'New Day' - Chima Anya (album review)

Proving that Hip Hop can be pushed forward without resorting to corny gimmicks, ringtone beats and zero-content is Chima Anya’s debut solo LP ‘New Day’. Chima also demonstrates that forward thinking can be inspired by reminiscing about ‘the good old days’. With more charisma than most of the UK’s MCs put together, a love of Hip Hop classics and more than a clue of what makes a good track Mr. Anya brings what will be one of the Hip Hop releases of the year.

Kicking things off properly is ‘Spell It Out’ a fast paced funk fuelled B.E.A.S.T which features Chima just illing out, saying how good he is and absolutely proving it – entertainment. Hot on it’s heels is ‘The Realness’; a squelchy, slow head nodder containing Chima’s lyrical manifesto whereas ‘I Choose You’ is a straight up honest, love song with absolutely no cringe-factor whatsoever.

‘Hey’ is a minimalistic, percussion led track (like Busta Rhymes’ ‘Touch It’ but with more variety and just way better) which once again sees Chima’s cheeky ego taking centre stage with much aplomb. Title track ‘New Day’ is as upbeat as things come and Soweto Kinch does nothing but add to the feel of the album. Jehst pops up on ‘It’s The Manner’ – another quality track. ‘Paid For’ sees the release turn a corner – this is as serious as the other tracks are fun. Chima’s experience as a doctor comes though powerfully on this one.

‘New Day’ represents more than just that, it symbolizes new hope; fresh optimism for the Hip Hop scene. It’s out on 10th May, which I know is a while away, on Phoenix Down. You have to buy it.

Chima supported Brother Ali at London’s Cargo last night and will be hosting the release party for this album at Camden’s Barfly on 9th April! Get to that and you just get your hands on the album sooner than you think!

'New Day' ft. Soweto Kinch/'It's The Manner' ft. Jehst - Chima Anya

Toddle over itunes right away to download Chima Anya's most excellent new single - that's an order. 'New Day' features the wonderful Soweto Kinch and 'It's The Manner' features the UK Hip Hop legend, Jehst.

Both tracks more than deserve your digital spinnage because they're both really quite dope. Chima injects his infectious personality into everything from the carefully chosen beat to his delivery, adlibs and rhymes - it's just not possible to be glum whilst listening to 'New Day'.

Mr. Anya (the guy who donated the equally good-time 'Drinks Up' to 'OTR Vol. 5') even manages to raise a bit of a smile on the usually quite sombre Jehst on the cheeky 'It's The Manner' (even though the song makes some serious observations).

Do something for yourself today - click here to go to itunes to buy these two tracks to brighten up your jour.

Markus The Sadist - West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, 27th October 2009 (review)

Playing to a fairly diverse audience, including those who I suspect don’t frequent the theatre, Jonzi D’s cast of eight wowed the audience at the West Yorkshire Playhouse last night with their performance of his rap opera ‘Markus The Sadist’.

Using minimal props and scenery alongside music, dancing, video and of course rapping and acting, lead man Bashy and the crew document the rise and fall of a skilled, young and conscious MC lured by all the trappings of being a successful Hip Hop artist (click here to read more of the plot).

The exaggerated storyline which includes a UK rapper making it big in the states (albeit with a fake accent) and then later having a forced frontal lobotomy to make him conform to The Company’s desires (selling products and ideas to the masses) delivers a much-needed message to both rap fans and rap denouncers. Skills, friendship, family, respect, morals and responsibility are all explored through a highly comical, extremely clever and rhyming script.

Acting from the whole troupe is on point making for very believable characters and representations. Bashy plays both the “nice boy” Markus and the gangsta Markus The Sadist (a reference to Marquis De Sade) with ease – look out for more of his acting skills. Irish comedian and rapper Rob Broderick brings bags of humour to the proceedings whilst Colleen Joseph injects high octane dance routines.

Composed by the award-winning Soweto Kinch, the music (a most important aspect in a production about Hip Hop) perfectly suits each different scene making ‘Markus The Sadist’ into a genuine product of real rap fans.

If you thought visiting a theatre to see a play about a rapper would be corny, think again. These aren’t actors pretending to be, these are real people doing what they really do – people with real skills. By showing up what is false and immoral in the world of platinum rap Jonzi D has produced a dazzling piece of theatre that will remind you of why you loved Hip Hop in the first place. A must see.

Markus The Sadist in Leeds and Ipswich

Markus The Sadist - A Hip Hop Opera featuring the acting talent of Bashy, the musical input of Soweto Kinch and the overall mastermindery of Jonzi D is coming to the end of its UK tour. The remaining dates are:

Mon 26th October - Tue 27 October
LEEDS West Yorkshire Playhouse
7.45pm

Fri 30 October - Sat 31 October
IPSWICH New Wolsey Theatre
7.45pm

Go see it, who knows, it may get a permanent residency in the West End if it continues to proves popular.

'New Day' ft. Soweto Kinch/'A Star Is Born' - Chima Anya (video)

A longer version than the one I posted and still a really top track - love this one. Check out Chima's version of Jay-Z's 'A Star Is Born' - it features guitarist Jake Burrell and it's easily preferable to the original:

Basment Sessions Live In B'ham

In conjunction with Brick City Boutique & Sensei FM, Basement Sessions are proud to present Basement Sessions Live, a celebration of Hip Hop culture. The line up truly is incredible with acts from around the country performing throughout the night:

On the bill are Jack Flash (Huddersfield), Invisible Inc: Ghost, Kashmere & Verb T (London) , Prose (London), Inja (although he's TBC), Unkle Festa & Case Closed , Brotherman & DJ Flipz, Soweto Kinch & The Live Box Band.

There'll be some DJs spinning too, people like DJ Cro (Birmingham) , Tuf Kut, J'da Kut (Sensei FM), Disorda (Suspect Packages), Iron Fingaz (Sensei FM) and DJ Matman.

As if that wasn't enough there will also be a Louis Den Live Beat Cypher hosted by Kosyne and Sonny Jim & including a beat battle sponsored by King Apparel(so bring your best beats on CD to compete), a 3 round rhyming competition sponsored by Soap Box Clothing & CMAT Studios, live illustration by 3 top graffiti artists and live breakdancing supported by Breakfest. Oh, and Brick City Boutique will be running a Hip Hop market similar to the monthly event they run in Angel Islington.

To buy your tickets please go here and if for any reason that doesn't work, just go to www.seetickets.com and search for 'Basement'. The tickets are £7 in advance and £6 for students.

'New Day' ft. Soweto Kinch - Chima Anya (video)

Here's Chima Anya's latest track complete with slick video and Soweto Kinch feature - this is his best work yet in my opinion!

'No Freedom Without Sacrifice' - Homecut (review)

‘No Freedom Without Sacrifice’: never has a more beautiful flower sprung up from the dirt of UK Hip Hop.

The album opens slowly over the course of three tracks and by the end of the opening trilogy the flower is in full bloom. Homecut’s debut album is one to set aside an hour for – sit back and relax… and listen. This LP is relaxing and calming in a way that only instrumental Hip Hop achieves, although there are exceptions – ‘Innovators’ is funky and ‘Night At The Fair’ has a rock edge to it. Homecut sings and raps his way through 14 tracks and is joined by many talented musicians along the way. And that’s what this album is; musical – these are proper songs.

Jazz, funk and disco all provide an influence for Homecut’s production and ‘No Freedom Without Sacrifice’ is a melting pot of musical styles. Homecut (AKA Testament) is an accomplished rapper with a laidback style and introspective lyrics – prepare for your thoughts to be provoked on subjects such as mixed-race relationships, modern escapism, financial woes and crime. But don’t prepare to be depressed – that’s just not Homecut’s style – positivity is the way. Listen out for Homecut’s playful lyricism (“I breath in the analogue and breath out the digital” or “I appreciate the feedback…”).

‘No Freedom Without Sacrifice’ is out now on First Word Records and is available at itunes, Amazon and First Word's shop.

'I Don't Even Know' ft. Corinne Bailey Rae & Soweto Kinch - Homecut (video)

Buy it!
Myspace
First Word Website

'I Don't Even Know' ft. Corinne Bailey Rae & Soweto Kinch - Homecut

If you're after some relaxed, easy listening type Hip Hop to soothe you after the working week then look no further than Homecut's 'I Don't Even Know'.

The track, which was released digitally on Monday features Corinne Bailey Rae on blissed out sing-song chorus vocals and Soweto Kinch who comes with a rapped verse and a sax solo. It's getting nothing but positive feedback and it's easy to see why - the lazy piano licks and thoughtful lyrics take the listener to a place rarely accessible from Hip Hop.

Its B-side is 'Not Far To Go' which sees rapper Testament flex his vocal chords for a bit of singing instead of his usual rapping and beatboxing.

Listen to the song here, then go to First Word Records to buy the mp3 for only 80p or the 7" vinyl (nice, and all the rage right now) for just £4.99. The download is also available on itunes.

Jazz...well you can call it that

Download all tracks here - so tight they're ziplocked

Hip Hop has had a long and sometimes fruitful relationship with Jazz. But Jazz is like Marmite, and so is Jazz Rap. I don't even know much about either genres, simply because I have greater musical interests. For me, Jazz is music to relax to. One of the most relaxing things about it is that when listening I don't have the urge to know who it's by, what it's called, when it was released or where I can buy it. I just listen to it and if I never hear it again it's OK. I don't dislike it, I'm just not obsessed or even that interested.

Rap and Hip Hop, on the other hand, compel me to do the exact opposite: I hear it and regardless of quality, I want to know more. To be honest, this constant striving to hear more music and to know more about it is quite depressing. I have to tell myself that loving music isn't just about hearing something new or amassing great quantities of mp3s, CDs or Vinyls. I have to remind myself that I should be thankful for all the music I already own, love and know about. There's no way I'll ever hear it all anyway and life is not a competition to amass music or knowledge either.

So when I do hear something that I like but am not overly obsessed with then it's quite refreshing, and that's why I'm posting this now. Having said what I have, this post (and for that matter, this blog) shouldn't exist but no matter how tiresome I find myself at times, I'm still me and I still do these things.

The tracks I've chosen to post today are all Jazz Rap related. You may enjoy listening to them without bothering to find out more, you may enjoy them so much that you do want more but in the spirit of this post I'm not going to say much about the tracks or the artists.

Soweto Kinch is Birmingham's trendiest (only?) fad. He is trained in the art of saxophoning (actual terminology) and also happens to have the gift of the gab.

Soweto Kinch - Ridez

Soweto Kinch - Expansion

Guru of Gang Starr has put together some excellent tracks with various Jazz and Rap stars. Pick up a Jazzmatazz album to sample his work (or download these to have a listen).

Jazzmatazz - State of Clarity
Jazzmatazz - Living Legend

Jegsy Dodd is a scouser who is into spoken word; he's quite thought provoking.

Jegsy Dodd & The Original Sinners - The Day the World Stopped Working
Jegsy Dodd & The Sons of Harry Cross - 8000 Miles Away

US3 do a nice line in Jazz Rap, what they do is sample Blue Note recordings and then have people rap over the results.

US3 - Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)

Digable Planets and A Tribe Called Quest were doing their thing in the 90's with jazzy samples and rapping and it all sounded pretty nice.

Digable Planets - Cool Like That

A Tribe Called Quest - Jazz (We've Got)