Infinite Sounds UK: Album Review: Salamander by Deeq x Farma G

Salamander

Deeq X Farma G

This week we have one of the latest releases from the UK label Gold On The Mixer and also sees the return of Deeq to the blog who I first featured way back in 2021 as part of Flooded Hallways alongside Nemrot. This time we find Deeq partnering with the legendary figure of Farma G (Task Force) to bring us the album Salamander.

Salamander sees Deeq taking on Vocal duties as well as recording and artwork, with Farma G providing the production. There are vocal features from EF Knows, Farma G, Evolucian, and FlowTecs, with the whole project mixed and mastered by Zatoichi’s Ears.

Released at the end of February this year, the album is ten tracks deep and has already seen the vinyl version sold out here in the UK. So, the best thing I can do now is to take you on a trip through the album and give you my thoughts…

We begin our journey with Porcelain, The intro to this one has you mind spinning for a few seconds, wondering where its gonna take you but, soon enough the heavy beat kicks in with these organ notes and your head gets to nodding. There is a depth to this one too, and as you listen to Deeq’s words, you realise why it has the title it does, because this one seems to refer to the fragile nature of things, from everything that you build, to society around you and the very nature of the planet you live on. From those thoughts of the fragile nature of things, we move onto English Malady, and from the title you get an instant feeling as to where this one might be going. Farma’s beat incorporates strings into a heavy drumbeat, this brings a vibe that has a weight to it, something seeps into the core of your being. As you listen you really get the feeling this is a heart felt message that speaks on the state of this island we live on. A tiny island but, a superpower on the world stage where the powers that be will do anything to maintain that, even at a cost to those who live here. In fact, the message is so deep here that you could talk for hours about the ramifications of what truly ails this country. With your mind still spinning, it’s time for EF Knows to make his first appearance on All That Burns in Not Consumed. Here Farma brings Strings and harpsichord as the main sound over the nice head nod beat. This gives this one a more relaxed feel which eases the heaviness somewhat and takes the things a bit more upbeat. Deeq and EF Knows bring vocals that bring an uplifting edge as you get the feeling this one speaks on the fact that no matter the fire that burns in any aspect of your life, there is always something left to build on, to help you rise from the ashes once again. It is a reminder that you are always stronger that you realise, even if you do hit rock bottom, you are still here to climb up once more. As those thoughts rise in your mind, it’s time to more forward as Deeq is joined by Farma G, EF Knows, and Evolucian on Grey-Sky Thinking. Horns, strings and keys all merge over the beat to create a sound that has this big, almost soundtrack kinda sound that brings an energy that seems to form in your heart centre and then fill your entire being. This one has the posse cut vibe about it and is one of those to sit back and enjoy, because here its all about the electric wordplay being demonstrated by each emcee, something that just leaves you buzzing when the time is up. We have reached the end of side A, for those listening on the vinyl, and we do that with Pyrrhic Victory, Stings and keys all come together on a pounding beat, bringing a sound that, once more, has a heavy vibe to it. As you listen to the lyrics, the deep aspect that is infused in the sound and the words really hits home and you get this sense that everything feels like a hollow victory and you research the meaning of the title, and this makes you understand things more as a Pyrrhic Victory is one where cost to the victor means it is more like a defeat. This makes you listen more intently, and you realise that life does seem to go this way, especially in the current state of society, there always seems to be something that takes away from the happiness you feel each day. I feel the message here is to not put yourself in that position and do your best not to allow things to get to you…

So, for the vinyl heads among you, its time to flip to side B, and for the rest of you; next up is Guilty, where the sound is far more uplifting, with guitars and keys coming together with the beat to get you moving and listening intently. Deeq brings us a track that speaks on life, love and personal experiences that lay open all the things he is guilty of, good or bad. There is a real sense that this one is something we canal relate to in some way and fills you with a knowing that we can all change and find our best way forward. Next up is the albums title track, Salamander, which sees Deeq joined by EF Knows and FlowTecs. This one has a heavy beat with horns and electronic sounds that merge to give us a mind bending sound. Listening to this might take you a while to get a feel for what the track is about and there is a good chance you might get something different to me. I really felt there was this aspect that was all about constantly reinventing yourself, shedding your old skin as you are constantly bombarded by the energy of the world around you. Never let that negative energy seep to far into you before you shed your skin and begin to face the world anew. Madame Guillotine has the final feature from EF Knows, and final feature of the album. Here the beat continues to uplift us with strings and vocal samples bringing a sound that really lifts you up. However, the lyrics have you questioning if you should feel up lifted here as it almost feels like a love song to Guillotine itself. However, my thoughts drifted to all the moments when you come face-to-face with the outcome of your own actions, facing up to the choices you made and that you have to come to terms with that in some way. Its interesting where music takes you sometimes. As we move into the last couple of tracks, the penultimate track is Alone With Everybody which has infectious sound of drum beat and piano, which is one of those sounds that has an emotive quality that just seems to touch you deeply. Sometimes when you here an emcee talk about how they see themselves, there is a certain amount of braggadocio involved; and to a certain extent it appears so here but, as you listen, it almost feels like you are listening to a story of a legendary emcee who is just trying to do there thing and be at peace. It made me think of the move John Wick, except here we have an emcee who others will come for but, id one you really just want to leave alone, because if pushed they will do what needs to be done. The final track here is Godhead, the beat is heavy and laced with guitars, strings, and piano notes. The outcome is another sound that can be felt through every ounce of your body. With the references to Romeo and Juliet here it took me a little while to understand what I was feeling on this one. But, one I had listened a few times it felt to me like there was a lot here about the battle of good and evil, love and hate, but, also there was something that kept saying to me the battle of constantly looking outside for validation and the answers when your own validation should come from within and the answers depend on the questions you ask. It was a great way to end the album leaving you with so much to think about.

So, overall, this is an extremely good album and one that you should give the time to and properly listen to. Now, I could end it there but, aside from what I have already written above, what makes this album that good?

First up you have Deeq who crafts his lyrics and wordplay with a deep intellectual ability that makes you want to listen and to understand and feel what is being said. But it is not just about his crafting of the words but, also his delivery; and you really get the sense that there is a lot of heart and emotion put into every word of every verse, and this gives a depth to every track, regardless of the subject matter. He brings you words that not only twist and turn in the mind but, also elicit an energetic response that you feel, showing you the conviction he has in his craft and the message he seeks to bring with it.

Secondly, you have the quality of production from Farma G, who just seems to be able to bring this stunning musical depth to everything he touches, and here it is no exception. Every track displays a sound that mirrors the emotive aspect of the lyrics, providing the perfect platform for Deeq to deliver. What this does overall, is create Hip Hop music that has a soul to it and one that is firmly rooted in a way that allows you to feel it with every inch of your body and not just in your mind.

So, together these two work so well together and it seems like this album was meant to happen. It brings both a pleasurable listening experience and one that is easy to associate with. Plus, if you really take the time to listen in depth here, you might just find that it touches you in ways you did not expect.

In my opinion, Salamander is a solid Hip Hop album that brings an emotive aspect you simply can’t ignore. It might say different things to you than it did to me but, then that is the pleasure of good music as it speaks to you in the moment, whenever that moment is you need to hear it.

Salamander by Deeq X Farma G is out now on Gold On The Mixer.

My huge thanks to Deeq for the chance to bring you this one.

Peace Out,

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy of Salamander Here:

https://goldonthemixer.bandcamp.com/album/salamander-gotm068

Deeq Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/deeq.dark.imagery

https://www.instagram.com/deeq_darkimagery/

Farma G:

https://linktr.ee/farmag