'One Inch Punch' - Dubbledge (mixtape review)

Are you a fan of 90s beats such as those crafted by RZA and DJ Premier? Are you a fan of charismatic, funny but intelligent rappers? Then the ‘One Inch Punch’ mixtape fresh from Dubbledge is for you.

Hurtling through productions jacked from classics from Snoop and Dre, ATCQ, Raekwon, Souls of Mischief, Rakim and more, Dubbledge brings a brief 26 minutes of madness and memories. Kyza joins Dubbledge to destroy ‘Juice aka The Duppy Tamer’ (not the Puppy Trainer as I thought at first glance) and TB brings his aggy delivery to the table on ‘Glaciers of Ice’.

This release is a prequel to his forthcoming album ‘Is Wot It Is…But It Ain’t Wot It Woz’ and it’s proof that Edge is still on top form lyrically. ‘One Inch Punch’ is what a mixtape should be – not a listening marathon, quality loveable beats and well chosen verses (as opposed to every bar the MC ever wrote).

‘One Inch Punch’ will be released on 7th December on Hidden Agenda.

'White Noize' - Orphans Of Cush (review)

So whilst everyone who cares (apart from me) is out at the launch party for ‘White Noize’ I thought I’d join them in spirit by rocking the promo again and writing my review:

With the MCs’ words wrapping so snugly round the beats you’d be forgiven for mistaking this for an album proper. In fact ‘White Noize’ is a mixtape, or as M9 says, it’s a “project”. With beats from the likes of RZA, The Creators, Lord Finesse, Havoc and Mathematics you already know what sound to expect.

The combination of Kyza, M9, Cyrus Malachi and Masikah is successful with Kyza displaying diversity when compared to his recent ‘S.O.S.’ mixtape. An unexplainable pull is built in to the styles of the crew and if this release anything like the Triple Darkness LP, that magnetism will draw you to play the CD again and again.

Lyricism is rife, rendering the usual UK street commentary gleaming and ultimately very listenable. I’m unsure of some of the racial references and inferences, for example the title track seems to solely blame a white government for the struggles in black communities. Whilst I’m sure they play a part, and I know that it’s important for these issues to be discussed, I’m not sure this kind of attitude helps to solve problems. Whether you agree with all their viewpoints or not, there’s no denying this is dope Hip Hop that deserves the anticipation it has reaped.

‘White Noize’ is pre-orderable now at Suspect Packages and is released on October 2nd – go get yours now.

RZA's UK Tour Dates

RZA hits these shores pretty soon - get yourself along to one of these venues to catch the Wu legend:

September

Tuesday 29 - 02 Academy, Liverpool (+ Shavo (System Of A Down) + Gravediggaz)

October

Saturday 3 - Matter, London (+ Raekwon)
Monday 5 - The Duchess, York (+ DJ Sinical + Jed 104 + Joe Lung)
Tuesday 6 - Rainbow Warehouse, Birmingham
Wednesday 7 - Stylus, Leeds
Thursday 8 - Button Factory, Dublin
Friday 9 - 02 Academy, Bristol (+ Kners + Frilla + Buggsy)
Saturday 10 - 02 Academy, Oxford

'The Official Mixtape Volume 1' - Ramson Badbonez & DJ Harry Love (mixtape review)

Coming up under the wing of Task Force can never be a bad thing. First appearing in 2002 on the ‘Mud Fam EP’ and then again in 2003 on ‘Music From The Corner Volume 2’, Ramson Badbonez has had a good start in UK rap life. Along with DJ Harry Love he now brings us an epic collection of verses and concepts over a load of beats from the greats (Premier, RZA, 9th Wonder, Alchemist, Madlib and more).

If Badbonez isn’t one of the most promising MCs on the scene right now then I don’t know who is. He’s interesting, clever and witty, he’s laidback, competent and lyrical - skills which could be generalised as ‘panache’.

Ramson displays a versatility that’s missing in most MCs only on their first mixtape. Concepts, hooks, lexis, on-point delivery, real talk, braggadocio and story telling are all present and correct in the most refreshing way.

Standout tracks for me are ‘Put The Mic Down’ (for the awesome reworking of the RZA’s ‘Liquid Swords’) and the British weather reality track ‘Out In The Rain’ but if you’ve got an hour and a bit you’ll find it’s all of high quality. Rounding off with his version of Slick Rick’s ‘Children’s Story’ is a perfect way to end a release which only leaves me hoping that, with a bunch of instrumentals specifically made for him, Ramson Badbonez will produce a storming debut album proper.

‘The Official Mixtape Volume 1’ also features tracks from various projects already released (aforementioned ‘MFTC 2’, DJ MK’s ‘Above Board’ and Ramson’s own 12 inchers). Buy it now, as usual, at Suspect Packages (and don’t download it).