'Good Writtenz' - Stappz (review)

Coming from Sermstyle’s camp is something for the true Hip Hop head: ‘Good Writtenz’ by Stappz. With a sound similar to (and I absolutely loathe making this comparison usually) Eminem in his ‘Slim Shady LP’ days, this Geordie MC flows effortlessly over one of Sermstyle’s many production styles (in this case West Coast Dre style done to a very high quality). With a focus on introducing himself as a rapper and claiming his spot lyrically, Stappz big himself up, puts other rappers down and basically just shows us what he’s capable of when it comes to making words rhyme.

There are a lot of great tracks on here, I started making a list but it started to get too long: ‘Give Up’, ‘How I Live’ (featuring American Livin’ Proof) and ‘Alright’ are mellow tracks based around acoustic guitar loops whereas ‘Rockstar’ adds a distortion pedal and some heavy drumming to the formula. ‘Good Writtenz’ adds a British edge to the West Coast sound whereas ‘Fall 2 Pieces’ has that wonky sonic. ‘Get To Know’ sounds like Nate Dogg, Snoop, Warren G and maybe even 2Pac should be rocking the mic but Dretonio and Stappz do a great job instead.

Buy it now as a download or as a CD at the venerable Bandcamp website!

http://www.twitter.com/stappz

http://www.myspace.com/stappz

http://www.myspace.com/officialnc

http://www.facebook.com/stappz

'Only Built 4 Croydon Linx' - Sparks & Curious (review & free download)

I’m a little shocked that this concept hasn’t been done before, but here it is now: ‘Only Built 4 Croydon Links’ by Sparks and Curious. Painting a picture of a place that I now never want to visit the two MCs make it clear what they think about their ends and the people who live there.

‘Cronx Tales’ is a compelling listen and anyone who’s ever been to Croydon will be able to confirm how accurate the depiction. ‘Hmmm’ furthers the portrayal by simply discussing the characters present on a bus journey and the title track gives away their real feelings about the place they love to hate.

Some of the tracks do betray the fact that this partnership are, to some extent, a product of their environment and sometimes the differences between them and some of the folk they bemoan are not that obvious: they take drugs, just different ones (‘To Me To You’ and to some extent ‘Bone Chiller’) and they don’t like working the daily grind (‘Wake Up’) but hey, I’m here to judge music, not people!

The production all comes from Shazam the Sorcerer and it’s all good. The MCs are very able, have written some interesting material and deliver it in an entertaining and skilful way.

'OB4CL' by Sparks and Curious is available now and can be downloaded for free here. Alternatively you could go to Suspect Packages, buy something and a get a free CD copy of it!

'Lost Where I Belong' - Andreya Triana (single review)

Thinking of releasing a single? Do it like Andreya Triana did with ‘Lost Where I Belong’.

There’s the original track (produced by Bonobo): beautiful, sunny, Neo-Soul with a lyrically original take on the classic love song – a lovely thing. There’s an acoustic version with deeper grooves and extra rhythm (which may just be the better version). There’s also an album version (which prolongs the experience by a couple of minutes).

Then there’s the Flying Lotus remix which totally turns the original on its head whilst retaining the summertime, swimming pool vibes. As if that’s not enough you also get the instrumental of the remix which is, by itself, a perfect piece of music ideally suited to getting lost in – an absolute gem.

By the time you’ve listened to the 5 tracks in the package the song will be so firmly cemented in your head that you will be a fan – job done.

'Lost Where I Belong' is out now on Ninja Tune and if you go to Andreya Triana's part of their website you can download a free version of the Flying Lotus remix.

'Emotions' - Ty (video)

Headcount TV - Episode 1 (Ollie Bates & Sloth in the studio)

'Genghis' - Cappo Available Now!

New Cappo album 'Genghis' now available in all formats.

CD available from sonrecords.com, amazon.co.uk, downloads available from, sonrecords.com, itunes and various online retailers and mobile networks.

Limited edition usb collectors edition available exclusively from sonrecords.com limited to 50 copies click here for more info and to pre-order.

Premium limited edition double vinyl LP - small number of copies still available from Sonrecords.com.

'DJ Sarah Love Tribute' - Black The Ripper, Mystro & Loudmouth Melvin

A big thank you should go to 1Xtra's Sarah Love for her services to UK Hip Hop. Her last ever show can be heard here for a limited time only: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00rw713. It's Charlie Sloth's turn to pick up where she left off.

'Wednesday' (UK Remix) ft. Mystro & Loudmouth Melvin - Saukrates

Download it here: http://usershare.net/TeamSupreme/y6fo2snnly0w

'Death' - Chima Anya (video)

'Untitled' - Jack Flash (video)

Another track from Jack's live set a couple of weeks ago. I'm really gutted I missed this now because I love this track - beautiful. Really looking forward to hearing the new EP.

'Air It Out' - Conspicuous (video)

'Music & Mouthwords' - No Pretense (album review)

A quick look at the cover art and a prior knowledge of lead single ‘Self Harmonic’ featuring Cage will more than certainly mislead you. You’ll think that you know what ‘Music & Mouthwords’ has in store for you – but you’ll almost certainly be wrong.

You see, No Pretense are multidimensional; they don’t just do dark, twisted Hip Hop, they do it all. Don’t be fooled by titles like ‘Darkskies’ – this particular track is one of the least cheesy but most honest and heartfelt love songs Hip Hop has ever produced. The vein of sincerity and reality runs thick and deep – ‘Keep Breathing’ is written in such a way that it could be metaphorically describing a number of things, but it’s the stark reality of it that is the true subject matter – leaving behind a life of drug use. Tracks like ‘Fallen’ and ‘Death of a Star’ are a fine balance of lyricism and thought provoking ideas.

It’s not only Cage who represents the US here. None other than Prince Po turns up on ‘Elevation’ and drops a dope verse alongside Belinda Hards’ perfect sung chorus. Belinda Hards, of Knew Jeru’slum, appears elsewhere on the album and there’s no doubt her contributions are more than just filling gaps.

Eliphino’s rich sample pool has provided a sonic backdrop unlike any other. This isn’t boom bap, this isn’t old school styled, this certainly isn’t today’s chart fodder – this is just Hip Hop. In fact, if Don’t Talk To Strangers fancy releasing this as an instrumental album too, I, for one, wouldn’t mind. Cuts from Brutal Artistry add to the realness.

As things move along the album does get more shadowy. The absolute departure from crunchy drums and dusty production on ‘Wyrmslaya’ featuring Chief Wigz heralds vivid imagery based on various conspiracy theories over pumping synths. Bane and Mury P are joined by Chief Wigz, Spida Lee and Propticz on the militant beat of ‘Trife & Trivia’ – a banging posse cut for real.

With a keen sense of making a well rounded product and unashamedly Yorkshire accents No Pretense definitely bring something different into a flooded market. It's out now so order it for £5 only by clicking here.

'Bring Your Army' - Prose (free download)

Reminding me of M9, Cyrus Malachi et al is Prose's latest track 'Bring Your Army'. It's available as a free download at Bandcamp. The track is featured on The People's Army 'General Salute Mix CD Vol. 1' which is available here for a very reasonable price.

'The Big Band Theory' - Tough Touch Productions (review)

Making the best use of the most cheerful and lively samples from the Big Band Jazz and Swing genre Tough Touch Productions present a tight and focussed (and best of all, short) set of tracks.

The nature of the beats means that MCs Social Conscience, Reggie Million$ and Kali Mist get live and basically have a load of fun over the 8 tunes on offer. That’s not to say that they get ignorant – in an amusing way issues are addressed. Production comes from Kali Mist, Nicky Beats, Matchstick and Fresh

Tough Touch are an example of how underground artists can come out with something fresh and appealing without sounding like the rest of the UK Hip Hop scene or resorting to the kind of thing that litters the radio waves nowadays.

‘The Big Band Theory’ is available at the Tough Touch blog right now: http://toughtouchproductions.blogspot.com/

'Slow Down' (acoustic version) - Jack Flash (video)