Leeds Hip Hop Scene » Music Reviews

Review: Delusionists – Prolusion Plus

Editor — Sat, 15 May 2010 14:06:15 +0000

“Prolusion Plus” is the new release from UK Hip Hop’s Delusionists, made up of MC DBF and MC/producer Ben Black. About 12 months ago Delusionists released their “Prolusion” EP, a 7 track free to download taster of their witty rhymes and bouncy beats.

This new release is a lot stronger than last year’s “Prolusion EP” featuring 6 of the original tracks aswell as new material and remixes from some of the UK’s finest generation of new producers. One of my favourtie tracks on this album has to be the Kelakovski produced, “12 Letters”, with its opera style chorus and some strong delivery from the MC’s. But as I mentioned earlier Kelakovski’s not the only guest producer on here with the Jon Phonics produced “Digital Connects” is an observational track about the online hiphop community and name checks a number of well known bloggers and entities, the Ed Strong (The IRS) Remix of “Parallel Worldz”, Slim Pickens delivers a strong beat on The Movement and Brighton producer Tom Caruna shows up to the party with a new remix for “Supa Lyrical Excursion pt II”.

Another strong track on the LP is last years strongest track on their debut EP, “Trunk Rattle” with it’s solid bassline and effortless delivery a real head nodder.

Definitely an album worth purchasing but don’t take my word for it preview it here http://music.delusionists.co.uk/album/prolusion-plus and order a CD or MP3 download…

‘The Cornerstone EP’ – Crucifix & The Krate Krusaders (review)

Mr Certified Banger — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:47:01 +0000

If you’re a Certified Banger regular then you’ll know of The Krate Krusaders and their excellent production. If you aren’t and you don’t, check out this release because it showcases their sound and style perfectly. Crucifix drops the kind of rhymes that are best described as poetic; displaying intelligence with the ability to uplift without a cliché in sight.

‘The Majestic’ featuring Vex is the only track that is out of place on this release… and its mainly Vex’s “old getting stabbed in the head” rhymes that makes this the case – I’ll be skipping that one despite its dope beat. ‘Restorations’ menacing synths are coupled with a heartfelt sung vocal sample – a strange marriage but a beautiful one. A great EP from the UK Hip Hop scene – get to know. Buy it at Amazon or itunes.

Orphans of Cush – White Noize (Review)

Editor — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:39:58 +0000

(Courtesy of Northern Author)

I finally managed to purchase my copy of the Orphans Of Cush album ‘White Noize’ which came out late 2009 today and gave it a full listen. I have to say…its already the best album I’ve heard so far in 2010. The Orphans are essentially a supergroup of emcee extraordinaires, with Kyza, Cyrus Malachi, M9 and Masikah all killing it from start to finish with vere after verse of deep, dark lyrics over brooding beats.

This sort of LP is what puts my faith back into not only the UK scene but hip-hop as a whole. Its been a while since we’ve had a group come out on that Wu-Tang type of album style….by that I mean not the Wu sound but the way the Wu just packed every single song with verse after verse of intelligent, thought-provoking and entertaining material over great beats. Not even the Wu themselves does that these days but the Orphans Of Cush show a consistency and quality control second to none here.

Song after song after song just hits you with more and more “realness”, for want of a better word, and the beats are perfectly matched to them, leading with piano spills and low basslines and melancholy key changes. Producer Chemo is credited as the Executive Producer of the album but nowhere does it state who produces each beat on the album (although one or two are clear beatjacks or big samples). I can only assume Chemo handles a lot of it on the boards and he does a sterling job aswell.

The great thing about this LP is not one of the four emcees outshines or overshadows another. In fact every emcee blends so well its honestly like a Voltron situation where their minds have met as one. Cliche, yes I know. Cheesy, yep I know. Another small reference to Wu-Tang (Meth famously said they form like Voltron), yep right again. But its totally correct.

I’ll slap a 9 out of 10 on it here and plead with you all to get it bought. Here’s a link to where you can do so:

http://www.suspect-packages.com/artists/m-q/ORPHANS_OF_CUSH.php

2 Syllables Vol 4 – Various Artists (First Word Records)

Editor — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:02:39 +0000

Fresh for 2010, First Word is back with the 4th installment in the 2 Syllables compilation series. Over 14 tracks the album takes you on a tour of the FW sound – some favourites from the last few months as well as some up-front exclusives and a couple of tracks from newcomers to First Word.

Kicking off with the jazzy breaks of the title track from Mike-L’s forthcoming album ‘On A Columbo Tip’, the album then moves to the first of our new artists on the label. Herma Puma will be releasing their debut album ‘Synchromystic’ later in the year and ‘Pimp Rocker’ is a perfect introduction to their classic hip hop sound.

Next up is ‘The Nuts’ from Red – we first met Red after he provided one of the stand-out tracks from kidkanevil’s remix album last summer, and we’ll be releasing his album of lowslung instrumental hip hop in Spring.

Eliphino returns with a couple of tracks – Lowv is a FlyLo style hip hop instrumental whilst Before takes the tempo up with a nod towards the Floating Points / Joy Orbison take on electronica. Sandwiched in between these is recent kidkanevil single Minjo – taken from his new album Basho Basho and This Time – a reggae groover from the idiosyncratic One Eleven.

[audio:http://www.leedshiphop.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/04-Eliphino-Lowv.mp3|titles=04 Eliphino- Lowv]

In the second half of the comp there are some highlights from the last few months – two

tunes from Homecut’s ‘No Freedom Without Sacrifice’ album – the golden age hip hop of Time Difference featuring the legendary J-Live and the afrobeat horn-led Harmony.

There’s also a couple of super-nice remixes – kidkanevil’s sloping rework of Laura J

Martin’s ‘Dokidoki’ and electro-funk legend Greg Wilson’s take on 6ix Toys’ ‘Paint The Toon’.

Rounding it out we’ve got a couple more new tunes – Andy H brings ‘Come On Now’ – a trademark bass-heavy club-stomper, this time with an addictive horn-hook thrown into the mix. We also have new track ‘Le Plaisir’ from Souleance – taken from their forthcoming 7” that’s gonna be a favourite on the dancefloors in 2010.

Finally there’s the first release on the label from Big Dada stalwart Lotek. Fresh from his Mercury-winning success in 2009 with Speech Debelle, Control Alt Delete is a tale of one man’s struggle with technology. Over a beat made entirely from sounds sampled from his computer (you’ll recognise them all!) Lotek drops typically witty rhymes – check the awesome video on youtube!

Go get yours now from First Word Records

kidkanevil – Basho Basho LP Review

Chris — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:57:36 +0000

kidkanevil is here once more with his third Long Player, considering his debut LP “Problems and Solutions” only dropped just under 3 years ago that’s one hell of an out-put, and not one of these LP’s I would consider throw-aways. kidkanevil has re-invented his sound once more – “Problems and Solutions” was a heavily Hip Hop inspired album with tracks littered with help from established acts such as Lateef, Andreya Triana, Yarah Bravo, Chris James (Stateless), Double D Dagger & Jehst. Kidk’s second album “Back of Man I’m a Scientist” stepped back from the hip-hop sound a little with some great tracks exploring Reggae, Soul and beats such as Black Bug and Stomp whilst Double D Dagger waded in once more with “RIP” a heavy critique of the hip-hop world. And just to show how popular kidkanevil’s music is First Word Records released “17 Samuarai Vol. 1″ an album dedicated to remix’s of kidk’s previous output.

Yet this 3rd album is an exploration of kidkanevil’s creative inspirations from Asian and Japanese culture. Minimalistic laid back tracks carefully littered with rare film samples and old school nintendo samples & some tracks having no drum patterns at all. I have to admit my favourite tracks are When Doves Bounce & the simply brilliant synthy “Yokai”.

“I was watching a lot of Japanese cinema, listening to a lot of out-there, classical music, going a bit loopy really,” kidkanevil explains. “That was the starting point.”

This is simply creative music, you won’t find any big club stompers but an outpouring of an intellectually stimulating imagination.

‘The Return of the Boom Bap’ – S.Kalibre (mixtape review)

Mr Certified Banger — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:27:15 +0000

from Certified Banger

Instead of choosing his favourite beats from the 90s S.Kalibre has chosen the best beats from the 90s for his ‘The Return of the Boom Bap’ mixtape. Then he’s taken cues from the original subject matter and made his own piece of art from the original elements. 37 tracks deep, one verse per track, beats from tracks made famous by Outkast, Dre, Slick Rick, Pete Rock, Nas, Ice Cube, Das EFX and loads more (obviously). An amazing mixtape from a rapper who makes rapping sound effortless.

If you want more of S.Kalibre (and you should) then check his ‘English Spitrapture’ EP which came out last year. It’s 6 tracks of classic-sounding, heavy beats from Mike-S and lyrics full of clarity, reality and quotables. ‘English’ featured on the ‘On The Radar’ series and ‘Here Comes The Officer’ features Big Cakes and Menace. ‘Incoming’ is a military-themed banger on which S.Kalibre weaves in many a war-based lyric – clever stuff.

Then, if you’ve got a few extra pence, you can name your own price on the S.Kalibre/Hard Livin’ single ‘Oh Girl’.

‘Careful On The Way Up’ – Diversion Tactics (album review)

Mr Certified Banger — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:35:42 +0000

Authentic Hip Hop from the UK – don’t believe that? OK – Percee P and Tim Dog, two pioneering Bronx rappers, feature on this LP. Believe me now? Thought so. Need proof from the UK? UK legend Blade endorses this by lending an out-of-retirement verse – dopeness and total awesomeness in my books.

‘No Collaborations’ features no collaborations – with lyrics like “if you think this is about you, then this is about you” Chubby holds his own over the banging beat shaming you for ever needing big names to recommend ‘Careful On The Way Up’ to you. As well as Blade ‘Three Card Blag’ features back-on-the-rise D.Gritty – top tune.

When top quality producers Jazz T and Zygote aren’t doing their dusty thing, Tommy Koi is flipping some 80s-sounding cheese on ‘Return of the Ladies Man’ and The Last Skeptik is doing the honours on the neck snapping ‘Where I’m From?’ (on which Chubby discusses the roots of Hip Hop).

Previously heard tracks ‘Can’t Swim’ and ‘Back To School’ (produced by J-Zone) still sound aces as part of this small (35 minutes – just how I like it) but perfectly formed LP with won’t be released until January 11th 2010 on the Boot label.

‘Thoughts Of The Nameless’ – Defenders of Style (mixtape review)

Mr Certified Banger — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:37:58 +0000

With Big Band Swing samples, crunching and crashing drums and a crew of hungry Yorkshiremen on the mic ‘Thoughts of the Nameless’ is one of the properest releases you’ll hear this year.

With 100% original productions from Jack Danz, High Top, Prys and Mike D this hour long mixtape is as good as a full blown album. Prys, Jack Danz, Jay Snow aka Lip and Tongue Tied rap their way through the 15 full tracks with enough style and skill to remind even the biggest fan of N-Dubz what real Hip Hop is all about.

Title track ‘Thoughts of the Nameless’ stands out with it’s jaunty posturing and the laid back Jazz guitar of ‘Vision of Utopia’ combined with its lyricism make it a Northern classic. ‘Stronger’ is an ardent war cry influenced by the robbery of all their music making equipment complete with beats and lyrics – this set is a fine comeback from these setbacks. ‘Fight Club’ serves to prove they have not been left weakened. ‘Stealth Mission’ is a fine example of Jack Danz’s slight obsession with the aforementioned Big Band Swing samples.

Singer Chenai lends vocal beauty to the proceedings and associates Matter (who is one half of Verbal Contact with Prys) and Mr. Ris and Sir Plus (of Alphabetix) bring their verses to the table.

‘Thoughts Of The Nameless’ is out soon and will be available at the mighty Suspect Packages. Certified Banger says buy it. Disorda says buy it. So buy it.

‘T.W.O.K.’ – Spee 69 (mixtape review)

Mr Certified Banger — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:48:56 +0000

T.W.O.K. – Taken Without Konsent. For the duration of this mixtape Spee 69 (that’s 6 9 not 69) raps stolen beats from the likes of Outkast, DJ Premier and Mr. J Medeiros.

This Yorkshire MC has truly got the flows required to gain respect from heads around the world – on beat, on point and just on it in general. Unlike some rappers, Spee 69’s thoughts and interests are ones you’ll actually want to pay attention to, making this mixtape a rare treat in a world of too many tracks and not enough variety.

The intro is one of the original beats one here (produced by Captain Nick) and it’s a big look – sounding like the score to a medieval war film it gives Spee the chance to let loose and come hard – a great way to start. ‘Lemonade’ produced by Jay Large (and one of the original ‘On The Radar’ tracks) still sounds dope, Profanity provides the beats for ‘Fiend.ish’ and ‘Hard Times’ and J.R. Hartley offers the jauntiest 30s sounding beat ever made for ‘Diagnosis Murder’ proving that it’s not just classic beats that make this mixtape so dope. The Krate Krusaders also bring Mexican spice with their production on ‘I Make Moves’.

Support real Hip Hop – buy ‘T.W.O.K.’ – simple as. It’ll be out very soon, check Spee’s myspace for more details.

‘Heavy Rotation Vol. 2′ – VA – Crackhouse Recordings/Subterrania Studios (album review)

Mr Certified Banger — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:59:22 +0000

If you need an introduction to the hardest working Hip Hop label in Leeds then look no further than ‘Heavy Rotation Vol. 2′. It features tracks from all the Crackhouse Recordings rappers – Instance, PCP, El-D, No Change and Ill Phil – over non-conformist beats from Subterrania Studio’s Mike D.

The compilation features 23 tracks of the artists making light of their everyday lives over some big US influenced productions – it’s like the illest after hours cypher between a bunch of mates only seeking to have a good time. ‘Heavy Rotation Vol. 2′ is a lot of fun without being silly and it’s easy to tell that this has been made as a result of a love for the art.

Things can get pretty ig’nant as the boys rap about everything you’d expect them to – girls, sex (these two come up often), cash, Hip Hop and life stories all get covered in the forthright Crackhouse style. Despite there being a certain sound, each MC brings his own style – for example, Instance has his gravelly tone, No Change demonstrates the ability to rap with the melody and El-D has the tight multisyllabic rhymes. The tracks don’t get boring either, each has it’s own sound with neighbouring tracks, the rock infused ‘Tour Bus’ and sing-a-long ballad ‘City Life’ being a fine example of the variety Crackhouse Recordings is capable of.

‘Heavy Rotation Vol. 2′ is out now and can be bought from the Crackhouse Recordings website for £6. If you take a liking to what they have to offer head over to their downloads sections for free versions of their past releases.