'Eat Good Records Compilation Volume 1' - VA (compilation review)

Right now Birmingham is putting a very convincing bid to be the new capital of UK Hip Hop and here's some proof: 'Eat Good Records Compilation Volume 1'. Featuring raps and beats from the whole crew this release is a real must have for any UK Hip Hop fan. Leading his soldiers into battle is one of last years most lauded MCs - SonnyJim, whose verses are consistently on point over the 7 tracks he features on.

Other raps come from Kosyne, TLG, Redbeard, English, RT and Professor D and then there's 'Planet Rasco' which features a whole host of artists too numerous to count (almost). Sivey, Shears, Kelakovski, Taharka, Wizard, Eyebs, R2ThaBeats, Percy Filth and others all provide flawlessly suitable beats.

SK brings a bit of leftfield comedy on the true to life 'Overtime' which is nestled right up with TLG and Ras Supa's 'Blacklist' - two tracks about money from the everyman's viewpoint. Elsewhere there's clever film title based lyrics, a story track whose main character is a bank note, a track about having a bad day and a Brummie love song.

In case you hadn't realised yet, the UK is so much bigger than London and it's time that everyone sat up and took notice of this country's pools of talent such as the Eat Good Records roster. 'Eat Good Records Compilation Volume 1' is available from Suspect Packages now for a ridiculously cheap price.

'The Way' - GTA (album review)

GTA, the unlikely duo from Oxford, after a carefully paved path through 2008 have unleashed their first album proper: ‘The Way’. The work of Chima Anya and Ineffable (AKA “Least Hip Hop Rapper”) has certainly paid off; an album with an overall upbeat aura, quality production and playfully serious lyrics is their product.

Shears, the main man behind the production, produces 10 of the 12 tracks and his sound is the harmony to the lyrics of the GTA MCs. Having said this, Stabbaman (‘Breakthrough ‘08’ – latest single) and DJ Tactick (‘Wanna Be Myself’ – first single) both contribute congruent productions ensuring the album is tight and that GTA have ‘a sound’.

Both MCs have solo tracks on the album – a really nice touch, proving that both rappers are artists in their own right away from the group. ‘Fly’, ‘The Inbetween’ and ‘Message’ are Chima’s unaccompanied efforts and ‘What Can I Do’ is Inef’s. These four make up the album’s quota for contemplative tunes as we are allowed a little further into the individual minds of each MC.

The collaborative work is rocking-the-party orientated, can-do-attitude fuelled music that erases the need for complaining – GTA lead by example, follow their way.

‘The Way’ is available now for download at Amazon (for just £4.99) and itunes and at some point I’m sure you’ll be able to get a hard copy here at some point ‘cause I’ve got one!