It’s been around twelve months since Kemetstry was last
featured on the blog. His latest release is Kemz The Astral Being, an EP that
is four tracks deep and fully produced by the legendary figure of Micall
Parknsun, who also features on the EP, alongside a feature from Anyway Tha God.
Now this one was released back at the end of September and
is the third in the Kemz series of releases. The previous being Kemez The
Atlantean (2022) and Kemz The Alchemist (2024), both of which have been
reviewed here, so check the hyperlinks.
Being as I have featured Kemetstry a few times on the blog,
I won’t make you wait with a long intro. So, lets get straight into it…
We begin our journey beyond this mortal realm with Astral
Beings (spray out) featuring Anyway Tha God. Parky brings us a sound that
fits with the etheric energy as the heavy beat is backed by keys and percussion
that has you floating out of body. Kemz and Anyway Tha God bring us some
cerebral wordplay that seems to speak to you beyond this three dimensional
existence, directly to your soul. The narrative appears to speak with a
viewpoint that looks back at lives past, giving you pointers on how to live a
better life before progressing to the life beyond. With that thought in mind,
Micall Parknsun joins Kemz on vocals for Lighten Up Ya Soul. Here the
beat is backed by synth sounds that keep us floating through that etheric
realm. This one brings a soulful edge to the lyrics, and one speaks directly to
your mind, here in the 3-D world by inviting you to step away from darkness
that exists around you and connect with your soul, your energetic or
light-being self, which comes from a place of unconditional love. This is where
you can find your true self in a place where darkness takes a back seat.
Once you have found your true self the trick is then to Stay
In The Light. Parky brings a powerful beat that is backed by keys and a
vocal sample that has an angelic feel, lifting you up and bringing a truly
euphoric air. This one really seems to look at the eternal battle between light
and dark and how our lives, so often move between experiences that keep us in
the light or see us in shadow. Those shadow times can be unexpected or even of
our own doing, and what is important is to know when the shadows fall upon us
and to make that conscious decision to move back to and stay in the light. The
EP ends with Road and Postcode (R&P), here piano notes back a
proper head nod beat, giving you a reason to move and listen to the lyrics.
There is proper reason to listen close to the lyrics here as Kemz brings an
important message, one that is as pertinent right now but, is something you
could have said forty years ago, and it would still hit the same. The road and
the postcode say where you are from, and so often that could well make you a
target. When I was growing up in Southampton, that meant going to Portsmouth
was a risk but, also just walking half a mile down the road put you in a
postcode that meant you were in the Weston area, and if you were from Sholing,
might become a target. These days you won’t just get chased, now we live in a
society where knives and guns are a very real risk, but the message here is to
think before you act and don’t do anything that could come back on you or those
closest to you. It is a very real message to stop the violence, and not just
here in the UK, but the world over too.
With an EP, it can often be hard to pack so much into a few
tracks, but here Kemestry shows that if you have the right vison, you can do
just that. Here he shows that intelligent wordplay is the keys to helping the
listener to be open minded as to what they can hear within the music they are
listening to. His deep cerebral lyricism brings a spiritual edge goes beyond
just telling someone a message. Here he takes you beyond your current
understanding, speaking not just to your mind but, to your soul. There just
seems to be this unconscious aspect to the words you hear and their delivery
that makes them touch you on a whole different level, one you are not
immediately aware of. That is enhanced by the etheric nature of sound that
Parky brings with deep soulful sounds that appear to move your awareness to a
whole different plane, fitting so well with what Kemz is delivering with his
lyrics.
I am all for promoting Hip Hop that hits on different
levels, while still delivering a positive message in away that speaks to you on
a truly deep level and I found that Kemz and Parky have really seemed to have
nailed that vibe. Everything about this one, from Kemetstry’s lyrics to Parky’s
production, and the guest artists, all just exudes that sense of deep positive
alignment with the true nature of the universe.
The Kemz series has taken us to some exotic places and some
that have a very occult nature but, they have always had a very positive
outlook, especially one in lifting you up and evolving your awareness of the
true nature of things; and Kemz The Astral Being is no different. I mean, you
can’t go wrong in aligning yourself with legendary Micall Parknsun, and
alongside Kemetstry, they have brought to live another chapter in the Kemz
series that focuses that positive, uplifting vibe, to a finer point, and one
that makes you wonder if this is last in that series or if Kemz still has more
to say in pointing you towards a more elevated vison of the self…
Kemz The Astral Being is out on digital and strictly limited
physical copies, so don’t sleep on this one.
Now, it was way back in July of 2022 that the Ill Natured
crew first graced the Infinite Sounds UK blog with their debut self-titled Ill
Natured EP. At that time, I was impressed with what I considered to be one
of the hottest debuts I had heard, and not only that, but these guys gave us a
sound that was deeply rooted in the soul of real Hip Hop music.
The guys are now back with a long player, the Still Natured
LP which was released back in June of this year. This time the core members of
the crew Cosmic Rayne (South Africa), Abstract Soundz (UK), DJ Stav (UK), and
Sativa (Germany), are joined by DJ Slowz and Yung High (Both from Vietnam),
alongside a host of artists from across the globe, which includes: MC Karlito
(France), Micall Parknsun (UK), Brotherman (UK), Eavesdrop (South Africa), and
Pain aka Dai Ca P (Vietnam).
Before I get into the album, I would like the final words of
this intro to go to Ill Natured, as they give you some insightful words to
ponder at the back of your mind as you listen:
Taking inspiration from the era when the forefathers of
Hip Hop set the bar for anybody who calls themself a ‘rapper’…‘The Still
Natured LP’ provides insight into the true nature and essence of what has been
lost in today’s commercial rap music.
At a time when its purpose is all but forgotten, clouded
by the need to be instantly validated through likes and views, pure lyricism is
still practiced by the few who understand that Hip Hop is forever. For as long
as we stay true to the artform - and ourselves - the meaning of being a rapper,
producer, DJ, Bboy and writer will never be lost.
Like the ancient knowledge and wisdom passed down through generations, through
hidden messages in texts and art, the Still Natured LP is reserved for truth
seekers. Those unfazed by the demands of modern society to believe that numbers
are the goal. While it may be for most, it isn’t for us.
Transcending conventional ideas of modern Hip Hop, reminding the listener that
being authentic is the goal, necessary for growth and progression, infiltrating
the mind and body as if it were a disease, yet taking us back to the roots and
planting the seeds for the future, this is ILL Natured.
Now let’s immerse ourselves into being Still Natured…
Our journey begins with Abstract Soundz (Production) and DJ
Stav on The Intro where a thumping beat, piano, and strings, all combine
to bring us a proper head nod intro that has a myriad of vocal samples to give
you a little insight into what’s about to come. Plus, plenty of cutting shit up
from Stav makes this intro do one thing, which is to let you know that this is
real Hip Hop and that’s where its at. With the scene now set, its time to
really get busy with Fall Back which features Micall Parknsun alongside
Cosmic Rayne, who also produces this one. This one has funky vibe about it with
a heavy beat, bass sound that keeps you moving. This seems to focus on the fact
that there are a lot of rappers out there right now, just because you can rap
does not mean your Hip Hop, and even if you are Hip Hop, you need to be
relevant and speak from the heart. So, this one takes a shot at those rappers
who are not all they make themselves out to be, they need to fall back, because
this is Hip Hop where the real rappers live. Next, it is time for MC Karlito to
join Sativa, with DJ Stav on the cut for Lament. Produced by Abstract
Soundz, this one has a nice, chilled vibe provided by jazzy keys and horns, as
the beat kicks. Now I’m not going to even make a guess at what is being said
here, as sadly I speak neither French or German, but a lament is piece of music
that is an expression of grief or sorrow, and alongside the fact is that the
flows and tone of the lyrics match that chilled vibe, it draws you in
regardless and allows you to speculate on the vocals, taking you wherever you
need to go.
Riff Raff has production from Cosmic Rayne as he
drops this one alongside Pain aka Dai Ca P. Double Bass is prominent in this
one alongside guitars, xylophone notes and more, giving this one a deep sound
that’s almost vibrates through your whole body with every note from the double
bass. I had to think long and hard on this one, because as I listened, it
didn’t feel like it was a derogatory reference, even though it reminded me of
how, there was a time where if you were into Hip Hop music you might well have
been considered as Riff Raff. But the more I listened the more it felt like
this one had an air that more closely fit with one of the older definitions of
the phrase, from around the mid 1300’s, in that it was all about leaving little
of value behind. Perhaps this one has multiple means, depending on how you see
it. Has a rapper you might be considered riff raff but, when you are that good
at your craft, you will leave little, in the way of spoils, behind. After that
mammoth thought process, its time to move on to A Funky Interlude which
is produced and cut up by DJ Stav. This one is like a quick little audible
pallet cleanser that funks things up and gives you time to just enjoy things
before getting back into things in-depth with Live From Saigon, produced
by Abstract Soundz, it features Sativa alongside MC Karlito once again. Drums
and double bass take the forefront here with guitars and more softened into the
background, bringing an overall sound that has this infectious funked up edge
to it. Again, I’m going to pretend that I know what is being said here but, you
can feel that this one has this air about it where you can imagine these two
just getting up on stage and dropping an incredible show for everyone, nuff
said.
Word War brings Sativa and Cosmic Rayne together with
MC Karlito and production from Cosmic Rayne. This one has a sound where the
drums are at the forefront while keys, in the background, give this a slightly
dark edge, but one that is softened to the point where the vocals stand above
all else. This one sees all three emcees using their words as weapons in a war
where the content and shear impact of your wordplay has to be on point, taking
out all opponents to leave you as the last one’s standing. The Skit is
produced by Abstract Soundz, Cosmic Rayne, and DJ Stav, and is the first three
of these on the album. This quick little interlude takes the form of Ill
Natured in the lab, working on a proper head nod beat with cuts from Stav.
Before you know it, you’re back into things with the Ill Natured crew on Naturally
Ill. Abstract Soundz provides the production here with a laid-back sound
with keys and bass that is softened into the background, except on the bridge.
It really puts you inmind of the likes
of ATCQ etc. This laid-back vibe allows the vocals to take the forefront,
allowing them to sink into your awareness. This one really puts you in mind of
that Hip Hop braggadocio style of bigging yourself up, knowing how good you are
and that every thought you have can be turned into a dope rhyme. However, there
is one difference here, being that the delivery comes with no air self-centred
delivery, but more of a statement of facts, delivered with a quiet air of a
deep personal knowing.
8 Bars is another little interlude that sees Abstract
Soundz, Cosmic Rayne, and DJ Stav collaborate. Back in Lab again we find Cosmic
Rayne delivering the bars over a proper boom bap beat with plenty of razor
sharp scratching. Timelapse brings us back from the lab with Abstract
Soundz on production and joined by MC Karlito and Brotherman on mic, alongside
DJ Slowz on the cut. There is a definite jazzhop vibe about this one with the
jazzy piano vibes and chilled drumbeat giving you a tune to move to. At first
listen this one seems like a straight up demonstration of lyrical prowess, but
the more you listen you get the sense of something else alongside that; which
might be that what you say does not have to be said in any particular
timeframe, sometimes its good just to say what you need to in your own time,
delivered in a way that allows everyone to understand the deeper meaning
within. With that concept of listening and understanding now rooted in your
mind, Dusted sees Sativa joined by Yung High with Abstract Soundz on
production. The chilled drums and jazzy piano vibes see this one continue that
jazzhop sound, making you feel like your sat in some smoke filled speak easy.
Once more I find myself in the position of not knowing what the lyrics are
speaking on, and so I go with my gut again. That laid-back sound and the
chilled tone of the lyrical delivery really puts you in a place where you just
want to sit back and allow it all to sink in, not thinking too hard but,
letting the lyrics float through your awareness as you slowly nod to the beat.
As we head into the final few tracks of the album, The
Fifth Kind sees Cosmic Rayne on production, joined by Eavesdrop. The
futuristic sound here toys with your mind, expanding your senses and taking you
beyond the confines of the planet. Here we are taken on journey that explores
the idea of alien contact with humans as both emcees drop some complex wordplay
that would be an interesting concept, were an extraterrestrial race to hear
this as its first contact with humans. All this is backed by samples from an
interview with researcher Steven Greer, who I met some years ago, who has been
very outspoken on the subject of Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind. The
penultimate track is our final interlude from Abstract Soundz, Cosmic Rayne,
and DJ Stav, which is the Cosmic Abstract Interlude. This one is a
chilled number that mixes a drum loop with piano notes and some electronic
elements, all together this track allows you to kick back one last time before
the album ends with the albums title track, Still Natured. This one is
all Cosmic Rayne, including production and has him dropping a beat that is
backed by this sound which has an almost eerie quality to it which gives the
whole track an air that rounds off the album but, still has you feeling, it’s
not the end. Time is a huge factor in the lyrics too, giving you this feeling
that you need to make the most of the time you have, so you need to fill that
time by being authentic and the greatest expression of who you truly are.
The first thing that is apparent from listening to this
album is that Ill Natured have stuck firmly to the ethics they forged with the
Ill Natured EP, and that is that their music is firmly rooted in the golden era
of Hip Hop. Their sound retains that vibe that takes you back to that time and
puts you in mind of some of the legendary figures such as ATCQ, Gang Starr, and
many more. You also feel that they have this desire to keep their sound firmly
rooted where Hip Hop should be, on the streets and in the underground clubs,
never straying from that path and never wandering into the watered down sound
of the mainstream, where music is controlled and not allowed to speak real
truths. Because that is a place where money is king and speaking from the heart
rarely brings any real returns.
There is also such a deep feeling of unity within Still
Natured as an album and Ill Natured as a crew. Something that embodies what Hip
Hop has always been about, at it core. Ill Natured are a crew that spans the
globe, and as a result, the album also does that. It brings together artist
from many corners of the globe and proving that by uniting under the banner of
real Hip Hop means that even if you do not know the language of the artist, you
can still enjoy their display of their craft and feel the energy and the
message they are putting across.
Every aspect of this album embodies the true Hip Hop sound,
from the solid production values of the crew to the impressive wordplay and
lyricism displayed by all the emcees involved, be they from Ill Natured or as
guest artists. It kind of makes you not want to single anyone out, and you
don’t have to because what you realise is that, within the confines of the
album, everyone is Hip Hop and everyone is Ill Natured, they become one,
because that is what Hip Hop does, it brings us together as one, and that is
something that I find really gets to you as you listen and you realise just how
deeply this album and nature of Ill Natured brings that unity vision to the
listener.
When I listened to debut a few years back, I really felt
that these guys were gonna go a long way and after hearing Still Natured, I’m
as sure as I can be that future for Ill Natured is going to keep raising that
bar and keep promoting unity through the sound of real Hip Hop music.
Still Natured is available digitally now and, if your lucky,
available on limited edition cassette too, through the Low Definition label.
My huge thanks to Abstract Soundz for the chance to bring
this one to you and for the awesome cassette too, you can’t beat taking it back
to the days of old.
MicTronics is the latest album from Washington D.C.
emcee Mic Mountain, it marks his third album to be reviewed on the blog this
year and his 9th Solo album. So, for a bit more background on Mic
Mountain, please check my previous reviews for Triple Piragua and Mountain
Dreams.
This time around Mic Mountain teams with Tronbeatz, out of Connecticut,
on production and Cuts from Mr Scratch Hook (who also provides mixing and
mastering). The album is not overloaded with features either, giving Mic
Mountain plenty of room to shine. Those who do feature here are CrDnlSn, The
Bad Seed, and Thirstin Howl the 3rd. As we have seen with the
previous reviews from Mic Mountain, expect a sound that is rooted deeply in the
traditional boom bap sound but, with maybe a surprise or two along the way.
So, don’t let me keep you hanging right now, let’s get
straight into it…
It all kicks off here with Chill You Got It with
Tronbeatz bringing a heavy sound of guitar notes over a drum loop that gets
your head nodding from the get-go. The mixed in vocal samples also add some
depth that serves to get you fired up. Mic Mountain lights up the mic with a
blistering display of wordplay where metaphors and similes abound, with just a
dash or two of Hip Hop braggadocio to boot too. You really get the feeling here
that this one is gonna be some journey. If you thought there might be time to
chill here, then think again as Back In The Day Pt. 2 brings a follow up
to a track from Mic Mountains 2018 album The Avalanche. Here razor sharp
cuts and a heavy sonic sound merge with a pounding drum beat to get you
bouncing and pumping the air. Mic Mountain takes us back to his teenage years,
schooling us to some of his inspirations with mentions for the likes of KRS
ONE and BDP, Redman, Black Sheep, Cypress Hill and more. But more than that we
also get an insight into what it was like for him growing up, learning the
latest rap verses before heading home to write his own. This is a true look
into how you push yourself to rise from the early days, constantly evolving and
practicing, never resting but always having that faith in yourself that you can
be someone. The focus now switches from those early days as DMV MC takes
us into the metropolitan area of Washington D.C. and for anyone not familiar
with the term, it stands for the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.
Tronbeatz gives us a solid head nod beat that is backed by a multi-layered
sound that chills you out a little while Mr Scratch Hook cuts up some classic
Hip Hop samples. Mic Mountain reps it for the hometown here as he takes us back
to the streets of DC, showing us what it was to be an emcee growing up there,
constantly honing his craft on the mic as well as dabbling in graffiti.
Conan Swords brings a heavy sound with horns that
keeps your head moving while vibrating through your whole body, giving this one
a sound that seems to grab you and hold you in a vice-like grip. Lyrically,
this one has a battle rap edge to it where each bar hits like a bullet or the
razor-sharp edge of a heavy metal sword, where everything cuts deep but, rather
than leaving you bleeding, this one gets you hyped for what’s coming next; and
coming next is the first feature as CrDnlSn joins us for Got That Motion.
Here the sound has an edge that seems to take you to the streets after dark with
a drumbeat is backed by chilled synth sound. There are also a couple moments
the sound switches up but still keeping that bright lights big city feel to it.
Mic Mountain and CrDnlSn keep it rooted in the streets of the DMV while
displaying the desire to take it from those very streets to conquer the globe with
their vocals, always moving forward and never looking back and with plenty to
encounter along the way.
Mystery Weed takes the original Scooby Doo theme,
flipping it into a banger of a sound that brings a smile with it. You switch
that smile into a proper grin as Mic Mountain has fun by flipping the classic
narrative of a Scooby Doo episode into a smoke filled comedic romp where the
culprit would have got away with it too, if it wasn’t for that meddling Hip Hop
MoFo. We keep that idea of flipping the Scooby Doo vibes with the Scoob Scrap Raps. Here Thirstin Howl 3rd joins Mic Mountain to drop
some just for fun mic mockery as wordplay meets the world of mystery Inc.
flipping it all on its head and leaving all sucka rappers dead. TronBeatz
provides the stage for all these fun and games with an eerie synth sound
underpinning a heavy drum loop that beats the strange sound into your bones and
has you looking over your shoulder at every turn…
Broken Glass features The Bad Seed alongside Mic
Mountain as TronBeatz brings a sound that thumps hard, threatening to make your
ears bleed. There is a couple of switches along the way that have a sound that
is freakier that a sixties horror movie soundtrack vibe. Lyrically this one
hits you like pieces of broken glass falling on your ears. Wordplay that slices
deep into your mind and eliciting thoughts that intrude like broken nightmares
into your awareness. All to soon we are at the albums penultimate track Nautical
Flow, with a sound that pounding beat with organ notes and vocal samples
that make you feel like you could be floating, ebbing and flowing with the
tide. Mic Mountain takes us on a journey of subsurface vocals where lyricism
meets the oceans, mythical creatures, pirates and more. This one takes you into
a dream world where water, an emotive symbolism, surrounds you, holding you
just long enough to take you away from the trials and tribulations of life. The
album concludes with It’s A Wave, where TronBeatz brings a sound that
has a beat that makes you move almost unconsciously, but the synth sounds have a
vibe that once more gives you that feeling of ebbing and flowing, although the
waters may feel a bit choppier this time around. Mic Mountain takes us to the
crest of the wave, riding that energy there is a feeling that the message here
is that you need to make waves so that people will take notice of what you have
to offer. Once you have their attention, they will see the strength and the
reality of what you bring and that you speak from a place of knowledge and
understanding.
Mictronics is a little under twenty five minutes in length,
but what it might lack in length, it more than makes up for in shear content.
Now, I have never been a fan of track lengths under three minutes, I find it
hard to see how you can put enough into anything shorter. But I have to say
that I am becoming more used to it now and on Mictronics, Mic Mountain and
TronBeatz really do make the best use of every second, giving you a hell of a
lot of bang for your bucks.
The album is a full on boom bap rooted album, there is no
question, but along the way TronBeatz gives us just enough tweaks to give it a
fresh sound. He also brings a good number of vibes that have just the right
amount of emotive edge to mirror what Mic Mountain is trying to elicit from the
listener, something that he does with aplomb.
Mic Mountain keeps it straight Hip Hop here with lyrics,
flows and wordplay that allow you to hear every rhyme, thus allowing you to be
able to get right into each track, if you so choose to. There is also a great
mix of styles here that bring you the kind of tracks you can enjoy listening to
for fun but, at the same time there is a balance of tracks that also have some
deep massages, some of which can be quite subtle, you just have to take the
time to listen.
It would be amiss of me if I were not to mention how the Hip
Hop vibe is accentuated by the cuts of Mr Scratch Hook. There is always that
little voice inside me that says how Hip Hop are you being without the
inclusion of a DeeJay cutting it up. For me it is, pretty much, a must as an
aspect of that real Hip Hop vibe.
It is also great to see that as a solo album, Mic Mountain
has kept the features to minimum, highlighting his own lyricism. That is not to
take anything away from those who do feature. Thirstin Howl the 3rd,
The Bad Seed and CrDnlSn, are all a credit to the scene and add depth and
feeling to those tracks they appear on, this complementing Mic Mountain and the
overall sound of the album.
For me, this was a highly enjoyable album from start to
finish where solid emotive beats meet intellectual wordplay, and where it all
comes together to make smile, bounce and ultimately think. Hip Hop music has
always been a sound which can encompass so much, from just having fun with
lyrics and wordplay, to deeper conscious explorations and understanding the
origins of the artist bringing you such deeply relatable subject matter, and
with Mictronics, Mic Mountain and TronBeatz have done a superb job of doing
just that. You just have to truly listen, but you can also just listen and
enjoy it, because that is what music is all about too.
Mictronics is released on 5th December everywhere
so don’t sleep on this one.
There is also an album listening party via Bandcamp on 3rd December at 7pm ET in the US or 00:00 4th December GMT.
My huge and humble thanks to Mic Mountain for giving me the
chance to bring you my take on this one.
It has to be, for me, an honour and a pleasure to be able to
give my thoughts on the final album in Cappo’s CAPStone trilogy, ITO.
The trilogy began in September 2024 with S.T.A.R.V.E. a
deep, relatable and impactful story of one person’s decent into mental health
decline due to the collapse of a long-term relationship, alongside the trials
and tribulations on everyday life. Then in April of this year came Houses, set
some twenty years after the first album, it took us on a day-in-the-life
journey as one man looks to come to terms with his own morality and the true
meaning of being a father.
With ITO rounding off the trilogy, we find that the promo
gives us a little insight into what to expect from the album. ITO encompasses
aspects of both the previous albums in the trilogy; it juxtaposes elements
of S.T.A.R.V.E.’s thematic abstraction with the temporary linear narrative of
Houses. ITO can be read as a ‘key’ of sorts, acting as the conceptual
thread that links together each piece of the trilogy. As such, ITO can be
listened to as an introduction to the trilogy and/or as a conclusion. This
kind of puts me in mind of some movies that I have watched, such as Pulp
Fiction and others. So, I expect this one to be everything the other albums
were and more.
Released through Plague, the album is written and produced
by Cappo, with additional production from Sam Zircon on Pequod, Greene, Frost,
X, and Glaze, King Kashmere on Red, and Zygote on Gold. Recorded by 1stBlood,
mixed and mastered by Irn Mnky, with Design and layout coming from Rich Brown
(Bee Graphics).
Now we have all that said, let’s get into it…
The album begins with he title track Ito, which is
produced by Cappo and has this deep sounding vibe that is thick with bass,
drums and guitar, and organ notes, immediately bringing your focus to the
vocals.As you listen to this one you
are drawn in by the quality of the intricate lyrics, teasing you, giving you
just a glimpse of what is to come, which is the trick here, it is giving you
just enough to pique your interest, but never giving away what is behind it
all. That is for you to deduce as the album goes on, you know what has gone
before, so can you feel what is the truth? Now the metaphorical carrot has been
dangled, White sees Cappo’s production keep that deep sound, but this
time the percussion takes the forefront with keys providing a background vibe
that softens the edge, making you want to nod your head, but almost unconsciously
as the words speak to you. I get the feeling here that what those words say
will depend very much on your experiences through life thus far. There is a
reflective edge to this one that puts you in mind of a middle-aged man looking
at where he is now in his life, the past being almost a distant memory. Could
this be a reflection of the protagonist P from Houses, now further down his
path in life and considering life on that very path. Next up is Pequod which
might be the name of the whaling ship from Moby Dick, but does that have any
relatability here? Sam Zircon gives us a solid beat which backed by an eerie
sound that spins your mind into a fog bound space. The words breakthrough the
fog allowing you to see that here the focus is on drawing positive energy from
the poor decisions of the past, casting aside their weight that presses on your
chest, rising to climb from the fog filled valley to the peak of mountain where
the air is clear and you can finally see the your dreams with clarity, knowing
they are there for the taking.
Red brings production from King Kashmere where bells
bring a ringing in your mind as heavy beats seem to pound a different ringing
that almost causes your entire body to vibrate. As the lyrics seep into your
conscious awareness, Cappo’s words feel like they embody the many meanings of
the Red Dragon symbolism. Western culture sees the Red Dragon as bringing chaos
and destruction, while in Eastern cultures it symbolises good fortune,
prosperity and imperial power, however its spiritual symbolism is one of a transformative
force, and we see all those things here where the ashes of chaos and
destruction ignite to bring good fortune and prosperity as the phoenix rises,
showing the overall transformative power. This mirrors how our own paths in
live can ultimately lead to a positive transformation from a troubled past. As
those thoughts still remain clear in our minds, Sam Zircon once more provides
production for Greene, where the sound is led by piano notes as the
drums are sparse, giving a vibe that tweaks your mind back into this reality,
just long enough to allow Cappo’s words into your mind. Here, it seems, Cappo
is focusing on personal convictions, defining the very beliefs and opinions
that made you the person you are, and have got you to where you are now, in
this very moment. Opinions and beliefs can change over time but, if you had to
define the very convictions that you live by, how would you do that; then
consider the events of the past two albums in the series and how this fits with
what you have heard. Sam Zircon’s production continues on Frost, as we
flip from Side A to Side B of the album, with a lo-fi sound where all sounds
appear to be synth based and there is no drum beat to get you nodding and so
the words fill your mind with even greater effect, something that is important
here as this one appears to be the most personal track we have heard. Cappo
lays all his cards on the table, his thoughts and feels for his crafted body of
work, his wishes for his children and much more. There is much food for thought
here as you begin to consider just how much of the CAPStone trilogy is personal
truths from Cappo’s own lived experience? Then, perhaps that was the whole
point of this one, to have you think and ponder what is the truth here, how
personal is this, which then has you thinking the same about your own life.
Gold sees Zygote on production, bringing a heavier
bass sound with some electronic vibes that seems to cause your brain to vibrate
on some weird level. This one seems to continue on from the previous track and
has Cappo speaking more on his craft, the inspirations, and how he is viewed
with the UK Hip Hop culture. Cappo is viewed as one of the leading rap artists
of the current era and what he does here is to not only solidify that but, expand
it and define what he does as being at forefront of new developments and new
ideas on a lyrical level. Sam Zircon is back on production for X, Where
the sound has a more head nod vibe, but one that seems to come from a random
selection of sounds that just seem to work. In fact, there is almost a John
Carpenter vibe about this one on a level. Here, it feels like we have shifted
focus once more, to a narrative that could easily be back to the character of
P. Here there is very much an air reflective thoughts, a collection of them in
fact, like we are witness to a thoughts of someone thinking back on life and
many of the crucial moments that have shaped him, brought him to this point,
and finally allow him to look at, identify, and lay the final piece of the
puzzle into place. Z returns Cappo to production who brings us a solid
banger of a track which has some vocal samples and more in the background that
gives this one a slightly dark air. The complex nature of this one takes a few
listens to really get into but, as you listen things do begin to clarify in
your mind. The focus appears to be one that is all about speaking the truth and
not using your platform to preach false truths to those who will listen. What
spoke to me here, as I listened to the words a number of times, was that you
can speak anything to an audience whose only reference is a base of lies and
false narratives, but when you speak the truth, your truth, one that is built
on a firm foundation of knowledge and understanding, you might only reach the
ears of the few but, eventually those few will reach others, and so on, making
people think and search for the truths that are buried by the lies. There was
one thing in Z that had me thinking and diving into some research at 8am on a
chilly Thursday morning; and that was Cappo’s reference to “November Golf, The
city of legends”, now this one troubled me for a bit. I know he hails from
Nottingham and I thought, is it that simple, But I looked into it and found
that Bournemouth is referred to as that due to its golf courses and apparent
mild winter weather. However, after musing over this I felt that Nottingham was
what this cryptic phrase referred to, hope my thinking is right here…
Time to delve into the final two tracks of the album, and
the penultimate track here is Berry, produced by Cappo, this one has a
more chilled sound with a laid-back drumbeat, and some synth sounds that create
an air of calm, to a point. What strikes you about this one is the fact that
this one brings your mind to a place where you think about the things you do,
or have done, that will leave a lasting impression on those around you and the
world, long after you are gone. We all build things over the course of our
lives that directly, or indirectly, touch others; for Cappo, it is his music
and the messages that it carries with it, for me, it is these very words that
you are reading. But no matter where your life has taken you, there will be
something is yours and speaks your name. We now come to the final track of the
album Glaze, also the final track produced by Sam Zircon, brings a beat
that makes you nod your head in a subtle way. The synth sounds bring a sound
that has a reflective edge but, also has you casting an eye to the future. Listening
to these last few minutes is like sat listening to the response to a deeply
personal question. Cappo seems to be opening up on his own personal commitment
to music he produces. You get a real sense that he focuses on bringing years of
knowledge and academic study to bear on his lyrical prowess, giving rise to a
form of Hip Hop expression that is taking wordplay to the next level with
complex realism that invites the listener to think, giving them a desire to
truly understand what is being heard, and at the same time considering their
own place, their own mortality, and their own desire to give something back…
It is not often that I get to the point of giving my overall
impression on what I have just heard, only to realise that what I have already
written down can easily sum up the whole project on its own. I honestly feel I
could end it right here and you would still get a huge amount from my words.
However, ITO has a lot more to say than just what my
interpretation brings forth. Because the shear wealth of what Cappo has just
given you makes you think intently and deeply on the content, before
considering what it is in relation to the other two parts of the CAPStone
trilogy. For me, I found the overall message within the album to be one of a
positive outlook on life. It gives you a point at which you can either start or
finish listening to all three albums and still get the same feeling. There are
tracks or Chapters here that you feel link directly to either S.T.A.R.V.E.
or Houses, there are also tracks that provide an insight into unsaid
elements and those that bring clarity to what comes in the now, the reasons for
the whole trilogy and how, perhaps, you can apply that in your own life. There
may well be an aspect of all three albums that are autobiographical, but
considering how deep this all is, it is so relatable that there are times you
feel you are listening to aspects of your own life.
ITO is an incredible journey in itself, giving much
food for thought and bringing you a realisation that Cappo may well have tapped
into a new form of Hip Hop music that is not just a packed with deeply cerebral
storytelling, performed in a way that I feel has not been done before. Cappo
packs his intelligent wordplay with knowledge on a whole new level, one that
appears to come from intense academic study of philosophical works and an
understanding of life’s journey, in a way that many of us fail to grasp or even
chose to look at. It just goes to show that Cappo is someone who could be given
the GOAT status, not just because of lyrical prowess or production values, but
because he is bringing a whole new level of intelligent wordplay and
storytelling to a wider audience. Now it might not be for everyone; as some
will just enjoy it for what it is but, there are those who will seek to find
the deeper aspects of the albums, discover how all three album mesh together,
and perhaps find other hidden aspects along the way, who knows, that is for you
to find out.
The last thing for me to do here is just to comment on the
production and couple of other bits along the way. Musically, ITO has
some interesting and deep sounds that give you that Hip Hop vibe but, also that
work in tandem with Cappo’s vocals to bring you a deep experience with each
track, and Cappo, Sam Zircon, King Kashmere, and Zygote, should all be
commended for just what they bring to the table here. Yes, the album has that
foundation of a Hip Hop album but, it takes that foundation and builds something
truly unique on it, something that sets the bar high on a whole new era/genre
for Hip Hop music and the application of knowledge into that medium.
ITO and its companion albums in the CAPStone Trilogy
are, by far, something Hip Hop and perhaps music in general has nor seen
before. Albums that work perfectly as a standalone listening experience or
together as the trilogy, regardless of you listening to ITO as the introduction
or as the conclusion. ITO and the CAPStone trilogy will be talked about
in the annals of Hip Hop history for a long time, perhaps even setting a new
benchmark…
I’ll leave it there, but I could go on talking about this.
You definitely have to listen to ITO and find which context it sets for you.
My humble thanks to once again to Dan at Plague for the
chance to bring you my take on ITO, and in fact to be able to review the whole
trilogy. It has been a true honour and a pleasure, opening my mind along the
way.
ITO is out today, 21st November on both
limited edition vinyl and cassette, as well as digital too.
Keep watch for CAPStone the book and Box Sets, coming on 12th December 2025.
The Analog Mutants aka Phill Most Chill, DJ Snafu, and DJ
Grazzhoppa, have featured on the blog a few times with the singles Speak
Easy/I’m On Vacation (808 Remix) from 2022, Confidence/If Ya Let ‘Em (remix)
from 2023, and Titty Shaker from 2024.
The guys are now back with their double long player, Brothers
of Invention, which is dropping on 23rd November. Now, this
album has been in production for over a decade and features most of the above
singles, plus the album versions of I’m On Vacation and If Ya Let ‘Em.
As the Analog Mutants have featured here a few times, I’m
not going to go into them this time around. However, what I will do is just
give you the lowdown on the album. As always, the lyrics are by PMC and there
are no features here either. Album production comes from DJ Snafu, except for
Overlord of Fresh which is produced by DJ Grazzhoppa, who also brings us all
the cuts on the album.
There is also Additional music from Craig Cloy on Make Way
For The New Shit, Confidence, Hall of Shame, Pining (interlude), Tittyshaker,
and Infinity, plus bass on I’m On Vacation by Joanne Tait. The album cover art
also comes from the man Phill Most Chill.
So, with all that said, lets get into the Brothers of
Invention…
Let’s kick things off by dropping the needle on Side A,
which begins with Make Way For The New Shit. This one has a wicked jazz
vibe that incorporates horns, bass, keys, sonic sounds, and xylophone notes,
all coming together with a laid-back vibe that puts you in mind of sitting in a
smoky speak easy listening to some illicit sounds. PMC opens the album by
hitting us with a flow that allows to you hear every word, while still
seemingly making it hard for you to follow with some incredible word play that
blows you away from the get-go, wiping the slate of any expectation you might
have had in favour of this new shit. Having first blown you away, its now time
for the Mutants to ask you one question, Can You Feel It? This one opens
with razor sharp cuts from Grazzhoppa and the kind of upbeat funky sound that
makes every atom of your body move. Here PMC drops some intelligent rap vocals
that brings an electric feel good vibe that makes you manna get up and bounce
to the groove. This is the kind of Hip Hop that brings a huge smile to your
face, and you can’t ask for more than that. Now that we are hyped up its time
for the Mutants to bring a little magic to the table with a little Voodoo.
Rapid drums, horns, guitars, keys, and cuts sharper than a Katana merge
together at the hands of Snafu, creating a sound that hits like an injection of
adrenaline. PMC gives a masterclass in fast rap but, still with enough clarity
in his vocals to allow you to follow them. Detailing more about who he is and
some of the awesome projects he has been a part of, and this shows what can be
achieved when you constantly hone your craft, never sitting still but always
moving forward. Next up we have Confidence, originally released back in
2023. I don’t think I can say it any better now than I did back then. Drums,
live sax, and organ notes give you the energy that you need when you want to
stick on a track to get the people out their seats. Mix with that Grazzhoppa’s
knack of bringing you cuts that work seamlessly with the beat and it leaves you
begging to hear what PMC has to say, which is speaking all about Confidence.
It’s all about having confidence in your work and to never second guess what
you do. To be good at what you do, you have to be able to recognise that and to
be able to step up and say ‘Yeah, that’s me and, you know what, I am that good’
and that is something that everyone of the Analog Mutants display here,
Confidence in the quality of their work. Side-A is rounded off with one of only
a couple of Instrumental tracks on the album, Overlord of Fresh which is
produced by DJ Grazzhoppa. Here Grazzhoppa gives us solid display of his
dexterity on the One’s and Two’s over a banging drum beat. The DJ cut was once
a staple of many Hip Hop album’s back in the day and here the Mutant’s bring
that back in true style as Grazzhoppa shows exactly why he is the Overlord of
Fresh.
Take a brief pause as you flip to Side-B, before the quiet
is broken by the needle hitting the groove and I’m On Vacation bringing
the energy back. The reverse sound grabs your awareness, briefly, before things
get back on track and the drums, keys, bass and more bring and upbeat south
American sound that has an infectious edge and gets your body moving. PMC gets
on the mic, switching between flows, really going off on one. He appears to not
be giving it much thought but, you know that’s not the case because even when
you’re on vacation and having a good time, you can still bring the slick
wordplay, on ice. So, order another round of summer anthem vibes, and while you’re
enjoying yourself, what better than a bit of Freeform Freestylin’. Here
horns and a heavy beat create the background sound with Grazz on the cut,
bringing a sound that gets you out your seat pumping the air. This might not be
an actual freestyle, but PMC gives us a supreme display of what it is to drop
some incredible witty wordplay that leaves you as breathless as is sounds, Mic
Drop. From here it’s time for one for the Breakers with Leroy Brown.
This one has an energetic sound of drums, bass and guitars, which really gets
you fired up and wanting to hit the floor. PMC kind of flips the story of Bad,
Bad Leroy Brown by Jim Croce, from a story of a feared man getting bested
in a fight, to one of an emcee with a b-boy sound. This one feels like a story
of a dangerous emcee who pulls no punches and delivers his wordplay with a
deadly precision that takes out all comers. As you are digesting energy of what
has just gone, you’re hit with another freestyle track, the Allergies
Freestyle. This one has an upbeat sound of drums, sampled vocal sounds, and
cuts, creating a sound that seems to fire you up more than you realise, mixing
the Analog Mutants and the Allergies. PMC drops a freestyle with clever
wordplay that is so on point it’s hard to believe this is just off the top of
his head. With your head still nodding from that freestyle goodness, there is a
new sound coming, and that is the sound of Drones, where heavy basslines
and synth sounds merge to bring a sound that fits with a digital age vibe. PMC
opens up on the worrying trends of the digital age, where everything we do and
everywhere we go can be monitored by those around us and the authorities. We
are living in an age where we have less and less privacy in our day to day
lives. Side-B is rounded off with the instrumental track Analog Mutation,
where our minds are sent into a spin with mix of drums, sonic sounds, cuts, and
sampled sound bites that create this cut n’ paste vibe that focuses on the
mutation of analog sounds into something new, is this the origin of the Analog
Mutants perhaps…
Time for another brief pause as you flip to the second vinyl
record and slowly drop the needle onto Side-C. The crackle gives way to
Grazzhoppa on the cut and a huge slice of Hip Hop funk vibes drawing you back
into the album with If Ya Let ‘Em. Here we find PMC schooling us to the
fact that we all need to watch our own backs, keeping ourselves safe from those
who might directly or indirectly cause us harm, and those might even be with
the circle of our own family and friends. At the end of the day, you have to
look out for number one, first and foremost, because others can only hurt you
if are the one that lets them. Next up its time to take it back on that
vacation tip with the I’m On Vacation Freestyle. The beat here has a
grittier edge and is ferociously cut up by Grazzhoppa but, as the track
progresses there are twists and turns ending up with the pace being dialled
down a few notches. PMC goes all in showing that on vacation, it’s ok to go all
in and just enjoy yourself with lyrics. He also keeps his flows perfectly in
time with all those twists and turns on the beat. After all the fun of another
freestyle, it’s now time to Rock On On On with the Analog Mutants. This
one has wicked upbeat feel that mashes up a solid drum beat with a mix of
guitar vibes and more that seem to incorporate different styles rock vibes and
maybe even a hint of a bluesy sound too; a sound that really gets the dopamine
going, and all the while Grazzhoppa cuts up classic Hip Hop samples to keep you
rocking. PMC name drops some of the biggest inspirations to his music, and to
Hip Hop in general. He mixes it up some slick wordplay that keeps you rocking
alongside the beat. It was the sampling and cutting up of songs from these
artist that formed some of the most iconic hip hop tracks of all time, so what
better way to pay homage to that than with this track right here. Hall of
Shame is an instrumental cut that hits with a full on blues vibe with a
heavy drum beat, keys, horns, and a vocal sample that puts you in mind of the
likes of Muddy Waters, B. B. King and the like. This one is one of those that
you could chill with on repeat for hours. After that deep sound Anger
brings a jazzy vibe to proceedings with a multi-layered sound that hits on many
levels but gets the adrenaline rising all the same. The lyrics reflect that
rise in adrenaline with PMC speaking on the subject of anger in a way that
reflects the power and energy of that emotion. The wordplay has a heavy flow
and content that shows how we can all be pushed to the point of no return,
exploding with a wave of physical and verbal expressions. Side-C is rounded of
with the Pining (Interlude) a short instrumental that mixes horns, bass,
and much more into an upbeat sound that brings a smile to your face as it puts
you in mind of comedic spooky vibe like the Addams Family.
Now we have our final little pause as we flip the final to
the final side, Side-D. As the record spins and the needle begins its journey
it all kicks off with the single Speak Easy, from way back in 2022. This
one is a jazzy and funk filled uplifting vibe of drums and horns from Snafu,
all topped off by Grazzhoppa’s classic razor-sharp cuts. This one really gets
you in the mood to move as PMC hits the stage with some slick verses, easily
flipping between flows and showing a masterful level of being comfortable in
his wordplay. It also shows that regardless of lyrical content or beat, he can
just speak easy on any track, and his verbal mastery is at such a high level
that other emcee’s need to beware. The latest single from the Mutants follows
as 2024’s Tittyshaker drops in your face. This one has an upbeat funky vibe
that features guitars, keys, and horns, which brings an infectious sound that
injects movement into your body and a smile onto your face. The beat fits
perfectly with PMC’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics that not only reflect the title
but, serve as a fun filled ode to the female form. Well, actually one
particular aspect of the female form, which I’m sure hadn’t escaped your gaze.
An energy fuelled sound that is one of those, just for fun tracks that everyone
will enjoy bouncing to in the clubs and beyond. After listening to that, you
might just be thinking WTF Was That, and what that is, is the next
track. The beat here finds a funky guitar vibe taking the forefront and the
drum beat almost taking a back seat but, there are so many aspects and changes
to the beat here, it’s almost hard to keep up. However, the sound is upbeat and
gets you moving and enjoying what you’re hearing. PMC has fun here creating
some truly comedic verses that will have you rolling around and thinking
exactly what the title suggests. Its now time for this sides and the albums
penultimate cut, Abused. The beat here has a jazz funk sound that has
guitar and key elements alongside the drum beat, giving an upbeat sound that
gets your head nodding and your toes tapping. This one is a tale of the abuse
suffered by one of a DJs vinyl record collection. How it began life as a
pristine example, straight out the wrapper. But time and repeated plays have
caused the cover to fade and became tattered, the vinyl itself becoming
scratched, dirty, and the sound not what it used to be. Your first listen of
this might take you to a different place but, if you take the time to really
H.E.R you will get where I, and PMC of course, are going with this. Cracking lyricism
right here. The album ends with Infinity, a funky little number that
ends the album on high energy note as Snafu brings this wicked sound of drums,
horns, organ, and bass notes, which gives you the kind of energy boost you
need. This one really shows how to round off an album by bringing all elements
of the Analog Mutants together as Grazzhoppa brings the cuts and PMC drops the
kind of lyrics and wordplay that makes you realise that once you create one
mutant species, those mutations will continue to evolve and multiply for, well
Infinity…
Once you come back down to earth from the last hour, you
realise just what ride you have been on with the Analog Mutants. Twelve years
of formulation, testing and experimentation has created a double album that
could just as easily be described as two single albums or 4 EP’s, but what is
truly apparent here is that you cannot rush quality and Brothers of Invention
is an album of such quality that it has to be at the top, or very close to it,
of anyone’s albums of 2025.
When you have a group that is composed of an international
collective of this nature it is bound to produce Hip Hop of a quality that once
more proves that real Hip Hop is alive and kicking, but more than that it has
mutated in the form of the Analog Mutants, a group that could be the future of
Hip Hop, in some way or another.
I have probably said it before but, here are three artists
that have proven themselves within Hip Hop music. DJ Snafu brings production
that is totally on point, pushing the boundaries of the sound but, still
keeping its foundations intact. He brings a wealth of inspirational sound to
the table, then mixes them together in the way any mad professor might do to
create the perfect mutation. DJ Grazzhoppa has been in the game for many years
and has the experience to craft the perfect cuts for any situation. He also has
production qualities that brings an extra notch to his belt, and we have not
even mentioned his work with DJ Grazzhoppa’s Big Band. This guy is able to
chop, slice and splice any beat or sample to bring hidden abilities to any
mutation. Then, last but not least Phill Most Chill brings legendary status
emceeing to the laboratory. His ability to craft complex wordplay from even the
craziest lyrics and flows has seen him being one of the most influential emcees
out there in recent years. This puts him in the perfect place to bring
additional dimensions to the laboratory and hence, giving any mutation the
qualities most can only dream of.
Brothers of Invention is a release that builds on the
foundations of real Hip Hop music giving the listener an experience that will
speak to both the new listener and the seasoned veteran of Hip Hop music. There
is so much here that can be enjoyed time and time again, never getting old and
probably giving you something new to hear with each listen.
The other thing is something that I like to reiterate time
and again, that groups like the Analog Mutants solidify the international reach
of Hip Hop. Something that unites people the world over with a love for music
whose foundations were built on raising people up and bringing them together.
Brothers of Invention is released through Nobody Buys
Records digitally right now with limited edition vinyl out around 23rd
November. The limited edition vinyl comes in four colour variations with
artwork from Phill Most Chill, and these are selling quick, so don’t sleep on
them.
My huge thanks to DJ Snafu for the chance to bring this one
to you.
I really like it when a label goes that extra mile to promo
a release, and here Nuke Fam Records have done that for this release. They sent
the Nuke Fam Mag Vol One to those who had previously purchased a release from
them as a way to fully promote Undiluted from East Coast US Emcee
Cymarshall Law and UK legendary emcee and producer Ramson Badbonez.
The Nuke Fam Mag Vol One really gets you hyped up for this
release with a review from the one and only Craig Killa Tapes aka Grimee Quick (which I decided not to read prior to this review),
some great pics of the artwork and artists, plus an interview with Cymarshall
Law; I’ll put a link to the full interview on YouTube below.
Now, I have featured Ramson Badbonez on the blog before with
my review of his producer album, Lead By Example, and a number of
features too. Based in London, he has been one of the UK’s most prolific emcees
in recent years. He also turned his hand to production in 2021 with the afore
mentioned Lead By Example, further cementing his legendary status in the
UK and further afield.
In fact, it was Lead By Example that also gave me my
first introduction, on the blog, to Cymarshall Law, who appeared on the track
Reservoir Dogs. Born in Luton UK, he moved to the US when he was just nine
years old. His career would be instigated as he watched his older brother Skits
Slam’s own career evolve. But it would be at age seventeen that he would get
his break joining the group Everlivin Sound, on the advice of another UK
ex-pat, the one and only MF DOOM (R.I.E.P). The New Jersey based emcee is now
one of the East Coast heavy hitters and joining forces with one the UK greats,
seems a natural progression.
The album also has some cracking features to with Ramson
Badbonez himself picking up the mic alongside appearances from Leaf Dog, DJ
Phillip Lee, Pacewon, and DJ Jazz T. Showing that this one is a true slice of
Hip Hop that spans the oceans.
Anyway, with all that said, I think it’s now time to get
into the album…
So, Side A (Yeah, I’m gonna give you the review as it you
were listening to the vinyl, if that’s OK), kicks things off with Free Like
A Breeze, an intro that hits you hard with pounding drum breaks and more,
swirling in your head like the trailer for a movie. The vocals here seem to
float alongside the sound, and the more you listen, the more they seem to be
opening your mind, preparing you for what’s to come, and you are not left
waiting as Ramson Badbonez picks up the mike alongside Cymarshall Law for My
Opening. This one immediately injects some adrenaline into your system
getting you bouncing from the get-go with an infectious sound you can’t ignore.
Cymarshall and Ransom trade verses here, flexing their lyrical muscles, with
the kind of intricate wordplay that gets you all fired up while systematically
having your brain rewired. So, with your body now bouncing and your mind
spinning we move on to Hymphony (Going In), which has this banging funk
vibe to it with funked up drums and guitars getting you moving in a whole new
way. Cymarshall Law takes the gloves off here, demonstrating that this is some
real Hip Hop right here as he alludes to the B-Girls, B-Boys and the graff
writers, before unloading a salvo that takes out the competition in true rap
style. It’s all about going in with everything you got and standing tall so
that everyone can see that you have the skill to back up the braggadocio, the way
rappers threw down back in the day, and this is throwing down for a new era.
Just as all that is sinking in DJ Phillip Lee steps up to the One’s and Two’s,
cutting it up alongside Cymarshall Law while Ramson Badbonez drops a heavy beat
that is mixed with chilled keys, giving this one a laid-back sound that still
has your head nodding. Burning It Up embraces that slightly laid-back
sound as this one is all about mixing up the rap vocals with more that hit or
two from a certain medicinal plant that many enjoy, and one that just happens
to, as Cymarshall cleverly points out, have ‘the same colour as Raekwon’s tape’
alluding to limited first edition tape version of ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…’
which was purple in colour. You also can’t escape some of the classic vocal
samples that are cut into this one too, adding to the rawness of that boombap
sound. Emerald Tablet brings strings to bear on this before the beat
kicks in elevates the adrenaline levels. This one speaks on being authentic in
this modern era, a time when the rise of AI and digital media makes it easy for
people to create something that they don’t have to think much about. Cymarshall
states he is the ‘Emerald Tablet among iPads’, the Emerald Tablet being a
cryptic text from 8th or 9th century CE that is
attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. This shows the difference between something
created by someone thousands of years ago, from knowledge alone, as opposed to
a digital construct that allows people to create something without too much
thought. Creating something that is truly authentic allows people to connect
with you in different ways, giving depth and feeling to what you do. Side-A
ends with One Warning, which features another legendary UK figure in
Leaf Dog. Heavy Drums and horns give this one a sound that seems to seep into
the very core of your being. This one seems to have that vibe of how things
change from when you were younger to the present day. When you were young you
got just one warning about things and that set up on how things played out as
you grew but, these days it seems that people need to have things repeated to
them over again, there is not the respect there used to be. Maybe I’m not getting
the right message but, I really felt that as I listened, that there was this
air of giving respect to those for what they have achieved.
So, spinning over to Side-B, we are straight back into it
with Shell Toes. Here the drum break and horns give this one soundtrack
vibe, elevating the sound a couple of levels and getting you jumping, forget
the bouncing. Now, you might think from the title that this one is going to be
a homage to the classic Adidas sneakers but, this one goes above and beyond
that with the Shell Toes being a symbol of what this is all about, which is all
about what you put into what you do. The Shell Toes have always been synonymous
with Hip Hop and here it’s all about constantly putting in the work and
elevating your craft, constantly pushing yourself to be the best you can be. Better
Win brings a new sound to your ears, with new percussion vibes, chilled
basslines and sonic sounds that seem to get you floating along giving more
attention to the vocals. There is this kind of faint ragga air mixed into to
this one too especially with the way Cymarshall Law drops his vocals. As you
listen to this you get the feeling that this one is all about not sitting back
and getting too comfortable to being in one flow, one style, one vibe, It’s all
about keeping it fresh and delivering real lived experience that the listener
can associate with and focusing on the best possible outcome in life. With that
thought in mind, we move on to the Tables Turning, Where the drums pound
but, the multi-layered background sound has a more lo-fi vibe that gives you a
sound to chill to. This one gave me chills as it really focused on the fact
that Hip Hop, the Real Hip Hop, is coming back, silencing the critics and
proving that the roots have always been there and are still inspiring people to
bring it back. It is something that I have felt in a lot of the music that I
review, I know that real Hip Hop is still out there, regardless of the views of
so many, including the internet critics. This one really mirrors my feeling on
the culture, and that is what gave me those chills. Next up is Aurora
where Ramson Badbonez ups the pace a bit with a banging beat that is backed
with organ and more giving you sound that really gets the adrenaline moving.
Cymarshall Law gives us a solid display of raw Hip Hop braggadocio, taking
self-expression to new heights and giving us the kind of track that just makes
you nod your head for the quality of the wordplay. We now come to the
penultimate track of the album, Dust Settles, where the drums and
accompanying keys, give us this deep sound that gets you moving while vibrating
through you to the core. When you hit the game with force, you are going to
kick up a lot of dust, and right here Cymarshall Law is unloading plenty of
verbal lead, causing huge amounts of dust to be kicked up in the process. This
means that many will fall by the wayside in the face of such an onslaught and
begs the question, just who will be left standing when the Dust Settles. After
such a powerful statement, you might think that’s the end of the album, but no,
there is one bonus track left, which is Here I Am featuring Pacewon, DJ
Jazz T on the cut, and bass from JCA. Ramson Badbonez rounds things off with a
solid banger hits with some heavy pounding beats with some background sounds
that give this one an edge that seems to weigh on you from all sides. This one
sees our two emcees trading verses in a blistering display of wordplay that
goes to prove, in one three minute track, that Hip Hop is well and truly alive
and kicking.
The first thing that strikes you about this album is the
feeling of just how raw it feels. It makes you feel that what went into making
this was pure unadulterated passion for expressing the essence of true Hip Hop
music. It might not have some of the deep conscious vibes that a lot of Hip Hop
is displaying right now but, what is does display is a deep desire to strip
things down and give the listener a raw display of what Hip Hop wordplay and
the sound is all about.
What Cymarshall Law and Ramson Badbonez have done here is to
perfectly display a mix of production and rap that encapsulates exactly what
Hip Hop music is, while also demonstrating their own, individual abilities.
Cymarshall Law shows what being a heavy hitter is all about
by displaying a talent for slick and intricate wordplay while being able switch
that across a range of flows that keep the listener engaged not matter what he
is saying along the way. His technique just seems to blow you away, especially
as it shows his deep love and appreciation for rap and the whole Hip Hop
culture.
Ramson Badbonez shows that an emcee can use that knowledge
of wordplay and flow to craft beats that work perfectly for bringing focus to
an emcee’s words, while still giving the listener an enjoyable experience.
Plus, his production is, at times, as intricate as the wordplay that he himself
is so adept at.
When you put these two together, they perfectly complement
each other in a way that brings a new wave of appreciation and love for that
true Hip Hop sound. As you listen to the album you get this feel that each has
their own deep love and passion for Hip Hop and that is what brings that
authentic sound to entire album. There is not one track here that does not
exude that same passion and desire to bring that real Hip Hop sound to your
ear. In fact, to a point here I almost forgot to mention how good the features
are because each one of those features bring their own energy to the mix but,
also, they bring their own love of that real Hip Hop sound, and that is why
they work so well here because they all have one thing that binds them
together.
Overall, there is not much more I can say except that
Undiluted is a passionate and raw homage to Hip Hop and its sound. This album
shows that Hip Hop is a sound that is universally recognised and unites people
and nations the world over. So, no matter what you take from this album, what
it says to you or how much you enjoy it, remember that one thing it has always
stood for, Unity…
My huge thanks to Eskar at Nuke Fam Records for giving me
that chance to bring you my take on this truly outstanding album.
Undiluted is out today and available on limited edition
clear vinyl and cassette copies plus, digital of course. So go grab your copy
now…
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