'Further Into The Wood' - Tom Bombadeal (album review)

Fresh from Tea Sea Records is Tom Bombadeal’s follow up to 2007's 'Songs From The Wood'. ‘Further Into The Woods’ is a far as a magical mythical character from middle earth gets to releasing a mixtape. It’s a prequel to Bombadeal’s main album (which is as yet untitled) which will tell a story in sequence and will feature some familiar characters from ‘Songs From The Wood’ and ‘Further Into The Woods’.

At 35 tracks, yet only 50 minutes long, this is like a collection of snapshots giving insights into the world of Tom Bombadeal. What strikes me is that, despite this being set in an imaginary world, this album really captures many aspects of modern day life – and it makes me glad to be alive.

As you saunter through The Shire with Tom you meet the Sun, the Moon, trees, a witchdoctor, a troll and many more characters some voiced by rappers Elemental, 777, Dizraeli and Teej. Tom’s production is beautifully folksy making this as un-Hip Hop as Hip Hop gets – it’s extremely refreshing and in the short time I’ve owned this album I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve listened to it.

‘Further Into The Woods’ is out now on Tea Sea Records and I can’t urge you enough to go pick this up from them or Suspect Packages. But be warned, if you do buy it; be ready to be stripped of all your rap inhibitions. Play this one for yer kids.

'Ido Presents: Sound Bites' - Vecks (album review)

Having the right voice for Hip Hop is a handy weapon and when clever rhyme writing skills and faultless delivery complete your arsenal; half the battle is already won. Thankfully Vecks fires off over a heavy selection of Ido’s beats ensuring that victory is his on his debut LP ‘Sound Bites’.

Ido’s 13 original productions will keep your neck snapping for just under 40 minutes (a very listener-friendly length for an album) as Vecks effortlessly raps on an egotistical tip. If you’re looking for social commentary and other such sombre subjects then look elsewhere. If often hilarious put downs, punch lines and self-aggrandisement is more your thing then look no further than a place that sells this CD.

Vecks invites a select few guests along in the form of Longusto, Scizzahs, Enlish and Teej – all of whom contribute to the overall impression of the album.

‘Ido Presents…Vecks: Sound Bites’ is out now and is available at Suspect Packages.

Tea Sea Records CDs Available!

Big ups to Tom Caruana, UK producer and boss of Tea Sea Records. I've just got home to a fat pack of CDs from him, 7 in all, so thought I'd big them up a little (if that isn't a contradiction?).

He's sent me, in no particular order, 'The Rough Versions: Bootleg remixes by Tom Caruana' (which features tracks from D.I.T.C, J-Live and Busta), 'Tom Caruana Instrumentals Vol. Two' (which features beats from Dr. Syntax's 'Off The Radar' and Wordsmith's 'The Roadman Showcase'), 'Boiler Room Collective: The Mixtape' (with tracks from Dr. Syntax, Wordsmith, SkinnyMan, Genesis Elijah, Supar Novar and loads more), Longusto's 'Back In The Bad Books', 'Tom Caruana Instrumentals Volume 3', 'Boiler Room Collective: The Album' and his own 'Welcome Aboard'.

All of these CDs are available to you from Suspect Packages (just click on the CD names above) for the very reasonable price of £4.99 or less! There are also other bits and pieces available over at SP from TC's stable. I'll be working my way through these and keeping you updated on my progress!

'Spread The Word Vol. 1' - VA (free download)

The boys over at the Can't Stop Fanatics blog have put together their first compilation download.

Unlike my On The Radar series they have made the world their oyster and featured artists from all over this beautiful planet.

On the UK side of things it features an exclusive from Dan Bull, Bradford's own Dr. Crobe, Legs MC, Pat D and Lady Paradox, Wordsmith, Teej and Tom Caruana. It also features artists from USA, France, Poland, Brazil, Japan, Germany and Sweden.

Oh, and if you're on here and you didn't consent, don't shoot the messenger!

01 - Intro (beat by kuroioto) (assembled by nofrillz)
02 - Paradox - Life Of An Artist (feat. Jeremiah Bonds)
03 - Subway - Not Your Average
04 - Marcelo D2 - Ela Disse
05 - Funkoars - Let You Go
06 - Dan Bull - Doorways (Exclusive)
07 - Dr Crobe-No Money Broke Life
08 - Move.Meant - Myself In You (feat Mike James) (Michitaro from Cradle Orchestra Remix)
09 - Michita x Haiiro - Way Back When
10 - Legs MC - Obsessed With The Theatre feat. Crespo of Monkey Sons
11 - Cradle Orchestra - Food For Thoughts (feat. O.C.)
12 - Funky DL - Jazz
13 - Nefew - Because I Can (Exclusive)
14 - Dialect Music - Parano Star (Atom Remix)
15 - K. Sparks & Pajozo - Posers
16 - O.S.T.R. - Dlaczego Mamy Dac
17 - Robot Koch vs. Cerebral Vortex - Vortex Cookies (Flako Omegaman Remix)
18 - Scott Burns - Shift Gear (feat. Rass & Sereck)
19 - Pat D - Moments (feat. Lady Paradox & Lauren Jade)
20 - Bliss N Eso - Lonely Streets (feat. Debaser)
21 - Dela - Veuillez Veiller Sur Vos Reves (feat. Les Nubians & John Banzai)
22 - Wordsmith - Beautiful Life
23 - Eloquence & Truths - The Exit
24 - Syntax - Make It (feat. Tactic One)(prod. Mules)
25 - Small Professor, C.L. Smooth & Skyzoo - Perfect Timing (Small Pro Remix)
26 - Teej & Tom Caruana - The Divinity Of Femininity
27 - Daz-ini - Avec Le Love On Donne Ca (feat. Dernier Pro)
28 - Moon Blazers - Feels Like
29 - Outro (beat by ghost) (assembled by nofrillz)
30 - Bonus Track - Taybot - We Homie's Now (Exclusive)

'Sound Of Teejuana' - Teej & Tom Caruana (free download)

MC Teej and producer Tom Caruana, who has recently done production work for Wordsmith's new album, are providing you with a full free album.

All you have to do is go to the Tea Sea Records website, become a member and then you can downoad the whole thing.

It also features Elemental, Dizraeli and Joncept and features a 'Michael Eavis remix' of the track called Glastonbury - you'll have to download it to find out more!

If you're an MC who's looking for some jolly beats then go here and get in touch with Tom Caruana for a good deal!