'Celtic Underground Session 3' - VA - Mixed by Jee4ce (free download)

Celtic Underground Session 3 Mixed by Jee4ce

01. Capital 1212 ft. Mikey Krummins - Shootin Stars (Scotland)
02. Terawrizt ft. Jambo - End Of Dayz (Ireland)
03. Qred ft. Joe Blow 4dee and Skamma - Lunar Burn (Wales)
04. Respek BA - OH (Scotland)
05. Jee4ce - On The Rise (N.Ireland)
06. Ralph Rip Sh** ft. Dubbledge - Kiss The Guns (Wales)
07. Evil Residents - Demonic Soldiers (Scotland)
08. Rubberbandits - Pure Awkward (Ireland)
09. Sweet And Tender Hooligans - I Have Seen (Wales)
10. Intox ft. Jonnyboy - Take Me Back (Ireland)
11. Skribbo ft. Loki - Heavyweights (Scotland)
12. Nugget - Loser (Ireland)
13. MasterSystem - Its Time (Scotland)
14. Werd & Deeko - Mad World (Scotland)
15. Cullo - Who Am I (Ireland)
16. Dave Gunn - Under The Forgotton Page (Scotland)
17. Lineage ft. Maverick Sabre - Cambia Tu Fortuna Remix (Ireland)
18. Hoax MC - Rhymin Son (Wales)
19. Holmes - HipHoperation (Scotland)

Download or stream as one track

Download with tracks separated

Awdio.com Broadcasts Worldwide Club Nights

Here's a cool idea: instead of listening to your local radio station broadcasting from the inside of some dirty cheese-fest club why not tune into some of the biggest venues with some of the worlds biggest DJs, live?!

Awdio, the people from the place, actually make this happen! This month you, my reader, may be interested to know that you can dance in your bedroom to these Disc Jockeys:

3/01/09, Yo Majesty (US) , Miss Libertine, Melbourne
4/01/09, Bonobo (Ninja Tunes, UK) , Sonotheque, Chicago
8/01/09, Chase and Status (UK), Sandwiches, Wellington
10/01/09, Flying Lotus(Warp, US), Ambar, Perth
23/01/09, DJ Vadim and Yara Bravo (UK/Sweden), Sandwiches, Wellington
31/01/09, Cut la Roc (UK), Dogstar, London

Here's their spiel:

"Co-founded in 2007 by Vittorio Strigari and the designer Ora-Ito, Awdio is now a young start-up employing fifteen people, all passionate about music.

With already more than 100 venues connected all over the world, Awdio broadcasts live 24/7 quality DJ-sets and live concerts covering many genres. Young talent and international artists on tour can now share this unique and privileged experience with their fans Worldwide. Awdio is the biggest concert venue in the world. It is a cultural discovery tool centred on today’s and tomorrow’s musical trends. The sources and artists involved can benefit from a brand new way of broadcasting and promoting themselves, and enjoy a significant part of the revenue generated by their audience.

Already 100+ clubs and 1000+ events a month.

Registration is free and allows you to listen to a wide collection of programs, all live! You have the ability to geo-locate the broadcasting sources, browse per style, per artist, calendar and schedule the events of your preference.

Beyond the performance of its web architecture, the technological secret of Awdio lies in its AwdioBox. These 19 inch racks enable the audio streams encoded directly from the sources to be relayed back in real time across 5 continents."

Wrapped Up 2008

Seriously one of the best ideas ever: 'Wrapped Up 2008': 6 producers, 2 from England, 2 from Wales, 2 from Scotland, send each other a themed vinyl - the theme this time is Christmas. Each producer has to use the vinyl they get to produce a Hip Hop beat - simple! Metabeats and P.L.O. rep Wales, Kosyne and Kelakovski hold down England's corner and S-Type and Jaisu fight for Scotland (not that it's really a battle). Find yourself half an hour, settle down with your laptop and a cuppa and be properly entertained by the masters at work:

Download Metabeats' beat here and P.L.O.'s here courtesy of those kind Associated Minds peeps.

Lupe Fiasco's Indie Band?

A couple of Lupe related things here:

First, a track from an MC named Killah Matriks, from his forthcoming mixtape 'Epic Failure': 'Failure'. Check his myspace out now.

And secondly, as legend tells, Lupe's new band: Japanese Cartoon. Thanks to SmokeYYY at thatrealish.com for the heads up on this one (it's his fault if it's false):

Lupe Fiasco has alledgedly started a band described on his myspace page as Post Punk/Alternative/Indie, which pretty much sums it up. Supposedly, if it is him, Lupe puts on a faux-British accent for his latest mad project, check out the tracks here:

Japanese Cartoon - 'Army' (or here)
Japanese Cartoon - 'Heirplanes' (or here)

Here's the denial - but it's good press eh for a bit of a rubbish band?!

'A Fool's Bet' - Teef (video)

Teef says: "This is a video "a fools Bet" that was meant to promote the REI EP... it hasn’t been finished to the point of calling it complete in teef and toes eyes... so I never put it up on the net or sent it to TV... I doubt I ever will send it for broadcast... but I didn't want it just sitting there catching computer dust... and it was mad fun as well so share it with me."

To downlaod the EP click here

'The Bury All' - Mr Loop (album review)

Mr Loop’s ‘The Bury All’ is the second release from Sweatbox Sounds, a label shaping up to be one that only brings quality to the crowded table of UK Hip Hop. So far their less-is-more approach suits me to a T; 40 minutes is a perfect length for an album. You still get 11 tracks of goodness wrapped in great artwork so let’s explore it more:

Mr Loop is the producer and he’s brought along a truck load of guest artists for the ride; no less than 15 (including Wordsmith and Mudmowth) if my counting skills are up to scratch. A few appear multiple times – Zoo Mark and Slippa of RapSkallions and Yosh all hold down multiple mic duties.

Mr Loop’s production is wide-ranging, his sample pool is wide and deep – he steals from medieval England’s lute-strumming bards, slices up whole orchestras, mugs jazz bassists for their dusty low frequency goodness, sneaks easy listening breaks from under relaxed musicians noses and swipes 60’s pop and all for his own gain – and yours. This CD really is a treat – the sounds are so diverse and so obviously the produce of a crate digging whiz kid.

The MCs offer a largely cheery body of work and things get rowdy on both parts of ‘Satisfaction’ as 13 MCs vie for mic time. Yosh, Slippa and Zoo Mark explore both sides of drinking to excess on ‘Out on the Razz’ and ‘the Middle Path’ and B’Tol’s Eva Lazarus assisted ‘Try Again’ is sure to allow you to sink into its gently ebbing waters. ‘The Infamous Baron Spittswell’ is made to have a video – although Yosh paints a more than vivid picture of this maverick character, this is a lyrical imagination at its best!

‘The Bury All’ will be out on 12th January 2009 on Sweatbox Sounds and will be available on CD (you can get one now direct from the man himself for £5) or as a digital download. Visit his myspace page for more info.

'EQ' - Queens English (album review)

Queens English: A not-your-average rap group on a mission to reformat the status quo. ‘EQ’: Where serious but witty lyrics, both sung and rapped, collide with sometimes jaunty, sometimes soulful beats.

Queens English are from the school of anti-Hip Hop-stereotype (see: ‘Rude Indigo’). Tongue in cheek bragging and self centeredness also factors on ‘Don’t Forget It’ and the funky ‘Back Good’. ‘Summa Dem’ combines both these subjects but tracks such as ‘Last of England’ and ‘Just’ speak metaphorically about aspects of life – making for some intriguing lyrical imagery. ‘Triple F’ is the rock-the-party-spot track whereas ‘If?’ is the total opposite – it’s a slow burning spiritually focussed beauty. ‘Focus (Get Up)’ is totally different again – best described as Atari Grime but with production ten times better than any normal Grime track, double time raps come thick and fast.

The variety show that is the production comes from The Crate Twins and Aries and it’s sure to keep you interested. It also ensures that there is something for everyone on here (OK maybe not your Gran, but there is a mention of Gershwin on here).

This album is full of youthful energy – these guys are having fun – without it sounding like a load of immature idiots acting the goat. The addition of Source’s female vocal makes for something original; her voice hovers between gospel and Celtic. The track list could have been shortened by slimming down some repeated subject matter – but that’s all that is bad.

‘QE’ is out now so buy it.

Farma G's pick of US '08

Check out Farma G's latest blog over at the Music From The Corner blogspot.

He's put together a few tracks that he was feeling in the year just passed:

'Lions In The Forrest' ft. B-Real - DJ Muggs & Planet Asia 'The DJ' ft. KRS-One - DJ Revolution

'EY' ft. Joell Ortiz, Termanology - DJ Revolution

'Get Yo' Hustle On' - Uncle Murda
'Hollywood' - CNN

'Talking In My Sleep' - Elzhi
'Robbery' - Guilty Simpson
'Paper Plate' - GZA/Genius
'The Art Of Disrespekinazation' - Heltah Skeltah

'A Billi' - Jay-Z

'Chief Of Staff' ft. C-Dot - Planet Asia and F.L.O.
'Boxcutters' ft. Big Twin - Prodigy
'Catch Body Music' - Prodigy Product Of The 80's
'Been Shot Down' - Royce Da 5'9"

Click here to download them all

Photography by Scott Forrester

More Chops

Here are a few more Chops produced tracks:

'We Breakin' Up' - Chamillionaire (from 'Ultimate Victory', 2007)

'I Get It In' ft. Bra Hef & San Quinn - Keak Da Sneak (from 'Deified', 2008)

'Damn I'm Cold' ft. Lil' Wayne - Bun B (from 'II Trill', 2008)

'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!

'Hustlemania EP vol. 1' - E Hustle (EP review)

Nowadays I’m always wary of something that contains a ‘dance mix’. If E Hustle’s EP ‘Hustlemania EP Vol. 1’ was a sandwich then you’d want to throw away the mouldy bread and just eat the filling. Let me elaborate:

Track 1 is ‘You Are’ (that's right, you can download it!) and track 5 is aforementioned ‘dance mix’ of track 1. The non-dance mix consists of something like a Robert Miles sample and a Soul Sonic Force-esque electro drum groove – not good. And the lyrics are about a girl too. And they’re boring. And the chorus lacks any bombast. The ‘dance mix’ is just even worse, so I won’t go there.

The second track, despite its annoying title and sentiment (‘F * U K (You)’), is actually full of beans and is very catchy. It’s got that ‘Without Me’ (Eminem) type drum pattern and the lyrics are entertaining. ‘Phenomenal’ has been chosen by Tricksta and Lunatrix for their next compilation ‘Flying the Flag’ and is on a straight braggadocio tip and whilst it’s not remarkable, it is good.

‘Know Where You’re Coming From’ features a chap called Dezert Eagle and whilst it doesn’t explore anything new, the biblical quotes in the chorus, the soulful brass loop and the well crafted street commentary goes down a treat.

The EP will be available to download as of January 26th.

'Colours' - Beit Nun & Illskilz (EP review)

The first thing that struck me about ‘Colours’ by Beit Nun and Illskilz is a new-found positivity. This 9 track release really lives up to its title and as it’s playing time is just shy of 25 minutes, it’s an ideal blast of optimism for anyone.

‘A Good Year’ features a whole host of like-minded MCs and is a perfect tune for this time of year. ‘Summertime’ is not your average summer track – Beit chats hilariously about the ups and downs of the season over a west coast style laidback banger – “It’s the hottest day since records began, We getting’ a tan, But us Brits reckon that if you’re puttin’ on lotion you’re less of a man, And so we burn and turn red, peel and blister but it’s worth it, ‘til it hurts ya to get in the bath”.

Love song ‘Leave me Here’ features partner in rhyme 777 and is an honest walk through the minds of men devoted to living life with his partner through the peaks and the troughs – there are not many rappers brave enough to be this truthful (without making us all feel sick!).

We mustn’t forget the man behind the boards on this lovely little piece of work – dutch producer, Illskilz. His very professional sounding, largely cheery production really suits Beit’s new outlook on life – this boy has skills, watch out for him.

‘Colours' was released digitally on 29th December 2008 and the limited edition CD release date is 26 January 2009. You can get it from Amazon.

'Rap Up 2008' - Skillz (free download)

Skillz has done it again and so far 26614 of you have downloaded it.

What am I talking about? 'Rap Up 2008' of course! Each year Skillz drops a track that rounds up the year of Hip Hop. As usual it's full of put downs and nuff comedy.

'Rap Up 2008' - Skillz

'I Won't Let It Die' - Ugly Duckling (single review)

Ugly Duckling are back with a new single! ‘I Won’t Let It Die’ is an infectious (but not in the diseased type way) shot of that good time, throwback, sun soaked Hip Hop that we’ve come to expect from the LA group.

Young Einstein, as usual brings the freshness on the beat with skipping drums, strings, horns and that oh-so-important squealing Hammond organ – yum. Andy Cooper and Dizzy Dustin are actually more serious on this joint but still manage to maintain their cheeky charm.

What it is that they won’t allow to expire is not clear, but for a purpose – it’s open for interpretation. The genius of that is the sentiments expressed could apply to anyone listening – this song could speak for you.

This top tune, released on 12th January on Ugly Duckling’s own label, is taken from the also excellent album entitled ‘Audacity’ released on January 19th – look out for a review on that.

Ugly Duckling are touring the UK this month, click here to find out about getting tickets.

8 Jan 2009 - Globe bar Cardiff, Wales
9 Jan 2009 - Thekla, Bristol
10 Jan 2009 - Illusion Tartu
14 Jan 2009 - 444 @ The Rainbow, Birmingham
15 Jan 2009 - New Slang at McCluskys, Kingston, Surrey
16 Jan 2009 - Talking Heads, Southhampton
17 Jan 2009 - Windsor Arts Centre, Windsor
18 Jan 2009 - Concorde 2, Brighton
19 Jan 2009 - Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich
20 Jan 2009 - Ride Cafe, Plymouth
22 Jan 2009 - Scala, London
23 Jan 2009 - Barrow-in-Furness Canteen, Barrow-in-Furness
24 Jan 2009 - Sin City, Swansea
25 Jan 2009 - Ruby Lounge, Manchester
25 Jan 2009 - TBA, Liverpool
26 Jan 2009 - Bodega, Nottingham
27 Jan 2009 - Tues Club @ Sheffield Uni, Sheffield

And here's the track Young Einstein sampled to make this banger of a track: Simon Haseley - 'Hammerhead' from the album '70s Original Soundtrack' by Simon Haseley on the DeWolfe library label.

'Self Harmonic' ft. Cage - No Pretense Out Now!

'Self Harmonic', the new track from West Yorkshire's No Pretense and featuring Cage, is now out on Don't Talk To Strangers.

It can be bought, via download for now (look out for the green vinyl) at these places:

Amazon.com (if you pay with dollars)

Play.com (for the pound spenders)

Now go support independent music - it's 2009 and that's the way forward!

Self-Harmonic is also available from.....

www.musicload.de & www.roccatune.com/ (Germany)

www.mega-media.nl & www.stermusic.nl (Netherlands) and many more!

Full List of worldwide stockists coming soon to www.myspace.com/nopretensewy