Listen here and contact King Grubb on Facebook for features etc.
Friday, 14 January 2011
King Grubb - Stay Put (No Picnics)
Listen here and contact King Grubb on Facebook for features etc.
Baron Samedi – Wanderland (Eleven Eleven Records) - Review
Due for release on Jan 24th this new album from London producer/rapper Baron Samedi is something that I am sure is going to get the UK Hip-Hop community talking. You may know the name as this is indeed the man who produced Grit Grammar’s last album. The title track ‘Wanderland’ I knew I was in for a treat! The album continues to impress with loads of quality future thinking production with a selection of good bars and top notch production. Grit Grammar features on ‘Child At Heart’ which has a real 70’s funk feel to it. This is a well rounded album that is full of great tracks making this a must for any real UK Rap fan.
The Bastard Sunz - Le Discotheque Martyrdom (review)
The debut album from Bristol representatives B-Tol, Milestone, Rola & DJ Rogue, aka The Bastard Sunz, dropped late last year, but due to January (understandably) being such a quiet month for releases, marks the first review of 2011. The press release describes it as being "dark and sureal", and album's title and artwork certainly try to live up to this claim. Does the music? And if so, does it achieve this whilst maintaining the quality and avoiding the trap of becoming over the top, pretentious or self-indulgent, like the output of many artists who look to go down the 'horrorcore' route?...
The short answer is, for the most part, yes. Whilst this album is far from perfect, there is enough potential shown here that this shouldn't be written off, whether or not you think that the mood and subject matter will be to your taste. The thing that this album does suffer from is inconsistency. It's high points can rank up with some of the better artists in this country, but the standard is not maintained throughout. The first 4 tracks exemplify this perfectly. The moody piano-loop driven beats of 'Liver and Onions' and the Eva Lazarus featuring 'Lament', set up tracks that seem to capture exactly the mood that was intended for this project. Namely, a kind of dank, claustrophobic vibe in which the MCs seem entirely at home. However, these tracks are followed by 'Top Rank' and 'Murder Factory' respectively, which fail to maintain the momentum. 'Top Rank' especially, as it has a hook that really starts to grate once you've listened through the album a few times.
The album's two highlights are the ones that lyrically stand out above the pack. At track number 5, the storytelling effort 'The Shades' comes as a welcome switch up conceptually. B-Tol's tales are layed over what is probably the most interesting track of the album musically, as an electric guitar riff prevents this 5 minute track from dragging. Crescendo is the one really personal effort here, although Milestone's description of paranoia and mental health problems is comfortably in keeping with the overall feel of the project. Once again, the music complements the lyrics, with a passionate chorus from Eva Lazarus matching the intense strings and keys of Flipz's excellent production. It's a shame that there aren't a couple more concept driven tracks onboard, as the album suffers when the lyrics aren't as focussed. A case in point is 'Scabcore Generals', when an otherwise decent track is dragged down by some sloppy lyrics from guest Turroe, whose verse is unfortunately up first. ("I'm a rap addict/And you're crap at it/You're a crack addict/With a smack habit/Ha. I laugh at it")
Both MCs, B-Tol in particular, have a confident, fairly polished delivery. This is demonstrated throughout the album, but particularly when they try their hand a double-time 'Bastard Spillz'. Sadly this is one occasion where the production standards really slip, as they are given a beat that sounds like it sampled a Game-Boy, circa 1993. Another potentially good track spoiled is the closer, the South West-North East collabo with Chattabox, 'White Spots'. As was the case with 'Top Rank', the chorus becomes pretty iritating, and doesn't stand up to repeated listening.
So, whilst this is a rather patchy effort, the good outweighs the bad, which is always a promising sign for a debut release. If some of the moments where there is a dip in quality (be it production, hook or lyrics) can be ironed out, then there could be some excellent work in the future from The Bastard Sunz, as B-Tol and Milestone show themselves to be two entertaining MCs, with confident delivery, who seem comfortable over a range of different beats. For me, this debut effort wouldhave to be placed in a pile marked 'promising, but not quite there'…
6/10.
Styly Cee - Notts Vintage EP
Thought I'd better bring this to everyone's attention pretty quickly, as it is a limited edition, with just 150 produced. This new 6 track 12" on Son Records from Nottingham's Styly Cee contains some previously unreleased gems from the archives that were recorded between 2000 and 2003. Featured on Styly's beats are fellow Nottingham legends Cappo, Scorzayzee, Lee Ramsey & Midnyte. If you buy the vinyl, then you also get a 14 track download, which includes the 6 tracks on the 12", plus 8 other previously released Styly Cee tracks featuring Nottingham MCs. The pick of these is probably Scorzayzee's excellent 'Want What's Yours'.
Tracklist for the extended 14 track download:
1. The Sound
2. Serpico Raps feat Cappo
3. Kofi's Night feat. Midnyte
4. Want What's Yours feat. Scorzayzee
5. Joyrider feat. C-Mone
6. The Test Match feat. Cappo
7. Times When It's Good feat. Midnyte
8. Not From Round Here feat. Scorzayzee
9. Hustle feat. Midnyte
10. All Stylz Anthem feat. Karizma & Midnyte
11. No Trust feat. Lee Ramsey
12. No Pain, No Gain feat. Cappo & Scorzayzee
13. No Pills, No Frills feat. Midnyte
14. In Ya Area feat. Midnyte & Cappo
Purchase the EP from Styly's bandcamp page:
Loudmouth Melvin & Pyro Bars
Loudmouth has been doing his thing for a while now. The first time he came to my attention was on the track 'name drop' a few years back which featured Loudmouth mentioning bare uk rappers names in bars. Rodney P and Skitz supported the tune and ive seen Loudmouths name crop up many a time since. He was also a member of Terra Danjas Aftershock collective at one point.
Anyway here is a new track from Loudmouth featuring Pyro Bars. The track is called 'Ice Viper' and is taken from a forthcoming collaboration project between the two called 'Freestyle Sessions'.
For more from Loudmouth DOWNLOAD HIS 4 FREE EPs HERE
AD - In fact, that 'Freestyle Sessions' project has dropped already. Check it out here:
Loudmouth Melvin & Pyro Barz-The Freestyle Sessions (Free Download)
Thursday, 13 January 2011
TERAWRIZT & TONY MAHONEY / RE-VISITED / FREE DOWNLOAD
several released projects, remixed by U.K. producer Tony Mahoney,after several songs together the lads drop this fre download as a taster for the highly anticipated "Silence is Consent" album due to drop later this year.
Download it here
Cruger - Do Nothin'
Famed for rap battles on 'Dont Flop' as well as holding it down for the UK Horrorcore scene, Cruger steps outside of the box (or boxes) on this one. Spitting bars about real life issues and being creative about his lazyness Cruger brings a nice vibe to a very nice beat.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Joker Starr - Hip Hop Transition (Video)
New video from Slough's Joker Starr, who brings a smoothed out vibe and an extensive wardrobe. Very much a 'hood video' with a limited budget, it's good to see the Joker back regardless.
The single will be release to digital outlets on the 31st January.
Genesis Elijah - Watch What I Do
Genesis Elijah is aiming big in '11 with a new mixtape, album and launching his own clothing label. His new mixtape 'I aint even started bruv' features Watch What I Do, Genny spits flames over the brash beat provided by Dead Man Walkin. Although the hook lacks imagination the track as a whole is a great platform to show off Genesis' fiery delivery and inspired wordplay. Look out for 'I Aint Even Started Bruv' and check out his new website www.genesiselijah.net for all his latest work and news.
Snowgoons ft Ill Bill, Sicknature & Sabac Red - The Uncrushables (OFFICI...
Snowgoons are back with a new video from their Kraftwerk album featuring Ill Bill,Sabac Red and Sicknature on this song. Also check out the artwork from Michael Firman on this.
Buy the album here and become a fan here of Snowgoons,Sicknature , Ill Bill and Sabac Red
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Jon Phonics - Mutual Attraction / Sat Nav
Following on from the freebies Run For Cover and AM that dropped last month, Chakra Sounds drop another two free instrumental tracks from versatile producer Jon Phonics. Sat Nav is a low tempo, spaced-out synthy effort, but the clear winner is Mutual Attraction which possesses an outrageously smooth bass-line. Enjoy.
Rewd Adams, coming soon
The artist formerly known as Skandal will return on the 5th of Feb with his first release under the new moniker, Rewd Adams.
Check out the 'official leak' (them again) from Rewd Awakening below:
You can also check out the, admittedly rather pointless, album promo vid as well:
Jack Flash - The Calm Before The Storm Mixtape
I just thought that I'd bring this to people's attention, as I've only just stumbled across it myself. Flash dropped this mixtape back in 05, before his debut album. He's recently stuck it up on bandcamp, as it had long since disappeared under the radar. Even though there are one or two tracks you might recognise from other Flash or J Simple releases, this is definitely worth checking out. Although he's clearly grown as an artist since this point (for example the concept tracks are not quite up to the standards of his later stuff), the skills are very much in evidence. Add that to several beats from Apa-Tight, and I'm sure you get the picture...
V.H.S. Crew (Click Animosity) -Tragic Outcome (1999)
From the VHS Crew - Tragic Outcome (Click Animosity Origins Volume 1) coming soon on First Son Records. This project is taken from old tapes of the VHS Crew,which after various changes is now Click Animosity.
http://www.reverbnation.com/clickanimosityofficial All enquiries to :Clickanimositybiz@gmail.com
SAV KILLZ - OFFICIAL EPK / MIN DOC - Directed by Rood
Learn more about Sav Killz as an mc and a man in this brand new EPK/Mini Doc
Sav's influence, what he's been thru and where he is going in the future.
For more info on Sav Killz go to http://www.reverbnation.com/savkillz
Follow Sav Killz on http://www.twitter.com/savkillz
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Stumble It!
