'MasterSystem EP' - MasterSystem (free download)

My apologies go to the MasterSystem boys for not writing about their new free-to-download EP sooner - 5 tracks of quality Scottish Hip Hop done in their own firmly rooted style.

The EP kicks off with the fast-paced ‘Verbal Goldmine’, utilising on old skool bass break to great effect whilst the crew spit tongue twisters with playful panache. Making the Scots (and Lancashire) accent work for English folk the MCs spit clearly on ‘Little Fingers’ whilst Anneke sings the chorus in style not unlike that of Lily Allen. You will recognise ‘See I Realise’ from my own ‘On The Radar’ series (Vol. 4 coming soon) and ‘It’s Time’ finally answers the question “What would Jurassic 5 sound like if they were Scottish/Lancastrian?”, and as a J5 fan, I like that. ‘Out of Luck’ is a very experimental instrumental track which is probably left best without raps – Ronin does his own thing here.

Download this for yourself and be entertained for 20 minutes. Look out for the forthcoming ‘Certified Celtic Connection’ for more Scottish goodness.

On The Radar Artist Profile: MasterSystem

Name: MasterSystem

Age: Collectively? Too old

From: Edinburgh, Scotland and Lancaster, England. Edinbaster if you will.

Track on ‘On The Radar’: 'See I Realise' feat. Anneke

Tell us the story behind the track: Well we got the beat from the Whys production machine, immediately heard the blatant ‘hesitation’ and ‘reservation’ samples and decided to make a tune about arrogant pigeons. This didn’t seem to be working so we decided to pen a more serious track that focused on the times when life seems to get the better of you, but you don’t let it, you kick its whining ass, get yourself back on track and hold your head high.

Record Label: We don’t have one at the moment, but we’re gonna need one for when the album drops in a couple of months, its gonna be heavy mate.

Who you roll with: Whys, Jee4ce, Ronin, Tori, Akira Kiteshi, our mums, the nines.

Favourite album(s): Favourite hip-hop albums would be 'Symptomatic of a Greater Ill' by Dark Mind and 'Nia' by Blackalicious

Describe your style in three words: United F**king Kingdom

Past/Present/Future projects: Tons of stuff. The MasterSystem album is being mastered and will drop soon, Fresh MC and Whys released ‘Monologues’ by their ICARUS side project last year (www.theicarus.co.uk) and played live on Radio One, Whys is now dabbling in wonk mayhem and signed his Akira Kiteshi project to Black Acre last year. More to come on all fronts. Be ready.

Can't believe it?! You haven't downloaded the whole thing yet! 19 more tracks of UK Hip Hop? Do it!