, Little Brother, Guilty Simpson, Craig G and more.

Juliano, as part of The Creators has produced for Phi Life Cypher, Mos Def & Talib Kweli, Phil Da Agony, Consequence, El de Sensei and Diamond D. His success continued with TV music for advertising campaigns including Hugo Boss and Sony, Rare Funk Compilations that he compiled, production and remix credits on hit singles for artists like Nas and Dilated Peoples.

'Rock Ya Shoulders' featuring The Beatnuts and 'Heat' featuring Mobb Deep are the current singles, both on itunes now and 12" in February. Keep your peepers peeled for more info, a review and an interview.

'WLIB AM King of the Wigflip' - Madlib (album review)

If I’m honest, Madlib confuses me what with all the aliases and collaborations and the HUGE back catalogue. To become a fan - where to begin?!

On the intriguingly entitled ‘WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip’ Madlib sticks to his Beat Konducta moniker. What is immediately clear from listening to this LP is that Madlib, despite what his die-hard fans may think, shines far brighter when providing beatscapes for quality MC’s.

The tracks solely accredited to The Beat Konducta are nothing more than filler to my ears, albeit filler that, if a rapper had stepped to it, would probably be hot. The tracks with singers don’t do anything for me either – props for branching out but when the album is blessed by heavy weight MC’s the sung tracks flop with the only exception being ‘Yo Yo Affair pt. 1 & 2.

The album is more than worth a purchase for the rocking stand out moments such Guilty Simpson’s ‘Blow the Horns on ‘Em’, Defari’s awesome ‘Gamble On Ya Boy’, Prince Po’s eccentric ‘The Thang-Thang’, Talib’s Reflection Eternal-ish ‘What it Do’ and the stripped down Murs track, ‘Ratrace’.

Madlib closes BBE’s Beat Generation in style leaving this reviewer ready to hear more Madlib/MC collaborations old and new.

Of some interest...

It's about time again that I just post a few tracks up for you, mainly in the non-UK Hip Hop mould. Yes, occasionally I do listen to US Rap, here is some of it:

Two new tracks from Guru: 'Who Got It On Lock' featuring Doo-Wop and 'Knowledge' featuring Lord Tariq. 'Who Got It On Lock', produced by Solar is so 90's which is perfectly fine by me and 'Knowledge' is...well, quite 90's sounding as well. Also fine. Lyrics and flow are classic Guru.

Esoteric made an album in 2007 entirely using Gary Numan samples. The album is 'Pterodactyl Tubeway' and it's pretty cool. 'Deathless Fascination' samples Tubeway Army's 'Are Friends Electric' (Yes, the one the Sugababes sampled too when they mashed that up with Adina Howard's 90's-tastic R'n'B hit, 'Freak Like Me') and it's about stupid girls.

Last year Statik Selektah released his album 'Spell My Name Right' which featured mad guests. 'No Mistakes Allowed' features Doug E Fresh, Tony Touch, Scram Jones, DP-One, DG GI-Joe, DJ Revolution and Esoteric! It's a simple break with an old school vibe. Perfect.

Madlib has a new album just about to drop entitled 'WLIB AM: King of The Wigflip'. It also has bare guests such as Guilty Simpson, Murs, Prince Po and Defari amongst others. You're officially allowed to hear 'The Ox (805)' which features MED and Poke but since I totally love it here's 'Gamble on Ya Boy' which is a funkfest blessed by the golden tones of Defari - gotta get some albums by this don.

Some real old school 90's stuff now from Kool G Rap and DJ Polo from their 1995 set '4,5,6'. The track 'Money on my Brain' samples Herbie Hancock's awesome jazz-funk experiment 'Chameleon' as well as featuring MF Grimm and B1.

Web is a new artist attempting to break the scene. Currently he is releasing a track a week through blogs and the like from his album 'It'll Be Alright, Book One'. The best one so far is 'Get Over (Prologue)' which samples the Diana Ross track 'Love Hangover', which I posted on here not so long ago. Preview the album here or buy it here.

Just download, that's why you're here

Here are some tracks that have been making waves down my ear canal in the last week.

Paul Wall - Bangin' Screw - Pauls charm is in his effort to be a cool southern rapper, this is hot though, don't get me wrong.
Royce da 5'9 - Hit 'Em - Royce seems to fall on and off the radar but he's pretty consistent and this is good hard hip hop.
Skyzoo - The Paper - Unashamed about why he raps, he wants to make money, at least he's honest.
Prodigy - Raining Guns And Shanks - Wow! The best of the bunch here, what is this beat? It's amazing!
Young Jeezy - Mr. 15 - Good album, good track.
MED - All I Know - Produced by Madlib, this is a heater.
Clipse - Nightmares ft. Bilal and Pharrell - Chilled out track from Virginias finest cain slingers.
Sway - Sky is Falling - Didn't make the new EP but tis truly great Brit Hop

Free file hosting from File Den