Dj Sammy B presents BushCamp the Mixtape - Review

 

DJ Sammy B Presents

BushCamp the Mixtape

Review

 

The origins of the Mixtape go back to the late 1970’s when DJ’s such as Grandmaster Flash, Kool Herc and DJ Hollywood produced recordings of their private shows to distribute. Since that time, the mixtape has been a staple of Hip Hop culture be it those produced by artists or those put together by the fans for parties to showcase their favourite tracks.

Reviewing a mixtape can be a daunting task as they can contain upwards of Twenty plus tracks But, the BushCamp Mixtape from DJ Sammy B is 13 tracks deep which is about the same as a standard album release.

The DJ for the legendary Hip Hop group, The Jungle Brothers, has taken a host of some of the top Emcees from the USA to the UK and put together something that promises funky dopeness on a grand scale.

So, let me break this down track by track and see where it took me:

You briefly float into this on some blissful keys. From there BushCamp Intro hits you with a funky dope vibe thar see’s Mike Steezo grab the mic and take you through life and the love for hip hop while dropping more than a few names along the way just to wet your appetite. Ain’t a Trapper instantly flips the vibe to a deep heavy pounding beat with an electronic feel that hovers on the verge of a more modern feel. Cardiff (Wales, UK) emcee SayKriDD Daly and the JB’s Mike G take over the mic and speak on life and putting together the kind of Hip Hop music that brings real energy. To keep that freshness to the musical vibe Back It Up keeps that modern feel that mixes ragga with a trap vibe. BIGLSD and Mike Steezo bring it hard all over the fakes, wack emcees and politics in the game.

Taking it back to the real Hip Hop vibe Begging for a Dollar has K Born Rivers dropping knowledge with personal experiences through the years over a beat that has head nod summer vibe all over it. Gotz 2 Get It (BushCamp Interlude 1) is an interlude in name only. A funky bagging track that has emcee Left dropping a wicked verse that really gears you up for the next onslaught.

That onslaught is Mic Terrorist a proper slammin’ track that will keep ya movin’ with Mike Steezo and Dan-J displaying some slick lyrical delivery and content and add to that some sweet cuts and this one delivers, nuff said. Inspiration is a more laid-back vibe but, still funky enough to make you wanna move with it. Kurious takes the mic reigns on a track he states is inspired by the JB’s and DJ Red Alert and he really delivers some top-notch bars. Next, it’s time to Take It Back with Hakim Green on a track that not only has that electro vibe but, Hakim takes us on a journey to those early days of Hip Hop. Back Down (BushCamp Interlude 2) is a funky little track with Left back on the mic and bringing a bit of a lyrical face slap to bring your focus back.

Move brings a guitar and harmonica heavy vibe that give this one a Hip Hop spaghetti western feel. Dan-J and Gwalla bring a lyrical unrelenting style that states, if they tell ya to move, you better move. Let It Flow brings legendary UK Hip Hop artist Redvenom to the mic with a few lyrics you might recognise. Everything about this track screams golden age Hip Hop start to finish. Mike Steezo again steps up for his final appearance on the penultimate track I Can’t Wait. This track has a real Caribbean style vibe giving this one a real summer vibe too as Mike shows he can switch up his style regardless of the beat. The final track is Meant To Be which features BIGLSD, it has a kind of South American style vibe which gives it that real body moving feel. It is BIGLSD’s lyrical delivery and content that gives it a harder feel, otherwise this would have a far more party vibe to it.

 

It is no mean feat to pack this much quality into a little over 30 minutes but, Sammy B has done an amazing job. The production is polished and covers such a wide range of vibes it is a proper ride and a half. There is something here for everyone from the old skool Hip Hop heads to younger generation who might be just discovering Hip Hop through it’s more modern evolutionary tracks.

The choice of emcee’s that he has brought in is another display of brilliance. Each artist fits perfectly with the individual tracks they lend their expertise to. That mixture of styles and artists from both sides of the pond is element that really works so well.

This is essential listening regardless of what you are up to and is easily one you can play from start to finish without skipping a single track.

It goes without saying that when you are part of one of Hip Hop’s pioneering groups, in this case The Jungle Brothers, your reputation can precede you and in this case it does help but, it takes nothing away from Sammy B’s individual talent as a producer and DJ. I grew up with the Jungle Brothers and not only is it an honour to review his work But, it is also such a credit to him to hear this new work and to have it sound as fresh and exciting as his work from years back. Sometimes the quality and standard of some artists seems to drop over the years but, that cannot be said of DJ Sammy B.

I am sure that there is a BushCamp Mixtape 2 in the works and I’m looking forward to hearing this one too.

DJ Sammy B Presents BushCamp the Mixtape is out now and available from the usual streaming sites, just click here: BushCamp Links

Huge thanks to Redvenom for putting this one my way.

On that note,

Peace, I’m Out.

Steve