Leeds Hip Hop Scene

If I take any CD away on holiday with me this August it’ll be
Spektrum. Although it represents many musical styles and evokes many feelings there’s something about it that’s made to provide a
soundtrack for a long summer. Maybe it’s the vigour, maybe it’s the
extraordinary refreshment of different genres or maybe it’s the fact
that it reminds you that actually, your musical tastes are pleasantly
eclectic.

Maybe Million Dan’s own explanation of why the album is entitled
Spektrum puts a finger on the reason why this release is so
appealing: ‘My album is a spektrum of songs, countries, artists and
energy’. And he’s not lying. Hip Hop, Reggae (Sizzla and Bounty Killer
both feature too), Electro, Soul, Latin Dub, Grime, Bashment…yep, all
present and correct in varying mixtures. It’s just so great to listen
to an album with so many vibes; each track has its own thing going on
but as a whole album they don’t sound disparate.

I have to admit that I can’t always listen to a lot of ragga-tinged
rap but Million makes patois more acceptable than anyone else I’ve
ever heard. He possesses that tongue twisting skill that embodies
Jamaican influenced Hip Hop and he uses to great effect. Million’s
clear delivery and simple but oh-so-tight lyrics complete the package
marked ‘Million Dan’s incredible voice’. The spektrum extends to the
subject matter: himself, women, ghetto living but with a focus on
lyricality and metaphors.

There are some very big tunes on here that basically sum up his back
catalogue of singles since the Demon Boyz’ ‘Definition’ set. ‘Mic
Chek’ has that Batman theme sounding beat, ‘Spektrum Ride’ is a
bashment Atari bomb, ‘Dogz ‘n’ Sledgez’ is well, ‘Dogz ‘n’ Sledgez’
innit – it’s capable of damage. ‘Scream Out’ is a shuffling party
starter and ‘Glimity Glamity’ is the last track – Demon Boyz’ finest
moment. You should buy it for this collection of inspired singles but
then you also might want to check out ‘Futuristic’ which could perhaps
be described as ’summer’ – you want this to be playing when you’re on
the beach in a couple of months. ‘Inner City Got Plenty Cases’ is
brilliant social commentary and warning but is surprisingly upbeat and
breezy, it’s also got the type of name a Silent Eclipse track would
have and ‘Go In’ features fellow UK stalwart MCD as well as Dynamite
MC and K.Nerz, it’s dramatic Electro Reggaeton that features four
brilliant MC’s.

I’m meant to be putting more negative into my reviews but I can’t
think of anything bad to say. Million Dan has masses of character and
is not content with the fashionable complaining that Hip Hop is
thriving off at the moment. He seems to be having fun and leading by
example rather than trying to preach truths.

Just buy this, you will not be disappointed and it’s available already
at places like Suspect Packages, Amazon or if you like downloads,
itunes.