The WOW Signal
& 40 Years
By
4Dee
Following on from my recent review of 4Dee’s album ShotsFired, comes his two most recent single releases, The WOW Signal, and 40 Years.
The WOW Signal was a strong narrowband radio signal,
that bore all the expected hallmarks of an expected extraterrestrial origin,
was picked up by the Ohio State University’s Big Ear radio telescope on 15th
August 1977. The signal, which originated from the direction of the
constellation Sagittarius, lasted for the entire 72 second window in which the
Big Ear was able to observe it. It was just a few days later while reviewing
the data that astronomer Jerry R. Ehman, being so impressed by the result,
circled the signals intensity, and wrote WOW next to it but, just say that
signal was from a race of beings observing the earth? On The WOW Signal
4Dee takes on the persona of an extraterrestrial being visiting earth and
detailing how they have been periodically visiting the planet, monitoring us
and aware of the potential issues we face and how we chose to conduct ourselves
as a race. Observations, mixed with dire warnings and a glimpse of a brighter
future are all part of the beings’ message but, ultimately that message comes
down to one thing, we, as a race must listen to the warnings and how the
potential for self-destruction can be reversed, otherwise our fate is sealed.
All this creates deep thought within your mind, which is enhanced by the
musical backdrop of heavy pounding drums, electronic vibes and a haunting
background melody which creates that feeling of dark anticipation that fuels a
desire to look more towards the light.
40 Years produced by DJ Jaffa and is the kind of track
that immediately has your adrenaline fired up, getting you bouncing around to
what it, essentially, a classic boom bap Hip Hop sound with plenty of
razor-sharp cuts from DJ Jaffa. Here we find 4Dee in fine form as he takes us
on trip through 40 years within the Hip Hop culture in the UK, something both he and DJ Jaffa have shared. This is a
high tempo celebration of Hip Hop and what it has meant to them to be a part of
it during those years. This is something many of us older Hip Hop Heads can really
relate to as it perfectly underlines so many of our own personal experiences
and enjoyment of the culture, regardless of whether you are an emcee, DJ,
Breaker or are just someone who has followed Hip Hop since those early days.
There is not much more I can say about this except that you need to put this
one on and see where it takes you, because if you are a lover of the real Hip
Hop vibe and you know the foundations, this one will speak to you.
So, here we have two tracks from 4Dee that seem to be worlds
apart but still have their roots in the true Hip Hop sound. Looking at these
two tracks side-by-side we get a real sense of the depth and range of 4Dee as
an emcee, producer (The WOW Signal), and within the subject matter he draws on to put forward the
message he is conveying.
These are two cracking Hip Hop tracks that have two very
different messages but still have the same level of enjoyment factor. Give them
a listen for yourself and see…
Both Singles are available through Veteran Records.
Time for me to be outta here,
See Ya,
Steve
LINKS
Both singles can be downloaded from Bandcamp Here:
Veteran Records Website:
VIDEOS
The WOW Signal
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