Spider Jaroo - Who's that? (official video)

Disciple AKA Spider Jaroo drops his new video,song produced by Pro P.

Seasoned prose by Northern Structure Records (Review by Tom Clements)



The brainchild of Blackpool emcee Disciple (a.k.a. Spider Jaroo), Northern Structure Records deals in unadulterated, gimmick-free Northern hip hop and the collective’s latest EP is no exception to that founding principle. Produced entirely by Manchester-based Pro P, "Seasoned Prose" is about as hard-nosed and Northern as it gets in the UK hip hop scene, with Disciple, Evileyz and Amos (all out of Blackpool) plus J-Toker from Preston imparting a great mix of friendly, blithesome Northern wit, candour and straight talk. Production wise, Pro P aces a style characterised by boom baps and claps reminiscent of the mid-90's, old-school samples punctuated with masterful cuts, scratches and some skilled turntablism; it's certainly a heady and intoxicating mix overall.

For the sake of brevity, here's a track-by-track synopsis of the EP:

"Seasoned Prose" is the EP’s first and eponymous track. From the outset, it’s a plain and concentrated statement of the group’s intent and sets the EP’s tone suitably. Musical call-and-response and straight lyricism are the key features of this track;  "I quickly react like fire to magnesium".

"Keeping it Fresh" is the EP's posse cut. The track is stirred by a wistful, introspective acoustic guitar loop over which are some quick-fire double-time vocals from all except Evileyz who chants the chorus. A great display of syllabic range and variation from the emcees.

"Spider Jaroo" is Disciple's solo track and provides a temporary foray for the listener into the emcee’s slightly brooding personality; featuring some darker, more twisted lyrical imagery and stirrings of working-class discontent.

"Heavy as Ever" seamlessly fuses brassy 60's Ska samples with heavily rhythmic, boom-bap hip hop syncopations and it's definitely a track you can vibe, dance and even relax to. Indeed, Evileyz’s relaxed style suits this track most combined with his comedic bars and descriptions of Blackpool being "the best resort for skets and whores". Amos has a choppier staccato delivery that provides a natty contrast to Evileyz, plus it’s clear the two have a real natural chemistry on tracks (as well as in battles).

"How I Get Down" is Evileyz’s solo track and really displays his excellent syllable placement, intonation and enunciation. The track in terms of technical ability is the EP's tightest package with a solid hook, tight rhyme schemes and musical structure.

“Northern Slang", with quotables like “we’ve go that Northern slang like 'Ee bah gum!' is an explicit assertion of the group's staunch regional pride and identity without coming across as gimmicky or exploitative of that fact. Refreshing and honest.

"Cryptology" is J-Toker's solo track and from the outset, it's typically heavy on creative wordplay, similes, metaphors and hyperbole;  "fuck beef, devour a cow when I sit down for dinner". There are slight shades of horrorcore without becoming crass or sophomoric and it's definitely a welcome digression in style from the blasé wit of Evileyz and Amos and the more harsher tones of Disciple.

"Thoughtful Kombat" is laced with seriously skuzzy, edgy and dissonant synthy sounds, heavy boom baps and claps and is a stand out track on the EP. Amos’ somewhat jerky vocal trembles and hasty delivery are a perfect fit for this particular track.

"Ode to the Realest" is a more reflective but equally hard-edged assertion of the collective’s loyal values to their North of England roots and to hip hop itself, with Disciple standing out as a passionate spokesman for the group as well as a decent wordsmith in his own right with a clear statement of purpose. There are also some more sobering undertones betrayed by the emcees, plus a general tinge of bitterness about the dire state of a hip hop industry full of fakery.

"Miss You" is a bit of a take or it leave it, mawkish and sentimental rap with high-pitched, sped-up soul vocals which I felt didn't really fit in with the CD's overall vibe and was a bit of a limp ending to an otherwise raw and emphatic EP. Amos is quite a decent storyteller himself but his talents go slightly by the wayside on this particular track.

Overall, "Seasoned Prose" is a massively enjoyable listen. The combination of soulful, masterfully crafted beats from Pro P laced with those gravelly Northern vocal inflections and hard-nosed street poetics will be simply irresistible to any underground hip hop fan. Although it's an EP, "Seasoned Prose" practically has the finesse of an album and for just £4, you can't really complain.

Purchase “Seasoned Prose” from www.northernstructure.bandcamp.com

'Burning Down the Guest House' - Guest House (free download)

A regular on the Leeds Hip Hop scene as part of Blessed House, this non-Northerner is doing his own thing with 'Burning Down The Guest House'. Backed up with scratches a-plenty from DJ Analogue (both Blade and Rakim get cut up), production from Seizure and Pro P and sing song from Tash Williams.

With sonics ranging from Dubstep on 'Certified Skanker' to beautifully melodic pianos and strings accompanied by a classic break on opener 'Puzzle Ring' things don't get boring over the 5 tracks available here - each song has its own identity.

'Brown Nose' features a hefty chunk of a Gordon Brown speech accompanied by Guest House's political thoughts - you might find you agree with the sentiments. Wonder what he makes of the Lib Con government?

'Intro/Outro' is the only track produced by Pro P and the cut up soulful sample accompanied by pounding mid-range percussion certainly hammers the track home. As on all the tracks, Guest House rides the beat skilfully with unostentatious and authentically solid rhymes - no cheese.

'Burning Down The Guest House' is available now for free from Bandcamp. There are a few hard copies also so get in touch the G. House at his myspace page for one of those.

My Free Downloads Weigh A Ton

Here are today's free UK Hip Hop bits and bobs:

Part of the Millenium Jazz Movement, Louisunseen's 'Never Unheard EP' (see artwork left) features his beats and vocals from Mp3dom, Verbal Remedy, Mr. Prophecy, Doobs and Hannah C over 4 tracks. Go to his msypace page for more info.

'The Pro P Files Vol. 1' is a collection of 'On The Radar' artist Professor P's productions for a wide selection of (mostly Northern) MCs and crews including Analyst, Antidote, Kulez, Stoney, Connect Logic, Chris L, TPS Fam and Dweller. Download it here.

Lee Scott and Monster Under The Bed got together one day and recorded a ten track album under the name McAbre Brothers. With production from Reklews, Lee Scott and Dilner The Lost Kid and track names like 'Grande Gonzo' , 'Moron Tick' and 'The Men Who Stare At Goats' you probably already know if you want this one or not. Download it from Blah Records now if you do.

Bashy got together with The Truth Movement at Maida Vale for the BBC to record a little free download for y'all. It's simply called 'The Jam Sessions' and it's 4 tracks, all on that live flex. Get it now.

Werd, the scottish rapper has released his latest mixtape as a free download (surprise, surprise). It's called 'The Scottish Rapper Mixtape' and it features Deeko, Wardie Burns and Riddlah and a lot of self production. Get it here, for free. If you like it then go buy 'S.O.S: Sons of Scotland' by Werd and Deeko.

Lastly, for now, Leeds based multi-genre label Crackhouse Recordings have made their back catalogue available for free download here. Expect gully whackiness from Lyrical Dan, Ill Phil, Tha PCP, SmackDaddy MCz, No Change and more!

Certified Banger Presents: 'On The Radar Volume 2' - VA (free download)

It's here! The second installment! 20 tracks of UK Hip Hop for your lug'oles.

Download now!

Check back daliy for updates on more music from the artists involved. Be sure to check myspaces,
leave comments for me and them - all feedback is welcome.

Feel free to use these tracks, re-post them on your blog, burn them - whatever y'all do with mp3's these days. Just be sure to let us know what you do with them so artists can keep track!

1) Certified Banger Exclusive - JVF Clique (produced by Pappa Doc)
2) Coming For The Game ft. Jay Madden, Chris L & Assa - Jut
3) Dr. Who ft. Dan Bull, Mrs. Pez & Jimmy Crack – Skrimshank (produced by Damo)
4) Respect Your Elders ft. Remus - Krate Krusaders
5) Life Is Real - Antidote (produced by Pro P)
6) Truth Or Lie – TLG (produced by Eyebs)
7) All I Wanna Do - Chima Anya
8) Real Life Drama - The Three Amigos (produced by Naive)
9) Final Frontier - Grit Grammar (produced by Baron Samedi)
10) After Life - Dan Bull
11) Drama - Joker Starr (produced by G Man)
12) See I Realise ft. Anneke – MasterSystem (produced by Whys)
13) Gully - Asaviour & Apa-Tight
14) The Title - Dabbla (produced by Miss Tofelees)
15) Mimsey Grove - Gouki P (produced by Ants & Jut)
16) Subhuman Nature ft. Darkstar - Antiheroes (produced by Reklews)
17) Rugged Bros ft. Lowercase - Chattabox (produced by Sober)
18) Dark Matter (Remix) - Simple Samples (produced by Dweller)
19) Crop Circles ft. Circle Makerz - King David (produced by Safron)
20) Family Life ft. Cipher Jewels – Reggiimental (produced by DJ Konn)